The knowledge of arterial patterns of donor and recipient sites is very important for performing a flap surgery. In order to perform a flap surgery using the rectus abdominis muscle knowledge of the distributions, tributaries, and anastomoses of the inferior epigastric artery is necessary. The aim of this study was to establish the clinical and anatomical characteristics of the inferior epigastric artery for flap surgery in Koreans. Sixteen fresh cadavers were injected bilaterally with a radiopaque dye solution through the brachial and popliteal arteries, radiographic images were obtained after the anterior abdominal wall was removed surgically. Subsequently, the anterior abdominal walls of the cadavers were dissected and measured by using metric and non-metric methods. In a majority of the cadavers (83.9%), the inferior epigastric artery had only one main stem. Between the umbilicus and the xiphoid process, the most common type of the anastomosis was multiple anastomoses (Type IV, in 32.1% of the cases), followed by no anastomosis (Type I) and single anastomosis (Type II) in 25% of the cases, respectively. The intramuscular branch of the inferior epigastric artery originated from below the umbilicus in 60.7% of the cases and above it in 39.3% of the cases. The peritoneal branch was further divided into 3 types: lateral, medial, and umbilical. One of them coexisted with other branch of specimen. The peritoneal branch commonly originated from the intramuscu-lar branch. The perforating branch, with an external diameter of greater than 0.5 mm, was clinically significant, was dis-tributed around the umbilicus. The number of arterial branches directly perforating the rectus abdominis muscle was greater than that of those traveling anteriorly. The results of this study may enhance the anatomical knowledge of clinicians with respect to flap surgery or surgical treatments involving the anterior abdominal wall.
Abdominal Wall ; Cadaver ; Epigastric Arteries ; Humans ; Muscles ; Popliteal Artery ; Rectus Abdominis ; Tissue Donors ; Umbilicus

Balance between bone-resorbing osteoclats and bone-forming osteoblasts is important in bone homeostasis. In particular, increased osteoclast formation and activity are responsible for bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, periodontal disease. Natural metabolites of plants have recently received much attention as lead compounds for the development of novel therapeutic strategy. The purpose of this study was to search the natural products to inhibition osteoclast differentiation. Water extract of papaya significantly inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in a dose dependent manner. However, water extract of papaya did not affect cytotoxicity when compared with control. Water extract of papaya inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK induced by RANKL. The mRNA expression of c-Fos, NFATcl, TRAP and OSCAR induced by RANKL was inhibited by water extract of papaya treatment. Also, water extract of papaya suppressed the protein expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 in BMMs treated with RANKL. Taken together, these results suggest that papaya may be a useful drug in the treatment of bone-related disease.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Biological Agents ; Bone Diseases ; Bone Marrow ; Carica ; Homeostasis ; Macrophages ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoporosis ; Periodontal Diseases ; Phosphorylation ; RANK Ligand ; RNA, Messenger ; Water

The developmental changes of convergence ratios of medial nucleus of trapezoid body (MNTB) axons to single lateral superior olive (LSO) neuron were investigated using voltage clamp technique in homologous (cir/cir) circling mice, animal model for the congenital deafness with autosomal recessive inheritance. As the developmental reduction of convergence ratio reported in rats indicates the presence of synaptic refinement, we aimed to find out whether the similar reduction of convergence ratio also occurs in circling mice. Heterologous (+/cir) mice were used as control and mice younger than postnatal (P) day 4 or older than P9 were used. The convergence ratios of MNTB axons to single LSO neuron were 29.16+/-2.7 (n=12, P9) in homologous (cir/cir) mice, while they were 37.89+/-3.8 (n=9, P9) in heterozygous (+/cir) mice. The significant changes were observed only in heterozygous (+/cir) mice, which indicated that synaptic refinement of MNTBLSO synapses occurs in heterozygous (+/cir) mice, not in homozygous (cir/cir) mice. Considering homologous (cir/cir) mice being animal model for the congenital deafness, our data might contribute to the understanding of developmental changes of brain stem auditory circuits of congenitally deaf patients.
Animals ; Axons ; Brain Stem ; Deafness ; Humans ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Neurons ; Olea ; Rats ; Synapses ; Wills

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder characterized by selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Despite extensive researches, the etiology of this disease is still unknown; however, the prevalence of PD is lower in the population of cigarette smokers. In this study, the effects of nicotine were investigated on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease animal model and the spontaneous locomotor activity was analyzed. In comparison with MPTP-induced PD animals, nicotine-treated PD animals exhibited significant improvement in the number of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc, the relative density of dopaminergic axon terminals in the striatum, and locomotor activity. Also, MPTP-induced astrogliosis was prevented by nicotine treatment. These results suggest that the dopamine depletion in the SNpc and striatum and the decreased spontaneous locomotor activity were prevented by nicotine treatment in the MPTP-induced PD animal model.
1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Dopamine ; Dopaminergic Neurons ; Models, Animal ; Motor Activity ; Nervous System Diseases ; Nicotine ; Parkinson Disease ; Presynaptic Terminals ; Prevalence ; Specific Gravity ; Substantia Nigra ; Tobacco Products

In ischemic strokes, apoptosis is caused by excitotoxicity, ionic imbalance, oxidative/nitrosative stress, and apoptotic-like pathways. Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical, is elevated after ischemic insult. NO, which is generated primarily by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), promotes neuronal damage following ischemia. Evidence obtained in recent years has demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-mediated cell death plays an important role in cerebral ischemia. Agmatine is an endogenous substance synthesized from L-arginine by arginine decarboxylase (ADC) and is present in mammalian brain. We had previously reported that agmatine contributes to neuroprotection against ischemic injury. In continuation of our earlier work, we intended to investigate whether agmatine protects brain from transient global ischemia, and also tried to determine the neuroprotective mechanism of agmatine. Twenty minutes of transient global ischemia was induced by 4 vessel occlusion (4-VO). Agmatine (100 mg/kg, IP) was administered simultaneously with reperfusion. Samplings of brain were done at 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after reperfusion to determine the effect of agmatine on ischemic injured hippocampus. ER-damage was also investigated using electron microscope. Results showed that agmatine treatment prevented delayed neuronal cell death in hippocampal CA1 neurons after global cerebral ischemia. It also blocked NOS expression in the rat brain. Agmatine induced the increased expression of glucose-regulated protein 78 (Grp78). These results suggest that agmatine inhibits the production of NO by decreasing the expression of nNOS and iNOS on global forebrain ischemia and the neuroprotective effect of agmatine were concerned with the ER stress-mediated condition.
Agmatine ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Arginine ; Brain ; Brain Ischemia ; Carboxy-Lyases ; Cell Death ; Electrons ; Endoplasmic Reticulum ; Glycosaminoglycans ; Hippocampus ; Ischemia ; Neurons ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Prosencephalon ; Rats ; Reperfusion ; Stroke

Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived protein with anti-diabetic and anti-angiogenesis properties that improves both glucose metabolism and insulin resistance via the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) cascade. Diabetic cognitive deficits are correlated with dysregulation of energy metabolism in the hippocampus. In the present study, we investigated the expression of adiponectin-mediated AMPK cascade proteins in the hippocampus of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by STZ (55 mg/kg) injection intraperitoneally. Twenty-four weeks after induction of diabetes, mice were sacrificed. Results showed that decreased serum adiponectin levels and increased expression of hippocampal adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1) was expressed in diabetic mice. Phosphorylated AMPK, acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), and eNOS expression levels were increased in the hippocampus of diabetic mice. The immunoreactivity of glucose transporter 1 in the endothelium of hippocampal blood vessels was also increased. These results indicate that adiponectin-mediated AMPK cascade activation may play a role in catabolic process that is involved in diabetic neurodegeneration.
Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase ; Adenosine ; Adiponectin ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Blood Vessels ; Endothelium ; Energy Metabolism ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Hippocampus ; Insulin Resistance ; Mice ; Protein Kinases ; Proteins ; Receptors, Adiponectin ; Streptozocin

This study presents distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA) isozymes IV and IX, membrane associated forms, and CA I and II, cytoplasmic forms, in rat parotid and submandibular glands using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Western blot analysis demonstrated that CAs I, II and IX were found to be abundantly expressed, but CA IV was weakly expressed in parotid gland. Submandibular gland expressed abundant CAs I and II, weak CA IX, and undetectable level of CA IV. In hematoxylin-eosin staining, parotid gland was entirely composed of serous acini and their ducts while submandibular gland was mixed population of serous and mucous lobules. Most of lobules (submandibular gland proper type) contained mostly serous acini and their ducts with granular convoluted duct. Some lobules (sublingual gland type) contained mostly mucous acini with serous demilune and their ducts without granular convoluted duct. In parotid gland, CAs IV and IX were immunolocalized in duct cells and not in serous acinar cells. Immunoreactivity for CAs I and II was also detectable in duct cells. Serous acinar cells were positive for CA II, and negative for CA I. In submandibular gland, CAs IV and IX were immunolocalized in duct cells but not in acinar cells of both types of lobules. Immunoreactivity for CAs I and II was also detectable in duct cells of both types of lobules. Cells of serous acini and serous demilune were positive for CA II, and negative for CA I. Mucous cells were negative for both CAs I and II. These results demonstrate the distribution of CA isoenzymes in parotid and submandibular glands of the rat, and suggest CAs IV and IX as well as CAs I and II are related to electrolytes metabolism of saliva in duct cells.
Acinar Cells ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Carbon ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Cytoplasm ; Electrolytes ; Immunohistochemistry ; Isoenzymes ; Membranes ; Parotid Gland ; Rats ; Saliva ; Salivary Glands ; Submandibular Gland

This study was intended to understand the role of the apoptosis-suppressing gene, bcl-2, in the hair follicle development. Immunohistochemistry for bcl-2 was performed using a high-throughput tissue-array technique, on Korean fetal scalp tissues at the 14 weeks, 16 weeks, 19 weeks & 24 weeks of the development. The results showed that the basal cells of epidermis were stained from 14 weeks to 24 weeks and the immunoreactive melanocytes were observed in the basal layer and suprabasal layer of epidermis as well as in the hair matrix cells and the external root sheath. At 19 weeks, the follicles at all stages of morphogenesis were observed. In the early stages, the epithelial cells of hair germ and hair peg, the mesenchymal cells surrounding them were stained. In the more advanced stage, the bcl-2 expression of follicular epithelial cells diminished to allow keratinization, hair canal formation and holocrine secretion to take place. In the bulbous hair peg stage, the hair papilla cells, the hair matrix cells, the basal cells of the primitive sebaceous gland, the primitive arrector pilli and the basal cells of the external root sheath were stained. We confirmed in the developing hair follicle that in the early stage or in the place where the cells continued to proliferate, the immature cells expressed bcl-2 to suppress cell death to overcome the susceptibility to cell death and when the differentiation was being achieved, the reduction of bcl-2 expression increased cell death to perform the tissue morphogenesis or the organ functions
Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Epidermis ; Epithelial Cells ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Hypogonadism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Keratins ; Melanocytes ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Morphogenesis ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Scalp ; Sebaceous Glands

Compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve occurs commonly at the cubital tunnel, but it can also be occurred by the anatomic variations of the structures on the ulnar nerve passage. This study was thus performed to clarify the variations of the ligaments and muscles, which can cause the ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome in the upper arm. One hundred arms of 50 Korean adult cadavers were used. The arcade of Struthers, a musculo-tendinous band from the medial head of the triceps brachii to the medial intermuscular septum, was observed in 34% of the cases. This arcade was mostly in a narrow-band shape, but a broad-band shaped arcade was sometimes observed. The internal brachial ligament was observed in 17% of cases. The epitrochleoanconeus muscle between the medial epicondyle and the olecranon was observed in 3% of cases. The ulnar nerve was wrapped or covered by the medial head of triceps brachii in 5% of cases. This study is expected to further the current understanding of the anatomic variations of ligaments and muscles on the ulnar nerve passage, and to be helpful data for the diagnosis and treatment of the ulnar nerve entrapment syndrome in the upper arm.
Adult ; Arm ; Cadaver ; Head ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Muscles ; Olecranon Process ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

The main transmitter substance mediating erection is the nitric oxide released from the vascular endothelial cells of corpus cavernosum and from the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic nerve endings. In addition, some neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine or vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), have been reported to play an important role in mediating the erection. Thus, autonomic neuropathy may cause erectile dysfunction, and in reality, it occurs frequently in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), in which polyneuropathy, including both peripheral somatic sensorimotor neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy, develops usually. Thiazolidinedione (TZD) is an insulin-sensitizing agent used for the treatment of type 2 DM with insulin resistance, and has been reported to ameliorate nephropathy, decrease plasma glucose level and reduce blood pressure. However, the effect of this drug on the neuropathy related to erectile dysfunction has never been proved. In the present study, to evaluate the effect of TZDs on the neuropathy concerned with erectile dysfunction, we examined neurochemical changes of major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons in Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, genetic models with non-insulin-dependent DM, after TZDs (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) treatment. Age-matched nondiabetic Long Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as controls. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), VIP, and neuropeptide Y (NPY) contents were measured in MPG neurons of LETO, OLETF and pioglitazone- or rosiglitazone-treated OLETF rats by morphometry. Compared to the corresponding LETO group, number of TH-, NOS- and VIP-immunoreactive (ir) neurons decreased, while that of NPY-ir neurons, which modulate noradrenergic vasoconstriction of penile arteries, increased in the MPG of the OLETF group. After administration of pioglitazone- or rosiglitazone to OLETF rats for 23 weeks, these neurochemical changes were recovered to the control levels of the LETO group, although some variations were accompanied. These results suggest that TZDs treatment may be helpful for the treatment of autonomic neuropathy concerned with erectile dysfunction.
Acetylcholine ; Animals ; Arteries ; Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endothelial Cells ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Ganglion Cysts ; Glucose ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Models, Genetic ; Negotiating ; Nerve Endings ; Neurons ; Neuropeptide Y ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Plasma ; Polyneuropathies ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred OLETF ; Thiazolidinediones ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; Vasoconstriction