• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.224-230
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• 2011

In order to develop silk peptide (SP) preparations possessing cognition-enhancing effect, several candidates were screened through in vitro assays, and their effectiveness was investigated in facilitated brain aging model rats. Incubation of brain acetyl-cholinesterase with SP-PN (1-1,000 ${\mu}g/ml$) led to inhibition of the enzyme activity up to 35%, in contrast to a negligible effect of SP-NN. The expression of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA of neural stem cells expressing ChAT gene (F3.ChAT) was increased by 24-hour treatment with 10 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ SP-NN (1.35 and 2.20 folds) and SP-PN (2.40 and 1.34 folds). Four-week subcutaneous injections with D-galactose (150 mg/kg) increased activated hippocampal astrocytes to 1.7 folds (a marker of brain injury and aging), decreased acetylcholine concentration in cerebrospinal fluid by 45-50%, and thereby impaired learning and memory function in passive avoidance and water-maze performances. Oral treatment with SP preparations (50 or 300 mg/kg) for 5 weeks from 1 week prior to D-galactose injection exerted recovering activities on acetylcholine depletion and brain injury/aging as well as cognitive deficit induced by D-galactose. The results indicate that SP preparations restore cognitive functions of facilitated brain aging model rats by increasing the release of acetylcholine, in addition to neuroprotective activity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.207-213
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• 2012

The present study examined the effects of krill-derived phosphatidylserine (Krill-PS) on the learning and memory function and the neural activity in rats with trimethyltin (TMT)-induced memory deficits. The rats were administered vehicle (medium-chain triglyceride: MCT) or Krill-PS (50, 100 mg/kg, p.o.) daily for 21 days. The cognitive improving efficacy of Krill-PS in TMT-induced amnesic rats was investigated by assessing the Morris water maze test and by performing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) immunohistochemistry. The rats with TMT injection showed impaired learning and memory of the tasks and treatment with Krill-PS produced a significant improvement of the escape latency to find the platform in the Morris water maze at the $2^{nd}$ and $4^{th}$ day compared to that of the MCT group (p<0.05). In the retention test, the Krill-PS+MCT groups showed increased time spent around the platform compared to that of the MCT group. Consistent with the behavioral data, Krill-PS 50+MCT group significantly alleviated the loss of acetylcholinergic neurons in the hippocampus and medial septum compared to that of the MCT group. Treatment with Krill-PS significantly increased the CREB positive neurons in the hippocampal CA1 area as compared to that of the MCT group. These results suggest that Krill-PS may be useful for improving the cognitive function via regulation of cholinergic marker enzyme activity and neural activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.51-58
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• 2010

This study compared the effects of black, white, and red ginseng extracts (WGE, RGE, BGE, 200 mg/kg, p.o.) on learning and memory deficits associated with scopolamine treatment (SCOP, 2 mg/kg, i.p.). Tacrine (THA, 10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as a positive control. Ginseng significantly reversed SCOP-induced memory impairment in the passiveavoidance test and also reduced escape latency in training trials of the Morris water maze test. The increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity produced by SCOP was significantly inhibited by WGE and RGE (p<0.001). SCOP administration had no effect on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, but RGE and BGE significantly increased ChAT activity (p<0.05). SCOP administration increased oxidative damage in the brain. Treatment of amnesic mice with ginseng extracts decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and restored superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity to control levels. These results suggest that black ginseng enhances cognitive activity by regulation of cholinergic enzymes and antioxidant systems.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.300-305
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• 2011

The present study was investigated the neuroprotective effects of acupuncture at ST36 on learning and memory deficits after transient cerebral ischemia in a gerbil model. The animals were randomly divided into three groups (n=7 in each group): the sham operation group (SHAM), ischemia-induced and ST36 acupuncture group (ISC + ST36), and the ischemia-induced and Tail-acupuncture group (ISC + TAIL). For the acupuncture stimulation, stainless steel needles, 0.3 mm in diameter, were inserted bilaterally into the ST36 locus or the tail and stimulated for 1 min/day for 14 days. Using the Morris water maze test, the animals were tested on spatial learning and memory. In addition, the effects of acupuncture on memory storage and the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, in the hippocampal CA1 area, were investigated by ChAT immunohistochemistry. Transient cerebral ischemia produced impaired performance on the MWM test (DAY 5: p<0.01 and retention test: p<0.05) and severely decreased ChAT immunoreactivity in the CA1 hippocampal area compared to the SHAM group (p<0.05). However, improved learning and memory were observed (DAY 5: p<0.05 and retention test: p<0.01) as well as a significantly reduced loss of ChAT immunoactivity in the hippocampal CA1 region (p<0.001) after acupuncture stimulation at ST36 were observed. These results show that acupuncture at ST36 ameliorated the learning and memory deficits at least in part through the cholinergic system. The findings of this study provide potential data that acupuncture is useful for the treatment of some of the behavioral impairs of transient cerebral ischemia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.85-89
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• 2009

Puerariae flos (PF) is a traditional oriental medicinal plant and has clinically been prescribed for a long time. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of PF on repeated stress-induced alterations of learning and memory on a Morris water maze (MWM) test in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. The changes in the reactivity of the cholinergic system were assessed by measuring the immunoreactive neurons of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) in the hippocampus after behavioral testing. The female rats were randomly divided into four groups: the nonoperated and nonstressed group (normal), the sham-operated and stressed group (control), the ovariectomized and stressed group (OS), and the ovariectomized, stressed and PF treated group (OSF). Rats were exposed to immobilization stress (IMO) for 14 d (2 h/d), and PF (400 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered 30 min before IMO stress. Results showed that treatments with PF caused significant reversals of the stress-induced deficits in learning and memory on a spatial memory task, and also increased the ChA T immunoreactivities. In conclusion, administration of PF improved spatial learning and memory in OVX rats, and PF may be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal-related dementia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.421-428
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• 2011

This study evaluated cholineresterase inhibitory activity of Korean white ginseng extract (WGE), red ginseng extract (RGE), and black ginseng extract (BGE) and the cholinergic effect on scopolamine (SCOP)-induced amnesic mice. WGE, RGE, and BGE inhibited acetylcholineserase (AChE), as well as butyrylcholineserase (BuChE) in a concentration-dependent manner. BGE presented strong inhibition of AChE with an $IC_{50}$ value of 1.72 mg/mL, followed by WGE (5.89 mg/mL), RGE (6.30 mg/mL), respectively. The inhibitory activity of the three ginseng extracts on BuChE showed similar values among the groups. To better understand the mechanisms of the possible effect of ginseng extract on the cholinergic function, this study assessed the expression of the cholinergic markers of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) and AChE using western blot and RT-PCR analysis in the brains of amnesic mice. Treatment with ginseng extracts led to inhibition of AChE expression and, the activation of ChAT expression in the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex of amnesic mice as induced by SCOP. The results suggest that ginseng extracts including BGE, appear to modulate the metabolism of acetylchoine (ACh), which would greatly increase synaptic ACh levels and most potently revert SCOP-induced amnesia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.176-181
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• 2004

솔잎 BuOH획분을 하루 25, 50, 100 mg/kg BW로써 SD계 랫트에 45일 동안 투여하여 뇌조직획분의 콜레스테롤 및 LF의 침착, ACh 및 ACh의 합성효소, ChAT, 신경전달에 관여하는 효소 AChE의 활성, 카테콜라민계 신경 전달물질의 파괴효소 MAO-B의 활성에 미치는 영향을 평가하였다. 뇌조직의 mitochnodria 및 microsome 획분 중의 콜레스테롤이 BuOH-50 및 BuOH-100 투여그룹에서 14∼17% 및 23∼34%의 통계적인 억제효과가 인정되었고, 뇌조직에 대한 LF도 BuOH-50 및 BuOH-100 투여그룹에서 10∼14%의 유의적인 침착 억제효과가 인정되었다. 뇌조직중의 신경전달물질 ACh의 함량 및 ACh의 합성효소 ChAT의 활성은 BuOH획분의 거의 용량의존적으로 증가현상이 나타났지만, BuOH-50 및 BuOH-100 투여그룹에서 각각 11∼17% 및 11∼23%의 통계적인 증가효과가 인정되었을 뿐만 아니라 AChE의 활성도 BuOH-50 및 BuOH-100 투여그룹에서 14∼17%의 통계적인 증가효과가 인정되었다. 뇌조직중의 MAO-B의 활성은 BuOH 획분의 거의 용량의존적으로 억제하였지만, 그 유의성은 인정할 수 없었다. 따라서 솔잎 BuOH 획분의 투여는 뇌조직의 유동성을 축진하고 콜레스테롤의 침착을 억제하며 ACh와 그 관련효소의 활성을 촉진하여 기억ㆍ학습의 증진에 매우 효과적으로 작용할 것으로 기대된다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Acori Graminie Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture (PA-AG) at GV20 on cerebral ischemia-induced dementia in Mice. Methods : Mice were divided into the five following groups: normal, control, acupuncture, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-AG (34 mg/kg). All groups, except the normal group, had cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery. The control group was not treated. The acupuncture, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-GA (34 mg/kg) groups were treated every other day with a total of 6 treatments. The effect of treatment was observed by Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cytochrome c, cresyl violet, and choline acetyltransferase staining. Results : In the PA-AG (34 mg/kg) group, the intensity of Bax was decreased and the intensity of Bcl-2 was increased. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio also decreased in the PA-AG (34 mg/kg) group. The intensity of cytochrome c protein stain was decreased in the PA-AG (17 mg/kg) group. The density of neurons stained by cresyl violet and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was increased in the AT, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-AG (34 mg/kg) groups when compared with that of the control group. Conclusion : PA-AG at GV20 was effective on cerebral ischemia-induced dementia in mice.

• 한국동물학회지
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.248-268
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• 1995

출생 후 0일, 7일, 14일, 21일 그리고 성체의 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부의 내측중격핵과 수직 및 수평대각 Broca대에서 choline acetyltransferase(ChAT)에 면역반응을 보이는 신경조직과 세포의 분화를 면역조직화학적 및 전자현미경적 방법을 이용하여 조사하였다. 출생 후 초기와 성체에서 신경세포의 세포질과 수상돌기에서 고루 ChAT 면역반응이 확인되었다. 뇌 기저부의 ChAT 면역반응 신경세포들은 발생에 따른 뇌 크기의 증대와 뇌 조직의 분화에 따라 점차 수적 증가를 보였다. 이 ChAT 면역반응 신경세포들은 세포의 모양과 세포제의 장 · 단축의 비에 따라 6가지 형 즉 1) 월형 2) 난형, 3) 세장형, 4) 방추형. 5) 삼각형, 6) 다각형으로 분류되었다 전뇌 기저 핵에서 원형과 난형 신경세포들의 출현율은 출생 후 0일에서 높았으나 성체로 되면서 감소된 반면, 세장형. 방추형. 삼각형 그리고 다각형 신경세포들의 출현율은 출생 후 0일에서는 낮았으나 성체로 되면서 증가하였다. 모든 핵들에서 ChAT 면역반응 신경세포체의 부피는 출생 후 0일에 996-1,252 Um3로 제일 작았으며, 내측중격핵과 수직대각 Broca대 그리고 수평대각 Broca대에서는 출생 후 21일에 각각 5,061, 5.701, 5,820 um3로 최대치를 보였다. 그후 성체로 되면서 모든 핵에서1,897-2,704 roms로 다시 감소하였다. 전자현미경적 관찰에서 출생 후 21일된 흰쥐 수평대각 Broca대에서 ChAT 면역반응은 핵의 핵질 일부와 핵막 그리고 미토콘드리아와 조면소포체에서 관찰되었다. 이 결과들로 미루어 출생 후 초기 발생단계에서 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부의 내측중격핵과 수직 및 수평대각 Broca대에서 ChAT 면역반응 신경세포들은 축삭과 수상돌기의 형성에 따라 세포의 형과 그 출현율 및 세포제의 크기에서 현저한 변화가 이루어지는 것으로 생각된다.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.355-365
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• 2001

흰쥐 전뇌 기저부에서 콜린성 신경세포는 내측중격핵, 수직 및 수평 대각 Broca대, 거대세포 시교차앞핵, 복부담창구, Meynert기저핵 그리고 신선조체 등에 분포하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 저자 등은 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부 Meynert 기저핵에서 ChAT항체를 이용한 면역조직 및 세포화학적 방법으로 신경세포들의 발생, 분포, 형태, 형별 출현율 및 세포체의 부피, 조직학적 특성 등을 확인하였다. 또한 전자현미경을 이용하여 ChAT항체에 면역 반응을 하는 신경세포의 미세구조적 특징을 관찰하여 출생 후 발생단계에 따른 Meynert 기저핵에서 ChAT항체 면역반응 신경세포들의 분화를 관찰하고 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. ChAT항체에 반응하는 신경세포의 분포는 조직마다 부분적으로 상이하지만, 대부분 담창구가 내포와 접하는 부위, 또는 담창구와 무명질의 연접지역에 군집을 이루거나 혹은 단독으로 관찰되었으며 ,무명질에는 시교차앞핵의 면역반응 세포와 혼재하는 것으로 확인되었다. ChAT면역반응 신경세포들은 세포의 모양과 세포체의 장 단축의 비에 따라 6가지형으로 분류되었다. 원형의 신경세포 출현율은 출생 후 7일에서 가장 높았고, 성체로 되면서 점차적으로 감소하였으며, 난형 신경세포는 출생 후 14일에 가장 높게 나타났고, 원형의 신경세포와 같이 성체로 되면서 점차 감소하였다. 또한, 세장형 신경세포의 출현 율은 출생 후 21일에 가장 높게 나타났다. 삼각형, 방추형 그리고 다각형 신경세포는 성체에서 출현율이 높았다. ChAT면역반응 신경세포체의 부피는 출생 후 7일에 $1,268{\mu}m^3$로 제일 작았으나, 출생 후 21일에서는 $4,453{\mu}m$로 최대치를 보였다. 그 후 성체로 되면서 점차 감소되었다. 전자현미경 관찰에서 성체의 ChAT항체 반응 신경세포의 핵외막, rER의 막, 자유리보즘 그리고 polysorne등이 관찰되었으며, 대칭 및 비대칭 신경연접이 관찰되었다. 이상의 결과들로 미루어 흰쥐 전뇌 기저부 Meynert기저핵에서의 ChAT면역반응 신경세포들은 출생 후 발생과정에서 세포소기관과 신경돌기들의 분화에 따른 세포체 부피의 증가, 분화된 세포형들의 출현 율의 증가 및 세포의 손실이 없는 상태에서 세포 응축 등의 과정을 통하여 세포들이 분화한다고 생각된다.