• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.380-389
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• 2018

Black vinegar has been traditionally used for supplemental flavoring on food, and commercialized beverages. Here, to investigate the effects on in vivo anti-obesity complications of black vinegar produced with herbal extracts, we evaluated on the biochemical effects of high-fat diet (HFD) induced mice compared to control fed ones. After a 84-day experiment HFD mice had higher (P < 0.05) weight gains, relative abdominal-fat pads, blood glucose level, serum/liver lipids, and serum nephron indices. Continuous oral treatment of three different concentration of herbal black vinegar (HBV; stock, 2-fold, and 4-fold diluted solution) to HFD mice showed that HBV reduced marked obesity (fat depositions, adipocyte hypertrophy), hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia (serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol levels), enhanced liver function (AST/ALT), and kidney function (BUN, creatine levels), respectively. Thus, HBV is expected to serve as an efficient and functional supplemental ingredients or food for the alleviation of obesity syndrome.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2000

Purpose: MCDK is regarded as a common cause of abdominal masses in children. And the presentation of the MCDK is usually a unilateral flank mass in the a newborn. Bialteral disease results in either fetal demise or necessity fer renal replacement therapy at birth. This study is designed to assess the clinical features and natural history of the unilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney. Patients and Methods: From January 1987 to January 2000 data were obtained retrospectively on 57 patients (28 boys and 29 girls, age ranged 1day-11years) who had a diagnosis of multicystic dysplastic kidney. The diagnosis of multicystic dysplastic kidney was confirmed by a combination of ultrasonography and radionuclide scan. Voiding cystourethrogram study in 31 patients were done to determine the condition of the contalateral kidney. Restllts: $84\%$ of the patients were diagnosed before birth by antenatal ultrasonography Clinical manifestations of children with postnatal diagnoses were palpable abdominal mass($3.5\%$), abdominal distension($17\%$), and incidental($10.5\%$). The abnormalities in contralateral kidney were hydronephrosis($21\%$), compensatory hypertrophy($12\%$), simple cyst($2\%$), bifid pelvis($2\%$). Surgical management was performed in 20 patients($35\%$) due to recurrent infection, for diagnostic purpose to differentiate from malignancy and abdominal distention. Follow-up in the remaining 37 patients continued (mean 18 months) and results of sonogram findings were involution change in 23 patients($40\%$) and no interval changes in 13 patient($23\%$). Conclusions : The apparent tendency to regression of the dysplastic kidney and no difference in the number of complications justify a conservative management rather than operative intervention except in associated severe complications such as urinary tract infection or rupture of cysts.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.249-256
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• 1986

The carp (Cyprinus carpio) used in the experiment were hatched in the spring this year and reared to 5.96g($4.84{\sim}6.55g$) in mean weight in a nursery pond at Daeyon fish farm, Pusan, Korea. The sample fish were exposed to different conditions of total ammonia (TA-N) concentrations 10, 20 and 30ppm and pH 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 and 8.0 at water temperatures 20, 25 and $30^{\circ}C$ for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the procedure, the gill, liver and kidney of the fish were examined histopathologically. In this experiment, with the rise of water temperature, increase of pH and ammonia concentration, and the extension of exposure time the three organs showed the tendency of apparent abnormal changes such as hypertrophy and necrosis in their tissues. At $20^{\circ}C$ of water temperature gill tissue did not show any abnormality regardless of the change of pH at 10 ppm of ammonia concentration for 24 hours of exposure, but beyond the conditions given above, there occurred hypertrophy and the epithelium of gill lamellae was detached. The detach of gill lamellae epithelium initiated from the proximal part of the gill lamellae then gradually spread toward the uppermost tip. The heavier vacuolation of the liver was observed with the rise of water temperature and pH, and such morbid state in the liver was considered to be the result of edema in the liver tissue. The kidney showed no damage to the renal tubule epithelium at pH 6.5, but it was damaged at pH 8.0 when exposed to 30 ppm ammonia at $20^{\circ}C$ for 24 hours.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effect acupuncture by needle manipulation at acupoints, SP3 HT7, on the blood pressure and renin and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) in plasma, cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive rats induced by two kidney one clip (2K1C). Materials and Methods : The experiments were performed on twenty-five Sprague Dawley rats, 2K1C hypertension model was prepared by constricting the left renal artery with a sliver clip. Animals were divided into five groups, control, AC-1a and AC-2a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand 6 times), AC-3a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs), AC-4a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times). The treatments were started on the 4 week after inducing 2K1C, and they were performed two times a week for 3 weeks in rats. Results : The results are that The blood pressure was significantly decreased at 4 times in Acu-1a, The cardiac hypertrophy was significantly decrease in Acu-2a and Acu-3a. The activity of plasma renin was decreased in all groups without control and Acu-1a, and that of plasma ANP was decrease in Acu-2a and Acu-3a than control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture on SP3 HT7 mostly cause significant changes on controlling renal hypertension induced by 2K1C in the rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.165-177
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine effects of acupuncture by needle manipulation at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ on the blood pressure, plasma levels of ANP(atrial natriuretic peptide), renin and cardiomegalic index in hypertensive rat Induced by two kidney one clip(2K1C). Material and methods : The groups divided into 7 groups; Control, no treatment. Acu-1,acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the thumb of the right hand 6 times. Acu-2, acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times. Acu-3, acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs, Acu-4, acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally, the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times. The acupuncture executed 5times for 2 weeks. Results : Systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly in Acu-2, Acu-3 and Acu-4. Plasma renin was decreased significantly in Acu-2 and Acu-4. Plasma ANP was increased significantly in Acu-2, however was decreased significantly in Acu-4. Cardiac hypertrophy index was decreased significantly in Acu-1, Acu-2, Acu-3 and Acu-4. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture by needle manipulation at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ is effective in hypertension by renal blood problem.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2016

Background: This study examined the hypoglycemic and kidney protective effect of black ginseng in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods and Results: Diabetes was induced by treating mice with streptozotocin (STZ) for four weeks. In vivo studies were performed in order to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of the black ginseng prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) extract. The body weight and blood glucose level were measured. Moreover, after the mice were sacrificed, the kidneys were isolated and histological changes were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels were also measured. The results showed that administration of black ginseng increased body weight. Compared to blood glucose levels in STZ mice, blood glucose levels were reduced by 48% in STZ mice supplemented with 300 mg/kg of black ginseng, and by 69% in STZ mice supplemented with 900 mg/kg. Furthermore, histopathological examination of STZ mouse kidneys revealed, changes in the kidneys, epithelial cell damages, inflammatory cell infiltration and glomerulus hypertrophy. However, a significant reduction of glomerular water droplets (indicative of glomerulus hypertrophy) was observed in the kidneys of STZ mice supplemented with black ginseng extract. Conclusions: These results suggest that black prosapogenin (GBG05-FF) ginseng extract has a significant hypoglycemic effect and can be used as an anti-diabetic substance and renal protective agents as part of dietary supplements or novel drugs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.787-799
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• 1994

To elucidate morphologic lesion of porcine exudative epidermitis which is occurred sporadically in Korea, Staphylococcus hyicus subsp. hyicus isolated from the naturally affected pigs was inoculated to suckling pigs. The infected piglets were observed grossly and histopathologically. Although affected piglets were taking acute, subacute, or chronic course, some piglets suffered from chronic disease showed poor prognosis and marked growth depression. Affected peglets had erythematous skin on the face, ear, and abdomen and these localized lesions appear as brownish spots of exudative epidermitis and fromed crust in the early stage. But, after this stage, the skin were covered by viscous greasy exudate and formed blackish brown crust and appeared fissures and hypertrophy. Grossly, there has been hemorrhage with the removal of crust-like materials of epidermis and edematous subcutis. The superficial lymph nodes were edematous and swollen or congested and hemorrhagic. Some piglets had swollen ureters, cysts in the renal cortex, or polyarthritis. A few cases had mild edematous swelling of kidney, intestinal catarrh and congestion of brain. Microscopically, skin lesions had detachment of keralinized layer and parakeratosis of epidermis, hydropic degeneration of epidermal cell, and retrogressive degeneration of hair root sheath. Dermis had edema, and infiltration of neutrophils and mononuclear cells. As the disease was proceeded, there was marked perivasculitis with lots of mononuclear inflammatory cells. More chronic lesions formed granuloma-like bodies(nodules) due to more mononuclear, perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration and proliferation of fibroblast. Lots of plasma cells and eosinophils were also present in dermis. Epidermis was hyperplastic by proliferation of basal cells stratum germinativum and epidermal pegs often extended into the dermis. In secondary infection, lots of neutrophils could be seen in epidermis and derms. Kidney had neutrophilic infiltration, necrotic and cystic glomeruli, and dilation of renal tubules and ureters. Purulent arthritis was sometimes observed in joints. Three days old mice administrated Staphylococcus hyicus subsp hyicus subcutaneously before had focal congestion and hemorrhage, necrosis, and subcutaneous edema of the skin. This observation was also seen in the study of mice administrated exfoliatin toxin of Staphylococcus which evoked human staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.321-331
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• 2021

Vancomycin, an antibiotic used occasionally as a last line of treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is reportedly associated with nephrotoxicity. This study aimed at evaluating the protective effects of lutein against vancomycin-induced acute renal injury. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and its associated role in renoprotection by lutein was also examined. Male BALB/c mice were divided into six treatment groups: control with normal saline, lutein (200 mg/kg), vancomycin (250 mg/kg), vancomycin (500 mg/kg), vancomycin (250 mg/kg) with lutein, and vancomycin (500 mg/kg) with lutein groups; they were euthanized after 7 days of treatment. Thereafter, samples of blood, urine, and kidney tissue of the mice were analyzed, followed by the determination of levels of N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) in the urine, renal creatine kinase; protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, and caspase-3 in the kidney; and the expression of PPARγ, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) in renal tissue. Results showed that the levels of protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde, and the activity of NAG, creatine kinase and caspase-3, were significantly increased in the vancomycin-treatment groups. Moreover, the levels of Nrf2 significantly decreased, while NF-κB expression increased. Lutein ameliorated these effects, and significantly increased PPARγ expression. Furthermore, it attenuated vancomycin-induced histological alterations such as, tissue necrosis and hypertrophy. Therefore, we conclude that lutein protects against vancomycin-induced renal injury by potentially upregulating PPARγ/Nrf2 expression in the renal tissues, and consequently downregulating the pathways: inflammation by NF-κB and apoptosis by caspase-3.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.147-160
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a high concentration of uremic toxins in their blood and often experience muscle atrophy. Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is a uremic toxin produced by tryptophan metabolism. Although an elevated IS level may induce muscle dysfunction, the effect of IS on physiological concentration has not been elucidated. Additionally, the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on muscle hypertrophy have been reported in healthy models; however, it is unclear whether UA ameliorates muscle dysfunction associated with chronic diseases, such as CKD. Thus, this study aimed to investigate whether UA can improve the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis. MATERIALS/METHODS: C2C12 cells were incubated with or without IS (0.1 mM) and UA (1 or 2 μM) to elucidate the physiological effect of UA on CKD-related mitochondrial dysfunction and its related mechanisms using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: IS suppressed the expression of differentiation marker genes without decreasing cell viability. IS decreased the mitochondrial DNA copy number and ATP levels by downregulating the genes pertaining to mitochondrial biogenesis (Ppargc1a, Nrf1, Tfam, Sirt1, and Mef2c), fusion (Mfn1 and Mfn2), oxidative phosphorylation (Cycs and Atp5b), and fatty acid oxidation (Pdk4, Acadm, Cpt1b, and Cd36). Furthermore, IS increased the intracellular mRNA and secretory protein levels of interleukin (IL)-6. Finally, UA ameliorated the IS-induced impairment in C2C12 cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicated that UA improves the IS-induced impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis by affecting differentiation, ATP levels, and IL-6 secretion in C2C12 cells. Therefore, UA could be a novel therapeutic agent for CKD-induced muscle dysfunction.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2004

The renoprotective effects of Korean Red Ginseng were examined in STZ-induced diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After 3 day administration of streptozotocin (STZ), animals were divided into four groups : Group 1, hypertensive rats (H); Group 2, hypertensive rats with diabetes (HD); Group 3, hypertensive rats with diabetes administered with 100 mg/kg of ginseng total saponin(GTS); Group 4, hypertensive rats with diabetes administered with 600 mg/kg of ginseng non-saponin (GNS). After 2 weeks oral administraions of GTS and GNS, body weight, kidney weight, plasma glucose, urinary albumin excretion, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and blood pressure were examined. After 3,7 and 21 day of STZ administration, expressions of TGF-${\beta}$1 and fibronectin in kidney were analyzed by immunoblotting and/or immunohistochemistry. GTS and GNS treatments slightly decreased blood pressure when compared to H and HD groups. Also, GTS and GNS treatments ameliorated kidney hypertrophy without affecting plasma glucose levels. Meanwhile, GNS treatment increased Cu/Zn-SOD activity in kidney and generally showed more efficient renoprotective effects than GTS. We suggest that the renoprotective effects of ginseng partially result from downregulations of TGF-${\beta}$1, fibronectin expressions and anti-oxidative activity of ginseng non-saponin.