Elucidating the mechanisms of post-stroke motor recovery mediated by electroacupuncture using diffusion tensor tractography.

Acupuncture has been commonly used for post-stroke patients, and electroacupuncture allows simultaneous application of acupuncture and electrical stimulation. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism of electroacupuncture on post-stroke motor recovery using diffusion tensor tractography. A total of 33 subacute stroke patients were recruited.

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for stroke: A protocol for overview of systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this study was to undertake a systematic overview of meta-analyses and published systematic reviews to identify whether and when acupunctureand electroacupuncture are deemed efficacious treatment options for stroke and stroke-related disorders.

Methods: Four databases, namely, PubMed, AMED, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library will be searched from their inception. Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction, and assessment.

Saussurea lappa extract suppresses TPA-induced cell invasion via inhibition of NF-κB-dependent MMP-9 expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.

Background: Saussurea lappa (SL) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat abdominal pain and tenesmus, and has been suggested to possess various biological activities, including anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and cardiotonic activities. The effect of SL on breast cancer metastasis, however, is unknown. Cell migration and invasion are crucial in neoplastic metastasis.

Antiinflammatory effect of Daesiho, a Korean traditional prescription for cerebral infarct patients.

Daesiho, a prescription composed of eight herbal mixtures, has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarct in Oriental medicine. However, the mechanisms by which the formula affects the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarct patients remains unknown. The levels of secretory protein pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6, were significantly increased in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarct patients and LPS-stimulated THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells (THP-1/M).

Anti-inflammatory effect of So-Pung-Tang, a Korean traditional prescription for cerebral infarction patients.

So-Pung-Tang (Sopung), a prescription composed of 14 herbal mixtures, has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral infarction in Oriental Medicine. However, the mechanisms by which the formula affects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarction patients remain unknown yet. The levels of secretory protein of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interlukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, were significantly increased in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells (THP-1/M) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients after stimulation.

Anti-inflammatory effect of dohongsamultang through inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with cerebral infarction.

The Korean indigenous medicine "Dohongsamultang (DHSMT)" has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, the exact mechanism for the anti-inflammatory effect of DHSMT is not completely understood. The aim of the present study is to elucidate how DHSMT modulates the inflammatory reaction in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells from cerebral infarction (CI) patients.

Anti-inflammatory effect of oyaksungisan in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cerebral infarction patients.

Oyaksungisan, the herbal prescription composed of eleven herbs, has been widely used in treatment of cerebral infarct in Oriental Medicine. However, the mechanisms by which the herbal formula affects on the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarction patients remain unknown yet. The secretory levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly increased in both LPS and PHA-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients.

Anti-inflammatory effect of Sasim extracts in PHA-stimulated THP-1 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cerebral infarction patients.

Sasim, a prescription composed of seven herbal mixtures, has been widely used for the treatment of cerebral infarction as an oriental medicine in Korea. However, the mechanisms by which the formula affects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarct patients remain unknown yet. The levels of secretory protein and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interlukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, were significantly increased in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells (T/M) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarct patients at 24h after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (p<0.

The effect of SHJKS on cytokines production and NF-kappaB activation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with cerebral infarction.

The Korean genuine medicine "Seonghyangjeongkisan" (SHJKS) has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, very little scientific investigation has been carried out. Cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction (CI).

The anti-inflammatory effect of Gigukjiwhangwhangami through the inhibition of nuclear factor-kappaB activation in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with cerebral infarction.

The Korean genuine medicine "Gigukjiwhangwhangami (GJWGM)" has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, the exact mechanism that accounts for the anti-inflammatory effect of GJWGM is not completely understood. The aim of the present study is to elucidate how GJWGM modulates the inflammatory reaction in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells from patients with cerebral infarction.

Samul extract protects against the H2O2-induced apoptosis of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts via activation of extracellular regulated kinases (Erk) 1/2.

Samul extract, containing Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Angelicae Gigantis, Radix Paeoniae, and Rhizoma Cnidii, has been traditionally used for treatment of ischemic heart and brain damages in Oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which Samul rescues cells from cytotoxic damage. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of Samul on H(2)O(2)-induced death of H9c2 cells.

Effect of Danchunwhangagam on LPS or DFX-induced cytokine production in peripheral mononuclear cells of cerebral infarction patients.

The Danchunwhangagam (DCWGG) has long been used for various cerebrovascular diseases. However, little scientific investigation has been carried out. Cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction (CI).

Glutathione s-transferase gene polymorphism and ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms (GST) were examined in 142 cases with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) to explore whether the GST polymorphisms confer a risk to an individual to develop ICVD. Tobacco smoke is a major cause of both cancer and vascular disease. The subjects were therefore stratified with ICVD for smoking status, and then the authors examined whether polymorphisms in this detoxification enzyme gene, GST, influence risk of ICVD.

Zingansikpoongtang modulates beta-amyloid and IL-1beta-induced cytokine production and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human astrocytoma cells U373MG.

Zingansikpoongtang (ZST) is a Korean herbal prescription, which has been successfully applied for the various neurodegenerative diseases. However, its effect remains unknown in the experimental models. In this study, we examined the effect of ZST on production of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, and expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in IL-1beta and beta-amyloid [25-35] fragment (Abeta)-stimulated human astrocytoma cell line U373MG.

Differential regulation by Seogak Jihwang-Tang on cytokines production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the cerebral infarction patients presenting with altered consciousness.

Seogak Jihwang-Tang (SJT) has been widely used to treat patients suffering from cerebral infarction. However, very little scientific investigation has been carried out. We investigated the effect of SJT on the production of various cytokines using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from the cerebral infarction patients presenting with altered consciousness.

Quercetin protects the hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis via inhibition of mitochondrial dysfunction in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells.

Quercetin possesses a broad range of pharmacological properties, including protection of LDL from oxidation. However, little is known about the mechanism by which quercetin rescues cardiomyoblasts from oxidative damage. This study was designed to investigate the protective mechanism of quercetin on H(2)O(2)-induced toxicity of H9c2 cardiomyoblasts.

Polymorphism of angiotensin-converting enzyme, angiotensinogen, and apolipoprotein E genes in Korean patients with cerebral infarction.

The homozygous deletion allele of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE/DD), homozygous threonine allele of the angiotensinogen gene (AGN/TT), and the epsilon4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (apoE/epsilon4) are reported to be associated with ischemic heart disease. Cerebral infarction (CI) is another atherosclerotic disease, and the effects of these polymorphisms on CI have been confusing. The frequency of the DD genotype of the ACE gene, but not the TT genotype of the AGN gene and the epsilon4 allele of ApoE, was significantly higher in subjects with than those without CI in Japan.

Association of interleukin-1 alpha gene polymorphism with cerebral infarction.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has pleiotropic actions in the central nervous system. During the last decade, a growing corpus of evidence has indicated an important role of this cytokine in the development of brain damage following cerebral ischemia. The expression of IL-1 in the brain is dramatically increased during the early and chronic stage of infarction.

Genetic susceptibility to ischemic cerebrovascular disease in Koreans.

Ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) is a multifactorial disease caused by the interactions of several genetic and environmental factors. Tobacco smoke is a major cause of both cancer and vascular disease. Although its carcinogenic role via induction of DNA damage and mutation is well established, the mechanisms involved in vascular disease remain unclear.

Protective effects of Debo on serum-deprived apoptosis of PC12 cells via inhibition of H2O2 generation and caspase 3-like protease activity.

Oxidative stress can be induced neurotoxic insults by increasing intracellular H2O2, which has been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases in aging. We investigated the mechanism by which Debo protects PC12 cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. PC12 cells underwent apoptotic death in association with increase in caspase 3-like activity, DNA fragmentation, H2O2 production, GSH depletion, and NF-kappaB activation after 24 hr of serum withdrawal.

Sunghyangjungisan protects PC12 cells against neurotoxicity elicited by withdrawal of trophic support via CRE activation.

Sunghyangjungisan (SHJS) is a commonly prescribed drug for cerebrovascular diseases in Oriental medicine. The water extract of SHJS was found to be protective against neurotoxicity elicited by deprivation of tropic factors. SHJS inhibited the activation of caspase 3-like protease and nucleosome-sized DNA fragmentation in serum-deprived PC12 Pheochromocytoma cells.