• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.612-623
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• 2009

Objectives : The water extract of Sopung-tang (SPT) has been traditionally used in the treatment of acute stroke in Oriental Medicine. Pro-inflammatory cytokines play a critical role in the onset of post-ischemic inflammatory cascades. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of SPT on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in a photothrombotic ischemia mouse model. Methods : After SPT oral administration to the mice for five days, with using Rose Bengal and cold light, photothrombotic ischemia lesion was induced in stereotactically held male BALB/c mice. Also, results including, gross finding lesion size, histopathological finding changes, and inflammatory cytokine expression changes from the photothrombotic ischemia mouse model were observed. Results : The photothrombotic ischemia lesion was decreased by the oral injection of SPT. Also, SPT inhibited the expression of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, the active form of caspase-3 protease, and transglutaminase-2 in the photothrombotic ischemia lesion. Conclusions : These results suggest that SPT protects the ischemic death of brain cells through suppression of the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and catalytic activation of caspase-3 protease in the photothrombotic ischemia mouse model.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.674-684
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• 2009

Objectives : In conditions of brain infarction, irreversible axon damage occurs in the central nerve system (CNS), because gliosis becomes a physical and a mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. Reactive gliosis induced by ischemic injury such as middle cerebral artery occlusion is involved with up-regulation of GFAP and CD81. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of the Gongjin-dan (GJD) on CD81 and GFAP expression and its pathway in the rat brain following middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods : In order to study ischemic injuries on the brain, infarction was induced by MCAO using insertion of a single nylon thread, through the internal carotid artery, into a middle cerebral artery. Cresyl violet staining, cerebral infarction size measurement, immunohistochemistry and microscopic examination were used to detect the expression of CD81 and GFAP and the effect on the infarct size and pyramidal cell death in the brain of the rat with cerebral infarction induced by MCAO. Also, c-Fos and ERK expression were measured to investigate the signaling pathway after GJD administration in MCAO rats. Results : Measuring the size of cerebral infarction induced by MCAO in the rat after injection of GJD showed the size had decreased. GJD administration showed pyramidal cell death protection in the hippocampus in the MCAO rat. GJD administration decreased GF AP expression in the MCAO rat. GJD administration decreased CD81 expression in the MCAO rat. GJD administration induced up-regulation of c-FOS expression compared with MCAO. GJD administration induced down-regulation of ERK expression compared with MCAO. Conclusion : We observed that GJD could suppress the reactive gliosis, which disturbs the axonal regeneration in the brain of a rat with cerebral infarction after MCAO by controlling the expression of CD81 and GFAP. The effect may be modulated by the regulation of c-Fos and ERK. These results suggest that GJD can be a candidate to regenerate CNS injury.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2006

Objectives : Ischemic brain injury is a worldwide problem that often causes irreversible brain damage. Moreover, prevention of ischemic brain injury is more important than anything else, since after-effects of stroke significantly threat the quality of life. Jukryukjichul-hwan (JRH) is an oriental medicinal formula for stroke patients in Korea. This study evaluated neuroprotective effects of methanol extract of JRH on global cerebral ischemia in rats. Changes of the pyramidal neurons, Bax and TUNEL immuno-positive neurons in CA1 hippocampus were observed using immunohistochemistry. Methods : Sprague-Dawley Rats were induced with temporal global cerebral ischemia (TGI) by occluding the bilateral common carotid artery with hypotension, The rats were divided into 3 groups. We treated one group with methanol extract of JRH after operation, another group before and after the operation. We observed Bax expressions inducing apoptosis of neurons and TUNEL-positive Pyramidal Neurons as an index of survival and apoptosis of pyramidal neurons in CA1 Hippocampus. Results : JRH treatment before and after TGI inhibited Bax expression in CA1 hippocampus. JRH treatment before and after TGI reduced the cell death of pyramidal neurons in CA1 hippocampus. JRH treatment after TGI reduced the cell death of pyramidal neurons in CA1 hippocampus. JRH treatment before and after TGI reduced TUNEL-positive cells in CA1 hippocampus. Conclusion : These results suggest that JRH has a neuroprotective effect (by anti-apoptosis) against cerebral ischemia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.275-283
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• 2018

Ischemic stroke can result from blockage of blood vessels, forming fibrin clots in the body and causing irreparable brain damage. Remedial thrombolytic agents or anticoagulants have been studied; however, because the FDA-approved tissue plasminogen activator has low efficacy and side effects, it is necessary to develop safer and more effective treatment candidates. This study aimed at assessing the fibrinolytic and anticoagulation features of a novel serine protease extracted and purified from Diopatra sugokai, a polychaeta that inhabits tidal flats. The purified serine protease was obtained through ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity chromatography, and ion-exchange chromatography. Its molecular size was identified via SDS-PAGE. To characterize its enzymatic activities, the protease activity at various pH and temperatures, and in the presence of various inhibitors, was measured via azocasein assay. Its fibrinolytic activity and anticoagulant effect were assessed by fibrin zymography, fibrin plate assay, and fibrinogenolytic activity assays. The novel 38 kDa serine protease had strong indirect thrombolytic activity rather than direct activity over broad pH (4-10) and temperature ($37^{\circ}C-70^{\circ}C$) ranges. In addition, the novel serine protease exhibited anticoagulant activity by degrading the ${\alpha}$-, ${\beta}$-, and ${\gamma}$-chains of fibrinogen. In addition, it did not produce cytotoxicity in endothelial cells. Therefore, this newly isolated serine protease is worthy of further investigation as a novel alkaline serine protease for thrombolytic therapy against brain ischemia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제7권2호
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• pp.65-71
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• 2003

Increasing evidences suggest that ischemia-induced vascular damage is an integral step in the cascade of the cellular and molecular events initiated by cerebral ischemia. In the present study, employing a mouse brain endothelioma-derived cell line, bEnd.3, and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) as an in vitro stroke model, the role of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation during ischemic injury was investigated. OGD was found to activate NF-${\kappa}B$ and to induce bEnd.3 cell death in a time-dependent manner. OGD phosphorylated neither 32 Ser nor 42 Tyr of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. OGD did not change the amount of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. The extents of OGD-induced cell death after 8 h, 10 h, 12 h and 14 h of OGD were 10%, 35%, 60% and 85%, respectively. Reperfusion following OGD did not cause additional cell death, indicating no reperfusion injury after ischemic insult in cerebral endothelial cells. Three known as NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitors, including pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) plus zinc, aspirin and caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), inhibited OGD-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and increased OGD-induced bEnd.3 cell death in a dose dependent manner. There were no changes in the protein levels of bcl-2, bax and p53 which are modulated by NF-${\kappa}B$ activity. These results suggest that NF-${\kappa}B$ activation might be a protective mechanism for OGD-induced cell death in bEnd.3.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.288-292
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• 2011

Objective : Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been known to play an important role in secondary inflammatory reaction after spinal cord injury (SCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 and to determine their relationship with disruption of endothelial blood-barrier after photochemically induced SCI in rats. Methods : Female Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing between 250 and 300 g (aged 8 weeks) received focal spinal cord ischemia by photothrombosis using Rose Bengal. Expressions and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were assessed by Western blot and gelatin zymography at various times from 6 h to 7 days. Endothelial blood-barrier integrity was assessed indirectly using spinal cord water content. Results : Zymography and Western blot analysis demonstrated rapid up-regulation of MMP-9 protein levels in spinal cord after ischemic onset. Expressions and activities of MMP-9 showed a significant increased at 6 h after the photothrombotic ischemic event, and reached a maximum level at 24 h after the insult. By contrast, activated MMP-2 was not detected at any time point in either the experimental or the control groups. When compared with the control group, a significant increase in spinal cord water content was detected in rats at 24 h after photothrombotic SCI. Conclusion : Early up-regulation of MMP-9 might be correlated with increased water content in the spinal cord at 24 h after SCI in rats. Results of this study suggest that MMP-9 is the key factor involved in disruption of the endothelial blood-barrier of the spinal cord and subsequent secondary damage after photothrombotic SCI in rats.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2004

KBPTS is the fortified prescription of Bang-pung-tong-sung-san (BPTS) by adding Spatholobi Clulis and Salviae Miltiorrzae Radix. BPTS prescription has been used in Qriental medicine for the treatments of vascular diseases including hypertension, stroke, and arteriosclerosis, and nervous system diseases. Yet, the overall mechanism underlying its activity at the cellular levels remains unknown. To investigate the protective role of KBPTS on brain functions, noxious stimulations were applied to neurons in vitro and in vivo. KBPTS pretreatment in cultured cortical neurons of albino ICR mice rescued death caused by AMPA, NMDA, and kainate as well as by buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and ferrous chloride (Fe/sup 2+/) treatments. Furthermore, KBPTS promoted animal's recovery from coma induced by a sublethal dose of KCN and improved survival by a lethal dose of KCN. To examine its physiological effects on the nervous system, we induced ischemia in the Sprague-Dawley rat's brain by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Neurological examination showed that KBPTS reduced the time which is required for the animal after MCA occlusion to respond in terms of forelimb and hindlimb movement$. Histological examination revealed that KBPTS reduced ischemic area and edema rate and also protected neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus from ischemic damage. Thus, the present data suggest that KBPTS may play an important role in protecting neuronal cells from external noxious stimulations.

• 한국응용약물학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국응용약물학회 1998년도 Proceedings of UNESCO-internetwork Cooperative Regional Seminar and Workshop on Bioassay Guided Isolation of Bioactive Substances from Natural Products and Microbial Products
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• pp.143-143
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• 1998

Antagonists acting at the glycine site of the NMDA receptor have been gaining safer alternatives for stroke therapy because they have few adverse effect competitive and noncompetitive NMDA antagonists. Therefore, the neuroprotect novel glycine site antagonist KC0244 were evaluated in a rat model of transient comparison with GV150526A in a developmental phase. Middle cerebral artery oc was produced by insertion of a silicone-coated 4-0 nylon monofilament to the o in male Sprague-Dawley rats under isoflurane anesthesia. After 90 or 120 min retracted and the ischemic tissue reperfused. In 90-min MCAO model, GV150526A was administered 30 min before MCAO or immediately after MCAO. In 120-min MC KC0244 or GV150526A (10 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 1 hr before MCAO or imme MCAO. Infarct volume was measured 24 hr after MCAO using the 2,3,5-triphe chloride staining method. In 90-min MCAO model, treatments with GV1505 significantly reduce infarct volume although they tended to slightly reduce cor approximately 19% compared with the nontreated group. In 120-min MCAO model with GV150526A did not either significantly reduce infarct volume although the reduce total infarct volume by approximately 16% compared with the vehicle-tre However, 1-hr preischemic and immediate treatments with KC0244 reduced total i 39 and 30% (corrected total infarct volume by 44 and 32%), respectively, co vehicle-treated control group. The results suggest that KC0244 can provid against transient focal ischemic damage with greater in vivo potency than GV150

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.67-74
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of the study is to determine the neuroprotective effects of the water extract of Angelicae Acutilobae Radix(AA) on ischemia reperfusion-induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH human brain neuronal cells. Methods: SK-N-SH cells were treated with different concentrations of AA water extract (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/ml) for 2 hr and then stimulated with Dulbecco's phosphate-buffered saline containing CI-DPBS: 3mM sodium azide and 10 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose for 45 min, reperfused with growth medium, and incubated for 24 h. Cell viability was determined by WST-1 assay, and ATP/ADP levels were measured by ADP/ATP ratio assay kit. The levels of caspase-3 protein were determined by Western blot and apoptotic body was observed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Results : AA extract significantly inhibited decreasing the cell viability in ischemia-induced SK-N-SH cells. AA also increased the ratio of ADP/ATP in ischemia-induced neuronal cells and decreased the expression levels of apoptotic protein, caspase-3 and apoptotic DNA damage. Conclusions : Our results suggest that AA extract has a neuroprotective property via suppressing the apoptosis and increasing the energy levels in neuronal cells, suggesting that AA extract may has a therapeutic potential in the treatment of ischemic brain injury.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.85-88
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• 2007

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade a wide range of extracellular matrix components. It has been reported that MMP-9 are activated after focal ischemia in experimental animals. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major constituent of green tea polyphenols, is a potent free radical scavenger and reduces the neuronal damage caused by oxygen free radicals. And it has been known that EGCG could reduce the infarction volume in focal brain ischemia and inhibit MMP-9 activity. To delineate the relationship between the anti-ischemic action and the MMP-9-inhibiting action of EGCG, we investigated the effect of EGCG on brain infarction and the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 induced by permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) in ICR mice. EGCG (40 mg/kg, i.p. $15{\sim}30min$ prior to MCAO) significantly decreased infarction volume at 24 hr after MCAO. GM 6001 (50 mg/kg, i.p. $15{\sim}30min$ prior to MCAO), a MMP inhibitor, also significantly reduced infarction volume. In zymogram, MMP-9 activities began to increase at ipsilateral cortex at 2 hr after MCAO, and the increments of MMP-9 activities were attenuated by EGCG treatment. Western blot for MMP-9 also showed patterns similar to that of zymogram. These findings demonstrate that the anti-ischemic action of EGCG ire mouse focal cerebral ischemia involves its inhibitory effect on MMP-9.