• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.337-352
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• 1999

The effects of dried leaf powders and ethanol extract of persimmon, green tea and pine needle on lipid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative activity were investigated in rats. Forty-nine male Spargue-Dawley rats weighing 107.8$\pm$1.8g were blocked into seven groups according to body weight. Rats were raised for four weeks with diets containing either 5%(w/w) dried leaf powders of one of three different Korea traditional teas, persimmon(Diospyros kaki Thunb), green tea(Camellia Sinensis O.Ktzc)or pine needle(pinus Koreansis Sieb. Et Zucc), or ethanol from equal amounts of each dried tea powder. Food intake, weight gain, food efficiency ratio, and weights of liver, kidney and epididymal fat were significantly higher in the green-tea-powder group, and significantly lower in the pine-needle-powder and pine-needle-extract groups. Persimmon-leaf powder was found to decrease plasma total lipid, triglyceride and cholesterol concentration by increasing fecal total lipid triglyceride and cholesterol excretions. Liver cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the green-tea and pine-needle-extract groups. Red-blood-cell superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-px) activities were significantly increased in rats fed green-tea extract. Liver SOD activity was increased in rats fed pine-needle powder or extract, and liver GSH-px activity was increased in rats fed greentea powder. Plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS) concentration were both decreased in rats fed dried leaf posers or extracts of persimmon or green tea. It is believed that high vitamin E levels in persimmon leaf, and high flavonoid, beta-carotene and vitamin C levels in green tea effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, persimmon and green tea leaves were effective in lowering lipid levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in animal tissue, while pine needles were effective and lowering body weight gain. From these results, persimmon and green tea leaves can be recommended in the treatment and prevention of chronic discorders such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and aging. As ethanol extracts from these teas were also effecitive in lowering tissue lipid levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, we recommend the use of discarded tea grounds for this.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2010

The maintenance of the osmolality of body fluids within a very narrow physiologic range is possible by water balance mechanisms that control the intake and excretion of water. Main factors of this process are the thirst and antidiuretic hormon arginine vasopressin (AVP), secretion regulated by osmoreceptors in the hypothalamus. Body water is the primary determinant of the osmolality of the extracellular fluid (ECF), disorders of body water homeostasis can be divided into hypo-osmolar disorders, in which there is an excess of body water relative to body solute, and hyperosmolar disorders, in which there is a deficiency of body water relative to body solute. The sodium is the predominant cation in ECF and the volume of ECF is directly proportional to the content of sodium in the body. Disorders of sodium balance, therefore, may be viewed as disorders of ECF volume. This reviews addresses the regulatory mechanisms underlying water and sodium metabolism, the two major determinants of body fluid homeostasis for a good understanding of the pathophysiology and proper management of disorders with disruption of water and sodium balance.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.370-378
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng has been the subject of many experimental and clinical studies to uncover the diverse biological activities of its constituent compounds. It is a traditional medicine that has been used for its immunostimulatory, antithrombotic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Ginseng may interact with concomitant medications and alter metabolism and/or drug transport, which may alter the known efficacy and safety of a drug; thus, the role of ginseng may be controversial when taken with other medications. Methods: We extensively assessed the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in rats on the expression of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism [cytochrome p450 (CYP)] and transporters [multiple drug resistance (MDR) and organic anion transporter (OAT)] in vitro and on the pharmacokinetics of two probe drugs, midazolam and fexofenadine, after a 2-wk repeated administration of KRG at different doses. Results: The results showed that 30 mg/kg KRG significantly increased the expression level of CYP3A11 protein in the liver and 100 mg/kg KRG increased both the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1 in the kidney. Additionally, KRG significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1, OAT3, and MDR1 in the liver. Although there were no significant changes in the metabolism of midazolam to its major metabolite, 1'-hydroxymidazolam, KRG significantly decreased the systemic exposure of fexofenadine in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Because KRG is used as a health supplement, there is a risk of KRG overdose; thus, a clinical trial of high doses would be useful. The use of KRG in combination with P-glycoprotein substrate drugs should also be carefully monitored.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.658-663
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• 1993

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dietary vitamin E levels on lipid metabolism in caffeine-fed rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on diet containing one of three levels of vitamin E(37.5, 750, or 1,500mg/kg diet0 which was with or without 0.3% caffeine. The rats were sacrificed after 5 and 10 weeks of the feed periods. Results obtained from this study were as follows ; Net weight gain, feed intake and FER in the caffeine added groups were significantly decreased as compared to those of only vitamin E fed group. Liver and kidney weights tended to increase in the caffeine added groups, but spleen and heart weights were not affected. Total lipid contents in serum and liver tended to decrease as dietary vitamin E became increasing and caffeine diet adding. Serum total cholesterol content tended to increase in the caffeine added group. But, liver cholesterol content were decreased. And the higher the dietary vitamin E level became, the lower serum and liver cholesterol contents were. Serum and liver triglyceride contents were significantly lower in the caffeine added groups than in the only vitamin E fed groups. The degree of decrease was more evident as dietary vitamin E level became more increasing. Serum aminotransferase activity was not affected in all experimental groups.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 2019

Objective: This study was to investigate the effects of dietary cotton stalk on nitrogen and free gossypol in sheep. Methods: Treatments included 25% cotton stalk (Treat 1), 50% cotton stalk (Treat 2), and a control (no cotton stalk). Six Xinjiang daolang wethers were cannulated at the rumen and duodenum and fed one of these diets. The effects of these diets on nitrogen and free gossypol absorption and metabolism were determined. Fifteen healthy Xinjiang daolang wethers were assessed for daily gain, tissue lesions, and free gossypol accumulation. Results: Dry matter intake decreased with increasing dietary cotton stalk. Total tract dry matter digestibility did not significantly differ among treatments. Dietary cotton stalk significantly decreased volatile fatty acids and increased ammonium nitrogen in the rumen. Nitrogen intake was significantly higher in Treat 2 than in the control or Treat 1. Nitrogen retention and free gossypol intake increased with dietary cotton stalk. Duodenal free gossypol flow did not increase, and free gossypol almost disappeared from the rumen. The free gossypol content of plasma and tissue was increased with dietary cotton stalk with liver free gossypol>muscle free gossypol>kidney free gossypol. Elevated dietary free gossypol decreased platelets, hemoglobin, and serum iron. Aspartate aminotransferase and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase increased in Treat 2. With high long-term dietary cotton stalk intake, liver cells were swollen, and their nuclei dissolved. Renal cells were necrotic and the interstitia were enlarged. Conclusion: With short-term cotton stalk administration, only a small amount of free gossypol is retained in the body. In response to long-term or high free gossypol cotton stalk feeding, however, free gossypol accumulates in, and damages the liver and kidneys.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.433-452
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• 1997

Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) has been as an animal model for studing the neurological diseases such as stroke and epilepsy because of the congenital incompleteries in Willis circle, as well as the investigation of water metabolism because of the long time-survival in the condition of water-deprived desert condition, compared with other species animals. In order to accomplish the this research, first of all another divided the laboratory animals 5 groups of which each group include the 5 animals. In this study were investigated the histological structure in the kidney, measured the plasma osmolalities at the time of sacrifice of indivisual animals, and the body weights every day during water-deprived. The results obtained in this study were summarized as followings: 1. The body weights and decreasing rates of the body weight in water-deprived mongolian gerbil groups were continuosly decreased. 2. The plasma osmolalities were increased from the 5th water-deprived day, after then the gradually increasing reached nearly its equilibrium state at the 10th water-deprived day. 3. The urine volumes were abruptly decreased from the 2th water-deprived day, after then the gradually decreasing patterns were reached nearly its equilibrium state at the 10th day, and stopped the 11th day. 4. In the light microscopical observation of the kidney, glomerular capillary loop thickening, mesangial matrix increasing, sclerosis, glomerular cystic atrophy, interstitial fibrosis, tubular dilatation, mononuclear interstitial inflammation, interstitial mineralization, and hyperplasia of the collecting duct epithelium in the cortex area, were observed from the 10th water deprived day, and the lesions were gradually severe changed as the time lapse. 5. In the electron microscopical findings of the kidney, the degenerative changes of endothelial cell, podocyte and mesangial cell in glomeruli were initially observed on the 10th water-deprived day as well as the degeneration of microvilli and intracellular organelle in the renal tubules.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2006

To investigate whether GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1), an anti-obesity herbal medicine widely used in oriental medicine, regulates the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese male rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), PPAR $\gamma$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), PPAR$\delta$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, TNF$\alpha$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. PPAR$\gamma$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in drug-treated groups compared with control group and the decrease of PPAR$\gamma$ expression was more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid storage by decreasing the PPAR$\gamma$ expression. In contrast, PPAR$\delta$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue and kidney were increased by RD and GGT1 , and the magnitudes of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating PPAR$\delta$ expression, Compared with control and RD groups, GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and TNF$\alpha$ were not changed by GGT1 and RD, compared with DW. These results demonstrate that GGT1 not only decreases PPAR$\gamma$ expression of liver and kidney, but also increases PPAR$\delta$ expression of adipose tissue and kidney, leading to the regulation of obesity and that these effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to prevent obesity by increasing the serum leptin levels.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2019

Pesticide exposure may induce biochemical alterations including oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. However, in the context of developmental origin of health and disease, putative trans-generational effect of exposure to pesticides are insufficiently studied. We therefore aimed to evaluate the biochemical effect of gestational exposure to four pesticides on female Wistar rats and their offspring at adult age. We studied 30 female nulliparous Wistar rats divided into 5 equal groups. Group 1 served as the control group and received distilled water while group 2, 3, 4 and 5 received orally pesticide 1 (imidacloprid), pesticide 2 (chlorpyrifos), pesticide 3 (imidacloprid + lambda cyhalothrin) and pesticide 4 (oxamyl) respectively once daily throughout gestation at a dose equivalent to 1/10 lethal dose 50. The mothers were followed up until one month post gestation. The offspring were followed up from birth until adult age (12 weeks). In all animals at each time point we evaluated malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress and liver function enzymes. There was similar variation of total body weight in all the groups during and after gestation. However, Female Wistar rats of the exposed groups had significant alterations in liver SOD (-30.8% to +64.1%), catalase (-38.8% to -85.7%) and GSH (-29.2% to -86.5%) and; kidney catalase (> 100%), GSH (> 100%). Moreover, MDA, alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels were significantly higher in pesticide exposed rats compared to the control group. Similar alterations in antioxidant enzymes, MDA and liver function enzymes were observed in offspring of treated rats evidenced at weaning and persisting until adult age. Exposure to pesticides causes oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in exposed female Wistar rats and their offspring. The persistence in offspring at adult age suggests transgenerational adverse effects.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 1997

Guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase (GAMT) catalyzes the last step of creatine biosynthesis and the resultant creatine plays an important role in cellular energy metabolism. GAMT is mainly found in liver, kidney as well as testis and epididymis. We have localized the site of creatine biosynthesis in mouse epididymis by immunoperoxidase staining of GAMT using anti-GAMT antibody. Gamt is extensively expressed in the microvilli of epididymal epithelial cells and also expressed weakly in the cyto plasm of the cells. The staining of GAMT was most prominent in the microvilli of proximal caput epididymis and the intensity was progressively diminished as the epididymal tubule proceeds toward caudal part. The result suggests that GAMT or Cr might be involved in sperm function and/or maturation process in epididymis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.819-827
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• 1994

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of 50% buckwheat diet on the body weight, organ weight, urine albumin, urine glucose, plasma glucose and plasma lipid in normal rats and diabetic rats treated with streptozotocin(STZ). The food intake, body weight, the level of urine glucose in diabetic buckwheat groups were not significantly different with diabetic control group. The level of urine albumin was lower in raw and steam buckwheat group than in the diabetic control group. Compared to the normal control group, liver and kidney weights were heavier in the diabetic groups. Pancreas weight was heavier diabetic buckwheat groups than in normal and diabetic control groups. Fasting plasma glucose level of diabetic buckwheat groups significantly decreased by 18-37% compared with the diabetic control group. Plasma triglyceride level of diabetic buckwheat groups significantly decreased by 34-50% compared with the diabetic control group. Plasma total cholesterol level of diabetic buckwheat groups decreased by 15-27% compared with the diabetic control group. The level of HDL-cholesterol was not affected by buckwheat diet. These results indicate that buckwheat is an effective therapeutic regimen for the control of metabolic derangements in diabetics.