• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.472-479
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to examine the effect of Sargassum coreanum extract (SCE) on blood glucose concentration and insulin resistance in C57BL-KsJ-db/db mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: For 6 weeks, male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were administrated SCE (0.5%, w/w), and rosiglitazone (0.005%, w/w). RESULTS: A supplement of the SCE for 6 weeks induced a significant reduction in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations, and it improved hyperinsulinemia compared to the diabetic control db/db mice. The glucokinase activity in the hepatic glucose metabolism increased in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice, while phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice were significantly lower than those in the diabetic control db/db mice. The homeostatic index of insulin resistance was lower in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice than in the diabetic control db/db mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a supplement of the SCE lowers the blood glucose concentration by altering the hepatic glucose metabolic enzyme activities and improves insulin resistance.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.200-213
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was purposed to investigate the Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Gold injection Aqua-acupuncture on the experimental model of rheumatoid arthritis. Methods : The experimental groups were divided into 4 groups : Control group (group injected with normal saline), J-NS (group injected with normal saline into bilateral Choksamni(ST36)), J-GS (group injected with Gold Injection into bilateral Choksamni(ST36)), and N-GS (injected with Gold Injection into the blank locus of the root of mouse tail). In addition, Diclofenac-Na as a comparative medicine is injected into bilateral Choksamni(ST36) and the blank locus of the root of mouse tail. So we measured the mice paw edema induced by Carrageenin and Dextran, the chronic rat paw edema induced by adjuvant, vascular permeability induced by Acetic acid in mice, the writhing syndrome induced by Acetic acid in mice, the heat-induced pain threshold in mice. Results : The following result have been obtained. 1. The mice paw edema induced by Carrageenin was significantly decreased in J-GS as compared with the control group. 2. The mice paw edema induced by Dextran was significantly decreased in J-GS and N-GS as compared with the control group. 3. The chronic rat paw edema induced by Adjuvant was significantly decreased in J-GS and N-GS as compared with the control group. Serum Iron content was significantly decreased in J-GS and N-GS as compared with the control group. But the effect on the Serum Copper contents has no significance statistically. 4. Vascular permeability induced by Acetic acid in mice was significantly decreased in J-GS and N-GS as compared with the control group. 5. The level of Acetic acid-induced Writhing syndrome and Heat-induced Pain Threshold in mice were all significantly decreased in J-GS and N-GS as compared with the control group. Conclusion : According to the result, gold injection aqua-acupuncture has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the experimental model of rheumatiod arthiritis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Obesity is defined as increased mass of adipose tissue, conferring a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease. To get a better understanding of the role of a male sex hormone testosterone on obesity, we thus measured the effects of testosterone on white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, adipocyte histology and hepatic lipid accumulation in male castrated (CAST) C57BL/6J mice. Compared to male CAST control mice, testosterone-treated mice had the decreased WAT mass and the increased the number of adipocytes. Especially, histological data showed that the adipocyte size was reduced in a dose-dependent manner and was most effective at dose 150 $\mu$g per mouse for testosterone. In addition, the administration of testosterone resulted in the inhibition of hepatic lipid accumulation compared with control mice. Our results suggest that testosterone regulates adipocytes development and hepatic lipid metabolism, resulting in the prevention of obesity in male CAST mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.99-104
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• 2007

To determine whether 17$\beta$-estradiol induces the morphological changes in adipose and liver tissues, we measured the effects of 17$\beta$-estradiol on adipose tissue mass, adipocyte histology and hepatic lipid accumulation in female ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6J mice. Compared to vehicle-treated control mice, 17$\beta$-estradiol-treated mice decreased adipose tissue mass and the size of adipocytes, and concomitantly increased the number of adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the administration of 17$\beta$-estradiol resulted in reduced hepatic lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that estrogen may regulate adipocyte development and lipid metabolism in female OVX C57BL/6J mice.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.651-656
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• 2006

This study examined the chemopreventive effect of saponins that were isolated from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), Changkil saponins (CKS), against the tobacco-specific carcinogen, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), -on lung tumorigenesis in A/J mice. The mice were treated with a single NNK dose (100 mg/kg b.w., i.p.). CKS (0.5, 1, 4 mg/kg body wt.) was administered orally daily for 3 days/week beginning 1 day after the NNK treatment and was maintained throughout the experiment. The administration of CKS suppressed the NNK-induced increase in the level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, which are a marker of cell proliferation, in the lungs of the mice 4 weeks after the NNK injection. Twenty-five weeks after the NNK treatment, the mice were sacrificed and the number of surface lung tumors was measured. CKS significantly reduced the number of lung tumors induced by NNK in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that CKS suppresses the development of lung tumors and has a chemopreventive effect against NNK-induced mouse lung tumorigenesis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.391-398
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• 2000

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a small peptide molecule synthesized by white adipocytes with an important role in the regulation of body fat and food intake. Based on the evidence that synthesis of leptin is regulated by female sex hormone, estrogen, this present study was investigated whether sex hormone precursor DHEA, can regulate obese gene expression in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Antiobesity activity of DHEA was evaluated by determining body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight and serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in ICR, C57BL/6J, and ob/ob mice. The treatment of C57BL/6J lean and obese mice with a diet containing 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA resulted in lowered rates of weight gain in comparison to non-treated mice, although much greater response was found in the obese mice. All other concentrations of DHEA (0.015%, 0.06%, 0.15%, 0.3%) except the highest one(0.6%) showed no significant effects on weight gain in ICR mice. Food consumption was significantly decreased in all mice treated with 0.6% DHEA, whereas it was not decreased in ICR mice at lower concentrations than 0.6% DHEA. DHEA decreased significantly epididymal adipose tissue weight and serum triglyceride levels dose dependently in lean and obese mice. However serum cholesterol levels were decreased at lower concentrations than 0.15% DHEA and increased at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA in lean and obese mice. These increases in serum cholestrol levels at high concentrations of DHEA might result from the fact that DHEA has a cholesterol moiety thereby interfered the assay system. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for antiobesity activity of DHEA, we examined mRNA levels of obese gene in the adipocyte and obese gene product (leptin) in the serum. The results showed that DHEA did not affect obese gene expression in ICR and C57BL/6J mice. Therefore, we concluded that antiobesity activity of DHEA was not modulated by obese gene expression.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2014

The A-type lamin deficient mouse line ($Lmna^{-/-}$) has become one of the most frequently used models for providing insights into many different aspects of A-type lamin function. To elucidate the function of Lmna in the growth and metabolism of mice, tissue growth and blood biochemistry were monitored in Lmna-deficient mice, heterozygous ($Lmna^{+/-}$) and wide-type ($Lmna^{+/+}$) backcrossed to C57BL/6 background. At 4 weeks after birth, the weight of various organs of the $Lmna^{-/-}$, $Lmna^{+/-}$ and $Lmna^{+/+}$ mice was measured. A panel of biochemical analyses consisting of 15 serological tests was examined. The results showed that Lmna deficient mice had significantly decreased body weight and increased the ratio of organ to body weight in most of tissues. Compared with $Lmna^{+/+}$ and $Lmna^{+/-}$ mice, $Lmna^{-/-}$ mice exhibited lower levels of ALP (alkaline phosphatase), Chol (cholesterol), CR (creatinine), GLU (glucose), HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and higher levels of ALT (alanine aminotransferase) (p<0.05). $Lmna^{-/-}$ mice displayed higher AST (aspartate aminotransferase) values and lower LDL (lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol), CK-MB (creatine kinase-MB) levels than $Lmna^{+/+}$ mice (p<0.05). There were no significant differences among the three groups of mice with respect to BUN (blood urea nitrogen), CK (creatine kinase), Cyc C (cystatin C), TP (total protein), TG (triacylglycerols) and UA (uric acid) levels (p>0.05). These changes of serological parameters may provide an experimental basis for the elucidation of Lmna gene functions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2009

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Anaplasma (A.) phagocytophilum. Natural killer T (NKT) cells are key players in host defense against various microbial infections. We investigated the role of NKT cells in immune response to A. phagocytophilum infection using NKT-knockout ($J\alpha$18-/-) mice. $J\alpha$18-/- and wild-type (WT) mice were infected with low-passage A. phagocytophilum and assayed for hepatic histopathology and cytokine production during 7 days post-infection. Compared to WT controls, the infected $J\alpha$18 -/- mice had much less histopathologic lesions and less apoptosis through day 7, and lower concentrations of ${IFN\gamma}$ and IL- 12, but not of IL-10. This result suggests that NKT cells are major components in the pathogenesis of HGA.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.222-226
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• 2003

Purpose: The interaction of the Fas: Fas ligand has been recognized to play an important role in radiation induced apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Fas and Fas ligand mutations, in radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo. Materials and Methods: Mice with a mutation in the Fas ($C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr}$) and its normal control (C57BL/6J) and the Fas ligand ($C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$) and its normal control (C3H/HeJ), were used in this study. Eight-week old male mice were given whole body radiation. After irradiation, the mice were killed at various time intervals, and their spleens collected. Tissue sample was stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the numbers of apoptotic cells scored. The regulating molecules of apoptosis including the p53, Bcl-2, Bax, $Bcl-X_L\;and\;Bcl-X_s$ genes were also analyzed by Western blotting. Results: With 2.5 Gy and 10 Gy of irradiation, the levels of apoptosis were lower in the $C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr}\;and\;C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$ mice than in the control mice (p<0.05). With the expression of apoptosis regulating molecules, the Bax was increased in both the C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice in response to radiation; the peak levels of Bax in the C57BL6J and C3H/HeJ were 3 and 3.3-fold higher after 8hr, respectively. However the Bax was not increased in either the $C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr}\;or\;C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$mice. The p53, Bcl-X_L,\;Bcl-X_S$and Bcl-2 showed no significant changes in the $C57BL/6J-Fas^{lpr},\;C3H/HeJ-Fas^{gld}$, C57BL/6J and C3H/HeJ mice. Conclusion: The levels of radiation-induced apoptosis were lower in the lpr and gld, than the control mice, which seemed to be related to the level of Bax activation due to the radiation in the lpr and gld mice. This result suggests that Fas/Fas L plays an important role in radiation-induced apoptosis in vivo.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.166-180
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• 2020

Rhododendron schlippenbachii have been used as a medicine because of their various biological activities. In this study, R. schlippenbachii ethanol extract was evaluated for the treatment of vitiligo. The R. schlippenbachii ethanol extract did not show any cell cytotoxicity. The effect on mushroom tyrosinase and cellular tyrosinase activities were further assessed. In addition, the determination of melanin content in melanocytes was measured using both the B16 melanoma cells and C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice. Finally, the existence of quercetin in R. schlippenbachii was confirmed by qualitative analysis using HPLC. The results clearly demonstrated the R. schlippenbachii extract enhanced melanogenesis and also increased tyrosinase activity in cultured melanoma cells and C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice. In addition, treatment with R. schlippenbachii extract led to a higher content of melanin and eumelanin in C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice hair than in control (untreated) mice, which demonstrated the therapeutic effect of hair-graying associated with vitiligo. Finally, we confirmed a notable increase in melanocytes in the skin of C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice treated with R. schlippenbachii extract compared with the control. Extracts of R. schlippenbachii was shown to be potent tyrosinase and melanin synthesis activator in B16 melanoma cells. The R. schlippenbachii extract have significantly higher melanin content than the untreated control in C57BL/6J Ler-vit/vit mice hair. The results suggest that R. schlippenbachii extract might be considered as an alternative treatment for improvement of vitiligo.