• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.9 no.1_2
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• pp.25-35
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• 1994

Many nephrotoxic agents exert their effect primarily on the cells of the proximal tubules. We used the LLC-$PK_1$, kidney epithelial cell line as a model system for studies on nephrotoxicity and investigated whether the uptake of $\alpha$-methylglucose($\alpha$-MG) could serve as a parameter to assess effects of nephrotoxicants on the functional integrity of the cells at an early time of toxicity. The enzyme leakage test which has been used to be as a conventional cytotoxic parameter in vitro, was conducted to compare with $\alpha$-MG uptake. Treatment with cisplatin for 24 and 48 hours significantly increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase and $\gamma$-glutamyltransferase in culture medium at a concentration of 50$\mu$M. However, above 100$\mu$M of concentration, activities of these enzymes in media were dramatically decreased by cisplatin. These observations indicate that cisplatin has direct inhibitory effect on the activities of these enzymes and make it doutful to use enzyme leakage test to demonstrate damage of kidney cells by chemicals such as cisplatin over the appropriate range of concentration. Cisplatin inhibited $\alpha$-MG uptake at a low concentration which enzymes were not leaked. Also cadmium chloride and mercuric chloride which are acutely nephrotoxic in vivo, significantly inhibited $\alpha$-MG uptake at a low concentration. These results indicate that the uptake of $\alpha$-methylglucose in LLC-$PK_1$cell line is a useful biomarker for the study of nephrotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2014

This study aimed to find an optimal diluent and cryoprotective agent (CPA) during cryopreservation of common Korean bitterling Acheilognathus signifier sperm. The bitterling is an endangered species in Korea, and this study will enable conservation and further technical development of artificial seed production. We tested the effects of cryopreservation and toxicity by the type of diluent and CPA. The optimal combination of diluent and CPA for cryopreservation was 300 mM glucose+10% methanol, resulting in a survival rate and sperm activity index (SAI) of $96.3{\pm}1.5%$, and $3.0{\pm}0.0$ respectively, and no significant difference compared to fresh sperm. The survival rate and SAI of post-thawed sperm was $9.7{\pm}1.5%$, $0.8{\pm}0.3$ respectively, which was significantly higher than had been achieved with other diluents and CPAs.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.703-715
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• 2008

This experiments was performed to determine the effects of Gangzitongmaekeum(降脂通脈飮 : GTE) on antioxidation activity and hyperlipidemia induced by hypercholesterolemic diet in mice. The results obtained were as follows : 1. GTE showed a safety in cytotoxicity and toxicity of human fibroblast cells and liver. 2. GTE showed DPPH scavenging activity, superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity and inhibitory effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS). 3. GTE treated mice showed body and liver weight decrease, compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. 4. GTE decreased total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels significantly, but HDL cholesterol levels not significantly. 5. GTE decreased triglyceride levels significantly. 6. Glucose levels in GTE treated mice significantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. 7. Albumin levels in GTE treated mice were similar with the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. 8. The lipophagy in liver compared with the control group tended to be decreased in GTE treated mice. In the change of aorta, the cell was regular and boundary of vessel wall was clear, compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. 9. TBARS levels in GTE treated mice significantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. 10. The change of SOD and catalase activity significantly increased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. 11. ACAT mRNA level and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA levels in GTE treated mice significantly decreased compared to the hyperlipidemia-induced control group. Conclusion : These results suggest that Gangzitongmaekeum is effective in antioxidation activity and dietary hyperlipidemia-induced mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.1290-1295
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• 2000

The present study was conducted to evaluate effects of the increased dietary vitamin A supplementation on the vitamin A, vitamin E and ascorbic acid concentrations in the plasma and liver and activities of some enzymes in the liver of the growing chicken. One hundred and twenty female chickens at 4 weeks of age were divided in 6 equal groups in accordance with their body weight. They were housed in cages and fed on standard wheat-barley-based broiler diet balanced in the major nutrients. Vitamin A was supplemented in the form of retinyl acetate. Control diet was supplemented with 10 IU/g and experimental feeds were supplemented with 50, 100, 500, 1000 and 2000 IU/g. At days 42 and 56 of the development 8 chickens from each group were killed, plasma and liver were collected for vitamin and enzyme analyses. The increased vitamin A supplementation was associated with its increased accumulation in the liver and with a reduction of ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ concentrations in the plasma and liver. The blood plasma was more resistant to vitamin A concentration changes and the retinol level was elevated only when the vitamin A dose exceeded 100 IU/g feed. Ascorbic acid concentration in the liver was elevated when moderately high vitamin A supplementation was used but significantly decreased at the highest vitamin A dose. Similar changes were observed with glycogen concentration in the liver. Activities of hexokinase, glucose-6-phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase in the chicken liver were also dependent on vitamin A supplementation, decreasing with highest vitamin A doses. Therefore the observations showed that the vitamin A excess compromises antioxidant system of the growing chickens suggesting that prooxidant activity may be responsible for at least part of the toxicity of vitamin A.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of crude ginseng saponin (CGS) on blood chemical parameters in adult female guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A total of 80 guinea pigs (800$\pm$20g) were divided into 8 groups: group 1 (normal control group) was given vehicle (corn oil containing small amount of acetone and DMSO) and saline; group 2 (single TCDD-treated) received TCDD (1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.p.) and saline (i.p.); groups 3 and 4 were administered CGS at a daily i.p. doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks, respectively; groups 5 and 6 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 5 weeks starting 1 week before TCDD-exposure; groups 7 and 8 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks from 1 week after TCDD-exposure. CGS was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. Body weights of G2 were significantly decreased from the and week after TCDD-exposure (P<0.01). Body weights of the CGS-treated groups were also decreased by TCDD-exposure but the weight loss was greatly retarded compared with that of G2. Increase in blood glucose, amylase, lipase, total cholesterol, triglyceride, AST and LDL-cholesterol levels by TCDD exposure was significantly attenuated by the CCS-treatment (P<0.05). From these results, we found that saponin, the main active ingredient of gineseng, played a protective role in TCDD-induced toxicity and ginseng protected female animals from dioxin-induced toxic manifestation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.197-203
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of crude ginseng saponin (CGS) on clinical pathological parameters in adult female guinea pigs exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). A total of 80 guinea pigs (800$\pm$20 g) were divided into 8 groups: group 1 (normal control group) was given vehicle (com oil containing small amount of acetone and DMSO) and saline; group 2 (single TCDD-treated) received TCDD (1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.p.) and saline (i.p.); groups 3 and 4 were administered CGS at daily i.p. doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg for 4 weeks, respectively; groups 5 and 6 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 5 weeks starting 1 week before TCDD-exposure; groups 7 and 8 were administered CGS (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 3 weeks from 1 week after TCDD-exposure. CGS was prepared by Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography. Body weight of G2 was significantly decreased from the 2nd week after TCDD-exposure (p<0.01). Body weights of the CGS-treated groups were also decreased by TCDD-exposure, but the weight loss was greatly retarded compared with that of G2. Increase in blood glucose, amylase, lipase, total cholesterol. triglyceride, AST and LDL-cholisterol levels by TCDD exposure was significantly attenuated by the CGS-treatment (p<0.05). From these results, we found that saponin the main active ingredient of ginseng, played a protective role against TCDD-induced toxicity in not only male but female guinea pigs.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2009

This study carried out development of a natural antimicrobial agent from Schima wallichii ssp. liukiuensis. Compound I exhibiting potent antimicrobial activity against Candida spp. was isolated from the methanol extracts of Schima wallichii ssp. liukiuensis. The structure of I identified as a sterol glycoside consisted of a trisaccharide and ${\alpha}_1$-sitosterol. Trisaccharide composed of L-rhamnose, D-galactose and D-glucose residues. The antimicrobial activity of I was selective on yeast rather than bacteria or other fungi. Compound I was demonstrated to be ineffective against toxicity to mouse liver cells where as protective to human dermal fibroblast cells at low concentrations. Thus, it is reasonable to expect a sterol glycoside (I) as a valuable alternative for synthetic antifungal.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.147-154
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• 1982

To find antitumor components with low toxicity from natural resources, antitumor test of the water extract of the carpophores of Trametes sanguinea (L. ex Fr.) Lloyd. was undertaken. The carpophores of this fungus were collected in Gyeong Gi Province and extracted with hot water. The extract was purified by dialyzing through Visking tube and a protein-bound polysaccharide fraction was obtained. The fraction was tested for antitumor activity against sarcoma 180 implanted in mice. The tumor inhibition ratio of the fraction against the tumor was 72.4% at the dose of 10mg/kg/day for the period of ten days. The tumor in one of the eight mice was completely regressed. The antitumor components were found to be a polysaccharide and a protein. The hydrolysis of the polysaccharide moiety yielded three monosaccharides, and from the hydrolysate of the protein moiety 13 amino acids were identified.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.465-470
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• 2005

Octacosanol is known to enhance endurance activities, control cholesterol in body and improve the function of cardiopulmonary. Citrulline, which is main compound of watermelon, is known to improve angiectasia through stimulating production of nitric oxide. To improve endurance activity swimming test on rats was carried out using four samples such as 1$\%$ octacosanol, citrulline, the extracts of barks of watermelon and products, mixture of 1$\%$ octacosanol and the extracts of barks of watermelon (6 : 4). Biochemical assays on the liver and serum of tested rats were also performed using commercial analysis kits. In result, it was shown that swimming time of III group increased by 26$\%$ and that of V group was increased by 22$\%$ at the swimming test. As a result of biological assays on the liver and serum of tested rats it was possible to confirm stability of toxicity When compared with creatine kinase of control group (549.11$\pm$39.15 U/l) citrulline (644.11 $\pm$50.67 U/l) and products group (646.00$\pm$46.99 U/l) were largely increased. When compared with inorganic phosphate of control group (12.01$\pm$0.75 mg/이), citrulline (13.03$\pm$0.94 mg/dl) and products group (12.90$\pm$0.55 mg/dl) showed similar results. Also, when compared with lactic acid and glucose of control group (152.91 $\pm$ 13.45, 103.00$\pm$ 8.69 mg/dl), citrulline (125.53$\pm$15.54, 83.75$\pm$7.29 mg/dl) and products group (135.26$\pm$11.50, 78.57$\pm$9.79 mg/dl) were largely decreased. As these test results, it was determined that 1$\%$ octacosanol and extracts of barks of watermelon had some effect of improving endurance activity. Futhermore, it was thought that it could be used as source of functional food.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2020

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum on Clinical chemical parameters in male rats acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin (TCDD). Crude saponin was prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum with Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography after extraction of 80% ethanol at 75℃. The crude saponin was confirmed by thin layer chrmatography. When compared with ginseng saponins, the crude saponin had both a few number of saponins and a broad distribution. Forty male rats (200±20 g) were divided into 4 groups. Normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; TCDD-treated (TT) group received TCDD (40 ㎍/kg, single dose) intraperitoneally; Platycodon grandiflorum saponin (PG5 and PG10) groups received crude saponin 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (p.o), respectively, for 2 weeks before 1 week of TCDD-exposure. Increase of body weight was retarded greatly by TCDD-exposure. Body weight of animals in TT group was significantly decrease after 2 days of TCDD-exposure. However, body weights of animals in PG groups increased through the experimental perimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Increases in contents of blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) and activities of amylase, lipase, AST, ALT and LDH by toxic action of TCDD were significantly attenuated by crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that crude saponin prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum might be a member of useful protective agents against TCDD, which is one of the environmental hormones.