• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.547-553
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• 2004

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), contained in a number of traditional remedies in Africa and Asia, show wide variations in metabolism between animal species but little work has been done to investigate differences between animal strains. The metabolism of the PA senecionine (SN) in Fischer 344 (F344) rats has been studied in order to compare to that found in the previously investigated Sprague-Dawley (SO) rats (Drug Metab. Dispos. 17: 387, 1989). There was no difference in the formation of ($\pm$) 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP, bioactivation) by hepatic microsomes from either sex of SO and F344 rats. However, hepatic microsomes from male and female F344 rats had greater activity in the Noxidation (detoxication) of SN by 88% and 180%, respectively, when compared to that of male and female SD rats. Experiments conducted at various pH showed an optimum pH of 8.5, the optimal pH for flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO), for SN N-oxidation by hepatic microsomes from F344 females. In F344 males, however, a bimodal pattern was obtained with activity peaks at pH 7.6 and 8.5 reflecting the possible involvement of both cytochrome P450 (CYP) and FMO. Use of specific inhibitors (SKF525A, 1-benzylimidazole and methimazole) showed that the N-oxide of SN was primarily produced by FMO in both sexes of F344 rats. In contrast, SN N-oxide formation is known to be catalyzed mainly by CYP2C11 rather than FMO in SD rats. This study, therefore, demonstrated that there were substantial differences in the formation of SN N-oxide by hepatic microsomes from F344 and SD rats and that this detoxification is catalyzed primarily by two different enzymes in the two rat strains. These findings suggest that significant variations in PA biotransformation can exist between different animal strains.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2002

The arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are a family of enzymes that N-acetylate mylhydrazines and arylamines through transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A. This activity was found to vary among individuals as a Mendalian trait and the basis of the genetic differences in human NAT activity is one of the best of the genetic studied examples of pharmacogenetic variation. The classical N-acetylation polymorphism is regulated at the NAT2 locus, which segregates individuals into rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylator phenotypes. In this study, the relationship between NAT2 activity phenotype using HPLC:UV assay for the determination of dapsone and monoacetyldapsone in plasma and NAT2 genotype by PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism) was investigated in the F2 hybrid (Fischer 344 vs Wistar-Kyoto) rats. Three Common mutant alleles at the NAT2 gene locus have been identified in the F2 generation progeny of Fischer 344 rats as raid acetylator and Wistar-Kyoto rats as slow acetylator segregated into three modes (low, intermediates, and high) with simple Mendelian inheritance. The metabolic activity of NAT2 of the intermediate and rapid acetylators is significant1y greater than slow acetylator, but the metabolic activity of rapid acetylator is not significantly different from Intermediate type. Therefore, we could observe that complete trimodal NAT2 genotypic alleles and incomplete trimodal NAT2 metabolic phenotypic distribution in tile F2 hybrid rats. These observations suggest that the relationships between NAT2 genotype and metabolic phenotype exists and F2 hybrid (Fischer 344: Wistar-Kyoto) animal models about NAT2 polymorphism might be applied in the toxicity and pharmacogenetic studies of arylamine drugs and carcinogens.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Pathology Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.12-20
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• 2002

1. 질병명 : Interstitial pneumonia 2. 본질명의 개요 역사 및 역학 Michael R Elwell, Joel F Mahler, G N Rao: “ Have You Seen This\ulcorner" ; Inflammatory Lesions in the Lungs of Rats. Toxicologic Pathology, 25: 529-531, 1997. Male and female F344 rats, approximately 19 weeks old, from prechronic toxicity studies performed for NTP/NIEHS over a period of several years at different laboraories located throughout the US. The rats were supplied by 2 different production colonies located in the eastern and western areas of the US. Gross findings ㆍ In some rats the lesions were noted as pale or tan foci in the lungs Microscopic findings ㆍ A prominent increase in perivascular lymphocytes ㆍ A variable increase in the amount of peribronchiolar lymphoid tissues ㆍ Frequently an inflammatory cell exudate within the alveolar spaces ㆍ Focal hyperplasia of alveolar type 2 cells Similar lung lesions were not observed in B6C3F1 mice concurrently on study with affected rats. Similar lung lesions were not observed in F344 rats at the end of 2-year NTP studies. Virus, mycoplasma, bacterial serology, bacterial culture, protozoal identification: negative EM: ㆍ No virus particles were identified. ㆍ Rod shaped bacteria were observed in the alveolar spaces. ㆍ Bacteria were not observed in the bronchi/ bronchioles of rats with alveolar organism. (omitted)

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.401-411
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• 2008

This study was performed to evaluate repeated-dose oral toxicities of Flos lonicerae extract in Fischer 344/n rats. Flos lonicerae was administered orally to rats at dose levels of 0, 37, 111, 333, 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day. Each group consisted of 10 rats of each gender. The Flos lonicerae extract was given once a day, 5 times a week, for 90 day repeatedly. This study was conducted in accordance with the Protocol of Korea National Toxicology Program and The Standards of Toxicity Study for Medicinal Products. In the present study, there were no toxicologically significant changes in mortality, clinical signs, body weight gains, ophthalmoscopy, urine analysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weights, histopathology, estrus cycle and sperm examination of all animals treated with Flos lonicerae extract. These results suggest that the oral no observed adverse-effect level of the test item, Flos lonicerae extract, in rats is higher than 2,000 mg/kg/day in both genders. The target organs were not established.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.23-34
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• 2009

This study was performed to evaluate repeated-dose oral toxicities of Chelidonium majus extract in Fischer 344/N rats. Chelidonium majus extract was administered orally to rats at dose levels of 0, 25, 74, 222, 666 and 2,000 mg/kg/day. Each group consisted of 10 rats of each gender. The Chelidonium majus extract was given once a day, 5 times a week, for 90 day repeatedly. This study was conducted in accordance with the Protocol of Korea National Toxicology Program (issued by National Institute of Toxicological Research) and The Standards of Toxicity Study for Medicinal Products (issued by Korea Food and Drug Administration). In the present study, There were no toxicologically significant changes in mortality, clinical signs, body weight gains, ophthalmoscopy, urine analysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weights, histopathology, estrus cycle and sperm examination of all animals treated with Chelidonium majus extract. These results suggest that the oral no observed adverse-effect level of the test item, Chelidonium majus extract, in rats is higher than 2,000 mg/kg/day in both genders. The target organs were not established.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.6 s.86
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• pp.859-866
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• 2007

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise on serum insulin and leptin levels and GLUT-4 and VAMP-2 in skeletal muscles from the pregnant rats. F344 rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 15 in each group): control group (CG), pregnant group (PG), pregnant running group (PR), and pregnant swimming group (PS). From the 15th day of pregnancy, animals in the running group were forced to run on treadmill for 30 min with a light intensity, while those in the swimming group were forced to swim in swimming pool for 10 min once a day for 6 consecutive days. The present result demonstrated that in pregnant rat group, serum insulin levels significantly in-creased and leptin levels significantly decreased. Skeletal GLUT-4 and VAMP-2 protein expression was significantly decreased in pregnant rats compared to non-pregnant rats. However, matenal running during gestational period alleviated pregnancy-induced changes in plasma insulin and leptin levels, and it significantly enhanced skeletal GLUT-4 and VAMP-2 protein expression. From those results, it can be suggested that running exercise during gestational period may improve glycemic control by up-regulating GLUT-4 and VAMP-2 protein expression.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.683-688
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• 2003

Caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine), a central nervous system stimulant, is contained in various foods, beverages and over-the-counter medications. Sulfadimethoxine (SDM) is one of the anti-thyroid agents and induces proliferation of thyroid capsule in two stage thyroid carcinogenesis model using N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). In this study, we examined the effect of caffeine on fibrous proliferation of thyroid capsule in DHPN and SDM-treated rats. Five-week-old male F344 rats were given a single subcutaneous injection of DHPN (2,800 mg/kg, body weight). Starting one week thereafter, SDM (1,000 ppm in drinking water) with or without caffeine (1,500 ppm in diet) was administered for 12 weeks. All animals were autopsied and histopathological examination of the thyroid glands was performed. Thyroid follicular proliferative changes were induced in all rats treated with DHPN+SDM. In addition, the proliferation of perithyroidal fibrous tissue and pleomorphic thyroid follicular cells within the capsule were observed in DHPN+SDM treated group. Caffeine would not be related to these lesions in this experimental condition. although pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine derivative, has an anti fibrotic effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.741-746
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• 2004

This study investigated the response of GLUT-4 and GRP-78 protein expression in soleus muscle of Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with caffeine oral administration by imposing different exercise intensities. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=6 in each group): diabetic group (D), diabetic-caffeine group (DC), diabetic-caffeine group with low intensity exercise (DCL), diabetic-caffeine group with moderate intensity exercise (DCM) and diabetic-caffeine group with high intensity exercise (DCH). The rats in DCL, DCM and DCH groups were exercised acutely by treadmill running for 8 meter/m, 16 meter/m and 25 meter/m, respectively. Little difference in GLUT-4 protein expression was shown in DC and DCL compared to D. GLUT-4 protein expression was decreased in DCM and increased in DCH was observed. GRP-78 protein expressions in DCL, DCM and DCH were little lower than that of D. An increase in GRP-78 protein was observed in DC. Improved insulin sensitivity with acute high intensity exercise gives the rats important therapy that lowers insulin requirement. This improvement of insulin sensitivity for glucose transport in skeletal muscle results from translocation of the GLUT-4 protein from the endoplasmic reticilum to the cell surface and increase in total quantity of GLUT-4 protein. It is not clear what mechanism reduced GRP-78 protein level in exercise group. It is merely conjectured that caffeine-induced lipolysis provided cells with energy in abundance and this relieved stress which cells are subjected to receive when performing exercise.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the UCP-1, UCP-3 mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue with glycometabolism according to intensity and duration of swimming in rat. F344 rat were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 in each group): control (CON), low-intensity swimming (LIS) groups, and high-intensity swimming (HIS) groups. Animals in the LIS group were forced to swim in swimming pool for 30min once a day for 8 consecutive weeks with a light intensity. In the HIS group, the rats repeated fifteen 20-s swimming bouts with a weight equivalent to 10% of body weight for 8weeks, respectively. The present result demonstrated that in LIS group, serum insulin and glucose levels significantly decreased in LIS group compared to CON. Brown adipose tissue UCP-1 and UCP-3mRNA expression was significantly increase in LIS group compared to CON and HIS groups. From those results, it can be suggested that low-intensity swimming may improve glycometablism control by up-regulating UCP-1 and UCP-3mRNA expression.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.87-93
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• 2005

This study investigated the response of GLUT -4 and GRP-78 expression in soleus muscle of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by imposing different exercise intensities. F344 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=15 in each group): Control (Control), diabetes-operation (DO), diabetes with low intensity exercise (DLE) and diabetes with high intensity exercise (DHE). The rats in DLE and DHE groups were exercised for 8 weeks by treadmill running. Blood glucose levels in DO were significantly higher compared to that in NORMAL whereas DLE showed the most lowest level in blood glucose among diabetic groups. Diabetic groups exhibited significantly lower level in insulin change and DLE showed significantly higher insulin level among diabetic groups. GRP-78 in DO was significantly $(167.05\%)$ higher than that in Control. GRP-78 in DLE was $139.41\%$ which is significantly higher compared to Control but when compared to DO and DHE, it was significant low. GRP-78 in DHE was $194.64\%$ which doubled the protein level in Control and showed the most highest level in all groups. GLUT-4 in DO was significantly $(33.58\%)$ higher compared to Control. GLUT-4 in DLE showed $124.58\%$ which was significant high compared to Control, DO and DHE. GLUT-4 in DHE showed $26.91\%$ compared to Control and was the most lowest level among all groups. It seems clear that chiefly low intensity exercise benefits diabetic patients in controlling blood glucose. It was concluded that low intensity exercise induces translocation of GLUT-4 which results in increased blood inflow, thus GRP-78 expression is decreased.