• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1473-1478
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• 2008

An experiment was conducted to investigate the mechanism for the effect of tetrabasic zinc chloride (TBZC) in enhancing growth performance of weanling piglets. Gut-brain peptides play an important role in the regulation of growth and appetite in animals. This study evaluated the effects of TBZC on blood concentrations of growth hormone (GH), ghrelin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), cholecystokinin (CCK) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). Seventy-two weanling piglets (Landrace$\times$Large White) with an initial body weight (BW) of $6.7{\pm}0.16kg$ and aged $24{\pm}1days$ were assigned to three dietary treatments: i) control diet without TBZC supplement, ii) the control diet supplemented with 2,000 mg Zn from TBZC/kg and iii) TBZC-supplemented diet pair-fed with respect to the control diet. Each treatment had six replications (pens) of four piglets. At the end of a 14-d experimental period, piglets were weighed and feed consumption was measured, and blood samples were collected for assays of GH, ghrelin, IGF-I, CCK and NPY concentrations. The inclusion of TBZC in the diet increased average daily gain (p<0.01), average daily feed intake (p<0.05), and feed conversion ratio (p<0.05). Pair-fed piglets had higher ADG, and lower FCR than (p<0.05) Control piglets. Supplementation of the diet with TBZC increased (p<0.05) serum GH and plasma ghrelin levels in weanling piglets, but did not affect (p>0.05) serum IGF-I and plasma NPY and CCK concentrations. Pair-fed piglets had lower (p<0.05) serum GH levels than TBZC-supplemented piglets, but did not (p>0.05) differ from Control piglets. These data indicated that TBZC elevated the concentration of ghrelin and GH. This observation may partly explain the beneficial effects of TBZC on growth performance of weanling piglets.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2002

The present study was aimed to investigate whether the adriamycin-induced nephrosis is associated with an altered regulation of local renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in the kidney. Rats were subjected to a single injection of adriamycin (2 mg/kg body weight, IV) and kept for 6 weeks to allow the development of nephrosis. They were then divided into two groups, and supplied with and without cilazapril, an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, in drinking water (100 mg/l) for additional 6 weeks. Another group without adriamycin-treatment served as control. The mRNA expression of renin, ACE, type 1 and type 2 angiotensin II receptors (AT1R, AT2R), and transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$ was determined in the cortex of the kidney by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Adriamycin treatment resulted in heavy proteinuria. Accordingly, the mRNA expression of renin, ACE, and AT1R was increased in the renal cortex, while that of AT2R was decreased. Co-treatment with cilazapril attenuated the degree of proteinuria. While not affecting the altered expression of renin, cilazapril decreased the expression of ACE to the control level. Cilazapril further increased the expression of AT1R, while it restored the decreased expression of AT2R. The expression of $(TGF)-{\beta}1$ was increased by the treatment with adriamycin, which was abolished by cilazapril. An altered expression of local RAS components may be causally related with the development of adriamycin-induced nephrosis, in which AT1R is for and AT2R is against the development of nephrosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.61-67
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• 2012

Objective : Angelica Gigas Nakai is a popular oriental medicine used for the treatment of vascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate neuroprotective effect of the water extract of Anelicae Gigantis Radix Palva (AG) in transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO)-induced ischemic rats via the regulation of angiogenesis-related molecules. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally administrated with AG water extract at doses of 10, 25, 50 mg/kg body weight after tMCAO (90 min occlusion). reperfusion for 24 hr infarction volumes were measured by 2,3,5-tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Brain tissues were observed neuronal cell injuries by nissl staining, and also brain-blood barrier (BBB) permeability change by evans blue. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) and Tie-2 receptor protein in brain tissues was determined by western blot. Results : AG water extract significantly reduced infarction volume in ischemic brains of rats, degradation of neuronal cell, BBB permeability and expression of VEGF protein dose-dependently. Ang-1 protein was increased dose-dependantly, not significantly. Conclusion : This study suggests that AG water extract shows neuroprotective effect by preventing BBB breakdown, with regulating angiogenesis factor VEGF and Ang-1.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.107-112
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Tong Xin Lou (TXL) on lipid accumulation in liver tissue in Hypercholesterolemic mice. TXL is new drug, which is one of Cardiotonic Pills. TXL is used for activating the blood flow in the restoration stage of cerebral infarction, and for alleviation of angina pectoris including the symptoms as chest oppressed and stabbing pain. Methods : Hyperlipidemia was induced by providing high fat diet for 6 weeks. Normal group was provided with normal rodent diet. TXL was administered orally in the concentration of 10 mg/day for 2 weeks (TXL group). D/W was administered orally in CTL group for 2 weeks. We observed histopathological changes in liver and heart tissues, and also investigated the effect on body weights, and levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride in serum. Results : In this study, TXL did not affects weight gain in hypercholesterolemic mice. TXL group showed downward tendency of lipid accumulation compared with CTL group. In addition, oral administration of TXL lowered levels of total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and triglyceride (P < 0.05), which were elevated by induction of hypercholesterolemia. Conclusion : These results suggest that TXL can prevent lipid accumulation in liver tissue through regulation of dyslipidemia.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.305-317
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• 2016

Purpose: Recent studies demonstrated disruption of the circadian clock gene is associated with the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Obesity is often caused by the high calorie intake, In addition, the chronic stress tends to contribute to the increased risk for obesity. To evaluate the molecular mechanisms, we examined the expression of circadian clock genes in high fat diet-induced mice models with the chronic stress. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed with a 45% or 60% high fat diet for 8 weeks. Daily immobilization stress was applied to mice fed with a 45% high fat for 16 weeks. We compared body weight, food consumption, hormone levels and metabolic variables in blood. mRNA expression levels of metabolic and circadian clock genes in both fat and liver were determined by quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The higher fat content induced more severe hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia, and these results correlated with their relevant gene expressions in fat and liver tissues. Chronic stress had only minimal effects on metabolic variables, but it altered the expression patterns of metabolic and circadian clock genes. Conclusion: These results suggest that the fat metabolism regulates the function of the circadian clock genes in peripheral tissues, and stress hormones may contribute to its regulation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.42-48
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate both the single-dose intramuscular injection toxicity and the approximate lethal dose of water-soluble Carthami-flos and Cervi cornu parvum pharmacopuncture (WCFC) in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: The study was conducted at Biotoxtech Co. according to the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulation and the toxicity test guidelines of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) after approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Dosages for the control, high dose, middle dose and low dose groups were 0.5 mL/animal of saline and 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 mL/animal of WCFC, respectively. WCFC was injected into the muscle of the left femoral region by using a disposable syringe (1 mL, 26 gauge). The general symptoms and mortality were observed 30 minutes, 1, 2, 4, and 6 hours after the first injection and then daily for 14 days after the injection. The body weights of the SD rats were measured on the day of the injection (before injection) and on the third, seventh, and fourteenth days after the injection. Serum biochemical and hematologic tests, necropsy examinations, and histopathologic examinations at the injection site were performed after the observation period. Results: No deaths, abnormal clinical symptoms, or significant weight changes were observed in either male or female SD rats in the control or the test (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal) groups during the observation period. No significant differences in hematology and serum biochemistry and no macroscopic abnormalities at necropsy were found. No abnormal reactions at injection sites were noted on the topical tolerance tests. Conclusion: The results of this single-dose toxicity study show that WCFC is safe, its lethal doses in male and female SD rats being estimated to be higher than 0.5 mL/animal.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2016

In human medicine, circulating microRNAs have been successfully utilized as early biomarkers for various abnormalities and disease states. Vertebrate miR-122 is a liver-specific microRNA which is expressed almost solely in hepatocytes and plays an important role in the regulation of hepatocyte function. In this study, to evaluate the potential utility of circulating miR-122 as a biomarker for liver injury in olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), fish were orally intubated with two doses of acetaminophen (500 mg/kg or 1.000 mg/kg of body weight), and the expression of miR-122 in serum was quantified using real time-PCR. Histological change in liver, and the enzymatic activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) were also analyzed. The results showed that miR-122 was higher in acetaminophen administered groups compared to control group. The histopathological effect of acetaminophen on olive flounder liver was not distinct. The serum level of GPT and GOT was increased within 2 folds compared to control group by acetaminophen administration. However, the serum miR-122 level was increased more than 3 or 4 folds compared to the control group by administration of 1000 mg/kg of acetaminophen. These results suggest the possible use of miR-122 as an indicator of liver injury in olive flounder, even when histopathological effects are not distinctive.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.117-125
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• 2008

Recently, obesity has become a worldwide public health concern and the use of anorectic drugs has drastically increased. In this study, sibutramine and phendimetrazine, representative marketed anorectics, were repeatedly administered per os on a daily basis into C57BL/6 mice and the effects of these drugs on food intakes, body weight changes and gene expression profiles were monitored for up to following 7 days. Methamphetamine, which has a potent anorectic effect, was used as a positive control. Anorectic effects were sustained only for two days by phendimetrazine or methamphetamine, but for six days by sibutramine. The modulations of gene expressions in the hypothalamus and the striatum were investigated using microarrays on day 2 and day 7 post-administration, which corresponded to the anorectic period and a return of appetite respectively, for all three drugs tested. Differences in overall gene expression profiles in the stratum on day 2 for sibutramine and phendimetrazine seems to reflect difference between the two in terms of the onsets of drug tolerance. According to microarray findings, the Ankrd26 gene appears to have an important anorectic role, whereas the up-regulation of the olfaction system appeared to be involved in the drug tolerance of anorectics. The microarray data presented in this study demonstrates the usefulness of gene expression analysis for gathering information on the efficacy and safety of anorectic drugs.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.379-389
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• 2017

Connexin (Cx) involves in the regulation of various physiological functions of tissue by forming a channel, a gap junction which allows direct cell-cell communication, between adjacent cells. The effect of a single subcutaneous treatment of estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age on the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult caput epididymis was evaluated in this research. Using quantitative real-time PCR analysis, a low-dose of EB [$0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW)] caused significant decreases of Cx30.3, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 mRNA levels and no change of Cx26, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx37 transcript levels. The treatment of a high-dose EB ($1.5{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) resulted in reduced expression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx43, and Cx45 but increased expression of Cx37 and Cx40. Expression of all Cx isoforms examined, except Cx31, was significantly increased by the treatment of a low-dose Flu ($500{\mu}g/kg\;BW$). However, the treatment of a high-dose Flu (5 mg/kg BW) led significant expressional suppression of Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45 but an increase of Cx37 transcript level. With the comparison of previous findings, the expression of Cx isoforms in the adult epididymis after the exposure to EB or Flu is likely differentially regulated in regional-specific and/or exposed postnatal age-specific manner.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.12
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• pp.1981-1986
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• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza (S.m.) aerial parts as an alternative ingredient on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and digestive enzymes in growing rabbits. Methods: Treatments included five tested diets: a control (basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet+enramycin at 5 mg/kg), and S.m. aerial parts powder added at 3.0%, 6.0%, and 9.0% of feed using 300 growing rabbits. Results: The diets with S.m. aerial parts addition at 9.0% decreased (p<0.05) feed/gain compared to the control, but there were no differences in feed intake and body weight gain. In contrast with the control, the addition of antibiotic increased (p<0.05) digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, energy, fiber, and ash. The herb addition did not cause differences in the digestibility of most nutrients compared to the antibiotic, but fiber digestibility of the herb at 6.0% and 9.0% was lower (p<0.05) than that of the antibiotic. Moreover, the antibiotic and the herb also similarly increased (p<0.05) the activities of duodenal α-amylase, maltase, lipase, and trypsin, compared to the control, and the herb at 6.0% and 9.0% showed a greater (p<0.05) activity of elastase than the dose 3.0%. Conclusion: The obtained data indicate that S.m. aerial parts can be a potential forage in rabbit's diet at 9.0% with a beneficial regulation on nutrition and digestion.