• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.4 s.273
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• pp.264-272
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• 2007

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in angiogenesis, including stimulating the proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). It has been known that diabetes is associated with accelerated cellular proliferation via VEGF, as compared to that under a normal glucose concentration. We investigated the effects of selective blockade of a VEGF receptor by using anti-Flt-1 peptide on the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in balloon injured-carotid arteries of OLETF rats and also on the in vitro VSMCS' migration under high glucose conditions. Material and Method: The balloon-injury method was employed to induce neointima formation by VEGF. For f4 days beginning 2 days before the ballon injury, placebo or vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) specific peptide (anti-Flt-1 peptide), was injected at a dose of 0.5mg/kg daily into the OLETF rats. At 14 days after balloon injury, the neointimal proliferation and vascular luminal stenosis were measured, and cellular proliferation was assessed by counting the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) stained cells. To analyze the effect of VEGF and anti-Flt-1 peptide on the migration of VSMCs under a high glucose condition, transwell assay with a matrigel filter was performed. And finally, to determine the underlying mechanism of the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on the VEGF-induced VSMC migration in vitro, the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) was observed by performing reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Result: Both the neointimal area and luminal stenosis associated with neointimal proliferation were significantly decreased in the anti-Flt-1 peptide injected rats, ($0.15{\pm}0.04 mm^2$ and $ 36.03{\pm}3.78%$ compared to $0.24{\pm}0.03mm^2\;and\;61.85{\pm}5.11%$, respectively, in the placebo-injected rats (p<0.01, respectively). The ratio of PCNA(+) cells to the entire neointimal cells was also significantly decreased from $52.82{\pm}4.20%\;to\;38.11{\pm}6.89%$, by the injected anti-Flt-1 peptide (p<0.05). On the VSMC migration assay, anti-Flt-1 peptide significantly reduced the VEGF-induced VMSC migration by about 40% (p<0.01). Consistent with the effect of anti-Flt-1 peptide on VSMC migration, it also obviously attenuated the induction of the MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions via VEGF in the VSMCS. Conclusion: Anti-Flt-1 peptide inhibits the formation and hyperplasia of the neointima in a balloon-injured carotid artery model of OLETF rats. Anti-Flt-1 peptide also inhibits the VSMCs' migration and the expressions of MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA induced by VEGF under a high glucose condition. Therefore, these results suggest that specific blockade of VEGFR-1 by anti-Flt-1 peptide may have therapeutic potential against the arterial stenosis of diabetes mellitus patients or that occurring under a high glucose condition.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.227-241
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• 2005

Objective & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Asari Herba Cum Radice herbal-acupuncture solution(AHCR-HAS) on arthritis of mice induced by Collagen II at Joksamni(ST36). The author performed several experimental items. First, it is the cell survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts and expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in synovial cells. Second, it is the incidence rate of arthritis and the weight of spleen. Third, it is the levels of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, INF-${\gamma}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum Fourth, it is histological analysis of the mice joint. Fifth, it is expression ratio of CD3e+ to CDl9+ cell, CD4+ to CD8+ cell, CD69+/CD3e+ cells, CD11+/CD19+ cells and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells. Result : 1. The highest survival rate of mice lung fibroblasts were measured in the 1% AHCR-HAS, and the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in synovial cells were significantly decreased in the 1% AHCR-HAS. 2. In the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups, the incidence of arthritis and the weight of spleen were significantly decreased. 3. In AHCR-HAI & AHCR-HAII groups, the levels of IL-6, INF-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IgG, IgM and anti-collagen II in serum of CIA mice were significantly decreased. 4. In histology, the cartilage destruction and synovial cell proliferation were decreased in the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups, and the collagen fiber expressions in the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HAII groups were similar with that of the Normal group. 5. In the AHCR-HA I & AHCR-HA II groups, the expression ratio of CD3e+ to CD19+ cell and CD4+ to CD8+ cell were similarly maintained as Normal group in lymph nodes, and CD69+/CD3e+ cells and CD11a+/CD19+ cells were decreased in Iymph nodes, and CD11b+/Gr-1+ cells were decreased in synovium. Conclusion : Taking all these observations into account, AHCR-HA is considered to be effective in prophylaxis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, and then more effective in prophylaxis than treatment, so put to practical use in future rheumatoid arthritis clinic.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.12-20
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• 2005

Purpose: Helicobacter pylori infection is known to be associated with acute or chronic abdominal pain and upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children. This study was performed to analyze the gastroduodenoscopic findings and the efficacy of triple therapy with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin between one and two weeks of duration in children with H. pylori infection. Methods: We have assessed retrospectively 60 patients presented with acute or chronic abdominal pain or upper gastrointestinal bleeding. H. pylori infection was confirmed by endoscopic biopsy and rapid urease test. Out of 60 patients, 30 patients were treated with a combination of omeprazole, amoxicillin, and clarithromycin for one week, and the other 30 patients were treated for two weeks with the same medication. Efficacy of treatment was assessed 4 weeks after the termination of treatment by using the $^{13}C$ urea breath test. Results: The 60 patients with the complaint of diffuse abdominal pain, epigastric pain, vomiting or hematemesis were included in this study. One-week treatment group (group I) consisted of 30 patients (14 male, 16 female) with mean age of $11.6{\pm}2.67years$. Two-week treatment group (group II) consisted of 30 patients (11 male, 19 female) with mean age of $10.7{\pm}4.17years$. In group I, H pylori were eradicated in 26 out of 30 patients (86.7%). In group II, H. pylori were eradicated in 26 out of 30 children (86.7%). Both groups did $^{13}C$ urea breath test after 4 weeks after termination of the triple therapy. The eradication rates were same in both groups as 86.7%, 26 out of 30 patients in each group. The results of endoscopy were nodular gastritis 26 (43.3%), erosive gastritis 10 (16.7%), hemorrhagic gastritis 7 (11.7%), gastric ulcer 2 (3.3%) and normal finding 15 (25.0%). Conclusion: In this study, the nodular gastritis was most common endoscopic findings with H. pylori positive patients. The eradication rate of H. pylori with omeprazole, amoxicillin and clarithromycin was 86.7% and it would be highly effective as primary treatment with no significant differences in the eradication rate between one-week and two-week treatment groups. However, we should need more long-term follow-up data.