• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.197.1-197.1
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• 2003

Neuronal hyperexcitability followed by high level of intracellular calcium and oxidative stress play critical roles in neuronal cell death in stroke and neurotrauma. Hence, KR-31378, a novel benzopyran derivative was designed as a new therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection possessing both anti-oxidant and potassium channel modulating activities. In the present study, we tested for its neuroprotective efficacy against oxidative stress-induced cell death in primary cortical cultures and further investigated its neuroprotective mechanism. (omitted)

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2021

Jak-STAT pathway is required for embryogenesis, female gametogenesis, cytokine-mediated neuroprotection, diabetes, obesity, cancer, stem cell, and various tissues. The noncanonical role of Jak-STAT in mitochondria function was supported by the detection of STAT protein in mitochondria, however, several studies show that STAT protein is detected in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and not in mitochondria. STAT protein may alter mitochondria function without entering mitochondria, this involves regulation of fission and fusion proteins to change mitochondria morphology. However, how changes in mitochondria morphology lead to changes in mitochondria metabolism needs further investigation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.157-161
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• 2010

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are specifically induced by various forms of stress. Hsp70.1, a member of the hsp70 family is known to play an important role in cytoprotection from stressful insults. However, the functional role of Hsp70 in motor function after spinal cord injury (SCI) is still unclear. To study the role of hsp70.1 in motor recovery following SCI, we assessed locomotor function in hsp70.1 knockout (KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) mice via the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale, before and after spinal hemisection at T13 level. We also examined lesion size in the spinal cord using Luxol fast blue/cresyl violet staining. One day after injury, KO and WT mice showed no significant difference in the motor function due to complete paralysis following spinal hemisection. However, when it compared to WT mice, KO mice had significantly delayed and decreased functional outcomes from 4 days up to 21 days after SCI. KO mice also showed significantly greater lesion size in the spinal cord than WT mice showed at 21 days after spinal hemisection. These results suggest that Hsp70 has a protective effect against traumatic SCI and the manipulation of the hsp70.1 gene may help improve the recovery of motor function, thereby enhancing neuroprotection after SCI.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.94-103
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether celastrol, the triterpenoid component of Celastrus orbiculatus, offers neuroprotection against Parkinson's disease (PD) in mice administered 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine(MPTP). Methods: We examined how celastrol affected MPTP-induced neuronal loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in the midbrain of mice. C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups: (1) saline-saline, (2) saline-celastrol, (3) MPTP-saline, and (4) MPTP-celastrol. The mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with four administrations of MPTP (18mg/kg) at 2 h intervals and then i.p. administered celastrol (3mg/kg) two times at 12 h after last celastrol administration. Expression of TH on the SNpc of brain tissues were analyzed at 7 days after the treatments by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis using TH antibody showed that celastrol provided significantly protective effects against MPTP-induced loss of TH-positive dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc region of the midbrain of mice. Our Western blot study also showed that celastrol significantly inhibits the MPTP-induced neuronal damage via the up-regulation of TH protein levels in MPTP mice. Conclusions: The present results suggest that it may be possible to use celastrol for the prevention of nigral degenerative disorders including PD, caused by exposure to toxic substances.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.6
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• pp.181-188
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• 2017

Purpose: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a significant cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Erythropoietin (EPO) is emerging as a therapeutic candidate for neuroprotection. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the neuroprotective role of recombinant human EPO (rHuEPO) and the possible mechanisms by which mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), JNK, and p38 MAPK is modulated in cultured cortical neuronal cells and astrocytes. Methods: Primary neuronal cells and astrocytes were prepared from cortices of ICR mouse embryos and divided into the normoxic, hypoxia (H), and hypoxia-pretreated with EPO (H+EPO) groups. The phosphorylation of MAPK pathway was quantified using western blot, and the apoptosis was assessed by caspase-3 measurement and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Results: All MAPK pathway signals were activated by hypoxia in the neuronal cells and astrocytes (P<0.05). In the neuronal cells, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2 and apoptosis were significantly decreased in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). In the astrocytes, phosphorylation of ERK-1/-2, p38 MAPK, and apoptosis was reduced in the H+EPO group at 15 hours after hypoxia (P<0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment with rHuEPO exerts neuroprotective effects against hypoxic injury reducing apoptosis by caspase-dependent mechanisms. Pathologic, persistent ERK activation after hypoxic injury may be attenuateed by pretreatment with EPO supporting that EPO may regulate apoptosis by affecting ERK pathways.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.04a
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• pp.147-153
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• 2007

Central to developing new treatment strategies for late onset sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD) and early onset familial PD is resolving the enigma of the specific vulnerability exhibited by substantia nigra dopamine (DA) neurons despite multiple risk factors. Neuropathological evidence from both human and experimental models of PD firmly supports a significant role for oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial dysfunction in the death of nigral DA neurons. Largely unknown are the genes underlying selective susceptibility of nigral DA neuron to OS and mitochondrial dysfunction and how they effect nigral DA cell death. To overcome the paucity of nigral DA neurons as well as the dilution effect of non-DA cells in brain tissues, we have developed wild type DA cell line model, SN4741 and mutant DJ-1 (-/-) DA cells, appropriate for microarray analysis and differential mitochondrial proteomics. Mutations in the DJ-1 gene (PARK7), localized in cytoplasm and mitochondria, cause autosomal recessive early onset PD. Through microarray analysis using SN4741 cells followed by validation tests, we have identified a novel phylogenically conserved neuroprotective gene, Oxi-a, which is specifically expressed in DA neurons. The knockdown of the gene dramatically increased vulnerability to as. Importantly as down-regulated the expression level of the gene and recovery of its expression via transient transfection exerted significant neuroprotection against as insult. We also have identified altered expression of mitochondrial proteins and other familial PD genes in DJ-1 (-/-) mutant cells by differential mitochondrial proteomics. In DJ-1 (-/-) cells the knockdown of the other familial PD genes (Parkin and PINK1) dramatically increased susceptibility to as. Thus, further functional characterization of the Oxi-$\alpha$ gene family and the mitochondrial alteration in the DJ-1 (-/-) cell model will provide the rationale for the neuroprotective therapy against both sporadic and familial PD.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.965-972
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Cheonggukjang extract in in-vitro and in-vivo models. T98G-human glioblastoma cells were pretreated with various concentrations (1~10 mg/mL) of Cheonggukjang extract for 24 h and then exposed to $H_2O_2$ (1 mM) for 3 h. The neuroprotective effects of Cheonggukjang extract were measured using a CCK-8 kit assay, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The early stage focal ischemia rodent model was used as the in-vivo neurotoxicity model. Various concentrations (10~200 mg) of Cheonggukjang extract were administered to the animal models for 1 week. Peripheral blood was analyzed for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) expression by ELISA, and infarct volume reduction was analyzed by TTC staining. Cheonggukjang extract significantly (p<0.05) increased cell viability in T98G cells against $H_2O_2$ as well as against the induced neurotoxicity. Indeed, treatment with the Cheonggukjang extract induced a decrease in ROS and LDH expression and increased TAC significantly (p<0.05). However, Cheonggukjang extract did not induce a decrease in infarct volume or an increase in GPx expression in the in-vivo model. Despite the limitation in neuroprotection, Cheonggukjang extract may be useful for treating ROS injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.294-304
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• 2009

Ginsenosides are among the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of various symptoms in South Korea. The neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ (G-$Rg_3$) on cholesterol-oxide-(CO)-induced neurotoxicity were investigated through the analyses of rat brains. The recently accumulated reports show that ginseng saponins (GTS), the major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, have protective effects against neurotoxin insults. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of G-$Rg_3$ on CO-induced hippocampal excitotoxicity were examined in vivo. The in-vitro studies using rat cultured hippocampal neurons revealed that G-$Rg_3$ treatment significantly inhibited CO-induced hippocampal cell death. G-$Rg_3$ treatment not only significantly reduced CO-induced DNA damage but also attenuated CO-induced apoptosis. The in-vivo studies that were conducted revealed that the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) pre-administration of G-$Rg_3$ significantly reduced i.c.v. CO-induced hippocampal damage in rats. To examine the mechanisms underlying the in-vitro and in-vivo neuroprotective effects of G-$Rg_3$ against CO-induced hippocampal excitotoxicity, the effect of G-$Rg_3$ on the CO-induced elevations of the apoptotic cells in cultured hippocampal cells was examined, and it was found that G-$Rg_3$ treatment inhibited CO-induced apoptosis. The histopathological evaluation demonstrated that G-$Rg_3$ significantly diminished the apoptosis in the hippocampus and also spared the hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus neurons. G-$Rg_3$ also significantly improved the CO-caused behavioral impairment. G-$Rg_3$ itself had no effect, however, on the CO-induced inhibition of succinate dehydrogenase activity (data not shown). These results collectively indicate the G-$Rg_3$-induced neuroprotection against CO in rat hippocampus. With regard to the wide use of G-$Rg_3$, this agent is potentially beneficial in treating CO-induced brain injury.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2008

The leaves of Perilla frutescens Britt. var. japonica Hara (Labiatae) are often used in gourmet food in several Asian countries. Two kinds of perilla cultivars, Namcheon (NC) and Bora (BR), have been respectively developed in Korea by the pure line of 'deulkkae' from the local variety and by the cross of 'deulkkae' and 'chajogi'. The present study evaluated and compared antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the fractions prepared from the leaves of the two cultivars using cell-free bioassay systems and primary cultured rat cortical cells. We found that the spirit, chloroform, hexane and butanol fractions from NC and BR leaves inhibited lipid peroxidation initiated in rat brain homogenates by $Fe^{2+}$ and L-ascorbic acid. In contrast, only the spirit and butanol fractions from both cultivars exhibited 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity. Among the fractions tested, the butanol fractions from NC and BR leaves exhibited the most potent antioxidant properties, and the butanol fraction from BR was more potent than the NC fraction. In consistence with these findings, the butanol fractions from both cultivars protected primary cultured cortical cells from the oxidative damage induced by $H_2O_2$ or xanthine and xanthine oxidase, with the BR butanol fraction being more active. The butanol fractions from NC and BR did not produce cytotoxicity in our cultures treated for 24 h at the concentrations of up to $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. Taken together, these results indicate that the leaves of the two cultivars of Perilla frutescens exert antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, and that the butanol fraction from BR leaves exhibits the most potent antioxidative neuroprotection among the fractions tested in this study.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.149-157
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• 2017

The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) is a potential stroke treatment candidate. Intranasal delivery is a novel method thereby a therapeutic protein can be penetrated into the brain parenchyma by bypassing the blood-brain barrier. Thus, this study tested whether intranasal IL-1RA can provide neuroprotection and brain penetration in transient cerebral ischemia. In male Sprague-Dawley rats, focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1 h. The rats simultaneously received 50 mg/kg human IL-1RA through the intranasal (IN group) or intraperitoneal route (IP group). The other rats were given 0.5 mL/kg normal saline (EC group). Neurobehavioral function, infarct size, and the concentration of the administered human IL-1RA in the brain tissue were assessed. In addition, the cellular distribution of intranasal IL-1RA in the brain and its effect on proinflammatory cytokines expression were evaluated. Intranasal IL-1RA improved neurological deficit and reduced infarct size until 7 days after MCAO (p<0.05). The concentrations of the human IL-1RA in the brain tissue 24 h after MCAO were significantly greater in the IN group than in the IP group (p<0.05). The human IL-1RA was confirmed to be co-localized with neuron and microglia. Furthermore, the IN group had lower expression of $interleukin-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ at 6 h after MCAO than the EC group (p<0.05). These results suggest that intranasal IL-1RA can reach the brain parenchyma more efficiently and provide superior neuroprotection in the transient focal cerebral ischemia.