• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1291-1299
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• 2014

Recently, multifunctional nanomaterials have been developed as nanotherapeutic agents for cellular imaging and targeted cancer treatment because of their ease of synthesis and low cytotoxicity. In this study, we developed a multifunctional, two-component nanorod consisting of gold (Au) and nickel (Ni) blocks that enables dual-fluorescence imaging and the targeted delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) to improve cancer treatment. Fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) peptides were attached to the surface of a Ni block via a histidine-tagged LHRH interaction to specifically bind to a breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. The Au block was modified with TAMRA-labeled thiolated siRNA in order to knock down the vascular endothelial growth factor protein to inhibit cancer growth. These two-component nanorods actively targeted and internalized into MCF-7 cells to induce apoptosis through RNA interference. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using two-component nanorods as a potential theranostic in breast cancer treatment, with capabilities in dual imaging and targeted gene delivery.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1904-1910
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) on the feed intake of broiler chickens and explore its influencing mechanism. Methods: The study included two trials. In trial 1, 32 male broiler chickens (Arbor Acres, Gallus gallus domesticus) were given ventricle buried tubes, and they were allowed to recover for 3 days. At 8:00 AM, intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection with CRF or normal saline was performed in 10-day-old broiler chickens, which were divided into the 5, 10, and 20 ㎍ and control (normal saline) groups according to the dose of CRF injection. In trial 2, chickens were divided into the 10 ㎍ and control group (physiological saline) to repeat trial 1. Results: Results of trial 1 showed that the cumulative amount of feed intake in the 10 or 20 ㎍ groups was considerably lower than that of the control group after ICV injection with CRF. The lowest amount of feed intake was obtained with the addition of 10 ㎍ of CRF. In trial 2, the expression of ghrelin in the hypothalamus injected with 10 ㎍ of CRF increased significantly, but the expression of ghrelin in various sections of the small intestine considerably decreased. The expression of CRF receptor subtypes 1 (CRFR1) in the hypothalamus and some parts of the small intestine remarkably increased, and the expression of CRF receptor subtypes 2 (CRFR2) increased only in the duodenum, whereas the expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR-1α) in the jejunum and ileum increased considerably after ICV injection of 10 ㎍ of CRF. Conclusion: The CRF at 10 ㎍ increased ghrelin expression in the hypothalamus and CRFR1 expression in the small intestine, and this phenomenon was related to the suppressed feed intake of broiler chickens.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2007

Purpose : The hope that arresting pubertal developement might increase final adult height has led to an attempt to use GnRH agonist (GnRHa) in children with early puberty and poor growth prognosis. We investigated the growth-promoting effect of GnRH agonists with or without growth hormone (GH) in girls with early puberty and decreased predicted adult height (PAH). Methods : Thirty five girls with advanced bone age and early pubertal signs were randomized for treatment for about 1 year with monthly GnRHa in group 1 (n=18), or with a combination of GH and GnRHa in group 2 (n=17). The following growth parameters were compared between groups, and the difference ($\Delta$) before and after treatment : chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), $\Delta$(BA-CA), height (HT), target height (TH), predicted adult height (PAH), $\Delta$ (TH-PAH), serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3). Results : Before treatment, BA, TH, PAH Standard deviation scores (SDS), $\Delta$(TH-PAH) were not different between the two groups, but CA was higher in group 2 and $\Delta$(BA-CA) were higher in group 1 (P<0.05). After $1.06{\pm}0.93$ year of treatment, $\Delta$ (BA-CA) decreased and there were significant changes in PAH and $\Delta$ (TH-PAH), especially in group 2 (P<0.05 in group 1, and P<0.001 in group 2). In both groups, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were not different before and after treatment, but after treatment, IGF-1 level in group 2 was marginally higher than IGF-1 in group 1 (P<0.1). Conclusion : Compromised predicted adult height in girls with early puberty and advanced bone age was significantly improved with GnRH with/without GH treatment in the short-term period. The addition of GH to GnRHa results in a significant increase in PAH compared to GnRHa alone because GnRHa suppressed growth hormone-IGF-1 axis. For comparison of final adult height, further longitudinal follow-up will be needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.7
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• pp.931-939
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of energy supplement on responses of plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) to growth hormone-releasing peptide-2 (GHRP-2) administration in normal protein-fed wethers, and to observe the effect of GHRP-2 treatment on hepatic growth hormone (GH) receptor in well-fed wethers. Plasma IGF-1 and 39-42 kDa IGFBP-3 during the HENP (CP, crude protein 0.34 and TDN, total digestible nutrients 1.83 kg/day DM, dry matter intake) treatment period were higher than in the LENP (CP 0.32 kg and TDN 0.87 kg/day DM intake) period (P<0.05). The response of GH was stimulated by GHRP-2 ($12.5\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight/day) administration during both of the feed treatment periods (P<0.05). The area under curve (AUC) increment and average concentration of GH (0-180 min) with GHRP-2 administration was higher during HENP treatment than LENP treatment (P<0.01). During the HENP treatment period from day 1 to day 7 of twice daily GHRP-2 treatment, the plasma IGF-1 increment was increased on days 2, 6 and 7 of GHRP-2 administration (P<0.05). On the basis of ligand blotting, the proportions of plasma 39-43 kDa IGFBP-3 during the HENP treatment period only showed a significant difference on days 6 and 7 with GHRP-2 administration. No significant difference in the specific binding of $^{125}I-labeled$ oGH to hepatic membranes was detected between the saline and GHRP-2 treatments of the HENP-fed wethers. These results suggest that the nutritional balance between energy and protein may affect the endogenous GH / IGF-1 axis as well as plasma IGFBP-3 levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.175-179
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• 1992

The factors involved in the initial neoplastic transformation and subsquent growth of uterine fibroid are poorly understood. The reduction in uterine fibroid volume associated with the chronic administration of the mechanisms mediating the decrease in fibroid volume in GnRH-a treated patients are poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to determine the proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) in fibroid from-women pretreated with GnRH analogue(GnRH-a) compared with controls. Tissue was obtained from 16 premenopausal women with uterine fibroid who received GnRH-a(D-Trp6-GnRH) intramusculary every 28 days for four injections. The mean proliferating index(PI) in patients with uterine fibroids was $2.25{\pm}0.9$, and in controls was $8.82{\pm}1.8$(P<0.001). The proliferating index was not corrleated with the reduction of fibroid volume. In this clinical study, although hypoestrogenism may be the main factor that reduce the volume of fibroid, other factors are also considered to be involved in that process. And the regrowth of uterine fibroid may be affected by increased production of PCNA after stopping GnRH-a.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.413-421
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• 2014

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is involved in the stress response and there is increasing evidence that stress influences skin disease such as hair loss. In cultured human hair follicles, CRF inhibits hair shaft elongation, induces premature regression and promotes the apoptosis of hair matrix keratinocytes. We investigated whether CRF influences the dermal papilla cells (DPC) that play pivotal roles in hair growth and cycling. Human DPCs were treated with CRF, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and cortisol, key stress hormones along the hypothalamic-pituitary -adrenal (HPA) axis for 1-24 h. Interestingly, CRF modulated the expression of cytokines related to hair growth (KGF, Wnt5a, $TGF{\beta}-2$, Nexin) and increased cAMP production in cultured DPCs. CRF receptors were down-regulated by negative feedback systems. Pretreatment of CRF receptor antagonists or protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor prevented the CRF-induced modulation. Since the CRF induces proopiomelanocortin (POMC) expression through the cAMP/PKA pathway, we analyzed POMC mRNA. CRF stimulated POMC expression in cultured human DPCs, yet we were unable to detect ACTH levels by western blot. These results indicate that CRF operates within DPCs through CRF receptors along the classical CRF signaling pathway and CRF receptor antagonists could serve as potential therapeutic and cosmetic agents for stress-induced hair loss.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.9039-9043
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• 2014

There is a continuing need for innovative alternative therapies for liver cancer. DNA vaccines for hormone/growth factor immune deprivation represent a feasible and attractive approach for cancer treatment. We reported a preventive effect of a DNA vaccine based on six copies of the B cell epitope GRP18-27 with optimized adjuvants against H22 hepatocarcinoma. Vaccination with pCR3.1-VS-HSP65-TP-GRP6-M2 (vaccine) elicited much higher level of anti-GRP antibodies and proved efficacious in preventing growth of transplanted hepatocarcinoma cells. The tumor size and weight were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the vaccine subgroup than in the control pCR3.1-VS-TP-HSP65-TP-GRP6, pCR3.1-VS-TP-HSP65-TP-M2 or saline subgroups. In addition, significant reduction of tumor-induced angiogenesis associated with intradermal tumors of H22 cells was observed. These potent effects may open ways towards the development of new immunotherapeutic approaches in the treatment of liver cancer.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.101-108
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• 1998

We investigated the effect of ${\alpha}-subunit$ of the stimulatory GTP-binding protein ($G{\alpha}_s$) gene mutation on the expression of the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor (TRH-R) gene in GH3 cells and in growth hormone (GH)-secreting adenomas of acromegalic patients. In the presence of cyclohexicmide, forskolin and isobutylmethylxanthine, cholera toxin, and GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) decreased rat TRH-R (rTRH-R) gene expression by about 39%, 43.7%, and 46.7%, respectively. Transient expression of a vector expressing mutant-type $G{\alpha}_s$ decreased the rTRH-R gene expression by about 50% at 24 h of transfection, whereas a wild-type $G{\alpha}_s$ expression vector did not. The transcript of human TRH-R (hTRH-R) gene was detected in 6 of 8 (75%) tumors. Three of them (50%) showed the paradoxical GH response to TRH and the other three patients did not show the response. The relative expression of hTRH-R mRNA in the tumors from patients with the paradoxical response of GH to TRH did not differ from that in the tumors from patients without the paradoxical response. Direct PCR sequencing of $G{\alpha}_s$ gene disclosed a mutant allele and a normal allele only at codon 201 in 4 of 8 tumors. The paradoxical response to TRH was observed in 2 of 4 patients without the mutation, and 2 of 4 patients with the mutation. The hTRH-R gene expression of pituitaty adenomsa did not differ between the tumors without the mutation and those with mutation. The present study suggests that the expression of TRH-R gene is not likely to be a main determinant for the paradoxical response of GH to TRH, and that $G{\alpha}_s$ mutation may suppress the gene expression of TRH-R in GH-secreting adenoma. However, a certain predisposing factor(s) may play an important role in determining the expression of TRH-R.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.570-575
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• 2002

Effects of active immunization against native 14-mer somatostatin (SRIF, somatotropin releasing inhibiting factor) and its two 14-mer-somatostatin analogues on the milk production in rat mammary cells were studied. Native SRIF, Tyr11-somatostatin (Tyr11-SRIF), and D-Trp8, D-Cys14-somatostatin (Trp8Cys14-SRIF) were conjugated to bovine serum albumin (BSA) for immunogen preparation. Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups and immunized against saline (Control), SRIF, Tyr11-SRIF, and Trp8Cys14-SRIF at five weeks of age. Booster immunizations were performed at 7, 9, and 11 weeks of age. SRIFimmunized rats were mated at 10 weeks of age. The blood and mammary glands were collected at day 15 post-pregnancy and -lactation. To measure the amount of milk protein synthesis in the mammary gland, mammary cells isolated from the pregnant and the lactating rats, were cultured in the presence of $^3H$-lysine. No significant differences in growth performance, concentration of growth hormone in the circulation, and the amount of milk protein synthesis were observed among the groups. Inductive levels of serum anti-SRIF antibody in the SRIF and Tyr11-SRIF groups but not in the Trp8Cys14-SRIF group, were significantly higher than that of the control group during the pregnancy and lactation periods. The result suggests that active immunization against native 14-mer SRIF and Tyr11-SRIF was able to induce anti-SRIF antibodies, but did not affect the milk protein synthesis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1156-1168
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• 2007

The somatotropic (GH-IGF-I) axis consists of many hormonal and nutritional factors that control GH release from the somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary. The GH-releasing substances are GHRH and GHS (GHRP or ghrelin), while the GH release-inhibiting substances are somatostatin (SRIF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), leptin and glucocorticoids. However, there is evidence showing that nutrition is involved in the control of the somatotropic axis. In addition, weaning is a drastic event for neonates because their alimentary and endocrine circumstances are changed due to the switch, even if gradual, from a liquid milk diet to one composed of such solids as hay and grains. The biological role of ghrelin is one of the hormonal factors that have been focused on ever since ghrelin was discovered at the end of the last century. A 27-amino acid peptide that is mainly synthesized and released from the abomasum epithelium, ghrelin has not been fully evaluated in relation to the somatotropic axis of the ruminant. It has also proven difficult even to investigate the cellular mechanisms of ghrelin action, because this hormone exerts animal-species-dependent actions via a complex set of intracellular signaling pathways. This is also the case for the action of leptin. Another substance, IGF-I, shows a partial inhibitory action on GH secretion in the ruminant. The effect of nutrition is also different among animal species. This is evident by the fact that undernutrition suppresses the circulating GH levels in rodents, but increases it in ruminants and humans. Recently, weaning has been shown to change the postprandial GH responses in ruminants; milk feeding increases, but hay and concentrate feeding suppress, the postprandial circulating GH levels. Even if the postprandial GH level is increased, the ghrelin level is decreased by milk feeding. Macronutrients also possess stimulatory and inhibitory actions on GH secretion in vivo and in vitro. These findings indicate the complexity of the control mechanisms of the somatotropic axis. In the present review, we summarize recent findings on the factors controlling the axis of the ruminant.