Purpose: In this study, the protective effect of voluntary wheel running exercise on muscle loss and muscle weakness in gastrocnemius of old rats was investigated. The association of voluntary wheel exercise with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/adenosine monophosphate- activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was also evaluated. Methods: Six-month-old and 22-month-old male rats were used for this experiment. The rats in voluntary wheel running exercise groups were performed wheel running for 2 months. Weight bearing test for walking strength, rotarod test for motor coordination and balance, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for histological changes in the muscle tissues, Western blot analysis for PGC-1α, FNDC5, AMPK, immunofluorescence for VEGF were conducted. Results: Decreased muscle mass, strength, and coordination due to aging were associated with a decrease in the PGC-1α/ FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius. Voluntary wheel running exercise enhanced VEGF expression by activating the PGC-1α/FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway, then increased muscle mass, strength, and coordination. Conclusions It has been suggested that voluntary wheel running exercise alleviates symptoms of urological diseases that are difficult to treat. Wheel running exercise is a good therapeutic strategy to prevent or treat aging-related sarcopenia.

Purpose: In this study, the protective effect of voluntary wheel running exercise on muscle loss and muscle weakness in gastrocnemius of old rats was investigated. The association of voluntary wheel exercise with the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)/fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5)/adenosine monophosphate- activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was also evaluated. Methods: Six-month-old and 22-month-old male rats were used for this experiment. The rats in voluntary wheel running exercise groups were performed wheel running for 2 months. Weight bearing test for walking strength, rotarod test for motor coordination and balance, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining for histological changes in the muscle tissues, Western blot analysis for PGC-1α, FNDC5, AMPK, immunofluorescence for VEGF were conducted. Results: Decreased muscle mass, strength, and coordination due to aging were associated with a decrease in the PGC-1α/ FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway in the gastrocnemius. Voluntary wheel running exercise enhanced VEGF expression by activating the PGC-1α/FNDC5/AMPK signaling pathway, then increased muscle mass, strength, and coordination. Conclusions It has been suggested that voluntary wheel running exercise alleviates symptoms of urological diseases that are difficult to treat. Wheel running exercise is a good therapeutic strategy to prevent or treat aging-related sarcopenia.

Purpose: Exercise has been shown to protect against diverse brain diseases. Voluntary exercise improves cognition and has a neuroprotective effect. The aim of this investigation is to study the effect of voluntary wheel running on brain inflammation in rats with regard to inflammation and apoptosis. Methods: Brain inflammation was caused by intracranial injection of lipopolysaccharide using a stereotaxic instrument. Voluntary wheel running group were conducted during 21 consecutive days, staring 2 days after brain inflammation. Results: Brain inflammation increased proinflammatory cytokine production and apoptosis cell death in the hippocampus. There changes in the hippocampus deteriorated spatial learning memory. However, voluntary wheel running suppressed the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic neuronal cell death via inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/NF-κB inhibitor-α pathway. Voluntary wheel running also promoted the recovery of the spatial learning memory impairment. Conclusions Voluntary wheel running after brain inflammation enhanced spatial learning memory by suppressing proinflammatory cytokine secretion and apoptosis cell death. Voluntary wheel running is also expected to be effective in inflammatory diseases of the urogenital system.

No abstract available.
Delivery of Health Care* ; Family Practice* ; Humans ; Inpatients* ; Insurance* ; Korea*

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of Budd-Chiari syndrome on CT is difficult if CT do not demonstrate obstruction of the IVC or hepatic vein and other parameter is needed for the correct diagnosis. The purpose of our study was to determine the usefulness of measuring the diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein on CT to differentiate Budd-Chiari syndrome from advanced liver cirrhosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen patients who were proven as Budd-Chiari syndrome on vena cavography were studied for analysis. All patients showed evidence of liver cirrhosis on CT. As a control group fifteen cases of advanced liver cirrhosis who underwent endoscopic sclerotheraphy due to esophageal variceal bleeding were also included for comparison. The largest short axis diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein was measured in all patients at the level of diaphragm on axial CT and the results were compared in both groups. RESULTS: In patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome the largest short axial diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein ranged from 0.5cm to 2.5cm(mean ;1.5cm). Only one patient who showed hepatic venous obstruction demonstrated a diameter of less than 1 cm(0. Scm). In contrast, the diameter in patients with advanced liver cirrhosis without obstruction of IVC or hepatic vein was less than 1 cm with a range from 0.2cm to 1 cm(mean ;0.6cm). CONCLUSION: The short axis diameter of azygos-hemiazygos vein was an indicator of IVC obstruction (Budd-Chiari syndrome).
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Budd-Chiari Syndrome* ; Diagnosis* ; Diaphragm ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices ; Hepatic Veins ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Veins*

Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue are resistant to insulin action in type 2 diabetes. In spite of intensive studies, few diabetic genes have been identified. Recently, mitochondrial impairment has been observed in the muscle and adipose tissues of type 2 diabetes patients, implying that mitochondrial dysfunction could be a pivotal factor in type 2 diabetes. Here, we discuss mitochondrial malfunction leading to type 2 diabetes.
Adipose Tissue ; Humans ; Insulin ; Liver ; Mitochondria*

Liver, muscle, and adipose tissue are resistant to insulin action in type 2 diabetes. In spite of intensive studies, few diabetic genes have been identified. Recently, mitochondrial impairment has been observed in the muscle and adipose tissues of type 2 diabetes patients, implying that mitochondrial dysfunction could be a pivotal factor in type 2 diabetes. Here, we discuss mitochondrial malfunction leading to type 2 diabetes.
Adipose Tissue ; Humans ; Insulin ; Liver ; Mitochondria*

Background: To determine the benefit of pelvic floor muscle exercise with visual biofeedback on promoting patient recovery from incontinence, we investigated variables associated with the early restoration of continence for patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Methods: Of the 83 patients enrolled, 41 consecutive patients completed pelvic floor muscle exercise (the exercise group), and the other 42 consecutive patients just before the pelvic floor muscle exercise program commenced (the control group). The primary outcome was whether pelvic floor muscle exercise engagement was associated with zero pad continence restoration within 3 months of surgery. Results: Continence restoration percentages (defined as zero pads used per day) at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery were 49.4%, 77.1%, and 94.0%, respectively. The exercise group achieved significantly higher recovery rates at 1 month (p=0.037), 3 months (p<0.001), and 6 months (p=0.023). Cox regression analysis demonstrated that a lower Gleason score (<8; hazard ratio, 2.167), lower prostate specific antigen (<20 ng/dL; hazard ratio, 2.909), and engagement in pelvic floor muscle exercise (hazard ratio, 3.731) were independent predictors of early recovery from postprostatectomy incontinence. Stratification by age showed that those younger than 65 years did not benefit significantly from exercise (log-rank test, p=0.08), but that their elderly counterparts, aged 65–70 years (p=0.007) and >70 years old (p=0.002) benefited significantly. Conclusion This study suggests that postoperative engagement in pelvic floor muscle exercise with biofeedback speeds up the recovery of continence in elderly patients (≥65 years old) that undergo robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the minimum two year clinical and radiological results of revision total hip arthroplasties using allogenic chip bone graft and cement in acetabular bone deficiencies. Thirty six revision total hip arthroplasties that had been performed in thirty four patients between Sep. 1992 and May. 1994 at Seoul Paik Hospital and had followed more than two years were included in this study. The clinical result was evaluated by Harris hip score. The mean Harris hip score was 48 points preoperatively, 88 points at final follow-up, a mean of 3 years after revision. In radiological evaluation, osseous union between grafted bone and host bone was seen within 4 months in thirty two hips (89%), a complete grafted bone-cement radiolucent line of two millimeter or more in at least one zone was seen in seven hips (19%) and acetabular component migration was seen in six hips (17%) at postoperative 3 year follow-up radiograph. At the time of follow-up, five hips (14%) had been revised a second time: three for aseptic acetabular loosening, two for infection. In conclusion, we recommend the technique using allogenic chip bone graft and cement to reconstruct the acetabular bone deficiencies in revision total hip arthroplasties, though other technique will be recommend in severe segmental acetabular deficiencies or previous infection.
Acetabulum* ; Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip ; Humans ; Seoul ; Transplants*

High tibial osteotomy is a useful procedure in the treatment of early stage osteoarthritis of the knee which is confined to the medial compartment. But long term follow-up study of high tibial osteotomy has not been provided yet and its prerequisite for a successful result still remains unrevealed. Since the osteoarthritis can progress after the osteotomy, it may result in the loss of correction and recurrence of pain and require conversion to total knee replacement arthroplasty. We studied clinically and radiologically the long term result of high tibial osteotomy in 11 patients(16 knees) who had been treated at the Department of Orthopaedic surgery of Seoul Paik Hospital during the period from January, 1978 to May, 1989, and follow-up for longer than 4 years. Preoperative mean varus angle was 6.4 degrees and immediate postoperative mean valgus angle was 8.6 degrees and final mean valgus angle was 4.7 degrees. The average loss of correction angle was 3.9 degrees. At 2-year follow-up, the results of 16 knees were as follows; excellent in six knees, good in seven knees. The final results at average 7.2-year follow-up were excellent in four knees, good in six knees and one knee was converted to total knee replacement arthroplasty. The results showed deterioration of clinical results and loss of correction with time after osteotomy. However, in more than half of the cases the results were good or excellent at the final follow-up, We, therefore, conclude that high tibial osteotomy is still a useful procedure in osteoarthritis of the knee if performed with a precise surgical technique and an adequate overcorrection more than 10 degrees.
Arthroplasty ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ; Follow-Up Studies ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteotomy ; Recurrence ; Seoul