• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.435-441
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• 2013

This study investigated the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on radiation-induced bone loss in C3H/HeN mice. C3H/HeN mice were divided into sham and irradiation (3 Gy, gamma-ray) groups. The irradiated mice were treated for 12 wk with vehicle, KRG (per os, p.o.) or KRG (intraperitoneal). Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, estradiol level, and biomechanical properties were measured. Tibiae were analyzed using micro-computed tomography. Treatment of KRG (p.o., 250 mg/kg of body weight/d) significantly preserved trabecular bone volume, trabecular number, structure model index, and bone mineral density of proximal tibia metaphysic, but did not alter the uterus weight of the mice. Serum ALP level was slightly reduced by KRG treatment. However, grip strength, mechanical property, and cortical bone architecture did not differ among the experimental groups. The results indicate that KRG can prevent radiation-induced bone loss in mice.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2023

Background: Massive rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are complicated by muscle atrophy, fibrosis, and intramuscular fatty degeneration, which are associated with postoperative tendon-to-bone healing failure and poor clinical outcomes. We evaluated muscle and enthesis changes in large tears with or without suprascapular nerve (SN) injury in a rat model. Methods: Sixty-two adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into SN injury (+) and SN injury (-) groups (n=31 each), comprising tendon (supraspinatus [SSP]/infraspinatus [ISP]) and nerve resection and tendon resection only cases, respectively. Muscle weight measurement, histological evaluation, and biomechanical testing were performed 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. Ultrastructural analysis with block face imaging was performed 8 weeks postoperatively. Results: SSP/ISP muscles in the SN injury (+) group appeared atrophic, with increased fatty tissue and decreased muscle weight, compared to those in the control and SN injury (-) groups. Immunoreactivity was only positive in the SN injury (+) group. Myofibril arrangement irregularity and mitochondrial swelling severity, along with number of fatty cells, were higher in the SN injury (+) group than in the SN injury (-) group. The bone-tendon junction enthesis was firm in the SN injury (-) group; this was atrophic and thinner in the SN injury (+) group, with decreased cell density and immature fibrocartilage. Mechanically, the tendon-bone insertion was significantly weaker in the SN injury (+) group than in the control and SN injury (+) groups. Conclusions: In clinical settings, SN injury may cause severe fatty changes and inhibition of postoperative tendon healing in large RCTs. Level of evidence: Level Basic research, controlled laboratory study.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.339-347
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• 2023

Transforming growth factor-β is a key factor in regulating adhesion formation during tendon healing. We investigated the effectiveness of SMAD family members, SMAD7 and SMAD3, in the TGF-β/Smad signaling during flexor tendon repair. Mouse flexor toe deep tendon rupture anastomosis models were made. On days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28, the expressions of smad7 and smad3 in flexor tendon tissues were detected by RT-qPCR and western blot. Furthermore, postoperative intraperitoneal injections of SMAD7 agonists or SMAD3 antagonists were given. The degree of tendon healing was evaluated by adhesion testing and biomechanical experiments. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of collagen III, SMAD3, and SMAD7. The mRNA levels of matrix metalloproteinases, Mmp2 and Mmp9, and scleraxis (SCX) in flexor tendon tissue were detected by RT-qPCR. Smad3 expression increased and Smad7 expression decreased in flexor tendon tissue after injury. In addition, the SMAD7 agonist blocked SMAD3 phosphorylation. SMAD7 agonist and SMAD3 antagonist both improved adhesion formation during flexor tendon healing, and decreased the expressions of collagen III, Mmp9, and SCX, while increasing Mmp2 expression. This study provides a possible theoretical basis for the SMAD7-SMAD3 signal cascade during flexor tendon adhesion healing.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.41-57
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• 2001

It is well known that the apposition of bone at implant surface would be influenced by the microstructure of titanium implants. The purpose of this study was to compare bone healing around the screw-shaped titanium implant with three different surface topographies in the canine mandibles by histological and biomechanical evaluation. All mandibular premolars of six mongrel dogs were extracted and implants were placed one month later. The pure titanium implants had different surface topographies: smooth and machined ($Steri-OSS^{(R)}$: Group II); sandblasted and acid-etched ($ITI^{(R)}$, SLA: Group III) surface. The fluorescent dyes were injected on the 2nd (calcein), 4th (oxytetracycline HCI) and 12th (alizarin red) weeks of healing. Dogs were sacrificed at 4 and 12 weeks after implantation. The decalcified and undecalcified specimens were prepared for histological and histo-metrical evaluation of implant-bone contact. Some specimens at 12 weeks after implantation were used for removal torque testing. Histologically, direct bone apposition to implant surface was found in all of the treated groups. More mature and dense bone was observed at the implant-bone interface at 12 weeks than that at 4 weeks after implantation. Under the fluorescent microscope, thick regular green fluorescent lines which mean early bone apposition were observed at the implant-bone interface in Group III, while yellow and red fluorescent areas were found at the implant-bone interface in Group I and II. The average implant-bone contact ratios at 4 weeks of healing were 54.3% in Group I, 57.7% in Group II and 66.2% in Group III. In Group I, implant-bone contact ratio was significantly lower than Group II and III(p<0.05). The average implant-to-bone contact ratios at 12 weeks after implantation were 64.3% in Group I, 66.7% in Group II and 71.2% in Group III. There was no significant difference among the three groups. In Group I and II, the implant-bone contact ratio at 12 weeks increased significantly in comparison to ratio at 4 weeks(p<0.05). The removal torque values at 12 weeks after implantation were 90.9 Ncm in Group I, 81.6 Ncm in Group II and 77.1 Ncm in Group III, which were significantly different(p<0.05). These results suggest that bone healing begin earlier and be better around the surface-treated implants compared to the smooth surface implants. The sandblasted and acid-etched implants showed the most favorable bone response among the three groups during the early healing stage and could reduce the waiting period prior to implant loading.

• Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.28-36
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• 2003

Purpose: To determine and to compare the effects of cyclic loading on the fixation strength of different femoral fixation methods in ACL reconstruction. Materials and Methods: Biomechanical test using an Instron(R) machine (Model No.5569. Mass, U.S.A) were carried out to compare the pull out strength of six different femoral fixation techniques after a cyclic loading in 72 Yorkshire pig knees. The graft-bone complex was cyclically loaded between 30N and 150N at 50 mm/min rate for 1000 cycles and maximal tensile testing was performed. A preload of 30N was applied to the graft along the axis of the tunnel 15 minutes. ANOVA and the Duncan multiple comparison test was used for the statistical analysis. Results: The mean maximum tensile strength of femoral fixation before and after the cyclic loading test were 1003.4$\pm$145N and 601.1$\pm$154N in hamstring-LA screw(R) group, 595.5$\pm$104N and 360.7$\pm$56N in hamstring-Bioscrew(R) group, 1431.7$\pm$135N and 710.7$\pm$114N in hamstring-Semifix(R) group, 603.6$\pm$54N and 459.1$\pm$46N in hamstring-Endobutton(R) fixation group, 1067.4$\pm$145 and 601.8$\pm$134N in the BPTB-Titanium interference screw group, and 987.1$\pm$168N and 588.7$\pm$124N in the BPTB-Bioscrew(R) group. And these data illustrated that cyclic loading reduces the maximum tensile strength by 40 $\%$, 39 $\%$, 50 $\%$, 24 $\%$, 44 $\%$, 40 $\%$ respectively. Conclusions: With the results of these experiments it should be emphasized that rehabilitation exercises after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction should be executed with precaution as the repetitive flexion and extension of the knee would compromise the maximum tensile strength of the graft tendon.