• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.410-414
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• 2003

The effect of treatment with pine needle oil complex (complex of pine needle oil and Korean medicinal herbs) upon rat hepatocytes exposed to alcohol was investigated. We compared body weight gain and ratios of liver and kidney to body weight and the serum biochemistry of rats administered both alcohol and Pine needle oil complex to control rats treated with alcohol alone. Pine needle oil complex treatment resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglycerides (TG) compared to the control rats. These data suggest that Pine needle oil complex represents an excellent candidate for protection of rat hepatocytes from alcohol-mediated damage.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.7 no.3_4
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• pp.57-67
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• 1992

BPMC (2-Sec-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate) was treated at the level of 100mg/kg/day in oral administration for 12th days in rat. It was investigated not only that the hematogram and the serological parameters, but also the content of cytochrome P-450, the activity of TBA, glucose-6-phosphatase, cholinesterase and carboxylesterase in rat. The results were as follows: The hematogram was not found any alteration but the value of AST, ALT, LDH and the content of glucose in serum were significantly increased compare with that of control group. The content of cytochrome P-450 in liver was increased significantly on the contrary cytochrome P-450 in kideny and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase in liver and Kidney were not significantly increased. After the final 12th day, the value of TBA and the activity of glucose-6-phosphatase appeared to the tendency of increasement in the liver. The activity of cholinesterase and carboxylesterase both in serum and liver were decreased. Especially the activity of cholinesterase was more significantly decreased. It was conclusion that the function of this insectivide should be due th the inhibition of cholinesterase activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1371-1377
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• 2012

Fibrosis in kidney by internal and external factors causes progressive loss of renal function. Renal fibrosis is the inevitable consequence of an excessive accumulation of the extracellular matrix. TGF-${\beta}$ plays an important role in the process of renal fibrosis and stimulates the synthesis of profibrotic factors, including collagens, fibronectin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI-1). We examined the effect of Moringa oleifera Lam (moringa) extracts in a rat kidney fibrosis model. We found that moringa root extract suppresses protein expression/mRNA levels of Type I collagen, fibronectin, and PAI-1 induced by TGF-${\beta}$ in renal fibroblasts. Moringa root extract selectively inhibited phosphorylation of TGF-${\beta}$-induced $T{\beta}RII$ and the downstream signaling pathway (e.g., Smad4), and phospho-ERK, but not JNK, p38, or PI3K/AKT. These results suggest that moringa root extract can act against TGF-${\beta}$-induced renal fibrosis in rat kidney fibroblast cells by a mechanism related to its antifibrotic activity, which regulates expression of fibronectin, Type I collagen, and PAI-1 through $T{\beta}RII$-Smad2/3-Smad4 and ERK. Therefore, moringa root extract is an effective substance for fibrosis therapy and provides a new therapeutic strategy for diseases associated with elevated profibrotic factor synthesis.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of Momordica Charantia L. water extracts, one of the natural chelator, on the biochemical and enzyme activity changes in the rats liver and kidney caused by lead acetate. Rat approximately 250 g in weight were grouped into the control, lead acetate treated, and the Momordica Charantia L. boiling water extracts treated after lead acetate groups. Lead acetate (1,000 ppm) and Momordica Charantia L. water extracts (5%, 10%) were delivered drinking water. Serum AST, ALT and BUN were measured, histological alteration of liver and kidney were examined by light microscopy. Momordica Charantia L. extract group was decreased serum AST, ALT and BUN level induced by lead. Optical observations of liver tissue, lead group were observed necrosis of hepatic cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells, but Momordica Charantia L. extract group was observed only slight infiltration of inflammatory cells around the central vein. Optical observations of kidney tissue, lead acetate induced atrophy and necrosis of glomerulus and infiltration of inflammatory cell around renal tubule. For the group treated with Momordica charantia L. extract, the glomerulus was similar to the control, some around the renal tubule was observed infiltration of inflammatory cells. In conclusion, Momordica Charantia L. water extract may protect the lead-induced toxicity on liver and kidney.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1784-1794
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• 2004

To study the effects between Cd inhalation toxicity and methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, 4 rat groups were exposed to Cd aerosol by whole-body inhalation exposure for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, and 4 weeks. Cd concentration in air was 0.98㎎/㎥ and mass median diameter(MMD) was 1.78㎛. 3 different dose intraperitoneal injections of methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae to 3 inhalation exposure groups applied for 4 weeks and the results were as follows: The highest body weight gain for 4 weeks and food intake per day were from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). The highest lung weight was from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ and the highest liver and kidney weight were from inhalation exposure group Ⅱ(p<0.05). The lowest Cd content in lung was 22.77㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). The highest Cd concentration in blood was 11.71㎍/㎗ from inhalation exposure group Ⅰ(p<0.05). Cd concentrations of 14.87㎍/g in liver and 17.91㎍/g in kidney were the highest from inhalation exposure group Ⅰ(p<0.05). The lowest Cd concentration in liver and kidney were 5.71㎍/g and 3.17㎍/g from the control(p<0.05). For weekly Cd concentration in urine, the highest value was 0.48㎍/㎖ from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ of the 3rd week and inhalation exposure group Ⅰ, Ⅱ of the 4th week. For weekly Cd concentration in feces, the highest value was 0.32㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ. The highest metallothionein concentration in lung was 89.02㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). The highest metallothionein concentrations in liver and kidney were 265.47㎍/g and 214.21㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ, respectively(p<0.05). The highest Hct, Hb, and WBC values were from inhalation exposure group Ⅱ and the highest RBC value was from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). Mostly damaged part in liver tissue was hepatic lobule and the degrees of damage were lessened by the intraperitoneal injection of methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae. Proximal, distal convoluted tubules and glomerulus in kidney tissue were mostly damaged part. Degeneration and swelling were partially observed but the degrees of kidney tissue damage were lessened more or less by the intraperitoneal injection of methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.709-718
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• 1996

This experiment was carried out to clarify the effect of lead poisoning on the lead and essential trace elements homeostasis of tissues in rats. Fifty female Wistar rats, 7 weeks old, were divided into four experimental groups(B, C, D, and E) and a control(A). The four experimental groups received diets contaminated artificially with 10 (B group), 100 (C group), 1,000 (D group) and 5,000 (E group) ${\mu}g/g$ of lead as lead acetate, respectively. The control group received normal diet. Rats were necropsied on the 4th or 8th week of experimental periods and heart, liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, lung and hair were taken. The tissues were analysed for lead, copper, zinc, iron and calcium content by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. From these experiments following results ware obtained ; In C group, lead content of the heart, liver, kidney and hair were significantly increased both on the 4th and 8th week of experiment. In D and E group, lead content of all tissues including heart, liver, spleen, kidney, muscle, hair and lung were significantly increased in accordance with the lead contamination both on the 4th and 8th week of experiment. In C group, copper content of tissues were significantly increased in the heart, liver, kidney and lung on the 4th week and all tissues on the 8th week of experimental periods. In D and E group, copper content of the liver were significantly increased both on the 4th and 8th week of experiment. But the copper content of tissues were gradually decreased compared with C group in accordance with the lead contamination. Especially the content in spleen, heart or kidney were significantly decreased compared with the control group. The zinc content of kidney, heart, or spleen were decreased in D and E groups whereas the iron and calcium content showed no significant change.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.26 no.2 s.42
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• pp.231-250
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• 1993

Thirty five male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with cadmium chloride solution ranging from 0.2 to 3.2mg $CdCl_2/kg$ by intravenous single injection. At 48 hours after administration of cadmium, total cadmium, MT bound cadmium and histopathologic finding in liver, kidney, lung, heart, testis, metallothionein in liver, kidney and total cadmium in bleed were examined. Tissue cadmium concentration was highest in liver, followed by in kidney, heart, lung and testis. Cadmium bound to rnetallothionein (MT-Cd) and ratio of MT-Cd to total cadmium were increased in liver and kidney dependently of cadmium exposure dose, but not significantly changed in other organs. On histopathologic finding, the most susceptible organ was heart in considering cadmium exposed dose, but testis in considering cadmium concentration. Blood cadmium concentration was increased with dose-dependent pattern, and significantly correlated with tissue cadmium concentration, so that we may estimate tissue cadmium concentration by measurement of blood cadmium concentration. Metallothionein in liver and kidney was increased with dose-dependent pattern, higher in liver than in kidney, and was significantly correlated with tissue cadmium concentration. However, metallothionein induction efficiency of tissue cadmium(${\mu}g\;MT/{\mu}g\;Cd$) was eater in liver than in kidney, and reverse to tissue concentration or exposed dose of cadmium.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.199-207
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• 1998

Ginseng saponin (G5) purified from Panax ginseng, increase renal blood flow in rats. Nitric oxide (NO) is thought to be a substance endogenously released by G5 in preconstricted lungs and cultured endothelial cells. The present study aims to determine whether G5 could stimulate endogenous 1'elease of NO in rat kidney and urine levels of the stable NO metabolites, nitrite (NO,) and nitrate (NO,) and urinary COMP levels were measured 8 hr after a single intraperitoneal injection of GS (200 mg/kg) Into rats. The effects of the WO synthesis inhibitor, Nu-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, .1nd the NO precursor, L-arginine, on the G5-induced changes were also determined. The activity of NO synthase, as determined by conversion of ('"C)-L-arginine to ('"C)-L-citrulline, in whole kidney, glomeruli and cortical tubules were also investigated. A single injection of GS resulted in endogenous production of NO as reflected by increase in serum and urine levels of N021N03 and urinary cGMP levels, which were inhibited by the addition o ( N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and restored fly L-arginine. GS also stimulated the activity of NO synthase in whole kidney as well as glomeruli and cortical tubules, and Nu-nitro-L-arginine methyl tilter significantly prevented this increase. In conclusion, GS stimulates endogenous NO production and thus, may play a protective role 1 11 the kidney by modulating renal blood flow.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.205-211
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect the lead toxicity of chitosan on the rats. A healthy male of Wistar rat was used for experiment. The lead acetate (30 mg/kg, Pb) was injected two times per a week into the abdomen. 0.1% chitosan solution (1 mg/ml) was supplied by feeding ad libitum. After 4 or 8 weeks, we was observed kidney by electron microscope. The experimental groups were divided into two groups. Group 1 was control group which was not treated with chitosan solution after contaminatation of lead acetate. Group 2 was experimental group which was treated with chitosan solution after contamination of lead acetate. All groups were used to 10 rats. The results were as follow: On the proximal convoluted tubules of the group with only Pb, the number of microvillis were decreased and the number of lysosomes were increased on the cytoplasm. The mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum were extended and ribosomes dropped from the rough endoplasmic reticulum. On the proximal convoluted tubules of the group with Pb-chitosan, the shapes and number of microvilli were not changed and the number of lysosomes were decreased. The shapes of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum observed not changes. We concluded that chitosan has effect on reducing toxicity of lead in the rat kidney.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.435-440
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• 2013

While the anti-apoptotic effect of paricalcitol has been demonstrated in various animal models, it is not yet clear whether paricalcitol attenuates the apoptosis in gentamicin (GM)-induced kidney injury. We investigated the effect of paricalcitol on apoptotic pathways in rat kidneys damaged by GM. Rats were randomly divided into three groups: 1) Control group (n=8), where only vehicle was delivered, 2) GM group (n=10), where rats were treated with GM (150 mg/kg/day) for 7 days, 3) PARI group (n=10), where rats were co-treated with paricalcitol (0.2 ${\mu}g/kg/day$) and GM for 7 days. Paricalcitol attenuated renal dysfunction by GM administration in biochemical profiles. In terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling staining, increased apoptosis was observed in GM group, which was reversed by paricalcitol co-treatment. Immunoblotting using protein samples from rat cortex/outer stripe of outer medulla showed increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved form of caspase-3 in GM group, both of which were reversed by paricalcitol. The phosphorylated Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) expression was increase in GM, which was counteracted by paricalcitol. The protein expression of p-Akt and nitro-tyrosine was also enhanced in GM-treated rats compared with control rats, which was reversed by paricalcitol co-treatment. Paricalcitol protects GM-induced renal injury by antiapoptotic mechanisms, including inhibition of intrinsic apoptosis pathway and JNK.