• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.311-317
• /
• 1994

Seasonal variations of GnRH were investigated by immunohlstochemicsl technique in three species of frog, Rona niEromaculutu, R. dvbowskii 8nd R. mgosa with different ovulation period in order to examine the relationship between GnRH expression and reproductive function. In all three species of frog, the intensity of GnRH immunoreactivitv and the number of GnRH neurons in the brawn were relatively high in frogs at the pre-ovulation period and markedly increased at the ovulation period. Those were then decreased after ovulation and further lowered during early hibernation period. These results indicate that GnRH experssion is closely related to specific phases of annual reproductive cycle in frog.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.35 no.12
• /
• pp.1850-1859
• /
• 2022

Objective: The quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is the most accurate and reliable technique for analysis of gene expression. Endogenous reference genes (RGs) have been used to normalize qPCR data, although their expression may vary in different tissues and experimental conditions. Verification of the stability of RGs in selected samples is a prerequisite for reliable results. Therefore, we attempted to identify the most stable RGs in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis in sows. Methods: The cycle threshold values of nine commonly used RGs (18S, HPRT1, GAPDH, RPL4, PPIA, B2M, YWHAZ, ACTB, and SDHA) from HPG axis-related tissues in the domestic sows in the different stages of estrus cycle were analyzed using two RG-finding programs, geNorm and Normfinder, to rank the stability of the pool of RGs. In addition, the effect of the most and least stable RGs was examined by normalization of the target gene, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), in the hypothalamus. Results: PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ were the most stable RGs in the HPG axis-related tissues in sows regardless of the stages of estrus cycle. In contrast, traditional RGs, including 18S and ACTB, were found to be the least stable under these experimental conditions. In particular, in the normalization of GnRH expression in the hypothalamus against several stable RGs, PPIA, HPRT1, and YWHAZ, could generate significant (p<0.05) elevation of GnRH in the preovulatory phase compared to the luteal phase, but the traditional RGs with the least stability (18S and ACTB) did not show a significant difference between groups. Conclusion: These results indicate the importance of verifying RG stability prior to commencing research and may contribute to experimental design in the field of animal reproductive physiology as reference data.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.336-342
• /
• 2019

To elucidate structure-function relationship of polysaccharide from Angelica gigas, the AGE-2c-I was purified by two successive chromatography steps. AGE-2c-I showed a potent anti-complementary activity in a dose-dependent manner. AGE-2c-I with a molecular weight of 140 kDa comprised four monosaccharides and 13 glycosyl linkages, and strongly reacted with ${\beta}$-glucosyl Yariv reagent. For the fine structure analysis of AGE-2c-I, it was sequentially digested by exo-arabinofuranosidase and endo-galactanase. The results indicated that AGE-2c-I was a typical RG-I polysaccharide with side chains such as highly branched ${\alpha}$-arabinan, ${\beta}$-($1{\rightarrow}4$)-galactan and arabino-${\beta}$-3,6-galactan. To characterize the active moiety of AGE-2c-I, the anti-complementary activities of AGE-2c-I and its subfractions were assayed. It was observed that the anti-complementary activity of AGE-2c-I was due to the entire structure that resembled RG-I. In addition, arabino-${\beta}$-3,6-galactan side chain (GN-I) in AGE-2c-I probably plays a crucial role in the anti-complementary activity, whereas ${\alpha}$-arabinan side chain (AFN-I) consisting of 5-linked Araf and 3,5-branched Araf partially contributes to the activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.5
• /
• pp.657-665
• /
• 2022

Background: Sarcopenia is a new and emerging risk factor aggravating the quality of life of elderly population. Because Korean Red Ginseng (RG) is known to have a great effect on relieving fatigue and enhancing physical performance, it is invaluable to examine its potential as an anti-sarcopenic drug. Methods: Anti-sarcopenic effect of non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng (RGNS) was evaluated in C2C12 myoblasts treated with C2-ceramide to induce senescence phenotypes, and 22-month-old mice fed with chow diet containing 2% RGNS (w/w) for 4 further months. Results: The RGNS treatment significantly alleviated cellular senescence indicated by intracellular lipid accumulation, increased amount of lysosomal β-galactosidase, and reduced proliferative capacity in C2C12 myoblasts. This effect was not observed with saponin fraction. In an aged mouse, the 4-month-RGNS diet significantly improved aging-associated loss of muscle mass and strength, assessed by the weights of hindlimb skeletal muscles such as tibialis anterior (TA), extensor digitorum longus (EDL), gastrocnemius (GN) and soleus (SOL), and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of SOL muscle, and the behaviors in grip strength and hanging wire tests, respectively. During the same period, an aging-associated shift of fast-to slow-twitch muscle in SOL muscle was also retarded by the RGNS treatment. Conclusions: These findings suggested that the long-term diet of RGNS significantly prevented aging-associated muscle atrophy and reduced physical performance, and thus RGNS has a strong potential to be developed as a drug that prevents or improves sarcopenia.