• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2001

This study was performed to elucidate the patho-physiology of lead acetate-poisoned rats after consecutive oral administrations of the lead. The changes in feed and water intake, gains of body weight, blood pictures and mineral compositions of several organs were observed to measure the effects of lead acetate-poisoning. 1. Compared with control group, every experimental group of which 1,000, 2,000, or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate was administered displayed a gradual decrease in feed intake in dose-dependent manners. 2. After 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate administration, water intake seemed to decrease in every experimental group in dose-dependent manners. 3. After 1,000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate administration, body weight decreased in every experimental group in dose-dependent manners. 4. After 1000, 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate administration, the PLT values and numbers of RBC and WBC significantly increased after lead acetate administration, but the values of Hb and PCV were lower than those of control group's. 5. After 2,000 or 4,000 ppm/kg of lead acetate administration, the levels of Pb, Mn, Fe, Pb and Zn in the livers were lowered, but the levels of Pb, Mn, Fe, Pb and Zn in the kidneys.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.79-93
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• 1999

This experiment was done to investigate the effects of Ojajiwhangeumja(OJWEJ) to the symptoms of senility. To prove the effects of OJWEJ we injected scopolamine(1mg/kg) to the vein of rats. And we measured the blood cells(WBC, RBC, Platelet), constituents of serum(BUN, creatinin, glucose, uric acid), endurance of films of the red blood cell to erythrocyte hemolises, the activity of cholinesterase in serum, TBA and the activity of catalase, SOD in the purified microsome of brain tissue of rats. The results were as follows; 1. The number of white blood cells, platelet was increased significantly in the group treated by OJWEJ in comparison with control group. 2. The number of BUN, creatinin, glucose of serum decreased significantly in the OJWEJ treated group compared with control group. 3. The erythrocyte hemolises in red blood cells restrained significantly in the group treated by OJWEJ in comparison with control group. 4. The activity of cholinesterase in OJWEJ treated group increased significantly compared with control group. 5. The amounts of malondialdehyde of serum decreased significantly in the OJWEJ treated group in comparison with control group. 6. The catalase in the microsome of rat brain was activated significantly in the group treated by OJWEJ compared with control group. 7. The superoxide dismutase in the group treated by OJWEJ activated significantly in comparison with control group. According to this experiment it is suggested that OJWEJ accelerates the activity of colinesterase and restrains the creation of erythrocyte hemolises and accumulation of senile substance. But I look forward to see the further research to be made.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.157-167
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• 1987

Benzyl alcohol is known to have dual effect on the red blood cell shape change. At low concentration up to 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferent binding to the inner hemileaflet, however, at higher concentratransformed the shape from discocyte to stomatocyte by preferential binding to the inner monolayer, however, at higher concentration above 50 mM benzyl alcohol transformed to echinocyte by affecting both monolayers. These results suggest that the effect of benzyl alcohol on the red blood cell shape and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cardiac cell membranes to assess the effects of the drug on the structures and functions of the biological cell membranes. The results are as follows: 1) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM caused progressive stomatocytic shap change of the red blood cell but above 50 mM benzyl alcohol caused echinocytic shape change. 2) Benzyl alcohol up to 40 mM inhibited both osmotic hemolysis and osmotic volume change of the red blood cell in hypotonic and hypertonic NaCl solutions, respectively. 3) Benzyl alcohol inhibited both Bowditch Staircase and Wood-worth Staircase phenomena at rat left auricle. 4) Benzyl alcohol at concentration of 5 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity of red blood cell ghosts slightly but above S mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. 5) Benzyl alcohol at concentrations of 5 mM and 10 mM increased $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity slightly at rat gastrocnemius muscle S.R. but above 10 mM benzyl alcohol inhibited the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ activity. Above results indicate that benzyl alcohol inhibit water permeability and $Ca^{++}$ transport across cell membranes in part via effects on the fluidity and transition temperatures of the bulk lipid by preferential intercalation into cytoplasmic monolayer and in part via other effect on the conformational change of active sites of the $Ca^{++}-ATPase$ molecule extended in cytoplasmic face.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.587-595
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• 2003

The aim of this study was to investigate trazodone's effect on vasorelaxation and blood pressure lowering and to examine its underlying mechanism of action in isolated thoracic aorta and anesthesized rats. Precontracted aortic rings with high KCl were relaxed with trazodone, at concentrations of $50{\mu}M$ or greater. However, precontracted rings with phenylephrine (PE) were relaxed with trazodone, at concentrations of $0.03{\mu}M$ or greater, in a concentration-dependent manner. These relaxant effects of trazodone on endothelium intact rat aortic rings were significantly greater than those on denuded rings. The trazodone-induced relaxations were suppressed by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors, N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue and 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), a $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channel blocker, tetrabutylammonium (TBA), a $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, nifedipine, $Na^+$ channel blockers, lidocaine and procaine, and removal of extracellular $Na^+$, but not by aminoguanidine, 2-nitro-4-carboxyphenyl-n, n-diphenylcarbamate (NCDC), indomethacin, glibenclamide and clotrimazole. In vivo, infusion of trazodone elicited significant decrease in arterial blood pressure. Trazodone-induced decrease in blood pressure was markedly inhibited by pretreatment of intravenous injection of saponin, L-NNA, methylene blue, TBA, lidocaine or nifedipine. These findings suggest that the endothelium-dependent relaxation and decrease in blood pressure induced by trazodone is mediated by release of NO from the endothelium, activation of TBA-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels or inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ entry through voltage-gated channel.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.837-846
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• 2020

In present study, we investigated the antidiabetic effect of Momordica charantia(as well known "bitter melon"). This study was conducted to determine antidiabetic mechanism of Bitter Melon Extract (BME). We measured blood glucose, insulin, glucagon level in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of high-fat diet/streptozotocin(HFD/STZ)-induced diabetes. Five experimental groups were used: normal, HFD/STZ, BME 62.5 mg/kg HFD/STZ, BME 125 mg/kg HFD/STZ and BME 250 mg/kg HFD/STZ. BME was orally administered to the rats every other day for 9 weeks. Results showed that fasting blood glucose levels were significantly lower in the BME 125 mg/kg(150.17 ± 20.22 mg/dL) and 250 mg/kg(124.17 ± 22.17 mg/dL) groups than in the vehicle group(188.83 ± 26.63 mg/dL)(p<0.05). In addition, glucagon levels were lower in the three BME treatment groups than in the vehicle group(p<0.05). Oral glucose tolerance tests revealed that the BME 250 mg/kg group had significantly(p<0.05) reduced 120-minute blood glucose levels and areas under the curve. Our results suggest that BME induces antidiabetic effects via the reduction of glucagon and blood glucose levels.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.125-132
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• 2011

Objectives : An aim of study is to investigate effects of curculiginis rhizoma in vitro (factor Xa (FXa) inhibitor assay, prothrombinase assay, prothrombin time (PT) assay, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) assay) and in vivo experiment (blood clotting time, thromboxane B2 content assay in serum and weight of thrombus by AV-shunt rat model). Methods : We gained a human serum and used serum in vitro study such as factor X activity (FXa) inhibition, prothrombinase inhibition, prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time. Fifteen SD rats were divided into three groups (intact control group and two experimental group treated with extract of Curculiginis Rhizoma(ECR)). Rats were orally administrated DW (intact control group), 600 mg/kg concertration of ECR and 200 mg/kg concertration of ECR. After one hour, we anesthetized rats and made arteriovenous (AV) shunt rat models to study weights of thrombus, took a hole blood to study content of thromboxane B2 and blood clotting time. Results : In vitro, ECR increased a inhibitory activity of FXa, prothrombinase and aPTT compared than intact control group. Especially ECR made significant increase of FXa and prothrombinase inhibitory activity (p<0.05, p<0.01). And PT were increased in ECR control group compared with intact control group. In vivo, a blood clotting time of experiment group treated with ECR 600 mg/kg were significantly increased compared with that of intact control group (p<0.05) and content of thromboxane B2 was significantly decreased in group treated with ECR 600 mg/kg in seum. The weight of thrombus were significantly reduced in group treated with ECR 600 mg/kg compared with intact control group (p<0.05). But in vivo experiment study, those of group treated with ECR 200 mg/kg were reduced compared with those of intact control group without statistical significance. Conclusions : ECR has a antithromboic activity in internal course with inhibitory activity of FXa and prothrombinase in vitro, it required to research more study for effective compounds.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.357-366
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• 2004

We studied the effect of propofol (PPF) on the endothelium-dependent vascular responses in isolated rat thoracic aorta. In aortic rings with endothelium, PPF inhibited the phenylephrine (PE)-induced contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. In PE-precontracted preparations, PPF attenuated the endothelium-dependent relaxation by acetylcholine but not by A23187. And PPF did not attenuate the endothelium-independent relaxation by sodium nitroprusside (SNP). The relaxation induced by acetylcholine in PE-precontracted aortic rings was significantly augmented by zaprinast, a cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, and this augmentation was inhibited by PPF. Although SNP-induced relaxation was significantly augmented by zaprinast, this augmentation was not inhibited by PPF. In preparations preconstricted with PE, the PPF-induced relaxation was inhibited by atropine. In addition, PPF attenuated the vasorelaxation by phosphodiesterase inhibitors (IBMX, Ro20-1724 or zaprinast except milrinone). In vivo, the infusion of acetylcholine and SNP showed decreased arterial blood pressure in rats. The pre-injection of PPF inhibited the acetylcholine-induced blood pressure lowering, but not the SNP-induced blood pressure lowering. These results suggest that PPF can attenuate in part the acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation and blood pressure lowering through the inhibition of the acetylcholine receptor-mediated endothelium-derived relaxing factor by acting on endothelium. It is considered that the inhibitory effect of PPF on the vasorelaxation is due to the decreased level of cGMP which can be attributed to the inhibition of the muscarinic receptor and/or receptor-G-protein interaction.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.123-135
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• 2022

Oryeongsan (ORS), a formula composed of five herbal medicines, has long been used to treat impairments of the regulation of body fluid homeostasis. The purpose of this study was to determine the antihypertensive and renal protective effects of ORS in rats with hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were divided into two groups with similar mean baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP). Then, 1 mL/kg of vehicle (distilled water) or 1.5, 3 g/kg of ORS extract were administered orally once a day for 4 weeks. SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured at weeks 1, 2, 3 and 4. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected, and heart were removed for histology. By the 2 weeks after initiation of treatment, the ORS treated group had significantly lower SBP than SHR rats. The ORS treatment significantly improved blood pressure and echocardiogram parameters compared to hypertensive rats. Additionally, the left ventricular (LV) remodeling and LV dysfunction were significantly improved in ORS treated group hypertensive rats. Furthermore, an increase in fibrotic area has been observed in SHR rats compared with Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). Furthermore, administration of ORS significantly attenuated cardiac fibrosis in hypertensive rats. Therefore, these findings suggest that ORS has a protective effect on heart failure by alleviating hypertensive heart disease and cardiovascular dysfunction in SHR.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2005

Objectives: Chungpyesagan-tang is a famous oriental Objectives: medicine treatment frequently used to stroke in Korea. The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanism of the therapeutic effect of Chungpyesagan-tang on stroke in rat. Methods: We compared the difference in regional cer Methods: ebral blood flow, nitric oxide (NO) synthesis between the control and the Chungpyesagan-tang-treated group after ligating middle cerebral artery. Results: In our study, cerebral blood flow increased more in the stroke rats which had been fed by Chungpyesagan-tang than in the control. Chungpyesagan-tang induced vascular NO synthesis, but had no effect on neuronal NO synthesis. Conclusion: The mechanism of Chngpyesagan-tang's therapeutic effect on ischemic stroke could be explained by increasing cerebral blood flow and vascular NO synthesis.