Studies on the Antioxidative and Cytotoxic Actions of Epigallocatechin Gallate in Murine Cerebral Cortical Cell Cultures

OBJECTIVE: Epigallocatethin gallate(EGCG) is a major green tea polyphenol and is known to have potent antioxidative and antiproliferative actions. This study is performed to investigate the antioxidative effect of EGCG on the various oxidative insults in mouse cerebral cortical cell cultures. METHODS: Mixed cortical cell cultures containing both neuron and glia prepared by plating fetal mice cortical cells on to an established glia of 24 well vessels. At 13-15 days in vitro, oxidative neuronal deaths were induced by the addition of oxidants into the cortical cultures. Iron ion(FeCl2), copper ion(CuCl2), sodium nitroprusside(SNP) and buthionine sulfoximine(BSO, a glutathione depletor) were used as oxidants. Cell death was assessed by LDH assay after microscopic examination. RESULTS: All four oxidants induced neuronal cell death associated with cell body swelling, which was markedly inhibited by Trolox(100muM), a vitamin E analog. EGCG(1-10muM) markedly inhibited the neuronal cell death induced by 20muM CuCl2, 1muM SNP, or 1mM BSO. Unexpectedly the neuronal cell death induced by 20muM FeCl2 was augmented by treatment with 1 or 3muM EGCG. EGCG itself induced concentration- and exposure time-dependent cell death at more than 30muM concentrations. EGCG(30, 100muM) injured not only neuronal cells but glial cells after 48 hour exposure. The EGCG-induced cytotoxicity was partially inhibited by protein synthesis inhibitors, cycloheximide(0.1 or 1mug/ml) and emetine (1mug/ml) or high potassium media(10 or 25mM) but was not affected by Trolox. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the dual antioxidative-cytotoxic actions of EGCG are concentration-dependent and that the antioxidative aciton depends on the kind of oxidative insults, and that the EGCG-induced cytotoxicity be relevant to protein synthesis and/or membrane depolarization.

Immunohistochemical Study on Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha-Receptor (PDGF-alphaR) in the Canine Cerebellum During Postnatal Development / 대한해부학회지

The biological activities of PDGF include stimulation of mitogenesis, chemotaxis, and differentiation. In nervous system, previous studies have shown that PDGF has an important role in the generation of cells of a glial lineage. However, several studies demonstrated that mature and immature neurons could also synthesize PDGF-alphaR. In the present study, to analyze the distributional pattern of PDGF-alphaR during postnatal development of the canine cerebellum, we used immunohistochemistry. We found that neurons of cerebellum, including Purkinje cells and granules cells, showed immunoreactivity to PDGF-alphaR (IRPDGF-alphaR) as early as postnatal day 0. Whereas IRPDGF-alphaR immunoreactivity in the Purkinje cells were maintained at all postnatal ages. Our data support that PDGF may have the important roles during development and survival of neurons.

Limited Sympathicotomy Using 2mm Endoscope in Palmar Hyperhidrosis

OBJECTIVE: Thoracoscopic T2 sympathicotomy had been performed as a simple and effective method in treating palmar hyperhidrosis, but some patients are not satisfied with the result of sympathicotomy due to compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, a more limited T2 sympathicotomy using 2mm endoscope was introduced. We made a comparison between conventional T2 sympathicotomy and limited T2 sympathicotomy on operative results and compensatory hyperhidrosis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1998 to April 2000, 56 patients were treated by video assisted endoscopic thoracic sympathicotomy. Thirty patients of these underwent T2 sympathicotomy(Group A), and the remainders underwent limited T2 sympathicotomy(Group B). The limited T2 sympathicotomy is coagulation of the interganglionic fibers of T2 sympathetic ganglion on T2 rib head. The comparative analysis between two groups was based on the medical records and telephone interview results. RESULT: All patients were treated for excessive sweating on palms with 2mm endoscopic sympathicotmy. There were no mortalities, life-threatening complications except one recurrent patient who was treated successfully with re-operation(endoscopic sympathicotomy). Compensatory hyperhidrosis was common in group A. An individual satisfactory rate for the operations was higher in group B than in group A. CONCLUSION: The limited T2 sympathicotomy considered to be a more effective and less complicated method than the T2 sympathicotomy for the treatment of palmar hyperhidrosis.

Partial Pediculectomy for Spondylolisthesis with Radicular Pain Combined with Severe Osteoporosis

No abstract available.

Anterior Decompression and Internal Fixation with Anterior Instrument and Surgical Titanium Mesh in Thoracolumbar Unstable Spine Injuries(Long-term Follow-up Results)

No abstract available.

Effect of the Mixture of Thrombin Powder and Gelfoam Powder on Control of Exposed Cancellous Bone Bleeding

No abstract available.

Ependymal Cyst of the Sylvian Fissure

Cerebral ependymal cysts are very rare. About 30 cases have been reported in the literature. They mimic arachnoid cysts clinically and on imaging studies but are different from arachnoid cysts in pathological findings. They are believed to arise by the sequestration of a small segment of the primitive ependymal lining into either the cortical mantle or the perimedullary mesh. They occupy the central white matter of the frontal or temporoparietal lobes. The authors describe a case of septate ependymal cyst involving left sylvian fissure. The clinicopathological features, treatment, and results of previously reported cases are reviewed, and the etiology and pathogenesis of these cysts are discussed.

Management of Burst Fractures of the Low Lumbar Vertebra(L4-5)

A retrospective review of 14 patients treated non-operatively or operatively for burst fractures of the low lumbar spine(L4-L5) between January 1992 and December 1997 was performed. Burst fractures of the low lumbar spine are rare and have not been well delineated in the literature. Average follow-up period for fourteen patients was 10.6 months. Ten patients were men and four were women. The average age at injury was 36.8 years(range 17-70 years). Seventy-one percent of the injuries were the result of fall from height and 29% were the result of motor vehicle accidents. Non-operatively treated six patients were presented with minimal canal compromise and minimal or no initial neurological deficit. They were treated 4-6weeks of bed rest before they were allowed to mobilize with orthosis. None of these patients had any significant complications. If patients showed neurological impairment associated with significant canal compromise or vertebral height loss, they were treated operatively to restore spinal stability and spinal height and also to decompress neural elements. Various types of combined surgical approaches were used for eight patients who met these criteria. Among these, two were treated in a staged fashion with the anterior transperitoneal approach done initially. Vertebrectomy and complete neural decompression in direct vision was possible and interbody fusion was performed using Mesh cage, which was filled with bone collected from sites of vertebrectomy. This combined approach seems to be the choice of procedure for complete decompression and interbody fusion of the low lumbar burst fracture(L4-L5) with severe canal compromise and vertebral height loss. Transperitoneal approach for the low lumbar vertebrectomy has advantage of less muscular damage compared to retroperitoneal approach. There were no major complications from surgery in the present series.

Surgical Management of Patients with Isthmic Spondylolisthesis with Transpedicular Screw Fixation and Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion using Posterior Movable Segment

Twenty three patients with isthmic spondylolisthesis were operated on from December 1993 to June 1995. There were 14 female and 9 male patients and the average age of the patients was 50(ranging 20-67) years old. Symptoms in the lower extremities had been present for 3 months to 10 years, although varying degrees of back pain had existed for longer periods. Disability was caused mainly by claudication in 20 patients. Diagnostic studies included plain films, tomography, CT scaning, and MRI. Single interspace was involved in 18 patients, and in five patients, two interspaces were involved. After wide decompression and discectomy, stabilization was reestablished by segmental pedicular screw fixation device(Diapason(R) pedicular system) and interbody fusion using posterior movable segment as graft material. Between 6 to 24 months postoperatively, all patients exhibited radiographic fusion. The results were excellent in 12 cases, good in 8 cases and fair in 3 cases. The authors believe that full four nerve roots decompression, pedicular screw fixation. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion using movable segment as graft material, and prevention of nerve root traction injury during insertion of graft bone are important points to get good post-operative results.

Clinical Analysis of Patients with Thoraco-lumbar Spinal Lesions Managed by Vertebrectomy, Interbody Fusion and Stabilization using Kaneda Device

Among the 98 patients who underwent operations for thoracolumbar spinal lesions from May 1989 to September 1994, the authors performed clinical analysis of 72 patients who were followed-up for more than 12 months. There were 52 cases of trauma, 18 cases of tuberculous spondylitis, and 2 cases of metastatic tumor. After partial or toal vertebrectomy, interbody fusion was performed using autogenous iliac bone or autogenous ribs which were taken while approaching the thoracic spine, and stabilized using Kaneda devices. Complete neural decompression was possible under direct vision in all cases. Neurologic deficits improved to an average of 1.7 grades using a modified Frankel scale. Patients with tuberculous spondylitis did not show recurrence or any evidence of increased risk of secondary infection caused by instrumentation. Loosening or breakdown of instruments occurred in 4 patients, and spinal deformity in 7 patients, but reoperation was not needed in any of these patients. By anterior decompression, interbody fusion and stabilization using Kaneda device in thoracolumbar spinal lesions, we could obtain satisfactory neurologic improvement as well as immediate firm stability and high fusion rate involving only a minimum(usually two) number of motion segments as compared with the posterior approach.

Clinical Analysis of Postoperative Patients with Electrocardiographic Abnormalities Associated with Aneurysm

Preoperative assessment of electrocardiographical(EKG) abnormalities in the patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage(SAH) is importment. Authors analyzed 58 SAH patients who had EKG abnormalities of neurogenic origin. EKG abnormalities consisted of T wave abnormality, arrhythmia, ST segment change, QT prolongation and U wave. Five patients were dead in this study because of brain swelling(3 cases) and cerebral spasm(2 cases). EKG abnormalities were normalized 13 days after aneurysmal SAH. Radioactive nuclear(99mTc-pyrophosphate) scan of myocardial revealed normal findings in the patients with EKG abnormalities of neurogenic origin. It is concluded that life-saving surgical intervention need not be delayed in the patients with EKG abnormalities of neurogenic origin. On the other hand, patients who had cardiac origin EKG abnormalities need a careful and detailed preanesthetic cardiac evaluation.

CT and MRI Compatibility of Titanium Pedicular Screw System(DipasonTM)

After spinal fixation using conventional stainless steel screw fixation system, postoperative evaluation of spinal canal and identification of screw positions are very difficult because of severe image halation on computerized tomography(CT) or magnetic resonance imaging(MRI). As a result, diagnosis is interfered in cases of screw malposition, infection, and when demonstration of spinal decompression is needed. For this reason, titanium implants have been developed. Titanium is neither magnetic nor paramagnetic, so it produces minimal artifacts on CT or MRI. Titanium pedicular screw system(DipasonTM) is one of these instruments. In this study, the authors investigated the compatibility of this instrument with CT and MRI postoperatively. The use of titanium pedicular screw system permits high quality image of spinal cord, nerve root and screws on CT and MRI.

The Effect of Vasodilators on the Cerebral Vasospasm Induced by Experimntal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

This paper notes the effect of vasodilators on the cerebral vasospasm induced by experimental subarachnoid hemorrhage. Artificial subarachnoid hemorrhage produced by dual injection of non-heparinized autologous blood into the cisterna magna in rabbits with 72 hours interval gave rise to considerable narrowing or spasm of the basilar artery and its branches demonstrated by cerebral angiography. SAH was induced in 12 rabbits by injecting 1.3mL/kg or autologous fresh arterial blood into the cisterna magna, followed by suspending the rabbits in a head-down position at 30 degree for 1 hour in order to accumulate blood around the basilar artery. The animals were divided into 4 groups; a group receiving nifedipine, a group receiving aminophylline, a group receiving papaverine, a group receiving trifluoperazine HCl. Angiographically vertebrobasilar arterial spasm was demonstrated 3 days after the 2nd autologous blood injection into the cisterna magna. Radiographically visible spasm was resistant to the vasodilating drugs. Rabbits were sacrificed by the overdose injection of sodium phenobarbital at the end of experiment.

Multiple Intracranial Aneurysms Associated with Polycystic Disease: A Case Report

We have experienced a rare case of multiple intracranial aneurysms associated with polycystic kidney and polycystic liver, which were incidental findings after minor leakage. A 57-year-old female was admitted with the chief complaint of severe headache under the impression of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of the intracranial aneurysm(which were appeared as the right middle cerebral artery and A-com aneurysm). The brain CT scan showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in the right sylvian fissure and the right temporal lobe. On physical examination, 2FB hard irregular palpable mass was noted on the right costal margin. On neurological examination, her neck was mildly stiff and other signs were within normal limit. We checked abdominal sonography, abdominal CT scan and carotid angiography preoperatively, and reviewed the literature about polycystic disease associated with intracranial aneurysm and discussed about it.