• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.182-193
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• 1999

In order to establish basic data of SAMP6 as an animal model for osteoporosis, present study has been designed to concentrate on the various biological aspects of SAMP6 such as growth index, hematology, blood biochemistry, biochemical characteristics, and bone and cortical thickness. Investigation period was for 15 months (3 months to 18 months of age) and biological characteristics have been examined throughout the study period. The results were summarized as follows : Decreased body weight of male SAMP6 was noticed from 7 months of age compared to from 18 months of age in female. Although there were no significant differences in organ weights, generally those of male mice were greater than those of females, especially in liver, kidney and lung. According to the analysis of blood biochemistry and hematology, the number of leukocytes in male mice was greater than that of female mice. There was a decrease in bone thickness in both male and female mice starting around from 7 months of age. Peak cortical thickness index was noticed at 5 months of age in both sexes. In femur, the highest $Ca^{2+}$ content for both sexes was noticed at 5 months of age, whereas the highest P$^{3+}$ content was noted at the age of 5 and 7 months in male and female mice, respectively. The contents of both elements were gradually decreased with age after peaks for both sexes. In summary, SAMP6 mice in KRICT colony show osteoporotic characteristics starting from 5 to 7 months of age, suggesting that at least 5 months of old animals should be used for studying the mechanism of osteoporosis or screening anti-osteoporosis drugs. This study also suggests that the cortical index thickness, $Ca^{2+}$ and P$^{3+}$ contents, and alkaline phosphatase activities can be used as indexes for drug screening.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.59 no.7
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• pp.16.1-16.6
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• 2017

Background: This study was performed to investigate the impact of exogenous ghrelin on the pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase outputs and responses of pancreatic proteins to ghrelin that may relate to pancreatic exocrine. Methods: Sprague-Dawley male rats (9 weeks old, $300{\pm}10g$) were injected with ghrelin via intraperitoneal (i.p.) infusion at dosage of 0, 0.1, 1.0 and $10.0{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW), respectively. The plasma ghrelin and cholecystokinin (CCK) level were determined using enzyme immunoassay kit; the mRNA expression of ghrelin receptor ($GHSR-1{\alpha}$) and growth hormone (GH) receptor were assessed by reverse transcription PCR; the expressions of pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase activity, extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (ERK), phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinases (pERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) were evaluated by western blotting; moreover the responses of pancreatic proteins to ghrelin were analyzed using the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis system. Results: The exogenous ghrelin (1.0 and $10.0{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) elevated the level of plasma ghrelin (p < 0.05), and suppressed the expression of pancreatic ${\alpha}$-amylase at a dose of $10.0{\mu}g/kg\;BW$ (p < 0.05). No difference in the level of plasma CCK was observed, even though rats were exposed to any dose of exogenous ghrelin. In addition, a combination of western blot and proteomic analysis revealed exogenous ghrelin ($10.0{\mu}g/kg\;BW$) induced increasing the JNK and ERK expressions (p < 0.05) and four proteins such as Destrin, Anionic trypsin-1, Trypsinogen, and especially eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 in rat pancreas. Conclusions: Taken together, exogenous ghrelin by i.p. infusion plays a role in the pancreatic exocrine secretion via mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2009

The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavior and performance of male and female broiler chickens reared under three different colors of light (white, blue and red) in a 23L:1D of lighting program. Day-old broiler chicks were obtained and assigned to six pens (16 males and 16 females per pen). Two pens each were located in three different rooms in an environmentally controlled shed and received the different light colors. All birds received same husbandry conditions. After a 3-day adaptation to the light color, behavior observations (pecking, resting, standing and walking) were made on six focal birds per pen, representing the sex ratio, by direct visual scans for 120 minutes daily for five days a week throughout the 5-week study. Body weights and feed intake were recorded at weekly intervals. On days 19 and 33, welfare indicators (tonic immobility reaction on the 19 and 33 days old; gait scores, foot pad and hock burns scores on 33 days old) were determined. Light color had no significant effect (P>0.05) on the weight gain and feed intake of broilers, but significantly (P<0.05) influenced the feed conversion ratio. Birds receiving the blue light were more (P<0.05) efficient than those receiving white and red lights. Resting was observed to be the major behavior pattern, irrespective of sex or light color. During early growth, resting behavior tended to be lower in birds receiving red light. However, standing and walking behaviors tended to be higher in birds receiving red light in 4 to 18 day-old age and all of experimental periods, respectively. These data indicate that light color can influence broiler performance and behavior.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.526-537
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• 1999

Objectives : It is known that the prevalence of diabetes mellitus(DM) appears to be rapidly increasing in recent times in Korea, presumably due to a westernized diet and change of life style followed by rapid economic growth. Based on the Seoul male cohort which was constructed in 1993, this study was conducted to estimate the annual incidence rates of DM through 4 years' follow up and to determine which factors are associated with DM risk in Korean middle-aged men. Methods : Among 14,533 men recruited at baseline, 559 were excluded because they reported a history of diabetes or were found to be diabetes at 1992 routine health examination. During 4 years' follow-up, 237 incident DM cases were ascertained through chart reviews and telephone contacts for those who have ever visited hospitals or clinics under suspicion of DM during 1993-1996 and the biennial routine health examinations in 1994 and 1996. Results : In this study the annual incidence of DM among the study population was estimated to be 0.5 per 100. This study showed that fasting glucose level at initial baseline examination was a powerful predictor of risk for diabetes several years later(fasting blood glucose of $\geq$ 110 mg/dl compared with $\leq$ 80 mg/dl, Hazard Ratio[HR]:15.6, 95% Confidence interval[CI]=9.1-26.6) after considering potential covariates such as age, family history, smoking and alcohol history, body mass index, physical activity, total energy intake, and total fiber intake. Adjusted hazard ratios of family history of diabetes was 1.95(95% CI=1.38-2.75); of obesity as measured by BMI(BMI $\geq$ 25.3 compared with $\leq$ 21.3) was 7.19(95% CI=3,75-13.8); of weight change during middle life(>10kg compared with $\leq$ 5) was 1.77(95% CI=1.16-2.69); of smoking(current vs none) was 1.93(95% CI=1.06-3.51); and fat intake(upper fertile compared with lower fertile) was 1.88(95% CI=1.01-3.49), while fiber intake was associated with the reduced risk(HR=0.36, 95% CI=0.19-0.67). Conclusion : The factors identified in this study indicate that the greatest reduction in risk of diabetes might be achieved through population-based efforts that promote fiber intake and reduce obesity, smoking, and fat intake.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2006

The effects of mycelium cultural extract supplemented diet, hematology and disease resistance against Vibrio anguillarum in juvenile flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus were evaluated. Fish were fed the Phellinus linteus with Coriolus militaris versicolor mixed mycelium cultural extract supplemented diet, Phellinus linteus mycelium cultural extract supplemented diet and Coriolus militaris tmycelium cultural extract supplemented diet a commercial diet for 12 week. The body weight and length gain from the fish fed on daily the phellinus with coriolus versicolor mixed mycelium cultural extract supplemented diet, phellinus linteus mycelium cultural extract supplemented diet and Coriolus versicolor mycelium cultural extract supplemented diet of each mycelium cultural extract were higher than the control and the Glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GPT) were of lower than the control. The relative precent survival rate (RPS) after an artificial challenge with $7{\times}10^5\;CFU$ of Vibrio anguillarum per fish was higher than the control.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2008

The methanol extract of stem barks of Careya arborea Roxb. (MECA) (Family- Myrtaceae) was evaluated for antitumor activity and antioxidant status against Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) bearing Swiss albino mice. After 24 h of tumor inoculation the MECA was administered at the doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight/mice/day for 14 days. After the last dose and 18 h fasting mice were sacrificed. The effect of MECA on the growth of transplantable murine tumor, life span of EAC bearing hosts, hematological profiles, serum and liver biochemical parameters were estimated. The MECA showed significant (P < 0.01) decrease in ascites volume, packed cell volume and viable cell count and prolonged the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profiles reverted to more or less normal levels in extract treated mice. The MECA also produced protective effect by decreasing the activity of serum enzymes, bilirubin and increase the protein and uric acid levels. MECA significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the levels of lipid peroxidation, while significantly (P < 0.05) increased the levels of glutathione content, vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase and catalase CAT. The results indicate that MECA exhibited significant antitumor and antioxidant activity in EAC bearing mice.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.234-241
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• 1985

The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in nutritive quality of fermented wheat bran prepared by culturing with a microorganism, Aspergillus oryzae, in an attempt to improve the quality of protein in feedstuff. After incubation of wheat bran with Aspergillus oryzae, the contents of chemical composition, including amino acids, riboflavin and amino-nitrogen were increased, but the level of nitrogen free extract was reduced. The effects of supplementation of fermented wheat bran on the rat diets were evaluated by measuring growth rate, feed efficiency and biological values, such as NPU, PER and NPR. Sixty four male Sprague Dawley rats of 5-6 weeks of age were adopted for the feeding trial for 10 days period, and levels of dietary protein were set at 10%. The %contribution of protein from casein, wheat bran and fermented wheat bran for the other dietary treatments were, in the order, 50-50-0%, 50-30-20%, 50-20-30% and 50-0-50%, respectively. In the result of this study, no significant difference were observed in the amount of feed intake body weight gain and feed efficiency. On the whole, the values of NPU, PER and NPR of all the fermented wheat bran groups appeared to be higher than those of the group whose half of the protein was from wheat bran.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.11-22
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• 2013

Objectives: The present investigation aimed at examining if post-cancer treatment with a potentized homeopathic drug, Condurango 30C, which is generally used to treat oesophageal cancer, could also show an ameliorating effect through apoptosis induction on lung cancer induced by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in white rats (Rattus norvegicus). Methods: Lung cancer was induced after four months by chronic feeding of BaP to rats through gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight for one month. After four months, the lung-cancer-bearing rats were treated with Condurango 30C for the next one ($5^{th}$), two ($5^{th}-6^{th}$) and three ($5^{th}-7^{th}$) months, respectively, and were sacrificed at the corresponding time-points. The ameliorating effect, if any, after Condurango 30C treatment for the various periods was evaluated by using protocols such as histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), annexinV-FITC/PI assay, flow cytometry of the apoptosis marker, DNA fragmentation, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, and western blot analyses of lung tissue samples. Results: Striking recovery of lung tissue to a near normal status was noticed after post-cancerous drug treatment, as evidenced by SEM and histology, especially after one and two months of drug treatment. Data from the annexinV-FITC/PI and DNA fragmentation assays revealed that Condurango 30C could induce apoptosis in cancer cells after post-cancer treatment. A critical analysis of signalling cascade, evidenced through a RT-PCR study, demonstrated up-regulation and down-regulation of different pro- and anti-apoptotic genes, respectively, related to a caspase-3-mediated apoptotic pathway, which was especially discernible after one-month and two-month drug treatments. Correspondingly, Western blot and immunohistochemistry studies confirmed the ameliorative potential of Condurango 30C by its ability to down-regulate the elevated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression, a hallmark of lung cancer. Conclusion: The overall result validated a positive effect of Condurango 30C in ameliorating lung cancer through caspase-3-mediated apoptosis induction and EGFR down-regulation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1195-1201
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• 2009

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat quality in Arbor Acres broilers. A total of 240 1-d-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated to 4 dietary treatments (0, 300 ppm, 600 ppm, and 900 ppm dietary LA supplementation, respectively). Birds were slaughtered at 42 days old. Live body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), average feed intake (AFI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), dressing percentage, breast muscle percentage, thigh muscle percentage, abdominal fat percentage, muscle color (L*, a*, b*), pH values at 24 h postmortem, meat shear force value (SFV) and anti-oxidative ability were measured. Results showed that addition of 600 ppm or 900 ppm LA decreased BW (p<0.01), ADG (p<0.01) and AFI (p<0.05) compared with other diets. FCR was not affected by dietary LA content. LA had no marked effect on dressing percentage, breast muscle percentage or thigh muscle percentage. Abdominal fat percentage was lower (p<0.05) in the 900 ppm LA supplementation group than the control group. Dietary 900 ppm LA increased (p<0.05) breast and thigh muscle pH value at 24 h postmortem compared with the control treatment. Dietary LA increased thigh muscle a* value, though no significant difference was found in thigh muscle a* value among the treatments. Dietary LA significantly decreased breast muscle L* value (p<0.05), breast muscle b* value (p<0.01) and thigh muscle b* value (p<0.05). Broilers fed LA had higher breast muscle a* value (p<0.05) and thigh muscle L* value (p<0.05). All test groups had lower (p<0.05) breast muscle SFV than the control group. Dietary 600 ppm or 900 ppm LA both decreased (p<0.01) thigh muscle SFV compared with the control treatment. Dietary 900 ppm LA significantly increased (p<0.05) TAOC, SOD and GSHPx compared with no LA treatment. Broilers fed LA had lower (p<0.01) MDA compared with the control treatment. These results suggested that dietary LA enhanced the anti-oxidative ability and oxidative stability, and contributed to the improvement of meat quality in broilers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.15-22
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• 1973

Sodium chloride plays an important role as the main condiment at daily meal. It is well known that humans require sodium chloride as an essential nutrient to keep the homeostasis of electrolytes. The amounts of salt intake may be a reflection of geography, culture and food habit rather than necessity. Lee has reported (1962) that Koreans ingest high amounts of sodium chloride in their meals, with an intake of excess carbohydrate (80-90% of total Calories) and low protein in their diet. This includes large amounts of rice, Kimchi and other fermented soybean products common in the Korean diet. This investigation was designed to study the dietary relations of sodium chloride to other nutrients in the Korean diet. Twenty four albino male rats, weighing from 290-300g, were divided into four dietary groups according to the amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the basal diet. Each diet contained a rice powder as a carbohydrate source. Diet I was a control diet, Diet II, low protein, Diet III, low protein and low fat diet and Diet IV, low fat diet. All rats were provided with 3% sodium chloride solution. Diet and salt solution were given ad libitum. The experiment was carried out for 9 weeks during which time the body weight, the food intake, and 3% sodium chloride solution consumption were determined. At the 9th week, the urine was collected the blood sample from the artery of each rat for the analysis of sodium and potassium and other chemical studies. The rats were sacrificed and the kidney, adrenal, liver and spleen were measured, and observed changes of the pathological tissue in the kidney and adrenal. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The growth rate was higher in Diet I than in the other experimental diets (II, III and IV) after 4 weeks. There was no significant difference found between the experimental Diets II, III and IV. 2) The daily food intake was greater in the experimental diets II, III and IV than in the control diet. However, there was no difference among the high carbohydrate diets Diet II, III and IV. 3) The daily water (3% sodium chloride solution) intake was also greater in the Diets II, III and IV, than in the control diet. However, there was no difference between Diets II, III and IV. 4) The concentration of sodium and potassium in the blood were within the normal range in all diets. 5) The amount of sodium chloride in the urine was significantly greater in Diets II, III and IV than in the control diet. Diets II, III, IV had a larger amount of sodium solution consumption. 6) Observation of pathological tissue in the experimental diets found a cell proliferation in the glomerlulus of the kidney, while such change was not found in the control diet.