• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-252
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• 1987

Isolated rat adipocytes are well known to possess opposite pathways of lipid metabolism: lipolysis and ipogenesis. Both of the metabolism respond to various biologically active substances such as epinephrine, ACTH and insulin. Epinephrine and ACTH stimulate lipolysis and insulin accelerates lipogenesis. Recently, Korean red ginseng powder was found to contain adenosine and an acidic poptide which inhibited epinephrine-induced lipolysis and sl imulated insulin-mediated lipogenesis from added glucose. The acidic peptide is consisted mainly of glutamic acid and glucose. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Re inhibited ACTH-induced lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes, while they did not affect insulinstimulated lipogenesis, Thus, all these substances extracted from Korean red ginseng exhibited selective modulations toward the opposite metabolic pathways in rat adipocyte; They inhibited the lipolysis but not the lipogenesis. We call these substances"selective modulators". Recently, we isolated a toxic substance named "toxohormone-L " from ascites fluid of patients with various malignant tumors. The toxohormone-L stimulated lipolysis in rat adipocytes and induced anorexia in rats. Both the lipolytic and the anorexigenic actions of toxohormone-L were found to be inhibited by ginsenoside Rb2 in Korean red ginseng. Based on these results, physiological signifi¬cances of these substances in Korean red ginseng were discussed. Pan ax ginseng is a medicinal plant long used in treatment of various pathological states including general complaints such as head ache, shoulder ache, chilly constitution and anorexia in cancer patients, There have been many pharmacological studies on Panax ginseng roots. Petkovllreported that oral administration of an aqueous alcoholic extract of ginseng roots decreased the blood sugar levtl of rabbits. Saito2lreported that Panax ginseng suppressed hyperglycemia induced by epinephrine and high carbohydrate diets. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng roots contain insulin-like substances. Previously, we demonstrated that gin¬seng roots contain an insulin-like peptide which inhibits epinephrine-induced lipolysis and stimulated insulin-mediated lipogenesis. In 1984, we suggested that such an insulin-like substance should be called a selective modulator4). Present investigation describes the details of the selective modulators in ginseng roots. During progressive weight loss in patients with various neoplastic disease, depletion of fat stores have been observed. The depletion of body fat during growth of neoplasms is associated with increase in plasma free fatty acids. Recently, we found that the ascites fluid from patients with hepatoma or ovarian tumor and the pleural fluid from patients with malignant lymphoma elicited fatty acid release in slices of rat adipose tissue in vitro. The lipolytic factor, named"toxohormone-L". was purifed from the ascites fluid of patients with hepatoma. The isolated preparation gave a single band on both disc gel electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)-acrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol. Its molecular weight was determined to be 70,000-75,000 and 65,000 by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation, respectively. Injection of toxohormone-L into the lateral ventricle of rats significantly suppressed food and water intakes. There was at least 5 hr delay between its injection and appearance of its suppressive effect. In the present study, we also tried to find a inhibitory substance toward toxohormone-L from root powder of ginseng.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.98-102
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• 1996

A thermostable tyrosine phenol-lyase gene of a thermophilic Symbiobacterium species was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli in order to produce the biocatalyst for the synthesis of 3, 4-dihy-droxyphenyl-L-alanine (L-DOPA). The substrates used for the synthetic reaction were pyrocatechol, so-dium pyruvate, and ammonium chloride. The enzyme was stable up to $60^{\circ}C$, and the optimal temperature for the synthesis of L-DOPA was $37^{\circ}C$ . The optimal pH of the reaction was about 8.3. Enzyme activity was highly dependent on the amount of ammonium chloride and the optimal concentration was estimated to be 0.6 M. In the case of pyrocatechol, an inactivation of enzyme activity was observed at con-centrations higher than 0.1 M. Enzyme activity was increased by the presence of ethanol. Under op-timized conditions, L-DOPA production was carried out adding pyrocatechol and sodium pyruvate to the reaction solution intermittently to avoid substrate depletion during the reaction. The concentration of L-DOPA reached 29.8 g/l after 6 h, but the concentration didn t increase further because of the formation of byproducts by a non-enzymatic reaction between L-DOPA and pyruvate.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 1997

It has been known that dietary phytate decreases the absorption of body zinc pool which is composed of the dietary and endogenous zinc in the body. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of phytate on the absorption of total bodyzinc in Zn-depleted rats. Rats were Zn-depleted with either low(0.8%) or high(1.6%) Ca diet containing sodium phytate for 4 weeks. After zinc depletion, rats were assigned into phytate or non-phytate dietary groups within each low-or high-Ca dietary group. ant feces were collected for 2 weeks of the initial collection and 1 week after dietary crossover, during which the phytate and the non-phytate diet was switched over within the same Ca group. The content of Zn and Ca measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometer and phytate content was analyzed. food intake was higher in the high Ca group than in the low Ca group(p <0.0001), and was also higher in the non-phytate group than in the phytate group(p <0.0001). Food intake and phytate level affected body weight gain in rats(p <0.0001). Zinc excretion in the total feces was higher in the phytate group than in the non-phytate group at both low and high Ca level(p <0.0001), except during the crossover collection period in high Ca group. Calcium, however, didn't show any synergistic effect on phytate effect(p <0.05). This study showed that phytate decreased the absorption of total body zinc at both low and high Ca levels in Zn-depleted rats. A large portion of total body zinc originated from the endogenous zinc pool in these rats. The results of the present study showed the same effect of phytate on the endogenous zinc in Zn-depleted rats as in a previous study, confirming that phytate adversely affects zinc bioavailability, especially under marginal and poor zinc nutrition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.394-405
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• 1997

Endogenous zinc is important for maintaining zinc homeostasis because the size of endogenous zinc pool is almost 3-4 times bigger than that of dietary zinc. The purpose of this study was to examine the phytate effect on the reabsorption of endogenous zinc and the additional Ca effect on the phytate effect. Rats were fed a casein-based diet with added sodium phytate containing either high(1.6%) or low(0.8%) Ca concentrations for 4 weeks to reduce the body zinc pool. After the depletion period, $^{65}$ Zn was given by intraperitoneal injection to label the endogenous zinc pool. Rats were then assigned into phytate or non-phytate group within the same Ca group. feces were collected for 2 weeks of the initial collection period and 1 week after dietary crossover. The ratios of excreted fecal $^{65}$ Zn radioactivity of phytate group non-phytate group were determined as a measure of the phytate effect on the endogenous zinc. Mean fecal $^{65}$ Zn radioactivity was higher in the phytate group than in the non-phytate group during the entire 3 weeks of the collection period in the low Ca group, and during the initial collection period in the high Ca group(p <0.0001). This study showed an adverse phytate effect on endogenous zinc at both high and low dietary Ca levels. Elevated dietary Ca levels showed a synergistic effect on the phytate effect on endogenous zinc(p <0.05). These results imply greater phytate effect on zinc homeostasis rather than on zinc bioavailability through complexing with the endogenous zinc which is larger portion than the dietary zinc on zinc homeostasis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.306-310
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• 2005

Hyponatremia which is due to excessive sodium loss in the urine and decrease in extracellular fluid volume following an acute or chronic central nervous system injury, has been conjunctively described as cerebral salt wasting syndrome (CSWS). This syndrome is often confused with dilutional hyponatremia due to inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Accurate diagnosis and management are mandatory for improvement of the course of the disease. This report describes a case of a 31-year-old male patient with CSWS associated with tuberculous meningitis. The patient exhibited hyponatremia, polyuria, excessive natriuresis, volume depletion, and hypotension. He was diagnosed to manifest CSWS and was treated by administration of fluids, salt, and fludrocortisone. After the respective treatments, symptoms of polyuria and hypotension were gradually resolved and hyponatremia was corrected.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.30-45
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• 1992

An experimental study on the acute irradiation effects on the substantia nigra of head-irradiated rats were carried out. Rats anesthetized with sodium thiopental, were exposed only on their head areas with a single dose of 3,000 rads or 6,000 rads, respectively. Radiation was produced by Mitsubishi linear accelerator at the speed of 200 rads/min. Aminals were sacrificed on 6 hours, 2 days and 6 days following irradiations. By the perfusion fixation through the heart, rats were fixed with 1% glutaraldehyde-1% paraformaldehyde solution. Two hours later, brains were exposed and immersed in the same fixatives over night. Tissue blocks from subtantia nigra were punched out, and they were refixed in the 2% osmium tetroxide solution. Blocks were dehydrated through alcohol series, and embedded in the araldite mixture. Ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solutions, From the ultrastructural study, following results were made: 1. Six hours after irradiation, severe depletion of synaptic vesicles was occurred in the many axon terminals of the nigral neuropil. 2. Dramatical decrease of lysosomes and dense granules was observed. 3. Two days following irradiation, alterations of ribosomes, granular endoplasmic reticula, mitochondria, etc, were noticed. 4. Many of the malformations were seen to be repaired on the 6th day. 5. Above results were interpreted as follows. At the acute stage of heavy irradiation, neurotransmitters in the substantia nigra are released severely. But they are recovered within 6 days. It is concluded that acute head-irradiation may result severe disturbance of nigral motor control function during the first few days.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.291-299
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• 2000

Magnesium ($Mg^{2+}$) transport across the plasma membrane of cardiac myocytes appears to be under hormonal control. Repeated stimulations with adrenergic or histaminergic agonist produced a progressive decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from hearts. Thus we hypothesized that the $Mg^{2+}$ efflux may be resulted from a down-regulation of receptors or from a depletion of $Mg^{2+}$ from intracellular pool(s) in the hearts. In the present study, the regulation of $Mg^{2+}$ homeostasis by receptor stimulation was studied in perfused rat and guinea pig hearts. The successive short addition of norepinephrine (NE) to rat and guinea pig, and of histamine (HT) to perfused guinea pig hearts induced a progressive decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux. These $Mg^{2+}$ effluxes were blocked by propranolol or ranitidine, respectively. These decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux were inhibited by sodium cyanide (NaCN), which increases intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ ($[Mg^{2+}]_i$) levels. When NE (or HT) was added after HT (or NE), this efflux was also decreased in the guinea pig hearts. In the rat hearts and myocytes, HT did not stimulate $Mg^{2+}$ efflux. But NE produced a large $Mg^{2+}$ efflux after stimulation with HT. 8-(4-Chlorophenylthio)-adenosine cAMP (cAMP), like NE and HT, also induced a progressive decrease in $Mg^{2+}$ efflux in guinea pig hearts. This effect was inhibited by NaCN. These data provide evidence that the progressive decrease in receptor-stimulated $Mg^{2+}$ efflux is considered to be due to a decrease in $[Mg^{2+}]_i$ levels rather than receptor down-regulation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.844-850
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• 2000

The specific binding and internalization of viral particles is an essential step for the successful infection of viral pathogens. In the case of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), virions bind to the host cell via the preS domain of the viral surface antigen and are subsequently internalized by endocytosis. HBV-preS specific receptors are primarily expressed on hepatocytes, however, viral DNA and proteins have also been detected in extrahepatic sites, suggsting that celluar recepators for HBV may also exist on extrahepatic cells. Recently, an EBV-transformed B-cell line was identified onto which the preS region binds in a receptor-ligand specific manner. In this study, this specific interaction was further characterized, and the binding region within the preS protein was locaized. Also the internalization after host cell attachment was visualized and analyzed by fluorescence-labeled HBV-preS1 proteins using confocal microscopy. Energy depletion by sodium azide treatment effectively inhibited the internalization of the membrane-bound preS1 ligands, thereby indicating an energy-dependent receptor-mediated endocytotic pathway. Accordingly, the interaction of HBV-pres! with this specific B-cell line may serve as an effective model for an infection pathway in extrahepatic cells.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2022

Liraglutide (Saxenda^R) is prescribed to induce and sustain weight loss in obese patients. The starting dose of liraglutide is 0.6 mg/day for 1 week, which is increased by 0.6 mg/day every week until the full maintenance dose of 3 mg/day is achieved. Such dose titration is needed to prevent side effects, which primarily include gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain. A 35-year-old, reportedly healthy obese man receiving liraglutide treatment for obesity visited the emergency room complaining of generalized weakness and dizziness accompanied by repeated diarrhea and vomiting. He reported over 20 episodes of diarrhea starting the day after liraglutide dose escalation from 1.2 mg/day to 1.8 mg/day. Laboratory findings suggested pre-renal acute kidney injury, including serum creatinine 4.77 mg/dl, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) 37 mg/dl, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 15 ml/min/1.73 m², and Fractional excretion of sodium 0.08. After volume repletion therapy, his renal function recovered to a normal range with laboratory values of creatinine 1.08 mg/dl, BUN 14 mg/dl, and eGFR 88 ml/min/1.73 m². This case emphasizes the need for caution when prescribing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, including liraglutide, given the risk of serious renal impairments induced by volume depletion and dehydration through severe-grade diarrhea and vomiting.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.205-212
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• 1998

A sodium-independent facilitative glucose transporter 1 (Glut1) is a major route by which glucose can be transported across the plasma membrane of mouse embryo. Although it has been known that insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) promotes glucose transport into the mouse embryo, whether IGF-I directly regulates transcription of Glut1 has been uncovered in mouse preimplantation embryo. This study was aimed to elucidate the role of glucose and IGF-I in development and Glut1 expression in preimplantation mouse embryo. Two-cell embryos developed in blastocyst regardless of the glucose in the presence of pyruvate. IGF-I significantly increased the number of blastomeres in the mid-blastula. Deprivation of glucose did not affect the amount of Glut1 transcripts in morula cultured from 2-cell embryo. IGF-I potentiated Glut1 expression in morula cultured from 2-cell embryo even in the absence of glucose. Taken together, it is concluded that depletion of glucose does not promote Glut1 expression the in morula cultured form 2-cell embryo, and that increment of Glut1 expression possibly mediates embryotropic effect of IGF-I on preimplantation mouse embryo.