• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.91-102
• /
• 2006

We treated KunYangDan (KYK) in SD rats in order toexamine the protective effect against cell damage induced by diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). KYD reduced DEHP toxicity by increasing the function of immune cell numbers weight increase of spleen.red blood cells,HB,and HCT content,sperm number and mobility,resulting in improving reproductive function by judging from the recovery of testosterone content. Interestingly the hormone change of testosterone by KYD significantly recovered the decreased its leve. Taken together,these results suggest that KYD specifically affect the reproductive function induced by DEHP,an endocrine disruptor.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.200-207
• /
• 2019

Albizzia julibrissin (AJ) is an herbal medicine that shows low toxicity, promotes promoting blood circulation and mitigates the inflammation and has mild side effects. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases that occurs in older males and often results in lower urinary tract symptoms. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of AJ against BPH using LNCaP cells and Sprague Dawley rats treated with testosterone. Treatment with AJ extract reduced the expression of androgen receptor (AR) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vitro. In vivo, rats were divided into 6 groups: 1 (Normal Control); 2 (Testosterone propionate (TP) alone); 3 (TP + finasteride); 4 (TP + AJ 10 mg/kg); 5 (TP + AJ 50 mg/kg); 6 (TP + AJ 300 mg/kg). The groups treated with AJ showed reduced the relative prostate weights and BPH-related proteins were altered, with decreased AR, PSA and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) observed by western blot. Histopathological analysis revealed the therapeutic effect of AJ, with a decreased thickness of epithelial cells and reduced level of PCNA and $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2. These results suggest that AJ extract could ameliorate testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.2
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2015

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of licorice supplementation on muscle injury, plasma cortisol, testosterone and insulin sensitivity after high intensity resistance exercise. Methods : The fourteen health college male students were voluntarily participated in this study and were randomly divided into 2 groups: Control group (CON, n=7), Licorice group (LR, n=7). LR group ingested 2 g/time of licorice extract (mixed with 100 ml of water) two times/day for 10 days while the CON group ingested 100 ml of water. All subjects performed a high intensity resistance exercise (half-squat, 8 RM at 80% one-repetition maximum, 5 sets, 1min rest). Blood samples were collect before (-7) and after (0) licorice supplementation, and then 1 day, 2 day and 3 day post exercise. After 10 day treatment, plasma creatine kinase, cortisol, testosterone, glucose, insulin were measured. To determine the insulin sensitivity, HOMA-IR was calculated. Results : Plasma creatine kinase activities were significantly elevated after exercise, but there was not different between two groups. The plasma cortisol and testosterone levels were not significantly different between two groups. Plasma glucose levels were increased at 1 day and 2 day after exercise in the LR comparing with CON group (P<0.05) but plasma insulin levels were significantly lower in comparison with CON. HOMA-IR were significantly lower in the LR than CON group at 0 day to 3 day (P<0.05). Conclusions : The results of the current study suggest that licorice supplementation for 10 days might not attenuate the high-intensity exercise-induce muscle injury but may enhance the whole-body insulin sensitivity.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.116-124
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a disabling pain that mostly occurs in elderly women, but rarely in men. It is characterized by an unremitting oral burning sensation and pain without detectable oral mucosal changes. We investigated the clinical and hematologic features of middle-aged men with BMS, and compared the results to those of men with oral mucositis. Methods: Five men with BMS ($48.60{\pm}6.19years$) and five age-matched controls with oral mucositis ($49.80{\pm}15.26years$) underwent clinical and psychological evaluations and blood tests. Psychological status was evaluated using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined from the blood samples. Results: ADH level was significantly lower in men with BMS than in the controls. ADH levels correlated with testosterone (p<0.01), and ACTH levels strongly correlated with ESR (p<0.05). Progesterone level positively correlated with FSH and LH levels. Pain intensity on a visual analogue scale correlated with estradiol level only in men with BMS. Among psychological factors, the obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal-sensitivity, and anxiety scores were higher in men with BMS than in the controls (p<0.05). However, no correlations were observed between the psychological and hematologic factors in both groups. The BMS symptoms presented only on the tongue, with the lateral border being the most prevalent area. Conclusions: Men with BMS may experience dysregulated endocrinologic or psychoneuroendocrinologic interactions, which might affect oral BMS symptoms, aggravating the severity of the burning sensation.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.193-212
• /
• 1992

Comparative hormones quantities on the blood analysis was carried out to investigate the hormones specific characters on the blood in four types of physical constitution. Thyroid-stimulating (TSH), triiodothyronine($T_3$), triiodothyronine uptake($T_3$ uptake), free triiodothyronine(free $T_3$), thyroxine($T_4$), free thyroxine (free $T_4$), thyroxine-binding globulin(TBG), adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH), luteinizing hormone(LH), testosterone were measured. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The value of thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference, while the value of So-EUM-IN was increased and SO-YANG-IN was decreased. 2. The value of triiodothyronine($T_3$) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference, while the value of TAE-EUM-IN was decreased. 3. The value of triiodothyronine uptake($T_3$ uptake) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference, but between the value of TAE-EUM-IN and SO-EUM-IN, TAE-EUM-In and SO-YANG-IN showed significant difference. 4. The value of free triiodothyronine(free $T_3$) on the constitution didn't shown signifcant difference, but between the value of TAE-EUM-IN and SO-EUM-In, TAE-EUM-In and SO-YANG-IN showed significant difference. 5. The value of thyroxine($T_4$) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference, while the value of TAE-EUM-IN and SO-YANG-IN showed difference. 6. The value of free thyroxine(free $T_4$) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference, but between the value of TAE-EUM-IN and SO-YANG-IN showed significant difference. 7. The value of thyroxine-binding globulin(TBG) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference. 8. The value of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference. 9. The value of luteinizing hormone(LH) on the constitution didn't shown significant difference, but between the value of TAE-EUM-IN and SO-EUM-IN, TAE-EUM-IN and SO-YANG-IN showed significant difference. 10. The value of testosterone on the constitution didn't shown significant difference.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.85-97
• /
• 2010

1. Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of oral administration of distilled Suhwagije-tang in aging rats. 2. Methods The SD rats used in this experiment were 6, 48 and 68 weeks old. These groups were treated with distilled water(DW), 1% Vitamin C(Vit. C) and 50% Suhwagije-tang(SGT) distillate respectively, once a day for 4 weeks. Blood samples were taken from heart and the levels of various parameters in serum were analysed. 3. Results and Conclusions (1) At all concentration of SGT, survival rates of liver cells were higher than the control group. (2) The rate of which the 10W-SGT group gained weight was significantly higher than that of the control groups. (3) The levels of albumin in serum of 10W-SGT group were significantly increased in comparison to those of the DW group. The levels of ALP, total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in serum of 52W-SGT group were significantly decreased in comparison to those of the DW group. (4) The levels of testosterone in serum of SGT groups showed no significantly changes in comparison to those of the control groups. Testosterone levels were naturally decreased with advancing years, so 72W-DW group's testosterone level was significantly decreased in comparison to those of 10W-DW group's. In contrast, 72W-SGT group's level was the highest in comparison to those of the control groups and those of deviation from 10W, 52W and 72W in SGT groups was also smaller than control groups'. (5) The levels of glucose, total-bilirubin, ALT, AST, BUN, CRP, hs-CRP, homocystein, Na, K, Na/K ratio, Cl and Ca in serum of SGT groups showed no significantly changes in comparison to those of the control groups. These results suggest that oral administration of Suhwagije-tang distillate should be effective in promoting growth and preventing rapid decline of testosterone in aging rats does not cause any imbalance in liver, kidney and electrolyte.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.7
• /
• pp.790-800
• /
• 2017

As men get older, total testosterone levels decline gradually, and concentrations of free and bioavailable testosterone decline sharply with each decade beyond their 30s. Andropause or testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) is defined as a decrease in sexual satisfaction or decline in general well-being accompanied by low levels of testosterone in older men. This male climacteric is characterized by nervousness, reduced potency, decreased libido, irritability, fatigue, depression, memory problems, sleep disturbances, and hot flushes. Cirsium japonicum (CJ) is used as a traditional medicine for hemorrhage, blood congestion, and inflammation in Korea. However, there is no report on the efficacy of CJ treatment for TDS. In this study, we observed the mitigating effect of CJ extract (CE) and fermented CJ extract (FCE) on symptoms of TDS. In elderly male rats, total and testosterone levels, hind limbs muscles, forced swimming time, and total and motile sperm counts significantly increased after daily intake of CE and FCE for 6 weeks. In contrast, sex hormone binding globulin, retroperitoneal fat, total serum cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly reduced in CE and FCE groups. However, there was no difference in prostate specific antigen, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels among all groups, which means CE and FCE did not have putative adverse effects. In a cell experiment, we also observed that CE and FCE enhanced expression of genes related to testosterone biosynthesis but reduced genes involved in testosterone conversion. On the whole, these positive effects on TDS were greater in FCE compared to CE. Thus, these results suggest the potential of FCE as a promising natural product for recovering testosterone levels and alleviating TDS.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.1646-1658
• /
• 2020

In order to investigate the changes in growth hormone, testosterone, blood lactate, double product, and pain, this study conducted intensive weight training and circuit weight training with 60% intensity of 1RM for 7 men who had more than 6 months of resistance exercise and then performed Underwater Walking and Underwater Sitting with underwater recovery. Growth hormone was high in all exercise forms and recovery methods in order of after exercise, after recovery, and after stability, and testosterone was high in order of after exercise, after recovery, and stability. Blood lactate was higher in all exercise forms and recovery methods in order of after exercise, after recovery, and after stabilization, and dynamic recovery after concentration resistance exercise was lower than static recovery. Double product was higher in all types of exercise and recovery methods in order of after-exercise, after-recovery, and stability. Muscle pain decreased in the order of exercise, recovery, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours in all exercise forms and recovery methods. In the water environment, dynamic recovery is considered to be more effective in improving muscle fatigue than static recovery.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.142-148
• /
• 2017

Objectives The ratio of second to fourth digit length (2D : 4D) could be a potential epigenetic marker of sexual dimorphism reflecting prenatal testosterone exposure. Testosterone is known to affect the development of the brain through an epigenetic mechanism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure to fetal testosterone on the metabolic syndrome based on 2D : 4D of schizophrenia patients and the relationship with the age of onset of schizophrenia. Methods A total of 214 schizophrenia patients participated in this study. The participant's physical and blood tests were performed according to the American National Cholesterol Education Program's Third Amendment of the Metabolic Syndrome Diagnostic Criteria, and the 2D : 4D was measured by the method designed by McFadden. Data were statistically analyzed by t-test, Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression model analysis. Results 2D : 4D was significantly higher in female than male in both hands, and there was a statistically significant negative correlation between 2D : 4D and the age of onset of schizophrenia in male. However, 2D : 4D did not show statistically significant correlation with metabolic factors. Conclusions Fetal testosterone suggests the possibility of affecting the age of onset of schizophrenia through the epigenetic mechanism, but there is no clear relationship with metabolic factors.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.80 no.4
• /
• pp.385-391
• /
• 2017

Background: Men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, have reduced endogenous testosterone levels, but the relationship between pulmonary function and endogenous testosterone levels, is inconsistent. Testicular volume is a known indicator of endogenous testosterone levels, male fertility, and male potency. In the present study, the authors investigated the relationship, between testicular volume and lung function. Methods: One hundred and eighty-one South Korean men age 40-70, hospitalized for urological surgery, were retrospectively enrolled, irrespective of the presence of respiratory disease. Study subjects underwent pulmonary function testing, prior to procedures, and testicular volumes were measured by orchidometry. Testosterone levels of patients in blood samples collected between $7{\small{AM}}$ and $11{\small{AM}}$, were measured by a direct chemiluminescent immunoassay. Results: The 181 study subjects were divided into two groups, by testicular volume (${\geq}35mL$ vs. <35 mL), the larger testes group, had better lung functions (forced vital capacity [FVC]: $3.87{\pm}0.65L$ vs. $3.66{\pm}0.65L$, p=0.037; forced expiratory volume in 1 second [$FEV_1$]: $2.92{\pm}0.57L$ vs. $2.65{\pm}0.61L$, p=0.002; FVC % predicted: $98.2{\pm}15.2%$ vs. $93.8{\pm}13.1%$, p=0.040; $FEV_1$ % predicted: $105.4{\pm}19.5%$ vs. $95.9{\pm}21.2%$, p=0.002). In addition, the proportion of patients with a $FEV_1/FVC$ of <70%, was lower in the larger testes group. Univariate analysis conducted using linear regression models, revealed that testicular volume was correlated with FVC (r=0.162, p=0.029), $FEV_1$ (r=0.218, p=0.003), $FEV_1/FVC$ (r=0.149, p=0.046), and $FEV_1$ % predicted (r=0.178, p=0.017), and multivariate analysis using linear regression models, revealed that testicular volume was a significant predictive factor for $FEV_1$ % predicted (${\beta}=0.159$, p=0.041). Conclusion: Larger testicular volume was independently associated, with favorable indices of lung function. These results suggest that androgens, may contribute to better lung function.