• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.9
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• pp.651-656
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• 2008

A mouse with cataract, Kec, was generated from N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis. Cataract in the Kec mouse was observable at about 5 weeks after birth and this gradually progressed to become completely opaque by 12 weeks. Dissection microscopy revealed that vacuoles with a radial or irregular shape were located primarily in the cortex of the posterior and equatorial regions of the lens. At the late stage, the lens structure was distorted, but not ruptured. This cataract phenotype was inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. We performed a genetic linkage analysis using 133 mutant and 67 normal mice produced by mating Kec mutant (BALB/c) and F1 (C57BL/6 $\times$ Kec) mice. The Kec locus was mapped to the 3 cM region encompassed by D14Mit34 and D14Mit69. In addition we excluded coding sequences of 9 genes including Rcbtb2, P2ry5, Itm2b, Med4, Nudt15, Esd, Lcp1, Slc25a30, and 2810032E02Rik as the candidate gene that causes cataract in the Kec mouse.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.467-483
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• 2016

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of IUS (Inulsan, an extract of Artemisiae capillaris (茵蔯), Curcumae longae (鬱金), and Crataegi fructus (山査)) on anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation.Method: We administered water extracts of Artemisiae capillaris, Curcumae longae, and Crataegi fructus for three weeks to db/db mice (C57BL/Ks), animal models induced with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Mice were divided into three groups: normal (C57BL/6J mice group), control group (db/db mice without administration of IUS) and IUS group (db/db mice treated with IUS). Then we measured total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride in the serum after the oral administration of IUS.Results: 1. IUS did not show any cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 cells. 2. IUS decreased AST, ALP, and creatinine levelsand did not show any liver or renal toxicity in the db/db mice. 3. IUS increased DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity and decreased ROS production in RAW 264.7 cells. 4. IUS significantly decreased IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α production in RAW 264.7 cells. 5. IUS increased HDL cholesterol and significantly decreased total cholesterol and triglyceride in db/db mice. 6. IUS significantly decreased the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. 7. In contrast with the control group, fat infiltration in the liver and aorta decreased in IUS treated mice. The cell nucleus was located in the central area in H&E staining of liver. And endomembranes also were more thinner than the control group in H&E staining of aorta.Conclusions: These results suggest that IUS might be effective in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2010

Appetite is inhibited by the anorexigenic neuropeptides POMC (proopiomelanocortin) and CART (cocaine-amphetamine-regulated transcript) in the hypothalamus. The present study was performed to examine the inhibitory effects of baicalin against food intake and the upregulation of POMC/CART. Short-term food intake (48 h) was significantly inhibited by treatment with baicalin (10 mg/kg, p<0.05) in C57BL/6 mice. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that baicalin upregulated POMC and CART levels in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. These effects were also examined using an in vitro system. pPOMC-Luc or pCART-Luc plasmids were transformed into mouse N29-2 neuronal and human SH-SY5Y cells, and the activities of baicalin were examined in these cells. Baicalin increased POMC and CART promoter-driven luciferase activity in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxic effects. These results suggest that baicalin downregulates short-term food intake while upregulating POMC and CART expression.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.275-280
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• 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Origanum vulgare extracts on cell proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cell (HHDPC) using sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method, expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) by analyzing reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and hair growth in a shaving animal model of C57BL/6 mice topically applying with an amount of 0.1 mL once a day for 3 weeks. The mice were divided into 4 groups including normal group (saline, N), negative control group (dimethyl sulfoxide, NC), positive control group (5 mg/mL minoxidil, PC), and experimental group (Origanum vulgare extracts, OV). Treatment of OV didn't show cytotoxicity in HHDPC up to 10 ${\mu}g/mL$ and exhibited antioxidant activity with $IC_{50}$ of 31.0 ${\mu}g/mL$. IGF-1 expression in the skin was significantly (p<0.05) increased in the PC and OV compared to the N or NC. PC and OV also showed a prominently promoted hair regrowth compared to the N or NC in hair growth observation. The hair regrowth of OV was significantly higher than that of PC (p<0.05). Therefore, these results indicate that O. vulgare extracts effectively stimulated hair growth in an animal model.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2001.03a
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• pp.31-31
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• 2001

This study was to establish in uitro culture system of mouse preantral follicles and to obtain higher in vitro development rates and production of live young. Preantral follicles were obtained from 12-day-old FI mouse (C57BL $\times$ CBA) by enzymatical methods. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) of preantral follicles were loaded on Transwell-COL insert and cultured in $\alpha$MEM supplemented with 5% FBS, 100 mIU/$m\ell$ FSH and 100 mIU/$m\ell$ hMG for IVG. IVM was performed in $\alpha$MEM supplemented 1.5 IU/$m\ell$ hCG for 18 hrs and IVF was carried out in Ml6 medium. Embryos were cultured in modified Ml6 medium supplemented 10% FBS for 4 days. The effect of the OGCs size on the nuclear/cytoplasmic maturation was significantly higher in 120-150 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ (MII: 33.0%, $\geq$2-cell: 36.7%, $\geq$morula: 20.9%) than in 70-110 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ (MII: 12.2%, $\geq$2-cell: 10.2%, $\geq$morula: 4.8%) (p<0.001). In period of the IVG days, the rate of $\geq$2-cell was significantly higher in 10 days(38.2%) than in 12 days (20.0%) (p<0.01). In period of IVF time, 9 hrs ($\geq$2-cell: 31.5%, $\geq$ morula: 14.3%) indicated significantly higher cytoplasmic maturation rate than 4 hrs ($\geq$2-cell: 17.5%, This study was to establish in vitro culture system of mouse preantral follicles and to obtain higher in vitro development rates and production of live young. Preantral follicles were obtained from 12-day-old FI mouse (C57BL $\times$ CBA) by enzymatical methods. Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) of preantral follicles were loaded on Transwell-COL insert and cultured in $\alpha$MEM supplemented with 5% FBS, 100 mIU/$m\ell$ FSH and 100 mIU/$m\ell$ hMG for IVG. IVM was performed in $\alpha$MEM supplemented 1.5 IU/$m\ell$ hCG for 18 hrs and IVF was carried out in Ml6 medium. Embryos were cultured in modified Ml6 medium supplemented 10% FBS for 4 days. The effect of the OGCs size on the nuclear/cytoplasmic maturation was significantly higher in 120-150 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ (MII: 33.0%, $\geq$2-cell: 36.7%, $\geq$morula: 20.9%) than in 70-110 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ (MII: 12.2%, $\geq$2-cell: 10.2%, $\geq$morula: 4.8%) (p<0.001). In period of the IVG days, the rate of $\geq$2-cell was significantly higher in 10 days(38.2%) than in 12 days (20.0%) (p<0.01). In period of IVF time, 9 hrs ($\geq$2-cell: 31.5%, $\geq$ morula: 14.3%) indicated significantly higher cytoplasmic maturation rate than 4 hrs ($\geq$2-cell: 17.5%, $\geq$morula: 4.8%) and 7 hrs ($\geq$2-cell: 20.4%, $\geq$morula: 6.1%) (p<0.01). However, there was no difference in cytoplasmic maturation between co-cultured preantral follicle ( $\geq$morula: 17.4%) and preantral follicle cultured in Ml6 ( $\geq$morula: 17.4%). 22 morula and blastocysts produced in above optimal condition were transferred to uterus of 2 pseudopregnant recipients, 1 recipient was pregnant and then born 1 live young. This result demonstrates that in vitro culture system of preantral follicles can be used efficiently as another method to supply mouse oocyte.morula: 4.8%) and 7 hrs (2-cell: 20.4%, $\geq$morula: 6.1%) (p<0.01). However, there was no difference in cytoplasmic maturation between co-cultured preantral follicle ( $\geq$morula: 17.4%) and preantral follicle cultured in Ml6 ( $\geq$morula: 17.4%). 22 morula and blastocysts produced in above optimal condition were transferred to uterus of 2 pseudopregnant recipients, 1 recipient was pregnant and then born 1 live young. This result demonstrates that in vitro culture system of preantral follicles can be used efficiently as another method to supply mouse oocyte.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.205-212
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• 2013

Dectin-1, which specifically recognizes ${\beta}$-glucan of fungal cell walls, is a non-Toll-like receptor (TLR) pattern recognition receptor and a representative of C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). The importance of Dectin-1 in innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells and macrophages, has previously been well studied. However, the function of Dectin-1 in B cells is very poorly understood. To determine the role of Dectin-1 in B cell activation, we first investigated whether mouse B cells express Dectin-1 and then assessed the effect of Dectin-1 stimulation on B cell proliferation and antibody production. Mouse B cells express mRNAs encoding CLRs, including Dectin-1, and surface Dectin-1 was expressed in B cells of C57BL/6 rather than BALB/c strain. Dectin-1 agonists, heat-killed Candida albicans (HKCA) and heat-killed Saccharomyces cerevisiae (HKSC), alone induced B cell proliferation but not antibody production. Interestingly, HKSC, HKCA, and depleted zymosan (a selective Dectin-1 agonist) selectively enhanced LPS-driven IgG1 production. Taken together, these results suggest that, during fungal infection, ${\beta}$-glucan-stimulated Dectin-1 may cooperate with TLR4 to specifically enhance IgG1 production by mouse B cells.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.47-55
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• 2017

Objectives : Obesity is caused by the excess accumulation of fat in the body due to energy imbalance, and it causes various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate an anti-obesity efficacy and an antioxidant activity of water from herbal mixture extract (SM17). Methods : The antioxidant activities were evaluated through radical scavenging assays using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) radicals. To evaluated anti-obesity effect of SM17, we used a high fat diet fed mouse model. The SM17 (150 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) was treated every day for 6 weeks to C57BL/6 mice. Body weight and food intake were measured every day. The changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS), alanine aminotransferanse (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglycerids (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in serum were analyzed after experiment. Also, expression of lipid metabolism related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Results : It was effective in antioxidant measurements, SM17 administration inhibited the biomarkers of lipid metaboism in serum and tissues. The administration of SM17 showed a significant reduction of body and tissue weight. Morever, it decreased ROS, ALT, AST, TG and TC in serum, compared with those of the obese mice. Adipogenesis-related protein expressions increased in obese mice compared to normal mice. However, SM17 group exhibited the down-expression of these proteins. Conclusion : A SM17 aqueous extract has a great effect on the stimulation (AMPK) activation, and may have a benefit to reduce a fatty acid metabolism through inhibition of lipid accumulation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.607-612
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• 2000

Generally, antitumor drugs have strong toxicity and result in damage in normal cells. Previously, lectin has been reported as a tumor cell specific binding protein and tannin as an antitumor substance. In this study, we investigated antitumor activity of lectin-conjugated ellagitannin and used praecoxin A as an ellagitannin source. We injected mouse melanoma cell, B16-F10, on right the femoral region of C57BL/6 mouse. After 10 hours later, first treatment with praecoxin A, lectin-praecoxin A mixiture and lectin-conjugated praecoxin A was carried and followed by injection i.m. every 48 hours. Praecoxin A extended the life of mice up to 14.8% in comparison with the negative control group at 5 mg/kg dose. The life extending ratio of Lectin-praecoxin A mixture was 26.1% at 5 mg/kg dose, and the life extending ratio of lectin-conjugated praecoxin A was 28.7% at 5 mg/kg dose. On the basis of these findings, we suggest that antitumor activities of lectin-praecoxin A mixiture and lectin-conjugated praecoxin A on survival are better than that of praecoxin A.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.647-655
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• 2011

The neurotoxicity of aggregated amyloid ${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$) has been implicated as a critical cause in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It can cause neurotoxicity in AD by evoking a cascade of apoptosis to neuron. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of cilostazol, which acts as a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor, on $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity in mouse neuronal cells and cognitive decline in the C57BL/6J AD mouse model via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$ activation. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ significantly reduced cell viability and increased the number of apoptotic-like cells. Cilostazol treatment recovered cells from $A{\beta}$-induced cell death as well as rosiglitazone, a PPAR-${\gamma}$ activator. These effects were suppressed by GW9662, an antagonist of PPAR-${\gamma}$ activity, indicative of a PPAR-${\gamma}$-mediated signaling. In addition, cilostazol and rosiglitazone also restored PPAR-${\gamma}$ activity levels that had been altered as a result of $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ treatment, which were antagonized by GW9662. Furthermore, cilostazol also markedly decreased the number of apoptotic-like cells and decreased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Intracerebroventricular injection of $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ in C57BL/6J mice resulted in impaired cognitive function. Oral administration of cilostazol (20 mg/kg) for 2 weeks before $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ injection and once a day for 4 weeks post-surgery almost completely prevented the $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cognitive deficits, as did rosiglitazone. Taken together, our findings suggest that cilostazol could attenuate $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell injury and apoptosis as well as promote the survival of neuronal cells, subsequently improving cognitive decline in AD, partly because of PPAR-${\gamma}$ activation. The phosphodiesterase III inhibitor cilostazol may be the basis of a novel strategy for the therapy of AD.

• 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.