• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.349-359
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• 1997

Background : The signal pathways and their precise roles for acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by endotoxin (ETX) has not been established. Since there has been several in vitro experiments suggesting that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) pathway may be responsible for endotoxin-induced inflammatory reaction, we performed in vivo experiments in the rats with the hypothesis that PKC-inhibition can effectively prevent endotoxin-induced acute lung injury. Methods : We studied the role of PKC in ETX-induced ALI using PKC inhibitor (staurosporine, STP) in the rat Specific pathogen free male Sprague-Dawley weighted from 165 to 270g were used for the study. Animals were divided into the normal control (NC)-, vehicle control (VC)-, ETX-, PMA (phorbolmyristateacetate)-, STP+PMA-, and STP+ETX-group. PMA (50mg/kg) or ETX (7mg/kg) was instilled through polyethylen catheter after aseptic tracheostomy with and without STP (0.2mg/kg)-pretreatment STP was injected via tail vein 30min before intratracheal injection (IT) of PMA or ETX. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was done 3-or 6-hrs after IT of PMA or ETX respectively, to measure protein concentration, total and differential cell counts. Results : The results were as follows. The protein concentrations in BALF in the PMA- and ETX-group were very higher than that of VC-group (p<0.001). When animals were pretreated with STP, the %reduction of the protein concentration in BALF was $64.8{\pm}8.5$ and $30.4{\pm}2.5%$ in the STP+PMA- and STP+ETX-group, respectively (p = 0.028). There was no difference in the total cell counts between the PMA-and VC-group (p = 0.26). However the ETX-group showed markedly increased total cell counts as compared to the VC- (p = 0.003) and PMA-group (p = 0.0027), respectively. The total cell counts in BALF were not changed after pretreatment with STP compared to the PMA- (p = 0.22) and ETX-group (p = 0.46). The percentage of PMN, but not alveolar macrophage, was significantly elevated in the PMA-, and ETX-group. Especially in the ETX-group, the percentage of PMN was 17 times higher than that of PMA (p < 0.001). The differential cell counts was not different between the PMA and STP+PMA On the contrary the STP+ETX-group showed decreased percentage of PMN (p = 0.016). There was no significant relationship between the protein concentration and the total or differential cell counts in each group. Conclusion : Pretreatment with PKC-inhibitor (staurosporine) partially but significantly inhibited ETX-induced ALI.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.310-318
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study is to investigate anti-arthritis activity using natural eggshell membrane (NEM). Methods: NEM was administered at 52 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg to SD-Rat, where arthritis was induced by monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) at 3 mg. NO production in serum was measured using Griess reagent. Cytokines including IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were measured by Luminex and $PGE_2$, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, $LTB_4$, and hs-CRP were measured by ELISA. The cartilage of patella volume was examined and 3-D high-resolution reconstructions of the cartilage of patella were obtained using a Micro-CT system. Results: Production of NO, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, $PGE_2$, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, $LTB_4$, and hs-CRP in serum was decreased, respectively, in comparison with control. The cartilage of patella volume increased significantly. In addition, the NEM group showed a decrease in the cartilage of patella, synovial membrane, and transformation of fibrous tissue. Conclusion: The results for NEM showed significant anti-arthritis activity. These results may be developed as a raw material for new health food to ease the symptoms mentioned above.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2003

Tributyltin (TBT) used world-wide in antifouling paints for ships is a widespread environmental pollutant and cause reproductive organs atrophy in rodents. At low doses, antiproliferative modes of action have been shown to be involved, whereas at higher doses apoptosis seems to be the mechanism of toxicity in reproductive organs by TBT. In this study, we investigated that the mechanisms underlying DNA fragmentation induced by TBT in the rat leyding cell line, R2C. Effects of TBT on intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated in R2C cells by fluorescence detector. TBT significantly induced intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level in a time-dependent manner. The rise in intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level was followed by a time-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the cytosol level. Simultaneously, TBT induced the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondrial membrane into the cytosol. Furthermore, ROS production and the release of cytochrome c were reduced by BAPTA, an intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ chelator, indicating the important role of Ca$\^$2+/ in R2C during these early intracellular events. In addition, Z-DEVD FMK, a caspase-3 inhibitor, decreased apoptosis by TBT. Taken together, the present results indicated that the apoptotic pathway by TBT might start with an increase in intracellular Ca$\^$2+/ level, continues with release of ROS and cytochrome c from mitochondria, activation of caspases,and finally results in DNA fragmentation.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.347-355
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• 2000

Zinc is one of the most abundant oligoelements in the living cell. It appears tightly bound to some metalloproteins and nucleic acids, loosely bound to some metallothioneins or even as free ion. Small amounts of zinc ions (in the nanomolar range) regulate a plentitude of enzymatic proteins, receptors and transcription factors, thus rolls need accurate homeostasis of zinc ions. Zinc is an essential catalytic or structural element of many proteins, and a signaling messenger that is released by neural activity at many central excitatory synapses. Growing evidences suggest that zinc may also be a key mediator and modulator of the neuronal death associated with transient global ischemia and sustained seizures, as well as perhaps other neurological disease stoles. Some neurons have developed mechanisms to accumulate zinc in specific membrane compartment ('vesicular zinc') which can be evidenced using histochemical techniques. Substances giving a bright colour or emitting fluorescence when in contact with divalent metal ions are currently used to detect them inside cells; their use leads to the so called 'direct' methods. The fixation and precipitation of metal ions as insoluble salt precipitates, their maintenance along the histological process and, finally, their demonstration after autometallographic development are essential steps for other methods, the so called 'indirect methods'. This study is a short report on the autometallograhical approaches for zinc detection in the central nervous system (CNS) by means of a modified selenium method.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.373-383
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• 2011

Tributyltin (TBT) is one of endocrine disrupters which are known as having similar function to sex steroid hormone inducing apoptosis in various tissues of rodents. Recently, it has been reported that TBT induces apoptosis in thymus causing the decreased thymic function, but little is known about the mechanism. To elucidate the mechanism, three-week-old SD female rats were orally administrated with TBT 1, 10, and 25 mg per body weight (kg) and sesame oil as a control for 7 days. On day 8, the thymi were obtained and weighed, and then the number of thymocytes was counted. We also performed H&E staining, TUNEL assay, and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis to examine the apoptosis rates and the structure in the thymus. Next, we investigated the adipogenesis and apoptosis-related mRNA expression levels in the thymi by real-time PCR. The thymic weight and the number of thymocytes were decreased by TBT in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of the H&E staining, the boundary between cortical and medullary area was blurred in the thymi of TBT treated rats compared to those of controls. In the results of TUNEL assay and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis, apoptosis rates in the thymus were increased after TBT treatment. The expression levels of thymic epithelial cell marker genes such as EVA, KGF, AIRE, and IL-7 were significantly decreased in the thymi of TBT treated rats, but $PPAR{\gamma}$, aP2, PEPCK, and CD36 were significantly increased. The expression of $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 as apoptosis-related genes also was significantly increased after TBT treatment. The present study demonstrates that TBT can increase the expression of adipogenesis and apoptosis-related genes leading to apoptosis in the thymus. These results suggest that the increased adipogenesis of thymus by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis in the thymus resulting in a loss in thymic immune function.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.161-165
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• 2007

Oxytocin is a neurohypophyseal hormone which has multiple functions in mammals. Mainly, oxytocin regulates milk ejection and has an effect on uterine contraction and is related to maternal behavior. Maternal behavior is believed to be suppressed by stress and facilitated by oxytocin. In the cesarean section, oxytocin may be administrated into uterus to promote uterine involution. The present study aimed to test the effect of oxytocin into uterus on maternal behavior of rats with cesarean section. It was measured the effects on maternal behavior of oxytocin infused into uterus in rats with cesarean section as a stressor. In the first experiment, pup survival rate of between a control group and a group with laparotomy as a stress in natural parturition rats was compared. In the second experiment, survival rate for 2 weeks and maternal pup searching behavior (MPSV) were observed in one cesarean sectioned group without oxytocin and the other cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin. Infanticide was observed in stressed group in the first experiment while a normal maternal behavior was observed in a control one. In the second experiment, MPSV was only observed in a cesarean sectioned group with oxytocin and infanticide was observed in two groups except one rat which is thought to be affected by oxytocin as operated relatively late. This is the first study to show that the administration of oxytocin into uterus in the cesarean section is not involved in the regulation of maternal behavior in rats. In conclusion, this study proves the needs of oxytocin into brain in cesarean section related rats model and further study of maternal behavior list, like MPSV.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 1998

The total-bodies of 10 week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were irradiated with single doses 4.5 and 7.5 Gy, respectively. The effects on plasma and sciatic nerve platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) concentrations and sciatic nerve PDGF ${\alpha}$ -and ${\beta}$ -receptors densities were examined up to 10 days post-treatment. There was no consistent significant variation in the plasma and sciatic nerve PDGF concentrations in time over the period of study between 4.5 and 7.5 Gy groups. Plasma PDGF concentrations were significantly reduced to 58% of control values between 5 and 10 days with 4.5 Gy and to 51% of control values as percentage of control values between 5 and 10 days with 7.5 Gy after irradiation, respectively(p<0.05). Sciatic nerve PDGF concentrations were increased to 118% of control values at 1 day with 4.5 Gy and to 130% of control values at 1 day with 7.5 Gy after irradiation, respectively(p>0.05). After irradiation, the levels of PDGF ${\alpha}$ -receptor protein density were reduced to 33% of control values at 2 days with 4.5 Gy and to 50% at 2 days with 7.5 Gy, while the levels of PDGF ${\beta}$-receptor protein density were reduced to maximally 26% of control values at 2 days with 4.5 Gy and to 27% at 2 days with 7.5 Gy, respectively, but both initial decreased levels of those were increased subsequently after 2 days following irradiation. These results suggest that the radiation-induced alteration of plasma and sciatic nerve PDGF concentrations, and sciatic nerve PDGF ${\alpha}$ -and ${\beta}$ -receptors densities may be involved in the pathogenesis of bone marrow stem cell and peripheral neuron damages.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.674-678
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• 2010

The effects of medetomidine on the degree of analgesia and sedation in rats were evaluated. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: saline, 1 mL/kg (group 'Saline'); butorphanol, 2.0 mg/kg; medetomidine, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8 or 1.6 mg/kg (group 'MED0.2', 'MED0.4', 'MED0.8' and 'MED1.6', respectively). The degree of analgesia was measured in the $50^{\circ}C$ hot-water tail-flick latency test, and the degree of sedation was evaluated using the numerical sedation score (NSS) and the righting reflex. All doses of medetomidine, except MED0.2, significantly increased the analgesic effect compared to the Saline group. Variables in the MED0.4 and MED0.8 groups, but not in the MED1.6 group, were significantly increased compared to those in the MED0.2 group. However, analgesia with all doses of medetomidine was not significantly different compared to that with butorphanol. Saline and butorphanol treatments did not induce sedation and loss of righting reflex during the recording period. NSS in the MED0.4, MED0.8 and MED1.6 groups were significantly higher than that in the MED0.2 group. NSS in the MED0.8 and MED1.6 groups were not significantly different from that in the MED0.4 group. The latency to loss of righting reflex in the MED0.8 and MED1.6 groups decreased significantly compared to that in the MED0.2 group. Thus, 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg of medetomidine provided not only reliable analgesia but also sedation to rats. In conclusion, 0.4 to 0.8 mg/kg medetomidine could be a useful chemical restraint method in rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.300-307
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• 1997

The effects of Aster scaber and Ixeris dentata on cadiovascular system in hyperlipidemic rats were examined. Five groups of thirty Sprague Dawley rats were fed with the diet contained 1% cholesterol, 0.25% sodium cholate, 10% coconut oil and 5% lard(control group) for 4 weeks. Each experimental diet group was added with 5% plant powder or extract of the 5% plant powder by dry weight. Contractile or relaxation responses in the isolated artria and thoracic aortae were measured and the morphological changes of the aortic endotherium from the rats fed the experimental diet were inspected. In response to isoproterenol, the number of right atrial spontaneous beat was significantly lower in Cham chyi powder group$(PP_{1})$ and Sumbagui powder group$(PP_{2})$ than control at $10^(-8)M$ concentration. The contraction forces by injection of phenylephrine and calcium in isolated thoracic aorta were significantly low in each experimental groups compared with the control. The relaxation rates by acetylcholine represented comparatively higher value in $PP_{1}$ than control. The morphological changes of endothelial cell surface was a little in $PP_{1}$ and $PP_{2}$ compared with control, while the damages were considerably advanced in Cham chyi and Sumgbagui extract diet group$(PE_{1},\;PE_{2})$.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1337-1347
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• 2009

Purpose:Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) is a simple sulfur-containing amino acid. It is abundantly present in tissues such as brain, retina, heart, and skeletal muscles. Current studies have demonstrated the neuroprotective effects of taurine, but limited data are available for such effects during neonatal period. The aim of this study was to determine whether taurine could reduce hypoxic-ischemic (HI) cerebral injury via anti-apoptosis mechanism. Methods:Embryonic cortical neurons isolated from Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days gestation were cultured in vitro. The cells were divided into hypoxia group, taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, and taurine-treated group after HI insult. In the in vivo model, left carotid artery ligation was performed in 7-day-old SD rat pups. The pups were exposed to hypoxia, administered an injection of 30 mg/kg of taurine, and killed at 1 day, 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the hypoxic insult. We compared the expressions of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 among the 3 groups by using real- time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting. Results:The cells in the taurine-treated group before hypoxic insult, although similar in appearance to those in the normoxia group, were lesser in number. In the taurine-treated group, Bcl-2 expression increased, whereas Bax and caspase-3 expressions reduced. Conclusion:Taurine exerts neuroprotective effects onperinatal HI brain injury due to its anti-apoptotic effect. The neuroprotective effect was maximal at 1-2 weeks after the hypoxic injury.