• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.191-198
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• 2012

Objective: Valproic acid (VPA), as known as histone deacetylase inhibitor, has neuroprotective effects. This study investigated the histological changes and functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) associated with VPA treatment in a rat model. Methods: Locomotor function was assessed according to the Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale for 2 weeks in rats after receiving twice daily intraperitoneal injections of 200 mg/kg VPA or the equivalent volume of normal saline for 7 days following SCI. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. Results: Basso-Beatlie-Bresnahan scale scores in rats receiving VPA were significantly higher than in the saline group (p<0.05). The cavity volume in the VPA group was Significantly reduced compared with the control (saline-injected) group (p<0.05). The level of histone acetylation recovered in the VPA group, while it was significantly decreased in the control rats (p<0.05). The macrophage level was significantly decreased in the VPA group (p<0.05). Conclusion: VPA influences the restoration of hyperacetylation and reduction of the inflammatory reaction resulting from SCI, and is effective for histology and motor function recovery.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.8-13
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• 2013

Objective : This study investigates the effect of valproic acid (VPA) on expression of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Methods : Adult male rats (n=24) were randomly and blindly allocated into three groups. Laminectomy at T9 was performed in all three groups. In group 1 (sham), only laminectomy was performed. In group 2 (SCI-VPA), the animals received a dose of 200 mg/kg of VPA. In group 3 (SCI-saline), animals received 1.0 mL of the saline vehicle solution. A modified aneurysm clip with a closing force of 30 grams was applied extradurally around the spinal cord at T9, and then rapidly released with cord compression persisting for 2 minutes. The rats were sacrificed and the spinal cord were collected one week after SCI. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting sample were obtained from 5 mm rostral region to the lesion and prepared. We analyzed the nestin immunoreactivity from the white matter of ventral cord and the ependyma of central canal. Nestin and SOX2 were used for markers for NSPCs and analyzed by IHC and western blotting, respectively. Results : Nestin and SOX2 were expressed significantly in the SCI groups but not in the sham group. Comparing SCI groups, nestin and SOX2 expression were much stronger in SCI-VPA group than in SCI-saline group. Conclusion : Nestin and SOX2 as markers for NSPCs showed increased expression in SCI-VPA group in comparison with SCI-saline group. This result suggests VPA increases expression of spinal NSPCs in SCI.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.209-214
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• 2010

Cells that have endogenous multipotent properties can be used as a starting source for the generation of induced pluripotent cells (iPSC). In addition, small molecules associated with epigenetic reprogramming are also widely used to enhance the multi- or pluripotency of such cells. Skinderived precursor cells (SKPs) are multipotent, sphereforming and embryonic neural crest-related precursor cells. These cells can be isolated from a juvenile or adult mammalian dermis. SKPs are also an efficient starting cell source for reprogramming and the generation of iPSCs because of the high expression levels of Sox2 and Klf4 in these cells as well as their endogenous multipotency. In this study, valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, was tested in the generation of iPSCs as a potential enhancer of the reprogramming potential of SKPs. SKPs were isolated from the back skins of 5-6 week old C57BL/6 X DBA/2 F1 mice. After passage 3, the SKPs was treated with 2 mM of VPA and the quantitative real time RT-PCR was performed to quantify the expression of Oct4 and Klf4 (pluripotency specific genes), and Snai2 and Ngfr (neural crest specific genes). The results show that Oct4 and Klf4 expression was decreased by VPA treatment. However, there were no significant changes in neural crest specific gene expression following VPA treatment. Hence, although VPA is one of the most potent of the HDAC inhibitors, it does not enhance the reprogramming of multipotent skin precursor cells in mice.

• BMB Reports
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.405-409
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• 2011

The present study demonstrated that valproic acid (VPA) transcriptionally regulates human GM3 synthase (hST3Gal V), which catalyzes ganglioside GM3 biosynthesis in ARPE-19 human retinal pigment epithelial cells. For this, we characterized the promoter region of the hST3Gal V gene. Functional analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the hST3Gal V gene revealed that the -177 to -83 region functions as the VPA-inducible promoter and that the CREB/ATF binding site at -143 is crucial for VPA-induced expression of hST3Gal V in ARPE-19 cells. In addition, the transcriptional activity of hST3Gal V induced by VPA in ARPE-19 cells was inhibited by SP600125, a c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor. In summary, our results identified the core promoter region in the hST3Gal V promoter and for the first time demonstrated that ATF2 binding to the CREB/ATF binding site at -143 is essential for transcriptional activation of hST3Gal V in VPA-induced ARPE-19 cells.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.254-262
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• 2013

The multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2, ABCC2) gene may determine individual susceptibility to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in the central nervous system (CNS) by limiting brain access of antiepileptic drugs, especially valproic acid (VPA). Our objective was to investigate the effect of ABCC2 polymorphisms on ADRs caused by VPA in Korean epileptic patients. We examined the association of ABCC2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotype frequencies with VPA related to adverse reactions. In addition, the association of the polymorphisms with the risk of VPA related to adverse reactions was estimated by logistic regression analysis. A total of 41 (24.4%) patients had shown VPA-related adverse reactions in CNS, and the most frequent symptom was tremor (78.0%). The patients with CNS ADRs were more likely to have the G allele (79.3% vs. 62.7%, p=0.0057) and the GG genotype (61.0% vs. 39.7%, p=0.019) at the g.-1774delG locus. The frequency of the haplotype containing g.-1774Gdel was significantly lower in the patients with CNS ADRs than without CNS ADRs (15.8% vs. 32.3%, p=0.0039). Lastly, in the multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of the GG genotype at the g.-1774delG locus was identified as a stronger risk factor for VPA related to ADRs (odds ratio, 8.53; 95% confidence interval, 1.04 to 70.17). We demonstrated that ABCC2 polymorphisms may influence VPA-related ADRs. The results above suggest the possible usefulness of ABCC2 gene polymorphisms as a marker for predicting response to VPA-related ADRs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.280-285
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• 2012

The developing embryo naturally experiences relatively low oxygen conditions in vivo. Under in vitro hypoxia, mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) lose their self-renewal activity and display an early differentiated morphology mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$). Previously, we demonstrated that histone deacetylase (HDAC) is activated by hypoxia and increases the protein stability and transcriptional activity of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ in many human cancer cells. Furthermore HDAC1 and 3 mediate the differentiation of mECSs and hematopoietic stem cells. However, the role of HDACs and their inhibitors in hypoxia-induced early differentiation of mESCs remains largely unknown. Here, we examined the effects of several histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) on the self-renewal properties of mESCs under hypoxia. Inhibition of HDAC under hypoxia effectively decreased the HIF-$1{\alpha}$ protein levels and substantially improved the expression of the LIF-specific receptor (LIFR) and phosphorylated-STAT3 in mESCs. In particular, valproic acid (VPA), a pan HDACI, showed dramatic changes in HIF-$1{\alpha}$ protein levels and LIFR protein expression levels compared to other HDACIs, including sodium butyrate (SB), trichostatin A (TSA), and apicidin (AP). Importantly, our RT-PCR data and alkaline phosphatase assays indicate that VPA helps to maintain the self-renewal activity of mESCs under hypoxia. Taken together, these results suggest that VPA may block the early differentiation of mESCs under hypoxia via the destabilization of HIF-$1{\alpha}$.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.275-283
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• 2010

Placenta transfer study in non-human primate (NHP) is one of the crucial components in the assessment of developmental toxicity because of the similarity between NHP and humans. To establish the method to determine placenta transfer in non-human primate, toxicokinetics of valproic acid (VPA), a drug used to treat epilepsy in pregnant women, were determined in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. After mating, pregnancy-proven females were daily administered with VPA at dose levels of 0, 20, 60 and 180 mg/kg by oral route during the organogenesis period from gestation day (GD) 20 to 50. Concentrations of VPA and its metabolite, 4-ene-VPA, in maternal plasma on GDs 20 and 50, and concentrations of VPA and 4-ene-VPA in placenta, amniotic fluid and fetus on GD 50 were analyzed using LC/MS/MS. Following single oral administration of VPA to pregnant monkeys, concentrations of VPA and 4-ene-VPA were generally quantifiable in the plasma from all treatment groups up to 4-24 hours post-dose, demonstrating that VPA was absorbed and the monkeys were systemically exposed to VPA and 4-ene-VPA. After repeated administration of VPA to the monkeys, VPA was detected in amniotic fluid, placenta and fetus from all treatment groups, demonstrating that VPA was transferred via placenta and the fetus was exposed to VPA, and the exposures were increased with increasing dose. Concentrations of 4-ene-VPA in amniotic fluid and fetus were below the limit of quantification, but small amount of 4-ene-VPA was detected in placenta. In conclusion, pregnant monkeys were exposed to VPA and 4-ene-VPA after oral administration of VPA at dose levels of 20, 60 and 180 mg/kg during the organogenesis period. VPA was transferred via placenta and the fetus was exposed to VPA with dose-dependent exposure. The metabolite, 4-ene VPA, was not detected in both amniotic fluid and fetus, but small amount of 4-ene-VPA was detected in placenta. These results demonstrated that proper procedures to investigate placenta transfer in NHP, such as mating and diagnosis of pregnancy via examining gestational sac with ultrasonography, collection of amniotic fluid, placenta and fetus after Caesarean section followed by adequate bioanalysis and toxicokinetic analysis, were established in this study using cynomolugus monkeys.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.53-60
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• 2013

Studies on milk transfer of drugs in non-human primates (NHPs) are among the crucial components in the assessment of peri- and postnatal toxicity because of the similarity between NHPs and humans. To evaluate the milk transfer of valproic acid (VPA) in NHPs, the toxicokinetics of VPA, an antiepileptic drug, were studied in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. VPA was administered once daily to pregnant cynomolgus monkeys at doses of 0, 30, 90, and 270 mg/kg by oral gavage from Day 100 of gestation (GD 100) to Day 31 of lactation (LD 31). Concentrations of VPA and its metabolite, 4-ene-VPA, in the maternal plasma on GD 100, GD 140, and LD 30, and concentrations of VPA and 4-ene-VPA in the offspring plasma and milk on LDs 30 and 31, respectively, were quantified using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). After administration of a single oral dose of VPA to pregnant monkeys on GD 100, the concentrations of VPA and 4-ene-VPA were generally quantifiable in the plasma of all treatment groups up to 24 hr after administration, which showed that VPA was absorbed and that the monkeys were systemically exposed to VPA and 4-ene-VPA. After administration of multiple doses of VPA to the monkeys, VPA was detected in the pup's plasma and in milk taken on LD 30 and LD 31, respectively, which showed that VPA was transferred via milk, and the pup was exposed to VPA. Further, the concentration of VPA in the milk increased with an increase in the dose. Extremely low concentrations of 4-ene VPA were detected in the milk and in the pup plasma. In conclusion, pregnant monkeys were exposed to VPA and 4-ene-VPA after oral administration of VPA at doses of 30, 90, and 270 mg/kg/day from GD 100 to LD 31. VPA was transferred via milk, and the VPA exposure to the pup increased with an increase in the dose of VPA. The metabolite, 4-ene VPA, was present in extremely low concentrations (< 0.5 ${\mu}g/ml$) in the milk and in the pup plasma. In this study, we established methods to confirm milk transfer in NHPs, such as mating and diagnosis of pregnancy by examining gestational sac with ultrasonography, collection of milk and pup plasma and determination of toxicokinetics, using cynomolgus monkeys.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.165-175
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• 2010

Valproic acid(VPA)는 아주 잘 알려진 항경련제로서, 30년 동안 간질치료제로서 사용되어져 왔다. VPA는 1997년에 최초로 원시 신경외배엽성 암세포의 증식 억제와 분화를 유도하는 항암제의 효능이 밝혀졌다. 그리고 VPA의 항암효과는 히스톤탈 아세틸화효소억제제의 기전에 기인한다고 규명되었다. 담즙산과 합성담즙산유도체가 여러 종류의 암세포에 세포자멸사(apoptosis)를 유도하며, 항암효과가 있다고 알려져 있다. 또한 합성 chenodeoxycholic acid(CDCA) 유도체가 여러 가지 암세포에 유도한 세포자멸사 연구들이 보고되어져 왔다. 본 연구는 히스톤탈아세틸화효소억제제인 VPA와 합성 CDCA 유도체인 HS-1200의 병용처리가 사람골육종세포에 효과적인 상승 세포자멸사 효과가 있는지를 알기 위해서 수행되었다. VPA과 HS-1200의 병용처리가 단독처리에 비해서 효과적인 세포생존율 감소가 있는지 확인하기 위해서 trypan-blue법을 시행하였고, 세포자멸사의 유도와 증가를 확인하기 위해서 Hoechst 염색법, flow cytometry(DNA hypoploidy와 MMP 측정), Western bot 분석법 그리고, 면역형광염색법을 수행하였다. 병용처리 된 사람골육종세포는 단독처리 된 사람골육종세포에서 거의 관찰할 수 없었던 많은 핵 응축, DNA 조각남, 사립체막 전위와 DNA 양의 감소, cytochrome c의 세포질로의 유리, AIF의 핵으로의 이동, caspase-7, caspase-3 그리고 PARP의 파괴와 같은 세포자멸사 증거를 보였다. 48시간 동안 1 mM의 VPA와 $25\;{\mu}M$ HS-1200을 각기 단독처리 한 결과에서는 세포자멸사를 유도 못했으나, 병용처리한 결과에는 아주 탁월한 세포자멸사의 유도를 보였다. 이러한 병용처리 결과는 사람골육종의 새로운 치료적 전략으로 응용될 수 있다고 생각한다.

• 대한소아신경학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2015

목적: X-ALD는 Xq28에 위치한 ABCD1 유전자의 돌연변이로 긴사슬지방산이 신경 조직과 부신에 축적되어 일어나는 퇴행 뇌질환이며, 소아기 대뇌형의 경우 빠르고 심한 임상 경과를 보인다. 이 과정에서 산화스트레스도 조직 손상에 영향을 주는 것으로 알려져 있다. 골수이식이나 로렌조 기름 등이 치료 방법으로 이용되나 치료의 위험성과 효과에서 한계를 보이는 실정이다. 이에 저자들은 X-ALD 환자에게 채취한 섬유모세포를 이용하여, X-ALD의 치료 가능성을 알아보기 위하여 VPA의 효과를 연구해보고자 하였다. 방법: X-ALD 환자의 피부에서 채취한 섬유모세포와 정상인의 피부에서 채취한 섬유모세포를 배양하였다. 배양된 섬유모세포에 VPA를 처리한 후 RNA발현 정도를 통해 ABCD2 발현을 확인하고 유동세포계측법으로 활성산소종을 측정하였다. 결과: VPA을 처리한 후 정상과 X-ALD 섬유모세포 모두에서 ABCD2의 mRNA 발현이 증가하였다. 특히 X-ALD 섬유모세포에서 ABCD2 유전자 mRNA 발현이 2.22배로 정상의 1.76배보다 더 증가하였다. 유동세포계측법으로 활성산소종을 확인한 결과 대조군에서 13.7, VPA를 처리한 군에서는 각각 0.25 mM에서 8.67, 0.5 mM에서 9.37, 1 mM에서 5.83을 나타내었다. 결론: X-ALD 환자에서 VPA의 항산화능을 이용하여 신경손상을 막을 수 있는 가능성이 있을 것으로 보이며, 이를 실제 환자에 적용하는 연구가 필요할 것이다.