Ee-Hwa Kim

Acupuncture increases cell proliferation in dentate gyrus after transient global ischemia in gerbils.

The effects of acupuncture on cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of gerbils after transient global ischemia were investigated in this study. Acupuncture was performed on Zusanli (ST36), which is a well known acupoint in animals and humans. In Oriental medicine, Zusanli has been commonly used for the enhancement of functional recovery in stroke patients. Through 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry, an increase in cell birth in the dentate gyrus of gerbils after ischemic injury was detected. Interestingly, acupunctural treatment in ischemic gerbils resulted in a significant increase in the number of BrdU-positive cells in the dentate gyrus. The present findings indicate that acupuncture may affect cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of gerbils after ischemic injury.

Decrease of the electroacupuncture-induced analgesic effects in nuclear factor-kappa B1 knockout mice

To investigate the involvement of nuclear factor kappa B1 (NF-kappaB1; p50/p105) in electroacupuncture (EA)-induced analgesia, 2 and 100 Hz EA stimulations were applied at acupoint ST36 (Zusanli) in NF-kappaB1 knockout mice. EA was performed for 30 min and tail-flick latencies (TFLs) were evaluated every 15 min for 1 h. Wild-type mice displayed a 63.3% increase in TFLs compared to baseline after 2 Hz EA, whereas NF-kappaB1+/- mice exhibited a 41.8% increase and NF-kappaB1-/- mice showed only a 3.9% increase of TFLs. The TFLs of 100 Hz EA showed similar trends: a 72.6% increase of TFLs in wild-type, a 38.6% increase in NF-kappaB1+/- and a 9.3% increase in NF-kappaB1-/- mice. The present findings suggest that NF-kappaB1 may play a crucial role in both low and high frequency EA-induced analgesic effects.

Evaluation of a Apo-1/Fas promoter polymorphism in Korean stroke patients

Apoptosis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as stroke and Alzheimers disease. Apo-1/Fas gene is one of the mediators of apoptosis in stroke. MvaI polymorphism is the first polymorphic marker identified in the Apo-1/Fas gene promoter, which was typed by PCR and followed by MvaI digestion and gel electrophoresis. DNA isolated from peripheral blood collected from 91 stroke patients and 103 healthy blood donors was used for genotypes of GG, GA and AA by sequence specific primer PCR. MvaI polymorphism was examined based on Fas gene promotor region by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The Fas-GG genotype was the least frequent in patients with stroke and healthy controls (P = 0.57). In normal Korean controls the MvaI polymorphism GA, AA and GG were 48.6%, 34.9% and 16.5%. In stroke patients were 56.2%, 29.6% and 14.2% respectively. And the allelic frequencies of MvaI*2 (G) allele were less frequent than MvaI*1 (A) allele in patients with stroke and healthy controls (P = 0.76). In normal Korean controls MvaI*1 (A) and MvaI*2 (G) alleles were 59.2% and 40.8%. In stroke patients were 57.6% and 42.4%, respectively. Our results, pending confirmation in a larger study, indicate that the Fas genotype may not appear to be a risk factor for stroke in Korean stroke patients.

Application of concentrated deep sea water inhibits the development of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice

BackgroundMineral water from deep-sea bedrock, formed over thousands of years, is rich in minerals such as Ca, Mg, Na, K, Fe and others. Our present study was to investigate the preventive effects of natural deep-sea water on developing atopic dermatitis (AD).MethodsWe elicited AD by application of DNCB (2,4-dinitro-chlorobezene) in Nc/Nga mouse dorsal skin. Deep Sea water (DSW) was filtered and concentrated by a nanofiltration process and reverse osmosis. We applied concentrated DSW (CDSW) to lesions five times per week for six weeks, followed by evaluation. 1% pimecrolimus ointment was used as positive control. The severity of skin lesions was assessed macroscopically and histologically. Levels of inflammatory mediators and cytokines in the serum were detected by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the levels of CD4+ and CD8+ spleen lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry analysis.ResultsDNCB-treated mice showed atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. Treatment of mice with CDSW reduced the severity of symptoms in the skin lesions, including edema, erythema, dryness, itching, and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Histological analyses demonstrated that epidermal thickness and infiltration of inflammatory cells were decreased after CDSW treatment. Given these interesting observations, we further evaluated the effect of CDSW on immune responses in this AD model. Treatment AD mice with CDSW inhibited up-regulation of IgE, histamine, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the serum. Also, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in spleen lymphocyte was down-regulated after treatment with CDSW. Finally, cytokines, especially IL-4 and IL-10 which are important for Th2 cell development, were reduced.ConclusionsOur data suggests that topical application of CDSW could be useful in preventing the development of atopic dermatitis.

Inhibitory effects of Angelicae Gigantis Radix on osteoclast formation

Angelicae Gigantis Radix (AGR) is one of the most widely used herbal medications. AGR is the dried root of Angelica gigas Nakai (Umbelliferae), which is known as Korean angelica. This study investigated the effects of AGR on osteoclast formation using primary bone marrow cells. TNF‐α treatment increased tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (Trap) positive cells and Trap activity in bone marrow cells. However, AGR significantly decreased both TNF‐α‐induced Trap positive cells and Trap activity. RT‐PCR analyses revealed that AGR decreased mRNA levels of Trap and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 in TNF‐α‐treated bone marrow cells. In addition, AGR decreased TNF‐α‐induced activation of NF‐κB. These results suggest that AGR has an inhibitory effect on the formation of osteoclasts and its effect is partially related to the NF‐κB pathway. Copyright

Modulation of Chelidonii herba on GABA activated chloride current in rat PAG neurons.

Modulation of Chelidonii herba on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activated chloride current in the acutely dissociated periaqueductal gray (PAG) neuron was studied by nystatin-perforated patch-clamp technique. High concentrations of Chelidonii herba elicited ion current, that was blocked by bicuculline. Low concentrations reduced the GABA activated current in PAG. Two types of inhibitory action of Chelidonii herba on GABA activated current have been implicated in PAG. One is the inhibitory action of Chelidonii herba on GABA was abolished by naltrexone and the other is that of Chelidonii herba was potentiated by naltrexone. In addition, all of two types of action of Chelidonii herba are linked to pertussis toxin-sensitive GTP-binding proteins. These results suggest that the inhibitory modulation of Chelidonii herba on GABA activated current via G-proteins in PAG neuron is an important analgesic mechanism.

Trapa japonica Pericarp Extract Reduces LPS-Induced Inflammation in Macrophages and Acute Lung Injury in Mice

In this study, we found that chloroform fraction (CF) from TJP ethanolic extract inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO) and intracellular ROS in RAW264.7 cells. In addition, expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) genes was reduced, as evidenced by western blot. Our results indicate that CF exerts anti-inflammatory effects by down-regulating expression of iNOS and COX-2 genes through inhibition of MAPK (ERK, JNK and p38) and NF-κB signaling. Similarly we also evaluated the effects of CF on LPS-induced acute lung injury. Male Balb/c mice were pretreated with dexamethasone or CF 1 h before intranasal instillation of LPS. Eight hours after LPS administration, the inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were determined. The results indicated that CF inhibited LPS-induced TNF-α and IL-6 production in a dose dependent manner. It was also observed that CF attenuated LPS-induced lung histopathologic changes. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that the protective effect of CF on LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice might relate to the suppression of excessive inflammatory responses in lung tissue. Thus, it can be suggested that CF might be a potential therapeutic agent for ALI.

Modulation of tianeptine on ion currents induced by inhibitory neurotransmitters in acutely dissociated dorsal raphe neurons of Sprague–Dawley rats

Classical antidepressant therapy has mainly used selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), but tianeptine appears to possess effects on 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) levels in the synaptic cleft contradictory to those of SSRIs. The mechanism behind its antidepressant effects is still unclear. The effect of tianeptine on the electrophysiological characteristics of neurons in the dorsal raphe, where serotonergic neurons mainly originate from, were investigated by the patch-clamp method in the present study. Tianeptine was shown to inhibit the ion currents induced by the inhibitory neurotransmitters GABA and glycine as well as the inwardly rectifying K(+) current induced by 5-HT and 8-hydroxy-2 (di-n-propylamino) tetraline hydrobromide (8-OH-DPAT), a 5-HT(1A) agonist. Tianeptine, however, exerted no effect on the ion current induced by the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. These results indicate that tianeptine has an inhibitory effect on ion currents evoked by GABA, glycine, and inwardly rectifying K(+) current induced by 5-HT in the dorsal raphe. This action may increase the excitability of serotonergic neurons of the dorsal raphe.

Efficacy of combined treatment by scalp and penetration acupunctures with TKM medication (tang) on stroke patients

Abstract Background: Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) therapy of scalp and penetration acupuncture has been used for the treatment of stroke in Korea. This study investigated the efficacy of scalp and penetration acupuncture in combination with TKM medication. Methods: Twenty-four stroke patients were enrolled in the program. Control group (n = 12) received herbal medicines (Baepungtang, Sopungtang or Sosokmyeongtang) and conventional body acupuncture. Treatment group (n = 12) received scalp and penetration acupuncture in addition to herbal medicines and conventional body acupuncture. Improvements in the motor functions were scored by the modified Barthel index (MBI). Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, statistical analysis showed significant improvement in the MBI scores for both groups. Significant difference in the MBI scores between two groups, however, was not observed. Conclusion: The supportive effect of scalp and penetration acupuncture in the treatment of stroke needs further investigation.

Protective effects of a novel herbal decoction on focal cerebral ischemia in a rodent model

Abstract Background: Herbs have been used to treat stroke and coma patient in traditional Korean medicine (TKM). The novel decoction, Guhpoongchungsimhwan (GCH), was developed on the basis of clinical data and TKM theory. Methods: We examined the neuroprotective effect of GCH on cerebral ischemia. The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was used to produce cerebral ischemia in Sprague–Dawley rats. Subjects were treated with GCH (50 or 200 mg/kg) or vehicle alone (controls) 0 and 2 hours after MCAO. The functional status was tested 24 hours after MCAO by neurological examination (clinical score) and by series of motor function tasks (foot placement and parallel bar crossing). Results: The infarct volume was determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining 24 hours after surgery, and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 was determined by immunohistochemistry. The clinical score of the GCH-treated group (200 mg/kg) was significantly lower than that of the control group (p<0.05), indicating fewer neurological deficits. The impairment of motor functions induced by MCAO was significantly reduced by the administration of GCH (p<0.05). The infarct volume was significantly smaller in the GCH-treated group (203.1 ± 40.2 mm3, p<0.05), as compared to the control group (377.8 ± 32.6 mm3). The level of motor function in the GCH-treated group was associated with reduced infarct volume. In the analysis of immunohistochemistry, GCH treatment markedly inhibited the ischemia-induced expression of PTGS2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxidase synthase 2) or cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2), which plays an important role in ischemic neuronal cell death. Conclusion: The results showed that GCH reduced the infarct size and the functional deficits in MCAO rats.