• Radiation Oncology Journal
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.280-287
• /
• 2004

Purpose: This study was carried out to determine the protective effects of vitamin C on the hepatotoxicily induced by radiation. Materials and Methods : The Spraque Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups; the control group, the radiation exposed group, aud the radiation and vitamin C-treated group. SOD activity, ca-talase, malondialdehyde and liver enzymes were analyzed to assess the antioxidant effects of vitamin C. Results: The increased level of malondialdehyde and the decreased catalase activity that were induced by radiation were improved after vitamin C but there was no statistical significance among three groups. The superoxide dismutase activity of the liver was increased by vitamin C, but there were no statistically significant differences between the vitamin C-treated group and the non vitamin C-treated group. The level of liver enzymes in sera such as glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactate dehyrogenase and alkaline phosphatase were remarkably elevated by radiation. The levels of those enzymes were decreased in the vitamin C-treated group and statistical significance was noted for the GPT level ($p<0.01$). On the electromicrographic findings, the hepatic cell destruction was considerably decreased in the vitamin C-treated group. Conclusion: Vitamin C is thought to be an effective antioxidant against the hepatotoxicity induced by radiation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.220-228
• /
• 1997

Background The stenosis of the coronary artery may decrease myocardial oxygen supply and occur myocardial ischemia or infarction. Soojeomsan, one of analgesics is generally regarded to have the effect of vitalizing blood, expelling blood stasis and alleviation cardiac pain. Methods The purpose of this experimental study is to find the influence of Soojeomsan on cardiac enzyme (CPK, Na-K ATPase) of ischemic and reperfused rat hearts which are isolated under the Langendorff apparatus. Ischemia was induced In isolated hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats by ceasing the perfusion for 20 minutes. The experiments were divided into a normal saline orally administered group(control group), a Soojeomsan orally 20ml administered group(sample A) and a Soojeomsan orally 30ml administered group(sample B). The CPK (creatinine phosphokinase) and Na-K ATPase activity of this three group were measured and compared in order to assess the influence of Soojeomsan on protection of isolated rat hearts from ischemia. Results 1. CPK was significantly reduced in Sample A group and Sample B group in comparison with control group in reperfusion(P<0.01), and there were no significant difference between Sample A and B. 2. Na-K ATPase activity was significantly increased in Sample A group and Sample B group in comparison with control group in ischemia(P<0.001), and the activity was significantly higher in Sample B then in Sample A.(P<0.01) 3. There were no significant difference in Na-K ATPase activity of the three groups after reperfusion. Conclusion Soojeomsan has effects to decrease CPK activity and activate Na pump. This result in protection of the myocardium of isolated rat hearts from ischemia.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.1211-1216
• /
• 2006

The effect of a chronic programme of either low- or moderate-to-high-intensity treadmill running on the activation of the Extracellular-signal regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), Phosphorylated ERK 1/2(pERK1/2) and the Phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase(pJNK) pathways was determined in rat Back skin Hair follicle. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of three groups: (i) sedentary group(NE; n=10); (ii) low-intensity exercise group (Bm/min; LIE; n=10); and (iii) moderate-high-intensity exercise group(28m1min; HIE; n=10). The training regimens were planned so that animals covered the same distance and had similar utilization for both LIE and HIE exercise sessions. The report runs as follows; A single bout of LIE or HIE following 4 weeks of exercise led to a twofold increase in the phosphorylation of ERK2, pERK2 and a threefold increase in pJNKl, pERKl. ERKI phosphorylation in LIE Back skin sampled and pJNK2 in HIE Back skin sampled 48h after the last exercise bout was similar to sedentary values, while pJNK2 phosphorylation in LIE Back skin sampled was 70-80% lower than sedentary. 48h after the last exercise bout of LIE or HIE increased ERK2, pERKl and pJNKl expression, with the magnitude of this increase being independent of prior exercise intensity or duration. PERK1/2, pJNKl expression was increased Three- to fourfold in Back skin Hair follicle sampled 48h after the last exercise bout irrespective of the prior exercise programme, but ERKI expression in HIE Back skin sampled was approximately 90% lower than sedentary values. In conclusion, exercise-training of different jntensities/durations results in selective postexercise activation of intracellular signal pathways, which may be one mechanism regulating specific adaptations induced by diverse training programmes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 1987

Tegumental ultrastructures of Echinochasmus japonicus were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The worms were recovered from albino rats which were experimentally infected with the metacercariae obtained from Pseudorasbora parva. Followings are summarized findings. 1. The worms were minute and plumpy gourdshaped with attenuated anterior and round posterior end. The tegument of whole body was wrinkled transversely and covered with cobblestone-like cytoplasmic processes. 2. Head crown was armed with 24 collar spines which were embedded in cytoplasmic pockets. The spines were arranged in a row with an interruption at dorsomedian line, however, the 2nd and the 4th spines were outstretched more than others. Oral and ventral suckers were muscular with numerous type II sensory papillae, and genital pore opened between the two suckers. 3. Tegumental spines were spade-shaped with broad base and pointed tip. They were compact in ventra-lateral tegument or dorsal surface of anterior body. They were not found between the two suckers and dorsal surface of posterior body. 4. Two types of sensory papillae, uni-ciliated (Type I) and roundly swollen sensory papillae (Type II), were observed. The type I papillae were chiefly distributed on ventral surface of tegument and type II were on the lips of suckers. Arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumental spines or sensory papillae are regarded as characteristic features of E. japonicus.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.331-340
• /
• 1993

This study investigate the epidemiological feature of Metagonimus infection in Kangwon-do (province). The average Infection rate of the surveyed inhabitants was 7.8% (83 positives out of 1, 067 examinees) by stool examination; male, 11.4% and female, 3.2%, respectively. The egg positive rate in residents in the Som river area was 7.3%, that of the Chuchon river area 6.3%, the Pyongchang river area 12.8%, the Tong river area 3.8%, the Hongchon river area 9.8%, and the Ohsip stream area of Samchok 8.0%,respectively. The average metacercarial infection rate of genus Metagonimus in the fish was 81.0% (256 positives out of 318 fish). The infected fleshes were Zacco platypus. Zacco teminki, Opswiichthys biens, Squdidis sp., Corqssius carassius, etc. in western Kangwon-do Meanwhile, in the Ohsip stream area of Samchok-gun, eastern costal Kangwon-do, the infected fish were Plecoglossus altivelis and Tribolodon hokonensis. The rats and dogs are infected with the metcercanae obtained from Zacco platypus and Opsariichthys biens, adult worms collected were Miyata type of Metagonimus with some M. takahashii. When infected with metacercariae from Plecoglossus ltivelis, Metagonimus yokogowai was only found. M. yoogawai and Metagonimus Mlyata type were fecund together in Tribolodon hakonenis in Ohsip stream area of Samchok, in the eastern Kangwon-do. The intestinal flukes of genus Metogonimus in western Kangwon-do were Miyata type of MetQnonimuT and M. takahashii transmitting mainly by Zacco platypus and Opsariichtys bidens as a source of infection. In the eastern part of Kangwon province (Ohsip stream area of Samchok), M. yokogowai was mainly distributed by P. altivelis and T. hakonesis, but some T. hakonensis harbored the metacercariae of Miyata type of Metagonimus with those of M. yokogawai.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2020

Tryptamines are monoamine alkaloids with hallucinogenic properties and are widely abused worldwide. To hasten the regulations of novel substances and predict their abuse potential, we designed and synthesized four novel synthetic tryptamine analogs: Pyrrolidino tryptamine hydrochloride (PYT HCl), Piperidino tryptamine hydrochloride (PIT HCl), N,N-dibutyl tryptamine hydrochloride (DBT HCl), and 2-Methyl tryptamine hydrochloride (2-MT HCl). Then, we evaluated their rewarding and reinforcing effects using the conditioned place preference (CPP) and self-administration (SA) paradigms. We conducted an open field test (OFT) to determine the effects of the novel compounds on locomotor activity. A head-twitch response (HTR) was also performed to characterize their hallucinogenic properties. Lastly, we examined the effects of the compounds on 5-HTR1a and 5-HTR2a in the prefrontal cortex using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. None of the compounds induced CPP in mice or initiated SA in rats. PYT HCl and PIT HCl reduced the locomotor activity and elevated the 5-HTR1a mRNA levels in mice. Acute and repeated treatment with the novel tryptamines elicited HTR in mice. Furthermore, a drug challenge involving a 7-day abstinence from drug use produced higher HTR than acute and repeated treatments. Both the acute treatment and drug challenge increased the 5-HTR2a mRNA levels. Ketanserin blocked the induced HTR. Taken together, the findings suggest that PYT HCl, PIT HCl, DBT HCl, and 2-MT HCl produce hallucinogenic effects via 5-HTR2a stimulation, but may have low abuse potential.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.6
• /
• pp.671-680
• /
• 2019

Cathepsin D (CatD, EC 3.4.23.5) is a member belonging to the subfamily of aspartic endopeptidases, which are classified into the MEROPS clan AA, family A1. Helminth parasites express a large set of different peptidases that play pivotal roles in parasite biology and pathophysiology. However, CatD is less well known than the other classes of peptidases in terms of biochemical properties and biological functions. In this study, we identified 2 novel CatDs (CsCatD1 and CsCatD2) of Clonorchis sinensis and partially characterized their properties. Both CsCatDs represent typical enzymes sharing amino acid residues and motifs that are tightly conserved in the CatD superfamily of proteins. Both CsCatDs showed similar patterns of expression in different developmental stages of C. sinensis, but CsCatD2 was also expressed in metacercariae. CsCatD2 was mainly expressed in the intestines and eggs of C. sinensis. Sera obtained from rats experimentally infected with C. sinensis reacted with recombinant CsCatD2 beginning 2 weeks after infection and the antibody titers were gradually increased by maturation of the parasite. Structural analysis of CsCatD2 revealed a bilobed enzyme structure consisting of 2 antiparallel β-sheet domains packed against each other forming a homodimeric structure. These results suggested a plausible biological role of CsCatD2 in the nutrition and reproduction of parasite and its potential utility as a serodiagnostic antigen in clonorchiasis.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.215-224
• /
• 1997

Gamijiyu-tang (GJT) described originally in the Dong Eui Bo Gam, a traditional reference for oriental medicine in the Korea, has been clinically used for treatment of chronic liver disease. In order to evaluate scientifcally a hepatoprotective effect of GJT in the liver fibrotic disease, the present study investigated how GJT improves a hepatic function in the dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-treated rat. DMN treatment caused a significant increase of relative liver weight to the body at 28 days after DMN induction. Administration of with a clinical dose decreased significantly the sAST level $(158.8{\pm}7.76\;IU/L)$ elevated by DMN in jection (p<0.01). A similar phenomenon was also observed at change of both Salt and Salt level in the GJT and/or DMN-treated animal (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). A remarkable increase of hydroxyproline was observed by treatment of DMN with comparing to the normal rat $(361.9{\pm}7.35\;vs.\;1278.1{\pm}52.9\;{\mu}g/g\;tissue,\;p<0.01)$. This was significantly reduced by a simultaneous treatment of GJT with DMN for 21 days (p<0.05), but not recovered completely to its normal value. In addition. GJT administration ameliorated conspicuously the DMN-induces histopathological changes of liver such as hemorrhage. Cell necrosis and fibrosis. Tak'en together, results described here demonstrated scientifically in first the medicinal efficacy of GJT by using in vivo animal model, indicating that GJT improves the DMN-induced hepatic injury through reducing an excessive accumulation of collagen and histopathological changes. The decreased collagen content may be a pivotal process for GJT to improve hepatic function in the DMN-induced liver fibrosis. The present study suggests that GJT may be useful for and applicable to the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.441-447
• /
• 2003

To examine the role of protein kinase C (PKC) in regulation of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1$\beta$)-induced iNOS expression, IL-1$\beta$-induced nitrite production was observed in cultured vascular smooth muscle (VSM) cells pretreated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol 12,13-butyrate (PDB) as PKC activator; 4$\alpha$-phorbol-didecanoate (PDD) as PKC non-activator. Nitrite production induced by IL-1$\beta$ was increased by the presence of increasing concentration of PMA ranging from 2 to 200 nM. However, in VSM cells pretreated with PMA and PDB, IL-1$\beta$-induced $NO_2$ production was decreased in proportion to the duration of pretreatment, and most significantly decreased in pretreatment time of 24 hours. Using RT-PCR method, the expression of iNOS mRNA induced by IL-1$\beta$ was decreased in VSM cells pretreated with PMA 200 nM for 24 hours. These results suggest that decrease in IL-I$\beta$-induced nitrite production by the pretreatment of PMA result from inhibition of iNOS expression and the inhibition related to PMA-induced PKC down-regulation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.125-142
• /
• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of neuronal activities for the acupuncture and laser acupuncture application. Methods: The subject were divided into 7 groups as control group without acupuncture, acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1(AT-A), acupuncture treatment with purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, Kl10(AT-B), acupuncture treatment with tonify manipulation with the direction of channel at HT9, LR1 and purge manipulation against the direction of channel at HT3, KI10(AT-C), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1(LAT-A), laser acupuncture treatment with green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B), laser acupuncture treatment with red light 658 nm at HT9, LR1 and green light 532 nm at HT3, KI10(LAT-B). Antiapopotic effect of acupuncture was observed by Bax, Bcl-2 and cytochrome C. Neuroprotective effect of acupuncture was observed by cresyl violet and ChAT. Results: AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression ChAT and in neuroprotective effect by cresyl violet. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression Bax. AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly increased comparing the control groups in expression Bcl-2. AT-A, AT-B, AT-C, LAT-A, LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. LAT-B and LAT-C groups were significantly decreased comparing the control groups in expression cytochrome C. Conclusions: The acupuncture with tonify and purge manipulation and laser acupuncture with red and green light could be effective for antiapopotic and neuroprotective effect in focal brain ischemia.