• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 1994

Status of endometrium is a very important factor which influences the implantation of fertilized embryos. In this study, we evaluated the possibility that the endometrial depth and pattern assessed by vaginal sonography on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection in in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles could be used to predict the IVF outcome. A total of 112 cycles using gonadotropin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) for ovulation induction were evaluated. We classified all patients into group A(<9mm) or group B(${\geq}$ 9mm) according to endometrial depth, and into group l(hyperechogenic), group 2(isoechogenic) or group 3(hypoechogenic and triple line) according to endometrial pattern. The other classification was made considering both endometrial depth and pattern. There was no significant correlation between serum estradiol level and endometrial sonographic findings(depth and pattern)(p>0.05). The pregnancy rate of group A(31.3%) did not differ significantly from that of group B(43.7%), but no pregnancies were found in any patients with endometrial depth less than 6mm. The pregnancy rate was 40%, 35.7%, and 44.6 % for group 1, gorup 2, and group 3, respectively, but there was no statistically significant difference between these groups(p>0.05). In combined classification, there was a trend of higher pregnancy rate in case of endometrial depth greater than 9mm and hypoechogenic triple line pattern, but there was no statistically significant differences between these groups(p>0.05). The conclusion from the present data is that endometrial ultrasonography on the day of hCG administration had no predictive value for conception in IVF cycles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2014

We investigated the anxiolytic-like activity of ${\alpha}$-asarone (AAS) from Acorus gramineus in an experimental rat model of anxiety induced by repeated administration of the exogenous stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). The putative anxiolytic effect of AAS was studied in behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and the hole-board test (HBT) in rats. For 21 consecutive days, male rats received 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg AAS (i.p.) 30 min prior to a daily injection of CORT. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Daily AAS (200 mg/kg) administration increased open-arm exploration significantly in the EPM test, and it increased the duration of head dipping activity in the HBT. It also blocked the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) and decreased mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus. These results indicated that the administration of AAS prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, which are associated with modification of the central noradrenergic system and with BDNF function in rats. The current finding may improve understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for changes in emotions induced by repeated administration of high doses of CORT or by elevated levels of hormones associated with chronic stress. Thus, AAS did exhibit an anxiolytic-like effects in animal models of anxiety.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.225-233
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• 1983

In order to know the mode of the action of gondotrophic hormone on the expansion of cumuli oophori, oocyte-cumulus complexes isolated from Graafian follicles of mice were stimulated to expand in vitro with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), and the effects of puromycin and actinomycin D on the expansion were examined. THe complexes were cultured in medium TC 199 containing 10% bovine serum in the presence or absence of HCG and the inhibitors. Puromycin in the medium (0.5-4 $\\mu$g/ml) suppresseed the HCG-induced cumulus expansion dose-dependently. This effect of puromycin was reversible. Puromycin affected the complexes throughout the HCG-stimulating stage (3 hours) and hyaluronic acid synthesis stage (3-18 hours). Actinomycin D also inhibited the expansion of the cumulus from the concentration of 0.025 $\\mu$g/ml. But the effect of actinomycin D was not completely reversible and the drug appeared to give an irreversible damage to the complexes at 0.1 $\\mu$g/ml. From the above results, it is suggested that RNA or protein synthesis is involved in the process in which HCG stimulates the cumulus cells to expand therefore cAMP elevated by te gonadotrophin may control expansion at the transcriptional or translational level.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.113-116
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• 2008

Cementum is the mineralized tissue of the tooth. It is similar to bone in several aspects but it differs from bone. Human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) and human cementum derived cells (HCDC) (10,000 $cells/cm^2$) were plated in 6 well plates as feeder cells. The next day, mouse bone marrow cells (1.5 million $cells/cm^2$) were added. One group of these plates were incubated in serum-free conditioned medium (SFCM) generated from BMSC or HCDC supplemented with 2% FBS, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1, 25 dihydroxyvitamin $D_3$ (Vit. $D_3$) and dexamethasone, or plain medium with the same supplements. Another group of plates were cocultured with BMSC or HCDC in plain medium supplemented with 2% FBS, PTH, Vit. $D_3$ and dexamethasone. Plates grown without SFCM or coculture were used as controls. After 10 days, the cells were stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). BMSC were found to support osteoclast formation under normal conditions. This was inhibited however by both SFCM generated from HCDC and also by coculture with HCDC. In addition, HCDC themselves did not support osteoclast formation under any conditions. Our results thus indicate that HCDC do not support osteoclast formation in vitro and that soluble factor (s) from HCDC may inhibit this process. In addition, we show that this inhibition also involves an active mechanism that is independent of osteoprotegerin, a feature that may distinguish cementoblasts from other cells present in periodontium.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.341-349
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• 2012

This study was aimed to investigate whether or not black soybean supplements affect levels of lipid profiles and female hormone (estradiol; E2, estrogen; Es) in 57 middle-aged women (in their 40s and 50s). All subjects were randomly assigned to the control or black soybean supplement group (BSS group). The BSS group was allocated to use dietary black soybean supplements (100 g/day) for 8 weeks. The BSS subjects were divided into two subgroups; 14 women were in the premenopausal group and 15 were in the postmenopausal group. We measured lipid profiles, female hormones and nutrient intakes at 0 weesk and 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly decreased (P<0.01) and the athrogenic index (AI) was significantly increased (P<0.01) in control group. In BSS group, triglyceride (TG) (P<0.05), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P<0.01) and LDL-HDL ratio (LHR) (P<0.01) were significantly decreased. However, E2 and Es were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared to the control group, the BSS group revealed statistically significant improvements in the levels of TG, HDL-cholesterol, AI, LHR, E2 and Es (P<0.05). In the premenopausal group, HDL-cholesterol (P<0.05), E2 (P<0.01) and Es (P<0.05) were significantly increased and AI (P<0.01) and LHR (P<0.01) were significantly decreased after 8 weeks. In the postmenopausal group, E2 (P<0.05), and Es (P<0.05) were significantly decreased. However, total cholesterol (TC) was increased (P<0.01). Compared to the postmenopausal group, the premenopausal group was significantly improved on HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and LHR (P<0.05). In conclusion, black soybean supplements may have beneficial effects on improving lipid profiles and female hormones.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.75-80
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• 2009

The preventive effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza extracts (SM) with or without high molecular weight soluble kitosan (K) on the progress of bone loss induced by ovariectomized (OVX) was studied in rats. From light microscopic analyses in histochemistry data, trabecular bone area in OVX rats was significantly decreased compared with that in sham rats. The decrease was regulated by administration of SM and especially the combination of SM and K (SM + K) for 7 weeks. In addition, the numbers of osteoblasts and osteoclasts were regulated in SM + K-administered rats but not different from those in either SM or K-administered rats. In OVX rats, free Triiodothyronine ($T_3$) and Thyroxine ($T_4$) were similar to control, ruling out the involvement of abnormal thyroid hormone. Although serum calcium is similar among all the groups, estrogen level was higher especially in SM+K-administered rats. These results strongly suggest that SM+K are effective in preventing the development of bone loss induced by OVX in rats.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.438-444
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• 1996

Using recombinant Vaccinia virus(vSC8) that express ${\beta}$-galactosidase, a model heterologous protein, conditions for virus and protein production were investigated in tissue culture flask. As host animal cells HeLa and HeLa S3 were used. It was demonstrated that cells infected during the exponential growth phase gave higher protein yield than those infected during the stationary growth phase and calf serum concentration after virus infection did not significantly alter protein yield. Pretreatment of cell layer with hypotonic solution enhanced the virus infectivity. Optimum cell growth and recombinant protein production was achieved at $37^{\circ}C$. But, during 2 hours of virus infection period incubation temperature must be lowered to 20∼$30^{\circ}C$ for maximum recombinant protein yield. To enhance virus replication, the effects of adrenal glucocorticoid hormone (Dexamethasone) and silkworm hemolymph were evaluated. Only dexamethasone increased about 20% of ${\beta}$-galactosidase yield in HeLa S3 cells when added with 10-7∼10-5M concentration 24 hours before infection.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.42-46
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• 2020

Disturbances in water and salt balances are relatively common in children after brain tumor surgery. However, the coexistence of different diseases of water and sodium homeostasis is challenging to diagnose and treat. The coexistence of combined central diabetes insipidus (CDI) and cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS) is rare and may impede accurate diagnosis. Herein, we report the case of an 18-year-old girl who underwent surgery for a germinoma and who presented prolonged coexistence of CDI and CSWS. The patient was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism with CDI at presentation and was treated with hydrocortisone, levothyroxine, and desmopressin. Postoperatively, she developed polyuria of more than 3L/day, with a maximum daily urine output of 7.2 L/day. Her serum sodium level decreased from 148 to 131 mEq/L. Polyuria was treated with desmopressin at incremental doses, and hyponatremia was managed with fluid replacement. At 2 months after surgery, she presented with hyponatremia-induced seizure. Polyuria and hyponatremia combined with natriuresis indicated CSWS. Treatment with fludrocortisone were initiated; then, her electrolyte level gradually normalized. CSWS is self-limiting and generally resolves within 2 weeks. However, the patient in this study still required treatment with vasopressin and fludrocortisone at 16-months after surgery. Hyponatremia in a patient with CDI may be erroneously interpreted as inadequate CDI control or syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, leading to inappropriate treatment. The identification of the potential combination of CDI and CSWS is important for early diagnosis and treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7701-7705
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• 2015

Background: Thyroid hormones (TH) are regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, which plays an important role in cell growth, differentiation, development and other aspects of metabolism. It is believed that an active hypothalamic-pituitary axis increases the susceptibility of thyroid dysfunction during systemic chemotherapy. In order to investigate the relation between thyroid function and chemotherapy the present study was designed to investigate TH in breast cancer patients receiving at least three cycles of chemotherapy. The levels of TH were measured at the baseline and before each cycle of chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: Blood samples for estimation of TH levels were collected from 80 (pre-menopausal-40; post-menopausal-40) breast cancer patients just before they were undergoing - $1^{st}$, $2^{nd}$, $3^{rd}$ and $4^{th}$ cycle of chemotherapy. The serum was separated and $T_3$, $T_4$ and TSH levels were determined by chemiluminescence method. Results: $T_3$ and $T_4$ were found significantly decreased and TSH was found significantly increased after $1^{st}$ (p<0.001), $2^{nd}$ (p<0.0001) and $3^{rd}$ cycle of chemotherapy (p<0.0001). The variation of $T_3$ levels (decreased) and TSH levels (increased) was found more in post-menopausal (p<0.0001) women then in pre-menopausal women after $3^{rd}$ cycle of chemotherapy as compared to baseline (p<0.001). Conclusions: TH were remarkably altered after each cycle of chemotherapy leading to decline in thyroid function of breast cancer patients. Further, the results also indicated that post-menopausal women were more prone towards decline in thyroid function then pre-menopausal women. The present study proposes the monitoring of TH after each cycle of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.97-106
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• 2016

Background: Sevelamer is associated with reduced complications of chronic kidney disease-mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD) resulted from hyperphosphatemia, which may contribute mortality, in CKD patients with dialysis. So far clinical outcomes of sevelamer on mortality and risk of cardiovascular mortality related to CKD-MBD are debating. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of sevelamer HCl on mortality of secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), risk of cardiovascular mortality and, frequency of osteopathy in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with dialysis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 536 patients with ESRD, who were admitted for moderate to severe SHPT, for 36 months. 75 patients who met inclusion criteria were evaluated for the efficacy of sevelamer (mean serum iPTH = 487.5 pg/mL). Results: Sevelamer intervention was not associated with increased three-year survival time compared with non-sevelamers group [average survival month: 30.4 months in sevelamer group, 26.8 months in non-sevelamer group, p = 0.463]. Sevelamer intervention was not associated with significant mortality benefit and cardiovascular mortality benefit as compared to non-sevelamer group [sevelamer group: non-sevelamer group, all-cause mortality (iPTH > 600 pg/mL): 14.3% (1/34): 20% (1/41) p = 0.962, OR = 0.935, 95% CI, 0.058-14.98, heart disease mortality: 6.67% (2/30): 0% (0/32) p = 0.138]. Sevelamer was not associated with significantly lower cumulative incidence of osteopathy compared to non-sevelamer group (sevelamer group: non-sevelamer group, 5.9% (2/34):9.8% (4/41); p = 0.538; OR = 0.578; 95% CI, 0.099-3.367). Conclusion: Sevelamer was not associated with decreased all-cause mortality and risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to non-sevelamer group in ESRD patients with SHPT.