In the present study, triphlorethol-A, a phlorotannin, was isolated from Ecklonia cava and its antioxidant properties were investigated. Triphlorethol-A was found to scavenge intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and thus prevented lipid peroxidation. The radical scavenging activity of triphlorethol-A protected the Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79-4) cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) against cell death, via the activation of ERK protein. Furthermore, triphlorethol-A reduced the apoptotic cells formation induced by H2O2. Triphlorethol-A increased the activities of cellular antioxidant enzymes like, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Hence, from the present study, it is suggestive that triphlorethol-A protects V79-4 cells against H2O2 damage by enhancing the cellular antioxidative activity.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe type of stroke causing neurological dysfunction with high mortality rate. Depression is one of the most common complications of ICH. In the present study, the effects of treadmill exercise on ICH-induced depressive symptoms in relation with apoptosis were investigated using rats. ICH rat model was induced by injection of collagenase into the hippocampus using stereotaxic instrument. Open field test for activity and forced swimming test for depressive symptoms were conducted. Apoptosis in the hippocampus was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, immunohistochemistry for caspase-3, and western blot for Bcl-2 and Bax. Western blot analysis for 5-hydroxy-tryptamine (5-HT, serotonin) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) in the dorsal raphe was also conducted for biomarkers of depression. In the present results, immobility time was increased and climbing time was decreased by induction of ICH and treadmill exercise inhibited immobility time and increased climbing time in ICH rats. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 expression in the hippocampal dentate gyrus were enhanced by induction of ICH and treadmill exercise suppressed ICH-induced DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 expression. Bax expression in the hippocampus was increased by induction of ICH and treadmill exercise inhibited Bax expression in the ICH rats. Expressions of 5-HT and TPH in the dorsal raphe were decreased by induction of ICH and treadmill exercise increased expressions of 5-HT and TPH in the ICH rats. In the present study, treadmill exercise ameliorated depressive symptoms through inhibiting apoptosis.

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Rationale:Caudal epidural injection is one of the conventional treatments of chronic back pain. Even though spinal epidural hematoma after caudal epidural injection is rare but it can cause serious neurologic complication.Patient concerns:An 83-year-old woman taking cilostazol received caudal epidural steroid injection because of her chronic back pain. Six hours later, she experienced an acute hip pain which worsened with time.Diagnosis:Magnetic resonance image showed acute cord compression due to a spinal epidural hematoma at L2–S1 level with concomitant central canal compromise at L2/3, L3/4 level.Interventions:Emergency decompressive laminectomy and evacuation of the lumbar epidural hematoma were performed.Outcomes:All of her symptoms were resolved over the 72 hours following surgery.Lessons:Continuous vigilance after caudal epidural injection is important to prevent catastrophic neurologic deterioration with early detection and early treatment.

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