• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2015

In the present study, we investigated the oral toxicity of Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire, (Zingiberaceae) extract in Balb/c mice (BALB, n=60) for 3 weeks. Balb/c mice (10 mice/group, 6 group, $20{\pm}2g$, 6 weeks) were orally administered for 21 days, with dosage of 250, 500, 1000, 2000 mg/kg/day. Ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko did not affect any significant change of mortality, clinical signs, organs and body weights. Also, there were not significantly difference from the naive group (control) in hematological and serum biochemical examination. Consequently, these findings indicate that 3-week treatment with the ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko was not any toxic effects in Balb/c mice and the no-observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for oral toxicity was determined to be 2000 mg/kg/day under our experimental conditions.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.200-206
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• 2008

We investigated the effect of rice embryo and embryo jelly with black rice bran pigment on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity. Thirty 4-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high cholesterol diets supplemented with 15% rice embryo and 25% embryo jelly added black rice bran pigment, respectively, for 6 weeks. Plasma and hepatic lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and the activity of antioxidant scavenger enzymes in liver were examined. Supplementation with rice embryo and embryo jelly had no effect on food intakes in high cholesterol-fed rats. The plasma triglyceride concentration was not significantly different among the groups. Supplementation with rice embryo and embryo jelly resulted in lower plasma and hepatic total cholesterol (TC) concentration and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C)/TC ratio and atherogenic index compared to the control group, while the plasma HDL-C concentration tended to elevated. Rice embryo and embryo jelly tended to lower plasma and hepatic levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances than the control group. Moreover, hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, were significantly higher in the rice embryo and embryo jelly groups. In conclusion, rice embryo and embryo jelly was very effective in improving the lipid metabolism and reducing oxidative stress by up-regulating the hepatic antioxidant enzymes in high cholesterol-fed rats.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2 s.20
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• pp.33-41
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• 1976

Agkistrodon halys (Crotalidae) is the only species of poisonous snakes in Korea, and is divided into three subspecies; Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus, Agkistrodon calaginosus and Agkistrodon saxatilis. With the three venoms, the pharmacological actions on the cardiovascular system and intestine as well as some toxicological characteristics were studied. In addition, the precipitin test in an agar gel medium was employed for immunological comparison of the venoms and the sera of envenomed patients. The results obtained were as follows: Lyophilized venoms contained solids of $211{\sim}273mg/ml$, and LD50 to mice were 1.73 and 0.86 mg/kg in venoms of Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus obtained on July and October respectively, and 0.40 and 0.32 mg/kg in Agkistrodon calaginosus and the venoms of Agkistrodon saxatilis obtained on October was 2.29 mg/kg. Isoelectric focusing of lyophilized snake venoms showed 19 to 22 protein fractions and 2 to 3 isoamylase fractions. Acute irreversible hypotension was caused by the intravenous injection of large doses of venoms in rabbits and cats, but at the small doses, acute hypotension followed by slow recovery. Little changes of cardiac movements by the venom injection despite of marked hypotension were showed except bradycardia and arrhythmia prior the death. Also no changes on the isolated rabbit atria by the snake venoms were noted. The hypotensive effect of the snake venoms was prevented by the bilateral vagotomy or atropine pretreatment (1 mg/kg), but they did not affect when already the hypotension has undergone. In the isolated rabbit duodenum, small doses of venom increased the phasic movement, while large doses decreased after spastic contraction. With the injection of venoms in dog, strong contraction of gall-bladder was caused and it was not blocked by the pretreatment with phenoxybenzamine (10 mg/kg) or atropine (1.4 mg/kg). In the venoms of Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus and Agkistrodon calaginosus, at least 5 antigenic components were detected, and four of them were shared in common with each other. Polyvalent antivenin (Wyeth Lab. USA) had three common precipitating antibodies with the venom of Agkistrodon bromhoffii brevicaudus and Akistrodon calaginosus. In the serum of envenomed patients, no precipitating antibodies were seen to the venoms and little changes in serum protein, GOT and GPT were observed. In conclusion, the snake venoms obtained in Korea were highly toxic and caused chiefly the vascular collapse leading to death. This vascular collapse was resulted largely by cholinergic effects, and not cardiotoxin of venoms. In human, it is likely that precipitating antibodies to venom were not produced by an envenomed incidence to poisonous snakes.

• The Journal of the Korean life insurance medical association
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.143-151
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• 1985

In medical selection of Daehan Education Insurance, We doubted that 140 cases(male 117 cases, female 23 cases) might have the fatty infiltration of the liver by ultrasonography. We examined the weight and the hypertension of 140 patients by biochemically analyzing the blood extracted under fasting according to the age-distribution. The results are as follows: 1. 90% out of them had body weight than normal subject. 34.29% out of them were hypertension patients and most of them were $30{\sim}39's$ and $40{\sim}49's$. 2. As compared with the normal subjects in serum lipid value, HDL cholesterol value was low, but total cholesterol, Triglyceride, phospholipid and total lipid value were significantly high. Especially the statistical value of Triglyceride was very significantly high. 3. Total abnormal rate of sGOT value in Liver function test is 34.43% and the mean value of it is 66 unit and the abnormal rate of sGPT value is all 3.14% and the value of it is 70 unit. 4. The abnormal rate of Alkaline phosphatase value is 9.29% and the abnormal rate of total Bilirubine value is 14.29%. As HBsAg positive rate is 2.14% and HBs Ab positive rate is 31.43%, the positive rate of HBsAg represents Lower positive rate than Korean mean value. 5. The abnormal rate of the fasting blood glucose is 15.00% and the abnormal rate of Blood sugar pc 2hrs is 30.71%. 6. The abnormal case of protein, Albumin, Globulin, BUN, craetinine and Hemoglobin value was not found to any of them and in the above liver function test except serum lipid value, the rate not showing the abnormal value represents 45.3%(male) and 52.17%(female).

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.483-490
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to determine if a low-molecular weight casein hydrolysate has an anti- hypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Prior to the in vivo experiment, the casein hydrolysate was confirmed to be resistant to gastrointestinal digestion by confirming the retention of its potency as an inhibitor of angiotensin I-concerting enzyme after incubation with pepsin, trypsin, or chymotrypsin. The in vivo anti-hypertensive effect of the hydrolysate was determined by the tail cuff method. Following an oral administration of the hydrolysate solution, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased by 12.9% (－28.9mmHg; P<0.05) at 3 h after the administration at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight. When the hydrolysate was administered as an emulsion with 30% egg yolk, its anti-hypertensive effect was even more greater at the same dose(－30.8mmHg or －15.9%; P<0.01). In a 50-day long-term trial where the casein hydrolysate was administered once a day, the SBP-lowering effect of the hydrolysate was apparent (P<0.05) from day 35 through the end. Moreover, organ weights and plasma glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities of the administered SHR were not significantly different from those of controls at the end of the long-term trial.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.369-376
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• 2002

Effects of dietary taurine on the abdominal fat weight and serum and liver concentrations of cholesterol were investigated with male broiler chicks. One-day old chicks were allocated to one of three taurine supplemented diets: 0 (control), 1 and 2%. Body weight gain of chicks fed the diet supplemented with 2% taurine decreased by 6% compared to the control (P$\prec$0.05). However, feed conversion ratio was not different among treatments. Liver weight and ratio of liver weight to body weight showed no difference among treatments. Abdominal fat weights were lower in 1% and 2% taurine supplementations by 14% and 20%, respectively, than that of the control (P$\prec$0.05). Serum concentrations of triglyceride, glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase were not different among treatments. However, serum concentrations of total cholesterol were higher in 1% and 2% taurine supplementations by 10% and 12%, respectively, than that of the control (P$\prec$0.05). Also serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol increased in 1% and 2% taurine supplementations by 20% and 34%, respectively, compared to the control (P$\prec$0.05). Concentrations of total cholesterol in liver decreased in 1% and 2% taurine supplementation by 9% and 13%, compared to the control (P$\prec$0.05). Also concentrations of HDL-cholesterol in liver were lower in 1.0% and 2.0% taurine supplementation by 20% and 38%, respectively, than that of the control (P$\prec$0.05). These results showed that taurine supplementation decreased the fat storage in abdominal cavity and affected on the cholesterol metabolism in liver of broiler chicks.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.323-330
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• 2011

We have developed a polyculture container which is preferable for rearing of abalones and sea cucumbers in East Sea. To test the rearing capacity of the polyculture container, 50, 75 and 100 sea cucumbers ranging from the body length of 7-9 cm were cultured in three containers including 500 abalones with the shell length of about 5 cm, respectively. It was revealed that preferable density for sea cucumbers was 52-72 individuals in the polyculture container. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase were analyzed with Reflotron kit to investigate the health degree of abalones in two polyculture containers including 300 and 500 abalones with the shell length of about 5 cm. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase has been an important tool to know myocardial infarction, disease of liver, and destruction of muscle. Next experiment was conducted to determine the effects on growth of abalones and sea cucumbers in polyculture container. Experimental findings, RNA/DHA ratio, DNA and RNA contents (ug/mg) were not significantly different among all groups. The results imply that the method of polyculture can be rearing with sea cucumber without growth retardation of abalone. Production ability between polyculture container and the container used in south sea were carried out using suspended culture method during 8months. It was revealed that abalones and sea cucumbers are faster growing in polyculture container than in container used in south sea. Therefore, polyculture container is considered more appropriate for the abalones and sea cucumbers culture in East Sea.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.198-203
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• 2008

This study was conducted to compare the effects of feeding high protein and low energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 25%, ME 3.6 Mcal/kg DM) with low protein and high energy milk replacer (HPR; CP 21%, ME 4.2 Mcal/kg DM) on feed consumption, body weight (BW) gain, health and selected blood metabolites in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. At each feeding, each milk replacer (MR) was prepared by mixing 0.125 kg of dry MR in 1L of warm ($60^{\circ}C$) water. The calves were fed either HPR (n = 10) or HER (n = 10) using mobile plastic bottles fitted with soft rubber nipples. All calves received 1.8L diluted MR at each feeding 3 times daily during the first 4 weeks of age; feeding frequency was reduced to 2 times daily for the next 2 weeks of age and then to once daily during the last week of the experiment. Jugular blood was sampled in calves at day 7, 14, 21, 35 and 49 of age to enumerate selected metabolites. Daily MR, starter and hay intake during the pre-weaning period were similar in calves fed HPR and HER. Consumption of starter, MGH and total DM steadily increased with the age of calves. Final BW, daily BW gain and feed efficiency of calves were not affected by treatments. Serum glucose, cholesterol, creatinine were decreased (p<0.05) and blood urea N was increased (p<0.05) in calves fed HER or HPR as they grew older. Serum glucose, total protein and albumin concentrations in calves were not affected by treatments. Serum GPT and GOT concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in calves on HPR than on HER. Scouring score, days scoured, respiratory score, rectal temperature and general appearance were similar in calves fed HPR and HER. Poor general appearance (dullness and droopy ears) of calves fed either HPR or HER reflected nutritional insufficiency and stress. In conclusion, energy and protein concentrations in MR did not affect feed intake and BW gain in Holstein calves during the pre-weaning period. Poor general appearance and lower BW gain of calves compared to those reported in the literature for milk fed calves prompt a demand for further research to improve the daily nutrient supply to MR-fed calves.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.124-128
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• 2008

Cell proliferation inhibitory effects of homoharringtonine (HHT), an active drug substance in Cephalotaxus koreana, against blood cancer cell line K562 were evaluated. In addition, in vivo chronic toxicity test with mouse was carried out. When K562 cell line was treated everyday for 9, 6, 3 days, $IC_{50}$ values of HHT were determined as 0.27, 0.37, and 1.10 mM respectively. The anticancer activity of HHT was comparable to adriamycin, a known anticancer drug compound for blood cancer treatment. in vivo chronic toxicity test of the HHT, the number of red blood cell (RBC) showed no significant difference. From the analysis of the liver-functional enzymes in blood, all of liver damage related enzymes such as glutamate-oxalate-transferase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate-transferase (GPT), cholesterol (Chol) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) showed no significant change. However, from the histologic test, a neutrophil of the band type in liver tissue was observed.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.65-79
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• 2015

Objectives : In this study, effects of haepyoijintang (HIJ) on the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances of rats and ATP-, PMA-, EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells were investigated. Methods : Hypersecretion of airway mucus was induced by exposure of rats to $SO_2$ during 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered HIJ during 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats was evaluated using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with PAS-alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicity of HIJ was evaluated by examining the potential damage of kidney and liver functions by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN and creatinine concentrations of rats and the body weight gain during experiment, after administering HIJ orally. At the same time, the effect of HIJ on ATP-, PMA-, EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of HIJ and treated with ATP ($200{\mu}M$), PMA (10 ng/ml), EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24 hrs, to evaluate the effect of HIJ both on ATP-, PMA-, EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and on gene expression by the same inducers using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results : (1) HIJ decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of trachea of rats. (2) HIJ did not show renal and hepatic toxicities and did not affect body weight gain of rats during experiment. (3) HIJ significantly inhibited ATP-, PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin productions from NCI-H292 cells. (4) HIJ significantly inhibited ATP-, PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin gene expression from NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions : The result from the present study suggests that HIJ might control the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in various respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and do not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effect of HIJ with their diverse components should be further investigated using animal experimental models that can reflect the pathophysiology of airway diseases through future studies.