• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.157-161
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• 2003

Proline is known as an osmoprotectant accumulating in response to salt and dehydration stresses. An increased level of proline is achieved by either an induced synthesis or a reduced degradation of proline. In an attempt to increase salt tolerance in carrot, a P5CS gene from mothbean was introduced via an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The resulting carrot cells and the regenerated plants containing the transgene showed increased levels of proline compared to nontransgenics. The transgenic cell line, Pj2 showed about 6 times increased degree of tolerance determined by relative growth after a treatment in 250 mM NaCl. In facts, due to the retarded growth shown in non-saline condition, Pj2 cells grow only about 1.2 times better than nontransgenic control under salt stress condition. Taken together, it appears that a P5CS is a key enzyme in proline biosynthesis and the increased accumulation of proline by overexpression of the enzyme is enough to enhance tolerance to salt stress in carrot.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2006

Growth of G. max treated with $NO_3^-$-N was decreased by high NaCl treatments, but $NH_4NO_3$-fed plants showed good growth with enhanced activity of antioxidative enzymes (SOD and APX). Especially, activity of APX was higher in 5 mM $NH_4NO_3$-fed plants than other types of N-supplied plants throughout the stress period. Higher SOD activity under salt stress was accompanied by increase in APX activity in 5 mM $NH_4NO_3$-fed plants. Similarly, application of calcium confirmed somewhat positive effects on growth. Salt-treated soybean plants showed the best growth response with the increase of SOD and APX activity at an additional 5 mM calcium treatment. Especially, the increase of SOD activity through the strengthened CuZn-SOD isoform was remarkable.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.6877-6882
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• 2015

Background: Cisplatin (CDDP) is one of the most active cytotoxic agents in the treatment of cancer. We investigated the effect of selenium (Se) with high dose vitamin E (VE) administration to prevent CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: In this study, 40 female Wistar rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. The first group, which served as the control, was administered physiological saline (2.5 cc/day, 5 days) intraperitoneally (IP), while group A was administered cisplatin (6 mg/kg BW/ single dose) plus physiological saline IP. Groups B, C, D received IP five doses of Se (1.5 mg/kg BW), and a high dose of VE (1000 mg/kg BW) (Se-VE) in combination before, simultaneously, and after CDDP, respectively. The rats were sacrificed five days after CDDP administration. Plasma malondialdehide (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase, urea, creatinine levels, renal histopathological changes were measured. Results: The histopathological injury score, plasma levels of MDA, urea, creatinine were found to increase in group A compared to the control (p<0.05), while plasma levels of GSH-Px, GSH and catalase decreased (p<0.05). In contrast, plasma levels of MDA decreased (p<0.05) in groups B, C, D, which were treated with Se- VE, whereas levels of GSH-Px, GSH were found to increase only for group D (p<0.05). Plasma urea, creatinine levels improved in the treatment groups compared to group A (p<0.001). Histopathological changes caused by CDDP were also significantly improved after Se-VE treatment (p<0.05). Conclusions: Oxidative stress increases with CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Se-VE supplementation might thus play a role in the prevention of CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity in patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2931-2936
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• 2013

Background: Doxorubicin is an anthracycline antibiotic commonly used to treat a variety of cancers as a most effective antitumor. However, its clinical use is associated with the toxic effects in numerous healthy tissues. Here we investigated the pretreatment effect of regular aerobic exercise on oxidative stress in rats acutely exposed to DOX-induced hepatotoxicity. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight Wistar male rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: control and training. The training protocol included treadmill running between 25 to 54 min/day and 15 to 20m/min, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. At the end of the exercise training protocol, rats from the control and trained groups were again randomly separated into 3 subgroups: DOX10mg/kg, DOX20mg/kg and saline. All treatments were carried 24 h after the last exercise bout and animals were sacrificed 24 h after DOX and saline injections. Results: Administration of DOX (10 and 20 $mg.kg^{-1}$) resulted in imbalance in biomarkers related to oxidants and antioxidants in liver tissue, as compared to control groups. Six weeks of pretreatment training led to a significant increase in nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) as compared to the control+DOX 10 mg/kg group. Training before DOX 20 mg/kg administration also led to a significant increase in NO and SOD, and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA). In addition, there was a significant difference between DOX 10 mg/kg and DOX 20 mg/kg treatments in MDA levels, only. Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that pretreatment with aerobic exercise induces positive adaptations and has a potential protective effect against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced hepatotoxicity with doses of 10 and 20 mg.kg.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.109-121
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• 2022

Objective : This study is conducted to investigate the effect of Astragali Radix on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder(PTSD) induced by the Single Proposed Stress(SPS). Methods : The experiment was conducted with five groups; SAL groups with only saline treatment, SPS group, SPS + ARX25 group, SPS + ARX50 group, and SPS + ARX100 group. After applying SPS, saline and ARX were administered for 14 days to identify the change of body weight, sucrose intake amount, and behavioral changes through Open Field Test(OFT) and Forced Swimming Test(FST). After the behavioral experiment, plasma corticosterone levels, serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay in medical prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) in the hippocampus was measured using Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results : Weight change has significantly decreased in the SPS group compared to the SAL group(p<0.05). On day 14, the sucrose intake of rats has significantly increased in the SPS + ARX100 group compared to the SPS group(p<0.05). In OFT, the number of staying in the central space has significantly increased in the SPS + ARX100 group(p<0.01). In FST, immobility has significantly decreased in SPS + ARX50 group and SPS + ARX100 group(p<0.05). The concentration of serotonine, dopamine and BDNF expression has increased significantly in SPS + ARX100 group compared to SPS group(p<0.05) Conclusions : In the SPS-induced PTSD experiment, ARX increased sucrose intake and the numbers of crossing in the central zone space in OFT, decreased immobility time in FST, and increased concentration of serotonin, dopamine, and BDNF. It can be postulated that the ARX could be effective for the treatment of PTSD.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.192-204
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• 2024

Objective: Cisplatin (CP) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, but its severe side effects impact testicular function. We investigated the potential protective effects of bilberry extract against CP-induced testicular toxicity. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Control animals received a single oral dose of 0.9% saline. Bilberry-treated rats received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg body weight [BW] dissolved in 1 mL of saline) daily for 10 consecutive days. CP-treated animals were administered a single intraperitoneal dose (7.5 mg/kg BW). Finally, a bilberry+CP group received oral bilberry extract (200 mg/kg BW) daily for 10 consecutive days, with one intraperitoneal dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg BW) on day 2. We assessed sperm count, motility, viability, and abnormalities, along with testis weight, testis weight-to-BW ratio, antioxidant activity, levels of oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA] and hydrogen peroxide [H₂O₂]), sex hormones (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], luteinizing hormone [LH], and testosterone), and apoptotic and anti-apoptotic markers, and DNA damage. Testicular tissue underwent histopathological examination. Results: Among CP-treated rats, significantly lower values were observed for testis weight; testis weight-to-BW ratio; levels of FSH, LH, testosterone, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione, and B-cell lymphoma 2; and sperm count, motility, and proportion of normal sperm. CP administration was associated with higher MDA, H₂O₂, p53, Bax, cytochrome c, caspase 9, and caspase 3 levels, along with elevated tail moment. However, bilberry extract administration significantly improved all altered parameters. Conclusion: Bilberry treatment demonstrated protective effects and reduced CP-induced testicular toxicity via antioxidant activity and cytoprotection.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Cheongsimondam-tang(COT) on the animal model of depression induced immobilization stress. Method 1) Male rats were used for this experiment. The subject were divided into 4 groups(1. normal 2. saline solution administered during immobilization stress treatment 3. COT of 100mg/kg administered 4. COT of 400mg/kg administered). 2) Immobilization stress was treated for 1 hours on day. During 2 days of immobilization stress treatment, they were executed forced swimming test, passive avoidance test, elevated plus maze test. Corticosterone in blood were measured Results 1) In EPM test, stress group showed significantly increased anxiety, COT groups showed significantly decreased anxiety. 2) In forced swimming test, COT groups did not show significantly decreased immobilization. 3) In passive avoidance test, stress group showed significantly decreased learning execution, COT groups showed significantly increased learning execution. 4) Stress group showed significantly increase in serum level of corticosterone, COT of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased serum level of corticosterone. Conclusion : These results suggest that Cheongsimondam-tang(COT) is effective in the treatment of depression.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.45-55
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Radix Curcumae on the animal model of depression induced immobilization stress. Method : 1) Male rats were used for this experiment. The subject were divided into 4 groups(1. normal 2. saline solution administered during immobilization stress treatment 3. Radix Curcumae of l00mg/kg administered 4. Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg administered). 2) Immobilization stress was treated for 1 hours on day. During 2 days of immobilization stress treatment, they were executed forced swimming test, passive avoidance test, elevated plus maze test. Corticosterone in blood were measured. Results : 1) In EPM test, stress group showed significantly increased anxiety, Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased anxiety. 2) In forced swimming test, Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased immobilization. 3) In passive avoidance test, stress group showed significantly decreased learning execution, Radix Curcumae groups showed significantly increased learning execution. 4) Stress group showed significantly increase in serum level of corticosterone, Radix Curcumae of 400mg/kg group showed significantly decreased serum level of corticosterone. Conclusion : These results suggest that Radix Curcumae is effective in the treatment of depression.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.71-79
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• 2018

The purposes of this study were to identify the stress level of nursing students prior to clinical training and to examine the effects of aromatherapy on stress, stress perception, and mood during clinical practice. This study was a randomized control trial using a pre-post test conducted from May-July 2016. A total of 41 junior nursing students were recruited. The experimental group (n=22) underwent aroma inhalation using a necklace containing lavender essential oil and a control group (n=19) used a normal saline necklace. There were significant improvements in stress (p=.023) and mood levels in the experimental group (p=.006). The difference in stress perception between the experimental and control groups was not statistically significant (p=.382). Aroma therapy might be useful for decreasing stress and improving their positive mood during clinical practice for nursing students.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cranberry power on antioxidant defense system in rats fed an atherogenic diet and injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 5 groups: normal diet+saline (NS), atherogenic diet+saline (AS), atherogenic diet+LPS (AL), atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C5), and atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C10). Total antioxidant status measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was significantly reduced by LPS injection (24%) and was restored by the cranberry powder treatment (P<0.05). In addition, the mean level of plasma total phenolics was significantly decreased by LPS injection (P<0.05) and tended to be increased when cranberry powder was incorporated in to the diet. Activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) tended to be lowered by LPS injection and declined further in cranberry powder fortified groups. Overall results indicate that dietary cranberry powder may provide appropriate antioxidants to counter the diminished antioxidant status induced by exposing hypercholesterolemic rats to LPS.