• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.157-161
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• 1999

Recent studies clearly demonstrated that the novel expression of LH gene in the rat testis, and suggested the local action of the LH-like molecule. The present study was performed to analyze the expression of LH genes in the rat accessory reproductive organs. Expression of LH subunit genes in the rat uterus and epididymis was demonstrated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and specific LH radioimmunoassay (RIA). The $LH_{beta}$ transcripts in these organs contained the published cDNA structure, the pituitary type exons 1-3, which encoded the entire $LH_{beta}$ polypeptide. Presence of the transcripts for the ${\alpha}$-subunit in the rat reproductive tissues were also confirmed by RT-PCR. In the LH RIA, significant levels of LH were detected in crude extracts from the rat ovary, uterus and epididymis. The competition curves with increasing amount of tissue extracts were parallel with those of standard peptide, indicating that the immunoreactive LH-like materials in these tissues are similar to authentic pituitary LH molecule. In rat epididymis, the highest amount of immunoreactive LH was detected in corpus area. Our findings demonstrated that the genes for LH subunits are expressed in the rat accessory reproductive organs, and suggested that these extrapituitary LH may act as a local regulator with auto and/or paracrine manner.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.469-475
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• 2013

In mammals, puberty is a process of acquiring reproductive competence, triggering by activation of hypothalamic kisspeptin (KiSS)-gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neuronal circuit. During peripubertal period, not only the external genitalia but the internal reproductive organs have to be matured in response to the hormonal signals from hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (H-P-G) axis. In the present study, we evaluated the maturation of male rat accessory sex organs during the peripubertal period using tissue weight measurement, histological analysis and RT-PCR assay. Male rats were sacrificed at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, and 70 postnatal days (PND). The rat accessory sex organs exhibited differential growth patterns compared to those of non-reproductive organs. The growth rate of the accessory sex organs were much higher than the those of non-reproductive organs. Also, the growth spurts occurred differentially even among the accessory sex organs; the order of prepubertal organ growth spurts is testis = epididymis > seminal vesicle = prostate. Histological study revealed that the presence of sperms in seminiferous tubules and epididymal ducts at day 50, indicating the puberty onset. The number of duct and the volume of duct in epididymis and prostate were inversely correlated during the experimental period. Our RT-PCR revealed that the levels of hypothalamic GnRH transcript were increased significantly on PND 40, suggesting the activation of hypothalamic GnRH pulse-generator before puberty onset. Studies on the peripubertal male accessory sex organs will provide useful references on the growth regulation mechanism which is differentially regulated during the period in androgen-sensitive organs. The detailed references will render easier development of endocrine disruption assay.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 1997

The phytase(myo-inositol hexkisphosphate phosphohydrolase ; EC 3.1.3.8) activity was observed only in the homogenate of intestinal mucosa, though the activity of alkaline phisphatase was measurable in various organs. In addition, no protein bands were detected in any other organs on immunoblotting using the anti-90kDa phytase antiserum. Thses results suggest that phytase is specifically present in small intestinal mucosa, and that hydrolysis of phytic acid(inositol-hexakisphosphate) can be allotted for a physiological role of the intestine-specific enzyme. The activities of phytase was increased during development of rat. The 70kDa phytase appeared just after birth, but the 90kDa phytase was not observed until adult period, suggesting that the 90kDa phytase was synthesized in response to weanling.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.385-389
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• 2004

A novel gene Jpk, originally isolated as a trans-acting factor associating with the position-specific regulatory element of murine Hox gene has been reported to be expressed differentially in the liver of diabetic animals. Therefore, in an attempt to develop a possible diagnostic marker and/or new therapeutic agent for the Diabetes Mellitus, we analysed the expression pattern of Jpk among organs of normal and diabetic Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Total RNAs were isolated from each organs (brain, lung, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, blood, and testis) of diabetic and normal rats in both normal feeding and after fasting condition. And then RT (reverse transcription) PCR has been performed using Jpk­specific primers. The Jpk gene turned out to be expressed in all organs tested, with some different expression profiles among normal and diabetes, though. Upon fasting, Jpk expressions were reduced in all organs tested except kidney, muscle and brain of normal rat. Whereas in diabetes, Jpk expressions were increased in all organs except heart, muscle and testis when fasted. Compared to the normal rat, the Jpk expression level in blood was remarkably upregulated (about 15-30times) in diabetic rat whether in normal feeding or fasting conditon, suggesting that the Jpk could be a candidate gene for the possible blood diagnostic marker for the Diabetes Mellitus.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.253-256
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• 1982

The organ distribution of mercury was examined in the rat after oral administration of a single dose of red mercuric sulfide (15mg Hg/kg). The concentration of total mercury in the organs and blood after 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 72 hours of administration was determined by Quartz Tube Combustion-Gold Amalgamation Method. It was found that the maximal concentration of total mercury was in the kidneys and muscle within 24 hours and in the brain, heart, liver and blood within 48 hours. The descending order of the maximal organ and blood concentration was: kidneys(1.08ppm)>blood> muscle>heart>liver>brain. The accumulation states of total mercury in the rat organs were investigated by continuous administration of red mercuric sulfide (5mg Hg/kg/day) for 15 days. The mercury concentration increased progressively throughout the experimental period and the descending order of the highest level of mercury after 15 days was: kidneys (1.55ppm)>blood>liver. The concentration of alkyl mercury in brain, liver and kidneys also was measured after 7 and 15 days of consecutive administration of red mercuric sulfide (5mg Hg/kg/day). The concentration in the Kidneys and the liver was very low, but was significantly different from control group. The concentration in the brain was extremely low and was not significantly different from control group.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.829-834
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• 2016

Free radicals originate due to the radiolysis of cytoplasmic water with low "Linear Energy Transfer" (LET) radiations. Naringenin (Ng) is a natural antioxidative compound found in citrus fruits. This study revealed that Naringenin (Ng) reduced the radiation damage of critical organs by scavenging oxidative free radicals. In the study, Ng was orally administrated to rats daily for 7 consecutive days, prior to whole body exposure to gamma-rays. The scavenging efficacy was evaluated biochemically by measuring the concentration of cytotoxic byproducts and the activity of enzymes relevant to oxidative free radicals, after extracting the organs from the exposed rat. We observed increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, and decrease in the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the exposed control group. However, pretreatment with Ng significantly reduced the MDA concentration, and increased the activities of SOD and CAT, as compared to the control group, due to the free radical scavenging by Ng. The results indicate that Ng administration prior to irradiation could protect critical organs from radiation damage.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.85-99
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• 2004

Purpose: This study observed the changes in the telomerase activity, it's developmental regulation, PCNA expression, and their correlation in rat's upper digestive organs during growth and aging. Materials and Methods: Upper digestive organs(buccal mucosa, gingiva, palate, submandibular and parotid glands, and tongue) were aseptically removed from Sprague-Dawley rats of fetal(gestational 20 days), growing(1, 2, 3, 5, and 7 weeks after birth) and adult(12 week old). Samples for telomerase activity were frozen on liquid nitrogen immediately after sacrifice, and stored until the use at $-75^{\circ}C$ in order to measure it. Telomerase activity was measured by a PCR-based telomeric repeat amplication protoco(TRAP) assay and quantitated with Photometric Telo TAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISA plus(Roche Diagnostics GmbH. Mannheim. Germany). PCNA expression were measured immunohistochemistry with anti PCNA Ab-1, Clone PC10(NeoMark. California. USA). Results: 1. Telomerase activities in buccal mucosa, palate and gingiva were the highest in fetus and decreased gradually or rapidly after birth and then diminished, but In salivary gland and tongue were the highest in fetus and also high at 1 week and then decreased rapidly. 2. PCNA expression in buccal mucosa, gingiva, Tongue and salivary gland was the highest in fetus and decreased gradually and then diminished. but only in palate decreased rapidly after birth and then diminished. Conclusion: The highest telomerase activity of embryonic stage decreased rapidly after birth in rat's upper digestive organs. There may be a developmental regulation of telomerase activity, but not a tissue-specific. This telomerase activity seems correlated closely with PCNA expression in rat's upper digestive system.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.430-439
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• 1994

S-Adenosyl-L-methionine synthetase (ATP: methionine S-Adenosyltransferase, EC 2.5.1.6; AdoMet synthetase) catalyzes the biosynthesis of S-Adenosyl-L-methionine(AdoMet) from methionine in the presence of ATP. To elucidate the role of transmethylation reaction in the pancreatic tissues, we examined AdoMet synthetase and isozyme activities, and AdoMet contents in the various tissues. The activities of AdoMet synthetase marked the highest in the kidney, and the lowest in the testis among the various tissues of rat. Considerable amounts of AdoMet synthetase activities were detected in the pancreatic tissues of various animals except for those of frog. The level of ${\alpha}$ and ${\gamma}$ isozyme activities were present in the pancreatic tissues of various animals, while ${\beta}$ isozyme activities were detected as trace. AdoMet synthetase activities of rat brain, liver, testis were decreased with growth. In the rat pancreatic tissues, AdoMet synthetase activities were increased during 16 days after birth and then decreased between 16 and 47 days of age. Levels of AdoMet contents of rat brain and testis were decreased with growth. However, AdoMet contents of rat pancreas were decreased until 26 days of age, and then increased thereafter. AdoMet synthetase isozyme patterns did not vary with growth in the pancreas and testis. But, in the liver, ${\beta}$ form is strikingly increased with growth.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2023

Ion channels regulate a large number of cellular functions and their functional role in many diseases makes them potential therapeutic targets. Given their diverse distribution across multiple organs, the roles of ion channels, particularly in age-associated transcriptomic changes in specific organs, are yet to be fully revealed. Using RNA-seq data, we investigated the rat transcriptomic profiles of ion channel genes across 11 organs/tissues and 4 developmental stages in both sexes of Fischer 344 rats and identify tissue-specific and age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression. Organ-enriched ion channel genes were identified. In particular, the brain showed higher tissue-specificity of ion channel genes, including Gabrd, Gabra6, Gabrg2, Grin2a, and Grin2b. Notably, age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression were prominently observed in the thymus, including in Aqp1, Clcn4, Hvcn1, Itpr1, Kcng2, Kcnj11, Kcnn3, and Trpm2. Our comprehensive study of ion channel gene expression will serve as a primary resource for biological studies of aging-related diseases caused by abnormal ion channel functions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.429-440
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• 1996

In order to know morphological changes on the female genital organs by Ivermectin(IVM) administration, the histopathological observation was carried out in the organs of rat and mouse treated with the overdose of IVM. In the microscopical findings of the uterus, there were many mitotic figures, epithelial hyperplasia and papillary foldings in the endometrial surface. The increased prevalance of uterine glands, uterine epithelia and glands hyperplasia were markedly presented on diverse patterns adenoma-like structure and single nodular or multiple polyp-like adenoma. In ovary, primary and mature follicles were decreased in number, and hypoplasia of ovarian follicles, atretic follicles, follicular cysts and ovarian atropy were observed. It was considered that IVM administration resulted in follicular hypoplasia and atropy of ovary, and hyperplasia of uterine gland and endometrial surface epithelium might be transformed to neoplasia of glandular structures.