• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2008

Retinal prosthesis is regarded as the most feasible method for the blind caused by retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa or age-related macular degeneration. One of the prerequisites for the success of retinal prosthesis is the optimization of the electrical stimuli applied through the prosthesis. Since electrical characteristics of degenerate retina are expected to differ from those of normal retina, we investigated differences of the retinal waveforms in normal and degenerate retina to provide a guideline for the optimization of electrical stimulation for the upcoming prosthesis. After isolation of retina, retinal patch was attached with the ganglion cell side facing the surface of microelectrode arrays (MEA). $8{\times}8$ grid layout MEA (electrode diameter: $30{\mu}m$, electrode spacing: $200{\mu}m$, and impedance: 50 $k{\Omega}$ at 1 kHz) was used to record in-vitro retinal ganglion cell activity. In normal mice (C57BL/6J strain) of postnatal day 28, only short duration (<2 ms) retinal spikes were recorded. In rd/rd mice (C3H/HeJ strain), besides normal spikes, waveform with longer duration (~100 ms), the slow wave component was recorded. We attempted to understand the mechanism of this slow wave component in degenerate retina using various synaptic blockers. We suggest that stronger glutamatergic input from bipolar cell to the ganglion cell in rd/rd mouse than normal mouse contributes the most to this slow wave component. Out of many degenerative changes, we favor elimination of the inhibitory horizontal input to bipolar cells as a main contributor for a relatively stronger input from bipolar cell to ganglion cell in rd/rd mouse.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2010

Objective : Sinapis alba L. (SA) is a korean traditional herbal medicine that is usually used to prevent or treat inflammatory diseases, such as respiratory infection and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effects of SA supplementation in vitro on serum antibody levels, splenocyte and peritoneal macrophage immune responses have not yet been determined. In this study, we examined the effect of SA on the production of Th1/Th2 cytokines. Methods : Splenocytes were isolated from naive C57BL/6 mice. Cells were enriched for CD4+ cell populations by first staining the cells with anti-CD4 (BD PharMingen, Calif, USA). CD4+ T cells were selected on a (CS) column, and the flow-through was collected as CD4+ T cells. Isolated cells were activated by overnight incubation on 24-well plates coated with $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD3, $1{\mu}g/mL$ anti-CD28 and with SA ($100{\mu}g/mL$). Primary macrophages were collected from the peritoneal cavities of mice (8-week-old female C57BL/6). The peritoneal macrophages were washed and plated with RPMI-1640 overnight for the experiments. After 48-hours cultures, samples were centrifuged at 2000 rpm for 10 minutes, and the supernatants were stored at $-80^{\circ}C$. Mouse IL-4, IFN-$\gamma$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were quantified using ELISA kits (BioSource International, Camarillo, Calif, USA) according to the manufacturer's protocols. Results : SA at 100ug/ml decreased the generation of Th1 cytokine (IFN-$\gamma$) by 0.5-fold. However, SA has no effect on Th2 (IL-4) production. Conclusions : These results suggest that SA may play an important role in the control of T-cell-mediated autoimmunity by down-regulation of Th1 cytokine (especially IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$). These data may contribute to the design of new immunomodulating treatments for a group of autoimmune diseases.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 1999

The present study was performed to improve the reproductive disturbance as well as the elimination of microbiological contamination for animals bred under conventional conditions followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer techniques including embryo and sperm freezing, using a mouse strain(M. m. molossinus-tt＠Kist) showing the abnormal behavior disorder derived from Korean wild mice (Mus musculus molossinus). Moreover, hematological and serum biochemical analyses were also carried out to obtain the basic data of this mouse strain The results are summarized as follows: 1. In comparison with hematological data, the numbers of RBC and platelet of this mouse strain were appeared as the higher value those that of the same aged inbred strains such as BALB/c, DBA/2, C57BL/6 and C3H /Hen. However, no differences were found in values of WBC, Hb and Ht. Moreover, total cholesterol of this strain showed a low value but triglyceride, total protein and albumin values were similar as in inbred strains. 2. The average numbers of superovulated oocytes treated with 2.5/2.5 IU and 5.0/5.0 IU of PMSG/hCG were 11.6 and 12.7, respectively. The fertilization rates of 2.5/2.5 IU PMSG /hCG treatment(87.9%) was higher than 5.0/5.0 IU treatment(52.0%) (p＜0.05) and the developmental rate of 2 cell stage embryos were 외 so appeared as higher value 99.0% and 90.6%, respectively. 3. The rates of in vitro fertilization treated with frozen sperm(24.8%) was significantly lower than of that fresh sperm(87.9%), (p＜0.05). 4. The five, six and ten heads of offspring were obtained from frozen-thawed 2 cell embryos by in vitro fertilized, 2 cell embryos from in vitro fertilized by frozen-thawed spermatozoa. and 2 cell embryos by in vitro fertilization, respectively. These offspring developed the expected disease about 2 weeks after birth, which was confirmed that the disease character of this mutant mouse strain was reliably reproduced. 5. MHV(Mouse hepatitis virus) and Staphylococcus aureus were successfully eliminated from conventional animals by in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer and the use of SPF recipient animals.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.116-132
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• 2008

Objective: This study investigated the effects of Bimanbang-1 (肥滿1號方: here in after referred to BMB-1) on the obese gene and obese inhibitory. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were induced by high fat diet. Mice were divided into three groups (normal, high fat diet with control, high fat diet with BMB-1 extract) and fed for 15 weeks. Items of this experimental study are as follows: body weight change, final body weight, the weight change of the adipocytes in body, the level change of LFT, NEFA and creatinine, the expression of ${\beta}3AR$ and leptin gene in primary adipocytes, the production change of leptin in primary adipocytes, the expression of ${\beta}3AR$, leptin and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in adipocytes tissue. Result: 1. All experimental groups showedthat the weight change decreased considerably and the high density group showedthat the final weight decreased considerably. 2. The high density group showed that the amount of the adipocyte in weight decreased considerably. 3. All experimental groups showedthat the amount of ALT decreased considerably, and AST decreased in the high density group. However, the amount of creatinine and glucose did not increase considerably. 4. All experimental groups showed that the amount of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and NEFA decreased, and HDL-cholesterol increased considerably. 5. The high density groups showedthat the amount of leptin decreased considerably. 6. All experimental groups showed that the revelation of ${\beta}3AR$ in primary adipose cell and 3T3-L1 cell increased considerably, and that the revelation of leptin and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in primary adipose cellsand 3T3-L1 cells decreased considerably. 7. All experimental groups showed that the size of adipocyte in adipocytes tissue decreased. 8. All experimental groups showed that the adipose vacuoles in liver tissue decreased considerably. Conclusion: The findings suggest that Bimanbang-1 causes weight loss and histological change, thus it may be effective to treat obesity.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.716-721
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• 2005

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Farfarae Flos(FF) on immune cells and cytokines in murine asthma model. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 9 weeks(3 times a week). The experimental group was treated with Farfarae Flos extract(FF) for the later 6 weeks(5 times a week). We measured IL-4, 1L-5, 1L-13, IgE, IFN-${\gamma}$ in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of ovalbumin induced asthmatic mouse and observed murine lung tissue. The results were obtained as follows: Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with FF decreased significantly compared with those of control group. The concentration of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF of the mice group treated with FF decreased significantly compared with those of control group. The concentration of IFN-${\gamma}$ in BALF of the mice group treated with FF increased significantly compared with that of control group. According to the above results, it is suggested that FF extract might be useful applied for prevention and treatment of allergic asthma.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.335-343
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• 2018

Objective: Remarkable difference in cellular activity was found between early and late subpassaged embryonic stem cell (ESCs) lines, which can be created by subtle changes in cell manipulation protocol. This study subsequently examined whether post-thaw subculture of early subpassaged ESC lines could further affect the activity of the ESCs. Methods: Fresh (as a control treatment) or cryopreserved F1 hybrid (B6CBAF1) early ESC lines (C57BL/6xCBA) of the 4 (P4) or the 19 passage (P19) were subcultured once, twice or six times under the same condition. The post-thaw survival of the ESCs was monitored after the post-treatment subculture and the ability of cell proliferation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis and mitochondrial ATP synthesis was subsequently examined. Results: Regardless of the subculture number, P19 ESCs showed better (p<0.05) doubling time and less ATP production than P4 ESCs and such difference was not influenced by fresh or cryopreservation. The difference between P4 and P19 ESC lines became decreased as the post-treatment subculture was increased and the six times subculture eliminated such difference. Similarly, transient but prominent difference in ROS production and apoptotic cell number was detected between P4 and P19 ESCs only at the 1st subculture after treatment, but no statistical differences between two ESC lines was detected in other observations. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that post-thaw subculture of ESCs under the same environment is recommended for standardizing their cellular activity. The activity of cell proliferation ability and ATP synthesis can be used as parameters for quality control of ESCs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.281-289
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• 2019

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and its receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-3, are responsible for lymphangiogenesis in both embryos and adults. In epilepsy, the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 was significantly upregulated in the human brains affected with temporal lobe epilepsy. Moreover, pharmacologic inhibition of VEGF receptors after acute seizures could suppress the generation of spontaneous recurrent seizures, suggesting a critical role of VEGF-related signaling in epilepsy. Therefore, in the present study, the spatiotemporal expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 against pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) was investigated in C57BL/6N mice using immunohistochemistry. At 1 day after SE, hippocampal astrocytes and microglia were activated. Pyramidal neuronal death was observed at 4 days after SE. In the subpyramidal zone, VEGF-C expression gradually increased and peaked at 7 days after SE, while VEGFR-3 was significantly upregulated at 4 days after SE and began to decrease at 7 days after SE. Most VEGF-C/VEGFR-3-expressing cells were pyramidal neurons, but VEGF-C was also observed in some astrocytes in sham-manipulated animals. However, at 4 days and 7 days after SE, both VEGFR-3 and VEGF-C immunoreactivities were observed mainly in astrocytes and in some microglia of the stratum radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of the hippocampus, respectively. These data indicate that VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 can be upregulated in hippocampal astrocytes and microglia after pilocarpine-induced SE, providing basic information about VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression patterns following acute seizures.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.41-55
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• 2007

Purpose: This study is to examine anti-obesity effect and cytotoxicity of the long-term oral administration of Sinomenium acutum (Bang-gi, SA) Methods: Using diet-induced obesity C57BL/6 mouse model, anti-obesity effect and DNA chip expression and cytotoxicity of the long-term oral administration of this herbal extract were investigated. Results: The herbal extract treated groups were arrested in weight increment only when they were lodged together. Such effects were abolished when they kept individually. SA fed mice behaved very rudely and violently. On the basis of histological studies of liver tissues and also in vitro cytotoxicity tests of the liver and kidney cell lines, no significant toxicity was found by 14 weeks of SA treatments. However, we found significant changes in gene expression profile in SA treated group by micro-array analysis. In case of SA group, up-regulated genes were 1,213 and down-regulated ones were 2,558. Some of lipid metabolism related genes also significantly changed in both treatment groups. Conclusion: SA had effects of increasing the basal metabolic rate by stimulating the sympathetic nervous systems.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.106-113
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• 2005

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of airways that is induced by Th2 cytokines and inhibited by Th1 cytokines. In this study we wanted to investigate the effect of SCT and BJT on eosinophilla and cytokines of BALF in a mouse model established airway inflammmation. Asthma was induced to male c57/bl6 mice. Allergen-specific antibody responses, cytokine$(IL-4,\;IL-5,\;INF-{\gamma})$, and eosinophil inflammation of the airways were investigated on the BALF and splenocyte. SCT and BJT effectively induced $INF-{\gamma}$ and inhibited IL-4, IL-5 as well as eosinophilic inflammation when SCT and BJT were administered. Total Ig E level in the BALF decreased. SCT was more effectiveness than BJT. It is considered that SCT and BJT have faborable effect on the asthma because the asthma specific series of abnormalities in respiratory system were decreased.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.379-383
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of silkworm extracts (SWE) on reactive oxygen species formation in mice (C57BL/6). Mice were administrated intraperitoneally with SWE (20 mg/kg/day) for 14 days. All animals were sacrificed 24 hours after the last SWE treatment and then extracted the blood and brain tissue in mouse. The researcher measured several parameters related to reactive oxygen species formation, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) contents in serum, whole brain, cerebral cortex and cerebellum. The results showed that MDA content of pre-SWE treatment was decreased significantly in serum, mitochondrial and cytosolic fraction of whole brain and cerebellum (P<0.01). The $H_2O_2$ content of pre-SWE treatment was decreased significantly in mitochondrial fraction of whole brain, cerebral cortex and cerebellum (P<0.01). These results suggest that SWE plays an important role for inhibition of oxidative damage of cells as well as antioxidant effect, aging delay and cells protected from irradiation.