• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2003.10b
• /
• pp.89.2-89.2
• /
• 2003

Ral GDP dissociation stimulator (Ral GDS) has been found to be an effector protein of Ras, and Ral, a member of small GTP-binding protein (G protein) superfamily, has been suggested to act downstream of Ras. Ral GDP dissociation stimulator-like (RGL) shares 50% amino acid identity with Ral GDP dissociation stimulator, and assumed to possess similar functional role. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we found that dopamine D3 receptor interacts with RGL. Since RGL is known to regulate the expression of c-fos promoter, effects of D3R on gene expression of c-fos promoter was studied. (omitted)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.28-38
• /
• 2009

Background : Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Gentianae Macrophyllae Radix (G. M. Radix) on the pain control and the recovery of the locomotor function that results from the sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method : Using rats, we crushed their sciatic nerve, and then orally administered the aqueous extract of G. M. Radix. The effects of G. M. Radix on the recovery locomotor function were investigated by walking track analysis. The effects of G. M. Radix on pain control were investigated by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the sciatic nerve, and c-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG). Result : G. M. RADIX facilitates motor function from the locomotor deficit, and thereby increased BDNF expression and suppressed painful stimuli in the PVN and vlPAG after sciatic crushed nerve injury. Conclusion : It is suggested that G. M. Radix might aid recovery locomotor function and control pain after sciatic crushed nerve injury. Further studies on identifying specific the component in G.M. Radix associated with enhanced neural activity in the peripheral nerve injury may be helpful to develop therapeutic strategies for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.59-70
• /
• 2008

Objectives: Investigation of the antidepressant effects of Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium(CR) Methods: In order to investigate the antidepressant effects of Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium(CR), we performed the forced swimming test. Also the expression of CRF, HSP70 and c-fos was measured with immunohistochemical method at PVN. Results: 1. The duration of immobility in the forced swimming test was significantly decreased in the CR 100mg/kg, 400mg/kg groups. 2. In the Control group, CRF expression was significantly increased in the PVN. Also, these CRF increase were significantly reduced in the CR 100mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated group. 3. HSP70 expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the CR 100mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated group. 4. C-fos expression was significantly decreased at PVN in the CR 100mg/kg and 400mg/kg treated group. Conclusions: According to the results, it can be considered that Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium has antidepressant effect.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.21 no.7
• /
• pp.757-765
• /
• 2011

Many studies have suggested that the behavioral and reinforcing effects of morphine are induced by hyperactivation of the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, which results in increases in locomotor activity, c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In order to investigate the effect of wild ginseng (WG) on treating morphine addiction, we examined the behavioral sensitization of locomotor activity and c-Fos and TH expression in the rat brain using immunohistochemistry. Intraperitioneal injection of WG (100 and 200 mg/kg), 30 min before administration of a daily injection of morphine (40 mg/kg, s.c.), significantly inhibited morphine-induced increases in c-Fos expression in NAc and TH expression in VTA as well as in locomotor activity, as compared with Panax ginseng. It was demonstrated that the inhibitory effect of WG on the behavioral sensitization after repeated exposure to morphine was closely associated with the reduction of dopamine biosynthesis and postsynaptic neuronal activity. It suggests that WG extract may be effective for inhibiting the behavioral effects of morphine by possibly modulating the central dopaminergic system and that WG might be a useful resource to develop an agent for preventing and treating morphine addiction.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.201-207
• /
• 1998

To evaluate the possibility that the ginseng saponins could be developed as an anti-arteriosclerotic agent, we examined the inhibitory effects of ginseng saponins (total saponin[TS], panaxatriol[PT], panaxadiol[PD]) on the expression of c-fos mRNA and the proliferation of cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) stimulated by angiotensin II (Ang II). TS and PT (1.0 mg/ml) suppressed c-fos mRNA induction in VSMCs stimulated by $10^{-5}$ M Ang II. The order of inhibitory potency was PT>TS. Ginseng saponins ($0.01{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml) inhibited the proliferation of VSMCs stimulated by Ang II in a concentration dependent manner, the inhibitory potency was TS＞PT＞PD at $0.1{\sim}1.0$ mg/ml. These results suggest that ginseng saponins may suppress Ang II-stimulated proliferation of aortic VSMCs which can be seen in atherosclerosis, hypertension and restenosis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.375-380
• /
• 2002

Cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) is a member of the cytochrome P450 family of isozymes involved in the phase I drug metabolism of vertebrates. CYP1A2 is responsible for the activation of a number of aromatic amines to mutagenic and carcinogenic forms. Thus, the level of CYP1A2, which varies among different populations, may determine an individual's susceptibility to these chemicals. We have previously reported on the importance of a cis element named PRB (protected region B) in the regulation of human Cytochrome P4501A2 (CYP1A2) gene, which appeared to act as a positive regulatory element. Closer examination of the PRB sequence (-2218 to -2187 bp) revealed a putative AP-1 binding site, TGACTAA, at -2212 bp (Chung and Bresnick, 1997). To elucidate the role of AP-1 in CYP1A2 regulation, we transiently overexpressed c-Jun and c-Fos transcription factors in human hepatoma HepG2 cells, and examined their influence on the CYP1A2 promoter activity by reporter gene assays. Cotransfection of the c-Jun and the c-Fos expression vectors increased the induced transactivation by five to six fold from the CYP1A2 promoter constructs. However, deletion of the PRB element did not affect the degree of activation by the c-Jun and the c-Fos. Therefore, it is unlikely that the c-Jun and the c-Fos activate the CYP1A2 promoter through this AP-1 consensus-like sequence in the PRB region.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.727-738
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of essential amino acid(EAA) deficient diets on short-term feeding response and the Fos expression in brain area when methionine deficiency diet fed, and thereby to know the mechanism of feed intake regulation. In all trials, experimental diets were formulated with pure amino acid mixture to level of 15% nitrogen. Rats were adapted to a 6-hr single-meal feeding per day(17:00${\sim}$21:00). Feed intake and body weight were monitored every hour after 7-day of feeding of individual EAA deficient diets in Exp. Ⅰ. In Exp. Ⅱ, Fos immuno- histochemistry was determined in various regions of brain to identify the regions that is related to suppressed feed intake following feeding methionine-deficient diet. Fos expression was examined to know the initial sensitive region in the brains of rats at 3h after feeding of the control and methionine deficient diet(-Met). Initial response to EAA deficiency diets was severely depressed in methionine deficiency diet, but the depression was low in threonine deficiency diet. However, the feed intake at 3rd day in rats was depressed in the order of His(71%), Leu(68%), Ile(66%), Thr(63%), Trp(61%), Val(55%), Phe(52%), Met(51%), Lys(44%) and Arg(24%). Fos immunoreaction in neural regions(PPC, amygdala and EPC) of pyrifrom cortex was increased in the -Met group more than in the control diet group, but those in LH, VMH and PVM were similar. Thus, based on these data, the PPC was identified as the initial response area in the -EAA diet.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.121-127
• /
• 2014

Acupuncture is the process of stimulating skin regions called meridians or acupoints and has been used to treat pain-related symptoms. However, the pain-relieving effects of acupuncture may be different depending on acupoints. In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on behavioral responses and c-Fos expression were evaluated using a formalin test in male Sprague-Dawley rats in order to clarify the analgesic effects of three different acupoints. Each rat received manual acupuncture at the ST36 (Zusanli), SP9 (Yinlingquan) or BL60 (Kunlun) acupoint before formalin injection. Flinching and licking behaviors were counted by two blinded investigators. Fos-like immunoreactivity was examined by immunohistochemistry in the rat spinal cord. Manual acupuncture treatment at BL60 acupoint showed significant inhibition in flinching behavior but not in licking. Manual acupuncture at ST36 or SP9 tended to inhibit flinching and licking behaviors but the effects were not statistically significant. The acupuncture at ST36, SP9, or BL60 reduced c-Fos expression as compared with the control group. These results suggest that acupuncture especially at the BL60 acupoint is more effective in relieving inflammatory pain than other acupoints.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.81-93
• /
• 2003

Objectives : Recently, the new therapeutic tool, that is herbal acupuncture, has been developed and applied to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. The objective was to determine the effect of folium artemisiae argyi (艾葉) herbal acupuncture on the trasient forebrain ischemic injured rat. Methods : In this study, the effects of folium artemisiae argyi (艾葉) herbal acupuncture on the $LR_3$ named Taechung, on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohistochemistry and ELISA technique. Results : Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with folium artemisiae argyi' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group. These features were observed in the retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Also, pretreatment with folium artemisiae argyi' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus ($263.26{\pm}44.56{\;}pg/ml$ extracted by water, $275.35{\pm}51.47{\;}pg/ml$ extracted by moxa tar)and the cortex ($102.33{\pm}13.65{\;}pg/ml$ extracted by water, $109.54{\pm}9.37{\;}pg/ml$ extracted by moxa tar) compared to the hippocampus ($134.07{\pm}2.96{\;}pg/ml$) and the cortex ($61.16{\pm}4.11{\;}pg/ml$) in control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia. Conclusions : These results suggest that pretreatment with folium artemisiae argyi' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and the herbal acupunture on $LR_3$ may be related to antioxidative function of folium artemisiae argyi.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.61-80
• /
• 2003

Objectives : Acupuncture and herbal medicine have been used to prevent and treat the cerebrovascular accident, such as a stroke, and many studies of acupuncture and moxibustion concerning to the stroke have been undertaken in the human and various animals. Recently, the new therapeutic tool, that is herbal acupuncture, has been developed since the 1950' and applied to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. Methods : In this study, effects of folium Artemisiae Argyi and moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on the $GV_{20}$, named Baek-Hue, on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohis- tochemistry and ELISA technique. Results : Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with folium Artemisiae Argyi or moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group, respectively. These features were observed in the motor cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Also, pretreatment with folium Artemisiae Argyi and moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on$GV_{20}$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus and the cortex compared to control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, respectively. Conclusions : These results suggest that pretreatment with folium Artemisiae Argyi or moxa tar' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and theherbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}$ may be related to antioxidative function.