• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.139-146
• /
• 2019

Objective : Recently, hair has become one of the important aspects of beauty. So, there are many studies about prevention and treatment of alopecia. Finasteride and minoxidil have been known to drug for alopecia treatment. However, these agents have side effects such as irritation, pruritus, and erythema when they were used for a long time. So, we assessed hair growth effect on herbal mixture (RAA) include in Rehmanniae Radix Preparata, Achyranthis Radix, and Acanthopanacis Cortex. Methods : 6 weeks aged C57BL/6 mice were divided three treatment groups. : CON group (vehicle solution), MNXD group (positive control, 3% minoxidil), RAA group (15% RAA solution). And we applied 200 ㎕ of three groups to shaved dorsal skin every day. Hair growth effects of treatment were determined through phototrichogram by folliscope and hair follicle morphometry by H&E staining. And we assessed hair growth-related gene (VEGF, IGF-1, TGF-β1) expressions by western blot and 5-α reductase II analysis of dermal (skin) or internal organ (prostate gland). Results : Hair density and hair follicle size in MNXD or RAA group was enhanced compared to those of CON group, respectively. Also, the protein expression levels in dermal of VEGF, IGF-1 increased but TGF-β1 decreased in RAA and MNXD group, compared to CON group, respectively. 5-α reductase II levels of tissues in MNXD or RAA group significantly decreased compared to those of CON group, respectively. Conclusion : These results suggest that RAA has the promoting effect on hair growth.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.230-237
• /
• 2023

A 6-year-old intact male Cane Corso dog weighing 40 kg with a 2-month history of dysuria, dyschezia, anorexia, intermittent panting, and penile discharge presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Jeju National University. Examination revealed a giant paraprostatic cyst (PPC) that occupied a large part of the abdomen and caused displacement of organs. Radiography, ultrasound, and computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed that the PPC had spread to the pelvic regions. Subtotal resection was performed, leaving two sites with PPC remnants. One site was the prostate gland, which communicated with, and adhered to, the PPC; the other site was the pelvic region, where the PPC had spread. The reason for leaving two remnants was that an anatomical approach for complete resection was difficult, and to avoid complications associated with prostatic urethra damage. Routine omentalization and castration were performed. Partial cystectomy was performed because of the presence of a diverticulum-like lesion in the ventral part of the urinary bladder. The patient's clinical symptoms, including dysuria, completely resolved, and voluntary urination was possible 1 day post-operatively. Histopathological examination revealed osseous metaplasia of the PPC. The patient was well-managed and had no post-operative complications or recurrence until day 180 of follow-up.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.351-358
• /
• 2014

Pumpkin seed oil (PSO) was investigated for its parasite elimination activity and efficacy in treating disorders of the prostate gland and urinary bladder. We confirmed the composition of PSO and identified its ability to improve vessels. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric (GC-MS) system was used for PSO composition analysis. Cytotoxicity and cell proliferation were confirmed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Nitric oxide(NO) production was measured with Griess reagent, and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 mRNA expression levels were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). As a result, PSO revealed the presence of several components such as linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid. Cytotoxic effects of PSO were not observed, and PSO increased nitric oxide production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Additionally, TNF-${\alpha}$-induced cell proliferation and ICAM-1 expression in HUVEC were inhibited by PSO treatment, whereas VCAM-1 expression was not significantly reduced. Taken together, these results show that PSO is worthy of study as a candidate food material for improvement of vascular disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.618-623
• /
• 1995

Cryptococcosis is a systemic mycosis that most often involves the lungs and central nervous system and, less frequently, the skin, skeletal system, and prostate gland. Cryptococcus neoformans, the causative organism, is a yeastlike round or oval fungus, 4 to $6{\mu}m$ in diameter, which is surrounded by a polysaccharide capsule and reproduces by budding and found in soil and other environmental areas, especially those contaminated by pigeon droppings. Humans and animals acquire infection after inhalation of aerosolized spores. Condition or factors that predispose to cryptococcosis include corticosteroid therapy, lymphoreticular malignancies, HIV infection, and sarcoidosis etc. We discribed a case of cryptococcosis involving lung and CNS coincidently without specific underlying disease and the literature on subject were reviewed. A fifty-six year-old previously healthy female presented with headache of 3 months of duration. She had no history suggesting immunologic suppression and we could not find any abnormal laboratory findings including blood sugar, serum immunoglobulin and complement level, HIV antibody, and T cell subsets. Chest roentgenogram and CT scan showed a solitary soft tissue mass in LUL with distal pneumonitis. Brain MRI showed granulomatous lesion in cerebellum and parasagittal cortex of right frontal lobe. The diagnosis was made by bronchoscopic brushing cytology, transthoracic fine needle aspiration, and sputum KOH mount and culture. She was treated 6 weeks course of Amphotericin B and switched to oral fluconazole therapy for 3 months. Her symptoms and X-ray findings were improved gradually and she is now under regular clinical follow up.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.155-161
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is the major component in commercial liquid epoxy resins, which are manufactured by co-reacting bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. This study was performed to show the developmental effects of prenatal and postnatal exposures to BADGE in male rat offspring. Methods : Mated female rats were divided into four groups, each containing 12 rats. The dosing solutions were prepared by thoroughly mixing BADGE in corn oil at the 0, 375, 1500 and 3000 mg/kg/day concentrations. Mated females were dosed once daily by oral gavage on gestation day (GD) 6 - 20 and postnatal day (PND) 0 - 21. Pregnant female dams were observed general symptoms and body weight. Also, male pups were observed the general symptoms, body weight, developmental parameters (e.g. anogenital distance, pina detachment, incisor eruption, nipple retention, eye opening, testis descent), organ pathologic changes and hormone levels of plasma. Results : Pregnant rats treated with BADGE died at a rate of about 70% in the 1500 mg/kg/day group and all rats treated with 3000 mg/kg/day died. Body weight, for male pups treated with doses of 375 mg/kg/day, was significantly lower than in the control group at PND 42, 56, and 63 (p<0.05). Evaluation of body characteristics including; separation of auricle, eruption of incisor, separation of eyelid, nipple retention, descent of testis, and separation of the prepuce in the BADGE treated group showed no difference in comparisons with the control group. AGD and adjusted AGD (mm/kg) for general developmental items in BADGE 375 mg/kg/day treated pups tended to be longer than in controls, however, these differences were not statistically significant. Relative weights of adrenal gland, lung (p<0.05), brain, epididymis, prostate, and testis (p<0.01) were heavier than in control in measures at PND 9 weeks. There were no significant changes in comparisons of histological findings of these organs. Loss of spermatids was observed in the seminiferous tubule at PND 9 weeks, but no weight changes were observed. The plasma estrogen levels were similar in the control and treatment groups at PND 3, 6 and 9 weeks. The plasma testosterone levels in the control group tended to increase with age. However, in the BADGE 375 mg/kg/day treated male pups it did not tend to increase. Conclusions : These findings suggest that BADGE is a chemical that has developmental effects consistent with it being an endocrine disruptor.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.267-271
• /
• 1997

Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is posulated to occur in granulosa cells in ovarian follicular atresia. bcl-2 gene serves as protector from apoptosis and, thus, is associated with increased cell survival. TRPM-2 gene expression has been implicated as a trigger of apoptosis in rat prostate, uterus and mammary gland. Our objective was to determine if bcl-2 and TRPM-2 are expressed in luteinized human GC and, therefore, have regulatory functions for apoptosis in GC. Human GC were obtained via oocyte retrival from the infertile patients stimulated with exogeneous gonadotropins while undergoing IVF. GC were isolated from follicular fluid using Percoll gradient centrifugation. The GC were further purified with anti-CD45 magnetic beads to remove contaminating WBC's. RT-PCR were performed to analyze the mRNA expression of bcl-2 and TRPM-2 in the GC. The PCR primers were designed to amplify a 195 bp fragment of bcl-2 and a 174 bp fragment of TRPM-2. The PCR products were electrophoresed on 4% agarose gel. Three separate experiments indicated that both bcl-2 and TRPM-2 are concurrently expressed in human GC. We cultured granulosa cells with FSH (1 ng/ml) for 1 day to investigate the relative changes of TRPM-2 mRNA level with RNAse protection assay. When we cultured GC with serum free medium for 1 day TRPM-2 mRNA level increased with 1.3 fold, however it was decreased 0.64 fold with FSH. Therefore we conclude that bcl-2 and TRPM-2 are concurrently expressed and that the interaction of their products may be involved in GC apoptosis. And TRPM-2 may be regulated with FSH.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.501-509
• /
• 2022

Pollen corrected from Quercus species is abundant in Korea and has been used to treat anemia and inflammation of the prostate gland. It is also used for hemostasis in oriental medicine. In this study, the ethanol extract of the acorn pollen and its subsequent organic solvent fractions using hexane, ethylacetate, butanol, and water residue were prepared, and their antioxidant, anti-thrombosis, and hemolysis activities were evaluated. The ethylacetate fraction of acorn pollen (EF-AP) showed the highest polyphenol content (225.0 mg/g) and strong antioxidant activity among the solvent fractions. The RC₅₀ of EF-AP against DPPH, ABTS, and nitrite radicals was 72.2, 27.7, and 62.6 ㎍/ml, respectively. The blood coagulation activities of the all-solvent fractions determined by thrombin time, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time were negligible up to 5 mg/ml. Platelet aggregation inhibitory activities were observed in the EF-AP, butanol fraction, and water residue, whereas hexane fraction induced strong platelet aggregation. The EF-AP has no hemolysis activity against human RBC up to 1 mg/ml. UPLC/MS/MS analysis of the EF-AP revealed that rutin, isoquercitrin, and astragalin are major compounds for antioxidant and anti-thrombosis activities. Our results suggest that EF-AP could be developed as a noble antioxidant and anti-thrombosis agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.27-37
• /
• 2021

Objectives : In the current study, we performed the 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity test and a 4-week recovery test of standardized Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc. and Psoralea corylifolia L. 30 % ethanol extract (SCP) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats owing to aims for verifying no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL). Methods : The animal study was performed according to OECD guidelines for the testing of chemicals section 4 health effects test No.408 repeated dose 90-day oral toxicity study in rodents (03 October 2008). In the repeated dose toxicity study, SCP was orally administered to female and male rats at dose levels of 1,000, 2,000, and 4,000 mg/kg/day for 13-week. The control group and high dose (4,000 mg/kg/day) group were then monitored for 4 extra weeks to determine recovery time after the study period. 1) Results : Compared with the control group, there were no treatment-related adverse effects in clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry (Aspartate aminotransferase, Alanine aminotransferase, Alkaline phosphatase, 𝛾-Glutamyl transpeptidase, Blood urea nitrogen, Creatinine, Glucose, Total cholesterol, Total protein, Creatine phosphokinase, Albumin, Total bilirubin, Triglyceride, Inorganic phosphorus, Albumin/Globulin ratio, Calcium ion, Sodium ion, Potassium ion, Chloride ion), necropsy findings and organ weight (Ovary, Adrenal gland, Pituitary, Thymus, Prostate, Testis, Epididymis, Spleen, Kidney, Heart, Lung, Brain, Liver) at any dose tested. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that the NOAEL of SCP in both genders was considered as over 4,000 mg/kg. Results from this study provide scientific evidence for the safety of SCP.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.99-106
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The patient's position and anatomy during the treatment course little bit varies to some extend due to setup uncertainties and organ motions. These factors could affected to not only the dose coverage of the gross tumor but over dosage of normal tissue. Setup uncertainties and organ motions can be minimized by precise patient positioning and rigid immobilization device but some anatomical site such as prostate, the internal organ motion due to physiological processes are challenge. In planning procedure, the clinical target volume is a little bit enlarged to create a planning target volume that accounts for setup uncertainties and organ motion as well. These uncertainties lead to differences between the calculated dose by treatment planning system and the actually delivered dose. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences of interfractional displacement of organ and GTV based on the tomoimages. Materials and Methods: Over the course of 3 months, 3 patients, those who has applied rectal balloon, treated for prostatic cancer patient's tomoimage were studied. During the treatment sessions 26 tomoimages per patient, Total 76 tomoimages were collected. Tomoimage had been taken everyday after initial setup with lead marker attached on the patient's skin center to comparing with C-T simulation images. Tomoimage was taken after rectal balloon inflated with 60 cc of air for prostate gland immobilization for daily treatment just before treatment and it was used routinely in each case. The intrarectal balloon was inserted to a depth of 6 cm from the anal verge. MVCT image was taken with 5 mm slice thickness after the intrarectal balloon in place and inflated. For this study, lead balls are used to guide the registration between the MVCT and CT simulation images. There are three image fusion methods in the tomotherapy, bone technique, bone/tissue technique, and full image technique. We used all this 3 methods to analysis the setup errors. Initially, image fusions were based on the visual alignment of lead ball, CT anatomy and CT simulation contours and then the radiation therapist registered the MVCT images with the CT simulation images based on the bone based, rectal balloon based and GTV based respectively and registered image was compared with each others. The average and standard deviation of each X, Y, Z and rotation from the initial planning center was calculated for each patient. The image fusions were based on the visual alignment of lead ball, CT anatomy and CT simulation contours. Results: There was a significant difference in the mean variations of the rectal balloon among the methods. Statistical results based on the bone fusion shows that maximum x-direction shift was 8 mm and 4.2 mm to the y-direction. It was statistically significant (P=<0.0001) in balloon based fusion, maximum X and Y shift was 6 mm, 16mm respectively. One patient's result was more than 16 mm shift and that was derived from the rectal expansions due to the bowl gas and stool. GTV based fusion results ranging from 2.7 to 6.6 mm to the x-direction and 4.3$\sim$7.8 mm to the y-direction respectively. We have checked rotational error in this study but there are no significant differences among fusion methods and the result was 0.37$\pm$0.36 in bone based fusion and 0.34$\pm$0.38 in GTV based fusion.