• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.784-788
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• 2007

Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), a hypothalamic neuropeptide can stimulate the growth hormone secretion from the anterior pituitary. In this study, a porcine GHRH expression plasmid pHC-GHRH was used to enhance growth performance through ectopic expressions in muscle tissues of rats. Rats injected with the plasmid of pHC-GHRH and pCMV-GHRH exhibited cumulative weight gains 6.4% and 1% greater than controls. During a 5-day period, significant weight gain differences were observed as follows compared with that of control: during 5-10 days post-injection (DPI) period, the group pHC-GHRH on average 14.5% heavier than controls, $40.73{\pm}0.88$ g vs. $35.57{\pm}1.23$ g (p = 0.0023); during 10-15 DPI period, the group pHC-GHRH on average 13.6% heavier than controls, $37.49{\pm}2.85$ g vs. $33.00{\pm}1.56$ g (p = 0.0146); during 15-20 DPI period, the group pHC-GHRH on average 17.8% heavier than controls, $25.64{\pm}1.39$ g vs. $21.77{\pm}1.27$ g (p<0.05). In addition, plasmids-treated rats maintained higher serum IGF-I than controls. Significant differences of IGF-I were observed on 13 DPI and on 40 DPI in pHC-GHRH group compared with that of controls. This was accomplished through the use of an improved expression cassette that included the cytomegalovirus (CMV) immediate early enhancer/promoter in combination with a 1.5-kilobase portion of porcine ${\alpha}$-skeletal muscle actin promoter.

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.74-76
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• 2002

This study unexpectedly detected a deletion in the promoter region of ras gene in two Korean strains of oak mushrooms, Lentinula edodes (Berk.). Sequencing of the promoter regions revealed that one type consisting of two strains had a 113 bp deletion in the region. The pas promoter region of Korean strains differed by 16 bases from that of the Japanese strains. Between the two types of Korean strains, except for the deleted portion, only a single site appeared to be different.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.413-423
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• 2021

Apoptosis is proved responsible for renal damage during ischemia/reperfusion. The regulation for renal apoptosis induced by ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) has still been unclearly characterized to date. In the present study, we investigated the regulation of histone acetylation on IRI-induced renal apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms in rats with the application of curcumin possessing a variety of biological activities involving inhibition of apoptosis. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four experimental groups (SHAM, IRI, curcumin, SP600125). Results showed that curcumin significantly decreased renal apoptosis and caspase-3/-9 expression and enhanced renal function in IRI rats. Treatment with curcumin in IRI rats also led to the decrease in expression of p300/cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CBP) and activity of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). Reduced histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) acetylation was found near the promoter region of caspase-3/-9 after curcumin treatment. In a similar way, SP600125, an inhibitor of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), also attenuated renal apoptosis and enhanced renal function in IRI rats. In addition, SP600125 suppressed the binding level of p300/CBP and H3K9 acetylation near the promoter region of caspase-3/-9, and curcumin could inhibit JNK phosphorylation like SP600125. These results indicate that curcumin could attenuate renal IRI via JNK/p300/CBP-mediated anti-apoptosis signaling.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.151-166
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• 1989

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of red ginseng extract on development of pepsinogen 1 decrased pyloric glands in experimental stomach carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Sequential quantitative analyses (by ABC immunohistochemical staining) were made of pepsinogen 1 decreased pyloric glands (PDPG) after treating rats first with a single dose (160 mg/kg) N-methyl-N'-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and then with N-ethyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (ENNG) (100ug/ml of drinking water) as a second gastric carcinogen (or promoter).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.93-112
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• 1991

This study was carried out to investigate the various factors on induction of experimental hepatocarcinogenesis in Sprauge-Dawley rats. The experimental animals were divided into three Experiment. Experiment I, II and III were began rats with initial age of 6, 16 and 55 weeks, respectively. All Experiment were injected intrapertioneal with diethylnitrosamine (DENA` 200 mg/kg) as an intiator and group 3, 4 of Experiment I, II and III were fed on diet containing 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AFF) as a promoter for 6 weeks. Three weeks after two-thirds partial hepatectomy was performed in group 2, 4 of Experiment I & II and group 3 of Experiment III.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.135-149
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• 1989

The effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Polyporaceae) extract on initiation and promotion of liver preneoplastic lesions in chemical carcinogenesis were examined in male rats. Male Fisher 344 rats, 8 weeks old, were injected i.p. with diethylnitro-samine(DENA` 200 mg/kg) as an initiator and were fed on diet containing 0.02%-acetaminofluorene (2-AAF) as a promoter for 2 weeks (group 1, 2` 2-4 week) and were fed on basal diet (group 3 and 4). The rats in test groups(group 1 and 3) were fed on diet containing 0.1% of Ganoderma lucidum extract for 6 weeks (2-8 week).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.131-137
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• 1992

Sprague-Dawley rats aged six weeks divided into four groups and group 1, 2, 3 and 4 of rats were given an intrapertioneal injection of diethylnitrosamine at 200 mg/kg body weight. Group 4 was Control. Two weeks after beginning of the experiment, group 1 of rats were begun to feed on water containing 0.05% phenobarbital sodium as a promoter for six weeks, and CP-2 were intrapertioneally given to rats of group 2(20mg/kg) and group 3(1mg/kg). Three weeks after beginning of the experiment, partial hepatectomy was performed in all rats. Preneoplastic foci were identified histopathologically by glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) activity. In the Immunohistochemical quantitative analysis of carcinogen-induced foci, it was concluded that CP-2 was not carcinogen.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2017

Regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) phenotype plays an essential role in many cardiovascular diseases. In the present study, we provide evidence that $kr{\ddot{u}}ppel$-like factor 8 (KLF8) is essential for tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$)-induced phenotypic conversion of VSMC obtained from thoracic aorta from 4-week-old SD rats. Stimulation of the contractile phenotype of VSMCs with $TNF{\alpha}$ significantly reduced the VSMC marker gene expression and KLF8. The gene expression of KLF8 was blocked by $TNF{\alpha}$ stimulation in an ERK-dependent manner. The promoter region of KLF8 contained putative Sp1, KLF4, and $NF{\kappa}B$ binding sites. Myocardin significantly enhanced the promoter activity of KLF4 and KLF8. The ectopic expression of KLF4 strongly enhanced the promoter activity of KLF8. Moreover, silencing of Akt1 significantly attenuated the promoter activity of KLF8; conversely, the overexpression of Akt1 significantly enhanced the promoter activity of KLF8. The promoter activity of SMA, $SM22{\alpha}$, and KLF8 was significantly elevated in the contractile phenotype of VSMCs. The ectopic expression of KLF8 markedly enhanced the expression of SMA and $SM22{\alpha}$ concomitant with morphological changes. The overexpression of KLF8 stimulated the promoter activity of SMA. Stimulation of VSMCs with $TNF{\alpha}$ enhanced the expression of KLF5, and the promoter activity of KLF5 was markedly suppressed by KLF8 ectopic expression. Finally, the overexpression of KLF5 suppressed the promoter activity of SMA and $SM22{\alpha}$, thereby reduced the contractility in response to the stimulation of angiotensin II. These results suggest that cross-regulation of KLF family of transcription factors plays an essential role in the VSMC phenotype.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.409-415
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• 1997

The influences of dietary supplement of citron tea on the hepatocellular chemical carcinogenesis have been studied by examining placental glutathione S-transferase(GST-P) positive foci area in a liver tissue, contents of total cytochrome P450, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) and glucose 6-phosphatase(G6Pase) in hepatic microsome and glutathione S-transferase(GST) activity. Weaning Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed AIN76 diet with or without citron tea supplement. Rats of CTR and CTR+ groups were fed diet without citron tea supplement while CDI and CDI+ groups were fed diet with citron tea supplement for the entire experimental period(13 weeks). Rats of CDP and CDP+ groups were fed diet without citron tea supplement for the first 7 weeks and swiched to citron tea containing diet for the last 6 weeks of experimental period. CTR+, CDI+ and CDP+ groups were carcinogen treated group. Diethylnitrosamine(DEN) was used as a carcinogen initiator and injected to the rats of carcinogen treated groups as a single dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally after 4 weeks of feeding. 2-Acethylaminofiuorene(AAF) was used as a carcinogen promoter and supplied in the diets of carcinogen treated rats as 0.02% content for the last 6 weeks starting from 2 weeks after DEN injection. Rats were sacrificed after 13 weeks of feeding. Liver/body weight ratio and GST activities were increased by carcinogen treatment. However, they were not changed by citron tea supplement. Total cytochrome P450 contents were not changed by carcinogen treatment or citron tea supplement. TBARS contents of carcinogen treated rats showed tendency to decrease by citron tea supplement. G6Pase activity decreased by carcinogen treatment and citron tea supplement. The area of GST-P positive foci detected in carcinogen treated rats were decreased by citron tea supplement and not affected by the timing and the duration of citron tea supplement. These results suggest that citron tea has suppressive effects on hepatocellular chemical carcinogenesis probably through antioxidant compounds by decreasing TBARS contents.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2023

This study aims to explore the impact of Rehmannioside D (RD) on ovarian functions of rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and its underlying mechanisms of action. A single injection of cyclophosphamide was performed to establish a DOR rat model, and fourteen days after the injection, the rats were intragastrically administrated with RD for two weeks. Rat estrus cycles were tested using vaginal smears. Ovarian tissues were histologically evaluated, the number of primordial, mature, and atretic follicles was calculated, and the apoptotic rate of granulosa cells. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E₂) levels were determined by ELISA assays. Protein levels of Forkhead Box O1 (FOXO1), KLOTHO, Bcl-2, and Bax were investigated in ovarian tissues of DOR rats. The binding between FOXO1 and KLOTHO was verified by ChIP assay. High-dose administration of RD into DOR rats improved their estrus cycles, increased ovarian index, enhanced the number of primordial and mature follicles, reduced the number of atretic follicle number, and ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in addition to inhibiting FSH and LH levels and upregulating E₂ expression. FOXO1 and KLOTHO were significantly suppressed in DOR rats. FOXO1 knockdown partially suppressed the protective effects of RD on DOR rats, and KLOTHO overexpression could restore RD-induced blockade of DOR development despite knocking down FOXO1. FOXO1 antibody enriched KLOTHO promoter, and the binding between them was reduced in DOR group compared to that in sham group. RD improved ovarian functions in DOR rats and diminished granulosa cell apoptosis via the FOXO1/KLOTHO axis.