• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.125-130
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• 2001

This study was performed to report a direct dose dependent stimulatory effect of the Flavonoid(F) on basal testosterone secretion and a dose dependent effect on LH induced testosterone production by Leydig cell of matured rats in vitro culture. F was obtained kom the Rhus vernicifua through aceton extraction and silica gel adsorption column chromatography. Leydig cells (1$\times$10$^{6}$ cells/well) from 12 weeks old rats were incubated with or without F(0, 20, 40, 80, 160 ng) or insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) in the presence or absence of LH(10, 100ng). 1. The maximal stimulatory concentrations of testosterone in culture media were showed at 24hr of culture. but these testosterone level were decreased at 36 hr of culture. 2. Flavonoid(80ng) were significantly(P ＜ 0.05) increased testosterone production compared with control groups for 12 hr culture. 3. Testosterone secretion by Leydig cells stimulated with LH(10, 100ng) for 6 hr and 12hr culture compared with 3 hr culture. 4. LH 10 ng augmented testosterone were increased by addition of F 40 ng for 12 hr culture. 5. F(0 and 40 ng) also enhanced LH 10 ng stimulated testosterone for 3 hr Leydig cells culture. 6. Addition of IGF-I 100 ng to the culture medium for 6 hr were increased the concentration of testosterone by Leydig cells stimulated with 100 ng LH. These results indicate that Flavonoid has a direct stimulatory effect on basal testosterone secretion in rat Leydig cells, and also modulates LH mediated testosterone. Therefore, Flavonoid may act as a modulator on gonadal development or gonadal steroidogenesis in direct or indirect.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1589-1593
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of testosterone, 17$\beta$-estradiol, and progesterone on the differentiation of bovine intramuscular adipocytes (BIA). Stromal-vascular (SV) cells were obtained from M. longissimus dorsi of 20 months old Korean (Hanwoo) steers, and were cultured in DMEM containing 5% FBS. The proliferated BIA were induced to differentiate with 0.25 $\mu$M dexamethasone, 0.5 mM 1-methyl-3-isobutyl-xanthine and 10 $\mu$g/ml insulin. During differentiation, the cells were treated with testosterone, 17$\beta$-estradiol, and progesterone at concentrations of $10^{-10}$, $10^{-9}$, and $10^{-8}$ M, respectively, for 12 days. Regardless of its concentration, testosterone remarkably reduced lipid droplets in the cytosol of BIA. On the other hand, 17$\beta$-estradiol and progesterone increased the accumulation of lipid droplets in BIA. Testosterone significantly (p<0.05) decreased GPDH activities with a dose-dependent pattern. 17$\beta$-Estradiol treatment onto BIA during differentiation, however, increased GPDH activity showing the highest activity (11.3 nmol/mg protein/min) at $10^{-10}$ M. Treatment of BIA with progesterone also increased (p<0.05) GPDH activity with the highest activity (13.8 nmol/mg protein/min) at $10^{-9}$ M. In conclusion, the results in the current study suggest that testosterone inhibits differentiation of BIA by suppressing GPDH activity while 17$\beta$-estradiol and progesterone have adverse effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.172-177
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• 2013

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases among elderly men. As the old-age population is increasing recently, it is to our interest to observe the growing BPH within them. In BPH, the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) acts as promotes prostate growth. It inhibits enzyme $5{\alpha}$-reductase that is involved in the conversion of testosterone to the DHT activity which reduces the excessive prostate growth. Through experiments, the effects of Phellius linteus water extract performed on the BPH rats were induced by testosterone treatments. For 12 weeks, Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with testosterone for the induction of BPH. Rats were divided into four experimental groups: the not treated group (N), the testosterone injection and D.W treatment group (TN), the testosterone injection and Phellinus linteus treatment group (TP) and testosterone injection and finasteride treatment group (TF). Prostate weight, volume and weight ratio in the TP group and the TF group were significantly lower than the TN group. Testosterone and DHT levels in the TN group were significantly higher than that of the N group. And the TP group was significantly decreased than that of the TN group. While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation; the TP and TF groups showed trophic symptoms and were lined by flattened epithelial cells, thus, the stromal proliferation is relatively low as compared to the TN group. These suggest that Phellinus linteus water extracts may be an useful remedy for treating the benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.7-13
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• 1980

In the previous experiment, authors have shown that during the latter half of estrous cycle there was an increase in plasma testosterone level in the rats stimulated with hCG. To determine the physiologic significance of elevated plasma testosterone, changes of the plasma concentrations of TeBG and testosterone following hCG stimulation were analyzed in the rats having a regular 5 day cycle. The rats were divided into three groups; the control, the rats stimulated with single hCG on the day of proestrus and stimulated with hCG throughout the entire cycle. Blood samples were obtained once a day for an estrous cycle and analyzed for the binding capacity of TeBG using ammonium sulphate precipitation method and testosterone concentration by means of radioimmunoassay. Followings were the results; 1) There was no significant variation in the binding capacity of TeBG in peripheral blood during the estrous cycle of the control rats. 2) No cyclic variation in the binding capacity of TeBG was observed in the rats stimulated with single hCG on proestrus. although the levels tended to be higher in the rats with stimulation than in the control rats. 3) Continual stimulation of hCG produced a marked increase in the binding capacity of TeBG especially on the day of metaestrus. 4) The changes in the plasma level of testosterone followed the same basic pattern seen in the TeBG binding capacity. 5) From above results, the followings were suggested. a. hCG related increase of the binding capacity of TeBG is probably secondary to a modest increase in estrogen as well. b. hCG related increase of plasma testosterone in female rats is not entirely due to excess production rather in part due to decreased metabolism induced by the rise in TeBG. c. It seems likely that most of elevated testosterone shown in the rat stimulated with hCG is bound to TeBG and only small portion is unbound form which influence cellular activity. It is rather possible that an increase in TeBG could augment estrogen activity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1561-1566
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• 2006

Sebum is secreted due to the effect of androgen, which start to be secreted at puberty. Androgens have profound effects on the physiology of the sebaceous gland, Using the human sebocyte cell line SZ95, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Chelidonii Harba (CH) on the subum production. Our results showed that numerous cytoplasmic lipid droplets were examined by Oil red staining and lipid droplets were increased markedly by testosterone. Cell viability was dose-dependently decreased by CH as compared with untreated cells, while total lipid content and cholesterol slightly were increased by CH. Testosterone significantly stimulated the synthesis of total lipid and the synthesis of specific sebaceous lipids such as cholesterol and triglyceride. Combined treatment with CH and testosterone resulted in a lower lipid synthesis than with testosterone alone. Especially cholesteol content was reduced by combined treatment with CH and testosterone. These results indicate that CH inhibits the testosterone-induced lipid synthesis in SZ95 cells and acts antagonistically to androgen at the cellular level.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.451-455
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• 2020

Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), also known as late-onset hypogonadism, is a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advanced age and characterized by deficient serum testosterone levels. The Elaeagnus multiflora fruit (EMF) and Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) have been used in traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of EMF and CW mixtures (at the ratios of 3:7, 5:5, and 7:3) on TDS using TM3 cells and aging male rats. EMF, and mixtures of EMF and CW (at the ratios of 3:7, 5:5, and 7:3) significantly increased testosterone levels in TM3 cells (p <0.05). The rats were orally administered EMCW (EMF and CW mixed at the ratio of 3:7 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks consecutively. After 4 weeks of EMCW administration, latency time on the rotarod test, and serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were significantly increased (p <0.05 and p <0.01). Moreover, the levels of globulin-bound sex hormones were decreased in the EMCW-fed groups. However, prostate-specific antigen levels did not differ among the groups. These results suggest that EMCW can be effectively used to alleviate TDS.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.492-498
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• 2015

Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is normally observed in elderly men and is a clinical and biochemical syndrome, characterized by a decline in plasmic testosterone levels resulting in a significant decrease in quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a mixed extract of fenugreek seeds and Lespedeza cuneata (YHM) on TDS. Rats were divided into three groups: the negative control, YHM-40 (40 mg/kg), and YHM-80 (80 mg/kg) groups. After 4 weeks of YMH administration, an increase was observed in the plasmic testosterone levels, vastus lateralis muscular strength, forced swimming time, total sperm counts, and motile sperm counts in YHM-40 and YHM-80 groups compared to the negative control group. Moreover, sex hormone binding globulin, the epididymal fat pad, total plasmic cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly decreased in the YHM-fed groups. However, prostate specific antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels did not differ among the groups. These results suggest that YHM may enhance testosterone levels in elderly men and alleviate TDS without common side effects.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.85-97
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• 2010

1. Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oral administration of distilled Suhwagije-tang in aging rats. 2. Methods The SD rats used in this experiment were 6, 48 and 68 weeks old. These groups were treated with distilled water(DW), 1% Vitamin C(Vit. C) and 50% Suhwagije-tang(SGT) distillate respectively, once a day for 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken from heart and the levels of various parameters in serum were analysed. 3. Results and Conclusions (1) At all concentration of SGT, survival rates of liver cells were higher than the control group. (2) The rate of which the 10W-SGT group gained weight was significantly higher than that of the control groups. (3) The levels of albumin in serum of 10W-SGT group were significantly increased in comparison to those of the DW group. The levels of ALP, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in serum of 52W-SGT group were significantly decreased in comparison to those of the DW group. (4) The levels of testosterone in serum of SGT groups showed no significantly changes in comparison to those of the control groups. Testosterone levels were naturally decreased with advancing years, so 72W-DW group's testosterone level was significantly decreased in comparison to those of 10W-DW group's. In contrast, 72W-SGT group's level was the highest in comparison to those of the control groups and those of deviation from 10W, 52W and 72W in SGT groups was also smaller than control groups'. (5) The levels of glucose, total-bilirubin, ALT, AST, BUN, CRP, hs-CRP, homocystein, Na, K, Na/K ratio, Cl and Ca in serum of SGT groups showed no significantly changes in comparison to those of the control groups. These results suggest that oral administration of Suhwagije-tang distillate should be effective in promoting growth and preventing rapid decline of testosterone in aging rats does not cause any imbalance in liver, kidney and electrolyte.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.373-380
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a corn silk extract on improving benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS/METHODS: The experimental animals, 6-week-old male Wistar rats, were divided into sham-operated control (Sham) and experimental groups. The experimental group, which underwent orchiectomy and received subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg of testosterone propionate to induce BPH, was divided into a Testo Only group that received only testosterone, a Testo+Fina group that received testosterone and 5 mg/kg finasteride, a Testo+CSE10 group that received testosterone and 10 mg/kg of corn silk extract, and a Testo+CSE100 group that received testosterone and 100 mg/kg of corn silk extract. Prostate weight and concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), $5{\alpha}$- reductase $2(5{\alpha}-R2)$, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in prostate tissue were also measured. RESULTS: Compared to the Sham group, prostate weight was significantly higher in the Testo Only group and decreased significantly in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05), results that were consistent with those for serum DHT concentrations. The concentrations of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ in serum and prostate as well as the mRNA expression of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ in prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups than that in the Testo Only group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the concentrations of PSA in serum and prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05) than in the Testo Only group. The mRNA expression of PCNA in prostate dose-independently decreased in the Testo+CSE-treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BPH was induced through injection of testosterone, and corn silk extract treatment improved BPH symptoms by inhibiting the mRNA expression of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ and decreasing the amount of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$, DHT, and PSA in serum and prostate tissue.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.417-421
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the changes of body weight, organ weight, hematological values and biochemical parameters by testosterone (Testos) on the orchidectomized (Orch) rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups. Intact group (n=10) received no treatment and operation. Sham group (n=10) received only sham operation and no treatment. Orch group received operation and no treatment. Orch+Testos received operation and testosterone. The body weights of each group increased, but that of Orch+Testos group was significantly lower in Orch+Testos group than in all the other groups. There were significant differences (P<0.05, P<0.001) of body weights between Orch+Testos group and all the other groups. Also, organ weights such as heart, liver, spleen and kidney were measured. The heart weights were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the Orch+Testos group than in all the other groups. The liver weights in the Orch+Testos group were significantly differences in comparison with those in the Sham (P<0.001) and Orch group (P<0.05). On the other hand, there were no significantly differences in the organ weights of spleen and kidney between the Orch+Testos group and the any other groups. The hematological values of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were no significant differences in any other groups. The concentrations of serum total protein and albumin increased significantly (P<0.05) in the Orch+Testos group as compared to that in the Orch group. However, there were no significant differences in Ca, IP and Mg in any other groups. We conclude that testosterone was significantly decreased the body weight in the orchidectomized rats. Our findings suggest that testosterone may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption in the orchidectomized rats.