• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the changes of the serological lipid-related parameters of the rats when they were fed with the high fat diets supplemented with or without naringin for five weeks. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats($272.2{\pm}7.2$ g of body weight) were randomly divided into three groups(eight rats per each group) : control(C) group and two treatment groups. Rats in the C group were fed with the high-fat diet containing 15% lard, 1% cholesterol and 0.5% sodium cholate(w/w) which was modified from the formula of the American Institute of Nutrition-76(AIN-76) diet. Rats in treatment groups were fed with above diet supplemented with 0.1% naringin(N-0.1) or 0.2% naringin(N-0.2) on the weight to weight basis, respectively. The supplementation of naringin did not induce any significant difference on the final body weight, gain of body weight, the amount of feed intake and the feed efficiency of rats in between control and treatment groups. In addition the levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin and albumin/globulin(A/G) ratio in sera of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. The levels of total cholesterol(TC) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)in sera of rats in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups were significantly lower than in C group(p<0.05). The levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) were significantly higher in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups than in C group(p<0.05). The values of atherogenic index(AI) were significantly lower in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups than in C group(p<0.05). The levels of triglyceride in sera of rats showed no significant differences between control and treatment groups. The values of AST and ALT were significantly lower in both N-0.1 and N-0.2 groups than in C group(p<0.05). Therefore the supplementation of naringin to high fat diet in rats reduced effectively the serum lipid levels such as TC and LDL-C and AI which were regarded as to cause the cardiovascular diseases, and moreover it elevated the HDL-C value effectively which was regarded to protect cardiovascular diseases.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.433-439
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• 2004

This study was carried out to investigate the efficacy of rifampin with or without streptomycin in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats experimentally inoculated with Brucella abortus. Thirty rats were intraperitoneally inoculated with $1.0{\times}10^9$colony-forming units of B. abortus. They were divided into 3 groups by treatment with antibiotic. 10 rats in Group A were orally administrated with rifampin, 10 rats in Group B with rifampin orally and with streptomycin intramuscularly over 12 weeks starting at 1 week post infection (PI). A placebo recipient in Group C was inoculated with sterile saline without antibiotics. All animals were monitored by tube agglutination test (TAT) and AMOS-PCR to evaluate the efficiency of the antibiotics to B. abortus infection. The antibody titers in Groups A, B and C were 1:400, 1:400 and 1:800 as measured by TAT at the first week PI, respectively. The antibody titer in Group A decreased to 1:100 by the 13th week PI. That in the control group was observed as high antibody titer until 13th weeks PI, but the antibody response in Group B was low(1:50) from the 5th week to the 13th week PI. AMOS-PCR there was evidence of relapse of B. abortus in group A in liver and spleen specimens at the 13th week PI. B. abortus DNA was detected in Group C in liver and spleen specimens from the 1st week to 13th week PI by AMOS-PCR. However AMOS-PCR could not detect any organism in Group B from the 3rd week PI until the end of the study. This study demonstrated that administration of a combination of rifampin and streptomycin was more efficacious than administration of rifampin alone. A significant reduction in antibody titer was observed when a combination of 15 mg/kg/day of rifampin per os and 15 mg/kg/day streptomycin intramuscularly was used in comparison with the antibody of control group.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.789-794
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Cassia tora ethanol extracts on carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 4 groups: normal group, $CCl_4$, treated group, $CCl_4-0.25%$ Cassia tora ethanol extracts group and $CCl_4-0.5%$ Cassia tora ethanol extracts group. Rats were fed with each experimental diet and water for 5 weeks. Liver weights of rats treated only with $CCl_4$, were significantly increased compared to normal group, but not in rats fed diet containing Cassia tora ethanol extracts. Cholesterol and triglyceride contents in serum and liver were also not influenced by either $CCl_4$, treatment or the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts. $CCl_4$, treatment significantly increased ALP activities, however the supplementation of Cassia tora ethanol extracts significantly decreased the activities of serum ALT, AST, ${\gamma}-GTP$ in dose-dependent manner. Cassia tora ethanol extracts significantly reduced $CCl_4-induced$ elevation of liver TBARS contents. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were decreased by $CCl_4$, treatment, however by the supplement of Cassia tora ethanol extracts slightly increased activities of SOD and catalase. The activity of glutathione peroxidase in groups fed diets containing Cassia tora ethanol extracts was significantly decreased compared to that of the control group. These results suggest that Cassia tora ethanol extracts may exert protective effect against $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury through the prevention of lipid peroxidation.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.474-485
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• 2013

Pharmacological studies and clinical practices have indicated that Radix Astragali, a dried root of Astragalus membranaceus possesses a lot of biological activities, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunological activities. These biological activities approved by the modern pharmacological studies are mainly due to the constituents of Astragalus membranaceus including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements. In resent, the main constituents in the root part showing a lot of biological activities has been isolated also from the aboveground parts such as leaves and sprouts in our laboratory. However, the safety evaluation for the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus should be checked before expanding their application as one of food. In the study, a 90-day rat oral gavage study has been conducted with the extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-above-ground parts at doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000mg/kg/day. The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observations, body weight, gross and microscopic pathology, clinical chemistry, and hematology. Based on the analysis of these endpoints, it was estimated that NOEL (no observed effect level) for male rats and NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for female rats are 5000mg/kg/day of the water-extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2003

This study investigated the effects of green tea on the muscle antioxidative defense system in the white & red gastrocnemius muscles of rats after aerobic exercise. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150 10 g were randomly assigned to a control group, non-exercise with green tea group (G group), and exercise training group. The exercise training group was then further classified as the training (T) group and training with green tea (TG) group, the latter of which was supplemented with green tea in the drinking water during the experimental period. The rats in the exercise training groups (T and TG) were subjected to aerobic exercise on a treadmill 30 min/day at a speed of 28 m/min (7% incline) 5 days/week, while the other groups (control and G group) were cage confined for 4 weeks. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed with an injected overdose of pentobarbital just after running. In the white muscle, the xanthine oxidase (XOD) activities were 71 % higher in the T group compared to control group, whereas the TG group had the same activity as the control group. The XOD activities in the red gastrocnemius muscle exhibited the same tendency as in the white muscle. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the white muscle was lower in the T group compared with the control group, yet significantly higher in the TG group compared with the T group. The SOD activities in the red gastrocnemius muscle exhibited the same tendency as in the white gastrocnemius muscle. The glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activities in the white & red gastrocnemius muscles were 43 % lower in the T group compared with the control group, yet the activities in the TG group remained at control levels. The glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the white muscle was not significantly different among any of the three groups, but in the red gastrocnemius muscle, the TG group had the same activity as in the control group. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) contents in the white & red gastrocnemius muscles were higher in the T group than in the control but the control and TG groups had the same concentrations of TBARS. In conclusion, the supplementation of green tea in rats subjected to aerobic exercise was found to reduce the peroxidation of muscle lipids by enhancing the antioxidative defense mechanism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.601-607
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• 1992

In order to investigate the liver damage and hepatic protective systems in cadmium(Dd) administered rats, five different levels of Cd were injected intraperitoneally to male rats of sprague-Dawley strains weighing $250{\pm}15g.$ Levels of daily Cd administration were 0(control), 0.625(A), 1.25(B), 2.5(C) and 5mg(D)/kg of body weight and single inhection per day was done for consecutive two days. With increasing Cd dosed, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase activities were increased. And at the same time, hepatic reduced glutathione contents were decreased, whereas the levels of oxidized form were increased. Liver lipid peroxide levels of A, B, C and D groups were 1.1, 1.5, 1.8 activities and vitamin E contents were progressively reduced in accordance with the increase in Cd dose. However, liver superoxide dismutase activities were not different between control and A group although it was higher in B and lower in C and D groups compared with control.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.17-27
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• 2010

Objectives: Cocaine has been well known as a representative drug of abuse for its strong reinforcing effect linked to the mesolimbic reward system including dopamine, and such reinforcement leads to the addiction. Acupuncture has been used widely in eastern Asia for the treatment of various diseases including mental disorders and psychiatric problems, and is gathering more interest as one of the complementary and alternative medicines in western countries. In a previous study, we demonstrated that acupuncture at HT7 could affect dopamine release in the mesolimbic system of rats sensitized to alcohol and morphine. This study was designed to investigate whether acupuncture at HT7 could attenuate cocaine intake or not. Material & Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 270-300 g at the start of experiment were trained to self-administer food pellets under a fixed ratio 1 schedule. After the success of acquisition of 100 pellets within 3 h for 3 consecutive days, animals were subjected to surgery whereby Silastic tubing was implanted into right jugular vein and secured with mesh under the anesthetization using pentobarbital injection (50 mg/kg, i.p.). Following recovery, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine (0.25 mg/kg) in daily 2 h sessions under fixed ratio 1 schedule over 10 days. Each treatment was performed on the next day of each establishment of baseline. Results: Results show that acupuncture at HT7, but not at control points, reduced cocaine intake significantly. Acupuncture at HT7 decreased selectively active lever response from $63.15{\pm}3.35$ to $51.46{\pm}3.99$ corresponding $82.12{\pm}5.31%$ compared to basal level. Also, it was demonstrated that the effect of acupuncture was mainly occurred at the half period. Nevertheless, acupuncture at HT7 did not influence the food taking behavior. Conclusions: From the results of this study, it may be suggested that acupuncture at HT7, at least in part, could contribute to the treatment of cocaine abuse.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1377-1384
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• 2003

This study investigated the effects of different types of dietary fats and fibers on the concentrations of serum and liver lipids and biochemical index in male Sprague-Dawley rats for 6 weeks. The experimental groups were divided into three groups; 5% corn oil +5% cellulose (CO group),10% corn oil +10% psyllium husk (CO +PH group) and 10% lard +10% psyllium husk (LA+ PH group). Body weight gain and FER (food efficiency ratio%) decreased significantly in the LA+PH group and decreased slightly in the CO+PH group compared with the CO group. Food intake and tissue weights were not significantly different among the dietary groups. Concentrations of serum total cholesterol decreased significantly in the CO + PH group compared with the CO group, but no significant different in the LA + PH group. Concentrations of serum triglyceride and phospholipid decreased significantly in the CO+PH and the LA+PH groups compared with the CO group. Liver cholesterol concentration was significantly decreased in the LA+PH group compared with the CO and the CO+PH groups. Glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity was significantly increased in the LA + PH group compared with the CO and the CO + PH groups. However, lactate dehydrogenase and blood urea nitrogen was significantly decreased in the LA+ PH group compared with the CO and the CO +PH groups. The others biochemical parameters, total protein, albumin, glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase were not significantly different among the dietary groups. These results showed that the lowering effect of dietary psyllium husk on serum lipid concentrations was more pronounced in the corn oil -feeding group than in the lard-feeding group as dietary fat source.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.83-92
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• 2011

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease and is led to physical disability. Yet the development of effective disease-modifying treatments has lagged. In this study, I examined the effect of physical therapeutic intervention through microcurrent stimulation and attempt to find which degree of intensity, either 25 ${\mu}A$ or 500 ${\mu}A$ with a regular 5 pps pulse, is more effective in the osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was induced with a mixture of 2% carrageenan and 2% kaolin in 26 male Sprague-Dawley rats. The mixture (0.1 $m{\ell}$) was injected into the intra-articular capsule of knee joint once a week for three weeks. Five animals did not show degenerative changes by radiological findings and excluded in the following experiment. Osteoarthritic animals were randomly divided into 3 groups ($n_1$, $n_2$, $n_3$=7/each): untreated, treated with 25 ${\mu}A$, treated with 500 ${\mu}A$. All experimental groups received microcurrent stimulation for four weeks (15 min/day, 5 days/week). The ethological inspection of foot print analysis on the walking corridor was accomplished every week. Histological preparations and immunohistochemical staining with insulin-like growth factor-1 were also done in the articular cartilages. All of these parameters were compared with those of osteoarthritic control group (n=7). The ethological inspection of foot print analysis revealed that changes of walking track (paw width) and stride length was significantly increased in both experimental groups. The better results were observed in experimental group treated with 25 ${\mu}A$ intensity without significance than group treated with 500 ${\mu}A$. Histological preparations disclosed that routine hyaline cartilage of articular surface were altered to fibrous cartilage in untreated group and experimental group treated with 500 ${\mu}A$ intensity. But a little changes were seen in experimental group treated with 25 ${\mu}A$ intensity. Immunolocalization of insulin-like growth factor-1 was simultaneously decreased according to the duration of osteoarthritis, and did not show significant difference among the groups. In this study discovered that the microcurrent stimulation, especially 25 ${\mu}A$ intensity, had a positive effect by the ethological inspection, histological and immunohistochemical stainings. These results suggest that microcurrent stimulation with low-intensity might be effective in the promotion of healing process for the osteoarthritis.