• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2021

Doublesex and mab-3 related transcription factor(dmrt) play crucial roles in sex determination and sex differentiation in vertebrates and invertebrates. Although dmrt genes have been identified in vertebrates, little is known about aquatic invertebrates. In this study, two dmrt genes, namely, Dc_dmrt93B and Dc_dmrt99B, were identified from brackish water flea, Diaphanosoma celebensis. Transcriptional changes were observed in the dmrt genes when the flea was exposed to bisphenol(BP), an endocrine disruptor. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that both dmrt genes contained two conserved domains, namely, DM and DMA, closely clustered with those of Daphnia spp. Additionally, a significant increase in the Dc_dmrt99B mRNA expression level was observed upon exposure to intermediate concentrations of BP (bisphenol A>bisphenol S=bisphenol F, p<0.05), while the expression of Dc_dmrt93B mRNA was slightly modulated. These findings imply that the two dmrt genes may be involved in sex differentiation of D. celebensis. Furthermore, it was found that the ability of BP to modulate dmrt genes could affect development and reproduction. This study provides a basis for understanding the function of the dmrt genes and the molecular mode of action of BP in small crustaceans.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.40-43
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• 2021

Enuresis is intermittent urinary incontinence during sleep at night in children aged 5 years or older. The main pathophysiology of enuresis involves nocturnal polyuria, abnormal sleep arousal, and low functional bladder capacity. In rare cases, enuresis is an early symptom of endocrine disorders such as diabetes or thyroid disorders. Herein, we report a case of a 12-year-old girl with enuresis as a rare initial presentation of Graves' disease. She complained of nocturnal enuresis from a month before visiting our clinic. She also complained of urinary frequency, headache, and weight loss. On physical examination, she had tachycardia, intention tremors, and a diffuse goiter on her anterior neck with bruit on auscultation. Her thyroid function test results revealed hyperthyroidism, and Graves' disease was diagnosed as the thyroid stimulating hormone receptor autoantibody was positive. After treatment for Graves' disease with methimazole, symptoms of enuresis resolved within 2 weeks as she became clinically and biochemically euthyroid. In children with secondary enuresis, Graves' disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis, and signs of hyperthyroidism should be checked for carefully.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2022

Neurokinin B (NKB) is a neuropeptide involved in the regulation of reproductive endocrine system of vertebrate animals, including fish. However, the pathway of NKB action in fish has not been clearly elucidated. In order to clarify the effect of NKB and NKF (neurokinin F) on gonadotropic hormone (GTH) gene expression in the pituitary, we studied the changes of LHβ and FSHβ gene expressions by using two different pituitary culture methods (whole pituitary culture or dispersed pituitary cell culture). Pituitaries were removed from mature female and male Nile tilapia. Changes of LHβ and FSHβ gene expressions were measured and compared after the treatment with NKB or NKF peptides at concentrations 0 to 1,000 nM. Expression of GTH genes in the whole pituitary cultures treated with NKB or NKF peptides did not show significant difference except in female at one concentration when treated with NKF. On the contrary, there were significant changes of GTH gene expressions in the dispersed pituitary cell cultures when treated with NKB and NKF peptides. These results suggest that dispersed pituitary cell culture is more relevant than whole pituitary culture in studying the function of pituitary, and that NKB and NKF could act directly on the pituitary to regulate the expression of GTH genes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2023

The prevalence of diabetes continues to increase worldwide, and the problem is also important in Korea, and about 14% of Korean adults have diabetes. Alcohol consumptions are increasing rapidly around the world and are recognized as one of the major problems in the country. Alcohol consumption is an environmental factor previously known to be associated with the risk of developing diabetes. Alcohol consumption can cause problems in the endocrine system and gastrointestinal function, and oxidative stress of acetaldehyde, an ethanol metabolite, can damage beta cells in the pancreas. In the present study, we found the effect of alcohol intake on fasting blood sugar and the difference between men and women in the risk of diabetes according to alcohol intake. In men, the high-drinking group had a higher risk of diabetes than the non-drinking group (OR, 1.41; P=0.058). In women, the Moderate-drinking group had a lower risk of diabetes compared to the non-drinking group (OR, 0.42; P=0.039). The high-drinking group had a higher risk of diabetes than the non-drinking group (OR, 2.97; P=0.034). The group that consumed more than the WHO's daily alcohol intake risk standard tended to have a higher risk of diabetes than the group that did not (OR, 5.48; P=0.001). This study suggest that moderate alcohol consumption reduce the risk of developing diabetes, and high alcohol consumption increase the risk of developing diabetes.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.23.1-23.14
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• 2024

Adipose tissue, well known for its endocrine function, plays an immunological role in the body. The inflamed adipose tissue under LPS-induced systemic inflammation is characterized by the dominance of pro-inflammatory immune cells, particularly neutrophils. Although migration of macrophages toward damaged or dead adipocytes to form a crown-like structure in inflamed adipose tissue has been revealed, the neutrophilic interaction with adipocytes or the extracellular matrix remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated the involvement of adhesion molecules, particularly integrin α6β1, of neutrophils in adipocytes or the extracellular matrix of inflamed adipose tissue interaction. These results suggest that disrupting the adhesion between adipose tissue components and neutrophils may govern the accumulation of excessive neutrophils in inflamed tissues, a prerequisite in developing anti-inflammatory therapeutics by inhibiting inflammatory immune cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.989-995
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• 2011

Hypothyroidism is the most common disease in the endocrine system. Cistanche Deserticola has been used traditionally in the treatment of kidney deficiency and Yang deficiency syndrome. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Cistanche Deserticola on Hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU. 24 Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups : 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Cistanche Deserticola(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks. Cistanche Deserticola and levothyroxine was administered 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. Body weights were checked every week and after 4 weeks, biochemical analysis was performed and T3, T4 and TSH were measured by ELISA kits. In comparison with the normal group, the control group showed hypothyroidism with lower T3, T4 level and higher TSH level. In the Cistanche group the level of T4 was significantly increased and TSH level was significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in biochemical labs and weight between the Cistanche group and the control group. These findings suggest that Cistanche Deserticola could help the production of thyroid hormones under PTU suppression. And there is no harmful effect on liver and kidney function, and other metabolism. According to these results Cistanche Deserticola could be an useful agent for treating hypothyroidism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.988-994
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• 2008

The purpose of the investigation was to establish how the pineal-adrenal axis plays an important role in thermoregulation in female goats under short-term heat stress. The study was conducted to observe the influence of glucocorticoids on pineal function in goats and its influence on stress alleviation capability. Melatonin and glucocorticoid secretions and several other endocrine and biochemical blood parameters reflecting the animals well being were determined over a one week period after goats had been exposed to $40^{\circ}C$ and 60% relative humidity for 10 days. Six female goats were used in the study. These animals served as self controls prior to the start of the experiment. The study was conducted for a period of seventeen days in a psychrometric chamber at $40^{\circ}C$ and 60% relative humidity. Chemical pinealectomy was achieved using propranolol followed by exogenous hydrocortisone treatment. Blood samples were drawn twice daily after each treatment to find the effect of hydrocortisone on plasma glucose, total protein, total cholesterol, cortisol, insulin, aldosterone, melatonin and corticosterone. Chemical pinealectomy significantly ($p{\leq}0.05$) affected plasma levels of the parameters studied and these could be significantly ($p{\leq}0.05$) counteracted by administration of hydrocortisone. Chemical pinealectomy aggravated thermal stress, although administration of hydrocortisone could ameliorate the condition. This indicated a role of the pineal in support of thermoregulation. The study establishes the modulating effect of glucocorticoids on pineal activity to relieve thermal stress in goats.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2011

The safety of human exposure to an ever-increasing number and diversity of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources both at work and at home has clearly become a public health issue. To date many $in$ $vivo$ and $in$ $vitro$ studies revealed that EMF exposure can alter cellular metabolism, endocrine function, immune activity, reproductive function, and fetal development in animal system. The major parameters found to be altered in cells or individuals following EMF exposure include an increase of free radicals, DNA damage, cancer risk, developmental defect, and reproductive dysfunctions. Epidemiological studies reported EMF can increase life-threatening illnesses such as leukemia, brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, clinical depression, suicide, and Alzheimer's disease has been identified. These effects of EMF exposure differ according to duration of exposure, frequency of waves, and strength (energy) of EMF. In the present review, we briefly introduced the physical properties of EMF and summarized the effect of EMF on human and wildlife animals according to types of EMF, duration of exposure at cellular and organism levels.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.425-434
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• 2011

Objectives : Hypothyroidism is the most common pathological disease of the endocrine system. Morinda Officinalis Radix has been used in treatment of Yang deficiency. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Morinda Officinalis Radix on a rat model of hypothyroidism induced by 6-propyl, 2-thiouracil (PTU). Methods : Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were used with injection of PTU which induced rats into hypo-thyroidism. During 2 weeks, rats were treated with Morinda Officinalis Radix and thyroxine. Body weights were checked every week, the after 4 weeks, biochemical analyses were performed. The levels of T3, T4 and TSH was measured by EILSA. Results : In the Morinda Officinalis Radix group, we could observe the level of T4 significantly increased and TSH level significantly decreased. Conclusions : Morinda Officinalis Radix could help the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones under PTU suppression. There is no harm effect on liver and kidney function, or other metabolism. According to these results it could help to treat hypothyroidism patients and relieve their symptoms.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 2012

Objective: Tributyltin (TBT), an endocrine disrupting chemical, has been reported to decrease ovarian function by causing apoptosis in the ovary, but the mechanism is not fully understood. Therefore, we examined whether TBT increases the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the ovary and the increased expression of these genes is associated with apoptosis induction. Methods: Three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered TBT (1 or 10 mg/kg body weight) or sesame oil as a control for 7 days. The ovaries were obtained and weighed on day 8, and then they were fixed for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) or frozen for RNA extraction. Using the total RNA of the ovaries, adipogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The ovarian weight was significantly decreased in rats administered 10 mg/kg TBT compared to that in control rats. As determined by the TUNEL assay, the number of apoptotic follicles in ovary was significantly increased in rats administered 10 mg/kg TBT. The real-time PCR results showed that the expression of adipogenesis-related genes such as $PPAR{\gamma}$, ${\alpha}P2$, CD36, and PEPCK was increased after TBT administration. In addition, apoptosis-related genes such as $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 were expressed more in the TBT-administered rats compared with the control rats. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that TBT induces the expression of adipogenesis- and apoptosis-related genes in the ovary leading to apoptosis in the ovarian follicles. These results suggest that the increased expression of adipogenesis-related genes in the ovary by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis resulting in a loss of ovarian function.