• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 2005

This study aimed to investigate the cerebroprotective effect of nociceptin on transient focal cerebral ischemia in Sprague-Dawley rats by determining the changes in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and the infarct size. Right middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded for 2 hours, and thereafter was followed by reperfusion by an intraluminal monofilament technique. An open cranial window was made on the right parietal bone for determination of continuous changes in rCBF by laser-Doppler flowmetry. The infarct size was morphometrically determined using the 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride technique. In normal rats, nociceptin ($0.01\~100\;nmol/kg$, Lv.) increased rCBF and decreased cerebral arterial resistance in a dose-dependent manner. Systemic arterial blood pressure was little affected by nociceptin at the doses of 0.01 and 0.1nmol/kg, but dose-dependently reduced at the doses of 1 nmol/kg or more. In transient cerebral ischemic rats, nociceptin ($0.01\~0.1$ nmol/kg, i.p.) significantly attenuated the postischemic cerebral hyperemia, and progressively increased rCBF. The improving effect of nociceptin on the postischemic rCBF response was markedly blocked by pretreatment with $[Nphe^1]nociceptin(1-13)NH_2$ (1 nmol/kg, i.p.), a selective nociceptin receptor antagonist, but not by naloxone ($3{\mu}mol/kg$, i.p.), a selective opioid receptor antagonist. The cerebral infarct size was significantly reduced by nociceptin ($0.01\~0.1$ nmol/kg) administered i.p. 5 min after MCA occlusion in transient cerebral ischemia of 2-hour MCA occlusion and 22-hour reperfusiion. It is suggested that nociceptin improves the postischemic cerebral hemodynamics and thereby has a cerebroprotective effect in transient focal cerebral ischemia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.118-124
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Grateloupia elliptica, a seaweed native to Jeju Island, Korea, on the prevention of hair loss. When immortalized rat vibrissa dermal papilla cells were treated with extract of G. elliptica, the proliferation of dermal papilla cells significantly increased. In addition, the G. elliptica extract significantly inhibited the activity of $5{\alpha}$-reductase, which converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a main cause of androgenetic alopecia. On the other hand, the G. elliptica extract promoted $PGE_2$ production in HaCaT cells in a dose-dependent manner. The G. elliptica extract exhibited particularly high inhibitory effect on LPS-stimulated IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. The G. elliptica extract also showed inhibitory activity against Pityrosporum ovale, a main cause of dandruff. These results suggest that G. elliptica extract has the potential to treat alopecia via the proliferation of dermal papilla, $5{\alpha}$-reductase inhibition, increase of $PGE_2$ production, decrease of LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokines and inhibitory activity against Pityrosporum ovale.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.315-321
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• 1999

Vitamin D is one of important factors involved in the regulation of bone metabolism. In osteoporosis, the therapeutic effect of vitamin D on the healing process of fracture has still been controversial. These studies were designed to understand the healing process of normal fibular fracture and the therapeutic effects of $1\alpha$, 25 dihydroxycholecalciferol on the osteoporotic fracture in rats. The simple transverse fractures of rat fibulae were produced with a rotating diamond saw. The histological and ultrastructural changes of rats were observed. The histological and ultrastructural studies revealed the healing of the fibular fracture in the 5th week after simple transverse fracture. The osteoporosis impaired more the healing of osteoporotic fibular fracture than normal non-osteoporotic fibular fracture. The healing process of osteoporotic fracture was facilitated by the treatment with $1\alpha$, 25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, however, was delayed more than the healing process of normal fracture. These results suggest that $1\alpha$, 25 dihydroxycholecalciferol was effective for reducing the deleterious effects of osteoporosis in fracture healing.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.623-632
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of zoledronate(Zometa(R)), which is most common nitrogen containing bisphosphonate, on survival, proliferation, and differentiation of osteoblast. Material & Methods: Twenty four cell culture plates containing essential medium were seeded with UMR-106 cell lines, at density of 5 x $10^4 cells per plates. Each plates were incubated with 5% $CO^2 incubator at $37^{\circ}C$. Starting from 2 days after incubation, cell culture medias were replaced, and added with osteogenesis induction media and 0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, $3\muM$ of zoledronate(Zometa(R)), every 2 days, for 12 days. Control group was plates not added with zoledronate($0\muM$), and experiment group were plates added with different concentration of zoledronates(0, 0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, $3\muM$). Mature osteoblasts were identified with Alizarine Red staining, and protein samples were collected. Optical density was determined at wavelength of 405nm with ELISA reader. For viability analysis, cells were harvested and incubated with propidium iodide, and analysed with flow cytometry. Western blot technique was used to analyse Runx2 protein of osteoblast. Results : Secretion of bone matrix decreased as zoledronate concentration increased, and zoledronate did not effect survival rate of UMR-106 cells when measured with flow cytometer. Expression of Runx2 protein was inhibited as zoledronate concentration increased. Conclusion : From the results, we were able to identify that increase of zoledronate concentration inhibited differentiation of UMR-106 cell to osteoblast, without effecting quantity or survival rate.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.495-501
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• 2001

We have cloned the mouse neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) gene from the murine mast cell line Cl.MC/C57.1 for the first time. The murine NT/N cDNA clone consisted of 765 nucleotides and coded for 169 peptide residues with an N-terminal signal peptide, and the C-terminal region contained of one copy of neurotensin (NT) and one copy of neuromedin N (NN). Total of four Lys-Arg dibasic motifs were present; one each at the middle of the open reading frame, at the N-terminal of NN, at the C-terminal of NT, and between NN and NT. Amino acid sequence analysis of the mouse NT/N revealed 90% homology to that of the rat NT/N gene. NT/N is expressed in murine mast cell lines (Cl.MC/C57.1 and P815), but not in murine bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs), murine macrophage cell line (RAW 264.7), nor in murine T cell line (EL-4). NT/N mRNA in C1.MC/C57.1 is highly inducible by IgE cross-linking, phorbol myristate acetate, neurotensin, and substance P. Following the treatment of demethylating agent, 5-azacytidine (5-azaC), the NT/N gene was induced in BMMCs in response to IgE cross-linking. 5-azaC-treated BMMCs did not express the NT/N gene without additional stimuli. These findings suggested that the regulation of NT/N gene expression was dependent on the effects of not only gene methylation but also enhancer and/or repressor proteins acting on the NT/N promoter.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 1977

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of cingulate cortical ablation upon gastric ulceration, and the pathway through which cingulate cortex exerts the effect. 56 female rats were divided equally into cingulate (cingulate cortical ablation), cingulate-vagal (cingulate cortical ablation and vagotomy), normal control and vagal (vagotomy) groups. Cingulate cortex was ablated through a slit-shaped opening (1 mm in width, 13 mm in length) which was made symmetrically on both sides of, and parallel to, the sagittal suture by removing a bone flap from parietal and frontal bones on each side. Vagus nerves on both sides were transected around the distal end of the esophagus. In the normal control animals, surgical intervention ended with scalp incision. All rats were kept without restraint or food deprivation for 3 weeks after surgery. The stomach of each rat was inflated with 7 ml of physiological saline and then removed under deep anesthesia. The mucosal surface was examined under dissecting microscope for the location, shape and number of ulcers, and then enlarged photograph $(4{\times})$was taken. The incidence of ulcer in each group was counted and the number of ulceration as well as the total area of glandular mucosa were measured on the photograph. Results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean number of ulcer per stomach and the total area of ulcer exprssed as permillage of the total area of glandular mucosa were significantly higher in the cingulate group than the cingulate-vagal, the normal control and the vagal groups. There was no difference among the latter three groups. 2. The incidence of ulcer in the cingulate group was significantly higher than that in the .normal control group and was also higher, though not significantly, than those in the cingulate-vagal and the vagal groups. There was no difference among the normal control, the cingulate-vagal and the vagal groups. It is inferred from the above results that the cingulate cortex exerts an inhibitory influence upon gastric ulceration and that this influence is mediated by controlling the vagal activity.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.635-648
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• 1998

The clinical use of fluoride with a well known osteogenic action in osteoporotic patients is rational, because this condition is characterized by impaired bone formation. However, its anabolic effect has not been demonstrated well in vitro. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of sodium fluoride on the physiological role of osteoblastic cell. Osteoblastic cells were isolated from fetal rat calvaria. The results were as follows : 1. Mineralized nodules were shown in osteoblastic cell cultures, which had been maintained in the presence of ascorbic acid and ${\beta}-glycerophosphate$ up to 21 days. When cultures were treated with pulses of 48 hr duration before apparent mineralization was occurring, 2-fold increased in their number was detected. 2. Alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblastic cells was inhibited by sodium fluoride in dose dependent manner. 3. The effect of sodium fluoride on the osteoblastic cell proliferation was measured by the incorporation of $[^3H]$-thymidine into DNA. As a result, sodium fluoride at $1{\sim}100{\mu}M$ increased the $[^3H]$-thymidine incorporation into DNA in a dose dependent manner. 4. The signaling mechanism activated by sodium fluoride dose-dependently enhanced the tyrosine phosphorylation of the adaptor molecule $Shc^{p66}$ and their association with Grb2, one of earlier events in a MAP kinase activation pathway cascade used by a significant subset of G protein-coupled receptors. 5. The phosphorylation of CREB(cAMP response element binding protein)was inhibited by the sodium fluoride in MC3T3E1 cells. In conclusion, the results of this study suggested that the mitogenic effect of the sodium fluoride in MC3T3E1 cell was stimulated in a dose-dependent manner and suggested "an important role for the interaction between She and Grb2" in controlling the proliferation of osteoblasts.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.35-45
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• 2008

Purpose : To evaluate safety of Sibjeondaebotang and Yugmijihwangtang in rats' fetus Methods : Female Sprague-Dawley rats were orally administered with the Sibjeondaebotang and Yugmijihwangtang at dose of 5mg/kg/day for 20 days. Pregnant rats were sacrificed at 20th day of gestation. Approximately live fetuses in the 20th day of gestation were randomly selected and fixed in 95% ethanol. To observe skeletal malformations, fetuses were stained with alcian blue and alizarin red S. Results : Neonatal body weight and number of fetus of Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang group were increased to those of control group. The fetuses treated with Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang didn't showed external malformation. Vertebral and sternal skeletal variations were observed in Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang administered group, but compared to the control, those skeletal variations were insignificant. There were no significant changes in number of ribs, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral and caudal vertebrae Conclusion : From these results, it can be concluded that Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang shows no toxicity effects on fetus body weight and number of live fetuses. Although skeletal variations were shown in vertebrate and sternum, Sibjeondaebotang, Yugmijihwangtang did not show significant changes in bone malformation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.182-190
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• 1998

DA-3585 is a recombinant human erythropoietin produced by Dong-A pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. using recombinant DNA technique. Recently, recombinant human erythropoietin (rHu-EPO) has been used to treat various types of anemia. In this study, we examined acute and subacute toxicity of DA-3585 in rats. DA-3585 was intravenously administered to rats at dose levels of 0, 6,250, 12,500 and 25,000 lU/kg for single dose toxicity study and at dose levels of 0,100,500 and 2,500IU/kg daily for 4 week-repeated dose toxicity study. In the single dose toxicity study, there were no death, clinical signs and changes in body weight gain related to the treatment. Necropsy revealed no evidence of toxicity related to DA-3585, In the repeated dose toxicity study, all the rats survived throughout the study. There were no treatment-related changes in clinical signs, food and water intake, and body weight. Hematological examination showed increases in the number of erythrocytes, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value and mean corpuscular volume, and decrease in the number of platelet in 500 and 2,500 lU/kg dosed groups. Extramedullary hematopoiesis in the spleen and erythroid hyperplasia in the bone marrow were noted as treatment-related histological changes. Toxicologically significant changes were not observed in blood biochemistry, urinalysis, organ weights and in any other examinations. The treatment-related changes observed in this study were hematological or histological changes associated with pharmacological effects of DA-3585. On the basis of the results of this study, LD5n value of DA-3585 was above 25,000 lU/kg and the no-observed-adverse-effect-level was estimated to be 100 lU/kg.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2024

Objectives : Jeopgoltang (JGT) is a new Korean herbal medicine formulation that is used to treat bone fractures. Although JGT is frequently used in clinical practice, there is a lack of scientific evidence on its safety. This study aimed to evaluate the preclinical toxicity of JGT using a single oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : Five male and female rats per group were orally administered 1,250, 2,500, or 5,000 mg/kg of JGT after fasting for 12 h. Mortality and changes in clinical signs, body weight, and necropsy findings were monitored for 14 days according to the guidelines of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Results : No significant clinical signs or mortality were observed after a single administration of up to 5,000 mg/kg. In addition, no significant necropsy findings related to JGT administration were observed. Conclusions: In conclusion, these results suggest that approximate Lethal Dose (ALD) of JGT on SD rats is over 5,000 mg/kg.