• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2003

Background : Recent discoveries on the physiology of an erection have demonstrated that the organic causes of impotence are more common, and psychogenic impotence is correspondingly less common than was formally believed. The incidence of sexual dysfunctions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is largely unknown or may be perfunctorily attributed to the associated illness or to aging. This study investigated whether or not the impotence was related to the COPD itself as well as whether or not it nay stem from organic causes in a notable proportion of such patients. Methods : The sexual function was evaluated in 10 COPD patients and 10 normal control subjects. A nocturnal Rigi Scan was performed to evaluate the erectile function of each group. The level of hormones such as the free testosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured, and a pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis was performed. Results : The time duration and frequency of a penile erection were significantly lower in COPD patients than the controls (p<0.05). In addition, the $PaO_2$ levels correlated with the time duration of the penile erection. Conclusion : These results suggest that COPD is one of the causes of organic erectile dysfunction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.1 s.68
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• pp.21-26
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• 2005

This study officially selected Kalopanax pictus. The root cutting and investigation conducted how the production process of the rooting ratio according to its age and its length gives some influence to the rooting ratio and what is the usage value in the effect of rooting ratio of an accelerant of plant growth and IBA treatment. The ages and ratio of rooting are one year $92.0\%$, two years $80.0\%$, and three years $67.0\%$. As shown above, one year cutting showed the highest growth. The rooting ratio by the length of the cutting-tree is $75.0\%$ in 5cm, $92.0\%$ in 10cm and $89.0\%$ in 15cm. There is a little differences according to the result of each analysis in the rooting ratio by the length of the cutting tree. Two groups having the length 10cm and 15cm showed the similar rooting ratio, while the group having the length 5cm showed that the rooting ratio is very low. The rooting ratio treated by the hormone, IBA showed that the treated group was $94\%$ and the untreated group was $92\%$. Although the treated group showed a little high rooting growth ratio, there was no significant difference. Thus, it is said that the treatment of IBA in the cutting tree is insignificant.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2002

Objective: To assess the difference of baseline hormonal status and pathophysio logy, and confirm the risk factors for long term complication according to Body Mass Index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Materials and Methods: Serum level of LH, FSH, Estradiol, Prolactin, Testosterone, DHEA-S, fasting insulin were measured and 100 gm oral glucose tolerance test and endometrial biopsy were performed in total 75 chronic anovulation patients and 20 normal cycling infertility patients. 95 evaluated patients were divided into 3 groups including patients with chronic anovulation having BMI below 25, BMI beyond 25.1, normal cycling infertility patients, Group 1 (n=39), Group 2 (n=36), Group 3 (n=20), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed respect to relationship between BMI and measured hormone level, sum of glucose level during 100 gm OGTT, insulin resistance using t-test, ANOVA test, Post Hoc test, Mann-Whitney test. p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: Serum LH level and LH/FSH ratio was significantly higher in Group 1, compared than Group 2 or 3 (p<0.05), BMI and LH, LH/FSH ratio was negatively correlated (r=-0.351, r=-0.318). There was no significant difference according to BMI in FSH, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, DHEA-S level. Fasting insulin and sum of glucose level during 100 gm OGTT were significantly higher in Group 2 compared than Group 1 or Group 3 (p<0.05), there was no significant difference between Group 1 and Group 3. Insulin resistance was more frequently identified in Group 2 compared than Group 1 (p=0.001). Conclusions: BMI and LH, LH/FSH ratio were negatively correlated, so clinical significance of LH, LH/FSH ratio in diagnosis of PCOS may be attenuated by increasing body weight. Overweight patients with chronic anovulation may be the risk group for developing insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, later type 2 DM. Hyperinsulinemia may operate mainly in overweight chronic anovulation patients in development of hyperandrogenism.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.750-760
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• 2009

In this study, the various effects of Salicornia herbacea, including antioxidative function, antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory effect, and the effect of sebiparous reduction due to intervention of the DHT hormone were investigated using. The result of this study Based on this analysis, the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and WBC were found to be significantly decreased and SOD, Ca, K, and Zn were shown to be significantly increased significantly in the group that received the SH pill group after trial fora 12 week trials. Testosterone and DHT were increased in the SH pill group, but it was not statistically significant. In the case of the skin condition measurements, the number of blackhead pores, skin oiliness, keratin and, MIC were significantly decreased, and the pH was decreased to normal pH in the SH pill group. Therefore, it was confirmed that overall skin condition was improved due to Salicornia herbacea diet. The results of this research result can contribute so demonstrate the potential of actively using that the Salicornia herbacea can be actively developed as a health supplement, and a medication.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.109-109
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• 2002

In recent reports, the multiple reproductive defects such as cryptorchidism, hypospadias, epididymal cysts, low sperm counts, and testicular cancers are increased in humans, and these changes were doubted by the chemicals with estrogenic or antiandrogenic activities in our environment. To compare the effects of neonatal exposure of di (n-butyl) phthalate and flutamide on the development of reproductive organs and to identify the specific mechanisms of these abnormalities related to the male reproducton, Sprague-Dawley neonate male rats were injected subcutaneously during 5-14 days after birth with corn oil (control), flutamide (0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (5, 10, and 20 mg/animal). Animals were killed at 31 (immature) and 42 (pubertal) days of age respectively and blood was collected from abdominal aorta for serum testosterone analysis. Testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, ventral prostate, levator ani plus bulbocavernosus muscle (LABC), cowpers glands and glans penis were weighed. Expression of steroid hormone receptors (AR and ER) was examined in the testes and ventral prostate. At 31 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, LABC, and cowpers glands significantly decreased in the flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but serum testosterone levels were not changed. Flutamide slightly delayed the testes descent at the high dose (0.5 mg/animal), but DBP did not show any significant effect on the testes descent at all doses. DBP and flutamide decreased the expression of AR protein in the testes but did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. At 42 days of age, ventral prostate, seminal vesicles, and cowpers glands weights were still significantly decreased at the high dose of flutamide (0.5 mg/animal) and DBP (20 mg/animal), but the weights of testes and epididymides were not different. Serum testosterone decreased significantly in DBP treated animals and slightly, not significantly, in flutamide group. While DBP still significantly decreased the expression of AR protein in testis, flutamide recovered from downregulation of AR protein and did not affect the expression of ERa and ER protein in the testes. Based on these results, flutamide and DBP have shown several similar patterns in reproductive abnormalitis, but some marked differences which may be caused by different acting mechanism.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Embryo Transfer Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.97-97
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• 2002

Human eryhropoietin (EPO) is acidic glycoprotein hormone that plays key role in hematopoiesis by facilitating differentiation of erythrocyte and formation of hemoglobin (Hb) and is used for the treatment of anemia. Human EPO is consist of 166 amino acids which is modified by three N-glycosylations (24, 38, 83) and single O-glycosylation (126). N-glycosylation is reported to be related to the cellular secretion and activity of EPO. In this study, we examined effects of mutagenesis in glycosylation site of recombinat hEPO for the cellular secretion during production from cultured CHO cell. We produced rhEpo which was cloned by PCR from human liver cDNA (TaKaRa) in cultured CHO cell. Using supernatant of the culture, ELISA assay and western analysis were performed. To estimate biological activity, 20IU of rhuEpo was subcutaneously injected into four ICR mice. After 8 days, HCT level was increased average 13 per cent, RBC was increased ca. 2${\times}$10$\^$6//${\mu}\ell$. In disease model Rat (anemia c-kit, WSRC-WS/WS), HCT was increased ca. 12%, RBC was increased ca. 1.6${\times}$10$\^$6//${\mu}\ell$. These results suggests that rhEpo we produced has biological activity. To remove glycosylation site by substituting 24, 38, 83, and 126th asparagine (or serine) with glutamic acid, overlapping -extension site-directed mutagenesis was performed. To add novel glycosylation sites, 69, 105th leucine was mutated to asparagine. Mutant EPO construct was transfected into CHO cell. Supernatant of the cell culture was analyzed using ELISA assay with monoclonal anti-EPO antibody (Medac, Germany). Since, several reports for mutagenesis of glycosylation sites showed case-by-case results, we examined both transient expression and stable expression. Addition of novel glycosylation sites resulted no secretion while deletion mutants had little effect except some double deletion mutants (24/83 and 38/83) and triple mutant. We suggest that not single but combination of glycosyl group affect secretion of EPO.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2004

To establish the differential diagnosis and functional status in ovarian cystic cows, progesterone(P$_4$) and estrogen(E$_2$) level of cystic follicular fluid, ultrasonography for measuring the cystic diameter and thickness of cystic wall, and histological findings were investigated in cystic ovaries from slaughtered Korean native cows. Ovarian follicles were classified as systic if the diameter was greater than 25 mm by ultrasonography. Ovarian cysts < 3 mm of cystic wall thickness, < 10 ng/ml P$_4$ concentration and >10 ng/ml E$_2$ concentration were classified follicular cyst, ovarian cysts 3 mm of cystic wall thickness, 10 ng/ml P$_4$ concentration and <10 ng/ml E$_2$ concentration were classified luteal cyst, and ovarian cysts 3 mm of cystic wall thickness, < 10 ng/ml P$_4$ concentration and <10 ng/ml E$_2$ concentration were classified non-functional ovarian cyst, respectively. Also ovarian cysts were classified 8 types by anatomical and hisctological findings. Ovarian cysts with corpus luteum were 3 of 73 cows and ovarian cysts without corpus luteum were 70 cows. The incidence rates of 8 various types of ovarian cysts were as follows; 2Aa 56.2%, 2Ba 20.5% and 2Ab 15.1%, respectively. The incidence rates of ovarian cysts without corpus luteum were follicular cyst 76.7% and luteal cyst 19.2%. The thickness of cystic wall were lAb 3.9 mm, 2Ab 3.3 mm and 2Bb 3.2 mm, and the cystic fluid P$_4$ concentrations were above 10.0 ng/ml in lAb, 2Ab and 2Bb, respectively. There was significantly correlations between the thickness of cystic wall and cystic fluid P$_4$ concentration in ovarian cysts(p<0.05). The ovarian cyst was classified follicular cysts, luteal cyst and non-functional ovarian cyst by hormone analysis. The luteal cyst was accuratly dignosed by cystic wall thickness. But follicular cysts was misdiagnosed 13 cows of 56 cystic cows. The 13 cystic cows was determined as had non-fuctional ovarian cysts. The cystic fluid P$_4$ concentration was 3.3 ng/ml in follicular ovarian cysts and 30.1 ng/ml luteinized ovarian cysts. There was significantly positive correlations between thickness of cystic wall and serum P$_4$ concentration in follicular(r$^2$ =0.59, p<0.001) and luteal cysts(r$^2$=0.65, p<0.001). These results indicated that ovarian cysts had various stages of degeneration and luteal cyst was accuratly diagnosed measurement of cystic wall thickness by ultrasonography, but follicular cysts was not diagnosed only cystic diameter and cystic wall thickness. In conclusion, it is suggest that ovarian cysts was diagnosed by combination of clinical sign and anatomical cystic features.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 2010

The effects of chromium (Cr), dietary crude protein (CP) level, and potential interactions of these two factors were investigated in term of energy metabolism in lambs. Forty-eight 9-week-old weaned lambs (Dorper${\times}$Small-tail Han sheep, male, mean initial body weight = 22.96 kg${\pm}$2.60 kg) were used in a 2${\times}$3 factorial arrangement of supplemental Cr (0 ${\mu}g$/kg, 400 $\mu{g}$/kg or 800 ${\mu}g$/kg from chromium yeast) and protein levels (low protein: 157 g/d to 171 g/d for each animal, or high protein: 189 g/d to 209 g/d for each animal). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the feeding trial. The lambs were then sacrificed and tissue samples were frozen for further analysis. Chromium at 400 ${\mu}g$/kg decreased fasting insulin level and the ratio of plasma insulin to glucagon, but these differences were not statistically significant; in contrast, chromium at 800 ${\mu}g$/kg increased the ratio significantly (p<0.05). Protein at the high level increased plasma tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) level (p = 0.060). Liver glycogen content was increased significantly by Cr (p<0.05), which also increased liver glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-Pase) and adipose hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) activity. At 400 ${\mu}g$/kg, Cr increased muscle hexokinase (HK) activity. High protein significantly increased G-6-Pase activities in both the liver (p<0.05) and the kidney (p<0.05), but significantly decreased fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue (p<0.05). For HSL activity in adipose tissue, a Cr${\times}$CP interaction (p<0.05) was observed. Overall, Cr improved energy metabolism, primarily by promoting the glycolytic rate and lipolytic processes, and these regulations were implemented mainly through the modulation by Cr of the insulin signal transduction system. High protein improved gluconeogenesis in both liver and kidney. The interaction of Cr${\times}$CP indicated that 400 $\mu{g}$/kg Cr could reduce energy consumption in situations where energy was being conserved, but could improve energy utilization when metabolic rate was increased.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 2007

P2X receptors are membrane-bound ion channels that conduct $Na^+,\;K^+$, and $Ca^{2+}$ in response to ATP and its analogs. There are seven subunits identified so far ($P2X_1-P2X_7$). $P2X_2$ receptors are known to be expressed in a wide range of organs including brains and adrenal grands. PC12 cells are originated from adrenal grand and differentiated by nerve growth factor or pituitary adenylate cyclase activating poly peptide (PACAP). Previous studies indicate that $P2X_2$ receptor activation in PC12 cells couples to $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ release of catecholamine and ATP. It is known that acidic pH potentiates ATP currents at $P2X_2$ receptors. This leads to a hypothesis that $P2X_2$ receptors may play an important role in PC12 cell differentiation, one of the characteristics of which is neurite outgrowth, induced by the hormones under lower pH. In the present study, we isolated several clones which potentiate neurite outgrowth by PACAP in acidic pH (6.8), but not in alkaline pH (7.6). RT-PCR and electrophysiology data indicate that these clones express only functional $P2X_2$ receptors in the absence or presence of PACAP for 3 days. Potentiation of neurite outgrowth resulted from PACAP (100 nM) in acidic pH is inhibited by the two P2X receptor antagonists, suramin and PPADS ($100\;{\mu}M)$ each), and exogenous exprerssion of ATP-binding mutant $P2X_2$ receptor subunit ($P2X_2[K69A]$). However, acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are not involved in PACAP-induced neurite outgrowth potentiation in lower pH since treatments of an inhibitor of ASICs, amyloride ($10\;{\mu}M$), did not give any effects to neurite extension. The vesicular proton pump ($H^+-ATPase$) inhibitor, bafilomycin (100 nM), reduced neurite extension indicating that ATP release resulted from $P2X_2$ receptor activation in PC12 cells is needed for neurite outgrowth. These were confirmed by activation of mitogen activated protein kinases, such as ERKs and p38. These results suggest roles of ATP and $P2X_2$ receptors in hormone-induced cell differentiation or neuronal synaptogenesis in local acidic environments.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2011

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) gene is expressed at the anterior pituitary gland and plays a key role in gonad development. This study aimed to investigate molecular genetic characteristics of the GnRHR gene and elucidate the effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of GnRHR gene on sex steroid level in Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). We used polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and sequencing of the GnRHR gene in 75 individuals. We identified three SNPs in the GnRHR gene: P1 locus (C759A and C830T) in the coding region of exon2 which were both linked together and P2 locus (G984T) in the coding region of exon3, which added a new transcript factor (ADR1) and a new methylation site (CG). Only C830T of P1 leads to amino acid changes Thr266Ile. Statistical analysis showed that P1 was significantly associated with $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$) level (p<0.01) and gonadosomatic index (GSI) (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype BB of P1 had significantly higher serum $E_2$ levels (p<0.01) and GSI (p<0.05) than those of genotype AA or AB. Another SNP, P2, synonymous mutation, was significantly associated with GSI (p<0.05). Individuals with genotype AB of P2 had significantly higher GSI (p<0.05) than that of genotype AA. In addition, there was a significant association between one diplotype based on three SNPs and reproductive traits. The genetic effects for both serum $E_2$ level and GSI of diplotype D4 were super diplotypes (p<0.05). These results suggest that the SNPs in Japanese Flounder GnRHR are associated with $E_2$ level and GSI.