• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2006

We evaluated therapeutic and preventive properties of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a weak androgenic steroid, against isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy. The cardiomyopathy was induced by daily i.p. administration of isoproterenol to rats for five days. One group of rats were given with daily s.c. for 5 days during isoproterenol and the other group with daily s.c. DHEA for total 10 days, including 5 days before and during isoproterenol. The animals were killed after each treatment, and cardiac muscle failure was evaluated using histopathologic examination and biochemical indices. DHEA was found to reduce the damaged area and inhibit the elevation in the serum levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), skeletal muscle creatine kinase (CK) and heart creatine kinase (CK-MB) induced by isoproterenol. We also assayed widely used oxidative stress parameters, including thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathion peroxidase (GPx). DHEA decreased the escalated level of TBARS and enhanced the anti oxidant defense reaction with an increase in Mn-SOD and Cu/Zn-SOD. On the other hand, the treatment with DHEA did not affect catalase and GPx activity. The present study indicates that DHEA has a therapeutic and preventive effect against isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy and its effects may depend largely on the increase in SOD activity.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.13
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• 2021

Background: Attenuated Salmonella strain can be used as a vector to transport immunogens to the host antigen-binding sites. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the protective efficacy of attenuated Salmonella strain expressing highly conserved Brucella immunogens in goats. Methods: Goats were vaccinated with Salmonella vector expressing individually lipoprotein outer-membrane protein 19 (Omp19), Brucella lumazine synthase (BLS), proline racemase subunit A (PrpA), Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) at 5 × 10⁹ CFU/mL and challenge of all groups was done at 6 weeks after vaccination. Results: Among these vaccines inoculated at 5 × 10⁹ CFU/mL in 1 mL, Omp19 or SOD showed significantly higher serum immunoglobulin G titers at (2, 4, and 6) weeks post-vaccination, compared to the vector control. Interferon-γ production in response to individual antigens was significantly higher in SOD, Omp19, PrpA, and BLS individual groups, compared to that in the vector control (all p < 0.05). Brucella colonization rate at 8 weeks post-challenge showed that most vaccine-treated groups exhibited significantly increased protection by demonstrating reduced numbers of Brucella in tissues collected from vaccinated groups. Real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that Brucella antigen expression levels were reduced in the spleen, kidney, and parotid lymph node of vaccinated goats, compared to the non-vaccinated goats. Besides, treatment with vaccine expressing individual antigens ameliorated brucellosis-related histopathological lesions. Conclusions: These results delineated that BLS, Omp19, PrpA, and SOD proteins achieved a definite level of protection, indicating that Salmonella Typhimurium successfully delivered Brucella antigens, and that individual vaccines could differentially elicit an antigen-specific immune response.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.110-113
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• 2024

Numerous studies have indicated that organic fertilizers (OFer) might contain heavy metals (HMs) that present health risks to organic farmers (OFar). This study compared the concentrations of six HMs (Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu, Pb, Cr) in the blood of two distinct groups of farmers: 30 OFar from a designated organic area in eastern Taiwan, and 74 conventional farmers (CFar) from neighboring non-organic designated regions. The findings revealed that the OFar exhibited higher levels of Zn (1202.70 ± 188.74 ㎍/L), Cr (0.20 ± 0.09 ㎍/L), and Ni (2.14 ± 1.48 ㎍/L) in their blood compared to the CFar (988.40 ± 163.16 ㎍/L, 0.18 ± 0.15 ㎍/L, and 0.77 ± 1.23 ㎍/L), respectively. The disparities in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 214.3 ㎍/L, 0.02 ㎍/L, and 1.37 ㎍/L, respectively. Furthermore, among the OFar, those who utilized green manures (GM) displayed significantly elevated blood levels of Zn (1279.93 ± 156.30 ㎍/L), Cr (0.24 ± 0.11 ㎍/L), and Ni (1.94 ± 1.38 ㎍/L) compared to individuals who exclusively employed chemical fertilizers (CFer) (975.42 ± 165.35 ㎍/L, 0.19 ± 0.16 ㎍/L, and 0.74 ± 1.20 ㎍/L), respectively. The differences in Zn, Cr, and Ni levels were measured at 304.51 ㎍/L, 0.05 ㎍/L, and 1.20 ㎍/L, respectively. As a result, OFar should be careful in choosing OFer and avoid those that may have heavy metal contamination.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.211-218
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of the natural deep sea water, which contained approximately 2.3% salt, and various minerals of K, Mg, Ca, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu etc, on the immune response and antioxidant activity in rats. 24 Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allotted to a control group and 3 treatment groups. Control rats were supplied with filtered tap water, and each treatment group rats were supplied with 0.5% deep sea water, 1% deep sea water and Jijangsoo, respectively, which is upper clear water separated from sediment by the clay. Feed and water were provided ad libitum throughout the experiment that lasted for 4 weeks. The results showed that 1% deep sea water group showed the highest values in weight gain, feed intake, and feed efficiency than those of other groups. The levels of water intake of 1%- and 0.5%-deep sea water, and Jijangsoo group were 49.1%, 22.8%, and 40.5% higher than that of control group, respectively. The Jijangsoo group rats showed that perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue weights were decreased by 32% and 25%(p<0.05), respectively, when compared to control group rats. There were no remarkable differences of serum glucose concentration among all experimental groups. However, insulin concentration of experimental groups were remarkably increased in order of Jijangsoo (4.54), 1% deep sea water (3.70), 0.5% deep sea water (3.25)(p<0.05). B cell and T cell stimulation were increased about 44.7% and 207%, respectively, by 0.5% deep sea water in comparison with control (p<0.05). TBARS values of 0.5 % deep sea water group were significantly lower than that of control(p<0.05). Catalase and SOD activities of 0.5 % deep sea water group were 200% and 47% higher than that of control, respectively. From the results, it can be concluded that the supply of natural deep sea water can slightly improve the physiological activity which modulates immune response and antioxidant activity in rats.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2005

This study was conducted to estimate the contents of heavy metals including lead, cadmium, zinc, copper as well as iron status(serum iron, total iron binding capacity, feritin etc)in blood samples of middle school students(n=300). The contents of heavy metals were determined using the GF-AAS (Graphite furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer). The microwave digestion method and dilution method were compared. The dilution method showed the better recovery and detection limit than microwave digestion method. The values of toxic metals in whloe blood of boys & girls were 3.46 & 3.05 for Pb,0.063 & 0.065 for Cd respectively (ug/dL). Also the values of trace metals in serum of boys & girls were 105.9 & 92.6 for Zn, 98.3 & 99.0 for Cu respectively (ug/dL). The prevalence of iron deficiency was $7.5\%$ in 146 boys and $14.3\%$ in 156 girls. The mean values of lead in girls were higher in iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia groups than normal group. The mean values of lead and zinc were higher in boys compared to those in girls(P<0.05), the mean values of cadmium and copper in boys were similar to those in girls. Our results of toxic metals such as Pb & Cd showed lower to CDC's(Centers for Disease Control) blood lead levels of concern for children, 10 ug/dL.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2005

This study is conducted to determine the effects of dietary levels of corn and tuna oils on the formation of preneoplastic lesions in die-thylnitrosamine (DEN) induced rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 2.5, 5, 15, 25% (w/w) corn or tuna oils. Hepatocellular carcinogenesis was induced by DEN (200 mg/kg body weight) and two-thirds partial hepactectomy was carried out 3 weeks later and were sacrificed 8 weeks after DEN initiation. Tuna oil group showed smaller area of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci than com oil group. Com oil group of 25% (w/w) showed the widest area of GST -P positive foci, and tuna oil group showed significantly smaller area of GST-P positive foci than com oil in 25% (w/w) level but had no differences between oil levels. Thio-barbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content was the highest in 25% (w/w) level of tuna oil group fed long chain and highly polyunsaturated fatty acids. Also serum ${\gamma}$ -glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) activities in 25% level of tuna oil group were significantly higher than by other levels. As oil contents increased, glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) seems to decrease in com oil groups but remained the same in tuna oil groups. Glutathione reductase (GR) activities were significantly higher in tuna oil group, and the higher the level of tuna oil, the higher GR activities. But Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities didn't seem to be influenced by levels and kind of dietary fats. Therefore, as oil levels increased, com oil rich in n-6 fatty acids promoted carcinogenesis but tuna oil rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) of n-3 fatty acids suppressed. Although lipid peroxidation products were elevated in 25% (w/w) tuna oil group, GST-P positive foci didn't increase. Therefore pre-neoplastic lesions might be reduced through mediation of a lipid peroxidation process in tuna oil. As fat contents of tuna oil increased, elevated GR activities may give a rise to produce more reduced glutathione in order to protect against free radical attack, and high G6Pase activities remained the same and they contributed to membrane stability. So tuna oil diet seems to protect hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 2004

The renoprotective effects of Korean Red Ginseng were examined in STZ-induced diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). After 3 day administration of streptozotocin (STZ), animals were divided into four groups : Group 1, hypertensive rats (H); Group 2, hypertensive rats with diabetes (HD); Group 3, hypertensive rats with diabetes administered with 100 mg/kg of ginseng total saponin(GTS); Group 4, hypertensive rats with diabetes administered with 600 mg/kg of ginseng non-saponin (GNS). After 2 weeks oral administraions of GTS and GNS, body weight, kidney weight, plasma glucose, urinary albumin excretion, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen and blood pressure were examined. After 3,7 and 21 day of STZ administration, expressions of TGF-${\beta}$1 and fibronectin in kidney were analyzed by immunoblotting and/or immunohistochemistry. GTS and GNS treatments slightly decreased blood pressure when compared to H and HD groups. Also, GTS and GNS treatments ameliorated kidney hypertrophy without affecting plasma glucose levels. Meanwhile, GNS treatment increased Cu/Zn-SOD activity in kidney and generally showed more efficient renoprotective effects than GTS. We suggest that the renoprotective effects of ginseng partially result from downregulations of TGF-${\beta}$1, fibronectin expressions and anti-oxidative activity of ginseng non-saponin.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Zn and Fe levels on lipid metabolism and micromineral contents in high fat diet-induced obese rats. Male sprague-dawley rats weighing approximately 100g were fed a normal or high fat diet. After 10 weeks high fat diet, rats were fed different levels of Zn and Fe. Serum triacyglycerol and HDL-cholesterol were affected to Zn and Fe levels in normal group. The micromineral (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn) contents in liver were significantly different in high fat diet group by Zn intake levels and in normal diet group by Fe intake levels. However, micromineral contents in kidneys were not affected to different levels of Fe in both obese and normal rats. There were no differences in spleens of obese rats fed high fat diet according to Zn and Fe intake levels. But in normal group, Mn content of spleen were exclusively affected to Zn levels.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.299-308
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• 2007

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a bioinformatics software and to test it in serum samples of papillary thyroid cancer using mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF-MS). Materials and Methods: Development of 'Protein analysis' software performing decision tree analysis was done by customizing C4.5. Sixty-one serum samples from 27 papillary thyroid cancer, 17 autoimmune thyroiditis, 17 controls were applied to 2 types of protein chips, CM10 (weak cation exchange) and IMAC3 (metal binding - Cu). Mass spectrometry was performed to reveal the protein expression profiles. Decision trees were generated using 'Protein analysis' software, and automatically detected biomarker candidates. Validation analysis was performed for CM10 chip by random sampling. Results: Decision tree software, which can perform training and validation from profiling data, was developed. For CM10 and IMAC3 chips, 23 of 113 and 8 of 41 protein peaks were significantly different among 3 groups (p<0.05), respectively. Decision tree correctly classified 3 groups with an error rate of 3.3% for CM10 and 2.0% for IMAC3, and 4 and 7 biomarker candidates were detected respectively. In 2 group comparisons, all cancer samples were correctly discriminated from non-cancer samples (error rate = 0%) for CM10 by single node and for IMAC3 by multiple nodes. Validation results from 5 test sets revealed SELDI-TOF-MS and decision tree correctly differentiated cancers from non-cancers (54/55, 98%), while predictability was moderate in 3 group classification (36/55, 65%). Conclusion: Our in-house software was able to successfully build decision trees and detect biomarker candidates, therefore it could be useful for biomarker discovery and clinical follow up of papillary thyroid cancer.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2001

Recently many studies have reported that total and bioavailable androgens reduced in male and female athletes and that physical exercise reduces the body weight and increases the reproductive abnormalities such as oligomenorrhea, anovulation, inadequate luteal phase, and delayed puberty in women by the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis . In addition, high mileage endurance 겨nning, psychological stress, and military endurance training in men also reduce the secretion of reproductive hormones. To investigate the efffcts of physical endurance exercise on the secretion of reproductive hormones in men, androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis were measured in serum by the conventional radioimmunoassays after long-term (more than3 months), short-term (1 week), and acute (1${sim}$2 hours) physical exercises. Androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis such as total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (fT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (A) decreased after thesestrenuous endurance trainings, whereas ACTH, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfetes (DHEAS) increased. Conadotropins (LH and FSH) were not idluenced by the physical exercises. Based upon the present results, we assume that the decrease in adrenal and testicular androgens by physical endurance exercises might be associated with the reproductive abnormalities in athletes by unknown factor(s) in addition to the HPG axis disturbance.