• Title/Summary/Keyword: Protein phosphatase 4

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Toxic Effects of Waterborne Copper Exposure on the Hematological Parameters and Plasma Components of Mirror Carp Cyprinus carpio nudus (수인성 구리 급성노출에 의한 향어(Cyprinus carpio nudus)의 혈액학적 성상 및 혈장성분의 독성영향)

  • Jo, A-Hyun;Hong, Su-Min;Jeong, Ji-ho;Eun, Ji-Su;Joo, Chang-Hoon;Kim, Jun-Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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    • v.54 no.6
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    • pp.954-964
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    • 2021
  • Mirror carp Cyprinus carpio nudus (weight 42.0±3.8 g, length 14.3±0.4 cm) were exposed to different concentrations of waterborne copper (0, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600 ㎍ Cu2+·L-1) at 20.3℃ for 96 h. The lethal concentration 50 of waterborne copper was 1,176.45 ㎍ Cu2+·L-1. Among hematological parameters, red blood cell count was significantly decreased, whereas there were no significant changes in the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value. Among the inorganic plasma components, calcium was significantly decreased following copper exposure. Conversely, organic plasma components such as glucose and total protein were significantly increased. Similarly, enzymatic components, such as aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase, were also significantly increased. These findings suggest that the copper exposure is detrimental to the survival rates and physiology of C. carpio nudus.

Dietary encapsulated essential oil mixture influence on apparent nutrient digestibility, serum metabolic profile, lymphocyte histochemistry and intestinal morphology of laying hens

  • Arslan, Cavit;Pirinc, Abdurrahman;Eker, Nizamettin;Sur, Emrah;Undag, Ilknur;Kusat, Tansu
    • Animal Bioscience
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    • v.35 no.5
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    • pp.740-751
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    • 2022
  • Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of encapsulated essential oils (EOs) addition on nutrient digestion, serum biochemical parameters, peripheral blood alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase (ANAE), and acid phosphatase (ACP-ase) positive lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology in laying hens. Methods: A total of 320 laying hens of 48-wk-old were randomly allotted into 4 treatment groups with 10 replicates of 8 birds in each replicate. The birds were fed a basal diet (control) or the diet added with mixture of EOs (which consist of eugenol, nerolidol, piperine, thymol, linalool, and geraniol) at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg for period of 84 days. Results: The addition of EOs at 100 or 200 mg/kg increased the dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein digestion as compared to control. The addition of all doses of EOs did not affect serum gamma glutamyl transferase, alanine aminotransferase, and P but increased serum asparate aminotransferase (AST) concentration. The addition of 200 mg/kg EOs increased serum creatinine, while 100 mg/kg decreased Ca concentration. The addition of 100 and 200 mg/kg EOs generally improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocyte ratios and intestinal morphology. Conclusion: It can be concluded that, the addition of 100 or 200 mg/kg encapsulated EOs generally increased apparent nutrient digestion and serum AST concentration, improved ANAE and ACP-ase positive peripheral blood lymphocytes and intestinal morphology in laying hens.

Effects on lethal concentration 50%, hematological parameters and plasma components of mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus exposed to waterborne ammonia (수인성 암모니아 급성노출에 의한 향어, Cyprinus carpio nudus의 반수치사농도, 혈액학적 성상 및 혈장성분의 영향)

  • Jeong, Ji-Ho;Eun, Ji-Su;Joo, Chang-Hoon;Jo, A-Hyun;Hong, Su-Min;Kim, Jun-Hwan
    • Journal of fish pathology
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    • v.35 no.1
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    • pp.65-75
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    • 2022
  • Mirror carp, Cyprinus carpio nudus (weight 26.2±3.1 g, length 11.8±0.5 cm) were exposed to waterborne total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) at 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 and 128 mg TAN/L. The lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of mirror carp, C. carpio nudus exposed to waterborne ammonia was 60.38 mg TAN/L. The red blood cell (RBC) count was significantly reduced by ammonia exposure, whereas there was no significant changes in the hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value. In the plasma components, glucose, total protein, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased by ammonia exposure. The results of this study suggest that the ammonia exposure to C. carpio nudus affects the survival rates, hematological parameters and plasma components as toxicity.

Metformin enhances the osteogenic activity of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by inhibiting oxidative stress induced by diabetes mellitus: an in vitro and in vivo study

  • Kai Dong;Wen-Juan Zhou;Zhong-Hao Liu
    • Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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    • v.53 no.1
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    • pp.54-68
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    • 2023
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether metformin (MF) could alleviate the expresssion of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and improve the osteogenic ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells derived from diabetic rats (drBMSCs) in vitro, and to evaluate the effect of MF on the ectopic osteogenesis of drBMSCs in a nude mouse model in vivo. Methods: BMSCs were extracted from normal and diabetic rats. In vitro, a cell viability assay (Cell Counting Kit-8), tests of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and western blot analysis were first used to determine the cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of drBMSCs that were subjected to treatment with different concentrations of MF (0, 50, 100, 200, 500 µM). The cells were then divided into 5 groups: (1) normal rat BMSCs (the BMSCs derived from normal rats group), (2) the drBMSCs group, (3) the drBMSCs + Mito-TEMPO (10 µM, ROS scavenger) group, (4) the drBMSCs + MF (200 µM) group, and (5) the drBMSCs + MF (200 µM) + H2O2 (50 µM, ROS activator) group. Intracellular ROS detection, a senescence-associated β-galactosidase assay, ALP staining, alizarin red staining, western blotting, and immunofluorescence assays were performed to determine the effects of MF on oxidative stress and osteogenic differentiation in drBMSCs. In vivo, the effect of MF on the ectopic osteogenesis of drBMSCs was evaluated in a nude mouse model. Results: MF effectively reduced ROS levels in drBMSCs. The cell proliferation, ALP activity, mineral deposition, and osteogenic-related protein expression of drBMSCs were demonstrably higher in the MF-treated group than in the non-MF-treated group. H2O2 inhibited the effects of MF. In addition, ectopic osteogenesis was significantly increased in drBMSCs treated with MF. Conclusions: MF promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of drBMSCs by inhibiting the oxidative stress induced by diabetes and enhenced the ectopic bone formation of drBMSCs in nude mice.

Ginsenoside F2 enhances glucose metabolism by modulating insulin signal transduction in human hepatocarcinoma cells

  • Shengqiang Han ;Long You ;Yeye Hu ;Shuai Wei ;Tingwu Liu ;Jae Youl Cho ;Weicheng Hu
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.47 no.3
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    • pp.420-428
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    • 2023
  • Background: Ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a minor component of Panax ginseng, has been reported to possess a wide variety of pharmacological activities. However, its effects on glucose metabolism have not yet been reported. Here, we investigated the underlying signaling pathways involved in its effects on hepatic glucose. Methods: HepG2 cells were used to establish insulin-resistant (IR) model and treated with GF2. Cell viability and glucose uptake-related genes were also examined by real-time PCR and immunoblots. Results: Cell viability assays showed that GF2 up to 50 μM did not affect normal and IR-HepG2 cell viability. GF2 reduced oxidative stress by inhibiting phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling components such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p38 MAPK, and reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, GF2 activated PI3K/AKT signaling, upregulated the levels of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and GLUT-4 in IR-HepG2 cells, and promoted glucose absorption. At the same time, GF2 reduced phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase expression as well as inhibiting gluconeogenesis. Conclusion: Overall, GF2 improved glucose metabolism disorders by reducing cellular oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells via MAPK signaling, participating in the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway, promoting glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting gluconeogenesis.

Changes of the blood chemistry, lipid and protein components in blood and liver tissue of the rat after oral combined administration of caffeine, iron and vitamin E (Caffeine, 철분 및 vitamin E 혼합투여시 rat의 혈액과 간조직내에서 혈액화학성분과 지질 및 단백질 구성성분의 변화)

  • Do, Jae-cheul;Huh, Rhin-sou
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.36 no.3
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    • pp.577-598
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    • 1996
  • This study was conducted to identify the effects of caffeine or combinations of caffeine and iron or vitamin E on the lipid and protein components or blood chemistry levels of the serum as well as the total homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of the rat(Sprague-Dawley, female) liver. Chronic test were conducted to determine those effects. The chronic test was conducted by dividing rats into 5 groups according to the type of drugs and dosages administrated as follows; the control(group A), and group B was given 25mg/kg caffeine orally once daily for 30 days, group C was given 50mg/kg caffeine orally once daily for 30 days, group D was given 25mg/kg caffeine and orally ferric chloride once daily for 30 days and group E was given 25mg/kg caffeine and 25mg/kg vitamin E once daily for 30 days. The concentrations of glucose, urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin, A/G ratio, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid, phospholipid as well as the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were measured in the serum of each experimental groups. The concentrations of the carbonyl group and malondiaidehyde(MDA) and the patterns of the SDS-PAGE(Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate - Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis) and fatty acid compositions in free fatty acids and phospholipids were analyzed to determine the oxidative damages and metabolic changes on the lipid and protein components in the serum, and total homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fractions of the rat liver. The results obtained from this study were summarized as follows; 1. Body weights of groups B, C, D and E were significantly decreased(p < 0.01) in comparison with that of the control in the chronic test. 2. The concentrations of serum glucose in groups B(124.5mg/dl), C(130.1mg/dl), D(122.1mg/dl), E(119.3mg/dl) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to that of the control(101.5mg/dl). But, there were no significant differences in the concentrations of urea nitrogen, uric acid, creatinine, total protein, albumin and A/G ratio in comparison to that of the control. 3. The concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in serum of groups B(69.6, 53.4mg/dl), C(73.0, 56.3mg/dl), D(68.9, 51.1mg/dl) and E(68.2, 51.3mg/dl) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to that of the control(52.6, 38.8mg/dl). On the other hand, the concentrations of triglyceride in serum of groups B(45.0mg/dl), C(40.4mg/dl), D(33.8mg/dl) and E(47.2mg/dl) were significantly lower(p < 0.01) in comparison to that of the control(66.2mg/dl). There were no significant differences in the activities of ALT, AST and ALP in comparison to that of the control. 4. The concentrations of free fatty acid and phospholipid in serum of groups B(45.7, 154.4mg/dl), C(50.0, 167.2mg/dl), D(52.5, 148.4mg/dl) and E(41.1, 159.2mg/dl) were higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to that of the control(35.2, 125.3mg/dl). And the concentrations of the carbonyl group and malondialdehyde in serum of group D(1.82, 0.52nM/mg protein) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(1.53nM/mg protein). 5. The concentrations of carbonyl group in total homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of group D(1.45, 0.94, 1.67nM/mg protein) were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(1.16, 0.66, 1.27nM/mg protein). And the concentrations of malondialdehyde in the total homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of group D(6.70, 6.10, 1.36nM/mg protein) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(5.17, 3.64, 0.68nM/mg protein). 6. As the analytical results of the fatty acid compositions of free fatty acid in serum, the proportions of stearic acid and arachidonic acid of groups B(16.52, 12.62%), C(17.52, 15.18%), D(19.73, 13.47%) and E(17.62, 13.28%) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(14.75, 7.88%), but the proportions of oleic acid and linoleic acid of groups B(12.97, 32.59%), C(10.88, 31.23%), D(12.37, 30.66%) and E(11.95, 32.41%) were significantly lower(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(16.44, 35.12%). Otherwise, as the results of the fatty acid compositions of phospholipid in serum, the proportions of stearic acid and arachidonic acid of groups B(39.37, 16.39%), C(40.63, 17.83%), D(42.73, 15.39%) and E(39.16, 15.70%) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(37.74, 14.24%), but the proportions of oleic acid and linoleic acid of groups B(4.03, 14.38%), C(3.54, 12.38%), D(4.52, 11.68%) and E(4.29, 13.64%) were significantly lower(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(5.53, 16.14%). 7. As the analytical results of the fatty acid compositions of free fatty acid in total homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of liver, the proportions of oleic acid of groups B(7.8**, 8.73**, 6.88%) and C(6.89**, 7.75**, 6.58%) were lower(**:p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(8.67, 10.08, 7.81%), but the proportions of arachidonic acid of group C(22.62, 19.79, 23.71%) were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(20.93, 18.47, 22.24%). And the proportions of palmitic acid of group D(25.95**, 26.16, 26.34**%) were significantly higher(**:p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(24.43, 25.42, 23.34%). In addition, the proportions of linoleic acid of group D(23.43, 25.02, 23.95%) were also significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(22.17, 23.75, 21.26%). The proportions of stearic acid of group D(19.87, 19.76**%) in mitochondrial and microsomal fraction were lower(**:p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(21.01, 24.18%), and the proportions of stearic acid of group E(16.71*, 19.65**%) in mitochondrial and microsomal fraction were significantly lower(**:p < 0.01, *:p < 0.05) in comparison to the control(21.01, 24.18%), and the proportions of linoleic acid of group E(25.04, 29.20, 26.48%) in total homogenate, mitochondria and microsome were significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(22.17, 23.75, 21.26%). 8. As the results of the fatty acid compositions of phospholipid in total homogenate, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of liver, the proportions of palmitic acid of group D(17.58**, 18.78*, 18.23%**) were significantly higher(**:p < 0.01, *:p < 0.05) in comparison to the control(16.28, 17.22, 16.38%), and the proportions of stearic acid of group D(36.41, 37.23, 39.53%) were also significantly higher(p < 0.01) in comparison to the control(34.18, 34.16, 36.04%). But the proportions of oleic acid(3.41*, 3.11**, 3.12**%) and linoleic acid (18.03**, 15.79**, 14.74**%) of group D were significantly lower(**:p < 0.01, *:p < 0.05) in comparison to the control(oleic : 3.63, 3.72, 3.79%, linoleic : 20.03, 18.71, 18.48%). 9. In order to determine the oxidative damages to the protein in serum, mitochondrial and microsomal fraction of the rat liver, the patterns of the SDS-PAGE were identified, but the results of SDS-PAGE were not significantly different between the control and experimental groups.

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A 13-Week Repeated Oral Dose Toxicity Test and a 4-Week Recovery Test of Standardized Cornus officinalis and Psoralea corylifolia L . in Sprague-Dawley Rats (산수유(山茱萸)와 보골지(補骨脂) 복합추출물의 Sprague-Dawley 랫드를 이용한 13 주 반복경구투여 독성시험 및 4 주 회복시험)

  • Sim, Seo-Ah;Kang, Sung-Chul;Jin, Bo-Ram;Kim, Min-jeong;Yeo, Sujung;Park, In-hwa;Jerng, Ui Min;Cha, Yun-yeop;Ahn, Ji-Hye;An, Hyo-Jin
    • The Korea Journal of Herbology
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    • v.36 no.6
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    • pp.27-37
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    • 2021
  • Objectives : In the current study, we performed the 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity test and a 4-week recovery test of standardized Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. and Psoralea corylifolia L. 30 % ethanol extract (SCP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats owing to aims for verifying no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). Methods : The animal study was performed according to OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals section 4 health effects test No.408 repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in rodents (03 October 2008). In the repeated dose toxicity study, SCP was orally administered to female and male rats at dose levels of 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 mg/kg/day for 13-week. The control group and high dose (4,000 mg/kg/day) group were then monitored for 4 extra weeks to determine recovery time after the study period. 1) Results : Compared with the control group, there were no treatment-related adverse effects in clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, 𝛾-Glutamyl transpeptidase, Blood urea nitrogen, Creatinine, Glucose, Total cholesterol, Total protein, Creatine phosphokinase, Albumin, Total bilirubin, Triglyceride, Inorganic phosphorus, Albumin/Globulin ratio, Calcium ion, Sodium ion, Potassium ion, Chloride ion), necropsy findings and organ weight (Ovary, Adrenal gland, Pituitary, Thymus, Prostate, Testis, Epididymis, Spleen, Kidney, Heart, Lung, Brain, Liver) at any dose tested. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that the NOAEL of SCP in both genders was considered as over 4,000 mg/kg. Results from this study provide scientific evidence for the safety of SCP.

Changes in s-GOT and s-ALP Activities in the Korean Native Cows Within Estrus Cycle (한우(韓牛)의 성주기(性週期)에 따른 혈청(血淸) GOT 및 혈청(血淸) ALP 활성도(活性度)의 변동상에 관하여)

  • Jo, Chung Ho
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.21 no.2
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    • pp.167-170
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    • 1981
  • Changes in serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (s-GOT) activities, serum alkaline phosphatase activities and serum total protein amounts were investigated on seven Korean native cows having normal estrus cycle of 18~24 days after normal parturition, dividing estrus cycle into estrus (0~1 days), metestrus (2~6 days), diestrus (7~16 days), proestrus (17~20 days). The results were as follows. 1. Serum GOT activities at estrus ranged from 73.5 to 121.5 Ku with a mean of $89.14{\pm}17.16$ Ku, at metestrus 57 to 89 Ku with a mean of $67.01{\pm}10.81$ Ku, at diestrus 54 to 89.5 Ku with a mean of $67.05{\pm}10.05$ Ku and at proestrus 53 to 112 Ku with a mean of $73.00{\pm}20.05$ Ku. The activities were significantly increased at the estrus comparing with other stages (P<0.01). 2. Serum ALP activities at estrus ranged from 8.0 to 10.4 K-Au with a mean of $8.74{\pm}0.83$ K-Au, at metestrus 6.5 to 9.2 K-Au with a mean of$7.74{\pm}0.76$ K-Au, at diestrus 5.6 to 9.0 K-Au with a mean of $7.67{\pm}1.13$ K-Au, at proestrus 6.2 to 9.3 K-Au with a mean of $7.12{\pm}1.18$ K-Au. The significance was not recognized among the stages of estrus cycle. 3. Serum total protein amounts at estrus ranged from 6.45 to 8.0g/10dl with a mean of $7.25{\pm}0.57/100dl$, at metestrus, 6.37 to 7.9g/100dl with a mean of $7.65{\pm}0.50g/100dl$, fat diestrus, 6.56 to 8.67g/100dl, with a mean of $7.53{\pm}0.55g/100dl$ and at proestrus 5.94 to 7.71g/100dl with a mean of $6.54{\pm}0.65g/dl$. There was not significance among the stages of estrus cycle.

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Physiological Studies on Adaptation of Tilapia(Oreochromis miloticus) in the Various Salinities II. Serum Components Levels and Electrophoretic Patterns (틸라피아의 해수순치에 관한 생리학적 연구 II. 혈청성분과 전기영동상의 변화)

  • 홍종만;박홍양
    • Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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    • v.16 no.4
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    • pp.363-376
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    • 1993
  • This study was taken to examine serum components concentrations and electrophoretic patterns of female tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) living in 0$\textperthousand$, 10$\textperthousand$, 20$\textperthousand$, and 30$\textperthousand$ salt concentrations, respectively. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows. The level of albumin and total protein showed changes in each salinity, but didn't significantly(P<0.05) change in Oreochromis niloticus. The level of BUN didn't significantly(P<0.05) change. When fish were adapted from 0$\textperthousand$ to 10$\textperthousand$, 20$\textperthousand$ and 30$\textperthousand$, each calcium level in every salinity groups showed less than that of control, and didn't significantly change in 10$\textperthousand$, 20$\textperthousand$, 30$\textperthousand$ salinity. The level of calcium didn't significantly(P<0.05) change in each salinity. In 20$\textperthousand$ salinity, the level of cholesterol was at the highest peak. When fish were adapted from 0$\textperthousand$ to 10$\textperthousand$, 20$\textperthousand$ and 30$\textperthousand$, each glucose level gradually decreased. When fish were adapted from 0$\textperthousand$ to 10$\textperthousand$, 20$\textperthousand$ and 30$\textperthousand$, each glucose level gradually decreased. When fish were adapted from 0$\textperthousand$ to 10$\textperthousand$, 20$\textperthousand$ and 30$\textperthousand$. In 30$\textperthousand$ salinity, the level of alkaline phosphatase was at the highest peak. The level of serum enzyme such as SGOT and SGPT was higher in seawater-adapted group than in freshwater group. The level of phosphorus chnage significantly(P<0.05) in each salinity. Correlation coefficient between serum albumin and glucose in 0$\textperthousand$ was +0.924. Correlation coefficient between serum SGOT and SGPT of individuals in 0$\textperthousand$ was +0.917. Fraction 1 of transferrin patterns of tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus) adapted in seawater was much thicker than that of transferrin patterns of individuals adapted in freshwater. Also fraction No. a wasn't observed in some individuals adapted in freshwater. These results showed that transferrin adapted in seawater relatively increased. Slight differences, that is, showed to be observed in total iron binding capacityand iron saturatin rate between tilapia adapted in freshwater and in seawater. The increase in total iron binding capacity was attributed to a rise in transferrin pressent in the first fraction of serum protein adapted in seawater. Accordingly, the serum iron levles seemed to be related to salinity($\textperthousand$).

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Effects of Calcium Supplementations on Mineral Metabolism during Pregnancy with Calcium-Deficient Young Adult Rats (가임기 동안 칼슘섭취 부족 흰쥐에서 임신기의 칼슘보충 수준이 무기질대사에 미치는 영향)

  • 이연숙;김은애;박미나
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.36 no.5
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    • pp.459-469
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    • 2003
  • We examined the effects of calcium intake levels on mineral metabolism during pregnancy using calcium-deficient young adult rats. Five week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed normal Ca (NCa, 0.5%) and low Ca (LCa, 0.15%) diets for five weeks (pre-pregnancy). The low Ca intake group was then divided into three groups and fed low Ca (0.15%), normal Ca (0.5%) and high Ca (1.5%) diets for 3 weeks (pregnancy). All of the rats were mated with normal male rats. The control group was fed a consistently normal Ca (0.5%) diet during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. On the day after delivery, dams and their pups were sacrificed. We measured total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and mineral content in serum and weight, length, breaking force, ash and mineral content in the femur and lumbar (L2-L4) of the dams. Whole body mineral content was measured in the pups. There was no difference in weight gain and food intake among the groups. Serum total protein and albumin were in the normal range but a little lower during pregnancy. High Ca supplementation decreased serum Mg and Fe during pregnancy. Weight, ash and Ca of the femur and lumbar significantly decreased in rats fed a chronically low Ca diet during pre-pregnancy and pregnancy. Calcium supplementation levels were above normal during pregnancy and increased the bone weight and breaking force of rats fed the low Ca diet during pre-pregnancy. However, Ca supplementation did not increase the ash and Ca contents in the bones. High Ca supplementation during pregnancy significantly decreased Mg in the bones and increased Ca and P in the kidneys. Ash content of pups from dams fed the chronically low Ca diet decreased but there was no difference in whole body Ca among the groups. Mg and Fe in the whole body decreased in pups from dams fed the high Ca diet. Pregnancy performance was reduced in dams fed the low Ca diet. These results suggest that above normal Ca supplementation levels during pregnancy restored maternal bone status to some extent in rats fed the chronically low Ca diet. The same could not be said for mineral content. Also, high Ca supplementation during pregnancy may deteriorate mineral composition in bones and other tissues. Therefore, more detailed research is needed to facilitate sound recommendations on appropriate calcium intake during pregnancy. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 459∼469, 2003)