• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.285-290
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• 2006

The light sensing system in the eye directly affects the circadian oscillator in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). To investigate this relationship in the rat, we examined the circadian expression of clock genes in the SCN and eye tissue during a 24 h day/night cycle. In the SCN, rPer1 and rPer2 mRNAs were expressed in a clear circadian rhythm like rCry1 and rCry2 mRNAs, whereas the level of BMAL1 and CLOCK mRNAs decreased during the day and increased during the night with a relatively low amplitude. It seems that the clock genes of the SCN may function in response to a master clock oscillation in the rat. In the eye, the rCry1 and rCry2 were expressed in a circadian rhythm with an increase during subjective day and a decrease during subjective night. However, the expression of Opn4 mRNA did not exhibit a clear circadian pattern, although its expression was higher in daytime than at night. This suggests that cryptochromes located in the eye, rather than melanopsin, are the major photoreceptive system for synchronizing the circadian rhythm of the SCN in the rat.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.270-280
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• 2007

The objectives of study are to investigate the relationship between Sasang Constitution(四象醫學) and measuring items of the head and face and to develop useful diagnosis standard of Sasang Constitution. Subjects took QSCCII(Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Classification II) tests repeatedly at an interval of one year and were diagnosed as same constitutions. The 9 Items were measured by Martin-type anthropometric method in 112 subjects. Compared with measurements of 3 constitutions, the mean values in Taeeum-in(太陰人) showed highest and there were significant differences in 7 items between Taeeum-in(太陰人) and other constitutions. Especially, Measurements of Bitragus to Submandibular Arc Length(BSAL) item and Bitragus to Menton Arc Length(BMAL) item showed significant differences between Taeeum-in(太陰人) male and other constitutions male. It seems that BSAL and BMA items can differentiate Taeeum-in(太陰人) from other constitutions and these items have possibility to be a diagnosis standard of Sasang Constitution.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.338-352
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• 2022

Herein, water and ethanol extracts were obtained from the leaves, branches, kernels, and pericarp of Quercus gilva and subsequently analyzed for antioxidant activity and circadian rhythm regulation effects. Candidate components that may affect circadian rhythm and antioxidant activity were investigated to discover potential functional materials. Antioxidant activity was analyzed via 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assays, showing that the hot water extract exhibited higher activity than that of the ethanol extract. In particular, the branch extract showed high antioxidant activity. By measuring total contents of polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins, the hot water branch extract showed the highest concentrations, highlighting their significant contribution to the antioxidant activity. Examination of the circadian rhythm regulation of each extract showed that the ethanol extract exhibited greater impacts on the circadian rhythm amplitude compared to the water extract. The branch ethanol extract induced circadian rhythm amplitude changes via clock gene Bmal1 expression regulation. Determination of 12 phenolic compound concentrations showed that the branch ethanol extract contained many phenolic compounds, including catechin. This suggests that these com- pounds affected circadian rhythm regulation. In conclusion, the hot water branch extract has potential as an natural antioxidant material, while the corresponding ethanol extract has potential as a functional material for regulating circadian rhythm.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2009

Many biological systems are regulated by an intricate set of feedback loops that oscillate with a circadian rhythm of roughly 24 h. This circadian clock mediates an increase in body temperature, heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol secretion early in the day. Recent studies have shown changes in the amplitude of the circadian clock in the hearts and livers of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated rats. It is therefore important to examine the relationships between circadian clock genes and growth factors and their effects on diabetic phenomena in animal models as well as in human patients. In this study, we sought to determine whether diurnal variation in organ development and the regulation of metabolism, including growth and development during the juvenile period in rats, exists as a mechanism for anticipating and responding to the environment. Also, we examined the relationship between changes in growth factor expression in the liver and clock-controlled protein synthesis and turnover, which are important in cellular growth. Specifically, we assessed the expression patterns of several clock genes, including Per1, Per2, Clock, Bmal1, Cry1 and Cry2 and growth factors such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and -2 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in rats with STZ-induced diabetes. Growth factor and clock gene expression in the liver at 1 week post-induction was clearly increased compared to the level in control rats. In contrast, the expression patterns of the genes were similar to those observed after 5 weeks in the STZ-treated rats. The increase in gene expression is likely a compensatory change in response to the obstruction of insulin function during the initial phase of induction. However, as the period of induction was extended, the expression of the compensatory genes decreased to the control level. This is likely the result of decreased insulin secretion due to the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas by STZ.