• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.256-264
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• 2006

Background: An acute lung injury(ALI) is characterized by the recruitment, activation, and apoptosis of inflammatory cells, numerous products released by inflammatory cells such as reactive oxygen species, inflammatory mediators, and a variety of proteolytic enzymes. It was reported that bacterial infections in diabetics showed impaired PMN functions such as reduced PMN respiratory burst and decreased microbicidal activity in inflamed tissue. However, the effect of the proteinase - inhibitor (MMP-9 vs TIMP-1) in ALI in diabetics is unclear. This study evaluated the differences in the expression of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 after the stimulation of endotoxin in a rat model. Methods: Six-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were classified into normal, DM, LPS and DM+LPS groups. The peripheral blood, BAL fluids, and lung tissues were obtained from individual rats. The MMP-9 activity was measured by gelatin zymography and the TIMP-1 level was measured by Western blotting. Results: The total BAL cells of the DM-LPS groups were significantly lower than the LPS groups (p < 0.01). The MMP-9 activities in the serum were higher in the DM+LPS groups than in the other groups. The MMP-9 activities in the BAL fluids were significantly higher in the DM+LPS group than in the normal and diabetic rats (p < 0.05). TIMP-1 expressions in the BAL fluids were significantly lower in the DM+LPS group than other groups (p < 0.05). The ratio between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the BAL fluids was significantly higher in the DM+LPS groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In ALI in diabetics the higher MMP-9 activity and lower TIMP-1 level are believed to prolonged and intensify the course of inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.5 s.72
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• pp.819-825
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• 2005

The Antioxidative accvities of the cell free extracts containing high glutathione by Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 were tested in vitro experimental models : DPPH method for radical scavenging activity, ferric TBA method and ferric thiocyanate method using linoleic acid and tissue microsome for lipid peroxidation inhibitions. The concentration of intercellular glutathione by cultivating S. cerevisiae FF-8 in the YM optimal medium obtained $204\mug/ml$, which was increased by 2.76-fold from $74\mug/ml$ in the YM basal medium. A comparition between the YM basal medium and the YM optimal medium on antioxidative substance produced by S. cerevisiae FF-8 was investigated. In DPPH ($\alpha, \alpha-diphenyl-\beta-picrylhydrazyl$) method, the electron donating activity of the glutathione produced by S. cerevisiae FF-8 cultured in the YM optimal medium was as high as that of BHT ($ 0.05\%w/v $). The antioxidative a.tivity was measured by inhibition against lipid peroxidation of rat tissues' microsomes. The results of anti-oxidant activity of the cell free extracts by S. rerevisiae FF-8 cultured in the YM optimal medium was shown in the following order . $ liver 60.98\% > kidney 56.43\% > heart 52.91\% > brain 52.13\% > testis 45.57\% > spleen 42.95\% $. In antioxidative activities determined by ferric thiocyanate method and TBA methods against lipid peroxidation, the lipid peroxidation in the control mixture increased more rapidly than the typical peroxidation curve of linoleic acid from one day. The antioxidative activity of the cell free extracts by cultivating S. cerevisine FF-8 in the YM optimal medium were higher than that of the YM basal medium. These data indicate that the cell free extracts containing a high intercellular glutathione of S. cerevisiae FF-8 cultured in YM optimal medium showed strong antioxidative capacities by DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric thiocyanate and TBARS measurements.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.366-374
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• 2010

Introduction: This study evaluated the capability of silk fibroin (SF) and recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 loaded SF (SF-BMP) as a bone defect replacement matrix when grafted in a calvarial bone defect of rats in vivo. Materials and Methods: A total 70 calvarial critical size defects (5.0 mm in diameter) made on 35 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. The defects were transplanted with (1) rhBMP-2 loaded silk fibroin graft (SF-BMP: 0.8+$10\;{\mu}g$), (2) Silk fibroin (SF: $10\;{\mu}g$), and (3) no graft material (Raw). The samples were evaluated with soft x-rays, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium/phosphate quantification, histological and histomorphometric analysis at postoperative 4 and 8 weeks. Results: The SF-BMP group ($48.86{\pm}14.92%$) had a significantly higher mean percentage bone area than the SF group ($24.96{\pm}11.01%$) at postoperative 4 weeks.(P<0.05) In addition, the SF-BMP group ($40.01{\pm}12.43%$) had a higher % bone area at postoperative 8 weeks than the SF group ($33.26{\pm}5.15%$). The mean ratio of gray scale levels to the host bone showed that the SF-BMP group ($0.67{\pm}0.08$) had a higher mean ratio level than the SF group ($0.61{\pm}0.09$) at postoperative 8 weeks. These differences were not statistically significant.(P=0.168 and P=0.243, respectively) The ratio of the calcium and phosphate contents of the SF-BMP ($0.93{\pm}0.22$) group was lower than that of the SF ($1.90{\pm}1.42$) group at postoperative 4 weeks. However, the SF-BMP group ($0.75{\pm}0.31$) had a higher Ca/$PO_4$ ratio than the SF ($0.68{\pm}0.04$) at postoperative 8 weeks. These differences were not statistically significant.(P=0.126 and P=0.627, respectively) For the bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, which is recognized as a reliable indicator of the osteoblast function, the SF-BMP ($23.71{\pm}8.60\;U/L$) groups had a significantly higher value than the SF group ($12.65{\pm}6.47\;U/L$) at postoperative 4 weeks.(P<0.05) At postoperative 8 weeks, the SF-BMP ($21.65{\pm}10.02\;U/L$) group had a lower bone-specific ALP activity than the SF group ($16.72{\pm}7.35\;U/L$). This difference was not statistically significant.(P=0.263) For the histological evaluation, the SF-BMP group revealed less inflammation, lower foreign body reactions and higher bone healing than the SF group at postoperative 4 and 8 weeks. The SF group revealed more foreign body reactions at postoperative 4 weeks. However, this immunogenic reaction decreased and the remnant of grafted material was observed at postoperative 8 weeks. For histomorphometric analysis, the SF-BMP group had a significantly longer bone length to total length ratio than those of the SF group at postoperative 4 and 8 weeks.(P<0.05) Conclusion: The rhBMP-2 loaded silk fibroin graft revealed fewer immunoreactions and inflammation as well as more new bone formation than the pure silk fibroin graft. Therefore, silk fibroin may be a candidate scaffold for tissue engineered bone regeneration.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) leaf powder on improvements in lipid metabolism in serum, liver and adipose tissue, and the anti-obesity effect in rats fed a high fat/high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to induce a hyperlipidemic and obese model rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 210 g were divided into four groups; a normal diet group (N), a high fat/high cholesterol diet group (HFC), a high fat/high cholesterol diet with 5% ramie leaf powder group (HFC-RL), and a high fat/high cholesterol diet with 10% ramie leaf powder group (HFC-RH). The body weight gain increased with a high fat/high cholesterol diet, but gradually decreased in the ramie leaf powder fed groups compared with the HFC group. The liver index in the HFC group was highest among the four groups, although the difference was not significant compared with the ramie leaf powder fed groups. The adipose tissues weight in the HFC group was heavier than that of the N group, whereas those of groups fed ramie leaf powder decreased gradually. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not different between the HFC groups, but serum alkaline aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly after ramie leaf powder feeding. Levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors tended to decrease in the ramie leaf powder fed groups compared with the HFC group, whereas serum HDL-cholesterol level decreased in the HFC group and markedly increased in the ramie leaf powder fed groups. Levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the liver were significantly lower in the ramie leaf powder fed groups than in the HFC group. Levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in adipose tissues were also lower in the ramie leaves powder fed groups than in the HFC group. The activities of heparinreleasable lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and total-extractable LPL in adipose tissues increased in the HFC group compared to that of the N group, but those of the ramie leaf powder fed groups decreased significantly. These results suggest that ramie leaf powder may improve lipid metabolism in serum, liver and adipose tissue and potentially reduce lipid storage.

• 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.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 1992

The tegumental ultrastructure of juvenile and adult Echinostoma cinetorchis (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Three-day (juvenile) and 16-day (adult) worms were harvested from rats (Sprague-Dawley) experimentally fed the metacercariae from the laboratory-infected fresh water snail, Hippeutis cantori. The worms were fifed with 2.5% glutaraldehyde, processed routinely, and observed by an ISI Korea DS-130 scanning electron microscope. The 3-day old juvenile worms were elongated and ventrally curved, with their ventral sucker near the anterior two-fifths of the body. The head crown was bearing 37∼38 collar spines arranged in a zigzag pattern. The lips of the oral and ventral suckers had 8 and 5 type II sensory papillae respectively, and bewteen the spines, a few type III papillae were observed. Tongue or spade-shape spines were distributed anteriorly to the ventral sucker, whereas peg-like spines were distributed posteriorly and became sparse toward the posterior body. The spines of the dorsal surface were similar to those of the ventral surface. The 16-day old adults were leaf-like, and their oral and ventral suckers were located very closely. Aspinous head crown, oral and ventral suckers had type II and type III sensory papillae, and numerous type I papillae were distributed on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker. Scale-like spines, with broad base and round tip, were distributed densely on the tegument anterior to the ventral sucker but they became sparse posteriorly. At the dorsal surface, spines were observed at times only at the anterior body. The results showed that the tegument of E. cinetorchis is similar to that of other echinostomes, but differs in the number and arrangement of collar spines, shape and distribution of tegumenal spines, and type and distribution of sensory papillae.

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.1102-1111
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• 2008

Purpose : Resveratrol, extracted from red wine and grapes, has an anti-cancer effect, an antiinflammatory effect, and an antioxidative effect mainly in heart disease and also has neuroprotective effects in the adult animal model. No studies for neuroprotective effects during the neonatal periods have been reported. Therefore, we studied the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats via anti-apoptosis. Methods : Embryonic cortical neuronal cell culture of rat brain was performed using pregnant Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 18 days of gestation (E18) for the in vitro approach. We injured the cells with hypoxia and administered resveratrol (1, 10, and $30{\mu}g/mL$) to the cells at 30 minutes before hypoxic insults. In addition, unilateral carotid artery ligation with hypoxia was induced in 7-day-old neonatal rats for the in vivo approach. We injected resveratrol (30 mg/kg) intraperitoneally into animal models. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to identify the neuroprotective effects of resveratrol through anti-apoptosis. Results : In the in vitro approach of hypoxia, the expression of Bax, caspase-3, and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2, indicators of the level of apoptosis, were significantly increased in the hypoxia group compared to the normoxia group. In the case of the resveratrol-treated group, expression was significantly decreased compared to the hypoxia group. And the results in the in vivo approach were the same as in the in vitro approach. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates that resveratrol plays neuroprotective role in hypoxic-ischemic brain damage during neonatal periods through the mechanism of anti-apoptosis.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2009

Background: The pathophysiology of acute respiratory distress syndrome with sepsis is acute lung injury (ALI) that's' caused by endotoxin (LPS). We evaluate effects of moxifloxacin on LPS-induced ALI in a rat model. Material and Method: The rats were divided into 3 groups as the control group (C), the LPS insult group (L), and the LPS+moxifloxacin treated group (L-M). ALI was induced by endotracheal instillation of E.coli LPS, then moxifloxacin was given in 30 minutes. Five hours later, we checked the lung weight/body weight ratio(the L/BW ratio), the protein & neutrophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity & the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, the expressions of cytosolic and secretory phospholipase $A_2$ (c, $sPLA_2$), and the morphology of the lung with using a light microscope. Result: The L/BW ratio, the protein content and the neutrophil count in the BALF, and the MPO activity and the MDA content in lung were significantly increased in group L compared to group C, and these factors were markedly decreased in group L-M compare to group L. The $cPLA_2$ expression and the $sPLA_2$ expression were increased in group L and the $cPLA_2$ expression was decreased in group L-M. Yet the $sPLA_2$ expression was not changed in group L-M. Morphologically, many inflammatory findings were observed in group L, but not in group L-M. Conclusion: Many of the inflammatory changes of ALI that were caused by LPS insult were ameliorated by moxifloxacin treatment.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2005

Synapses are contact points where one neuron communicates with another. The morphological change of synapses under various physiological or pathological conditions has long been hypothesized to modify their functional properties. 3-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of synapses with serial ultrathin sections has contributed to the understanding of ultrastructural dimensions and compositions of synapses. The 3-D reconstruction procedures, however, require a great amount of expertise as well as include prohibitively timeconsuming processes. Here, we introduce efficient 3-D reconstruction technique using high-voltage electron microscopy (HVEM). Primarily, we established an optimal section thickness and staining condition to observe synaptic structures in detail under HVEM. The result showed that synaptic profiles were preserved at the section thickness of 250 nm without the overlapping of synaptic ultrastructures. An increase in the reaction time of en bloc staining was most efficient to enhance contrast than the extension of postembedding staining or the addition of uranyl acetate during dehydration. Then, 3-D reconstruction of parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the rat cerebellum was carried out with serial HVEM images and reconstruction software. The images were aligned and the contours of synapses were outlined on each section. 3-D synapses were finally extracted from the section files by grouping all the synaptic contours. The reconstructed synapse model clearly demonstrated the configuration of pre and postsynaptic components. These results suggest that 3-D reconstruction of synapses using HVEM is much efficient and suitable for massive quantitative studies on synaptic connectivity than conventional TEM approach using numerous ultrathin sections.