Gastrodia elata Blume and its pure compounds protect BV-2 microglial-derived cell lines against β-amyloid: The involvement of GRP78 and CHOP

Objectives: Gastrodia elata (GE) Blume (Orchidaceae) has been previously known for its therapeutic benefits against neurodegenerative diseases. Microglial activation and death have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In this study, GE and its pure components, gastrodin and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4HBA), were applied to β-amyloid-induced BV2 mouse microglial cells. Materials and Methods Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay and Western blotting was also performed. Results: β-amyloid-induced cell death was shown to be induced time- and dose-dependently. To examine the cell death mechanism, we confirmed the involvement of ER stress signaling. C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), a pro-apoptotic ER stress protein, was expressed at high levels but glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), an anti-apoptotic ER stress protein with chaperone activity, was only slightly affected by treatment with β-amyloid. However, pretreatment with GE and its components inhibited the expression of CHOP but increased that of GRP78 in β-amyloid-treated cells. This study also showed that a single treatment with GE extracts, gastrodin, or 4HBA induced the expression of GRP78, a marker for enhanced protein folding machinery, suggesting a protective mechanism for GE against β-amyloid. Conclusions: This study reveals the protective effects of GE against β-amyloid-induced cell death, possibly through the enhancement of protein folding machinery of a representative protein, GRP78, and the regulation of CHOP in BV2 mouse microglial cells.

The Protective Effect of Epigallocatechin-3 Gallate on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Isolated Rat Hearts: An ex vivo Approach

The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive role of epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG, a derivative of green tea) in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of isolated rat hearts. It has been suggested that EGCG has beneficial health effects, including prevention of cancer and heart disease, and it is also a potent antioxidant. Rat hearts were subjected to 20 min of normoxia, 20 min of zero-flow ischemia and then 50 min of reperfusion. EGCG was perfused 10 min before ischemia and during the whole reperfusion period. EGCG significantly increased left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and increased maximum positive and negative dP/dt (+/-dP/dtmax). EGCG also significantly increased the coronary flow (CF) at baseline before ischemia and at the onset of the reperfusion period. Moreover, EGCG decreased left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). This study showed that lipid peroxydation was inhibited and Mn-SOD and catalase expressions were increased in the presence of EGCG. In addition, EGCG increased levels of Bcl-2, Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase expression and decreased levels of Bax and increased the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in isolated rat hearts. Cleaved caspase-3 was decreased after EGCG treatment. EGCG markedly decreased the infarct size while attenuating the increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels in the effluent. In summary, we suggest that EGCG has a protective effect on I/R-associated hemodynamic alteration and injury by acting as an antioxidant and anti-apoptotic agent in one.

Apoptosis Induced by Manganese on Neuronal SK-N-MC Cell Line: Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress and Mitochondria Dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: Manganese chloride (MnCl2) is one of heavy metals for causing neurogenerative dysfunction like Manganism. The purpose of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of MnCl2 using different times and various concentrations including whether manganese toxicity may involve in two intrinsic pathways, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondria dysfunction and lead to neuronal apoptosis mediated by organelle disorders in neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. METHODS: In the acute toxicity test, five concentrations (200, 400, 600, 800, 1,000 uM) of MnCl2 with 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours exposure were selected to analyze cell viability. In addition, to better understand their toxicity, acute toxicity was examined with 1,000 uM MnCl2 for 24 hours exposure via reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondria membrane potential, western blotting and mitochondrial complex activities. RESULTS: Our results showed that both increments of dose and time prompt the increments in the number of dead cells. Cells treated by 1,000 microM MnCl2 activated 265% (+/-8.1) caspase-3 compared to control cell. MnCl2 induced intracellular ROS produced 168% (+/-2.3%) compared to that of the control cells and MnCl2 induced neurotoxicity significantly dissipated 48.9% of mitochondria membrane potential compared to the control cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that MnCl2 induced apoptosis via ER stress and mitochondria dysfunction. In addition, MnCl2 affected only complex I except complex II, III or IV activities.

Electrophysiological Characteristics of Autonomic Nervous System Function in Post-Stroke Patients

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the autonomic nervous function in post-stroke patients. METHOD: A total of 58 subjects, 34 post-stroke patients (mean age of 61.35 years) and 24 healthy subjects (mean age of 34.42 years) were included. The sympathetic skin response (SSR), the R-R interval variation (RRIV) and orthostatic hypotension (OH) were evaluated. Bilateral sympathetic skin responses were recorded on the palm and sole with stimulation of both median and tibial nerves. The obtained SSRs were divided into normal response and abnormal response including no response. The R-R interval variations were estimated during rest, deep breathing and Valsalva maneuver respectively. RESULTS: In all healthy subjects, obtained SSRs were of normal response. Although the rate of abnormal SSR was 75.4% (205 of 272 waves) in stroke patients, the rate of abnormal SSR on affected side (81.6%, 111 of 136 waves) was significantly higher than unaffected side (69.1%, 94 of 136 waves) (p0.05). The RRIV of stroke patients with OH (1.09+/-0.06) was significantly lower than in control (1.14+/-0.05) during rest (p<0.01), and in stroke patients without OH, the RRIV (1.13+/-0.06) was also significantly lower than in control (1.27+/-0.22) during Valsalva maneuver (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Evaluation of SSR and RRIV could be helpful in detecting dysfunction of autonomic nervous system in post-stroke patients.

A Study on the Patient Location Monitoring System Based on RFID - RSSI / 대한의료정보학회지

OBJECTIVE: The location services has been an important research area in the U-Healthcare. The location services in medical environment can be implemented by Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) which is the location tracking method by RFID. In this study, we was designed the Patient Location Monitoring System based on RFID using RSSI method. METHODS: The RSSI method is a distance measurement method from reference points to object using the Friis's Principle and the Triangulation. The Patient Location Monitoring System was implemented by XML Data transmitted from the Positioning Server to the application. The Patient Location Monitoring System was designed by C# of Visual Studio 2005 and MS-SQL 2005 Express. RESULTS: The Patient Location Monitoring System had the location-tracking average error of 90.50cm, the standard-deviation of 13.34cm in Open-Space test. And, the designed system had the location-tracking average error of 163.24cm, the standard-deviation of 16.85cm in Closed-Space Test. Also, a patient waiting-list guide performance of the Patient Location Monitoring System had successes of 85~100%. CONCLUSION: In this study, the Patient Location Monitoring System, combined with both patient location-tracking function and patient waiting-list guide function, was validated by experiments in medical environment and this system can be applicable to patient management and further applications.

The Effect of Strapping on Hemiplegic Shoulder Subluxation: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of taping therapy on hemiplegic shoulder subluxation. METHOD: Sixty patients were randomly assigned to three groups. In study group, two parts of the first tape was shaped as letter Y and were attached from humeral insertion of deltoid muscle to extension line of the clavicle midline, following anterior and middle deltoid line, respectively, with 125% elasticity. And two parts of the second tape as same as the first tape were attached horizontally from head of greater tubercle to medial border of scapular, following supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, respectively, with 125% elasticity. The placebo group was applied by the tape with 100% and 150% elasticity and control group was not applied. The effects of strapping were evaluated by using visual analogue scale (VAS), passive range of movement (ROM), vertical distance (VD) and horizontal distance (HD) on radiologic findings of plain anteroposterior (AP) view and lateral distance (LD) on shoulder ultrasonography at entry (day 0), 1 and 2 days later. RESULTS: Repeated measured analysis of variances indicated that the study group showed corrective effect in the VAS (p<0.05). The control and placebo groups showed no significant change in any parameters of distance measurements and clinical findings. In every group, spasticity, MMT and Brunnstrom stage were not changed during study. CONCLUSION: The taping therapy with 125% elasticity may be helpful for patients with hemiplegic shoulder to reduce pain.

Risk Factors for Developing Upper Limb Lymphedema following Breast Cancer Surgery

OBJECTIVE: To identify the risk factors for secondary lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Lymphedema, a sequelae of breast cancer therapy, changes functional abilities and may affect a patient's psychosocial adjustment and overall quality of life. It is generally underreported and undertreated. METHOD: Six hundred two patients who had undergone breast cancer surgery between January 2000 and December 2005 were examined. The circumferences of the upper extremities were measured and lymphedema was defined as difference of greater than 2cm between the affected and normal arms. The effects of age, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, side of tumor, sugery method, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, TNM stage, involvement of axillary lymph nodes, menopausal state and laboratory findings on the development lymphedema were investigated and analyzed by t-test, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 121 out of 602 patients had lymphedema. Those patients with lymphedema had a higher body mass index. Univariate analysis indicated an increased occurrence of lymphedema due to those with body mass index, radiotherapy, T2 stage, N3 stage and axillary lymph node invasion. Multivariate analysis revealed that body mass index and radiotherapy were independently associated factors for lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. CONCLUSION: The patients who had radiotherapy or BMI greater than 25 must be considered as potential candidates to have lymphedema after breast cancer surgery. Therefore, these patients should be informed during the follow-up period about this morbidity, the preventive measure, and the treatment.

Musculoskeletal Pain in Young Kendo Player

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of pain and associated factors and to understand treatment and prevention of Kendo related pain. METHOD: Ninety three Kendo players were given an account of questionnaire. Age, career, class, weekly practice time, daily warm-up exercise, daily cool-down exercise, pain existence, distribution of pain, diagnosis of pain origin, method of pain control, period of most pain and injury occurrence were investigated and analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 29.3 years and mean career was 25.8 months. Sixty-four out of ninty-three Kendo players had musculoskeletal pain. Foot was the most common area of pain complaints (25%), which were followed by wrist (17.2%), ankle and heel (15.4%), knee (14.1%) in order of prevalence. Univariate analysis indicated increased occurrence of pain was correlated with age, career, class and warm-up exercise. As the causes of pain, tennis elbow, herniated lumbar disk, plantar fascitis and torsion of ankle were common. CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal pain related to Kendo was found highly frequent and involved in whole body. Foot, ankle and heel were the most common area of pain and the cause of pain was various.