Sepsis, characterized by an uncontrolled host inflammatory response to infections, remains a leading cause of death in critically ill patients worldwide. Sepsis-associated thrombocytopenia (SAT), a common disease in patients with sepsis, is an indicator of disease severity. Therefore, alleviating SAT is an important aspect of sepsis treatment; however, platelet transfusion is the only available treatment strategy for SAT. The pathogenesis of SAT involves increased platelet desialylation and activation. In this study, we investigated the effects of Myristica fragrans ethanol extract (MF) on sepsis and SAT. Desialylation and activation of platelets treated with sialidase and adenosine diphosphate (platelet agonist) were assessed using flow cytometry. The extract inhibited platelet desialylation and activation via inhibiting bacterial sialidase activity in washed platelets. Moreover, MF improved survival and reduced organ damage and inflammation in a mouse model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. It also prevented platelet desialylation and activation via inhibiting circulating sialidase activity, while maintaining platelet count. Inhibition of platelet desialylation reduces hepatic Ashwell-Morell receptor-mediated platelet clearance, thereby reducing hepatic JAK2/STAT3 phosphorylation and thrombopoietin mRNA expression. This study lays a foundation for the development of plant-derived therapeutics for sepsis and SAT and provides insights into sialidase-inhibition-based sepsis treatment strategies.
Myristica , Sepsis , Thrombocytopenia , Mice , Animals , Blood Platelets/metabolism , Neuraminidase/metabolism , Thrombocytopenia/drug therapy , Thrombocytopenia/etiology , Punctures/adverse effects , Sepsis/complications , Sepsis/drug therapy , Sepsis/metabolism
Alnus hirsuta (Spach) Rupr. (AH), a member of the Betulaceae family, is widely used in Eastern Asia of as a source of medicinal compounds for the treatment of hemorrhage, diarrhea, and alcoholism. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of a methanolic extract of AH branches against airway inflammation and mucus production in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells and in an ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged allergic asthma mouse model. Female BALB/c mice were injected with OVA (40 µg) and aluminum hydroxide (2 mg) on days 0 and 14 to induce allergic airway inflammation. The mice were then challenged with 1% OVA from days 21-23. Mice were treated with AH (50 and 100 mg/kg/day; 2% DMSO) or dexamethasone (positive control; 3 mg/kg/day) from days 18-23. AH treatment effectively attenuated airway resistance/hyperresponsiveness and reduced levels of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines, eotaxins, and number of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and immunoglobulin E in serums of OVA-challenged mice. In histological analysis, AH treatment significantly inhibited airway inflammation and mucus production in OVA-challenged mice. AH treatment downregulated the phosphorylation of I kappa B-alpha, p65 nuclear factor-kappa B (p65NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinases with suppression of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in lung tissue. Moreover, AH treatment decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and Th2 cytokines, as well as MUC5AC expression, and inhibited the phosphorylation of p65NF-κB in TNF-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells. These results indicate that AH might represent a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic asthma.
Lindera obtusiloba is widespread in northeast Asia and used for treatment of improvement of blood circulation and anti-inflammation. In this study, we investigated anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of the methanolic extract of L. obtusiloba leaves (LOL) in an ovalbumin (OVA)-challenged allergic asthma model and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cell. Female BALB/c mice were sensitized with OVA by intraperitoneal injection on days 0 and 14, and airway-challenged with OVA from days 21 to 23. Mice were administered 50 and 100 mg/kg of LOL by oral gavage 1 h before the challenge. LOL treatment effectively decreased airway hyper-responsiveness and inhibited inflammatory cell recruitment, Th2 cytokines, mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in OVA-challenged mice, which were accompanied by marked suppression of airway inflammation and mucus production in the lung tissue. LOL pretreatment inhibited the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) with suppression of activator protein (AP)-1 and MUC5AC in the lung tissue. LOL also down-regulated expression of inflammatory cytokines, and inhibited the activation of NF-κB in TNF-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells. LOL elevated the translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf-2) into nucleus concurrent with increase of heme oxyngenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Moreover, LOL treatment exhibited a marked increase in the anti-oxidant enzymes activities, whereas effectively suppressed the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide, as well as lipid peroxidation in lung tissue of OVA-challenged mice and TNF-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells. These findings suggest that LOL might serve as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic asthma.
Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora (SP) is traditionally used as an herbal remedy to treat fever, malaria, and emesis. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of the methanol extract of SP leaves in tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells and in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) mouse model. SP decreased the number of inflammatory cells and the levels of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung tissues of SP-treated mice. In addition, SP significantly suppressed the mRNA and protein levels of TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 in TNF-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells. SP significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and p65-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in LPS-induced ALI mice and TNF-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells. SP treatment enhanced the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) with upregulated antioxidant enzymes and suppressed reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated oxidative stress in the lung tissues of LPS-induced ALI model and TNF-α-stimulated NCI-H292 cells. Collectively, SP effectively inhibited airway inflammation and ROS-mediated oxidative stress, which was closely related to its ability to induce activation of Nrf2 and inhibit the phosphorylation of MAPKs and NF-κB. These findings suggest that SP has therapeutic potential for the treatment of ALI.
[Purpose] This study examined the effects of training using virtual reality games on stroke patients' functional recovery. [Paticipants and Methods] Twenty-four hemiplegia patients whose disease duration was longer than six months participated in this study. The participants were divided at random into a control group (n=12), which received traditional rehabilitation therapy, and an experimental group (n=12), which received both traditional rehabilitation therapy and training using virtual reality games. The program lasted for a total of 12 weeks. To examine the participants' functional recovery, their upper limb function was measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Manual Function Test before and after they completed the training and their daily living activities were measured using the Stroke Impact Scale before and after they completed the training. [Results] The experimental group participants' daily living activities improved after training. In addition, the experimental group scored significantly higher on all the tests than the control group, but upper extremity function between the groups was not significantly different. [Conclusion] Stroke patients who completed the additional training using virtual reality games showed significantly greater improvement in their daily living activities than those who only received traditional rehabilitation therapy.
[Purpose] While electromyography (EMG) biofeedback has been recently used in diverse therapeutic interventions for stroke patients, research on its effects has been lacking. Most existing studies are confined to functions of the lower extremities, and research on upper extremity functional recovery using EMG biofeedback training is limited. Therefore, this study examined the effects of training using EMG biofeedback on stroke patients' upper extremity functions. [Subjects and Methods] The subjects of this study included 30 hemiplegia patients whose disease duration was longer than six months. They were randomly divided into a control group (n=15) receiving traditional rehabilitation therapy and an experimental group (n=15) receiving both traditional rehabilitation therapy and training using EMG biofeedback. The program lasted for a total of four weeks. In order to examine the subjects' functional recovery, the author measured their upper limb function using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and Manual Function Test, and activities of daily living using the Functional Independence Measure before and after training. [Results] A comparison of the study groups revealed that those in the experimental group experienced greater improvement in upper extremity function after training in all tests compared to the control group; however, there was no significant difference in terms of the activities of daily living between the two groups. The results of this study were as follows. [Conclusion] Thus, stroke patients receiving intensive EMG biofeedback showed more significant upper extremity functional recovery than those who only received traditional rehabilitation therapy.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of different acupuncture insertion velocities. DESIGN: This study was performed as a within-subject design to control for individual differences. The biomechanical properties of needle insertion and accompanying subjective acupuncture perception was compared between different insertion velocities. SETTING: The setting for this study was the laboratory of acupuncture meridian and functional neurology, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University. SUBJECTS: Sixteen (16) healthy volunteers participated in the study. INTERVENTION: An acupuncture needle was inserted to the acupoint LI4 by an acupuncture needle insertion device (ANI-KY) at high or low speed of needle insertion. OUTCOME MEASURES: Biomechanical properties such as force and depth were measured online by sensors equipped with the ANI-KY device. Participants filled out a questionnaire about acupuncture sensation or perception. RESULTS: Acupuncture needle insertion at a higher velocity was linked with higher maximum power, lower level of pain, and de qi-like perceptions such as "compressing" and "heavy" (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that needle insertion velocity might be a factor for controlling inadvertent pain during the acupuncture needling process and that biomechanical properties of needling may be related to acupuncture perception or sensation.
Acupuncture Therapy/methods , Needles , Pain/prevention & control , Acupuncture Points , Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation , Adult , Biomechanical Phenomena , Female , Humans , Male , Pain/etiology , Pain Measurement , Qi , Surveys and Questionnaires
