• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-106
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• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-oxidative and immuneregulative effects of electro-acupouncture(EA) at SP6(Sameumgyo) in aged rats. The author performed several experimental items including blood cell counts, blood chemistry, measurement of various oxidants and antioxidants in liver and spleen, analysis of various cytokines in spleen. The results are as follows. Results: 1. EA at SP6 significantly reduced the number of platelets in blood. 2. EA at SP6 significantly reduced NO concentration and significantly increased catalase activity in liver. 3. EA at SP6 significantly reduced NO concentration and significantly increased SOD activity, catalase activity and glutathione concentration in spleen. 4. EA at SP6 restored the increase of IL-4, IL-6 and the decrease of IFN-$\gamma$ in aged rat spleen. Conclusion: According to these results, it is postulated that EA at SP6 has an antioxidative effect through increasing the activities of antioxidative enzymes and inhibiting production of oxidized substances, as well as an immune regulative effect in aging process. In consequence, it is presumed that EA at SP6 may have an anti-aging effect.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.314-330
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect and changes of inflammation-related genes by YBR I and YBR II (YBR I: Arteisiae Capillaris Herba, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Hoelen/ YBR II: YBR I +Sanguisorbae Radix, Biotae Cacumen, Cirsii Japonici Herba) on HSC(hepatic stellate cells)-T6 and TAA-induced rat liver tissue. Materials and Methods : HSC-T6 were treated with various concentrations of distilled-water extract YBR I and YBR II extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and IL-6 levels were measured by using MTT Assay, BrdU Assay, Procollagen Type 1 C-peptide EIA kit, and Murine IL-6 ELISA Development kit. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal TAA injection of 150mg/kg 3 times a week for 6 weeks. After the treatment, body weight, liver & spleen weights, liver function test, complete blood cell count and change of portal pressure were studied. In addition, gene expressions of ASMA, IL-6, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by using Real-Time PCR. After YBR I and YBR IItreatment, percentages of collagen in TAA-induced rat liver tissue were measured. Results : The viability and proliferation of the HSC-T6 decreased as the concentration increased. The production of procollagen decreased as the concentration increased. The production of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II. There was no difference in rat body weight between the TAA-only group and the YBR groups. Compared with rat liver weight of TAA-only group, that of the YBR groups increased. In the YBR I group, the serum level of AST elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased and in the YBR I and II group, the serum level of ALP and ALT elevated by TAA injection decreased. In the YBR I group, white blood cell count elevated by TAA injection decreased but platelets increased. In the YBR I group, the portal pressure elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased. Decreases in the gene expression of ASMA and MMP-2 were observed in the YBR I group. The gene expression of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II -treated groups. In the histological finding, TAA injections caused severe fibrosis, but YBR I and YBR II treatment significantly reduced the amounts of hepatic collagens. Conclusions : These results suggest that YBR I and II have inhibitory effects on the hepatic fibrogenesis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.8
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• pp.1132-1136
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• 2012

Many kind of cell stresses induce gene expression of unfolded protein response (UPR)-associated factors. This study demonstrated that up- and down-regulation of gene expression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress chaperones and ER stress sensors was induced by immobilization stress in the rat organs (adrenal gland, liver, lung, muscle). However, no statistically significant regulation was detected in the others (heart, spleen, thymus, kidney, testis). The results are the first to show that immobilization stress induces UPR associated gene expression, will help to explain immobilization stress-associated ER stress.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.204-210
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• 2012

Sulfur has been used as a general physical strengthening agent from ancient times in Asia. On the basis of this point, we measured spermatogenic effect of sulfur and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) which is used a functional food for arthritis in rats. MSM, a kind of organic sulfur, is used as an alternative of sulfur by some people. Sulfur was administered as a dietary supplement and MSM was administered orally as a solution to 7 week old rat for 6 weeks. All sulfur administered groups showed a significant dose dependent increase in the number of sperm in the testes compared with the control group. Moreover, a histological examination showed an apparent increase in the number of seminiferous tubular cell layers in the testes of the sulfur treated rats. However, there were no observed any increase of sperm in MSM dosing group. In sulfur treated rats, the weights of body, liver, spleen, kidney, testes and epididymides didn't show significantly differences compared with the control. Histopathological examination was not revealed any morphological change in the liver, spleen and kidney. Thus, sulfur may be effectively used to treat sperm deficiency of men, but not MSM.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 1991

This experiment was carried out to develop a new technique of identifying XX of XY-bearing bisected embryos prior to implantation by immunological method. H-Y antiserum prepared in inbred Wastar female rats by repeated immunization with spleen cells from males of the same strain. The reactivity of H-Y antibody was confirmed by culturing mouse embryos in the medium containing H-Y antiserum and complement obtained from the guinea pig. The optimal condition for the activity of H-Y antibody was also investigated by culturing embryos under the concentraton or affected H-Y antibody was also investigated by culturing embryos under the concentration or affected H-Y antibody and culture rate. However, production of live young or sex rates of male and female from embryos transferred with psudopregnant. The biological test with the morula stage embryos showed that H-Y antibody was formed in all female rats immunized with spleen cell, but it was formed only in 80% female rats immunized with the antigen. When the bisected mouse embryos were cultured in vitro for 5~6 hours in morula stage, of 457 bisected embryos 81.4% of then were developed to the blastocyst stage. When the concentration rate of complement to H-Y antiserum varied from 1.0~5.0${mu}ell$, the lysis-rate of embryo was 19.5 to 67.3%. The concentration rate of complement did not influence the lysis-rate of embryos(P<0.05). The morphology embryos of bisected, zona-free and intact embryos showed the embryos lysis rate of 58.6, 42.7 and 48.5% respectively(P<0.05). Pregnancy rate were 50.0, 45.5 and 57.1% in psudopregnant recipient transferred with bisected, zona-free and intact blastocyst embryos. However, production of live youngs, sexual rate of male or female was 24(50.0:50.0), 22(45.5:55.5) and 36(58.3:41.7)mice, but affected and non affected half embryos with H-Y antiserum treatment was 23.1 and 26.7%. Also production of live youngs and sexual rate was 14(92.9:7.1) and 17(17.6:82.4)mice in affected and non affected half embryos in H-Y antiserum treatment(P<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.56-65
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of laser acupuncture to the 830 nm on the five transport points with the spleen meridian for treatment to intestinal disease in rat with dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)-induced colitis. Methods : Colitis was induced by DSS for 20 days. The laser therapy on the five transport points of spleen meridian (Laser Well Point-SP1(L-WE), Laser Brook Point-SP2(L-BR), Laser Stream Point-SP3(L-ST), Laser River Point-SP5(L-RI) and Laser Sea Point-SP9(L-SE) was practiced twice a week for 5 times. Colon length was measured using a measuring point. Histological evaluation of colitis was conducted by hematoxylin and eosin(H&E) staining. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) was determined using western blotting and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Results: Colon length increased significantly L-BR and L-ST points after 5 times of therapy. Damage to the colonic mucosa is an integral feature of the DSS model, so control colonic mucosa tissue was damaged in the areas of ulceration resulting in complete epithelial loss. However histological damage decreased on the epithelial lining at all points. Cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 concentrations decreased in all points groups and Interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$ increased in L-WE, L-BR, L-RI and L-SE points but L-ST was decreased when compared with control. White blood cell(WBC) and neutrophils(NE) decreased after the fifth acupuncture on the all points. But hemoglobin(HGB) increased after the fifth acupuncture on the L-WE, L-BR, L-ST and L-RI points. Also Mean corpuscular hemoglobin(MCH) and Mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC) decreased after the fifth acupuncture on the all points. Conclusions: The present study indicated that five transport points of the spleen meridian can prevent the development of DSS-induced colitis in rat. Thereby suggesting that should be available for decreasing DSS-induced inflammation in a colonic mucosa of tissue.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2002

Background: To investigate the role of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in moxibustion-induced immunomodulation, the effects of chemical sympathectomy on moxibustion-induced changes in splenic NK cell cytotoxicity, T and B cell proliferation were studied in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Methods: Chemical sympathectomy was achieved with intraperitoneal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine 50 mg/kg/day for 3 successive days. Direct moxibustion (6-minute interval, 9 moxa ball, each of which weighing 0.007 g and burning for 40 seconds) was applied on unilateral anterior tibial muscle region where Zusanli (ST36) acupoint is located, once a day for 7 successive days. NK cell cytotoxicity was measured by $4hr-^{51}Cr$ release assay. Mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation was analyzed by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation assay. Results: NK cell cytotoxicity was suppressed by moxibustion, more in sympathectomized rats than in vehicle-treated rats. T cell proliferation induced by concanavalin A was not affected by moxibustion. B cell proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide showed no significant change in vehicle-treated rats, but an increase in sympathectomized rats by moxibustion. Sympathectomy alone induced augmentation of NK cell cytotoxicity and suppression of T cell proliferation. Conclusion: These results suggest that SNS has no direct relation with moxibution-induced immunomodulation but has an important role in the mechanism to keep the homeostasis of immune system by tonically inhibiting excessive changes of various immune components.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.417-421
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to determine the changes of body weight, organ weight, hematological values and biochemical parameters by testosterone (Testos) on the orchidectomized (Orch) rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups. Intact group (n=10) received no treatment and operation. Sham group (n=10) received only sham operation and no treatment. Orch group received operation and no treatment. Orch+Testos received operation and testosterone. The body weights of each group increased, but that of Orch+Testos group was significantly lower in Orch+Testos group than in all the other groups. There were significant differences (P<0.05, P<0.001) of body weights between Orch+Testos group and all the other groups. Also, organ weights such as heart, liver, spleen and kidney were measured. The heart weights were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the Orch+Testos group than in all the other groups. The liver weights in the Orch+Testos group were significantly differences in comparison with those in the Sham (P<0.001) and Orch group (P<0.05). On the other hand, there were no significantly differences in the organ weights of spleen and kidney between the Orch+Testos group and the any other groups. The hematological values of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were no significant differences in any other groups. The concentrations of serum total protein and albumin increased significantly (P<0.05) in the Orch+Testos group as compared to that in the Orch group. However, there were no significant differences in Ca, IP and Mg in any other groups. We conclude that testosterone was significantly decreased the body weight in the orchidectomized rats. Our findings suggest that testosterone may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption in the orchidectomized rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.63-68
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• 2011

The present study was devised to determine the effects of body weight, organ weight, hematological values and biochemical parameters by vitamin E and selenium (Selevit) on the Orch rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups. Intact group (n=10) received no treatment and operation. Sham group (n=10) received only sham operation and no treatment. Orch group received operation and no treatment. Orch+Selevit received operation and Selevit. The body weights of each group increased, but that of the Orch+Selevit group were significantly lower than those of all the other groups. There were significant differences (P<0.001) of body weights between Orch+Selevit group and all the other groups. Also, organ weights such as heart, liver, spleen and kidney were measured. The heart weights were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the Orch+Selevit group than in Intact and Sham group. The liver weights in the Orch+Selevit group were significantly differences (P<0.001) in comparison with those in the Intact and Sham groups. The kidney weights in the Orch+Selevit group were significantly differences (P<0.01, P<0.001) in comparison with those in all the other groups. On the other hand, there were no significantly differences in the organ weights of spleen between the Orch+Selevit groups and the any other groups. The number of white blood cell (WBC) was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the Orch+Selevit group than in all the other groups. The hematological values of red blood cell (RBC), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not significantly different in any of the groups. The concentrations of serum total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase increased significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the Orch+Selevit group as compared to that in the Orch group. However, there were no significant differences in AST and ALT in any other groups. We conclude that Selevit was significantly decreased the body weight in the orchidectomized rats. Our findings suggest that Selevit may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption in the orchidectomized rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.69-73
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• 2011

This was conducted to determine the effects of body weight, organ weight, hematological values and biochemical parameters by L-carnitine (Carn) on the orchidectomized (Orch) rats. The animals were divided into 4 groups. Intact group (n=10) received no treatment and operation. Sham group (n=10) received only sham operation and no treatment. Orch group received operation and no treatment. Orch+Carn received operation and L-carnitine. The body weights of each group increased, but that of the Orch+Carn group were significantly lower than those in all the other groups. There were significant differences (P<0.05, P<0.001) of body weights between Orch+Carn group and all the other groups. Also, organ weights such as heart, liver, spleen and kidney were measured. The heart weights were significantly lower (P<0.001) in the Orch+Carn group than those in Intact and Sham groups, respectively. The weights of liver and kidney in the Orch+Carn group were significantly differences (P<0.001) in comparison with those in all the other groups. Also, the spleen weights were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the Orch+Carn group than those in Intact and Sham groups, respectively. The hematological values of mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were significantly differences (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) in comparison with those in all the other groups. On the other hand, the hematological values of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not significantly different in any other groups. The concentrations of total cholesterol (T-chol), triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) decreased significantly (P<0.05) in the Orch+Carn group as compared to those in the Orch group. We conclude that L-carnitine was significantly decreased the body weight in the orchidectomized rats. Our findings suggest that L-carnitine may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption in the orchidectomized rats.