• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-57
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• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of selenium on the adriamycininduced renal lesions in male Sprague Dawley rats. A total of 60 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 2 control groups(C1: saline, C2: selenium) and 2 treatment groups(T1: adriamycin, T2: adriamycin+selenium). The rats of the C1 and T1 groups were given normal saline(0.15ml/rat), the rats of the C2 and T2 groups were given sodium selenite(0.5mg/kg) intraperitoneally three days a week for 4 weeks. The treatment groups were dosed intraperitoneally with adriamycin(2mg/kg/day) five days at the second week. Animals were sacrificed at the 1st week, 2nd week and 3rd week after dosing with adriamycin. The morphologic abnormalities of the glomeruli and tubules in the kidney of male rats were examined histopathologically and electron microscopically.The results obtained were as follows : The mean body weight of adriamycin dosed group was significantly decreased as compared with that of control group at 4th week(p<0.05). In adriamycin and selenium dosed group, the mean body weight was decreased until the end of 2nd week but gradually increased from 3rd to 4th week. The histopathological findings of the renal corpuscle in adriamycin dosed group were parietal epithelial cell proliferation, vacuolization of glomerulus, and thickened basement membrane of the parietal epithelium. Proximal convoluted tubules were significantly dilated and the lumens were filled with renal cast. These lesions were generally not very significant in the rats given adriamycin and selenium. The electron microscopical findings of the renal glomerulus in the adriamycin dosed group were focal loss and fusion of the pedicels of the podocyte, and some vacuoles in the cytoplasm of the podocytes. There were numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles in the proximal and distal convoluted tubular cells. However, these ultrastructural changes were not significantly observed in the renal tubules of the rats of adriamycin and selenium dosed group. These results suggest that selenium may act as an inhibitor of the renal lesions induced by adriamycin in male rats.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.493-498
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• 2005

The safety assessment of Bifidobacterium longum SPM1205 isolated from healthy Koreans and this strain's inhibitory effects on fecal harmful enzymes of intestinal microflora were investigated. The overall safety of this strain was investigated during a feeding trial. Groups of SD rats were orally administered a test strain or commercial reference strain B. longum $1\times10^9\;CFU/kg$ body weight/day for four weeks. Throughout this time, their feed intake, water intake and live body weight were monitored. Fecal samples were periodically collected to test harmful enzyme activities of intestinal microflora. At the end of the four-week observation period, samples of blood, liver, spleen, kidney, and gut tissues were collected to determine for hematological parameters and histological differences. The results obtained in this experiment demonstrated that four weeks of consumption of this Bifidobacterium strain had no adverse effects on rat's general health status, blood biochemical parameters or histology. Therefore, it is likely to be safe for human use. Fecal harmful enzymes such as $\beta-glucosidase,\;\beta-glucuronidase$, tryptophanase and urease, were effectively inhibited during the administration of the B. longum SPM1205. These results suggested that this B. longum SPM 1205 could be used for humans as a probiotic strain.

• BMB Reports
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.555-563
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• 1996

A membrane-bound phosphatidylinositol 4-kinase (PI 4-kinase) was separated in a sucrose gradient and solubilized with 1% Triton X-100 from mouse brain. The enzyme was purified 2,952-fold by various chromatographic techniques including DEAE-cellulose, PI-Sepharose and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. The molecular weight of PI 4-kinase was approximately 76 kDa by gel filtration and 70.8 kDa by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified enzyme exhibited specific activity of 11.2 nmol/min/mg protein and pi value of 4.7. Kinetic analysis of the PI 4-kinase indicated apparent $K_m$, values of 190 ${\mu}M$ and 120 ${\mu}M$ for phosphatidylinositol and ATP, respectively. The maximal activity of this purified enzyme was observed at pH 7.4 at an incubation temperature of $37^{\circ}C$. The enzyme activity was significantly activated by $Mg^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ and $Fe^{2+}$, and inhibited severely by $Ca^{2+}$. PI 4-kinase was proved to be pure in its immunoblot test by polyclonal antibody prepared from immunized rabbit sera. By this test, we were able to detect the existence of the same type of PI 4-kinase from other mouse organ tissues, such as liver, heart, kidney and spleen. Furthermore, similar immunoblot analysis with the same antisera recognized the different epitopes of PI 4-kinase proteins from various organs of rabbit, chinese hamster and rat.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.605-614
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• 1993

To investigate the endothelial dependence of angiotensin II(A II)-induced responses in the systemic and pulmonary arterial system of acute renal hypertensive rats of 2-kidney, 1-ligation type (RHRs), A II-induced vasocontractile and pressor effects were evaluated in isolated arteries and in vivo, respectively. A II dose-dependently contracted intact thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery (E$_{max}$:40% at 10$^{-7}$M and 80% at 3$\times$10 $^{-8}$M, respectively) from normotensive rats(NRs), which was significantly increased by removal of endothelial cells or pretreatment with EDRF inhibitors. In NRs, A II increased mean systemic and pulmonary arterial pressure(33 and 5.6mmHg at 0.1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, respectively), the effect being significantly increased (P<0.01) by L-NAME(30mg/kg, i.v.). However, A II-induced contraction of intact thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery(E$_{max}$: 33% at 10$^{-7}$M and 93% at 3$\times$10$^{-8}$M, respectively) from RHRs were not changed after endothelial function was disrupted as above; similarly, pressor effects of A II on the systemic and pulmonary arterial pressure in RHRs did not altered by L-NAME. A II tachyphylactic responses for intact thoracic aorta from NRs and RHRs(65 and 87% at 10$^{-8}$M, respectively) were greater than those for pulmonary artery(19 and 19% at 10$^{-8}$M, respectively). Distruption of endothelial function significantly (P<0.01) depressed A II tachyphylaxis for thoracic aorta, but not for pulmonary artery. These results suggest that vascular reactivity to A II is not altered in RHRs, and it is greater for pulmonary arterial system than for systemic arterial system. A II reactivity is EDRF-dependent in both arterial systems of NRs, but EDRF-independent for RHRs. Finally, EDRF is one of the major factors underlying A II tachyphylaxis for thoracic aorta, but not for pulmonary artery.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.61-73
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Phaseoli Semen Herbal-acupuncture(PS-HA) at $KI_{10}$ in acute nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in rat. Methods : The rats were divided into 5 groups, which were control, LPS, PS-HA, NP and saline group. LPS, PS-HA, NP and saline groups were given LPS to induce acute nephritis and control group did not receive LPS. LPS group did not receive any treatment after the onset of acute nephritis. PS-HA, NP and saline group received PS-HA, normal acupuncture, and saline injection at $KI_{10}$ three times per week, respectively. To evaluate the effect of PS-HA at $KI_{10}$, the complete blood count, BUN, creatinine, TNF-${\alpha}$, and CINC-1 in serum were measured. To show its effect on renal function, creatinine, and total protein in urine was measured as well as urine output. The level of myeloperoxidase in renal tissue was quantified and complete histology was done in kidney samples obtained from the rats. Results : PS-HA group showed a significant reduction in the proportion of WBC and neutrophil, serum BUN, TNF-${\alpha}$, and CINC-1 compared to LPS group. Furthermore, a significant increase in urine output and a decrease in urinary creatinine level, MPO in renal tissue, and number of neutrophils at glomerulus was observed in PS-HA group compared to LPS group Conclusions : PS-HA at $KI_{10}$ was shown to have a significantly effect on treating LPS induced acute nephrits. Therefore, future study is needed to further evaluate the clinical usefulness of PS-HA at $KI_{10}$ in treating acute nephritis.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2005

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of Rhodiola sachalinensis root ethanol extract (RS), on the body weight, organ weight, plasma glucose and plasma lipid in diabetic rats caused by streptozotocin (STZ). The body weight decreased more slowly in the RS group than in the diabetic, and the food intake increased significantly in all diabetic groups. The food efficiency was very low in all diabetic groups, but increased significantly in the RS groups than diabetic control (p<0.05). In comparing the weight of organ, the weight of liver and kidney were increased in all diabetic groups than in the control, and decreased slightly in RS groups. The weight of heart and spleen were not different among all test groups. The glucose in serum was decreased significantly in the RS groups fed the RS for 4 weeks, compared to the diabetic control (p<0.05). Total cholesterol, triglyceride and atherogenic index (AI) in serum were significantly higher in diabetic control, compared to the normal (p<0.05), and decreased $16.7\%,\;18.3\%\;and\;45.0\%$, respectively, in the RS fed $300\;\cal{mg/kg}$ of RS. HDL-cholesterol was increased slightly more in the $RS-300\;\cal{mg/kg}$, compared to diabetic control. These findings suggest that RS treatment has protective effect in diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 1996

To investigate the mechanisms of increased endothelium-dependent contraction by acetylcholine in hypertensive rats, the relationship between endothelium-dependent contraction by acetylcholine and blood pressure was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), one-kidney, one clip Goldblatt hypertension (1K,1C-GBH) rats, and Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY). SHR were treated orally with enalapril or nicardipine in order to prevent development of hypertension or suppress the developed hypertension. 1K,1C-GBH rats were made by renal artery stenosis with contralateral nephrectomy in 8 week-WKY. 1. Endothelium-dependent contractions by acetylcholine $(10^{-6}{\sim}10^{-5}\;M)$ in SHR were significantly greater than those in WKY. 2. Chronic treatment with enalapril or nicardipine reduced the endothelium-dependent contraction in SHR 3. The degree of reduction of endothelium-dependent contraction was greater in SHR which was prevented from developing hypertension than in SHR of which high blood pressure was suppressed. 4. In aortic rings from 1K,1C-GBH rats, endothelium-dependent contractions by acetylcholine were augmented as compared with WKY. 5. There is good relationship between the value of blood pressure and magnitude of endothelium-dependent contraction. Thus, it is suggested that increased endothelium-dependent contraction in hypertensive rats may he due to the high blood pressure and endothelium-dependent contraction may not be a cause of the initiation of hypertension in SHR.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2020

Objectives: In the past few years, herbal medicines have gained popularity over synthetic drugs because of their natural source and minimal side effects which has led to a tremendous growth of phytopharmaceuticals usage. With the development of nanotechnology, it provides alternative approaches to overcome several limitations using nano-formulations. In spite of considerable quantity of antianemic preparations with different iron forms available, currently additives are used and represented in modern pharmaceutical market. Iron deficiency anemia is a major global public health problem which particularly affects pregnant women, children and elderly persons. The situation is complicated because of disadvantages and drug side effects from existing antianemic medicines. There is a great demand for the development of new antianemic preparations. Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, possess high potential in this field. Methods: Our study focuses on developing green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) of 10-50 nm with spherical shape where different dosages were used -1 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg for exposure in Wistar albino female rats for 28 days. The toxicity was assessed using various parameters such as measurements of the rat body and organ mass, hematology, biochemical evaluation and histopathological examinations. Results: No significant differences were observed in body and organ weights. Hematological indices also indicated no significant differences whereas biochemical factors showed increase in levels of direct bilirubin and globulin of medium as well as high dose and SGPT levels were increased only in high dose. The major organs (heart, kidney and liver) showed histopathological alterations in 10 and 100 mg/kg whereas brain showed only in 100 mg/kg. Conclusion: The toxicity of IONPs was found to be more significant when the concentration was increased; however, low doses can be used for further investigation as an antianemic preparation.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2014

In this study, we developed a method to quantify esculetin (6,7-dihydroxycoumarin) in plasma and tissues using HPLC coupled with ultraviolet detection and measured the level of esculetin in rat plasma after oral administration. The calibration curve for esculetin was linear in the range of 4.8 ng/mL to 476.2 ng/mL, with a correlation coefficient ($r^2$) of 0.996, a limit of detection value of 33.2 ng/mL, and a limit of quantification value of 100.6 ng/mL. Recovery rates for the 95.2 ng/mL and 190.5 ng/mL samples were 95.2% and 100.3%, within-runs and 104.8% and 101.0% between-runs, respectively. The relative standard deviation was less than 7% for both runs. In the pharmacokinetic analysis, the peak plasma esculetin level was reached 5 min after administration ($C_{max}=173.3ng/mL$; $T_{1/2}=45min$; $AUC_{0{\sim}180min}=5,167.5ng{\cdot}min/mL$). At 180 min post-administration (i.e., after euthanasia), esculetin was only detectable in the liver ($30.87{\pm}11.33ng/g$) and the kidney ($20.29{\pm}7.02ng/g$).

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.5-24
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• 2011

Objective: This study was performed to analyse four weeks repeated -dose toxicity of Sweet Bee Venom (SBV-pure melittin, the major component of honey bee venom) in rats. Methods: All experiments were conducted under the regulations of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) at Biotoxtech Company, a non-clinical study authorized institution. Male and female rats of 5 weeks old were chosen for the pilot study of four weeks repeated-dose toxicity and was injected at the level of 0.56 mg/kg body weight (eighty times higher than the clinical application dosage as the high dosage), followed by 0.28 and 0.14 mg/kg as midium and low dosage, respectively. Equal amount of normal saline was injected as the control group every day for four weeks. Results: 1. No mortality was witnessed in all of the experiment groups. 2. All experiment groups appealed pain sense in the treating time compared to the control group, and side effects such as hyperemia and movement disorder were observed around the area of injection in all experiment groups, and the higher dosage in treatment, the higher occurrence in side effects. 3. Concerning weight measurement, neither male nor female groups showed significant changes compared to the control group. 4. Concerning to the CBC and biochemistry, all experiment groups didn't show any significant changes compared to the control group. 5. Concerning weight measurement of organs, experiment groups didn't show any significant changes compared to the control group. 6. To verify abnormalities of organs and tissues, those such as cerebellum, cerebrum, liver, lung, kidney, and spinal cords were removed and we conducted histologocal observation with H-E staining. Concerning the histologocal observation of liver tissues, some fatty changes were observed around portal vein in 0.56 mg/kg experiment group. But another organs were not detected in any abnormalities. 7. The proper high dosage of SBV for the thirteen weeks repeated test in rats may be 0.28 mg/kg in one time. Conclusion: Above findings suggest that SBV is relatively safe treatment medium. Further studies on the subject should be conducted to yield more concrete evidences.