Cytoprotective Effect of 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) Prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) against H2O2 Induced Death of Neuronally-differentiated PC12 Cells

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with oxidative stress. Antioxidants including 15-deoxy- Delta (12,14) prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) have been tried as potential therapeutic regimens of the experimental model of neurodegenerative disease. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective role of 15d-PGJ2 on cytochrome c mediated apoptotic signals in oxidative stress injured neuronally-differentiated PC12 cells (nPC12 cells) by exposing them to H2O2. METHODS: Following 100 micor M H2O2 exposure, the viability of nPC12 cells (pretreated with 15d-PGJ2 vs. not pretreated) was evaluated by using MTT assay. Immunoreactivity (IR) of cytochrome c, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was examined by using a Western blot. RESULTS: In this study, 15d-PGJ2 pretreated nPC12 cells showed an increase in cell viability until the concentrations of 15d-PGJ2 reached up to 4 micor M, but there was no increment of cell viability in higher concentrations. The inhibition of cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP were demonstrated by the pretreatment of 15d-PGJ2 up to 4 micor M. However, these were not observed in the pretreatment with 8 micor M 15d-PGJ2. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that 15d-PGJ2 affects the apoptotic pathway through downstream signals including cytochrome c and caspase-3 pathway. Therefore, these results suggest that 15d-PGJ2 could be a new potential therapeutic candidate for the oxidative stress-injury model of neurodegenerative diseases.

Clinical and pathological correlation of the microdeletion of Y chromosome for the 30 patients with azoospermia and severe oligoasthenospermia / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To review the accumulated 30 patients with different area of Y chromosome microdeletions, focusing on their correlation with the clinical and pathological findings.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 334 consecutive infertile men with azoospermia (218 patients) and severe oligoasthenospermia (116 patients) were screened. Complete physical and endocrinological examinations, general chromosome study and multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay to evaluate the Y chromosome microdeletion were performed. Ten patients received testicular biopsy. Then the clinical and pathological findings were analyzed with reference to the areas of Y chromosome microdeletion.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There is a decline of the percentage of sperm appearing in semen in the group that the gene deletion region from AZFc to AZFb. The clinical evidence of the impairment (decreased testicular size and elevated serum FSH) is also relevantly aggravated in this group. However, the pathology of testicular biopsy specimen was poorly correlated with the different deletion areas of the Y chromosome, which may be due to the limited number of specimens.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The clinical correlation of spermatogenic impairment to the different AZF deletion regions may provide the information for the infertile couples in pre-treatment counseling.</p>

Cytoprotective Effect of Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in Oxidative-stressed PC12 Cells Following H2O2 Exposure-Effect of EGCG on Phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 Pathway

BACKGROUND: Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) are associated with oxidative stress, and antioxidants including epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been tried as potential therapeutic regimens of an experimental model of ND. We performed this study to determine the neuroprotective role of EGCG on up stream and down stream signals in oxidative-stress-injured PC12 cells by exposing them to H2O2. METHODS: Following 100 microM H2O2 exposure, the viability of PC12 cells (not pretreated vs EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated) was evaluated by using a MTT assay. Immunoreactivity (IR) of cytochrome c, caspase-3, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 was examined by using a Western blot. RESULTS: EGCG or z-VAD-fmk pretreated PC12 cells showed increased viability. Dose-dependent inhibition of caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage was demonstrated by the pretreatment of both agents. However, the inhibition of cytochrome c release was only detected in EGCG pretreated cells. On the pathway through PI3K/Akt and GSK-3, however, the result of a western blot in EGCG pretreated cells showed decreased IR of Akt and GSK-3 and increased IR of p85a PI3K, phosphorylated Akt and GSK-3, and contrasted with that in z-VAD-fmk pretreated cells showing no changes. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that EGCG affects apoptotic pathways through upstream signals including PI3K/Akt and GSK-3 pathways as well as downstream signals including cytochrome c and caspase-3 pathways. Therefore, these results suggest that EGCG mediated activation of PI3K/Akt and inhibition GSK-3 could be a new protective mechanism on the pathogenesis of ND.

A Case of Eclampsia: Irreversible Neurological Deficits and Neuroimaging Findings

Eclampsia and hypertensive encephalopathy share similar pathophysiological mechanisms, which present as vaso-genic edema and vasospasm. In majority of the patients, neurologic manifestations are reversible. A 31-year-old pregnant woman in her 40 weeks of gestation developed repeated attacks of seizure and confused mentality. As consciousness improved, multiple neurologic deficits were detected. Cerebral angiography a showed diffuse vasospasm. Six months later, neurologic manifestations were partially recovered. We report a rare case of eclampsia with irreversible neurologic deficits, in which cerebral vasospasm was confirmed by an angiography. (J Korean Neurol Assoc 19(5):537~540, 2001)

Epilepsy and Driving / 대한간질학회지

BACKGROUND: Although the law to restrict the automobile driving of epilepsy patients is existed in Korea, it is not clear. We investigated the opinions of doctors who treat the epilepsy patients on this matter. METHODS: 296 doctors, including neurologists, neurosurgeons, psychiatrists, and pediatricians, participated in this survey. The questionnaire was composed of 15 questions. RESULTS: Their opinions are as follows : the regulation should be legislated (95.3%), the decision on the patient's driving must be done by the doctor (79.1%), the patient's driving is reported obligatorily (34.1%), the seizure free interval for license should be more than 24 months (61.1%), the renewal of the driving license needs to be done every other year, the escaping rebuke for the reporter is also needed (89.5%), and the draft for the law should be composed by the Korean Epilepsy Society (77%). CONCLUSIONS: Many doctors who treat the epilepsy patients agree that the new law to restrict the epilepsy patient's automobile driving is needed. The new law including general and individual restrictions, considering several conditions and made by Korean Epilepsy Society must be accepted by the patients and other members of the society.

Seasonal Variations of Monthly Admissions and Mortality in Stroke

BACKGROUND: Seasonal variations in the occurrence and mortality from stroke patients has been widely acknowl-edged and studied extensively but without conclusive results. Several studies suggest a circannual rhythm for stroke, with a peak onset and mortality in the winter. We aimed to identify the seasonal variations of monthly admissions and mortality in stroke patients. METHODS: From 1989 to 1998, 2526 first stroke populations were enrolled in this study, which included ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients. Fatal events were defined as those in which the patient died within 28 days after the beginning of symptoms. We analyzed the seasonal variations of monthly admissions and mor-tality in stroke patients. RESULTS: We concluded that the monthly admissions and mortality rate of stroke patients showed seasonal variations. Monthly admissions for stroke was highest in December and lowest in August. Also, the mortality rate was highest in November (4.1%) and lowest in July (2.4%). Major causes of death were herniation, sepsis due to pneumonia, urinary tract infection, sore, and cardiovascular diseases including congestive heart failure and myocardial infarction. CONCLUSIONS: There were greater monthly admissions and mortality of strokes during the winter season in our hospital.