• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Objectives : Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. are used as a traditional treatment for diabetes. This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM) ameliorates metabolic syndrome in fructose-fed rats. Methods : Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose (HF) diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone occurring during the final 6 weeks. Results : MPM and rosiglitazone, synthetic $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonist, treatment significantly prevented the increase in fasting serum glucose, leptin, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein in the HF group when comparing with the control group. MPM and rosiglitazone also led to an increase in high density lipoprotein level in the HF group. The administration of MPM and rosiglitazone prevented the development of the metabolic disturbances such as impaired glucose tolerance, and blood pressure. MPM suppressed increased expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in HF rat aorta. In addition, MPM significantly increased IR-${\beta}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ expression in muscle. Conclusions : Based on these results, we suggest that the administration of MPM improves metabolic syndrome through the alteration in lipid profiles and suppression of insulin resistant and blood pressure.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.307-315
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• 2022

Since attaining middle age, many patients suffer from the post-micturition dribble (PMD) syndrome but do not receive proper treatment. This is because the etiology and treatment mechanisms of PMD differ from conventional lower urinary tract symptoms. Several pathophysiologies have been proposed, but the mechanisms we observed are the weakening of the bulbocavernosus muscle and dilation of the urethra due to atrophy of the cavernosal tissue. This study investigates the mechanism of PMD by observing anatomical changes in the corpus cavernosum and urethra. SD male rats were categorized by age into the young rats group (8 weeks old) and the old rats group (24 months or more). The ratio area of the bulbous urethra and corpus cavernosum to the total penis was statistically significant between both groups (P<0.05). Significant differences were obtained between the two groups for restored smooth muscle contents and several other parameters related to PMD mechanisms (nNOS, α-SMA) (P<0.05). The changes in size and parameters of the urethra and corpus cavernosum in young and old rats were confirmed. The results from this study are expected to contribute to the study of PMD in the future.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.21-26
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• 2001

To examine functionality of depolymerized alginate obtained by hydrolysis of alginate through a heating process at $121^{\circ}C$ on gastrointestinal physiology, the changes of body weight, organ weight and length, pancreatic and small intestinal composition, and light microscopy (LM) observation of small intestinal microvilli's appearances were checked in the rats. Rats were fed diets containing $1\%, 5\%, and 10\%$ of each depolymerized alginate (HAG-10, HAG-50, HAG-100) and alginate for 35 days, The feeding of 5 and $10\%$ HAG-50 and $10\%$ alginate diets for 35 days significantly depressed the body weight gain, but increased the length and weight of the small intestine and cecum in rats (p<0.01). Pancreatic protease activity was decreased significantly (p<0.01) in all groups except lo/o of HAG-10 diets, but the protein content increased in all groups, However, pancreatic amylase and lipase activities as well as DNA and RNA content were not significantly different. The small intestinal protein and the DNA content were the highest in diets fed $5\%$ HAG-50; RNA content increased significantly (p<0.01) in all groups except in the fiber-free diets. Light microscopy (LM) observation showed growth of small intestinal microvilli with numerous ridges; the multiplication of the convolution goblet cells in rats fed with diets containing $5\%$ of HAG-50 were more than others group.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2001

To clarify functionality of depolymerized alginate obtained by hydrolysis of alginate through a heating process at $121^{\circ}C$ on gastrointestinal physiology, the effects of a depolymerized alginate on fecal microflora and the intestinal environment were studied in rats. Rats were fed with diets containing 1, 5 and $10\%$ of each depolymerized alginate (HAG-10, HAG-50 and HAG-100) and alginate for 35 days, Among 20 species of authentic intestinal bacteria, Bacteroides ovatus showed the abilities to ferment HAG-10 HAG-50, HAG-100 and alginate, The 1, 5 and $10\%$ of HAG-50 and $1\%$ of alginate diets resulted in the increased ratio of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus to total bacteria, while the 5 and $10\%$ alginate diets decreased in feces of rats, significantly (p<0.01). These results suggested that $5\%$ HAG-50 diets contribute to an improvement of intestinal microflora in rats.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.1936-1942
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• 2010

To examine the effect of overdosed functional food in liver-injured patients, we tried to investigate the dose effect of Allium sativum L. (also called garlic) extract on rats with CCl4-induced liver damage, by comparatively examinating the hepatic function of each group. 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were selected and divided equally (n=7) into normal, control, positive control, and three experimental subgroups (E1, E2 and E3), respectively. For each kg of body weight, hepatic injury was induced by intraperitoneal administration of $0.5\;m{\ell}$ (0.20 g/kg/day) $CCl_4$, which was diluted in equal amount of olive oil, once a day on every other day for total 5 times. Hot water extraction was performed using domestically cultivated organic garlics, and the obtained extract was injected by sonde, once daily during 4 weeks, to each experimental subgroups by different dosage of 0.35 g/kg(E1), 0.70 g/kg(E2), 1.40 g/kg(E3), respectively. Results showed that the injection of garlic extract positively influenced the physiological activation which lowered the oxidative stress, changed the toxicity, and functionally improved the hepatic condition. Comparing the dose effect between the three experimental subgroups (E1, E2, E3), results of the maximal-dosed subgroup (E3) showed less significance compared with the lower-dosed subgroups(E1 and E2), which seems to resulted from the (increased) toxicity of garlic.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.504-512
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• 2021

Sperm formation disorders and sperm quality degradation comprises the largest proportion of male infertility caused by TCDD. To solve this problem, this study examined the effects of Gobonyangjeonbang oriental medicine prescription on the endocrine function and reproductive toxicity-related indicators in rat-induced TCDD-induced reproductive. Male SD rats were divided into five groups of seven animals and tested. The normal control group was administered the vehicle and saline, the TCDD alone group was administered intraperitoneally with TCDD (2 ㎍/kg, weeks) and physiological saline, and the test group was administered orally by dividing GYB (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg) into three concentrations for six weeks. Weight loss was observed in all groups administered TCDD. Regarding the hormonal changes, a significant decrease in free testosterone was observed in the GYB 300 mg/kg group (p<0.01). In addition, some of the germ cell destruction, seminiferous tubular atrophy, and decrease in sperm count was improved in a concentration-dependent manner in the testicular tissue of the GYB-treated group. In addition, Johnsen's score and serotoli cell index (SCI) were improved in a concentration-dependent manner (p<0.05). Overall, GYB can be used in drug therapy rather than medical procedures to solve male infertility in the future.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.905-910
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• 2002

To investigate an eliminatory effect of mixed extract of Hovenia dulcis Thunb, Gastrodia elata and Alnus japonica etc., on the ethanol-induced hangover, 12 hr-fasted male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220±20 g were given mixed extract (10 mL/kg, p.o.) and administered ethanol at a dose of 3 g/kg bw (25% in distilled water) orally 30 min postdosing. Blood was collected from caudal artery at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 hr and then the animals were sacrificed at 24 hr after the ethanol treatment. From 0 to 12 hr, the administration of mixed extract significantly decreased the area under the serum alcohol concentrations-vs.-time curves by 21 % compared with control group. In these experiments, liver function indices, such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities, showed unaltered results in all treated groups compared with the normal group. These results suggest that oral intake of the mixed extract may be effective on elimination of ethanol-induced hangover.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.226-232
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of mixture of Gastrodiae rhizoma (GM) on blood amelioration in high cholesterol-diet rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to one normal diet and three high cholesterol-diet groups which contained 1 % (w/w) cholesterol diet. The groups of high cholesterol-diet were classified to control (high cholesterol-diet only), GM-1 (high cholesterol-diet and GM) and ST-1 (high cholesterol-diet and Statin drug). The body and organs weight were not significantly changed among the tested groups. Contents of serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased in cholesterol-diet groups compared with normal diet group but significantly decreased in the group of GM-1. Morphology of red blood cell in GM-1 group was similar to normal diet group but the control group had many crystals of cholesterol. Hepatic xanthine oxidase activity in the rats of high cholesterol-diet was decreased up to the levels of normal diet group according to oral administration of GM. The results of the present study demonstrate that the orally injection of GM can ameliorate the status of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and repress xanthine oxidase in liver in high cholesterol-diet rats. These finding suggest that GM is expected to be an effective tea for the blood amelioration in high cholesterol-diet rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2017

The aim of this study is to investigate anti-arthritis activity using a KV pharmacopuncture. KV pharmacopuncture was inserted at BL40 for 4 weeks to SD-Rat, where arthritis was induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) at 60 mg/ml. MMP-9, CTX II, LTB4, calcitonin and glycosaminoglycan level in serum were measured by ELISA. The cartilage of patella volume was examined and 3-D high-resolution reconstructions of the cartilage of patella were obtained using a Micro-CT system. Also, The histopathological change of knee was observed by H&E and safranin-O staining. Production of MMP-9, CTX II and LTB4 level in serum was decreased, respectively, in comparison with control. The other way, production of calcitonin and glycosaminoglycan level in serum was increased, respectively, in comparison with control. The cartilage of patella volume increased significantly. In addition, the KV group showed a increase in the cartilage volume and proteoglycan. These results may be used a remedy for new korea medicine to ease the symptoms mentioned above.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1337-1343
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• 2005

The hepato-protective effects of the extract from Protaetia brevitarsis against hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride ($CCI_4$) were studied in rats. The rats were orally treated with $CCI_4$ (50% in corn oil) at initial dose of $1\;m{\ell}/kg$ followed by $0.5m{\ell}/kg$ four times during 2-week period. The extract of P. brevitarsis (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered day after day from 1 week before $CCI_4$ Injection during five weeks. $CCI_4$ induced hepato-celluar degeneration and necrosis induced to increase in serum aspartate amintransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. In biochemical analyses, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in hepatic tissues were remarkably increased by $CCI_4$ treatment. Not only increases in serum AST and ALT, but also induction of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissues caused by $CCI_4$ were significantly attenuated by the P. brevitarsis extract in a dose-dependent manner. Such hepato-protective effects of P. brevitarsis extract were confirmed by histopathological examinations, wherein only mild hepatocytic vacuolations were observed in the liver of rats treated with a high dose (100 mg/kg) of P. brevitarsis extract in comparison with severe hepatocytic degenerations administered with $CCI_4$ alone. From these results, it is suggested that the extract of Protaetia brevitarsis could be a promising candidate for the protection of liver injury, based on the preventive effects against morphological cellular injuries, lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters.