• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.94-100
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• 2001

Background: It is doubtful that aging causes deteriorated glucose metabolism and insulin resistance of skeletal muscle. Some researchers had different results about it. So we have studied the mechanism responsible for the abnormal glucose tolerance associated with aging in rapidly growing and matured rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were used S.D. rats. Growing rats were 7 weeks old (BW: 160-190 gm) and matured rats were 28 weeks old (BW: 420-525 gm). Results: Fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin levels were significantly elevated in matured rat compared with growing rats. And during oral glucose tolerance test the glucose level was also significantly elevated in matured rats. These results confirmed an insulin resistant state of aging. Insulin levels at 30 minutes of oral glucose tolerance test was significantly elevated in growing rat. But at 120 minutes it was maintained at higher level in matured rats than in growing rats. It suggested the possibility of increased insulin secretion by initial stimulation of beta-cells in growing rats, and increased secretion and decreased catabolic rate of insulin in matured rats. Glucose uptake rate of soleus muscle in matured rats was lower than that of growing rats, but the difference was not statistically significant. The dose(insulin)-responsive(glucose uptake) curve of soleus muscle was only slightly deviated to the right side. Conclusion: Glucose metabolism of rat skeletal muscle was worsened by aging. The data of glucose uptake experiments suggested the possibility of insulin resistance of skeletal muscle in matured rats. but the mechanism of insulin resistance of skeletal muscle need further studies.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.47-64
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• 1987

Morphological difference of the renal glomerulus at different age groups have been studied in young (three month-old), adult (twelve month-old) and old (thirty month-old) Fisher strain 344 rats. Pieces of the tissues were taken from renal corticies prefixed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde (0.1 M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), following by post-fixation with 1% osmium tetroxide (0.1 M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3) and embedded within Araldite. The ultrathin sections contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate were observed under a JEM 100CX electron microscope. The mean thickness of glomerular basal lamina and Bowman's capsule were determined by measuring the thinnest portion of basal lamina, and by taking the average of 50 readings from electron micrographs at different ages. The numerical changes of the slit pores were compared based upon the numbers over the length of 10um of glomerular basal lamina. The results were as follow: 1. The thickness of glomerular basal lamina is increased during aging; 140.4 nm in young rats, 270.0 nm in adult ones, and 437.8 nm in old ones. 2. The thickness of basal lamina of parietal cells of Bowman's capsule is 187.5 nm in young rats, 914.0 nm in adult ones, and 2850.0 nm in old ones. 3. The numbers of the slit pores of basal lamina are reduced during aging, 30.3 slit pores/$10{\mu}m$ in adult ones, and 24.2 slit pores/$10{\mu}m$ in old ones. 4. Accumulation of dense intracytoplasmic filamentous material in the parietal cells of Bowman's capsule is increased in the vicinity of the basal lamina during aging. The proximal tubule-like epithelial cell in Bowman's capsule is observed at one glomerulus in a young rat. 5. The endothelial cells are edematous and form balloon-like structure protruding into capillary lumen in young and old rats. 6. Cytoplasm of the podocyte shows a variety of alteration during aging, such as swelling of mitochondria and of endoplasmic reticulum, and increase of microtubules, microfilaments, lysosomes and lamellated myelin structures, etc. Accumulation of dense intracytoplasmic material in the foot processes is increased in the vicinity of the basal lamina during aging. The podocytic membrane-like structures are seen in young and o]d rats. 7. The mesangial matrices and mesangial cells are increased during aging, and slight swelling of endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi cisternae in young and old rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.50-56
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• 2018

Background: Saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJ) are the most abundant and main active components of P. japonicus, which replaces ginseng roots in treatment for many kinds of diseases in the minority ethnic group in China. Our previous studies have demonstrated that SPJ has the effects of anti-inflammation through the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) signaling pathways. The present study was designed to investigate whether SPJ can modulate intestinal tight junction barrier in aging rats and further to explore the potential mechanism. Methods: Aging rats had been treated with different doses (10 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg, and 60 mg/kg) of SPJ for 6 mo since they were 18 mo old. After the rats were euthanized, the colonic samples were harvested. Levels of tight junctions (claudin-1 and occludin) were determined by immunohistochemical staining. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were examined by Western blot. NF-${\kappa}B$ and phosphorylation of MAPK signaling pathways were also determined by Western blot. Results: We found that SPJ increased the expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and occludin in the colon of aging rats. Treatment with SPJ decreased the levels of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, reduced the phosphorylation of three MAPK isoforms, and inhibited the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the colon of aging rats. Conclusion: The studies demonstrated that SPJ modulates the damage of intestinal epithelial tight junction in aging rats, inhibits inflammation, and downregulates the phosphorylation of the MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 1997

In order to investigate the effect of aging and the $H_2O$$_2$ localization in association with histological, ultrastructural, and cytochemical studies in lung tissue after interleukin-1$\alpha$(IL-1) induced lung injury, an acute lung injury was induced by instillation of IL-1 into the trachea. Both of 4- and 20-months-old male rats, protein contents in IL-1 treated branchoalveolar lavage increased significantly compared to each control rats. Acute lung injury occured by oxidative stress because neutrophils accumulated in vascular lumen and formed the adhesion with endothelial cells. As these cause, tissue proteins were exuded and leukocytes migrated into the alveolar lumen. Neverthless in these lung injury $H_2O$$_2$ localization of IL-1 treated 20 months rats was not different compared to IL-1 treated 4 months rats. After all aging was not a factor to accelate IL-1 induced lung injury. Based on these results, it is suggested that neutrophil infilteration might be an important cause in acute lung injury, and aging is not a factor to change the acute lung injury by oxidative stress.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.361-366
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• 1999

One of the potential causes of age-related neuronal damage can be reactive oxygen species (ROS), as the brain is particularly sensitive to oxidative damage. In the present study, we investigated the effects of aging and dietary restriction (DR) on ROS generation, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidant enzymes in cerebrum, hippocampus, and cerebellum of 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old rats. ROS generation significantly increased with age in cerebrum of ad libitum (AL) rats. However, no significant age-difference was observed in hippocampus and cerebellum. DR significantly decreased ROS generation in cerebrum and cerebellum at 24-months. On the other hand, the increased lipid peroxidation of AL rats during aging was significantly reduced by DR in all regions. Our results further showed that catalase activity decreased with age in cerebellum of AL rats, which was reversed by DR, although SOD activity had little change by aging and DR in all regions. In a similar way, glutathione (GSH) peroxidase activity increased with age in cerebrum of AL rats, while DR suppressed it at 24-months. These data further support the evidence that the vulnerability to oxidative stress in the brain is region-specific.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.713-728
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• 2002

This study was performed to see effects of whole grape, grape pomace or grape juice intakes on lipid metabolism during aging in old Sprague-Dawely male rats. One hundred twenty rats of 13 months old Sprague-Dawely were blocked into eight groups according to body weight and raised for 3, 5 or 7 months with diets containing 2% (w/w) dried powders of three different pars of grape and 0.02% (w/w) CdCl₂. Body weights of Cd groups were lower than Cd free groups. Kidney and spleen weights were incre ased with age, and EEP weights of Cd groups were lower than those of Cd free groups. Total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentration in plasma increased with age. Whole grape, grape pomace or grape juice intake lowered plasma total lipid triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations, and especially grape pomace lowered them markedly. Whole grape, grape pomace or grape juice intake decreased liver total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations and increased fecal lipid excretion. Grape diets decreased and Cd administration increased TBARS concentration in LDL fraction. In conclusion, grape diets were effective in decreasing lipid levels of liver and plasma, TBARS in LDL, and in increasing HDL cholesterol. The grape pomace was most effective among three grape parts. It is plausible that grape might be recommended for the treatment or prevention of cardiovascular disease and delaying aging. (Korean J Nutrition 35 (7): 713∼728, 2002)

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.327-348
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of oral administration of NokYongDaebotang (NYD) on aging in rats. To observe the anti-aging effect of NYD, we performed blood chemistry analysis, histological analysis, and evaluated the levels of SOD, catalase, glutathione, NO and MDA in liver and other organ. The results were as follows : 1. The levels of serum Albumin and GOT was reduced significantly in the NYD group as compared with the nornal group. 2. Serum Total bilirubin level was increased in the NYD group as compared with the nornal group. 3. Serum LDL-cholesterol level was reduced significantly in the NYD group as compared with the nornal group. 4. The level of GSH and SOD activityin liver were significantly higher in 52 w-NYD group than that of 52 w-normal group. 5. The levels of NO were reduced significantly in 52 w-NYD group as compared with 52 w-normal group. In conclusion, NYD decoction is considered to have an anti-aging effect in rats.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.113-127
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• 1992

The present study was investigated to elucidate the effects of chlorambucil the heart tissue of various-aged rats. The male rats ranging from 3 to 36 months were used. The cytochemical and biochemical changes in myocardium of the rats were studied in the aspect of free radical roles in aging process. With the goals of evaluating the potential roles of free radicals in aging process, evidence was shought for alterations of myocardial lipid peroxide levels in control and chlorambucil treated rats. The result are summarized as follows: 1. Cytochemical studies showed that the activities of $Mg^{++}$-ATPase and succinic dehydrogenase increased with age. However, these enzyme activities were decreased with treatment of chlorambucil, when compared with control group. Interestingly it was observed that chlorambucil treatment increased the activity of acid phosphatase from 6 months upto 18 months, and decreased after 18 months. 2. The lipid peroxide level in myocatdium was increased with age; chlorambucil-treated group was higher than that of control group. 3. Age-dependent increase in activities of monoamine oxidase, xanthine oxidase and catalase was observed. But the increase of catalase activity was higher than that of monoamine oxidase and xanthine oxidase activity in control group. However, in chlorambucil-treated group, age-dependent decrease of these enzyme activities was observed, and catalase activity was more significant particularly with regard to other enzymes. In consequently, the morphological alterationsof myocardium due to chlorambucil treatment was exclusively observed. We demonstrate that this alteration is occured by lipid peroxidation upon chlorambucil treatment.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Inflammaging in male reproductive organs covers a wide variety of problems, including sexual dysfunction and infertility. In this study, the beneficial effects of cordycepin (COR), isolated from potential medicinal fungi Cordyceps militaris, in aging-associated testicular inflammation and serum biochemical changes in naturally aged rats were investigated. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (YC), aged control (AC), and COR (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) treated aged rat groups. Aging-associated serum biochemical changes and inflammatory parameters were analyzed by biochemical assay kits, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) alteration in the total blood cell count, lipid metabolism, and liver functional parameters in AC group when compared with YC group. However, COR-treated aged rats ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in the expression of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tissue necrosis factor-alpha) in aged rat testis was significant (p < 0.05) when compared with YC group. Treatment with COR at 20 mg/kg to aged rats attenuated the increased expression of inflammatory mediators significantly (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies revealed that the potential attenuating effects exhibited by COR in aged rats was mediated by regulation of NF-κB activation and MAPKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38) signaling. In conclusion, COR restored the altered serum biochemical parameters in aged rats and ameliorated the aging-associated testicular inflammation proving the therapeutic benefits of COR targeting inflammaging-associated male sexual dysfunctions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.222-228
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• 2020

Background: 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 (C₄₂H₇₂O₁₃), a natural triterpenoid saponin, is extracted from red ginseng. The increasing use of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 has raised product safety concerns. Methods: In acute toxicity, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 was singly and orally administrated to Kunming mice and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at the maximum doses of 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg, respectively. In the 26-week toxicity study, we used repeated oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 in SD rats over 26 weeks at doses of 0, 20, 60, or 180 mg/kg. Moreover, a 4-week recovery period was scheduled to observe the persistence, delayed occurrence, and reversibility of toxic effects. Results: The result of acute toxicity shows that oral administration of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 to mice and rats did not induce mortality or toxicity up to 1600 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. During a 26-week administration period and a 4-week withdrawal period (recovery period), there were no significant differences in clinical signs, body weight, food consumption, urinalysis parameters, biochemical and hematological values, or histopathological findings. Conclusion: The mean oral lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3, in acute toxicity, is above 1600 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg in mice and rats, respectively. In a repeated-dose 26-week oral toxicity study, the no-observed-adverse-effect level for female and male SD rats was 180 mg/kg.