• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.36-40
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• 2019

A viable spermatozoon is a prerequisite for fertilization in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Thus, it is crucial to select viable but immotile spermatozoa on the day of ICSI. We report conflicting results in the identification of viable but immotile spermatozoa between the eosin-nigrosin staining and the laser test, which resulted in confusion for embryologists during assisted reproductive technology (ART). Three patients' semen samples that showed no motile spermatozoa are described in this report. To identify viable spermatozoa, we used both the eosin-nigrosin test and the laser test for each sample, and repeated the semen analysis twice in each patient. Viable but immotile spermatozoa selected by the laser test were used for ICSI. Viable spermatozoa were detected by both the eosin-nigrosin and laser tests in two patients (case 1, 95.00% vs. 24.21% and 92.68% vs. 22.22%; case 2, 41.18% vs. 23.48% and 39.81% vs. 22.52%), indicating consistent results between the two methods. In the third patient, the eosin-nigrosin test yielded viability rates of 20.75% and 19.14%, while the result of the laser test was 0%. Thus, testicular aspiration was performed to collect viable sperm from this patient. Normal fertilization was achieved after the injection of viable but immotile spermatozoa selected from these patients by the laser test, resulting in the birth of two healthy babies. Our study documents a case where the eosin-nigrosin test showed a limitation in identifying viable but immotile spermatozoa for ART, while the laser test may overcome this limitation. Larger samples may be required to corroborate the clinical value of the laser test.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.494-498
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• 2008

MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethyl thiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) reduction assay is a method that validates the viability of an active cell. Dehydrogenase in mitochondria converts yellow colored insoluble tetrazolium salt to purple colored water-soluble formazan. Sperm also have mitochondria in the midpiece, therefore sperm viability could be evaluated by MTT reduction assay. Several studies have already demonstrated the capability of application of the MTT reduction assay to sperm of several species in Hepes-BSA buffer. Because most liquid semen was diluted in extender like BTS (Beltsville Thawing Solution), Modena or Androhep when it is used or transferred, semen needed another dilution in Hepes-BSA buffer to assess sperm viability. In this study, we evaluated boar sperm viability especially in BTS extended semen and compared the efficiency of this test with eosin-nigrosin staining. We used the fresh BTS extended semen from a local A.I center. Semen sample was diluted to $3.0{\times}10^7$ sperms/ml in BTS. The rates of formazan production were measured in 96-well microtiter plates immediately and 1h after incubation at $17^{\circ}C$ using a spectrophotometer at wave length 560 nm. Simultaneously, split samples of the same semen were tested, using eosin-nigrosin staining to compare the efficiency of the MTT assay of sperm viability in BTS. The correlation between the results of these tests was calculated using Student-t test and ANOVA. The results revealed a strong correlation between the results of MTT reduction rate and the results that were simultaneously determined by eosin-nigrosin staining at 1 h. In conclusion, the MTT reduction test was an effective and simple method to validate sperm viability and it could be used as a simple tool to evaluate sperm viability in the local A.I center and laboratory.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2002

Objectives: To assess the scavenging effect of carnitine derivatives on oxidative damage to sperm during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Materials and Methods: Fresh semen samples from 20 normal healthy volunteers were collected by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence. After liquefaction of semen samples at room temperature, the specimens were diluted with sperm wash media (Ham's F-10, Life technologics) to a uniform density of $20{\times}10^6/ml$. L-carnitine or acetylcarnitine were added with various concentration of $0{\mu}M$, $10{\mu}M$, $30{\mu}M$ in semen sample or cryoprotectant. All specimens were cryopreservated at $-196^{circ}C$ $LN_2$ for 3 days. Sperm motility, vitality, fertilizing capacity, reactive oxygen species formation and the level of lipid peroxidation were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, hypoosmotic swelling test, chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid method, respectively, during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Results: The sperm motility was only increased in proportion to the concentration of acetylcarnitine with no statistical significance (p>0.05). The sperm vitality was also significantly improved in proportion to the concentration of acetylcarnitine with statistical significance (p<0.05). The sperm fertilizing capacity was significantly increased in proportion to the concentration of L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine and reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased with same fashion (p<0.05). On comparison of effects between L-carnitine and acetylcarnitine, acetylcarnitine was superior to L-carnitine on the improvement of sperm motility and vitality as well as the suppression of reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation. Conclusions: These results suggest that carnitine derivatives have a scavenging effect against oxidative damages during sperm processing, cryopreservation and thawing. Therefore, carnitine derivatives may be useful as an oral antioxidant in patients with male infertility due to increased ROS generation.

• 한국동물생명공학회지
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• 제36권2호
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• pp.91-98
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• 2021

The objective of this study was to establish a selection process for high quality sperm in bovine semen using sperm separation by magnetic activation (MACS). For this, semen from 21 Nellore bulls was collected using an artificial vagina. To guarantee the presence of pathologies in the ejaculate, animals previously declassified in four consecutive spermiogram were used. Semen was analyzed in five statuses: (1) fresh semen (fresh); (2) density gradient centrifugation (DGC), percoll column; (3) non-apoptotic fraction after separation by MACS (MAC); (4) apoptotic fraction from the separation (MACPOOR); and (5) MAC followed by DGC (MACDGC). Using a computerized analysis system (CASA), motility was measured. The sperm morphology was evaluated by phase contrast, and the supravital test was completed with eosin/nigrosin staining. For DGC, 20 × 10⁶ cells were used in a gradient of 90% and 45% percoll. MACS used 10 × 10⁶ cells with 20 μL of nanoparticles attached to annexin V, and filtered through the MiniMACS magnetic separation column. Membrane integrity was assessed with SYBR-14/IP and mitochondrial potential with JC-1 by flow cytometry. Processing sperm by MACDGC, was more effective in obtaining samples with high quality sperm, verified by the total of abnormalities in the samples: 35.04 ± 2.29%, 21.50 ± 1.47%, 17.30 ± 1.10%, 30.68 ± 1.94% and 10.50 ± 1.46%, respectively for fresh, DGC, MAC, MACPOOR, and MACDGC. The subpopulation of non-apoptotic sperm had a high number of live cells (82.65%), membrane integrity (56.60%) and mitochondrial potential (83.98%) (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that this nanotechnological method, that uses nanoparticles, is efficient in the production of high-quality semen samples for assisted reproduction procedures in cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제19권11호
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• pp.1561-1565
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-oxidative effects of taurine on sperm characteristics for in vitro storage of boar semen. Semen was randomly divided into 10 groups in conical tubes and treated with different concentrations of taurine (25-100 mM) with or without $250{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$. The percentage of motile spermatozoa in taurine groups after 6 and 9 h were significantly higher at >94% and 87%, respectively, compared to the control group ($85.1{\pm}0.5$ and $72.4{\pm}0.3$, p<0.05). The sperm motility in taurine with $H_2O_2$ after 6 h incubation was slightly decreased compared to the taurine alone treatment, but after 9 and 12 h incubation % sperm motility dropped sharply in taurine with $H_2O_2$ ($75.3{\pm}0.3$ and $69.6{\pm}2.9$, p<0.05). For 3, 9 and 12 h incubation, sperm viability in the control was lower than in taurine groups, irrespective of taurine concentration. In eosin Y and nigrosin staining (ENS), the sperm survival rates (%) for 6 h incubation were significantly higher in 25 mM ($76.0{\pm}0.6$) and 50 mM taurine groups ($78.0{\pm}0.7$), respectively. Sperm survival rates for 9 and 12 h incubation were higher in taurine groups (${\geq}48%$ in 9 h and ${\geq}42%$ in 12 h) compared to controls ($43.0{\pm}2.1$ and $31.0{\pm}0.6$, respectively). In the hyoosmotic swelling test (HOST), sperm membrane integrity was similar to the results of sperm survival. These experiments indicate that supplementation of taurine to the semen extender can increase the sperm characteristics(motility, viability, survival and membrane integrity).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.301-314
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• 2005

Objective: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that has an action of the inhibition of superoxide production and removal of hydroxyl radical with the sperm incubation and cryopreservation. In the present study, to investigate whether rebamipide is useful to treat male infertility and sterility, the author observed the antioxidative effects in patient with male infertility and also examined its absorption and distribution in rat genital organ. Methods: To measure the distribution of rebamipide in reproductive organ in the rat, carbon indicated rebamipide, $^{14}C-OPC-12759$, was orally administered to 10 Spraque-Dawley rats and its organ concentration in serum, liver, kidney, stomach, duodenum, colon, urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testicle were measured each time after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours by using HPLC fluorescent method. The concentrations in semen were measured by HPLC fluorescent method in a sample of 50 infertile males who took 900 mg of rebamipide daily for 3 months. To measure the antioxidative effect and fertility rate for 3 months, each month before and after the treatment, sperm motility, vitality, the oxygen free radical formation, level of peroxidation, fetilizing capacity of semen sample which were obtained from infertile male patients by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid method and hypo-osmotic swelling test. Simultaneously in a sample that wanted baby, both pregnancy and delivery were researched. Results: The $^{14}C-OPC-12759$ concentration in the body of white rats was highest in gastrointestinal organ like stomach, smal intestine and duodenum and followed by genital organ like seminal vesicle, testis and epididymis. The rebamipide concentration in semen of infertile males was $220.77{\pm}327.84ng/mL$ (SD) which showed a large deviation but it was higher than serum which was $126{\pm}76ng/mL$ (SD). In the infertile males, after the treatment with rebamipide, the level of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation have significantly decreased in duration of the treatment (p<0.05) and sperm vitality and fertilizing capacity except sperm motility significantly improved on post treatment of 2~3 months (p<0.05). Out of the 41 cases who hoped for pregnancy, 15 cases (36.6%) became pregnant and 12 cases had childbrith, 2 cases had miscarriage and one case is ongoing. The side effect was observed in 1 case (2%) which experienced diarrhea but it was lost spontaneously. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that rebamipide showed relatively high tendancy of absorption and excretion in the genital organ. In infertile males who had elevated ROS in semen, by specifically inhibiting the cell damage from the antioxidation, a way to preserve sperm motility, vitality and fertilizing capacity was confirmed.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.31-41
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• 1994

Morphological estimation of human spermatozoa is complicated by the fact that there is great natural variation in shape. This natural variation in shapes makes it difficult to say which forms are associated with infertility and which are normal variations. Possibly post coital test or in vitro cervical mucus penetration tests will help to clarify this question by showing which sperm are capable of penetration. The purpose of this investigation was performed to assess distribution of various morphological abnormalities according to the ability of sperm to penetrate cervical mucus. The sperm-mucus penetration using hen's egg white as substituting mucus for human cervical mucus was done in 45 fertile men with normal semen analysis and 122 infertile men with abnormal seminal parameters more than one. The female partners of 122 infertile couples showed normal results in the female fundamental test for fertility. Conventional semen analysis was evaluated according to the WHO standard normal(l980). The detailed classification of the abnormal sperm was made according to David et al(l975). The vitality of the sperm samples determined by eosin yellow-nigrosin stainig according to the method of Eliasson(l977). Results were as follw; 1. The patients had significantly lower total sperm count, motility (%), normal morphology (%), viability and total functional sperm fractions(TFSF) than fertile donors. 2. The mean value of sperm penetration distance of the patients(28.69${\pm}$11.02mm) showed significantly lower than fertile donors(37.33${\pm}$5.49mm). And 43/45 fertile donors(95.5%) as well as 57/122 patients(46.7%) had over 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. While 2/45 fertile donors(4.5 %) and 65/122 patient(53.3%) had under 30mm in sperm penetration distance respectively. 3. The morphological abnormalities in fertile donors were significantly lower 23.04${\pm}$5.83% (head = 12.89${\pm}$4.98, neck=6.11${\pm}$3.83%, and tail=3.43${\pm}$2.65%), compared to 36.03${\pm}$14. 40% in patients(head = 15.98 8.60%, neck 11.20${\pm}$6.56% and tail=8.70${\pm}$6.55%). Also, 3 types of sperm abnormalities including head, neck and tail were significantly lower in patient than fertile donors, respectively. Both the patients and fertile donors showed higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. 4. The mean morphological abnormalities(SP>30mm) of the patients(30.68 11.64%; head = 15.95${\pm}$9.35%, neck=8.14${\pm}$4.21 %, tail=6.56${\pm}$5.64%) were significantly lower compared to patients(40.72${\pm}$15.01 %; head=16.02${\pm}$7.69%, neck 13.89${\pm}$7.82%, tail=1O.58${\pm}$6.75%) under 30mm in sperm penetration distance. Also, both groups over 30mm and under 30mm in sperm penetration showed distance higher distribution of sperm with abnormal head than abnormal neck and tail. The morphological abnormalities of head did not show significant difference but abnormal neck and tail were significant difference between the over 30mm and under 30mm group in sperm penetration distance.

• 대한한방종양학회지
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.37-53
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• 1998

과학기술(科學技術)의 발전(發展)에 따른 생활(生活) 및 의료(醫療) 수준의 향상(向上)에도 불구하고 산업발전(産業發展)에 따른 환경오염(環境汚染), 스트레스 증가(增加) 등 그 역기능(逆機能) 때문에 발암물질(發癌物質) 또는 자극(刺戟)에의 노출(露出) 등으로 인해서 전세계적(全世界的)으로 암(癌)으로 인(因)한 사망율(死亡率)이 증가(增加)되고 있다. 암(癌)은 현재(現在) 인류(人類)의 건강(健康)을 위협하는 주요(主要)한 질환(疾患)의 하나로, 오늘날 우리 나라에서 질환(疾患)으로 인(因)한 사망원인중(死亡原因中) 수위(首位)를 차지하고 있다. 이러한 암(癌)의 발생(發生)은 80%-90%가 환경적(環境的) 인자(因子)에 기인(起因)한다고 보고(報告)되고 있는데 앞으로 환경성(環境性) 발암물질(發癌物質)이 점차 증가(增加)됨에 따라 암환자(癌患者)의 발생(發生)도 더욱 증가(增加)될 것으로 예상(豫想)된다. 암(癌)의 서의학적(西醫學的) 치료(治療)는 주로 수술요법(手術療法), 방사선요법(放射線療法), 화학요법(化學療法) 및 면역요법(免疫療法) 등이 활용(活用)되고 있다. 이중 수술요법(手術療法)과 방사선요법(放射線療法)은 암(癌)이 전신(全身)에 전이(轉移) 증식(增殖)되기 전에 실시(實施)함으로써 효과(效果)를 거둘 수는 있으나, 암(癌)이 원발병소(原發病巢) 이외(以外)에까지 전이(轉移) 증식(增殖)되었을 경우에는 이 두가지 방법(方法)의 국소요법(局所療法)만으로서는 좋은 치료효과(治療效果)를 거두기 어렵다. 따라서 최근 항암제(抗癌劑)에 의한 화학요법(化學療法)이 다른 방법(方法)보다 유효(有效)하다고 인정(認定)이 되어 가장 많이 활용(活用)되고 있으나, 암종(癌種)에 대한 감수성차이(感受性差異), 치료후(治療後)의 부작용(副作用), 재발(再發) 및 합병증(合倂症) 등의 문제점(問題點)때문에 부작용(副作用)을 감소(減少)시키면서 항암효과(抗癌效果)를 높이는 치료법(治療法)이 계속 연구(硏究)되고 있다. 이에 1972년(年) 미국(美國) 국립암연구소(國立癌硏究所)에서 실시(實施)한 항암제(抗癌劑) 개발연구(開發硏究)에 있어서 항종양성(抗腫瘍性) Screening test에 이용(利用)된 물질중(物質中) 약 47%가 천연물질(天然物質)이었다는 사실은 주목(注目)할만 하다. 한의학적(韓醫學的) 치료법(治療法)은 최근(最近)에 변증시치(辨證施治)를 근간(根幹)으로 하여 건비익기(健脾益氣)를 위주(爲主)로한 부정거사법(扶正祛邪法)과 부정배본법(扶正培本法)이 많이 활용(活用)되고 있으며 부정법(扶正法)으로는 익기건비(益氣健脾), 자음보혈(滋陰補血), 온보비신(溫補裨腎) 등이, 거사법(祛邪法)으로는 활혈거어법(活血祛瘀法), 청열해독법(淸熱解毒法), 연견화담법(軟堅化痰法) 등이 활용(活用)되고 있는데, 이를 근거(根據)로 하여 한약(韓藥)의 복방(複方).단미(單味).단미추출물(單味抽出物) 등의 투여(投與)와 침(鍼) 구(灸) 수침(水鍼) 전침(電鍼) laser침(鍼)등의 치료방법(治療方法)을 수술(手術) 후(後) 혹(或)은 화학요법(化學療法)이나 방사선요법(放射線療法)와 병행(幷行)하여 치료효과(治療效果)가 향상(向上)되었다고 보고(報告)하고 있다. 항암제(抗癌劑)의 항암효과(抗癌效果) 정도(程度)를 검사(檢査)하는 방법(方法)은 크게 5가지로 분류(分類)되는데, 하나는 세포(細胞)를 약제(藥劑)에 노출(露出)시킨 후 현미경(顯微鏡)을 통하여 나타난 형태학적(形態學的) 변화(變化)를 가지고 약제(藥劑)의 효과정도(效果程度)를 결정(決定)하는 방법(方法)이고, 둘째는 Dye exclusion assay방법(方法)으로 살아있는 세포(細胞)가 trypan blue, eosin, nigrosin과 같은 염색액(染色液)에 염색(染色)되지 않는 점을 이용(利用)한 것이며, 세번째는 항암제(抗癌劑)의 항암효과(抗癌效果)를 알아보는 지표(指標)로 사용(使用)되는 Crrelease assay가 있으나, 세가지 방법(方法) 모두 현재(現在) 사용(使用)되고 있지 않다. 넷째로는 세포(細胞) 대사(代謝)의 방해정도(妨害程度)를 측정(測定)하거나 세포내(細胞內) 방사성(放射性) 동위원소(同位元素)의 유입방해(流入妨害) 정도(程度)를 측정(測定)하는 방법(方法)이 있고, 다섯째로는 본(本) 실험(實驗)에서 사용(使用)한 방법(方法)으로 stem cell assay라고도 하는 clonogenetic assay가 있는데, 이는 세포(細胞)를 약제(藥劑)에 노출(露出) 시킨 후 soft agar에 single cell suspension으로 배양(培養)하여 그 세포(細胞)의 분열(分裂).증식능력(增殖能力)을 측정(測定)하는 방법(方法)이다. 이 방법(方法)은 특히 성장(成長) 특성(特性)이 다른 종양세포(腫瘍細胞)의 경우 개개(個個) 세포(細胞)에 대한 약제효과(藥劑效果)를 반영(反映)할 수 있어서 종양세포(腫瘍細胞)의 이질성(異質性)에 따른 차이점(差異點)을 보정(補整)할 수 있는 방법(方法)이며, 1971년(年) Park 등이 마우스 골수종(骨髓腫) 세포(細胞)에 대한 stem cell assay를 시행(施行)해 본 결과(結果) in vivo에서의 결과(結果)와 잘 일치(一致)하여 그 이후로는 종양세포(腫瘍細胞)에 대한 항암제(抗癌劑)의 약제(藥劑) 감수성검사(感受性檢査)에 많이 사용(使用)되고 있다. 진령탕가감방은 담습응결(痰濕凝結)을 치료(治療)하는 효능(效能)을 가진 처방(處方)으로 거담작용(祛痰作用)을 가진 반하(半夏), 패모(貝母), 거습작용(祛濕作用)을 가진 의이인(薏苡仁), 백복령, 이기(理氣) 하기작용(下氣作用)을 가진 진피(陳皮), 대자석, 정향(丁香), 비파엽(枇杷葉), 항암작용(抗癌作用)을 가진 용규(龍葵), 반지련(半枝蓮), 모려(牡蠣), 하고초(夏枯草), 저령 등(等)의 약물(藥物)로 구성되어 있다. 근래(近來) 단일약물(單一藥物)의 항암효과(抗癌效果)에 대한 실험적(實驗的) 연구(硏究)로는 금(金) 등에 의한 인삼(人蔘), 녹용(鹿茸)의 항체생산(抗體生産) 억제(抑制) 완화효과(緩和效果) 및 임(任)에 의한 어성초(魚腥草), 녹혈(鹿血), 저령, 천산갑(穿山甲) 등이 정상(正常) 면역세포(免役細胞)에는 거의 독작용(毒作用)을 일으키지 않으면서 강력(强力)한 항암효과(抗癌效果)가 있다는 보고(報告), 금(金) 등에 의한 자완, 동풍채(東風菜), 영지(靈芝), 선학초(仙鶴草), 파두(巴豆) 등이 항암작용(抗癌作用) 및 면역반응(免疫反應)에 효과(效果)를 미친다는 보고(報告) 등이 있고, 복합제제(複合製劑) 약물(藥物)의 항암효과(抗癌效果)에 대한 연구(硏究)로는 강(姜) 등에 의한 식분환(息賁丸), 비기환(肥氣丸) 및 비기환이 백혈병(白血病)과 임파종환자(淋巴腫患者)에서 추출(抽出)한 암세포(癌細胞)에 항암효과(抗癌效果)가 있다는 보고(報告) 및 금(金) 등에 의한 복량환(伏梁丸), 비기환 및 소적정원산(消積正元散)이 각종(各種) 암세포주(癌細胞柱)이 성장저애(成長沮碍) 효과(效果), 윤(尹) 등에 의한 육군자탕(六君子湯), 소시호탕(小柴胡湯), 사묘탕(四妙湯), 대시호탕(大柴胡湯), 방독탕(防毒湯), 반하백출천마탕(半夏白朮天麻湯), 파두(巴豆)를 가미(加味)한 사군자탕(四君子湯) 및 사물탕(四物湯) 등이 항암작용(抗癌作用) 및 면역반응(免疫反應)에 효과(效果)를 보인다는 보고(報告) 등이 있었으나, 아직까지 진령탕가감방의 항암효과(抗癌效果)에 대한 실험연구(實驗硏究)는 없었다. 이에 저자(著者)는 항암효과(抗癌效果)가 있을 것으로 추정(推定)되는 진령탕가감방의 항종양효과(抗種瘍效果)를 알아보기 위하여, 수용성(水溶性) 추출액(抽出液)을 얻은 후 현대(現代) 병리학적(病理學的)으로 다용(多用)하는 colony형성억제실험(形成抑制實驗), SRB assay에 의한 항종양효과(抗種瘍效果), 생명연장율(生命延長率), 화학적(化學的)인 방법(方法)과 암종세포(癌腫細胞) 이식(移植)에 의한 종양(腫瘍) 유발(誘發)을 통하여 암(癌) 발생(發生) 및 그 경과(經過)에 미치는 영향(影響) 및 NK세포활성(細胞活性)에 미치는 영향(影響) 등을 관찰(觀察)하였다. 본(本) 실험(實驗)에서는 진령탕가감방의 종양세포(腫瘍細胞)에 대한 증식억제작용(增殖抑制作用)을 관찰(觀察)하고자 in vitro test인 colony형성억제실험(形成抑制實驗)과 SRB assay를 이용(利用)하였는데, 진령탕가감방의 추출액(抽出液)이 종양세포(腫瘍細胞)의 성장(成長)을 억제(抑制)하는 효과(效果)가 농도의존적(濃度依存的)으로 증가(增加)하는 결과(結果)를 보여 항종양(抗腫瘍)의 효과(效果)가 있음을 나타냈고(Table 3, 4), in vivo assay로서 sarcoma 180 복수암세포를 이식(移植)한 마우스의 평균생존일수(平均生存日數)를 관찰(觀察)하여 NCI protocol에 의하여 검정(檢定)한 결과(結果), 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)을 투여(投與)한 마우스의 평균생존기간(平均生存期間) 및 생명연장율(生命延長率)이 뚜렷하게 증가(增加)되었다(Table 5). 또한 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)을 마우스에 투여(投與)하면 MCA로 유도(誘導)한 종양(腫瘍) 및 3LL 세포(細胞) 이식(移植)에 의한 종양(腫瘍)의 발생율(發生率) 및 발생(發生)된 종양(腫瘍)의 크기가 현저히 감소(減少)되었다(Table 6, 7). 이러한 효과(效果)는 진령탕가감방이 감수성(感受性) 암종세포(癌腫細胞)에 직접적으로 영향(影響)을 미쳐 그 증식(增殖)이 억제(抑制)되었을 가능성(可能性)을 생각할 수 있다. 그렇지만 본(本) 연구(硏究)에서는 암종특이성(癌腫特異性)에 관한 결론(結論)을 내릴 수는 없으므로 암종특이성(癌腫特異性)에 관한 연구(硏究)는 진행(進行)해야 할 것으로 생각된다. 또 다른 가능(可能)한 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)의 항종양(抗腫瘍) 작용기전(作用機轉)은 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)이 NK세포(細胞)의 활성(活性)을 항진(亢進)시킨 실험결과(實驗結果)로 유추(類推)하여, 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)이 종양(腫瘍)마우스에 비특이적(非特異的)인 면역활성(免疫活性)을 촉진(促進)시킴으로써 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)의 항종양작용(抗腫瘍作用)이 발현될 가능성(可能性)도 생각할 수 있다. 따라서 앞으로 여러 암종세포(癌腫細胞)에 대한 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)의 항종양작용(抗腫瘍作用)과 종양동물(腫瘍動物)에서의 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液) 투여(投與)에 의한 생체생리현상(生體生理現象)의 변화(變化), 생리활성물질(生理活性物質)의 본능(本能) 등을 밝히기 위한 보다 구체적(具體的)이고 광범위(廣範圍)한 연구(硏究)가 수행(隨行)되어져야 되리라고 사료(思料)된다. 세포성(細胞性) 면역반응중(免疫反應中) 중요(重要)한 역할(役割)을 하는 작동세포중 NK세포(細胞)는 여러 종양(腫瘍)에 대해 자연살해능(自然殺害能)을 보여 소위 T비의존성(非依存性) 면역감시기전(免疫監視機轉)에 관하여는 바이러스 및 세균(細菌)에 감염(感染)된 세포(細胞)를 파괴(破壞)하는 활성(活性)을 가지며, IL-2 및 Interferon 등에 의하여 활성(活性)이 증가(增加)된다. NK세포(細胞)가 표적세포를 파괴(破壞)하는 기전(機轉)에 관해서는 아직 확실히 알려져 있지 않으나, 첫째로 표적세포를 인식(認識)하는 시기(時期), 둘째로 융해기전(融解機轉)을 활성화(活性化)시키는 시기(時期), 셋째로 NK lymphotoxin이 유리(遊離)되는 시기(時期), 넷째로 표적세포의 사멸기(死滅期)로 나눌 수 있다. 본(本) 실험(實驗)에서 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)으로 전처리(前處理)시 NK세포(細胞)의 표적세포와의 결합능(結合能)은 물론 결합(結合)된 표적세포의 융해능(融解能)이 촉진(促進)된 결과(結果)를 보이는데(Table 8), 이와 같은 결과(結果)는 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)이 NK세포(細胞)의 표적세포 파괴 4단계 전체를 항진(亢進)시킨 결과(結果)로 인정(認定)된다. 이상에서 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)을 폐암세포주인 A549와 간암세포주인 hep3B 및 신장암 유래의 종양세포주인 Caki-1 cell에 투여(投與)한 결과, in vitro test인 colony형성억제실험(形成抑制實驗)과 SRB assay에서 모두 농도의존적(濃度依存的)으로 암세포주 성장(成長)을 억제(抑制)하였다. 2. Strcoma 180세포(細胞)를 마우스에 이식(移植)하여 평균생존기간(平均生存期間) 및 생명연장율(生命延長率)을 측정(測定)하는 in vivo test에서는 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)이 마우스의 평균생존기간(平均生存期間) 및 생명연장율(生命延長率)을 증가(增加)시키는 결과(結果)를 보였다. 3. 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)은 MCA로 유도(誘導)한 종양(腫瘍)의 발생율(發生率) 및 발생종양(發生腫瘍)의 크기를 현저히 감소(減少)시켰으며, 3LL세포(細胞) 이식(移植)에 의한 종양발생(腫瘍發生) 또한 현저히 감소(減少)시켰다. 4. 진령탕가감방 추출액(抽出液)은 NK세포(細胞)의 활성도(活性度)를 증가(增加)시켰다. 특히 $10{\mu}g/ml$ 농도 에서 NK세포(細胞) 활성도(活性度)가 가장 현저히 증가(增加)되었다. 이상(以上)의 결과(結果)로 보아 진령탕가감방은 암종세포(癌腫細胞)에 대한 직접적(直接的)인 성장억제(成長抑制) 및 세포(細胞)의 활성(活性)을 통한 면역증진(免疫增進)에 의해 다양(多樣)한 항종양효과(抗腫瘍效果)를 보인 것으로 사료(思料)된다.