• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.65 no.5
• /
• pp.1053-1064
• /
• 2023

Melatonin, which is produced from tryptophan, exerts various biological functions, including the regulation of circadian rhythm, sedative agents, and antioxidant ability. Therefore, we conducted two experiments with early-weaned rats and pigs to investigate the antioxidant and sedative effects of melatonin. In the rat experiment, a total of 42 rats (21 days old) were used, and the antioxidant capacity was determined. Next, we used 120 early-weaned piglets (21 days old) to conduct a 5-week experiment to evaluate the reductive effect of melatonin on energy-wasting movement, including roaming and fight states. Dietary melatonin supplementation significantly improved growth in both rats and pigs compared to the control groups. Additionally, rats fed a melatonin-supplemented diet showed advanced antioxidant capacity with a decrease in hepatic malondialdehyde concentration compared to rats fed a basal diet. Moreover, dietary melatonin ingestion increased resting and feeding behaviors and reduced roaming and fight behaviors during Days 8-21 compared to the control diet group. Collectively, early weaned animals given dietary melatonin supplementation showed improved growth through upregulation of hepatic antioxidant capacity and minimization of energy-wasting behavior, including roaming and fight states, after pigs' social hierarchy establishment.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.35-47
• /
• 1984

Contents of immunoreactive ${\beta}-endorphin$ and maximum of $^3H-morphine$ binding was measured in the rat midbrain homogenates from different subgroups at 24 hour interval over 24 hours. Animals were adapted to the light-dark cycle(L : D, 12: 12) or constant darkness (D : D, 12 : 12) for 3 weeks. After the adaptation, 0.5ml of physiologic saline or drug was administered twice a day for 2 weeks. A highly significant circadian rhythm with the peak$(94.8{\pm}7.7\;fmole/mg\;protein)$ at 06:00 and the nadir $(27.6{\pm}2.4\;fmole/mg\;protein)$ at 18:00 was observed in constant of group. Constant dark or treatment of reserpine, pargyline, imipramine, amphetamine and chlorpromazine modified the diurnal rhythm in the time of peak and nadir, shape, phase amplitude and 24 hour mean of ${\beta}-endorphin$ contents. Opiate receptor binding by $^3H-morphine$ also showed highly significant diurnal change in control and constant dark adapted rats. Statistical analysis by one-way analysis of variance and two-way analysis of variance indicates that the·re are highly significant differences between the diurnal change of ${\beta}-endorphin$ in control and those constant dark adapted and drug treated groups. However diurnal change of Maximum $^3H-morphine$ binding is closely related to the change of ${\beta}-endorphin$ contents. The results are interpreted with regard to the circadian rhythm of beta-endorphin contents, its modification by psychoactive drugs and possible mechanism of diurnal change of opiate receptor in brain.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.438-447
• /
• 2017

Flowering is one of the most important development traits related to the production of Brassica rapa crops. After planting, a sudden low temperature triggers premature flowering, which leads to a reduction in the yield and quality of harvested production. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of flowering control is important in the agricultural productivity for preventing Brassica rapa crops. Vernalization is generally known as the main factor of flowering in the Brassica plant. However, in the subspecies of Brassica rapa, some accession such as Yellow sarson and Komatsuna display the flowering phenotype without vernalization. Circadian genes, which diurnally regulate plant physiology, have a role for photoperiodic flowering but are related to the regulation of the vernalizarion mechanism. In this report, the 22 B. rapa accession were divided into two groups, vernalization and non-vernalization, and the sequenced circadian gene, BrPRR1s. Among them, the BrPRR1b gene was found to have deletion regions, which could classify the two groups. The PCR primer was designed to amplify a short band of 422bp in the vernalization type and a long band of 451bp in the non-vernalization type. This primer set was applied to distinguish the flowering types in the 43 B. rapa accession and 4 Brassica genus crop, Broccoli, cabbage, mustard, and rape. The PCR analysis results and flowering time information of each crop demonstrated that the primer set can be used as marker to discern the flowering type in Brassica crops. This marker system can be applied to the B. rapa breeding when selecting the flowering character of new progenies or introducing varieties at an early stage. In addition, these results displayed that the circadian clock genes can be a good strategy for the flowering control of B. rapa crops.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.173-180
• /
• 2007

The full-length cDNA of LeAPR1 encoded a protein of 461 amino acid residues, which contained homology with phosphoadenosine phosphosulphate reductase (PAPS reductase) in N-terminal and an adenylylsulfate reductase in N-term and C-terminal. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of LeAPR1 revealed that it shares high sequence identity with potato StAPR (96% identity)(Gene bank accession no. CDC44841). We found that multiple copies of LeAPR1 gene are present in the tomato genome through southern blot using genomic DNA was digested with 3 different restriction enzymes. The expression of LeAPR1 was also examined in various organs and its expression was also detected at high levels in roots and stems. Only high amounts of LeAPR1 transcripts were detected at high transcripts in the leaves at time 0, and then reduced as the plant stressed by the NaCl and abscisic acid (ABA). After 24h treatment of NaCl and ABA were showed increasing patterns of LeAPR1 gene. Time course of LeAPR1 gene expression was examined under oxidative stresses from metyl viologen (MV) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). In the presence of 10 mM $H_2O_2$ and $50\;{\mu}M$ MV, the levels of LeAPR1 transcript in leaves decreased after 1 h, and then increased strongly, peaked at 24 h. Our results indicated that LeAPR1 may play a role function of circadian regulation involved in abiotic stresses signaling pathways.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.15-36
• /
• 2007

Objective : This study was to investigate the effects of several herbs on the levels of MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors Methods: It was investigated the effects of several herbs such as WEDL, WEZV, WEFO, WEOC on the levels of MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors using C6 glial cell model. ${\beta}-estradiol$ treatment, as a positive control group, under non-cytotoxic condition. Results : 1. The water extracts of Dimocarpus long (WEDL) induced the levels of MT2 melatonin receptor expression in a concentration-dependent manner without altering the levels of MT1 melatonin receptor expression. 2. The treatment with the water extract of Zizyphus vulgaris (WEZV) induced the levels of MT1 melatonin receptor expression and the levels of MT2 melatonin receptor expression was not affected. 3. The levels of MT1 as well as MT2 melatonin receptor expression were markedly up-regulated in the water extract of Fossilia ossis (WEFO) and the water extract of Ostreae caro (WEOC)-treated C6 cells. 4. The combination treatment with WEDL and WEZV induced not only the levels of MT1 melatonin receptor expression but also MT2 melatonin receptor expression, but the synergic effects of the combination treatment with WEFO and WEOC were not detected in C6 cells. Conclusion : The study provides important new insights into the possible mechanisms on the regulation of melatonin receptor synthesis by WEDL, WEZV, WEFO and WEOC.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 1998

Aircraft and the three-dimensional environment in which they operate are not user-friendly for human beings. As a result, maintaining the proficiencies necessary to safely and efficiently fly an airplane are difficult, and costly. The physiological and emotional status of the human element remains crucial in maintaining safe performance by all crew members. In the study of Hagiwara et al.(1993). they called the physiological and emotional status of the human element into the human alertness or physiological activity and stress, fatigue, circadian rhythm, alcohol. smoking, and self-medication are known the major factors that deteriorate the human alertness. Accordingly. this paper deals with the quantitative and objective performance test based on tracking error and reaction time by means of the new computer test program into which the perception-motion system of human beings is applied. Throughout this experiment using performance test, the results suggest that performance capability in state of sleep deprivation 2 hours and alcoholic 0.05~0.06% in blood were more impaired than one in a normal state, and they further showed statistically significant differences between them, which were influenced by impairment factors of body regulation and pilot's grade. We also obtained the prediction value and the 95% confidence interval of tracking error and reaction time at the normal state for the purpose of distinguishing performance capability between the normal state and the abnormal state. And it is expected that the evaluation of human alertness using performance test will be applied to the quantitative assessment of an each pilot's realistic consciousness/attention, and will lead a flight commander to the accurate decision of mission approval prior to a flight.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.25-28
• /
• 2016

Objectives: The retinoid-related orphan receptor A (RORA) gene has been reported to have an impact on circadian rhythm regulation. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between the RORA gene polymorphism and diurnal preference in Korean young adults. Methods: A population of 504 young adults was included in the study. All subjects were given and completed a 13-item composite scale for morningness (CSM). The RORA gene rs11071547 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was genotyped by PCR-based methods. Results: CSM score was not associated with genotype or allele carrier status of the RORA rs11071547 SNP. Conclusion: This result indicates that the RORA rs11071547 SNP does not play a role in diurnal preference.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.4
• /
• pp.493-505
• /
• 2023

In recent years, an increasing number of reports have explored the wound healing mechanism of these two traditional Chinese herbal medicines- Panax ginseng and Panax notoginseng, but there is no systematic research on the related core functions and different mechanisms in the treatment of wound healing up to now. Based on network pharmacology and meta-analysis, the present work aimed to comprehensively review the commonality and diversity of P. ginseng and P. notoginseng in wound healing. In this study, a wound healing-related "ingredients-targets" network of two herbs was constructed. Thereafter, meta-analysis of the multiple target lists by Metascape showed that these two medicines significantly regulated blood vessel development, responses to cytokines and growth factors and oxygen levels, cell death, cell proliferation and differentiation, and cell adhesion. To better understand the discrepancy between these two herbs, it was found that common signaling pathways including Rap1, PI3K/AKT, MAPK, HIF-1 and Focal adhesion regulated the functions listed above. In parallel, the different pathways including renin-angiotensin system, RNA transport and circadian rhythm, autophagy, and the different metabolic pathways may also explained the discrepancies in the regulation of the above-mentioned functions, consistent with the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory about the effects of P. ginseng and P. notoginseng.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.227-233
• /
• 2012

Circadian timing system plays a major role in a wide range of reproductive function. However it is plausible idea that other environmental and/or internal cue might be simultaneously participated in the optimal regulation of reproductive system. In the present study we extended the reverse feeding (RF) time regimen up to 8 weeks, then measured the general and reproductive indices of the animals. The animals of ad libitum feeding group (Control, CON) have free access to food for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. The day feeding animals (reverse feeding, RF group) have restricted access to food during daytime (09:00-18:00) for 4, 6 and 8 weeks, respectively. When the feeding schedules were over, key indices were measured. After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of feeding, body weights of animals were not significantly different. However, body weights of 6 weeks RF animals were significantly smaller than those of control animals (CON : RF = $333.46{\pm}12.71$ g : $289.91{\pm}8.31$ g, p<0.01). The blood glucose levels of 4 weeks RF animals were significantly decreased compared to the levels of control animals (CON : RF = $161.4{\pm}2.7$ mg/dL : $176.7{\pm}5$ mg/dL, p<0.01) while the levels of 6 weeks RF and 8 weeks RF animals were not different form those of control animals. Reproductive and non-reproductive tissue weights from 6 weeks RF group were significantly lowered than those from CON group (testis, CON : RF = $1.4714{\pm}0.0174$ g : $1.3724{\pm}0.0168$ g, p<0.001; epididymis, CON : RF = $0.3574{\pm}0.0059$ g : $0.3243{\pm}0.0068$ g, p<0.001; seminal vesicle, CON : RF = $0.1655{\pm}0.0068$ g : $0.1328{\pm}0.0054$ g, p<0.001; prostate, CON : RF = $0.3350{\pm}0.0231$ g : $0.2528{\pm}0.0143$ g, p<0.01). After 4 weeks and 8 weeks of reverse feeding, sperm counts in RF animals were markedly reduced than those in control animals[CON 4W : RF 4W = $121.17{\pm}9.96\;({\times}10^6)$ : $50.86{\pm}9\;({\times}10^6)$, p<0.001; CON 8W : RF 8W= $138.69{\pm}9.8\;({\times}10^6)$ : $108.94{\pm}4.22\;({\times}10^6)$, p<0.001]. Present study indicates that RF may induce an adaptable metabolic stress and cause impairment of androgen-dependent reproductive tissues. On-going longitudinal studies will allow a better understanding of the how does mealtime shift affect the reproductive function and exact nature of adaptation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.804-811
• /
• 2013

Melanopsin is an opsin-like photopigment found in the small proportion of photosensitive ganglion cells of the retina. It is involved in the regulation of the synchronization of the circadian cycle as well as in the control of pupillary light reflex. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether melanopsin is also expressed in the other areas of the central visual system outside the retina. We have studied the distribution and morphology of neurons containing melanopsin in the mouse visual cortex with antibody immunocytochemistry. Melanopsin immunoreactivity was mostly present in neuronal soma, but not in nuclei. We found that melanopsin was present in a large subset of neurons within the adult mouse visual cortex with the highest density in layer II/III. In layer I of the visual cortex, melanopsin-immunoreactive (IR) neurons were rarely encountered. In the mouse visual cortex, the majority of the melanopsin-IR neurons consisted of round/oval cells, but was varied in morphology. Vertical fusiform and pyramidal cells were also rarely labeled with the anti-melanopsin antibody. The labeled cells did not show any distinctive distributional pattern. Some melanopsin-IR neurons in mouse visual cortex co-localized with nitricoxide synthase, calbindin and parvalbumin. Our data indicate that melanopsin is located in specific neurons and surprisingly widespread in visual cortex. This finding raises the need of the functional study of melanopsin in central visual areas outside the retina.