• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.35-41
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• 2006

Vitellogenin (Vtg), a phospholipoglycoprotein precursor of egg yolk is synthesized and secreted from the liver in response to estrogens in female fish. Vtg is normally undetectable in the blood of male fish, but can be induced by exposure to chemicals possessing estrogenic activity. Thus, the presence of Vtg in blood of male fish can serve as a useful biomarker for assessing previous exposure to estrogenic compounds. In the present study, Vtg was abnormally expressed in Rhynchocypris oxycephalus using estradiol benzoate ($E_2$). As the result, it was found that the level of Vtg in blood from R. oxycephalus was increased by treated quantity of $E_2$ with dose-effect manner. Monoclonal antibodies were generated against Vtg of R. oxycephalus. The hybridoma were screened with an enzyme immunoassay for the production of specific anti-Vtg antibodies. Five positive cell lines with a high specificity were selected. Monoclonal antibodies against vtg of R. oxycephalus that was developed in this study, may be a useful bio-indicator for the detection of estrogenic contamination in the aquatic ecosystem.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.354-362
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• 2006

Dietary flavonoids have attracted a great deal of attention as agents for preventing estrogen-related diseases, such as postmenopausal symptoms, and for reducing the risk of estrogen-dependent cancer. Kaempferol is one of the most commonly found dietary phytoestrogen. The aim of this study was to investigate the estrogenic and/or antiestrogenic effect of kaempferol, which can confirm its potency as a preventive agent against estrogen-related diseases. Kaempferol has both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity, which are biphasic response on estrogen receptor. The estrogenic activity of kaempferol induced via ER-mediated pathway depending on $E_2$ concentration $(\leq\;10^{-12}M)$. Kaempferol $(10^{-5}\;M)$ also caused antiproliferative effect on MCF-7 cell in the presence of $E_2\;(10^{-11}\;M)$ and restored to the addition of excess $E_2\;(10^{-7}\;M)$, which confirms that antiproliferation of kaempferol was induced via ER-dependent pathway. However, at $10^{-4}\;M$, concentration higher than the concentrations at which the estrogenic effects of kaempferol are detected $(10^{-5}\;M)$, kaempferol induced strong antiproliferative effect, but were unaffected by the addition of excess $E_2\;(10^{-7}\;M)$ indicating that kaempferol exerts antiproliferation via ER-independent pathway. In particular, kaempferol blocked the focus formation induced by $E_2$, which confirms that kaempferol might inhibit the malignant transformation caused by estrogens. Therefore, we suggested that kaempferol might regulate a suitable level of estrogenic activity in the body and is expected to have potential beneficial effects in preventing estrogen imbalance diseases (breast cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and etc.).

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Pueraria lobata (PL) extract on obesity related hormones in rats with estrogen deficiency. Methods: The experiments were performed with the use of ovariectomized rats as estrogen-deficient obesity rat model. They were grouped Normal (sham operation group), Control (ovariectomy group), 50 mg/kg PL (ovariectomy group＋50 mg/kg of PL), 100 mg/kg PL (ovariectomy group＋100 mg/kg of PL), 200 mg/kg PL (ovariectomy group＋200 mg/kg of PL). PL extract was orally administered for 8 weeks once a day. Body weights and serum levels of hormones, such as leptin, estradiol, cholecystokinin (CCK), ghrelin, and adiponectin were estimated by ELISA. Results: PL extract significantly decreased body weight, the serum levels of leptin in estrogen-deficient obesity rats. PL extract significantly increased the serum levels of estradiol and CCK. However, PL extract did not directly effect on the levels of ghrelin and adiponectin in estrogen-deficient obesity rats. Conclusions: It is concluded that PL extract reduced body weight, and regulate the hormones related to energy metabolism. PL extract decreased the serum levels of leptin. PL extract increased the serum levels of estradiol and CCK. These results indicate that PL might have potentials for treatment of obesity and complications during the menopause caused by estrogen-deficiency.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.34-42
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• 2021

Objective: Studies of the effects of estrogens on the male reproductive system have emphasized the role of these hormones in male fertility. Sesame oil has many phytoestrogenic compounds and may improve male fertility. This study investigated the effects of sesame oil and different concentrations of estrogen on sperm parameters and DNA integrity in male mice. Methods: Twenty old NMRI (The Naval Medical Research Institute) male mice (40 weeks; weight, 30-35 g) were treated with sesame oil or different concentrations of estrogen (estradiol, 1 and 10 μL/kg/day) or received no treatment (controls). After 35 days, sperm parameters and DNA integrity were assessed and analyzed. Results: Sperm count, progressive motility, and morphology were decreased in the group that received 10 μL/kg of estradiol. A remarkably lower percentage of DNA fragmentation and protamine deficiency were detected in the group that received 1 μL/kg of estradiol. In the groups that received sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol, the numbers of spermatogonia and Leydig cells were higher than in controls. The combination of sesame oil and 1 μL/kg of estradiol led to improved sperm parameters and chromatin and testicular structure. Conclusion: Based on this study, consumption of sesame oil and a low concentration of estradiol may improve testicular function in older mice.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.338-346
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) responder index (SRI)-4 response has been achieved with belimumab treatment in patients with moderate disease activity in cornerstone clinical trials and following studies. However, most studies involved patients treated with a mean prednisolone-equivalent dose of approximately 10 mg/d and focused on the steroid-sparing effect of belimumab. We aimed to identify the effect of belimumab in patients with mild-to-moderate SLE who were treated with low-dose or no corticosteroids. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of patients treated with belimumab for at least 6 months between May 2021 and June 2022. The primary endpoint was SRI-4 response at 6 months. Results: Thirty-one patients were included (13 low dose- and 18 steroid non-users). The mean age was 39.2 ± 11.4 years, and 90.3% of patients were female. The baseline Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) score was 6.0 (4.0-9.0). The primary endpoint was achieved in 32.3% (10/31) of patients. Significant improvements in anemia, C4 levels, and SELENA-SLEDAI score were observed during treatment. Univariate analysis showed that the baseline SELENA-SLEDAI and arthritis were significantly associated with SRI-4 response at 6 months, and only the SELENA-SLEDAI remained significant (p = 0.014) in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: This cohort study is the first to report the efficacy of belimumab after minimizing the effect of corticosteroids. Belimumab showed efficacy in improving the SELENA-SLEDAI score, anemia, and low C4 in patients who did not receive corticosteroids or received only low doses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.745-757
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• 1994

Superovulatory treatment with exogenous gonadotropins adversely affects the uterus through the disruption of the delicate balance of ovarian steroids (estrogens, progestins, androgens). To examine the uterine effects of this treatment, 189 rats were given 4IU, 20IU or 40IU pregnant mare',s serum gonadotropin(PMSG) at 28 days of age and sacrificed every 24h until day 10(D10) post injection. Long term uterine effects were examined in 12 rats treated with 4IU or 40IU PMSG and killed on D30. Adult rat uteri were examined to provide a reference for comparisons. Morphological and histological changes of control (4IU) uteri mimicked those of the adult on a comparable time-course form D2 to D5. Administration of superovulatory doses(20IU, 40IU) of PMSG produced stromal hypertrophy by D2 and focal papillary hyperplasia of the luminal epithelia by D3. Levels of $17{\beta}$-estradiol following 20IU and 40IU PMSG treatment were significantly(p<0.05, p<0.005) elevated above those of controls after D1. Androgen levels of both groups(20IU, 40IU) significantly p<0.05, p<005 increased from baseline on D1 and were maximum between D2 and D3. In the 20IU PMSG group, the hyperplasia gradually regressed after D3 and was absent by D10. The hyperplasia in the 40IU PMSG group, however, had become extensive by D6. It is suspected that preceding elevated levels of estrogen may be responsible for this progressive change. On D 4, the levels of $17{\beta}$-estradiol reached a maximum, which was significantly(p<0.001) greater than both the controls and 20IU PMSG-treated rats. Between D6 and D10, the hyperplasia in 40IU PMSG-treated rats partially regressed. Examination of uteri from D30 revealed no evidence of the hyperplasia. It is suggested that previous exposure to high levels of estrogen and androgens, secondary to superovulation, is possible cause for the observed hyperplasia.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.301-309
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• 2009

Estrogens induce pronounced structural and functional changes in male and female reproductive system, but the exact mechanisms of estrogen are not fully understood. In relation to estrogen's function, the present study was designed to identify effects of estrogen receptor agonist, 4,4',4"- (4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)tris phenol (PPT) in the reproductive organ of the female mouse. The PPT was subcutaneously given to adult female mice at a weekly dosage of 3 mg in a volume 0.06 mL of vehicle for 3, 5 or 8 weeks whereas controls received weekly injections of the castor oil vehicle. Effects of PPT on reproductive organs were analyzed using a light microscope. PPT induced decreases of body, ovary and adipose tissue weights with experimental time. Ovary diameter of PPT treatment group was reduced as compared with control group. The number of Graffian follicle and corpus luteum was reduced in PPT treatment group. The luminal diameter of uterus was increased in relation with decrease of myometrium and endometrium height by PPT administration. The number of uterine glands was decreased by PPT treatment. These data indicate that PPT treatment induced morphological change of female reproductive organs resulting in alteration of fertility.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2015

BACKGROUND: Soy isoflavones, structurally similar to endogenous estrogens, may affect human body through both hormonally mediated and non-hormonally related mechanisms. Heat processing could change chemical compositions. The effects of different thermal processes, boiling and HTHP(high temperature and high pressure) on the composition of isoflavone compounds and total amount of domestic soybeans were investigated in this study. METHOD AND RESULTS: Three different kinds of soybean samples were collected from RDA-Genebank. The samples were extracted using methanol, distilled water, and formic acid based solvent. Also the same solvents were used for mobile phase in UPLC/ToF/MS. All of the isoflavone compounds were analyzed based on the aglycone type of external standard for quantification. The standard calibration curve presented linearity with the correlation coefficient R2 > 0.98, analysed from 1 to 50 ppm concentration. The total isoflavone contents does not change by treatment within the same breed. While "boiling" and "HTHP" processes tend to increase the contents of aglycone and ${beta}$-glucosides, "fresh" soybeans retained the high concentration of malonylglucosides. CONCLUSION: These results have to be considered while developing an effective functional food, from the health while point of view using soybeans.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2005

Vitellogenins(VTGs) are the precursor of egg-yolk proteins in most oviparous species from invertebrates to vertebrates. In oviparose vertebrates, VTGs are synthesized in the liver and transported through the blood to oocytes. In female fish, concentrations of plasma VTG increase rapidly at onset of vitellogenesis in the normal reproductive cycle. Male fishes also possess the gene for VTG, but plasma concentrations of the protein typically remain small, presumably due to low levels of endogenous estrogens. However, exposure of males to exogenous estrogenic mimics can result elevated. Therefore, the VTG in fish can be used as a useful biomarker for appropriate tools of endocrine disrupting compounds effects. In this studies, we prepared the test methods that can measure the plasma VTG level in the gobies that live in polluted area with mimic estrogen. For the purpose, we purified VTG of floating goby(Chaenogobius annularis) and prepared specific monoclonal and polyclonal antisera to yolk protein, then developed a sandwich competitive ELISA system for measurement of plasma VTG levels. Validation for the ELISA system using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies against VTG was tested. The absorbance curve of serial dilutions of serum from vitellogenic female was paralleled to the standard curve of VTG, but normal male was not paralleled. The developed sandwich ELISA system was measured for VTG levels in plasma of common goby(Acanthogobius flaviman) and javeline goby(A. hasta) as well as in plasma of floating goby(C. annularis).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 1987

It has been well known that estrogens stimulate the uterine contractility and progestins inhibit it. Then, one may expect that the uterine contractility and sensitivities to oxytocin (OT) and prostaglandin $F_{2{\alpha}}\;(PGF_{2{\alpha}})$ would be different among the estrus cycle. These hypotheses were tested using the mature female rat. Spontaneous isometric contractions of isolated uterine strips $(1{\times}0.3\;cm)$ from cyclic rats in various stages of the estrus cycle, bilateral ovarectomized rats and hypophysectomized rats were recorded in absence or presence with $estradiol-17{\beta}\;(E_2)$, progesterone $(P_4)$, OT and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The spontaneous uterine contractile force was the highest in the estrus rat and the lowest in the ovarectomized or the hypophysectomized rat. In the proestrus rat, the contractile frequency was the lowest (2.7 beats/10 min) and the contractile duration was the longest (70 sec). In the other groups, there were no any differencies in frequency (9 beats/10 min) and in duration (30 sec). 2) OT and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ stimulated the uterine contractility in all groups tested except in the hypophysectomized rat in which OT failed to stimulate the uterine contraction. $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ was more effective in stimulating the uterine contraction than OT in all groups tested except in the estrus rat. OT-induced contraction was the highest in the estrus rat and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}-induced$ contraction was the lowest in the hypophysectomized rat. 3) Uterine contractilities were not changed by the in vitro treatments of $E_2$ or $P_4$ under the influence of endogenous steroids, however, $E_2$ and $P_4$ stimulated the uterine contraction in the ovarectomized rat in which endogenous steroids were almost abolished. 4) Increased uterine contraction by the treatment of OT was suppressed by in vitro $E_2$ or $P_4$ in the estrus rat, while it was potentiated by the $P_4$ in the proestrus rat. In other groups, exogenous $E_2$ or $P_4$ did not affect the OT-induced uterine contraction. 5) $PGF_{2{\alpha}}-induced$ uterine contraction was suppressed in the ovarectomized rat by $E_2$ and $P_4$, in the diestrus and proestrus rats by $P_4$ and in the hypophysectomized rat by $E_2$. In other groups, exogenous $E_2$ or $P_4$ was ineffective in altering the $PGF_{2{\alpha}}-induced$ uterine contraction. According to the above results, it may conclude that the mechanisms of the different uterine contractility and the different uterine sensitivity to OT or $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ according to the estrus cycle are not explicable with only the serum concentrations of steroids, OT and $PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ but also other unknown factors.