• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.632-640
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) on muscle weight and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of affected and unaffected hindlimb muscles in rats with neuropathic pain induced by unilateral peripheral nerve injury. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced by ligation and cutting of the left L5 spinal nerve. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of two groups: The DHEA group (n=10) had DHEA injections daily for 14 days, and the Vehicle group (n=10) had vehicle injections daily for 14 days. Withdrawal threshold, body weight, food intake and activity were measured every day. At 15 days all rats were anesthetized and soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected from the both hindlimbs. Body weight, food intake, activity, muscle weight and Type I, II fiber cross-sectional area of the dissected muscles were measured. Results: The DHEA group showed significant increases (p<.05), as compared to the vehicle group for muscle weight of the unaffected plantaris, and in Type II fiber cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle. The DHEA group demonstrated a higher pain threshold than the vehicle group whereas total diet intake and activity score were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: DHEA administration for 14 days attenuates unaffected plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.83-99
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• 2004

Objectives : Daeganghwal-Tang(DGHT) is one of the prescriptions used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) in oriental medicine. The present study aimed to examine the analgesic effect of DGHT on a rat model of CFA-induced arthritis, and the relations between DGHT-induced analgesia and endogenous nitric oxide(NO) and inducible NO synthase(iNOS)/neuronal NOS. Methods : CFA-induced arthritis model used to test the effect of DGHT was chronic pain model. After the induction of arthritis, rats subsequently showed a reduced stepping force of the affected limb for at least the next 18 days. the reduced stepping force of the limb was presumably due to a painful knee. DGHT dissolved in water was orally administrated. After the treatment, behavioral tests measuring stepping force were periodically conducted during the next 4 hours. Results : DGHT produced significant improvement of stepping force of the hindlimb affected by the arthritis lasting at least 2 hours. DGHT produced the improvement of stepping force of the affected hindlimb in a dose-dependent manner. Both NO production and nNOS/iNOS protein expression which is increased by arthritis were suppressed by DGHT administration. Conclusions : The data suggest 1) that DGHT produces a potent analgesic effect on the chronic knee arthritis pain model in the rat and 2) that DGHT-induced analgesia modulate endogenous NO through the suppression of nNOS/iNOS protein expression.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.128-137
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• 1999

Plasma progesterone (P$_4$) concentrations were measured for confirming the estrus observation and for the early pregnancy diagnosis in 130 cows of small farmers. Ultrasonographic examinations were performed from day 30 after artificial insemination to establish the characteristic ultrasonographic appearances of gestational structures in each pregnant stages. Of the 130 cows inseminated, 111 cows (85.4%) were an ovulatory estrus, 12 cows (9.2%) were an unovulatory estrus, and 7 cows (5.4%) were the error of estrus detection, respectively. The accuracy for early pregnancy diagnosis in 111 ovulatory estrus cows achieved when the discriminatory concentration at day 21 after artificial insemination was placed at 3.0 ng-/ml in plasma, was 86.7 % for positive diagnosis and 100% for negative diagnosis, respectively. Pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasonography were performed to evaluate gestational structures from day 30 after artificial insemination in 83 cows. Pregnant cows were 72 of 83 cows. The characteristic ultrasonography of gestational structures in each gestational stages was as follows. The embryo proper was observed within anechoic fetal fluid between 28 and 40 days after insemination, and amnion and embryonic heartbeat was also detected in this period. Between days 41 and 50, embryo proper was detected as an discriminated from head and body, and forelimb buds and hindlimb buds were also observed in this period. Between days 51 and 60, an embryo proper was clearly discriminated from head and body, and fetal movement, forelimb buds and hindlimb buds were observed in this period. Between days 61 and 70, fetus was completely developed, and fetal skeleton, organs and cotyledon were observed. After day 71, each organs of fetus were rapidly developed and a fetus was partially observed in screen because fetus was too big and larger, These results indicate that plasma P$_4$ determination at days 0,6 and 21 after artificial insemination can be utilized for confirming the estrus observation and for early pregnancy diagnosis. Also, ultrasonography was reliable method for early pregnancy diagnosis at day 30 after artificial insemination.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.205-226
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• 1997

Sanpoongdan(SPD) has been known effective on infantile convulsive disorders in clinical field of oriental medicine. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-convulsive, sedation and analgesic effects of SPD in mouse. The anticonvulsive effect was evaluated In mice treated with pentylenetetrazol, stychnine, and picrotoxin. For the sedative effect, observations were made on the sleeping time induced by thiopental sodium and pentobarbital sodium following oral administration of SPD. Furthermore, reduction of spontaneous movements and ataxia using rota rod method were evaluated. Analgesic effects on the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid and on hindlimb pain induced by pressure were also observed. The findings were as follows : 1. The solid extracts of SPD revealed no effect on convulsions induced by pentylenetetrazol, strychnine, and picrotoxin. 2. Thiopental sodium-induced sleeping time was prolonged by the administration of the solid extracts of SPD, but this result was devoid of statistical significance. 3. The oral administration of SPD enhanced the sleeping induced by pentobarbital sodium. 4. Spontaneous movements were significantly depressed following the oral administration of the solid extracts of SPD. 5. Ataxia was not shown in rota rod method following the oral administration of the solid extracts of SPD. 6. The solid extracts of SPD showed positive analgesic effects on the acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome. 7. The solid extracts of SPD raised the threshold of the hindlimb pressure pain, but the result was not statistically significant. From the results, it can be concluded that SPD has sedative and analgesic effects.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.611-619
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of exercise on muscle weight and Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of affected and unaffected hindlimb muscles in rats with neuropathic pain induced by unilateral peripheral nerve injury. Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced by ligation and cutting of the left L5 spinal nerve. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of two groups: The Pain+Exercise (PE) group (n=21) and the Sham+Exercise (SE) group (n=20). All rats had 28 sessions of treadmill exercise at grade 10 for 30 minutes, twice/day at 10 m/min for 14 days. Body weight, food intake and activity were measured every day. At 15 days all rats were anesthetized and soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscles were dissected. Muscle weight and Type I, II fiber cross-sectional area of the dissected muscles were measured. Results: The PE group showed significant increases (p<.05), as compared to the SE group for body weight and total diet intake, muscle weight of the unaffected soleus and plantaris, and in Type I and II fiber cross-sectional area of unaffected three muscles and affected plantaris. Conclusion: Exercise for 14 days attenuates unaffected soleus, plantaris and gastrocnemius muscle atrophy in neuropathic pain model.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.236-246
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• 2010

The 3-Acetylpyridine(3-AP) induces cerebellar injury which is chemoablation of the inferior olive nucleus. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise(Ex) and electroacupuncture(EA) on muscle activity of hindlimb and serum brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the ataxia rats by the 3-AP. 12-week-aged male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the 5 groups: Control, 3-AP, 3-AP+Ex, 3-AP+EA and 3-AP+Ex+EA groups. Maximal Height Vertical Jump(MHVJ) was significantly decreased in the 3-AP compared with control group, and it was increased in Ex, EA and Ex+EA groups than 3-AP group. The muscle activity of hindlimb was significantly increased in the 3-AP groups than control group, also it was most decreased in Ex+EA group. The concentration of BDNF of the serum was significantly decreased in the Ex, EA and Ex+EA groups than 3-AP group. The results of this study showed that dynamic exercise and electroacupuncture have a positive effect on functional recovery and in the ataxia rats by the 3-AP.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.655-658
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• 2009

An 11-year-old, female, Maltese dog was presented with abdominal distension and intermittent slight lameness on left hindlimb. Palpable abdominal pain and purulent vaginal discharge were observed on physical examination. Severe leukopenia with toxic change, and azotemia, hyperphosphatemia, and hyponatremia were identified on blood profile. On radiographs and abdominal sonograms, remarkable soft tissue mass containing echogenic material deviating intestines craniodorsally compatible with pyometra. On stifle radiographs, 4-5 fragmented sesamoid bone (fabella) was identified on both stifle joint with medial patella luxation. Immediate ovariohysterectomy was performed and the patient was recovered well with normal blood work. No specific treatment was attempted to the left hindlimb showing minimal and intermittent lameness. No remarkable abnormal gait was reported for 3-month follow-up period. The fragmented lateral fabella is considered congenital multipartite of lateral fabella not related to the lameness.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.445-448
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• 2014

A 7-year-old, male Alaskan malamute was referred for a routine dental management. On the physical examination, the right hindlimb ataxia with a mild delay in proprioception was noted. On magnetic resonance images, an extradural ventral cystic structure compressing the spinal cord was found at the level between the first and second lumbar vertebra. The cyst showed hypointense on a T1-weighted image with rim enhancement and hyperintense on a T2-weighted image. The cystic lesion was removed through right-side hemilaminectomy. In the histopathological examination, evenly distributed fibroblasts and collagenous stroma with several cartilaginous materials were seen. The neurological signs of the right hindlimb were successfully recovered within a week in follow-up neurological examination and showed normal gait at 6 months after surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.73-81
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• 1981

Experiments were conducted in ischemic decerebrate cats to study the effects of electroacupuncture and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerve on pain reaction. Flexion reflex was used as an index of pain. The reflex was elicited by stimulating the sural nerve(20 V, 0.5 msec duration) and recorded as a compound action potential from the nerve innervated to the semitendinosus muscle. Electroacupuncture was performed, using a 23-gauge hyperdermic needle, on the tsusanli point in the lateral upper tibia of the ipsilateral hindlimb. The common peroneal nerve was selected as a peripheral nerve which may be associated with electroacupuncture action, as it runs through the tissue portion under the tsusanli point. Both for electroacupuncture and the stimulation of common peroneal nerve a stimulus of 20 V-intensity, 2 msec-duration and 2 Hz-frequency was applied for 60 min. The results are summerized as follows: 1) The electroacupuncture markedly depressed the flexion reflex; this effect was eliminated by systemic application of naloxone $(0.02{\sim}0.12\;mg/kg)$, a specific narcotic antagonist. 2) Similarly, the electrical stimulation of the common peroneal nerve significantly depressed the flexion reflex, the effect being reversed by naloxone. 3) When most of the afferent nerves excluding sural nerve in the ipsilateral hindlimb were cut, the effect of electroacupuncture on the flexion reflex was not observed. Whereas direct stimulation of the common peroneal nerve at the proximal end from the cut resulted in a significant reduction of the flexion reflex, again the effect was reversible by naloxone application. 4) Transection of the spinal cord at the thoracic 12 did not eliminate the effect of peripheral nerve stimulation on the flexion reflex and its reversal by naloxone, although the effect was significantly less than that in the animal with spinal cord intact. These results suggest that: 1) the analgesic effect of an electroacupuncture is directly mediated by the nervous system and involves morphine-like substances in CNS, 2) the site of analgesic action of electroacupuncture resides mainly in the brainstem and in part in the spinal cord.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.238-244
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• 2019

Background: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim pharmacopuncture on disuse muscle atrophy in the gastrocnemius muscle of rats. Methods: Thirty male 250 g Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The left hindlimb immobilization was performed with casting tape for 2 weeks, and no treatment was given to the right hindlimb. Rats received pharmacopuncture and were injected daily on the BL57 with either 2 mL of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim aqueous extract (ZM-W group), 1 mL pharmacopuncture of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim ethanol extract (ZM-E group), or 2 mL normal saline (control group). After 2 weeks of immobilization, the weight of the whole gastrocnemius muscle was measured, and the morphology of both the left and the right gastrocnemius muscles were assessed by Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. To investigate the immobilization-induced muscular apoptosis, the immunohistochemical analysis of BAX and Bcl-2 was carried out. Results: ZM-W and ZM-E significantly inhibited the reduction in weight of the left gastrocnemius muscle, the reduction in the left myofibrils, and the cross-sectional area of gastrocnemius, as compared with the control. Moreover, the ZM-W and ZM-E groups showed significantly reduced immunoreactivity for BAX, and increased immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 in left gastrocnemius muscle compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim pharmacopuncture has protective effects against immobilization-induced muscle atrophy by regulating the activity of apoptosis-associated BAX / Bcl-2 proteins in the gastrocnemius muscle.