• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2010

A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to create animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was undertaken to examine whether depletion of brain dopamine (DA) stores with 6-OHDA can make alteration in the activities of the testicular steroidogenesis in adult rats. Young adult male rats (3 months old) were received a single dose of 6-OHDA (200 ${\mu}g$ in 10 ${\mu}{\ell}$/animal) by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, and sacrificed after two weeks. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related enzymes were measured by qRT-PCRs. Serum testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Single icv infusion of 6-OHDA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of CYP11A1 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.68{\pm}0.14$ AU, p<0.05), CYP17 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.13$ AU, p<0.05). There were no changes in the mRNA levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.84{\pm}0.08$ AU) and $17{\beta}$-HSD (control: 6-OHDA group=$1:0.63{\pm}0.20$ AU), though the levels tended to be decreased in the 6-OHDA treated group. Administration of 6-OHDA decreased significantly the mRNA level of StAR when compared to the level of saline-injected control animals (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.08$ AU, p<0.05). Treatment with single dose of 6-OHDA remarkably lowered serum testosterone levels compared to the levels of control group (control:6-OHDA group=$0.72{\pm}0.24:0.13{\pm}0.03ng/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). Taken together with our previous study, the present study demonstrated that the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-testis hormonal axis could be negatively affected by blockade of brain DA biosynthesis, and suggested the reduced reproductive potential might be resulted in the animals. More precise information on the testicular steroidogenic activities in PD patients and PD-like animals should be required prior to the generalization of the sex steroid hormone therapy to meet the highest standards for safety and efficacy.

• Archives of design research
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• no.16
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• pp.1-14
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• 1996

As the marketing strategy of corporations has been changing in various ways, the type of new product development has also bC'en changing in dim~rent ways. The types of changes include, among oiller things, product development. wit.h a new concept., revolut.ionary product development., new brand product. development., improvement. of existing product. and development. in model changes. The design development has similarly advanced with the growth in scient.ific approach in t11e design process of new product. development. in relat.ion t.o each t.ype of product development.. Ilowever, in view of the design approach or st.rat.egy for each t.ype, different. kinds of method of development is necessary. In order to increase t.he life cycle of an existing product. which has reached its mature stage and to respond t.o the changes 111 time t.hrough product improvement., it is becoming more imtxJrl.ant for Ule corporation to confonn wiU1 the changes in time by being able to sat.isfy the consumer! s needs, way of thinking and luxury inclination by utilizing the changes in design. However, it is very difficult to decide on a design using different development. methods which would clearly meet such neL'

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.309-318
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• 2015

Alcohol consumption increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. However, its effects on prediabetes or early diabetes have not been studied. We investigated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the pancreas and liver resulting from chronic alcohol consumption in the prediabetes and early stages of diabetes. We separated Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats, a type-2 diabetic animal model, into two groups based on diabetic stage: prediabetes and early diabetes were defined as occurrence between the ages of 11 to 16 weeks and 17 to 22 weeks, respectively. The experimental group received an ethanol-containing liquid diet for 6 weeks. An intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test was conducted after 16 and 22 weeks for the prediabetic and early diabetes groups, respectively. There were no significant differences in body weight between the control and ethanol groups. Fasting and 120-min glucose levels were lower and higher, respectively, in the ethanol group than in the control group. In prediabetes rats, alcohol induced significant expression of ER stress markers in the pancreas; however, alcohol did not affect the liver. In early diabetes rats, alcohol significantly increased most ER stress-marker levels in both the pancreas and liver. These results indicate that chronic alcohol consumption increased the risk of diabetes in prediabetic and early diabetic OLETF rats; the pancreas was more susceptible to damage than was the liver in the early diabetic stages, and the adaptive and proapoptotic pathway of ER stress may play key roles in the development and progression of diabetes affected by chronic alcohol ingestion.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.46-50
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• 2015

Both Portulaca oleracea (PO) and Glechoma hederacea (GH) have been used as traditional medicine due to the multiple pharmacological activities. However, the effects of PO and GH in the pathology of periodontitis is still elusive. In this study, we examined anti-microbial activity of PO ethanol extract (POEE) and GH ethanol extract (GHEE) in vitro, and physiological effects of POEE and GHEE on the cell inflammatory responses and the severity of periodontitis were determined using the rat periodontitis model. Our results indicate that POEE and GHEE had no effects on the proliferation of streptococcus mutans and on LPS-mediated inflammatory responses in gingival fibroblast cells. Notably, ingestion of POEE and GHEE resulted in attenuating the severity of periodontitis and population change of immune cells. These data suggests that PO and GH should be considered as candidates for relieving the severity of periondontitis.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.461-470
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• 2000

Objective : Many investigators have demonstrated the protective effects of hypothermia following traumatic brain injury(TBI) in both animals and humans. It has long been recognized that mild to moderate hypothermia improves neurologic outcomes as well as reduces histologic and biochemical sequelae after TBI. In this study, two immunohistochemical staining using terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated biotin dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL), staining of apoptosis, and ${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein(${\beta}$-APP), a marker of axonal injury, were done and the authors evaluated the protective effects of hypothermia on axonal and neuronal injury after TBI in rats. Material and Method : The animals were prepared for the delivery of impact-acceleration brain injury as described by Marmarou and colleagues. TBI is achieved by allowing of a weight drop of 450gm, 1 m height to fall onto a metallic disc fixed on the intact skull of the rats. Fourty Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 400 to 450g were subjected to experimental TBI induced by an impact-acceleration device. Twenty rats were subjected to hypothermia after injury, with their rectal temperatures maintained at $32^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour. After this 1-hour period of hypothermia, rewarming to normothermic levels was accomplished over 30-minute period. Following 12 hours, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks later the animals were killed and semiserial sagittal sections of the brain were reacted for visualization of the apoptosis and ${\beta}$-APP. Results : The density of ${\beta}$-APP marked damaged axons within the corticospinal tract at the pontomedullary junction and apoptotic cells at the contused cerebral cortex were calculated for each animal. In comparison with the untreated controls, a significant reduction in ${\beta}$-APP marked damaged axonal density and apoptotic cells were found in all hypothermic animals(p<0.05). Conclusion : This study shows that the posttraumatic hypothermia result in substantial protection in TBI, at least in terms of the injured axons and neurons.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.11-18
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is more frequently diagnosed and is characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. $\small{D}$-xylose, a sucrase inhibitor, may be useful as a functional sugar complement to inhibit increases in blood glucose levels. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of $\small{D}$-xylose both in vitro and stretpozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NA)-induced models in vivo. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: (i) normal control; (ii) diabetic control; (iii) diabetic rats supplemented with a diet where 5% of the total sucrose content in the diet was replaced with $\small{D}$-xylose; and (iv) diabetic rats supplemented with a diet where 10% of the total sucrose content in the diet was replaced with $\small{D}$-xylose. These groups were maintained for two weeks. The effects of $\small{D}$-xylose on blood glucose levels were examined using oral glucose tolerance test, insulin secretion assays, histology of liver and pancreas tissues, and analysis of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK) expression in liver tissues of a STZ-NA-induced experimental rat model. Levels of glucose uptake and insulin secretion by differentiated C2C12 muscle cells and INS-1 pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells were analyzed. RESULTS: In vivo, $\small{D}$-xylose supplementation significantly reduced fasting serum glucose levels (P < 0.05), it slightly reduced the area under the glucose curve, and increased insulin levels compared to the diabetic controls. $\small{D}$-xylose supplementation enhanced the regeneration of pancreas tissue and improved the arrangement of hepatocytes compared to the diabetic controls. Lower levels of PEPCK were detected in the liver tissues of $\small{D}$-xylose-supplemented rats (P < 0.05). In vitro, both 2-NBDG uptake by C2C12 cells and insulin secretion by INS-1 cells were increased with $\small{D}$-xylose supplementation in a dose-dependent manner compared to treatment with glucose alone. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, $\small{D}$-xylose exerted anti-diabetic effects in vivo by regulating blood glucose levels via regeneration of damaged pancreas and liver tissues and regulation of PEPCK, a key rate-limiting enzyme in the process of gluconeogenesis. In vitro, $\small{D}$-xylose induced the uptake of glucose by muscle cells and the secretion of insulin cells by ${\beta}$-cells. These mechanistic insights will facilitate the development of highly effective strategy for T2D.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.269-281
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• 1995

The effect of persistant mild hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia on the development of the insulin resistance in rats was studied in vivo. Also, the characteristics of the insulin resistance compared with the insulin resistance of STZ diabetic rats. Persistant mild hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemic rat model was produced by ingestion of glucose polymer for 8 days. The glucose disappearance and infusion rate was measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp technique at steady state of blood glucose and insulin levels. The clamped level of blood glucose was 100 mg/dl, and the clamped levels of insulin were $70{\mu}U/ml$ (physiologic condition) and $3000{\mu}U/ml$ (supramaximal condition). Hepatic glucose producticon rate was calculated using measured data. And the glycogen synthetic capacity of skeletal muscle(soleus) and liver was measured after 2 hours of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study. The glucose disappearance and glucose infusion rate in glucose polymer group was decreased in the both physiological and supramaximal insulin level compared to the rate of the normal control group. The rate of STZ diabetic group wase lowest at supramaximal insulin level among two another experimental groups. The hepatic glucose production rate of glucose polymer group was decreased compared to normal control but increased in STZ diabetic group. The glycogen synthetic capacity of skeletal muscle and liver of glucose polymer group was not significantly different from normal control group, but it was markdly decreased in STZ diabetic group. These results suggest that persistant mild hyperglycemic hyperinsulinemia may induce insulin resistance, but glycogen synthetic capacity is intact.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.401-411
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• 2015

This study was performed to investigate the wound healing effect of skin regeneration cosmetics utilizing low molecular weight Polydeoxynucleotide (PDRN). High purity PDRN was prepared from salmon testes poly-deoxy-ribonucleotide through protein and toxin removal process and molecular weight reduction. In order to evaluate the wound healing effect of PDRN in SD rats, 4 sites of dorsal skin of each animal were excised by using biopsy punch and $500{\mu}L$ of test solution was topically applied once daily for 4 weeks. The tissue changes were observed for every week during the application periods. After applying the PDRN to the wound, the skin was cut flower and contraction of the wounds more quickly, and the coating of PDRN in the wound area was reduced significantly as compared to the positive control group $Fucidin^{(R)}$ applied. The microscopic observation of stained tissue showed that a positive control was most rapid in re-epithelialization ability followed by the PH group, PDRN group, HA group. In addition, transforming growth factor ($TGF-{\beta}$) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), such as in the growth factor was similar to the results of staining of tissue lesions. In conclusion, it is determined that the low molecular weight PDRN has the therapeutic effect to the wound, and could be used as a functional material of cosmetics and medical industries.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2021

Objective: Chronic reflux esophagitis (CRE), characterized by esophageal mucosa ulcer, is caused by continuous backflow of gastric acid and consequent inflammation due to unstable gastroesophageal sphincter. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of an Arecae Semen and Coptidis Rhizoma mixture (AC-mix) on CRE. Methods: CRE was surgically induced in SD rats with three experimental groups used: normal; CRE control; and CRE treatment (200 mg/kg AC-mix). Blood and esophageal tissue were collected after two weeks of drug administration. The anti-oxidant activity of the AC-mix was measured by total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents as well as by radical scavenging activity with protein levels evaluated using western blotting. Results: CRE damage to the esophageal mucosa was significantly reduced in the AC-mix group as compared with the controls, and administration of the AC-mix was seen to inhibit NF-κBp65 activity. Consequently, the inactivation of NF-κBp65 significantly inhibited inflammatory mediators such as COX-2 and iNOS. Moreover, the anti-oxidant enzyme HO-1 significantly increased through activation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which can break down collagen from the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, was decreased following AC-mix treatment, and elevated levels of MMP-2 were regulated by its tissue inhibitor. Conclusions: These results show that AC-mix can alleviate esophageal mucosa ulcer though inhibition of the NF-κBp65 inflammatory pathway and enhancement of the anti-oxidant Nrf2-Keap1 pathway.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.374-385
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• 2021

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of locally delivered 1% alendronate (ALN) gel used as an adjunct to non-invasive periodontal therapy. Methods: Ligature-induced periodontitis was performed in 96 rats. The ligature was tied in the cervical area of the mandibular left first molar. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) NT, no treatment; 2) SRP, scaling and root planning; 3) SRP/PLA, SRP followed by filling the periodontal pocket with placebo gel (PLA); and 4) SRP/ALN, SRP followed by filling the periodontal pockets with 1% ALN gel. Histomorphometric (percentage of bone in the furcation region [PBF]) and immunohistochemical (receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, osteoprotegerin, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) analyses were performed. Data were statistically analyzed, with the threshold of statistical significance set at P≤0.05. Results: The SRP, SRP/PLA, and SRP/ALN groups presented a higher PBF than the NT group (P≤0.01) at 7, 15, and 30 days. The SRP/ALN group presented a higher PBF than the SRP/PLA group in all experimental periods, as well as a higher PBF than the SRP group at 15 and 30 days. No differences were observed in the immunohistochemical analyses (P>0.05 for all). Conclusions: Locally delivered 1% ALN gel used as an adjunct to SRP enhanced bone regeneration in the furcation region in a rat model of experimental periodontitis.