• Molecules and Cells
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.88-93
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• 2007

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an orexigenic and hypothermic peptide. To understand its role in hypothermic conditions, male rats were placed in a $24^{\circ}C$ or $4^{\circ}C$ air chamber for 1.5 h. The expression of c-Fos protein, and NPY mRNA and protein, was analyzed in the hypothalamus 1 h-2 h later. The cold treatment increased the number of c-Fos-immunoreactive cells in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and arcuate nucleus (ARC). At the same time it decreased the density of NPY-immunoreactive components in the PVN, dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and ARC, as well as of NPY transcripts in the PVN and ARC. No colocalization of c-Fos with NPY was detected. These results suggest that short-term cold exposure should reduce indirectly NPY production in some hypothalamic nuclei to facilitate thermogenesis without inducing feeding behavior.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.27-40
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of water extract of Cervi Parvum Cornu(CPC), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata(ALR), and Yongbu-tang(YBT) on suppression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Methods : The effects of CPC, ALR, YBT extracts on osteoclast differentiation were determined by culture of bone marrow macrophage(BMM). The mRNA expression levels of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1(NFATc1), c-Fos and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) in BMMs were analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)s and ${\beta}$-actin in cell lysates were measured by western blotting. In addition, effects of CPC, ALR and YBT extracts were determined by means of Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced bone-loss with mice. Results : CPC, ALR and YBT extracts showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. CPC and ALR extracts significantly reduced the protein expression level of NFATc1. YBT extract significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of c-Fos, NFATc1 and the protein expression levels of c-Fos, NFATc1, AKT, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK). Further, YBT extract suppressed degradation of$ I-{\kappa}B$. And ALR extract significantly restored the bone erosion by LPS treatment in mice. Conclusions : YBT extract showed more remarkable inhibition on osteoclast differentiation than CPC and ALR extracts in vitro. ALR extract showed remarkable inhibition on bone resorption in vivo. Thus, YBT extract can be a useful treatment for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2015

Orthostatic hypotension is most common in elderly people, and its prevalence increases with age. Attenuation of the vestibulo-sympathetic reflex (VSR) is commonly associated with orthostatic hypotension. In this study, we investigated the role of glutamate on the vestibulo-solitary projection of the VSR pathway to clarify the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension. Blood pressure and expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein were evaluated in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) after microinjection of glutamate into the medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) in conscious rats with sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced hypotension that received baroreceptor unloading via sinoaortic denervation (SAD). SNP-induced hypotension increased the expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein in the NTS, which was abolished by pretreatment with glutamate receptor antagonists (MK801 or CNQX) in the MVN. Microinjection of glutamate receptor agonists (NMDA or AMPA) into the MVN increased the expression of both pERK and c-Fos protein in the NTS without causing changes in blood pressure. These results indicate that both NMDA and AMPA receptors play a significant role in the vestibulo-solitary projection of the VSR pathway for maintaining blood pressure, and that glutamatergic transmission in this projection might play a key role in the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate effects of taping therapy on recovery of behavioral symptoms and neural excitability of the lumbar spinal cord in rat model for ankle sprain. Methods : Adult Sprague-Dawley rats was used and divided into 3 experimental groups: normal group(n=6), ankle sprain(n=6), and ankle sprain with taping treatment(n=6). In order to induce ankle sprain the right ankle joint was injured with 4~5 repetitive over-flexions and over-extensions manually. The severity of joint pain was evaluated by measuring foot weight bearing force ratio(FWBRF) of the hind limb and the injury-induced edema formation by diameter of the joint following ankle sprain. The changes of neural excitability in the lumbar spinal cord was tested by observation of cFos protein expression, a metabolic marker for neural excitation. Results : Severity of ankle injury induced in this experiment coincided with Grade 1 ankle sprain. Compared with ankle sprain group, ankle sprain＋taping showed a significant reductions of joint pain as well as of edema formation at the ankle joint following ankle sprain. There was significant upregulation of cFos-immunoreactive neurons in the lumbar spinal cord 24 hours after ankle sprain. In contrast, taping therapy resulted in significant inhibition of cFos-immunoreactive neurons in the lumbar spinal cord. Conclusions : Collectively, these results suggest that taping therapy may be an alternative therapeutic intervention for symptom recovery of the mild ankle sprain.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권7호
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• pp.695-701
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• 2003

목 적 : 근육과 관절 등에서 유발된 심부통증(deep pain)이 척수상위로 전달되는 신경로에 대해서는 아직 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 그러나 최근 일부 연구자들은 피부에서 유발된 천부통증(superficial pain)과는 달리 중뇌의 PAG에 위치한 신경원에 침해 자극이 전달되어 자율신경계와 행동양식에 영향을 줄 것이라는 가설을 보고하였다. 또한, 비스테로이드성의 항염증성 약품들은 말초조직에서 프로스타글란딘 합성을 방해하여 진통효과를 유발시킨다고 알려져 왔으나 최근에는 척수와 뇌간에서도 진통효과가 있을 것이라고 추측하고 있다. 그러므로 이 연구자는 포르말린으로 체성 심부통증을 유발시켜 중뇌의 어느 부위에서 신경세포가 활성화되는지를 c-Fos 단백의 발현으로 확인하고 또한 비스테로이드성의 항염증성 약품인 아스피린의 효과를 알아보고자 이 연구를 시도하게 되었다. 방 법 : 실험 I군에서는 생리식염수를 흰쥐 꼬리에 미리 피하주사한 뒤 포르말린을 이용해 체성 심부통증을 유발시켰고, 실험 II군은 아스피린을 주사한 후 포르말린으로 체성 심부통증을 유발시켰다. 정상군에서는 통증자극을 주지 않았다. 실험 I군과 실험 II군의 흰쥐는 통증을 유발 시킨 뒤 30분, 1, 2, 6, 24시간에 희생시켜 뇌를 적출하여 뇌절편을 만들었다. 뇌절편으로 냉동 연속조직절편을 제작하여 면역조직화학적 방법으로 c-Fos 단백의 출현여부를 확인하였다. Interaural 1.00-1.36 mm를 통과하는 관상 뇌절편의 연속조직표본에서 나타난 양성면역반응성을 토대로 중뇌의 VLPAG와 DMPAG를 관찰하였고, 단위면적($0.2mm^2$)당 면역양성반응을 보인 신경세포를 계수하고 통계 처리하였다. 결 과 : c-Fos 양성면역반응 신경세포 수는 DMPAG에서 보다 VLPAG에서 현저하게 많았다. DMPAG와 VLPAG에서 통증유발 2시간 후 c-Fos 양성면역반응 신경세포 수는 최고치에 도달하였다. 아스피린을 투여한 군의 c-Fos 양성면역반응 신경세포 수는 투여하지 않은 군보다 전시기에 걸쳐 적었다. 결 론 : 이 연구결과는 포르말린에 의해 유발된 체성 심부통증의 기전과 아스피린의 효과를 이해하는데 기초적인 자료로 이용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.417-422
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• 2009

Lipoxygenase (LO) metabolites are generated in inflamed tissues. However, it is unclear whether the inhibition of the LO activity regulates the expression of c-Fos protein, a pain marker in the spinal cord. Here we used a carrageenan-induced inflammation model to examine the role of LO in the development of c-Fos expression. Intradermally injected carrageenan caused elevated number of cells exhibiting Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the spinal dorsal horn, and decreased the thermal and mechanical threshold in Hargreaves and von Frey tests. Pretreatment with an inhibitor of phospholipase A2, that generates the LO substrate, prior to the carrageenan injection significantly reduced the number of Fos-(+) cells. A general LO inhibitor NDGA, a 5-LO inhibitor AA-861 and a 12-LO inhibitor baicalein also exhibited the similar effects. Moreover, the LO inhibitors suppressed carrageenan-induced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesic behaviors, which inidcates that the changes in Fos expression correlates with those in the nociceptive behaviors in the inflamed rats. LO products are endogenous TRPV1 activators and pretreatment with BCTC, a TRPV1 antagonist inhibited the thermal but not the mechanical hypersensitivity. Overall, our results from the Fos-LI and behavior tests suggest that LO products released from inflamed tissues contribute to nociception during carrageenan-induced inflammation, indicating that the LO pathway is a possible target for modulating inflammatory pain.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.255-264
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• 2013

Background: We investigated the effects of pre-emptive administration of ketamine and norBNI on pain behavior and the expression of DREAM, c-Fos, and prodynorphin proteins on the ipsilateral side of the rat spinal cord at 2 and 4 hours after formalin injection. Methods: Eighty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 major groups consisting of control rats (C) (n = 12), rats given only formalin injections (F) (n = 24), and rats treated with pre-emptive administration of either ketamine (K+F) (n = 24) or norBNI (N+F) (n = 24). The non-control groups were further divided into subgroups consisting of rats that were sacrificed at 2 and 4 hours (n = 12 for each group) after formalin injection. Pain behavior was recorded for 1 hour. After 2 and 4 hours, the rats were sacrificed and the spinal cords (L4-L5 sections) were removed for immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. Results: The pain behavior response was reduced in the K+F group compared to the other groups during the second phase of the formalin pain response. We detected an increase in the nuclear DREAM protein level in the K+F group at 2 and 4 hours and a transient decrease in the N+F group at 2 hours; however, it increased at 4 hours after injection. Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI) and Prodynorphin-like immunoreactivity (PLI) neurons decreased in the K+F group but increased in the N+F group at 2 hours after injection. While FLI decreased, PLI increased in all groups at 4 hours after injection. Conclusions: We suggest that NMDA and kappa opioid receptors can modulate DREAM protein expression, which can affect pain behavior and protein transcriptional processes at 2 hours and bring about either harmful or protective effects at 4 hours after formalin injection.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제45권6호
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• pp.891-900
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• 2003

c-fos 유전자는 전사조절인자로서 주로 c-jun family와 결합하여 heterodimers를 형성하며 AP-1 조절 부위를 가지는 유전자들의 전사를 조절하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이 유전자의 발현은 myoblasts를 비롯한 여러 세포의 분화와 성장을 조절하며 최근 돼지에서 육질에 영향을 미치는 근섬유와 관련된다는 보고가 있다. 본 연구는 소에서 육질과 c-fos 유전자와의 관계를 알아보기 위한 기초자료로서 총 1,443 bp의 mRNA 염기서열을 최초로 소에서 밝혔으며 여러 조직과 기관에서의 발현양상도 살펴보았다. 한우의 c-fos 유전자의 염기서열을 사람, 돼지 및 쥐와 비교하여 본 결과 각각 89.8%, 93.5%와 87.0%의 높은 상동성을 보였다. 이 유전자의 발현은 근육중 갈비에서 가장 많은 발현량을 보였고, 조직에서는 비장에서 가장 많은 발현량을 보이는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이 연구에서 밝혀진 c-fos 유전자는 SNP의 추가분석에 의해 한우에서 육질의 향상과 관련이 있는 후보유전자로 쓰일 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.97-107
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• 2002

Objective : Acupuncture is a method used to treat many kinds of pain in oriental cultural medicine. Especially when hetero-segmental area acu-points are stimulated, the therapeutic effects of pain control have more critical properties than other methods of acupuncture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture is contradictory so far. The present study examined the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of the hetero-segmental area on modulation of formalin-induced pain in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right forepaws, a pair of Teflon-coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (Shin-Moon) and PC 7 (Dae-Reung) 7 days before the behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\;}\mu\textrm{l}$) into the lateral plantar region of the left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant DC current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. c-Fos protein expression was measured in the lumbar spinal cord at 2 hr and 4 hr after formalin injection. Results : Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and biting occurred in the biphasic pattern, such as the 1st phase (0~5 min) and the 2nd phase (20~45 min) after formalin injection. However, EA (4~5 mA, 2 ms, 10 Hz) significantly inhibited the behavioral responses. Injection of formalin expressed c-Fos protein on the ipsilateral dorsal horn neurons in L3 - L5 and the expression was sustained more than 4 hrs after formalin injection. However, EA decreased c-Fos protein expression at dorsal horn neurons in the lumbar spinal cord till 4hrs after formalin injection. Conclusions : These results suggest that EA modulates formalin-induced pain and this inhibitory action may be elicited by the descending inhibitory system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.365-374
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• 2021

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a role in various cellular phenomena, including autophagy, cell proliferation, and differentiation. Although recent studies have reported its involvement in nociceptive responses in several pain models, whether mTOR is involved in orofacial pain processing is currently unexplored. This study determined whether rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, reduces nociceptive responses and the number of Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) cells in the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) in a mouse orofacial formalin model. We also examined whether the glial cell expression and phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the TNC are affected by rapamycin. Mice were intraperitoneally given rapamycin (0.1, 0.3, or 1.0 mg/kg); then, 30 min after, 5% formalin (10 μl) was subcutaneously injected into the right upper lip. The rubbing responses with the ipsilateral forepaw or hindpaw were counted for 45 min. High-dose rapamycin (1.0 mg/kg) produced significant antinociceptive effects in both the first and second phases of formalin test. The number of Fos-ir cells in the ipsilateral TNC was also reduced by high-dose rapamycin compared with vehicle-treated animals. Furthermore, the number of p-p38-ir cells the in ipsilateral TNC was significantly decreased in animals treated with high-dose rapamycin; p-p38 expression was co-localized in microglia, but not neurons and astrocytes. Therefore, the mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin, reduces orofacial nociception and Fos expression in the TNC, and its antinociceptive action on orofacial pain may be associated with the inhibition of p-p38 MAPK in the microglia.