• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.191-202
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-depressive effects of BanHaHuBakTang-kami (BHHBT) on an animal model of depression induced by chronic immobility stress. Methods: Mice were treated daily with immobilization stress for 2 hours over a period of 21 days. To examine the effect of BHHBT, we performed behavioral, biochemical and histological analysis to measure immobility time (FST), brain neurotransmitter concentration (HPLC, ELISA), hippocampal damage (H&E staining) and CRF-R1 expression (immunohistochemistry). Results: BHHBT has reduced the immobility time of immobilization stress exposed mice in the forced swimming test. BHHBT has increased the amount of serotonin in the brain. BHHBT has increased the expression level of serotonin in the brain. BHHBT 540 mg/kg were sufficient to prevent tissue damage in the hippocampus region. BHHBT has reduced the expression level of CRF receptors in the hippocampus region. Conclusions: These results suggest that BHHBT may have anti-depressive effects on mice treated with immobilization stress by reducing immobility, increasing brain serotonin concentration and reducing CRF-R1 expression in the hippocampus region.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.55-73
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• 1989

The effect of tryptophan or serotonin on the early stage of chick brain development has been morphologically investigated using an electron microscope. The electron micrographs of neural plate cells of 1-day chick embryo treated with tryptophan or serotonin showed irregularity, evagination and disruption of nuclear membrane and nuclear chromatin condenstation, nucleolar margination and segregation. Hypertrophy of stalks, vesicles and vaculoes were seen and dilated and disrupted rough endoplasmic reticulum and underdeveloped neurotubules were also observed. In mesenchyme cells of tryptophan or serotonin administered 18 hr embryo, irregular nuclear membrane, swollen mitochondria, dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum and very large yolk granules were observed. Furthermore, DNA, RNA and protein contents of the embryos treated with typtophan or serotonin were considerably lower than those of control group. The amount of tubulin of the experimental groups was also greatly lower than that of control, suggesting that the impairment of microtubule formation occurred. Tryptophan or serotonin administration might depress the biosynthesis, of nucleic acid and protein including some enzymes tested. It seems that the serotonin formed from exogeneous tryptophan might inhibit the degradation of yolk granule by feedback regulation mechanism so as to impair microtububle and microvilli formation followed by a malformation of chick embryos.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2000

In this study we fed control diet and tryptophan supplemented diets containing 0.1,0.2,0.35% tryptophan to ICR mice for 1∼3 weeks to investigate the effects of tryptophan supplemented diet on pain sensitivity and the analgesic mechanism of serotonin. Animals fed tryptophan supplemented diets displayed increased antinociception when measured with hot plate and phenylquinone-writhing tests. And animals with typtophan supplemented diet had higher brain serotonin and 5-HIAA concentration than the control animals.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.78-87
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• 2002

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ginseng Radix (Panax ginseng C.A. MEY.), Zizyphi Spinosae Semen (Zizyphus spinosa HU.) and Rehmanniae Radix Preparat (Rehmannia glutinosa LIBOSCH.) on the serotonin- immunoreactivity cells in the Caudal raphe nuclei, Rostal raphe nuclei and hippocampus of the mouse brain. Methods : The mice were stressed by restraining for one hour and treated with herbal medicine by oral feeding. The mice were killed after one hour and observed by electron microscope after immunohistochemical staining. Results : In the caudal raphe nuclei of the medulla oblongata, the highest number of 5-HT immunoreactivity cells were observed at the Zizyphi Spinosae Semen-treated group, while the lowest level among the herbs treatment group was shown at the Ginseng Radix group. In the hippocampus, serotonin-immunoreactive cells were expressed significantly at the CA3 area while the lowest level of it was shown at the control group. In the midbrain, immunoreactive cells were expressed higher than other groups, while observed at the lowest level in the control group. Conclusions : The extracts of Zizyphi Spinosae Semen, Rehmanniae Radix Preparat and Ginseng Radix show a certain degree of effect on the change of serotonin immunoreactive neurons as an index of nerve disorder.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

Background and Objectives ; This experimental study was conducted to evaluate an anti-stress effect of Gamisachi-tang(加味四七湯) on mice immobilized by stress. Methods : The experimental animals were immobilized by stress for 15 minutes, and administered 9mg/20g or 18mg/20g of Gamisachi-tang(加味四七湯) extract for seven days before they got stressed. The serotonin contents in the frontal cortex, hypothalamus, corpus striatum, hippocampus were measured by HPLC method in rat brain. Results : In frontal cortex, serotonin contents significantly decreased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. In the hypothalamus, serotonin contents increased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. In the corpus striatum, serotonin contents significantly increased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. In the hippocamous, serotonin contents significantly increased in both sample A and B group compared to the controlled group. Conclusions : According to the above results, Gamisachi-tang(加味四七湯) had a significant impact on the changes in serotonin contents, which occurred in a separated part of mouse brain caused by stress.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.472-479
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• 1996

To investigate the effect of dietary lipids and stress on brain catecholamine and serotonin concentration, sixty three weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats(mean body weight$\pm$SD : 171$\pm$3g) were fed a diet containing fish oil, soybean oil or beef tallow and than, each was exposed to three different types of stress, isolated, grouped or cold, respectively. Cold stress seemed to be most severe and living together in a large cage with some playing equipments is more stressful than living alone in a classical small cage evidenced by plasma corticosterone level. Average food intake and body weight gain were not significantly different among exprimental groups. In adrenal catecholamines, norepinephrine was significantly affected by diet and stress and dopamine was by stress. Norepinephrine concentration of the fish oil group was lowest among diet groups. Adrenal epinephrine, however, was not. It was also shown than the cold stress significantly increased the brain norepinephrine concentration. The cold stress significantly induced higher content of brain serotonin than the grouped stress. However, the concentratin of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA), the metabolite of serotonin, was not significantly different among groups. Therefore, this results suggest that stress affects sympathetic neuronal activity, and fish oil might lighten the burden of stress.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.311-322
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• 1990

This study primarily attempted to investigate the effects of methamphetamine on stereotyped behavior. Furthermore, an extensive experiment was conducted to examine the cortex methamphetamine concentration and levels of dopamine, serotonin, and their metabolites in striatum, septum and hypothalamus. Following treatment with 10 mg/kg methamphetamine, stereotyped behavior was observed in 10 minutes. Consequently female rats displayed more intense and longer lasting activity than the male. The concentration of cortex methamphetamine was even higher in female than male. The administration of methamphetamine increased the rate of dopamine turnover-i.e. lower dopamine, higher homovanillic acid in the striatum, septum. The highest rate was found in the striatum. Methamphetamine decreased the levels of serotonin, and its metabolite of 5-indoleacetic acid in the striatum, septum. An intensity in behavioral response was accompanied by an increase in dopamine turnover, a decrease in serotonergic transmission. The reduction of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid-i.e. the metabolite of dopamine was due not to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase but to the induction of monoamine oxidase but to the induction of catechol-O-methyltransferase. The phenomenon of biogenic amines by methamphetamine concurred upon the concentration of methamphetamine in the brain. This process preceded stereotyped behavior. After single injection of 10 mg/kg methamphetamine, the levels of biogenic amines recovered within 6 hours.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.680-691
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• 1993

Rats were fed for an 8-week period a low riboflavin diet(5ug riboflavin/day) or a control diet(30ug/day) supplied either ad libitum or by pair feeding in order to study the effect of riboflavin on the metabolism of lipids and neurotransmitters. Erythrocyte glutathione reductase (EGR) and monomine oxidase(MAO) activity in the liver and brain were assayed. EGR activity coefficient in riboflavin deficient rats was significantly higher than in ad libitum controls whereas MAO activity was decreased in the deficient rats. Fatty acid composition showed a different trend in the serum, liver and brain. In the serum, the concentrations of essential fatty acids and $\omega$-3 fatty acids(eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid)were decreased about 20-40% in the deficient and pair-fed than in the ad libitum controls. Brain serotonin and 5-HIAA(5-hydroxyindole acetic acid) concentrations were decreased in the riboflavin deficient rats. Learning ability measured by a water maze and exploratory activity using the open field test were not impaired in the deficient rats. These results indicate that brain lipid metabolism was protected in subclinical riboflavin deficiency, however, riboflavin deficiency affected brain serotonin content.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1023-1028
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• 2015

Whole body energy balance is achieved through the coordinated regulation of energy intake and energy expenditure in various tissues including liver, muscle and adipose tissues. A positive energy imbalance by excessive energy intake or insufficient energy expenditure results in obesity and related metabolic diseases. Although there have been many obesity treatment trials aimed at the reduction of energy intake, these strategies have achieved only limited success because of their associated adverse effects. An ancient neurotransmitter, serotonin is among those traditional pharmacological targets for anti-obesity treatment because it exhibits strong anorectic effect in the brain. However, recent studies suggest the new functions of peripheral serotonin in energy homeostasis ranging from the endocrine regulation by gut-derived serotonin to the autocrine/paracrine regulation by adipocyte-derived serotonin. Here, we discuss the role of serotonin in the regulation of energy homeostasis and introduce peripheral serotonin as a possible target for anti-obesity treatment.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.77-83
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• 2023

Background: Serotonin receptors can be divided into seven different families with various subtypes. The serotonin 1A (5-HT1A) receptor is one of the most abundant subtypes in animal brains. The expression of 5-HT1A receptors in the brain has been reported in various animals but has not been studied in horses. The 5-HT1A receptor functions related to emotions and behaviors, thus it is important to understand the functional effects and distribution of 5-HT1A receptors in horses to better understand horse behavior and its associated mechanism. Methods: Brain samples from seven different regions, which were the frontal, central, and posterior cerebral cortices, cerebellar cortex and medulla, thalamus, and hypothalamus, were collected from six horses. Western blot analysis was performed to validate the cross-reactivity of rabbit anti-5-HT1A receptor antibody in horse samples. Immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate the localization of 5-HT1A receptors in the brains. Results: The protein bands of 5-HT1A receptor appeared at approximately 50 kDa in the frontal, central, and posterior cerebral cortices, cerebellar cortex, thalamus, and hypothalamus. In contrast, no band was observed in the cerebellar medulla. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the cytoplasm of neurons in the cerebral cortices, thalamus, and hypothalamus were immunostained for 5-HT1A receptors. In the cerebellar cortex, 5-HT1A was localized in the cytoplasm of Purkinje cells. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study suggests that 5-HT and 5-HT1A receptor systems may play important roles in the central nervous system of horses, based on the widespread distribution of the receptors in the horse brain.