• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1997.04a
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• pp.90-90
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• 1997

Natural products, which have been used for the treatment of hypertension, diuresis and nephritis in traditional oriental medicine, were selected for the screening of nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells and kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo by measuring the conversion of [$\^$14/C]-L-arginine to [$\^$14/C]-L-citrulline, a coproduct of the enzyme reaction with NO. Confluent monolayer of endothelial cells were used for the screening of 16 natural products. Among the natural products, Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula stimulated endothelial NO synthase activity. Thus, both confluent monolayer of endothelial cells and kidney homogenates (glomeruli, cortical tubules, meudllae) were treated with Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (final concentration 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$) and NO releases were compared with those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in vitro. In rat experiment, NO releases in glomeruli, cortical tubules and medullae and plasma renin activity were assessed after intraperitoneal injection of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula (10 mg/kg/day for 4 days). As a result, both Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula significantly increased NO releases in cultured endothelial cells, kidney tissues in vitro as well as in vivo. Stimulation of NO releases by Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula was similar to those by receptor - dependent agonists, bradykinin and ADP and receptor - independent calcium ionophore A23187 in cultured endothelial cells. However, plasma renin activity was not influenced by these two natural products. In conclusion, stimulatory effects of Zizyphus jujuba and Codonopsis pilosula on NO release in kidney may contribute their hypotensive effects and antinephritic action possibly by increasing renal blood flow.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.97-104
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• 2007

Present study aims to investigate the effect of muddy water on gill and kidney tissues and blood components of Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis in Imha reservoir. As a result of observing the gill tissues in muddy water with light and scanning electron microscopes, the edema, the exfoliation of epithelial cells and fusion of the secondary lamellae were observed. The space between gill lamellae was irregular, and a lots of muddy debris around the secondary lamellae were observed. In case of kidney tissues, the size of glomerulus was smaller and thickness of basal membrane was broader and the empty space in Bowman's capsule was wider than those of the control. The blood cells of O. uncirostris amurensis in muddy water were increased in number. Of the white blood cells, acidophilic granulocytes were highly distributed, and the shapes were irregular. Among the plasma components, the concentration of TP, ALB, A/G ratio, TG, CHOL, and AST were low, whereas that of the inorganic materials was high. Based on the above results, it is considered that muddy water possibly involves in the decrease of respiratory and excretory rates, giving rise to secondary lesion of tissues.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.17
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• 2023

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are critical immune-response mediators. Although they largely reside in mucosal tissues, the kidney also bears substantial numbers. Nevertheless, kidney ILC biology is poorly understood. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are known to display type-2 and type-1 skewed immune responses, respectively, but it is unclear whether this extends to ILCs. We show here that indeed, BALB/c mice have higher total ILCs in the kidney than C57BL/6 mice. This difference was particularly pronounced for ILC2s. We then showed that three factors contributed to the higher ILC2s in the BALB/c kidney. First, BALB/c mice demonstrated higher numbers of ILC precursors in the bone marrow. Second, transcriptome analysis showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys associated with significantly higher IL-2 responses. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys expressed higher levels of IL-2 and other cytokines known to promote ILC2 proliferation and/or survival (IL-7, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin). Third, the BALB/c kidney ILC2s may be more sensitive to the environmental signals than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s since they expressed their transcription factor GATA3 and the IL-2, IL-7, and IL-25 receptors at higher levels. Indeed, they also demonstrated greater responsiveness to IL-2 than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s, as shown by their greater STAT5 phosphorylation levels after culture with IL-2. Thus, this study demonstrates previously unknown properties of kidney ILC2s. It also shows the impact of mouse strain background on ILC2 behavior, which should be considered when conducting research on immune diseases with experimental mouse models.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2005

This study investigated the distribution of scuticociliates in the intestine, spleen, kidney, testis, brain, pericondrial bone and muscle layer of the tiger puffer, Takifugu rubripes, infected with scuticociliates. Scuticociliates were infiltrated in the connective tissues of the outer layer of the intestine, spleen, kidney, testis, brain, pericondrial bone and muscle layer. In brain, membranous tissue and optic lobe cortex separation were accompanied by the infection of scuticociliates. Other internal tissues and organs did not show any lesions expect for heavy deposition of hemosiderin in spleen.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.846-854
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• 1995

Taurine concentrations in blood and various tissues were measured in cats fed normal trurine diet(0.15% taurine) and trurine-free diet(0% taurine) for 5 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively. Cumulative body weight gain in young cats fed normal taurine diet and taurine-free diet for the initial 5 weeks were 463$\pm$43g and 383$\pm$53g respectively. Taurine concentration was one to two orders magnitude higher in most tissues than in plasma, among which the liver taurine-free diet for 12 weeks resulted in 98% reduction in plasma taurine concentration, 93% reduction in whole blood tarurine concentration, and 40~90% reduction in tissue taurine concentrations compared to the values for normal taurine diet group. Among the tissues tested, taurine depletion was most profound in heart and kidney, while liver and intestine were relatively resistant to taurine depletion. Whole blood taruined concentration appeared to be a better index for the body taurine status of cats as in more closely reflects the rate of taurine depletion in tissues. Taurine depletion in cats significantly increased the concentrations of essential and non-essential free amino acids in liver, while free amino acid concentrations in other tissues were not affected by taurine depletion.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.510-518
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• 2005

In this study, we investigated whether PLGA microspheres in combination with hyaluronic acid (HA) gel have appropriate properties as a bulking agent for urologic injection therapies and whether the implantation of PLGA microspheres and HA gel induces angiogenesis in the newly formed tissues. In order to investigate whether this bulking agent is injectable, this material was injected through 24-gauge needles into the subcutaneous dorsum of the mouse. The bulking agent was easily injected without needle obstruction. Histological analyses of the hybrid tissues at 2 weeks showed that host cells at the surrounding tissues migrated into the spaces between the implanted PLGA microspheres and formed tissue-like structures. An inflammatory response to the implants was mild at 2 weeks and diminished at 8 weeks. Importantly, extensive ingrowth of blood vessels was observed in the hybrid tissues formed by the injection of PLGA microspheres and HA, whereas blood vessels rarely formed in the hybrid tissues formed by the injection of PLGA microspheres only. The implant volume was conserved for almost the entire implantation period. Histological analyses of the distant organs of the bulking agent-implanted animals, such as the lungs, liver, heart, brain, kidney, and spleen, showed no evidence of the injected microsphere migration. These results show that PLGA microspheres in combination with HA possess the appropriate characteristics for a bulking agent for urologic injection therapies and induce extensive blood vessel formation in the hybrid tissues.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2021

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) is a common complication of CKD, often accompanied by extra-skeletal calcification in adult patients. As increased vascular calcification is predicted to increase cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, the revised Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes guidelines recommend avoiding calcium-containing phosphate chelators. However, extra-skeletal calcification is less commonly noticed in pediatric patients. Here, we report our experience of such a complication in pediatric patients receiving maintenance peritoneal dialysis. Extra-skeletal calcification was noticed at the corneas, pelvic cavity, and soft tissues of the lower leg in 4 out of 32 patients on maintenance peritoneal dialysis. These patients experienced the aggravation of extra-skeletal calcifications during peritoneal dialysis, and 2 of them underwent excisional operations. It is required to monitor extra-skeletal calcifications in children on kidney replacement therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.7
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• pp.374-384
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• 2023

Fibrosis is a pathological condition that is characterized by an abnormal buildup of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagen, in tissues. This condition affects various organs of the body, including the liver and kidney. Early diagnosis and treatment of fibrosis are crucial, as it is a progressive and irreversible process in both organs. While there are certain similarities in the fibrosis process between the liver and kidney, there are also significant differences that must be identified to determine molecular diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA molecules that do not code for proteins, are increasingly recognized as playing significant roles in gene expression regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that specific lncRNAs are involved in fibrosis development and progression by modulating signaling pathways, such as the TGF-β/Smad pathway and the β-catenin pathway. Thus, identifying the precise lncRNAs involved in fibrosis could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for fibrotic diseases. In this review, we summarize lncRNAs related to fibrosis in the liver and kidney, and propose their potential as therapeutic targets based on their functions.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.139-149
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• 2010

The present study was carried out to elucidate whether an environmental strain of Cryptococcus neoformans (environmental C. neoformans) isolated from an environmental source in a park of Busan has an acute pathophysiological effect in rats. On the second day after peritoneal inoculation of environmental C. neoformans, adverse effects occurred from the viewpoint of hematology and biochemistry. Eosinophil damages and crystal formations were found in the blood. Disturbances in cytokines production were observed in the cerebral and pulmonary tissues. Fungal budding existed in the brain, lung, liver and kidney. Tissue injury findings such as inflammation, leukocyte infiltration, bleeding, or degeneration were found in the brain, lung, liver and kidney. The present data suggest that the environmental C. neoformans can cause systematically harmful effects even for short periods of infection (two days of cryptococcal infection) and the adverse effects are summarized as immune derangements and biochemical and/or histological dysfunction and injury on major organ such as the brain, lung, liver and kidney in the immunocompetent hosts. Further studies should be focused on comparing the differences between environmental and clinical strains of C. neoformans.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 1997

Distribution and persistence of fenitrothion in rats were studied following oral administration of a single dose 300 mg/kg of body weight. Residue of the parent compound was analyzed in blood, liver, kidney, brain, lung and heart 2, 4, 6, 8 hours and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 days after oral administration. The maximum concentration of fenitrothion appeared in the blood, kidney, heart on the 2 hour and liver, brain, lung on the 4 hour. Residues of the parent compound in kidney were much higher and persistent than other tissues and the pesticide was not detected on the 7th day. Recoveries were ranged from 83.0(lung, $1 \mu g/g$) to 97.5%(blood, $1.5 \mu g/ml$).