• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.61-81
• /
• 2004

Background and Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acupuncture and electroacupuncture on the DCX, PSA-NCAM, and pCREB expression in the brain of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR). Materials and Methods : SHR were divided into five groups: control group, acupuncture group, 2Hz electroacupuncture(EA) group and 100Hz EA group. We evaluated the changes of the DCX, PSA-NCAM, and pCREB positive cells using immunohistochemical method. In the olfactory bulb, we investigate the optical densities of the immunoactive cells. In the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex, we count the immunoactive cells under the $100{\times}$ visual field optical microscope. Results : 1. The optical densities of DCX-positive cells in the subependymal zone were significantly decreased in all groups, compared to the control group. 2. The counts of DCX-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased in all groups, compared to the control group. The counts of DCX-positive cells in the piriform cortex were significantly increased in the acupuncture and 100Hz EA group, compared to the control group. 3. The optical densities of PSA-NCAM-positive cells in the subependymal zone were significantly decreased in the acupuncture and 2Hz EA group, compared to the control group. 4. The counts of PSA-NCAM-positive cells in the dentate gyrus and the piriform cortex were significantly increased in all group, compared to the control group. 5. The counts of pCREB-positive cells in the dentate gyrus were significantly increased in all groups, compared to the control group. The counts of pCREB-positive cells in the piriform cortex were significantly increased in the acupuncture and 100Hz EA group, compared to the control group. Conclusion : We conclude that acupuncture and EA may affect neuronal cell proliferation, differentiation and plasticity in the brain.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1996.11a
• /
• pp.99-113
• /
• 1996

Taurine, a ${\beta}$-amino acid, plays an important role as a neuromodulator and is necessary for the normal development of the brain. Since de novo synthesis of taurine in the brain is minimal and in vivo studies suggest that taurine does not cross the blood-brain barrier, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier is likely to play a role in taurine transport between the central nervous system and the systemic circulation. Therefore, we examined in vivo elimination of taurine from the CSF in the rat to characterize in vivo kinetics of elimination for taurine from the CSF is consistent with the in vitro study. Using a stereotaxic device, cannulaes were placed into the lateral ventricle and the cisterna magna of the rat. Radio-labelled taurine and inulin (a marker of CSF flow) were injected into the lateral ventricle, and the concentrations of the labelled compounds in the CSF were monitored for up to 3 hrs in the cisterna magna. The apparent clearance of taurine from CSF was greater than the estimated CSF flow (p<0.005), indicating that there is a clearance process in addition to the CSF flow. Taurine distribution into the choroid plexus was at least 10 fold higher than that found in other brain areas (e.g., cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex). When unlabelled taurine was co-administered with radio-labelled taurine, the apparent clearance of the labeled taurine was reduced (p<0.01), suggesting a saturable disposition of taurine from CSF. Distribution of taurine into the choroid plexus, cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex was similarly diminished, indicating that the saturable uptake of taurine into these tissues is responsible for the non-linear disposition. A pharmacokinetic model involving first order elimination and saturable distribution described these data adequately. The Michaelis-Menten rate constant estimated from in vivo elimination study is similar to that obtained in the in vitro uptake experiment Collectively, our results demonstrate that taurine is transported in the choroid plexus via a taurine is cleared from the CSF via a saturable process. This process may be functionally relevant to taurine homeostasis in the brain.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.145-154
• /
• 2003

The present study was designed to demonstrate ionic zinc in the rat nasal mucosa by means of zinc selenium autometallography ($ZnSe^{AMG}$). Rats were given sodium selenide either intraperitoneally (i.p) or intranasally (i.n). Prior to the i.n. administration the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (30 mg/kg, i.p.). A thin plastic tube coupled to a Hamilton syringe was then inserted into the right nostril and $10{\mu}l$ of the solution was instilled. For the i.p. administration non-anesthetized rats were given $100{\mu}l$ of the sodium selenide solution (10 mg/kg). Control rats were instilled with saline. After 2 hrs survival, the rats were anaesthetized and transcardially perfused with 3% glutaraldehyde. The olfactory area was removed and put into same fixative. The nose was then sectioned ($30{\mu}m$) horizontally, autometallography (AMG) was performed according to Danscher et al. (1997). After silver enhancement, fine AMG grains were scattered in the whole length of the olfactory epithelium containing olfactory receptor neurons, sustentacular and basal cells. However, much higher concentration of the AMG grains occupied near the surface and in the basal region of the olfactory epithelium. Both groups of i.p. and i.n. administration showed almost same level in the concentration of the AMG grains. In i.n. group, few AMG grains were also found in olfactory nerves of the lamina propria, suggesting zinc transport into the olfactory bulb via olfactory axons. At the electron microscopic level, the AMG grains were most entirely found in the supporting cells of the olfactory epithelium, and they were mostly localized in lysosome-like organelles. The i.n. group showed various signs of tissue damage of the olfactory mucosa, where dense concentration of AMG grains were localized at crystalloid structures. The present study demonstrated dense population of ionic zinc in the rat olfactory epithelium. zinc may play a role in the olfactory functioin and in the pathogenesis of the neurodegerative disorders affecting nose.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.247-253
• /
• 2020

Background: Parkinson's disease(PD) affects not only motor symptoms, but also nonmotor symptoms. This study is a clinical trial to determine whether Qigong and acupuncture affect nonmotor symptoms of PD. Methods: A 2-arm parallel and randomized trial was performed with 21 participants who had received either Qigong meditation only [control group (CG)] or acupuncture and Qigong meditation [experimental group (EG)]. The participants' levels of the discomfort in nonmotor symptoms from Parkinson's disease were evaluated by using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scales (UPDRS 1) and Test of Smell Identification (TSI) before and after 12 treatments at baseline and 1 month after 12 treatments. Results: The both CG and EG showed improvements in the UPDRS 1 score after treatment by 5.6 ± 5.15 (p= 0.003; 74%) and 4.8 ± 3.80 (p = 0.004; 79%), respectively. The both CG and the EG did improvements in the TSI after treatment by 10.3 ± 4.37 (p < 0.001; 84%) and 12.6 ± 1.77 (p = 0.022; 100%), respectively. However, statistical differences were not observed between the CG and the EG using the UPDRS 1 and the TSI scores. Conclusion: The combination of Qigong and acupuncture and Qigong alone was shown to improve the nonmotor symptoms and olfactory function of PD. In the future, large-scale clinical studies on alternative treatment for PD and studies on mechanisms affecting nonmotor symptoms of acupuncture and Qigong are needed.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.348-353
• /
• 2005

Using in silico approaches and RACE we cloned a full length trinucleotide (CAG) repeat-containing cDNA (cag-3). The cDNA is 2478 bp long and the deduced polypeptide consists of 140 amino acids of which 73 are glutamines. The genomic sequence spans approximately 79 kb on mouse chromosome 7 and the gene is composed of four exons. Standard and real-time PCR analyses of several mouse tissues showed that the gene is exclusively expressed in the brain and is not detected in embryonic stages. Within the brain, it is expressed throughout the forebrain region with predominant expression in the hypothalamus and olfactory bulb and very low levels in the mid- and hindbrain.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.50-54
• /
• 1988

A simple and sensitive method was studied for the simultaneous determination of catecholamine, indoleamine and their related metabolites by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector. Norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin and their metabolites of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, homovanillic acid, 5-indoleacetic acid were resolved from rat brain tissue homogenates by separation on reversed phase $C_{18}$ column with mobile phase consisting of monochloroacetate buffer (pH2.47), 1.42mM sodium octyl sulfonate and 7% acetonitrile. Both catechols and indoles can be eluted in 15min. The sensitivities of this method are sufficient for determination of at least 100 pg of neurochemical amines in brain samples, for example, frontal cortex, olfactory bulb, striatum, septum, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, medulla & pons and cerebellum. The highest level of dopamine was observed in striatum whereas norepinephrine and serotonin were in hypothalamus.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
• /
• 1991.06a
• /
• pp.17-17
• /
• 1991

산업의 발전과 함께 최근 카드뮴 중독이 사회적 문제가 되고 있다. 카드뮴 중독은 특히 건전지 제조공장, 카드뮴 광산 등에서 잘 발생하며 카드뮴 분진의 흡입, 음식물내 카드뮴 복합물의 섭취 등에 의해 유발된다. 중독증상으로는 폐부종 및 섬유화, 신부전증, 폐부전증, 고혈압, 생식선 위축, 골연화증, 무취증, itai-itati 질환등을 일으키는 것으로 알려져 있으나 무취증에 대한 정확한 발생기전은 밝혀져 있지 않다. 이에 저자들은 카드뮴 중독을 유발시키기 위하여 흰쥐에 $CaCl_2$ 11.2 mg/kg을 3주일간 매일 피하주사한 후 3주 후에 두개골을 제거하고 후구를 절취한 후 투과전자현미경으로 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. 사구체 주위 부위에 있는 사구체 주위 세포의 세포돌기와 신경축삭에 퇴행성 변화가 발생하였다. 2. 외상망 부위와 승모세포, 과랍세포 등에서는 뚜렷한 변화를 발견할 수 없었다.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.12
• /
• pp.954-965
• /
• 2017

Mammalian genomes are well established, and highly conserved regions within odorant receptors that are unique from other G-protein coupled receptors have been identified. Numerous functional studies have focused on specific conserved amino acids motifs; however, not all conserved motifs have been sufficiently characterized. Here, we identified a highly conserved 18 amino acid sequence motif within transmembrane domain seven (CAS-TM7) which was identified by aligning odorant receptor sequences. Next, we investigated the expression pattern and distribution of this conserved amino acid motif among a broad range of odorant receptors. To examine the localization of odorant receptor proteins, we used a sequence-specific peptide antibody against CAS-TM7 which is specific to odorant receptors across species. The specificity of this peptide antibody in recognizing odorant receptors has been confirmed in a heterologous in vitro system and a rat-based in vivo system. The CAS-TM7 odorant receptors localized with distinct patterns at each region of the olfactory epithelium; septum, endoturbinate and ectoturbinate. To our great interests, we found that the CAS-TM7 odorant receptors are primarily localized to the dorsal region of the olfactory bulb, coinciding with olfactory epithelium-based patterns. Also, these odorant receptors were ectopically expressed in the various non-olfactory tissues in an evolutionary constrained manner between human and rats. This study has characterized the expression patterns of odorant receptors containing particular amino acid motif in transmembrane domain 7, and which led to an intriguing possibility that the conserved motif of odorant receptors can play critical roles in other physiological functions as well as olfaction.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.7-20
• /
• 1995

Taurine, a ${\beta}-amino$ acid, plays an important role as a neuromodulator and is necessary for the normal development of the brain. Since de novo synthesis of taurine in the brain is minimal and in vivo studies suggest that taurine dose not cross the blood-brain barrier, we examined whether the choroid plexus, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier, plays a role in taurine transport in the central nervous system. The uptake of $[^3H]-taurine$ into ATP depleted choroid plexus from rabbit was substantially greater in the presence of an inwardly directed $Na^+$ gradient taurine accumulation was negligible. A transient in side-negative potential gradient enhanced the $Na^+-driven$ uptake of taurine into the tissue slices, suggesting that the transport process is electrogenic, $Na^+-driven$ taurine uptake was saturable with an estimated $V_{max}$ of $111\;{\pm}\;20.2\;nmole/g/15\;min$ and a $K_M\;of\;99.8{\pm}29.9\;{\mu}M$. The estimated coupling ratio of $Na^+$ and taurine was $1.80\;{\pm}\;0.122.$ $Na^+-dependent$ taurine uptake was significantly inhibited by ${\beta}-amino$ acids, but not by ${\alpha}-amino$ acids, indicating that the transporter is selective for ${\beta}-amino$ acids. Since it is known that the physiological concentration of taurine in the CSF is lower than that in the plasma, the active transport system we characterized may face the brush border (i.e., CSF facing) side of the choroid plexus and actively transport taurine out of the CSF. Therefore, we examined in vivo elimination of taurine from the CSF in the rat to determine whether elimination kinetics of taurine from the CSF is consistent with the in vitro study. Using a stereotaxic device, cannulaes were placed into the lateral ventricle and the cisterna magna of the rat. Radio-labelled taurine and inulin (a marker of CSF flow) were injected into the lateral ventricle, and the concentrations of the labelled compounds in the CSF were monitored for upto 3 hrs in the cisterna magna. The apparent clearance of taurine from CSF was greater than the estimated CSF flow (p<0.005) indicating that there is a clearance process in addition to the CSF flow. Taurine distribution into the choroid plexus was at least 10 fold higher than that found in other brain areas (e. g., cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex). When unlabelled taurine was co-administered with radio-labelled taurine, the apparent clearance of taurine was reduced (p<0.0l), suggesting a saturable disposition of taurine from CSF. Distribution of taurine into the choroid plexus, cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex was similarly diminished, indicating that the saturable uptake of taurine into these tissues is responsible for the non-linear disposition. A pharmacokinetic model involving first order elimination and saturable distribution described these data adequately. The Michaelis-Menten rate constant estimated from in vivo elimination study is similar to that obtained in the in vitro uptake experiment. Collectively, our results demonstrate that taurine is transported in the choroid plexus via a $Na^+-dependent,saturable$ and apparently ${\beta}-amino$ acid selective mechanism. This process may be functionally relevant to taurine homeostasis in the brain.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.383-391
• /
• 1995

In order to find out the distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY) recently known as the gonadotropin (GtH) stimulation neurohormone in the brain tissues of marine teleost, detection and localization of NPY like substance in brain of two rockfish species, Sebastes oblongus and S. schlekeli were done by immunohistochemisty. Distribution of GtH cells in hypophysis were also observed by aldehyde fuchsin (AF)-fast green-orange G stain to compare with gonadal phases of the rockfish species. NPY immunoreactive cells were detected in olfactory bulb, telencephalon and mesencephalon of the brain, and NPY immunoreactive fibers were distributed not only in olfactory bulb, telencephalon and mesencephalon but also in optic nerve, hypothalamus and optic tectum. Regardless of ovarian maturation in two rockfish species, NPY immunoreactive fibers were observed in the neurohypophysis adjacent to the AF negative cells in the rostral pars distalis of hypophysis in both species. Moreover, the fibers were distributed in the rostral and proximal pars distalis near to the GtH cells of the hypophysis in both species possessing the growing or mature oocytes. Slight AF stainable GtH cells were detected in hypophysis of two species before parturition (S. oblongus) and in mature stage (S. schlegeli), but AF stainability of the cells in the proximal pars distalis after parturition was more increased than that of the cells Tn mature stage or before parturition. The size and nucleus diameter of GtH cells in S. oblongus and S. schlegeli before parturition were significantly bigger than those of GtH cells in individuals after parturiton (S. oblongus) or with resting ovary (S. schlegeli) (P<0.01).