• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 1987

There have been reports on the aberration of the control mechanisms of the blood pressure, hormone secretion, and renal functions in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system in the maintenance of high blood pressure in SHR is still controversial. Recently, it has been reported that the negative feedback short loop control mechanism of the renin-angiotensin system may be changed in SHR. In the present experiment, it was attempted to explore the possible alterations in the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the renal function in SHR. Experiments have been done in anesthetized SHR as well as in normotensive Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats as control groups. Pharmacologic doses of AVP (10-13 mU/rat/10 min) decreased urine volume, excreted amount of creatinine and para-amino-hippuric acid. No differences in these parameters was observed between normotensive and hypertensive rats. AVP increased sodium and potassium excretion, but the responses in SHR were suppressed as compared with normotensive rats. Intravenous infusion of AVP also increased blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats and a vasopressor effect of AVP was attenuated in SHR. There was a positive correlation between the changes in blood pressure and excreted amount of sodium during AVP infusion. These data suggest that the attenuated natriuretic effect of intravenous infusion of AVP may be due to a difference in renal tubular responsiveness to AVP but not due to a difference in vasopressor responsiveness.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.423-430
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of red-yeast-rice on bone metabolism in overiectomized (OVX) rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 210 $\pm$ 5 g, 9 weeks old age) were divided into two groups. One group were OVX, and the other group received sham operation (SHAM), and received either control diet (20％ casein) or a red-yeast-rice power supplemented diet (0.1％) for 9 weeks. And then each rat group was further divided into control diet (casein 20％) and red-yeast-rice powder supplemented (0.1％) diet group. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin, USA) in spine and femur on 5, 9 weeks after feeding. The serum and urine concentrations of Ca and P were determined. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. And bone resorption rate was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, IGF-l and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. Urinary Ca and P excretion were not significantly different among the groups. Within the OVX group, the red-yeast-rice group had a lower crosslinks value than the casein group. Therefore the red-yeast-rice supplemented groups had a lower bone resorption ratio than the casein group in the ovariectomized rats. And, the red-yeast-rice group had significantly higher IGF-l hormone than casein group in ovariectomized rats. The red-yeast-rice group had higher spine bone mineral content than those of control group within the OVX groups. This study was an important first step in establishing that the observed beneficial effects of red-yeast-rice on bone, and this study also established the need for a study on the long-term effect of this supplement in a human.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.201-206
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• 2008

Exposure to formaldehyde(FA) is closely associated with adverse health effects such as irritation, inflammation, and squamous cell carcinomas of the nasal cavities. Owing to its rapid metabolism and elimination, exposure to FA does not always result in an increased concentration in blood or urine of animals and humans. Therefore, the development of biomarkers for FA exposure is necessary for risk assessment. In the present study, the effects of FA were investigated on the expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway in vitro and results confirmed in rats exposed to FA by inhalation. Treatment of Hs 680.Tr human tracheal epithelial cells with FA induced gene expression for PDGFA, TNFSF11, SHC1, and HRAS. HRAS expression was also increased in tracheas of rats exposed to FA. In addition, FA exposure induced the expression of RASSF4, a member of the Rasassociation domain family of Ras effectors, in rat tracheas. In conclusion, data showed FA-inducible expression of genes involved in the MAPK pathway occurred and increased expression of HRAS and RASSF4 was noted in rat tracheas subchronically exposed to FA by inhalation. These genes may serve as molecular targets of FA toxicity facilitating the understanding of the toxic mechanism.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.51-65
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• 2010

Objective : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Benincasae Semen Herbal-acupuncture (BS-HA) at KI10 (Umgok) on nephritis induced by LPS in rat. Methods : Rats with nephritis induced by LPS, were treated with Benincasae Semen Herbal-acupuncture(BS-HA) injection at KI10. Two control groups, N.P. group and saline group, were treated with 26 gauge needle at KI10, 3 times a week. In Saline group normal saline was injected at KI10. To evaluate the effects of Benincasae. Semen Herbal-acupuncture at KI10 on nephritis in rats, WBC, Neutrophils in blood, BUN, Creatinine TNF-$\alpha$, CINC-1 in serum, urinal volume and creatinine and Total protein in urine, reanl TNF-$\alpha$, renal MPO were measured and reanl tissue was also analyzed. Results: BS-HA injected at KI10 significantly inhibited WBC and neutrophil in blood. creatinine in serum, and MPO in kidney of LPS-stimulated rats. BS-HA injected at KI10 reduced concentration of neutrophil in renal tissue of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusion : BS-HA at KI10 has a therapeutic effect for nephritis in LPS-stimulated rat There fore, it is suggested that BS-HA at KI10 may be an useful therapeutics in clinical field after further researches.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2002

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenarnide), a major pungent component of hot pepper, is known to exert antioxidative properties. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of capsaicin against chemical carcinogen-induced oxidative damage in rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats weighting 230~250 g were treated with chemical carcinogens such as 2-nitropropane (2NP) or n-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) after (or before) the administration of capsaicin at doses of 0.5, 1,5 mg/kg. The level of lipid peroxidation in rat liver was estimated by measuring the amounts of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The degree of oxidative DNA damage was evacuated by measuring a DNA adduct, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), in urine. Antioxidative activities of capsaicin and its metabolites in vitro were determined by the measurement of DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), a radical quencher. Significant inhibition of 2-NP induced lipid peroxidation was observed in the liver of the rat when treated with capsaicin. MNNG-induced urinary excretion of 8-OHdG was decreased by capsaicin treatment. Capsaicin and its metabolites inhibited net only the formation of free radicals, but also lipid peroxidation in vitro. Our results show that capsaicin may function as a free radical scavenger against chemical carcinogen-induced oxidative cellular damage in vivo. The observed antioxidative activities of capsaicin may play an important role in the process of chemoprevention.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 1986

In order to use for metabolic studies of tranylcypromine (TCP), TCP-phenyl-$d_{5}$ was synthesized via the intermediates, 3-benzoylpropionic acid-$d_{5}$ and trans-2-phenylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid-$d_{5}$ -TCP(0.22 mmole/kg) and its deuterated analog were administered s. c. to the rats and GC/MS analyses of the urines led to the detection of N-acetyltranylcypromine (ATCP) and glucuronide conjugate of phenyl-hydroxylated ATCP. MAO activities in rat brain were measured using serotonin as the substrate. In vitro $IC_{50}$ of ATCP was determined to be $10^{-3}M$. The inhibitions by ATCP were not dependent on the preincubation time and were reversed by washing sedimented mitochondrial pellets after the preincubation. In vivo MAO inhibitions at various times of 0.5, 1.5, 3, 6, 12, and 23 hr after the administration of 0.4 mmole/kg (i. p. ) of ATCP were found to be 0.13, 73, 90, 89, and 74 %, respectively. Similarly, the inhibition percents by 0.015 mmole/kg (i. p. ) of TCP were 94, 99, 95, 91, 71 and 49%. The results strongly suggest that deacetylated product of ATCP may account for its in vivo MAO inhibition. The relationship between the metabolism via phenyl-hydroxylation and the in vivo potency of TCP was examined by QSAR study and it was found that groupings discriminating between the compounds with p-substituents and those without them only ensure high correlations, suggesting that ring-hydroxylation which occurs at the para position in most of the compounds is a determining factor to the potency of TCP.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

Objective: Approximately 30% of preeclamptic pregnancies exhibit abnormal liver function tests. We assessed liver injury-associated enzyme levels and circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model. Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) received AVP (150 ng/hr) subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 18 days. Blood pressure was measured, urine samples were collected, and all animals were euthanized via isoflurane. Blood was collected to measure circulating levels of TGF-β1-3 isomers and liver injury enzymes in pregnant AVP (PAVP), pregnant saline (PS), non-pregnant AVP (NAVP), and non-pregnant saline (NS) rats. Results: The PAVP group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than both saline-treated groups. The weight per pup was significantly lower in the AVP-treated group than in the saline group (p<0.05). Circulating TGF-β1-3 isomer levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats than in the NS rats. However, similar TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels were noted in the PS and PAVP rats, while TGF-β2 levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats. Circulating liver-type arginase-1 and 5'-nucleotidase levels were higher in the PAVP rats than in the saline group. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate higher levels of TGF-β2, arginase, and 5'-nucleotidase activity in PAVP than in PS rats. AVP may cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral resistance and blood pressure, thereby elevating TGF-β and inducing the preeclampsia-associated inflammatory response. Future studies should explore the mechanisms through which AVP dysregulates liver injury enzymes and TGF-β in pregnant rats.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.26-37
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hyperuricemic nephropathy is a common cause of acute kidney injury. Resveratrol can ameliorate kidney injury, but the explicit mechanism remains unclear. We investigated the effects of resveratrol on the inflammatory response and renal injury in hyperuricemic rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: A rat model of hyperuricemic nephropathy was established by the oral administration of a mixture of adenine and potassium oxinate. Biochemical analysis and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to assess the rat kidney function. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to evaluate the immune and oxidative responses. RESULTS: The expression levels of urine albumin and β2-microglobulin were significantly decreased after resveratrol treatment. In addition, the levels of serum creatinine and uric acid were significantly decreased in the resveratrol groups, compared with the control group. The levels of proinflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α, in kidney tissue and serum were also increased in the hyperuricemic rats, and resveratrol treatment inhibited their expression. Moreover, the total antioxidant capacity in kidney tissue as well as the superoxide dismutase and xanthine oxidase levels in serum were all decreased by resveratrol treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol may protect against hyperuricemic nephropathy through regulating the inflammatory response.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.1100-1114
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• 2008

The aim of the study was to investigate recovery effects of Rehmannia, which has been used clinically for chronic renal failure therapy. Mice had 5/6 nephrectomy to induce chronic renal failure. The results were as follows: 1. The protein amount in urine per 24hrs of the Rehmannia-treated group was significantly reduced compared to the control. 2. The albumin amount in the blood of the Rehmannia-treated group significantly increased compared to the control. The creatinine. total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in serum of the Rehmannia-treated group as compared to the control were significantly inhibited. 3. The structural change in kidney of the Rehrnannia-treated group was significantly inhibited compared to the control. 4. The factor (macrophage/monocyte antigen (ED-1), type IV collagen and angiotensin II type 1 ($AT_1$) receptor) of the Rehmanala-treated group was significantly inhibited compared to the control, which induced the structural change in kidneys. The above results suggest that Rehmannia partially improved kidney function.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.268-275
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• 2012

Reference ranges of standard experimental parameters are useful for comparisons in toxicology. The aim of this study was to collect data from 4-week repeated toxicity studies in Crl:CD (SD) rats, a strain widely used for toxicity and efficacy research, for establishing domestic reference values. Data on body weight, food consumption; urinalysis, hematological, and blood biochemical parameters; and organ weights were collected from 16 toxicity studies in 220 Crl:CD (SD) rats (110 males and 110 females). The studies had been performed at a single testing facility over the last 3 years and involved animals sourced from a single breeder. The findings were collated as means, standard deviations, percentages, and ranges. Urine volume, uterus weight, eosinophil, and basophil counts, and triglyceride, total bilirubin, and gammaglutamyl transpeptidase levels showed standard deviations of 30% or more. These historical control data would help to interpret the effects of test substances in routine toxicity and efficacy studies.