• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.629-640
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• 2023

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver which is not a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Its global prevalence was estimated to be approximately 32% in the years 1994-2019. More than half of obese individuals and patients with diabetes are reported to have NAFLD as a comorbidity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry on insulin resistance and steatosis in rats fed a high-fructose diet. Methods: Six-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The control group received a diet consisting of 65% corn starch, while the fructose and experimental groups were fed a diet comprising 65% fructose (FRU) and an FRU diet containing 0.5% (low-dose autumn olive berry group; LAO) or 1.0% (high-dose autumn olive berry group; HAO) ethanol extract of autumn olive berry, respectively, for 10 weeks. Results: The HAO group exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels compared to the fructose-fed group. Both the LAO and HAO groups showed a substantial reduction in serum insulin levels and insulin resistance when compared to the fructose-fed group. The consumption of LAO and HAO significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia and reduced the levels of triglycerides in the liver compared to the fructose-fed group. Additionally, the consumption of HAO resulted in lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities compared to the fructose group. The hepatic expression of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) was significantly reduced in the LAO and HAO groups compared to the fructose group. Conclusion: Autumn olive berries improved steatosis by ameliorating insulin resistance and down-regulating the lipogenesis proteins in rats fed on high fructose diet.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.797-807
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• 2023

To improve the functionality of mulberry, samples were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum JCM 1149 (LP) or Pichia kudriavzevii Atz-EN-01 (PK), and their antioxidant and anti-obesity activities were compared to those of unfermented mulberry. After fermenting for 60 hr, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content of the PK-fermented mulberry (PKFM) and LP-fermented mulberry (LPFM) was 1.5-fold and 2-fold higher, respectively, while the total anthocyanin content was 1.3-fold and 1.5-fold higher in the PKFM and LPFM, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be 16.3% higher (86% vs. 100%) after PK fermentation and 8.1% higher (86% vs. 93%) after LP fermentation. The lipase inhibitory activity of the LPFM and PKFM was 62.9% and 52.5%, respectively. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with unfermented mulberry, LPFM, or PKFM at 200, 400, or 800 ㎍/ml and stained with oil-red-O. A slight difference in the staining was observed in samples treated with 400 ㎍/ml. However, treatment with 800 ㎍/ml significantly reduced staining compared to the control, and the LPFM exhibited relatively higher adipogenesis inhibitory activity than the PKFM. Blood triglyceride content increased by 9.5% in the high-fat diet group, but decreased by 17.1% in the control group, 37.1% in the LPFM group, and 41.6% in the PKFM group. The blood triglyceride content of the LPFM group decreased by 43.1% and 21.4% compared to the high-fat diet group and the control group, respectively, and that of the PKFM group decreased by 48.6% and 28.9% compared to the same groups. In conclusion, the results indicate that fermented mulberry has increased antioxidant activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and adipogenesis inhibition activity, and decreased blood triglyceride content compared to unfermented mulberry.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.923-935
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC), Ulmus macrocarpa (UM), and Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) are well-known folk medicines in Asia used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances. The present study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of LS-RUG-com, a mixture of commercially prepared powders of RC, UM, and GJ with a ratio of 3:1:2(w/w/w) against HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, indomethacin-induced ulcers, and esophageal reflux-induced esophageal mucosal damage and Helicobacter pylori infections. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β expressions were also determined and measured in esophageal tissue. As to HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, the LS-RUG-com treatment at a dose of 150 mg/kg showed a remarkable anti-gastritis effect. Regarding indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, the LS-RUG-com treatment had a significant anti-gastric ulcer effect. Furthermore, in the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) model experiment, the LS-RUG-com treatment resulted in the histological recovery of stomach damage and mucosal injuries. Furthermore, the LS-RUG-com treatment led to an increase in gastric content pH, an increase in mucus protection, and a decrease in gastric pepsin output with a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1β. As to the Helicobacter pylori infected animal model, LS-RUG-com had a notable inhibitory effect on Helicobacter growth. The use of RC, UM, or GJ in isolation or the LS-RUG-com treatment as whole had good effects in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-neutralization, gastric acid secretion inhibition, and anti-lipid peroxidation, which supported the use of natural products as systemic gastric protective agents. Our results suggest that the LS-RUG-com might be a significant systemic gastroprotective agent that could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection from gastric disturbances and related damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.119-125
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the radioprotection effect of mixtures of selenium and arginine for development of radioprotection agents that can minimize radiation damage to police special operation unit in the event of radioactive terrorism. In this study 72 male rats were classified into 4 groups: normal group(NC Group), selenium and arginine mixtures administration group(SeAr Group), radiation exposure group(IR Group), and selenium and arginine mixture administration group followed by radiation exposure(SeAr+IR Group). The 7Gy of X-ray was irradiated to whole body of SD rats. And selenium and arginine were dministered orally at 3mg/kg and 150mg/kg once a day for 14 days. And then hematological and histological analyzes were performed on days 1, 7, and 21 after radiation exposure. In hemotological analysis, significant radioprotection wes observed in lymphocytes(p<0.05) on day 1, platelet(p<0.01) on day 7, red blood cell(p<0.01) on day 21 of radiation exposure in SeAr+IR group compared to IR group. In histological analysis, it was observed that the border of small crypt cells in the small intestine was less collapsed and the length of small crypts was relatively recovered on day 7 and showed that the number of cells and cell wall thickness were better in the prostate on day 21 in SeAr+IR group compared to IR group. Therefore, it is judged that selenium and arginine mixtures have radioprotection effect on blood and tissues due to radiation exposure. it will be helpful for research on radioprotection agents to reduce radiation damage to police special operation unit.

• Industry Promotion Research
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.203-212
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to examine the validity of Hidden Stems (支藏干) in the Four Pillars of Destiny with regard to the use of human governance periods in the hidden stems (人元用事). First, there is a theory of assigning period of governance for designated constituents (司令論) in the Hidden Stems of the Earthly Branch. Second, there is a theory that determines the structure of the Four Pillars by the Exposed Constituent from the Hidden Stems (透出論) in the Month Earthly Branch. Since these two theories conflict with each other and cause confusions, this study examined the theory of Hidden Stems in the Four Pillars Classics and examined the historical development of governance period for constituent hidden stems and their validity. The results of the study are as follows: Firstly, the number of dates assigned to respective constituents does not correspond to the calendarical principle, and the assignment of the governance dates for each constituent does not correspond to the principles proposed in ancient books of Four Pillars. Second, though it is said in the Classics that 72 days are equally assigned to each of the Five Elements, actual distributed days for the five elements was 65 days for Wood, 55 days for Fire, 100 days for Earth, 65 days for Metal, and 65 days for Water. Third, though it is said that 7 days should be designated to Yang Earth Mu for the months of Tiger 寅, Monkey, Snake, and Pig, it is logically more legitimate to assign those days to Yin Earth Ki since the month before Tiger is Ox, and the month before Monkey is Goat. Lastly, rationale behind assigning Ki Earth only to Horse Oh as constituting Hidden Stem while disregarding months of Rat, Rabbit, and Rooster is considered not reasonable. Looking at these results comprehensively, it is concluded that the Exposed Constituent theory is logically more appropriate than Assigned Governance theory.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.231-248
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• 1989

The growth and development of the metacercariae of F. seoulensis cultivated in vitro or on the chick chorioallantois were assessed by comparison with the optimum process of maturation in albino rats and new born chickens. The process of maturation was divided for convenience into six stages: Stage 1 ; cell multiplication, Stage 2; body shaping, Stage 3; separation of genital anlagen, Stage :1 organogeny, Stage 5; gametogony, and Stage 6: oviposition. In Hank's and Tyrode's .solutions, the metacercariae were alive up to 200 days or more at $4^{\circ}C$ without any development. The in vivo maturation process in rats or chicks was as follows: stage 1 from 6 hours; stage 2 from 24 hours; stage 3 from 48 to 72 hours; stage 4 from 3 to 4 days; stage 5 from 4 to 5 days; and stage 6 from 5 to 8 days. Despite unsuccessful infection of the metacercariae to 12 day old chicks, fully mature worms of stage 5 or 6 were recovered from new born chicks (1 to 2 days old), The metacercariae of F. seoulensis grown in vitro were up to stage 3 and no further maturation was observed. Of various media employed, the medium NCTC 109 (Gibco) or NCTC 135(Gibco) supplemented with 20% egg yolk or 20% whole egg macerate or 0.5% yeast was basically required for the earlier development of the fluke. It took 16.1 days(in average) to reach the stage 3 after cultivation. The metacercariae cultivated on the chorioallantoic membranes of 6∼13 day old chick embryo at 37∼38℃ showed their full development up to stage 5 or 6. However, the worms were in general remarkably retarded, compared with those grown in rats or chickens. In the experiments of worm transplant, although the transfer was failed from in vitro culture to in vivo of rats(Per os), the transplants from in vitro culture to the chorioallantois and from the choriollantois to in vivo of rat host were successful with or without development of the transferred worms. In the present study, it was observed that the metacercariae of F, seoulensis can be maintained in vitro media with poor development as well as fully matured in 1 to 2 day-old chicks or on the chorioallantois at a very low rate.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.115-128
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• 1992

The training of male wistar rats for active conditioned response (ACR) was performed by one daily training session of 30 consecutive trials for 10 successive days using a two-way shuttle box, and the rats that showed 10 or more ACRs on the last day were treated for further 10 days with electroconvulsive shock (ECS : 50 mA, 0.5 msec; 100 Hz; 1.5 sec) and the following compounds. On the 20th day, all the rats were tested for the ACR rention. The ECS regimens were one ECS per day for 10 days with one day interval $(5{\times}ECS)$, one ECS at 3 hrs (ECS-3h), and one ECS at 24 hrs (ECS-24h), respectively, before the ACR retention test. And CDP-choline (cc: 250 mg/kg), spermine (SM: 10 mg/kg), ${\alpha}-difluoromethylornithine$ (DO: 250 mg/kg), or aminoguanidine (AG: 100 mg/kg) was administered by one daily i.p. injection for 10 days. The ACR number $(13.7{\pm}1.0)$ obtained on the last training day was increased by 37.23% on the 20th day in the control rats. And the ACR increase was significantly suppressed by 5-ECS, ECS-3h, CC, or SM but was little affected by ECS-24h, DO, or AG. However, the 5-ECS induced impairment of ACR retention was significantly suppressed by AG, SM, and CC in the order of potency but was little affected by DFMO. And the ECS-3h induced impairment was moderately worsened by SM or AG. The acetylcholine (ACh) of the rat hypothalamus (HT), hippocampus (HC), and entorhinal cortex (EC) was markedly increased by CC and moderately increased by SM, but little affected by ECS-3h, ECS-24h, DO, or AG. But $5{\times}ECS$ slightly increased the ACh content. The brain putrescine (Pt) content was significantly increased by AG and little affected by CC, SM, or DO. But the $5{\times}ECS$ markedy decreased the brain Pt content, and the decrease was significantly suppressed by CC, SM, or AG. CC induced the marked increases of the spermidine (Sd) and spermine (Sm) contents of all the areas. SM increased the Sd contents of all the areas and the EC-Sm content. DO decreased the brain Sd and Sm contents. And AG increased the HT-Sd content and the Sm contents of all the brain areas. The $5{\times}ECS$ induced decrease of the HC-Sm content was suppressed by CC, SM and AG. These results suggest that the improving effect of aminoguanidine on the $5{\times}ECS$ induced impairment of ACR retention may be ascribed in part to its activity as a diamine oxidase inhibitor.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2000

Backgrounds : The pathophysiology of chronic airflow obstruction, such as bronchial asthma, is characterized by mucus hypersecretion, goblet cell hyperplasia(GCH), smooth muscle hypertrophy, and inflammatory cells infiltration. In fatal asthma patients, one distinct findings is mucus hypersecretion due to GCH. However, the mechanisms of GCH in these hypersecretory diseases remain still unknown. In this study, a rat model was rapidly induced with GCH by instillation of $TiO_2$, intratracheally. We intend to confirm GCH and association of concomitant inflammatory cells infiltration and to observe the effect of potent antiinflammatory agent, that is dexamethasone, on GCH with inflammatory cells. Methods : Twenty-one 8-weeks-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Endotoxinfree water was instilled intratracheally in group 1(control) ; $TiO_2$, was instilled in the group 2 ; and dexamethasone was injected intraperitoneally to group 3 before $TiO_2$ instillation. After 120 hours, all rats were sacrificed, and trachea, bronchi, and lungs were resected respectively. These tissues were made as paraffin blocks and stained as PAS for goblet cells and Luna stain for eosinophils. We calculated the ratio of goblet cell to respiratory epithelium and number of infiltrated eosinophils from each tissue. Results : (1) Fraction of goblet cells was significantly increased in group 2 than in group 1 in the trachea and in the main bronchus. (10.19$\pm$11.33% vs 4.09$\pm$8.28%, p<0.01 and 34.09$\pm$23.91% vs 3.61$\pm$4.84%, p<0.01, respectively). (2) Eosinophils were significantly increased in the airway of group 2 than that of group 1. (5.43$\pm$3.84% vs 0.17$\pm$0.47 in trachea and 47.71$\pm$16.91 vs 2.71$\pm$1.96 in main bronchi). (3) There was a positive correlation between goblet cells and eosinophils(r=0.719, p=0.001). (4) There was significant difference in the decrease of goblet cells after dexamethasone injection between group 2 and group 3 (p<0.01). Also, infiltration of eosinophils was suppressed by dexamethasone. Conclusion : We made an animal model of $TiO_2$-induced goblet cell hyperplasia. GCH was observed mainly in the main bronchi with concomitant eosinophilic infiltration. Both goblet cell hyperplasia and eosinophilic infiltration were suppressed by dexamethasone. This animal model may serve as a useful tool in understanding of the mechanism of GCH in chronic airway diseases.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.236-249
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• 1993

Background: Among the injurious agents to which the lung airspaces are constantly exposed are reactive species of oxygen. It has been widely believed that reactive oxygen species may be implicated in the etiology of lung injuries. In order to elucidated how this oxidant causes lung cell injury, we investigated the effects of exogenous $H_2O_2$ on alveolar epithelial barrier characteristics. Methods: Rat type II alveolar epithelial cells were plated onto tissue culture-treated polycarbonate membrane filters. The resulting confluent monolayers on days 3 and 4 were mounted in a modified Ussing chamber and bathed on both sides with HEPES-buffered Ringer solution. The changes in short-circuit current (Isc) and monolayer resistance (R) in response to the exogenous hydroperoxide were measured. To determine the degree of cellular catalase participation in protection against $H_2O_2$ injury to the barrier, experiments were repeated in the presence of 20 mM aminotriazole (ATAZ, an inhibitor of catalase) in the same bathing fluid as the hydroperoxide. Results: These monolayers have a high transepithelial resistance (>2000 ohm-$cm^2$) and actively transport $Na^+$ from apical fluid. $H_2O_2$(0-100 mM) was then delivered to either apical or basolateral fluid. Resulting indicated that $H_2O_2$ decreased Isc and R gradually in dose-dependent manner. The effective concentration of apical $H_2O_2$ at which Isc (or R) was decreased by 50% at one hour ($ED_{50}$) was about 4 mM. However, basolateral $H_2O_2$ exposure led to $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.04 mM. Inhibition of cellular catalase yielded $ED_{50}$ for Isc (and R) of about 0.4 mM when $H_2O_2$ was given apically, while $ED_{50}$ for basolateral exposure to $H_2O_2$ did not change in the presence of ATAZ. The rate of $H_2O_2$ consumption in apical and basolateral bathing fluids was the same, while cellualr catalase activity rose gradually with time in culture. Conclusion: Our data suggest that basolateral $H_2O_2$ may affect directly membrane component (e.g., $Na^+,\;K^+$-ATPase) located on the basolateral cell surface. Apical $H_2O_2$, on the other hand, may be largely degraded by catalase as it passes through the cells before reaching these membrane components. We conclude that alveolar epithelial barrier integrity as measured by Isc and R are compromised by $H_2O_2$ being relatively sensitive to basolateral (and insensitive to apical) $H_2O_2$.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.64-71
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• 1999

Purpose : The protective effects of dietary protein on the progression of renal failure were studied in subtotally nephrectomized rats. Methods : Treatment groups were as follows; 5/6 nephrectomy and a normal protein ($18.5\%$) diet (NP); 5/6 nephrectomy and a low protein ($6\%$) diet (LP): 5/6 nephrectomy, a normal protein diet and converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril (NPE): 5/6 nephrectomy, a low protein diet and enalapril (LPE). Both diets were isocaloric and had the same phosphorus content. Proteinuria, remnant kidney weight, mesangial matrix expansion score and glomerular volume were assessed at 4, 12 and 16 weeks after renal ablation. Results : LP and NP developed progressive hypertension. Eight weeks after surgery, LPE and NPE controlled hypertension. LP, LPE, and NPE had significantly less proteinuria than NP at 16 weeks (P<0.05). Kidney weight in LP were markedly less enlarged than NP (P<0.05). There was no difference in kidney weight between LPE and NPE. At 12 and 16 weeks the mesangial matrix expansion score was significantly less in LP, LPE, and NPE compared to NP (P<0.05). At 12 and 16 weeks mean glomerular volume was significantly less in LP compared to NP (P<0.05). At 12 and 16 weeks mean glomerular volume in LPE was significantly less compared to NPE. Conclusion : Dietary protein restriction afforded considerable protection from renal injury in the rat remnant kidney model. During the enalapril treatment, there was no additional protective effect of dietary protein restriction against the development of renal lesions.