Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects of Cheonwangbosim-dan against Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis

Background@#There are various Helicobacter species colonizing the stomachs of animals. Although Helicobacter species usually cause asymptomatic infection in the hosts, clinical signs can occur due to gastritis associated with Helicobacter in animals. Among them, Helicobacter pylori is strongly associated with chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, and gastric cancers. As the standard therapies used to treat H. pylori have proven insufficient, alternative options are needed to prevent and eradicate the diseases associated with this bacterium. Cheonwangbosim-dan (CBD), a traditional herbal formula that is popular in East Asia, has been commonly used for arterial or auricular flutter, neurosis, insomnia, and cardiac malfunction-induced disease. @*Objectives@#The present study investigated the antimicrobial effect of CBD on H. pylori-infected human gastric carcinoma AGS cells and model mice. @*Methods@#AGS cells were infected with H. pylori and treated with a variety of concentrations of CBD or antibiotics. Mice were given 3 oral inoculations with H. pylori and then dosed with CBD (100 or 500 mg/kg) for 4 weeks or with standard antibiotics for 1 week. One week after the last treatment, gastric samples were collected and examined by histopathological analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and immunoblotting. @*Results@#Our results showed that CBD treatment of AGS cells significantly reduced the H. pylori-induced elevations of interleukin-8, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). In the animal model, CBD treatment inhibited the colonization of H. pylori and the levels of malondialdehyde, inflammation, proinflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2 in gastric tissues. CBD also decreased the phosphorylation levels of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase family. @*Conclusions@#This study suggests that CBD might be a prospective candidate for treatingH. pylori-induced gastric injury.

Vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 controls the priming phase of liver regeneration

Vitamin D3 up-regulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a potent growth suppressor that inhibits tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle progression when overexpressed. In a previous study, we showed that VDUP1 knockout (KO) mice exhibited accelerated liver regeneration because such animals could effectively control the expression of cell cycle regulators that drive the G1-to-S phase progression. In the present study, we further investigated the role played by VDUP1 in initial priming of liver regeneration. To accomplish this, VDUP1 KO and wild-type (WT) mice were subjected to 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) and sacrificed at different times after surgery. The hepatic levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 increased after PH, but there were no significant differences between VDUP1 KO and WT mice. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB), c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT-3) were activated much earlier and to a greater extent in VDUP1 KO mice after PH. A single injection of TNF-alpha or IL-6 caused rapid activation of JNK and STAT-3 expression in both mice, but the responses were stronger and more sustained in VDUP1 KO mice. In conclusion, our findings provide evidence that VDUP1 plays a role in initiation of liver regeneration.

Acupuncture for Bell's palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the clinical evidence for and against acupuncture as a treatment for Bell's palsy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We conducted a literature search of 15 databases from their inception to December 2010 without language restrictions. We included all randomized clinical trials (RCTs) regardless of their controls. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 3 474 articles, only eight RCTs met our inclusion criteria. Four RCTs tested the effects of acupuncture against drug therapy on disease response rate. The meta-analysis of these data showed significant improvements in the acupuncture group [n=463, risk ratio (RR)=1.07, 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.13; P=0.006, I(2)=0%]. Six RCTs tested the effects of acupuncture plus drug therapy versus drug therapy alone. The meta-analysis of this set of RCTs also showed the favorable effects of acupuncture on disease response rate (n=512, RR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.05 to 1.17; P=0.001, I(2)=13%).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The evidence supporting the effectiveness of acupuncture for treating Bell's palsy is limited. The number and quality of trials are too low to form firm conclusions. Further rigorous RCTs are warranted but need to overcome the many limitations of the current evidence.</p>

Microbiological Contamination of Laboratory Mice and Rats in Korea from 2007 to 2008 / 한국실험동물학회지

In order to assess the microbiological contamination of laboratory mice and rats in Korea over the 2-year period from 2007 to 2008, we monitored animals housed in mouse and rat facilities equipped with barrier systems. In a barrier animal facility in Korea, the most important viruses in the identified pathogen were the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and Pasteurella (Pa.) pneumotropica, and Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the most common bacterial pathogen in Korea. The most commonly detected parasite in the identified pathogen was Trichomonas spp. in the mouse facilities and Entamoeba spp. in the rat facilities. In many cases, these pathogen-contaminated animals were genetically modified animals obtained from the university. Currently, consistent with the increased transfer of genetically modified animals between domestic and foreign animal facilities, the Pa. pneumotropica and parasites infection rates were shown to have increased as compared to those of the 2004-2006 period. Indeed, the MHV infection rate has been maintained at almost 20% in Korean animal facilities over the past 10 years. These results showed that effective quarantine programs for contaminated genetically engineered mutant mice and the monitoring of regular or irregular MHV monitoring in animal colonies should help to reduce pathogen contamination in Korean animal facilities.

Microbiological Contamination of Laboratory Mice and Rats in Korea from 2007 to 2008 / 한국실험동물학회지

In order to assess the microbiological contamination of laboratory mice and rats in Korea over the 2-year period from 2007 to 2008, we monitored animals housed in mouse and rat facilities equipped with barrier systems. In a barrier animal facility in Korea, the most important viruses in the identified pathogen were the mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and Pasteurella (Pa.) pneumotropica, and Staphylococcus aureus was identified as the most common bacterial pathogen in Korea. The most commonly detected parasite in the identified pathogen was Trichomonas spp. in the mouse facilities and Entamoeba spp. in the rat facilities. In many cases, these pathogen-contaminated animals were genetically modified animals obtained from the university. Currently, consistent with the increased transfer of genetically modified animals between domestic and foreign animal facilities, the Pa. pneumotropica and parasites infection rates were shown to have increased as compared to those of the 2004-2006 period. Indeed, the MHV infection rate has been maintained at almost 20% in Korean animal facilities over the past 10 years. These results showed that effective quarantine programs for contaminated genetically engineered mutant mice and the monitoring of regular or irregular MHV monitoring in animal colonies should help to reduce pathogen contamination in Korean animal facilities.

Expression of tyrosine kinase A in the cerebral cortex of postnatal developing rat

Tyrosine kinase A (TrkA)is an essential component of the high affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor necessary to the mediate the biological effects of the neurotrophins, NGF. This study examined the distribution of TrkA-immunoreactivity (IR)cells in the postnatal rat cerebral cortex and the changes that occur in postnatal development as a result of the expression of this protein. TrkA-IR was detected at postnatal day (PD)3, PD6, PD9 and PD15. Base upon their somatodendritic morphology, the most commonly labeled cell type was the pyramidal neurons. At PD3 and PD6, layer I, II, III and V was immunopositive for TrkA, at PD9, not only at layer I, II, III, and V but also at layer VI. At PD15, the TrkA-positive cells were distributed in all layers. These TrkA-positive cells were not detected at PD0. In contrast, there was significant increase in the percentage of cells exhibiting TrkA-IR with development and the highest level was detected at PD15. These results suggest that the cerebral cortex expresses TrkA strongly during the postnatal period. Moreover, the postnatal development-related increase in the expression of TrkA-cells shows that NGF may have a trophic effect on these cerebral cortex neurons from the postnatal period.

Immunohistochemical Localization of Nerve Growth Factor, Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor in Mesencephalon, Rhombencephalon, and Spinal Cord of Developing Mongolian Gerbil

The distribution of the nerve growth factor (NGF), the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and the ciliary neurotrohic factor (CNTF) was performed in coronal sections of the mesencephalon, rhombencephalon and spinal cord in the developing Mongolian gerbils. Generally, NGF specifically recognizes neurons with the NGF receptor, whereas GFAP does the glia, and CNTF does the motor neurons. The receptor expression was examined separately in gerbils between embryonic days 15 (E15) and postnatal weeks 3 (PNW 3). The NGF-IR was first observed in the spinal cord at E21, which might be related to the maturation. The GFAP reactivity was peaked at the postnatal days 2 (PND2), while the highest CNTF-reaction was expressed at PNW 2. The GFAP stains were observed in the aqueduct and the spinal cord, which appeared to project laterally at E19. The CNTF was observed only after the birth and found in both the neurons and neuroglia of the substantia nigra, mesencephalon, cerebellum and the spinal cord from PND1 to PNW3. These results suggest that NGF, GFAP and CNTF are important for the development of the neurons and the neuroglia in the central nervous system at the late prenatal and postnatal stages.

Morphological study of neuropeptide Y immunoreactive neurons (NPY-IR) of telencephalon in developing chick / 대한해부학회지

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) was a 36-amino acid peptide that biochemical structure to be resemble the pancreatic polypeptide in mammalian and it was first isolated from porcine brain by Tatemoto et al. (1982). It is now known to neurotransmitter or neuromodulator as well as it has important effects to sexual precocity, regulation of feeding behavior and function of pituitary gland in avians. The distribution and morphological study of NPY-immunoreactive neurons (NPY-IR) is studied in many experimental animal but in developing chick brain have been not studied. The present study provided the distribution and morphological study of NPY-IR in developing chick brain. The developing brain of Korean native chicks embryos at E8, E10, E12, E14, E16, E18, and E20 days of incubation were used. Experimental animals were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde through the left ventricle and aorta. The brains were removed and transferred 30% sucrose, and then cut on a cryostat into 60 mm-thick. The tissue immunostained with free-floating and avidin-biotin complex (ABC) method. The results obtained in this study are that followings. The numerous of NPY-IR first observed at E8 days in the telencephalon of neostriatum, ectostriatum, archistriatum intermedium pars ventralis, nucleus taeniae and paleostriatum agumentatum, at E12 days in telencephalon of hippocampus, at E14 days in telencephalon of hyperstriatum. In the telencephalon, NPY-IR distributed predominantly in neostriatum and ectostriatum. shape of neuron's that E8 days of incubation were oval shape neurons and increased days of chicks was sphere, oval and many multigonal shapes. Their processes were also omnidirectional. The process of neuron's that E8 days of incubation was observed a few and weak immunity and increased days of chicks was numerous and strong immunity. According to increasing the days the morphology of NPY-IR showed the tendency to increase their sizes and numbers. We suggest that the regional differences in the distribution of NPY-containing neuron types may reflect adaptations of local neuronal circuits for specialized functions.

Morphological Studies of the Neuropeptide Y Immunoreactiive Neurons in the Cerebral Cortex and the Corpus Striatum of Striped Field Mouse (apodemus agrarius coreae) / 대한해부학회지

Neuropeptide Y(NPY) was first isolated from porcine brain. This discovery has led some workers to study the distribution of this peptide in the central nervous system of various mammals. In this study examined the distribution pattern of NPY-immunoreactive (NPY-IR) neurons in the Striped Field Mouse (Apodemus agrarius coreae) cerebral cortex and striatum, using immunohistochemical method. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings. 1. NPY-IR neurons distributed in all layer of cerebral cortex. The number of neurons were higher in layer V and VI than in layer I and IV. 2. The shape of neurons was predominantly round or oval in layer I and II, and triangular in layer V and VI. And the processes were parallel to pia mater in layer I and II and were vertical in layer III. 3. The highest number of NPY-IR neurons were found in the perirhinal cortex but a few distinct population were found in the retrosplenial cortex. 4. In stiatum NPY-IR neurons were observed only in caudate-putamen nucleus. 5. The Immunoreactive neurons in caudate-putamen varied in their shape, but most of them were triangular or multiform neurons had omnidirectional processes.

The study of dopaminergic immunoreactive cell change in mesencephalon and pons of mongolian gerbil by water deprived day / 대한해부학회지

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an model animal for studing the neurologic disease because of the long-term survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition. In order to accomplish the this research, first of all another divided the laboratory animals 10groups. In this study of the long term water deprived condition investigated catecholamine synthetic enzymes, tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH), and phenylethanolamine-N- methyltransferase(PNMT) in the brain by using immunohistochemical stain. The results obtained in this study were summarized as following. 1. It were observed TH-IR cells in substantia nigra pars compacta, ventral tegmental area and substantia nigra pars reticular of Midbrian. Most of them were presented in pars compacta and ventral tegmental area, but a few in pars reticular. TH-IR cell decreased until the 5th water-deprived day, increased from the 10th water-deprived day to the 15th water-deprived day and redecreased in the 20th water-deprived day 2. In locus ceruleus and rubrospinal tract were observed TH-IR cells and a few DBH-IR cell. Therefore there was composed of dopaminergic neuron and noradrenergic neuron. 3. The quantity of dopamin in serum were decreased until the 4th water-deprived day, increased from the 5th water-deprived day, redecreased on the 15th water-deprived day and reincreased from the 20th water-deprived day.