• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.11-17
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• 2021

Objective : This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Effects of Akebia quinata (AQ) extract on alcohol-induced damage of liver, spleen and thymus in rats. Method : Experimental animals were divided in to 4 groups; Normal group, Alcohol group, AQ50 group and AQ200 group. All rats, except for Normal group, were fed 25 % ethanol for 55 days. During experimental period, Normal group and Alcohol group were administrated saline, and AQ50 group and AQ200 group were administrated AQ extract at dose of 50 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively. We measured organ weight, liver triglyceride contents, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and triglycerid levels in serum. Also, we conducted histomorphometry and histopathological observation of liver, spleen and thymus. Results : AQ significantly decreased the level of AST, ALT and triglyceride in serum and the liver triglyceride contents induced by ethanol. Also, AQ significantly inhibited lipid droplets accumulation in hepatocytes. The decreased relative organ weight of spleen and thymus by ethanol were increased by AQ administration. In histopathological analysis of spleen, the rats administrated AQ 200 mg/kg presented significantly increased mean diameters of white pulps, numbers of white pulps and splenic thicknesses. The administration of 200 mg/kg AQ improved decreased lobular thickness and cortex thickness of thymus, which were decreased by ethanol. Conclusions : The results of present study indicated that AQ has an ameliorating effect for fatty degeneration of liver and damage of spleen and thymus.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.211-230
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• 1998

Introduction The effects of Bojungikkitang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate in rats were investigated in this experiment. The multiple parameters of immunity assessed in. each rats includes the rate of body weight loss, weight changes in thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode. The number of lymphocyte and CD4+ T cell count in blood, thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode were also measured. Methodology Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen as an experiment object and were divided into 3 groups by a random selection. Each group consisted 6 rats. The normal group didn't receive any treatment. The control group was administered methotrexate for 4 days. The sample group was administered with both Bojungikkitang and methotrexate for 4 days. The dosage of medication was 2cc/day, 1cc given at 10AM and another 1cc given at 5PM. Results The rate of body weight loss was significantly decreased in the sample group. The weight of thymus was significantly increased in the sample group while the weight of spleen did not show much increase. Blood CD4+ T cell count, thymus lymphocyte count, thymus CD4+ T cell count, spleen lymphocyte count, spleen CD4+ T cell count and axillary lymph node CD4+ T cell count were significantly increased in the sample group while blood lymphocyte count and axillary lymphnode lymphocyte count did not show much increase. Conclusion As one can witness from the above results, administration of Bojungikkitang played potent role in increasing immune system among the rats treated with methotrexate which induces immunosuppression. Overall increase of lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cell count in the sample group with Bojungikkitang effectively proves its ability to boost the immune system.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 1986

Experiments were performed on mice to investigate the effect of Panax ginseng petroleum ether fraction on the immunotoxicity of lead acetate. Lead acetate was administered in the drinking water and ginseng p-ether fraction was injected intraperitoneally, Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cell. Humoral immune responses were evaluated by antibody production and Arthus reaction. Pathotoxicological influences were measured by serum protein, alkaline phosphatase and total cholesterol. The weight of liver, spleen and thymus were measured. Lead acetate exposure significantly decreased hemagglutination titer, hemolysin titer, Arthus reaction, spleen and thymus weight. Ginseng p-ether fraction administration significantly restored or potentiated reduced humoral immune response, spleen and thymus weight. Reduced serum A/G ratio, total cholesterol and alkaline phosphatase activity were restored or increased by ginseng p-ether fraction administration.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.454-462
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• 1999

Corticosteroids have long been used for anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatoid and other purposes in hospital. These effects may be due to inhibit immune reaction. So the animal given corticosteroids was more susceptible to infection because of immunosuppressive effect of corticosteroids. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of prednisolone on the lymphocyte subset in the spleen, immunoglobulin in serum, spleen weight, thymus weight and total WBC in peripheral blood. Mice were randomized into 3 groups. Each group has 24 mice. The small dosage group were given by 4 mg/kg/day of prednisolone for 4 days and the large dosage group were given by 8 mg/kg/day respectively. Prednisolone was suspended in saline and orally administered. Mice in control group were given saline alone. Eight mice in each group were sacrificed every week after administration of predisolone. The weight of thymus and spleen were mesured immediately. Lymphocytes were taken from spleen and these cells were analysed by flow cytometry. Also the concentration of total immunoglobulins in serum were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA). T cell, T-helper cell and T-cytotoxic cell were all significantly (P<0.05) decreased at 1 week after administration of predisolone and at 2 weeks they recovered similarly to that of control. Population of B cell showed various distribution. The concentration of total immunoglobulins in serum was not changed significantly. The weight ratio of spleen to body decreased significantly (P＜0.05) during predisolone administration but increased at 1 week later, Eventually the weight ratio was recovered to that of control at 2 weeks. The weight ratio of thymus to body decreased significantly (P<0.05) by prednisolone and recovered gradually up to normal ratio 2 weeks later.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.329-337
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• 2004

Primiphos-methyl and methidathion as organophosphorus (OP) pesticides were tested for their immunotoxic effects on Balb/c mice. Three dose levels of primiphos-methyl (10, 60, or 120 mg/kg/day) and methidathion (0.5, 2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg/day) were administered orally in the mice for 4 weeks. After, changes in body weight gain, relative weight of spleen and thymus, viable splenic cell numbers, surface marker on immune cell, and proliferation activity were investigated. Results showed that neither Pirimiphos-methyl nor methidathion dosages changed significantly body weight, relative thymus and spleen weight, and thymus and spleen cellularities of the mice, but high dose treatment (120 mg/kg) of pirimiphos-methyl significantly decreased relative spleen weight and spleen cellularity of the mice. No alterations were observed in changes of LPS-proliferation response of splenocytes by exposure to any dose of pirimiphos-methyl and methidathion. However, pirimiphos-methyl dosages reduced ConA-proliferation response of splenocytes and both methidathion and pirimiphos-methyl decreased the ability of antibody production to SRBC. The results indicate that 28 days exposure to the high dose of pirimiphos-methyl suppress the function of splenic T and B cell function, and methidathion reduce the immune responsibility of B cell in mice without the changes in lymphoid organ weight or viability of splenocytes. Pirimiphos-methyl is more immunotoxic than methidathion although this has higher general toxicity than that.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.257-276
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• 1998

Introduction The effects of Samchulkunbitang on the immunosuppression induced by methotrexate in rats were investigated in this experument. The multiple parameters of immunity assessed in each rats includes the rate of body weight loss, weight changes in thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode. The number of lymphocytes and CD4+ T cell count in the blood, thymus, spleen and axillary lymphnode were also measured. Methodology Male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen as an experiment object and were divided into 4 groups by a random selection. Each group consisted of 6 rats. The normal group didn't receive any treatment. The control group was administered with methotrexate for 5 days. The sample Ⅰ group was administered with Samchulkunbitang for 5 days. The sample Ⅱ group was administered with both Samchulkunbitang and methotrexate for 5 days. The dosage of medication was 2cc/day, 1cc given at 10 AM and another 1cc given at 5 PM. Results The rate of body weight loss was significantly increased in the Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ group. The weight of thymus and spleen were significantly increased in Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ groups While the weight of axillary lymphnode did not show much increase. No significant differences were measured among the experimental groups. Blood lymphocyte count, blood CD4+ T cell count, spleen lymphocyte count, axillary lymphnode lymphocyte and CD4+ T cell count were significantly increased in Sample Ⅰ and Sample Ⅱ groups while spleen CD4+ T cell count did not show much increase. No significant differences were measured among the experimental groups. Conclusion As one can witness from the above results, administration of Samchulkunbitang played potent role in increasing immune system among the rats treated with methotrexate which induces immunosuppression. Overall increase of lymphocyte count and CD4+ T cell count in the sample groups with Samchulkunbitang effectively proves its ability to boost the immune system.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.223-223
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• 1996

Effects of Panax ginseng were tested on morphine-and steroids-induced immunosuppression, focusing on mechanism and identification of active components. To investigate overall effects of morphine and ginseng total saponin (GTS) on immune system, body weight and lymphoid organ weight were measured. Morphine significantly reduced body weight, spleen/body weight, and thymus/body weight ratio. GTS, at 100mg/kg (oral), restored spleen/body weight ratio. Because morphine is known to increase corticosterone level, serum corticosterone level was measured by radioimmunoassay. Serum corticosterone was increased by morphine and it was restored to the control level by GTS 100mg/kg (oral). In vitro proliferation studies were also conducted to study the effects of ginseng on steroids-induced immunosuppression. While ginsenoside Rg$_1$ and ginseng alkaloids were effective on proliferation and dexamethasone-induced death of thymocytes, 50% ginseng ethanol extract and polysaccharides were effective on splenocytes. In vivo mprohine-induced apoptosis of thymus was partly protected by GTS.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.3 no.3_4
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• pp.17-28
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• 1988

The effects of perilla oil diet on the immune response in mice have been studied. ICR male mice were divided into 4 groups and were fed on the experimental diet for 4 weeks. Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cell (S-RBC). Immune response were evaluated by antibody production, Arthus reaction, delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), Rosette forming cell (RFC) and macrophage activity. The weight of body, liver, thymus and spleen were measured. The body weight was increased but thymus weight was not altered by them. The perilla oil diet decreased the weight of liver and spleen in mice. It reduced antibody production, Arthus reaction, DTH and RFC, macrophage activity. These results showed that the high perilla oil diet decresed more humoral and celluar immune response than the low perilla oil diet. It decreased the phagocytic activity on the reticuloendothelial system in mice.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.391-403
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• 2007

The study was conducted to assess the repeated dose and reproduction and developmental toxicities of acetanilide, an intermediate for drug production, as a part of OECD Screening Information Data Set (SIDS) program. The test agent was administered by gavage at dose levels of 0, 22, 67, 200 and 600 mg/kg to Sprague-Dawley rats (12/group/sex) during pre-mating and mating period for males(up to 30 days) and females and pregnancy and early lactation period for females (up to 39-50 days). At 22 mg/kg, decreases in HGB, HCT (males) and MCHC (females), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp, hyperplasia of femur bone marrow (both sexes) were observed. At 67 mg/kg, salivation (males), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and MCHC (males), increases in MCV (males) and spleen weight (males), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp and femur bone marrow (both sexes) were observed. At 200 mg/kg, decreases in locomotor activity and salivation (both sexes), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and increases in MCV, MCH, BUN, T-BIL (males), enlargement of spleen (both sexes), increased weight of spleen (males), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp and femur bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis of liver (both sexes), atrophy of thymus and corpus luteum hyperplasia of ovary (females) were observed. At 600 mg/kg, decreases in locomotor activity, cyanosis (both sexes), reddish tear, and salivation (males), mortality (4 out of 12 females), decreased body weight (females), reduced food consumption (both sexes), decreases in RBC, HGB, HCT and MCHC and increases in WBC, MCV, MCH, reticulocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, AST, ALT, BUN, T-BIL, ALB, Ca and A/G ratio (males), enlargement of spleen, increased weights of spleen (both sexes), liver (males), kidney and ovary, decreased weights of thymus (females), hyperplasia of spleen red pulp, hyperplasia of femur bone marrow and extramedullary hematopoiesis of liver (both sexes), and atrophy of thymus and corpus luteum hyperplasia of ovary (females) were observed. Regarding the reproduction and development toxicities, there were no treatment-related changes in precoital time, mating index, fertility index and pregnancy index at all doses tested. At 22 and 67 mg/kg, there were no adverse effects on all the parameters observed. At 200 mg/ kg, decreased body weight of pups (day 4 p.p.) were observed. At 600 mg/kg, decreased body weight of pups (day 0 and 4 p.p.) and viability index (day 4 p.p.), increased incidence of newborns dead or with abnormal clinical signs were observed. The results suggest that the NOAELs for general toxicity are < 22 mg/kg, LOAELs are 22 mg/kg and the NOAELs for reproductive toxicity are 67 mg/kg.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to investigate the potential subacute toxicity of CKD-602 by a 5-day repeated intravenous administration in Sprague-Dawley rats. CKD-602 was administered intravenously to male rats at dose levels of 0, 0.08, 0.2, and 0.5 mg/kg for 5 days. Studies included general observation, body weight changes, ophthalmoscopic examination, hematology, se겨m biochemistry, gross findings at necropsy and organ weight measurement. There were no deaths in any treatment group and treatment related clinical sign was depilation in the 0.5 mg/kg groups. The decrease or suppression of body weight was also observed dose-dependently in all treatment groups. Decreased leukocyte in all treatment groups, decreased platelet in the above 0.2 mg/kg groups and increase in the serum levels of total cholesterol in the 0.5 mg/kg group were considered as a treatment related toxic effects. Decreased weight of thymus in all treatment groups anti decreased weight of spleen in the above 0.2 mg/kg group were observed. The intravenous administration of CKD-602 caused depilation and decreased weight and had toxic effect on the leukocyte, platelet, spleen and thymus. In the condition of this study, the target organs were spleen and thymus and the toxic effect level was determined to be 0.2 mg/kg, but no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be lower than 0.08 mg/kg.