• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.207-214
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the suitability of the pubertal assay and the enhanced TG 407 as methods for detection of endocrine-mediated effects, especially thyroid function. Male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged daily with 0, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/kg alachlor in corn oil during 30 days. The effects of alachlor on thyroid gland, the genital organs and thyroid hormone were measured in male and female rats. Dose of alachlor 25, 50 mg/kg/day increased relative weight of testis and thyroid gland in exposed male rats and decreased relative weight of vagina in exposed female rats. Relative weight of thyroid gland was decreased in alachlor 25 mg/kg/day exposed female rats. Dose of alachlor 25, 50 mg/kg/day decreased plasma T4 and testosterone in female rats. Another purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of endocrine disruptors as like thyroid hormone in vitro. Luciferase activity was measured to dectect reaction of test chemicals and thyroid hormone response elements in HeLaTRE cell. Dose of alachlor 1 nM-1000 nM increased 100-134% luciferase activity compared with control.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2010

A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to create animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was undertaken to examine whether depletion of brain dopamine (DA) stores with 6-OHDA can make alteration in the activities of the testicular steroidogenesis in adult rats. Young adult male rats (3 months old) were received a single dose of 6-OHDA (200 ${\mu}g$ in 10 ${\mu}{\ell}$/animal) by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, and sacrificed after two weeks. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related enzymes were measured by qRT-PCRs. Serum testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Single icv infusion of 6-OHDA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of CYP11A1 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.68{\pm}0.14$ AU, p<0.05), CYP17 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.13$ AU, p<0.05). There were no changes in the mRNA levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.84{\pm}0.08$ AU) and $17{\beta}$-HSD (control: 6-OHDA group=$1:0.63{\pm}0.20$ AU), though the levels tended to be decreased in the 6-OHDA treated group. Administration of 6-OHDA decreased significantly the mRNA level of StAR when compared to the level of saline-injected control animals (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.08$ AU, p<0.05). Treatment with single dose of 6-OHDA remarkably lowered serum testosterone levels compared to the levels of control group (control:6-OHDA group=$0.72{\pm}0.24:0.13{\pm}0.03ng/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). Taken together with our previous study, the present study demonstrated that the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-testis hormonal axis could be negatively affected by blockade of brain DA biosynthesis, and suggested the reduced reproductive potential might be resulted in the animals. More precise information on the testicular steroidogenic activities in PD patients and PD-like animals should be required prior to the generalization of the sex steroid hormone therapy to meet the highest standards for safety and efficacy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.507-515
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• 2014

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is commonly found in aging men, is characterized by hyperplasia of prostatic stromal and epithelial cells beginning in the periurethral zone of the prostate. The prevalence of BPH increases in an age-dependent manner. Here, we investigated the protective effects of unripe Rubus occidentalis extracts (UROE) on BPH development using a prostate cancer cell line and testosterone-induced BPH rat model. Experiments using an established hormone-dependent prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) showed that UROE treatment significantly decreased expression of androgen-related genes, including androgen receptor (AR), prostate specific antigen (PSA), and 5-alpha reductase 2, but not 5-alpha reductase 1, which was also observed in flutamide-treated cells. Further, AR and PSA gene expression was reduced by UROE treatment under androgen-stimulated conditions using dihydrotestosterone (DHT). BPH animals displayed elevated prostate weights. However, UROE as well as finasteride treatment significantly reduced prostate weights and DHT levels compared to testosterone-induced BPH animals. Histopathological analysis also showed that UROE treatment suppressed testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia. Taken together, the results suggest that UROE may effectively inhibit the development of BPH and thus may be a useful agent in BPH treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.355-364
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• 2009

Objectives : Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common diseases among elderly men. Though medicines such as 5${\alpha}$-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) have recently been developed for treating BPH, their adverse effects and low efficacy should not be overlooked. Curcuma longa has a long history of use in traditional medicines of Asian countries. Many reports conclude the component curcumin in Curcuma lonfa, has the potential to treat various diseases including prostate cancer. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects and action mechanism of Curcuma longa with a BPH rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were used with subcutaneous injection of testosterone after castration, which were histologically similar to human BPH. A total of 30 rats were equally divided into five groups: Group 1 served as control (sham-operated group): Group 2 was the model group: Group 3 and Group 4 animals were administered Curcuma longa at dose levels of 0.5g/kg and 1.0g/kg: Group 5 served as a positive control group and was treated with finasteride at a dose of 1 mg/kg. The drugs were administered orally once a day for 30 days consecutively. After 31 days, the prostates were removed, and analyzed for their prostatic weight and histological examination. Results : The oral Curcuma longa ingestion group showed statistically significant decreases in their prostatic weights compared with the BPH-induced group and the oral finasteride ingestion group (p<0.05). Curcuma longa is also very safe in liver and kidney up to a dose of lg/kg. Injected testosterone histologically led to prostatic hyperplasia in rats, but oral Curcuma longa ingestion decreased this change. Conclusions : These results suggest that Curcuma longa has a definite inhibitory effect on BPH and might be an alternative medicine for treatment and prevention of human BPH.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.38 no.2 s.149
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• pp.197-203
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• 2007

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the common disease in elderly men. Recently old-age population is increased and we are growing more and more interested in clinical importance of BPH. In this study, the effect of PLX, which was the mixture of tomato extract (including 2% of lycopene) and chitooligosaccharide, on prostatic cancer cell and testosterone-induced BPH in adult rats of the Sprague Dawley strain was determined. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT method using L929 and LNCaP cell line, pretreated with various concentrations of PLX. The expression of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and 5${\alpha$}$-reductase genes were evaluated by realtime PCR using LNCaP cell line and compared various concentrations of PLX with 50 ${\mu}$M of finasteride. An experimental prostatic hyperplasia was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by giving testosterone for 8 weeks. After 2 weeks from start of giving testosterone, PLX and finasteride were administered orally once a day. The results were analyzed with prostate weight per body weight at 8 weeks. Cell viability of L929 cell line decreased specifically at the concentration of 2000 ${\mu}$g/mf of PLX. The cytotoxicity of PLX to the LNCaP cell line was shown at above 500 ${\mu}$g/ml of PLX. The inhibitory effect of PLX to the expression of PSA and 5${\alpha$}$-reductase genes in LNCaP cell line increased with the concentration of PLX. In vivo study, the results of PLX and finasteride administered group were 3.75${\pm}$0.60 and 3.49${\pm}$0.49 prostate weight ${\times}10^3$/body weight, which were lower than the result of BPH induced group (4.74${\pm}$0.58). These results suggested that PLX may be an effective material in BPH by having the role of the 5a-reductase inhibitor.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.145-152
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the effect of of transdermal testosterone gel (TTG) on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) and IVF outcomes and ovarian morphology according to pretreatment duration in poor responders. A total of 120 women were recruited for this pilot study. They were randomized into control, 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks TTG treatment groups. For three TTG treatment groups, 12.5 mg TTG was applied daily for 2 weeks, 3 weeks or 4 weeks in preceding period of study stimulation cycle. After 3 weeks of TTG pretreatment, significant increase of antral follicle count (AFC) and significant decreases of mean follicular diameter (MFD) and resistance index (RI) value of ovarian stromal artery were observed (p=0.026, p<0.001, p<0.01, respectively). The total dose of rhFSH administered for COS significantly decreased after 3 and 4 weeks TTG treatment both compared with control group (p<0.001, p<0.001). The numbers of oocytes retrieved and mature oocytes were significanty higher in 3 and 4 weeks TTG treatment groups than control group (p<0.001, p<0.001 in the number of oocytes retrieved; p<0.001, p<0.001 in the number of mature oocytes). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were increased only in 4 weeks TTG treatment group compared with control group (p=0.030 and p=0.042, respectively). These data demonstrated that TTG pretreatment for 3 to 4 weeks increases AFC and ovarian stromal blood flow, thereby potentially improving the ovarian response to COS and IVF outcome in poor responders undergoing IVF/ICSI.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2006

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common benign tumor in older men; the etiology of this disease remains poorly understood. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) both act as androgen via a single androgen receptor. Testosterone is converted to DHT by $5{\alpha}$-reductase in prostatic stromal cells. Progesterone has been reported to inhibit DHT conversion; howevwe, its effect on prostatic stromal cells remains to be elucidated. Materials and Methods: In this experiment, we investigated the effect of progesterone on androgen receptor expression induced by DHT. We also tested the effect of progesterone on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, as well as prostate stromal cell proliferation using the cell count kit-8. Results: Progesterone did not cause an increase of prostate stromal cell proliferation. The mRNA expression of the androgen receptor and COX-2 were not changed by progesterone; the expressions of androgen receptor and COX-2 proteins were decreased by progesterone in prostate stromal cells. Conclusion: These results suggest that in prostate stromal cells, progesterone decreases androgen receptor protein expression, which results in decrement of COX-2 protein expression. This effect might be mediated by post-transcriptional regulation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1646-1658
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• 2020

In order to investigate the changes in growth hormone, testosterone, blood lactate, double product, and pain, this study conducted intensive weight training and circuit weight training with 60% intensity of 1RM for 7 men who had more than 6 months of resistance exercise and then performed Underwater Walking and Underwater Sitting with underwater recovery. Growth hormone was high in all exercise forms and recovery methods in order of after exercise, after recovery, and after stability, and testosterone was high in order of after exercise, after recovery, and stability. Blood lactate was higher in all exercise forms and recovery methods in order of after exercise, after recovery, and after stabilization, and dynamic recovery after concentration resistance exercise was lower than static recovery. Double product was higher in all types of exercise and recovery methods in order of after-exercise, after-recovery, and stability. Muscle pain decreased in the order of exercise, recovery, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours in all exercise forms and recovery methods. In the water environment, dynamic recovery is considered to be more effective in improving muscle fatigue than static recovery.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2023

Purpose In this study, the monthly population distribution was calculated for statistical verification of 10 tests (CA19-9, CA15-3, testosterone, PTH, calcitonin, AFP, CEA, CA72-4, PSA, estradiol) with changed reagents, and the trend of change By comparing and analyzing the results, we want to verify the accuracy of the results and improve the reliability of the test. Materials and Methods From June 2021 to February 2023, for the 10 items in which the reagent was changed, the monthly percentage and standard deviation index before and after the reagent change were compared, respectively. At this time, the reference value was arbitrarily set for the comparison group in consideration of the reference value of the test item, and the groups were subdivided and compared, and the standard deviation index allowed range was -2.0 or more and 2.0 or less. Results For CA19-9, CA15-3, AFP, CEA, and calcitonin 5 test items, the change in monthly ratio in all test sections before and after the reagent change was kept constant. On the other hand, for CA72-4, PSA, testosterone, PTH, and estradiol items, the standard deviation index exceeded the acceptable standard after changing the reagent. CA72-4 test items showed an increasing trend in standard deviation index in the test section exceeding the reference value. In the case of the PSA test item, the maintenance ratio of 0.04 ng/mL was significantly decreased after changing the reagent. The testosterone test item had a standard deviation index of -2.5 in the test section exceeding 10.1 ng/mL after changing the reagent, and the standard deviation index of the PTH test item was out of the acceptable range in all test sections. It was confirmed that the estradiol test item showed an overall increase in the result value. Conclusion Through this study, the continuity and accuracy of the test results could be verified. It is considered that the stability of the test can be secured by analyzing the factors affecting the test result and solving the cause for the test item whose standard deviation index is out of the acceptable standard.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was carried out to determine the effects of Gamidokwalgisaeng-tang(GDS) oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$ & $GB_{39}$ on the postmenopausal osteoporosis. Methods: In order to study the effects of the Gamidokwalgisaeng-tang(GDS) oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$, $GB_{39}$ on osteoporotic rats induced by ovariectomy, body weight, femur weight, uterine weight, serum level of osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), cholesterol, triglyceride, estradiol, androstenedione, testosterone and urinary excretions of calcium & phosphorus were measured. Results : 1. Body weight in all experimental group decreased significantly in comparison with ovariectomized group(OVX). 2. The weight of femur compared with body increased significantly in GDS oral administration and combination treatment group in comparison with ovariectomized group(OVX). 3. Uterine endometrial morphology is caused by ovariectomy and the weight of uterus decreased significantly in control and all experimental group in comparison with sham. 4. The serum level of osteocalcin decreased in all experimental group in comparison with OVX, but significantly in electro-acupuncture and combination treatment group. 5. The serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activity decreased in electro-acupuncture and combination treatment group in comparison with OVX, but only significantly in electro-acupuncture group. 6. The serum level of cholesterol increased significantly in OVX in comparison with sham and decreased in all experimental group in comparison with OVX, not insignificantly. The serum level of triglyceride increased in all experimental group in comparison with OVX, not insignificantly. 7. Urinary excretions of calcium and phosphorus decreased significantly in all experimental group in comparison with OVX. Conclusion : We suggest that GDS oral administration and electro-acupuncture at $BL_{52}$ & $GB_{39}$ are available for prevention and curing about the postmenopausal osteoporosis.