• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.1059-1072
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• 2024

Oxidative stress is a key factor in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that leads to inflammation. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge extract (HLT-101) on BPH through the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation. A testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model was orally administered HLT-101 (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg), and its effects on oxidative stress- and inflammation-related gene expression were examined. Further, HLT-101 was assessed for its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways in BPH-1 cells. HLT-101 decreased testosterone-induced excessive free radical production and inflammatory factor activation. Moreover, HLT-101 treatment significantly decreased the intracellular ROS level in the TNF-α and IFN-γ treated BPH-1 cells through the activation of Nrf-2. In addition, HLT-101 treatment inhibited the NF-κB pathway and androgen receptor (AR) signaling, which is highly linked to the pathogenesis of BPH. Therefore, HLT-101 has the potential to be an effective treatment reagent for BPH because of its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress via Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.378-386
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a major cause of abnormal overgrowth of the prostate mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus has been reported to be effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases because of its strong antioxidant effect, but its efficacy against BPH is not yet known. This study was designed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of Corni Fructus water extract (CF) in testosterone-induced BPH rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce BPH, rats were intraperitoneal injected with testosterone propionate (TP). Rats in the treatment group were orally administered with CF with TP injection, and finasteride, which is a selective inhibitor of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. RESULTS: Our results showed that the increased prostate weight and histopathological changes in BPH model rats were suppressed by CF treatment. CF, similar to the finasteride-treated group, decreased the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone by TP treatment in the serum, and it also reduced $5{\alpha}$-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. In addition, CF significantly blocked the expression of the androgen receptor (AR), AR co-activators, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in BPH rats, and this blocking was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in serum and prostate tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CF may weaken the BPH status through the inactivation of at least $5{\alpha}$-reductase and AR activity and may be useful for the clinical treatment of BPH.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 1991

The bilateral castration of male mice was operated under light ether anesthesia, and the sham operated mice were considered as the uncastrated. The treatments of mice with the following steroids were started one hour after operation. Hydrocortisone 50 mg/kg (HC), dehydroepiandrosterone 250 mg/kg (DHEA), ${\beta}-estradiol$ 5 mg/kg (E2), and testosterone 20mg/kg (TS) were subcutaneously injected into male ICR mice at noon for four days. Animals were sacrificed in the next-morning (at 10-12 A.M.) after the last injection. The intestinal putrescine(PT) content was lower and the liver and intestinal spermine(SM) contents were higher in castrated mice(CM), comparing with those of uncastrated mice (UCM). The intestinal PT content of UCM was markedly increased HC. But all brain polyamines of CM were significantly decreased by it. And HC also increased the spermidine(SD) content of kidney and liver and the intestinal PT content in CM. E2 induced the marked increase of liver PT content with the moderate increase of renal SD in UCM. And E2 significantly increased the brain and liver PT contents and the all renal polyamine contents in CM. Both of DHEA and TS induced the increase of renal PT content in UCM, and they also induced the marked increases of all renal polyamines of CM. In addition, TS increased the brain SM of CM. These results suggest that the steroidal regulation mechanism of brain, kidney, liver, and intestine seems to be different from one another, and the renal activity of polyamine synthesis can be markedly enhanced by sex steroids.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.10
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• pp.330-339
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• 2021

Oyster (Crassostrea gigas) is a marine bivalve mollusk widely distributed in coastal areas, and have been long widely used in industrial resources. Several studies demonstrated that fermented oyster (FO) extract attribute to bone health, but whether administration of FO play as an endocrine disruptor has not been studied. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of FO on the endocrine system in vitro and in vivo. As the results of the competitive estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) binding affinities, FO was not combined with ER-α, ER-β, and AR. However, 17β-estradiol and testosterone, used as positive control, were interacted with ER and AR, respectively. Meanwhile, oral administration of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of FO doesn't have any harmful effect on the body weight, androgen-dependent sex accessory organs, estrogen-dependent-sex accessory organs, kidney, and liver in immature rats. In addition, FO supplementation has no effect on the serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and 17β-estradiol. However, the relative weight of androgen- and estrogen-dependent organs were significantly increased by subcutaneously injection of 4.0 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) and by orally administration of 1.0 ㎍ of 17α-ethynyl estradiol (EE) in immature male and female rats, respectively. Furthermore, TP and EE administration markedly decreased the serum LH and FSH levels, which are similar those of mature Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat. Furthermore, the testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels were significantly enhanced in TP and EE-treated immature rats. Taken together, our findings showed that FO does not interact with ER and AR, suggesting consequentially FO does not play as a ligand for ER and AR. Furthermore, oral administration of FO did not act as an endocrine disruptor including androgenic activity, estrogenic activity, and abnormal levels of sex hormone, indicating FO may ensure the safety on endocrine system to develop dietary supplement for bone health.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2016

Objectives Aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis are a proven first-line hormonal therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer. Although it is known that standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) induces anti-carcinogenic effects like the aromatase inhibitors, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis have not been studied yet. Therefore, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis and aromatase activity was studied using a H295R cell model, which was a good in vitro model to predict effects on human adrenal steroidogenesis. Methods Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol were evaluated in the H295R cells by competitive enzyme-linked immunospecific assay after exposure to EGb761. Real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate effects on critical genes in steroid hormone production, specifically cytochrome P450 (CYP11/ 17/19/21) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases ($3{\beta}$-HSD2 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1/4). Finally, aromatase activities were measured with a tritiated water-release assay and by western blotting analysis. Results H295R cells exposed to EGb761 (10 and $100{\mu}g/mL$) showed a significant decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone, but no change in aldosterone or cortisol. Genes (CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1) related to the estrogen steroidogenesis were significantly decreased by EGb761. EGb761 treatment of H295R cells resulted in a significant decrease of aromatase activity as measured by the direct and indirect assays. The coding sequence/Exon PII of CYP19 gene transcript and protein level of CYP19 were significantly decreased by EGb761. Conclusions These results suggest that EGb761 could regulate steroidogenesis-related genes such as CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1, and lead to a decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone. The present study provides good information on potential therapeutic effects of EGb761 on estrogen dependent breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.276-286
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• 1999

In the present study, to understand how gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) affects ovarian functions in superovulated rats, we examined the effects of GnRH agonist on the ovulatory response, the morphological normality and nuclear maturation of ovulated oocytes, the ovarian weight, the ovarian histology, and the circulating steroid hormone ($17{\beta}$-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) levels in immature rats pretreated with 30IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and supplemented with 10IU human chorionic gonadotropin(hCG). GnRH agonist was intravenously injected via jugular vein catheter every 20min for 4hrs in early follicular phase (from 6hr after PMSG) of superovulated rats. In addition, GnRH antagonist, Antide, was intravenously injected in combination with GnRH agonist to verify the effects of GnRH agonist on ovarian functions. All animals were sacrificed at 72hr after PMSG administration. The administration with GnRH agonist in early follicular phase of superovulated rats caused inhibition of ovulatory response, increased the proportion of abnormal appearing oocytes(especially, in the rats of the group treated with 500ng GnRH agonist), decreased ovarian weight and promote follicular atresia, compared to those from the rats of control regimen that were not treated with GnRH agonist. In addition, the treatment with GnRH agonist in the superovulated rat distinctly decreased serum steroid hormone ($17{\beta}$-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) levels in preovulatory phase. On the other hand, the inhibitory effects of GnRH agonist treatment in superovulation-pretreated rats on ovarian functions were totally reversed by the combination with GnRH antagonist, Antide. The nuclear maturation of oocytes recovered from the oviducts in immature rats treated with GnRH agonist and/or GnRH antagonist was characterized by prematurity and asynchronization in early follicular phase, which was similar to control group. The overall results of this study indicate that GnRH agonist disturbs directly ovarian function in early follicular phase of superovulated immature rats in terms of ovulatory response and morphological normality of ovulated oocytes. This concept has been further evidenced by the findings of a great decrease in ovarian weight, a marked increase in follicular and a distinct decrease circulating steroid hormone ($17{\beta}$-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) levels in GnRH agonist treatment regimen in early follicular phase.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.119-124
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• 1994

Experiments were performed to determine age-associated changes in ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene and Ha-ras cellular oncogene expression in tissues of female rats. In the kidney, ODC mRNA levels did not show age-associated changes, while ODC enzyme activities were decreased with advancing age from 3 to 10 months. These results suggest that post-transcriptional mechanism (s) are involved in the age-dependent decrease in renal ODC enzyme activity. In addition, we found no correlation between testosterone-induced renal ODC expression and DNA methylation pattern. Ha-ras mRNA levels in brain decreased as animals aged from 3 to 6 months, while renal Ha-ras mRNA levels were not influenced by age. Results demonstrate the age-dependent expression of Ha-ras in a tissue-specific manner.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of metformin and rosiglitazone in overweight or obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Methods: Twenty Six overweight or obese patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome were randomly treated with either metformin (500 mg three times daily, n=13) or rosiglitazone (4 mg once daily, n=13) for 6 months. Hormonal studies were performed before and after treatment. Insulin resistances were calculated by computerized HOMA 2 Calculator v2.2. Results: Testosterone decreased while SHBG increased after 6 months treatment in both metformin and rosiglitazone treatment groups. Fasting glucose decreased after metformin or rosiglitazone treatment. HOMA insulin resistance improved after treatment with either drug. There was no differences in hormonal changes and insulin resistance between 2 treatment groups. Conclusions: This study shows that metformin and rosiglitazone are effective in improving insulin sensitivity and ameliorating hyperandrogenism in overweight/obese polycystic ovarian syndrome women.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.8-13
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• 2001

This study was carried out effect of red ginseng extract(1.0g/kg) on organotin compounds (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) which poisons against some organs like thyroid gland, liver, kindey, testis, ovary, serum immuinty and sex hormone activity of rats were examinned by gastric tubing for 3 weeks. The weight of each organ in TBTO treated group were significantly increased other organs which excepted kinedy in males and only liver in females.(p<0.05, p<0.01). In case of Immunity activity of each sex, IgM level was small change comparsion with that of control group in all sex. but IgG level was significantly decreased females rather than males comparsion with that of control group.(p<0.05, p<0.01) In case of sex hormone activity, the testosterone activity of males and the estradiol activity of females were significantly decreased rather than the control group. on the other hand, red singsong treated group was only significantly increased estradiol activity.( p<0.05, p<0.01)

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.574-580
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• 1998

Changes in plasma levels of thyroid and sex steroid Hormones were examined during maturation and parturition periods in rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli) cultured in net pens. Plasma L-thyroxine levels were $35.2{\pm}5.7\;ng/m{\ell}\;(n=\;5;\;mean\;{\pm}\;sem)$ at vitellogenesis stage and then significantly decreased to $20.5\;{\pm}\;4.2\;ng/m{\ell}$ at parturition stage (P<0.05), and rapidly returned to high level, $44.9{\pm}\;7.2\;ng/m{\ell}$ at resting stage. Plasma 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine levels were 12.9 $\pm$ 1.6 ng/ml at vitellogenesis stage, but significantly decreased to $3.7{\pm}0.7\;ng/m{\ell}$ at ovulation stage (P<0.05) and increased to $52.9{\pm}7.0\;ng/m{\ell}$ at jesting stage. Plasma estradiol-17 $\beta$ level showed the highest value ($4.3{\pm}0.9\;ng/m{\ell}$) at vitellogenesis stage, but the level significantly decreased to $0.3{\pm}0.1\;ng/m{\ell}$, during parturition stage (P<0.05). In vitellogenesis and ovulation stages, plasma testosterone levels were $1.8{\pm}0.3\;ng/m{\ell}$ and $2.1{\pm}0.7\;ng/m{\ell}$, respectively, thereafter the level significantly decreased to $0.1{\pm}0.1\;ng/m{\ell}$ at parturition stage (P<0.05). These findings suggest that thyroid hormones may have relation to maturation and parturition of mother rockfish.