• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.35-40
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• 2019

Objective: Adriamycin (ADR) is an important anti-cancer drug which can cause renal toxicity. Given the known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Plantago major (P. major), the aim of this study was to determine the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of P. major on ADR- induced nephropathy in rats. Methods: Fifty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups including: control, ADR (5 mg/kg), ADR + P. major (600 and 1200 mg/kg) and P. major (1200 mg/kg). The animals were treated with P. major extract for 5 consecutive weeks and ADR was intravenously injected on the 7th day of the study. Urine and serum samples were collected on days 0, 14, 21, 28, and 35 for the measurement of serum cholesterol and albumin levels and urine protein excretion rate. At the end of the study, the left kidneys were removed for apoptosis assessment. Results: Administration of ADR significantly decreased serum albumin level and increased serum cholesterol and urine protein excretion rate as well as, apoptotic cell numbers compared to the control group (P < 0.001) while had no effect on glomerular filtration rate (P > 0.05). Treatment with P. major, in both 600 and 1200 mg/kg doses, increased serum albumin level and decreased serum cholesterol concentration, urine protein excretion rate and as well as the number of apoptotic cell compared to the ADR group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Our results showed that the P. major extract effectively protects against ADR- induced nephropathy by reducing kidney apoptosis and improving renal functioning in rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2019

In canine acute pancreatitis (AP), inappropriate release and activation of zymogen proteases within the pancreas results in the consumption of serum antiproteases. The aim of this study was to examine whether the serum concentrations of ${\alpha}_2$-macroglobulin (A2MG), ${\alpha}_1$-antitrypsin (A1AT), and C-reactive protein (CRP) differ between dogs with AP and healthy dogs. Twenty healthy dogs and 20 dogs with AP were included in this study. Concentrations of A2MG, A1AT, and CRP were measured in the sera of healthy dogs and dogs diagnosed with AP. Serum A2MG and A1AT concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with AP than in healthy dogs, whereas the serum CRP concentration was significantly higher. In addition, the concentrations of A2MG and A1AT were significantly higher in AP survivors than in AP non-survivors, while the CRP concentration was significantly lower. However, in both AP survivors and non-survivors, the CRP concentrations showed a negative correlation with A2MG concentrations but not with A1AT. These findings indicate that serum antiproteases and CRP concentrations might be associated with the mortality rate of AP in dogs.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2019

Objective: Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) mediates various biological processes in humans. The goal of this study was to investigate whether VDBP gene polymorphisms could predispose Korean women to endometriosis. Methods: We prospectively enrolled women with endometriosis (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 16). Total serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured using an Elecsys vitamin D total kit. Levels of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using a vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. DNA was extracted using a DNeasy blood & tissue kit. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs4588 and rs7041) in GC, the gene that codes for VDBP, were analyzed using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay kit. The functional variant of VDBP was determined based on the results of the two SNPs. Results: Gravidity and parity were significantly lower in the endometriosis patients than in the control group, but serum CA-125 levels and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher. Total serum 25(OH)D levels in the endometriosis patients were significantly lower than in the control group. However, serum bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, and VDBP levels did not differ significantly between the endometriosis and control groups. The genotypes and allele frequencies of GC were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Korean women with endometriosis had lower total serum 25(OH)D concentrations than controls. Neither serum VDBP concentrations nor polymorphisms in the gene coding for VDBP were associated with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiology and clinical implications of 25(OH)D and VDBP in endometriosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.903-911
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• 2002

The effects of dietary levan, high-molecular-weight $\beta$-2,6-linked fructose polymer, on adiposity, serum leptin and UCP expression in rats fed high fat diet were studied. The adipose tissue hormone, leptin has been proposed to be involved in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure. Uncoupling protein (UCP), a mitochondrial protein that uncouples the respiratory chain from oxidative phosphorylation, generates heat instead of ATP, thereby increase energy expenditure. To determine whether the dietary levan may have the anti-obesity effect, 4 wk old Sprague Dawley male rats fed high fat diet for 6 wks to induce obesity, and subsequently fed one of three diets for further 6 wks: 1) high fat (40% of calories) diet without levan 2) with 3% (w/w) levan 3) with 5% levan. For the comparison, control group fed AIN-76A diet. Visceral and peritoneal fat masses were lower in high fat diet with levan groups compared to high fat diet group. The effect of levan was dose-dependent. Adipocyte size was significantly reduced in the levan diet groups compared to the no levan diet group. Serum cholesterol level was not affected by levan containing diet, while the serum HDL cholesterol level was higher in leven diet groups. In addition, serum triglyceride level was markedly reduced by levan containing diet, thus lower than that of control group. Serum leptin was reduced by levan containing diet and lower in 5% levan group compared to 3% levan group (p < 0.001), as a result, serum leptin and insulin levels of 5% levan group were reduced to level of control group. Futhermore, the serum leptin level reflected the adiposity. The expression of UCP 1, and UCP 2 in brown adipose tissue was up-regulated by levan containing diet. In conclusions, levan containing diet reduced adiposity and serum triglyceride but increased UCP expression in the obese rats fed high fat diet. (Korean J Nutrition 35(9) : 903~911, 2002)

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1489-1492
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• 2016

Background: Although there are no biomarkers that are routinely used in endometrial cancer (EC) management, many studies have found that serum human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) is superior to cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in the detection of EC. The correlation of HE4 with two prognostic factors for EC, primary tumor diameter (PTD) and depth of myometrial invasion (DMI) may be useful in identifying EC patients at high risk of lymphatic dissemination. Objective: To evaluate the correlation of serum HE4 with PTD and DMI in patients with EC. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 EC patients who were scheduled for elective surgery at Rajavithi Hospital between 1st September 2013 and 30th May 2014. Preoperative serum levels of HE4 and CA125 were investigated, and then gross measurement of PTD was taken and postoperative pathologic slides were reviewed for DMI including histologic types, grading and staging. Results: Preoperative serum HE4 levels were strongly correlated with PTD (r=0.65, p<0.001) and moderately correlated with DMI (r=0.46, p<0.001). Moreover, serum HE4 levels were significantly elevated in EC patients with PTD >2 cm (p<0.001) and DMI > 50% (p=0.004). The performance of serum HE4 in identifying EC patients at low risk and high risk of lymph node metastasis was significantly better than that of CA125 (AUC 0.88 vs. 0.65, p=0.003). At an optimal cut-off value of 70 pM/L, serum HE4 had a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 80.0%. Conclusions: In EC patients, preoperative serum HE4 is significantly correlated with PTD and DMI. Serum HE4 levels could be useful in identifying endometrial cancer patients at high risk of lymphatic spread who would benefit from systemic lymphadenectomy at the cut-off value of 70 pM/L.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.89-96
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• 2004

This study is to investigate the effect of dietary mixed protein and L-carnitine supplementation on lipid metabolism in the rats fed high fat diet. Six experimental groups were organized and each group had eight Sprague-Dawley male white rats with the initial weight of around 180g. The six experimental groups were CO(supplemented with casein), CC(supplementedwith casein and cartinine), ISO(supplemented with isolated soy protein), ISC(supplemented with isolated soy protein and cartinine), CIM(supplemented with casein and isolated soy protein), and CIC(supplemented with casein, isolated soy protein and cartinine). Each group was supplemented with the experimental diet for four weeks, and carnitine contained 3efo of the diet. The results were as follows; 1. There was no significant difference in food intake among the experimental groups. The weight increased more significantly in the group supplemented with the mixed protein than in the group supplemented with casein(p<0.05).2. There was weight reduction effect by the supplementation of carnitine(p<0.05), however no weight reduction effect by the supplementation of carnitine was observed in the group supplemented with the mixed protein and isolated soy protein. 3. Food efficiency was lower in the group supplemented with the mixed protein than in the group supplemented with casein (p<0.05), however it was similar in the group supplemented with isolated soy protein.4. Serum total lipid and se겨m total cholesterol were lower in the group supplemented with mixed protein than in the group supplemented with casein(p<0.05). 5. There was no significant difference of serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol among the experimental groups. 6. Liver triglyceride was the highest in the group supplemented with mixed protein (p<0.05), and there was no significant difference of liver total lipid and total cholesterol among the experimental groups. 7. In the groups supplemented with mixed protein, the level of liver TBARS showed the lowest when casein was supplemented(p<0.05), and there was no significant difference of GSH-Px activities among the experimental groups. In summary, when mixed protein was supplemented to the rats weight gain and food efficiency were similar with those in the group supplemented with isolated soy protein, however they were lower than those in the group supplemented with casein. The effect of carnitine on weight was not observed in the group supplemented with mixed protein and isolated soy protein, however it was observed in the group supplemented with casein. Serum Total lipid and total cholesterol were lower than those in the group supplemented with casein. Liver total triglyceride was high in the group supplemented with mixed protein, and the antioxidant effect was observed in the group supplemented with mixed protein.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 1993

The protein binding of salicylate analogs has been investigated by equilibrium dialysis. A series of binding experiments were performed in order to elucidate the effects of physicochemical properties of salicylate analogs on the binding with bovine serum albumin. Attempts to correlate affinity constants with capacity factor, steric factor and Hammett ${\sigma}$ values suggested hydrophobic forces to be involved in the binding of salicylate analogs. Steric factor contributes to binding process partly, whereas electronic interaction appears to be insignificant.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-14
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• 1978

In this work the concentration of serum protein and bilirubin, thymol turbidity, and the activities of SGOT and SGPT were examined in deer (one $P\'{e}re$ David's deer, one Red deer and 5 Formosan deer) raising at Yongin Farm Land. The results

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.77.1-77.1
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• 2004

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1236-1243
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• 1998

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the nutritional status of protein and lipids in the patients with alcoholic liver disease, to find an effective way of dietary management for patients with alcoholic liver disease and to obtain the materials for nutritional education for alcoholics. The subjects consist of 80 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC) and 12 patients with alcoholic fatty liver(AFL). The control group included 57 alcoholics without liver disease(A), 32 patients with viral liver cir rhosis(VLC) and 194 normal(NL). Biochemical evaluation of nutritional status was performed by ana lyzing the profiles of protein and lipids in blood samples. The results are summarized as follows: 1) The frequency of subjects below the normal range of serum total protein was 26.3% in ALC, 16.7% in AFL and 3.5% in A. Serum albumin was lower in 41.3% of ALC. 2) The alcoholics without liver disease showed significantly higher level of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol than the other groups. The alcoholic subjects had lower HDL cholesterol than normal subjects. Overall, the protein and lipids status of the alcoholic subjects in this study was evaluated to be very poor on the basis of biochemical assessments. The results suggest that alcohol abuse and poor dietary intake could cause malnutrition. An extensive nutritional education should be emphasized for the alcohol consuming population. High quality of protein and other dietary intakes from early stage of the disease may be effective in nutritional therapy for the patient with alcoholic liver disease.