• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.140-149
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• 2018

The $TIS21^{/BTG2/PC3}$ gene belongs to the antiproliferative gene (APRO) family and exhibits tumor suppressive activity. However, here we report that TIS21 controls lipid metabolism, rather than cell proliferation, under fasting condition. Using microarray analysis, whole gene expression changes were investigated in liver of TIS21 knockout (TIS21-KO) mice after 20 h fasting and compared with wild type (WT). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha ($PPAR{\alpha}$) target gene expression was almost absent in contrast to increased lipid synthesis in the TIS21-KO mice compared to WT mice. Immunohistochemistry with hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that lipid deposition was focal in the TIS21-KO liver as opposed to the diffuse and homogeneous pattern in the WT liver after 24 h starvation. In addition, cathepsin E expression was over 10 times higher in the TIS21-KO liver than that in the WT, as opposed to the significant reduction of thioltransferase in both adult and fetal livers. At present, we cannot account for the role of cathepsin E. However, downregulation of glutaredoxin 2 thioltransferase expression might affect hypoxic damage in the TIS21-KO liver. We suggest that the $TIS21^{/BTG2}$ gene might be essential to maintain energy metabolism and reducing power in the liver under fasting condition.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2021

We have previously reported that Acer tegmentosum extract, which is traditionally used in Korea to reduce alcohol-related liver injury, suppresses liver inflammation caused by excessive alcohol consumption and might improve metabolism. The active ingredient, 6-O-galloylsalidroside (GAL), was isolated from A. tegmentosum, and we hypothesized that GAL could provide desirable pharmacological benefits by ameliorating physiological conditions caused by alcohol abuse. Therefore, this study focused on whether GAL could ameliorate alcoholic fat accumulation and repair liver injury in mice. During chronic alcohol consumption plus binge feeding in mice, GAL was administered orally once per day for 11 days. Intrahepatic lipid accumulation was measured in vivo using a noninvasive method, ¹H magnetic resonance imaging, and confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured using a Konelab system, and the triglyceride content was measured in liver homogenates using an enzymatic peroxide assay. The results suggested that GAL alleviated alcohol-induced steatosis,e as indicated by decreased hepatic and serum triglyceride levels in ethanol-fed mice. GAL treatment also correlated with a decrease in the Cd36 mRNA expression, thus potentially inhibiting the development of alcoholic steatosis via the hepatic de novo lipogenesis pathway. Furthermore, treatment with GAL inhibited the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 and attenuated hepatocellular damage, as reflected by a reduction in ALT and AST levels. These findings suggest that GAL extracted from A. tegmentosum has the potential to serve as a bioactive agent for the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver and liver damage.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.519-525
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• 2016

To investigate the potential role of transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$ in liver fibrosis during Echinococcus granulosus infection, 96 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, experimental group infected by intraperitoneal injection with a metacestode suspension and control group given sterile physiological saline. The liver and blood samples were collected at days 2, 8, 30, 90, 180, and 270 post infection (PI), and the expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ mRNA and protein was determined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. We also evaluated the pathological changes in the liver during the infection using hematoxylin and eosin (H-E) and Masson staining of the liver sections. Pathological analysis of H-E stained infected liver sections revealed liver cell edema, bile duct proliferation, and structural damages of the liver as evidenced by not clearly visible lobular architecture of the infected liver, degeneration of liver cell vacuoles, and infiltration of lymphocytes at late stages of infection. The liver tissue sections from control mice remained normal. Masson staining showed worsening of liver fibrosis at the end stages of the infection. The levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ did not show significant changes at the early stages of infection, but there were significant increases in the levels of TGF-${\beta}1$ at the middle and late stages of infection (P<0.05). RT-PCR results showed that, when compared with the control group, TGF-${\beta}1$ mRNA was low and comparable with that in control mice at the early stages of infection, and that it was significantly increased at day 30 PI and remained at high levels until day 270 PI (P<0.05). The results of this study suggested that increased expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ during E. granulosus infection may play a significant role in liver fibrosis associated with E. granulosus infection.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.189-202
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• 1997

The hypothalamic peptide GnRH plays a central role in the regulation of the mammalian reproductive axis. Recent studies suggested that GnRH stimulates or inhibits the ovarian steroidogenesis and gametogenesis directly. Our previous report indicated that GnRH gene is expressed in adult rat ovary as well as in hypothalamus and that the expressed GnRH may induce the follicular atresia and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells in rat. Therfore, we studied whether GnRH gene is expressed in the mouse fetal ovary, when the germ cells are degenerating by apoptosis during gonad diffeerentiation. Mouse fetal gonads were obtained on the 12, 15,18 and 20th day of gestation from the mother mice superovulated (10 IU PMSG and 10 IU hCG) and mated. The morphological changes of fetal ovaries were examined histochemically by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The fetal sex was confirmed by PCR methods for sexing. RT-PCR methods were used to examine the expression of GnRH gene and the sex steroid hormones were determined by conventional radioimmunoassays. The levels of estradiol (E) and progesterone (P) were increaseduntil 18th day of gestation and then E was decreased just before parturition. The morphological changes of fetal gonadal tissue sections showed the ovarian development and coincided with the result of PCR analysis for sexing using ovary- or testis- specific oligonucleotide primers. Immunoreactive GnRH in placenta was decreased gradually until the end of gestation but fetal brain and ovarian GnRH were increased. The level of GnRH gene expression was increased during fetal ovarian development from 12 till 18th day and decreased suddenly on 20th day just before birth. From these results, it is suggested that ovarian GnRh may play a regulatory role on the germ cell differentiation of fetal ovary.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the gastroduodenal pathology and Helicobacter pylori infection in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: One hundred and seven pediatric patients with upper gastrointestinal symptoms were undergone endoscopy at the Gyeongsang National University Hospital from June 1990 to April 1991. Histopathologic examination was done by H & E staining of gastric antral biopsy specimen and gastritis was defined according to the Sydney System. Tissue H. pylori status was evaluated with the urease test using Christensen's urea broth and H & E or Warthin-Starry silver staining of gastric antral biopsy specimen. IgG Immunoblotting were also performed to detect specific anti-H. pylori antibody in these patients. Results: The reasons for endoscopy were recurrent abdominal pain, acute abdominal pain, sallow face, hunger pain, and frequent nausea. Variable degrees of gastric mucosal hyperemia were found in most of the patients. Gastric hemorrhagic spots, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, duodenal erosion, and hemorrhagic duodenitis were rare endoscopic findings. Histologic chronic gastritis was found in 88% of 107 patients. Histologic chronic duodenitis was observed in all 99 patients whose tissue were available. Gastric tissue H. pylori was positive in 57% of 107 patients by one of the ureasetest, H & E staining and Warthin-Starry silver staining. However, gastric tissue H. pylori detection rate was lower in the younger age groups. Anti-H. pylori IgG antibodies were detectable in 96% of 107 patients. Conclusion: Chronic gastroduodenitis and anti-H. pylori IgG antibody were ubiquitous in children with upper gastrointestinal symptoms.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2022

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the healing effect of Cordyceps Militaris (CM) on collagen II-induced arthritis rats. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (normal, control, positive control, CM with low/medium/high dosage each). Type II collagen mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant (with 1:1 v/v) was injected subcutaneously, and the mixture was injected in a same manner one week after the first injection to boost arthritis. Arthritis index, paw thickness and von Frey test were conducted to observe physical changes. hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to observe knee cartilage. The levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of interleukin (IL)-1𝛽, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-𝛼) in spleen were assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that occurs on multiple joints and can lead to temporary shape change of bones or organ failure in severe cases. Here, we aimed to determine the effect of CM extract on rheumatoid arthritis by measuring paw thickness, arthritis index, conducting von Frey test and H&E staining, and evaluating the level of IL-1𝛽, IL-6, TNF-𝛼. As a result, paw thickness, arthritis index significantly decreased in low concentration group, hind leg became less sensitive in all expermental groups. Also, histological analysis showed that the damage of knee cartilage was prevented in all experimental groups. The level of mRNA of IL-1𝛽, IL-6, and TNF-𝛼 in spleen was analyzed to decide the effectiveness of CM extract. IL-1𝛽 did not show significant change, but IL-6 and TNF-𝛼 showed significant decrease in at least one of the experimental groups. Conclusions CM showed protective effect on knee tissue destruction and improved the physical conditions of the leg involving arthritis. Also, it showed that CM has anti-inflammatory effect on specific cytokines inducing rheumatoid arthritis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that the therapeutic potential of CM for the treatment rheumatoid arthritis, and set the foundation for the further studies.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to analyze a 13-week repeated dose toxicity test of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV) extracted from bee venom and administered in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods: Male and female 5-week-old SD rats were treated once daily with SBV (high-dosage group: 0.28 mg/kg; medium-dosage group: 0.14 mg/kg; or low-dosage group: 0.07 mg/kg) for 13 weeks. Normal saline was administered to the control group in a similar manner (0.2 mL/kg). We conducted clinical observations, body weight measurements, ophthalmic examinations, urinalyses, hematology and biochemistry tests, and histological observations using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to identify any abnormalities caused by the SBV treatment. Results: During this study, no mortality was observed in any of the experimental groups. Hyperemia and a movement disorder were observed around the area of in all groups that received SBV treatment, with a higher occurrence in rats treated with a higher dosage. Male rats receiving in the high-dosage group showed a significant decrease in weight during the treatment period. Compared to the control group, no significant changes in the ophthalmic parameters, the urine analyses, the complete blood cell count (CBC), and the biochemistry in the groups treated with SBV. Compared to the control group, some changes in organ weights were observed in the medium-and the high-dosage groups, but the low-dosage group showed no significant changes. Histological examination of thigh muscle indicated cell infiltration, inflammation, degeneration, and necrosis of muscle fiber, as well as fibrosis, in both the medium- and the high-dosage groups. Fatty liver change was observed in the periportal area of rats receiving medium and high dosages of SBV. No other organ abnormalities were observed. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that the No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) of SBV is approximately 0.07 mg/kg in male and female SD rats.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.217-222
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• 2010

Many studies have reported that bleomycin, anti-cancer drug, induces pulmonary fibrosis as a side effect. However, few investigations have focused on the dose-response effects of bleomycin on pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of different doses of bleomycin in male mice. ICR mice were given 3 consecutive doses of bleomycin: 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg in bleomycin-treated (BT) groups and saline only in vehicle control (VC) groups. The animals were sacrificed at 7 and 24 days postinstillation. The severity of pulmonary fibrosis was evaluated according to inflammatory cell count and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the broncho alveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and lung tissues were histologically evaluated after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and Masson's trichrome staining. BT groups exhibited changed cellular profiles in BAL fluid compared to the VC group, which had an increased number of total cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes and a modest increase in the number of macrophages at 7 days post-bleomycin instillation. Moreover, BT groups showed a dose-dependent increase in LDH levels and inflammatory cell counts. However, at 24 days after treatment, collagen deposition, interstitial thickening, and granulomatous lesions were observed in the alveolar spaces in addition to a decrease in inflammatory cells. These results indicate that pulmonary fibrosis induced by 4 mg/kg bleomycin was more severe than that induced by 1 or 2 mg/kg. These data will be utilized in experimental animal models and as basic data to evaluate therapeutic candidates through non-invasive monitoring using the pulmonary fibrosis mouse model established in this study.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.550-558
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• 2017

The purpose of current study is to investigate the beneficial effect of enzyme (Alcalase) hydrolysates of silk protein in rat. Alcalase-treated silk protein hydrolysate (ATSH) itself did not show any cytotoxicity on the hepatic tissues and blood biochemistry, similar to the normal condition. ATSH played a protective role in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced hepatotoxicity and liver damage. The values of AST (aspartate aminotransferase) and ALT (alanine aminotransferase), which are the indicators of the liver function, were effectively alleviated with the ATSH treatment in a dose dependent manner. The level of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA), which were increased with t-BHP treatment, were significantly reduced by ATSH. High dose of ATSH (2 g/kg) reduced the t-BHP-induced LDH release by 48%. Antioxidant and antioxidant enzymes in liver cells were significantly increased by ATSH treatment in their level and activities. ATSH (2 g/kg) increased glutathione (GSH), an intracelluar antioxidant, by 2.5-fold compared with the t-BHP treated group. The activities of glutathione-s-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase were also elevated by 38%, 60%, and 45%, respectively, with ATSH (2 g/kg) treatment. The antioxidative effect of ATSH was recapitulated to the protection from t-BHP induced liver damages in hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Thus, ATSH might be used as a hepatoprotective agent.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2016

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Seungseup-tang (SST) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA ($50{\mu}l$ with 80 mg/ml) into knee joint cavity of rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups (normal group, control group, indomethacin treated group, SST treated group, each n=6). Normal group was not injected with MIA and taken normal diet. Control group was injected with MIA and taken with distilled water. Indomethacin treated group was injected with MIA and taken indomethacin 5 mg/kg by oral administration. SST treated group was injected with MIA and taken SST 200 mg/kg by oral administration. We examined the weight-bearing ability of hind paw, biomarkers related to oxidative stress in serum, inflammatory proteins and inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Moreover, histopathological examination of knee joint structure was also performed by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E), Safranin-O staining method. Results In the present study, SST treated group showed a similar inhibitory effects alike indomethacin treated group, in most of the studied parameters of inflammation. The increased oxidative stress biomarker such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and peroxy nitrite ($ONOO^-$) in the serum were reduced with SST. Especially, the level of $ONOO^-$ compared with control group significantly suppressed. Also, the expression of inflammatory mediators and cytokines induced by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) activation was modulated through inhibition of IkBa phosphorlation. In addition, histological analysis revealed that cartilage damage by MIA repaired markedly in SST treated group. Conclusions According to the results, Seungseup-tang may be effective for preventing the progression of osteoarthritis.