• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.336-341
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• 2005

Chitosan, which is a biopolymer, composed of glucosamine units linked by β-l, 4 glycoside bonds, is rich in shells of crustacean such as crabs and shrimps. We examined effects of dietary chitosan on blood and tissue levels of lead, iron, zinc and calcium in lead administered rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups (n=32). Basal diet group was fed 3% cellulose diet and lead administered groups were fed 0%, 3% and 5% chitosan diets, respectively for 8 wks. To lead administered groups, lead (20㎎/day) was given three times per week by oral injection. Blood, liver, kidney and femur were collected for lead, iron, zinc, and calcium analyses. There was no significant difference in weight gain and food intake among groups. Blood and femur lead levels were lower in lead administered groups fed 3% and 5% chitosan diets than in lead administered control (0% chitosan diet) group (p＆lt;0.05). Blood and liver levels of iron and zinc in lead administered group fed 5% chitosan diet were significantly lower than those in basal diet group (p＆lt;0.05), but those in lead administered group fed 3% chitosan diet were not significantly different with those in basal diet group. These results show that chitosan diets have beneficial effects on lowering the accumulation of lead, but high chitosan diet may have negative effects on mineral levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.191-195
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• 2002

In this study, we like to examine whether Panax ginseng water extract (PGWE) exerts antidiabetic activities in prevention and treatment modes in multiple low dose (MLD) streptozotocin (STZ) (20 mg/kg i.p injection for 5 days) induced diabetic SD rats. In the prevention mode,150 mg/kg of GRWE was administered intraperitoneally with STG for 3 weeks, and this group is called CO 150. In the treatment mode, we started to administer the same dose of PGWE on day 8 and for 3 weeks, and this group is called POST150. PGWE exerted significant hypoglycemic activities in both prevention (normal control, 97 ${\pm}$ 6 mg/dl; diabetic control, 331${\pm}$23; CO150, 211${\pm}$37) and treatment groups (normal control, 128${\pm}$4 mg/dl; diabetic control, 392${\pm}$33: POST150, 263${\pm}$44). Of great importance is the fact that plasma insulin levels in both groups were markedly increased as compared to the diabetic control (normal control,428.7${\pm}$62.1 pg/dl; diabetic control, 167.0${\pm}$91.7; CO150, 377.6${\pm}$68.7 in prevention mode, and in treatment mode normal control 417.9${\pm}$84.6 pg/dl; diabetic control, 166.1${\pm}$104.7; POST150, 315.2${\pm}$47.4). Blood glucose levels were closely associated with plasma insulin levels, and this result may suggest that PGWE showed the activity to enhance insulin secretion as well as preventing destruction of pancreatic islet cells. Food and water intakes were also determined at the last week of treatment i n both groups. Characteristic symptoms of diabetes were significantly improved in both groups. In the prevention mode, water intake (ml/rat/day) in normal control was increased from 30.6${\pm}$1.5 to 122.2${\pm}$3.4 in diabetic control rats. In the CO150-treated group, water intake was dramatically reduced to 68.3${\pm}$4.4 (p<0.001 vs. diabetic control). In the treatment mode, POST-treated group also reduced the water intake from 128.9${\pm}$2.2 to 113.3${\pm}$1.7. Taken together, our data suggest that PGWE showed comparable antidiabetic activities in prevention and treatment modes. Therefore, PGWE may have a potential as a prophylactic as well as therapeutic agent fur type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 1994

Background: It is well known that oxygen free radicals(OFR) play a vital role in the various type of acute lung injury. Among various antioxidant defense mechanisms, the superoxide dismutases(SOD) are thought to be the first line of antioxidant defense by catalyzing the dismutation of two superoxide radicals to yield hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Eukaryotic cells contain two types of intracellular SOD : cytosolic, dimeric copper/zinc- containing enzyme(CuZnSOD) and mitochondrial, tetrameric manganese-containing enzyme(MnSOD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the time-dependent gene expression of MnSOD and CuZnSOD in the endotoxin-treated rats, and to compare with the manifestations of LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats. Methods: Total RNA from rat lung was isolated using single step phenol extraction 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after E. coli endotoxin injection(n=3, respectively). RNA was separated by formaldehyde-containing 1.2% agarose gels elctrophoresis, transblotted, baked, prehybridized, and hybridized with $^{32}P$-labeled cDNA probes for rat MnSOD and CuZnSOD, which were kindly donated by Dr. Ho(Duke University, Durham, NC, USA). The probes were labeled by nick translation. Blots were washed and autoradiography were quantitated using laser densitometry. Equivalent amounts of total RNA/gel were assessed by monitoring 28S and 18S rRNA. Results: Endotoxin caused a rise in steady-state MnSOD mRNA levels by 4h with peak mRNA accumulation by 6h. Continued MnSOD mRNA expression was observed at 12h. CuZnSOD mRNA expression was observed from 1h to 24h with peak levels by 18h. Conclusion: These results suggest that SOD palys an important defensive role in the endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.99-106
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• 1998

Background: Bronchial asthma is a complex disease, which is characterized by spontaneous exacerbations of airway obstruction and persistent bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Animal models have fallen short of reproducing the human disease, particularly in mimicking the spontaneous and persistent airflow obstruction that characterized in asthma. In animals, airflow obstruction is usually assessed by measuring airflow resistance during tidal breathing under such invasive technique as tracheostomy and anesthesia. A noninvasive technique for measuring pulmonary function in small animals is needed to evaluate long-term changes in lung function during the course of experimentally produced disease without sacrificing the animal. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate early bronchoconstrcition after allergen challenge and airway responsiveness (AR) to inhaled methacholine in nonanethetized, unrestrained guinea pigs. Method: Guinea pig model of asthma was sensitized by subcutaneous injection with ovalbumin and challenged by inhalation of aerosolized ovalbumin(1% wt/vol ovlabumin). Airflow obstruction of conscious guinea pig was measured as specific airway resistance (airway resistance $\times$ thoracic gas volume). Airway resistance and thoracic gas volume of conscious guinea pig were assessed by body plethysmography before challenge and at regular intervals for as long as 30 minutes after challenge. AR to aerosolized methacholine of asthma group was compared with that of control group in body plethysmography. Result: Asthma model<> developed in 13 (65%) among 20 guinea pigs, in which early responses occurred in the airways after the exposure to inhalation with ovalbumin. Airway challenge with ovalbumin caused increase in specific airway resistance, which peaked at 6 minutes and amounted to a $231.5{\pm}30.4%$ increase from baseline. AR to aerosolized methacholine of asthma model increased significantly compared with control group. Conclusion: These results have showed a useful animal model to evaluate early bronchoconstrcition after allergen challenge and airway responsiveness in nonanethetized, unrestrained guinea pigs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.463-472
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• 2015

Adrenomedullin (AM) is a peptide expressed in all body tissues, and its related receptors are increased in liver fibrosis. In this study, we evaluated the effect of AM deficiency on liver fibrogenesis induced by $CCl_4$ using AM heterozygous (HT) mice. The animals received a single injection of $CCl_4$ or olive oil for the acute experiment, and received $CCl_4$ or olive oil three times a week for 6 weeks for the chronic experiment. Fibrosis was accessed using histopathological analysis and the western blot. The AM HT mice showed mild pericentrilobular degeneration when compared to the AM wild type (WT) mice. In the acute experiment, there was no significant difference between the AM WT and AM HT mice. However, in the chronic experiment, the $CCl_4$-treated AM HT mice showed more severe liver fibrosis than that of the CCl₄-treated AM WT mice. The AST and ALT levels of the AM HT $CCl_4$ group were higher than those of the AM WT CCl₄ group. Additionally, the collagen deposition, $\alpha$- SMA protein and TGF-$\beta$ protein were increased in the AM HT $CCl_4$ group when compared to the AM WT $CCl_4$ group. The AM HT mice also exhibited severe lipid peroxidation through the GSH decrement. Taken together, our data suggest that AM deficiency increases the susceptibility to liver fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$, indicating a novel therapeutic target for patients with liver fibrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.782-788
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• 2010

The protective effects of a powder mixed with solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2 : 1, w/w) (designate LED) with different doses of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) on induced hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was investigated. The rats were divided into seven groups (6 rats/group) and the following substances were administered orally to each group: Vehicle (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/Kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water). After two weeks of daily administration, all groups except for the Vehiclegroup were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1 : 1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). One day later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. All LED treatments elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities, and reduced thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. These results indicate that LED effectively protected SD rat hepatotoxicity induced by $CCl_4$ through its antioxidative activity and reduction of some cytokines. The highest efficacy was found in LED 200 mg/kg BW, showing potential as a useful material for protection from hepatotoxicity in humans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.805-810
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Sea Tangle supplementation and exercise training on blood glucose and lipid profile in rats. Twenty seven, 4-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group (C, n=9), sea tangle group (D, n=9) and sea tangle+exercise group (D+T, n=9). Exercise training was performed 5 days a week using a treadmill running program for 6 weeks (5 m/min, 0% grade, 30 min). There was no difference in blood glucose (C: $175.9{\pm}47.5$, D: $173.9{\pm}34.0$, D+T: $165.0{\pm}38.0\;mg/dl$) and triglyceride (C: $251.1{\pm}91.8$, D: $215.0{\pm}90.0$, D+T: $200.0{\pm}89.3\;mg/dl$) among the groups. Total cholesterol value of the D+T group ($81.8{\pm}11.2\;mg/dl$) was significantly lower than that of the C ($103.0{\pm}13.5\;mg/dl$) and D ($102.1{\pm}14.5\;mg/dl$) groups. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was significantly high in the D+T ($40.9{\pm}9.7\;mg/dl$) group compared with the C ($32.6{\pm}3.8\;mg/dl$) group and D ($31.7{\pm}7.3\;mg/dl$) group. The value of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) for the D ($98.0{\pm}41.0\;mg/dl$) group was statistically lower than the C($114.5{\pm}41.8\;mg/dl$) group, and higher than the D+T ($91.2{\pm}41.7\;mg/dl$) group. In conclusion, sea tangle injection and exercise had a positive effect on blood lipid profiles.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.185-192
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• 2006

It is known that maternal diabetes induces a premature delivery and a congenital malformation. Although it was suggested that hyperglycemia is a main cause, little has been known. The effects of subtotal pancreactomized animal as a diabetic model on the embryo and the offspring were investigated. 1) Although survival rate of offsprings from the 90% pancreactomized female was lower than that of control, body weight of the survived offsprings was similar to that of control until 6 weeks after birth. When the liver was investigated, abnormal tissue was observed in both female and male offsprings from the pancreactomized mother. The level of major urinary protein(MUP) that is synthesized in the liver and secrets into urine was decreased in both female and male, supporting the liver abnormality. 2) In the pancreactomized female, size of the Langhan's island was increased and the liver also was observed abnormal. However, blood glucose level of the pancreactomized mother was not different from that of control. The low body weight and survival rate of offsprings from the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was very similar to those of the offsprings from diabetic mother. Thus when the mother itself was investigated after DNA injection, blood glucose level in the $inhibin-{\alpha}$ overexpressed mice was not different from that of control although size of the Langhan's island was decreased. Taken together, subtotal pancreactomy affected the offspring and embryo and influenced deeply the mother itself. However glucose level of the mother was not changed during investigation. It suggested that the relationship between the diabetic mother and embryo through offspring is very complex.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.215-224
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• 2017

Arsenic (As) is known to be the most toxic element and frequently detected in groundwater environment. Inorganic As exists as arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)] in reduced and oxidized environments, respectively. It has been reported that the toxicity of arsenite is much higher than that of arsenate and furthermore arsenite shows relatively higher mobility in aqueous environments. For this reason, there have been numerous researches on the process for oxidation of arsenite to arsenate to reduce the toxicity of arsenic. In particular, photooxidation has been considered to be simple, economical, and efficient to attain such goal. This study was conducted to evaluate the applicability of naturally-occurring goethite as a photocatalyst to substitute for $TiO_2$ which has been mostly used in the photooxidation processes so far. In addition, the effects of several factors on the overall performance of arsenite photocatalytic oxidation process were evaluated. The results show that the efficiency of the process was affected by total concentration of dissolved cations rather than by the kind of those cations and also the relatively higher pH conditions seemed to be more favorable to the process. In the case of coexistence of arsenite and arsenate, the removal tendency by adsorption onto goethite appeared to be different between arsenite and arsenate due to their different affinities with goethite, but any effect on the photocatalytic oxidation of arsenite was not observed. In terms of effect of humic acid on the process, it is likely that the higher concentration of humic acid reduced the overall performance of the arsenite photocatalytic oxidation as a result of competing interaction of activated oxygen species, such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, with arsenite and humic acid. In addition, it is revealed that the injection of oxygen gas improved the process because oxygen contributes to arsenite oxidation as an electron acceptor. Based on the results of the study, consequently, the photocatalytic oxidation of aqueous arsenite using goethite seems to be greatly feasible with the optimization of process.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.21-26
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• 2003

To evaluate the newly designed gastroduodenal coil catheter:in-vitro test. The coil catheter that we made in our laboratory was 150 cm. The coil that is made of stainless steel wire was composed 1.3 mm inner diameter and this coil spring was covered with heat-shrinkable polyethylene tube. To measure the length under fluorocopy, 8 radiopaque marks were attached at 5 cm, 10 cm, 11 cm, 12 cm, 13 cm, 14 cm, 15 cm, 20 cm apart from distal end of the catheter and 6, 2, 1 pores were made at 7 cm, 13 cm, 19 cm apart from the distal end. Radio-opacity and the amount of injected contrast was investigated in formerly used 5 Fr. vessel catheter, which is possible in measuring length, and newly designed coil catheter. Film density was tested for radio-opacity with autodensitometer. For measuring the volume of injected salin, the catheter was located in the acryl box(26 cm, 3 cm, 16 cm) that divided into 4 chambers. After injection 50 cc of contrast with autoinjector, the contrast's quantity in each chamber was measured with and without over the guide wire. Radio-opacity was 0.51 in 5 Fr. vessel catheter, 0.31 in newly made catheter. The amount of injected contrast was measured. In case of 5 Fr. vessel catheter, the amount was 99.5% from the distal part, there was no difference between with and without the guide wire. Otherwise, using a coil catheter, the pacentage the ejected saline was 1.17%, 18.8%, 41.8%, 38.2% from the distal part with the guide wire, 19.5%, 32.6%, 27.7%, 20.3% without the guide wire. Compare with formerly established catheter, this new coil catheter is easy to measure the length thanks to easy confirming under fluoroscopy and excellent in injecting contrast. Therefore, newly designed gastrointestinal catheter seems to be useful in gastrointestinal intervention procedure.