• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.128-133
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• 2017

To determine the optimum water temperature (a temperature which minimizes metabolic activities and stress in fish) for long distance transportation of red-spotted grouper (Epinephelus akaara), by evaluating the behavior, survival and physiological and hematological responses to variable water temperature conditions (9, 12, 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$) for 48 hours. Fish exposed to $9^{\circ}C$ died at 48 hours exposure, but those exposed to 12, 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ treatment groups all survived. Fish in the 15, 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ exposure groups exhibited normal swimming, while those exposed to $12^{\circ}C$ were observed to be stationary at the bottom of the tank. The plasma cortisol and glucose concentration were higher in fish exposed to $12^{\circ}C$ than at other temperature conditions. The fish in the 12 and $15^{\circ}C$ groups had significantly higher hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) than those in the 18 and $21^{\circ}C$ groups (P<0.05). Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), $NH_3$ and osmolality showed a pattern similar to the levels of plasma cortisol, while alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total protein did not significantly vary among the experimental groups. These results indicate that the optimum water temperature for long distance transportation of the red-spotted grouper is $15^{\circ}C$.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1789-1794
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• 2015

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver problem in diabetes, is a risk factor for liver cancer. Diabetes, high body mass index (BMI) and old age can all contribute to NAFLD progression. Transient elastography (TE) is used for non-invasive fibrosis assessment. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis in diabetic patients and to assess associated factors. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-one diabetic and 60 normal subjects were screened. Fatty liver was diagnosed when increased hepatic echogenicity and vascular blunting were detected by ultrasonography. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) representing hepatic fibrosis was assessed by TE. LSM ${\geq}7$ kPa was used to define significant hepatic fibrosis. Results: Four cases were excluded due to positive hepatitis B viral markers and failed TE. Diabetic patients had higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and fasting glucose levels than normal subjects. Fatty liver was diagnosed in 82 (60.7%) diabetic patients but in none of the normal group. BMI (OR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.02-1.69; p=0.038) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.05-1.23; p=0.002) were associated with NAFLD. Diabetic patients with NAFLD had higher LSM than those without [5.99 (2.4) vs 4.76 (2.7) kPa, p=0.005)]. Significant hepatic fibrosis was more common in diabetic patients than in normal subjects [22 (16.1%) vs 1 (1.7%), p=0.002]. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(OR: 1.24; 95%CI: 1.07-1.42; p=0.003) was associated with significant hepatic fibrosis. Conclusions: Sixty and sixteen percent of diabetic patients were found to have NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis. High BMI and ALT levels are the predictors of NAFLD, and elevated AST level is associated with significant hepatic fibrosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.318-323
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• 2004

This study has been carried out to investigate the effect of the beverage contained Radix puerariae (15%) and Bambusae caules in Liquamen Phyllostachyos (1%) on the alcohol administered mouse. The control group was treated with alcohol (40% alcohol, 8.0 mL/kg of body weight), experimental group 1 (Exp.1) was administered with beverage (8.0 mL/kg of body weight) before alcohol treatment, and experimental group 2 (Exp.2) was administered with beverage after alcohol treatment. Blood alcohol concentrations were decreased by 11% (in Exp. 1) and 17% (in Exp. 2) compared with control group. The concentrations of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were slightly increased in Exp. 1 and Exp.2, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were not changed compared with control group. Mn-Superoxide dismutase activity was increased by about 70% in the experimental groups in comparison to control group. The Exp. 1 and Exp. 2 contained more periodic-acid Schiff (PAS)-positive materials than the control group. Electron microscopical observations showed that, cell organelles of hepatocytes were more disoriented in the control group than in Exp. 1 and Exp. 2. These results suggest that the beverage contained Radix puerariae and Bambusae caules in Liquamen Fhyllostachyos is a safe and effective therapeutic agent for alcohol abuse.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.11-27
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• 2014

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract on obesity by using 3T3-L1 cells and high fat diet rats. Methods In vitro, Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract (50, 100, 200, $500{\mu}g/ml$) were added in 3T3-L1 cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assasy. Adipocyte differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining, GPDH activity and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ protein expression. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups : Normal diet group (Normal group), taken high fat diet and no treatment group (Control group), taken high fat diet and orally administered Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract daily (Group I: 50 mg/kg, Group II: 100 mg/kg, Group III : 200 mg/kg, oral). For 6 weeks of administration, body weight and the amount of food intake were measured once a week. After administration, blood analysis (AST, ALT, T-Bilirubin, BUN, RBC, Hb, HCT), serum lipid level (triglyceride, Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL), serum leptin level, epididymal adipose tissue weight and histological finding of liver were estimated. Results In vitro, The cytotoxicity was not significant. 3T3-L1 cell's differentiation was significantly decreased in Oil Red O staining, GPDH activity and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ protein expression. In vivo, Body weight and the amount of food intake, AST, ALT, Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, serum leptin, epididymal adipose tissue weight showed significant decrease in group I, group II and group III. There were no significant difference in T-bilirubin, BUN, RBC, Hb and HCT between all groups. HDL showed significant increase in group I, group II and group III. In histological finding of liver tissue, there were decreased adiposity and cytopathic effect in group I, group II and group III. Conclusions It is suggested that Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract can be used in the treatment of obesity.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.263-270
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the dietary supplementation of fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus (HE) mushroom on lipid profiles of serum and histological changes of the liver in rats with high fat and cholesterol diet. Five-week old female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups of 8 rats each: The normal control diet (NC group), high fat and cholesterol diet (HFC group), and HFC diet supplemented with 5% fruiting powder of Hericium erinaceus (HFC+HE group). In the HFC+HE group, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and triglyceride concentrations were significantly reduced compared with the NC group. Body weight gain of those in the HFC+HE group were lower than those in the HFC group; whereas HFC+HE had no effect on the levels of plasma albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, glucose, and total protein. The enzyme activities related to the liver function, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were lower in the NC group than in the HFC group, but without significance. Feeding the mushroom increased the excretion of total lipid and cholesterol. A histopathological analysis showed that the those in the HFC group developed hepatic steatosis, whereas those in the HFC+HE group developed small fat droplet. In conclusion, these results suggest that 5% HE supplementation to HFC diet provided health benefits by acting on lowering atherogenic lipid profile in rats with high fat and cholesterol diet.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.211-217
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• 2003

A study was conducted to investigate the fattening performance, physico-chemical properties of breast meat, vaccine titers in cross bred meat type hybrid chicks fed organic sulfur. Total three hundred and sixty chicks of eight weeks old were replaced in individual cage from 8 to 10 weeks old. Four levels of organic sulfur (0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0%) containing 45% sulfur were added into basal diet containing CP 19% and ME 2,950 kcal/kg. Weight gain, feed intake, fred conversion were weekly measured. The proximate composition, physico-chemical properties of breast meat, vaccine titer and sensory characteristics were examined at the end of experiment. Weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion of birds fed organic sulfur were not statistically different with control. There were no significant difference in feed intake and feed conversion. However, abdominal fat(%) of birds fed organic sulfur tended to increase compared with control. Crude fat of breast meat decreased significantly in organic sulfur treatments(P<0.05). The red color of breast meat seemed to increase but was not statistically different among the treatments. Cooking loss showed decrements significantly in organic sulfur treatments(P<0.05). Mechanical Hardness, cohesiveness and springiness were prone to be high and gumminess greatly high in breast meat of birds fed organic sulfur addition compared with control. Juiciness tended to increase and greasiness decreased(P<0.05) in organic sulfur treatments by the sensory evaluation. The overall acceptability of the breast meat was the highest at 2.0% organic sulfur added chicks(P<0.01). There were no different blood cholesterol, AST, ALT and BUN.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.435-440
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• 2012

This study was designed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Rhubarb extracts ($Rubenal^{(R)}$) in dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF). Client-owned 40 dogs with CRF graded International renal interest Society (IRIS) II-III were enrolled in this study. The dogs were equally allocated and blindly administered with $Rubenal^{(R)}$ or placebo. The following items were evaluated at day 0, 30, 90 and 180: body condition score (BCS), clinical score (appetite, polydipsia/polyuria, quality of life score), hemogram (WBC, RBC, PCV), serum biochemistry (ALT/AST, ALP, Creatinine/BUN, total protein, albumin), serum electrolyte (Na, K, Cl, Ca, P), systolic blood pressure, urinalysis (UPC, USG) and IRIS stage. In this study, we found that the $Rubenal^{(R)}$ preparation was well tolerated by dogs and induced no adverse effects. Statistically significant improvements were observed in clinical score (quality of life score by vet and clients), serum BUN and creatinine levels, serum phosphorus concentration, level of proteinuria, and the IRIS score of CRF in dogs after 6 month of treatment of $Rubenal^{(R)}$. Those findings suggested that the Rhubarb extracts can improve the clinical signs of CRF (i.e. azotemia, hypertension, proteinuria, hyperphosphoremia) and the quality of life (i.e. BCS, clinical score) and can retard the progression of CRF in dogs. Therefore the Rhubarb extracts can be a good supplementary drug for treating dogs with subclinical and clinical renal diseases. However, care should be taken for interpreting our result, because this study is not double-blinded controlled study but pilot study.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to find out the effects of honey-fried Astragali Radix extract on the nephrotoxicity in rats induced by cyclosporin A(CsA). The experimental rats were divided into three groups of ten. The Normal group was given nothing. The Control group was given only saline water every day for 14 days after the subcutaneous IV injection of 50mg/kg in CsA every other day during a period of 14 days. The sample group was administered 4.8mg/200g of Astragali Radix extract daily for 14 days after the subcutaneous IV injection of 50mg/kg in CsA every other day for 14 days. These groups were observed for 14 days. This experimental research focused on measuring the levels of BUN, creatinine, total protein, sodium, potassium, chloride, AST and ALT in the serum and specific gravity and creatinine in the urine. The results were summarized as follows: 1. Changes in serum The levels of BUN, creatinine. AST and ALT in the serum were significantly decreased in the sample group as compared with those of the control group. Total Protein level in the serum was significantly increased in the sample group as compared with that of the control group. Sodium and Potassium levels in the serum in the sample group were a little lower than those of the control group but no significance was noted. The chloride level in the serum in the sample group significantly increased as compared with that of the control group on the 7th day but in the sample group was significantly decreased as compared with that of the control group on the 14th day 2. Changes in urine Urinary specific gravity in the sample group showed significant increase, compared to the control group on the 7th day but were a little higher than that of the control group on the 14th day. Creatinine level in the urine were a little higher than that of the control group but no significance was found. These results suggest that honey-fried Astragali Radix might be effective on the nephrotoxicity in rats caused by CsA.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.31-42
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity potential and mechanisms of action of Rhizoma Atractylodis(RA) herbal acupuncture in high fat diet- induced obese ICR mice. Methods : Sample solutions for herbal acupuncture were prepared from the Rhizoma Atractylodis water extract powder at concentration of 150mg/kg and 300mg/kg with distilled water. Five week-old ICR mice acclimatized to the laboratory environment for 1 week were allocated into four groups: regular diet group (RD), high fat diet group(HFD), groups fed HFD with 150mg/kg RA herbal acupuncture treatment (RAE 150) and with 300mg/kg RA herbal acupuncture treatment(RAE 300). Herbal acupuncture groups were injected with either 150mg/kg or 300mg/kg of Rhizoma Atractylodis(RA) subcutaneously onto both Sinsu($BL_{23}$) alternately on the same time everyday for 30days. Body weight, gross appearance of epididymal fat area, blood glucose, insulin, insulin resistance(HOMA-IR), non-esterified fatty acid, cholesterol, triglyceride, AST, ALT, histological analysis of white adipose tissue, gene expression responsible for adipocyte differentiation and AMPK activation were analyzed. Results : RA herbal acupuncture inhibited the development of weight gain, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, increases of AST and ALT, and the enlargement of fat cell size induced by HFD. Also, RA herbal acupuncture inhibited the expression of PPAR-${\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, aP2, LPL, FAS, SCD-1 and enhanced the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Conclusions : The results of this study demonstrate that RA herbal acupuncture can exert the anti-obesity effect and it is partially mediated by activation of AMPK and inhibition of the gene expressions responsible for adipocyte differentiation. Further studies will be required to ascertain the nti-obesity effect and mechanisms of action of RA herbal acupuncture in animal models and human for aclinical application.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.104-112
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary tocotrienol extracted from the rice bran on hematological and histological changes of the mouse. The mice were divided into seven groups (basal diet, cholesterol diet, tocopherol diet, and 4 different tocotrienol diets), and bred for a month. Tocotrienol diet was shown to have decreasing effects of serum triacylglycerol and LDL concentrations, whereas serum HDL concentrations were increased by tocotrienol diet. But serum cholesterol concentration was not statistically significant among the diet groups. Tocotrienol diet was shown to have decreasing effects of serum AST activities (P=0.0548) and LDH activities (P=0.0016), which are the standard indicators for liver damages or myocardial infarction. And tocotrienol diet has reduced the fat bodies accumulated in liver and heart caused from administration of rice bran oil. Also, the effects were shown as concentration-dependent manners. In conclusion, dietary tocotrienol extracted from rice bran has evident effects to protect or reduce lipid accumulation from blood, hepatocytes and heart muscles. It is also suggested as a good fortifying nutrition for the health and medical care.