• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.547-553
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• 2004

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), contained in a number of traditional remedies in Africa and Asia, show wide variations in metabolism between animal species but little work has been done to investigate differences between animal strains. The metabolism of the PA senecionine (SN) in Fischer 344 (F344) rats has been studied in order to compare to that found in the previously investigated Sprague-Dawley (SO) rats (Drug Metab. Dispos. 17: 387, 1989). There was no difference in the formation of ($\pm$) 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP, bioactivation) by hepatic microsomes from either sex of SO and F344 rats. However, hepatic microsomes from male and female F344 rats had greater activity in the Noxidation (detoxication) of SN by 88% and 180%, respectively, when compared to that of male and female SD rats. Experiments conducted at various pH showed an optimum pH of 8.5, the optimal pH for flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO), for SN N-oxidation by hepatic microsomes from F344 females. In F344 males, however, a bimodal pattern was obtained with activity peaks at pH 7.6 and 8.5 reflecting the possible involvement of both cytochrome P450 (CYP) and FMO. Use of specific inhibitors (SKF525A, 1-benzylimidazole and methimazole) showed that the N-oxide of SN was primarily produced by FMO in both sexes of F344 rats. In contrast, SN N-oxide formation is known to be catalyzed mainly by CYP2C11 rather than FMO in SD rats. This study, therefore, demonstrated that there were substantial differences in the formation of SN N-oxide by hepatic microsomes from F344 and SD rats and that this detoxification is catalyzed primarily by two different enzymes in the two rat strains. These findings suggest that significant variations in PA biotransformation can exist between different animal strains.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-57
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of selenium on the adriamycininduced renal lesions in male Sprague Dawley rats. A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 2 control groups(C1: saline, C2: selenium) and 2 treatment groups(T1: adriamycin, T2: adriamycin+selenium). The rats of the C1 and T1 groups were given normal saline(0.15ml/rat), the rats of the C2 and T2 groups were given sodium selenite(0.5mg/kg) intraperitoneally three days a week for 4 weeks. The treatment groups were dosed intraperitoneally with adriamycin(2mg/kg/day) five days at the second week. Animals were sacrificed at the 1st week, 2nd week and 3rd week after dosing with adriamycin. The morphologic abnormalities of the glomeruli and tubules in the kidney of male rats were examined histopathologically and electron microscopically.The results obtained were as follows : The mean body weight of adriamycin dosed group was significantly decreased as compared with that of control group at 4th week(p<0.05). In adriamycin and selenium dosed group, the mean body weight was decreased until the end of 2nd week but gradually increased from 3rd to 4th week. The histopathological findings of the renal corpuscle in adriamycin dosed group were parietal epithelial cell proliferation, vacuolization of glomerulus, and thickened basement membrane of the parietal epithelium. Proximal convoluted tubules were significantly dilated and the lumens were filled with renal cast. These lesions were generally not very significant in the rats given adriamycin and selenium. The electron microscopical findings of the renal glomerulus in the adriamycin dosed group were focal loss and fusion of the pedicels of the podocyte, and some vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the podocytes. There were numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles in the proximal and distal convoluted tubular cells. However, these ultrastructural changes were not significantly observed in the renal tubules of the rats of adriamycin and selenium dosed group. These results suggest that selenium may act as an inhibitor of the renal lesions induced by adriamycin in male rats.

• 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.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.77-89
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• 2015

Objectives : To evaluate the safety of multiple-dose intramuscular Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture in male and female Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats over a period of 4 weeks(12 sessions). Methods : In order to test the safety of multiple-dose intramuscular Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture we used 40 healthy male and female 6-week old SD rats(male weight 171.79~196.37 g, female weight 127.93~146.43 g). Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture was administered intramuscularly to male and female SD rats at doses of 4.6 (low dose group, n=10), 9.2 (moderate dose group, n=10), and 18.5 mg/kg(high dose group, n=10), respectively. General symptoms, body weight changes, blood tests, biochemical testing, necropsy, organ weight and histopathogical findings were examined over a 4-week period. Results : 1. No mortalities or adverse effects were caused by the investigational substance were observed during the study period. 2. There was no significant difference in body weight caused by the the investigational substance across all groups. 3. No significant between-group difference was found to be caused by the investigational substance in blood tests and biochemical testing. 4. No abnormalities were detected by a necropsy examination with the unaided eye at the macro level after treatment with the investigational substance. 5. Difference in organ weight between groups caused by the investigational substance was not found. 6. All groups did not exhibit pathological findings caused by the investigational substance in histopathogical examination. Conclusions : According to these results, Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture has no systemic or organ toxicity with multiple-dose intramuscular administrations in male and female SD rats over a 4-week period (12 sessions). These results imply that no adverse effects are observed at a level (NOAEL) of Shinbaro Pharmacopuncture of 18.5 mg/kg.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.45-45
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to investigate the potential embryo-fetal toxicity of Artesunate, an antimalarial drug, in Sprague-Dawley rats. The test item was orally administered by gavage to pregnant rats (22 females per group) from days 6 through 15 of gestation at dose levels of 0, 2, 4 and 8 mg/kg/ day. (omitted)

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze a 13-week repeated dose toxicity test of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV) extracted from bee venom and administered in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Male and female 5-week-old SD rats were treated once daily with SBV (high-dosage group: 0.28 mg/kg; medium-dosage group: 0.14 mg/kg; or low-dosage group: 0.07 mg/kg) for 13 weeks. Normal saline was administered to the control group in a similar manner (0.2 mL/kg). We conducted clinical observations, body weight measurements, ophthalmic examinations, urinalyses, hematology and biochemistry tests, and histological observations using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to identify any abnormalities caused by the SBV treatment. Results: During this study, no mortality was observed in any of the experimental groups. Hyperemia and a movement disorder were observed around the area of in all groups that received SBV treatment, with a higher occurrence in rats treated with a higher dosage. Male rats receiving in the high-dosage group showed a significant decrease in weight during the treatment period. Compared to the control group, no significant changes in the ophthalmic parameters, the urine analyses, the complete blood cell count (CBC), and the biochemistry in the groups treated with SBV. Compared to the control group, some changes in organ weights were observed in the medium-and the high-dosage groups, but the low-dosage group showed no significant changes. Histological examination of thigh muscle indicated cell infiltration, inflammation, degeneration, and necrosis of muscle fiber, as well as fibrosis, in both the medium- and the high-dosage groups. Fatty liver change was observed in the periportal area of rats receiving medium and high dosages of SBV. No other organ abnormalities were observed. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of SBV is approximately 0.07 mg/kg in male and female SD rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.18-26
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to check for reversibility in the changes induced by a 13-week, repeated, dose toxicity test of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Fifteen male and 15 female SD rats were treated with 0.28 mg/kg of SBV (high-dosage group) and the same numbers of male and female SD rats were treated with 0.2 mL/kg of normal saline (control group) for 13 weeks. We selected five male and five female SD rats from the high-dosage group and the same numbers of male and female SD rats from the control group, and we observed these rats for four weeks. We conducted body-weight measurements, ophthalmic examinations, urinalyses and hematology, biochemistry, histology tests. Results: (1) Hyperemia and movement disorder were observed in the 13-week, repeated, dose toxicity test, but these symptoms were not observed during the recovery period. (2) The rats in the high-dose group showed no significant changes in weight compared to the control group. (3) No significant differences in the ophthalmic parameters, urine analyses, complete blood cell counts (CBCs), and biochemistry were observed among the recovery groups. (4) No changes in organ weights were observed during the recovery period. (5) Histological examination of the thigh muscle indicated cell infiltration, inflammation, degeneration, necrosis of muscle fiber, and fibrosis during the treatment period, but these changes were not observed during the recovery period. The fatty liver change that was observed during the toxicity test was not observed during the recovery period. No other organ abnormalities were observed. Conclusion: The changes that occurred during the 13-week, repeated, dose toxicity test are reversible, and SBV can be safely used as a treatment modality.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.27-35
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• 2014

Objectives: Mountain ginseng pharmacopuncture (MGP) is a pharmacopuncture made by distilling extract from mountain cultivated ginseng or mountain wild ginseng. This pharmacopuncture is injected intravenously, which is a quick, lossless way of strongly tonifying Qi function. The present study was undertaken to evaluate a 4-week, repeated, intravenous injection, toxicity test of MGP in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Twenty male and female 6-week-old SD rats were used as subjects. We divided the SD rats into 4 groups: the high-dosage (10 mL/kg), medium-dosage (5 mL/kg), low-dosage (2.5 mL/kg) and control (normal saline) groups. MGP or normal saline was injected intravenously into the caudal vein of the rats once daily for 4 weeks. Clinical signs, body weights, and food consumption were monitored during the observation period, and hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight, necropsy, and histological examinations were conducted once the observations had been completed. Results: No mortality was observed in any of the groups during the observation period. No changes due to MGP were observed in the experimental groups regarding clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight and necropsy. No histological changes due to MGP were observed in any of the male or female rats in the high-dosage group. Conclusion: During this 4-week, repeated, intravenous injection, toxicity test of MGP in SD rats, no toxic changes due to MGP were observed in any of the male or female rats in the high-dosage group. Thus, we suggest that the high and the low doses in a 13-week, repeated test should be 10 mL/kg and 2.5 mL/kg, respectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.5-13
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• 2007

This study was designed to examine the effects of Salicornia herbacea L. (glasswort: GW) on the plasma blood glucose and lipid metabolites in diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-220g by an injection of streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in a citrate buffer into the tail vein at a dose of 45 mg/kg of body weight. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed an AIN-93 recommended diet and the experimental groups were fed a modified diet containing 10% and 20% of glasswort powder for 4 weeks. The experimental groups were divided into 6 groups which consisted of normal (N)-control group, N-GW 10% and N-GW 20% treated groups, STZ-control, STZ-GW 10% and STZ-GW 20% treated groups. The rats' body weights, aminotransferase activities and hematocrit (Hct) values were measured, along with plasma levels of glucose, protein, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA). The non-diabetic rats gained weight, while the diabetic rats lost weight. There were significant differences between the control group and the diabetic groups in the weight of the kidney, liver and pancreas. Asparate aminotransferase activity was lower in the non-diabetic control group compared to diabetic experimental groups, even though the difference was not significant. The plasma protein of N-GW 20% group was lower among all experimental groups but it was not significantly different. The blood glucose levels of the STZ-GW 10% group and STZ-GW 20% group were significantly lower than for the diabetic-control group. There were no significant difference of cholesterol levels among diabetic groups. The normal rats of 20% glasswort group in FFA and TG levels showed significant changes among all groups. These results exhibited dose related effect of glasswort and it may contain antihypoglycemic compounds.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2012

Objectives : To evaluate the toxicity of KOB03, polyherbal medicine for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, we performed the dose-range finding test of KOB03 by oral supplementation for 4 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods : The water extract of KOB03 consisting of five different herbs was supplied from GLP company. KOB03 was supplemented by gavage at 0, 500, 2,500 and 5,000 mg/kg/day for 4-week consecutive days. We recorded the clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, organ weights, hematology, gross and histological changes in target organs of rats, and clinical chemistry analysis. Results : KOB03 at all doses was shown no mortality or abnormal clinical signs in rats during at the observation period. Furthermore, there was no difference in body weight and food-take consumption, organ weight, gross pathological findings, and urine analysis among the groups of rats treated with different doses of KOB03. The hematological analysis and clinical blood chemistry data were revealed no toxic effects from KOB03-supplemented rats. Conclusions : The results suggest that KOB03 is a wide margin of safety on dose-range toxicity in rats. The no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the test, KOB03 in rats is no less than 5,000 mg/kg/day.