• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.122-127
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• 2006

The effects of fermented chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) powder on the lipid concentrations and the activities of liver marker enzymes of serum in genetically diabetic Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats were investigated. Rats were fed a semisynthetic diet supplemented with 50 g/kg chaga mushroom powder (CM) or 50 g/kg fermented chaga mushroom powder (FCM) for 8 weeks (26 to 34 weeks of age). Nondiabetic Long-Evans Toknshima Otsuka (LETO) rats were used as age-matched nondiabetic control animals. Water consumption was significantly higher in the OLETF control than the LETO rats. Water consumption in the FCM-fed OLETF rats tended to be less than in both the OLETF control and CM-fed OLETF rats. Serum concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol were significantly higher in the OLETF control rats than in the LETO rats while within the OLETF rat groups, the consumption of FCM resulted in a significantly lower serum triglyceride concentration and slightly lowered serum total cholesterol concentration when compared to the OLETF control and CM-fed rats. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly higher in the OLETF control than in the LETO rats, but this difference was significantly reduced compared to the CM-fed rats and essentially no difference in the ALT levels was observed between the LETO and OLETF-FCM rats. This observation suggests an adaptive effect of the fermented chaga mushroom in liver function. Livers of the LETO rats showed no histopathological changes, whereas those of the OLETF control rats were characterized by many fat depositions in the central zone of the hepatocytes. The livers of the OLETF CM-fed rats showed less fatty changes compared to the OLETF control rats and fat deposition in the hepatocytes was nearly absent. These results suggest that orally ingested fermented chaga mushroom has a potential beneficial effect on the complications known to occur in the obesity-related non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NlDDM) OLETF rat.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Many biological systems are regulated by an intricate set of feedback loops that oscillate with a circadian rhythm of roughly 24 h. This circadian clock mediates an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol secretion early in the day. Recent studies have shown changes in the amplitude of the circadian clock in the hearts and livers of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. It is therefore important to examine the relationships between circadian clock genes and growth factors and their effects on diabetic phenomena in animal models as well as in human patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether diurnal variation in organ development and the regulation of metabolism, including growth and development during the juvenile period in rats, exists as a mechanism for anticipating and responding to the environment. Also, we examined the relationship between changes in growth factor expression in the liver and clock-controlled protein synthesis and turnover, which are important in cellular growth. Specifically, we assessed the expression patterns of several clock genes, including Per1, Per2, Clock, Bmal1, Cry1 and Cry2 and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Growth factor and clock gene expression in the liver at 1 week post-induction was clearly increased compared to the level in control rats. In contrast, the expression patterns of the genes were similar to those observed after 5 weeks in the STZ-treated rats. The increase in gene expression is likely a compensatory change in response to the obstruction of insulin function during the initial phase of induction. However, as the period of induction was extended, the expression of the compensatory genes decreased to the control level. This is likely the result of decreased insulin secretion due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by STZ.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.1-9
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this report was to provide the information about activity and safety of Ojeok-san by analyzing domestic/international papers about Ojeok-san. Methods : Domestic/international papers related to Ojeok-san were reviewed and analyzed. These papers were then classified by year, experimental method and subject. Results : The following results were obtained in this study. 1. The studies of Ojeok-san started from 1984 and has continuously increased. The studies were mainly focused on experimental models rather than clinical studies. 2. By subject, papers related to safety were most common with 5 papers among 20 papers. Besides there were papers related to efficacy of analgesic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-blood stasis and treatment for uterine myoma. 3. The papers related to safety were mainly focused on the effect of Okeok-san on liver function, renal function or metal concentration of organs such as blood, brain, liver, kidney and bone. Ojeok-san proved to be safe, but more clinical studies regarding the safety are needed hereafter. 4. Papers related to analgesic, anti-pyretic, anti-phlogistic activities of Ojeok-san were in vivo studies, and other papers were about anti-hyperlipidemic activity, apoptosis inducing activity on uterine myeloma cell line and anti blood static activity on hydrocortisone acetate induced blood statis model. 5. Case reports were about anti-lipidemia, analgesic effect for mastalgia/back pain and anxiety disorder due to climacteric changes. Conclusion : Ojeok-san is being used in various ways with analgesic, anti-pyretic, anti-phlogistic, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor or anti-blood statis activity. However, mechanism study should be conducted at the molecular biology level and more clinical studies on the efficacy of Ojeok-san are needed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.183-190
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• 2021

Background: The circadian rhythm is the internal clock that controls sleep-wake cycles, metabolism, cognition, and several processes in the body, and its disruption has been associated with aging. The differentiated embryo chondrocyte (Dec) gene is related to circadian rhythm. To our knowledge, there are no reports of the relationship between dec gene expression and KRG effect. Therefore, we treated Dec gene knockout (KO) aging mice with KRG to study anti-aging related effects and possible mechanisms. Methods: We evaluated KRG and expression of Dec genes in an ototoxicity model. Dec genes expression in livers of aging mice was further analyzed. Then, we assessed the effects of DEC KO on hearing function in mice by ABR. Finally, we performed DNA microarray to identify KRG-related gene expression changes in mouse liver and assessed the results using KEGG analysis. Results: KRG decreased the expression of Dec genes in ototoxicity model, which may contribute to its anti-aging efficacy. Moreover, KRG suppressed Dec genes expression in liver of wild type indicating inhibition of senescence. ABR test indicated that KRG improved auditory function in aging mouse, demonstrating KRG efficacy on aging related diseases. Conclusion: Finally, in KEGG analysis of 238 genes that were activated and 158 that were inhibited by KRG in DEC KO mice, activated genes were involved in proliferation signaling, mineral absorption, and PPAR signaling whereas the inhibited genes were involved in arachidonic acid metabolism and peroxisomes. Our data indicate that inhibition of senescence-related Dec genes may explain the anti-aging efficacy of KRG.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.416-423
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• 2010

열대 저산소 환경에 적응되어 있는 angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)를 급격한 온도변화($27{\pm}0.5{\rightarrow}18{\pm}0.5^{\circ}C$) 및 DO 변화($6{\pm}1{\rightarrow}18\;ppm$)에 2시간 동안 적응시킨 후 젖산탈수소효소(EC 1.1.1.27, lactate dehydrogenase, LDH) 동위효소의 특성 및 유전자발현을 연구하였다. LDH 동위효소의 특성은 native-polyacrylamide gel 전기영동, Western blot 분석 및 효소활성 측정으로 확인하였다. 전기영동 결과 liver- 및 eye-specific Ldh-C 유전자는 간, 눈 및 뇌 조직에서 발현되었다. Western blot 분석 결과 LDH $A_4$ 동위효소는 $B_4$ 동위효소보다 음극 쪽에 나타났다. 간 조직에서 온도 저하 시 LDH $A_4$ 동위효소가 증가하고 $B_4$ 동위효소는 감소하였으며, DO 증가 시 LDH $A_4$ 및 $C_4$ 동위효소가 증가하고 $B_4$ 동위효소는 감소하였다. 눈 조직에서는 온도 저하 시 LDH $A_4$ 및 $B_4$ 동위효소가 증가하고 $C_4$ 동위효소는 감소하였으며, DO 증가 시 LDH $A_4$ 및 $B_4$ 동위효소는 증가하지만 $C_4$ 동위효소 및 하부단위체 C를 포함하는 동위효소는 감소하였다. 심장 조직에서는 DO 증가 시 LDH 활성이 증가하였고, LDH $B_4$ 동위효소가 증가하였다. 뇌 조직에서는 온도 저하 시 LDH $A_4$ 및 $B_4$ 동위효소가 증가하였고, DO 증가 시 LDH $B_4$ 동위효소는 증가하였다. 따라서 liver- 및 eye-specific Ldh-C는 DO 변화에 의해 영향을 받으며 간 및 눈 조직에서 LDH $B_4$ 및 $C_4$ 동위효소는 서로 상대적으로 조절되므로 $C_4$ 동위효소는 lactate oxidase로서 기능을 나타내는 것으로 사료된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권12호
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• pp.893-905
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• 2019

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that constantly undergo fission and fusion processes that closely related to their function. Disruption of mitochondrial dynamics has been demonstrated in acute kidney injury (AKI), which could eventually result in cell injury and death. Previously, we reported that augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) alleviates renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Here, we gained further insights into whether the renoprotective roles of ALR are associated with mitochondrial dynamics. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics were examined in experimental models of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR). In a model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury in vitro, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission process protein 1 (MTFP1), two key proteins of mitochondrial fission, were downregulated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression additionally had an impact on phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser637 during AKI. The inner membrane fusion protein, Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1), was significantly increased whereas levels of outer membrane fusion proteins Mitofusin-1 and -2 (Mfn1, Mfn2) were not affected in the Lv-ALR + HR group, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway was highly activated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression led to suppression of HR-induced apoptosis. Our collective findings indicate that ALR gene transfection alleviates mitochondrial injury, possibly through inhibiting fission and promoting fusion of the mitochondrial inner membrane, both of which contribute to reduction of HK-2 cell apoptosis. Additionally, fission processes are potentially mediated by promoting tubular cell survival through activating the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권5호
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• pp.451-460
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• 2015

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is a mammalian $NAD^+$-dependent protein deacetylase that regulates cellular metabolism and inflammatory response. The organ-specific deletion of SIRT1 induces local inflammation and insulin resistance in dietary and genetic obesity. Macrophage-mediated inflammation contributes to insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, however, the macrophage-specific SIRT1 function in the context of obesity is largely unknown. C57/BL6 wild type (WT) or myeloid-specific SIRT1 knockout (KO) mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or normal diet (ND) for 12 weeks. Metabolic parameters and markers of hepatic steatosis and inflammation in liver were compared in WT and KO mice. SIRT1 deletion enhanced HFD-induced changes on body and liver weight gain, and increased glucose and insulin resistance. In liver, SIRT1 deletion increased the acetylation, and enhanced HFD-induced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$), hepatic inflammation and macrophage infiltration. HFD-fed KO mice showed severe hepatic steatosis by activating lipogenic pathway through sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), and hepatic fibrogenesis, as indicated by induction of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), alpha-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), and collagen secretion. Myeloid-specific deletion of SIRT1 stimulates obesity-induced inflammation and increases the risk of hepatic fibrosis. Targeted induction of macrophage SIRT1 may be a good therapy for alleviating inflammation-associated metabolic syndrome.

• 혜화의학회지
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.559-592
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• 1999

It has been known that Ki(氣) energy is very effective on many adult diseases. Oriental Medicine has acknowledged Ki as an existing reality and investigated its effects on the body. However, the existence of Ki has not been fully explained. In order to find a conclusive evidence on the existence of Ki, this experiment was done to study the mutual relationship of Ki with a magnetic field and BEP (biological energy projector). The BEP apparatus was irradiated under the magnetic field on rats in the hyperlipidemic induced state. Following criterias were measured in this experiment: weight change, weight of the visceral organs, serum, hepatic lipid peroxide, bleeding time, tissue factor, and etc. The following results were obtained in this study: 1. The weight of rat significantly decreased in the magnetic field treated group and radically reduced in the group treated with both magnetic field and BEP. 2. The weight of liver, heart, and kidney increased in both the magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP group compared to the normal group, but decreased in comparison to the control group. No changes were witnessed in the weight of spleen. 3. Serum and hepatic total cholesterol, total lipid, and lipid peroxide level significantly decreased in both magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP treated group, while lipase activity has increased noticeably. 4. Serum HDL showed a significant increase in both magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP treated group compared to the control group, while LDL and VLDL level decreased significantly. 5. A bleeding time significantly increased in both magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP treated group compared to the control group. A tissue factor value of the lung decreased in the magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP treated groups while increased in the control group. 6. Serum and hepatic lipid peroxide and glutathione level were significantly decreased in the magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP treated group, while hepatic glutathione level was significantly increased compared to the control group. 7. A significant increase was found in the serum hydroxyl radical and SOD activity in the dietary hyperlipidemic rats, and significant decrease was found in the serum lipid peroxide content and superoxidase activity. 8. Hepatic cytosolic enzyme xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase showed a significant decrease in the magnetic field treated group and magnetic field+BEP treated group. Through the above experimental results, one can suggest that the magnetic field with BEP can suppress hyperlipidemia and boost lipid metabolism and restructuring a lipid in liver, which increases the function of liver. To conclude, BEP is considered to show more potent effects under the exposure of magnetic field because magnetic field seems to increase the flow of Ki in the body.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.303-329
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• 2019

Intestinal failure (IF) is the critical reduction of the gut mass or its function below the minimum needed to absorb nutrients and fluids required for adequate growth in children. Severe IF requires parenteral nutrition (PN). Pediatric IF is most commonly due to congenital or neonatal intestinal diseases or malformations divided into 3 groups: 1) reduced intestinal length and consequently reduced absorptive surface, such as in short bowel syndrome (SBS) or extensive aganglionosis; 2) abnormal development of the intestinal mucosa such as congenital diseases of enterocyte development; 3) extensive motility dysfunction such as chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction syndromes. The leading cause of IF in childhood is the SBS. In clinical practice the degree of IF may be indirectly measured by the level of PN required for normal or catch up growth. Other indicators such as serum citrulline have not proven to be highly reliable prognostic factors in children. The last decades have allowed the development of highly sophisticated nutrient solutions consisting of optimal combinations of macronutrients and micronutrients as well as guidelines, promoting PN as a safe and efficient feeding technique. However, IF that requires long-term PN may be associated with various complications including infections, growth failure, metabolic disorders, and bone disease. IF Associated Liver Disease may be a limiting factor. However, changes in the global management of IF pediatric patients, especially since the setup of intestinal rehabilitation centres did change the prognosis thus limiting "nutritional failure" which is considered as a major indication for intestinal transplantation (ITx) or combined liver-ITx.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제51권3호
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• pp.370-378
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• 2019

허혈 재관류 손상은 기관 이식, 외과적 혈관 재개통 및 출혈시에 발생하며 조직 및 기관 기능 장애를 유발한다. 최근 허혈 재관류 손상의 기전적 연구를 위해 간장 허혈 모델을 많이 이용하고 있다. 본 연구는 허혈 재관류 랫드 모델을 이용하여 항산화와 항염증 효과를 가진 것으로 알려진 Vanillin에 의한 간장 및 신장 손상에 대한 보호 효과를 알아보고 관련된 기전을 조사하기 위하여 실시하였다. 시험물질은 각각 100 mg/kg의 농도로 3일간 투여한 후, 60분동안 간을 결찰하여 허혈 재관류를 유도하여 관찰하였으며, 음성대조군, sham대조군 및 허혈재관류만 실시한 허혈 재관류대조군을 따로 두어, 약물투여군과 비교하였다. Vanillin 처치군에서는 AST, ALT 활성이 허혈 재관류대조군에 비해 유의하게 억제되었고, 조직병리학적 관찰에서도 염증 부분과 괴사부분이 현저하게 감소하였다. MDA와 SOD는 허혈 재관류군에 비해 유의적인 변화를 보였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하면 Vanillin은 간장 허혈 재관류에 의한 세포염증 및 세포괴사를 완화시켜 간세포 보호작용을 나타내었고, 신장의 사구체 및 원위세뇨관에 염증 변화를 완화 시키고 있어 세포 손상을 방어하는 것으로 생각되며, 이러한 방어효과는 항산화 기능에 의한 영향으로 사료된다.