Abstract: Purpose: This study investigated whether (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can enhance cognition by a neurorestorative effect in a rat model of bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO). Methods: Forty-eight male, 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated to four groups 6 weeks after BCCAO or sham operation: EGCG-single intravenous injection (25 mg/kg/day; SIV group), EGCG-multiple intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg/day for 5 days; MIP group), untreated BCCAO group (untreated group), and sham-operated group (sham group). Results: Escape latency was significantly shorter in the SIV and MIP groups than in the untreated group. SIV and MIP groups were significantly different from the untreated group in the activity…of superoxide dismutase and the content of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). Protein expression level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor was not significantly different between groups (p > 0.05), while protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was significantly lower in the SIV group than in the untreated group (p < 0.05). Protein expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1 and NR2B was significantly higher in the MIP group than in the untreated group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: EGCG administration at 6 weeks after BCCAO is neurorestorative via an anti-oxidant effect and synaptogenesis, except for angiogenesis.
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Keywords: (–)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate, neurorestoration, cognition, vascular dementia, rat
Abstract: Purpose: Acute spinal cord injury (SCI) triggers multiple cellular and molecular pathways; therapy aimed at only one pathway is unlikely to succeed. Anecdotal reports indicate that a novel herbal formulation (JSK—Ji-Sui-Kang) may enhance recovery in humans with SCI. We investigated whether JSK's therapeutic effects could be verified in a well-established SCI model in rats. Methods: Therapeutic effects of JSK were tested using a standard behavioral assessment, histological, immunochemical and microarray analysis. Phytochemical fingerprinting of JSK was performed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. JSK or vehicle was gavaged to rats 24 hours…after SCI and daily thereafter for 3 weeks. Results: Locomotor function significantly improved (n = 12; p < 0.05), tissue damage was reduced (p < 0.01; n = 6) and more axons and myelin were observed in JSK-treated compared with vehicle control animals. JSK significantly enhanced expression of neuroglobin, vascular endothelial growth factor and growth-associated protein 43, and reduced the expression of caspase 3, cyclooxygenase-2, RhoA (p < 0.05; n = 6) and fibrinogen (p < 0.01; n = 6). RNA microarray indicated that JSK altered transcription of genes involved in ischemic and inflammatory/immune responses and apoptosis (p < 0.05; n = 3). Conclusions: JSK appears to target multiple biochemical and cellular pathways to enhance functional recovery and improve outcomes of SCI. The results provide a basis for further investigation of JSK's effects following SCI.
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Abstract: BACKGROUND: There are a few reports on the impact of central facial palsy and dysarthria on quality of life (QOL) in stroke patients. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of central facial palsy on QOL compared with dysarthria during the chronic phase in patients with first-ever strokes. METHODS: This study represents an interim analysis of the Korean Stroke Cohort for Functioning and Rehabilitation study. We selected data from patients with functional independence of 0 or 1 by the modified Rankin Scale at 6 months after stroke onset, who showed an impairment only in National Institute of Health Stroke Scale items 4…(facial palsy) or 10 (dysarthria). Assessments included the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) and the Geriatric depression scale-short form (GDS-SF). RESULTS: Data from 149 patients were selected for this analysis from 3,929 patients who were followed up at 6 months. Thirty-nine and 110 patients were classified into the facial palsy and dysarthria groups, respectively. The groups did not differ significantly in baseline characteristics or functional assessments. EQ-5D was significantly lower in the facial palsy group than in the dysarthria group at 6 months after stroke (p = 0.036). GDS-SF was significantly higher in the facial palsy group than in the dysarthria group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study revealed that central facial palsy clearly has a more negative impact on QOL than dysarthria in chronic stroke patients with functional independence.
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Keywords: Dysarthria, depression, facial palsy, quality of life, stroke