• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2023

Purpose : Excessive alcohol causes damage to skeletal muscles, leading to the development of a specific disease entity called alcoholic myopathy. Chronic inflammation is related as an underlying mechanism for the loss of muscle mass induced by alcohol. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α) and IL-6 (interleukin-6) play a role in this process. The acupuncture point Feng Shi (GB 31) is located on the midline of the lateral aspect of the thigh, above the transverse popliteal crease. This acupoint is used for the treatment of weakness, atrophy, numbness, and post-stroke symptoms of lower limbs. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Feng Shi stimulation on muscle atrophy caused by chronic alcohol administration. Method : Young male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of eight each: Normal, Control, and GB31. The rats in the Control and GB31 groups were orally given 25 % ethanol (5 ㎖/kg, body weight) daily for 4 weeks. The Normal group was similarly administered saline. The acupressure at Feng Shi was treated to rats in the GB31 group. After 4 weeks, the body weight, muscle weight and cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius were assessed and the histological changes in gastrocnemius muscle fiber were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Moreover, TNF-α and IL-6 expressions were immunohistochemistrically evaluated. Results : Acupressure stimulation at Feng Shi had a protective effect on the weight reduction of the gastrocnemius muscle caused by alcohol intake, and had an effect of suppressing anatomical change in muscle fiber and decreasing the average cross-sectional area. Also, the immunoreactivities of TNF-α and IL-6 in the GB31 group were decreased. Conclusion : These results suggest that acupressure at Feng Shi has protective effects on chronic alcohol-induced muscle atrophy by inhibiting pre-inflammatory proteins such as TNF-α and IL-6.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.691-700
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term endurance exercise or resistance exercise training on muscle anabolic/catabolic pathway. 50wks-old male Wistar rats(n=30) were randomly assigned for 3 groups (sedentary, endurance exercise, resistance exercise group). After 12-week of training, plantaris muscles were dissect to measure protein level. Akt/mTOR signal-related proteins were significantly increased only after resistance exercise training, but catabolic signal-related proteins, FoxO1 and MuRF1, were significantly decreased after resistance and endurance exercise training. After endurance exercise training, AMPK and PGC-1α protein levels were significantly increased. Therefore, the endurance exercise training has been shown to affect the protein balance of aging muscle through inhibition of muscle protein catabolism. The present results suggest the possibility that not only resistance exercise but also endurance exercise will be affectable to keep or increase muscle volume and capacity of middle-aged people.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.26-31
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• 2019

[Purpose] Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that it is possible to prescribe exercise for neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, despite the availability of diverse scientific knowledge, the effects of exercise in this regard are still unclear. Therefore, this study attempted to investigate a substance, such as black chokeberry (Aronia melanocapa L.) that could improve the ability of the treatment and enhance the benefits of exercising in neurodegenerative diseases. [Methods] The cell viability was tested with 2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolim-5-carboxanilide and the cells were stained with ethidium homodimer-1 solution. The mRNA expression levels were evaluated by microarray. The active compounds of black chokeberry ethanolic extract (BCE) were analyzed by gas chromatography. The chemical shift analysis in the brain was performed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy. [Results] BCE treatment decreased hydrogen peroxide-induced L6 cell death and beta amyloid induced primary neuronal cell death. Furthermore, BCE treatment significantly reduced the mRNA levels of the inflammatory factors, such as IL-1α, Cxcl13, IL36rn, Itgb2, Epha2, Slamf8, Itgb6, Kdm6b, Acvr1, Cd6, Adora3, Cd27, Gata3, Tnfrsf25, Cd40lg, Clec10a, and Slc11a1, in the primary neuronal cells. Next, we identified 16 active compounds from BCE, including D-mannitol. In vivo, BCE (administered orally at a dosage of 50 mg/kg) significantly regulated chemical shift in the brain. [Conclusion] Our findings suggest that BCE can serve as a candidate for neurodegenerative disease therapy owing to its cyto-protective and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, BCE treatment is expected to prevent damage to the muscles and neurons of the athletes who continue high intensity exercise. In future studies, it would be necessary to elucidate the effects of combined BCE intake and exercise.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.570-579
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• 2019

Diabetes is one of the serious chronic metabolic diseases caused by Westernized eating habits, and the goal of diabetes treatment is to keep blood glucose at a normal level and prevent diabetic complications. This study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of a mealworm (Tenebrio molitor larva) extract (MWE) on hyperglycemia in an animal model with type 2 diabetes. Diabetic C57BL/Ksj-db/db mice were divided into three groups: diabetic control, rosiglitazone, and MWE. The mice supplemented with MWE showed significantly lower blood levels of glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin when compared with the diabetic control mice. The homeostatic index of insulin resistance was significantly lower in mice supplemented with MWE than in diabetic control mice. MWE supplementation significantly stimulated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 and Akt, and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in insulin signaling pathway of skeletal muscles. Eventually, MWE increased the expression of the plasma membrane glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) via PI3K/Akt activation. These findings demonstrate that the increase in plasma membrane GLUT4 expression by MWE promoted the uptake of blood glucose into cells and relieved hyperglycemia in skeletal muscles of diabetic C57BL/Ksj-db/db mice. Therefore, mealworms are expected to prove useful for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and further studies are needed to improve type 2 diabetes in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.457-461
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• 2010

Familial hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HOKPP) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by reversible flaccid paralysis and intermittent hypokalemia. Although it has been reported that decreased activity in the $K_{ATP}$ channels of the skeletal muscle cell membrane plays a role in the pathogenesis of HOKPP, a clear mechanism has not yet been established. This study aimed to investigate the molecular biological mechanism underlying the decreased activity of $K_{ATP}$ channels in the skeletal muscles of familial HOKPP patients by studying the levels of the $K_{ATP}$ channel subunit Kir6.2. We found that when cells obtained from healthy individuals (normal cells) and HOKPP patients (patient cells) were treated with 4 mM potassium buffer, there was no quantitative change in the KCNJ11 mRNA levels and no difference in the Kir6.2 protein expression in the cytosol and cell membrane. On the other hand, when 1 mM potassium buffer was used, normal cells showed decreased expression of KCNJ11 mRNA as well as decreased expression of Kir6.2 protein in the cell membrane. However, patient cells treated with the same buffer showed no quantitative change in the levels of KCNJ11 mRNA or in the levels of Kir6.2 protein in the cytosol and cell membrane. Thus, in HOKPP patients, the Kir6.2 protein cannot be transported from the cell membrane to the cytosol, leading to closure of the $K_{ATP}$ channels, induction of depolarization, and subsequently, to the paralytic symptoms observed in the patient. Our findings thus provide new insights into the pathogenesis of HOKPP.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1977

The changes of the total body composition, internal organs, skeletal muscles, and epididymal fat pad in rats fed protein depletion diet and 4 different recovery diets were examined. Seventy-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $212{\pm}2$ gr were used, and the results were as follows : A) After the 2 weeks of protein depletion, body weight decreased about 20% from the initial weight. It was mainey due to the total body lipid reduction. Among various organ weights, liver and spleen reduced $35{\sim}58%$, kidney and heart reduced $18{\sim}30%$, and muscles reduced $2{\sim}13%$, while brain, epididymal fat pad were not changed significantly. In regarding protein and lipid contents of these tissues, protein in liver, lipid in muscle, and both in spleen were markedly reduced. B) With the 2 weeks of feeding recovery diets, the increases of body weight were different among 4 Groups. High-fat group gained at the highest level (67%), and high-CHO group the lowest (30%). Total body composition (%) cf the standard and high-protein groups recovered to the level of 0 day protein depletion, while protein in the high-fat group and water in the high-CHO group decreased, and fat in these 2 groups increased. Weights of organs and muscles of the high-protein and high-fat groups were similar to the standard group and tllose of the high-CHO group were lower than the standard group. Composition of organs and muscle in the high-protein group was similar to the standard group, while the N contents of the high-fat and high-CHO groups were lower an the lipid content of the high-fat group was higher than the standard group. The weight and lipid content of epididymal fat pad were the highest in the high-fat group.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-42
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment effect of three interventions on the disuse atrophy of rat hindlimb after two weeks suspension. Forty-eight 11~12 weeks old female Sprague-Dawley white rats were divided into four intervention groups: 1) suspension only (S; n=10), 2) intensive weight bearing treadmill (IWBT; n=10), 3) electrical stimulation (ES; n=9), 4) 2)+3) (ES/IWBT; n=9). Another 10 rats received no intervention or hindlimb suspension and served as controls (C). After the interventions, 1) the cross-sectional area (CSA), 2) the ratio of white muscle fiber composition (WMFC), 3) isometric tetanic tension (ITT), and 4) muscle weights (MWs) were measured from the four calf muscle specimens. The results were as follows: 1. In all intervention groups, the CSAs of medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG LG), soleus (SOL), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) decreased when compared to the control (C) group (p<.05). The CSA increased in FDS and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 2. The ratios of WMFC in MG, LG, SOL, and FDS increased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ratios of WMFC decreased in SOL and LG for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group, and decreased in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the IWBT group (p<.05). 3. The ITT in the MG, LG, SOL, and FDS decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The ITT increased in MG LG/FDS, SOL, and the whole calf muscles (WCMs) in the IWBT, ES and ES/IWBT groups compared to the S only group (p<.05). 4. The MWs in MG LG/FDS, SOL, WCMs decreased compared to the C group for all interventions (p<.05). The MWs increased in MG LG/FDS and WCMs for the IWBT group, in SOL for the ES group, and in SOL for the ES/IWBT group compared to the S only group (p<.05). 5. In atrophied muscles, the IWBT group showed the best recovery and the ES/IWBT and ES groups followed in decreasing order. The most susceptible muscle to disuse atrophy was the SOL. But conversely, it showed the best recovery in the ES/IWBT group. After two weeks of hindlimb suspension, the calf muscles of rats atrophied and their isometric tension decreased. These changes were best reversed by hindlimb-focused treadmill activity. The next best results were achieved by electrical stimulation combined with the treadmill followed by only electrical stimulation. These findings indicate that full weight bearing treadmill activity alone or in combination with electrical stimulation are effective treatments for non-weight bearing induced muscle atrophy. Further study of the effect of different intensities of electrical stimulation and variations in the duration period of full weight bearing treadmill activity on disuse atrophy is recommended.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.72-92
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• 2000

This research has conducted studies on an Oriental medicine-based method of diagnosing of occupational musculoskeletal system diseases. This researcher has searched through existing relevant medical literature. Also, this researcher has worked on a moire topography using moire topography. In this course, this researcher has reached the following conclusion in relation to the possibility of using a moire topography as a diagnosing device of musculoskeletal system diseases under Oriental medicine . 1 The Western medicine outlines its criteria of screening occupational musculoskeletal system diseases as follows A. The occupational musculoskeletal diseases must clearly include one or more of the subjective symptoms characterized by pain, hypoesthesia dysaesthesia, anaesthesia. etc . B, There should be clinically admitted objective observations and diagnosis outlining that the disease concerned shows symptoms such as tenderness, induration. and edema that can appear with occupational musculoskeletal system diseases. dyscinesia should be admitted with the disease concerned, or there should be observations and diagnosis outlining that abnormality exists in electric muscular or nervous diagnosis and examination . C. It should be admitted that prior to the occurrence of symptoms or observations and diagnosis on musculoskeletal system-related diseases, a patient has been engaged in works with conditions requiring improper work posture or work movement. That is, this is an approach whereby they see abnormality in the musculoskeletal system come from material and structural defect, and adjust and control abnormality in the musculoskeletal system and secreta . 2. The Oriental medicines sees that a patient develops the pain of occupational musculoskeletal diseases as he cannot properly activate the flow of his life force and blood thus not only causing formation of lumps in the body and blocking the flow of life force and blood in some parts of the body. Hence, The Oriental medicine focuses on resolving the cause of weakening the flow of life force and blood, instead of taking material approach of correcting structural abnormality Furthermore , Oriental medicine sees that when muscle tension builds up, this presses blood vessels and nerves passing by, triggering circulation dyscrasia and neurological reaction and thus leading to lesion. Thus, instead of taking skeletal or neurophysiological approach. it seeks to fundamentally resolve the cause of the flow of the life force and blood in muscles not being activated. As a result Oriental medicine attributes the main cause of musculoskeletal system diseases to muscle tension and its build-up that stem from an individual's long formed chronicle habit and work environment. This approach considers not only the social structure aspect including companies owners and work environment that the existing methods have looked at, but also individual workers' responsibility and their environmental factors. Hence, this is a step forward method. 3 The diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases under Oriental medicine is characterized by the fact that an Oriental medicine doctor uses not only photos taken by himself, but also various detection devices to gather information and pass comprehensive judgment on it. Thus, it is the core of diagnosis under Oriental medicine to develop diagnosing devices matching the characteristics of information to be induced and to interpret information so induced from the views of Oriental medicine. Diagnosis using diagnosing devices values the whole state of a patient and formal abnormality alike, and the whole balance and muscular state of a patient serves as the basis of diagnosis. Hence, this method, instead of depending on the information gathered from devices under Western medicine, requires devices that provide information on the whole state of a patient in addition to the local abnormality information that X-ray. CT, etc., can offer. This method sees muscle as the central part of the abnormality in the musculoskeletal system and thus requires diagnosing devices enabling the muscular state. 4. The diagnosing device using moire topography under Oriental medicine has advantages below and can be used for diagnosing musculoskeletal system diseases with industrial workers . First, the device can Provide information on the body in an unbalanced state. and thus identify the imbalance and difference of height in the left and right stature that a patient can not notice at normal times. Second, the device shows the twisting of muscles or induration regions in a contour map. This is not possible with existing shooting machines such as X-ray, CT, etc., thus differentiating itself from existing machines. Third, this device makes it possible for Oriental medicine to take its unique approach to the abnormality in the musculoskeletal system. Oriental medicine sees the state and imbalance state in muscles as major factors in determining the lesion of musculoskeletal system, and the device makes it possible to shoot the state of muscles in detail. In this respect, the device is significant. Fourth, the device has an advantage as non-aggression diagnosing device.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.340-346
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• 2009

Lithium has only a minimal effect on basal glucose transport activity, instead that lithium markedly increased the sensitivity of glucose transport to insulin by increasing in insulin induced glucose transport activity. And Lithium increases in insulin responsiveness as well. Previous studies has reported this enhancement of lithium to stimulate the glucose transport process is not only limited to insulin, it also induce the increases in the sensitivity of glucose transport by submaximal contractile activity. The preliminary study, however, leads that Lithium possibly improves the responsiveness of glucose transport with maximal muscle contraction. In this study, we investigated the effect of Lithium on contraction for the maximal glucose transport. For the purpose of this study, Epitrochlearis muscles of SD rat were isolated and treated Lithium with electric contraction and/or insulin to activate the maximal glucose transport. The results support that Lithium improves the responsiveness of glucose transport through potentiates contraction and/or insulin induced-glucose uptake in muscle. Consequently Lithium treated with muscle contraction and insulin has the important potential to improve the insulin resistance and diabetes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.572-577
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to find out the Bcl-2 (B-cell leukemia/lymphoma-2), Bax, and caspase-3(cysteine-aspartic proteases-3) protein expression in soleus and EDL muscle according to treadmill exercise intensity in 60 week-old SD rats. The SD rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10 in each group): control (CON), low intensity exercise (LE), moderate intensity exercise (ME), and high intensity exercise (HE). The exercise was given to the rats for 8 wk, 5 day/wk. The animals underwent treadmill exercise at intensities of 30 min at 8 m/min for the LE group, 15 min at 16 m/min for the ME group, and 9 min at 24 m/min for the HE group. The results were as follows: the expression of Bcl-2 protein was lowest in the HE group and the expression of Bax protein was highest in the HE group. The expression of caspase-3 (cleaved form) protein was observed in the HE group. For the different types of muscle fiber, Bcl-2 protein expression in the soleus muscle was decreased in all groups. Bax protein expression in the soleus muscle was increased in the HE group only. Bcl-2 protein expression in the EDL muscle was decreased in the HE group, and Bax protein expression in the EDL muscle was increased in the ME and HE groups. Consequently, the protein expression related to the aged rats shows a difference according to the intensity of exercise. In addition, caspase-3 protein expression appeared in the HE group; however, in all amounts of intensity, DNA fragmentation was not observed. Therefore, apoptosis on skeletal muscles of aged mice can be intervened with optimal exercise. On the other hand, high intensity exercise can potentially accelerate the apoptosis of muscle fiber in aged rats.