• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.10-18
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• 2018

Objective : To investigates the effect of curcumin on proliferation of spinal cord neural stem/progenitor cells (SC-NSPCs) and functional outcome in a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model. Methods : Sixty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and blindly allocated into three groups (sham control group; curcumin treated group after SCI; vehicle treated group after SCI). Functional recovery was evaluated by the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scale during 6 weeks after SCI. The expression of SC-NSPC proliferation and astrogliosis were analyzed by nestin/Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining. The injured spinal cord was then examined histologically, including quantification of cavitation. Results : The BBB score of the SCI-curcumin group was better than that of SCI-vehicle group up to 14 days (p<0.05). The coimmunoreactivity of nestin/BrdU in the SCI-curcumin group was much higher than that of the SCI-vehicle group 1 week after surgery (p<0.05). The GFAP immunoreactivity of the SCI-curcumin group was remarkably lower than that of the SCI-vehicle group 4 weeks after surgery (p<0.05). The lesion cavity was significantly reduced in the curcumin group as compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion : These results indicate that curcumin could increase the expression of SC-NSPCs, and reduce the activity of reactive astrogliosis and lesion cavity. Consequently curcumin could improve the functional recovery after SCI via SC-NSPC properties.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.445-454
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• 2015

Objective : In the present study we analyzed neuroprotective and antiapoptotic effect of the difumarate salt S-15176, as an anti-ischemic, an antioxidant and a stabilizer of mitochondrial membrane in secondary damage following spinal cord injury (SCI) in a rat model. Methods : Three groups were performed with 30 Wistar rats; control (1), trauma (2), and a trauma+S-15176 (10 mg/kg i.p., dimethyl sulfoxide) treatment (3). SCI was performed at the thoracic level using the weight-drop technique. Spinal cord tissues were collected following intracardiac perfusion in 3rd and 7th days of posttrauma. Hematoxylin and eosin staining for histopatology, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay for apoptotic cells and immunohistochemistry for proapoptotic cytochrome-c, Bax and caspase 9 were performed to all groups. Functional recovery test were applied to each group in 3rd and 7th days following SCI. Results : In trauma group, edematous regions, diffuse hemorrhage, necrosis, leukocyte infiltration and severe degeneration in motor neurons were observed prominently in gray matter. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher (p<0.05) than control group. In the S-15176-treated groups, apoptotic cell number in 3rd and 7th days (p<0.001), also cytochrome-c (p<0.001), Bax (p<0.001) and caspase 9 immunoreactive cells (p<0.001) were significantly decreased in number compared to trauma groups. Hemorrhage and edema in the focal areas were also noticed in gray matter of treatment groups. Results of the locomotor test were significantly increased in treatment group (p<0.05) when compared to trauma groups. Conclusion : We suggest that difumarate salt S-15176 prevents mitochondrial pathways of apoptosis and protects spinal cord from secondary injury and helps to preserve motor function following SCI in rats.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.45-52
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electroacupuncture on NeuN expression in ventral horn motor neurons of spinal cord, changes in pain thresholdchanges in motor function in rats with partially dissected sciatic nerves. Method: A total of 120 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and a group administered electroacupuncture at ST36, LI11 and SP9 with 120 Hz and 0.5 mA. Animals were sacrificed on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 after nerve injury (the sciatic nerve was partially dissected). The pain threshold was recorded by an Analgesia? meter and a BBB? score was calculated for motor function. After preparing lumbar spinal cord slide sections, they were immunostained with NeuN antisera (1:2,500). Results: The numbers of NeuN immunoreactive neuronsin the electroacupuncture group was increased compared to the control group. The numbers of NeuN immunoreactive neurons on days 14 and 28 day were different (p<0.05), as were the numbers on days 3 and 7 (p<0.01). The pain threshold BBB score for the electroacupuncture group was higher than for controls. Conclusion: The increase in pain threshold, BBB-score and number of NeuN immunoreactive neurons inventral horn motor neurons of spinal cord in rats withnerve dissection showed that electroacupuncture can attenuate pain transduction and increase motor function. Also, NeuN was a good marker for identifying the degree of nerve cell loss after nervous system injury.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.72-83
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• 2023

Background: Globally, spinal cord injury (SCI) results in a big burden, including 90% suffering permanent disability, and 60%-69% experiencing neuropathic pain. The main causes are oxidative stress, inflammation, and degeneration. The efficacy of the stem cell secretome is promising, but the role of human neural stem cell (HNSC)-secretome in neuropathic pain is unclear. This study evaluated how the mechanism of HNSC-secretome improves neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI rat models through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities. Methods: A proper experimental study investigated 15 Rattus norvegicus divided into normal, control, and treatment groups (30 µL HNSC-secretome, intrathecal in the level of T10, three days post-traumatic SCI). Twenty-eight days post-injury, specimens were collected, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, F2-Isoprostanes, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were analyzed. Locomotor recovery was evaluated via Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scores. Neuropathic pain was evaluated using the Rat Grimace Scale. Results: The HNSC-secretome could improve locomotor recovery and neuropathic pain, decrease F2-Isoprostane (antioxidant), decrease MMP-9 and TNF-α (anti-inflammatory), as well as modulate TGF-β and BDNF (neurotrophic factor). Moreover, HNSC-secretomes maintain the extracellular matrix of SCI by reducing the matrix degradation effect of MMP-9 and increasing the collagen formation effect of TGF-β as a resistor of glial scar formation. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the mechanism of HNSC-secretome in improving neuropathic pain and locomotor function in SCI through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-matrix degradation, and neurotrophic activities.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.553-558
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• 2013

Spinal dorsal horn nociceptive neurons have been shown to undergo long-term synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Here, we focused on the spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons that are the main nociceptive neurons projecting from the spinal cord to the thalamus. Optical technique using fluorescent dye has made it possible to identify the STT neurons in the spinal cord. Evoked fast mono-synaptic, excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs) were measured in the STT neurons. Time-based tetanic stimulation (TBS) was employed to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) in the STT neurons. Coincident stimulation of both pre- and postsynaptic neurons using TBS showed immediate and persistent increase in AMPA receptor-mediated EPSCs. LTP can also be induced by postsynaptic spiking together with pharmacological stimulation using chemical NMDA. TBS-induced LTP observed in STT neurons was blocked by internal BAPTA, or $Ni^{2+}$, a T-type VOCC blocker. However, LTP was intact in the presence of L-type VOCC blocker. These results suggest that long-term plastic change of STT neurons requires NMDA receptor activation and postsynaptic calcium but is differentially sensitive to T-type VOCCs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.117-133
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• 1998

The purpose of this morphological study was to investigate the relationship to facial nerve and LI4 related to the large intestine meridian. The common locations of the spinal cord and brain projecting to the LI4 and facial nerve were observed fallowing injection of transsynaptic neurotropic virus, pseudorabis virus(PRV), into the LI4 and facial nerve of the rat. After survival times of 96 hours following injection of PRV, the rats were perfused, and their spinal cord and brain were frozen sectioned(30${\mu}m$). These sections were stained by PRV immunohistochemical staining method, and observed with light microscope The results were as follows: 1. The PRV labeled spinal cord segments projecting to the LI4 and facial nerve were founded in cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacral segments. Dense labeled areas of each spinal cord segment were founded in lamina IV, V, X, lateral spinal nucleus, intermediolateral nucleus and dorsal nucleus. 2. The PRV labeled medulla oblongata projecting to the LI4 and facial nerve were founded in the A1 noradrenalin cells/C1 adrenalin cells/caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus, rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus, medullary reticular nucleus, nucleus tractus solitarius, raphe obscurus nucleus, raphe pallidus nucleus, raphe magnus nucleus, gigantocellular nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, and spinal trigeminal nucleus.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.179-186
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• 2008

Background: The adrenergic nervous system in the spinal cord contributes to the development of neuropathic pain after nerve injury. Brain derived neurotrophic factor may facilitate the sympathetic change in the spinal cord and influence the state of neuropathic pain. We probed the effect of chronic repetitive administration of systemic 4-methylcatechol, which is known to be a neurotrophic factor inducer, in a spinal nerve ligation model. Methods: We made the rat neuropathic pain model by the ligation of the L5 spinal nerve. Intraperitoneal 4-methylcatechol ($10{\mu}g/kg$) or the same volume of saline wasadministrated twice daily just after the operation for 7 days. The tactile allodynia was measured by using von Frey filaments and its change was followed up from 3 days after SNL. The lumbosacral enlargement of the spinal cord was taken out and the mRNA contents of the ${\alpha}_2-adrenoceptor$ subtypes were measured by real time polymerase chain reaction and this was then compared with the control groups. The antiallodynic effect of intrathecal clonidine (3, 10, $30{\mu}g$) was evaluated and compared in the 4-methylcatechol treated rats and the control rats. Results: The expression of the ${\alpha}_{2A}$ and ${\alpha}_{2C}$ adrenoceptor subtypes did not change after 4-methylcatechol treatment. Intrathecal clonidine showed an earlier and better effect at the highest dose ($30{\mu}g$ intrathecal), but not with any other doses. Conclusions: Chronic intraperitoneal administration of 4-methylcatechol may improve the effect of intrathecal clonidine, but we could not prove the increase of ${\alpha}_{2A}$ and ${\alpha}_{2C}$ adrenoceptors in the spinal cord of 4-methylcatechol treated rats.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.538-544
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• 1999

To elucidate the involvement of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ converting enzyme (ICE) in the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we induced EAE by immunizing rats with an emulsion of rat spinal cord homogenate with complete Freund's adjuvant supplemented with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Ra, 5mg/ml) and then examined the expression of ICE in the spinal cord of rats with EAE. In normal rat spinal cords, ICE is constitutively, but weakly, expressed in ependymal cells, neurons, and some neuroglial cells. In EAE, many inflammatory cells are positive for ICE, and the majority of ICE+ cells were identified as ED1+ macrophages. During this stage of EAE, the number of ICE+ cells in brain cells, including neurons and astrocytes, increased and these cells also had increased ICE immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that the upregulation of ICE in both brain cells and invading hematogenous cells is stimulated by a secretory product from inflammatory cells, and that this enzyme is involved in the pathogenesis of EAE via the production of IL-1 beta.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.35-45
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• 1999

Excitatory amino acid (EAA) and substance P (SP) have been known to be primary candidates for nociceptive neurotransmitter in the spinal cord, and calcium ions are implicated in processing of the sensory informations mediated by EAA and SP in the spinal cord. In this study, we examined how $Ca^{2+}$ modified the responses of dorsal horn neurons to single or combined iontophoretical application of EAA and SP in the rat. All the LT cells tested responded to kainate, whereas about 55% of low threshold (LT) cells responded to iontophoretically applied NMDA. NMDA and kainate excited almost all wide dynamic range (WDR) cells. These NMDA- and kainate-induced WDR cell responses were augmented by iontophoretically applied EGTA, but suppressed by $Ca^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},$ verapamil and ${\omega}-conotoxin$ EVTA, effect of verapamil being more prominent and well sustained. $Ca^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$ antagonized the augmenting effect of EGTA. On the other hand, prolonged spinal application of EGTA suppressed the response of WDR cell to NMDA. SP had triple effects on the spontaneous activity as well as NMDA-induced responses of WDR cells: excitation, inhibition and no change. EGTA augmented, but $Ca^{2+},\;Mn^{2+}$ and verapamil suppressed the increase in the NMDA-induced responses and spontaneous activities of WDR cells following iontophoretical application of SP. These results suggest that in the spinal cord, sensory informations mediated by single or combined action of EAA and SP can be modified by the change in calcium ion concentration.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.53-58
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of direct functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) of affected spinal cord on motor recovery following spinal cord injury in rats. Methods: After a contusion injury at the spinal level T9 using an NYU Impactor, functional magnetic stimulation was delivered by a magnetic stimulator through a round prototype coil (7 cm in diameter). Stimulation parameters were set as follows: repetition rate = 50 Hz (stimulus intensity 100% = 0.18 T), stimulation time = 20 min. Functional magnetic stimulation was administered twice a day, 5 days per week for 8 weeks starting 4 days after spinal cord injury. Functional magnetic stimulationwas delivered directly to the affected spinal cord. Outcomes of locomotor performance were assessed by the Basso Beattie Bresnahan (BBB) locomotor rating scale and by an inclined plane test weekly for 8 weeks. Results: In the BBB test, hindlimb motor function in the Functional magnetic stimulation group improved significantly more compared to the control group at 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8 weeks (p<0.05). In the inclined plane test, the angle of the plane in the functional magnetic stimulation group increased significantly more compared to the control group at 4, 5, 7, and 8 weeks (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that direct Functional magnetic stimulation of the lesional site may have beneficial effects on motor improvement after spinal cord injury.