• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.672-678
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• 2012

Colitis and constipation are the most common intestinal complaints worldwide. This study examined the beneficial effects of sea cucumber powder for TNBS-induced colitis in ICR mice(n=6/group) and loperamide-induced constipation in rats(n=8/group). Animals were divided into normal and four dried see cucumber treated groups that were named Nor, Con(0 mg/kg), GI(30 mg/kg), GII(100 mg/kg) and GIII(300 mg/kg). In order to induce colitis and constipation, 5% TNBS was injected into distal colon and loperamide (2 mg/kg, twice a day, peroral) was treated for 5 day in the four experimental groups but not the normal group. Gross finding score was decreased tendency by oral administration of sea cucumber in colitis-induced animal model, but colonic weight was not different. Excreted fecal pellet number, weight and water content were increased in the sea cucumber-treated group compared to the non-treated group. The fecal pellet number was reduced within distal colon of the sea cucumber-treated groups. Interestingly, intestinal transit length was increased compared to the non-treated group. Our results demonstrated that colitis and constipation were improved by sea cucumber treatment in the animal models. Specifically, gross finding score in TNBS-induced colitis model was improved by sea cucumber. After animals being fed sea cucumber, excreted fecal number, weight, water contents, and fecal number within distal colon and colonic transit length also get better in loperamide-induced constipation model.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 1999

The present study was carried out to evaluate the morphological changes in the degenerating primordial follicles induced by $\gamma$-radiation. The prepubertal female mice of three weeks old ICR strain were whole-body irradiated with a dose of $LD_{80(30)}$ (8.3 Gy). The ovaries were collected at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h post-irradiation. The largest cross sections were prepared with histological semi-thin sections and then observed microscopically. The ratio of normal to atretic follicles was reduced significantly after 6th post-irradiation. At 6 h post-irradiation, the number of degenerated primordial follicles increased. Germinal vesicles disappeared, and lipid droplets increased. No more ooplasmic membranes were seen. Granulosa cells became round in shape, and apoptotic cells started to appear. The ratio of normal to atretic follicles in the control group was 62.50%. The ratio decreased with time after irradiation. The ratio decreased down to 51.61 %, 48.97 %, 11.11 %, and 7.14 % at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, and 12 h, respectively. Taken together, ionizing radiation acutely induced the degeneration of primordial follicles. The patterns of degeneration are 1) apoptosis of one or more granulosa cells with relatively intact oocyte, 2) apoptosis of oocyte with intact follicle cells, or 3) apoptotic degenerations of both cells. The Present study can provide morphological clues for the identification of degenerating primordial follicles.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.362-368
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• 2010

Oral administration of royal jelly (RJ) promotes wound healing in diabetic mice. Concerns have arisen regarding the efficacy of RJ on the wound healing process of normal skin cells. In this study, a wound was created by scratching normal human dermal fibroblasts, one of the major cells involved in the wound healing process. The area was promptly treated with RJ at varying concentrations of 0.1, 1.0, or 5 mg/ml for up to 48 hrs and migration was analyzed by evaluating closure of the wound margins. Furthermore, altered levels of lipids, which were recently reported to participate in the wound healing process, were analyzed by HPTLC and HPLC. Migration of fibroblasts peaked at 24 hrs after wounding. RJ treatment significantly accelerated the migration of fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner at 8 hrs. Although RJ also accelerated the migration of fibroblasts at both 20 hrs and 24 hrs after wounding, the efficacy was less potent than at 8 hrs. Among various lipid classes within fibroblasts, the level of cholesterol was significantly decreased at 8 hrs following administration of both 0.1 ug/ml and 5 mg/ml RJ. Despite a dose-dependent increase in sphinganines, the levels of sphingosines, ceramides, and glucosylceramides were not altered with any concentration of RJ. We demonstrated that RJ enhances the migration of fibroblasts and alters the levels of various lipids involved in the wound healing process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1106-1111
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• 2012

It is shown that the risk of chronic disease is increased not only by the concentration of fat in the diet but also by the composition of dietary fatty acids. We investigated the anti-oxidant effects of vitamin E on dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid-fed mice. Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 9 groups: a normal diet group (C), 4 dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet groups (OA, LA, LNA, DHA), and 4 dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet with 0.05% vitamin E groups (OAE, LAE, LNAE, DHAE). The food efficiency in the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet groups was higher than in the normal diet groups. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased by LA and DHA fatty acids. Vitamin E significantly decreased LA and LHA-induced lipid peroxidation. The activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was increased in the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet groups compared to the control group, while these were decreased by supplements with vitamin E, except in the OAE group. Also, the protein expression of CYP2E1 was significantly increased in only the LNA group, while these were decreased by supplements with vitamin E. These results taken together indicate that vitamin E may have positive effects on a dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet-induced oxidative stress in brain tissue.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.109-124
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• 2010

Objectives: This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) extract on $A{\beta}$-induced AD model. Methods: The effects of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) extract on neural damages of cultured PC12 cells induced by $A{\beta}$ were investigated. The effects of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) extract on neural damages of hippocampal and cortical neurons in the mouse induced by $\beta$-amyloid were investigated. Results: 1. $A{\beta}$ treatment into neuronal cells activated cell death pathway when analyzed by MTT assay and by histological analysis. Then InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) treatment improved cell survival to a similar level as in normal group. 2. $A{\beta}$ treatment increased caspase 3 protein levels but decreased phospho-Erk1/2 in neuronal cells. InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) treatment reversed the production levels of two proteins close to those in normal group. 3. $A{\beta}$ treatment induced the atrophy of neuronal cells in terms of neuronal processes and cell body shrinkage, but InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) greatly improved their morphology. 4. Neuroprotective activity, as observed in InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang)-treated groups, was similarly observed in cells treated with galantamine which was used as a positive control. Moreover, overall recovery pattern by InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) was similar between cultured PC12 cells and in vivo hippocampal and cerebral cortical neurons in the mouse brain. Conclusions: This experiment shows that the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) may play a protective role in neural tissues damaged by cytotoxic substances. Since neuronal damage seen in degenerative brains such as AD are largely unknown, the current data may provide possible insight into therapeutic strategies for AD treatments. InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) might be effective for the treatment of AD. Investigation into the clinical use of the InSamYangYoung-tang(Renshenyangrongtang) for AD is suggested for future research.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 1989

It is well known that the duodenum of mice or rats infected with Fibricoln seoulensis shows atrophy of villi (shortening, blunting, widening, fusion) and hyperplasia of crypts. This study was performed to observe healing process of .these pathological changes after deworming with anthelmintic treatment. Albino rats infected each with.1,000 metacercariae of F. seeulensis were treated with single dose of 10 mg/kg praziquantel on day 15 post·infection. On day 1, 3, 5, 7, 15, 21 and 28 after the treatment, they were sacrificed and their duodenums were histopathologically studied. Control (uninfected) rats showed their normal finger-like projections of duodenal villi and well arranged crypts. In comparison, untreated (infected) contiols revealed severe mucosal changes characteristic of villous atrophy and crypt hyperplasia in their duodenum. The damaged duodenal mucosa was found to restore its normal morphology after praziquantel treatment; until day 3 post-treatment the mucosa was severely atrophied; on day 5 long and slender villi sometimes appeared among the fused and stout ones; after day 15 the villi were in their normalising process. From this experiment, it was shown that the mucosal changes in the duodenum of rats caused by F. seoulensis infection were completely reversible in 21∼28 days after anthelmintic treatment.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.97-113
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of bowontang on serum reactions of $CCl_4$- treated mouse. In this study, the experimental mouse were divided into three groups, normal, control, and sample. Under the same condition, the normal group was fed basal diet and water, the control group was injected with carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$, 0.6ml/kg) and fed a basal diet for 2 weeks, and the sample group was injected with carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$, 0.6ml/kg) and fed the bowontang extract (900mg/kg) for 2 weeks. It was shown that scavenging effect on DPPH radical was depended on concentration of the bowontang. And activities of GOT, GPT and ALP in blood serum of the sample group were significantly decreased as compared with the control group, respectively. Also, activities of LPO, GSH and catalase in the liver were significantly changed in experimental mice. In the liver of the sample groups, the activity of LPO was decreased as compared with control group, while activities of GSH and Catalase were significantly increased.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2007

Background: Asthma is a syndrome that is characterized by a variable degree of airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and airway inflammation. Colchicine is an inexpensive and safe medication with unique anti-inflammatory properties. IL-1Ra (Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) mediates the anti-inflammatory effect in human inflammatory diseases, including asthma. This study examined whether IL-1Ra mediates the anti-inflammatory effect of colchicine in normal human bronchial epithelial cells (NHBE), RAW 264.7 cells (murine macrophage cell line), and a mouse lung. Methods: NHBE, RAW 264.7 cells and BALB/c mice were stimulated with colchicine, and the increase in the IL-1Ra level was estimated by ELISA, Western analysis and RT-PCR analysis. Results: Colchicine stimulated NHBE and RAW 264.7 cells to release IL-1Ra into the supernatant in a dose-and time-dependent manner. The major isoform of IL-1Ra in NHBE and RAW 264.7 cells is type I icIL-1Ra, and sIL-1Ra, respectively. IL-1Ra up-regulation was blocked by PD98059, a specific inhibitor in MAPK pathways. Colchicine also stimulated the secretion of IL-1Ra into the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of BALB/c mouse. Conclusion: Colchicine stimulates an increase in the IL-1Ra level both in vivo and in vitro, and might have an anti-inflammatory effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.103-109
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• 1999

Objective: Heat shock protein 70-2 (Hsp70-2) gene knockout mice are found to have premeiotic arrest at the primary spermatocyte stage with a complete absence of spermatids and spermatozoa. This observation led to the hypothesis that hspA2 may be disrupted in human testes with abnormal spermatogenesis. To test this hypothesis, we studied the mRNA expression of hspA2 in infertile men with azoospermia. Design: The mRNA expression were analyzed by competitive RT-PCR among testes with normal spermatogenesis, pachytene spermatocyte arrest, and sertoli-cell only syndrome. Materials and methods: Testicular biopsy was performed in men with azoospermia (n=15). Specimens were subdivided into three groups: (group 1) normal spermatogenesis (n=5), (group 2) spermatocyte arrest (n=5), (group 3) Sertoli-cell only syndrome (n=5). Total RNA was extracted by Trizol reagent. Total extracted RNA was reverse transcribed into cDNA and amplified by PCR using specific primers for hspA2 target cDNAs. A competitive cDNA fragment was constructed by deleting a defined fragment from the target cDNA sequence, and then coamplified with the target cDNA for competitive PCR. Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene was used as an internal control. Results: On Competitive RT-PCR analyses for hspA2 mRNA, significant amount of hspA2 expression was observed in group 1, whereas a constitutively low level of hspA2 was expressed in groups 2 and 3. Conclusion(s): The study demonstrates that the hspA2 gene expression is down-regulated in human testes with abnormal spermatogenesis, which in turn suggests that hspA2 gene may play a specific role during meiosis in human testes.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.81-98
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• 1992

Hairless mice (Skh:HR-1) exposed to single doses (0.5, 1.0 and 3. OMED) of UV-B radiation were displayed remarkable changes of barrier function and surface morphology. Trans- epidermal water loss (TEWL) as an index of barrier function was measured by evaporimeter, and wrinkle density (WD) as an index of morphological alteration was measured by image analyzer. Significant changes of TEWL were not observed in the control and 0. SMED group, but 1.OMED and 3. OMED groups noted significant difference. TEWL of 3. OMED group was rapidly increased to the 3rd day and decreased until the 14th day when it reached nearly to normal level, Time-courses of TBWL for 1. OMEB and 3. OMED groups displayed similar pattern, but different only in the magnitude. WD were significantly decreased during the 3rd-5th day in all of the irradiated groups and then increased during the last period to the 14th day, but did not recover the normal level at the 14th day. Time-courses of WD for all groups exhibited similarity, and were entirely dependent on the exposed doses. We also observed histological changes which included hyperplasia, sunburn cell (SBC) formation, accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNs), and loss of collagen of UVB- exposed hairless mouse skin. Changes of TEWL and WD are helpful in understanding of epidermal and dermal damages by single exposure of UVB.