• Development and Reproduction
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2007

Ethane 1,2-dimethane sulfonate(EDS), a toxin which specifically kills Leydig cells(LC), has been widely used to prepare the reversible testosterone(T) depletion rat model. In the present study, we monitored the gene expression profiles of pituitary gonadotropins, LH and FSH, up to 7 weeks after EDS injection. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats($300{\sim}350\;g$ B.W.) were injected with a single dose of EDS(75 mg/kg i.p.) and sacrificed on weeks 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Total RNAs were purified from each pituitary, and the message levels of common alpha subunit($C{\alpha}$) of pituitary glycoprotein hormones, LH beta subunit($LH{\beta}$), FSH beta subunit($FSH{\beta}$) and GnRH receptor(GnRH-R) were evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCRs. The message levels of $C{\alpha}$ increased sharply during weeks 1-4, then return to the control level on week 5. The mRNA levels of $LH{\beta}$ were elevated after week 2, reached the peak at week 4, then declined to the control level after week 5. The message levels of $FSH{\beta}$ were elevated after week 2, reached the peak at week 3, then declined to the nadir at week 5. Similarly, the mRNA levels of GnRH-R were elevated after week 2, reached the peak at week 3, then gradually declined to the control level after week 5. The present study indicated that EDS treatment could induce reversible alterations in the transcriptional activities of gonadotropin subunits and GnRH-R in the anterior pituitary from male rats. EDS injection model might be useful to understand the mechanism of hormonal regulation of hypothalamus- pituitary neuroendocrine axis in male rats.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) leaf powder on improvements in lipid metabolism in serum, liver and adipose tissue, and the anti-obesity effect in rats fed a high fat/high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to induce a hyperlipidemic and obese model rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 210 g were divided into four groups; a normal diet group (N), a high fat/high cholesterol diet group (HFC), a high fat/high cholesterol diet with 5% ramie leaf powder group (HFC-RL), and a high fat/high cholesterol diet with 10% ramie leaf powder group (HFC-RH). The body weight gain increased with a high fat/high cholesterol diet, but gradually decreased in the ramie leaf powder fed groups compared with the HFC group. The liver index in the HFC group was highest among the four groups, although the difference was not significant compared with the ramie leaf powder fed groups. The adipose tissues weight in the HFC group was heavier than that of the N group, whereas those of groups fed ramie leaf powder decreased gradually. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not different between the HFC groups, but serum alkaline aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly after ramie leaf powder feeding. Levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors tended to decrease in the ramie leaf powder fed groups compared with the HFC group, whereas serum HDL-cholesterol level decreased in the HFC group and markedly increased in the ramie leaf powder fed groups. Levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the liver were significantly lower in the ramie leaf powder fed groups than in the HFC group. Levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in adipose tissues were also lower in the ramie leaves powder fed groups than in the HFC group. The activities of heparinreleasable lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and total-extractable LPL in adipose tissues increased in the HFC group compared to that of the N group, but those of the ramie leaf powder fed groups decreased significantly. These results suggest that ramie leaf powder may improve lipid metabolism in serum, liver and adipose tissue and potentially reduce lipid storage.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 1992

The tegumental ultrastructure of juvenile and adult Echinostoma cinetorchis (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Three-day (juvenile) and 16-day (adult) worms were harvested from rats (Sprague-Dawley) experimentally fed the metacercariae from the laboratory-infected fresh water snail, Hippeutis cantori. The worms were fifed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, processed routinely, and observed by an ISI Korea DS-130 scanning electron microscope. The 3-day old juvenile worms were elongated and ventrally curved, with their ventral sucker near the anterior two-fifths of the body. The head crown was bearing 37∼38 collar spines arranged in a zigzag pattern. The lips of the oral and ventral suckers had 8 and 5 type II sensory papillae respectively, and bewteen the spines, a few type III papillae were observed. Tongue or spade-shape spines were distributed anteriorly to the ventral sucker, whereas peg-like spines were distributed posteriorly and became sparse toward the posterior body. The spines of the dorsal surface were similar to those of the ventral surface. The 16-day old adults were leaf-like, and their oral and ventral suckers were located very closely. Aspinous head crown, oral and ventral suckers had type II and type III sensory papillae, and numerous type I papillae were distributed on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker. Scale-like spines, with broad base and round tip, were distributed densely on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker but they became sparse posteriorly. At the dorsal surface, spines were observed at times only at the anterior body. The results showed that the tegument of E. cinetorchis is similar to that of other echinostomes, but differs in the number and arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumenal spines, and type and distribution of sensory papillae.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.560-566
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• 1998

Background: Bovine pericardial bioprosthesis treated with glutaraldehyde (GA) is one of the most popular prosthetic materials, but late calcific degeneration after implantation is a problem that remains unsolved. For the purpose of mitigating the calcific degeneration, we added MgCl2 into the 0.625% GA solution to compete with calcium for binding to the free aldehyde from GA and pretreated with the surfactants like sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X-100 before GA fixation for preventing the phospholipid infiltration into the pericardial tissue, the first step of the calcific degeneration. Material and Method: 40 square-shaped pieces of bovine pericardia were fixed in 0.625% GA solution with 4g/L MgCl2 6H2O as a control group (group 1). 40 pieces pretreated with 1% SDS were also fixed in the same GA solution (group 2) and other 40 pieces pretreated with 1% Triton X-100 were prepared with the same method (group 3). After 1 month of fixation these were implanted into the belly of 40 Sprague-Dawley subdermally and extracted 1 month, 2 months, 3 months and 6 months after implantation. With atomic absorption spectrophotometry we measured the deposited calcium amount. Result: 1 month after implantation we could not find any differences between the three groups, but by the 2nd month calcium deposition was 0.921$\pm$0.121 mg/g in group 1, 0.481$\pm$0.037 mg/g in group 2 and 1.369$\pm$0.200 mg/g in group 3. By the 3rd month it was 0.786$\pm$0.080 mg/g in group 1, 0.584$\pm$0.054 mg/g in group 2 and 1.139$\pm$0.188 mg/g in group 3, and on the 6th month 1.623$\pm$0.601 mg/g in group 1,0.501$\pm$0.043 mg/g in group 2 and 1.625$\pm$0.382 mg/g in group 3, with statistical significance in group 2(p<0.05). Conclusion: Pretreatment with SDS showed meaningful calcium mitigation effects on subcutaneously implanted bovine pericardium in the rat models but the neutral type surfactant, Triton X-100, had no positive mitigation effect in this experiment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1977

The changes of the total body composition, internal organs, skeletal muscles, and epididymal fat pad in rats fed protein depletion diet and 4 different recovery diets were examined. Seventy-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $212{\pm}2$ gr were used, and the results were as follows : A) After the 2 weeks of protein depletion, body weight decreased about 20% from the initial weight. It was mainey due to the total body lipid reduction. Among various organ weights, liver and spleen reduced $35{\sim}58%$, kidney and heart reduced $18{\sim}30%$, and muscles reduced $2{\sim}13%$, while brain, epididymal fat pad were not changed significantly. In regarding protein and lipid contents of these tissues, protein in liver, lipid in muscle, and both in spleen were markedly reduced. B) With the 2 weeks of feeding recovery diets, the increases of body weight were different among 4 Groups. High-fat group gained at the highest level (67%), and high-CHO group the lowest (30%). Total body composition (%) cf the standard and high-protein groups recovered to the level of 0 day protein depletion, while protein in the high-fat group and water in the high-CHO group decreased, and fat in these 2 groups increased. Weights of organs and muscles of the high-protein and high-fat groups were similar to the standard group and tllose of the high-CHO group were lower than the standard group. Composition of organs and muscle in the high-protein group was similar to the standard group, while the N contents of the high-fat and high-CHO groups were lower an the lipid content of the high-fat group was higher than the standard group. The weight and lipid content of epididymal fat pad were the highest in the high-fat group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.300-307
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• 1997

The effects of Aster scaber and Ixeris dentata on cadiovascular system in hyperlipidemic rats were examined. Five groups of thirty Sprague Dawley rats were fed with the diet contained 1% cholesterol, 0.25% sodium cholate, 10% coconut oil and 5% lard(control group) for 4 weeks. Each experimental diet group was added with 5% plant powder or extract of the 5% plant powder by dry weight. Contractile or relaxation responses in the isolated artria and thoracic aortae were measured and the morphological changes of the aortic endotherium from the rats fed the experimental diet were inspected. In response to isoproterenol, the number of right atrial spontaneous beat was significantly lower in Cham chyi powder group$(PP_{1})$ and Sumbagui powder group$(PP_{2})$ than control at $10^(-8)M$ concentration. The contraction forces by injection of phenylephrine and calcium in isolated thoracic aorta were significantly low in each experimental groups compared with the control. The relaxation rates by acetylcholine represented comparatively higher value in $PP_{1}$ than control. The morphological changes of endothelial cell surface was a little in $PP_{1}$ and $PP_{2}$ compared with control, while the damages were considerably advanced in Cham chyi and Sumgbagui extract diet group$(PE_{1},\;PE_{2})$.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.352-358
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the effects of liquid culture of Agaricus blazei on the lipid metabolism and enzyme activities in growing male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were given four different types of diets for a succeeding period of 5 weeks, respectively: a normal diet group (7% corn oil), a high fat diet group (7% com oil + 15% lard), a 20 or 30% Agaricus diet groups (high fat diet + 20 or 30% Agaricus in water) according to the levels of Agaricus supplementation. The body weight gains, food intake, food efficiency ratios, and hepatic, kidney, spleen and pancreas weights of the rats fed 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those of the rats fed high fat diet. The epididymal fat pad weight of the rats fed high fat diet and 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were significantly higher than that of the rats fed normal diet. The concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, and the activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase in the rats fed 30% Agaricus diet were significantly lower than those in the rats 114 high fat diet. But the concentrations of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride of rats fed the 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those of rats fed the high fat diet. The HDL-oholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio of the rat fed 30% Agaricus diet was significantly higher than that of the rats fed high fat diet, The activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in the rats fed 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those in the rats fed high fat diet. There were no differences in the concentrations of total protein, hemoglobin and glucose, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase, and the atherogenic index in the serum among the experimental groups. These results showed that the 30% Agaricus diet feeding decreased the total cholesterol, the triglyceride and the LDL-cholesterol, and increased the HDL-oholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in serum of rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1337-1347
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• 2009

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1102-1111
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• 2008

Purpose : Resveratrol, extracted from red wine and grapes, has an anti-cancer effect, an antiinflammatory effect, and an antioxidative effect mainly in heart disease and also has neuroprotective effects in the adult animal model. No studies for neuroprotective effects during the neonatal periods have been reported. Therefore, we studied the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats via anti-apoptosis. Methods : Embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of rat brain was performed using pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days of gestation (E18) for the in vitro approach. We injured the cells with hypoxia and administered resveratrol (1, 10, and $30{\mu}g/mL$) to the cells at 30 minutes before hypoxic insults. In addition, unilateral carotid artery ligation with hypoxia was induced in 7-day-old neonatal rats for the in vivo approach. We injected resveratrol (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally into animal models. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to identify the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol through anti-apoptosis. Results : In the in vitro approach of hypoxia, the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, indicators of the level of apoptosis, were significantly increased in the hypoxia group compared to the normoxia group. In the case of the resveratrol-treated group, expression was significantly decreased compared to the hypoxia group. And the results in the in vivo approach were the same as in the in vitro approach. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that resveratrol plays neuroprotective role in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage during neonatal periods through the mechanism of anti-apoptosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1112-1117
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• 2008

Purpose : We intended to observe cell death and apoptotic changes in neurons in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures following oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), using propidium iodide (PI) uptake, Fluoro-Jade (FJ) staining, TUNEL staining and immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3. Methods : The hippocampus of 7-day-old rats was cut into $350{\mu}m$ slices. The slices were cultured for 10 d (date in vitro, DIV 10) and and exposed to OGD for 60 min at DIV 10. They were then incubated for reperfusion under normoxic conditions for an additional 48 h. Fluorescence of PI uptake was observed at predetermined intervals, and the cell death percentage was recorded. At 24 h following OGD, the slices were Cryo-cut into $15{\mu}m$ thicknesses, and Fluoro-Jade staining, TUNEL staining, and immunofluorescence staining for caspase-3 were performed. Results : 1) PI uptake was restricted to the pyramidal cell layer and DG in the slices after OGD. The fluorescent intensities of PI increased from 6 to 48 h during the reperfusion stage. The cell death percentage significantly increased time-dependently in CA1 and DG following OGD (P<0.05). 2) At 24 h after OGD, many FJ positive cells were detected in CA1 and DG. Some neurons had distinct nuclei and processes while others had fragmented nuclei and disrupted processes in CA1. TUNEL and immunofluorescent staining for caspase-3 showed increased expression of TUNEL labeling and caspase-3 in CA1 and DG at 24 h after OGD. Conclusion : The numerous dead cells in the slice cultures after OGD tended to display apoptotic changes mediated by the activation of caspase-3.