• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2006

Female phenotype of a 46,XY male may originates from male pseudohermaphroditism due to $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase deficiency. Lack of cortisol increases adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and mineralocorticoid production, leading to low renin hypertention and hypokalemia. A 41-year-old phenotypic female presented primary amenorrhea and hypertension. In the hormonal profile, the levels of serum estradiol, testosterone, rennin, and cortisol were decreased and ACTH and deoxycorticosterone were increased. Laparoscopic bilateral gonadectomy was performed, and corticosteroid, antihypertensive drugs, and estrogen were administered. We report this case with a brief review of the literatures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.337-343
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• 2002

Objectives: To investigate the distribution of $ER{\alpha}$, $ER{\beta}$, c-fos and c-jun in the uterine myoma and myometrium in oder to know how the tamoxifen cause the growth of myoma. Methods: Myoma and myometrial tissue were obtained from the postmenopausal women treated with tamoxifen in the patients with breast cancer and in the premenopausal patients, who were undergoing myoma of uterus from 1998 through 2000. The espression of each gene was quantitated with quantitative RT-PCR. Results: The expression of $ER{\alpha}$ was slightly increased in the myoma than the myometrium in the proliferative phase, and was slightly decreased in the myometrium than the myoma in the secretory phase. However it was not significant statistically. In the postmemopausal women treated with tamoxifen, $ER{\alpha}$ was expressed in all myoma and myome1rial tissues and the expression was not statistically significant. The expression ofER~ was slightly increased in the myome1rium than the leiomyoma in the proliferative and secretory phase, but it was not significant statistically. In the postmemopausal women treated with tamoxifen, the expression of ER~ was significantly incresed in the myome1rium than the leiomyoma. The expression of c-fos was significantly increased in the myome1rium than the leiomyoma in the proliferative and secretory phase. In the postmemopausal women treated with tamoxifen, the expression of c-fos was slightly increased in the leiomyoma than the myomelrium, however, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Tamoxifen may cause the growth of leiomyoma by $ER{\alpha}$ with AP-l pathway reducing the counteraction of 6$ER{\beta}$ to $ER{\alpha}$.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.181-191
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• 2008

Objective: Environmental chemicals alter reproduction, growth, and survival by changing the normal function of the endocrine system. Bisphenol A (BPA), one of the endocrine disruptors, is known to be an estrogen receptor agonist. Therefore, we hypothesized that BPA may affect male reproduction including spermatogenesis in the mouse testis. Methods: We used 7-week-old ICR mice. The first experiment group received BPA in sesame oil (vehicle, 1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) by i.p. injection and mice were sacrificed 24 hr later. The second experiment group received BPA (vehicle, 10 ${\mu}g/kg$, 1 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg) daily for 14 days by subcutaneous injection. Expression of cell type-specific marker genes in the testis was evaluated by RT-PCR. Histological analysis, immunofluorescence staining, and TUNEL staining were also performed. Results: RT-PCR analyses showed that expression of luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR), a marker gene for the Leydig cell, was notably decreased in the testes of high dose-exposed mice. No obvious difference in the histology of testes was noted among treatment groups. Immunostaining of LHR in the first experiment group did not show noticeable difference in LHR protein expression in Leydig cells. Immunohistochemistry also revealed heightened expression of the immunoreactive Bax in the treatment group, and this was accompanied by positive TUNEL staining in the interstitial area within testis where Leydig cells reside. Conclusions: Our result suggests that BPA affects Leydig cell functions by altering gene expression and by increasing apoptosis in the mouse testis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.931-936
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Codium Fragile(CF) extract on the collagen content and collagen cross-link content of the connective tissues, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium levels of serum in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats. Three groups were surgically ovariectomized. The fourth group was sham operated. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups : sham-oper-ated rats(Sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats supplemented with CF at 50 mg/kg body wt and 200 mg/kg body wt, respectively The CF were orally administrated at 1mLa day. The ovariectomy caused a decreasing in collagen content in bone, cartilage, skin and lung tissues. However CF groups, supplementation with Codium Fragile extract, increased in collagen contentin bone and cartilage tissues than OVX-CON group. Fyridinoline content in cartilage collagen was de-creased by ovariectomy but supplementation with the CF extracts was similarly increased to Sham. Alkaline phosphatase activity on serum of CF groups decreased than OVX-CON group. These results suggest that CF supplementation prevents post-menopausal bone loss, thus it may be used possibly to improve the quality of life in menopausal women.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.356-364
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• 2003

A methanol extract from seeds of Paeonia lactiflora (Paeoniaceae, peony) was found to possess different antiproliferative activities against four different human cancer cell lines: Hela, MCF-7, HepG2 and HT-29. Furthermore, five different methanol (20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 % MeOH) fractions obtained by fractionation of the methanol extract of the seeds on a Diaion HP-20 column exhibited differential antiproliferative effects against the above four cancer cell lines. Among five fractions, the 60 % MeOH fraction showed relatively lower antiproliferative activity on MCF-7 estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell than the other cancer cell lines. Systematic separation of 60% the MeOH fraction by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 columns led to the isolation of four known stilbenes, trans-resveratrol (1), trans-(+)- $\varepsilon$ -viniferin (2), gnetin H (3) and suffruticosol B (4). The four stilbenes (1∼4) exerted differential biphasic effects on cell proliferation of MCF-7 cells in a similar manner as genistein, a soybean isoflavone used as a positive reference, in the concentration range from 1.0 to 200 $\mu$M. Three stilbenes (1 ∼ 3) weakly stimulated the proliferation of MCF -7 cells at doses below 10 JIM. However, strong antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 cell were exerted by extract 1 at a dose of 200 JIM, and by 2 and 3 at doses above 25 $\mu$M. In contrast, 4 inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cell at a dose below 25 $\mu$M, but stimulated cell proliferation at concentrations of 50 and 100 $\mu$M. All four stilbenes (1∼4) stimulated the proliferation of ROS 17/2.8 osteoblast-like cells in the range of 10$^{-10}$ ∼10$^{-1}$ $\mu$M. Compound 1 exhibited especially potent proliferative activity, although its activity was weaker than that of genistein. Additionally, three resveratrol oligomers (2∼4) also exhibited concentration-dependently moderate proliferative activity, but less than that of 1. These results suggest that resveratrol, and its dimer and trimers from the seeds of Paeonia lactiflora may act as a phytoestrogen, but in a somewhat different manner from that of genistein.

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.697-703
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• 2006

Endocrine disruptors were measured with GC/MS in effluents discharged from sewage treatment processes in pilot scale for the purpose of water reuse. From that analysis, we compared the removal rate of them by treatment processes. Nonylphenol was mainly detected in effluents and high concentration from 0.36 to 0.94 ${\mu}g/L$. $17{\beta}$-estradiol(E2) and $17{\alpha}$-ethynylestradiol(EE2) were detected as below the limit of detection in effluent. Endocrine disruptors were removed effectively in the range from 50 to 100% by treatment process. EC50 value($9.0{\times}10^{-3}$ M) of $17{\beta}$-estradiol(E2) by dose response curve of E-screen assay has higher than that of bisphenol A($2.736{\times}10^{-5}M$) and p-octylphenol($9.760{\times}10^{-6}$ M). These results showed that alkylphenols have lower relative estrogen potency than other estrogens such as $17{\beta}$-estradiol(E2). Calculated estrogenic activity(ng-EEQ/L) was 2 times higher than measured total estrogenic activity which estimated by E-screen assay. Moreover estrogenic activity of effluent by treatment process showed very low as below 1 ng-EEQ/L.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 2005

Much of the interest on the chemopreventive properties of herbs and plants has been raised, whereas little is regarding to anti-tumor effect of farming and aquatic products. In the present study, the anti-tumor effect of hot-water extract of a seaweed, BLC (Sargassum fulvellum) and BLC/HEN egg was investigated using MCF-7 cells in vitro and in vivo systems. We found that the BLC extract and BLC/HEN egg inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, which might be mediated through up-regulation of p53. Furthermore, this test compound can directly induce apoptosis in MCF-7 cells, which might be mediated through up-regulation of a pro-apoptotic Bax protein and down-regulation of a anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein, not by immune system. Nude mice bearing established breast tumors (with exogenous estradiol) were treated with BLC extract and BLC/HEN egg. Treatment BLC extract and BLC/HEN egg caused a 42% and 71% inhibition of tumor growth, respectively. Both agents caused a significant inhibition of volume and weight growth of estrogen independent human breast tumors established from MCF-7 cells. Our results suggested that BLC extract and BLC/HEN egg have the efficacious effect of human breast cancer not only in vitro but also in vivo.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 1996

Objects : There has been the controversy that menopause may or may not influence the psychological distresses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the hormonal status and traits of depression & anxiety in menopausal women. Method : Among the women attending menopausal clinic. menopausal women, defined as who having a amenorrhea for more than 12 months, were selected as a study group(n=83). The control group(n=73), who visited to screen the cervix cancer with regular menstruation, hod no history of hormone replacement therapy. Individual data were collected by self-reporting questionnaires. Depression state was evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and anxiety state by Stale Trail Anxiety Inventory(STAI), and the female hormones such as E2, FSH, and LH were obtained by blood sampling at visting clinic. Statistically the data were processed by t-test and pearson correlation analysis(p<0.05). Results : 1) The mean age of menopausal was 45.3 years. 2) In menopausal women the scores of BDI & STAI were significantly higher than in control group(p<0.05). 3) There were significant differences between menopausal and control group by E2 & FSH. 4) There was no correlation between female hormonal status and the STAI & BDI scores in both groups. Conclusion : Although menopausal women had more traits of depression & anxiety than control group, it was difficult to insist that the lack of estrogen was the only etiological factor for the traits of depression & anxiety in menopausal period. In further studies, we must consider another factors, including biological, sociocultural, psychological factor, as the cause of psychological symptoms during menopausal period.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.50-56
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• 2002

최근 3-4년간 MR의 hardware와 software의 급격한 발전으로 마침내 작년 말에 3.0 Tesla whole body MR 장비가 미국 FDA의 공인을 받았다. 한국에서도 일찍부터 3T MR장비의 개발이 이루어 졌고 이미 설치되어 연구와 임상이 이용되고 있다. 여러 회사에서 개발 및 연구된 전신 3.0T MR 장비가 여러가지 가능성을 보이고 임상 도입 단계에 있지만 아직까지 실지 임상에서는 뇌신경계 분야가 주류를 이루고 있다. 지금 뇌신경계 분야에서 보편적으로 늘리 사용되고 있는 1.5T MR 장비는 모든 면에서 상당히 안정적으로 임상 및 연구에 이용되고 있다. 1-2년 전만 해도 3.0 T MR기기는 뇌신경계 영역에서도 임상적으로 늘리 사용되기에는 안정적인 면에서는 1.5T 기기에 비해서 떨어지는 것이 사실이었다. 그래서 주로 연구실 영역에서 많이 이용되고 있었다. 그러나 지금 본원에 설치 완료되어 임상에 적용한지 6개월 정도 이용한 예에서 보면 (about 2300 cases/6months) hardware, software적인 면에서 아직 조금의 불편함이 있지만 많은 부분이 충분히 인지되고 개선이 가능한 부분으로 거의 불편함이 사라질 것으로 기대되고 있고, 불편함을 넘을 수 있는 여러 가지 장점이 있다고 본다. 고자장 (>3.0 T) MRI의 매력은 자장에 비례적으로 SNR, spectral resolution이 높아지고, T1, BOLD등에 의한 대조도가 향상한다는 것이다. SNR의 증가는 temporal, spatial 분해능을 증가시키고, spectral resolution이 높아짐에 따라 MR spectroscopy상에서 주요 대사물질 이외 작은 대사물질에 관한 스펙트럼의 분석을 향상시킨다. 이처럼 고자장 MR은 근본적인 장점을 가지고 있고 이러한 장점이 고자장 MR 시대로 가야 할 이유을 모두 설명하고 있다고 생각된다.세포질등이 있으며, 이들중에서 lysosomes, peroxisomes, 그리고 미토콘드리아가 특정한 유전성 백질질환에 중요한 역할을 하는 것이 밝혀졌다. 이러한 질환들은 최소한 각 소기관에 의한 질환군으로 분류될 수 있다.SXR이 ER의 transactivation 효과를 약간 촉진한 반면 MDA-MB-231세포는 SXR을 제외한 CAR와 PPAR${\gamma}$에 의해 ER의 transactivation 효과가 약간 증가되는 경향을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 유방암세포에서는 CAR, SXR, PPAR${\gamma}$과 같은 xenobiotic nuclear receptor에 의한 ER transactivation 효과가 간암세포와는 다르게 나타나며, 유방암의 종류에 따라서 endogenous CAR, SXR, PPAR${\gamma}$수용체가 다르게 발현됨으로써 이들에 대한 반응이 서로 상이한 특징을 나타낼 수 있을 것으로 사료된다. 따라서 estrogen receptor에 의해 매개되는 estrogn의 전사활성조절기전이 표적세포에 따라 다른 경로를 포함 할 수 있음을 시사한다.서 흡착 능력이 우수하게 나타났으며, 황화수소는 펄라이트, 왕겨, 소나무수피에서 상대적으로 우수한 것으로 나타났으며, 혼합충전재는 암모니아의 경우 코코넛과 펄라이트의 비율이 7：3인 혼합 재료 3번과 소나무수피와 펄라이트의 비율이 7：3인 혼합 재료 6번에서 다른 혼합 재료에 비하여 우수한 것으로 나타났다. 4. 코코넛과 소나무수피의 경우 암모니아 가스에 대한 흡착 능력은 거의 비슷한 것으로 사료되며, 코코넛의 경우 전량을 수입에 의존하고 있다는 점에서 국내 조달이 용이하며, 구입 비용도 적게 소요되는 소나무수피를 사용하는 것이 경제적이라고 사료된다. 5. 마지막으로 악취제거 미생물균주를 접종한 소나무수피 50%와 펄라이트

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 1998

Normal and abnormal follicular growth and steroidogenesis depend on gonadotropins as well as intraovarian peptides, which may mediate or potentiate gonadotropin action. Inhibin also affect follicular development and steroidogenesis and may play a role in dominant follicle selection and follicular atresia. Therefore, we studied the differences of serum inhibin, gonadotropin and androgen levels in the women with only the ultrasound findings and no disorder, and polycystic ovary (PCO) with ovulatory disturbance. We prospectively analysed forty-three women with PCO. The diagnosis of PCO was based on typical appearance of the ovaries on TVS. Twelve women with regular menstrual cycle and normal ovarian morphology were selected as control. Basal levels of inhibin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol $(E_2)$, testosterone (T), androstenedione (ADD), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DS), prolactin and TSH in serum were determined. There were significant differences in basal LH levels and LH/FSH ratio between the control and the women with PCO. The basal levels of inhibin and $E_2$ in the oligo-amenorrheic PCO (N=34) were significantly higher than those in the control. There was higher negative correlation between the inhibin and T levels in the oligo-amenorrheic PCO, but, not in the regular cycling PCO. Also, there was higher positive correlation between the LH and T levels in the oligo-amenorrheic PCO, but not in the regular cycling PCO. These data presume that the initial event of PCO is elevated pituitary LH secretion. Elevated levels of LH may down-regulate LH receptors on granulosa cells and also cause hypertrophy of the thecal layer. High level of androgen secreted by the hypertrophied thecal layer may stimulate inhibin secretion from granulosa cells and can be converted to estrogen by extraovarian tissues and could serve to augment pituitary sensitivity to GnRH with a resultant secretion of more LH than FSH. Inhibin may inhibit FSH action on granulosa cell in the PCO follicle, impairing follicular development and dominant follicle selection resulted in ovulatory disturbance.