• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.1081-1086
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the medicinal effects of the herbal combination extracts-2 (HCE-2), consisting of Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Lonicera japonica Thunb., Prunella vulgaris var. lilacina, and Hovenia dulcis Thunb. on the alcohol-induced liver injury in rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal group (n =6), non-treated control group (n =6), saline-treated group (n =6) and the herbal combination extract (HCE-2)-treated group (n =6). The rats in the alcohol-loaded groups were orally administered with ethanol at a daily dose of 4 g/kg-body weight for 5 weeks. Thirty minutes before the ethanol injection, saline or herbal combination extracts was administered by using a gastrogavage. Blood and liver tissue samples were taken out from the hearts and livers of the rats, respectively, on 15th and 38th days. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We also investigated the protective effect of the herbal combination extracts by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining on histological sections of rat liver. In this study, the oral administration of the herbal combination extracts significantly reduced the serum levels of AST and ALT, which had been raised by alcohol-induced liver injury. Histological analysis and apparent observation of liver also showed the preventive effect of the herbal combination extracts in a chronic alcohol-induced rat model. Theses results revealed that the herbal combination extracts effectively prevented hepatic damage consequent to the chronic exposure to repetitive administration of ethanol and could be used as a primary resource of a health beverage or herbal medicine, alleviating the alcohol-induced hepatic injury and hangover symptoms.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.619-627
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Colitis is a serious health problem, and chronic obesity is associated with the progression of colitis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of natural raw meal (NRM) on high-fat diet (HFD, 45%) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS, 2% w/v)-induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Body weight, colon length, and colon weight-to-length ratio, were measured directly. Serum levels of obesity-related biomarkers, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, leptin, and adiponectin were determined using commercial kits. Serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were detected using a commercial ELISA kit. Histological study was performed using a hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining assay. Colonic mRNA expressions of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were determined by RT-PCR assay. RESULTS: Body weight and obesity-related biomarkers (TG, TC, LDL, HDL, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin) were regulated and obesity was prevented in NRM treated mice. NRM significantly suppressed colon shortening and reduced colon weight-to-length ratio in HFD+DSS induced colitis in C57BL/6J mice (P < 0.05). Histological observations suggested that NRM reduced edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by HFD and DSS. In addition, NRM decreased the serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 and inhibited the mRNA expressions of these cytokines, and iNOS and COX-2 in colon mucosa (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that NRM has an anti-inflammatory effect against HFD and DSS-induced colitis in mice, and that these effects are due to the amelioration of HFD and/or DSS-induced inflammatory reactions.

• 한국세라믹학회지
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• 제45권10호
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• pp.618-624
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• 2008

Various calcium phosphate bioceramics are distinguished by their excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. Especially, the exceptional biodegradability of $\beta$-TCP makes it a bone graft substitute of choice in many clinical applications. The activation of osteoclasts, differentiated from macrophage precursor cells, trigger a cell-mediated resorption mechanism that renders $\beta$-TCP biodegradable. Based on this evidence, we studied the biodegradation process of granular-type $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute through in vitro and in vivo studies. Raw 264.7 cells treated with RANKL and M-CSF differentiated into osteoclasts with macrophage-like properties, as observed with TRAP stain. These osteoclasts were cultured with $\beta$-TCP nano powders synthesized by microwave-assisted process. We confirmed the phagocytosis of osteoclasts by observing $\beta$-TCP particles in their phagosomes via electron microscopy. No damage to the osteoclasts during phagocytosis was observed, nor did the $\beta$-TCP powders show any sign of cytotoxicity. We also observed the histological changes in subcutaneous tissues of rats implanted with granule-type $\beta$-TCP synthesized by fibrous monolithic process. The $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitute was well surrounded with fibrous tissue, and 4 months after implantation, 60% of its mass had been biodegraded. Also, histological findings via H&E stain showed a higher level of infiltration of lymphocytes as well as macrophages around the granule-type $\beta$-TCP. From the results, we have concluded that macrophages play an important role in the biodegradation process of $\beta$-TCP bone graft substitutes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제23권12호
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• pp.1566-1577
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• 2010

Nandrolone, 19-nortestosterone, is a synthetic androgenic-anabolic steroid promoting muscle growth. Nandrolone is also present in pig meat and sera at non-negligible levels. A number of scientific reports have suggested a positive relationship between incidence of infertility and increased meat consumption in humans. The present study was designed to determine out the effect of feeding nandrolone on the testis of the male reproductive tract. Mixtures of food and nandrolone at different concentrations (0.005 ppm and 0.5 ppm) were supplied to pubertal male rats for 6 weeks. Body weight was recorded every week during the entire experimental period. At the end of the treatment, the testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat were collected and weighted. Sperm numbers in the caudal epididymis were counted. Differential gene or protein expression of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups was determined by semi-quantitative real-time PCR or western blotting analysis, respectively. Histological changes of the testis induced by nandrolone treatment were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Immunohistochemical analysis was employed to detect changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental animals. There were no significant changes on body, testis, epididymis, and epididymal fat weights among experimental groups. A significant increase of caudal sperm number was found in the 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated group. Histological examination of the testes noted a high frequency of germ cell sloughing in seminiferous tubules of 0.5 ppm nandrolone-treated rats. Even though transcript levels of $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) I, $17{\beta}$-HSD4, and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase were influenced by nandrolone treatments, protein levels of all molecules examined in the present study were not significantly affected. Immunohistochemical analysis showed no visible changes in the localization of steroidogenic enzymes in the testes among experimental groups. The current study showed that oral intake of nandrolone in male rats for 6 weeks did not cause significant damage to the testis. It is considered that a feeding effect of nandrolone on male fertility would not be remarkable.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.221-229
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• 2018

Tenofovir nanoparticles are novel therapeutic intervention in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection reaching the virus in their sanctuary sites. However, there has been no systemic toxicity testing of this formulation despite global concerns on the safety of nano drugs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the toxicity of Tenofovir nanoparticle (NTDF) on the liver and kidney using an animal model. Fifteen adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats maintained at the animal house of the biomedical resources unit of the University of KwaZulu-Natal were weighed and divided into three groups. Control animals (A) were administered with normal saline (NS). The therapeutic doses of Tenofovir (TDF) and nanoparticles of Tenofovir (NTDF) were administered to group B and C and observed for signs of stress for four weeks after which animals were weighed and sacrificed. Liver and kidney were removed and fixed in formal saline, processed and stained using H/E, PAS and MT stains for light microscopy. Serum was obtained for renal function test (RFT) and liver function test (LFT). Cellular measurements and capturing were done using ImageJ and Leica software 2.0. Data were analysed using graph pad 6, p values < 0.05 were significant. We observed no signs of behavioural toxicity and no mortality during this study, however, in the kidneys, we reported mild morphological perturbations widening of Bowman's space, and vacuolations in glomerulus and tubules of TDF and NTDF animals. Also, there was a significant elevation of glycogen deposition in NTDF and TDF animals when compared with control. In the liver, there were mild histological changes with widening of sinusoidal spaces, vacuolations in hepatocytes and elevation of glycogen deposition in TDF and NTDF administered animals. In addition to this, there were no significant differences in stereological measurements and cell count, LFT, RFT, weight changes and organo-somatic index between treatment groups and control. In conclusion, NTDF and TDF in therapeutic doses can lead to mild hepatic and renal histological damage. Further studies are needed to understand the precise genetic mechanism.

• 환경생물
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• 제32권3호
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• pp.225-233
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• 2014

수온조절 (6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 21, 24, $27{\circ}^C$)에 의해 유도된 멍게의 물렁증 진행에 따른 생리학적 특성을 연구하였다. 수온조절에 의한 물렁증 유도율은 수온 $15^{\circ}C$에서 가장 높았으며, $24^{\circ}C$에서 가장 낮았다. 물렁증은 피낭 색깔 및 탄성을 기준으로 S0, S1, S2, S3의 4단계로 구분하였다. 정상개체와 물렁증을 가진 개체들 사이에서 산소소비율과 여수율은 유의한 차이를 보였다. S0에 비해 S3단계에서 혈구 구성비의 가장 뚜렷한 변화는 multi-vacuole cell은 약 1/2 감소하였으며, morula cell은 약 10배 증가하였다. 기관계 구조의 변화는 피낭, 수관, 새낭, 육질부, 소화선에서 상피세포의 변성, 미세섬유의 변성, 혈구의 증가 및 근섬유의 변형이 확인 되었다. 이러한 모든 특징들은 멍게의 정상적인 생리학적 기능에 영향을 미칠 수 있다.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.65-72
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• 2015

방사선 노출에 따른 피부손상의 기본이론들은 정립되어 있지만, 정확한 기전에 관해서는 알려지지 않은 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 감마선 조사 후 용량 및 시간에 따라 돼지 피부의 장애를 육안 및 조직학적인 변화를 통해 평가하고 cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 발현 정도를 비교하고자 하였다. 미니돼지의 등 쪽 피부에 20-70 Gy 감마선을 국소조사 후 12 주 동안 육안적인 변화를 관찰하고 생검을 통해 조직학적인 변화를 관찰하였다. 방사선 조사 후 피부의 기저세포층에서의 세포자멸사와 표피층의 두께 변화를 평가하였고 COX-2 발현 정도를 면역염색을 통하여 비교하였다. 방사선 조사 후 피부 장애는 용량이 증가할수록 피부손상이 더욱 심하였으며 초기에 발적 소견을 보이다가 50 Gy 이상 조사군에서는 미란과 궤양으로 이어졌다. 조직학적인 변화는 육안적인 소견과 일치하였다. 방사선 조사 후 3일부터 기저세포에서 세포자멸사가 관찰되었으며 기저세포수의 감소가 유발되었으며 이러한 변화는 용량이 증가할수록 더욱 증가하였다. 방사선 조사 후 표피층의 두께는 3일 무렵에 일시적으로 증가하다가 점차 감소하였으며 20, 30, 40 Gy 조사 군에서는 다시 회복되는 소견이 관찰되었으나 50, 70 Gy 조사 군에서는 다시 회복되지 못하고 표피창의 두께 소실을 보였다. 방사선 조사 후 피부에서의 COX-2 발현은 피부손상정도와 일치하게 관찰되었다. 방사선 조사 후 COX-2 발현은 방사선의 용량이 증가할수록 발현이 증가하였고 시간이 증가할수록 증가하였다. 이러한 조직학적인 변화와 함께 방사선 손상을 일으키는 신호전달에 관여하는 COX-2 발현이 방사선조사 용량에 비례하여 증가하며 이러한 단백질의 발현은 피부손상과 관련성이 높은 것으로 사료된다.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.29-39
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• 2022

Objective : This study is aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Rehmanniae Radix, Mori Folium, and Liriopie Tuber mixture (RML) on lung injury of Particulate matter less than 10 um in diameter and diesel exhaust particles (PM10D) mice model. Methods : To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of RML, PM10D was diluted in aluminum hydroxide (Alum) in 7-week-old male mice and induced by Intra-Nazal-Tracheal (INT) injection method. Animal experiments were divided into 5 groups. Nor (normal mice), CTL (PM10D-induced mice with the administration of distilled water), DEXA (PM10D-induced mice with the administration of 3 mg/kg Dexamethasone), RML 100 (PM10D-induced mice treated with RML 100 mg/kg weight), and RML 200 (PM10D-induced mice treated with RML 200 mg/kg body weight). After 11 days administration, mice were sacrificed and inflammation-related immune cells in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were analyzed. Inflammation-related biomarkers were also analyzed in blood and lungs. Lung tissue was observed through histological examination. Results : In the PM10D induced model, the PML showed decreases in CXCL-1 and IL-17A in BALF. Expression of inflammatory cytokines and cough-related mRNA genes was significantly decreased in serum and lung tissue. The mixture treatment of RML significantly improved the immune related cells in the serum. In addition, histological observations showed a tendency to decrease the severity of lung injury. Conclusions : Overall, these results confirmed the respiratory protective effect of the RML mixture in a model of lung injury induced by air pollution (PM10+DEP), suggesting that it is a potential treatment for respiratory damage.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.830-843
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• 2019

Objective: To examine the potential of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging for detecting renal changes after iodinated contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) development in a diabetic rabbit model. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two rabbits were randomized into 2 groups: diabetic rabbits with the contrast agent (DCA) and healthy rabbits with the contrast agent (NCA). In each group, 6 rabbits underwent IVIM and BOLD imaging at 1 hour, 1 day, 2 days, 3 days, and 4 days after an iohexol injection while 5 rabbits were selected to undergo blood and histological examinations at these specific time points. Iohexol was administrated at a dose of 2.5 g I/kg of body weight. Further, the apparent transverse relaxation rate (R2^*), average pure molecular diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D^*), perfusion fraction (f) were calculated. Results: The D and f values of the renal cortex (CO) and outer medulla (OM) were significantly decreased compared to baseline values in the 2 groups 1 day after the iohexol injection (p < 0.05). A marked reduction in the D^* values for both the CO and OM was also observed after 1 hour in each group (p < 0.05). In the OM, a persistent elevation of the R2^* was detected for 4 days in the DCA group (p < 0.05). Histopathological changes were prominent, and the pathological features of CI-AKI aggravated in the DCA group until day 4. The D, f, and R2^* values significantly correlated with the histological damage scores, hypoxia-inducible transcription factor-1α expression scores, and serum creatinine levels. Conclusion: A combination of IVIM and BOLD imaging may serve as a noninvasive method for detecting and monitoring CI-AKI in the early stages in the diabetic kidney.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권9호
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• pp.1104-1108
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• 2013

에틸렌 글리콜(ethylene glycol)은 자동차 부동액 주성분으로 우리 실생활에 널리 쓰이고 있다. 접근이 용이하고 달콤한 맛 때문에 자살목적이나 보관 및 사용 시 의도적으로 또는 실수로 인한 오용사고가 자주 발생한다. 에틸렌 글리콜은 그 자체로는 인체의 독성이 낮지만 생체에서 대사과정을 거치면서 독성이 높아진 유기산을 만들어 다양한 조직에서 광범위한 세포손상을 유발한다. 다양한 세포 스트레스가 소포체(ER) 샤페론과 소포체 스트레스 센서의 유전자 발현을 유도하는 것은 이미 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 rat 조직에서 소포체 샤페론과 소포체 스트레스 센서 유전자의 발현 조절이 에틸렌 글리콜에 의해 유도되고, 조직학적 변화도 H&E 염색 및 면역 형광염색에 의해 확인하였다.