• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.740-749
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• 2009

The objectives of this study was to determine whether a new physically modified cornstarch by ultra-fine- or nanoscale pulverizer to reduce particle size offers better bioactive function than native cornstarch in weanling Sprague-Dawley rats. Male weaning Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing native cornstarch (NAC), ultra fine pulverized cornstarch (UFC) or nano-scale pulverized cornstarch (NSC) for 4 weeks. In vitro rate of starch hydrolysis, growth performance, organ weight, intestine length intestinal proliferation and the fermentation by Bifidobacterium of rat cecum were evaluated. The diet with reduced particle size (UFC or NSC) significantly increased body weight gain and organ weight. Feed efficiency was increased in NSC fed rats and was not affected in UFC fed rats. Intestinal proliferation was decreased in NSC group. Reduction of particle size also increased cecal short chain fatty acid concentration and the growth and acidifying activity of Bifidobacterium. It is concluded that a reduction of particle size of starch granules by physically modification may increase growing performance and gut function.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.166-176
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• 2020

Objective: An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of L-arginine (L-Arg) and N-carbamoylglutamic acid (NCG) on the growth, metabolism, immunity and community of cecal bacterial flora of weanling and young rabbits. Methods: Eighteen normal-grade male weanling Japanese White rabbits (JWR) were selected and randomly divided into 6 groups with or without L-Arg and NCG supplementation. The whole feeding process was divided into weanling stage (day 37 to 65) and young stage (day 66 to 85). The effects of L-Arg and NCG on the growth, metabolism, immunity and development of the ileum and jejunum were compared via nutrient metabolism experiments and histological assessment. The different communities of cecal bacterial flora affected by L-Arg and NCG were assessed using high-throughput sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis. Results: The addition of L-Arg and NCG enhanced the growth of weanling and young rabbit by increasing the nitrogen metabolism, protein efficiency ratio, and biological value, as well as feed intake and daily weight gain. Both L-Arg and NCG increased the concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgG. NCG was superior to L-Arg in promoting intestinal villus development by increasing villus height, villus height/crypt depth index, and reducing the crypt depth. The effects of L-Arg and NCG on the cecal bacterial flora were mainly concentrated in different genera, including Parabacteroides, Roseburia, dgA-11_gut_group, Alistipes, Bacteroides, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005. These bacteria function mainly in amino acid transport and metabolism, energy production and conversion, lipid transport and metabolism, recombination and repair, cell cycle control, cell division, and cell motility. Conclusion: L-Arg and NCG can promote the growth and immunity of weanling and young JWR, as well as effecting the jejunum and ileum villi. L-Arg and NCG have different effects in the promotion of nutrient utilization, relieving inflammation and enhancing adaptability through regulating microbial community.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.9
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• pp.488-496
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• 2016

Estrogens are the key hormones regulating the development and function of reproductive organs in all vertebrates. Recent evidence indicates that estrogens play important roles in the immune system, cancer development, and other critical biological processes related to human well-being. Obviously, the gonads (ovary and testis) are the primary sites of estrogen synthesis, but estrogens synthesized in extra- gonadal sites play an equally important role in controlling biological activities. Understanding non-gonadal sites of estrogen synthesis and function is crucial and will lead to therapeutic interventions targeting estrogen signaling in disease prevention and treatment. Developing a rationale targeting strategy remains challenging because knowledge of extra-gonadal biosynthesis of estrogens, and the mechanism by which estrogen activity is exerted, is very limited. In this review, we will summarize recent discoveries of extra-gonadal sites of estrogen biosynthesis and their local functions and discuss the significance of the most recent novel discovery of intestinal estrogen biosynthesis.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.599-602
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• 2006

The effects of ethanol extract from radish seeds on gastrointestinal function in rats were investigated. Rats were divided into 2 groups of 8 rats each, the basal group and the radish seed ethanol extract group. The radish seed ethanol extract group had a significantly decreased gastrointestinal transit time, but a significantly increased fecal weight compared with the basal group. The radish seed ethanol extract group also had significantly higher duodenal villus height and greater colonic mucosal thickness than the basal group. The radish seed ethanol extract group had a greater proliferation of 5-bromo-2-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) immunoreactive cells in the gastric mucosa as well as in the mucosa and submucosa of the small and large intestine than did the basal group. Thus, radish seed ethanol extract may be useful in preventing constipation based on the observation of an increase in fecal weight, a decrease in gastrointestinal transit time, and positive changes in the intestinal mucosa.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.798-807
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• 2018

Several studies have reported the effect of absorption of procyanidins and their contribution to the small intestine. However, differences between dietary interventions of procyanidins and interventions via antibiotic feeding in pigs are rarely reported. Following 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing, we observed that both procyanidin administration for 2 months (procyanidin-1 group) and continuous antibiotic feeding for 1 month followed by procyanidin for 1 month (procyanidin-2 group) increased the number of operational taxonomic units, as well as the Chao 1 and ACE indices, compared to those in pigs undergoing antibiotic administration for 2 months (antibiotic group). The genera Fibrobacter and Spirochaete were more abundant in the antibiotic group than in the procyanidin-1 and procyanidin-2 groups. Principal component analysis revealed clear separations among the three groups. Additionally, using the online Molecular Ecological Network Analyses pipeline, three co-occurrence networks were constructed; Lactobacillus was in a co-occurrence relationship with Trichococcus and Desulfovibrio and a co-exclusion relationship with Bacillus and Spharerochaeta. Furthermore, metabolic function analysis by phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states demonstrated modulation of pathways involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, energy, and nucleotides. These data suggest that procyanidin influences the gut microbiota and the intestinal metabolic function to produce beneficial effects on metabolic homeostasis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.20.1-20.18
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• 2021

The gut is an important organ with digestive and immune regulatory function which consistently harbors microbiome ecosystem. The gut microbiome cooperates with the host to regulate the development and function of the immune, metabolic, and nervous systems. It can influence disease processes in the gut as well as extra-intestinal organs, including the brain. The gut closely connects with the central nervous system through dynamic bidirectional communication along the gut-brain axis. The connection between gut environment and brain may affect host mood and behaviors. Disruptions in microbial communities have been implicated in several neurological disorders. A link between the gut microbiota and the brain has long been described, but recent studies have started to reveal the underlying mechanism of the impact of the gut microbiota and gut barrier integrity on the brain and behavior. Here, we summarized the gut barrier environment and the 4 main gut-brain axis pathways. We focused on the important function of gut barrier on neurological diseases such as stress responses and ischemic stroke. Finally, we described the impact of representative environmental sensors generated by gut bacteria on acute neurological disease via the gut-brain axis.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.4
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• pp.25-52
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• 1995

'Sang Han Lon' became the sources for treatment and prescription in the Oriental medicine. After that, for some 1800 years the various writings for studying in many ways more than 1000 books which many old sages really intended to inquire into and study the value of books. It is considered that it is the result which the old sages tried to grope for many-sided directions in order to understand 'Sang Han Lon'. In this study, I tried to inquire into prescription and its relevant medicinal substances, that is to say, the crystalization of the physiology, pathology and treating method on the basis of the academic sources of his thoughts. The method to approach is "from what basis of thought system was 'Sang Han Lon' derived first of all?" Secondly, how was the thought system, which became the basis of 'Sang Han Lon', applied to concretely? I studied on the basis of the above important two problems. It is well known to everybody that 'Sang Han Lon' succeeded to the tradition of Naekyung(內經) as well as Cwuyek(周易, Chinese classic on divination). Besides, I inquired into and arrived at conclusion as follows that how the viewpoint on the balance(平衡觀), which was one of the common point between. Cwuyek(周易) and medical science in case of the 'Sanghan prescription'(傷寒方), was applied to concretely. 1. In naming, it is considered that from the same interconnection which the common point with Cwuyek(周易) was the same as obtaining the imigination(取象), the imagination was obtained and was named. 2. In case of being concerned in the gastro-intestinal track, namely, the core of the balance and harmony with the balance and harmony being emphasized, '理中'(It implies 'taking care of gasstro-intestinal track')" and '建中'(It implies 'establishing of gastro-intestinal track'), that is to say, '中'(It implies 'taking care of' & 'establishing of gastro-intestinal track') was emphasized much more. 3. In case of treatment taking advantage of three kinds of medicine in draught, powder and pills in the prescription, while treating during adjusting the slowness and fastness, I maintained the harmony not to damage the righteousness(正氣). 4. In case of the prescription, when exhaling(發散), astringing(收斂), loosing bowels, protecting the gastro-intestinal track and vomitting, he used the medicinal sustances in order to protect the gastro-intestinal track and treated not to damage the righteousness. 5. Especially, in case of the prescription in order to adjust the negative and positive principle of inside-outside(素囊陰陽), he composed of medicinal substances relevant to hot, cold, spicy and sour(寒熱辛酸) in conformity with the prescription and I paid much more attention to the one-sided treatment. Considering the various prescriptions, it is regarded that the adjusting prescription is kept its balance. 6. In the way of processing the medicinal substances in order to change effect of medicine in conformity with the reenactment, he tried to plan the balance of '一升一降' with the decrease of RHEI RADIX ET RHIZOMA(大黃) and increase of wine. 7. In boiling the medicine, he boiled the composed medicine in the time sequence for the purpose of adjusting the slowness and fastness and adapted to harmony of the negative and positive principle(陰陽調和) on the essence function(體峻用純). 8. In taking medicine, he tried to reduce the time of taking the medicine in case of being boiled slowly and tried to increase the dosage and eventually he planned the balance of one time slowness and one time fastness. As I inquired into the above result, a few steps for protecting method to boil the relevant medicinal substances, how to take the medicine and how to process the composed medicinal substances in order to change the effect of medicine can make the human body, which the disease penetrate into, go forward to the righteousness(正氣) and what is much beter, it is considered that this protecting method can be a carefully considerable one in order to protect the righteousness and can subdue the disease, not to damage the gastro-intestinal track and there can exist the viewpoint of balance(平衡觀) on its core.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-64
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• 1971

The radioactive $^{131}I$-rose bengal serial scintiphotography was performed in 62 patients with the hepatobiliary diseases and in 20 normal subjects. This approach permitted visualization of the hepatic uptake of $^{131}I$-rose bengal from the circulation and its excretion into the biliary trees and the intestines. In some of these patients, gallbladder function was examined, using eggs as a gallbladder constrictor. The time of maximum hepatic uptake was well correlated to the conventional biochemical liver function tests. In addition to $^{131}I$-rose bengal scintiphotography, $^{198}Au$-colloid scintiphotography was also performed to make comparison of these two tests. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In normal subjects, the maximum hepatic uptake of $^{131}I$-rose bengal occurred at $23{\pm}2.9$ minutes, the initial hepatic excretion at $34{\pm}5.1$ minutes, the visualization of the gallbladder at $29{\pm}5.7$ minutes and the intestinal visualization at $54{\pm}25.8$ minutes. The radioactivity in the gallbladder decreased to $10.7{\pm}5.0%$ one hour after the ingestion of eggs. 2. In the patients with cirrhosis of the liver, there was a delayed and decreased hepatic uptake. The maximun hepatic upake occurred at $43{\pm}12.9$ minutes. The differences in the results of uptake between the cirrhotic and the normal group were statistically significant. The initial hepatic excretion occurred at $60{\pm}18.5$ minutes and had tendency of delaying compared with the normal controls. The gallbladder was visualized in 13 of 16 cases (81%) and its visualization occurred at $49{\pm}14.6$ minutes with a tendency to be delayed compared with the normal controls. The intestinal visualization occurred at $63{\pm}15.8$ minutes and its delaying tendency was somewhat more prominent. 3. In patients with hepatitis, the maximum hepatic uptake occurred at $59{\pm}21.4$ minutes and was significantly delayed. The initial hepatic excretion occurred at $82{\pm}34.3$ minutes and the results revealed a delaying tendency. The gallbladder was visualized in 15 of 20 cases (75%) at $57{\pm}18.7$ minutes, which was significantly delayed. The Intestinal visualization was noted in all cases with marked delay. 4. In patients with obstructive jaundice, the maximum hepatic uptake was noted at $83{\pm}14.7$ minutes, showing the most significant delay. The hepatic excretion into biliary trees and intestines was not entirely noted in all cases except the only one case with gallbladder visualization. 5. In patients with cholelithiasis, the maximum hepatic upake and the initial hepatic excretion were slightly delayed with mean times of $39{\pm}11.2\;and\;48{\pm}17.1$ minutes respectively. The visualization of the gallbladder was demonstrated in 10 of 17 cases (59%) and occurred at $52{\pm}25.6$ minutes with a slight delay. The intestinal visualization occurred at $67{\pm}47.7$ minutes and was slightly delayed. $^{131}I$-rose bengal in the gallbladder remained high, $49.3{\pm}21.3%$, which suggested quantitatively decreased power of gallbladder constriction. 6. The time of the maximum hepetic uptake was correlated well to BSP retention and serum alkaline phosphatase ativity. However, the maximum hepatic uptake had no definite correlation with serum albumin, serum globulin, TTT, serum cholesterol, SGPT or SGOT. 7. In the diagnosis of the hepatobiliary diseases with jaundice, $^{131}I$-rose bengel serial scintiphotography has proved to be more useful than $^{198}Au$-colloid scintiphotography. With these results, it could be justified that $^{131}I$-rose bengal scintiphotography is an excellent diagnostic aid for dynamic hepatobiliary function studies in the clinical practice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.544-550
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• 2015

This study was conducted to investigate effects of heat-oxidized soy protein isolate (HSPI) on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, apparent nutrient digestibility and digestive function of broiler chickens. A total of 320 1-day-old Arbor Acres chicks were randomly divided into 4 groups with 8 replicates of 10 birds, receiving diets containing soy protein isolate (SPI, control group) or the same amount of SPI heated in an oven at $100^{\circ}C$ for 1, 4, or 8 h, for 21 days, respectively. The results indicated that compared with the control group, body weight gain and feed intake of birds fed diet containing SPI heated for 8 h were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen concentration was higher in the broilers fed diet containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). In contrast, serum glucose content was decreased by HSPI substitution at d 21 (p<0.05). The relative pancreas weight in HSPI groups was higher than that in the control group at d 21 (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the opposite effect was observed for relative weight of anterior intestine and ileum in broilers fed a diet containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Birds fed diets containing SPI heated for 4 or 8 h had a decreased lipase activity in anterior intestinal content at d 14 and 21 (p<0.05), respectively. In addition, the same effect was also noted in broilers given diets containing SPI heated for 1 h at d 21 (p<0.05). Similarly, amylase, protease and trypsin activity in anterior intestinal content were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h at d 21 (p<0.05). The apparent digestibility of dry matter (DM) from d 8 to 10 and DM, crude protein (CP), and ether extract from d 15 to 17 were lower in broilers fed diets containing SPI heated for 8 h (p<0.05). Besides, birds given diets containing SPI heated for 4 h also exhibited lower CP apparent digestibility from d 15 to 17 (p<0.05). It was concluded that HSPI inclusion can exert a negative influence on the growth performance of broilers, which was likely to result from the simultaneously compromised digestive function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.472-482
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to report the safety of diarrhea-inducing treatment (Xie-xia Fa, 瀉下法) by Euphorbia kansui Radix, especially in the respect of clinical features, liver and kidney functions. Methods: Patients who were treated with Euphorbia kansui Radix powder between September 2013 and September 2014 were assessed retrospectively. Results: Less than 6 grams dosage of Euphorbia kansui Radix can induce several mild intestinal reactions but have no harmful effects on liver and kidney functions. Conclusions: Through this study, diarrhea-inducing treatment by less than 6 grams of Euphorbia kansui Radix can considered safe enough to be used in local clinics, but a cautious approach is needed.