• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was aimed at investigating liver protection mechanism of Moschus by inducing liver toxicity through $CCl_4$ in mice and evaluated histological and serological findings. Methods : Experiment groups was categorized into untreated normal group, $CCl_4$ treated control group, and orally administered Moschus experiment group. At the termination of experiment, gross examination of the liver as well as histological findings, and Total protein, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin SGOT, SGPT, and ALP contents in the serum were evaluated. Results : 1. For gross examination and histological findings, $CCl_4$ treated control group showed destroyed lobular structure, increased fibrosis, as well as hepatic cirrhosis. For the group treated with Moschus, the lobular structure suffered less damage, and showed lower level of fibrosis and liver cirrhosis compared to the control group. 2. For serum analysis, Total protein were significantly increased in the Moschus experiment group than the control group. 3. Total bilirubin didn't show significant differences between the two groups. but direct bilirubin was significantly increased in the Moschus experiment group than the control group. 4. SGOT, SGPT, were significantly decreased in the normal and Moschus experiment groups compared to the control group. 5. ALP was significantly decreased in the normal group compared to the control group, but Moschus experiment group didn't show significant differences compared to the control group. Conclusion : Taken together, Moschus can be effectively used for recovering the liver functions and further researches must be conducted to verify the efficacies of Moschus bile juice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.17-28
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• 2011

Objectives : Burn is the important adverse effect of the moxibustion treatment. This research does with the purpose to utilize as basic data which the results of histological observation of the burn tissue which generates when operating various commercial indirect moxa (CIM) on the skin, evaluate the burn because of the surgical operation. Methods : It operated 6 kinds of CIM on the depilated abdomen of the rat. By using the H-E staining and TUNEL assay, the image was observed and analyzed. Results : It could be the moxibustion medical treatment using the CIM generated in the first degree burn until the third degree. And in some case, burn has not generated. By using the H-E stain, the second-degree burn and third degree was observed, and it was observed the first degree burn by using TUNEL assay. In the first degree burn, TUNEL reaction in the epidermal layer was confirmed. The damage to the dermal layer was observed in more than 2 degree burn. In the third degree, the tissue degeneration to the subcutaneous fat was observed but the thickness of the skin tissue was not observed. Conclusions : Basic data classifying the burn generated by the CIM treatment through the histological observation of the burn tissue caused by the CIM treatment were built according to this research result.

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Skin aging is reportedly associated with regulation in collagen and elastin synthesis. This study investigated the potential of combining light-emitting diode (LED) treatments using a 630-nm and 850-nm LED with simultaneous microcurrent application. Materials and Methods The dorsal skin of female pigs was treated with a home-use device. We examined the treatment effects using photography, thermocamera, microscopic pathology, and histological examination to determine the mechanism of action, efficacy, and safety of the procedure. A histological observation was performed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Victoria blue, and immunohistochemical staining. We also used the Sircol soluble collagen and elastin assay kit to measure the amounts of collagen and elastin in the porcine back skin tissue after 2 and 6 weeks. Results Evaluation by visual inspection and devices showed no skin damage or heat-induced injury at the treatment site. Histological staining revealed that accurate treatment of the targeted dermis layer effectively enhanced collagen and elastin deposition. Collagen type I, a protein defined by immunohistochemical staining, was overexpressed in the early stages of weeks 2 and 6. Combined therapy findings showed the superior capability of the 630-nm and 850-nm LED procedures to induce collagen; in contrast, elastin induction was more pronounced after microcurrent treatments. Conclusion The home-use LED device, comprising a combination of 630-nm and 850-nm LEDs and microcurrent, is safe and can be used as an adjunctive treatment for self-administered facial rejuvenation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.873-881
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• 2021

Objective : Peripheral nerve injuries occur mostly as a result of mechanical trauma. Due to the microvascular deterioration in peripheral nerve damage, it becomes challenging to remove free oxygen radicals. Gallic acid is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory effects and a free radical scavenger. The purpose of the study is to show that gallic acid contributes to the restorative effect in mechanical nerve damage, considering its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Methods : Thirty male Sprague Dawley albino mature rats were included in the study. Ten of them constituted the control group, 10 out of 20 rats for which sciatic nerve damage was caused, constituted the saline group, and 10 formed the gallic acid group. Post-treatment motor functions, histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical parameters of the rats were evaluated. Results : Compared to the surgery+saline group, lower compound muscle action potential (CMAP) latency, higher CMAP amplitude, and higher inclined plane test values were found in the surgery+gallic acid group. Similarly, a higher nerve growth factor (NGF) percentage, a higher number of axons, and a lower percentage of fibrosis scores were observed in the surgery+gallic acid group. Finally, lower tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) values were determined in the surgery+gallic acid group. Conclusion : Gallic acid positively affects peripheral nerve injury healing due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It has been thought that gallic acid can be used as a supportive treatment in peripheral nerve damage.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.828-835
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• 2018

The objective of this study was to examine the biochemical parameters of hepatic function such as serum level of ALT (alanine aminotransferase), AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), and content of TG (triglyceride) and cholesterol, and tissue immunological changes of the $CCl_4$-treated rats with administration of the mixed sample extract (MSE). The liver weight in $CCl_4$-administered experimental control group (EC) was slightly higher than that of normal control (NC) group. Hepatic damage parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, LDH & TG) in serum of the EC group were significantly higher than those in serum of the NC and silymarin-treated positive control (PC) group. On the other hand, these hepatic damage parameters of MSE-treated experimental (E1 & E2) groups were significantly lower than those of EC group. The number of WBC, neutrophils, lymphocytes and platelets, and the contents of hemoglobin, and hematocrit in EC group were significantly higher than those of NC group. However, the number of WBC and lymphocytes in E1 and E2 groups were significantly lower than those of EC group. Also, the collagen developmental areas in the liver of NC and PC groups by hepatic immuno-histological findings were found slightly positive. Whereas, hepatic fibrous developmental tissue of EC group was strongly positive brown color band, those of E1 & E2 groups were decreased. Therefore, it was concluded that the induction of hepatic fibrous tissue activation had a preventive effect of MSE against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatic damage in rats. However, further study is needed in this filed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2023

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant visual disease that induces impaired vision and irreversible blindness in the elderly. However, the effects of ginseng berry extract (GBE) on the retina have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the protective effects of GBE on blue light (BL)-induced retinal damage and elucidate its underlying mechanisms in human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE-19 cells) and Balb/c retina. Methods: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of GBE on retinal damage in vitro, we performed cell viability assay, pre-and post-treatment of sample, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and western immunoblotting using A2E-laden ARPE-19 cells with BL exposure. In addition, Balb/c mice were irradiated with BL to induce retinal degeneration and orally administrated with GBE (50, 100, 200 mg/kg). Using the harvested retina, we performed histological analysis (thickness of retinal layers), qRT-PCR, and western immunoblotting to elucidate the effects and mechanisms of GBE against retinal damage in vivo. Results: GBE significantly inhibited BL-induced cell damage in ARPE-19 cells by activating the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, regulating NF-kB translocation, caspase 3 activation, PARP cleavage, expressions of apoptosis-related factors (BAX/BCL-2, LC3-II, and p62), and ROS production. Furthermore, GBE prevented BL-induced retinal degeneration by restoring the thickness of retinal layers and suppressed inflammation and apoptosis via regulation of NF-kB and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, cleavage of caspase 3 and PARP, and expressions of apoptosis-related factors in vivo. Conclusions: GBE could be a potential agent to prevent dry AMD and progression to wet AMD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.105-120
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• 2006

To investigate anti-cancer effects of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture and mitigation of anti-cancer drug when taken concurrently, cancer cells from B16/F10 melanoma were injected intraperitoneally in C57BL/6. After inducing cancer, anti-cancer effects and mitigation of reproductive toxicity of Doxorubicin were evaluated. 1. For changes in weight, Doxorubicin treated group showed significant decrease, and administration of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause any weight change. 2. Volume of tumor was significantly reduced in Doxorubicin teated group. Wild ginseng herbal acupuncture groups showed slight decrease but insignificant compared to the control group. 3. For hematological evaluation, Doxorubicin only group's reticulocytes were significantly decreased compared to the control group, and Platelet Count was significantly increased. Wild ginseng herbal acupuncture group showed significant increase of Neutrophils and significant decrease of Lymphocytes compared to the control group. 4. For histological evaluation of the tumor, necrosis occurred in a wide range in the Doxorubicin treated group. Wild ginseng herbal acupuncture didn't cause much histological changes. 5. For histological evaluation of the testis, seminiferous tubules of the control group suffered severe damage on epithelial cells. When wild ginseng herbal acupuncture was administered concurrently, damage on the seminiferous tubules was significantly inhibited compared to the Doxorubicin only group. 6. Diameter of seminiferous tubules and spermatogonia count were insignificant between the experiment groups. 7. For BrdU positive reaction of testicle tissue, Doxorubicin only group failed to show any reaction of spermatogonia, but spermatocytes and spermatids showed slight positive reaction. When wild ginseng herbal acupuncture was treated concurrently, much greater positive reaction was made but similar to that of the control and normal groups. 8. For observation of changes in BrdU spermatogonia count of the testicle tissue, Doxorubicin only group didn't show any positive reaction, and relative increase was shown in the group with concurrent administration of wild ginseng herbal acupuncture. 9. For observation of TUNEL positive reaction cells of the testicle tissue, no significant changes were witnessed in all the experiment groups.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-63
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• 2019

In view of the growing industrial use of Bacterial cellulose (BC), and taking into account that it might become airborne and be inhaled after industrial processing, assessing its potential pulmonary toxic effects assumes high relevance. In this work, the murine model was used to assess the effects of exposure to respirable BC nanofibrils (nBC), obtained by disintegration of BC produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages ($BMM{\Phi}$) were treated with different doses of nBC (0.02 and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively 1 and $10{\mu}g$ of fibrils) in absence or presence of 0.2% Carboxymethyl Cellulose (nBCMC). Furthermore, mice were instilled intratracheally with nBC or nBCMC at different concentrations and at different time-points and analyzed up to 6 months after treatments. Microcrystaline $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159, a plant-derived cellulose, was used for comparison. Markers of cellular damage (lactate dehydrogenase release and total protein) and oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity) as well presence of inflammatory cells were evaluated in brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. Histological analysis of lungs, heart and liver tissues was also performed. BAL analysis showed that exposure to nBCMC or CMC did not induce major alterations in the assessed markers of cell damage, oxidative stress or inflammatory cell numbers in BAL fluid over time, even following cumulative treatments. $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159 significantly increased LDH release, detected 3 months after 4 weekly administrations. However, histological results revealed a chronic inflammatory response and tissue alterations, being hypertrophy of pulmonary arteries (observed 3 months after nBCMC treatment) of particular concern. These histological alterations remained after 6 months in animals treated with nBC, possibly due to foreign body reaction and the organism's inability to remove the fibers. Overall, despite being a safe and biocompatible biomaterial, BC-derived nanofibrils inhalation may lead to lung pathology and pose significant health risks.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2021

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used in cancer and lymphoma treatments and as an immunosuppressant drug. CP is a DNA alkylating agent that metabolizes into 4-hydrocyclophosphamide (4H-CYP) and aldophosphamide in hepatocytes. However, its metabolites cause DNA synthesis disorder, leading to apoptosis and toxic side effects. The development of technology to minimize this side effect is essential to improve CP's clinical application. Various bioactive compounds have been reported to have anti-cancer and antioxidant functions and preventive or therapeutic roles in metabolic diseases. Many researchers have attempted to minimize the side effects and improve the efficacy of these drugs together with the use of bioactive compounds. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance has been used for the treatment of edema, mastitis, stomach pain, tumors, cystitis, and other inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate at the histological level the protective function of U. macrocarpa Hance against CP's side effects and any potential toxic effect of U. macrocarpa Hance in the liver and kidney. Water extracts of U. macrocarpa Hance reduced CP-induced toxicity and did not induce any histological damage in the liver and kidney. Therefore, U. macrocarpa Hance would be applicable in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.22-29
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• 2015

Objective : Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and prolonged febrile seizures (pFS) are common neurologic problems that occur during childhood. However, there is insufficient evidence from experimental studies to conclude that pFS directly induces hippocampal injury. We studied cognitive function and histological changes in a rat model and investigated which among pFS, HIE, or a dual pathologic effect is most detrimental to the health of children. Methods : A rat model of HIE at postnatal day (PD) 7 and a pFS model at PD10 were used. Behavioral and cognitive functions were investigated by means of weekly open field tests from postnatal week (PW) 3 to PW7, and by daily testing with the Morris water maze test at PW8. Pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed in the control, pFS, HIE, and HIE+pFS groups at PW9. Results : The HIE priming group showed a seizure-prone state. The Morris water maze test revealed a decline in cognitive function in the HIE and HIE+pFS groups compared with the pFS and control groups. Additionally, the HIE and HIE+pFS groups showed significant hippocampal neuronal damage, astrogliosis, and volume loss, after maturation. The pFS alone induced minimal hippocampal neuronal damage without astrogliosis or volume loss. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that pFS alone causes no considerable memory or behavioral impairment, or cellular change. In contrast, HIE results in lasting memory impairment and neuronal damage, gliosis, and tissue loss. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the developing brain concerning conditions caused by HIE or pFS.