• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2008

Vinclozolin (VCZ) is a systemic fungicide commonly used in fruits, vegetables and the wine industry. VCZ and its metabolites, butenoic acid (M1) and enanilide (M2) derivatives, act as anti-androgens through actions on the androgen receptor. Although there is growing body of evidence that VCZ's action as an endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) in male reproductive physiology and pathphysiology, no evidence on the VCZ's EDC action in female is available yet. Previously we found that the prepubertal VCZ exposures could effectively delay the onset of puberty in female rats, suggesting the postponed or weakened activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (H-P-O) reproductive hormonal axis. The present study was performed to examine whether the VCZ administration affects the transcriptional activities of reproductive hormone-related genes in the same animal model. VCZ (10 mg/kg/day) was administered daily from postnatal day 21 (PND 21) through the day when the first vaginal opening (V.O.) was observed. To determine the transcriptional changes of reproductive hormone-related genes in hypothalamus and pituitary, total RNAs were extracted and applied to the semiquantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result, treatment with VCZ significantly lowered the transcriptional activity of nitric oxide synthase-2 (NOS-2) which is known to adjust gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion in the hypothalamus (p<0.01). Similarly, the mRNA levels of KiSS-1, G protein-coupled receptor 54 (GPR54) and GnRH were significantly decreased in hypothalamus (p<0.01) from VCZ-treated group. As expected, the transcriptional activities of luteinizing hormone-${\beta}$ (LH-${\beta}$) and follicle stimulating hormone-${\beta}$ (FSH-${\beta}$) in the anterior pituitary from VCZ-treated group were also significantly lower than those from the control group. The present study indicates that(i) the inhibitory effect of VCZ exposure on the onset of puberty in immature female rats could be derived from the reduced transcriptional activities of gonadotropin subunits and their upstream modulators such as GnRH and KiSS-1 in hypothalamus-pituitary neuroendocrine axis, and (ii) these inhibitory effects could be mediated by NO signaling pathway.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.105-114
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• 2009

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate (EDS) is a well-known alkylating agent used as selective Leydig cell (LC) toxicant to create a testicular dysfunction model. Previous studies including our own clearly demonstrated the dramatic weight loss of the androgen dependent accessory sex organs such as epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland in this 'LC knock-out' rats. The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of EDS administration on histological changes of the epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate in adult rats. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (350$\sim$400 g B.W.) were injected with a single dose of EDS (75 mg/kg, i.p.) and sacrificed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Tissue weights (testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate gland) were measured. The histological changes of tissue were observed by a light microscopy using hematoxylin & eosin staining. Weights of the reproductive and accessory organs progressively declined after the EDS treatments (weeks 1, 2 and 3). After this, the decrease was stopped, then gradually returned to the normal levels. There was a partial (about 60%) recovery of the epididymis weight during weeks $6{\sim}7$. The cross section of epididymis revealed an increase in thickness of the epithelium during weeks $1{\sim}3$. In contrast, considerable reduction of epithelial thickness in seminal vesicle was observed during same period. Similarly, a reduction in thickness of prostate epithelial layer was found during weeks $1{\sim}3$, then it was back to normal thickness after week 4. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that the temporally induced androgen-deficiency by EDS treatment could result the prominent alterations in histology of the accessory sex organs. Further studies on the physiological and molecular regulation of these androgen-sensitive organs using EDS model will be helpful to understand the normal and pathological development and differentiation mechanism of these organs.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1987

The renal handling and tissue distribution of pyrazinamide were studied after administration of single dose intravenous injection for 15 min or constant infusion in New Zealand White rabbits. Peak pyrazinamide serum concentration ranged from 57.3 to $105.0{\mu}g/ml$ ($mean{\pm}SD;83.0{\pm}17.8$). The mean half-life of the a phase was $0.143{\pm}0.047$ hr while the ${\beta}$ phase ranged from 1.66 to 3.25 hr($mean{\pm}SD;2.38{\pm}0.57$). The mean steady-state volume of distribution in non-compartmental model was $0.935{\pm}0.362\;L/kg$ Excretion ratio of pyrazinamide was dramatically reduced from 1.02 to 0.30 when unbound serum pyrazinamide concentration was increased from 6.04 to $60.9\;{\mu}g/ml$. The urine flow dependency of renal clearance of pyrazinamide was demonstrated in steady-state serum concentration. The tissue/serum concentration ratio of pyrazinamide was highest in kidney and lowest in skeletal muscle among the tissues examined. The results suggested that a large fraction of pyrazinamide filtered by glomerulus and secreted by renal tubule was reabsorbed and this tubular reabsorption of pyrazinamide might be greatly influenced by urine flow.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2017

This study was carried out to determine residual characteristics and to evaluate safety of bifenthrin, carbendazim and metconazole in minor crop, Angelica gigas Nakai. The test pesticides were sprayed onto the crop according to the combinations of spray days before harvest and frequency and then sampling was performed at the harvest day. Non-systemic pesticide bifenthrin was not detected in all samples, whereas systemic pesticides, carbendazim and metconazole, were detected from the crop in the range of from 0.14 to 0.49 and from 0.19 to 0.26, respectively. These results indicated that residual characteristics of the test pesticides in Angelica gigas Nakai were affected by their systemic properties. Also, residual concentration of carbendazim and metconazole in the crop was increased as more spraying frequency and spraying more closer to harvest day. And residual concentration of carbendazim in the crop on the last spraying day was 2.1 times higher than that of metconazole because nominal spraying dose of carbendazim was higher than that of metconazole by 1.9 times. The residue levels of the test pesticides in the crop were evaluated to be safe, considering their %ADIs were less than 0.9%.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.181-192
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• 1999

Background: Nitric oxide, a vasodilator synthesized from L-arginine by vascular endothelial cells, accounts for the biological activity of endothelium derived relaxing factor. Previous studies demonstrated that nitric oxide inhibitor, $N^{\omega}$-Nitro-L-Arginine(NNA) diminished the hyperdynamic splanchnic and systemic circulation in portal hypertensive rats The present study was done to determine the role of nitric oxide in the development of hyperdynamic circulations in the prehepatic portal hypertensive rat model produced by partial portal vein ligation. Methods: The portal hypertensive rats were divided into water ingestion group and NNA ingestion group. After partial portal vein ligation, NNA ingestion group and water ingestion group received NNA 1mg/kg/day and plain water through the mouth for 14 days, respectively. Cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, organ blood flow and porto-systemic shunting were measured by radioisotope labeled microsphere methods. Vascular resistances were calculated by standard equation. Results: There were significant decreases in mean arterial pressure, increases in cardiac output and cardiac index, and decreases in total systemic and splanchnic vascular resistance in portal hypertensive rats compared to normal control group (p<0.01). Compared to the water ingestion group, significantly increased mean arterial pressure with decreased cardiac output and cardiac index were developed in the NNA ingestion group. Total systemic and splanchnic vascular resistance were significantly increased in the NNA ingestion group compared to water ingestion group (p<0.05). But, there was no significant difference in portal pressure between the two groups. Conclusion: The hemodynamic results of this study indicate that hyperdynamic circulation in prehepatic portal hypertensive rat mode1 was attenuated by ingestion of NNA. Nitric oxide may play an important role in the development of hyperdynamic circulation with splanchnic vasodilation in chronic portal hypertension.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2013

Objective: To evaluate correlations between serum anti-M${\ddot{u}}$llerian hormone (AMH) levels, phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and metabolic parameters in patients with PCOS. Methods: A total of 175 patients with PCOS were diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus were included. Exclusion criteria were age over 40, FSH>25 mIU/mL, and 17a-OHP>1.5 ng/mL. The Phenotypes of PCOS were divided into a severe form (oligo-anovulation, ANOV/hyperandrogenism/polycystic ovary morphology [PCOM]; n=59) and a mild form without HA (ANOV/PCOM, n=105). The serum AMH levels were classified into 3 groups (<5 vs. 5-10 vs. >10 ng/mL). Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}25kg/m^2$ (n=34). Results: The mean age was $25.9{\pm}5.7$ year and mean AMH level was $10.1{\pm}5.4$ ng/mL. The BMI ($kg/m^2$) was higher in group 1 ($24.2{\pm}6.3$) than in group 2 ($21.9{\pm}4.3$, p=0.046) or group 3 ($21.6{\pm}3.3$, p=0.019). There was no difference among the three groups in age, menstrual interval, antral follicle counts, androgens, or other metabolic parameters. The obesity group showed significantly lower AMH ($7.7{\pm}3.9$ ng/mL vs. $10.7{\pm}5.6$ ng/mL), p=0.004) and low-density lipoprotein levels ($93.1{\pm}21.2$ mg/dL vs. $107.5{\pm}39.3$ mg/dL, p=0.031), and showed higher total T ($0.74{\pm}0.59$ L vs. $0.47{\pm}0.36$ ng/mL, p=0.001), free T ($2.01{\pm}1.9$ vs. $1.04{\pm}0.8$ pg/mL, p=0.0001), and free androgen index ($6.2{\pm}7.9$ vs. $3.5{\pm}3.0$, p=0.003). After controlling for age factors and BMI, the serum AMH levles did not show any significant correlations with other hormonal or metabolic parmeters. Conclusion: For PCOS patients under the age 40, serum AMH is not negatively correlated with age. High serum AMH levels can not predict the phenotype of PCOS and metabolic disturbances in PCOS patients in the non-obese group. Further study might be needed to define the relation more clearly.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.390-401
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• 2023

Major components of lac coloring include laccaic acids A, B, C, and E. The Korean Food Additive Code regulates the use of lac coloring and prohibits its use in ten types of food products including natural food products. Since no commercial standards are available for laccaic acids A, B, C, and E, a standard for lac pigment itself was used to separate laccaic acids from the lac pigment molecule. A standard for each laccaic acid was then obtained by fractionation. To obtain pure lac pigment for use in food by High performance Liquid Chromatography Photo Diode Array (PDA), a C8 column yielded the best resolution among various tested columns and mobile phases. A qualitative analytical method using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) Tandem Mass(LC-MS/MS) was developed. The conditions for fast and precise sample preparation begin with extraction using methanol and 0.3% ammonium phosphate, followed by concentration. The degree of precision observed for the analyses of ham, tomato juice and Red pepper paste was 0.3-13.1% (Relative Standard Deviation (RSD%)), degree of accuracy was 90.3-122.2% with r²=0.999 or above, and recovery rate was 91.6-114.9%. The limit of detection was 0.01-0.15 ㎍/mL, and the limits of quantitation ranged from 0.02 to 0.47 ㎍/mL. Lac pigment was not detected in 117 food products in the 10 food categories for which the use of lac pigment is banned. Multiple laccaic acids were detected in 105 food products in 6 food categories that are allowed to use lac color. Lac pigment concentrations range from 0.08 to 16.67 ㎍/mL.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.858-868
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder on plasma lipid profiles in elderly volunteers with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes or heart disease. 32 elderly people, 11 males and 21 females aged $60{\sim}77$ years, were given Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder 15 g twice daily for 6 months. We investigated the antheropometric data, general characteristics and dietary habit by using questionnaires. Fasting blood samples were collected from the subjects before and after this 6 months intervention study. Blood pressure, glucose, hemoglobin and lipid levels of plasma, atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factors (CRF, LHR, HTR) were determined before and after consumption of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the male and female subjects were 22.4 and 23.6, respectively. The percent of ideal body weight (PIBW) of males and females were 105.6% and 122.3%, respectively. The subjects had decreased intake frequency of fish and meat in their dietary habit. After consumption of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder, there were no significant differences in blood pressure; however, the blood glucose significantly decreased with Gastrodiae Rhizoma intake in the males. In the subjects, the levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol were decreased by the consumption of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder; while the levels of plasma LDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in female. Blood pressure and biochemical assessment (blood glucose, hemoglobin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL-cholesterol) of the subjects were within the normal range. It was found that AI, CRF and LHR were significantly decreased by Gastrodiae Rhizoma intake. The present results indicate that dietary supplementation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma improved lipid metabolism and cardiac risk factor in cardiovascular disease.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2001

Purpose : Treatment of primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) includs folk remedies and various treatments based on pathogenesis. We assessed the therapeutic effect of nocturnal water restrict ion as the primary treatment of PNE. Materials and methods : From October 1998 to June 1999, 41 children with PNE (>3 wet nights per week) who visited Ewha Womans University Mokdong hospital and who had good compliances to nocturnal water restriction for 2 months were included. Before and during nocturnal water restriction, daily fluid intake and urine volume were recorded for 2 days every 2 weeks. Responses to nocturnal water restriction were classified according to the decrease of wet nights as complete (>90$\%$), partial (50-90$\%$) and no (<50$\%$) response. Predictors such as age, sex, daytime voiding dysfunction, fluid intake, urine volume, maximum urine volume per void and fasting urine osmolality were evaluated. Results . The response rate to nocturnal water restriction fir 2 month was 82.9$\%$(34/41) [complete response 39.0$\%$(16/41), partial response : 43.9$\%$(18/41)]. The response rate to nocturnal water restriction was significantly higher in monosymptomatic PNE than polysymptomatic PNE and more effective in PNE with or nocturnal fluid intake, nocturnal urine volume, and maximum urine volume than lower nocturnal fluid intake, nocturnal urine volume and maximum urine volume per void (P<0.05). Nocturnal urine volume, maximum urine volume per void and luting urine osmolality after nocturnal water restriction has significantly increased higher in complete response and partial response group than in no response group (P<0.05). Conclusion : The nocturnal water restriction was effective in monosymptomatic PNE with nocturnal polydypsia, nocturnal polyuria and high bladder capacity. (J, Korean Soc Pediatr Nephrol 5 : 51- 8, 2001)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2006

This study was peformed to document the association between nutrient intakes, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), and a major risk factor for chronic diseases. A three-day dietary intake survey, using a 24 hour recall method, was obtained from 187 subjects aged 46 to 84 (mean age 65.3) living in Wando island area. The average daily mean energy intakes were 1869.0 kcal for male and 1943.9 kcal for female, respectively. Daily intakes of protein for male and female were 28.0 and 30.4 g, and those of fat were 31.5 and 28.51 g, respectively Carbohydrate dependency was decreased with age. Protein dependency was increased with age. The mean intakes of energy, protein, Vit. A, Vit. D, Vit. E, Ca, Zn did not meet Korean RDA for elderly. The level of serum triglyceride was higher in males than in females and showed the tendency to increase with age in both sexes, whereas HDL-cholesterol tended to decrease with age in both sexes. The levels of serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in males than in females, particularly in the age of $46\~59$ (p<0.05). The level of atherogenic index (AI) was significantly higher in females than in males, particularly in the age of 80 and over (p<0.05) Based on these results, it is evident that people in island area did not consume enough nutrient. Specially, dietary intake of protein was not adequate. This study implies that triglyceride, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, AI were increased with increasing age, BMI and WHR.