• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.651-662
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• 2006

Phthalate esters that are used as plasticizers and also found at low levels in foods such as dairy products are often mentioned as suspected endocrine disrupters. The purpose of the present study is to elucidate whether perinatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate(DBP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DEHA) affects several aspects of reproductive function in rats especially sexual differentiation of the brain. To this end, the dams were provided with pulverized soy-free diet containing 20, 200, 2,000 and 10,000 ppm of DBP, 40, 400, 4,000 and 20,000 ppm of DINP, or 480, 2,400 and 12,000 ppm of DEHA from gestational day (GD) 15 to postnatal day (PDN) 21, the day of weaning, and serum sex steroid hormone, gonadotropin levels and sexual behaviors after maturation were assessed. At Postnatal week (PNW) 20-21, serum levels of sex steroids and gonadotropins in both male and female rats, as well as estrous cyclicity in females, were not changed by perinatal exposure to DBP, DINP and DEHA, indicating that these chemicals did not affect sexual differentiation of the brain controlling the endocrine system of hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. On the other hand, inhibitory influences on sexual behaviors, especially on ejaculation in males and lordosis in females, were observed by perinatal exposure to these chemicals. These results suggest that these chemicals may act directly on discrete regions of the hypothalamus regulating sexual behaviors, but not regulating gonadotropin secretion, thereby affect sexual differentiation of the brain with a resultant decrease in sex-specific behaviors in adulthood.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2010

A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to create animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was undertaken to examine whether depletion of brain dopamine (DA) stores with 6-OHDA can make alteration in the activities of the testicular steroidogenesis in adult rats. Young adult male rats (3 months old) were received a single dose of 6-OHDA (200 ${\mu}g$ in 10 ${\mu}{\ell}$/animal) by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, and sacrificed after two weeks. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related enzymes were measured by qRT-PCRs. Serum testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Single icv infusion of 6-OHDA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of CYP11A1 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.68{\pm}0.14$ AU, p<0.05), CYP17 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.13$ AU, p<0.05). There were no changes in the mRNA levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.84{\pm}0.08$ AU) and $17{\beta}$-HSD (control: 6-OHDA group=$1:0.63{\pm}0.20$ AU), though the levels tended to be decreased in the 6-OHDA treated group. Administration of 6-OHDA decreased significantly the mRNA level of StAR when compared to the level of saline-injected control animals (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.08$ AU, p<0.05). Treatment with single dose of 6-OHDA remarkably lowered serum testosterone levels compared to the levels of control group (control:6-OHDA group=$0.72{\pm}0.24:0.13{\pm}0.03ng/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). Taken together with our previous study, the present study demonstrated that the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-testis hormonal axis could be negatively affected by blockade of brain DA biosynthesis, and suggested the reduced reproductive potential might be resulted in the animals. More precise information on the testicular steroidogenic activities in PD patients and PD-like animals should be required prior to the generalization of the sex steroid hormone therapy to meet the highest standards for safety and efficacy.

• Mood & Emotion
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2012

Suicide is a complex behavior associated with various neurobiological and psychosocial factors. It is considered that genetic polymorphism combined with environmental stress such as child-adolescent trauma make differences in neurobiological systems, which cause psychiatric disorders or pessimistic personality, impulse-aggressive behaviors, lack of judgment, and finally result in suicidal behavior. Much progress in the neurobiology of suicide has been made over the several decades. There seems to be a hereditary disposition to suicide independent of psychiatric disorder. The changes in neurotransmitters, neurohormones, neurotrophic factors, cytokines, lipid metabolisms related with their genetic polymorphism can contribute to disturbance of signal transductions and neuronal circuits vulnerable to suicide. It is likely that the main factors are dysfunctions of serotonin (5-HT) and hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Our understanding about the neurobiology of suicide is still limited. However, clinical practice could be assisted by neurobiological findings capable of making the detection of risk populations with higher sensitivity and the development of new treatment interventions. The settlement of biological markers in suicidal behaviors and their relationships is required.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.30-47
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• 2013

Objectives: The purpose of the present study is to investigate anti-depressive effects of Samul-tanggahyangbuja (SGH) on ovariectomized and chronic mild stress (CMS) induced rats. Methods: Ovariectomized rats were exposed to CMS for 4 weeks. Changes of depression behavior were tested by using sucrose intake test (SIT), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swimming test (FST) and Morris water maze test (MWMT) in rats until being orally medicated with SGH (100 or 400 mg/kg/day). In addition, the serum levels of corticosterone (CORT), IL-4, IL-$1{\beta}$ and changes of 5-HT in the brain were measured. Results: 1. SGH 400 mg/kg treated group (SGH 400) significantly increased amount of sucrose intake compared with the control group (p<0.05). 2. SGH 100 mg/kg treated group (SGH 100) and SGH 400 significantly increased the time spent in the open arms of the EPM compared with the control group (p<0.01). SGH 400 also significantly increased the number of crossing of the open and closed arms compared with the control group (p<0.05). 3. SGH significantly shortened the immobility time in FST compared with the control group (SGH 100 p<0.05, SGH 400 p<0.01). 4. SGH significantly increased performance of acquisition trials compared with the control group (p<0.05, on day 4, 5 of SGH 100 and 400). SGH 400 also significantly increased performance of retention trials compared with the control group (p<0.05). 5. The serum levels of corticosterone and IL-4 were not significantly different among the groups. There were no changes on the serum levels of corticosterone, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-4 after administration with SGH. 6. SGH 400 significantly increased the level of 5-HT in the hippocampus compared with the control group (p<0.05). SGH significantly increased the levels of 5-HT in the hypothalamus compared with the control group (SGH 100 p<0.05, SGH 400 p<0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that SGH has the anti-depressive effect on ovariectomized rat and affect 5-HT system rather than hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and immune system.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.275-287
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• 2008

Depression and coronary artery disease are both highly prevalent diseases. Many previous studies suggest that depression is a common comorbid condition in patients with coronary artery disease and has a significant negative impact on the onset, course, and prognosis of coronary artery disease. However, the exact mechanisms that underlie the association between these two diseases remain unclear. Pathophysiologic mechanisms that may explain the effect of depression on coronary artery disease include hypercoagulability, hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic nervous system dysregulation, altered inflammatory response. On the contrary, pathophysiologic mechanisms in coronary artery disease that affect depression are less well known. It is also suggested that both diseases may share a common genetic vulnerability. The authors reviewed the literature on the pathophysiologic relationships of depression and coronary heart disease.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.54-61
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• 2016

Purpose Precocious Puberty is defined as the development of secondary sexual characteristics in girls younger than 8 years, and boys 9 years. Cause premature closure of the epiphysis is a disease that eventually decreases the final adult height. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the diagnostic difference the GnRH (Gonado-tropin-releasing Hormone) stimulation test results with medical records of precocious puberty in girls. Materials and Methods From February 2015 to December 2015 it was enrolled in the girls 118 people who visited the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Pediatrics, Endocrinology Internal Medicine. True precocious puberty group (n=57), early puberty group (n=39), were divided into Premature thelarche (n=22) group. A Tanner stage, chronological age, bone age, height, body weight for each group was determined by examining the mean${\pm}$standard deviation. GnRH test result was compared LH (Basal, 30 min, 45 min, 60 min), FSH (Basal, 30 min, 60 min) for each group, Each group LH, FSH Peak value distribution, the mean${\pm}$standard deviation was calculated for the peak LH/LH basal ratio, peak LH/Peak FSH ratio. The significance probability (P-value) between the value of each third group was determined. Results The average height of the true precocious puberty group $131{\pm}14.85$, the mean weight was $28.80{\pm}4.93$, the average chronological age $7.1{\pm}0.81$, the mean bone age was $9.9{\pm}0.9$, The average height of early puberty group was $134{\pm}5.10$, the average weight $28.50{\pm}4.43$, the average chronological age $8.05{\pm}0.03$, the mean bone age was $10.0{\pm}0.62$, The average height of Premature thelarche $129{\pm}6,01$, the average weight was $28.65{\pm}5.98$, the average chronological age $7.02{\pm}0.58$, the mean bone age was $8.04{\pm}1.29$. There was no significant difference when compared to the height and weight. There was a significant difference between the groups in the chronologic age and bone age difference (P <0.0002) True precocious puberty group showed peak LH levels at 30'(82.5%), 45'(12.3%), 60'(5.3%), in Peak FSH 30'(8.8%), 60'(91.2%). Early Puberty group showed high values in Peak LH at 30'(79.5%), 45'(17.9%), 60'(2.6%), in peak FSH levels at 30'(7.7%), 60'(92.32%). In Premature thelarche Group it showed the Peak LH levels at 30'(30%), 45'(59%), 60'(9.09%), Peak FSH levels at 30'(0%) 60'(100%). When compared with the The Peak LH/basal LH ratio, True precocious puberty group was $19.09{\pm}17.15$, early puberty group was $15.23{\pm}10.88$, Premature thelarche group showed significant differences between the three groups as $4.93{\pm}4.36$.(P <0.0001) LH Peak/FSH Peak ratio, true precocious puberty group was $1.222{\pm}0.77$, early puberty group was $1.34{\pm}1.23$, Premature thelarche group showed significant differences between the three groups as $0.3{\pm}0.09$(P <0.0001) Conclusion In order to diagnose the true precocious puberty have a diagnostic value when the LH peak after GnRH stimulation is increased by more than two to three times compared to baseline or a predetermined level or more than 5~10 IU/L increases. GnRH Test is a test for a long time and the patient discomfort due to repeated blood sampling, but the hypothalamus-pituitary gland- gonad axis activity evaluate and is the most basic accurate test in the differential diagnosis of precocious puberty disorders.