• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.21-27
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• 2003

A teratogenic study of dimethyl dimethoxy biphenylate derivative (DDB-S) was carried out on Sprague-Dawley rats. DDB-S dissolved in saline was administered to male and female rats by intravenously injection at daily doses of 50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 100 mg/kg. A half of dams were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation to scrutinize the pregnant performances and fetal development. And the remaining dams were allowed to deliver. The growth, reflex, behaviour and reproductive function of F1 offsprings were examined. There was no treatment-related difference in body weight, food consumption and necropsy findings of dams. No gross, skeletal and visceral abnormalities was observed in F1 fetuses from dams treated with DDB-S. F1 offsprings did not show any treatment-related difference in growth, reflex, behaviour and reproductive performance. At caesarean section of F1 dams, no growth retardation and gross abnormality was observed in F2 fetuses. In conclusion, DDB-S did not show any potential teratogenic effect in rats.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.519-525
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• 2016

To investigate the potential role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in liver fibrosis during Echinococcus granulosus infection, 96 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, experimental group infected by intraperitoneal injection with a metacestode suspension and control group given sterile physiological saline. The liver and blood samples were collected at days 2, 8, 30, 90, 180, and 270 post infection (PI), and the expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ mRNA and protein was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. We also evaluated the pathological changes in the liver during the infection using hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and Masson staining of the liver sections. Pathological analysis of H-E stained infected liver sections revealed liver cell edema, bile duct proliferation, and structural damages of the liver as evidenced by not clearly visible lobular architecture of the infected liver, degeneration of liver cell vacuoles, and infiltration of lymphocytes at late stages of infection. The liver tissue sections from control mice remained normal. Masson staining showed worsening of liver fibrosis at the end stages of the infection. The levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ did not show significant changes at the early stages of infection, but there were significant increases in the levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ at the middle and late stages of infection (P<0.05). RT-PCR results showed that, when compared with the control group, TGF-${\beta}1$ mRNA was low and comparable with that in control mice at the early stages of infection, and that it was significantly increased at day 30 PI and remained at high levels until day 270 PI (P<0.05). The results of this study suggested that increased expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ during E. granulosus infection may play a significant role in liver fibrosis associated with E. granulosus infection.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.169-176
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed to compare the effects of tonification and sedation methods of Liver Meridian in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced Parkinson's disease mice model. Methods : We injected MPTP (30 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline for 5 consecutive days. Acupuncture treatments were given to the mice with MPTP at LR8 and LR4 to tonify Liver Meridian (Liver+) or LR4 and LR2 to sedate it (Liver-) for 12 day. At the 12th day after first injection, mice were perfused, and then tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunohistochemistry was performed in substantia nigra (SN) of their brains. After counting the number of TH-positive neurons, we compared their numbers among experimental groups. Results : The number of TH-positive neurons of Liver+ group was significantly increased compared to that of MPTP group in the SN. That of Liver-group was also increased more than MPTP group, but not significantly. Conclusions : Tonifying Liver Meridian might be effective therapeutic tools for the neuroprotection in subchronic MPTP-induced mice model.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.115-119
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• 2012

Purpose : The initial Breast-Specific Gamma Imaging (BSGI) protocol included bilateral breast imaging with 2 views of each breast-craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO). Furthermore, Axillary lymph nodes view can be acquired easily. The most meaningful prognosis factor for prediction of breast cancer is whether or not the breast cancer has metastasized to the lymph nodes. However, axillary view doesn't conduct in clinical. This article collates a diverse data of BSGI and describes technical details to acquire optimal imaging. Materials and Methods : A retrospective review was performed on 343 patients who had undergone BSGI between May 2011 and March 2012. Patients who had undergone BSGI received intravenous injection of 740 MBq (20 mCi) $^{99m}Tc$-sestamibi. Results : The following contents are the technical details for optimal axillary imaging. $^{99m}Tc$-sestamibi should be administered using an indwelling venous catheter or scalp needle followed by 10 cc of saline to flush to reduce extravasation and vascular trapping. After administration, patients raise their arm over their head and exercise with stress ball for 1 full minute. A lead shield attached to the gamma camera is removed and patients axilla is placed as close as possible to the camera at a $90^{\circ}$ angle. A lead apron is placed across the shoulder to reduce background from other organs. Acquisition time is enough for 120 sec~180 sec. Conclusion : If patients undergo bilateral axillary imaging as a standard with CC, MLO views, it could improve cancer treatment. Result of this study could maximize efficiency axillary imaging of breast cancer patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.1213-1219
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• 2010

We evaluated the anti-aging potential and safety of black garlic extract for cosmeceutical ingredient. Black garlic was made by spontaneous fermentation for 40 days at $60{\sim}70^{\circ}C$, 85~95% RH without any additives. The 10% black garlic extract had sweet odor, antioxidant activities and inhibitory activities of skin againg enzymes such as tyrosinase and elastase. The skin safety was performed to evaluate of potential toxicity using the primary irritation test and skin sensitization test. The black garlic extract did not show any adverse reactions such as erythema and edema on intact skin sites at primary irritation test, but on abraded sites, some experimental animals showed very slight erythema. So, the black garlic extract was classified as a practically non-irritating material based on the score 0.23 of primary irritation index. The skin sensitization study was tested by the guinea pig maximization test (GPMT) and Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) with intradermal injection of 10% black garlic extract. The skin sensitization test showed no skin sensitization. The allergic sensitization depends on tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The concentration of IL-6 on challenged tissue of treated with black garlic extract was not significantly different with negative control group (saline treated group). Based on this study, the potential for black garlic as a cosmeceutical ingredient was proven.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.174-183
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• 2001

During the rapid phase of gonadal development of the freshwater teleost, the catfish (Silurus asotus), the influence of hCG upon the inducement of final oocyte maturation and spawning was investigated electrophoretically and ultrastructurally. The electrophoretic patterns obtained were different in the presence and absence of some of the major or minor zones, because of the hormone level in catfish. The vitellogenin of hormone-treated fish was stained more intensively than that of sham-treated fish. These proteins showed some minor or main bands of egg extracts which migrated at positions corresponding to molecular weights of approximately 90,000. However, the thickness of electrophoretic band in molecular weight for hCG-treated fish was slightly lower than that for saline control. It seemed the plasma protein with molecular weight of approximately 45,000 in hCG-treated fish disappeared. In contrast to the control fish, the ovaries in the catfish treated with hCG shows a marked ultrastructural change under the electron microscope. No dilated profiles were seen in the granulosa cells of the mature oocyte before ovulation. After germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), the zona radiata interna (ZRI) becomes more compact, and there is a loss of all the processes from the pore canals. There is a wide space between the vitelline membrane and zona radiata. Also, during final maturation, the microvillar processes from the oocyte are seen no longer to penetrate deeply into the extracellular spaces of the overlying granulosa cells, and the reticulate patterns of the zona radiata interna becomes occluded, giving the zona radiata a more solid appearance. It has been possible to initiate 100% oocyte maturation in yolk granules and follicles in vivo by treatment with hCG and a high water temperature ($27^{\circ}C$). In hCG-treated fish, the percentages of successful artificial fertilization and hatching were maximal at 15 h after a single injection. It seems clear that a long acting preparation containing hCG can be successfully used in prespawning fish to advance the final events of gonadal maturation and initiate spawning. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of hCG to either stimulate or inhibit the reproductive development of fish at other stages of the seasonal reproductive cycle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1399-1405
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• 2013

The present study focused on establishing the effects of interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) on interleukin-18 (IL-18) expression patterns and pregnancy outcomes in pregnant rats. Pregnant rats at the post-implantation stage were randomized into control, low IFN-${\gamma}$ (L-IFN-${\gamma}$) and high IFN-${\gamma}$ groups (H-IFN-${\gamma}$) that received normal saline, 100 IU/g of IFN-${\gamma}$ and 500 IU/g of IFN-${\gamma}$ vaginal muscular injection, respectively. The effects of IFN-${\gamma}$ on IL-18 expression and pregnancy outcomes were assessed systematically using several methods, including immunohistochemistry streptavidin-perosidase (SP), image pattern analysis, enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA), whole blood count (WBC) count, microscopy and visual observation. IL-18 was detected in the uteri of all pregnant rats, and mainly distributed in the endometrium, decidual cells, vascular endothelium and myometrium. Immunohistochemistry and image pattern analyses revealed significantly lower IL-18 expression in the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group compared to the L-IFN-${\gamma}$ and control groups (p<0.01), indicating that high doses of IFN-${\gamma}$ induce downregulation of IL-18 in the uterus of pregnant rats. ELISA results disclosed that IL-18 expression in peripheral blood of the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group was lower than that of the L-IFN-${\gamma}$ group (p<0.05), and significantly reduced compared to the control group (p<0.01). Moreover, the number of peripheral leukocytes in the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group was significantly higher than those in the control and L-IFN-${\gamma}$ groups (p<0.01). Morphology analysis showed no evident differences between the L-IFN-${\gamma}$ and control groups. However, for the H-IFN-${\gamma}$ group, uterine mucosa bleeding, necrosis and excoriation were observed using microscopy. Visual observation revealed marroon, swelling, crassitude and no embryo in the uterus, which are obvious indicators of abortion. These results indicate that IFN-${\gamma}$ plays a regulatory role in IL-18 expression in the uterus and peripheral blood of pregnant rats at the post-implantation stage. Moreover, high levels (500 IU/g) of IFN-${\gamma}$ influence normal pregnancy at the early stages in rats by downregulating IL-18 expression in the uterus and peripheral blood and increasing the number of peripheral leukocytes, consequently triggering termination of pregnancy.

• Mycobiology
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.181-188
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• 2012

This study was initiated in order to investigate the anticancer and immunomodulating activities of crude polysaccharides extracted in methanol, neutral saline, and hot water (hereinafter referred to as Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW, respectively) from the fruiting bodies of Panellus serotinus. Content of ${\beta}$-glucan and protein in Fr. MeOH, Fr. NaCl, and Fr. HW extracts of P. serotinus ranged from 22.92~28.52 g/100 g and 3.24~3.68 g/100 g, respectively. In vitro cytotoxicity tests, none of the various fractions of crude polysaccharides were cytotoxic against sarcoma 180, HT-29, NIH3T3, and RAW 264.7 cell lines at the tested concentration. Intraperitoneal injection with crude polysaccharides resulted in a life prolongation effect of 23.53~44.71% in mice previously inoculated with sarcoma 180. Treatment with Fr. HW resulted in an increase in the numbers of spleen cells by 1.3 fold at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$ compared with control. Treatment with Fr. NaCl resulted in improvement of the immuno-potentiating activity of B lymphocytes by increasing the alkaline phosphatase activity by 1.4 fold, compared with control, at the concentration of $200{\mu}g/mL$. Among the three fractions, maximum nitric oxide ($13.48{\mu}M$) was recorded at $500{\mu}g/mL$ in Fr. HW. Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and interleukin-6 was significantly higher, compared to the positive control, concanavalin A, at the tested concentration. Therefore, treatment with crude polysaccharides extracted from the fruiting body of P. serotinus could result in improvement of antitumor activity.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-34
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• 2014

Objectives: This experiment was conducted to examine the toxicity of Water soluble Carthmi-Flos herbal acupuncture (WCF) by administering a single intramuscular dose of WCF in 6-week-old, male and female Sprague-Dawley rats and to find the lethality dose for WCF. Methods: The experiment was conducted at Biotoxtech according to Good Laboratory Practices under a request by the Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute. This experiment was performed based on the testing standards of "Toxicity Test Standards for Drugs" by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Subjects were divided into 4 groups: 1 control group in which normal saline was administered and 3 test groups in which 0.1, 0.5 or 1.0 mL of WCF was administered; a single intramuscular dose was injected into 5 males and 5 females in each group. General symptoms and body weights were observed/measured for 14 days after injection. At the end of the observation period, hematological and clinical chemistry tests were performed, followed by necropsy and histopathological examinations of the injected sections. Results: No mortalities were observed in any group. Also, symptoms, body weight, hematology, clinical chemistry and necropsy were not affected. However, histopathological examination of the injected part in one female in the 1.0-mL group showed infiltration of mononuclear cells and a multi-nucleated giant cell around eosinophilic material. Conclusion: Administration of single intramuscular doses of WCF in 3 groups of rats showed that the approximate lethal dose of WCF for all rats was in excess of 1.0 mL, as no mortalities were observed for injections up to and including 1.0 mL.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.1199-1208
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• 2018

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the articular cartilage and osseous tissue, and can be worsened by aging, overweight status, and post-traumatic arthritis. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of ID-CBT5101 (tyndallized Clostridium butyricum) on bone metabolism and the inflammatory response in a monosodium iodoacetate-induced rat model of osteoarthritis. ID-CBT5101 was administered orally at doses of $10^8$ or $10^{10}CFU/day$ for 2 weeks before direct injection of monosodium iodoacetate ($3mg/50{\mu}l$ of 0.9% saline) into the intra-articular space of the rats' right knees. The rats subsequently received the same doses of oral ID-CBT5101 for another 4 weeks. We evaluated the treatment effects based on serum biomarkers, mRNA expression, morphological and histopathological analyses of the knee joints, and weight-bearing distribution analysis. Compared with those in control rats, the ID-CBT5101 treatments significantly reduced the serum concentration of inflammation and bone metabolism markers (i.e., COX-2, IL-6, $LTB_4$, and COMP), and significantly increased the concentration of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and glycosaminoglycans. In addition, the ID-CBT5101 treatments inhibited the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (i.e., MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2). Furthermore, the ID-CBT5101 treatments effectively preserved the knee cartilage and synovial membrane, and significantly decreased the amount of fibrous tissue. Moreover, compared with that of the negative control group, the ID-CBT5101 treatments increased the weight-bearing distribution by ${\geq}20%$. The results indicate that ID-CBT5101 prevented and alleviated osteoarthritis symptoms. Thus, ID-CBT5101 may be a novel therapeutic option for the management of osteoarthritis.