• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.242-248
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• 2005

The effect of calcium and boron supplementation on bone strength was determined in growing and ovariectomized (OVX) Sparague-Dawley rats. Rats were divided into 9 groups and fed diet with different intake levels of calcium and boron for 4 weeks. About fifty percentages of rats in each group were OVX and the others were sham-operated. The rats were fed same diets after operation for 8 weeks. The feed intake, body weight gain, and FER were significantly higher in OVX rats than those in sham-operated ones. Serum osteocalcin, bone formation biomarker, was significantly increased with increment in calcium and boron intakes. Serum estradiol was lower in OVX rats than in sham-operated ones. Bone mineral density of femur was significantly lower in OVX rats than in other group. The breaking forces of bones were not significantly different among the groups. The urinary excretion of deoxypyridinoline, osteolytic marker was significantly increased with increment in calcium intake and ovariectomy. The urinary calcium excretion was significantly increased with increment in calcium intake, but decreased with increment in boron intake. According to theses results, the boron supplementation resulted in higher serum osteocalcin and lower urinary calcium excretion. Therefore, it could be suggested that the boron supplementation may be complementary and useful to calcium nutrition for bone health.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.299-306
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• 2008

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of the calcium intake on lipid profile and antioxidant capacities in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Rats were divided into 3 groups and fed diet with different levels of calcium (low 0.1%, adequate 0.5%, high 1.5%) for 4 weeks. The half of rats in each group was ovariectomized and the others were sham-operated. And rats were fed same diets for 8 weeks after operation. Feed intake and weight gain were significantly higher in OVX group than those in sham-operated. Serum HDL-cholesterol was the highest in high-calcium group of OVX. Hepatic triglyceride of low-calcium group in sham-operated was the highest, while that of highcalcium group in OVX was the highest. Hepatic activities of glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and catalase were significantly decreased by increasement of calcium intake. Hepatic TBARS level was the lowest in high-calcium group of OVX. And hepatic level of TBARS induced by AAPH was significantly decreased by increasement of calcium intake. These results may indicate that the high calcium intake have the potential role to improve lipid profiles and antioxidant capacities in OVX rats.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1281-1287
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• 2021

Clinical and preclinical studies have reported that Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17, a probiotic bacterial strain isolated from human breast milk, reduces body weight and white adipose tissue volume. In order to further explore the actions of L. gasseri BNR17, we investigated the anti-menopausal effects of L. gasseri BNR17 in an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model. The serum alanine aminotransferase levels of the rats in the OVX-BNR17 group were lower than those of the rats in the OVX-vehicle only (OVX-Veh) group. Upon administration of L. gasseri BNR17 after ovariectomy, calcitonin and Serotonin 2A levels increased significantly, whereas serum osteocalcin levels showed a decreasing tendency. Compared to the rats in the OVX-Veh group, those in the OVX-BNR17 group showed lower urine deoxypyridinoline levels, lower pain sensitivity, and improved vaginal cornification. Furthermore, L. gasseri BNR17 administration increased bone mineral density in the rats with OVX-induced femoral bone loss. These results suggest that L. gasseri BNR17 administration could alleviate menopausal symptoms, indicating that this bacterium could be a good functional probiotic for managing the health of older women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.334-343
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• 1997

This study was performed to elucidate the effects of dietary calcium-salt, estrogen-treatment, and estrogen/calcium treatment on bone metabolism. Ovariectomized rats were used as an animal model. Female Sprague-Dawley rats with a body weight of $250{\sim}280g$ underwent ovariectomy or sham-operation. The ovariectomized rats were divided into 9 different experimental groups including saline-treated group, estrogen-treated group, high calcium salt-treated group, and estrogen/calcium treated groups, and fed the experimental diet for 6 weeks. The mineral content, weight, length, strength and density in femur and scapula of the animals were determined. The results of the experiment are as follows: there were no difference in weight of wet bone, density, length, strength and content of ash in right femur between ovariectomized rat and sham-operation. When the weight of bones was expressed as bone gram per body weight, it was significantly lower in ovariectomized rat than sham-operation. Estrogen and estrogen/calcium in ovariectomized rats resulted in increased weight of wet bone. Estrogen with its gradual reduction in ovariectomized rats showed the lowest values in strength, content of ash, content of calcium and content of phosphorus among the groups. There were no differences in weight of wet hone, density, content of ash, content of calcium and content of phosphorus in right scapula between ovariectomized rat and sham-operation. In addition skeletal composition was not changed by ovariectomy. Estrogen and estrogen/calcium in ovariectomized rats resulted in decreased skeletal composition however, estrogen with its gradual reduction did not caused the skeletal composition change. Moreover, the gradual reduction of estrogen had a preventive effect on bone loss when the treatment was combined with calcium intensification.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.397-406
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to observe the titanium implant osseointegration in the osteoporosis-induced animal model. Seventy rats, 11 weeks of age, were divided into two groups : an ovariectomized group and a control group. Titanium screw implants(diameter, 2.0mm; length, 3.5mm) were placed into left tibias of 70 rats, 35 in the control group and 35 in the experimental group. The rats were sacrificed at different time interval (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, and 12 weeks after implantation) for histopathologic observation, histomorphometric analysis and immunohistochemistry with fibronectin and CD34 antibody. The results obtained from this study were as follows: 1. Histopathologically findings, newly formed bone was seen at 3 weeks and became lamellar bone at 8 weeks, and mature trabecullar bone was seen at 12 weeks control group. In experimental group, thickness of regenerated bone increased till 8 weeks gradually and mature trabecullar bone was seen at 12 weeks. 2. By histomorphometric analysis, marrow bone density and contact ratio of marrow bone to implant decreased significantly from 8 to 12 weeks in experimental group compared to control group and also total bone to implant contact ratio decreased significantly from 8 to 12 weeks in experimental group. 3. Fibronectin immunoreactivity was strong at 3 weeks control group and reduced after 8weeks gradually. But it was continuously strong from 3 to 8 weeks in experimental group. 4. CD34 immunoreactivity was very strong in the newly formed osteoblasts from 3 to 8 weeks control group. But it reacted minimally later. While in experimental group, it reacted continuously strong from 3 to 12 weeks. The results of this study suggest that osteoporosis is not an absolute contraindication to dental implantation if sufficient period suggested after fixture installation till second stage surgery.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.7 s.87
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• pp.931-936
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Codium Fragile(CF) extract on the collagen content and collagen cross-link content of the connective tissues, alkaline phosphatase activity and calcium levels of serum in ovariectomized estrogen-deficient rats. Three groups were surgically ovariectomized. The fourth group was sham operated. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to the following groups : sham-oper-ated rats(Sham), ovariectomized control rats (OVX-CON), ovariectomized rats supplemented with CF at 50 mg/kg body wt and 200 mg/kg body wt, respectively The CF were orally administrated at 1mLa day. The ovariectomy caused a decreasing in collagen content in bone, cartilage, skin and lung tissues. However CF groups, supplementation with Codium Fragile extract, increased in collagen contentin bone and cartilage tissues than OVX-CON group. Fyridinoline content in cartilage collagen was de-creased by ovariectomy but supplementation with the CF extracts was similarly increased to Sham. Alkaline phosphatase activity on serum of CF groups decreased than OVX-CON group. These results suggest that CF supplementation prevents post-menopausal bone loss, thus it may be used possibly to improve the quality of life in menopausal women.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.175-180
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• 2001

The ectopic expression of gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH and luteinizing hormone(LH) in several tissues is a quite intriguing phenomenon. Recently, the presence of GnRH and its receptor has been clearly demonstrated in rodents and human mammary gland. In this context, one can postulate that the presence of local circuit composed of GnRH and LH in the gland. The present study was undertaken to elucidate whether there is a correlation between the LH expression in rat mammary gland and physiological status during the process of mammary differentiation. LH contents in mammary gland from cycling to weaning rats were measured by radioimmunoassay(RIA). In cycling rats, changes of the LH level in both serum and mammary gland showed similar pattern as the highest level in proestrus and the lowest level in diestrus II stage. While the serum LH levels were fluctuated from pregnant through involution stage, a sharp decline of mammary LH contents was observed in the lactating rats. This decrement was recovered in involuting rats to the level of proestrus stage. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Southern blot analyses demonstrated that the transcriptional activities of the mammary LH and GnRH were increased from diestrus I stage to estrus stage, and the increased levels were maintained in pregnant, lactation and involution stages. To test the hypothesis that the alteration in mammary LH expression might be steroid-dependant, ovariectomy(OVX) and steroid supplement model was employed. As expected, supplement of estradiol(E$_2$) after OVX remarkably decreased serum LH level compared to that in serum from vehicle-only treated rats. Likewise, administration of E$_2$ significantly reduced the mammary LH content. The present study demonstrated that (i) the LH expression in mammary gland could be altered by some physiological parameters such as estrous cycle, pregnancy, lactation and involution, and (ii) ovarian steroid especially estrogen seems to be one of major endocrine factors which are responsible for regulation of mammary LH expression.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2012

Objective : To evaluate the effect of calcium supplementation on spinal bone fusion in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods : Sixteen female Sprague Dawley rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy at 12 weeks of age to induce osteoporosis and were randomly assigned to two groups : control group (n=8) and calcium-supplemented group (OVX-Ca, n=8). Autologous spinal bone fusion surgery was performed on both groups 8 weeks later. After fusion surgery, the OVX-Ca group was supplemented with calcium in drinking water for 8 weeks. Blood was obtained 4 and 8 weeks after fusion surgery. Eight weeks after fusion surgery, the rats were euthanized and the L4-5 spine removed. Bone fusion status and fusion volume were evaluated by manual palpation and three-dimensional computed tomography. Results : The mean fusion volume in the L4-5 spine was significantly greater in the OVX-Ca group ($71.80{\pm}8.06mm^3$) than in controls ($35.34{\pm}8.24mm^3$) (p<0.01). The level of osteocalcin, a bone formation marker, was higher in OVX-Ca rats than in controls 4 weeks ($610.08{\pm}10.41$ vs. $551.61{\pm}12.34$ ng/mL) and 8 weeks ($552.05{\pm}19.67$ vs. $502.98{\pm}22.76$ ng/mL) after fusion surgery (p<0.05). The level of C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen, a bone resorption marker, was significantly lower in OVX-Ca rats than in controls 4 weeks ($77.07{\pm}12.57$ vs. $101.75{\pm}7.20$ ng/mL) and 8 weeks ($69.58{\pm}2.45$ vs. $77.15{\pm}4.10$ ng/mL) after fusion surgery (p<0.05). A mechanical strength test showed that the L4-5 vertebrae in the OVX-Ca group withstood a 50% higher maximal load compared with the controls (p<0.01). Conclusion : Dietary calcium given to OVX rats after lumbar fusion surgery improved fusion volume and mechanical strength in an ovariectomized rat model.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.2 s.62
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• pp.166-171
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• 2006

To elucidate the effect of phytoestrogens on the prevention of neurodegenerative disease in postmenopausal women, the expression of occludin which build up the blood-brain barrier was examined in hippocampus following oral administration of estrogen (E2), genistein, diadzein or combination of genistein and diadzein in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. E2 significantly increased occludin mRNA level in OVX rat hippocampus, suggesting that estrogen is a physiological regulator for structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier in hippocampus. Following isoflavone diet for 4 weeks, there was significant increase in occludin mRNA level in hippocampus, suggesting that isoflavone diet may be effective for protection of structural integrity of blood-brain barrier in hippocampus from degenerative changes in estrogen deficiency.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.204-214
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• 2022

Objective : Osteoporosis result from age-related decline in the number of osteoblast progenitors in the bone marrow. Probiotics have beneficial effects on the host, when administered in appropriate amounts. This study investigated the effects of probiotics expressing specific genes, especially the effects of genetically modified bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-expressing Lactobacillus plantarum CJNU 3003 (LP) on ovariectomized rats. Methods : Twenty-eight female Wistar rats (250-300 g, 12 weeks old) were divided into four groups : the sham (control), the ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis group (OVX), the OVX and LP (OVX/LP), OVX and genetically modified BMP-2-expressing LP (OVX/LP with BMP) groups. The three groups underwent bilateral OVX and two of these groups were administered two different types of LP via oral gavage daily. At 16 weeks post-OVX, blood was collected from the heart and the bilateral tibiae were extracted and were scanned by ex-vivo micro-computed tomography and stained with hematoxylin-and-eosin (H&E) and Masson's trichrome stain for pathological assessment. The serum levels of osteocalcin (OC), rat C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), BMP-2, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-ĸB ligand (RANKL) were measured. Results : The 3D-micro-computed tomography images showed that the trabecular structure in the OVX/LP with BMP group was maintained compared with OVX and OVX/LP groups. No significant differences were detected in trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) between control and OVX/LP with BMP groups (p>0.05). Furthermore, a tendency toward increased BMD, trabecular bone volume, Tb.Th, and trabecular number and decreased trabecular separation was found in rats in the OVX/LP with BMP groups when compared with the OVX and OVX/LP groups (p>0.05). The H&E and Masson's trichrome stained sections showed a thicker trabecular bone in the OVX/LP with BMP group compared with the OVX and OVX/LP groups. There was no difference in serum levels of OC, CTX and RANKL control and OVX/LP with BMP groups (p>0.05). In contrast, significant differences were found in OC and CTX-1 levels between the OVX and OVX/LP with BMP groups (p<0.05). Conclusion : Our results showed that the expression of genetically modified BMP-2 showed inhibition effect for bone loss in a rat model of osteoporosis.