• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.197-211
• /
• 2000

The pineal body have been known to be affected by superior cervical ganglia, and most of its nerve fibers containing peptidergic neurotransmitters have been considered to be originated from this ganglia. To confirm this relationships, some peptidergic neurotransmitters were identified in both of pineal body and superior cervical ganglia of the Korean native goat, which were divided into two group; breeding season and non-breeding season. The localizations of two catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes; tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), were investigated by immunohistochemistry in the superior cervical ganglia and the pineal body of adult Korean native goats. Substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) were also identified in these organs by immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescent methods. In superior cervical ganglia, immunoreactivities for TH and DBH were confirmed in the same ganglion cells. The immunoreactivites for SP, VIP(only in male), NPY and GAL were identified in both of ganglion cell bodies and nerve fibers in the ganglia. CGRP immunoreactivity, however, was observed only in nerve fibers. Most NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive(IR) ganglion cells also contained TH. SP and TH were colocalized in the cell bodies, but not in the nerve fibers. TH immunoreactivity was shown in almost all of ganglion cells in the superior cervical ganglia. The immunoreactivity for NPY had some seasonal variation and was stronger in breeding season than in non-breeding season. In pineal body, lots of TH-IR fibers were observed throughout the parenchyma including the pineal stalk and most of them also contained DBH. SP- and NPY-IR fibers were also immunostained with TH or DBH. But a few SP- and NPY-IR fibers were not colocalized with TH or DBH. Exceptionally, a bipolar neuron-like cell was observed to be immunostained with NPY in the pineal body. A few CGRP and GAL-IR fibers were observed, while VIP-IR fibers were not present. It is concluded that most TH- and DBH-IR fibers as well as the peptidergic immunoreactive fibers of the pineal body might be originated from the superior cervical ganglia. Some peptidergic immunoreactive fibers, however, might be come from other regions of brain. We also suggest that NPY in pineal body plays a important role for pineal function. The seasonal variation of NPY immunoreactivity indicates that the synthesis and use of NPY may be different between in breeding and non-breeding seasons.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.58-71
• /
• 1997

In order to the location and local arrangement of nerve cell bodies and nerve fibers projecting to the meridian points related to facial nerve paralysis in the rat using the neural tracers, CTB and WGA-HRP, labeled neurons the were investigated by immunohistochemical and HRP histochemical methods following injection of 2.5% WGA-HRP and 1% CTB into Hyopko$(S_6)$. Chichang$(S_4)$, Sugu$(GV_{26})$, Sajukkong$(TE_{23})$ and Yangbaek$(G_{14})$. Following injection of Hyopko$(S_6)$, Chichang$(S_4)$, labeled motor neurons were founded in facial nucleus, trigeminal motor nucleus, reticular nucleus and hypoglossal nucleus. labeled sensory neurons were founded in trigeminal ganglia and $C_{1-2}$ spinal ganglia. sympathetic motor neurons were found in superior cervical ganglia. Sensory fibers labeled in brainstem were found in mesencephalic trigeminal tract, sensory root of trigeminal nerve, oral, interpolar and caudal part of trigeminal nucleus, area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius, lateral reticular nucleus and $C_{1-2}$ spinal ganglia. Following injection of Sugu$(GV_{26})$, labeled motor neurons were founded in facial nucleus. Labeled sensory neurons were founded in trigeminal ganglia and $C_{1-2}$ spinal ganglia. Sympathetic motor neurons were found in superior cervical ganglia. Sensory fibers labeled in brainstem were found in spinal trigeminal tract, trigeminal motor nucleus, mesencephalic trigeminal tract, oral. interpolar and caudal parts of trigeminal nucleus, area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius, lateral reticular nucleus, dorsal part of reticular part and $C_{1-2}$ spinal ganglia. Following injection of Sajukkong$(TE_{23})$ and Yangbaek$(G_{14})$, labeled motor neurons were founded in facial nucleus, trigeminal motor nucleus. Labeled sensory neurons were founded in trigeminal ganglia and $C_{1-2}$ spinal ganglia. sympathetic motor neurons were found in superior cervical ganglia. Sensory fibers labeled in brainstem were found in oral, interpolar and caudal parts of trigeminal nucleus, area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius, inferior olovary nucleus, medullary reticular field and lamina I-IV of $C_{1-2}$ spinal cord. Location of nerve cell body and nerve fibers projecting to the meridian points related to the facial nerve paralysis in the rats were found in facial nucleus and trigeminal motor nucleus. Sensory neurone were found in trigeminal ganglia and $C_{1-2}$ spinal ganglia. Sympathetic motor neurons were found in superior cervical ganglia. Sensory fibers labeled in brainstem were found in mesencephalic trigeminal tract, oral, interpolar and caudal parts of trigeminal nucleus, area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius. lateral reticular nucleus, medullary reticular field.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.119-125
• /
• 2008

Background: Cerebral blood vessels are innervated by sympathetic nerves from the superior cervical ganglia (SCG), and these nerves may influence the cerebral blood flow. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of superior cervical sympathetic ganglion block in rats that were subjected to focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Eighty male Sprague-Dawley rats (270-320 g) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (the ropivacaine group and a control group). In all the animals, brain injury was induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) reperfusion that followed MCA occlusion for 2 hours. The animals of the ropivacaine group received $30{\mu}l$ of 0.75% ropivacaine, and their SCG. Neurologic score was assessed at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after brain injury. Brain tissue samples were then collected. The infarct ratio was measured by 2.3.5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeled (TUNEL) reactive cells and the cells showing caspase-3 activity were counted as markers of apoptosis at the caudoputamen and frontoparietal cortex. Results: The death rate, the neurologic score and the infarction ratio were significantly less in the ropivacaine group 24 hr after ischemia/reperfusion injury. The number of TUNEL positive cells in the ropivacaine group was significantly lower than those values of the control group in the frontoparietal cortex at 3 days after injury, but the caspase-3 activity was higher in the ropivacaine group than that in the control group at 1 day after injury. Conclusions: The study data indicated that a superior cervical sympathetic ganglion block may reduce the neuronal injury caused by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, but it may not prevent the delayed damage.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.3-12
• /
• 2024

One of the most common sources of spinal pain syndromes is the facet joints. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar facet joint pain syndromes comprise 55%, 42%, and 31% of chronic spinal pain syndromes, respectively. Common facet joint disorders are degenerative disorders, such as osteoarthritis, hypertrophied superior articular process, and facet joint cysts; septic arthritis; systemic and metabolic disorders, such as ankylosing spondylitis or gout; and traumatic dislocations. The facet pain syndrome from osteoarthritis is suspected from a patient's history (referred pain pattern) and physical examination (tenderness). Other facet joint disorders may cause radicular pain if mass effect from a facet joint cyst, hypertrophied superior articular process, or tumors compress the dorsal root ganglion. However, a high degree of morphological change does not always provoke pain. The superiority of innervating nerve block or direct joint injection for diagnosis and treatment is still a controversy. Treatment includes facet joint injection in facet joint osteoarthritis or whiplash injury provoking referred pain or decompression in mass effect in cases of hypertrophied superior articular process or facet joint cyst eliciting radicular pain. In addition, septic arthritis is treated using a proper antibiotic, based on infected tissue or blood culture. This review describes the diagnosis and treatment of common facet joint disorders.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2007

Background: Cerebral blood vessels are innervated by sympathetic nerves that originate in the superior cervical ganglia (SCG). This study was conducted to determine the effect of an SCG block on brain injury caused by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in a rat model. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (270-320 g) were randomly assigned to one of three groups (lidocaine, ropivacaine, and control). After brain injury induced by middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion/reperfusion, the animals were administered an SCG bloc that consisted of $30{\mu}l$ of 2% lidocaine or 0.75% ropivacaine, with the exception of animals in the control group, which received no treatment. Twenty four hours after brain injury was induced, neurologic scores were assessed and brain samples were collected. The infarct and edema ratios were measured, and DNA fragmented cells were counted in the frontoparietal cortex and the caudoputamen. Results: No significant differences in neurologic scores or edema ratios were observed among the three groups. However, the infarct ratio was significantly lower in the ropivacaine group than in the control group (P < 0.05), and the number of necrotic cells in the caudoputamen of the ropivacaine group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.01). Additionally, the number of necrotic and apoptotic cells in theropivacaine group were significantly lower than inthe control group in both the caudoputamen and the frontoparietal cortex (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Brain injury induced by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion was reduced by an SCG block using local anesthetics. This finding suggests that a cervical sympathetic block could be considered as another treatment option for the treatment of cerebral vascular diseases.