Purpose: This study examined whether regular moderate-intensity treadmill exercise (Ex) and Syzygium aromaticum L. (SA) administration can influence lipid and muscle metabolism in obese rats induced by a 60% high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Rats, except those in the Normal group, were exposed to a 60% HFD for 4 weeks to induce obesity. The obese rats were assigned randomly to three groups: HFD control group, HFD+Ex group, and HFD+Ex+SA group. Treadmill exercise was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks, with a 5° incline and a speed of 18 m/min (Week 1: 20 minutes; Weeks 2: 25 minutes; Weeks 3–4: 30 minutes). Serum analysis was performed. Western blot analysis was conducted on the liver and soleus muscle, and histopathological analysis was carried out on the liver and adipose tissues. Results: The body weight change in the Ex groups was significantly lower than in the HFD control group, while the soleus muscle weight in the HFD+Ex group increased significantly.The histopathological examination in the Ex groups revealed a marked reduction in liver lipid accumulation and a decrease in adipocyte size in adipose tissue. Obesity induction increased leptin levels substantially, but Ex notably reversed these changes. Ex resulted in significant inhibition of ROS and ONOO− , whereas the serum inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, and total cholesterol were reduced only by SA administration. Furthermore, the inflammatory proteins in the liver were inhibited more effectively when Ex was supplemented with SA.The expression of the muscle synthesis-related proteins and degradation proteins were modulated by Ex and Ex+SA. Conclusion Ex significantly affected lipid and muscle metabolism, and adding SA alleviated the inflammation.

Arthroscopy has become an attractive modality in the diagnosis and treatment of joint diseases in toy breed dogs. However, the application of arthroscopy is limited by small joint space. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of a stifle lever for joint distraction during stifle arthroscopy in toy breed dogs. Paired stifles (n = 32 each) collected from 16 cadavers of toy breed dogs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the stifle lever group or the external manipulation group. All stifles underwent arthroscopic cranial cruciate ligament transection, and the visualization of the medial meniscus was evaluated. Medial meniscal release (MMR) was then performed. Following arthroscopic examination, the success rates of MMR and damages of tibial and femoral cartilages were evaluated. Visualization of the medial meniscus was significantly better, and meniscal probing was significantly easier, in the stifle lever group than in the external manipulation group (p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between groups for MMR success or articular cartilage damage. Using the stifle lever on arthroscopic examination improved visualization and probing on the medial meniscus in toy breed dogs. The stifle lever can be used as a good modality in assessing medial meniscal pathology in toy breed dogs.
Animals ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Arthroscopy ; Cadaver ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Diagnosis ; Dogs ; Joint Diseases ; Joints ; Menisci, Tibial ; Pathology ; Play and Playthings ; Stifle

Purpose: Thioacetamide (TAA) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, and the generated ROS induces liver injury through inflammatory reactions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba water extract (AC), imparted via its antioxidant activity, in an animal model of TAA-induced liver injury. Methods: Animal experiments were conducted in 5 groups: normal, control (TAA 200 mg/kg), SM (TAA 200 mg/kg + silymarin 100 mg/kg), ACL (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 100 mg/kg), ACH (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 200mg/kg). TAA (intraperitoneal) and treatment compounds (per oral) were administered for 3 days. Serum levels of ammonia concentration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were subsequently measured. Liver tissues were subjected to western blot analysis for measuring the oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase), anti-oxidative activity (Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and GPx-1/2), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protein expressions. Results: Serum ammonia levels and MPO activity were significantly increased in the TAAinduced control group, whereas groups administered AC treatment showed markedly reduced levels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased NOX2 and p22phox expressions, (oxidative stress-related factors) in the TAA-induced control group. These levels were determined to be significantly decreased after AC exposure. Moreover, antioxidantrelated factors including Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 were significantly decreased in the control group and increased in the AC treated groups. In addition, MMP expressions were significantly suppressed in the AC treatment group due to increased levels of TIMP-1. Conclusion Taken together, these data indicate that exposure to AC reduces the oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX2 and p22phox ) through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We therefore propose the potential of AC for the prevention and treatment of TAA-induced liver injury.

Purpose: Reflux esophagitis is a disease caused by the reflux of stomach contents and stomach acid etc. into the esophagus due to defect in the lower esophageal sphincter and is currently increasing worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a mixture of Citrus Reticulata and Scutellariae Radix (CS) extract on acute reflux esophagitis in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups for examination: normal group (Normal, n = 8), water-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Control, n = 8), tocopherol 30 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Toco, n = 8), CS 100 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (CS100, n = 8), CS 200 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (CS200, n = 8). The experimental groups were administrated of each treatment compounds and after 90 min, acute reflux esophagitis was induced through surgery. Rats were sacrificed 5 h after surgery. We measured the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum and analyzed the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, inflammatory, and tight junction-related proteins by western blot in the esophageal tissues. Results: CS administration significantly protected the esophageal mucosal damage due to reflux esophagitis, and the level of ROS in the serum was significantly reduced with CS administration as compared to Control. In addition, CS administration significantly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or MAP kinase) and nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB) pathways and increased protein expressions of tight junction protein. Conclusion These results suggest that the CS not only regulates the expression of inflammatory proteins by inhibiting oxidative stress, but also reduces damage to the esophageal mucosa by inhibiting the expression of tight junction proteins.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of physical examination and dynamic arthroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of medial patellar plica syndrome which is likely to be overlooked. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 23 cases diagnosed as medial patellar plica syndrome from August 1998 through December 1999 were evaluated. Diagnosis was made by a symptom of a pain and a click sound during knee flexion, a physical examination of mass palpation and dynamic arthroscopy. RESULT: A dynamic rotation test was an useful physical examination having 96% rate of sensitivity. The results of excellent and good cases were in 19 cases (83%) and there was no worsened case symptomatically after arthroscopic resection. Postoperative complications were 3 cases including incomplete excision (1 case), postoperative hemarthrosis (1 case) and medial meniscus instability due to incorrect arthroscopic technique (1 case). In patients younger than 30 year old, the result of arthroscopic excision was better than that in older ones. CONCLUSION: Careful physical examination with dynamic arthroscopy is a useful method to diagnose the medial patellar plica syndrome which is likely to be overlooked, and arthroscopic complete excision result in excellent results which is of benefit to fast rehabilitation.
Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Diagnosis* ; Hemarthrosis ; Humans ; Knee* ; Menisci, Tibial ; Palpation ; Physical Examination ; Postoperative Complications ; Rehabilitation

BACKGROUND: Inverted papilloma is an uncommon benign tumor which is characterized by local aggressiveness, high recurrence rate, associated malignancy and tendency to multicentricity. Most authors advocate radical surgical removal of these tumors; however, conservative endoscopic surgery has been reported to be effective in selected cases. OBJECTIVES: To compare with operative methods of the inverted papilloma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study comprised 14 cases of inverted papilloma, which were divided into 3 groups. The first was lateral rhinotomy and traditional medial maxillectomy treated group with 7 cases. The second group was treated with conservative endoscopic intranasal resection of 4 cases and the third group was treated by endoscopic medial maxillectomy of 3 cases. RESULTS: The follow-up periods in average were 23 months, 19 months and 11 months in first, second and third groups respectively. All cases showed no recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although follow-up periods are insufficient, the endoscopic approaches are meaningful methods to treat inverted papilloma.
Follow-Up Studies ; Papilloma, Inverted* ; Recurrence

Purpose: Paeonia Radix Alba is a traditional herbal medicine used to treat the liver and the spleen. Many studies have reported that Paeonia Radix Alba extract (PR) affects liver injury, but there has been no study on liver injuries induced by thioacetamide (TAA). Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the effect of PR on a TAA-induced acute liver injury (ALI) model. Methods: The antioxidant activity of PR was assayed by the content of total polyphenol, total flavonoid, 1,1-diphenyl-2′-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzo-thiazoline-6-sulfonicacid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities in vitro test. ALI was induced via-intraperitoneal injection of TAA (200 mg/kg body weight) for three consecutive days. Also, silymarin (100 mg/ kg body weight) and PR (100 or 200 mg/kg body weight) were administered at 1 hours 30 minutes prior to TAA treatment. The levels of ammonia, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were analyzed using an assay kit. The expressions of antioxidant proteins including Nrf2, Keap1, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 and oxidative stressrelated proteins including NOX2, p47 phox , and p22 phox were evaluated by the western blot analysis. Results: PR showed excellent antioxidant activity in vitro. TAA administration increased the levels of ammonia, GOT, and GPT in the ALI control group compared to the normal group, whereas it was significantly reduced by PR pretreatment. Moreover, NADPH oxidase protein expressions were upregulated after TAA treatment, while the elevated expressions were inhibited by PR pretreatment. The expressions of antioxidant protein were downregulated in the ALI control group, whereas Nrf2 activation in the PR group was accompanied by increased levels of antioxidant enzymes. Conclusion PR administration increased the antioxidant enzymes via activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway and inhibited the protein levels of NADPH oxidase factors. Taken together, these results showed that PR treatment may be considered to ameliorate acute liver injury induced by TAA.

Purpose: Thioacetamide (TAA) produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the liver, and the generated ROS induces liver injury through inflammatory reactions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba water extract (AC), imparted via its antioxidant activity, in an animal model of TAA-induced liver injury. Methods: Animal experiments were conducted in 5 groups: normal, control (TAA 200 mg/kg), SM (TAA 200 mg/kg + silymarin 100 mg/kg), ACL (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 100 mg/kg), ACH (TAA 200 mg/kg + AC 200mg/kg). TAA (intraperitoneal) and treatment compounds (per oral) were administered for 3 days. Serum levels of ammonia concentration and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were subsequently measured. Liver tissues were subjected to western blot analysis for measuring the oxidative stress (NADPH oxidase), anti-oxidative activity (Nrf2, heme oxygenase-1 [HO-1], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, and GPx-1/2), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) protein expressions. Results: Serum ammonia levels and MPO activity were significantly increased in the TAAinduced control group, whereas groups administered AC treatment showed markedly reduced levels. Western blot analysis revealed significantly increased NOX2 and p22phox expressions, (oxidative stress-related factors) in the TAA-induced control group. These levels were determined to be significantly decreased after AC exposure. Moreover, antioxidantrelated factors including Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2 were significantly decreased in the control group and increased in the AC treated groups. In addition, MMP expressions were significantly suppressed in the AC treatment group due to increased levels of TIMP-1. Conclusion Taken together, these data indicate that exposure to AC reduces the oxidative stress by inhibiting the expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX2 and p22phox ) through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. We therefore propose the potential of AC for the prevention and treatment of TAA-induced liver injury.

Purpose: Reflux esophagitis is a disease caused by the reflux of stomach contents and stomach acid etc. into the esophagus due to defect in the lower esophageal sphincter and is currently increasing worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a mixture of Citrus Reticulata and Scutellariae Radix (CS) extract on acute reflux esophagitis in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into five groups for examination: normal group (Normal, n = 8), water-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Control, n = 8), tocopherol 30 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (Toco, n = 8), CS 100 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (CS100, n = 8), CS 200 mg/kg body weight-treated acute reflux esophagitis rats (CS200, n = 8). The experimental groups were administrated of each treatment compounds and after 90 min, acute reflux esophagitis was induced through surgery. Rats were sacrificed 5 h after surgery. We measured the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in serum and analyzed the expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, inflammatory, and tight junction-related proteins by western blot in the esophageal tissues. Results: CS administration significantly protected the esophageal mucosal damage due to reflux esophagitis, and the level of ROS in the serum was significantly reduced with CS administration as compared to Control. In addition, CS administration significantly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK or MAP kinase) and nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB) pathways and increased protein expressions of tight junction protein. Conclusion These results suggest that the CS not only regulates the expression of inflammatory proteins by inhibiting oxidative stress, but also reduces damage to the esophageal mucosa by inhibiting the expression of tight junction proteins.

Purpose: This study evaluates the potential protective effects of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil supplementation in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Methods: Rats were fed a 1.25% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, followed by oral administration of either of the two doses of hemp seed oil (HO) (0.5 mL/kg (HOL group) or 1 mL/kg (HOH group) body weight/day) or simvastatin at 10 mg/kg body weight/day. Oxidative stress, lipids, liver enzymes, and renal markers were measured in the serum. Western blot analysis was applied for evaluating the expressions of inflammatory makers. Results: Except for HDL-cholesterol, the altered levels of lipoproteins, aminotransferases, urea, and creatine kinases in hypercholesterolemic rats were significantly corrected by HO administration. Especially, compared to the HOH group, HOL treatment further reduced AST, ALT, creatinine, TC, and LDL-cholesterol levels. Moreover, both the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor (CRF) in the HOL group were more restrained compared to the HOH group. Increased levels of p-AMPK coincided with the inhibition of SREBP-2 activation which subsequently suppressed the expression of HMGCR. Nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation coincided with the PI3K/Akt pathway activation and the increased phosphorylation of p38;these levels were significantly suppressed by HO treatment. In addition, HO treatment markedly reversed the changes in chemokines such as ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1.Histological alterations induced by cholesterol overload in cardiac and hepatic tissues were ameliorated by HO supplementation. Conclusion Taken together, our results indicate a low concentration of HO demonstrates improved dysfunctions caused by a high-cholesterol diet via inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway.