• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.461-470
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• 2000

Objective : Many investigators have demonstrated the protective effects of hypothermia following traumatic brain injury(TBI) in both animals and humans. It has long been recognized that mild to moderate hypothermia improves neurologic outcomes as well as reduces histologic and biochemical sequelae after TBI. In this study, two immunohistochemical staining using terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated biotin dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL), staining of apoptosis, and ${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein(${\beta}$-APP), a marker of axonal injury, were done and the authors evaluated the protective effects of hypothermia on axonal and neuronal injury after TBI in rats. Material and Method : The animals were prepared for the delivery of impact-acceleration brain injury as described by Marmarou and colleagues. TBI is achieved by allowing of a weight drop of 450gm, 1 m height to fall onto a metallic disc fixed on the intact skull of the rats. Fourty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 400 to 450g were subjected to experimental TBI induced by an impact-acceleration device. Twenty rats were subjected to hypothermia after injury, with their rectal temperatures maintained at $32^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. After this 1-hour period of hypothermia, rewarming to normothermic levels was accomplished over 30-minute period. Following 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks later the animals were killed and semiserial sagittal sections of the brain were reacted for visualization of the apoptosis and ${\beta}$-APP. Results : The density of ${\beta}$-APP marked damaged axons within the corticospinal tract at the pontomedullary junction and apoptotic cells at the contused cerebral cortex were calculated for each animal. In comparison with the untreated controls, a significant reduction in ${\beta}$-APP marked damaged axonal density and apoptotic cells were found in all hypothermic animals(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows that the posttraumatic hypothermia result in substantial protection in TBI, at least in terms of the injured axons and neurons.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more frequently diagnosed and is characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. $\small{D}$-xylose, a sucrase inhibitor, may be useful as a functional sugar complement to inhibit increases in blood glucose levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of $\small{D}$-xylose both in vitro and stretpozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NA)-induced models in vivo. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: (i) normal control; (ii) diabetic control; (iii) diabetic rats supplemented with a diet where 5% of the total sucrose content in the diet was replaced with $\small{D}$-xylose; and (iv) diabetic rats supplemented with a diet where 10% of the total sucrose content in the diet was replaced with $\small{D}$-xylose. These groups were maintained for two weeks. The effects of $\small{D}$-xylose on blood glucose levels were examined using oral glucose tolerance test, insulin secretion assays, histology of liver and pancreas tissues, and analysis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK) expression in liver tissues of a STZ-NA-induced experimental rat model. Levels of glucose uptake and insulin secretion by differentiated C2C12 muscle cells and INS-1 pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells were analyzed. RESULTS: In vivo, $\small{D}$-xylose supplementation significantly reduced fasting serum glucose levels (P < 0.05), it slightly reduced the area under the glucose curve, and increased insulin levels compared to the diabetic controls. $\small{D}$-xylose supplementation enhanced the regeneration of pancreas tissue and improved the arrangement of hepatocytes compared to the diabetic controls. Lower levels of PEPCK were detected in the liver tissues of $\small{D}$-xylose-supplemented rats (P < 0.05). In vitro, both 2-NBDG uptake by C2C12 cells and insulin secretion by INS-1 cells were increased with $\small{D}$-xylose supplementation in a dose-dependent manner compared to treatment with glucose alone. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, $\small{D}$-xylose exerted anti-diabetic effects in vivo by regulating blood glucose levels via regeneration of damaged pancreas and liver tissues and regulation of PEPCK, a key rate-limiting enzyme in the process of gluconeogenesis. In vitro, $\small{D}$-xylose induced the uptake of glucose by muscle cells and the secretion of insulin cells by ${\beta}$-cells. These mechanistic insights will facilitate the development of highly effective strategy for T2D.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.269-281
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• 1995

The effect of persistant mild hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia on the development of the insulin resistance in rats was studied in vivo. Also, the characteristics of the insulin resistance compared with the insulin resistance of STZ diabetic rats. Persistant mild hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic rat model was produced by ingestion of glucose polymer for 8 days. The glucose disappearance and infusion rate was measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique at steady state of blood glucose and insulin levels. The clamped level of blood glucose was 100 mg/dl, and the clamped levels of insulin were $70{\mu}U/ml$ (physiologic condition) and $3000{\mu}U/ml$ (supramaximal condition). Hepatic glucose producticon rate was calculated using measured data. And the glycogen synthetic capacity of skeletal muscle(soleus) and liver was measured after 2 hours of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study. The glucose disappearance and glucose infusion rate in glucose polymer group was decreased in the both physiological and supramaximal insulin level compared to the rate of the normal control group. The rate of STZ diabetic group wase lowest at supramaximal insulin level among two another experimental groups. The hepatic glucose production rate of glucose polymer group was decreased compared to normal control but increased in STZ diabetic group. The glycogen synthetic capacity of skeletal muscle and liver of glucose polymer group was not significantly different from normal control group, but it was markdly decreased in STZ diabetic group. These results suggest that persistant mild hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia may induce insulin resistance, but glycogen synthetic capacity is intact.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.401-411
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the wound healing effect of skin regeneration cosmetics utilizing low molecular weight Polydeoxynucleotide (PDRN). High purity PDRN was prepared from salmon testes poly-deoxy-ribonucleotide through protein and toxin removal process and molecular weight reduction. In order to evaluate the wound healing effect of PDRN in SD rats, 4 sites of dorsal skin of each animal were excised by using biopsy punch and $500{\mu}L$ of test solution was topically applied once daily for 4 weeks. The tissue changes were observed for every week during the application periods. After applying the PDRN to the wound, the skin was cut flower and contraction of the wounds more quickly, and the coating of PDRN in the wound area was reduced significantly as compared to the positive control group $Fucidin^{(R)}$ applied. The microscopic observation of stained tissue showed that a positive control was most rapid in re-epithelialization ability followed by the PH group, PDRN group, HA group. In addition, transforming growth factor ($TGF-{\beta}$) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), such as in the growth factor was similar to the results of staining of tissue lesions. In conclusion, it is determined that the low molecular weight PDRN has the therapeutic effect to the wound, and could be used as a functional material of cosmetics and medical industries.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2021

Objective: Chronic reflux esophagitis (CRE), characterized by esophageal mucosa ulcer, is caused by continuous backflow of gastric acid and consequent inflammation due to unstable gastroesophageal sphincter. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of an Arecae Semen and Coptidis Rhizoma mixture (AC-mix) on CRE. Methods: CRE was surgically induced in SD rats with three experimental groups used: normal; CRE control; and CRE treatment (200 mg/kg AC-mix). Blood and esophageal tissue were collected after two weeks of drug administration. The anti-oxidant activity of the AC-mix was measured by total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents as well as by radical scavenging activity with protein levels evaluated using western blotting. Results: CRE damage to the esophageal mucosa was significantly reduced in the AC-mix group as compared with the controls, and administration of the AC-mix was seen to inhibit NF-κBp65 activity. Consequently, the inactivation of NF-κBp65 significantly inhibited inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, the anti-oxidant enzyme HO-1 significantly increased through activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which can break down collagen from the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, was decreased following AC-mix treatment, and elevated levels of MMP-2 were regulated by its tissue inhibitor. Conclusions: These results show that AC-mix can alleviate esophageal mucosa ulcer though inhibition of the NF-κBp65 inflammatory pathway and enhancement of the anti-oxidant Nrf2-Keap1 pathway.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.374-385
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of locally delivered 1% alendronate (ALN) gel used as an adjunct to non-invasive periodontal therapy. Methods: Ligature-induced periodontitis was performed in 96 rats. The ligature was tied in the cervical area of the mandibular left first molar. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) NT, no treatment; 2) SRP, scaling and root planning; 3) SRP/PLA, SRP followed by filling the periodontal pocket with placebo gel (PLA); and 4) SRP/ALN, SRP followed by filling the periodontal pockets with 1% ALN gel. Histomorphometric (percentage of bone in the furcation region [PBF]) and immunohistochemical (receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) analyses were performed. Data were statistically analyzed, with the threshold of statistical significance set at P≤0.05. Results: The SRP, SRP/PLA, and SRP/ALN groups presented a higher PBF than the NT group (P≤0.01) at 7, 15, and 30 days. The SRP/ALN group presented a higher PBF than the SRP/PLA group in all experimental periods, as well as a higher PBF than the SRP group at 15 and 30 days. No differences were observed in the immunohistochemical analyses (P>0.05 for all). Conclusions: Locally delivered 1% ALN gel used as an adjunct to SRP enhanced bone regeneration in the furcation region in a rat model of experimental periodontitis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1161-1171
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• 2018

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate diffusion tensor (DT) imaging-derived properties of benign oligemia, true "at risk" penumbra (TP), and the infarct core (IC) during the first 3 hours of stroke onset. Materials and Methods: The study was approved by the local animal care and use committee. DT imaging data were obtained from 14 rats after permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) using a 7T magnetic resonance scanner (Bruker) in room air. Relative cerebral blood flow and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps were generated to define oligemia, TP, IC, and normal tissue (NT) every 30 minutes up to 3 hours. Relative fractional anisotropy (rFA), pure anisotropy (rq), diffusion magnitude (rL), ADC (rADC), axial diffusivity (rAD), and radial diffusivity (rRD) values were derived by comparison with the contralateral normal brain. Results: The mean volume of oligemia was $24.7{\pm}14.1mm^3$, that of TP was $81.3{\pm}62.6mm^3$, and that of IC was $123.0{\pm}85.2mm^3$ at 30 minutes after pMCAO. rFA showed an initial paradoxical 10% increase in IC and TP, and declined afterward. The rq, rL, rADC, rAD, and rRD showed an initial discrepant decrease in IC (from -24% to -36%) as compared with TP (from -7% to -13%). Significant differences (p < 0.05) in metrics, except rFA, were found between tissue subtypes in the first 2.5 hours. The rq demonstrated the best overall performance in discriminating TP from IC (accuracy = 92.6%, area under curve = 0.93) and the optimal cutoff value was -33.90%. The metric values for oligemia and NT remained similar at all time points. Conclusion: Benign oligemia is small and remains microstructurally normal under pMCAO. TP and IC show a distinct evolution of DT-derived properties within the first 3 hours of stroke onset, and are thus potentially useful in predicting the fate of ischemic brain.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.888-894
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• 2019

Cartilage diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA), are associated with the loss of chondrocytes and degradation of articular cartilage. Recent studies revealed that inflammatory reactive oxygen species (ROS) and age-related oxidative stress can affect chondrocyte activity and cartilage homeostasis. We investigated changes in the levels of intracellular antioxidants during cellular senescence of primary chondrocytes from rat articular cartilages. Cellular senescence was induced by serial subculture (passages 0, 2, 4, and 8) of chondrocytes and measured using specific senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase ($SA-{\beta}-gal$) staining. ROS production increased significantly in the senescent chondrocytes. In addition, total glutathione (GSSG/GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression increased in senescent chondrocytes induced by serial subculture. Analysis of changes in intracellular antioxidant levels in articular cartilage from rats of different ages (5, 25, 40, and 72 wk) revealed that total glutathione levels were highest after 40 wk and slightly decreased after 72 wk as compared with those after 25 wk. SOD and HO-1 expression levels increased in accordance with age. Based on these results, we conclude that intracellular antioxidants may be associated with cartilage protection against excessive oxidative stress in the process of chondrocyte senescence and age-related cartilage degeneration in an animal model.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.614-620
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the growth plate, femoral bone length, bone mineral density, and blood composition in various experimental animals fed with oriental medicinal herbs containing growth factors. First, the lengths of the bone growth plates of the positive control (PC) group (fed with Astragalus membranaceus) and the Gh-199 and Sh-188 groups were increased when compared to group N. The Gh-199 group showed a greater increase in bone growth when compared with the PC group. In terms of the femoral bone length and bone mineral density, the effect of both Gh-199 and Sh-188 powders were as good as those of the PC group, and the Gh-199 powder showed a positive effect. Conversely, in the PC group, unlike the Gh-199 and Sh-188 groups, the aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activities in the blood were increased, indicating that A. membranaceus is toxic to the body. Both the PC and Sh-188 groups also showed higher insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) activity when compared with the Gh-199 group. Overall, the bone growth plate, femoral bone length, and bone mineral density measurements, and the blood analysis showed positive results in the group treated with Gh-199, and no specific toxicity of the herbal medicine in the body was evident.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.346-355
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility that administration of Bacillus polyfermenticus KJS-2 (BP2), Bacillus mojavensis KJS-3 (Moja3), and their mixtures could control serum lipid levels. We observed changes in the blood cell level, metabolic function evaluation, and blood lipid levels after two weeks of oral administration of these microbial strains to hyperlipidemia-induced rats. Measurements of major cell changes in the white blood cells (WBC) indicated no significant effects due to the administration of the microbial strains. Platelet (PLT) levels decreased by 18.4% in the Triton WR-1339-treated group (NCON) and recovered to the control (CON) group levels in the positive control (PCON) group and the microbial strain-administered groups (p<0.05). No functional changes were observed in red blood cells (RBC) by Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia. The blood AST, ALT, BUN, and creatinine levels did not indicated effects on liver and kidney function, and all rats administered the microbial mixture recovered. The blood lipid levels in the microbe-treated groups indicated reduced levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and increased levels of serum HDL cholesterol. The HMG-CoA inhibition rate of 7-O-succinyl macrolactin A (SMA) produced by BP2 showed similar activity at a concentration of 1,000 times lower than that achieved with atorvastatin. The administration of the microbial strains to the Triton WR-1339-induced rat model of hyperlipidemia resulted in reduced weight gain without affecting the food and water intake. Thus, blood circulation can be improved by controlling serum lipid levels by the combined administration of the BP2 and Moja3 microbial strains.