• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1336-1342
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne (CS) on alcohol-induced liver damage in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $135{\pm}10g$ were divided into 6 groups for 4 weeks; normal group (ND), alcohol (35%, 10 mL/kg/day) treated group (ET), CS ethanol extract 200 mg/kg/day treated group (ND-CSL), CS ethanol extract 400 mg/kg/day treated group (ND-CSH), CS ethanol extract 200 mg/kg/day and alcohol treated group (ET-CSL), and CS ethanol extract 400 mg/kg/day and alcohol treated group (ET-CSH). The body weight gain and food efficiency ratio were no differences between ND and ET. There were increases in the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), asparate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in ET. On the other hand, the administration of CS decreased ALT, AST and ALP activities in serum. It was also observed that the hepatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and xanthine oxidase (XO) increased by alcohol treatment were also markedly decreased in the CS administered groups as compared with ET. The activities of hepatic SOD, catalase, GSH-Px and XO were riot significantly different among the normal diet groups. Contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were increased by the administration of alcohol, on the other hand, the administration of CS reduced TBARS value in the liver. In addition, the content of glutathione (GSH) in the liver was decreased by alcohol administration, however, GSH increased after administering CS. In conclusion, the administration of alcohol develops the hyperoxidation of liver lipids through tile increase in enzymes activity related to the lipid peroxiation, however, it was decreased after administring CS. Thus, CS may have a possible protective effect on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 1995

Though the endometriosis is not always related with infertility, endometriosis causes infertility in some patients. There are many treatment modalities of infertile patients who have endometriosis. In recent years, Assisted Reproductive Technology(ART) have been widely accepted as being a useful tool for the treatment of infertile endometriotic patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the outcome of ART in infertile endometriotic patients who have been carried out IVF-ET from Jan, 1992 to Dec, 1994 and to compare the results between COH/IUI and IVF-ET in the patients with endometriosis stage I. Tubal disease only patients were grouped(308 patient, 956 cycles) as a control. Endometriosis group was subdivided into 4 groups according to American Fertility Society classification; endometriosis stage I (45 patients, 61 cycles), stage II (26 patients, 39 cycles), stage III (26 pateitns, 37 cycles), stage IV (33 patients, 50 cycles). The outcomes of IVF-ET in endometriosis patients were as follows; The oocyte recovery rates were significantly lower in stage III, IV endometriosis. In case of stage III endometriosis, the fertilization rate was significantly lower than other stages of endometriosis. Clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were not different between the tubal group(22%) and the endometriosis group(25%). According to endometriosis stage, the implantation rate and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly lower in stage IV (5.6%, 16%) compared with other stages (I; 10.0%, 26%, II;9.8%, 31%, III;12.6%, 32%). It suggests that some factor like autoantibodies may inhibit implantation of embryos in stage IV endometriosis. To evaluate the possibility that simply increasing the number of gametes at the site of fertilization might account for pregnancies attributed to IVF-ET, the authors retrospectively analyzed the outcome of couples undergoing IUI during hMG cycles and CC cycles between 1992 and 1994 in the women with endometriosis stage 1. In case of stage I endometriosis, though the COH/IUI group showed lower FSH level and lesser age profile than IVF-ET group, IUI group has resulted in lower pregnancy rates(19.2%) compared with the IVF-ET group(26.2%). In conclusion, endometriotic infertile patients can get comparable pregnancy rates with the tubal factor infertility patients during IVF-ET program. Moreover even in stage I endometriosis, IVF-ET may be an more effective treatment modality than COH/IUI.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1996

Controlled Ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) is generally used to obtain synchronous high quality oocytes in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET). Many investigators have studied the relationship between serum hormone levels and outcomes of IVF-ET because there is no accurate estimation method of oocyte quality. Early premature luteinization of follicles before oocyte retrieval is the most troublesome problem in COH for IVF-ET. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists(GnRH-a) are used as adjuncts with gonadotropins for COH in patients undergoing in IVF. The possible benefits of GnRH-a pretreatment include improving oocyte quality, allowing a more synchronous cohort of follicles to be recruited, and preventing premature lueinization hormone surges. In COH of IVF cycles, we investigated whether an elevated progesterone(P4) level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG) administration indicates premature luteinization and is associated with a lower fertilization rate. Many investigators have studied that the lower fertilization rates seen in patients with elevated P4 levels might result from an adverse effect of P4 on the oocytes. We hypothesizes that serum P4 levels around the day of hCG may be helpful prediction of out come in IVF-ET cycles. Success rates after COH of IVF-ET cycles are dependent upon many variable factors. Follicular factors including the number of follicles, follicular diameters and especially serum estradiol(E2) levels as an indirect measurement of follicular function and guality have been thought to influence the outcomes of IVF-ET. To assess whether serum P4 and E2 levels affect the fertilization and pregnancy rate, we reviewed the stimulation cycles of 113 patients (119 cycles) undergoing IVF-ET with short protocol with GnRH-a, from March 1993 to August 1994 retrospectively. The serum P4 and E2 levels were compared on the day of hCG in the pregnant group, 45 patients(47 cycles) and in the non-pregnant group, 68 patients (72 cycles) respectively. The serum E2 level in non-pregnant group was $1367{\pm}875.8$ pg/ml which was significantly lower than that of pregnant group, $1643{\pm}987.9$ pg/ml( p< 0.01 ). And the serum P4 level in non-pregnant group was $2.1{\pm}1.4$ ng/ml which was significantly higher than that of pregnant group, $1.0{\pm}0.7$ ng/ml( p< 0.001 ). The fertilization rate was $61.3{\pm}21.3%$ in pregnant group which was higher than that of non-pregnant group, $41.1{\pm}20.2%$ (p< 0.01). We suggest that the serum levels of P4 and E2 on the day of hCG administration are additional parameters that predict the outcomes of IVF-ET cycles.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.197-205
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• 2007

Objective: This study evaluated the pregnancy and implantation rates in fresh IVF-ET cycles or frozen-thawed ET (F-ET) cycles based on serum estradiol concentrations of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH). Methods: Clinical outcomes of 1,565 cycles of fresh IVF-ET with COH and 670 cycles of F-ET were retrospectively analyzed. Serum estradiol levels on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration were categorized into Group-A (1,000$\sim$2,000 pg/ml), Group-B (2,000$\sim$3,000 pg/ml), Group-C (3,000$\sim$4,000 pg/ml) and Group-D (> 4,000 pg/ml). Clinical pregnancy (CPR), implantation (IR) and delivery rates (DR) were compared among four groups subdivided into younger (< 35 years) and older ($\geq$ 35 years) women. Statistical analysis was performed by Student's t-test and chi-square test. Results: Overall clinical outcomes with fresh IVF-ET and F-ET cycles were similar: 41.2% vs 44.8% of CPR, 18.8% vs 19.6% of JR, and 33.2% vs 34.5% of DR, respectively. There were no significant differences in the clinical outcomes of all four groups between fresh IVF-ET and F-ET cycles of younger women according to the estradiol levels. However, the clinical outcomes of F-ET cycles of older women in Group-D were significantly higher than those of fresh IVF-ET cycles (51.3% vs 25.0% of CPR*, 18.6% vs 9.9% of IR and 33.3% vs 19.4% of DR;* p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that supraphysiological levels of estradiol during COH in fresh IVF-ET cycles of older women ($\geq$ 35 years) may be detrimental to implantation environments of endometrium and clinical outcomes, which could be improved by F-ET cycles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.210-222
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• 2000

Background: Endothelin(ET) is the most potent vasoconstrictor and bronchoconstrictor. The plasma ET-1 level is elevated in patients with acute pulmonary thromboembolism(APTE). This finding suggest that ET-1 may be an important mediator in the cardiopulmonary derangement of APTE. But whether ET-1 is a pathogenic mediator or a simple marker of APTE is not known. The role of ET-1 in the pathogenesis of cardiopulmonary dysfunction in APTE(delete) was investigated through an evaluation of the effects of $ET_A$-receptor antagonist on APTE. The increase in local levels of preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide in the embolized lung was also demonstrated. Methods: In a canine autologous blood clot pulmonary embolism model, $ET_A$-receptor antagonist(10 mg/kg intravenously, n=6) was administered one hour after the onset of the embolism. Hemodynamic measurements, blood gas tensions and plasma levels of ET-1 immunoreactivity in this treatment group were compared with those in the control group(n=5). After the experiment., preproET-1 mRNA expression(using Northern blot analysis) and the distribution of ET-1(by immunohistochemical analysis) in the lung tissues were examined. Results: The increases in pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance of the treatment group were less than those of the control group. Decrease in cardiac output was also less in the treatment group. Complications such as systemic arterial hypotension and hypoxemia did not occur with the administration of $ET_A$-receptor antagonist The plasma level of ET-1 like(ED: what does 'like' mean?) immunoreactivity was increased after embolization in both groups but was significantly higher in the treatment group. The preproET-1 mRNA and ET-1 peptide expressions were increased in the embolized lung. Conclusion: ET-1 synthesis increases with embolization in the lung and may plays play an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiopulmonary derangement of APTE. Furthermore, $ET_A$-receptor antagonist attenuates cardiopulmonary alterations seen in APTE, suggesting a potential benefit of this therapy.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2011

This study was carried out to confirm the effects of luteotrophin, human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), and an anti-luteolytic agent, flunixin meglumin (FM), on pregnancy rates in Hanwoo with in vitro produced (IVP) embryo transfers (ET), and to research the effects on the estrus cycle. Treatments included hCG and FM administration 3~10 minutes prior to ET. Also, pregnancy rates were compared with lidocane treatment and FM treatment prior to ET. The results are shown below. 30-day pregnancy rate was 76.7% in the hCG-treated group and 75.7% in the FM-treated group. Both rates were higher than the 70% rate for the control group. 42-day pregnancy rate was 76.7% in the FM-treated group. This was higher than 66.7% recorded for both the hCG-treated and control groups. The pregnancy rate of the hCG-treated group was high at Day 30 (76.7%) but low at Day 40 (66.7%), and there were no differences from the FM-treated and control groups. The recurrent estrus rate of infertile individuals at 2 weeks after ET was 36.4% in the hCG-treated group, under 71.4% in the FM-treated group and 80.0% in the control group. The non-pregnancy rate of individuals without recurrent estrus was 18.2% in the hCG-treated group, which was higher than the 0% rate in both the FM-treated and control groups. The pregnancy rates were higher in the FM-treated group than the Lidocane-treated group with 72.3% versus 67.5% in the heifers and 48.9% versus 43.6% in the cows. From the above results, the FM treatment proved more effective than the hCG treatment and no treatment whatsoever in increasing pregnancy rates after ET. In addition, hCG treatment was shown to be undesirable due to the deviations it caused in the reproductive physiology of the hCG-treated recipients. Therefore, in our study, the FM treatment resulted in a higher pregnancy rate than either lidocaine treatment or no-treatment in the trials of ET.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.237-243
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• 2006

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of frozen-thawed ET in poor prognosis patients such as the old age (38~44 years; OA group) and the patients who did not achieve clinical pregnancy with the first fresh ET cycle (non-pregnant patients; NP group). Methods: Laboratory and clinical data were collected from fresh and frozen-thawed ET cycles of OA and NP group. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and conventional insemination or ICSI, in vitro culture and ET were performed by routine procedures. Supernumerary embryos were frozen by the slow freezing method, and frozen embryos were thawed by the rapid thawing method. Embryo development, pregnancy and implantation rates were statistically analyzed by Student t-test and chi square test Results: Mean ages were similar between fresh ET ($40.0{\pm}1.8$ years, n=206) and frozen-thawed ET ($39.9{\pm}1.9$ years, n=69) cycles in OA group. However, the clinical pregnancy and implantation rate of subsequent frozen-thawed ET significantly higher than those of fresh ET cycles (29.0% and 11.2% vs. 16.5% and 7.0%, p<0.05). In NP group, there was no difference in the mean age between fresh ET ($31.2{\pm}2.3$ years, n=40) and frozen-thawed ET ($31.9{\pm}3.1$ years, n=119) in subsequent cycles. The clinical pregnancy and implantation rates were similar between the subsequent fresh ET (42.5% and 22.6%) and the frozen-thawed ET (40.3% and 18.8%). Conclusion: In old age patients, higher pregnancy rate of frozen-thawed ET compared to fresh ET cycles in this study. It may be related that better uterine environments for implantation in frozen-thawed ET cycles than that of non-physiological hormonal condition in uterus of fresh COH cycles.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.17-34
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was carried out to observe and compare the effects of Pinellia ternata, Zingiber officinale and Sobanhatang on the reflux esophagitis induced by gastric fundus and pylorus ligation in mice with esomeprazole. Methods: Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH radical scavenging activity at four different concentration of 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and $1.0mg/102{\mu}{\ell}$. Zingiber officinale water extract(ZE), Pinellia ternata water extract(PE) and Sobanhatang water extract(SBE) and esomeprazole were treated orally for 14 days before gatric fundus and pylorus ligation. In the histochemistry, changes in suface mucous cells, muscle tissue and connective tissue in gastro esophageal junction(GEJ) and mast cell on the esophageal mucosa were observed. The change of Hemo oxygenase(HO)-1, ghrelin, gastrin and substance P in gastric body tissue were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results: DPPH radical scavenging activity exhibited concentration dependently increases in ZE, PE, SBE. ZE was significantly higher at all concentrations than PE. The gastric surface mucous cells were more in the treated group than in the reflux esophagitis elicited group(GE) in the order of PE, SBE, ZE and esomeprazole treateded group(PT, SBT, ZT, ET). Lower esophageal sphincter muscle damage and intercellular space in the GEJ were less in the treated group than GE. In the esophageal mucosa, the mast cell distribution and the migration of inflammatory cells were lower in the treateded troup than GE in order to ZT, SBT, PT and ET. The antioxidative enzyme, HO-1 was more in the order of ZT, SBT, control group, PT, ET than in GE. ZT was significantly higher than the other groups and SBT was significantly higher than ET. Ghrelin was found to be higher in ZT, ET, SBT and PT than in GE, and ZT was significantly higher than all other groups except ET. Gastrin showed the highest positivity in GE, and was lower in the order of ET, ZT, SBT, PT, and control group. Substance P was the highest in GE, and was lower in the order of ET, ZT, SBT, PT and control group, and PT were significantly lower than ET. Conclusion: ZT, PT and SBT showed superior antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and mucosal protective effects on mouse reflux esophagitis as compared with ET. In particular, ZE was more effective in antioxidant and gastric motility enhancement, while PE was more effective in mucosal protection and anti-inflammatory effects. Sobanhatang is expected to be effective treatment because it has advantages of both drugs and reduces toxicity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 1995

Many types of medication regimens have been used for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for assisted reproductive technique(ART). Questions are now being raised regarding how to lower the escalating costs of assisted reproduction and decrease the extent of patient discomfort and disruption of life style without sacrificing success rates. In this investigation, from January 1994 through August 1994 patients presenting to the Chung-Ang university hospital, infertility clinic were offered the option of the clomiphene citrate (CC)/single Human Menopausal Gonadotropin(HMG) combination and conventional GnRH-agonist combination method. 60 patients (78 cycles) were given CC/single HMG combination as a study group, and 78 patients (102 cycles) were given conventional GnRH-a combined ultrashort protocol as a control group for IVF-ET program and the resulting number of oocyte retrieved, embryo produced, and pregnancy initiated were compared. There were no differences between the two groups in mean age, serum $E_2$, LH and FSH level on menstrual cycle day 2. HMG requirement was 2 ampules in study group and $24.2{\pm}6.8$ ampules in control group. On the day of HCG injection, serum LH and FSH levels were not significantly different, but serum $E_2$, was significantly higher in control group(p<0.001). There was relatively well endometrial quality in control group but not significant compare to study group. In control group, numbers of retrieved oocyte and transferred embryo were significantly more than study group(p<0.001). Fertilization rate was not significantly different in the two groups and pregnancy rates were 20.2% in study group 28.4% in control group(p<0.001). CC/single HMG protocol for IVF-ET is less expensive than GnRH-a combined ultrashort protocol and minimizes patients discomfort. In addition, CC/single HMG protocol produces acceptable pregnancy rate and represents an attractive alternative to select patients undergoing IVF-ET.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.775-785
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• 1999

Background : The herbicide paraquat can cause severe lung injury and fibrosis in experimental animals. In this study we have investigated the changes in lung endothelin-1(Et-1) levels and immunohistochemical localization in relation to treatment with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone in paraquat induced pulmonary fibrosis in guinea pigs. Material and methods : 29 male Hartley guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups. Group I was normal control. Paraquat was instilled into the lung of guinea pig of group II, III and IV unilaterally. Group II was treated with cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone. Group III was treated with methlprednisolone. Group IV was not treated. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H-E stains and Masson's trichrome stains and cell activity was assessed by Et-1 immunohistochemical stains. Statistical evaluation was performed using the Kruskawallis oneway analysis. Results : Paraquat induced an increase in numbers of fibroblasts and total amount of lung collagen in Group IV compared to the normal controls. There was no significant difference in total numbers of fibroblasts between any of paraquat instilled groups, but there was significant increase in total amount of collagen in Group IV compared to group II and III (p<0.05). The treatment of cyclophosphamide and methyprednisolone suppressed the growths of both fibroblasts and collagen, but this suppression was stastically significant only in the case of collagen Et-1 immunoreactivities of bronchial epithelium, type II pneumocytes, endothelial cells and fibroblast in group II and III were decreased compared to those in group IV. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that Et-1 is an important contributing factor in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. Et-1 is synthesized and released by bronchial epithelium, Type II pneumocyte, endothelial cells, alveolar macrophages and fibroblasts. Especially they are associated with alveolar macrophage and fibroblasts. We conclude that combined therapy of cyclophosphamide and methylprednisolone are more effective in the control of Et-1 expression and collagen deposition.