• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.45-55
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• 1970

It is well known that the uterine contractility is affected by sexual hormone. In this experiment, the authors attempted to study the influences of testosterone and estrogen or the uterine contractility to oxytocics. The contractile sensitivity of the excised uterine muscle of non-castrated and castrated rabbits with testosterone and estrogen 24 hours before experiment is observed respectively. And the cholinesterase activity and electrolytes (Na, K, Ca and Mg) in the uterine muscle are measured in order to study the relationship with contractile sensitivity and those changes. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The contractile effect of spareng on the excised uterine muscle of non-castrated rabbits pretreated with estrogen was markedly increased in small dose, but that of rabbits pretreated with testosterone was significantly increased in large dose, comparing with that of the control group. In castrated rabbits, the contractile sensitivity of the uterine muscle to spareng was significantly increased by pretreatment with estrogen in large dose but it was markedly decreased by pretreatment with testosterone in small dose. 2. The contractile effect of quinine on the excised uterine muscle of non-castrated rabbits pretreated with estrogen was significantly decreased but that of castrated rabbits pretreated with both estrogen and testosterone were markedly increased comparing with that of the control group. 3. The cholinesterase activity in the uterine muscle of non-castrated rabbits was significantly increased by pretreatment with small dose of estrogen or large dose of testosterone, but that of castrated rabbits was markedly decreased by pretreatment with large dose of estrogen. 4. Na and K contents in the uterine muscle of non-castrated rabbits were markedly increased by pretreatment with both estrogen and testosterone, but that of castrated rabbits was significantly increased by pretreatment with small dose of estrogen. 5. Ca content in uterine muscle of non-castrated rabbits was significantly decreased by pretreatment with both large dose of estrogen and testosterone but increased by pretreatment of testosterone. In castrated rabbits, Ca content was significantly decreased by pretreatment with both estrogen and testosterone. 6. Mg content in the uterine muscle of non-castrated rabbits was markedly increased by pretreatment with estrogen and small dose of testosterone, but that of castrated rabbits was significantly decreased by pretreatment with both large dose of estrogen and testosterone.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.261-271
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• 2017

It has been suggested that ginseng is beneficial for ameliorating the aging males' symptoms, such as weight gain, fatigue, erectile dysfunction, and depression, in elderly men with testosterone deficiency. We thus investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer; Araliaceae) on obesity in a mouse model of testosterone deficiency (castrated C57BL/6J mice). The effects of ginseng extract (GE) and/or testosterone on obesity and adipogenesis in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed castrated C57BL/6J mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were examined using in vivo and in vitro approaches. After feeding mice a HFD for 8 weeks, we found that mice also receiving GE and/or testosterone showed decreased body weight, adipose tissue mass, adipocyte size, and hepatic lipid accumulation compared with untreated HFD-fed mice. Expression of adipogenic genes ($PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and aP2) was decreased by GE and/or testosterone in adipose tissues. Consistent with the in vivo data, lipid accumulation and the mRNA expression of adipogenesis genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were decreased by GE, ginsenosides, and testosterone. The inhibitory effects of GE (or ginsenosides) were comparable to those of testosterone, and the effects of co-treatment with GE (or ginsenosides) and testosterone were greater than those of testosterone alone in vivo and in vitro. Our results indicate that ginseng may be able to potentiate the inhibitory effects of testosterone on obesity and adipogenesis in HFD-fed castrated mice, providing possible therapeutic implications in men with testosterone deficiency.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 2003

Objective: We investigated whether serum testosterone to estradiol ratio was decreased in infertile men and whether this condition can be corrected with oral aromatase inhibitor. Method: The serum testosterone to estradiol ratio of 26 men with testicular failure were compared with those of normal semen analysis parameter, 89 control reference group. All of 26 testicular failure group were diagnosed with the previous testicular biopsy. Then 46 men with oligospermia and/or asthenospermia were selected and treated with 1 mg of the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole ($Arimidex^{(R)}$) orally once daily for 3 months. Testosterone to estradiol ratio and semen analyses were evaluated during anastrozole therapy. Results: The testosterone level of testicular failure group was significantly lower and the testosterone to estradiol ratio was more decreased than normal semen parameter group. Forty six on-anastrozole group had significantly lower testosterone (4.6 versus 5.7 ng/ml, p<0.01) and higher estradiol (15.9 versus 23.4 pg/ml, p<0.01) than pre-anastrozole group, resulting in a decreased testosterone to estradiol ratio ($0.21{\pm}0.07$ versus $0.39{\pm}0.15$, p<0.01). Semen analyses before and during anastrozole treatment revealed significant increases in sperm count (35.5 versus 52.2 million sperm per ml, p<0.01) and motility (22.9% versus 29.3%, p<0.01). Conclusions: We identified infertile men with testicular failure had hormonal changes characterized by a decreased serum testosterone to estradiol ratio. The ratio can be corrected with aromatase inhibitor, resulting in a significant improvement in semen parameters.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2017

Nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is known to take part in the control of the appetite and energy metabolism. Recently, many reports have shown nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression and function in various organs. We previously demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression level is higher in the pituitary gland compared to other organs and its expression is regulated by $17{\beta}-estradiol$ and progesterone secreted from the ovary. However, currently no data exist on the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 and its regulation mechanism in the pituitary of male mouse. Therefore, we examined whether nesfatin-1/NUCB2 is expressed in the male mouse pituitary and if its expression is regulated by testosterone. As a result of PCR and western blotting, we found that a large amount of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the pituitary and hypothalamus. The NUCB2 mRNA expression level in the pituitary was decreased after castration, but not in the hypothalamus. In addition, its mRNA expression level in the pituitary was increased after testosterone treatment in the castrated mice, whereas, the expression level in the hypothalamus was significantly decreased after the treatment with testosterone. The in vitro experiment to elucidate the direct effect of testosterone on NUCB2 mRNA expression showed that NUCB2 mRNA expression was significantly decreased with testosterone in cultured hypothalamus tissue, but increased with testosterone in cultured pituitary gland. The present study demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was highly expressed in the male mouse pituitary and was regulated by testosterone. This data suggests that reproductive-endocrine regulation through hypothalamus-pituitary-testis axis may contribute to NUCB2 mRNA expression in the mouse hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2007

Obesity is defined as increased mass of adipose tissue, conferring a higher risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and coronary heart disease. To get a better understanding of the role of a male sex hormone testosterone on obesity, we thus measured the effects of testosterone on white adipose tissue (WAT) mass, adipocyte histology and hepatic lipid accumulation in male castrated (CAST) C57BL/6J mice. Compared to male CAST control mice, testosterone-treated mice had the decreased WAT mass and the increased the number of adipocytes. Especially, histological data showed that the adipocyte size was reduced in a dose-dependent manner and was most effective at dose 150 $\mu$g per mouse for testosterone. In addition, the administration of testosterone resulted in the inhibition of hepatic lipid accumulation compared with control mice. Our results suggest that testosterone regulates adipocytes development and hepatic lipid metabolism, resulting in the prevention of obesity in male CAST mice.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.27-34
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• 2023

Objectives : Currently, the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urogenital disorder in old men. We were performed to determine the effects of abietic acid (AC), component of pine resin, in benign prostatic hyperplastic Sprague-Dawley rat (SD rat) induced by testosterone injection (IP). Methods : We monitored body weights in SD rat at start and end date of experiment. After end of experiment, the prostate weights were measured in SD rats. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels was performed in serum. And we determined the 5-alpha reductase Ⅱ activity, testosterone levels, and dihydrotestosterone levels in prostate tissue and serum using ELISA kit. Results : As results, the prostate wights were increased in BPH group compared to normal group and were decreased in fina, AC30, and AC 50 groups, respectively. Serum GOT levels were decreased in AC50 group compared to BPH group. And Serum GPT levels of AC30 and AC50 groups were lower than BPH group. In addition, the 5-alpha reductase Ⅱ activity, testosterone levels, and dihydrotestosterone levels were decreased the fina, AC10, AC30, and AC 50 groups contrast to the BPH group. Furthermore, 5-alpha reductase Ⅱ activity, testosterone levels, and dihydrotestosterone levels were decreased dose dependent in AC groups compared to BPH group. Conclusion : These results suggest that AC could be used as a potential material for the treatment of BPH by decreasing the androgen levels in benign prostatic hyperplasia model rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.68-75
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• 2021

Objectives: The hair follicle is composed of more than 20 kinds of cells, and mesoderm derived dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes cooperatively contribute hair growth via Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We are to investigate β-catenin expression and regulatory mechanism by CBD in alopecia hair tissues and dermal papilla cells. Methods: We performed structural and anatomical analyses on alopecia patients derived hair tissues using microscopes. Pharmacological effect of CBD was evaluated by β-catenin expression using RT-PCR and immunostaining experiment. Results: Morphological deformation and loss of cell numbers in hair shaft were observed in alopecia hair tissues. IHC experiment showed that loss of β-catenin expression was shown in inner shaft of the alopecia hair tissues, indicating that β-catenin expression is a key regulatory function during alopecia progression. Consistently, β-catenin expression was decreased in testosterone or PMA treated dermal papilla cells, suggesting that those treatments are referred as a model on molecular mechanism of alopecia using dermal papilla cells. RT-PCR and immunostaining experiments showed that β-catenin expression was decreased in RNA level, as well as decreased β-catenin protein might be resulted from ubiquitination. However, CBD treatment has no changes in gene expression including β-catenin, but the decreased β-catenin expression by testosterone or PMA was restored by CBD pretreatment, suggesting that potential regulatory effect on alopecia induction of testosterone and PMA. Conclusion: CBD might have a modulating function on alopecia caused by hormonal or excess of signaling pathway, and be a promising application for on alopecia treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.389-398
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• 2000

The fallowing are the results of the experimental studies of Cordyceps militaris (CM) on the penile nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and the level of blood testosterone in hydrocortisone acetate-treated rats. CM was tested for the effects on activity of xanthine oxidase and lipid peroxidation in penis of hydrocortisone acetate-treated rats. In vitro, CM didn't effect the levels of lipid peroxide and the activity of NOS. In the penis of hydrocortisone acetate-treated rats, lipid peroxide, the activities and ratio of type conversion of xanthine oxidase were increased but activity of NOS and content of nitrite were decreased. In vivo, after administration of CM to hydrocortisone acetate-treated rats, levels of lipid peroxide in penis was decreased. Also, the activities and ratio of type conversion of xanthine oxidase were decreased, too. The body weight and concentration of testosterone in the blood were increased. The effects of Cordyceps militalis Broth did better than the effects of Cordyceps militalls Mycelia, These results suggest that CM decrease the activities of free radical generating enzymes such as xanthine oxidase which form lipid peroxide and increase the penile NOS activity and the level of blood testosterone in hydrocortisone acetate-treated rats. Conclusively, CM is capable of improving of sexual ability in hydrocortisone acetate-treated rats.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.290-303
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• 1989

The activities of $\beta$-glucosidase, $\beta$-glucuronidase and N-acetyl-$\beta$-glucosaminidase were measured to investigate the relationships of them to sexual maturity. Peritoneal injections of testosterone and dibutyryl cAMP to rats were carried out. As a result, the activities of $\beta$-glucosidase and N-acetyl-$\beta$-glucosaminidase were significantly decreased from the third day and that of P -glucurondiase on the seventh day in the castrated groups. In addition, ihe activities of these three enzymes were significantly increased in the testosterone treated groups for 7 days. In case of dbcAMP injection, the activities of these three enzymes were similar to those of castrated groups or had a tendency to be decreased. On electron microscopic examination, principal cells, basal cells and narrow cells were observed in all regions of epididymis. Principal cells were general forms of columnar epithelial cells. Narrow cells had a number of small vesicles and light cells showed low electron density in comparison to other epithelial cells in cauda epididymis. Halo cells were migrating leucocytes btween epithelial cells.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 1974

This study was made to investigate whether there would be any direct relationship between testis and adrenal gland. After the iadministration of testosterone propionate to the hypophysectomized male rats, weight of adrenal glands, each zona rates in adrenal gland and histological changes measured from the 1st day to 56th day of the experimental period. The results obtained were as follows; 1. For the weight changes of thyriod gland, it showed a similar changes between the hypophysectomized and the testosterone propionate treated-hypophysectomized group. However, the weight of adrenal glands for the treatment groups were decreased as the time passed as compared to the control group, and the difference were highly significance at the 7th day and there on. 2. For the zona rates in adrenal gland the changes were similar between the hypophysectomized and the testosterone propionate treated-hypophysectomized group. Zona fasciculata and reticularis were decreased rapidly as time passed as compared to the control group, and the difference were significant at the 7th day and highly significant at the 14th day and there on. Adrenal medulla tended to increase, showing a significance with P<0.05 at 7th day, and P<0.01 at 14th day and there on. Zona glomerulosa showed no differences among the groups. 3. Histological changes for the testosterone propionate treated-hypophysectomized group were similar to the hypophysectomized group. Of adrenal gland, zona fasciculata and reticular is were degenerated and lost their function as time passed after treatment, and zona glomerulosa and adrenal medulla were observed not bo changed. 4. Since there were re no differences in weight changes of adrenal glands, the zonarates in adrenal gland and histological changes between the hypophysectomized and testosterone propionate treated-hypophysectomized group, it would appear that there were no direct relationship between the testis and the adrenal gland, but the involvement of hypophysis might be necessary for the control mechanism.