Effects of accelerated rehabilitation exercise on quadriceps femoris and postural stability after anterior versus posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of a 12-week accelerated rehabilitation exercise program on isokinetic strength and dynamic balance ability of thighs in 20 adult men who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) and to analyze intergroup differences in recovery patterns. In this study, we examined 10 patients who underwent ACLR and 10 who underwent PCLR. These patients participated in an accelerated rehabilitation exercise program 5 times weekly for 12 weeks. The participants' isokinetic strength, muscular endurance, and dynamic balance ability of the femoral muscles were measured before and 12 weeks after reconstruction surgery. Isokinetic knee muscle function showed no significant difference between the ACLR and PCLR groups at 60°/sec. Both the groups demonstrated significant increases in muscle strength between the flexors and extensors. However, a between-group difference was noted in knee muscular endurance at 180°/sec, with ACLR patients showing significant differences between extensors and flexors, unlike PCLR patients. Assessment of the dynamic balance ability revealed that overall knee stability did not significantly differ between groups, and both the ACLR and PCLR groups exhibited improved dynamic balance ability. However, significant differences were found in anteroposterior and left-right stabilities. Patients who underwent ACLR had significantly improved anteroposterior and left-right stability, wherever patients who underwent PCLR showed no significant difference. This accelerated rehabilitation exercise program improved the muscle strength and muscular endurance of patients who underwent ACLR and PCLR, suggesting its potential efficacy in recovering dynamic balance ability, particularly after ACLR.

Effects of muscle damage indicators and antioxidant capacity after interval training on the 800-m records of adolescent middle-distance runners.

To examine the effect of 10-week interval training (IT) at varying intensities on serum muscle damage indicators and antioxidant capacity and determine its effect on the 800-m records of adolescent middle-distance runners. Twenty male high-school middle-distance runners were randomized between the high-intensity IT (HIIT; n=10) and the medium-intensity IT (MIIT; n=10) groups. Three sessions/week for 10 weeks (total of 30 sessions) were performed; one session of IT was for 60 min. The high and medium exercise intensities were set at 90%-95% and 60%-70% heart rate reserve (HRR), respectively. Intensity at rest was 40% HRR for both groups. Weight training was performed at 60%-70% of one repetition maximum for two sessions/week. The changes in serum muscle damage indicators and antioxidant capacity in the two groups were measured, and their effects on the 800-m records were analyzed. The 10-week training reduced serum muscle damage indicators in middle-distance runners, but only the HIIT group displayed a decrease in creatine kinase. For the change in antioxidant capacity, the two groups demonstrated no significant change in malondialdehyde (MDA), whereas the HIIT group exhibited a significant increase in super-oxide dismutase (SOD). IT also reduced the 800-m records in middle-distance running, and the effect was stronger in the HIIT group. In conclusion, 10-week HIIT can have a positive effect on muscle damage indicators, showed a significant increase in SOD as a key indicator of anti-oxidant capacity, and improved the 800-m records in middle-distance runners.

Effect of 8-week high-intensity intermittent running exercise and weight training on muscle and DNA damage in male and female ski major college students.

This study assessed changes in blood muscle damage indicators and DNA damage indicators in lymph and urine after 8 weeks of high-intensity intermittent running and weight training in male and female college students majoring in skiing. This study aimed to find an effective training method by investigating differences in the effectiveness between men and women. A total of 20 male and female ski major college students conducted short-term high-intensity intermittent running and weight training in the morning and afternoon, respectively, 3 days a week for 8 weeks for 24 times in total. After 8 weeks of high-intensity intermittent running and weight training, changes in DNA damage indicators in the lymph and urine and muscle damage indicators in the blood were analyzed. The creatine kinase level significantly differed at rest pre-graded exercise testing (GXT) and 60 min of recovery post-GXT after training from that before training between the male and female groups. Although lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels decreased in both groups over time, no significant differences in LDH were found between the two groups. Second, DNA 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in the lymph was significantly different between the two groups at rest pre-GXT and 60 min of recovery post-GXT. 8-OHdG in the urine was significantly lower in the female group only at 60 min of recovery post-GXT. Partial sex differences were found in the reduction of muscle damage and DNA damage after 8 weeks of high-intensity intermittent running and weight training.

Effect of changes in blood fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormone levels on 100-m records of sprinters following an 8-week intense interval training.

This study aimed to examine the changes in the blood fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormones following an 8-week intensity interval training in sprinters, and to investigate the effects on changes in the 100-m sprint records. Twenty sprinters from a boys' high school were equally assigned to high-intensity and medium-intensity interval training groups, and three 60-min interval training sessions were performed per week for 8 weeks, for a total of 24 sessions. Exercise intensity was defined as 85%-95% and 75%-85% of heart rate reserve for high- and medium-intensity training, respectively. At rest, both groups had an exercise intensity of 60% of the heart rate reserve. Our results showed decreased fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormone levels after high-intensity and medium-intensity interval training, with no difference between the training levels. In addition, the 100-m sprint records were different in high- and medium-intensity interval training groups, based on the lactate dehydrogenase and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels. In conclusion, medium-intensity interval training with a reserve heart rate of ≥75% can have a positive effect on blood fatigue indicators, inflammatory markers, and stress hormones in sprinters. Specifically, the changes in adrenocorticotropic hormone level seen in the high-intensity interval training group were found to have a significant effect on the 100-m sprinting records.

Treadmill Running Improves Spatial Learning Memory Through Inactivation of Nuclear Factor Kappa B/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway in Amyloid-ß-Induced Alzheimer Disease Rats.

PURPOSE: Exercise is known to reduce proinflammatory cytokines production and apoptosis. We investigated the effect of treadmill running on spatial learning memory in terms of activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in Alzheimer disease (AD) rats. We also evaluated the effect of treadmill running on proinflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis. METHODS: Using the stereotaxic frame, amyloid-ß (Aß) was injected into the lateral ventricle of the brain. The rats belong to treadmill running groups were forced to run on a motorized treadmill for 30 minutes per a day during 4 weeks, starting 3 days after Aß injection. Morris water maze task was done for the determination of spatial learning memory. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, immunohistochemistry for cleaved caspase-3, and western blot for NF-κB, inhibitory protein of NF-κB (IκB), MAPK signaling pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß were done. RESULTS: Induction of AD increased proinflammatory cytokine secretion by activating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway. These changes induced apoptosis in the hippocampus and reduced spatial learning memory. In contrast, treadmill running inactivated the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway and suppressed proinflammatory cytokine production. These changes inhibited apoptosis and improved spatial learning memory. CONCLUSION: Current results showed that treadmill running promoted spatial learning memory through suppressing proinflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis via inactivation of NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway. Treadmill exercise can be considered an effective intervention for symptom relieve of AD.

Effects of 10-week combined training on lipid metabolic regulatory hormones and metabolic syndrome index according to exercise dose in obese male college students.

To analyze the effects of 10-week combined training (aerobic and resistance exercise) in three groups that were divided according to the total exercise dose per week and elucidate its effects on insulin and leptin (lipid metabolic regulatory hormones) and metabolic syndrome index. We included 24 obese male college students with body mass index ≥25 kg/m2. Each 8 subjects were randomly assigned according to the total exercise dose per week into the 150-, 270-, and 450-min/wk exercise groups, which performed 50-, 90-, and 90-min exercise per day for 3, 3, and 5 times a week, respectively. To maintain a constant level of exercise intensity, aerobic exercises were performed while maintaining 60%-70% of the maximal heart rate and resistance exercise at 60%-70% load of the initial 1 repetition maximum; 1 repetition maximum was measured every 2 weeks. Training effects on lipid metabolic regulatory hormones in the blood and metabolic syndrome index according to the total exercise dose/week were analyzed. Insulin and leptin levels decreased in the 270- and 450-min/wk exercise groups but no significant difference was observed in the 150-min/wk exercise group. Waist circumference showed a significant decrease in all groups, but blood pressure did not change. Fasting blood glucose levels significantly decreased in the 270- and 450-min/wk exercise groups. Triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels significantly decreased in the 450-min/wk exercise group. Combined training with an appropriate total exercise dose may prevent diseases caused by obesity by improving energy expenditure and insulin sensitivity and triggering positive changes in glucose and lipid metabolism.

Effect of sildenafil citrate on brain central fatigue after exhaustive swimming exercise in rats.

Sildenafil citrate, a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type-5, is used clinically to treat erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension. We investigated the effect of sildenafil citrate on brain central fatigue through serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) synthesis after exhaustive swimming exercise in rats. The rats in the sildenafil citrate-treated groups received sildenafil citrate orally once a day for 14 consecutive days at respective dosage. On the 14 days after starting experiment, each animal was submitted to swimming test with intensity equivalent to overload. The exhaustion was defined as a state in which coordinated movements did not return to the water surface for breathing within 10 sec. Immunohistochemistry for 5-HT, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), and western blot for serotonergic type 1A (5-HT1A) receptor and 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) were performed. Exhaustive swimming exercise increased 5-HT and TPH expressions in the dorsal raphe and sildenafil citrate suppressed 5-HT and TPH expressions in the exhaustive swimming exercise rats. Exhaustive swimming exercise increased 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HTT expressions in the dorsal raphe and sildenafil citrate suppressed 5-HT1A receptor and 5-HTT expressions in the exhaustive swimming exercise rats. The significant suppressing effect appeared in the 20-mg/kg sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil citrate might be proposed as a potential ergogenic aid through anticentral fatigue.

Effects of different recovery methods on postboxing sparring fatigue substances and stress hormones.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of static rest, massage, aromatherapy, and acupoint acupressure on the levels of fatigue substances and stress hormones produced after a session of boxing sparring. The study was conducted on female adolescent boxers (n=12) who underwent four recovery methods with a 7-day rest period between each session. The order of these methods was decided randomly. Prior to each method, the participants performed five rounds of 4-min boxing sparring, and the maximal intensity was set as 70%-80% of the maximal heart rate. The effects of the four recovery methods on the blood levels of fatigue substances and stress hormones after boxing sparring were investigated. Static rest, massage, aromatherapy, and acupoint acupressure significantly decreased the lactic acid levels. The creatine phosphokinase levels decreased in the aromatherapy and acupoint acupressure groups, while the lactate dehydrogenase levels significantly decreased in the massage, aromatherapy, and acupoint acupressure groups. Further, the levels of stress hormones, cortisol, and epinephrine, showed no significant changes after massage and acupoint acupressure. However, a significant decrease in the cortisol level was observed in the aromatherapy group and an increasing trend was observed in the cortisol level in the static rest group. The adrenocorticotropic hormone level significantly decreased in the aromatherapy group and showed a decreasing trend after the participants received massage or acupoint acupressure. High-intensity exercise results in not only physical, but also psychological fatigue. Massage and aromatherapy can improve the physical and psychological stabilities and performances of athletes.

Effects of sildenafil citrate on peripheral fatigue and exercise performance after exhaustive swimming exercise in rats.

Sildenafil citrate is a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type-5 used to treat erectile dysfunction. We investigated the effects of sildenafil citrate treatment on peripheral fatigue and exercise performance after exhaustive swimming exercise in rats. The rats in the sildenafil citrate-treated groups received sildenafil citrate orally once a day for 14 consecutive days at respective dosage. On the 14 days after starting experiment, each animal was submitted to swimming test with intensity equivalent to overload. The exhaustion was defined as a state in which coordinated movements did not return to the water surface for breathing within 10 sec. Western blot for monocarboxylate transporter (MCT)1, MCT4, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were performed. Exhaustive swimming exercise decreased time of exhaustion and increased lactate concentration, however, sildenafil citrate enhanced time of exhaustion and decreased lactate concentration. Exhaustive swimming exercise increased MCT1 and MCT4 expressions in the gastrocnemius muscles and sildenafil citrate further enhanced MCT1 and MCT4 expressions in the exhaustive swimming exercise rats. Exhaustive swimming exercise decreased nNOS expression in the gastrocnemius muscles and sildenafil citrate enhanced nNOS expression in the exhaustive swimming exercise rats. The most potent effect appeared in the 20-mg/kg sildenafil citrate. Sildenafil citrate might be proposed as a potential ergogenic aid through antiperipheral fatigue.

Effects of smoking and aerobic exercise on male college students' metabolic syndrome risk factors.

[Purpose] The aim was to investigate the effects of university students' smoking and aerobic exercise on metabolic syndrome risk factors. [Subjects and Methods] Twenty-three male students were randomly assigned to the following groups: exercise smoker (n=6), non-exercise smoker (n=6), exercise non-smoker (n=6), and non-exercise non-smoker (n=5). A basketball exercise program was conducted three times per week (70 minutes per session) for 8 weeks with exercise intensity set at 50-80% of heart rate reserve. After 8 weeks, the variables of risk factors for metabolic syndrome were obtained. [Results] Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were significantly decreased in the exercise non-smoker group and significantly increased in the non-exercise smoker group. Waist circumference was significantly reduced in both exercise groups regardless of smoking and significantly increased in the non-exercise smoker group. Triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose showed no differences between the groups. [Conclusion] Obesity and smoking management should be conducted together for students as well as for those with metabolic syndrome risk factors. It is recommended that more students participate in such programs, and exercise programs should be further developed and diversified to prevent metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.

Treadmill exercise and wheel exercise improve motor function by suppressing apoptotic neuronal cell death in brain inflammation rats.

Brain inflammation is involved in many brain disorders, such as brain ischemic injury, Alzheimer diseases, and Parkinson disease. Physical exercise has been recommended for the prevention and treatment of many brain inflammatory diseases. In the present study, the effects of exercise on motor function in relation with apoptotic neuronal cell death following neuroinflammation were investigated. Moreover, we compared the effect of forced exercise with voluntary exercise on neuroinflammation-induced motor malfunction. For this study, rota-rod test, vertical pole test, foot fault test, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, immunohistochemistry for caspase-3, and western blot for Bcl-2 and Bax were performed. Lipopolysaccharide was intraventricular infused for induction of brain inflammation. Treadmill exercise and wheel exercise were conducted during 6 weeks. In the present results, Treadmill exercise and wheel exercise alleviated brain inflammation-induced motor impairments by suppressing apoptotic neuronal cell death in the motor cortex. These effects of treadmill exercise and wheel exercise were similarly appeared.

Comparison of isokinetic muscle strength and muscle power by types of warm-up.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to clarify the influence of static stretching at warm-up on the isokinetic muscle torque (at 60°/sec) and muscle power (at 180°/sec) of the flexor muscle and extensor muscle of the knee joint. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study were 10 healthy students with no medically specific findings. The warm-up group and warm-up with stretching group performed their respective warm-up prior to the isokinetic muscle torque evaluation of the knee joint. One-way ANOVA was performed by randomized block design for each variable. [Results] The results were as follows: First, the flexor peak torque and extensor peak torque of the knee joint tended to decrease at 60°/sec in the warm-up with stretching group compared with the control group and warm-up group, but without statistical significance. Second, extensor power at 180°/sec was also not statistically significant. However, it was found that flexor power increased significantly in the warm-up with stretching group at 180°/sec compared with the control group and warm-up group in which stretching was not performed. [Conclusion] Therefore, it is considered that in healthy adults, warm-up including two sets of stretching for 20 seconds per muscle group does not decrease muscle strength and muscle power.

Treadmill exercise alleviates impairment of spatial learning ability through enhancing cell proliferation in the streptozotocin-induced Alzheimer's disease rats.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. This disease is a progressive and irreversible brain disorder accompanied with severe learning and memory impairment. Exercise increases cognitive ability, attenuates motor deficits, increases new neuron formation, and ameliorates neurological impairments in several neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated the effects of treadmill exercise on spatial learning ability in relation with cell proliferation in the hippocampus. The rat model of Alzheimer's disease was induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) using a stereotaxic instrument. The rats in the exercise groups were forced to run on a treadmill for once 30 min daily for 28 consecutive days starting at 3 days after the ICV injection of STZ. Radial 8-arm maze test was conducted for the spatial learning ability. New neuron formation in the hippocampus was detected by 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunohistochemistry. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) expressions were examined by western blot analysis. The present results show that ICV injection of STZ impaired spatial learning ability. Decreased cell proliferation with decrement of BDNF and TrkB expressions in the hippocampus were observed in the STZ-induced Alzheimer's disease rats. However, treadmill exercise alleviated deficits of spatial learning ability. Treadmill exercise enhanced cell proliferation and increased BDNF and TrkB expressions in the rats with ICV injection of STZ. The present study suggests that treadmill exercise can be a useful strategy for treating memory impairment induced by several neurodegenerative diseases.

Short-term treadmill exercise preserves sensory-motor function through inhibiting apoptosis in the hippocampus of hypoxic ischemia injury rat pups.

Perinatal hypoxic ischemia injury is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Physical exercise may ameliorate neurological impairment by impeding neuronal loss following various brain insults. In the present study, the effect of treadmill exercise on sensory-motor function in relation with hippocampal apoptosis following hypoxic ischemia brain injury was investigated. Sensory-motor function was determined by walking initiation test and apoptosis was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. On postnatal 7 day, left common carotid artery of the neonatal rats was ligated for two hours and then the neonatal rats were exposed to hypoxia conditions for one hour. The rat pups in the exercise groups were forced to run on a motorized treadmill for 30 min once a day for 10 days, starting 22 days after induction of hypoxic ischemia brain injury. Hypoxic ischemia caused sensory-motor disturbance with enhancement of apoptosis in the hippocampus. Short-term treadmill exercise suppressed hypoxic ischemia injury-induced apoptosis in the hippocampus, and preserved sensory-motor function of hypoxic ischemia injury rat pups.

Distribution of the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the ß 3-adrenergic receptor gene in athletes and its influence on cardiovascular function.

BACKGROUND: The Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta3-adrenergic receptor (beta3-AR) gene was extensively studied concerning the relationship with cardiovascular (CV) diseases, but few studies addressed this issue in athletes. AIM: To examine the relationship between the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta3-AR gene and several CV functions such as cardiac structure and function or blood biochemical parameters in Korean male controls and athletes. METHODS: We recruited a total of 114 study subjects, including 81 male athletes (8 long distance runners, 17 soccer, 8 baseball, 10 basketball, 8 volleyball, 8 ice hockey, 8 judo, 6 taekwondo and 8 gymnastics) and 33 controls. Two dimensional echocardiography was performed in order to assess the cardiac structure and function and blood biochemical parameters were measured. Genotyping of Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta3-AR gene was also performed by the SNaPshot method. RESULTS: The genotype and allele distribution of Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta3-AR gene were significantly different among each sporting discipline, showing the highest Arg allele frequency in volleyball and gymnastics (p < 0.05). Also, this polymorphism was significantly associated with serum HDL-cholesterol and glucose level in athletes only (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed the significant associations between the Trp64Arg polymorphism in the beta3-AR gene and some CV parameters such as serum HDL-cholesterol and glucose levels in athletes. However, further studies of the precise mechanism behind these associations are needed.

Chronic exercise reduces illness severity, decreases viral load, and results in greater anti-inflammatory effects than acute exercise during influenza infection.

BACKGROUND: It is assumed that moderate exercise may improve resistance to infection and reduce inflammation, but there are limited data to support this assumption in an infection model. METHODS: BALB/cJ mice were assigned to the following groups: no exercise (NON-EX), 1 session of acute exercise (A-EX), or chronic exercise for approximately 3.5 months (C-EX). Mice were infected with influenza (C-EX mice infected at rest; A-EX mice infected 15 min after exercise). RESULTS: C-EX mice demonstrated the lowest severity of infection, assessed by body weight loss and food intake. There was less virus in the lungs at day 5 after infection in C-EX and A-EX mice compared with NON-EX mice (P = .02) and less virus at day 2 after infection only in C-EX mice (P = .07). Soon after infection (day 2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were lower in C-EX and A-EX than in NON-EX mice. At day 5 after infection, the BAL fluid from C-EX (but not A-EX) mice had less IL-6, interleukin 12p40, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, keratinococyte-derived chemokine, and MCP-1 than that from NON-EX mice. A trend toward reduced immunopathologic response was found in C-EX mice. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic exercise resulted in reduced symptoms, virus load, and levels of inflammatory cytokine and chemokines. Acute exercise also showed some benefit, which was limited to the early phase of infection.

Pseudohypericin is necessary for the light-activated inhibition of prostaglandin E2 pathways by a 4 component system mimicking an Hypericum perforatum fraction.

Hypericum perforatum (Hp) has been used medicinally to treat a variety of conditions including mild-to-moderate depression. Recently, several anti-inflammatory activities of Hp have been reported. An ethanol extract of Hp was fractionated with the guidance of an anti-inflammatory bioassay (lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced prostaglandin E2 production (PGE2)), and four constituents were identified. When combined together at concentrations detected in the Hp fraction to make a 4 component system, these constituents (0.1microM chlorogenic acid (compound 1), 0.08microM amentoflavone (compound 2), 0.07microM quercetin (compound 3), and 0.03microM pseudohypericin (compound 4)) explained the majority of the activity of the fraction when activated by light, but only partially explained the activity of this Hp fraction in dark conditions. One of the constituents, light-activated pseudohypericin, was necessary, but not sufficient to explain the reduction in LPS-induced PGE2 of the 4 component system. The Hp fraction and the 4 component system inhibited lipoxygenase and cytosolic phospholipase A2, two enzymes in the PGE2-mediated inflammatory response. The 4 component system inhibited the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the Hp fraction inhibited the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Thus, the Hp fraction and selected constituents from this fraction showed evidence of blocking pro-inflammatory mediators but not enhancing inflammation-suppressing mediators.

Effect of postnatal treadmill exercise on c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated mothers.

Maternal alcohol-intoxication during pregnancy exerts detrimental effects on fetal development and is known to influence learning ability and memory capability by altering neuronal activity in the hippocampus. c-Fos expression represents neuronal activity and plays a crucial role in the brain development. Physical exercise is known to enhance neuronal plasticity and activity. In the present study, we investigated the influence of postnatal treadmill running on the c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rat pups born from the alcohol-intoxicated mothers. The results obtained show that maternal alcohol-intoxication suppressed c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of rat pups and that postnatal treadmill exercise enhanced c-Fos expression in the hippocampus of these rat pups. The present study suggests that exercise should be considered as a therapeutic means of countering the effects of maternal alcohol-intoxication, and that it may provide a useful strategy for enhancing the neuronal activity of children born from the mothers who abuse alcohol during pregnancy.

Effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression and newly cell birth in rats.

BACKGROUND: Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most devastating types of stroke. Caspases are essential players in apoptotic cell death both as initiators and executioners. The v-Fos FBJ murine osteosarcoma viral oncogene homolog (Fos, c-Fos) is an immediate early gene, and Fos expression is sometimes used as a marker for stimuli-induced changes in the metabolic activity of neurons. The expressions of caspase3 and Fos are enhanced with neuroregeneration and with neuronal cell death, respectively. Cells proliferation the dentate gyrus of adult rodents is enhanced by certain pathologic events as seizures and ischemic insult, and such up-regulation of cell proliferation occurring during pathologic situations is thought to be a compensatory response to lesion-induced cell death in the brain. In the present study, we investigated the effects of acupuncture on the intrastriatal hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the striatum and on the Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats. METHODS: For this study, immunohistochemistry for caspase3, Fos and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) was performed. RESULTS: Caspase3 expression in the striatum was increased by intrastriatal hemorrhage. Fos expression and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus of rats with intracerebral hemorrhage were also increased. Acupunctural treatment, especially at the ST36 acupoint, suppressed the intracerebral hemorrhage-induced caspase3 expression in the stratum, and it also inhibited expression of Fos and cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus. CONCLUSION: In the present study, we have shown that acupuncture treatment has a neuroprotective effect on intrastrstriatal hemorrhage-induced neuronal cell death, and this suggests that acupuncture can aid in the recovery of the central nervous system following stroke.

Maternal ethanol administration inhibits 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of rat offspring.

Maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy has a detrimental effect on the central nervous system (CNS) development of fetus. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) is an important neurotransmitter and/or neuromodulator in the mammalian CNS. Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) is the rate limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis. Ethanol is known to induce neuropsychiatric disorders by alteration of the central serotonergic system. In the present study, the effects of maternal ethanol intake on the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression in the dorsal raphe of rat offspring were investigated. The present results show that the synthesis of 5-HT and the expression of TPH in the dorsal raphe of rat offspring were suppressed by maternal ethanol intake and that the suppressive effect of alcohol was more potent in the 5 weeks old rat pups compared to the 3 weeks old rat pups. Based on the present study, it can be suggested that the pathogenesis of ethanol-induced neuropsychological disorders involves ethanol-induced suppression on the 5-HT synthesis and the TPH expression in the dorsal raphe of offspring.