• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.133-150
• /
• 2008

Objective: This study was performed to examine Danggui (DG, Angelica gigas Nakai)'s potential activity for promoting axonal regeneration in the injured peripheral nerve. Methods: Using the sciatic nerve in the rats, DG extract 5 ${\mu}l$(10 mg/ml in 0.5% saline) was dripped into the injury site of the nerve. Results: DG treatment facilitated axonal elongation responses in the distal portion to the injury site. GAP-43 protein levels were upregulated by DG treatment in the injured nerve and also in the DRG, suggesting the induction of GAP-43 expression at gene expression level after nerve injury. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were upregulated in the injured nerve area and also in the DRG, suggesting retrograde transport of phospho-Erk1/2 protein from the injury area to the cell body. Cdc2 protein levels were slightly upregulated by DG treatment. DG treatment increased the number of non-neuronal cells in the distal portion to the injury site. Conclusions: The present data suggest that DG is effective for enhanced axonal regrowth after sciatic nerve injury.

• 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.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.10-16
• /
• 2017

When peripheral axons are damaged, neuronal injury signaling pathways induce transcriptional changes that support axon regeneration and consequent functional recovery. The recent development of bioinformatics techniques has allowed for the identification of many of the regeneration-associated genes that are regulated by neural injury, yet it remains unclear how global changes in transcriptome are coordinated. In this article, we review recent studies on the epigenetic mechanisms orchestrating changes in gene expression in response to nerve injury. We highlight the importance of epigenetic mechanisms in discriminating efficient axon regeneration in the peripheral nervous system and very limited axon regrowth in the central nervous system and discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting epigenetic regulators to improve neural recovery.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.41
• /
• pp.60.1-60.6
• /
• 2019

Background: The lingual nerve plays an important role in multiple functions, including gustatory sensation and contact sensitivity and thermosensitivity. Misdiagnosed conservative treatments for serious lingual nerve (LN) injuries can induce the patient to serious mental disability. After continuous observation and critical diagnosis of the injury, in cases involving significant disruption of lingual nerve function, microneurosurgical reconstruction of the nerve is recommended. Direct anastomosis of the torn nerve ends without tension is the recommended approach. However, in cases that present significant gaps between the injured nerve ends, nerve grafts or conduits (tubes of various materials) are employed. Recently, various reconstruction materials for peripheral nerves were commercially offered especially in the USA, but the best method and material is still unclear in the world. There currently exists no conventional protocol for managing LN neurosensory deficiency in regard to optimal methods and the timing for surgical repair. In Japan, the allograft collagen nerve for peripheral nerves reconstruction was permitted in 2017, and we tried to use this allograft nerve and got a recommendable result. Case presentation: This report is a long-term abandoned torn LN reconstructed with allograft nerve induced by the lower third molar extraction. Conclusions: In early sick period, with the exact diagnosis, the LN disturbance should be managed. In a serious condition, the reconstruction with allograft nerve is one of the recommendable methods.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.14 no.1_4
• /
• pp.11-23
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of low-intensity ultrasound application to the peripheral nerve injury animal model on enhancement of nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Using aseptic microsurgical techniques, the sciatic nerve of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats was crushed at the outside of right mid-thigh for 30 seconds with fine forceps. Beginning just after surgery, various continuous-wave ultrasound treatments with intensities of 0.2 W/$cm^2$, 0.5 W /$cm^2$ and 1.0 W /$cm^2$ operated at 1 MHz or sham treatment were applied to the opposite inside of the crush site for 1 minute every other day with a transducer moving speed of 2cm/sec. For evaluation of the progress of sciatic nerve regeneration, c-Fos expression in the lumbar spinal cord (L4-5) dorsal horn was investigated. c-fos expression was markedly increased at 1hour after sciatic nerve crush injury, then gradually decreased thereafter. The c-fos expressions were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in all the experimental groups in comparison with the control group until 3days post-crush, and the degrees of decrease were higher in 0.5 W/$cm^2$ and 1 W/$cm^2$ intensity ultrasound application groups. It is suggested that low-intensity ultrasound application to an animal model of sciatic crush injury may suppress pain transmission and promote nerve regeneration, and which may result in delayed progress of muscle atrophy and accelerated progress of muscle recovery and eventually may result in accelerated and improved foot function recovery.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 2021

Evidence shows that nerve injury triggers mitochondrial dysfunction during axonal degeneration. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in axonal regeneration. Therefore, normalizing mitochondrial energy metabolism may represent an elective therapeutic strategy contributing to nerve recovery after damage. Photobiomodulation (PBM) induces a photobiological effect by stimulating mitochondrial activity. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that PBM improves ATP generation and modulates many of the secondary mediators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and calcium ions (Ca²⁺)], which in turn activate multiple pathways involved in axonal regeneration.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.427-439
• /
• 2022

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNIs) often present with variable symptoms, making them difficult to diagnose, treat, and monitor. When neurologic compromise is inadequately assessed, suboptimal treatment decisions can result in lasting functional deficits. There are many available tools for evaluating pain and functional status of peripheral nerves. However, the literature lacks a detailed, comprehensive view of the data comparing the clinical utility of these modalities, and there is no consensus on the optimal algorithm for sensory and pain assessment in PNIs. We performed a systematic review of the literature focused on clinical data, evaluating pain and sensory assessment methods in peripheral nerves. We searched through multiple databases, including PubMed/Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar, to identify studies that assessed assessment tools and explored their advantages and disadvantages. A total of 66 studies were selected that assessed various tools used to assess patient's pain and sensory recovery after a PNI. This review may serve as a guide to select the most appropriate assessment tools for monitoring nerve pain and/or sensory function both pre- and postoperatively. As the surgeons work to improve treatments for PNI and dysfunction, identifying the most appropriate existing measures of success and future directions for improved algorithms could lead to improved patient outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.133-146
• /
• 2012

Background: Most antitumor agents have the side effect of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Cancer patients who take antitumor agents suffer from CIPN, but there is no known treatment for it. Unlike the central nerve system, the peripheral nerve can self-repair, and the Schwann cell takes this mechanism. Objectives: In this study, we researched the effect of YideungJetong-Tang (YJT) extract on taxol-induced sciatic nerve damage, through in vitro and in vivo experiments. Also, we studied the effect of YJT extract on neurite recovery and anti-inflammatory effect after compression injury of sciatic nerve in vivo. Methods: Vehicle, taxol and taxol+YJT were respectively applied on sciatic nerve cells of rat in vitro, then the cells were cultured. The sciatic nerve cells and Schwann cells were then observed using Neurofilament 200, Hoechst, ${\beta}$ -tubulin, S-$100{\beta}$, caspase-3 and phospho-Erk1/2. CIPN was induced by taxol into the sciatic nerve of rat in vivo, then YJT extract was taken orally. The axons, Schwann cells and neurites of the DRG sensory nerve were then observed using Neurofilament 200, ${\beta}$-tubulin, Hoechst, S-$100{\beta}$, phospho-Erk1/2 and caspase-3. YJT was taken orally after sciatic nerve compression injury, and the changes in axon of the sciatic nerve, Schwann cells and TNF-${\alpha}$ concentration were observed. Results: The taxol and YJT treated group showed significant effects on Schwann cell recovery, neurite growth and recovery. In vivo, YJT compared with control group showed Schwann cell structural improvement and axons recovering effect after taxol-induced Schwann cell damage. After sciatic nerve compression injury, recovery of distal axon, changes of Schwann cell distribution, and anti-inflammatory response were observed in the YJT. Conclusions: Through this study, we found that after taxol-induced neurite damage of sciatic nerve in vivo and in vitro, YJT had significant effects on sciatic nerve growth and Schwann cell structural improvement. In vivo, YJT improved recovery of distal axons and Schwann cells and had an anti-inflammatory effect.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.66-78
• /
• 2010

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly-encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and the recovery of the locomotor function that follows sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method: In order to assess the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and functional recovery, we investigated the walking track analysis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression in the sciatic nerve, and on the expressions of c-Fos and nitric oxide synthase in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region resulting from sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Results: Acupuncture treatment at Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Weizhong (BL40) facilitated functional recovery. C-Fos and nitric oxide synthase expressions in the brain and BDNF and TrkB expressions in the sciatic nerve were decreased by acupuncture treatment. The most potent effects of acupuncture were observed at the GB30 acupoint. Conclusion: It is possible that acupuncture can be used for pain control and functional recovery from sciatic nerve injury.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2003

Although painful conditions of varying degrees of severity involving the soft tissues (i .e., muscles, tendons, ligaments, periosteum and peripheral nerves) occur frequently, their underlying pathogenesis is poorly understood. The term peripheral neuropathic pain has recently been suggested to embrace the combination of positive and negative symptoms in patients whose pain is due to pathological changes or dysfunction in peripheral nerves or nerve root. The spinal nerve root, because of its vulnerable position, is very easily prone to injury from pressure, stretch, angulation, and friction. Therefore, not a few of musculoskeletal chronic pains are result of nerve root dysfunction. Neuropathic changes due to nerve root dysfunction are primarily in soft tissue especially muscle, tendon and joint. It shows tenderness over muscle motor points and palpable muscle contracture bands and restricted Joint range. Careful palpation and physical examination is the important tool that, be abne to detect all of these phenomena.