• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.36 no.5
• /
• pp.360-365
• /
• 2010

Introduction: Mammalian tooth pulp is densely innervated by sensory nerves that are mostly C fibers and A delta fibers. However, there is evidence suggesting that many unmyelinated axons in the pulp are in fact parent meylinated axons. Immunohistochemical staining for neurofilament protein 200 kDa (NFP200) was performed to identify the demyelinated but parent myelinated axons. Materials and Methods: The pulp was removed from healthy premolars and 3rd molars extracted from juveniles and adults undergoing orthodontic treatment, and immunohistochemical staining were applied with NPF200 antibodies, which specifically dye myelinated axons. The specimens underwent an electron microscopy examination with diaminobenzidine (DAB) immunostaining after observation and analysis by fluorescence and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Results: The NPF200 immuno-positive axons in the radicular pulp areas were observed as bundles of many nerve fibers. Many small bundles were formed with fewer axons when firing to the coronal pulp areas and then reachrd a different direction. In the radicular pulp, unmyelinated axons and myelinated axons were present together. However, in the coronal pulp, unmyelinated axons were most common and NFP200 immuno-positive unmyelinated axons with a larger diameter than those in the radicular pulp were observed more frequently. On the other hand, most of the immuno-positive unmyelinated fibers were similar in size to that of typically well-known unmyelinated fibers. Conclusion: Myelinated fibers innervated to the dental pulp maintain their myelins in the radicular portion, but these fibers lost myelins in the coronal portion. After the loss of myelin, the size of the axoplasm also decreased.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.30 no.8
• /
• pp.963-969
• /
• 2001

Objectives : Cord blood stem cells have been widely used as donor cells for bone marrow transplantation recently. These cells can give rise to a variety of hematopoietic lineages to repopulate the blood. Recent observations reveal that some bone marrow cells and bone marrow stromal cells(MSCs) can grow to become either neurons or glial cells. It is, however, unclear whether or not there exists stems cells which can differentiate into neurons in the blood during the early stages of postnatal life. Methods : Human cord blood stem cells were prepared from human placenta after full term delivery. To induce neuronal differentiation of stem cells, ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol was treated. To confirm the neuro-glial characteristics of differentiated stem cells, immunocytochemical stain for NeuN, neurofilament, glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP), microtubule associated protein2(MAP2) was performed. RT-PCR was performed for detecting nestin mRNA and MAP2 mRNA. Results : We showed in this experiment that neuro-glial markers(NeuN, neurofilament, MAP2, GFAP) were expressed and axon-like cytoplasmic processes are elaborated in the cultured human cord blood stem cells prepared from new born placenta after full term delivery. Nestin mRNA was also detected in fresh cord blood monocytes. Conclusions : These results suggest that human cord blood derived stem cells may be potential sources of neurons in early postnatal life.

• The Journal of Korea CHUNA Manual Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.143-157
• /
• 2001

Objectives and Methods : To evaluate the mechanism of oxidative damage by xanthine oxydase(XO) and hypoxanthine(HX)-induced oxygen radicals, MTT assay and NR assay were carried out after the cultured mouse spinal sensory neurons were preincubated for 4 hours with various concentrations of XO/HX. And the amount of total protein. neurofilament EIA. lipid peroxidation and LDH activity were measured, to evaluate the protective effect of Herbar Chelidonii(HC) water extract on cultured spinal sensory neurons damaged by XO/HX. after the cultured mouse spinal sensory neurons were preincubated with various concentrations of HC water extract for 3 hours prior to exposure of XO/HX. Results : XO/HX decreased significantly the survival rate of the cultured mouse sensory neurons by NR assay and MTT assay In proportion to concentration and exposed time. In proportion to concentration and exposed time on cultured spinal sensory neurons, XO/HX showed the quantitative decrease of neurofilament by EIA. the decrease of total protein amount by SRB assay and the Increase of lipid peroxidation as well as LDH. HC showed the quantitative increase of neurofilament and total protein, but showed the decrease of lipid peroxidation and LDH activity against the neurotoxicity of XO/HX. Conclusions : From the above results, it is concluded that XO/HX have a neurotoxic effect on cultured spinal sensory neurons and that the herbs extract, such as HC, prevent the toxicity of XO/HX effectively in that they decrease lipid peroxidation and LDH activity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.143-158
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in severe functional deficits. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of Achyranthes japonica(AJ) on functional recovery in sciatic nerve after crushed sciatic nerve injury. Methods : In the present study, the animals in the AJ-treated groups received the aqueous extract of AJ at the respective doses orally for 13 consecutive days. In order to assess the effects of the aqueous extract of AJ on function recovery in crushed sciatic nerve injury, sciatic functional index(SFI) was performed. c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray(vIPAG), and neurofilament, and the expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), nerve growth factor(NGF) following crushed sciatic nerve injury in rats were investigated. For this, immunohistochemistry and western blot were performed. Results : In the present study, crushed sciatic nerve injury showed characteristic gait changes showing decrease of SFI value and treatment with the aqueous extract of AJ significantly enhanced the SFI value. Neurofilament expression in the sciatic nerve was decreased by crushed sciatic nerve injury and treatment with the AJ increased neurofilament expression. The expressions of BDNF and NGF in the sciatic nerve were increased following crushed sciatic nerve injury and treatment with the AJ significantly controlled the sciatic nerve injury-induced increment of BDNF and NGF expressions. c-Fos expressions in the PVN and vIPAG were increased following crushed sciatic nerve injury and treatment with the AJ significantly suppressed the sciatic nerve injury-induced increment of c-Fos expressions. Conclusions : These results suggest that AJ treatment after crushed sciatic nerve injury is effective in the functional recovery by enhancing axonal regeneration and suppressing of pain.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.125-142
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in severe functional deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Haein-tang(Hairen-tang) extract on functional recovery and pain release in the sciatic nerve after crushed sciatic nerve injury in rats. Methods : 1. Sciatic functional index(SFI) were performed on functional recovery. 2. c-Fos immunohistochemistry were performed on c-Fos expressions in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray(vIPAG). 3. Neurofilament immunohistochemistry were performed on neurofilament regeneration. 4. Western blot were performed on brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and nerve growth factor(NGF) expression. Results : 1. Haein-tang(Hairen-tang) extract significantly enhanced the SFI value in the sciatic nerve injury and 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg Haein-tang(Hairen-tang)-treated group. 2. Haein-tang(Hairen-tang) extract significantly suppressed the sciatic nerve injury-induced increment of c-Fos expressions in the PVN and vIPAG in the sciatic nerve injury and 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg Haein-tang(Hairen-tang)-treated group. 3. Haein-tang(Hairen-tang) extract significantly increased neurofilament expression in the sciatic nerve injury and 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg Haein-tang(Hairen-tang)-treated group. 4. Haein-tang(Hairen-tang) extract significantly controled the sciatic nerve injury-induced increment of BDNF and NGF expressions in the sciatic nerve injury and 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg Haein-tang(Hairen-tang)-treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Haein-tang(Hairen-tang) treatment after sciatic nerve injury is effective for the functional recovery by enhancing of axonal regeneration and suppressing of pain.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.88-96
• /
• 2001

To evaluate the effect of Yuldahansotang(YHT) water extract on cultuted mouse spinal sensory neuron which was inhibited by xanthine oxidase(XO) and hypoxanthine(HX)-induced oxigen radicals, MIT assay, NR assay, Neurofilament enzymeimmuno assay and LDH activity assay were carried our after the cultured mouse spinal sensory neuron were preincubated with various concentrations of YHT water extract for 3 hours prior to exposure of XO/HX. The results obtained were as follows: 1. XO/HX, a oxigen radical, decreased the survival rate of the cultured mouse spinal sensory neuron cells on NR assay and MTT assay. 2. MTT50 value and NR50 value pf XO/HX were 20 mU/ml XO/0.2 mM HX and 40 mU/ml XO/0.2 mM HX. 3. YHT water extract have efficacy of increasing neurofilament. 4. YHT water extract have efficacy of increasing LDH activity. From above the results, It is concluded that YHT has marked efficacy as a treatment for the damages caused in the XO/HX-mediated oxidative process.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.59-70
• /
• 2022

Background and Purpose: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has been considered as a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). We measured plasma NfL levels in older adults with cognitive complaints and evaluated their clinical usefulness in AD. Methods: Plasma levels of NfL, measured by using the single molecule array method, were acquired in a total of 113 subjects consisting of subjective cognitive decline (SCD; n=14), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n=37), or dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT; n=62). Plasma NfL level was compared among three groups, and its association with cognitive and functional status was also analyzed. Results: After adjusting for age, plasma NfL level was higher in subjects with DAT (65.98±84.96 pg/mL), compared to in subjects with SCD (16.90±2.54 pg/mL) or MCI (25.53±10.42 pg/mL, p=0.004). NfL levels were correlated with scores of the mini-mental state examination (r=-0.242, p=0.021), clinical dementia rating (CDR) (r=0.291, p=0.005), or CDR-sum of boxes (r=0.276, p=0.008). Just for participants who performed amyloid positron emission tomography (PET), the levels were different between subjects with PET (-) (n=17, 25.95±13.25 pg/mL) and PET (+) (n=16, 63.65±81.90 pg/mL, p=0.010). Additionally, plasma NfL levels were different between vascular dementia and vascular MCI, and between Parkinson's disease- dementia and no dementia. Conclusions: This pilot study shows that in subjects with DAT, plasma NfL levels increase. Plasma NfL level correlated with cognitive and functional status. Further longitudinal studies may help to apply the plasma NfL levels to AD, as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and predicting progression.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.52 no.2
• /
• pp.99-104
• /
• 2012

The present study was performed to evaluate the relationship between the neurotoxicity of acrylamide and the differential gene expression pattern in mice. Both locomotor test and rota-rod test showed that the group treated with higher than 30 mg/kg/day of acrylamide caused impaired motor activity in mice. Based on cDNA microarray analysis of mouse brain, myelin basic protein gene, kinesin family member 5B gene, and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 1 and its receptor genes were down-regulated by acrylamide. The genes are known to be essential for neurofilament synthesis, axonal transport, and neuroprotection, respectively. Interestingly, both FGF 1 and its receptor genes were down-regulated. Genes involved in nucleic acid binding such as AU RNA binding protein/enoyl-coA hydratase, translation initiation factor (TIF) 2 alpha kinase 4, activating transcription factor 2, and U2AF 1 related sequence 1 genes were down-regulated. More interesting finding was that genes of both catalytic and regulatory subunit of protein phosphatases which are important for signal transduction pathways were down-regulated. Here, we propose that acrylamide induces neurotoxicity by regulation of genes associated with neurofilament synthesis, axonal transport, neuro-protection, and signal transduction pathways.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
• /
• 2002.11a
• /
• pp.14-40
• /
• 2002

15-Deoxy-${\Delta}^{12, 14}$-prostaglandin $J_2$ (15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$), a naturally occurring ligand activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated $receptor-{\gamma}(PPAR-{\gamma}$). Activation of $PPAR-{\gamma}$ has been found to induce cell differentiation such as adipose cell and macrophage. Here it was investigated whether 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ has neuronal cell differentiation and possible underlying molecular mechanisms. Dopaminergic differentiating PC 12 cells treated with 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ (0.2 to 1.6 ${\mu}M$) alone showed measurable neurite extension and expression of neurofilament, markers of cell differentiation. However much greater extent of neurite extension and expression of neurofilament was observed in the presence of NGF (50 ng/ml). In parallel with its increasing effect on the neurite extension and expression of neurofilament, 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ enhanced NGF-induced p38 MAP kinase expression and its phosphorylation in addition to the activation of transcription factor AP-1 in a dose dependent manner. Moreover, pretreatment of SD 203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase inhibited the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$(0.8 ${\mu}M$) on NGF-induced neurite extension. This inhibition correlated well with the ability of SB203580 to inhibit the enhancing effect of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ on the expression of p38 MAP kinase and activation of AP-1, The promoting ability of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ did not occur through $PPAR-{\gamma}$, as synthetic PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist andantagonist did not change the neurite promoting effect of 15-deoxy-PGJ$_2$. In addition, contrast to other cells (embryonic midbrain and SK-N-MC cells), $PPAR-{\gamma}$ was not expressed in PC-12 cells. Other structure related prostaglandins, PGD$_2$ and $PGE_2$ acting via a cell surface G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) did not increase basal or NGF-induced neurite extension. Moreover, GPCR (EP and DP receptor) antagonists did not alter the promoting effect of f 5-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ on neurite extension and activation of p38 MAP kinase, suggesting that the promoting effect of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ may not be mediated GPCR. These data demonstrate that activation of p38 MAP kinase in conjunction with AP-1 single pathway may be important in the promoting activity of 15-deoxy-$PGJ_2$ cells.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.194-204
• /
• 2018

This study was to investigate the effect of the extract(KP-HE) from Kalopanax pictus(KP) fermented with Hericium erinaceum(HE) mycelium on oxidative modification of neurofilament-L(NF-L) which is closely related to neurodegenerative disorders. The oxidative modification of NF-L was induced by AAPH producing peroxyl radicals in solution, and KP, HE, and KP-HE was investigated. KP and HE did not protect NF-L against peroxyl radical-mediated NF-L modification whereas KP-HE significantly prevented NF-L modification induced by peroxyl radical. KP-HE inhibited the formation of dityrosine in oxidative modification of NF-L and stimulated the peroxyl radical scavenging activity. The effects of KP, HE, and KP-HE on the modification of NF-L by tetrahydropapaveroline(THP), a neurotoxin found in patients with Parkinson's disease was investigated. KP-HE also prevented THP-mediated NF-L modification as compared to KP and HE. In addition, KP-HE significantly inhibited the formation of dityrosine in oxidative modified NF-L and enhanced the inhibition of reactive oxygen species(ROS) was generated by THP. The results suggested that KP-HE can contribute to protected cell from oxidative stress was induced by ROS and neurotoxin. Therefore, KP-HE could potentially be used as a valuable functional food ingredient to prevent neurodegenerative disorders.