• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2020

Background Perforator flaps have led to a revolution in reconstructive surgery by reducing donor site morbidity. However, many surgeons have witnessed partial flap necrosis. Experimental methods to increase inflow have relied on adding a separate pedicle to the flap. The aim of our study was to experimentally determine whether increasing blood flow in the perforator pedicle itself could benefit flap survival. Methods In 30 male Lewis rats, an extended posterior thigh perforator flap was elevated and the pedicle was dissected to its origin from the femoral vessels. The rats were assigned to three groups: control (group I), acute inflow (group II) and arterial preconditioning (group III) depending on the timing of ligation of the femoral artery distal to the site of pedicle emergence. Digital planimetry was performed on postoperative day (POD) 7 and all flaps were monitored using laser Doppler flowmetry perioperatively and postoperatively in three regions (P1-proximal flap, P2-middle of the flap, P3-distal flap). Results Digital planimetry showed the highest area of survival in group II (78.12%±8.38%), followed by groups III and I. The laser Doppler results showed statistically significant higher values in group II on POD 7 for P2 and P3. At P3, only group II recorded an increase in the flow on POD 7 in comparison to POD 1. Conclusions Optimization of arterial inflow, regardless if performed acutely or as preconditioning, led to increased flap survival in a rat perforator flap model.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.105-109
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on rat sciatic nerve regeneration in a 10 mm silicone chamber. Methods: A total of 6 inbred Lewis rats were used in this study. Bilateral sciatic neurectomy was performed on each rat. On one side, silicone chambers containing PRP solutions were implanted; on the contralateral side, the chambers without PRP were implanted as a control. In 12 weeks post-implantation, chambers were retrieved and both gastrocnemius muscles were excised. Nerves biopsy samples were examined under a light microscope after Masson trichrome staining. Results: Cross sections of the midpoints of PRP treated nerves were significantly larger and appeared more mature than those of controls. Conclusion: Based on morphological evidence, PRP has a positive effect on neural regeneration, and it may therefore be useful for treating peripheral nerve injuries.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2004

To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of autoimmune inflammation in the central nervous system, we examined the expression and localization of STAT1, STAT3, STAT4 and STAT6 molecules during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by competitive PCR. In the present study, we quantitated IL-4 and IL-12 p40 mRNA by competitive PCR in the CNS during EAE. IL-4 mRNA was found at early and peak stages. On the other hand, the IL-12 p40 mRNA level reached maximal levels at the peak stage and still found at the recovery stage of the disease. We examined the kinetics of STAT mRNA in the CNS during EAE and demonstrated that STAT1 and STAT4 mRNA reached a maximal level at the peak stage of EAE, whereas STAT3 mRNA level increased gradually to the recovery stage. STAT6 mRNA increased rapidly at the early stage followed by gradual decrease till the recovery stage. Taken together, these findings suggest that STAT4 which was probably activated by IL-12 plays a pro-inflammatory role and that STAT3 which was activated throughout the disease course seems to serve as a transducer of anti-inflammatory signals.

• Biomaterials and Biomechanics in Bioengineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-39
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• 2014

We have previously described a new multilayer alginate microcapsule system, and the goals of the present study were to assess the in vitro function of islets encapsulated in its inner layer, and the angiogenic ability of FGF-1 delivered from the external layer in an omentum pouch. Following isolation and culture, islets were encapsulated in the inner core of microspheres ($500-600{\mu}m$ in diameter) with a semi-permeable poly-L-ornithine (PLO) membrane separating two alginate layers, and both unencapsulated and encapsulated islet function was assessed by a dynamic glucose perifusion. For angiogenesis experiments, one group of microcapsules without FGF-1 (control) and another (test) containing FGF-1 with heparin encapsulated in the external layer were made. One hundred microcapsules of each group were transplanted in Lewis rats (n = 5/group) and were retrieved after 14 days for assessment of angiogenesis. Glucose perifusion of unencapsulated and encapsulated islets resulted in similar stimulation indices. The release of FGF-1 resulted in increased vascular density compared to controls. In conclusion, islets encapsulated in the core of multilayer alginate microcapsules maintain functionality and the microcapsule's external layer is effective in delivery of FGF-1 to enhance graft neovascularization in a retrievable omentum pouch.

• BMB Reports
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-116
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• 1998

HLA-DR4 is the dominant allele of MHC class II genes in Koreans. In particular, the $DRB1^*0405$ subtype has been reported to be almost exclusively expressed in Far East Asians, and has also been observed to be strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Koreans and the Japanese. Identification of this specific allele has been mainly performed by PCR-based methods, which is often time consuming, costly, and involves tedious procedures such as the isolation of genomic DNA, PCR, and gel electrophoresis. To develop a more convenient tool for screening vast amounts of samples as well as to generate reagents which might also be used in other applications, in this study, antibodies were produced against this specific HLA subtype. By PCR, an allelespecific region covering the ${\beta}1$ domain of $DRB1^*0405$ was amplified and recombinantly expressed in E.coli. Immunization of Lewis rats with the purified protein yielded an allele specific antiserum. Western blot analysis showed the selective detection of the HLA-DR ${\beta}-chain$. Using this antiserum, established cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes were analyzed on their HLA haplotype by fluorescence activated flow cytometry. These novel antibodies will provide a powerful tool in the detection and investigation of DR4 alleles.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.399-409
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to experiment the antitumor activity of Agrimonia pilosa Ledebour (APL) in human stomach cancer (AGS) cell lines (in vitro) and male C57BL/6J mouse (in vivo). Methods : The effects of the ethanol extract from the plant on several transplantable rodent tumors were investigated in vitro by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxy phenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt (MTS) assay. DNA content analysis and Western blot analysis. Agrimonia pilosa Ledebour (APL) was given to rats with Lewis Lung Carcinoma (LLC) cells. The experimental rats were divided into 3 groups in vivo. Saline was injected into the abdominal cavity in the first group, 50 mg/kg APL was injected into the abdominal cavity in the second group and 100 mg/kg was injected into the abdominal cavity in the third group. After that, we checked their tumor volume periodically. Results : At first, human gastric cancer (AGS) cell lines (in vitro) showed decreased cell viability, and increased $sub-G_1$ contents. When we experimented rat intestinal epithelial (RIE)l as same condition, this result didn't show. With this, compared to normal cells, Agrimonia pilosa Ledebour (APL) led selectively to the extinction of cells only in human gastric cancer. Moreover, we showed that the traditional herbal medicine APL induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in AGS cells. Next, APL inhibited the growth of LLC-bearing mouse tumor. However, we could not verify APL induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in LLC-bearing mouse tumor. Conclusions : The roots of Agrimonia pilosa Ledebour (APL) contain some antitumor constituents.