• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.157-167
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• 1998

Background and Purpose : Cerebrovascular reactivity(CVR) can be estimated by measuring the change of cerebral blood flow that occurs during vasostimulation. To estimate the cerebrovascular reactivity, we investigated the change of flow velocity of the middle cerebral artery(MCA) during hyperventilation and hypoventilation with the transcranial doppler. So we studied whether the CVR measured by this method could show a significant difference between the normal and the cerebral infarction subjects and whether the CVR may decrease with age in normal subjects. Methods : Using transcranial doppler, we measured the mean velocity(Vm), the pulsatility index(P.I.) at the resting state, the end of breath-holding and the end of hyperventilation in 36 normal and 10 cerebral infarction subjects, so we calculated the percentile change of mean velocity(%${\Delta}$Vm) and P.I.(%${\Delta}$P.I.) after the vasostimulation. We estimated the change of Vm, P.I., %${\Delta}$Vm and %${\Delta}$P.I. by the age group and compared those parameters between the age-matched normal control and cerebral infarction subjects. Results : The Vm in MCA significantly decreased with age(p<0.05), but there was no significant difference in Vm and P.I. between normal and cerebral infarction subjects. The %${\Delta}$Vm and %${\Delta}$P.I. in response to hyperventilation significantly decreased with age in MCA and there was significant difference in $%{\Delta}Vm$ of MCA after breath-holding between the normal and cerebral infarction subjects. Conclusion : The breath-holding and hyperventilation tests could be non-invasive and useful methods in estimation of the cerebrovascular reactivity and could be applied in the basal and follow-up evaluation of the cerebrovascular reserve of the ischemic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.440-450
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• 2004

Objectives: Uwhangchungsim-won(UC) has been used in the treatment of a wide variety of conditions including stroke, hypertension, arterosclerosis, autonomic imbalance, and mental instability, in Korean traditional hospitals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of DC on cerebral hemodynamics and to determine the appropriate dosage. Methods: We studied changes in hyperventilation-induced cerebrovascular reactivity and mean blood flow velocity of the middle cerebral arteries(MCAs) were studied by means of transcranial Doppler ultrasound. Changes in mean blood pressure, pulse rate and expiratory CO2(PECO2) were observed using Cardiocap TM/5. Six healthy young volunteers who were administrated with full doses of DC for group A, and half doses for group B. Six other healthy subjects comprised the control group. The evaluation was performed during basal condition, and repeated at 20, 40, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after administration. Results: Increases of cerebrovascular reactivity and mean blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery in group A were significantly different compared with group B and the control group (p<0.1). Mean blood pressure, pulse rate and expiratory CO2 did not change during the observation and were not different among these three groups. We observed that in cerebrovascular reactivity induced hyperventilation, group A was most effective at 40 minutes after administration, and its effectiveness lasted for 120 minutes. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for UC, in full doses, as an agent for dilation of the cerebral arteriols to increase hyperventilation-induced cerebrovascular reactivity as a consequence of faster recovery of blood flow velocity.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2012

Background: Migraine patients can be sensitive to external or internal stimuli, such as light, noise, or hormonal changes. Using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) with breath-holding method, we evaluated the changes of cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to hypercapnia in women with migraine without aura between fasting and postprandial period. Methods: Twelve women with migraine without aura and the same number of age and sex-matched healthy controls with no significant history of headache participated in this study. Using TCD examinations, we studied mean flow velocity in middle cerebral artery with better temporal window. Each subject was examined consecutively before and after a standard meal, together with serum glucose level and blood pressure. CVR was evaluated with breath-holding index (BHI). Results: Postprandial-BHI (mean+SD) was significantly higher than fasting-BHI (mean+SD) in patients group but not in controls (in patient group; postprandial-BHI=1.38, fasting-BHI=1.08, in control group; postprandial-BHI=1.25, fasting-BHI=1.18, P=0.021 and 0.239, respectively). After meal, serum glucose level was significantly enhanced but blood pressure was not in both groups. Serum glucose level of patients showed a tendency of mild positive correlation with BHIs (${\gamma}$=0.448, P=0.032). Conclusions: Although exact mechanisms are unclear, cerebrovascular reactivity of some women with migraine without aura may be influenced by prandial state.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 2005

Trigeminovascular system plays an important role for the cerebral memodynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in cerebrovascular reactivity by trigeminovascular system injury in rats. Trigeminovascular system of male Sprague-Dawley rats was injured by either denervation of nasocilliary nerve or neonatal capsaicin treatment. Trigeminovascular system was stimulated by controlled hemorrhagic hypotension or somatosensory (whisker) stimulation. Changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and pial arterial diameter were continuously measured by laser-Doppler flowmetry and videomicroscopy, respectively. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in cerebral cortex was determined by measuring the conversion of $L-^3H-arginine\;to\;L-^3H-citrulline$. Cyclic GMP levels in cerebral cortex and pial artery were determined using the cyclic GMP $^{125}I$ scintillation proximity assay system. rCBF autoregulation was impaired or almost abolished by trigeminovascular system injury. rCBF response to whisker stimulation was significantly attenuated by trigeminovascular system injury. NOS activity as well as cyclic GMP level in cerebral cortex and pial artery were significantly reduced in the group of trigeminovascular system injury. These results suggest that trigeminovascular system injury causes prominent alterations in cerebrovascular reactivity, and that NO, which is generated by neuronal NOS in the trigeminovascular system, is implicated in the regulation of rCBF.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.95-108
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• 2009

Objectives: Uwhangchungsim-won (DC) has been used in various medical fields such as stroke, hypertension, atherosclerosis, autonomic imbalance and mental instability, etc. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of UC on cerebral hemodynamics and estimate the appropriate dose of UC. Methods: We studied changes of hyperventilation-induced cerebrovascular reactivity and mean blood flow velocity of middle cerebral arteries (MCA) using transcranial Doppler. We observed the changes of mean blood pressure, pulse rate and expiratory CO2 using S/5 Compact Anesthesia Monitor from 10 healthy young volunteers who were administered UC twice a day in the 1 st section and then once a day in the 2nd section. Results: Mean blood pressure tended to decrease at 1 hour and pulse rate tended to decrease at 2 hours after second administration. After 2 hours, mean blood pressure rose to state before administration, but pulse rate maintained from 2 hours to 4 hours. The changes were not statistically significant. Cerebral blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery was not statistically significant after second administration. Cerebrovascular reactivity increased from 2 hours to 4 hours after second administration. Conclusions: This study provides that administration of UC twice a day is more effective on hyperventilation-induced cerebrovascular reactivity than administration of UC once a day.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

Objective : Cerebral vessels, such as intracerebral perforating arterioles isolated from rat brain, have been widely used as an ex vivo model to study the cerebrovascular function associated with cerebrovascular disorders and the therapeutic effects of various pharmacological agents. These perforating arterioles, however, have demonstrated differences in the vascular architecture and reactivity compared with a larger leptomeningeal artery which has been commonly implicated in cerebrovascular disease. In this study, therefore, we developed the method for studying cerebrovascular function utilizing the olfactory artery isolated from the mouse brain. Methods : The olfactory artery (OA) was isolated from the C57/BL6 wild-type mouse brain. After removing connective tissues, one side of the isolated vessel segment (approximately $-500{\mu}m$ in length) was cannulated and the opposite end of the vessel was completely sealed while being viewed with an inverted microscope. After verifying the absence of pressure leakage, we examined the vascular reactivity to various vasoactive agents under the fixed intravascular pressure (60 mm Hg). Results : We found that the isolated mouse OAs were able to constrict in response to vasoconstrictors, including KCl, phenylephrine, endothelin-1, and prostaglandin $PGH_2$. Moreover, this isolated vessel demonstrated vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner when vasodilatory agents, acetylcholine and bradykinin, were applied. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that the isolated olfactory artery would provide as a useful ex vivo model to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of vascular function underlying cerebrovascular disorders and the direct effects of such disease-modifying pathways on cerebrovascular function utilizing pharmacological agents and genetically modified mouse models.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2004

Cerebral vasoreactivity is an index of autoregulation of cerebral perfusion, and can be measured using functional images such as Xe CT, SPECT and PET in reponse to hypercapneic stimulus. In order to measure cerebral $CO_2$ vasoreactivity in routine TCD study conveniently and reliably, we devised a method of rebreathing into closed volume of reservoir bag as a hypercapneic stimulus, and applied it to 44 healthy volunteers. As a hypercapneic stimulus, we applied fitting mask connected with closed reservoir bag for about 90 seconds, and mean blood flow velocity(MBFV) and pulsatility index(PI) were evaluated at proximal middle cerebral arteries(MCA) of 50-55 mm depth, before and after the hypercapneic stimulus. Age affected the MFV and PI value showed significant and the MFV was 56.45(SD=9.75)cm/sec, while PI was 0.406(SD=0.089). As age increases the flow velocity decreased significantly whereas PI value increased(P<0.05). The vasoreactvity significantly decreased with age(P<0.05). The decrease of cerebral blood flow quantity and cerebral blood flow velocity is not only because of increase of diameter of cerebrovascular resulting from aging, but the resistance increase of small blood vessel resulting from the increase of PI & RI value is regarded. We suppose that the rebreathing method is a reliable and convenient technique as a hypercapneic stimulus in determining cerebral $CO_2$ vasoreactivity. The rebreathing method could be non-invasive and useful methods in estimation of the cerebrovascular reactivity and could be applied to the basal and follow-up evaluation of the cerebrovascular reserve of the ischemic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.164-175
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• 2021

Objectives: The LI11 (Quchi) acupuncture point has always been included in the Seven acupoints for stroke; however, additional LI11 acupuncture research is needed. In this study, the effect of LI11 acupuncture on cerebral blood flow of the anterior cerebral arteries (ACA) and middle cerebral arteries (MCA) was investigated. Method: This study included 10 healthy young male subjects. Cerebral blood flow velocity and cerebrovascular reactivity were measured using transcranial Doppler sonography. Changes in hyperventilation-induced carbon dioxide (CO₂) reactivity and modified ACA and MCA blood flow velocity at 40 mmHg (CV40), blood pressure, and heart rate were observed before and after LI11 acupuncture treatment. Results: A statistically significant increase in contralateral anterior cerebral artery CO₂ reactivity (p=0.036) and decrease in contralateral middle cerebral artery CV40 (p=0.047) were observed. No significant difference in mean blood pressure was shown. A statistically significant increase in heart rate occurred after LI11 acupuncture; however, it was not clinically significant as there were negligible changes in the heart rhythm. Conclusions: LI11 acupuncture treatment could improve cerebral blood flow velocity. These results might be explained by regulating endothelium-dependent vessel dilation in the anterior cerebral artery region. Trial registration: This trial has been registered with Clinical Research Information Service, a service of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: KCT0004494 (retrospectively registered). https://cris.nih.go.kr/cris/search/search_result_st01.jsp?seq=15359

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.87-103
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• 2023

Backgrounds and objectives: Cardiotonic Pills^® (CP) are used for vascular diseases such as coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, and cerebral infarction. This study aimed to determine the transient effects of CP on cerebrovascular CO₂ reactivity (CVR) and erythrocyte deformability in normal subjects. Methods: This study had a crossover design and included 10 participants who were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The experimental group was given CP with water, while the control group was given only water. CVR was measured by hyperventilation-induced CVR of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using transcranial Doppler (TCD). Erythrocyte deformability was measured using a Rheoscan-D microfluidic ektacytometer. All measurements were performed prior to and 1, 2, and 3 hours after CP or water administration. Blood pressure and heart rate were also measured before and after administration. Results: CP significantly improved CVR 3 hours after administration in the experimental group compared to the control group (p = 0.042). The corrected blood flow velocity at partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO₂) = 40mmHg (CV40) was also significantly improved 2 and 3 hours after administration in the CP group compared to the control group (p = 0.036 and p = 0.021, respectively). CP significantly improved erythrocyte deformability 3 hours after administration in the experimental group compared to the control group (p = 0.027). Mean heart rate and mean blood pressure showed no change. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that CP increases CVR and erythrocyte deformability. These results suggested that CP improves cerebral microcirculation which provide evidence for the future use of CP for prevention of ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.115-122
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• 2005

Background and objective: Gastrodiae Rhizoma (GR), the rhizoma of Gastrodia elata BL., is one of the popular drugs to treat headache, dizziness, blackout, numbness of limbs, hemiplegia, facial paralysis, dysphrasia, and infantile convulsions. It has been reported that it provides an antihypertensive effect and lowers cerebrovascular resistance in animal experiments. However, there has been no data about these effects with human subjects. In this study, the author examined the effect of Gastrodiae water extracts on blood pressure and cerebrovascular reactivity in human subjects. Methods: We selected 16 normal volunteers, who were divided into 2 groups: Gastrodiae extract administration group and placebo (creamy powder) group. Using transcranial Doppler ultrasound, we monitored changes of mean flow velocity and breath-holding induced CO2 reactivity of middle cerebral artery in both groups. Mean blood pressure, heart rate and PETCO2 were measured using Compact Anesthesia Monitor. In both groups, all evaluation was performed during basal condition, and repeated at 30, 60, and 90 min after administration. Results: Gastrodiae extract decreased CO2 reactivity after administration, reaching the lowest level at 90 minutes $(-29.1\%\;vs.\;basal\;level)$, which showed significant difference compared with the placebo group (p = 0.004). In the placebo group, the pulse rates tended to decrease over time (at 90 minute, $-5.2\%$ vs. basal level) while in the Gastrodiae group the values showed nearly no change, which showed significant difference between both groups (p = 0.036). However, the changes of mean blood pressure and mean flow velocity did not show significant difference between both groups. Conclusion : This study demonstrated that Gastrodiae extract significantly decreased breath-holding induced CO2 reactivity. This result suggests that the clinical effect of Gastrodiae extract might be caused by increasing cerebral blood flow via dilation of cerebral resistant vessels instead of antihypertensive effect.