• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2004

Objectives: To investigate the effect of LH receptor in folliculogenesis, we confirm the expression level of LH receptor (LH-R) mRNA in human granulosa cells (GCs) and its expression levels were analyzed by comparison to embryo developmental rate and pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: GCs were obtained at the time of oocyte retrieval from the patients undergoing IVF-ET program. The patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n=20) is poor responder (retrieved oocyte(s)$\leq$3ea), Group II (n=80) is normal responder (retrieved oocytes>3ea). After the extraction of total RNA, semiquantitative RT-PCR was performed and the expression level of LH-R mRNA was normalized by $\beta$-actin. Statistical analysis was performed by using $X^2$ test, Student's t-test and Pearson correlation. Results: In Group II, the relative values of LH-R mRNA (0.680 vs. 0.463, p<0.005) and pregnancy rate (54.7% vs. 23.1%, p<0.05) were significantly higher than in Group I. Number of retrieved oocyte(s) was gradually increased when the expression of LH-R mRNA was increased (p<0.05). But the quality of retrieved oocyte and transferred embryo were not related with the expression of LH-R mRNA. When the pregnancy rate was compared with FSH only group and FSH combined with hMG group in the ovarian stimulation protocol, FSH combined with hMG group was significantly higher than FSH only group in Group I (37.5% vs. 0%), and the expression of LH-R mRNA was significantly higher in hMG combined group than FSH only group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Expression level of LH-R mRNA has important role in ovarian function related with the response to gonadotrophin in human folliculogenesis. Furthermore these data might provide the evidence that additional use of hMG is helpful to poor responders.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.69-81
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• 2015

Purpose : The first purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of Rehmanniae Radix Preparat(RRP), Cuscutae Semen(CS) and their combination(Ssangbohwan, SBH) have the effect of suppressing Receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. The second purpose of this study is to find out whether the water extract of RRP, CS and SBH have the effect of inhibiting osteoporosis in an osteoporosis model induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS). Methods : After promoting differentiation of osteoclasts by treating the RANKL, we observed the effect by the administration of RRP, CS and SBH. In addition, by means of Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), we assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS(Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni) from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs). Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1 (Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic1), C-Fos, MAPKs(Mitogen-activated protein kinases) and ${\beta}$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western Blotting. Finally, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of RRP, CS and SBH, through the use of Lipopolysaccharide-induced bone-loss mouse. Results : RRP, CS and SBH showed remarkable inhibitive effect on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. SBH inhibited the phosphorylation of p38, Jun N-terminal kinases(JNK), and I-${\kappa}B$ and down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. RRP, CS suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$, but it did not affect c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that RRP and SBH prevented bone erosion by LPS treatment. Conclusions : These results demonstrate SBH can be effective remedy for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of LR3 and SP6 acupuncture on liver damage of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into four groups, consisting of the normal mice group(N), acupuncture-free diabetic mice group(Con), LR3-acupuncture diabetic mice group(LR3) and SP6-acupuncture diabetic mice group(SP6). The following measurements were taken: Body weight, food intake and water intake for 2 weeks; liver weight, and glucose levels in the serum and liver; ALT and AST in the serum; reactive oxygen species(ROS), reduced glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG) in the liver; and lastly, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts( RAGE), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxymethyl$ lysine(CML), $N{\varepsilon}-carboxyethyl$ lysine(CEL), phosphorylation of inhibitory kappa B alpha($p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$), nuclear factor-kappa B($NF-{\kappa}B$), activator protein-1(AP-1), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha($TNF-{\alpha}$), ${\beta}-actin$, cytochrome c and caspase in the liver. Results : The liver weight and GSH/GSSG ratio were significantly increased in SP6 compared to Con. The glucose levels in the liver were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The generation of ROS and GSSG were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. The expressions of RAGE, CML, AP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cytochrome c and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in LR3 compared to Con. The expressions of $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $NF-{\kappa}B$, AP-1, COX-2, iNOS and caspase 3 were significantly decreased in SP6 compared to Con. Conclusion : It is predicted that LR3 acupuncture is related to reduced glucose levels in the liver and expressions of AGE, and that, SP6 acupuncture is related to reduced oxidative stress-related transcription factors and inflammation-related proteins. Therefore, we suggest that LR3 and SP6 acupuncture have protective effects on the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by preventing apoptosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.1-18
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of water extracts of Eucommiae cortex (EC), Psoraleae semen (PS), and their combination on receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Methods : We assayed the protein expression levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and ${\beta}-actin$ in cell lysates using western blotting. Similarly, mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, tartrateresistant acid phosphate (TRAP), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, spermatogeni (GAPDHS) from bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of the water extracts of EC, PS, and their combination in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse model. Results : The in vitro data revealed showed that the combination of EC and PS extract showed a more remarkable inhibition of osteoclast differentiation than each herb did alone. The combination downregulated the induction of c-Fos, NFATc1, and TRAP by suppressing the phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) and inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells ($NF-{\kappa}B$). Lastly, the in vivo data showed that PS reduced the LPS-induced bone erosion. Conclusion : The result of this study suggests that EC and PS could be potential therapeutic agents for bone loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2011

To investigate effects of Ixeris dentata EtOH ext. on lowering lipid levels and anti-oxidation activity, hyperlipidemic rats were treated with Ixeris dentata EtOH ext. and lipid levels and anti-oxdation activity were measured. The Ixeris dentata EtOH ext. groups showed low concentration of plasma FFA, plasma triglyceride, plasma total cholesterol, and plasma LDL-cholesterol compared to control group. However, concentration of plasma HDLcholesterol was not significantly different among all the treatment groups. The Ixeris dentata EtOH ext. groups showed lower level of liver total cholesterol, liver triglyceride, plasma TBARS, and liver TBARS than those of control group. The Ixeris dentata EtOH ext. groups also showed higher level of GSH-Px activity, SOD activity, and CAT activity than those of control group. Moreover, the Ext. showed lower level of TNF-${\alpha}$, Apo-B, Apo-E, and leptin expression than those of control group. The results in this study shows that the Ixeris dentata EtOH ext. have positive effect in lowering lipid level, and anti-oxidative activity.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2019

Purpose: To identify prognostic factors influencing progression-free survival (PFS) of aggressive fibromatosis (AF) after postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) and assess correlations between immunohistochemistry (IHC) features of β-catenin/smooth muscle actin (SMA) and PFS. Materials and Methods: Records of 37 patients with AF treated by PORT from 1984 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen patients underwent wide excision for AF and 22 patients received debulking operation. The median total dose of PORT was 59.4 Gy. IHC staining results of β-catenin and SMA were available for 11 and 12 patients, respectively. Results: The median follow-up duration was 105.9 months. Five-year PFS rate was 70.9%. Tumor size or margin status was not related to PFS in univariate analysis (p = 0.197 and p = 0.716, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that increased interval from surgery to PORT (>5.7 weeks) was a marginal risk factor for PFS (p = 0.054). Administration of PORT at the initial diagnosis resulted in significantly improved PFS compared to deferring PORT after recurrence (p = 0.045). Patient with both risk factors of deferring PORT after recurrence and interval from surgery to PORT >5.7 weeks had significantly lower 5-year PFS than patients without risk factor (34.1% vs. 100.0%; p = 0.012). Nuclear β-catenin intensity tended to inversely correlate with 5-year PFS, although it did not reach statistical significance (62.5% at low vs. 100.0% at high; p = 0.260). SMA intensity was not related to PFS (p = 0.700). Conclusion: PORT should be performed immediately after surgery irrespective of margin status or tumor size especially in recurrent case. Nuclear β-catenin staining intensity of IHC might correlate with local recurrence.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.283-289
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• 2015

This study surveys the improvement characteristics in old-aged muscular mitochondria by bio-active materials coated fabric (BMCF). To observe the effects, the fabric (10 and 30%) was worn to old-aged rat then the oxygen consumption efficiency and copy numbers of mitochondria, and mRNA expression of apoptosis- and mitophagy-related genes were verified. By wearing the BMCF, the oxidative respiration significantly increased when using the 30% materials coated fabric. The mitochondrial DNA copy number significantly decreased and subsequently recovered in a dose-dependent manner. The respiratory control ratio to mitochondrial DNA copy number showed a dose-dependent increment. As times passed, Bax, caspase 9, PGC-$1{\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$-actin increased, and Bcl-2 decreased in a dose-dependent manner. However, the BMCF can be seen to have had no effect on Fas receptor. PINK1 expression did not change considerably and was inclined to decrease in control group, but the expression was down-regulated then subsequently increased with the use of the BMCF in a dose-dependent manner. Caspase 3 increased and subsequently decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the BMCF invigorates mitophagy and improves mitochondrial oxidative respiration in skeletal muscle, and in early stage of apoptosis induced by the BMCF is not related to extrinsic death-receptor mediated but mitochondria-mediated signaling pathway.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.409-425
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• 2006

치주질환의 병원균은 세포벽의 항원에 의하여 조직내 존재하는 mononuclear phagocytes가 활성화되어 cytokine들이 생성됨 으로써 치주 결체조직의 파괴를 진행시킨다. 이런 관련된 cytokine들은 순차적으로 상주하는 치은세포 및 대식세포가 Matrix metalloproteinase 합성을 하도록 유도하여 조직파괴를 시작한다. 이들 Matrix metalloproteinase중 MMP-2, MMP-9 (Gelatinase A,B)는 type IV collagen 및 변성된 interstitial collagen을 파괴하며 치주환자의 치은 열구액, 치은조직, 타액 네에서 높게 보고 되어왔다. 당뇨병은 치주질환의 위험요소중 하나로 달뇨 환자에서는 치주질환의 유병율이 일반인에 비해 높고 치주질환의 중증도도 더 심하여 진행도 빠르다고 알려져 있다. 그 병리 기전 중 하나로는 당뇨 환자에서는 치은 열구액 내 중성구 유래의 Matrix metalloproteinase의 활성 증가 및$TNF-{\alpha}$ 의 활성 증가가 추정되고 있다. 본 실험에서는 제2형 당뇨병 환자와 비당뇨 환자들에서 만성 치주염 부위의 치은 및 건강한 치은에서 염증매개체 중 하나인 MMP-2, MMP-9 및 $TNF-{\alpha}$ 의 발현에 대해 상호 비교 분석함으로서 염증, 혈당이 미치는 영향을 밝히고 제 2형 당뇨병 환자에서 심한 치주조직 파괴의 기전을 연구하고자 하였다. 경북대학교병원 치주과 내원환자 중 제2형 당뇨병 환자와 비당뇨 환자들 및 치주질환이 없는 건강인 대조군을 대상으로 여러 가지 환자요소, 임상 치주상태를 기록하고, 전신적으로 건강한 환자의 건강한 부위(n=8,Group 1), 전신적으로 건강한 환자으 만성 치주염 부위(n=8, Group 2), 제2형 당뇨병 환자의 만성 치주염 부위 (n=8,Group 3)에서 각각 변연치은을 채득하고 액화질소에 급속 동결하였다. Western blotting을 이용하여 각 조직 내 MMP-2, MMP-9 및 $TNF-{\alpha}$ 의 발현을 관찰, densitometer를 이용하여 상대적 발현을 정량, 각 조직의${\beta}-actin$을 이용하여 표준화하여 실험군과 대조군들의 평균치를 비교하였다. 비당뇨 환자들의 만성 치주염 부위 및 제2형 당뇨병 환자의 만성 치주염 부위에서 모두 건강 대조군에 비해 MMP-2와 MMP-9 의 발현이 증가되었다. 또한 MMP-2와 MMP-9는 2형 당뇨 환자의 만성 치주염 부위가 비당뇨 환자의 만성 치주염 부위보다 증가된 발현양상을 보였으며, $TNF-{\alpha}$ 발현 비교시 각 군간 유의성 있는 변화는 없었으나 2형 당뇨환자군에서 MMP-2 및 MMP-9의 증가와 함께 다소 증가 양상을 보였다. 결론적으로 본 실험에서 MMP-2 및 MMP-9의 증가가 만성 치주염 및 2형 당뇨 환자에서의 만성치주염에서 비당뇨환자 보다 MMP-2, MMP-9의 증가양상을 보여 주었으며 $TNF-{\alpha}$ 가 2형 당뇨환자의 만성치주염 진행과정에 기여인자로써 역할을 하는 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.649-659
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to quantify and compare the level of MMP-1 in the healthy or inflamed gingival tissue of patients with or without type 2 diabetic mellitus. We investigated whether mean amount of MMP-1 was changed by chronic periodontitis and type 2 DM. Gingival tissue samples were obtained during periodontal surgery or tooth extraction. According to the patient's systemic condition & clinical criteria of gingiva, each gingival sample was divided into the three group. Group 1(n=8) was clinically healthy gingiva without bleeding and no evidence of bone resorption or periodontal pockets, obtained from systemically healthy 8 patients. Group 2(n=8) was inflamed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis. Group 3(n=8) was inflamed gingiva from patients with chronic periodontitis and type 2 diabetes. Tissue samples were prepared and analyzed by Western blotting. The quantitative analysis of MMP-1 was performed using a densitometer and statistically analyzed by ANOVA. MMP-1 was expressed in all samples and an increased MMP-1 level was observed in group 2 compared to group 1 and decreased MMP-1 level was found group 3 compared to group 2, but the differences among 3 groups were not statistically significant. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that MMP-1 levels of inflamed gingiva of systemically healthy patient(group 2) were higher than normal gingiva of systemically health patients and although the severity of gingival inflammation in group 2 and 3 were similar, MMP-1 expression was decreased in diabetic patients than systemically healthy periodontal patients.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.623-634
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• 2005

Human periodontal ligament fibroblast(hPDLF) is very important to cure periodontal tissue because it can be diverged into various cells. This study examined the expression of MMP-1, TIMP-1, periodontal ligament specific PDLs22, Type I collagen, Fibronectin, TIMP-2, telomerase mRNA in a replicative senescence of hPDLF. The periodontal ligament tissue was obtained from periodontally healthy and non-carious human teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons at the Chosun University Hospital of Dentistry with the donors' informed consent. The hPDLF cells were cultured in a medium containing Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium(DMEM, Gibco BRL, USA) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS, Gibco BRL, USA) at 37C in humidified air with 5% $CO_2$. For the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis, the total RNA of the 2, 4, 8, 16, 18, and 21 passage cells was extracted using a Trizol Reagent(Invitrogen, USA) in replicative hPDL cells. Two passage cells, i.e. young cells, served as the control, and ${\beta}-actin$ served as the internal control for RT-PCR The results of this study about cell morphology and gene expression according to aging of hPDLF using RT-PCR method are as follows: 1. The size of hPDLF was increased with aging and it was showed that the hPDLF was dying in the final passage. 2. PDLs22 mRNA was expressed in young hPDLF of the two, four, and six passage. 3. TIMP-1 mRNA was expressed in young hPDLF of the two and four passage. 4. There was a tendency that MMP-1 mRNA was weakly expressed over eighteen. 5. Type 1 collagen mRNA was expressed in almost all passages, but it was not expressed in the final passage. 6. Fibronectin mRNA was observed in all passages and it was weakly expressed in the final passage. 7. TIMP-2 and telomerase mRNA were not expressed in this study. Based on above results, it was observed that PDLs22, Type 1 collagen, Fibronectin, MMP-1. and TIMP-1 mRNA in hPDLF were expressed differently with aging. The study using the hPDLF that is collected from healthy patients and periodontitis patients needs in further study.