• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.81
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2007

Present study aims to investigate the effect of muddy water on gill and kidney tissues and blood components of Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis in Imha reservoir. As a result of observing the gill tissues in muddy water with light and scanning electron microscopes, the edema, the exfoliation of epithelial cells and fusion of the secondary lamellae were observed. The space between gill lamellae was irregular, and a lots of muddy debris around the secondary lamellae were observed. In case of kidney tissues, the size of glomerulus was smaller and thickness of basal membrane was broader and the empty space in Bowman's capsule was wider than those of the control. The blood cells of O. uncirostris amurensis in muddy water were increased in number. Of the white blood cells, acidophilic granulocytes were highly distributed, and the shapes were irregular. Among the plasma components, the concentration of TP, ALB, A/G ratio, TG, CHOL, and AST were low, whereas that of the inorganic materials was high. Based on the above results, it is considered that muddy water possibly involves in the decrease of respiratory and excretory rates, giving rise to secondary lesion of tissues.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2024

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major complications of chronic hyperglycaemia affecting normal kidney functioning. The ayurvedic medicine curcumin (CUR) is pharmaceutically accepted for its vast biological effects. Objectives: The Curcuma-derived diferuloylmethane compound CUR, loaded on Poly (lactide-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles was utilized to combat DN-induced renal apoptosis by selectively targeting and modulating Bcl2. Methods: Upon in silico molecular docking and screening study CUR was selected as the core phytocompound for nanoparticle formulation. PLGA-nano-encapsulated-curcumin (NCUR) were synthesized following standard solvent displacement method. The NCUR were characterized for shape, size and other physico-chemical properties by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy studies. For in vivo validation of nephro-protective effects, Mus musculus were pre-treated with CUR at a dose of 50 mg/kg b.w. and NCUR at a dose of 25 mg/kg b.w. (dose 1), 12.5 mg/kg b.w (dose 2) followed by alloxan administration (100 mg/kg b.w) and serum glucose levels, histopathology and immunofluorescence study were conducted. Results: The in silico study revealed a strong affinity of CUR towards Bcl2 (dock score -10.94 Kcal/mol). The synthesized NCUR were of even shape, devoid of cracks and holes with mean size of ~80 nm having -7.53 mV zeta potential. Dose 1 efficiently improved serum glucose levels, tissue-specific expression of Bcl2 and reduced glomerular space and glomerular sclerosis in comparison to hyperglycaemic group. Conclusion: This study essentially validates the potential of NCUR to inhibit DN by reducing blood glucose level and mitigating glomerular apoptosis by selectively promoting Bcl2 protein expression in kidney tissue.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.21-31
• /
• 2012

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the name of the primary glomerular disease as well as the terminology to describe the secondary phenomena of any other glomerular diseases. It is characterized by sclerosis, hyalinosis, foam cell infiltration, vacuolar change of podocytes, and halo formation in the glomerulus. Throughout the interstitium, lymphocytes infiltration, tubular atrophy and vascular changes are accompanied. Occasionally, IgM and/or C3 depositions are noted in the sclerotic areas. Electron microscopically, diffuse effacement of foot processes are seen in non-sclerotic area like minimal change disease. Podocyte injury patterns including vacuolar changes are frequently examined. Recently, Columbia group has suggested morphologic classification of FSGS and they demonstrated very good prognosis of tip lesion and poor prognosis of both collapsing and cellular types. However, the pathogenetic classification has been suggested by others; hyperfilteration, podocyte injury, genetic lesions etc. Further studies are necessary to understand and treat this disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2007

Gap junction protein, connexin, is expressed in endothelial cells of vessels, glomerulus, and renin secreting cells of the kidney. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of gap junction in renin secretion and its underlying mechanisms using As 4.1 cell line, a renin-expressing clonal cell line. Renin release was increased proportionately to incubation time. The specific gap junction inhibitor, 18-beta glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) increased renin release in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners. Heptanol and octanol, gap junction blockers, also increased renin release, which were less potent than GA. GA-stimulated renin release was attenuated by pretreatment of the cells with amiloride, nifedipine, ryanodine, and thapsigargin. GA dose-dependently increased intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration, which was attenuated by nifedipine, nimodipine, ryanodine, and thapsigargin. However, RP-cAMP, chelerythrine, tyrphostin A23, or phenylarsine oxide did not induced any significant change in GA-stimulated increase of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. These results suggest that gap junction plays an important role on the regulation of renin release and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in As 4.1 cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.61-73
• /
• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Phaseoli Semen Herbal-acupuncture(PS-HA) at $KI_{10}$ in acute nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in rat. Methods : The rats were divided into 5 groups, which were control, LPS, PS-HA, NP and saline group. LPS, PS-HA, NP and saline groups were given LPS to induce acute nephritis and control group did not receive LPS. LPS group did not receive any treatment after the onset of acute nephritis. PS-HA, NP and saline group received PS-HA, normal acupuncture, and saline injection at $KI_{10}$ three times per week, respectively. To evaluate the effect of PS-HA at $KI_{10}$, the complete blood count, BUN, creatinine, TNF-${\alpha}$, and CINC-1 in serum were measured. To show its effect on renal function, creatinine, and total protein in urine was measured as well as urine output. The level of myeloperoxidase in renal tissue was quantified and complete histology was done in kidney samples obtained from the rats. Results : PS-HA group showed a significant reduction in the proportion of WBC and neutrophil, serum BUN, TNF-${\alpha}$, and CINC-1 compared to LPS group. Furthermore, a significant increase in urine output and a decrease in urinary creatinine level, MPO in renal tissue, and number of neutrophils at glomerulus was observed in PS-HA group compared to LPS group Conclusions : PS-HA at $KI_{10}$ was shown to have a significantly effect on treating LPS induced acute nephrits. Therefore, future study is needed to further evaluate the clinical usefulness of PS-HA at $KI_{10}$ in treating acute nephritis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.10
• /
• pp.1490-1497
• /
• 2010

The present study aimed to investigate the level of accumulated heavy metal in various tissues of Carassius auratus after exposure to Cadmium (Cd), histologically and physiologically. After treating C. auratus with Cd, the accumulated Cd in gill tissues was detected to be of the highest content, and showed the lowest content in integument tissues. Also, Cd content increased in a time dependent manner and showed the highest accumulation in the tissues exposed for 20 days. Antioxidant enzyme activities showedhigher activity in the gill and integument than in the kidney and liver tissues. In the case of SOD, antioxidation activity of SOD in all Cd exposed tissues was higher than in unexposed tissues. The activities of SOD and CAT also became higher after Cd exposure. Gill tissues exposed to Cd showed an increased number of mucous cells between lamella in a time dependent manner. In addition, the gills showed morphological changes such as edema, exfoliation of epithelial cells, and fusion of the secondary lamellae. Also, exposure to Cd for 20 days had an effect on gill tissues, causing membrane damage in the mitochondria and nucleus. In kidney tissues, atrophied glomerulus was observed, and the empty space in Bowman's capsule was wider.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.10
• /
• pp.1410-1416
• /
• 2009

The present study aims to examine the effect of turbid water on fishes in streams which branch into a turbid water area (Yeongyang-gun) and a non-turbid water area (Cheongsong-gun), and finally flow into the Imha reservoir. In a comparison of water quality, the chemical status of the water showed higher pH, DO and SS in the turbid water area than in the non-turbid water area. Also, high density of clay minerals such as vermiculite (V) and illite (I), which is from clay mineral leakage during rainfall, was detected in turbid water, resulting in an increase of turbidity. Fishes inhabiting the turbid water showed irregular spaces in gill lamella, cell separation, edema, and clubbing in epithelial tissues. Also, the gill surface showed roughness and plenty of muddy debris substances inside the gills. The Bowman's space was expanded because of contraction of the glomerulus in the Bowman's space of the kidney tissues. Antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, CAT, GPX, and GST showed higher activities in the specific tissues, muscles and kidney, of fishes living in turbid water than in the non-turbid area. We suggested that; first, the antioxidant activities were increased due to removal of harmful radicals generated in fish bodies in the turbid water area, second, long-time exposure of these histological changes in the tissues might have induced secondary lesion accompanying the inaccurate physiological constancy of fishes.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.8
• /
• pp.1112-1118
• /
• 2009

In the present study, the effects of muddy water were compared and examined on the fish inhabiting Imha reservoir, E. erythropterus, H. labeo and Z. platypus in Cypriniformes, S. asotus in Siluriformes and S. scherzeri in Perciformes. In the gills of fish in muddy water, the secondary lamellae of fish in Cypriniformes showed more irregular gaps and more winding than those in Siluriformes and Perciformes. Also, the edema and detachment of epithelial cells was more detected in the gills in Cypriniformes, but clubbing was frequently detected in Perciformes and Siluriformes. Also, we found that muddy debris and minute particles attached to lamellae were frequently detected in Perciformes and Cypriniformes. The glomerulus in the kidney was much more constricted in Z. platypus in Cypriniformes. As a result, it is proposed that fish in Cypriniformes are more affected by muddy water. In the changes of blood components, which might be affected by muddy water, the concentrations of TP, ALB, TG, CHOL and A/G ratio, were high in Cypriniformes, and inorganic matters were abundant in Siluriformes. In addition, AST activity was relatively higher than ALT and both activities were higher in Cypriniformes than in Siluriformes. Taken together, the change in blood plasma may be caused by the reduction in voracity in the wake of muddy water, which results in tissue damage.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2006

Purpose : In Korea, the school urine screening program is a useful tool for screening urine abnormalities. It is particularly useful in early detection of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis(MPGN) I, which frequently progresses to chronic renal failure. In this study, we studied the medical history, laboratory findings, and histologic findings of MPGN to gain helpful information on early detection and treatment. Methods : The subjects were 19 children, who were diagnosed with MPGN from kidney biopsies that were performed in ten nationwide university hospitals because of abnormal urine findings from school urine screening programs conducted from July 1999 to April 2004. We divided the patients into 2 groups, a nephrotic range proteinuria group(n=8) and a non-nephrotic proteinuria group(n=11), and retrospectively analyzed the clinical features, laboratory findings, histologic findings, treatment, and clinical course. Results : The mean age at the first abnormal urinalysis was $10.6{\pm}2.2$ years in the nephrotic proteinuria group and $9.6{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group. The mean age at the time of kidney biopsy was $11.3{\pm}2.3$ years in the nephrotic range proteinuria group and $10.4{\pm}3.2$ years in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group respectively. There was no significant difference in the mean age and sex between the two groups. In the nephrotic proteinuria group, 6 children had a low plasma C3 level and in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group, 8 children had a low plasma C3 level, but there was no significant difference between the 2 groups. There was no significant difference in the laboratory test results(including WBC count, RBC count, platelet count and other serologic tests) between the 2 groups except for 24 hour urine protein secretion. There was no difference between the 2 groups with regard to the acute and chronic changes in the glomerulus on light microscopic findings, IgG, IgA, Ig M, C1q, C3, C4, fibrogen deposition on immunofluoroscence findings, and mesangial deposits, subendothelial deposits, and subepithelial deposits on electron microscopic findings. The children were treated with corticosteroids, ACE(angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors, dipyridamole and other immunosuppressive agents. During the course of treatment, there were no children whose clinical condition worsened. Among 19 children, 3 children went into remission(2 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 1 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) and 9 children went into a partial remission(4 in the nephrotic proteinuria group, 5 in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group) on urinalysis. There was no significant difference in the treatment results between the two groups. Conclusion : The 73.7% of children who were incidentally diagnosed with MPGN by the school urine screening program had reduced C3. 42.1% of the children had nephrotic range proteinuria. There were no significant differences in clinical features, laboratory test results, light microscopic, immunofluorescence microscopic, and electron microscopic findings between the nephrotic proteinuria group and the non-nephrotic proteinuria group except for the 24 hour urine protein secretion. Therefore, for early detection of MPGN during the school urine screening program, we strongly recommend a kidney biopsy if children have abnormal urine findings such as persistent proteinuria and persistent hematuria, or if the serum C3 is reduced.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.76-95
• /
• 1991

A single injection of cadmium chloride (3.75 mg/kg) was made into the peritoneal cavities of albino rats. The cortices of kidney were obtained from the experimental animals at 3 hr., 6 hr., 12 hr., 24 hr. and 36 hr. after administration of cadmium chloride, respectively. The specimens of each experimental animal were prefixed in 2% glutaraldehyde-4% paraformaldehyde solution for $2{\sim}4$ hours, and these specimens were post-fixed in 1% osmic acid. After fixation, the specimens were dehydrated with alcohol and acetate and embedded in Epon 812. Ultrathin sections, $600{\sim}800{\AA}$ thickness were made and stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. And all the preparations were observed with Hitachi-600 transmission electron microscope. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The main changes in ultrastructures of the glomeruli observed at 3 hr. after cadmium chloride administration include loss of filtration slit and fenestrae of capillary endothelium that was resulted from thickings of the basal lamina and fusion of pedicels of the podocytes. At 12 hr. after cadmium chloride administration the Bowman's capsules were mostly filled with abnormally thickened and fused pedicels. After 24 hr. however, the only recognized change was loss of fenestrae of the capillary endothelium. And the ultrastructure of the glomeruli were almost normal in 36 hr. after cadmium chloride treatment. 2. At 3 hr. after treatment with cadmium chloride, in the renal tubular cells the vesicles and vacuoles increased in number at the apical portion, of the tubular epithelial cells, the basal infoldings were reduced and the basal lamina was thickened. After 12 hr., a number of phagosomes appeared at the apical portion and the cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum were swollen. At 24 hr. after cadmium chloride administration irregularly shaped mitochondria were observed in the apical area, and mitochondria with swollen cristae were found at the basal portion. And after 36 hr. The ultrastructures of the epithelial cells appeared almost normal except for a moderate increase in the number of vesicles and vacuoles. Consequently it is suggested that in albino rats, cadmium chloride induces acute reversible degenerative changes in the glomeruli as well as in the epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules.