• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2013

Few studies investigated the effects of nutrition education and exercises in women with osteopenia. This study examined the relationship between changes in dietary intakes and changes in indicators related to bone health in postmenopausal women with osteopenia (-2.5 ${\leq}$ T-score ${\leq}$ 1) after a 12-week intervention. Thirty-one postmenopausal women aged > 50 years residing in Seoul were recruited and participated in nutritional education regarding bone health and general nutrition practices and aerobic exercises (three times a week; 60 min per session). Twenty-five subjects completed the study and were eligible for the analysis. Bone mineral density (BMD) at femoral neck was measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Serum calcium, osteocalcin, and intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also measured. Dietary intake was estimated by using a one-day 24 recall by a clinical dietitian. After 12 weeks, meat consumption increased (P = 0.028) but vegetable intake decreased (P = 0.005). Intakes of animal protein (P = 0.024), vitamin B1 (P = 0.012) and vitamin $B_2$ (P = 0.047) increased, and sodium intake decreased (P = 0.033). Intact PTH (P = 0.002) decreased and osteocalcin (P = 0.000) increased, however, BMD decreased (P = 0.000). Changes in mushroom consumption were positively correlated with femoral neck BMD (r = 0.673, P = 0.003). Changes in animal iron intake were negatively correlated with intact PTH (r = -0.488, P = 0.013) but were positively correlated with osteocalcin (r = 0.541, P = 0.005). These results suggested that the association between animal iron intake and biochemical markers of bone turnover may play an important role in bone metabolism. Further studies are needed to shed light on complicated mechanisms of diet, hormonal levels of bone metabolism, and bone density.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.667-672
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• 2015

Cynanchum wilfordii and Phlomis umbrosa Turcz. are known to contain isoflavone, a representative phytoestrogen. This study was performed to determine whether the extract mixture of C. wilfordii and P. umbrosa Turcz. would induce an estrogenic effect in ovariectomized rats. The extracts were administered to the ovariectomized rats at 30, 60, 120 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks, respectively. They showed no estrogenic effect, which was indicated by the decrease in uterus wall thickness as well as the increase in body weight and the level of cholesterol and triglyceride. The extracts also had no effect on the concentrations of estrogen and growth hormone in the serum. However, the increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, which leads to protection against the bone loss caused by ovariectomy, was noted on administration of the extract. Therefore, it seemed that the extracts of C. wilfordii and P. umbrosa Turcz. had no estrogenic effect in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.251-260
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• 1998

It is well known that the clinical test for responsibility of accurate fertilization capacity in male partners is very important to diagnose and treat the infertility. However, it has been reported that the traditional semen analysis cannot accurately predict fertilization and pregnancy potential. The present study was performed to evaluate the acrosomal reaction to ionophore challenge (ARIC) test as a prognostic indicator for fertilization of sperm and oocyte in an in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) program. From March 1996 to Februry 1997, 30 couples undergoing IVF program were allocated to this study group. All female partners in the study group were 35 years old or less and their serum level of basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol $(E_2)$ were normal. All the male partners have normal parameters of semen analysis. The ARIC tests were performed on the day of ovum pick up and in vitro insemination in all the male partners. The controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) using luteal long protocol of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist was used in all couples for IVF-ET. The acrosomal reaction with $10{\mu}l$ of 10% DMSO was induced spontaneously in $10.1{\pm}9.8%$, and acrosomal reaction with calcium ionophore A 23187 was induced in $27.4{\pm}18.1%$, and the ARIC value was $17.4{\pm}16.2%$. There were no significant correlation between the ARIC value and the fertilization rate ($r^2$=0.044, p=0.268). There were also no significant correlation between the ARIC value and the percentage of the grade I, II embryos ($r^2$=0.046, p=0.261). On the basis of above results, it was suggested that ARIC test might not be a useful prognostic indicator for fertilization in IVF-ET in male partners with normal parameters of conventional semen analysis. We guessed that IVF-ET could be performed to the patients primarily without universal appilcation of ARIC test to all male partenrs, and if fertilization failure occurs, the micro assisted fertilization (MAF) such as intracytoplsmic sperm injection (ICSI) might be used as an alternative mode of treatment with acceptable success rate.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.383-387
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• 2006

To investigate the effect of GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1) frequently used as an anti-obesity herbal medicine in oriental medicine on the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese female rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), $PPAR{\delta}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, $TNF{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Compared with control group, $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in both RD and GGT1 groups, and the effects were more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of lipid storage by decreasing the $PPAR{\gamma}$ expression. $PPAR{\delta}$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue were increased by RD and GGT1 compared with DW, and the magnitude of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating $PPAR{\delta}$ expression. GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite, than control and RD groups. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and $TNF{\alpha}$ were not changed by GGT1. These results indicate that GGT1 can prevent obesity in hGHTg obese female rats by down-regulating and up-regulating the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$, respectively, and that this anti-obesity effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to inhibit obesity by increasing the circulating leptin levels.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effects of superovulation on the growing and mature follicles following gonadotrophin treatments in mature rat by immunohistochemical methods. Eighteen mature rats (Sprague-Duwely, 190~230gm) were randomly alloted into 3 groups. One group was control group, another FSH-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 0.5 units of follicular stimulating hormone(FSH) / rat, and third PMS and HCG-treated group was injected intramuscularly with 20~25IU of pregnant mare serum(PMS) / rat and then at the 48 hrs later, with 20~25IU of human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG) / rat. Half the number of rats were administrated intraperitoneally with bromodeoxyuridine(Brdur, 0.2mg/gm BW once) at 2 hours before exanguination and the remainder of rats were sacrified without Brdur administration. The investigation by immunohistochemical methods using paraffin sections of ovaries was performed by using anti-Brdur antibody and PCNA(proliferating cell nuclear antigen) antibody for labeling proliferating cells in follicles. In immunohistochemical findings, follicles squeezed by peripheral corpus luteum or follicles large follicles with loosly and irregularly distributed granulosa cells and although with compacted granulosa cells, middle follicles with dilated round or oval follicular antrum were confirmed as atretic follicles. The proportions of atretic follicles in control group were 29.8%, 21.7% and 14.2% respectivley at large, middle and small follicles and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 26.7%. The proportions of atretic follicles in FSH-treated group were 35.4%, 24.9% and 10.4% respectively at large, middle and small follicles and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 28.1%. The proportions of atretic follicles in PMS and HCG-treated group were 44.7%, 24.0% and 12.7% respectively at large, middle and small follicles, and mean proportions of these all 3 grade follicles were 29.7%. The above findings reveal that the group with higher proportion of atretic follicles were ordered as large, middle and small follicles in size, and these proportions were increased in hormone treated two groups with more number of more growing and mature follicles when compared with control group.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to examine the hormonal regulation of RGS-2 in the rat ovary. Methods: Immature rats were injected with 10 IU of PMSG to induce multiple growth of preovulatory follicles and 10 IU of hCG to induce ovulation. Northern blot analysis performed for gene expression and in situ hybridization performed for mRNA localization. Results: Northern blot analysis revealed that pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) treatment did not affect RGS-2 mRNA levels. In contrast, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) treatment of PMSG-primed rats resulted in an increase in RGS-2 expression within $1{\sim}3\;h$. The major cell-types expressing RGS-2 mRNA were oocytes regardless of follicle size. Interestingly, hCG treatment caused the stimulation of RGS-2 gene expression in granulosa cells of preovulatory and growing follicles. In contrast, cell types expressing RGS-2 protein were theca cells regardless of hCG treatment. Like in vivo, treatment of preovulatory granulosa cells with LH in vitro stimulated RGS-2 levels within 1 h. Interestingly, GnRH antagonist II enhanced the stimulatory action of LH. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates the LH/hCG induction of RGS-2 in preovulatory granulosa cells and suggests a role of RGS-2 in Gq protein signaling pathway during ovulation.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.12
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• pp.12.1-12.14
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• 2018

Osteoporosis develops with high prevalence in both postmenopausal women and hypogonadal men. Osteoporosis results in significant morbidity, but no cure has been established. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) critically contribute to bone homeostasis and possess potent immunomodulatory/anti-inflammatory capability. Here, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of using an infusion of MSCs to treat sex hormone-deficient bone loss and its underlying mechanisms. In particular, we compared the impacts of MSC cytotherapy in the two genders with the aim of examining potential gender differences. Using the gonadectomy (GNX) model, we confirmed that the osteoporotic phenotypes were substantially consistent between female and male mice. Importantly, systemic MSC transplantation (MSCT) not only rescued trabecular bone loss in GNX mice but also restored cortical bone mass and bone quality. Unexpectedly, no differences were detected between the genders. Furthermore, MSCT demonstrated an equal efficiency in rectifying the bone remodeling balance in both genders of GNX animals, as proven by the comparable recovery of bone formation and parallel normalization of bone resorption. Mechanistically, using green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based cell-tracing, we demonstrated rapid engraftment but poor inhabitation of donor MSCs in the GNX recipient bone marrow of each gender. Alternatively, MSCT uniformly reduced the $CD3^+T$-cell population and suppressed the serum levels of inflammatory cytokines in reversing female and male GNX osteoporosis, which was attributed to the ability of the MSC to induce T-cell apoptosis. Immunosuppression in the microenvironment eventually led to functional recovery of endogenous MSCs, which resulted in restored osteogenesis and normalized behavior to modulate osteoclastogenesis. Collectively, these data revealed recipient sexually monomorphic responses to MSC therapy in gonadal steroid deficiency-induced osteoporosis via immunosuppression/anti-inflammation and resident stem cell recovery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.428-436
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• 2008

This study was carried out to compare the effects of whey protein concentrate, its hydrolysates and macropeptide fractions obtained from papain treatment of whey protein on lipid levels and appetite-related hormones in obesity model rats induced by high fat diet. Four week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high fat (18% w/w) and low protein (10% w/w) diet for 4 weeks and then divided into four groups (n=8/group). Rats were fed high fat diets containing various nitrogen sources; 10% whey protein concentrate (10WPC), 25% whey protein concentrate (25WPC), 25% whey protein hydrolysates (25WH), and 25% whey macropeptide fractions (25WP, MW$\geq$10,000), respectively for 6 weeks. There were no significant differences in body weight gain and food intake among groups. A significant decrease of total lipid, triglyceride in serum was observed in 25WH and 25WP groups. Total lipid and triglyceride contents of the liver were significantly decreased in 25WPC, 25WH and 25WP groups compared with 10WPC group. However, in the liver, there were no differences in the contents of total lipid and triglyceride among 25WPC, 25WH and 25WP groups. The daily amounts of feces were significantly increased in 25WH and 25WP groups and the excretion of total lipid and triglyceride were significantly increased in 25WH group. Serum glucose and insulin concentration were significantly decreased in 25WH group. The concentration of serum ghrelin was significantly decreased in the 25WPC, 25WH and 25WP groups compared with 10WPC group. However, there was no significant difference in the concentration of serum leptin among groups. These results suggest that whey protein hydrolysates and macropeptide fractions may show beneficial effects on the lipid profile in serum and liver, appetite regulation and insulin resistance in obesity model rats induced by high fat diet.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2232-2239
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• 2012

This study set out to investigate the effects of the same amount of resting(30 minutes) after $VO_2max$ 20%, 40%, and 60% exercise on the variation of cortisol and catecholamine, serum stress hormones. The research efforts led to the following conclusions: First, there were no significant differences in serum cortisol concentration between the $VO_2max$ 20% group and the $VO_2max$ 40% group, but there were some significant differences in the significance level of p=.002 in the $VO_2max$ 60% group. Second, there were no significant differences in serum catecholamine concentration between the $VO_2max$ 20% group and the $VO_2max$ 40% group, but there were some significant differences in the significance level of p=.001 in the $VO_2max$ 60% group. Third, no significant differences were found in the changing rates of serum cortisol concentration between right after exercise and during break among different levels of exercise intensity according to measuring time. Fourth, there were significant differences in the changing rates of serum catecholamine concentration in the significance level of p=.000 right after exercise and in the significance level of p=.034 during break In short, there were significant differences only in the $VO_2max$ 60% group according to exercise intensity when the different groups took the same amount of break after exercise. The $VO_2max$ 60% group was also the only group that showed significant differences in the changing rates of cortisol and catecholamine. In conclusion, taking a break after exercise can generate huge effects only when the exercise intensity level is moderate or higher. That is, taking a break will have no significant effects when the exercise intensity level is lower than moderate.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.957-964
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• 2011

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of fermented soybean meal (FSBM) on the level of cortisol hormone and immune-related serum proteins in weaned calves after experimentally induced lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. Holstein neonatal calves (n = 21; 8 males and 13 females, BW = $42.2{\pm}6.15$ kg) were randomly allocated to one of two dietary treatments: SBM (control calf starter having soybean meal (SBM) as a main protein source) and FSBM (substitute SBM in control diet with FSBM) groups. All calves were fed milk replacer using an automatic milk-feeder according to step-down milking method and weaned at 7 weeks old. Experimental diets were given to calves ad libitum throughout the experimental period. For LPS challenge, all calves except negative control animals given phosphate buffered saline (PBS), were injected subcutaneously with Salmonella typhimurium LPS on day 7 (D7) after weaning (D0). No significant difference in growth performance and milk intake was observed between SBM and FSBM calves. Feeding FSBM diet resulted in significantly (p<0.05) higher LPS-specific IgG at D12 and D19 and LPS-specific IgA at D19 in peripheral blood. Calves fed with FSBM diet also had significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration of serum haptoglobin (Hp) at D8. Overall concentration of cortisol in FSBM group was considerably lower than that of SBM group. Results from current study indicate that FSBM may provide beneficial effects in alleviating weaning stress and enhance immune status of weaned calves.