• 운동영양학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.14-18
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• 2020

[Purpose] Functional foods are thought to strongly influence the structure and function of the brain. Previous studies have reported that brain-boosting diets may enhance neuroprotective functions. Certain foods are particularly rich in nutrients like phytochemicals that are known to support brain plasticity; such foods are commonly referred to as brain foods. [Methods] In this review, we briefly explore the scientific evidence supporting the neuroprotective activity of a number of phytochemicals with a focus on phenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as flavonoid, olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acid. [Results] The aim of this study was to systematically examine the primary issues related to phytochemicals in the brain. These include (a) the brain-gut-microbiome axis; (b) the effects of phytochemicals on gut microbiome and their potential role in brain plasticity; (c) the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain health; and (d) the effects of nutrition and exercise on brain function. [Conclusion] This review provides evidence supporting the view that phytochemicals from medicinal plants play a vital role in maintaining brain plasticity by influencing the brain-gut-microbiome axis. The consumption of brain foods may have neuroprotective effects, thus protecting against neurodegenerative disorders and promoting brain health.

• 생약학회지
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.79-86
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• 2022

Excessive glutamate causes oxidative stress in neuronal cells, which can cause degenerative neurological disorders. We tried to find medicinal plant showed neuroprotective activity by using glutamate-injured HT22 cell as a model system. In this study, we found that Boesenbergia rotunda methanol extract showed neuroprotective activity against glutamate induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampal HT22 cells. B. rotunda methanol extract suppressed the formation of reactive oxygen species and decreased intracellular Ca²⁺concentration. Also, B. rotunda made mitochondrial membrane potential maintain to normal levels. In addition, B. rotunda increased total glutathione amount and activated antioxidative enzyme such as glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase compared to glutamate-treated groups. These results suggested that B. rotunda decreased neuronal cell death damaged by high concentrations of glutamate treatment, via antioxidative mechanism and might be one of candidate of development of new drug to treat neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.58-65
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• 2023

Pu-erh tea, a popular and traditional Chinese tea, possesses various health-promoting effects, including inhibiting tumor cell progression and preventing type II diabetes and neurodegenerative disorders. However, the precise anti-inflammatory mechanisms are not well understood. In present study, we elucidated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. We explored the effects of Pu-erh tea on the levels of inflammatory-related genes, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we investigated its regulatory effects on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF)-κB and hypoxia-inducible-factor (HIF)-1α activation. The findings of this study demonstrated that Pu-erh tea inhibited the LPS-increased inflammatory cytokines and PGE₂ release, as well as COX-2 and iNOS expression. Moreover, we confirmed that the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Pu-erh tea occurs via the inhibition of NF-κB and HIF-1α activation. Conclusively, these findings provide experimental evidence that Pu-erh tea may be useful candidate in the treatment of inflammatory-related diseases.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.1044-1054
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• 2023

Growing evidence indicates a crucial role of the gut microbiota in physiological functions. Gut-brain axis imbalance has also been associated with neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders. Studies have suggested that probiotics regulate the stress response and alleviate mood-related symptoms. In this study, we investigated the effects of the probiotic Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus IDCC3201 (L3201) on the behavioral response and fecal metabolite content in an unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS) mouse model. Our study shows that chronic stress in mice for three weeks resulted in significant changes in behavior, including lower locomotor activity, higher levels of anxiety, and depressive-like symptoms, compared to the control group. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that disrupted fecal metabolites associated with aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis and valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis by UCMS were restored with the administration of L3201. Oral administration of the L3201 ameliorated the observed changes and improved the behavioral alterations along with fecal metabolites, suggesting that probiotics play a neuroprotective role.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.655-663
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• 2023

Autophagy dysfunction is associated with human diseases and conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic issues, and chronic infections. Additionally, the decline in autophagic activity contributes to tissue and organ dysfunction and aging-related diseases. Several factors, such as down-regulation of autophagy components and activators, oxidative damage, microinflammation, and impaired autophagy flux, are linked to autophagy decline. An autophagy flux impairment (AFI) has been implicated in neurological disorders and in certain other pathological conditions. Here, to enhance our understanding of AFI, we conducted a comprehensive literature review of findings derived from two well-studied cellular stress models: glucose deprivation and replicative senescence. Glucose deprivation is a condition in which cells heavily rely on oxidative phosphorylation for ATP generation. Autophagy is activated, but its flux is hindered at the autolysis step, primarily due to an impairment of lysosomal acidity. Cells undergoing replicative senescence also experience AFI, which is also known to be caused by lysosomal acidity failure. Both glucose deprivation and replicative senescence elevate levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), affecting lysosomal acidification. Mitochondrial alterations play a crucial role in elevating ROS generation and reducing lysosomal acidity, highlighting their association with autophagy dysfunction and disease conditions. This paper delves into the underlying molecular and cellular pathways of AFI in glucose-deprived cells, providing insights into potential strategies for managing AFI that is driven by lysosomal acidity failure. Furthermore, the investigation on the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction sheds light on the potential effectiveness of modulating mitochondrial function to overcome AFI, offering new possibilities for therapeutic interventions.

• 대한치매학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.11-21
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• 2024

Background and Purpose: Although dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia, its clinical prevalence is low. We developed a short and easy-to-complete DLB screening questionnaire (DLBSQ) to raise diagnostic sensitivity in routine clinical settings. Methods: A total of 501 participants were retrospectively enrolled, including 71 controls, 184 patients without DLB, and 246 patients with probable DLB. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, including core features of DLB, the DLBSQ, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and detailed neuropsychological assessments. The diagnostic performance of the DLBSQ for probable DLB was investigated using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Results: Total DLBSQ score was associated with visuospatial and frontal/executive dysfunction and the diagnosis of probable DLB. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for total DLBSQ score was 0.727. Youden's method revealed an optimal cutoff value of 3. The sensitivity and specificity of the DLBSQ were 68.7% and 62.4%, respectively. Its discriminating performance improved when cognitive test profiles were additionally considered (area under the curve: 0.822, sensitivity: 80.6%, and specificity: 70.4%). Conclusions: The DLBSQ might be a useful screening tool for DLB in routine clinical practice with good sensitivity and specificity.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1332-1338
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• 2018

뇌신경 질환의 주요 원인이 되는 것으로 알려진 미세아교세포의 과도한 활성화에 의한 신경염증반응에서 풀무치 에탄올 추출물이 미세아교세포의 염증 반응에 미치는 영향을 검토하였다. 미세아교세포의 활성화를 유도하기 위해 LPS를 사용하였으며, LPS 처리에 의해 신경염증반응의 지표인 NO의 생성량과 이들을 조절하는 iNOS, COX-2의 발현이 증가됨을 확인 할 수 있었다. 그러나 풀무치 에탄올 추출물을 1시간 전처리 한 후 LPS를 처리한 경우 추출물의 농도에 의존적으로 이들의 발현량이 현저히 감소되는 것을 확인 하였다. 또한 LPS 처리로 인해 분비되는 염증성 cytokine들의 생성량도 풀무치 에탄올 추출물에 의해 현저히 억제 됨을 확인 할 수 있었다. 따라서 본 연구의 결과는 미세아교세포의 과도한 활성화로 인해 발생되는 뇌 신경질환의 치료 소재로서 풀무치 에탄올 추출물의 활성 가능성을 제시하였다.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제40권5호
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• pp.851-864
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• 2019

Multiple system atrophy is a neurodegenerative disease that causes diverse bodily dysfunctions (cerebellar, pyramidal, automatic, and urological, in any combination), as well as Parkinsonism. Patients with multiple system atrophy commonly display antecollis, a condition where the patient's head tilts forward more than 45 degrees. Despite its common occurrence in these patients, no current standardized therapies are effective for treating antecollis. In this study, Korean medicinal treatments, including Chuna manual therapy, pharmaco-acupuncture, bee venom acupuncture, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion therapy, were administered to the patient over a 27-day period. After the treatment, assessments of the head position on the EPIS-PD scale (Part I) and at a standing position from the side (Part II) both revealed improvements. As the head flexion angle decreased, the patient's head posture improved, as determined by a decrease in angle from 80 degrees to 30 degrees in the upright, standing position. As a result, patients who previously were unable to walk without the support of walking frames could now roam freely and independently, with significant increases in both walking speed and distance. In essence, this study suggests that Korean medicine is an effective treatment for patients with multiple system atrophy who suffer from antecollis and gait disorders.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제65권5호
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• pp.665-679
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• 2022

Objective : Patients with mild ischemic stroke experience various sequela and residual symptoms, such as anxious behavior and deficits in movement. Few approaches have been proved to be effective and safe therapeutic approaches for patients with mild ischemic stroke by acute stroke. Sildenafil (SIL), a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i), is a known remedy for neurodegenerative disorders and vascular dementia through its angiogenesis and neurogenesis effects. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of PDE5i in the emotional and behavioral abnormalities in rats with mild ischemic stroke. Methods : We divided the rats into four groups as follows (n=20, respectively) : group 1, naïve; group 2, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo30); group 3, MCAo30+SIL-pre; and group 4, MCAo30+SIL-post. In the case of drug administration groups, single dose of PDE5i (sildenafil citrate, 20 mg/kg) was given at 30-minute before and after reperfusion of MCAo in rats. After surgery, we investigated and confirmed the therapeutic effect of sildenafil on histology, immunofluorescence, behavioral assays and neural oscillations. Results : Sildenafil alleviated a neuronal loss and reduced the infarction volume. And results of behavior task and immunofluorescence shown possibility that anti-inflammation process and improve motor deficits sildenafil treatment after mild ischemic stroke. Furthermore, sildenafil treatment attenuated the alteration of theta-frequency rhythm in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, a known neural oscillatory marker for anxiety disorder in rodents, induced by mild ischemic stroke. Conclusion : PDE5i as effective therapeutic agents for anxiety and movement disorders and provide robust preclinical evidence to support the development and use of PDE5i for the treatment of mild ischemic stroke residual disorders.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.5-9
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• 2012

It has been shown that the accumulation of prion in the cytoplasm can result in neurodegenerative disorders. Synthetic prion peptide 106-126 (PrP) is a glycoprotein that is expressed predominantly by neurons and other cells, including glial cells. Prion-induced chronic neurodegeneration has a substantial inflammatory component, and an increase in the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play an important role in neurodegenerative development and progression. However, the expression of MMPs in PrP induced rat astrocytes and microglia has not yet been compared. Thus, in this study, we examined the fluorescence intensity of CD11b positive microglia and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) positive astrocytes and found that the fluorescent intensity was increased following incubation with PrP at 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner. We also observed an increase in interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) protein expression, which are initial inflammatory cytokines, in both PrP induced astrocytes and microglia. Furthermore, an increase MMP-1, 3 and 11 expressions in PrP induced astrocytes and microglia was observed by real time PCR. Our results demonstrated PrP induced activation of astrocytes and microglia respectively, which resulted in an increase in inflammatory cytokines and MMPs expression. These results provide the insight into the different sensitivities of glial cells to PrP.