• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.431-437
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of CPP32 (caspase-3), one of the death-related enzymes, in the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). EAE was induced in Lewis rats immunized with an emulsion of rat spinal cord homogenate with complete Freunds adjuvant supplemented with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra, 5mg/ml). The expression of CPP32 in the spinal cords of rats with EAE was studied. In normal rat spinal cords, CPP32 is constitutively, but weakly, expressed in neurons and some neuroglial cells. In the EAE spinal cords, many inflammatory cells were positive for CPP 32, and the majority of CPP32(+) cells were identified as ED1(+) macrophages. During this stage of EAE, the number of CPP32(+) cells in brain cells, including neurons and astrocytes, increased, and these cells also had increased CPP32 immunoreactivity. CPP32 immunor eactivity was not always matched with apoptosis of inflammatory cells in EAE lesions. We speculate that CPP32, which is constitutlvely expressed in brain cells, increases in response to neuroimmunological stimulation in both brain neuronal cells and inflammatory cells. The functional role of CPP32 in neuroimmunological disorders is discussed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.419-425
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• 2018

The superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord plays an important role in pain transmission and opioid activity. Several studies have demonstrated that opioids modulate pain transmission, and the activation of ${\mu}$-opioid receptors (MORs) by opioids contributes to analgesic effects in the spinal cord. However, the effect of the activation of MORs on GABAergic interneurons and the contribution to the analgesic effect are much less clear. In this study, using transgenic mice, which allow the identification of GABAergic interneurons, we investigated how the activation of MORs affects the excitability of GABAergic interneurons and synaptic transmission between primary nociceptive afferent and GABAergic interneurons. We found that a selective ${\mu}$-opioid agonist, [$D-Ala^2$, $NMe-Phe^4$, Gly-ol]-enkephanlin (DAMGO), induced an outward current mediated by $K^+$ channels in GABAergic interneurons. In addition, DAMGO reduced the amplitude of evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) of GABAergic interneurons which receive monosynaptic inputs from primary nociceptive C fibers. Taken together, we found that DAMGO reduced the excitability of GABAergic interneurons and synaptic transmission between primary nociceptive C fibers and GABAergic interneurons. These results suggest one possibility that suppression of GABAergic interneurons by DMAGO may reduce the inhibition on secondary GABAergic interneurons, which increase the inhibition of the secondary GABAergic interneurons to excitatory neurons in the spinal dorsal horn. In this circumstance, the sum of excitation of the entire spinal network will control the pain transmission.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.5-12
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• 2013

Recent studies indicate that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can act as modulators of neuronal activity, and are critically involved in persistent pain primarily through spinal mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the effects of NaOCl, a ROS donor, on neuronal excitability and the intracellular calcium concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) in spinal substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. In current clamp conditions, the application of NaOCl caused a membrane depolarization, which was inhibited by pretreatment with phenyl-N-tert-buthylnitrone (PBN), a ROS scavenger. The NaOCl-induced depolarization was not blocked however by pretreatment with dithiothreitol, a sulfhydryl-reducing agent. Confocal scanning laser microscopy was used to confirm whether NaOCl increases the intracellular ROS level. ROS-induced fluorescence intensity was found to be increased during perfusion of NaOCl after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF$-DA). NaOCl-induced depolarization was not blocked by pretreatment with external $Ca^{2+}$ free solution or by the addition of nifedifine. However, when slices were pretreated with the $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin, NaOCl failed to induce membrane depolarization. In a calcium imaging technique using the $Ca^{2+}$-sensitive fluorescence dye fura-2, the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ was found to be increased by NaOCl. These results indicate that NaOCl activates the excitability of SG neurons via the modulation of the intracellular calcium concentration, and suggest that ROS induces nociception through a central sensitization.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2007

The failure of injured axons to regenerate in the mature central nervous system (CNS) has devastating consequences for victims of spinal cord injury (SCI). Traditional strategies to treat spinal cord injured people by using drug therapy and assisting devices that can not help them to recover fully various vital functions of the spinal cord. Many researches have been focused on accomplishing re-growth and reconnection of the severed axons in the injured region. Using cell transplantation to promote neural survival or growth has had modest success in allowing injured neurons to re-grow through the area of the lesion. Strategies for successful regeneration will require tissue engineering approach. In order to persuade sufficient axons to regenerate across the lesion to bring back substantial neurological function, it is necessary to construct an efficient biocompatible bridge (cell-free or implanted with different cell lines as hybrid implant) through the injured area over which axons can grow. Therefore, in this paper, spinal cord and its injury, different strategies to help regeneration of an injured spinal cord are reviewed. In addition, different aspects of designing a biocompatible bridge and its applications and challenges surrounding these issues are also addressed. This knowledge is very important for the development and optimalization of therapies to repair the injured spinal cord.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-38
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• 2009

Objectives : The purpose of this morphological studies was to investigate the relations between Sanyinjiao(Sp6), Yinlingquan(Sp9) and pancreas of rats using peudorabies virus(PRV). Methods : We observed labeled neurons following the injection of PRV, Bartha strain, into the Sanyinjiao(Sp6), Yinlingquan(Sp9) and pancreas of rats. After survival times of 4 days following the injection of PRV, the rats were perfused, and their spinal ganglia, spinal cord and brain stem were frozen sectioned($35{\mu}m$). These sections were strained by PRV immunohistchemical staining methods and observed with light microscope. Results : The results were as follows. 1. In the spinal ganglia, the overlap areas of PRV labeled neurons projecting to Sanyinjiao(Sp6), Yinlingquan(Sp9) and pancreas were observed in T10-13 dorsal root ganglia. 2. In the spinal cord, the overlap areas of PRV labeled neurons projecting to Sanyinjiao(Sp6), Yinlingquan(Sp9) and pancreas were lamina I, IV, V, VII, IX, X, intermediolateral nucleus(IML), intermediomedial nucleus(IMM) in thoracic segments. In lumbar segments, the overlap areas of PRV labeled neuron were lamina I, IV, V, VI, IX, X and IMM. In sacral segments, the overlap areas of PRV labeled neuron were lamina I, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, X. 3. In the brain, the overlap areas of PRV labeled neurons projecting to Sanyinjiao(Sp6), Yinlingquan(Sp9) and pancreas were area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius, caudoventrolateral reticular nu., medullary reticular nu., lateral paragigantocellular nu., C3 adrenalin cells, gigantocellular nu., raphe pallidus nu., raphe obscurus nu., ambiguus nu., raphe magnus nu., pontine reticular formation, A5 cell group, subcoeruleus nu., locus coeruleus, Barringnton's nu., $K{\ddot{o}}lliker$-Fuse nu., dorsal raphe nu., Edinger-Westphal nu., central gray matter, perifornical nu., dorsomedial hypothalamic nu., arcuate nu., lateral hypothalamic nu., paraventricular hypothalamic nu., hindlimb area. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that the interrelationship of meridian(spleen meridian), acupoints(Sp6 and Sp9) and viscera(pancreas) may be related the central autonomic centers.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-92
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• 2006

Objectives: To review recent findings from physiologic research about the nature of proprioceptive spinal reflex, proposed explanation for mechanisms of musculoskeletal problems associated with propriceptive dysfunction and techniques controlling this problem. Methods: MEDLINE databases were searched using various combinatins of the keywords proprioception, spinal reflex, somata-somatic reflex, spinal manipulation, muscle spindle, Golgi-tendon organ, along with searching the related articles and textbooks. Results and Conclusion: Proprioceptors(muscle spindle, Golgi-tendon organs) monitor the position of joints, tension in tendons and ligaments, and the state of muscular contraction. Disturbed activity of proprioceptive spinal reflex can cause chronic state of increased muscle stiffness, pain, deficiencies both in muscle coordination and propioception, and so on. All kinds of techniques that control proprioceptive primary afferent neurons can affect the motor control system and evoke changes in the neuromuscular system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.143-147
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• 2005

Following peripheral nerve injury, excessive nociceptive inputs result in diverse physiological alterations in the spinal cord substantia gelatinosa (SG), lamina II of the dorsal horn. Here, I report the alterations of excitatory or inhibitory transmission in the SG of a rat model for neuropathic pain ('spared nerve injury'). Results from whole-cell recordings of SG neurons show that the number of distinct primary afferent fibers, identified by graded intensity of stimulation, is increased at 2 weeks after spared nerve injury. In addition, short-term depression, recognized by paired-pulse ratio of excitatory postsynaptic currents, is significantly increased, indicating the increase of glutamate release probability at primary afferent terminals. The peripheral nerve injury also increases the amplitude, but not the frequency, of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents. These data support the hypothesis that peripheral nerve injury modifies spinal pain conduction and modulation systems to develop neuropathic pain.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.281-293
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• 1997

The effects of antimetabolite, 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), on ultrastrudural changes in the spinal cord of golden hamster were investigated. Intraperitoneal administration of 6-AN (10 mg/kg body weight) every two days gave rise to a marked reduction of about $30\sim40%$ in body weight after $26\sim28$ days ($13\sim14th$ injection). In the lesions of the spinal cord, neuroglial cells such as astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were severely damaged, but neurons and blood vessels were not affected by 6-AN. The myelin sheath was also affected by 6-AN. Vacuoles observed in the lesions were produced by the swelling and degenerating changes of neuropils and neuroglial cells. Numerous swollen mitochondria and cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed in the watery cytoplasm of damaged neuroglial cells, but intermediate filaments were well preserved. Especially in the damaged astrocytes, the outer nuclear membrane were partially swollen and formed a halfmoonlike structure. It is suggested that as well as the multivesicular bodies protruding from the swollen dendrites, the conjugation of adjacent vacuoles also participated in the formation of large vacuoles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2000

Introduction : In spite of the use of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture in the clinics, the scientific evaluation on effects is not enough. Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture is used according to the stimulation of acupuncture point and the chemical effects of Bee Venom. The aims of this study is to investigate the analgegic effects of the Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, through the change of writhing reflex and the change of c-fos in secondary neurons in the spinal cord. Materials and Methods : Pain animal model was used acetic acid method. The changes of writhing reflex of the mice which were derived pain by injecting acetic acid into the abdomen, after stimulating Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture on Chungwan(CV12) were measured. We used Fos immunohistochemical technique to study the neuronal activity in the spinal cord. Results : 1. Expression of c-fos in superficial dorsal horn(SDH), nucleus proprius(NP) and neck of dorsal hom(N) on 6~9th thoracic spine decreased significantly at $2.5{\times}10-4$g/kg Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, compared with saline-acetic acid group. 2. The numeral change of Fos-LI neurons on the NP, N, and ventral gray(V) on 6-9th thoracic spine, SDH on 9-11th thoracic spine, and SDH and V on 11~13th thoracic spine decreased significantly at Chungwan(CV12) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture, compared with saline-acetic acid group. 3. The correlation between the numbers of writhing refleax and Fos-LI neurons in T6-13 segment was statistically statistically significant at Chungwan(CV12) Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture. Conclusion : This study shows that the Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture on Chungwan(CV12) decreases the numbers of Fos-LI neurons. As the analgegic effects of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture is recognized. Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture treatment is expected for pain modulation. In order to use it in many ways, more researches are needed for the dose and stability of Bee Venom aqua-acupuncture.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.75-88
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• 1992

It is well established that neurons in ventrolateral medulla play a key role in determining the vasomotor tone. The purpose of present study is to identify sympathetic related, medullospinal tract neurons in ventrolateral medulla and to show that these mediate somato-sympathetic reflex. Medullospinal tract cells were identified by antidromic stimulation to intermediolateral nucleus (IML) of the second thoracic ($T_2$) spinal cord in anesthetized cats. Peripheral nerves were stimulated for orthodromic activation of these cells and peripheral receptive fields were determined. Post R wave histogram of unit and spike triggered averaging of sympathetic nerve discharge (SND) were used to define sympathetic related cell. A total of 113 neurons was recorded in ventrolateral medulla that had the axonal projections to $T_2$ spinal cord. Thirty four of these medullospinal cells showed spontaneous discharges and the others not. Between these two groups, rostro-caudal coordinate of the distribution from obex [$4.7{\pm}0.2\;$ (mean S.E.) mm, 4.1 0.1 mm], depth from dorsal surface ($5.5{\pm}0.2mm,\;4.9{\pm}0.1mm$ and conduction velocity ($9.9{\pm}1.7m/sec,\;16.7{\pm}1.9\;m/sec$) were significantly different (p<0.05). In spontaneously discharging group, characteristics of rostral and caudal groups were significantly different and we demonstrated that cells in rostral group mediate somatosympathetic reflex. From these results, we conclude that a certain portion of spontaneously discharging medullospinal tract cells in rostral ventrolateral medulla comprise the efferent outputs of somatosympathetic reflex to sympathetic preganglion neurons.