• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.8
• /
• pp.1243-1251
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using L. reuteri Pg4, a strain isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of healthy broilers, as a probiotic. In preliminary in vitro studies the Pg4 strain was proven capable of tolerating acid and bile salts, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and can adhere to intestinal epithelial cells. The probiotic properties were then evaluated on the basis of the broiler's growth performance, intestinal microbial population and cecal volatile fatty acid and lactic acid concentrations under conventional feeding. Dietary supplementation of dried L. reuteri Pg4 decreased significantly feed intake in grower chickens and improved significantly the feed conversion by 5% in a 0-6 weeks feeding period compared with the control group. The Lactobacillus counts in the crop, ileum, and cecum of the probiotic group were higher than in the control group. The L. reuteri Pg4 strain was traceable in the GI tract of probiotic supplemented chicks and showed capability of survival in the intestine for a protracted period. The probiotic group had a higher lactic acid concentration and lower pH value in the cecum than the control chicks. Probiotic supplement also affected the histology of the intestinal mucosa of chicks. The present findings demonstrated that L. reuteri Pg4 possesses probiotic characteristics and it is suggested, therefore, that the organism could be a candidate for a new probiotic strain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2003

General pharmacological properties of DA-8159, a new pyrazolopyrimidinone derivative were examined in laboratory animals to investigate its safety profile. The oral administration of DA-8159 (1, 5 or 30 mg/kg) in mice and rats had no effect on general behaviors and central nervous system of the animals in test systems, such as hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, motor coordination, normal body temperature, writhing syndromes induced by 0.75% acetic acid solution, chemo-shock produced by pentetrazole solution and rotar rod test. Anesthetized cats treated intravenously with DA-8159 (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) showed transient and mild decrease in blood pressure. However, heart rate, respiration rate and tidal volume were not changed by intravenous DA-8159. In the isolated organs including ileum, heart (sinus rate of atria and contractility of papillary muscle), trachea of guinea pigs and phrenic nerve of rats, DA-8159 ($10^{-8}$ ∼$10^{-5}$ mg/L) did not elicit any effect or inhibitory action on the chemically or electrically stimulated contraction. DA-8159 did not influence gastric secretion, pH and total acid output in rats and intestinal propulsion in mice. The administration of DA-8159 in rats had no effect on the platelet aggregation induced by ADP in rabbit plasma, urinary volume and electrolyte ion ($Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$, $Cl^{-}$) excretion in rats. Prothrombin time (PT) of the rats showed a mild but significant increase after administration of DA-8159. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), however, was not affected by DA-8159. These results indicate that DA-8159 does not exert any of serious pharmacological effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.114-121
• /
• 2004

This study was undertaken to evaluate the general pharmacological properties of CJ-11828, an amlodipine adipate, in experimental animals and in vitro system. CJ-11828 had no effects on general behavior, motor coordination, writhing syndromes, pentetrazol-induced chemoshock and electric shock in mice at dose levels of 3,10, anti 30 mg/kg, po. But there were decrease of body temperature, prolongation of sleeping time, and inhibition of intestinal activity in mice treated with CJ-11828 at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, po. CJ-11828 decreased the blood pressure in coscuous fog at the dose level of 2mg/kg, po, but it was expected as a result of pharmacological activity of CJ-11828. Any effect on respiratory system was not observed in conscious rat at doses of 3,10, and 30 mg/kg, po. The slight decrease in spontaneous motor activity was observed in mice treated with CJ-11828 at high dose, 30 mg/kg. In vitro experiments, CJ-11828 had no effect on agonists-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum at 0.1, 1, and 10 ${\mu}$M. Based on these results, it was concluded that CJ-11828 had no pharmacological effect ill these studies even up to the 36-fold anticipated clinical dose, 3 mg/kg.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.223-232
• /
• 2010

Artesunate, a semi-synthetic derivative of artemisinin, is used primarily as a treatment for malaria. Its effects on the central nervous system, general behavior, and cardiovascular, respiratory, and other organ systems were studied using mice, rats, guinea pigs, and dogs. Artesunate was administered orally to mice at doses of 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg and to rats and guinea pigs at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg. In dogs, test drugs were administered orally in gelatin capsules at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg. Artesunate induced insignificant changes in general pharmacological studies, including general behavior, motor coordination, body temperature, analgesia, convulsion modulation, blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and electrocardiogram (ECG) in dogs in vivo; respiration in guinea pigs; and gut motility or direct effects on isolated guinea pig ileum, contractile responses, and renal function. On the other hand, artesunate decreased the HR and coronary flow rate (CFR) in the rat in vitro; however, the extent of the changes was small and they were not confirmed in in vivo studies in the dog. Artesunate increased hexobarbital-induced sleeping time in a dose-related manner. Artesunate induced dose-related decreases in the volume of gastric secretions and the total acidity of gastric contents, and induced increases in pH at a dose of 400 mg/kg. However, all of these changes were observed at doses much greater than clinical therapeutic doses (2.4 mg/kg in humans, when used as an anti-malarial). Thus, it can be concluded that artesunate is safe at clinical therapeutic doses.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.26-31
• /
• 2005

The present study examined effects of a water-soluble fraction from mulberry leaves (ML water fraction) on the circulatory and autonomic nervous systems, which were compared with those of acetylcholine (ACh) used as a reference drug in order to elucidate its mechanism of action. Intravenous administration of ACh or a ML water fraction produced temporary depressor and tachycardiac responses in a dose-dependent manner in unrestrained, conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. The systemic hemodynamic effects of ACh and a ML water fraction were almost completely blocked by pretreatment with atropine, a muscarinic antagonist. The depressor responses to ACh and a ML water fraction were slightly enhanced and prolonged by pretreatment with neostigmine, an anticholinesterase, whereas the tachycardiac responses were remarkably blocked by pretreatment with pentolinium, a ganglionic blocking agent. In vitro experiments using the ileum isolated from rats showed that ACh and a ML water fraction increased ileal contractility in a dose-dependent manner. The increases in ileal contractility were also completely abolished in the presence of atropine. Finally, the specific binding of [$^3H$]quinuclidinyl benzilate, a muscarinic antagonist, to rat cortical synaptic membranes was inhibited by a ML water fraction in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC$_{50}$ value of 9.5 mg/ml. The results suggest that the effects of a ML water fraction are mediated through direct stimulation of muscarinic cholinergic receptors by unknown cholinomimetic substance(s) contained in that fraction.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study clarified the bacterial pathogens currently causing acute infectious enterocolitis (AIE) in children and evaluated the clinical characteristics and ultrasonographic findings according to the different pathogens. Methods: Medical records regarding age, sex, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, identified enteropathogens, ultrasonographic findings, treatment, and outcome of 34 patients who were diagnosed with AIE via stool examination using multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or culture, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Twenty-four patients (70.6%) were male. The mean age of the patients was $8.5{\pm}6.2$ (range, 1.1-17.1) years. Six bacterial pathogens were isolated: Salmonella species (spp.) (32.4%), Campylobacter spp. (20.6%), verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (14.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.8%), Clostridium difficile (8.8%), and Shigella spp. (2.9%). Abdominal pain occurred in all patients regardless of pathogen. The patients infected with Salmonella were older than those infected with verotoxin-producing E. coli (p<0.05). C-reactive protein levels were higher in patients with Salmonella and Campylobacter infections than in those with verotoxin-producing E. coli infection (p< 0.05), the other clinical and laboratory data were indistinguishable between pathogens. Ultrasonography demonstrated diverse involvement of bowel segments according to pathogen. Wall thickening of both the ileum and the entire colon was the most common lesion site regardless of pathogen. Conclusion: Various bacterial agents cause AIE and the symptoms are diverse symptoms, however, all most children recovered spontaneously. Use of multiplex PCR on stool samples warrants improvement of its sensitivity for diagnosis of enteropathogenic bacteria. Ultrasonographic examination is useful for diagnosis of AIE; it can also detect the disease extent and severity.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.211-219
• /
• 2000

The therapeutic effect of AS2-006A, a derivative of asiaticoside, has been studied and is being developed as a new wound-healing agent. In the present study, the general pharmacological effects on 1) central nervous system, 2) autonomic nervous system, 3) respiratory system, 4) gastrointestinal system. 5) cardiovascular system. and 6) urinary system were assessed in experimental animals and in in vitro models. 1. In vivo animal study: External applications of the 1 % gel ointment of AS2-006A to rats at the doses of 200. 600 or 2000 mg/kg body weight showed no observable pharmacological effects. The effects on the central nervous system were assessed by observation of behavior, hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, pentetrazole-induced convulsion assay, body temperature measurements, and observations on spontaneous activity and catalepsy. The gel ointment exhibited no effects on the cardiovascular system (i.e. blood pressure and heart rate), renal physiology (i.e. urine volume and electrolytes excretion) and gas-trointestinal physiology (i.e. intestinal charcoal propulsion and gastric mucosal irritation). 2. In vitro experiments: The effects of AS2-006A on the physiology of smooth and cardiac muscles were assessed. Muscle contractions were isotonically and isometrically measured in organ chambers using a physiograph. Cumulative additions of AS2-006A (10$^{-9}$ -10$^{-5}$ M) induced no changes in the tension of isolated guinea pig ileum and tracheal muscles. AS2-006A only slightly increased contractility of rat atrial and papillary muscles at 10$^{-2}$ M, which was not statistically different from control. These data showed that the gel ointment of AS2-006A could be externally applied as a wound-healing agent with no potential side effects.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.501-507
• /
• 1991

Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis is currently confirmed by the detection of the oocysts or endogenous stages in fecal or tissue samples. Various conventional staining methods and serodiagnostic techniques have been reported, but the latter has far been limited to a few laboratories. Cryptosporidium has recently been reported in mice and chiekens in Korea, but there has been no report on staining methods to the oocysts. The present study was performed by light and scanning electron microscopic observations, and discussed with staining properties of four conventional methods such as dichromate solution floatation method, Carbol fuchsin stain, Auramine-O stain and Giemsa stain method. Cryptosporidial oocysts were isolated from the laboratory mouse. In tissue sections of duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum and upper colon, numerous very small, basophilic bodies were observed on the border of mucosal epithelial cells. In scanning electron microscopic observations, a few of developmental stages of Cryptosporidium were seen. Two types of thick and thin-walled oocysts were recognized in the intestinal contents. Mean size of its were $5.19{\pm}0.23{\times}4.31{\pm}0.32{\mu}m$ and $5.14{\pm}0.25{\times}4.27{\pm}0.4{\mu}m$, respectively. Carbol fuchsin and Auramine-O stain methods are recommended as the satisfactory ones for the identification of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Giemsa stain was also recommended as available in the laboratory, because a few of developmental stage fo Cryptosporidium could be seen by it.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 2005.11a
• /
• pp.49-66
• /
• 2005

Panax ginseng has been useful for the treatment of diverse disease in oriental countries for thousands of years. In addition, a folk medicine prescribed by seven herbal drugs including Panax ginseng has been antinarcotics in the treatment of morphine-dependent patients. Many articles have been reported on these works. Therefore, we review the protective effects of Panax ginseng on the neurotoxicity induced by abuse drugs. Ginseng total saponins (GTS) extracted and isolated by Panax ginseng antagonized Morphine-induced analgesia, and inhibited the development of analgesic tolerance to and physical dependence on morphine. GTS inhibited morphine-6 dehydrogenase, which catalyzes production of mophinone from morphine, and increased hepatic glutathione level responsible to toxicity. Therefore, we hypothesized that these dual actions of ginseng can be associated with the detoxication of morphine. In addition, the inhibitory or facilitated effects of GTS on electrically evoked contraction in guinea pig ileum ($\mu$-receptors) and mouse vas deferens($\delta$-receptors) were not mediated through opioid receptors, suggesting non-opioid mechanisms. On the hand, antagonism of U-50,488H ($\kappa$-agonist)-induced antinociception is mediated by serotonergic mechanisms. GTS also inhibited hyperactivity, reverse tolerance (sensitization) and conditioned place preference-induced by psychostimulants such as methamphetamine, cocaine and morphine. On the other hand, GTS reduced the dopamine levels induced by methamphetamine. Moreover, GTS blocked the development of dopamine receptor activation, showing antidopaminergic effect. We suggest that GTS Prevent the methamphetamine-induced striatal dopaminergic neurotoxicity. In addition, Ginsenoside also attenuates morphine-induced cAMP signaling pathway. These results suggested that GTS might be useful for the therapy of the adverse actions of drugs with abuse liability.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 2002

The effects of a newly synthesized $H^+/K^+$ ATPase inhibitor,1-(2-methyl-4-methoxypheny)-4-[(3-hy-droxypropyl)amino] -6-methyl-2,3-dihydropyrrolo (3,2-c) quinoline (DBM-819) , on the central nervous system, isolated smooth muscle, cardiovascular and digestive systems and renal function were investigated in various experimental animals. Oral administration of DBM-819 had no effect on the central nervous system except body temperature of mice slightly decreased at doses of 15 and 50 mg／kg. DBM-819 produced a moderate analgesic effect in acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice at 50 mg／kg (p.o.). In conscious rats, DBM-819 (15 and 50 mg／kg, p.o.) showed a slight increase in blood pressure and a small decrease in heart rate. DBM-819 had an significant effect on agonist-induced contraction of guinea pig ileum at $1.5{\times}10^{-5}g/ml.$ No significant effect of DBM-819 (5 and 15 mg／kg, i.p) on urinary volume or urinary excretion of $Na^+,\;K^+$ and Cl- was observed in rats. DBM-819 had no significant effect on intestinal transport of a semisolid meal in mice at 15 and 50 mg／kg (p.o.). These findings suggest that DBM-819 exerts no significant pharmacological effects on the central nervous system and renal function at 15 mg／kg (p.o.), but produces some effects on the smooth muscle and circulatory system.