• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.483-490
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• 1999

Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has the feature of excessive LH, hyperandrogenism and disturbance of folliculogenesis. Also, insulin, IGF-I and IGFBP-l are involved in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Various surgical and medical therapies have been used and the action mechanisms are related to the endocrine effect. Laparoscopic ovarian electrocautery or laser vaporization is effective in the restoration of ovulation and normal menstrual cycle with minimal invasive procedure especially in the patients resistant to medical therapy. Clomiphen citrate (CC) is used for the ovulation induction in pcas and the resistance is known to be related to insulin, IGF-I, IGFBP-l levels. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of the laparoscopic laser vaporization on the levels of LH, FSH, testosterone, IGF-I and IGFBP-l and on the ovarian response to clomiphen citrate in patients with CC-resistant PCOS. Materials and Methods: The fasting basal serum LH, FSH, testosterone, IGF-I and IGFBP-l level were measured in 10 PCOS patients with CC-resistance and 7 normal controls with regular menstrual cycle. In PCOS, after laparoscopic $CO_2$ laser vaporization, endocrine levels were measured in 1 week interval for 4 weeks and then compared with preoperative levels. Results: In PCOS group, mean serum LH/FSH ratio, testosterone, IGF-I levels were higher and IGFBP-l level was lower than control. LH/FSH ratio decreased from $2.51{\pm}0.67$ to $1.7{\pm}0.6$ (p<0.05) in 2 weeks, to $0.56{\pm}0.2$ (p<0.01) in 3 weeks and to $1.41{\pm}0.3$ (p<0.01) in 4 weeks after operation. Testosterone level decreased from $1.51{\pm}0.82ng/ml$ to $0.65{\pm}0.34ng/ml$ (p<0.05) in 2 weeks, to $0.56{\pm}0.67ng/ml $(p<0.01) in 3 weeks after operation. IGF-I level also decreased from $436{\pm}47.5{\mu}g/l$ to $187{\pm}38{\mu}g/l$ (p<0.0l) in 1 week, to $167{\pm}42{\mu}g/l$ (p<0.01) in 2 weeks, $179{\pm}55{\mu}g/l$ (p<0.01) in 3 weeks and to $120{\pm}43{\mu}g/l$ (p<0.01) in 4 weeks after operation. IGFBP-l level showed no significant change. In 8 of 10 PCOS patients, ovulation was induced with low dose clomiphen citrate. Conclusion: Laparoscopic $CO_2$ laser vaporization restores normal menstrual cycle and ovulation through endocrine effect of decreasing LH/FSH ratio, testosterone and IGF-I level and increases the response to CC. Therefore it is useful for restoration of normal menstruation and induction of ovulation in CC resistant PCOS patients.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.304-310
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• 2007

Monocrotophos was administered orally to adult male albino mice at dose level of 3.0 mg/kg body weight/day/mice for 50 days. The treatment has found to affect spermatogenesis as well as the endocrine functions of the testis as indicated by gravimetric, histopathological and biochemical changes. The treatment has caused degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells of the testis and regression of the epididymis, seminal vesicle, vas deferens, prostate, Cowper's gland and levator ani. Similarly, cauda epididymal sperm count and sperm motility have shown significant reduction. There was a significant reduction in the protein, glycogen, sialic acid, acid and alkaline phosphatase and increase in cholesterol in the testis of monocrotophos treated mice compared with the control. The causative factors for these changes due to monocrotophos administration were discussed.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제1권3호
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• pp.149-156
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• 2005

Di (n-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is thought to mimic estrogens in their action, and are called endocrine disrupting chemicals. DEHP is used in numerous consumer products, especially those made of flexible polyvinyl chloride and have been reported to be weakly estrogenic. In this study, DEHP were tested for estrogenic properties in vitro models and with microarray analysis. First, the E-screen assay was used to measure the proliferation of DEHP in MCF-7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line. DEHP induced an increase in MCF-7 cell proliferation at concentration of $10^{-4}M$. Second, we carried out a microarray analysis of MCF-7 cells treated with DEHP using human c-DNA microarray including 401 endocrine system related genes. Of the genes analyzed, 60 genes were identified showing significant changes in gene expression resulting from DEHP. Especially, 4 genes were repressed and 4 genes were induced by DEHP compared to $17{\beta}-estradiol$. Among these genes, trefoil factor 3 (intestinal), breast cancer 1, early onset and CYP1B1 are involved in estrogen metabolism and regulation. Therefore it suggests that these genes may be associated with estrogenic effect of the DEHP on transcriptional level. The rationale is that, as gene expression is a sensitive endpoint, alterations of these genes may act as useful biomarkers to define more precisely the nature and level of exposure to kinds of phthalates.

• 환경생물
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.550-558
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• 2004

The effects of postnatal exposure to octylphenol(OP) on the expressions of the steroidogenic enzymes and testosterone production were evaluated. Postnatal male mice (15-day-old) were injected with 2 or 20mg $kg^{-l}$ body weight (BW) of OP for 5 days and sacrificed on postnatal day 21. Testosterone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay and the expressions of the testicular genes were determined by RT-PCR analyses. Significant reductions in the mean body and testis weight were observed in the OP treated animals. No marked alteration in the histological structure of the testis were observed, however, slight reduction in the seminiferous tubule diameter and the number of Leydig cells and several pyknotic cells could be identified in the 20 mg $kg^{-l}$ BW of the OP treated animals. Serum testosterone concentration was dramatically reduced and the mRNA expressions of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and $17\beta$-hydroxylase/Cl7-20 lyase $(P450_{17\alpha})$ were decreased. No significant changes of the gene expressions of the steroidogenic factor-l (SF-I) and estrogen and androgen receptor after the OP treatment showed that the decreased expressions of the steroidogenic enzymes in the present study did not correlate with these genes. Altogether, the present study demonstrates that postnatal treatment of OP inhibits steroidogenesis by decreasing the transcriptional expressions of the StAR and steroidogenic enzymes. The alteration in steroidogenesis may adversely affect the normal development of the testis and sper- matogenesis.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2013

Puberty is the developmental period which animals obtain the ability of reproducing sexually for the first time in life. In commercially important aquaculture fish species, the onset of puberty is a matter of major interest due to controlling of sexual maturation to improve broodstock management. To investigate pubertal characteristics of female longtooth grouper (Epinephelus bruneus), specimens were classified into three groups by the bodyweight, including 1, 2, and 3 kg group. Thereafter, we focused on ovarian development and level changes of endocrine regulation factors (GnRH, GTHs, steroid hormone). In the non-breeding season (April), the levels of endocrine regulation factors showed increasing trends in accordance with bodyweight gaining; nevertheless, the oocytes were growth phase belongs to almost peri-nucleous stages in all groups. In the breeding season (June), the levels of endocrine regulation factors were fluctuated that decreases in levels of sbGnRH and $FSH{\beta}$ mRNA expressions along with serum $E_2$ concentrations in 3 kg of group. However, $LH{\beta}$ mRNA expression levels sustained increasing trends by the bodyweight. Moreover, the oocytes developed that 2 kg and 3 kg groups obtained plentiful vitellogenic oocytes while 1 kg group was still composed with greater part of pre-vitellogenic oocytes. Especially, the oocytes of 3 kg group reached over 450 ${\mu}m$ of diameters that indicating possibility to enter the final maturations. These results suggest that the progress of pubertal development in female E. bruneus could be classify into three phases via bodyweight, including pre-puberty (1 kg), early-puberty (2 kg) and puberty (3 kg).

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.48-55
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• 1979

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of ovariectomy and estradiol benzoate administration on body growth and development of endocrine glands in female rats. One hundred and twenty female rats, 30 days old weighing 72.0${\pm}$3.0g, were divided into control and ovariectomized groups and divided again into two groups, treated and untreated with estradiol benzoate, respectively. Each group was composed of 30 rats. Hormone was injected every two week interval. The body weight was measured weekly from the beginning of treatment to 63 days after treatment and 6 rats per group were sacrificed at 7, 21, 35, 49 and 63 days after treatment for weight change of endocrine gland. The results obtained were as follows: 1. the changes in the body weight during the experimental period were not signifilcantly different between two groups, although the body weight of ovariectomized groups were heavier than that of control groups and the body weight of treated group with estradiol benzoate was heavier than that of untreated group. 2. The body lengths in all groups were increased proportionally to body weight until 63 days after treatment and there were not significantly different among the experimental groups. 3. The weight of hypophysis treated with estradial benzoate in ovariectomized groups was continuously increased in the whole period and was highly significant at 49 and 63 days after treatment as compared with those of untreated in ovariectomized group. 4. Adrenal gland weights of the control and ovariectomized group treated with estradiol benzoate were distinctly light at 21 days after treatment, but there were not significantly different among all groups at 35 days. Adrenal gland weight of ovariectomized groups was smaller than control groups at 49 days and untreated group in ovariectomized groups was considerably smaller than the other 3 groups at 63 days after treatment. 5. In control rats, the ovary weight treated group with estradiol benzoate was larger than the untreated group at 35 days after treatment, but was smaller than the untreated group after 49 days. 6. The weight of reproductive tract in ovariectomized groups were markedly smaller than control groups till 35 days after treatment. The growth of reproductive tract untreated in ovariectomized groups was almost completely depressed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.447-456
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• 2018

Angiotensin-(1-9) [Ang-(1-9)], generated from Ang I by Ang II converting enzyme 2, has been reported to have protective effects on cardiac and vascular remodeling. However, there is no report about the effect of Ang-(1-9) on pulmonary hypertension. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether Ang-(1-9) improves pulmonary vascular remodeling in monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertensive rats. Sprague-Dawley rats received Ang-(1-9) ($576{\mu}g/kg/day$) or saline via osmotic mini-pumps for 3 weeks. Three days after implantation of osmotic mini-pumps, 50 mg/kg MCT or vehicle were subcutaneously injected. MCT caused increases in right ventricular weight and systolic pressure, which were reduced by co-administration of Ang-(1-9). Ang-(1-9) also attenuated endothelial damage and medial hypertrophy of pulmonary arterioles as well as pulmonary fibrosis induced by MCT. The protective effects of Ang-(1-9) against pulmonary hypertension were inhibited by Ang type 2 receptor ($AT_2R$) blocker, but not by Mas receptor blocker. Additionally, the levels of LDH and inflammatory cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, MCP-1, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6, in plasma were lower in Ang-(1-9) co-treated MCT group than in vehicle-treated MCT group. Changes in expressions of apoptosis-related proteins such as Bax, Bcl2, Caspase-3 and -9 in the lung tissue of MCT rats were attenuated by the treatment with Ang-(1-9). These results indicate that Ang-(1-9) improves MCT-induced pulmonary hypertension by decreasing apoptosis and inflammatory reaction via $AT_2R$.

• 환경위생공학
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

The goal of today's environmental education is to enhance the understanding of the serious of environmental problems and the interactions among environment. With this perspectives people need to be aware that environmental education is no longer a liberal arts in university education, but play a vital role within the socio-cultural context. This study was performed to assess the changes in the university student's attitudes and consciousness in real life after the education of a point at issues of environmental problems. For this study 11 questionnaires which were composed of large scale environmental problems(water and air pollution), and small scale environmental problems(food additives, GMO, endocrine disrupter) were performed with self-administered by university students(n=781) who made a application for liberal arts related to environmental subjects. According to the analysis the most student's consciousness of a point at issue of environmental problems(water pollution, air pollution, additives, GMO, endocrine disrupter), and practical attitudes(i.e., practical attendant at congregation and internet voting) were change statistically significant(p<0.01) after the education of a point at issue of environmental problems rather than before. Specially, the score for the item of the large scale problem of environmental issues(water pollution, air pollution) were decreased significantly(p<0.01), but the score for the small scale problems, such as food additives, GMO, endocrine disrupter were increased significantly(p<0.01) after the education of a point at issue of environmental problems(p<0.01). And among the students that participated, 97.7% responded that such a point at issues of environmental problem is needed at the university. With this educational improvements supports the states that the education of a point at issue of environmental problems were more essential, practical and needed to students at university rather than that of an existing instruction. Thus, further studies are required to develop the education of environmental issues at universities like STSE programme.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제17권8호
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• pp.1390-1393
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• 2007

In this study, three of the representative EDCs, $17{\beta}$-estradiol, bisphenol A, and styrene, were employed to find their mode of toxic actions in E. coli. To accomplish this, four different stress response genes, recA, katG, fabA, and grpE genes, were used as a representative for DNA, oxidative, membrane, or protein damage, respectively. The expression levels of these four genes were quantified using a real-time RT-PCR after challenge with three different EDCs individually. Bisphenol A and styrene caused high-level expression of recA and katG genes, respectively, whereas $17{\beta}$-estradiol made no significant changes in expression of any of those genes. These results lead to the classification of the mode of toxic actions of EDCs on E. coli.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.55-63
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was performed to examine the effectiveness of auricular acupuncture to adult men on smoking cessation. Methods : 47 smoking people was divided two groups : experimental group(treated with auricular acupuncture therapy, n=22) and control group(not treated with auricular acupuncture therapy, n=25). We used Lung point, Shenmen point and Endocrine point twice a week for 4 weeks to experimental group. We assessed the changes in amount of daily smoking, desire of smoking, taste of smoking and nicotine dependence as well as subjective symptoms were studied. Results : The experimental group showed significant decrease in amount of daily smoking, desire of smoking, taste of smoking and nicotine dependence. Subjective symptoms also showed improvement comparing to control group. Conclusions : Acupuncturing lung, shenmen, and endocrine point showed effectiveness on decreasing smoking rates and subjective symptoms. Therefore the auricular acupuncture therapy is expected to helpful to smoking cessation and improve the health of smokers.