• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2006

Retinol-binding protein(RBP) plays an important role in the specific transport of retinol to target cells through the blood stream in higher vertebrates. In order to clarify the effects of 4-nonylphenol(4-NP) on RBP mRNA expression in the rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli which is common in coastal waters of Korea and commercially important species, the cDNA library was constructed from the liver, and a partial fragment of the RBP gene was cloned. The deduced amino acid sequence from the RBP mRNA showed a high homology to the amino acid sequence from Sparus aurata(80%), Oncorhynchus mykiss(72%) or Anguilla anguilla(78%). Effects of 4-NP on RBP and vitellogenin(VTG) mRNA expression level in rockfish were examined by the northern blot analysis. In female and male rockfish injected with 4-NP(10 mg/kg BW, lower dose), there was no changes in the levels of VTG mRNA expression in the liver. The RBP mRNA levels, however, decreased at 48 hours after the injection in male. In the rockfish injected with 4-NP(25 mg/kg BW, higher dose), the level of VTG mRNA expression increased after 24 hours, regardless of sex. The level of RBP mRNA expression decreased at 48 hours after the injection in both sexes. These data indicate that estrogenic mimics such as 4-NP exhibit a contrasting effect on RBP and VTG gene expression in rockfish.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.141-147
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• 1992

The present study was conducted to find out the changes of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-dihydroprogesterone(20$\alpha$-OHP) levels during the gestation period in Korean native goats. 4 pregnant goats were offered for this experiment. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein on Day 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140 and 145 of the pregnant goats. The serum levels of progesterone and 20$\alpha$-OHP were measured by radioimmunoassay. The progesterone level in goat serum during the gestaton was low as 2.94$\pm$0.21 at 5 days, and then increased to 4.51$\pm$0.25ng/ml at 10 days of gestation and increased greatly from Days 60 and reached a peak level of 7.21$\pm$0.58ng/ml at 100 days of gestation, and thereafter decreased to 6.01$\pm$0.57, 5.26$\pm$0.64ng/ml on Days 130, 140 of gestation, and decreased to 4.05$\pm$0.52ng/ml on Days 145 of pregnancy. The serum level of 20$\alpha$-OHP during the gestation was low as 0.3~0.4ng/ml in the early stage of pregnancy, and increased gradually and increased to 0.85$\pm$0.06ng/ml, 0.97$\pm$0.08ng/ml on Days 90 or 100, and then increased to 1.18$\pm$0.18, 1.25$\pm$0.21ng/ml on Days 140 or 145 of gestation. While the serum levels of progesterone during the luteal regression decreased, the 20$\alpha$-OHP increased continuously. From the above results, it was concluded that the enzyme 20$\alpha$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (20$\alpha$-HSD) catalyzing theconversion of progesterone to a biologically inactive steroid, 20$\alpha$-OHP was active properly in the luteal cells what the levels of progesterone decreased and the levels of 20$\alpha$-OHP increased during the late pregnancy in Korean native goats.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Many biological systems are regulated by an intricate set of feedback loops that oscillate with a circadian rhythm of roughly 24 h. This circadian clock mediates an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol secretion early in the day. Recent studies have shown changes in the amplitude of the circadian clock in the hearts and livers of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. It is therefore important to examine the relationships between circadian clock genes and growth factors and their effects on diabetic phenomena in animal models as well as in human patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether diurnal variation in organ development and the regulation of metabolism, including growth and development during the juvenile period in rats, exists as a mechanism for anticipating and responding to the environment. Also, we examined the relationship between changes in growth factor expression in the liver and clock-controlled protein synthesis and turnover, which are important in cellular growth. Specifically, we assessed the expression patterns of several clock genes, including Per1, Per2, Clock, Bmal1, Cry1 and Cry2 and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Growth factor and clock gene expression in the liver at 1 week post-induction was clearly increased compared to the level in control rats. In contrast, the expression patterns of the genes were similar to those observed after 5 weeks in the STZ-treated rats. The increase in gene expression is likely a compensatory change in response to the obstruction of insulin function during the initial phase of induction. However, as the period of induction was extended, the expression of the compensatory genes decreased to the control level. This is likely the result of decreased insulin secretion due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by STZ.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.195-201
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• 2011

Nardostachys chinensis;Anti-proliferation;Cell cycle arrest;Differentiation;U937 cells; This study was conducted to determine the analgesic effect of Sokyungwhalhyul-tang(SKWHT) using the model of peripheral neuropathic pain model. A model of neuropathic pain was made by ligating left 5th lumbar spinal nerve of rats. After 1 days, the extract of SKWHT was orally administered daily. Rats were divided into four groups; (1) Control group(n=6), (2) Experimental group I(SKWHT-OA1, 100 mg/kg, n=6), (3) Experimental group II(SKWHT-OA2, 300 mg/kg, n=6), (4) Experimental group III(SKWHT-OA3, 500 mg/kg, n=6). After that, we examined the withdrawl response of neuropathic rats legs by von Frey filament and Hot plate at pre, $1^{th}$, $4^{th}$, $7^{th}$, $14^{th}$, $21^{th}$ days after the induction of neuropathic pain. And also we examined c-fos, GOT, GPT and histological study of Liver at 21th days. von Frey filament and Hot plate were increase in experimental group I, II, III than Con. especially group III was most significantly analgesic effect than the other groups at $14^{th}$, $21^{th}$ days. In c-fos protein expression on spinal cord, group III was most significantly reduction immunoreactivity at $21^{th}$ days and in blood serum GOT & GPT levels and histologic finding of Liver in all experimental groups were no significant difference with Con at $21^{th}$ days. According to the above results, SKWHT(500 mg/kg) may have a significant analgesic effect on the neuropathic pain.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.49-69
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• 2011

Objective : The object of this study was to observe the effects of Lonicerae Flos (LF) aqueous extracts on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced rat acute lung injury. Method : Five different dosages of LF extracts were orally administered once a day for 28 days before LPS treatments, and then all rats were sacrificed after 5 hour-treatment of LPS. Eight groups of 16 rats each were used in the present study. The following parameters caused by LPS treatment were observed ; body weights, lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit, arterial gas parameters (pH, $PaO_2$ and $PaCO_2$) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) protein lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) contents, total cell numbers, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), proinflammatory cytokines TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents. In addition, the histopathologic changes were observed in the lung in terms of luminal surface of alveolus, thickness of alveolar septum, number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils. Result : As results of LPS-injection, dramatical increases in lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit increases, increases in $PaCO_2$, decreases in pH of arterial blood and $PaO_2$, increases of BALF protein, LDH, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents, total cells, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents increases were detected with decreases in LSA and increases of alveolar septum and PMNs numbers, respectively as compared with intact control. These are means that acute lung injuries (resembling acute respiratory distress syndrome) are induced by treatment of LPS mediated by inflammatory responses, oxidative stress and related lipid peroxidation in the present study. However, these LPS-induced acute lung injuries were inhibited by 28 days continuous pretreatment of 250 and 500mg/kg of LF extracts. Because of lower three dosages of LF treated groups, 31.25 and 62.5 and 125mg/kg did not showed any favorable effects as compared with LPS control, the effective dosages of LF in LPS-induced acute lung injuries in the present study, is considered as about 125mg/kg. The effects of 250mg/kg of LF extracts showed almost similar effects with ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid 60mg/kg in preventing LPS-induced acute lung injuries. Conclusion : It seems that LF play a role in protecting the acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by LPS.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.151-161
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• 2018

This study was designed to investigate the effects of multi-enzyme on diarrhea and immune responses of weaned pigs. A total 36 weaned pigs ($5.92{\pm}0.48kg\;BW$; 28 d old) were randomly allotted to 2 dietary treatments (3 pigs/pen, 6 replicates/treatment) in a randomized complete block design. The dietary treatments were a typical diet based on corn and soybean meal (CON) and CON with 0.1% multienzyme (Multi; mixture of ${\beta}-mannanase$, xylanase, ${\alpha}-amylase$, protease, ${\beta}-glucanase$, and pectinase). Pigs were fed their respective diets for 6 wk. Frequency of diarrhea, levels of packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), immunoglobulins, cortisol, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), transforming growth $factor-{\beta}$ ($TGF-{\beta}$), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Multi group tended to decrease (p<0.1) diarrhea frequency than CON group during 2 wk after weaning. Lower values of PCV on d 3 (p<0.05) and d 7 (p<0.1) were found in Multi group compared with CON group. There were no significant differences on WBC number and immunoglobulin (Ig) M and A between Multi and CON groups. However, Multi group tended to increase (p<0.1) Ig G on d 7 than CON group. Moreover, Multi group showed modulated immune responses, indicated by decreased levels of cortisol (p<0.05) on d 7 and 14, $TNF-{\alpha}$ on d 3 (p<0.05) and d 7 (p<0.10), $TGF-{\beta}$ on d 2 (p<0.05) and d 7 (p<0.10), and CRP (p<0.10) on d 3 and 7 after weaning compared with CON group. Consequently, inclusion of multi-enzyme in diets for weaned pigs improved gut health and modulated immune responses of weaned pigs.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.18 no.sup
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

We investigated the effect of the clay mineral fortified with complex trace elements by specific fermentation microbes on growth performance and a quality of pork in this study. For the declared experimental animal, 80 heads of crossbred with Large White and Yorkshire were randomly splitted into a control group and a test group. Each group were assigned with 4 replicates and 10 heads of each replicate. When 0.3% of the fermentation product of the clay mineral (FCM) was added into feed stuff and fed for 9 weeks of experimental feeding period, the results of the feed intake, weight gains, pH of carcass, lightness of meat color, and brightness of the muscle semimembranosus were similar to those of the control group. However, dressing percentage, reddishness of carcass, and water holding capacity were improved, respectively, as much as 2.7%, 12%, and 10%, and reduced by 6% in cooking loss. In order to investigate the immune modulatory effect of fermented clay mineral, pheripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated and Immune modulatory parameters were measured. The proliferation activity of PBMC from pigs fed the fermented clay mineral were significantly increased compared to control group pigs, and also those results were more clearly observed as activated with lipopolysaccharide and concanavaline A. The secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ of the FCM group pigs showed an increasing tendency. Therefore it was suggested that the feeding of FCM which was high in cation metathesis and the value of infrared ray, activated the immune responses, and thus the production of the environment-friendly high quality pork without the use of antibiotics would be possible.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.178-184
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• 2005

Carry over contamination has been reduced in some systems by flushing the internal and external surfaces of the sample probe with copious amount of diluent. It between specimens should be kept as small as possible. A built-in, continuous-flow wash reservoir, which allows the simultaneous washing of the interior and exterior of the syringe needles, addresses this issue. In addition, residual contamination can further be prevented through the use of efficient needle rinsing procedures. In discrete systems with disposable reaction vessels and measuring cuvets, any carry over is entirely caused by the pipetting system. In analyzers with reuseable cuvets or flow cells, carry over may arise at every point through which high samples pass sequentially. Therefore, disposable sample probe tips can eliminate both the contamination of one sample by another inside the probe and the carry over of in specimen into the specimen in the cup. The results of the applicative carry over experiment studied on 21 items for total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspratate aminotranferase (AST), alanine aminotranferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatinine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LD), creatnine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), glucose (GLU), amylase (AMY), calcium (CA), inorganic phosphorus (IP), sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (CL) tests in chematology were as follows. Evaluation of process performance less than 1% in all tests was very good, but a percentage of ALB, TP, TB, ALP, CRE, UA, TC, GLU, AMY, IP, K, Na, and CL was 0%, implying no carry over. Other tests were ALT(-0.08%), GGT(-0.09%), CK(0.08%), LD(0.06%), BUN(0.12%), TG (-0.06%), and CA(0.89%).

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.36-44
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• 2006

Background: There is controversy regarding whether COX-2 specific inhibitors are associated with elevation of blood pressure. We compared the effects of aspirin, indomethacin, and celecoxib for vascular reactivity induced by phenylephrine. We also tested the effects of indomethacin and NO donor on COX-1 and COX-2 protein expression, as well as nitrite production in culture medium of vascular smooth muscle cells. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, we used the isometric tension study for vascular reactivity. After 45 minutes of pretreatment with aspirin, indomethacin, celecoxib, and phenylephrine induced contractions were tested. COX-1 and COX-2 protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot and nitrite production by the Griess reaction. Results: Although celecoxib pretreatment caused enhanced arterial contraction, aspirin pretreatment induced more potent arterial contraction than celecoxib in the isometric tension study of rabbit femoral artery. COX-1 protein expression was unchanged by indomethacin, SNP and NOR-3; COX-2 protein expression was increased by the addition of indomethacin, SNP, and NOR-3. Especially, NOR-3, a NO donor, significantly increased COX-2 protein expression with unstimulated conditions as well as LPS stimulation. Induction of nitrite production was higher with NOR-3 treatment than SNP treatment with LPS stimulation. Conclusion: These results suggest that aspirin caused more potent vascular contraction than celecoxib and indomethacin. COX-2 expression in VSMC depended on the types of NO donor and LPS stimulation.

• 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.