• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2005

Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW), showing extremely negative oxidation-reduction potential, was used to investigate the effects of paraquat-induced damages on DNA from human lymphocyte. The effect of ERW on paraquat-induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes was evaluated by Comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) quantified as percentage fluorescence in tail. Comet assay has been used widely to assess the level of the DNA damage in individual cells. Lymphocytes were oxidatively challenged with various concentrations of paraquat for 30 min at $37^{\circ}C$, and were then treated with electrolyzed reduced water for 30 min. The oxidative DNA damage by paraquat, as indicated by the fluorescent tail in DNA, increased in a dose-dependent manner. However, oxidative damage of the DNA was almost completely prevented upon treatment with electrolyzed reduced water.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 1989

The effect of antisperm antibodies (ASA) on the human in vitro fertilization (lVF) process was evaluated by analyzing the IVF data between October and December 1988 at Seoul National University Hospital prospectively. The immunobead test (IBT) was used to identify Ig G, Ig A, and Ig M in the serum, semen, and follicular fluid from 93 couples undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (lVF-ET ) . The fertilization rate in couples with ASA to sperm head of at least one isotype in female serum (n= 10) was significantly less than that in couples without ASA to sperm head (n=83; 28.5% versus 45.3% , p=0.028). The presence of ASA to sperm head in follicular fluid (n=8) also reduced fertilization rate from 45.3% to 24.4% (p=O.0l3). However, ASA binding to sperm head in male serum and semen did not predict fertilization. Similarly, ASA binding to sperm tail and tail-tip did not reduced the oocyte fertilization rate significantly in any of the fluids tested. The zygote cleavage rate was not reduced in the presence of ASA. These results suggest that the presence of ASA to sperm head in female serum and follicular fluid is associated with reduced fertilization in IVF-ET. Another observation is that the oocyte that do fertilize in the presence of antisperm antibodies can subsequently proceed with normal cleavage. The results of this investigation therefore suggest that the IBT is a useful test forscreening of women participat.ing IVF-ET program.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.1348-1357
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to compare the effect of Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT), Pentoxifylline (PTX) and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol (Vit E) on semen quality parameters of Karan Fries bulls. The fortification of extender by various semen additives improves motility as well as fertility of spermatozoa. Split samples of 24 ejaculates of four Karan Fries bulls were extended in extender with or without various additives such as BHT, PTX and Vit E, and performance was evaluated at an interval of 0, 24, 48 and 72 h at refrigerated temperature (4-$7^{\circ}C$). Results of the present study revealed that addition of BHT, PTX and Vit E in extender improved sperm cell function, such as motility, viability, HOST, and acrosome integrity, as compared to the control during liquid storage up to 48 h of preservation at refrigerated temperature. There was no significant (p<0.05) difference between any of the additives up to 48 h of preservation. Overall, the results showed a significant (p<0.05) deterioration in motility after each storage interval. The results showed a significant deterioration in the acrosome integrity and plasma membrane integrity up to 48 h; subsequently, there was not much degradation of both the semen quality parameters. There was a significant increase in spermatozoal tail and total abnormality after each storage interval at refrigerator temperature (4 to $7^{\circ}C$); however, the head and mid-piece abnormalities were almost unaffected. Tail and total abnormality were least in extender fortified with BHT, PTX and Vit E at different hours of incubation as compared to the control. The addition of 1.5 mM BHT, 3.6 mM PTX and 1 mg/ml Vit E in the semen extender has more beneficial effect in terms of semen quality and preservability of spermatozoa.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2001

Objective : There are many reports that acupuncture has thermoregulatory effects on human and animals. To investigate the effect and mechanism of antipyretic action of acupuncture, we observed the body temperature and cytokine expressions in the hypothalamus of rats. Methods : Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, i.p., 2.5mg/kg) was injected to conscious rats (Sprague-Dawley, male, n=4l) to cause hyperthermia and simple needling (stainless steel, 0.25 mm o.d., 5 mm insertion for 10 sec with no manipulation) was performed bilaterally with the measurement of rectal temperature. Next, we sacrificed rats to remove brain and determined the level of mRNA for interleukin-6 (IL-6), $interleukin-1{\beta}{\;}(IL-1{\beta})$, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and $interferon-{\gamma}{\;}(IFN-{\gamma})$ in the hypothalamus by using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Resul1s : Needling on forepaw (acupoint HT8) and needling on hindpaw (acupoint BL66 and acupoint LR2) significantly inhibited LPS-induced fever of rats (P<0.01, 10 min after treatment respectively), but same treatment on proximal tail (non-acupoint) did not cause any change on fever. The levels of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA in the hypothalamus was significantly enhanced by LPS-injection, while the level of IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ mRNA was markedly reduced after treatment on BL66 (P<0.01). Treatment on forepaw reduced it slightly, but not significantly. Equivalent stimulation on proximal tail did not cause any changes. Conclusions : Our results indicate that acupuncture stimulation on various body parts has differential thermoregulatory effects on LPS-induced fever of rats with site-specificity. And, we suggest that its antipyretic action might be accompanied with the suppression of hypothalamic production of pro-inflammatory cytokine of immune system, IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.13-17
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• 2015

Objectives : Taraxacum platycarpum H. Dahlstedt has been reported to have several biological properties such as skin hydration and antiinflammation. The purpose of this study was to examine the antidepressive effects of water extract of T. platycarpum (WTP) on an animal model of depression. Methods : In the present study, normal ICR mice (4 weeks) were used, and orally administered with WTP (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg). Depression-like behavior was monitored the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice. The locomotor activity was evaluated to eliminate the false-positive activity in the open field test (OFT). Fluoxetine, the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, as a positive control was intraperitoneally administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg at 30 min before starting the behavioral test. Moreover, we evaluated the effects of WTP on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/ cyclic AMP response-element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway in the hippocampus using Western blot. Results : The administration of WTP (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly (P < 0.05, respectively) reduced the immobility time during FST and TST without accompanying changes in locomotor activity by OFT. Furthermore, WTP at dose of 100 mg/kg increased the BDNF expression and the phosphorylation of ERK and CREB in the hippocampus region. Conclusions : These results suggest that WTP has a useful anti-depressant effect through the regulation of BDNF/ERK/CREB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2016

Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been reported to have an effect on several ion channels including human ether-a-go-go-related gene in a SSRI-independent manner. These results suggest that paroxetine may cause side effects on cardiac system. In this study, we investigated the effect of paroxetine on Kv1.5, which is one of cardiac ion channels. The action of paroxetine on the cloned neuronal rat Kv1.5 channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Paroxetine reduced Kv1.5 whole-cell currents in a reversible concentration-dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value and a Hill coefficient of $4.11{\mu}M$ and 0.98, respectively. Paroxetine accelerated the decay rate of inactivation of Kv1.5 currents without modifying the kinetics of current activation. The inhibition increased steeply between -30 and 0 mV, which corresponded with the voltage range for channel opening. In the voltage range positive to 0 mV, inhibition displayed a weak voltage dependence, consistent with an electrical distance ${\delta}$ of 0.32. The binding ($k_{+1}$) and unbinding ($k_{-1}$) rate constants for paroxetine-induced block of Kv1.5 were $4.9{\mu}M^{-1}s^{-1}$ and $16.1s^{-1}$, respectively. The theoretical $K_D$ value derived by $k_{-1}/k_{+1}$ yielded $3.3{\mu}M$. Paroxetine slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon when the tail currents, recorded in the presence and absence of paroxetine, were superimposed. Inhibition of Kv1.5 by paroxetine was use-dependent. The present results suggest that paroxetine acts on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.19-24
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• 2001

Agricultural pesticides may cause certain biological risks since they are widely used to eradicate pests. Agricultural disasters may arise even from the possibility of their synergistic interaction with other harmful enviromnetal factors. The effect of pesticide on radiation-induced DNA damage in human blood lymphocytes was evaluated by the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay. The lymphocytes, with or without pretreatment of the pesticide, were exposed to 0-2.0 Gy of $^60 CO$ gamma ray. Significantly increased tail moment, which was a marker of DNA strand breaks in SCGE assay, showed an excellent dose-response relationship. The present study confirms that the pesticide has the cytotoxic effect on lymphocytes and that it shows the synergistic interaction with radiation on DNA damage as well. The results may have a role of providing biological information necessary for the prevention of environmental disaster.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.141-146
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• 2005

Objectives: To investigate the effect of Ginseng herbal acupuncture at GB39 and ST36 on growth in mice. Methods: Mice were divided into four groups (n=10); G-ST36 group treated with Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture at right ST36, G-GB39 group treated with the same at GB39, Control-ST36 group and Control-GB39 group injected with saline at right ST36 and GB39 respectively. The saline injection and herbal acupuncture were performed 3 times a week for 3 weeks. The length( total height, body length and tail length), weight and the protein efficiency ratio were measured as well as IGF-I level in serum Results: The weights of Ginseng herbal acupuncture groups were not significantly increased compared to the control groups but the protein efficiency ratios were significantly higher in Ginseng herbal acupuncture groups compared to the control groups. The increases of the total length, body length and tail length were significantly higher in Ginseng herbal acupuncture groups than the control groups. The serum IGF-I level of G-GB39 was significantly increased compared to control-GB39, not that of G-ST36 compared to control-ST36. Conclusions: Ginseng herbal acupuncture at GB39 and ST36 are both effective to promote growth in terms of height and weight. GB39 may be effective for growth by way of increasing IGF-I, and more closely related to growth in height than ST36.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2019

Objectives: Many studies have been reported the efficacy of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) as an antidote on acute lipophilic drug toxicity. Clozapine, highly lipophilic dibenzodiazepine neuroleptics, is an important medication in the schizophrenia therapy regimen. Acute intoxication with antipsychotics is one of the main reasons for the referral of poisoned patients to the hospital. We expected that ILE could be used for the therapy of acute clozapine intoxicated patients. Methods: We used two groups of consisting of six male rats. Both groups received a toxic dose of clozapine (40 mg/kg) intravenously, via the tail vein. After 15 minutes, they were treated with intravenous infusion of 18.6 mg/kg normal saline (NS group), or 18.6 mg/kg ILE 20% (ILE group). We evaluated blood pressure (BP) and heart rate by power lab apparatus through the tail artery, ataxia by a rat rotary circle, seizure scores and death in multiple times after starting clozapine administration. For biochemical and pathological evaluations the samples of tissue and blood were taken. Results: Our results demonstrated that ILE 20% could return hypotension-induced clozapine better than normal saline. Furthermore, ataxia and seizure have rectified more rapidly and deaths reduced. Clozapine administration causes pancreatitis and lung injury but fat emulsion did not show an optimal effect on tissue damages caused by clozapine toxicity. Conclusion: In conclusion, ILE can remove toxic signs of clozapine same as other lipophilic medicines, however, clinical uses of ILE for this intention requires more appraisement to determine the precise implication and safety.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.3 s.21
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• pp.105-116
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• 2006

Objectives : To investigate the effect of Ga-mee-Gwui-ryong-tang herbal acupuncture(GR-HA) at GB39 and ST36 and the effect of Yuk-mee-ji-hwang-tang herbal acupuncture(YM-HA) at GB39 and KI10 on growth in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 7 group(n=10) ; saline-ST36, saline-GB39 and KI10, GR-HA-ST36 group treated with GR-HA at right ST36, GR-HA-GB39 group treated with GR-HA at right GB39, YM-HA-GB39 group treated with YM-HA at right GB39, YM-HA-KI10 group treated with YM-HA at right KI10. Saline-ST36 group, saline-GB39 group and saline-KI10 group were injected with saline at right ST36, GB39, KI10 respectively. Saline injection and HA were performed 3 times a week for 18 days. The length(total height, body length and tail length), weight and the protein efficiency ratio were measured as well as IGF-1 level in serum. Results : 1. GR-HA at GB39 and GR-HA at ST36 promoted growth in weight, tail length and total height but there was no statistical significance. 2. GR-HA at GB39 significantly promoted protein efficiency on the 14th day and GR-HA at ST36 on the 3rd day. 3. GR-HA at GB39 significantly increased serum IGF-1. GR-HA at ST36 increased IGF-1 slightly but with no statistical significance. 4. YM-HA at GB39 and YM-HA at KI10 promoted growth in weight, height, tail length and total height but there was no statistical relevance. 5. YM-HA at GB39 and YM-HA at KI10 significantly promoted protein efficiency on the 14th day. 6. YM-HA at GB39 and YM-HA at KI10 significantly increased serum IGF-1. Serum IGF-1 level of YM-HA-KI10 group was significantly higher than that of YM-HA-GB39 group. 7. Serum IGF-1 level of GR-HA-GB39 group was significantly higher than that of YM-HA-GB39 group. Conclusions : GR-HA and YM-HA both may promote growth. This study suggests that herbal acupuncture at GB39 is more effective with Gwui-ryong-tang than Yuk-mee ji-hwang-tang to promote growth. It also suggests that Yuk-mee ji-hwang-tang herbal acupuncture is more effective at KI10 than at GB39.