• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 2019

Steroids are commonly used in patients with eosinophilic meningitis caused by A. cantonensis infections. The mechanism steroids act on eosinophilic meningitis remains unclear. In this mouse experiments, expressions of 14-3-3 isoform ${\beta}$ and ${\gamma}$ proteins significantly increased in the CSF 2-3 weeks after the infection, but not increasedin the dexamethasone-treated group. Expression of 14-3-3 ${\beta}$, ${\gamma}$, ${\varepsilon}$, and ${\theta}$ isoforms increased in brain meninges over the 3-week period after infection and decreased due to dexamethasone treatment. In conclusion, administration of dexamethasone in mice with eosinophilic meningitis decreased expressions of 14-3-3 isoform proteins in the CSF and in brain meninges.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.503-508
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• 2007

Although canine facial nerve paralysis(FNP) occurs similarly in humans, there is no properly recognized therapy using Western medicine for idiopathic causes. To elucidate therapeutic measures by acupuncture(AP) on canine FNP, we examined the therapeutic effect of injection-AP on the artificially induced canine FNP. Twelve dogs on artificially induced canine FNP were divided into a control group(4 dogs), an experimental dexamethasone-treated group(dexamethasone group, 4 dogs) and an experimental bee venom-treated group(apitoxin group, 4 dogs). Saline (1 ml) was intramuscularly injected into the head muscle after the induction of FNP in the control group. On the other hand, injection-AP with dexamethasone was performed on such acupoints as LI04, LI20, ST02, ST07, TH17, SI18, GB03 and GB34, twice per week after induction of FNP in the dexamethasone group. In addition, injection-AP with $100{\mu}g$ of apitoxin was performed on the same acupoints as the dexamethasone group twice per week after the induction of FNP in the apitoxin group, respectively. The changes of the clinical symptoms of FNP with each treatment during the experimental period were recorded by using clinical scores, respectively. The changes of serum creatine kinase(CK) activities along with each treatment were determined using an autoanalyzer. The significant differences of clinical scores were detected on day 14(p<0.05) in the apitoxin and dexamethasone groups, compared with those in the control group, respectively. However, significant difference was not detected between the apitoxin and dexamethasone groups. Significant differences of serum CK activities were detected on day 7(p<0.05) and day 14(p<0.05) in the dexamethasone and apitoxin groups, compared with those in the control group, respectively. However, significant difference was not detected between the dexamethasone and apitoxin groups. In condition, injection-APs with apitoxin and dexamethasone were all effective for treatment of canine FNP and the therapeutic effect by injection-AP with apitoxin was similar to that of injection-AP with dexamethasone.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.209-219
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• 2006

Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to result in life-threatening encephalitis in immunocompromised patients after reactivation of dormant parasites. In order to obtain information on immune responses related to this phenomenon, BALB/c mice were infected with 25 cysts of the 76K strain of T. gondii, then, treated orally with dexamethasone (Toxo/Dexa-treated group) in order to reactivate the chronic toxoplasmosis. None of the T. gondii-infected mice died during the experimental periods, whereas the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice evidenced a significant attenuation of survival periods. Toxoplasma-specific IgG2a, IgA and IgM titers in sera were significantly depressed in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice; however, the IgG1 sera titers were similar to those seen in the Toxoplasma-infected mice. The percentages of CD4+ and $CD8\alpha+$ T cells in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice were significantly reduced 2 weeks after dexamethasone treatment. $IFN-\gamma$ and IL-10 production levels in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice were depressed significantly, whereas IL-4 production was increased temporarily. The expression levels of the Toxoplasma-specific P30 and B1 genes were found to have been increased in the Toxo/Dexa-treated mice in comparison with the Toxoplasma-infected mice. Collectively, the findings of this study demonstrate that reactivation of murine toxoplasmosis as the result of dexamethasone treatment induced a depression in Th1 immune responses, whereas Th2 immune responses were not significantly influenced.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.186-189
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• 2010

Background: Neuropathic pain resulting from diverse causes is a chronic condition for which effective treatment is lacking. The goal of this study was to test whether dexamethasone exerts a preemptive analgesic effect with bupivacaine when injected perineurally in the spared nerve injury model. Methods: Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups. Group 1 (control) was ligated but received no drugs. Group 2 was perineurally infiltrated (tibial and common peroneal nerves) with 0.4% bupivacaine (0.2 ml) and dexamethasone (0.8 mg) 10 minutes before surgery. Group 3 was infiltrated with 0.4% bupivacaine (0.2 ml) and dexamethasone (0.8 mg) after surgery. Group 4 was infiltrated with normal saline (0.2 ml) and dexamethasone (0.8 mg) 10 minutes before surgery. Group 5 was infiltrated with only 0.4% bupivacaine (0.2 ml) before surgery. Rat paw withdrawal thresholds were measured using the von Frey hair test before surgery as a baseline measurement and on postoperative days 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21. Results: In the group injected preoperatively with dexamethasone and bupivacaine, mechanical allodynia did not develop and mechanical threshold forces were significantly different compared with other groups, especially between postoperative days 3 and 9 (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In conclusion, preoperative infiltration of both dexamethasone and bupivacaine showed a significantly better analgesic effect than did infiltration of bupivacaine or dexamethasone alone in the spared nerve injury model, especially early on after surgery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.439-448
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• 2003

Background : Surfactant protein B(SP-B) and surfactant protein C(SP-C) are important in accelerating surface spreading of surfactant phospholipid. The glucocorticoids accelerate the morphologic differentiation of epithelial cells into type II cells and increase the rate of phosphatidylcholine synthesis. The hydrophobic surfactant protein has been shown to be upregulated by glucocorticoids in vitro, however, its regulation in vivo is not well established. Methods : The authors investigated the effects of glucocorticoid on the accumulation of mRNA encoding SP-B and SP-C protein content of the lung. Adult rats were given different doses of subcutaneous dexamethasone and sacrificed at 24 hours and 1 week. SP-B and SP-C mRNA were measured by a filter hybridization method. Results : 1) The accumulation of SP-B mRNA at 24 hours after 0.2 mg/kg dexamethasone treatment was increased by 23.7%. 2) The accumulation of SP-B mRNA at 1 week after 2 mg/kg dexamethasone treatment was significantly increased by 96.6%(P<0.001). 3) The accumulation of SP-C mRNA at 24 hours after 0.2 mg/kg dexamethasone treatment was significantly increased by 42.7%(P<0.01). 4) The accumulation of SP-C mRNA at 1 week after 2 mg/kg dexamethasone treatment was significantly increased by 60.0% (P<0.01). Conclusion : The authors concluded that dexamethasone treatment in vivo resulted in increased levels of SP-B mRNA and SP-C mRNA. These results suggested that dexamethasone stimulates the synthesis of hydrophobic proteins associated with surfactant.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.567-573
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• 2014

Hormonal and nutrient signals regulate leptin synthesis and secretion. In rodents, leptin is stored in cytosolic pools of adipocytes. However, not much information is available regarding the regulation of intracellular leptin in ruminants. Recently, we demonstrated that leptin mRNA was expressed in bovine intramuscular preadipocyte cells (BIP cells) and that a cytoplasmic leptin pool may be present in preadipocytes. In the present study, we investigated the expression of cytoplasmic leptin protein in BIP cells during differentiation as well as the effects of various factors added to the differentiation medium on its expression in BIP cells. Leptin mRNA expression was observed only at 6 and 8 days after adipogenic induction, whereas the cytoplasmic leptin concentration was the highest on day 0 and decreased gradually thereafter. Cytoplasmic leptin was detected at 6 and 8 days after adipogenic induction, but not at 4 days after adipogenic induction. The cytoplasmic leptin concentration was reduced in BIP cells at 4 days after treatment with dexamethasone, whereas cytoplasmic leptin was not observed at 8 days after treatment. In contrast, acetate significantly enhanced the cytoplasmic leptin concentration in BIP cells at 8 days after treatment, although acetate alone did not induce adipocyte differentiation in BIP cells. These results suggest that dexamethasone and acetate modulate the cytoplasmic leptin concentration in bovine preadipocytes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.231-238
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• 2011

During pregnancy, stress induces maternal glucocorticoid secretion, which in turn is known to affect structural malformation, retardation of growth, reduced birth weight of the fetus. As Hox genes are master transcription factors which fulfill critical roles in embryonic development, we aimed to explore the possibility that alterations of the Hox gene expression might be involved in stress-induced malformation. The pregnant mice were injected with dexamethasone at a dose of 1 mg/kg or 10 mg/kg on day 7.5, 8.5 and 9.5 p.c. (post coitum), as well as saline as control. Embryos of E11.5 and E18.5 were obtained by sacrificing pregnant animals. Weight and crown-rump length (CRL) were measured. RT-PCR was performed to examine the Hox gene expression levels. Embryos given dexamethasone at day 7.5~9.5 p.c. had small CRL and weighed less both in E11.5 and E18.5. The percentage of embryos showing abnormalities was high in groups received high dose of dexamethasone. To define the molecular basis for abnormal embryonic development, we analyzed the Hox gene expression pattern and found that many Hox genes display altered expression. Effects of prenatal dexamethasone treatment on embryonic development might be associated with the aberrant Hox gene expression.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.191-201
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• 2000

This study was investigated the effects of a direct current and ultrasound on transdermal transport of dexamethasone into the rabbits which had contusion in the thigh. Each group was treated under the tallowing conditions. 1. EXP group I : $10\%$ dexamethasone ointment and ultrasound 2. EXP group II : $1\%$aqueous solution of dexamethasone and iontophoresis 3. EXP group III : the application of $10\%$ dexamethasone ointment 4. Control group : No treatment The degree of anti-inflammation was evaluated by the naked eye, the change in girth of thigh, and a light microscope. The results were as follows. 1.8y the naked eye. an inflammation sign was seen in all groups and especially. symptoms of redness. heat swelling were prominent in EXP group I. 2. In comparision in the change of girth of thigh, only EXP group II showed no significant change. Therefore, it meant that there was effective anti-inflammatory reaction in EXP group II. 3. The infiltration of inflammation cells, the degree of swelling, and the degree of crosslinking of connective tissues were evaluated with a light microscope. As a result, EXP group II showed the most effective anti-inflammatory reaction. And, in order of EXP group III, control group, the effect of anti-inflammation reaction was decreased. 4. EXP group I showed more intensive inflammation than control group.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2000

백내장 수술 추 염증치료를 위해 일반적으로 부작용이 많은 국소 점안 스테로이드를 사용해왔다. 최근 NSAID계열의 점안액이 항염증 치료약물로 개발되면서 선택적인 약물치료가 가능하게 되었으나 단일치료약물로 사용하는 경우는 드물다. 본 연구는 NSAID계 diclofenac 점안액의 백내장 수술 후 염증치료 효과를 스테로이드체 dexamethasone 점안액과 비교하여 단일 치료약물로서 사용할 수 있는 지 연구하고자하였다. 백내장 수술을 받은 환자로서 안압이 22 mmHg 이상 당뇨환자, 수술대상 눈에 이미 질환 및 수술 경력이 있는 자를 제외하였다. 백내장 수술 후 항염종 약물로서 diclofenac 또는 dexamethasone을 28일 동안 투여하고 항염증효과의 평가를 위하여 세극등 검사로저 전방내 염증세포와 결막, 각막등의 전안부 관찰을 수술 전, 수술 후 1, 3, 7, 14, 28일에 시행하였고, 시력검사는 수술 추 7, 28일에 시행하였다. 안전성의 평가는 안압검사와 세극등 검사상 관찰된 이상소견으로 평가하였다. 총 73명의 연구대상 중 dexameasone군은 41명, diclofenac군은 32명이며 두 군간에 나이, 백내장의 심한 정도, 안구질환 등에 있어 유의한 차이가 없었다 전방내 항염증세포수의 감소에서 두 군간에 유의할 만한 차이가 없었고, 수술 후 최대 교정 시력에서도 동일한 효과를 보였다. 안전성에서 안압의 상승이 두군간에 통계적인 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았으나 dexamethasone군에서 1명의 환자가 45 mmHg 이상 증가하여 약물치료가 필요하였으나 diclofenac군에서는 안압이 상승한 환자가 없었다. 결론적으로 효능 및 안전성에서 두 약물간에 통제적, 임상적으로 유의한 차이가 없었으며 diclofenac 점안액은 백내장 수술 후 항염증치료제로서 충분한 효과가 있으며 안압상승, 감염 등 부작용이 우려되는 dexamethasone점안액의 대체약물로 사용될 수 있을 것으로 평가된다.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2003

This study was investigated to identify the regulatory mechanism of ACC gene expression by hormones and nutrition. The fragment of ACC promoter I (PI) -220 bp region was recombined to pGL3-Basic vector with luciferase as a reporter gene. The primary hepatocyte from the rat was used to investigate the regulation of ACC PI activity. ACC PI (-220 bp)/luciferase chimeric plasmid was transfected into primary rat hepatocyte by using lipofectin. ACC PI activity was shown by measuring luciferase activity. The addition of insulin, dexamethasone, and triiodothyronine to the culture medium increased the activity of ACC PI by 2.5-, 2.3- and 1.8-fold, respectively. In the presence of 1 $\mu$M dexamethasone, the effects of insulin was amplified about 1.2-fold showing the additional effects of dexamethasone. Moreover the activity of luciferase was increased by insulin, dexamethasone, and triiodothyronine treatment approximately 4-fold. These results indicated that insulin, dexamethasone and thyroid hormone coordinately regulate ACC gene expression via regulation of promoter I activity. On the -220 to ＋21 region of ACC PI, the addition of the glucose to the culture medium increased the activity of ACC PI. With 25 mM glucose, luciferase activity increased by 7-fold. On the other hand, on the -220 bp region, ACC PI activity was not changed by polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, it can be postulated that there are response elements for insulin, triiodothyronine, dexamethasone, and glucose, but not PUFAs on the -220 bp region of ACC PI.