• Toxicological Research
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.107-118
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• 2017

Although alternative test methods based on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) are being developed to replace animal testing in reproductive and developmental toxicology, they are still in an early stage. Consequently, we aimed to develop alternative test methods in male animals using mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Here, we modified the OECD TG 489 and optimized the in vitro comet assay in our previous study. This study aimed to verify the validity of in vitro tests involving mSSCs by comparing their results with those of in vivo tests using C57BL/6 mice by gavage. We selected hydroxyurea (HU), which is known to chemically induce male reproductive toxicity. The 50% inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) value of HU was 0.9 mM, as determined by the MTT assay. In the in vitro comet assay, % tail DNA and Olive tail moment (OTM) after HU administration increased significantly, compared to the control. Annexin V, PI staining and TUNEL assays showed that HU caused apoptosis in mSSCs. In order to compare in vitro tests with in vivo tests, the same substances were administered to male C57BL/6 mice. Reproductive toxicity was observed at 25, 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg/day as measured by clinical measures of reduction in sperm motility and testicular weight. The comet assay, DCFH-DA assay, H&E staining, and TUNEL assay were also performed. The results of the test with C57BL/6 mice were similar to those with mSSCs for HU treatment. Finally, linear regression analysis showed a strong positive correlation between results of in vitro tests and those of in vivo. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate the effect of HU-induced DNA damage, ROS formation, and apoptosis in mSSCs. Further, the results of the current study suggest that mSSCs could be a useful model to predict male reproductive toxicity.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 2010

This study was performed to examine whether elevated activity of cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) attenuates the detrimental effects of acute gamma ($\gamma$)-irradiation on hippocampal neurogenesis and related functions. C57BL/6 male mice were treated with rolipram (1.25 mg/kg, i.p., twice a day for 5 consecutive days) to activate the cAMP/CREB pathway against cranial irradiation (2 Gy), and were euthanized at 24 h post-irradiation. Exposure to $\gamma$-rays decreased both CREB phosphorylation and immunohistochemical markers for neurogenesis, including Ki-67 and doublecortin (DCX), in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). However, the rolipram treatment protected from $\gamma$-irradiation-induced decreases of CREB phosphorylation, and Ki-67 and DCX immunoreactivity in the hippocampal DG. In an object recognition memory test, mice trained 24 h after acute $\gamma$-irradiation (2 Gy) showed significant memory impairment, which was attenuated by rolipram treatment. The results suggest that activation of CREB signaling ameliorates the detrimental effects of acute $\gamma$-irradiation on hippocampal neurogenesis and related functions in adult mice.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제40권12호
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• pp.1708-1714
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• 2011

본 연구는 느티만가닥버섯의 항비만 효과를 알아보기 위해 4주령된 C57BL/6 수컷 쥐를 30마리를 1주일간 적응시킨 후, 정상식이군, 고지방식이군, 5% 느티만가닥버섯 분말 첨가 식이군으로 나누어 8주간 실시하였다. 체중 및 체중증가량은 고지방식이군에서 유의적으로 증가하였으며, 느티만 가닥버섯 분말 첨가 식이군에서 감소하였다. 간 및 지방조직의 무게도 고지방식이군에 비하여 느티만가닥버섯 처리군에서 낮았다. 고지방 식이에 의한 혈청 중 총콜레스테롤, 인슐린 및 렙틴 수준 증가는 느티만가닥버섯 분말 섭취로 인하여 낮아졌다. 또한, 간 중 지질 함량도 느티만가닥버섯 분말 첨가군에서 감소하였다. HE staining으로 관찰한 간내 지방축적과 지방세포의 크기도 느티만가닥버섯 분말 첨가 식이군에서 현저히 감소하였다. 부고환 지방조직에서 관찰한 지방생성 관련 유전자인 $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c, SCD-1의 단백질 발현은 고지방식이군과 비교 시, 느티만가닥버섯 분말첨가 식이군에서 억제되었다. 이상의 실험결과, 고지방 식이와 함께 공급한 느티만가닥버섯 분말은 체중 감소 및 체지방 축적 억제와 더불어 혈청 지방 수준 개선에도 긍정적 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.177-182
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• 2009

Macrophages play an important role in the first line of immunologic effects against tumor cells. The effects of nonsaponin red ginseng (NSRG) components on macrophage functions like tumoricidal activity, phagocytic activity, and NO production in young (8-weeks-old) and aged (82-weeks-old) male C57BL/6 mice were assessed in vitro, respectively. The treatment of tumor cells (melanoma B16 cells) with the supernatants of NSRG-treated macrophages resulted in an increase of cytotoxicity at 300 $\mu$g/ml in the aged mice, whereas the supernatants did not have a cytotoxic effect in the young mice. It was observed that the supernatants induced the increase of tumor cell proliferation at 150 $\mu$g/ml in the young mice, suggesting that the supernatants contain growth factors rather than cytotoxic molecules. In addition, NSRG alone had a direct cytotoxic effect on the B16 tumor cells. NSRG had no effect on the NO production by the macrophages in the young mice, while it significantly increased the level of NO release in the aged mice. There was no difference in the phagocytic activities of the macrophages by NSRG in both groups of mice. These results suggest that NSRG has differential effects on the macrophage functions in young and aged mice.

• 대한응급의학회지
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.457-466
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• 2017

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Severity of the initial insult is one of the most significant factors affecting outcome following TBI. In order to investigate the mechanisms of cellular injury and develop novel therapeutic strategies for TBI, we designed a standardized animal TBI model and evaluated histological and functional outcomes according to the degree of impact severity. Methods: Male adult C57Bl/6 mice underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) at varying depths of deflection (1.0-2.0 mm). We performed hematoxylin and eosin staining at 7 days after recovery from TBI. Neurobehavioral characterization after TBI was analyzed by the Barnes maze test, passive avoidance test, open field test, rotarod test, tail suspension test, and light/dark test. Results: We observed a graded injury response according to the degree of deflection depths tested (diameter, 3 mm; velocity, 3 m/s; and duration, 500 ms) compared to sham controls. In the Barnes maze test, the severe TBI (2 mm depth) group showed reduced spatial memory as compared with the sham and mild TBI (1 mm depth) groups at 7 days after TBI. There was a significant difference in the results of the open field test and light/dark test among the three groups. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that the graded injury responses following TBI resulted in differential histopathological and behavioral outcomes in a mouse experimental CCI model. Thus, a model of CCI with histologic/behavioral outcome analysis may offer a reliable and convenient design for preclinical TBI research involving mice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.358-363
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have indicated that when compared to young mice, old mice have lower global DNA methylation and higher p16 promoter methylation in colonic mucosa, which is a common finding in colon cancer. It is also known that a Western-style diet (WSD) high in fat and calories, and low in calcium, vitamin D, fiber, methionine and choline (based on the AIN 76A diet) is tumorigenic in colons of mice. Because DNA methylation is modifiable by diet, we investigate whether a WSD disrupts DNA methylation patterns, creating a tumorigenic environment. SUBJECTVIES/METHODS: We investigated the effects of a WSD and aging on global and p16 promoter DNA methylation in the colon. Two month old male C57BL/6 mice were fed either a WSD or a control diet (AIN76A) for 6, 12 or 17 months. Global DNA methylation, p16 promoter methylation and p16 expression were determined by LC/MS, methyl-specific PCR and real time RT-PCR, respectively. RESULTS: The WSD group demonstrated significantly decreased global DNA methylation compared with the control at 17 months (4.05 vs 4.31%, P = 0.019). While both diets did not change global DNA methylation over time, mice fed the WSD had lower global methylation relative to controls when comparing all animals (4.13 vs 4.30%, P = 0.0005). There was an increase in p16 promoter methylation from 6 to 17 months in both diet groups (P < 0.05) but no differences were observed between diet groups. Expression of p16 increased with age in both control and WSD groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this model a WSD reduces global DNA methylation, whereas aging itself has no affect. Although the epigenetic effect of aging was not strong enough to alter global DNA methylation, changes in promoter-specific methylation and gene expression occurred with aging regardless of diet, demonstrating the complexity of epigenetic patterns.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제28권6호
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• pp.614-620
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• 2014

Kainic acid (KA) is a excitatory agonist causing epileptic seizure and excitotoxicity in the hippocampus. Gastrodia Elata (GE) is known to have anti-convulsant and anti-oxidant effects. This study was investigated a possible role of GE in suppressing epileptic seizure using KA-induced epilepsy mouse model. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were administrated GE (50 or 500 mg/kg) once a day for 5 days, and then injected KA (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Behavioral changes in mice by KA were evaluated for 90 minutes immediately after the KA administration. Six hours after the KA administration, their brains were harvested and the expressions of glutamate decarboxylase 67 (GAD-67) and K+-Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2) in the hippocampus of the mice were measured by immunohistochemistry.GE delayed the onset of epileptic seizure after KA administration, suppressed the severity of the seizure and decreased the number of severe seizures dose dependently. Moreover, GAD-67 and KCC2 expressions in the cornu ammonis (CA) 1 and CA3 of 500 mg/kg GE administrated mice were significantly increased compared to those in KA-treated mice.GAD-67 and KCC2 play an important role in regulating GABAergic system. Our results suggest that GE has anti-convulsant effect against KA-induced epileptic seizure through enhancing GABAergic system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권6호
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• pp.589-601
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• 2023

Purpose: Baicalein, a natural flavone found in herbs, exhibits diverse biological activities. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an irreversible condition often associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of baicalein on the development of NASH in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH and were simultaneously treated with baicalein (at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle only (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet without the administration of baicalein. Results: The baicalein treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, suggestive of reduced liver damage. Histological analysis revealed a marked decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver activity scores induced by the MCD diet in the mice. Similarly, baicalein treatment at both doses significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, as examined by Sirius red staining, and hepatocellular death, as examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Baicalein treatment attenuated MCD-diet-induced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, demonstrating a reduction in oxidative stress resulting from lipid peroxidation. Moreover, baicalein treatment suppressed hepatic protein levels of 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) induced by the MCD diet. In contrast, baicalein enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, baicalein treatment significantly reduced hepatic non-heme iron concentrations and hepatic ferritin protein levels in mice fed an MCD diet. Conclusion: To summarize, baicalein treatment suppresses hepatic lipid peroxidation, 12-Lox expression, and iron accumulation, all of which are associated with the attenuation of NASH progression.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권9호
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• pp.506-511
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• 2014

We investigated the effects of high calorie and low calorie diets on skeletal integrity, and whether ${\beta}$-adrenergic blockade (BB) attenuates bone loss induced by dietary calorie alteration. Male 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were assigned to either an ad-lib fed control diet (CON), a high calorie diet (HIGH), or a low calorie diet (LOW) group. In each diet group, mice were treated with either vehicle (VEH) or propranolol, a ${\beta}$-adrenergic antagonist. Over 12-weeks, ${\beta}$-blockade mitigated body weight and fat mass increases induced by the high calorie diet. Femoral trabecular bone mineral density and the expression levels of osteogenic marker genes in bone marrow cells were reduced in HIGHVEH and LOWVEH mice, and BB significantly attenuated this decline only in HIGH mice. In summary, the magnitude of bone loss induced by low calorie diet was greater than that caused by high calorie diet in growing mice, and ${\beta}$-blockade mitigated high calorie diet-induced bone loss.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.146-152
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• 2001

목적 : 마우스 대뇌조직에 방사선이 조사되었을 경우 아포토시스와 세포주기의 조절작용에 어떤 영향을 미치는 지를 연구하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 8주간 성숙된 C57B1/6J 마우스의 전뇌에 코발트 방사선조사기로 25 Gy의 방사선을 단일 조사하였다. 방사선조사후 1, 2, 4, 8, 24시간 간격으로 마우스를 경추 탈구사시킨 후 뇌조직을 채취하였다. 채취한 뇌조직을 TUNEL 분석법에 의하며 아포토시스 유도 수준을 평가하였으며 Western blotting법을 이용하여 유전자 산물인 p53, Bcl-2, Bax 그리고 세포주기 조절인자인 cyclin Bl, Dl, E, cdk2, cdk4, $p34^{cdc2}$를 분석하였다. 세포주기의 변화는 유세포분석법에 의하여 분석되었다. 결과 : 아포토시스는 방사선조사후 8시간에서 최고치를 보였고 아포토시스 지수는 $24.0{\pm}0.25$ (p<0.05)였다. 세포주기에서 조절인자의 변화는 cyclin D1를 제외하고는 특이하지 않았다. 결론 : 마우스의 전뇌에 방사선을 조사한 결과 아포토시스는 대뇌의 상의하(subependyma)에서 주로 일어났으며 세포주기의 조절인자에는 영향을 미치지 않는 것으로 판명되었다.