• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2000

Objective : To investigate the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Fructus on liver injury induced $CCl_4$. Method : Carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in $CCl_4$,-treated rats caused changes in the glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities in the serum. Result : The Methanol extract of the Artemisiae Capillaris Fructus was found to protect the rats against such changes significantly. Protective activities were shown to be present in ether-soluble and buthanol-soluble fractions prepared from the above methanol extract. Conclusion : we have examined the detoxyfying effect, one of several medicinal effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Fructus. on liver disorder experimentally induced by $CCl_4$. as an animal model of liver disorder.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.232-241
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• 1998

This study was done to investigate whether cholic acid derivatives have anti-stress activity in various stress models. Two cholic acid derivatives, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and tauroursodeoxycholic acid (WDCA), were used. physical, psychological, chemical and environmental stress models were performed. Adrenal weight, serum glucose levels and ALP activity were elevated in restraint stress model, but this elevation was prevented by UDCA treatment. Moreover, UDCA and TUDCA inhibited exploratory and spontaneous movements in oscillation stress model. In alcohol-induced stress model, TUDCA improved rotarod performance. UDCA and TUDCA significantly reduced the involution of lymphoid organs and the increment of WBC counts in cold stress model. These findings suggest that choric acid derivatives have antistress effects in various stress models.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.387.1-387.1
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• 2002

Aging and estrogen cleficiency after menopause induce bone loss and result in osteoporosis. This study was investigated effects of n-hexane fraction (Hx) extracted from Astragali Radix on osteoporosis with osteoblast-like cell line (MG-63 and Saos-2) and an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. Proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. MG-63 and Saos-2. was tested with MTT and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. (omitted)

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2016

Although fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is exclusively produced in osteoblasts and osteocytes, its main target is the kidney, where it decreases phosphate reabsorption by suppressing Na-phosphate cotransporters. Independently of its action on phosphate homeostasis, FGF23 also inhibits bone formation in vivo. In a calvarial osteoblastic cell model, FGF23 was shown to negatively affect extracellular matrix mineralization. This study investigated whether FGF23 had similar effects on osteoblast maturation, including differentiation and mineralization of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). D1 MSCs were cultured in an osteogenic medium containing β-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethazone. Osteoblastic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (Alp) staining, and matrix mineralization was evaluated by alizarin red staining and calcium deposition. The expression of differentiation-stimulating genes Runx2, Alp, and osteocalcin and mineralization-inhibiting genes Enpp1 and Ank was analyzed using semiquantitative RT-PCR. Supraphysiological doses of FGF23 did not stimulate proliferation or osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs. Matrix mineralization 1, 2, and 3 weeks after the FGF23 treatment did not vary between control and FGF23 groups, although time-dependent enhancement of mineralization was obvious. Calcium deposition was also unchanged after the FGF23 treatment. mRNA expression levels of differentiation- and mineralization-related genes were also similar between the groups. Despite these negative findings, FGF23 signaling through FGF receptors seemed to function normally, with phosphorylation of the Erk protein more evident in the FGF23 group than in controls. These findings suggest that unlike calvarial osteoblasts, FGF23 is not likely to affect osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of MSCs.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.137-145
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• 2009

As an efficient controlled release system for rhBMP-2, a functional nanoparticle-hydrogel complex, incorporated with matrix metalloproteinase(MMP) sensitive peptide cross-linker, was developed and used as a bone transplant. In vivo bone formation was evaluated by soft x-ray, histology, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity and mineral contents analysis, based on the rat calvarial critical size defect(8mm in diameter) model. Significantly, effective bone regeneration was achieved with the rhBMP-2 loaded MMP sensitive hyaluronic acid(HA) based hydrogel-Nanoparticles(NP) complex, as compared to only MMP HA, the MMP HA-NP without rhBMP-2, or even with the rhBMP-2. These improvements included the formation pattern of bone and functional marrow, the degree of calcium quantification, and the ALP activity. These results indicate that the MMP sensitive HA with nano-particle complex can be a promising candidate for a new bone defect replacement matrix, and an enhanced rhBMP-2 scaffold.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2015

Background: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are commonly used in many chemotherapeutic protocols and play an important role in the normal regulation of bone remodeling. However, the prolonged use of GCs results in osteoporosis, which is partially due to apoptosis of osteoblasts and osteocytes. In this study, effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on GC-treated murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and a GC-induced osteoporosis mouse model were investigated. Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to dexamethasone (Dex) with or without KRG and cell viability was measured by the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Realtime polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the apoptotic gene expression; osteogenic gene expression and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were also measured. Western blotting was performed to evaluate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins. A GC-induced osteoporosis animal model was used for in vivo study. Results and conclusion: The MTT assay revealed that Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) prevents loss of cell viability caused by Dex-induced apoptosis in MC3T3E1 cells. Real-time polymerase chain reaction data showed that groups treated with both Dex and KRG exhibited lower mRNA levels of caspase-3 and -9, whereas the mRNA levels of Bcl2, IAPs, and XIAP increased. Moreover, groups treated with both Dex and KRG demonstrated increased mRNA levels of ALP, RUNX2, and bone morphogenic proteins as well as increased ALP activity in MC3T3-E1 cells, compared to cells treated with Dex only. In addition, KRG increased protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation and decreased c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. Moreover, microcomputed tomography analysis of the femurs showed that GC implantation caused trabecular bone loss. However, a significant reduction of bone loss was observed in the KRG-treated group. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of KRG in the GC-induced apoptosis may lead to the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or delay osteoporosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.665-672
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• 2011

We evaluated the effects of organic Ca supplements chelated with milk protein (CaMP) in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats. Eight week-old Sprague-Dawley female rats were ovariectomized and fed a low $CaCO_3$ diet (0.1%) for 4 weeks to create an osteoporotic model. At that point, L4-$CaCO_3$ rats were sacrificed and the rest of the rats were divided into 4 groups, each of which was fed an experimental diet for 4 weeks: low-$CaCO_3$ (0.1%; L8-$CaCO_3$) and CaMP at 3 Ca levels: low (0.1%; L8-CaMP), normal (0.5%; N8-CaMP), and high (1.5%; H8-CaMP). Daily weight gain, serum ALP, weight and breaking force of femurs, Ca content of the lumbar, and Ca absorption were measured. Daily weight gain increased in the N8-CaMP and H8-CaMP groups compared to the low Ca groups. The ALP activity in the CaMP-fed rats was significantly lower than in the $CaCO_3$-fed rats. Both breaking force and femur weight were higher in the N8-CaMP and H8-CaMP groups compared to the L8-$CaCO_3$ group. Ca content of the lumbar increased dose-dependently with Ca intake levels of CaMP. Ca absorption rates of the CaMP-fed rats increased more than that of the rats fed low Ca levels of $CaCO_3$. These results demonstrate that the CaMP supplement had positive effects on bone metabolism and Ca bioavailability in ovariectomized osteoporotic rats. Therefore, CaMP may be recommended as a useful Ca supplement to prevent bone loss in osteoporosis.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2015

Bone changes are common sequela of irradiation in growing animal. The purpose of this study was to establish an experimental model of radiation-induced bone loss in growing mice using micro-computed tomography (${\mu}CT$). The extent of changes following 2 Gy gamma irradiation ($2Gy{\cdot}min^{-1}$) was studied at 4, 8 or 12 weeks after exposure. Mice that received 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 or 4.0 Gy of gamma-rays were examined 8 weeks after irradiation. Tibiae were analyzed using ${\mu}CT$. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and biomechanical properties were measured and the osteoclast surface was examined. A significant loss of trabecular bone in tibiae was evident 8 weeks after exposure. Measurements performed after irradiation showed a dose-related decrease in trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone mineral density (BMD), respectively. The best-fitting dose-response curves were linear-quadratic. Taking the controls into accounts, the lines of best fit were as follows: BV/TV (%) = $0.9584D^2-6.0168D+20.377$ ($r^2$ = 0.946, D = dose in Gy) and BMD ($mg{\cdot}cm^{-3}$) = $8.8115D^2-56.197D+194.41$ ($r^2$ = 0.999, D = dose in Gy). Body weight did not differ among the groups. No dose-dependent differences were apparent among the groups with regard to mechanical and anatomical properties of tibia, serum ALP and osteoclast activity. The findings provide the basis required for better understanding of the results that will be obtained in any further studies of radiation-induced bone responses.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2013

Menopause is often associated with several chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. In this study, we investigated the ability of Eisenia bicyclis (EB) to prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats, a model for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Extracts from EB obtained using ethanol or hot water were analyzed for total polyphenol content and osteoporosis effects in vivo. Total polyphenol content was higher with extraction by hot water compared to ethanol extraction. Fifty 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: the group were sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with EB at 50 mg/kg body weight (OVX-EB50) and 200 mg/kg body weight (OVX-EB200), respectively. The diets were fed to rats for 6 weeks after their operation. We found that the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lower in the EB extract group compared to the OVX-CON group. Collagen and pyridinoline content, in bone and cartilage, were reduced by ovariectomy, but the supplemented EB extract groups exhibited higher concentrations in their bones. These results suggest that EB can be used for the industrial development of foods with therapeutic functions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2014

The technique of stem cells or hepatocytes transplantation has recently improved in order to bridge the time before whole-organ liver transplantation. In the present study, unfractionated bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) were harvested from the tibial and femoral marrow compartments of male mice, which were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with and without hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and then transplanted into Schistosoma mansoni- infected female mice on their 8th week post-infection. Mice were sacrificed monthly until the third month of bone marrow transplantation, serum was collected, and albumin concentration, ALT, AST, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were assayed. On the other hand, immunohistopathological and immunohistochemical changes of granuloma size and number, collagen content, and cells expressing OV-6 were detected for identification of liver fibrosis. BMSCs were shown to differentiate into hepatocyte-like cells. Serum ALT, AST, and ALP were markedly reduced in the group of mice treated with BMSCs than in the untreated control group. Also, granuloma showed a marked decrease in size and number as compared to the BMSCs untreated group. Collagen content showed marked decrease after the third month of treatment with BMSCs. On the other hand, the expression of OV-6 increased detecting the presence of newly formed hepatocytes after BMSCs treatment. BMSCs with or without HGF infusion significantly enhanced hepatic regeneration in S. mansoni-induced fibrotic liver model and have pathologic and immunohistopathologic therapeutic effects. Also, this new therapeutic trend could generate new hepatocytes to improve the overall liver functions.