Skeletal muscle is an organ that regulates biological metabolic energy. Its dysfunction causes decline of body functions and disability, thus deteriorating the overall quality of life. Various materials are being developed with an anti-sarcolytic effect. However, anti-sarcolytic effect of Sinomenium acutum rhizomes extract (SAE) remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate anti-muscle atrophy effects of SAE and its alkaloids, including sinomenine (SIN), magnoflorine (MF), acutumine (ACU), and N-ferultyramine (NFT) isolated from SAE, on dexamethasone (Dex)-induced myotubules. C2C12 myogenic cells differentiated for 6 days were treated with 1 mM Dex for 24 hours. Induction of muscular atrophy was confirmed by a decrease in myogenin expression. We found that Dex increased expression levels of muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx/atrogin-1. However, mRNA and protein levels of these muscle-specific ubiquitin ligases were significantly reduced by cotreatment with SIN, MF, and NFT in myotubes. Glucose uptake reduced by Dex in myotubules were also restored by SIN, MF, and NFT treatments. These results suggest that SIN, MF, and NFT can reduce muscle wasting and enhance glucose uptake in Dex-treated myotubes, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents to prevent muscle atrophy.

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of enzymatically modified stevia (EMS) on C2C12 cell-based model of dexamethasone (DEX)-induced muscle atrophy to provide baseline data for utilizing EMS in functional health products. C2C12 cells with DEX-induced muscle atrophy were treated with EMS (10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) for 24 h. C2C12 cells were treated with EMS and DEX to test their effects on cell viability and myotube formation (myotube diameter and fusion index), and analyze the expression of muscle strengthening or degrading protein markers. Schisandra chinensis Extract, a common functional ingredient, was used as a positive control. EMS did not show any cytotoxic effect at all treatment concentrations. Moreover, it exerted protective effects on C2C12 cell-based model of DEX-induced muscle atrophy at all concentrations. In addition, the positive effect of EMS on myotube formation was confirmed based on the measurement and comparison of the fusion index and myotube diameter when compared with myotubes treated with DEX alone. EMS treatment reduced the expression of muscle cell degradation-related proteins Fbx32 and MuRF1, and increased the expression of muscle strengthening and synthesis related proteins SIRT1 and p- Akt/Akt. Thus, EMS is a potential ingredient for developing functional health foods and should be further evaluated in preclinical models.

본 논문은 사회적 위축의 매개효과를 중심으로 청소년의 스마트폰 의존이 자아존중감에 미치는 영향에 대해 살펴본다. ‘2018년 한국아동청소년패널조사’의 응답자인 중학생을 연구대상으로 삼았다. 자료분석방 법은 주요변수에 대한 기술통계, 상관분석, 매개회귀분석 및 매개효과 검증(Sobel-test)을 수행했다. 본 연구의 결과 첫째, 기술통계의 평균값에서 청소년의 사회적 위축이 청소년의 스마트폰 의존과 자아존중감 보다 낮은 결과를 보였다. 둘째, 독립변수, 매개변수, 종속변수인 스마트폰 의존, 사회적 위축, 자아존중감 사이에 통계적으로 유의한 상관관계가 나타났다. 셋째, 청소년의 스마트폰 사용이 자아존중감에 영향을 미치면서 사회적 위축이 부분매개역할을 하는 것으로 나타났다. 이런 연구결과를 근거로 본 연구는 청소년 의 스마트폰 사용의 순기능을 촉진시키고 청소년의 사회적 위축을 해소할 수 있는 사회복지실천 프로그램 과 정책을 제안했다.

A progressive muscle atrophy is strongly associated with aging, resulting in lower quality of life in elderly individuals. This study was conducted to determine relative hemoglobin (Hb) concentrations in the rabbit model of the sciatic nerve transection injury using non-invasive diffuse optical spectroscopy (DOS). From the 2nd week to the end of the experiment after sciatic nerve injury, a total muscle mass in nerve injured-group (NI group) significantly reduced compared with that in the normal group (p<0.001). During the capillary occlusion after nerve injury, the deoxy-hemoglobin (Hb-R) concentration in NI group significantly increased compared to that in the normal group at the 2nd and 3rd week after sciatic nerve injury (p<0.05). During the capillary release after nerve injury, the oxy-hemoglobin (Hb-O2) concentration in NI group significantly decreased at the 1st and 3rd week, and Hb-R significantly increased at 2nd week, compared to those in the normal group (p<0.05). Histological changes in the gastrocnemius muscle of NI group observed that clear fat filled spaces at the periphery of muscle fibers and angular fibers. From the results of this study, non-invasive DOS could be used to measure changes of Hb concentrations in muscles.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is progressive neurological disease that results in the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to a decrease in skeletal muscle size and muscle weakness, wasting, or paralysis. Most research on ALS has focused on motor neuron death, and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. This study examined the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle degeneration. We compared the protein and cytokine profiles of gastrocnemius muscle in ALS model hSOD1G93A mice at pre-symptomatic and symptomatic stages by western blotting. Pro-inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and cluster of differentiation 11b were upregulated in the muscle of symptomatic as compared to pre-symptomatic mice. Additionally, the levels of oxidative stress-related proteins, heme oxygenase-1 and ferritin, were increased in muscle from symptomatic as compared to pre-symptomatic mice. We also observed increased autophagy dysfunction and metabolic dysregulation in the muscles of symptomatic hSOD1G93A as compared to non-Tg and pre-symptomatic hSOD1G93A mice, which was accompanied by upregulation of thrombospondin- 1, Prospero-related homeobox 1, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and DNA-damage-inducible 45α. Increased inflammation, oxidative stress, and autophagy contribute to motor neuron death and muscle atrophy in ALS, and the factors involved in these processes are potential therapeutic targets for treatment of this disease.

본 연구는 참여자가 어린 시절 받은 내면아이의 상처를 통찰하고 현재 50대인 자신이 자기 내면아이를 사랑으로 돌보는, 사랑 많은 내면어른으로 성장하기 위한 방법 등을 익힘으로써, 과거의 상처에 고착되어 대인관계 위축감을 가졌던 참여자가 자기를 돌보는 내면어른으로 건강한 삶을 살도록 도움을 주고자 하는 것을 연구의 목적으로 하였다. 연구를 위한 개인 상담은 2019년 8월 31일부터 10월 26일까지 진행되었다.(총10회기) 통합적 상담의 도구로는 Satir의 영향력의 수레바퀴, J. Bradshow의 내면아이치료, Erika J. Chopich & Margaret Paul의 내면 유대치료 등을 사용하여 질적 연구를 수행하였다. 본 연구의 주요 결과는 다음과 같다. 첫째, 내면아이상처의 배경 : 원가족에서 아버지는 무서운 표정, 어머니는 차가운 눈빛과 심한 말을 하였으며 어린 참여자는 자기 내면을 표현하지 못하였다. 둘쨰, 참여자가 통합적 상담을 통해 나타낸 변화 : 참여자는 사회에서 대인관계 위축감의 고통을 느끼게 된 배경을 자각하게 되었고, 청소년기에 친구들, 선생님들과 외할머니로부터 받은 긍정적 자원의 존재를 자각, 점차 자 존감을 회복하고 대인관계의 위축감이 줄어드는 변화를 나타내었다. 셋째, 참여자가 경험한 통합적 상담의 효과성 : Satir 영향력의 수레바퀴 작업은 참여자가 수월하게 작업하도록 도움이 되었으며, 내면아이치료는 상처받은 내면아이와 만나게 해주고, 내면유대치료는 참여자가 내면어른 역할의 자원을 외할머니, 부모, 선생님들께 받은 긍정적 부분도 있었음을 자각하게 하였다.

Regularly participating in physical activity is known to improve quality of life and body composition in elderly with stroke. However, comparatively less physical activity is performed by the stroke survivors. The factors related to inactivity in elderly female stroke survivors have not been elucidated. Therefore, this study aims to compare the quality of life factors and limb compositions between the active and inactive elderly female stroke survivors. Forty nine subjects between the ages of 65 to 75 years were selected from the KNHANES data between the years 2009 to 2011. In addition, 186 agematched healthy peers were also selected for limb composition comparisons. The subjects were groups based on walking days per week: walkers; 3 days or more, non-walkers; less than 3 days per week. BMI and waist circumference were within the obesity ranges for both the non-walkers and walkers. As results, the trend for greater fat (±10%) and lean mass (±30%) differences were observed for non-walker and walkers, respectively. Significantly greater reasons for function limitation by stroke and hypertension were reported with significantly greater self-care difficulty was shown by the walkers. In conclusion, elderly female stroke survivals may require customized motivation and continuous support to participate in physical activity regularly.

본 연구의 목적은 동물매개치료 프로그램이 위축행동을 보이는 아동의 자아존중감과 또래관계에 미치는 효과를 검증하고자 하였다. 연구대상은 전라북도 I시에 소재한 Y지역 아동센터에서 방과 후 프로그램을 참가하는 아동들 중 센터에서 일하시는 선생님으로부터 추천 받은 아동들 중 부모와 본인이 동의한 학생 총 7명이 참여하였다. 연구 진행은 주1회 총 8회기를 매 회당 60분씩 실시하였으며, 진행자 1인과 보조 진행자 2인, 펫 파트너2인, 관찰자2인, 반려견 2두로 함께 진행하였다. 연구도구로 자아존중감 검사, 또래관계 검사를 사용하여 사전·사후검사를 별도 측정해 프로그램의 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 동물매개치료가 프로그램 참가 학생들의 자아존중감과 또래관계에 미친 영향을 살펴 본 결과, 자아존중감에 하위 영역 중 학교에서의 자아존중감은 평균점수가 감소 하였고 또래 관계의 하위 영역인 친밀 단계에서도 평균 점수가 감소하였지만, 그 외에 모든 영역에서 통계적으로 평균 점수가 증가 하는 모습을 보였다. 이상의 연구 결과로 살펴볼 때, 동물매개치료 프로그램은 위축행동을 보이는 아동의 자아존중감과 또래관계에 긍정적인 효과가 있음을 알 수 있었다.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of chronic alcohol supplementation on muscle atrophy in growing rats. Eighteen male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: CG group (control group, n=9) and AG group (alcohol supplemented group, n=9). Alcohol group (3 g/kg BW) was orally supplemented every day. After the experimental period, serum components and muscle Akt, p-Akt, FoxO, p-FoxO, MuRF1, and P38 protein expressions were analyzed. In the results, the values of EDL and soleus muscle weights of AG group did not have significant differences compared to the value of the CG group. In the serum components, the value of the serum TG concentration of AG group was significantly increased compared to the value of the CG group. The value of the p-Akt/Akt and p-FoxO/FoxO of the AG group was significantly decreased compared to the value of the CG group (p<0.01). The MuRF1 protein expression of AG group was significantly increased compared to the value of the CG group (p<0.01). However, the values of p-P38/P38 between two groups did not have any significant difference. From these results, it was suggested that 4 weeks of chronic alcohol supplementation induced muscle atrophy via activated protein degradation pathway involving the inhibition of Akt phosphorylation and increased FoxO and MuRF1 protein expression of muscle in growing rats.

Muscle atrophy is characterized by a decrease in the mass of the muscle. With an increase in life expectancy and chronic illnesses, the incidence of muscle atrophy is increasing and the quality of life of patients is decreasing. Thus, reducing muscle atrophy is of high clinical and socio-economic importance. Mistletoe is a semi-parasitic plant that has been used as a traditional medicine in many countries to treat various human illnesses. It has been reported that Korean mistletoe extract (KME) has diverse biological functions including anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity properties, and extension of lifespan. Especially, we have recently reported that KME improves exercise endurance in mice, indicating its beneficial roles in enhancing the capacity of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated whether KME could activate the signaling pathway related to protein synthesis in a mouse model of muscle atrophy. Interestingly, KME efficiently activated the Akt/mTOR pathway, and Akt and mTOR are important signaling hub molecules for the acceleration of protein synthesis in muscle cells. In addition, KME also increased the activity of S6 kinase which is involved in the regulation of muscle cell size. Moreover, the ERK activity, required for transcription of ribosomal RNA for protein synthesis, was also enhanced in KME-treated mouse muscle. These data support the idea that KME increases muscle mass via increased protein synthesis. Our findings also suggest that Korean mistletoe might be a promising candidate for the development of functional foods that are beneficial for preventing muscle atrophy.

A female reticulated giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), 20-month-old, 342 kg, died at Seoul Zoo on January 2, 2009 after a stressful episode of chronic diarrhea. Given the appearances postmortem, it was strongly suspected that the giraffe suffered from malnutrition for a long time. Typical appearances of serous fat atrophy were shown on most fat tissues of body organs such as heart, bone, liver, mesentery and kidney. In this study, the sudden death that had been known as "peracute mortality syndrome" was clearly identified to have resulted from a lack of understanding the Browser's diet and general failure in giraffe husbandry. Individualized care and high quality hay must be provided to compensate higher consumption of metabolic energy and to prevent animal loss in winter season.

This study was designed to examine the effects of electroacupuncture and treadmill exercise on the improvement of muscle atrophy and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) expression in an ischemic stroke model induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. This study selected 120 Sprangue-Dawley rats, divided them into six groups, and assigned 5 rats to each group. Experiments were conducted for 1, 3 days and 1, 8 weeks, respectively. In each group, changes in weight of muscle and relative muscle of tibialis anterior muscle, histologic observations, and BDNF expression were observed and analyzed. For the changes in muscle weight of unaffected and affected sides of tibialis anterior, muscle atrophy was expressed in an affected side 3 days after ischemic stroke was induced. There was a statistically significant difference in Group VI 1 and 8 weeks after ischemic stroke was induced, compared to Group II (p<.05). For the changes in relative muscle weight of unaffected and affected sides of tibial anterior muscle, there was significant decrease in each group 3 days after ischemic stroke was induced, compared to Group I, while there was a statistically significant increase in Group VI 1 week after ischemic stroke was induced, compared to Group II (p<.05). For neurologic exercise behavior test, Group VI generally had the highest score, compared to other groups. The results of the behavior test suggests that 8 weeks after ischemic stroke was induced, Group VI improved in degeneration and inflammation of muscle fiber and decreased in destruction of nerve cells and cerebral infarction, thus indicating a similar state of muscle fiber and brain tissue in Group I. In immunohistochemical observations, Group 1 week showed increase in BDNF. Based on these results, electroacupuncture and treadmill exercise may improve muscle atrophy and change in BDNF expression of ischemic stroke rats and contribute to the improvement of exercise function.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of mild-intensity exercise training on the denervated muscle atrophy in the sciatic nerve injured rat. Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (250~300 g) were randomly assigned into three groups; sham-denervated group (n=8), denervated group (n=8), and denervated-exercised group (n=20). Exercise consisted of treadmill running at 20 m/min speed with 0% grade for 30 min/day. The animals were decapitated at the second and sixth weeks postcrush. Soleus and medial gastrocnemius were immediately excised to be weighed. Type I and II fibers of the muscles were differentiated by m-ATPase (pH 9.4) stain, and fiber diameters were evaluated. The results were as follows: 1) The weight of the soleus and medial gastrocnemius muscles showed a tendency to increase in both the denervation-exercised groups compared to the denervated group. 2) In the 2-week denervation-exercised group, type II fiber diameter of soleus and type I fiber diameter of medial gastrocnemius were increased significantly compared to the denervated control group. 3) In the 6-week denervated-exercised group, type I fiber diameter of soleus and type II fiber diameter of medial gastrocnemius were hypertrophied significantly compared to sham-denervated group. The results of this study suggested that treadmill exercise partially prevented denervation atrophy in the soleus and medial gastrocnemius of the rat.