• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2006

In order to study the effect of acupuncture stimulation on bone mineral density (BMD), using the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, we assessed the degree of osteopenia by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, measured the level of locomotor activity using a metabolism measuring system, and performed histological studies of bone tissue. Twenty-four female Wistar rats (8 weeks old, 160 - 180 g)were divided into three groups. Rats in the OVX-A group underwent ovariectomy followed by acupuncture stimulation. The OVX rats in the Vehicle control group were not treated with acupuncture as a control. The rats in the control group received neither ovariectomy nor acupuncture. Acupuncture stimulation for 12 weeks in the OVX-A group inhibited the reduction in BMD of the femoral bones caused by ovariectomy. Moreover, in the two OVX groups, there was no clear difference in the level of locomotor activity between the active and resting phases prior to acupuncture stimulation in each rat, and the pattern of locomotor activity was irregular. After acupuncture stimulation of the OVX-A rats, the pattern of locomotor activity became diphasic with clear active and resting phases, as was observed in the Control group. On histological studies, the continuity of trabecular bone was maintained more favorably and bone mass was higher in the OVX-A group than in the vehicle control group. These results suggest that the increased locomotor activity that had been induced by acupuncture stimulation increased the BMD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.99-103
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• 2009

The in-vitro immunomodulatory function of murine natural-killer (NK) cells induced by red-ginseng acidic polysaccharide (RGAP) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats was examined in this study. The IL-2-induced NK cell activity was significantly decreased in the OVX rats compared to the sham groups, but the normally induced NK cell activity was not. RGAP, however, increased the NK cell activity in both groups, and this effect involved iNOS expression. The inhibition of iNOS activity did not increase the NK cell cytotoxicity by RGAP in the OVX rats. The data that were obtained also demonstrated that the expression of iNOS was increased in the spleen of the OVX rats. These results indicate that RGAP increases the tumoricidal activity of the NK cell in the OVX rats, which is a primed or activated state of innate immune cells resulting from the changes in cytokine production induced by estrogen-deficient stress. Therefore, RGAP has a synergistic effect on the NK cell activities, which are regulated by the iNOS signals in OVX rats. This suggests that RGAP is useful for potential therapeutic strategies as a nutrient in regulating the NK cells in OVX rats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.394-400
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• 1991

A question whether abnormal responsiveness of hypothalamic catecholaminergic nervous system to ovarian steoid hormones in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) exist was investigated. Four groups of experimental animals were prepared for SHR and normotensive Wistar rats (NW) respectively: 1) intact, 2) ovariectomized (OVX+V), 3) ovariectomized and estrogen treated (OVX+E), 4) ovariectomized and estrogen plus progesterone treated (OVX+E+P) groups. Hypothalami from experimental animals were dissected out and used for determination of .alpha.-adrenergic receptor binding characteristics and catecholamine contents. Norepinephrine(NE) content and B$_{max}$ of $\alpha_1$-adrenergic receptors in hypothalami were greater in intact SHR than in intact NW, but dopamine(DA) content was lower in SHR than in NW. Neither contents of NE and DA nor binding characteristics of $\alpha_1$-adrenergic receptors were different in OVX+V and OVX+E group from intact group of both SHR and NW. Kd and B$_{max}$ of $\alpha_1$-adrenergic receptors in OVX+E+P was lower than that in intact SHR but not in NW. DA content was lower in OVX+E+P than in intact group of SHR and NW. The result of the present study indicates that there is an abnormal responsiveness of hypothalamic catecholaminergic nervous system to ovarian steroid hormones in SHR which may be one of genetically-determined factors probably not responsible for the development of hypertension.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1281-1287
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• 2021

Clinical and preclinical studies have reported that Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, a probiotic bacterial strain isolated from human breast milk, reduces body weight and white adipose tissue volume. In order to further explore the actions of L. gasseri BNR17, we investigated the anti-menopausal effects of L. gasseri BNR17 in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. The serum alanine aminotransferase levels of the rats in the OVX-BNR17 group were lower than those of the rats in the OVX-vehicle only (OVX-Veh) group. Upon administration of L. gasseri BNR17 after ovariectomy, calcitonin and Serotonin 2A levels increased significantly, whereas serum osteocalcin levels showed a decreasing tendency. Compared to the rats in the OVX-Veh group, those in the OVX-BNR17 group showed lower urine deoxypyridinoline levels, lower pain sensitivity, and improved vaginal cornification. Furthermore, L. gasseri BNR17 administration increased bone mineral density in the rats with OVX-induced femoral bone loss. These results suggest that L. gasseri BNR17 administration could alleviate menopausal symptoms, indicating that this bacterium could be a good functional probiotic for managing the health of older women.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.305-315
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• 2024

Vitronectin (VN) is an extracellular matrix protein with a crucial role in regulating bone remodeling. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of VN deficiency in a mouse model of osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy (OVX). The findings revealed that the absence of VN led to an increase in the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), a marker for osteoclasts, in the plasma of OVX-operated mice. TRAP staining further demonstrated that VN deficiency resulted in a higher number of osteoclasts within the femurs of OVX-operated mice. X-ray micro-computed tomography analysis of the femurs in OVX-operated mice indicated that VN deficiency significantly suppressed the OVX-induced increase of marrow area and total volume of bone. Additionally, we assessed structural model index (SMI) and degree of anisotropy (DA) as indices of osteoporosis. The results showed that VN deficiency effectively attenuated the OVX-induced increase in SMI and DA among OVX-operated mice. In summary, our study demonstrates the vital role of VN in regulating osteoclastogenesis and bone remodeling in the mouse model of osteoporosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2000

Osteoporosis is the consequence of an imbalance between osteoclastic and osteoblastic activity, coupled with an increased rate of bone turnover observed with menopause. Estrogen is generally considered to maintain bone mass through suppression of bone resorption. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rat femoral trabecular change not only in the deficiency of estrogen but also in the administration of estrogen following ovariectomy(OVX). 30 female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to bilateral OVX or sham surgery(control). Groups of OVX were divided into 4 groups. The first group was injected daily with vehicle alone for 20 days after 20 weeks following OVX. The additional groups of OVX was injected daily with low, medium, or high doses of $17{\beta}-estradiol$(10, 25 or $50{\mu}g/kg$ BW, respectively). All rats were sacrified 23 weeks after OVX, and their femur were processed for H&E, MT stain and histomorphometry. The results were as follows; 1. In the histomorphometric analysis, the trabecular bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular seperation were respectively $31.2{\pm}8.3%$, $54.3{\pm}4.8{\mu}m$ and $280.7{\pm}16.4{\mu}m$ in vehicle treated OVX group and $48.6{\pm}7.3%$, $90.4{\pm}4.5{\mu}m$ and $126.3{\pm}5{\mu}m$ in sham operation group, and they showed statistical significance compare to control group. 2. The trabecular bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation were respectively $44.4{\pm}4.3%$, $109.5{\pm}12.3{\mu}m$ and $94.9{\pm}8.5{\mu}m$ in low doses of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ injected group and they showed statistical significance compare to OVX group. 3. The trabecular bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation were respectively $44.4{\pm}4.3%$, $109.5{\pm}12.3{\mu}m$ and $94.9{\pm}8.5{\mu}m$ in medium doses of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ injected group and they showed statistical significance compare to OVX group, but they didn't show statistical significance compare to low doses of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ injected group. 4. The trabecular bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular thickness and trabecular separation were respectively $46.4{\pm}4.5%$, $154.4{\pm}13.2{\mu}m$ and $113.7{\pm}12.8{\mu}m$ in high doses of $17{\beta}-estradiol$ injected group and they also showed statistical significance compare to OVX group, but they didn't show statistical significance compare to other experimental groups. From the above results, metaphyseal bone formation was markedly reduced in OVX rate but treatment of OVX rats with $17{\beta}-estradiol$ resulted in normalization of femur trabecular bone volume. But they didn't show statistical significance the effect of bone formation according to the dose dependency.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.121-131
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• 2020

Purpose: Dental implant-associated medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw has been frequently reported in patients administered bisphosphonates (BPs) to prevent osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intermittent administration of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on peri-implant bone in the maxillae of ovariectomized rats systemically administered BPs. Methods: Thirty 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. The OVX-ZP group included ovariectomized rats administered 60 ㎍/kg of zoledronate once a week for 6 weeks and 30 ㎍/kg PTH after implant installation. The OVX-Z group included ovariectomized rats administered 60 ㎍/kg of zoledronate once a week for 6 weeks and saline after implant installation, and the control group included rats that underwent a sham operation and were then administered saline. Rats were sacrificed 4 weeks after implant placement for histomorphometric and micro-computed tomography (CT) analyses. Results: The average bone area percentage was greater in the OVX-ZP group than in the OVX-Z group (53.4%±4.0% vs. 28.9%±9.5%, P=0.01). The bone-to-implant contact ratio was 50.8%±1.4% in the OVX-ZP group and 16.9%±2.4% in the OVX-Z group (P=0.012). The average bone volume ratio as shown on micro-CT was 31.3%±19.8% in the OVX-ZP group and 19.4%±9.3% in the OVX-Z group (P=0.045). The OVX-ZP and OVX-Z groups displayed similar trabecular thickness (0.06±0.004 mm vs. 0.06±0.002 mm) (P>0.05) and trabecular separation (0.21±0.02 mm vs. 0.29±0.13 mm) (P>0.05). However, the number of trabeculae in the OVX-ZP group was significantly higher than that in the OVX-Z group (4.3±1.33/㎣ vs. 2.2±0.19/㎣) (P=0.024). Conclusions: The present findings indicate that intermittently-administered PTH can promote peri-implant bone formation and suggest that PTH administration may aid in effective treatment for medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw after dental implantation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2005

Objectives : The present study has been undertaken to investigate the effects of Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat on prevention of osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats. Method : In this experiment, the rats were ovariectomized. Rats were administered by 2 kinds of medicine, Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat. Results : The levels of spinal bone mineral density was significantly increased in comparison with OVX group at 6 weeks in Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of serum osteoclacin and calcium didn't show significant changes in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of serum ALP showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group at 3 weeks in Polygoni Multiflori Radix group, and showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group at 6 weeks in Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of serum phosphorus showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group at 3, 6 weeks in Polygoni Multiflori Radix, and showed significant decrease in comparison with OVX group at 6 weeks in Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of urine calcium and phosphorus didn't show significant changes in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of femoral and fibula-tibial calcium showed significant increase in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of femoral phosphorus showed significant increase in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. The levels of femoral and fibula-tibial ash weight showed significant increase in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. And the levels of fibula-tibial ash weight showed significant increase in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflori Radix group. The levels of body weight and uterus weight didn't show significant changes in comparison with OVX group in Polygoni Multiflon Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat group. Conclusion : Reviewing these experimetal results, it appears that Polygoni Multiflori Radix and Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat have efficacy on prevention of osteoporosis. In particular Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat showed good efficacy in comparison with Polygoni Multiflori Radix Preparat.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.46-51
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• 2008

This study investigated the effects of Punica granatum L. (PG) ethanol extracts on serum lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. In order to elucidate the effects of PG ethanol extracts on the change of lipid concentration in rats, Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to groups as follows: sham-operated rats (sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-control), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG seed at 50 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PS50), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG seed at 200 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PS200), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG peel at 50 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PS50), ovariectomized rats supplemented with ethanol extracts of PG peel at 200 mg/kg bw/day (OVX-PP200). PG ethanol extracts were orally supplemented at the level of 1mL per day for 7 weeks. The body weight gain, food intake and food efficiency ratio were not significantly different between groups by t-test. The levels of total-cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were not changed by supplementation of PG ethanol extracts. The level of HDL-cholesterol on serum of the OVX-PS50 and OVX-PS200 groups were similar to the OVX-control group, but the OVX-PP50 and OVX-PP200 groups were higher than sham group. These results suggest that ethanol extracts of PG peel were more effected than those of PG seed.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.115-121
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• 1996

To investigate gestational profiles in gene expression of placental lactogen I fpL4), PL-lI and Pit-1, RNA samples were extracted from the placentas of pregnant day 12 to 20 at 2 day intervals. Northern blots showed changes in gene expression of PL4, - 11 and Pit-i. Sizes of PL-l and -II mRNA were changed and amounts of PL-I, -H and Pit-1 mRNA increased during progress of gestation. To examine the effect of estrogen on the gene expression of PL-I, -Il and Pit-1, pregnant female rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and daily injected with estradiol (OVX + E). OVX markedly lowered the amount of PL4 and 41 mRNA, and shifted niRNA size from 1 kb to i 3 kb in PL-l mRNA and 0.6 kb to i kb in PL-ll mRNA, respectively. OVX had no effect on the mRNA size of Pit-1, but markedly attenuated Pit-1 mRNA level. Estrogen injection reversed the effect of OVX on the size-shift but not on the amount of PL4 and -Il mRNA. Replacement of E partially recovered OVX-induced inhibition of Pit-i mRNA level. Present results suggest that estrogen may play a pivotal role on the gene expression of PL-l and -Il such as alternative RNA splicing and/or polyadenylation, and Pit-1 may be involved in the gene expression of PL-l and 41 by estrogen.