• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.309-317
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• 2009

As far as we know, there were no studies of the effect of L-arginine on bone metabolism in post-menopausal women or ovariectomized rats. The primary objective of the current study was to determine whether arginine supplementation was associated with alterations in femoral and spinal bone mineral density (BMD) and bone markers in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, Ovx and sham groups, which were each randomly divided into two subgroups that were fed control and arginine supplemented diet. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. Bone resorption was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin, USA) in spine and femur. The serum and urine concentrations of Ca and P were determined. The plasma was analyzed for arginine. Diet did not affect weight gain, mean food intake, and plasma arginine concentration. Urinary Ca excretion was decreased by arginine supplementation in Ovx rats, but statistically not significant. The Ovx rats fed arginine-supplemented diet were not significantly different in ALP, osteocalcin, crosslinks value, PTH, calcitonin and IGF-1 compared to those fed control diet. The arginine-supplemented group had significantly higher serum Ca and growth hormone than control group. Spine and femur BMD were significantly increased by arginine supplementation on 5th and 9th weeks after feeding. Our findings indicate that dietary L-arginine supplementation decreased bone mineral density loss in Ovx rats. Therefore, dietary arginine supplementation may represent a potentially useful strategy for the management of osteoporosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.291-296
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• 1987

There have been reports on the aberration of the control mechanisms of the blood pressure, hormone secretion, and renal functions in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). However, the contribution of the renin-angiotensin system in the maintenance of high blood pressure in SHR is still controversial. Recently, it has been reported that the negative feedback short loop control mechanism of the renin-angiotensin system may be changed in SHR. In the present experiment, it was attempted to explore the possible alterations in the effect of arginine vasopressin (AVP) on the renal function in SHR. Experiments have been done in anesthetized SHR as well as in normotensive Wistar and Sprague-Dawley rats as control groups. Pharmacologic doses of AVP (10-13 mU/rat/10 min) decreased urine volume, excreted amount of creatinine and para-amino-hippuric acid. No differences in these parameters was observed between normotensive and hypertensive rats. AVP increased sodium and potassium excretion, but the responses in SHR were suppressed as compared with normotensive rats. Intravenous infusion of AVP also increased blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive rats and a vasopressor effect of AVP was attenuated in SHR. There was a positive correlation between the changes in blood pressure and excreted amount of sodium during AVP infusion. These data suggest that the attenuated natriuretic effect of intravenous infusion of AVP may be due to a difference in renal tubular responsiveness to AVP but not due to a difference in vasopressor responsiveness.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.423-430
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of red-yeast-rice on bone metabolism in overiectomized (OVX) rats. Forty female Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 210 $\pm$ 5 g, 9 weeks old age) were divided into two groups. One group were OVX, and the other group received sham operation (SHAM), and received either control diet (20％ casein) or a red-yeast-rice power supplemented diet (0.1％) for 9 weeks. And then each rat group was further divided into control diet (casein 20％) and red-yeast-rice powder supplemented (0.1％) diet group. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin, USA) in spine and femur on 5, 9 weeks after feeding. The serum and urine concentrations of Ca and P were determined. Bone formation was measured by serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) concentrations. And bone resorption rate was measured by deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks immunoassay and corrected for creatinine. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, IGF-l and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. Urinary Ca and P excretion were not significantly different among the groups. Within the OVX group, the red-yeast-rice group had a lower crosslinks value than the casein group. Therefore the red-yeast-rice supplemented groups had a lower bone resorption ratio than the casein group in the ovariectomized rats. And, the red-yeast-rice group had significantly higher IGF-l hormone than casein group in ovariectomized rats. The red-yeast-rice group had higher spine bone mineral content than those of control group within the OVX groups. This study was an important first step in establishing that the observed beneficial effects of red-yeast-rice on bone, and this study also established the need for a study on the long-term effect of this supplement in a human.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.539-544
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• 2005

We have studied the effects of red wine on brain oxidative stress and nephropathy in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats with a single intraperitonally injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). Two weeks before and four weeks after injection, red wine was given orally in both normal and diabetic rats. Blood samples were taken from the neck vascular trunk in order to determine the glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-c), atherogenic index (AI), total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, insulin, lipid peroxidation products, reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. As well, we estimated the lipid peroxidtion, GSH and SOD, GSH-Px and catalase activities in brain and renal homogenates, and the excretion of albumin, proteins and glucose in urine over 24 h period. The administration of STZ caused significant increases in levels of glycosuria, proteinuria, albuminuria, glycemia, total cholesterol and AI, as well as in lipid peroxidation products in the brain, plasma and kidney, whereas it decreased the GSH content and SOD, GSH-Px and catalase activities. Treatment with red wine significantly prevented the changes induced by STZ. These data suggested that red wine has a protective effect against brain oxidative stress, diabetic nephropathy and diabetes induced by STZ, as well as it protects against hypercholesterolemia and atherogenic risk.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2014

Melamine-induced nephrotoxicity is closely associated with crystal formation in the kidney caused by combined exposure to melamine (Mel) and cyanuric acid (CA). However, there are few dosage-finding studies for toxicological evaluation of chronic co-exposure to Mel and CA. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible mechanism by which a Mel and CA mixture lead to renal toxicity in rats. Mel and CA were co-administered to rats via oral gavage for 50 days. Nephrotoxicity was determined by measuring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (sCr) levels. Relative kidney weights were significantly increased in rats after co-exposure to Mel+CA (63/6.3 or 630/6.3 mg/kg) mixtures. BUN and sCr levels were significantly increased after Mel and CA co-exposure. Taken together, significant increase in KIM-1, NGAL, and calbindin levels were observed in the urine of rats exposed to Mel+CA (63/6.3 or 630/6.3 mg/kg) compared with the corresponding control group. Histological analysis revealed epithelial degeneration and necrotic cell death in the proximal tubules of the kidney after co-exposure to Mel+CA (63/6.3 or 630/6.3 mg/kg). Our data suggest that Mel-mediated renal toxicity may be influenced by CA concentrations in Mel-contaminated milk or foods.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 2017

Background: Benzene is a known occupational and environmental pollutant. Its urinary metabolite trans, trans-muconic acid (tt-MA) has been introduced by some environmental and occupational health regulatory associations as a biological index for the assessment of benzene exposure; however, recently, doubts have been raised about the specificity of tt-MA for low-level benzene exposures. In the present study, we investigated the association between urinary levels of tt-MA and inhalational exposure to benzene in different exposure groups. Methods: Benzene exposure was assessed by personal air sampling. Collected benzene on charcoal tube was extracted by carbon disulfide and determined by a gas chromatograph (gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector). Urinary tt-MA was extracted by a strong anion-exchange column and determined with high-performance liquid chromatography-UV. Results: Urinary levels of tt-MA in intensive benzene exposure groups (chemical workers and police officers) were significantly higher than other groups (urban and rural residents), but its levels in the last two groups with significant different exposure levels (mean = 0.081 ppm and 0.019 ppm, respectively) showed no significant difference (mean = $388{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $282{\mu}g/g$, respectively; p < 0.05). Before work shift, urine samples of workers and police officers showed a high amount of tt-MA and its levels in rural residents' samples were not zero. Conclusion: Our results suggest that tt-MA may not be a reliable biomarker for monitoring low-level (below 0.5 ppm) benzene exposures.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.787-799
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• 2008

Objective : Diabetic nephropathy is the most common cause of end stage renal disease. AGE, $TGF-{\beta}1$ type IV collagen, and macrophage/monocyte infiltration are the main factors of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza on renal function and histopathological changes in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy rat model. Methods : Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats(290${\pm}$10g) by injecting STZ(45mg/kg) into the tail vein. Rats were divided into 3 groups(n = 6): normal, control, and salvia. After 8 weeks of administration of Salvia miltiorrhiza extract on the Salvia group, we checked 24 hrs urine, blood biochemistry and renal tissue to evaluate renal function and histopathological changes by examining parameters including albuminuria, BUN, creatinine, cholesterol, LDL, TG, macrophage/monocyte antigen(ED-1), $TGF-{\beta}1$, AGE, and type IV collagen. Results : Salvia miltiorrhiza decreased the amount of 24hrs proteinuria, and inhibited histopathological changes of diabetic nephropathy including the expression and accumulation of various factors which could promote development of diabetic nephropathy. Conclusion : These findings suggest that Salvia miltiorrhiza might protect the renal function and inhibit the development of renal injury by regulating factors including AGE, $TGF-{\beta}1$ Type IV collagen, macrophage and monocyte infiltration. So Salvia miltiorrhiza can be used for diabetic patients to prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.214-222
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• 1997

The aim of this experiments was to investigate the effect of Croton. Tiglii. semen water extract on the renal function, plasma renin activity, plasma levels of atrial natriuretiu peptide and aldosterone in rats. The results of this study were as follows: 1. Water balance was not changed significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract. 2. Urine volume decreased significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract $80{\mu}l/200g$. 3. Urinary excretion of sodium increased significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract $40{\mu}l/200g$, but decreased significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract $80{\mu}l/200g$. 4. Urinary excretion of potassium decreased significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract $80{\mu}l/200g$. 5. Urinary excretion of chloride was not changed significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract. 6. Free water clearance was not changed significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract. 7. Urinary excretion of creatinine increased significantly after the administration of Croton Tiglii semen $40{\mu}l/200g$. 8. Plasma renin activity was not changed significantly after administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract. 9. Plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide increased significantly after administration of Croton Tiglii semen water extract. 10. Plasma levels of aldosterone increased significantly after administration of Croton Tiglii semen $40{\mu}l/200g$.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 1995

This study aimed to verify the nutritional and curative effects of protein hydroysate in rats model with gastric ulcer induced by restraint and water-immersion stress. Sprague-Dawley, famale rats weighing approximtely 200g were forced in 5$\times$5$\times$15cm plexiglas cage. The restraint and water immersion stress was carried at 20$\pm$2$^{\circ}C$ for 8-hours. After stress 4 kinds of diets(10% casein, 20% casein, 10% casein hydrolysate, 20% casein hydrolysate) were given for 5 days. In the gastric ulcer rats model, the growth, gastric emptying rate, trypsin activity in gastrointestinal content, plasma total protein, albumin, $\alpha$-amino-N, UUN, creatinine and hydroxyproline of the urine and nitrogen retention were analyzed for nutritional effects of dietary nitrogen levels(10%, 20%) and sources (casein, casein hydrolysate). The results were as follows ; In gastric ulcer rats model, severeness of ulcer, plasma protein, gastric emptying rate, nitrogen retention rate were not different between 20% casein-fed group and 20% casein hydrolysatefed group. But 10% casein hydrolysate-fed group had more curative group. The casein hydrolysate diet-fed group was lower trysin activity in small intestianl content than the casein-fed group, at both casein level(10%, 20%). Finally at 20% levels, there was no difference between casein and casein hydrolysate diet, but 10% level, casein hydrolysate diet was more curative of ulcer than casein diet in gastric ulcer rat model. The results of this study provide useful information concerning diet therapy for the patients with gastrointestinal diseases and the field of enteral diet materials.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.848-856
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• 2000

The study was designed to assess the zinc nutritional status by gestational age of pregnant women visiting in public health centers in Ulsan. The subjects were divided into 3 trimester by last menstrual period(LMP). Interview for dietary zinc intake and general characteristics of each subjects was given and biochemical analysis of blood and urine was performed. Serum zinc concentration and urinary zinc excretion were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity was analyzed by Bowers & McComb\\`s method with Schimadzu automatic analyser. Also urinary creatinine was analyzed by Hawk\\`s method. Mean intake of zinc was 6.61${\pm}$1.57mg and did not meet the RDA(44.1% of RDA) for pregnant women by gestational age. Zn intake of 3rd trimester was significantly increased but dietary zinc was almost supplied with cereal and grain (47.30%) which were reported with low zinc availability due to phytate. Mean concentration of serum Zn in 1st trimester was 86.4${\pm}$10.5$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl, was 72.4${\pm}$10.3$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in trimester and 65.1${\pm}$10.8$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl in 3rd trimester and was declined significantly by gestational age during pregnancy. In was concluded that a decline in serum Zn by gestional age was not influenced by amount of Zn intake. However ALP activity and urinary zinc excretion increased significantly by gestational age. Zinc nutritional status of pregnant women was not confirmed yet due to the physiological changes during pregnancy. However, the pregnant woman may be in a marginal zinc deficient status because of low amount of Zn intake and low bioavailability of Zn from dietary sources. (Korean J Nutrition 33(8) : 848-856, 2000)