• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.590-593
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• 1996

This study was done to evaluate the effect of dietary calcium level (a diet which met 100% or twice the calcium level in AIN-76 diet) on preventing bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Forty Sprauge-Dawley female rats(body weight 200$\pm$5g)were divided into two groups. One group were ovariecotomized (Ovx) while the others received sham operation(Sham). Thereafter, each rat group was further divided into normal calcium diet(0.52%) and high calcium diet(1.04%) subgroups. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 8 weeks. The total body, spine and femur bone mineral densities and bone mineral contents were measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry, Eight weeks following operation, ovariectomized rats fed a high calcium diet had a significantly higher total bone mineral content, total bone calcium content, spine bone mineral density, spine bone mineral content and femur bone mineral content than ovariectomized rats fed control calcium diet. The correlation between dietary calcium intake level and spine bone mineral density were positive, but there was no correlation between dietary calcium intake and femur bone mineral density. The findings from the present study demonstrated that bone loss due to ovarian hormonal deficiency can be partially prevented by a high calcium diet. Futhermore, these findings support the strategy of the use of a high calcium diet in the prevention of estrogen depleted bone loss(postmenopausal osteoporosis)

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.131-137
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• 2009

In dogs, correct diagnosis of estrus is important and the exact time of ovulation can be determined by variouse methods. Vaginal cytology has commonly used in conjunction with the physical examination, clinical history, vaginoscopy, and hormonal assays to determine the stage of the reproductive cycle. This study was therefore investigated the effectiveness of direct ovulation detector designed by changes of electrical resistance in vaginal mucus following different estrus cycles with several methods; vaginal cytology, concentration of plasma estrogen and progesterone, and direct examination by laparotomy. A total of 12 bitches was selected for the study and observed estrus signs. The bitches were evaluated clinical sign (vulvar swelling and bleeding), cytological examination (keratocyte and RBC), electrical resistance, plasma estrogen and progesterone concentration for estrus assessment. Accuracy of ovulation detection by vaginal cytology was significantly (p<0.05) lower than those by electrical resistance and plasma progesterone concentration, based on the confirmation by laparotomy. Vaginal smear is not confidential method compared to detection of electrical resistance and plasma progesterone concentration at ovulation. Although the value of electrical resistance was varied at the same points of estrus in individuals, ovulation was occurred at the first day which shown the peak of electrical resistance and mating time was third day after peak. In conclusion, ovulation detector designed by changes of electrical resistance is an effective and economic instrument for predicting estrus and ovulation in bitches.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.539-543
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavones are structurally similar to estrogen and bind to estrogen receptors, suggesting that they exhibit estrogenic activities; therefore, they are referred to as phytoestrogens. Fermentation may affect the bioavailability of isoflavones altering soy isoflavone glycosides in the form of aglycones. Thus, this study investigated the effects of fermented soybeans by Rhizopus oligosporus on bone metabolism in both young rats as a pilot test and in ovariectomized (ovx) old rats as a model of menopause. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the pilot test, a total of 24 seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed one of three diets for a period of four weeks: casein, unfermented soybean product, or fermented soybean product by R. oligosporus. In the ovx rat model, 20-week-old SD rats weighing 260-290 g underwent either sham-operation (n = 10) or bilateral ovariectomy (n = 30) and were then fed the AIN-93M diet for one week. Thereafter, rats were fed sham-casein, ovx-casein, ovx-soybean, or ovx-fermented soybean diet for five weeks. After decapitation, femoral bones were isolated and preserved in 9% formalin for assessment of bone mineral density (BMD), bone mineral content (BMC), and bone-breaking strength (BBS). RESULTS: Ovx rats showed significantly increased weight gain and decreased uterine wet weight. Of particular interest, ovx rats fed fermented soybeans showed increased uterine wet weights compared to control rats. Fermented soybean diet caused a significant increase in plasma 17-${\beta}$ estradiol concentrations in young rats, and 17-${\beta}$ estradiol levels were enhanced in ovx rats to match those of sham-operated ones. Significantly lower femoral BMD and BMC were observed in ovx rats compared to sham-operated controls, whereas bone areas did not differ statistically among the groups. In addition, BBS tended to be increased in ovx rats fed soybeans and fermented soybeans. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of fermented soybeans could have preventive and therapeutic effects against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.18
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• pp.7941-7945
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• 2014

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in estrogen metabolism and is vital to estrogen-induced carcinogenesis, including that of ovarian cancer. Although many recent epidemiologic studies have investigated associations between the COMT rs4680 polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk, the results remain inconclusive. We therefore performed a meta-analysis to derive a more precise estimate of associations. Systematic searches of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese Biomedicine databases were undertaken to retrieve eligible studies. Odds ratios (ORs) with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled to assess the strength of the association. In total, 8 case-control studies involving 1,293 cases and 2,647 controls were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, the results showed no evidence of significant association between the COMT rs4680 polymorphism and ovarian cancer risk in any of the assessed genetic models. Subgroup analyses by ethnicity also did not reveal any significant association in any genetic model (p>0.05). In conclusion, our findings suggest that the COMT rs4680 polymorphism may not contribute to the risk of ovarian cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2019

Objectives: To select the optimal ranges showing obvious synergic anti-osteoporotic potential after adjust mixed formula consisted of Morindae Radix (MR) and Cistanchis Herba (CH) as compared with those of each single formula or risedronate sodium (RES) using bilateral ovariectomized (OVX) female mice. Methods: Fourteen groups, total eight sham or 104 OVX mice were selected based on the body weights at 34 days after OVX surgery. After that, 9 types mixed compositions, single formula of MR and CH, and RES were orally administered for 35 days. And we measured changes in body weight and gain, femur weight, bone mineral density (BMD), bone strength (failure load) and mineral content - calcium (Ca) and inorganic phosphorus (IP), osteocalcin contents and bone specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP) activities of all mice. Results: The OVX-induced estrogen-deficient osteoporotic signs were significantly inhibited by 35 days of continuous oral treatment of all treated mice as compared with OVX control mice. Especially, MR:CH 1:3 and 1:1 mixed formula treated mice showed significantly more favorable inhibitory activities against estrogen-deficient osteoporosis symptoms as compared to those of each single formula of MR and CH. Although RES also ameliorated the decreases of the femur BMD, strength and trabecular bone architectures through the inhibited the increases of bone turnover, but they did not critically influenced on the bone formations. Conclusions: The results suggest that MR:CH 1:3 mixed formula showed somewhat lower anti-resorptive effects as compared to those of RES, but they also showed bone formation effects. therefore, it is expected that MR:CH 1:3 mixture will be promising as a potent protective agents for relieving the osteoporosis in menopausal women.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.85-95
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• 2024

Objectives : We proposed the hypothesis that administering Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract (TSE) could alleviate menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis resulting from estrogen deficiency. Methods : Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were administered TSE at doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks, followed by measurement of serum lipid profile and serum bone markers using ELISA kits. Additionally, analysis of related genes in the femur and uterus was performed using Western blot and real-time PCR. Additionally, micro-CT analysis was performed to investigate the protective effect of TSE against bone loss due to oophorectomy. Results : The administration of TSE led to significant reductions in triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and glucose levels in the serum of OVX rats. Furthermore, TSE increased estradiol levels in the serum and notably improved the levels of biochemical markers associated with bone metabolism. Additionally, TSE exerted significant regulatory effects on the mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-genes closely associated with bone metabolism in the femur. TSE also demonstrated pronounced effects on uterine tissue, with improvements observed in gene expression related to estrogen receptors. Conclusion : Our findings confirm the efficacy of TSE in ameliorating menopause symptoms by modulating elements associated with both bone and lipid metabolism in the serum, uterine tissue, and femur of OVX rats. The present findings suggest that TSE may offer potential therapeutic effects for symptoms related to menopause and osteoporosis in females.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.101-106
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• 2000

Menopausal women experience urogenitory and vasomotor symptoms with increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases, which can be reduced by hormone replacement therapy. However unopposed estrogen therapy has been associated with an increased risk of endometrial hypeiplasia or cancer. The objectives of this study were to compare effects of continuous vs. sequential hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on lipid profile, bone mineral density and menopausal symptoms of postmenopausal women and to assess how they perceive the menopause and HRT culturally. In this retrospective study, women in menopause longer than 6 months, normal in the mam-mogram and Papanicolaou smear, cholesterol level lower than 190 mg/dL or triglyceride level lower 4han 500 mg/dL were treated with Srogen (conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg tablet) and Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg tablet) for continuous treatment(CT) or Cycloprogynova (Estradiol valerate 2 mg and Norgestrel 0.5 mg complex tablet) for sequential treatment(ST). They were evaluated for lipid profile, bone mineral density, menopausal symptoms, side effects and their perception of menopause and HRT. As results, total sixty-seven patients out of ninety-four enrollees were included in final analysis (33 in continuous therapy, 34 in sequential therapy). There were significant decrease in total cholesterol ($15.04\pm3.17$, p=0.0001), LDL ($19.72\pm3.27$, p=0.0001), and increase in HDL ($5.89\pm1.63$, p=0.0001). Bone minora) density increased significantly with HRT ($0.02\pm0.11$, p=0.0001). But, there were no significant differences in change of lipid profile between continuous and sequential therapy: Total cholesterol, $13.12\pm4.7\;vs.\;16.91\pm4.3;\;LDL\;20.53\pm4.1\;vs.\;18.93\pm5.12:HDL\;7.15\pm2.3\;vs.\;4.67\pm2.2,\;p>0.05$. Incidences of flush reduced from $75\%\;(CT)\;to\;3.13\%\;and\;71.88\%\;(ST)\;to\;9.35\%$. The change of endometrium and breast were found 3 (CT) and 5 (ST) women, respectively. Most of women recognized that HRT is necessary $(70\%)$ for postmenopausal period but did not understand well the cardiovascular protective effect. In conclusion, hormone replacement therapy was effective in improving lipid profile, bone mineral density and menopausal symptoms in both continuous and sequential treatments with similar efficacy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.499-503
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• 2013

This study tested the hypothesis that effects of the menstrual cycle on resting blood pressure carry over to dynamic exercise. Eleven healthy females were studied during the early (EP; low estrogen, low progesterone) and late follicular (LP; high estrogen, low progesterone) menstrual phases. Stroke volume (SV), heart rate (HR), cardiac output (CO), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and total vascular conductance (TVC) were assessed at rest and in response to mild and moderate cycling exercise during EP and LP. During EP, compared to LP, baseline SBP ($111{\pm}1$ vs. $103{\pm}2$ mmHg), DBP ($71{\pm}2$ vs. $65{\pm}2$ mmHg) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) ($84{\pm}2$ vs. $78{\pm}1$ mmHg) were higher and TVC ($47.0{\pm}1.5$ vs. $54.9{\pm}4.2$ ml/min/mmHg) was lower (p<0.05). During exercise, absolute values of SBP (Mild: $142{\pm}4$ vs. $127{\pm}5$ mmHg; Moderate: $157{\pm}4$ vs. $144{\pm}5$ mmHg) and MAP (Mild: $100{\pm}3$ vs. $91{\pm}3$ mmHg; Moderate: $110{\pm}3$ vs. $101{\pm}3$ mmHg) were also higher, while TVC was lower (Mild: $90.9{\pm}5.1$ vs. $105.4{\pm}5.2$ ml/min/mmHg; Moderate: $105.4{\pm}5.3$ vs. $123.9{\pm}8.1$ ml/min/mmHg) during EP (p<0.05). However, exercise-induced increases in SBP, MAP and TVC at both work intensities were similar between the two menstrual phases, even though norepinephrine concentrations were higher during LP. Results indicate that blood pressure during dynamic exercise fluctuates during the menstrual cycle. It is higher during EP than LP and appears to be due to additive effects of simultaneous increases in baseline blood pressure and reductions in baseline TVC.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.425-431
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• 2015

Estrogen deficiency is associated with increased body weight and fat mass, resulting in obesity-associated complications such as insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, and type-2 diabetes. The present study was performed to investigate the effect of black rice (Oryza sativa L.) extracts (BRE) on body weight and fat mass in ovariectomized rats. Ovariectomized (or sham-operated) rats were randomly blocked into three groups (n=8~10 per group): sham operated group (S), ovariectomized control group (OVX), and ovariectomized group with BRE 30 mg/kg B.W. (BRE). High fat diet (fat calories 45%) was fed to all experimental rats for 12 weeks. Final body weight, weight gain, and body fat weight showed significant increases in the OVX group, whereas they were reduced by BRE supplementation. Serum TAG, T-chol level, and adipocyte size were not significantly different among the three groups. However, ovariectomy-induced hepatic steatosis was improved in BRE-treated group. Moreover, in the BRE group, serum leptin levels was significantly lower and fecal total lipid concentrations was significantly higher compared to the OVX group. The gathered data suggest that BRE is a potentially useful ingredient to protect against estrogen deficiency-related obesity and its related diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2010

Soybean is of particular interest as a food supplement of isoflavones for inhibiting bone resorption in postmenopausal woman. These beneficial effects of isoflavones are caused by functioning as partial agonists or antagonists of estrogen, of which anti-resorptive effect is mediated indirectly through paracrine factors produced by osteoblasts that act on osteoclasts. In this study, the indirect effect of soybean on osteoclastic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells were investigated. The conditioned medium was collected from MC3T3-E1 osbeoblasts treated with 0.001 mg/mL~0.1 mg/mL soybean extracts for 6 days, mixed in 1:1 ratio with osteoclast medium, and then added into RAW264.7 cells with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), a differentiation inducer for 3 days. Of paracrine factors in the conditioned medium, the protein expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with soybean extract was specifically higher in a dose dependent manner than with $10^{-9}$ M~$10^{-6}$ M of estrogen, genistein or daidzein standards. In RAW264.7 cells, the conditioned medium with soybean inhibited RANKL induced osteoclastic differentiation as total number of multinucleated tartrateresistant alkaline phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts and protein expression of MMP-9 were significantly decreased. Coupled with the low expression of estrogen receptor $\alpha$ and $\beta$ proteins in RANKL treated RAW264.7 cells, we demonstrate that the conditioned medium of soybean treated osteoblasts inhibits RANKL induced differentiation of osteoclasts with the selective expression of OPG in osteoblasts.