Oral Administration of Hot Water Extracts of<i> Chlorella vulgaris</i> Increases Physical Stamina in Mice

An, Hyo-Jin,Choi, Hyun-Myung,Park, Hyeung-Suk,Han, Jae-Gab,Lee, Eun-Hee,Park, Young-Sig,Um, Jae-Young,Hong, Seung-Heon,Kim, Hyung-Min Karger 2006 Annals of nutrition & metabolism Vol.50 No.4

<P><I>Background/Aims:</I> A unicellular algae, <I>Chlorella vulgaris</I>, was used as a biological response modifier. Although hot water extracts of <I>C. vulgaris</I> (CVE) are thought to augment immune responses, the effect of CVE on fatigue and physical stamina has not been studied. <I>Methods:</I> In the present study, we investigated the effect of CVE on forced swimming test and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose (Glc), and total protein (TP). CVE (0.05-0.15 g/kg/day) was orally administered to mice. <I>Results:</I> After 7 days, the immobility time was decreased in the 0.1- and 0.15-g/kg CVE-treated groups (179 ± 8.3 and 175 ± 2.1 s) in comparison with the control group (223 ± 5.4 s). In addition, the contents of BUN, CK, and LDH in the blood serum were decreased in the CVE-fed group. However, they had no effect on the elevation of Glc and TP level. <I>Conclusions:</I> The results predict a potential benefit of CVE for enhancing immune function and improving physical stamina.</P><P>Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

The Clinical Significance of Physical Activity in Maintenance Dialysis Patients

Kang, Seok Hui,Do, Jun Young,Jeong, Hye Yun,Lee, So-Young,Kim, Jun Chul Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers 2017 Kidney & blood pressure research Vol. No.

<P>Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of physical activity on various aspects in Asian dialysis patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. Study participants were recruited from 27 hospitals or dialysis centers in Korea (n = 1611). The participants were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of regular exercise: Inactive group, Intermediate group, and Active group. Results: The proportions of patients with frailty and the presence of each component decreased as physical activity increased. The presence and numbers of disabilities decreased as physical activity increased. The number of participants with a history of fall during the last 12 months was 149 (20.5%) in the Inactive group, 88 (16.9%) in the Intermediate group, and 48 (13.2%) in the Active group. Physical component scale and mental component scale scores increased as physical activity increased. The survival rate for all-cause death at 500 days was 95.5% in the Active group, 95.2% in the Intermediate group, and 93.5% in the Inactive group. Conclusion: High physical activity was associated with favorable results for most health-related quality of life scale scores, including frailty, disability, and exhaustion, in Korean dialysis patients. (C) 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Effect of the COX-2 Inhibitor Celecoxib on Behavioural and Immune Changes in an Olfactory Bulbectomised Rat Model of Depression

Myint, Aye Mu,Steinbusch, Harry W.M.,Goeghegan, Liam,Luchtman, Dirk,Kim, Yong Ku,Leonard, Brian E. Karger 2007 NEUROIMMUNOMODULATION -BASEL- Vol.14 No.2

<P><I>Background:</I> The olfactory bulbectomised (OBX) rat model is a chronic model of depression in which behavioural and neuroimmunoendocrine changes are reversed only after chronic antidepressant treatment. The cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitor celecoxib has been shown to improve the depressive symptoms in patients with major depression. <I>Methods:</I> The association between blood and brain immunological and behavioural changes in chronic treatment with COX-2 inhibitor was explored in the OBX rats and their sham-operated controls. <I>Results:</I> The OBX group showed significantly higher locomotor activity than the other groups in the first 5 min in the open field. In the home cage emergence test, the OBX group showed a significantly shorter latency period compared to the sham group (z = -3.192, p = 0.001) but there was no difference between the other three groups. In the hypothalamus, the OBX group had a significantly higher interleukin 1β (IL-1β) concentration than the OBX + celecoxib group (z = -1.89, p = 0.05) as well as a significantly higher IL-10 concentration (z = -1.995, p = 0.046). In the prefrontal cortex, the OBX group showed significantly higher concentrations of tumour necrosis factor α (z = -2.205, p = 0.028) and IL-1β (z = -3.361, p = 0.001) than the OBX + celecoxib group, but a significantly lower concentration of IL-10 (p = -3.361, p = 0.001) than the OBX + celecoxib group. <I>Conclusions:</I> The results of this study supported the potential therapeutic role of the COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib. It is possible that the behavioural changes following the chronic administration of celecoxib to the OBX rats are associated with an attenuation of the increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the brain.</P><P>Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Effects of Vitamin E on Phospholipase A₂ Activity and Oxidative Damage to the Liver in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Rhee, Soon-Jae,Jeong, Young-Chul,Choi, Jeong-Hwa Karger 2005 Annals of nutrition & metabolism Vol.49 No.6

<P><I>Background:</I> The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on oxidative stress and cell membrane fluidity in the liver of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. <I>Methods:</I> Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 ± 10 g were fed a vitamin E-free diet (the DM-0E group), a 40 mg vitamin E/kg diet (the DM-40E group), or a 400 mg vitamin E/kg diet (the DM-400E group). <I>Result:</I> Dietary vitamin E reduced the increased concentration of lipid peroxides in the liver tissues of diabetic rats through decreasing their increased phospholipase A<SUB>2</SUB> (PLA<SUB>2</SUB>) activity and phosphatidylethanolamine hydrolysis. However, vitamin E reduced the accumulation of superoxide radical and decreased the generation of oxidative damage substances, such as the carbonyl value, increased membrane fluidity and lowered oxidative damage. <I>Conclusions:</I> Vitamin E was found to be excellent for regulating the activity of PLA<SUB>2</SUB>, reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species and damaging oxidative substances, and maintaining cell membrane fluidity in the liver of diabetic rats.</P><P>Copyright © 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Erythrocyte n–3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid and Seafood Intake Decrease the Risk of Depression: Case-Control Study in Korea

Park, Yongsoon,Kim, Malgeunsinae,Baek, Dawon,Kim, Seok-Hyeon Karger 2012 Annals of nutrition & metabolism Vol.61 No.1

<P>Abstract</P><P><B><I>Background/Aims:</I></B> Low intake or tissue levels of n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been associated with an increased risk of depression, but some studies do not support the association. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the hypothesis that erythrocyte levels of n–3 PUFA and intake of seafood are negatively associated with the risk of depression in Koreans. <B><I>Methods:</I></B> We investigated 80 patients diagnosed with a score ≥25 on the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, Korean version, and confirmed by a psychiatrist. Eighty-eight controls without a chronic disease were matched to the cases for age and sex. <B><I>Results:</I></B> Multivariate-adjusted regression analysis showed that the risk of depression was significantly and negatively associated with erythrocyte levels of 20:5 n–3, 22:6 n–3, 16:0 and 18:0, but positively associated with erythrocyte levels of 18:2t and 16:1 after adjusting for confounding factors. In addition, the risk of depression was negatively associated with the intake of energy, carbohydrate, seafood and grains, but positively with the intake of fat and meat after adjustment for confounding factors. <B><I>Conclusions:</I></B> The risk of depression could be decreased with increased erythrocyte levels of n–3 PUFA and saturated fatty acids, as well as seafood intake, but decreased erythrocyte levels of trans fatty acids in Koreans.</P><P>Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Renoprotective Effects of Sildenafil in DOCA-Salt Hypertensive Rats

Bae, Eun Hui,Kim, In Jin,Joo, Soo Yeon,Kim, Eun Young,Kim, Chang Seong,Choi, Joon Seok,Ma, Seong Kwon,Kim, Suhn Hee,Lee, Jong Un,Kim, Soo Wan Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers 2013 Kidney & blood pressure research Vol.36 No.1

<P> Abstract</P><P><B><I>Background/Aims: </I></B>Sildenafil, the first selective phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitor to be widely used for treating erectile dysfunction, has been investigated with regard to its cardioand renoprotective effects in animal models. This study further investigated the renoprotective effects of sildenafil and their molecular mechanisms in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive (DSH) rats. <B><I>Methods: </I></B>DOCA strips (200 mg/kg) were implanted in rats 1 week after unilateral nephrectomy. These rats were fed on a control diet, with or without sildenafil (50 mg·kg<SUP>–1</SUP>day<SUP>–1</SUP>), for 2 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured by the tail cuff method, and the urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) was calculated. The extent of glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis was determined by Masson’s trichrome stain. Renal expression of ED-1, transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), Bax, and Bcl-2 were determined by semiquantitative immunoblotting, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immunohistochemistry. TUNEL staining was used for detecting apoptotic cells. <B><I>Results: </I></B>The increased SBP in DSH rats was not attenuated by sildenafil treatment. The decreased creatinine clearance and increased ACR in DSH rats, compared with control animals, were attenuated by sildenafil treatment. Further, sildenafil treatment attenuated glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in DSH rats and counteracted the increased expression of ED-1, TGF-β1, and Bax and the decreased expression of Bcl-2 in the kidneys of these rats. The increase in the number of apoptotic cells in DSH rats was attenuated by sildenafil treatment. <B><I>Conclusion: </I></B>Sildenafil effectively prevented the progression of renal injury in DSH rats via its anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antiapoptotic effects.</P><P>Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Long-Term Outcomes of Pediatric Renovascular Hypertension

Chung, Hyun,Lee, Jae Hwan,Park, Eujin,Hyun, Hyesun,Ahn, Yo Han,Jae, Hwan Jun,Kim, Gi Beom,Ha, Il Soo,Cheong, Hae Il,Kang, Hee Gyung Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers 2017 Kidney & blood pressure research Vol. No.

<P>Background/Aims: Renovascular hypertension (RVHT) is an important cause of childhood hypertension. This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of Korean children with RVHT. Methods: Children treated for RVHT between 2000 and 2015 at our center were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Forty-six children were followed for a median of 6.5 (0.66-27.23) years. Forty-five percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTAs) were performed in 32 children. At the last visit, clinical benefit was observed in 53.3% of children. Patients with comorbid cerebrovascular disease (CVD) showed less favorable long-term outcomes after PTA (clinical benefit in 41.7% vs. 61.1% in others) and higher restenosis rates (50% vs. 31.6% in others). Surgical procedures (bypass or nephrectomy) were performed in 8 patients. After surgery, blood pressure was normalized in 2 patients, improved in 3 patients, and unchanged in the remaining patients. Between PTA group (n=21) and medication group (n=14), percentage of atrophic kidneys became higher after follow-up period in medication group than in PTA group (60.0% vs. 26.1%, P=0.037). Conclusion: Aggressive treatment of pediatric RVHT yielded fair outcomes in our cohort. CVD comorbidity was associated with relatively poor PTA outcomes. To confirm our findings, larger cohort studies with a longer follow-up period are warranted. (c) 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Toll-Like Receptor 3 Contributes to Wallerian Degeneration after Peripheral Nerve Injury

Lee, Hyunkyoung,Baek, Jiyeon,Min, Hyunjung,Cho, Ik-Hyun,Yu, Seong-Woo,Lee, Sung Joong Karger 2017 Neuroimmunomodulation Vol.23 No.4

<P>Objective: It is well known that Schwann cells play an important role in Wallerian degeneration after peripheral nerve injury. Previously, we reported that toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) is expressed on Schwann cells, implicating its role in Schwann cell activation during Wallerian degeneration. In this study, we tested this possibility using TLR3 knock-out mice. Methods: Sciatic nerve-crush injury was induced in wild-type and TLR3 knock-out mice. Histological sections of the sciatic nerve were analyzed for Wallerian degeneration on days 3 and 7 after injury. The level of macrophage infiltration was measured by real-time RT-PCR, flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. The macrophage-recruiting chemokine gene expressions in the injured nerve were determined by real-time RT-PCR. Results: In TLR3 knock-out mice, the nerve injury-induced axonal degeneration and subsequent axonal debris clearance were reduced compared to in wild-type mice. In addition, nerve injury-induced macrophage infiltration into injury sites was attenuated in TLR3 knock-out mice and was accompanied by reduced expression of macrophage- recruiting chemokines such as CC-chemokine ligands (CCL) 2/MCP-1, CCL4/MIP-1 beta and CCL5/RANTES. These macrophage-recruiting chemokines were induced in primary Schwann cells upon TLR3 stimulation. Finally, intraneural injection of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, a synthetic TLR3 agonist, induced macrophage infiltration into the sciatic nerve in vivo. Conclusion: These data show that TLR3 signaling contributes to Wallerian degeneration after peripheral nerve injury by affecting Schwann cell activation and macrophage recruitment to injured nerves. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Alteration of Tight Junction Protein Expression in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rat Kidney

Jo, Chor Ho,Kim, Sua,Oh, Il Hwan,Park, Joon-Sung,Kim, Gheun-Ho Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers 2018 Kidney & blood pressure research Vol. No.

<P>Background/Aims: Altered pressure natriuresis is an important mechanism of hypertension, but it remains elusive at the molecular level. We hypothesized that in the kidney, tight junctions (TJs) may have a role in pressure natriuresis because paracellular NaCl transport affects interstitial hydrostatic pressure. Methods: To assess the association of salt-sensitive hypertension with altered renal TJ protein expression, Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) and salt-resistant (SR) rats were put on an 8% NaCl-containing rodent diet for 4 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and urine NaCl excretion were measured weekly, and kidneys were harvested for immunoblotting and quantitative PCR analysis at the end of the animal experiments. Results: SBP was significantly higher in SS rats than in SR rats during the first to fourth weeks of the animal experiments. During the first and second week, urinary NaCl excretion was significantly lower in SS rats as compared with SR rats. However, the difference between the two groups vanished at the third and fourth weeks. In the kidney, claudin-4 protein and mRNA were significantly increased in SS rats as compared with SR rats. On the other hand, occludin protein and mRNA were significantly decreased in SS rats as compared with SR rats. The expression of claudin-2, claudin-7, and claudin-8 did not vary significantly between the two groups. Conclusions: In SS rats, SS hypertension was associated with differential changes in renal TJ protein expression. Both upregulation of claudin-4 and downregulation of occludin might increase paracellular NaCl transport in the kidney, resulting in impaired pressure natriuresis in SS rats. (c) 2017 The Author(s) Published by S. Karger AG, Basel</P>

Antioxidant and Antithrombus Activities of Enzyme-Treated <i>Salicornia herbacea </i>Extracts

Jang, Hyun-Seo,Kim, Kyung-Ran,Choi, Sang-Won,Woo, Mi-Hee,Choi, Jeong-Hwa Karger 2007 Annals of nutrition & metabolism Vol.51 No.2

<P>This study was attempted to investigate antioxidant and antithrombus activities of water and methanol extracts of enzyme-treated <I>Salicornia herbacea </I>(SH)by in vitro assays observing the inhibitory activity of a rat liver microsomal lipid peroxidation, DPPH radical scavenging activity, activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) and thromboplastin times (TT). The water and methanol extracts from enzyme-treated SH inhibited the lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner over a concentration range of 0.1-1.0 mg/ml. The activity of enzyme-treated water and methanol extracts was stronger than that of non-enzyme-treated water and methanol extracts. The inhibitory activity of the water extract was higher at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml than that of the methanol extract. The activity was the highest in the enzyme-treated water extract, and was approximately 1.08 times higher than α-tocopherol, a natural antioxidant. The DPPH radical scavenging activities of the SH extracts were similar to their lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity. The APTT of the water and methanol extracts was delayed at a concentration range of 0.25-2.0 mg/ml in a dose-dependent manner. The APTT of the methanol extract was longer at a concentration of 1.0 mg/ml than that of the water extracts. The enzyme-treated methanol extract exhibited the longest APTT even at a concentration of 0.50 mg/ml. The TT activities of the SH extracts were also similar to their APTT activities. These results suggest that water and methanol extracts of the enzyme-treated SH may be useful as potential antioxidant and antithrombus sources, respectively.</P><P>Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel</P>