• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.99-101
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• 2005

The effect of treatment with pine needle oil upon rat hepatocytes exposed to alcohol was investigated. The body weight gain, ratio of liver and kidney to body weight, and serum biochemistry of rats administered both alcohol and pine needle oil were compared to control rats treated with alcohol alone. Normal untreated control rats, negative control rats with ethanol treatment, positive control rats with both alcohol and the commercially available hangover cure solution (HCS) treatment and the test group with both alcohol and pine needle oil treatment exhibited aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels of $84.43{\pm}47.88\;U/L$, $254.57{\pm}463.20\;U/L$, $70.29{\pm}12.60\;U/L$ and $67.00{\pm}5.06\;U/L$, respectively, and cholesterol levels of $95.71{\pm}6.86\;mg/dl$, $113.80{\pm}38.19\;mg/dl$, $91.57{\pm}6.30\;mg/dl$ and $82.29{\pm}4.98\;mg/dl$, respectively. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were $44.00{\pm}9.04\;U/L$ in normal untreated control rats, increased to $215.43{\pm}428.93\;U/L$ with the administration of ethanol, but interestingly were significantly reduced to $37.83{\pm}6.57\;U/L$ in the test group (p<0.05). Triglyceride (TG) levels were $39.57{\pm}8.62\;mg/dl$ in normal untreated rats, increased to $73.71{\pm}61.20\;mg/dl$ in rats administered alcohol, but were reduced to $26.14{\pm}4.82\;mg/dl$ in the test group (p<0.0l). The pine needle oil treatment significantly reduced the levels of AST, ALT and TG compared to the control rats. These results indicate that pine needle oil can positively mediate the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and general liver functions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2004

Earlier studies have demonstrated that chromium (Cr) Ⅵ compounds have been shown to be more toxic and carcinogenic than other chromium compounds. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of red ginseng against chromium Ⅵ-induced toxicity and free radical generation. Sixty adult male rats were divided into six equal groups include: control group, group received Cr Ⅵ alone (50 mg/kg b.w.), group treated with Korean ginseng (K. ginseng) alone (20 mg/kg b.w), group treated with Cr Ⅵ for 15 days then received K. ginseng for other 15 days, group treated with Cr Ⅵ and K. ginseng at the same time for 15 days, and group treated with K. ginseng for 15 days then Cr Ⅵ for other 15 days. The results revealed that Cr Ⅵ caused significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, G-GT, urea, creatinine, and acid phosphatase. Whereas, it caused significant decrease in TP, albumin, testosterone, GPX, and SOD indicating a stress for liver, kidney and testes. K. ginseng alone caused significant increase in GPX and SOD activities in healthy animals and this result suggests a prophylactic role for this herb in protection against the damaging impact induced by free radical species. Furthermore, the other biochemical parameters measured after K. ginseng administration were comparable to the control values. Treatment with Cr Ⅵ followed by K. ginseng, Cr Ⅵ and K. ginseng or K. ginseng followed by Cr Ⅵ resulted in significant improvement in all tested parameters towards the normal values of the controls. However, this improvement was pronounced in the group pre-treated with K. ginseng for 15 days before Cr Ⅵ administration. It could be concluded that K. ginseng exhibited a protective action against the toxic effects of Cr Ⅵ and it had the ability to scavenge free radicals resulted from Cr Ⅵ intoxication.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.351-365
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• 2002

Earlier studies have demonstrated that chromium (Cr) VI compounds have been shown to be more toxic and carcinogenic than other chromium compounds. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of red ginseng against chromium VI -induced toxicity and free radical generation. Sixty adult male rats were divided into six equal groups include: control group, group received Cr VI alone (50 mg/kg b.w.), group treated with Korean ginseng (K. ginseng) alone (20 mg/kg b.w), group treated with Cr VI for 15 days then received K. ginseng for other 15 days, group treated with Cr VI and K. ginseng at the same time for 15 days, and group treated with K. ginseng for 15 days then Cr VI for other 15 days. The results revealed that Cr VI caused significant increase in ALT, AST, ALP, G-GT, urea, creatinine, and acid phosphatase. Whereas, it caused significant decrease in TP, albumin, testosterone, GPX, and SOD indicating a stress for liver, kidney and testes. K. ginseng alone caused significant increase in GPX and SOD activities in healthy animals and this result suggests a prophylactic role for this herb in protection against the damaging impact induced by free radical species. Furthermore, the other biochemical parameters measured after K. ginseng administration were comparable to the control values. Treatment with Cr VI followed by K. ginseng, Cr VI and K. ginseng or K. ginseng followed by Cr VI resulted in significant improvement in all tested parameters towards the normal values of the controls. However, this improvement was pronounced in the group pre-treated with K. ginseng for 15 days before Cr VI administration. It could be concluded that K. ginseng exhibited a protective action against the toxic effects of Cr VI and it had the ability to scavenge free radicals resulted from Cr VI intoxication.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.118-122
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• 2003

Oxidative stress and its consequent lipid peroxidation exert harmful effects, which have been currently involved in the generation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced fibrosis(cirrhosis). In this study, it was investigated whether dried extract of 田螺(Concha Cipangopaludinae; CC) has liver functional improvement, antioxidative and antifibrotic effect in rats those were induced liver fibrosis by CCl₄ administration. The female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups(Normal, AC, AC-CC) and were observed in 6 weeks. Except for normal group, liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) in rats were developed by CCl₄ administration(0.8 ㎖/rat/week). And the rats were treated with prepared CC(p. o. 2 ㎖/day/rat). At the time of sacrifice, the liver, kidney and spleen were weighed and the ratio of organ weight/body weight was calculated. The MDA, hyp and biochemical parameters(AST, ALT, ALP, t-bili) were measured in sera and liver tissue of rats. The strong yellow color of urine was observed in all CCl₄-treated group compared with normal group, but jaundice didn't appear in CCl₄-treated group. The mortality of CCl₄-treated group is very low(<13%) during 6 weeks of observation time. The ratio of liver/body as well as the weight of liver in CCl₄-treated rats significantly increased compared with that in normal group(p<0.001). The level of clinical parameters in sera of all liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) developed rats were significantly higher than that of normal group(p<0.001-0.05). Especially the value of BUN, ALP, t-bilirubin in AC-CC group showed 20.9%, 19.6%, 47.9% lower than that in AC group. The content of hyp in CCl₄-treated rats was significantly higher than normal group(p<0.001～<0.05), and showed 12.2% lower value in the AC-CC group than AC group(p<0.05). The production of lipid peroxidation(MDA) in sera and liver tissue significantly increased under the fibrotic(cirrhotic) condition(p<0.001～<0.05). Especially the MDA value of AC-CC group in sera significantly 46.5% decreased compared with that of AC group(p<0.05), and the MDA value of AC-CC in liver tissue showed 21.4% lower than that of AC group. Concha Cipangopaludinae can be improved hepatic function, and maybe have effect of liver protection, antioxidation and antifibrosis.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.297-312
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• 2020

Wilted soybean plants were collected from soybeans cultivation fields in Korea from 2014 to 2016. Fusarium spp., Colletotrichum spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Macrophomina sp., Phytophthora spp., and Calonectria ilicicola were obtained from the infected samples. Out of these, Fusarium spp. were the dominant species (79.1%). In total, 53 isolates were identified as F. solani species complex, F. oxysporum species complex, F. graminearum species complex, and F. fujikuroi species complex based on mycological characteristics. Sequence typing analysis was conducted using translation elongation factor 1 alpha (TEF) to confirm the identification of isolates. All isolates were identified as F. solani, F. oxysporum, F. commune, F. asiaticum, and F. fujikuroi based on phylogenetic analysis of TEF sequences. Pathogenicity of 44 isolates was tested on three cultivars of soybean using the root dip inoculation method. Out of 5 Fusarium species, only F. asiaticum could not cause the symptoms or be weak. Ten isolates were selected based on pathogenic characters and species identification to investigate the host range and screen soybean cultivars for resistance. Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, and F. commune were aggressive only to soybean, and F. fujikuroi was aggressive to kidney bean, yellow cowpea, black cowpea, adzuki bean as well as soybean. All 13 Korean soybean cultivars were susceptible to F. commune and F. fujikuroi. Out of 13 cultivars, cv. Janggi, cv. Poongsannamul, and cv. Socheongja were resistant to Fusarium wilt, while cv. Hwanggeumol and Chamol were susceptible to Fusarium wilt.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.152-171
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• 2022

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of Sunbanghwalmyung-eum gamibang on Monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods : Forty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into 5 groups of 8 rats each. Osteoarthritis (OA) was induced by injecting MIA (2 mg/50 µl) into the joint cavity of the left knee of SD rats belonging to the experimental group, and normal saline was injected into the joint cavity of the left knee instead of MIA in the normal group. To the normal group and the controlled group (OA group), 2 ml of distilled water was orally administered. To the positive control group (Indomethacin group), indomethacin 2 ml at a concentration of 2 mg/kg, to the low concentration group of SHG (Low group), 2 ml of SHG at a concentration of 2 mg/kg, and to the high concentration group of SHG (High group), 2 ml of SHG at a concentration of 4 mg/kg ml was orally administered. The drug was administered for a total of 4 weeks, and histological changes were analyzed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and Safranin-O staining. In addition, inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, and MMP-13, TIMP-1, and GAGs were immunohistochemically analyzed. Finally, hematological examination, blood biochemical examination, and liver and kidney biopsy were performed. Results : SHG groups (Low and High) inhibited the matrix destruction and damage of the knee joint cartilage in SD rat model, and significantly prevented the reduction in cartilage thickness. In SHG groups, the expressions of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MMP-13 were significantly decreased, and the expressions of TIMP-1, GAGs were significantly increased compared with OA group. The safety indicators had no significant differences among five groups. Conclusions : These results show that SHG has cartilage protection capacity, anti-inflammatory effect.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 1983

For the purpose of prediction and protection of radiation effects on the Korean people, we have collected autoptic data from the National Institute of Scientific Investigation. The mass of organs and the size of brains measured is analysed for 1,921 Korean people. The results obtained are as follows; 1. The weight of the kidney in the Reference Korean is 251.6g in male and 227.7g in female. 2. The weight of the lung in the Reference Korean is 1,204.4g in male and 957.4g in female. 3. The weight of the heart in the Reference Korean is 348.8g in male and 301.6g in female. 4. The weight of the liver in the Reference Korean is 1,863.9g in male and 1,610.9g in female. 5. The weight of the pancreas in the Reference Korean is 56.4g in male and 54.0g in female. ,6. The weight of the spleen in the Reference Korean is 67.3g in male and 58.2g in female. 7. The anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter and vertical diameter of the brain in the Reference Korean are 17.6cm, 15.5cm and 8.6cm in male, respectively, and 17.7cm, 15.4cm and 8.2cm in female, respectively.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.169-177
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• 2002

Purpose: Hypertension accelerates the progression of chronic renal disease, whether it results from, or causes, the renal disease. Therefore, the control of hypertension is one of the important factors that retard the rate of renal deterioration. We compared the effects of different antihypertensive agents on renal function and glomerular morphology In subtotal nephrectomized rats. Materials and methods: After induction of chronic renal failure with 5/6 nephrectomy, the rats were divided into three groups; control group (Group C), enalapril group (Group E), and nicardipine group (Group N). Systolic blood pressure was measured by tail cuff method every 4 weeks until 12 weeks after nephrectomy. At 12 weeks after nephrectomy, all rats were placed in metabolic cages for 24 hour urine collections to measure urinary protein and creatinine excretion. After urine collection and blood sampling for serum creatinine, all rats were sacrificed. The renal tissue was processed for morphometric study with light microscope and electron microscope. Results: 1. The blood pressure of Group C increased progressively, but both enalapril and nicardipine prevented the development of hypertension, and the two drugs were equally effective in maintaining normal blood pressure throughout the study. 2. Twenty-four hour urinary protein excretion was lower in Group E compared to Group C and Group N 3. Mesangial expansion score in both treated groups were significantly lower than the control group. Mean glomerular volume in Group E was significantly reduced compared to Group C and Group N. There was no significant difference in mean glomerular volume between Group C and Group N. 4. There was no significant difference in podocyte structural changes, estimated by filtration slit length density, among control, enalapril and nicardipine treated groups. Conclusion: Control of hypertension with enalapril or nicardipine afforded considerable protection from mesangial expansion in the rat remnant kidney model. But protein excretion and glomerular growth were significantly reduced in Group E compared to Group N. There was no significant difference in podocyte structural changes among the 3 groups.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.791-797
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• 2020

Maqui berry are known as one of the "superfoods" and can purportedly improve health. The effects of orally administered maqui berry extract on biological parameters such as serum lipids and blood cells in healthy subjects were investigated in rats in vivo for 2 weeks. Possible causes of harmful effects on liver and kidney function were also examined. After oral administration of maqui berry extract, levels of serum triglyceride (TG) were decreased to almost 30% less from the control, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was increased to 18% more; thus, serum lipids profile seemed to be improved. The administration of maqui berry extract increased red blood cell concentration by 10% from the control, while both the hemoglobin and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were increased by 12%. Maqui berry extract also increased the concentration of serum total proteins by 30% of the control and that suggests protein metabolism might be improved. Moreover, maqui berry decreased serum levels of glutamin oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamin pyruvate transaminase (GPT) by 12% from the control group so maqui berry improved liver function. This study suggests that oral administration of maqui berry extract may be helpful to improve those heath parameters like serum lipids profile, red blood cell level, liver protection. It would also be very useful for the development of high value products such as functional foods and pharmaceutics in the future.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2007

Olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus is one of the most important cultured fish in Korea, its farming has been negatively impacted by viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases. Streptococcal infection was considered as a serious problem because of significant economic losses in olive flounder farm industry. The development and evaluation of vaccine for protection against infection by this agent were required. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of ${\beta}$-hemolytic Streptococcus (S.) iniae vaccine on olive flounder Three hundreds of flounders (weight $119.8{\pm}20.7g$, body length $22.6{\pm}1.4cm$) were reared in 0.5 tons aquaria in land-marine tank system. Seawater was provided from the sea of Inchon in Korea, and water temperature was set to $22^{\circ}C$ and $25^{\circ}C$ in the vaccination and challenge test, respectively. We used the formalin-inactivated ${\beta}$-hemolytic S. iniae (F2K) vaccine (M VAC INIAE; Kyoritsu seiyaku, Japan) originated in Japan. The vaccine was intraperitoneally administered to fish. Both of vaccinated group and control group were challenged with intraperitoneally injection by virulent S. iniae SI-36 isolates with $1.0{\times}10^7CFU/fish$ at 3 weeks after vaccination. Difference on mortality of control and vaccinated group (90.0 and 15.0%, 76.5 and 8.0% respectively) at two trials were found significant (p<0.05), and relative percent survival were 83.4% and 89.5%, respectively. The dead fishes were showed dark pigmentation of skin, abdominal extension, hemorrhagic ascites, and liver necrosis, and isolated the S. iniae strain from ascites, liver and kidney. We confirmed the safety and efficacy of ${\beta}$-hemolytic S. iniae vaccine by determinations of the optimal management condition and artificial challenge test in olive flounder.