• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.109-109
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• 2002

In recent reports, the multiple reproductive defects such as cryptorchidism, hypospadias, epididymal cysts, low sperm counts, and testicular cancers are increased in humans, and these changes were doubted by the chemicals with estrogenic or antiandrogenic activities in our environment. To compare the effects of neonatal exposure of di (n-butyl) phthalate and flutamide on the development of reproductive organs and to identify the specific mechanisms of these abnormalities related to the male reproducton, Sprague-Dawley neonate male rats were injected subcutaneously during 5-14 days after birth with corn oil (control), flutamide (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (5, 10, and 20 mg/animal). Animals were killed at 31 (immature) and 42 (pubertal) days of age respectively and blood was collected from abdominal aorta for serum testosterone analysis. Testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscle (LABC), cowpers glands and glans penis were weighed. Expression of steroid hormone receptors (AR and ER) was examined in the testes and ventral prostate. At 31 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, LABC, and cowpers glands significantly decreased in the flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but serum testosterone levels were not changed. Flutamide slightly delayed the testes descent at the high dose (0.5 mg/animal), but DBP did not show any significant effect on the testes descent at all doses. DBP and flutamide decreased the expression of AR protein in the testes but did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. At 42 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and cowpers glands weights were still significantly decreased at the high dose of flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but the weights of testes and epididymides were not different. Serum testosterone decreased significantly in DBP treated animals and slightly, not significantly, in flutamide group. While DBP still significantly decreased the expression of AR protein in testis, flutamide recovered from downregulation of AR protein and did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. Based on these results, flutamide and DBP have shown several similar patterns in reproductive abnormalitis, but some marked differences which may be caused by different acting mechanism.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 2008

Changes in luteinizing hormone (LH), serum testosterone (T), and salivary T levels with age were examined in Korean men. Serum was obtained from 167 Korean men of different ages ($20{\sim}69\;y$), and the serum LH and T levels were measured. Saliva samples were also obtained, and the salivary T level was determined. The LH levels did not change considerably until 40 y of age (20s, $2.5{\pm}1.0$; 30s, $2.7{\pm}1.5$; and 40s, $2.5{\pm}1.8\;mIU/mL$) but increased significantly around 50 y (50s, $3.7{\pm}1.8$ and 60s, $3.1{\pm}1.7\;mIU/mL$). Further, the serum T levels also did not change until 40 y of age (20s, $5.3{\pm}2.6$, 30s, $4.4{\pm}1.4$, 40s, $4.1{\pm}1.5\;ng/mL$) but decreased significantly at 50 y (50s, $3.4{\pm}1.5$; 60s, $2.6{\pm}0.8\;ng/mL$). The salivary T levels also showed small changes until the age of 40 y ($20s{\sim}40s$, $0.11{\pm}0.015\;ng/mL$) but decreased significantly at 50 y ($0.08{\pm}0.03\;ng/mL$). Thus, the relative ratio of salivary T to serum T levels did not change significantly in all the ages examined ($2.4{\pm}0.9%$). Linear regression analysis predicted that the LH levels increased 1.5%/y while the serum and salivary T levels decreased 1%/y and 0.8%/y, respectively. The serum T/LH ratio did not change considerably until the age of 40 y ($20s{\sim}40s$, $2.27{\pm}0.14$) but decreased significantly ($1.2{\pm}1.0$) at 50 y. Age-related changes in the salivary T/LH ratio were very similar to those in the serum T/LH ratio. These results demonstrated that LH and T levels in serum or saliva did not change considerably until 40 y of age; instead, in Korean men, from 50 y of age, the LH level increased, while the T level decreased. This suggests that primary testicular failure that occurred due to aging (approximately 50 y) and caused this phenomenon. The present study also shows that the salivary T level can be an indicator of the free T level in serum although the salivary T level correlates weakly with the total T level in serum (r=0.53). Thus, information regarding salivary T levels may be useful for studying the age-related changes occurring in male testicular physiology.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2 s.66
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• pp.232-243
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• 2006

Objectives : Albizzia Julibrissin was formulated to contain various natural products known to cure erectile dysfunction. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of Albizzia Julibrissin on the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity, nitrite level, antioxidation and erectile responses induced by ethanol in corpus cavernosum penis of rats. Methods : The crushed Albizzia Julibrissin was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 45.3 g. Albizzia Julibrissin extract was oral-administered 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 20 days, while the normal group was administered only with a saline. The efficacy of Albizzia Julibrissin against erectile function was examined as described in the text. Results : The level of urethral NOS activity and nitrite were increased by Albizzia Julibrissin. The level of lipid peroxide was decreased by Albizzia Julibrissin. The level of urethral lipid peroxide in the ethanol-Albizzia Julibrissin double administered rats was decreased as low as in the norma! group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was increased. The level of urethral nitrite, NOS activity, glutathione and serum testosterone in the ethanol-Albizzia Julibrissin double administered rats were as high as in the normal group, while the one in the ethanol-treated group was decreased. The erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation in the ethanol-Albizzia Julibrissin double administered rats increased as high as in the normal group while the one in the ethanol-treated group decreased. Conclusions : Albizzia Julibrissin was shown to be effective for the treatment of erectile dysfunction induced by ethanol in rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.188-198
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• 2009

This work was conducted to investigate the effect of bisphenol A (BPA) on estradiol (E2) 2-and 4-hydroxylase activities in the liver, kidney and lung tissues of male and female rats. After intraperitoneal administration of BPA to male and female rats for 4 days at 0, 10, and 50 mg/kg, the conversion of the substrate for hepatic and extra-hepatic enzyme activities was measured by GC/MSD. The result showed decreases of body and organ weights at 50 mg/kg BPA of male and female rats. Male hepatic E2 2-hydroxylase activity was inhibited by 68% at 10 mg/kg and by 82% at 50 mg/kg BPA. Female hepatic E2 2-hydroxylase activity was decreased by 46% at 10 mg/kg and by 56% at 50 mg/kg to the control. E2 4-hydroxylase was inhibited by 57 and 57% at 10 mg/kg and 54 and 78% at 50 mg/kg in liver of female and male, respectively. The urinary excretion rate of 2-hydroxyestradiol (2-OHE), androsterone and testosterone in urine of female rats with 50 mg/kg BPA were decreased significantly. The results showed that 50 mg/kg BPA was decreased E2 2-and 4-hydroxylase activities in liver, but not in other tissues. The urinary excretion rates of 2-OHE, androsterone and testosterone were also decreased. In liver, estrogenic enzyme activity were higher in male than female. These results suggest that BPA can disrupt estrogen metabolism by suppressing E2 2-and 4-hydroxylase activities in the liver of male and female rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 1990

Hydrocortisone 50 mg/kg (HC), dehydroepiandrosterone 250 mg/kg (DHEA), ${\beta}-estradiol$ 5 mg/kg (E2), and testosterone 20 mg/kg (TS) were subcutaneously injected into the castrated ICR mice at noon for four days, and the animals were sacrificed at 10-12 A.M. of the fifth day. The intestinal DAO activity was significantly decreased by HC, but it was rather increased by E2 and TS, respectively. And DHEA did not change the DAO activity. But the hepatic MAO activity was not affected by anyone of HC, DHEA, E2, and TS. Aminoguanidine 25 mg/kg produced the marked decrease of the intestinal DAO activity and the significant increases of the intestinal PT and SD contents, but it did not change the hepatic polyamine contents. HC and DHEA induced the significant increase of the intestinal PT content. E2 induced the marked increase of the hepatic PT content and the moderate increase of the intestinal PT content. TS little affected the polyamine contents of the liver and intestine. These results suggest that the E2-induced increase of the hepatic PT content is rather ascribed to the greater enhancement of PT synthesis than the inhibition of polyamine catabolism, and that the HC-induced increase of the intestinal PT content is due partly to the inhibition of polyamine catabolism via DAO.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.264-272
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• 2016

This study was carried out to evaluate the preventive effect of the Corni Fructus (SSU) 50 % EtOH extract (SSU-E50) against bisphenol A (BPA) toxicity in Leydig cells and improving testosterone deficiency syndrome in orchidectomized Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats. Antioxidant properties were measured by radical scavenging activity of SSU-E50 in ABTS assay and DPPH assay. Also, real-time polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) was performed to quantify the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzyme. SD rats were divided into eight group: normal, sham operation (Sham), orchidectomized (ORX), ORX treated with testosterone 1 mg/kg (Tes. 1), ORX treated with SSU water extract 100 mg/kg (SSU-A 100) and 300 mg/kg (SSU-A 300), ORX treated with SSU 50 % EtOH extract 100 mg/kg (SSU-E 100) and 300 mg/kg (SSU-E 300). On a comparative basis, the SSU showed better activity quenching ABTS with an IC50 value of 0.29 mg/ml and DPPH with an IC50 value of 0.33 mg/ml. Cell viability was evaluated by MTS assay as described not cytotoxic at the highest concentration of $500{\mu}g/ml$. Cytotoxicity of BPA showed in $200{\mu}M$, but definitely survived by treatment with SSU in Leydig cells. In addition, SSU increased the mRNA expression levels of antioxidant enzyme in BPA induced Leydig cells. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) level was slightly increased and malondialdehyde (MDA) level was decreased with SSU-A 100 in in-vivo. These results suggest that Corni Fructus extracts have the greatest property as a natural anti-oxidative and improves testosterone deficiency syndrome source.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.116-125
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• 1999

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of exercise load on sleep structure and stress hormone secretion during sleep. Methods: Five male physical education students were included in this study after giving their written, informed consents in the Research Institute for Sports Science at the University of Hanyang. All subjects have performed for at least 3 years in a regular aerobic exercises such as football, basketball, and running. The subjects were divided into three groups ; NOE(non-exercise), MDE(middle duration exercise), LDE(long duration excercise). MDE group maintained a total of 120 min exercise, and LDE group maintained a total of 300 min exercise by football, basketball or badminton. All subjects were acclimatized to the experimental sleep condition by spending one night under expermental conditions, including the placement of an intravenous catheter. During the subsequent night(24:00-08:00), somnopolygraphic sleep recordings were obtained, and blood for measuring growth hormone, cortisol, testosterone, and $\beta$-endorphin was collected every 120 min throughout the night. Blood samples were obtained from prominent forearm veins of subjects. Then, the samples were immediately placed in ice and centrifuged within 10 min at 3000 rpm at $4^{\circ}C$. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS/$PC^+$. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Results: No significant differences among groups were observed in sleep latency, total sleep time, stage 2 sleep, and slow wave sleep. However, daytime exercise produced significant changes in stage 1 sleep, REM sleep, stage 2 sleep latency, REM sleep latency and sleep efficiency. Stage 1 sleep, stage 2 sleep latency, and REM sleep latency significantly increased in LDE compared to those of NOE and MDE groups. But the amount of REM sleep significantly decreased in LDE. Sleep efficiency of MDE was higher than those of NOE and LDE. The blood concentrations of growth hormone, testosterone, and cortisol during night sleep were significantly lower in LDE than in NOE. $\beta$-endorphin concentrations in blood during night sleep were not different among groups. Conclusion: The daytime exercise load was significantly related to sleep structure and stress hormone secretion during night sleep. Long duration exercise showed a harmful effect on sleep structure and hormone secretion. However, middle duration exercise had a beneficial effect on sleep structure and hormone secretion during sleep.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.57-64
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• 2007

Metabolic interactions of the three major cannabinoids, ${\Delta}^9$-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabidiol (CBD), and cannabinol (CBN) with steroid hormones were investigated. These cannabioids concentration-dependently inhibited $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase in rat adrenal and testis microsomes. CBD and CBN were the most potent inhibitors of $3{\beta}$-phydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and progesterone $17{\alpha}$-hydroxylase, respectively, in rat testis microsomes. Three cannabinoids highly attenuated hCG-stimulated testosterone production in rat testicular interstitial cells. These cannabinoids also decreased in levels of mRNA and protein of StAR in the rat testis cells. These results indicate that the cannabinoids could interact with steroid hormones, and exert their modulatory effects on endocrine and testicular functions. Metabolic interaction of a THC metabolite, $7{\beta}$-hydroxy-${\Delta}^8$-THC with steroids is also investigated. Monkey liver microsomes catalyzed the stereoselective oxidation of $7{\beta}$-hydroxy-${\Delta}^8$-THC to 7-oxo-${\Delta}^8$-THC, so-called microsomal alcohol oxygenase (MALCO). The reaction is catalyzed by CYP3A8 in the monkey liver microsomes, and required NADH as well as NADPH as an efficient cofactor, and its activity is stimulated by some steroids such as testosterone and progesterone. Kinetic analyses revealed that MALCO-catalyze reaction showed positive cooperativity. In order to explain the metabolic interaction between the cannabinoid metabolite and testosterone, we propose a novel kinetic model involving at least three binding sites for mechanism of the metabolic interactions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.427-431
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• 1984

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of Korean ginseng and tocopherol on serum testosterone level, protein metabolism and swimming endurance in rats. Powdered ginseng (2.5 g/kg) and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ (250 mg/kg) were added directly into the basal diet of rats feeding for 6 weeks. The serum testosterone level of ginseng-treated rats had no difference from that of control rats, but the level was slightly increased in tocopherol-treated rats. In the case of ginseng-treated rats, there were no significant difference in the contents of albumin, ${\alpha}_1-globulin$, ${\alpha}_2-globulin$, ${\gamma}-globulin$ and A/G ratio compared with those of the control rats, however, the levels of total protein and ${\beta}-globulin$ were increased significantly(p<0.005). Total protein value of tocopherol-treated rats was higher than that of the control rats(p<0.005). In contrast, albumin content was slightly decreased. The contents of ${\alpha}_1-globulin$, ${\alpha}_2-globulin$, ${\beta}-globuiln$ and ${\gamma}-globulin$ were higher in the rats fed tocopherol diet that those obtained from the control rats. Accordingly A/G value was markedly decreased (p<0.001). In swimming endurance test, both Korean ginseng and ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ did not appear to have any effect on rats' stamina.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.89-93
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• 1999

The purpose of this study finds out the effect of red ginseng extract(1.0 g/kg) on bis(tributyltin)oxide(TBTO)(10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) which poisons against some organs like thyroid gland, liver, kidney, testis, ovary. Serum immunity and sex hormone activity of rats are examined by gastric tubing for 3 weeks. The weights of each in treated group were increased, especially liver in females and those of testis in males were signignificantly increased at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg (P<0.05, P<0.01). In group treated with TBTO(10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) for females, the serum IgG level was significantly reduced in comparison with control group(P<0.05). The group of females which were poisonned by TBTO and rGe was significantly recovered in TBTO 10 mg/kg + rGe 1.0 g/kg and TBTO 20 mg/kg + rGe 1.0 g/kg. In case of sex hormone activity of each sex, the estradiol activity of females and testosterone activity of males were signignificantly decreased rather than the control group. And control group by bis(tributyltin) oxide and red ginseng extract is just increased estiradiol activity.