• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.107-114
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• 2024

Objective : Cicadae Periostracum (CP), which is the discarded shell of the Cryptotympana atrata (Fabricius, 1775), is a recognized component of oriental medicine for treatment sore throat, itching, shock, sedation, edema. However, the safety and toxicity of CP have not yet been established. It has been reported that symptoms of addiction or side effects may occur in patients who take high doses of CP or who are hypersensitive to it. Therefore, we investigated the acute toxicity of an CP extracts in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : To study acute toxicity, five SD rats of each sex per group were treated with CP extracts at single doses of 0, 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg administrated by oral gavage, and body weight, clinical signs, and mortality were observed after dosing. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete hematological and macroscopic examinations were performed. Results : There were no dead animal and test article-related effects on body weight change or the gross finding. No toxicologically significant results were observed between control and treated groups in hematology. Although salivation related to stress at the highest dose was observed in clinical signs immediately after administration, it is considered to have no toxicological significance. Conclusion : As the results, we did not find any adverse effect at the dose levels of 500, 1000, or 2000 mg/kg in rats. The minimal lethal dose was considered to be over 2000 mg/kg body weight in rats.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 2003

The aims of this study were to investigate the efficacy of acupuncture on myoelectrical activity of inflamed or normal colon in the rat, and whether the effect of acupuncture on colonic motility was related to endogenous opioids. Twenty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups. Experimental groups were normal group (n = 8), colitis group (n = 6) and naloxone group (n = 8). Stainless steel bipolar electrodes were implanted on the serosal layer of the proximal colon of rats. Colitis was induced 7 days after electrode implantation using trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS) and ethanol. Electromyograms (EMG) were recorded by using polygraph 11 days after implantation of electrodes. In normal group, normal colonic motility was recorded for 60 min, and then traditional acupuncture at GV-1 was applied for 20 min and EMG was recorded for further 60 min in untreated rats. In colitis group, after recording of basal colonic motility for 60 min, 20 min of acupuncture treatment and further EMG recording was performed for 60 min in TNBS/ethanol treated rats. In naloxone group, following subcutaneous administration of naloxone (3 mg/kg), recording of EMG and acupuncture treatment were performed in TNBS/ethanol treated rats. In the normal group, acupuncture at GV-1 did not induce significant changes in colonic motility. TNBS/ethanol treatment had no significant effect on the frequency of colonic motility. And in colitis group, GV-1 acupuncture significantly decreased colonic motility (p < 0.01). In naloxone group, after injection of naloxone, acupuncture at GV-1 did not change colonic motility in TNBS/ethanol treated rats. On the inflamed colon, naloxone blocked the effect of acupuncture. The present results suggested that endogenous opioids released by acupuncture at GV-1 decrease the motility of inflamed colon in rats, but not normal colon.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.62-74
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of oral administration of Yongyukjowi-tang(YJT) on the immune activity in aged Sprague-Dawley rat(SD rat). Methods : SD rats were divided into three groups: Yongyukjowi-tang groups(YJT groups), distilled water groups(control groups) and Vitamin C groups(positive control groups) which were administered an oral dose(1ml/1day) to 6, 48 and 68 weeks old SD rats for four weeks. After four weeks, the number of total leukocyte, CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and the level of cytokine (IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-${\gamma}$) were measured in spleen tissue of each SD rats. Results and Conclusions : 1) The number of total leukocyte significantly increased in 52 weeks old YJT group and 72 weeks old YJT group in comparison with those of the control group. 2) The number of CD3+ cell significantly increased in 72 weeks old YJT group in comparison with those of the control group and the positive control group. 3) The number of CD8+ cell significantly increased in 52 weeks old YJT group in comparison with those of the control group. 4) The level of IL-2 significantly increased in 72 weeks old YJT group in comparison with those of the control group and the positive control group. 5) The level of IL-4 significantly increased in 52 weeks old YJT group in comparison with those of the positive control group. These results suggest that oral administration of YJT has an effect on increase of immune activity in aged rat.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.82-87
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate voluntary wheel running behavior in the unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 2 groups : 6-OHDA group (n=17) and control group (n=8). The unilateral 6-OHDA rat model was induced by injection of 6-OHDA into unilateral medial forebrain bundle using a stereotaxic instrument. Voluntary wheel running activity was assessed per day in successfully lesioned rats (n=10) and control rats. Each behavioral test lasted an hour. The following parameters were investigated during behavioral tests : the number of running bouts, the distance moved in the wheel, average peak speed in running bouts and average duration from the running start to the peak speed. Results : The number of running bouts and the distance moved in the wheel were significantly decreased in successfully lesioned rats compared with control rats. In addition, average peak speed in running bouts was decreased, and average duration from the running start to the peak speed was increased in lesioned animals, which might indicate motor deficits in these rats. These behavioral changes were still observed 42 days after lesion. Conclusion : Voluntary wheel running behavior is impaired in the unilateral 6-OHDA rat model and may represent a useful tool to quantify motor deficits in this model.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2002

We have examined the purgative effect of three Jechun-jun formulas in sprague dawley(SD) rat. Three jechun-jun formulas were Jechun-jun(Sample I ) and augmented Jechun-jun(Sample II) and augmented Jechun-jun add rhubarb(sample III ). We examined the amount and the humidity of feces in rat. The experimental animals were devided into four groups. as control group and three Jechun-jun (sample I, II, III). We administerd the water extract of sample I, II, III to rat per oral for 8days long. After every 24hours measured the amount of wet feces from rats in metabolic cage. Humidity rate of feces from rat was at first measure wet feces for 24hours (W) and measure dried feces (W1) and then we consider W-W1 as humidity. High humidity rate means constipation changes into moistening stool. The amount of wet feces and humidity rate of feces in rats were increased in sample I, II, III. Sample I has highest humidity rate of feces. so showed strong moistening effect. Sample II has mild effect in treating constipation. sample III has most amount of wet feces. in conclusion Jechun-jun has an effect of moistening stool. and augmented Jechun-jun add rhubarb has strong purgative effect.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.141-158
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• 2009

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out the effect of KyungOcGogamibang(KOGE) on the growth of rats. Methods First of all, we divided male Sprague-Dawley rats into 4 groups(KOGE1, KOGE2, KOGE3 and control group). Then KOGE1, KOGE2 and KOGE3 groups were administered with KOGE water extracts once a day at a dosage of 250, 500, 1,000mg/kg respectively for 3 weeks. The control group was administered with normal saline in the same manner. We measured the rat's body weight, amount of body weight increased, length of femur, serum GH, serum IGF-Ⅰ, serum TSH and serum testosterone after each week of administration. Results 1. There were significant changes of the rat's body weight, the length of the femur, the level of GH, IGF-Ⅰand TSH in KOGE1 groups. 2. There were significant changes of the rat's body weight, the length of the femur, the level of IGF-Ⅰand TSH in KOGE2 groups. 3. There were significant changes of the rat's body weight, the length of the femur, the level of IGF-Ⅰand TSH in KOGE3 groups. Conclusions According to the results above, rat in KOGE group have been increased their body weight, length of femur, serum GH, serum IGF-1 compared to the control group. This study shows that groups of KOGE have an effect on promoting the growth, thus it is expected to treat growth problems for children.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.241-249
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• 2009

Although extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ entry through the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels plays an important role in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the pregnant rat myometrium, the role of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels has yet to be fully identified. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel in the spontaneous phasic contractions of the rat myometrium. Spontaneous phasic contractions and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were measured simultaneously in the longitudinal strips of female Sprague-Dawley rats late in their pregnancy (on day 18 ${\sim}$ 20 of gestation: term=22 days). The expression of T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel mRNAs or protein levels was measured. Cumulative addition of low concentrations (< 1 ${\mu}M$) of nifedipine, a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, produced a decrease in the amplitude of the spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients and contractions with no significant change in frequency. The mRNAs and proteins encoding two subunits (${\alpha}$ 1G, ${\alpha}$ 1H) of the T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels were expressed in longitudinal muscle layer of rat myometrium. Cumulative addition of mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel induced a concentration-dependent inhibition of the amplitude and frequency of the spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients and contractions. Mibefradil, NNC 55-0396 or nickel also attenuated the slope of rising phase of spontaneous $Ca^{2+}$ transients consistent with the reduction of the frequency. It is concluded that T-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels are expressed in the pregnant rat myometrium and may play a key role for the regulation of the frequency of spontaneous phasic contractions.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2006

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have cardioprotective effects in different species including human. This cardioprotective effect is mainly due to the inhibition of bradykinin (BK) degradation rather than inhibition of the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensir. II. Bradykinin, a nonapeptide, has been considered to be the potential target for various enzymes including ACE, neutral endopeptidase 24.11, carboxypeptidase M, carboxypeptidase N, proline aminopeptidase, endopeptidase 24.15, and meprin. In the present study, the coronary vascular beds of Sprague Dawley rat isolated hearts were perfused (single passage) with Krebs solution alone or with different concentrations of BK i.e. $2.75{\times}10^{-10},\;10^{-7},\;10^{-6}\;and\;10^{-5}M$ solution. Percent degradation of BK was determined by radioimmunoassay. The degradation products of BK after passing through the isolated rat-hearts were determined using RP-HPLC and mass spectroscopy. All the four doses of BK significantly decreased the perfusion pressure during their passage through the hearts. The percentage degradation of all four doses was decreased as the concentration of drug was increased, implying saturation of a fixed number of active sites involved in BK degradation. Bradykinin during a single passage through the hearts degraded to give [1-7]-BK as the major metabolite, and [1-8]-BK as a minor metabolite, detected on HPLC. Mass spectroscopy not only confirmed the presence of these two metabolites but also detected traces of [1-5]-BK and arginine. These findings showed that primarily ACE is the major cardiac enzyme involved in the degradation of bradykinin during a single passage through the coronary vascular of bed the healthy rat heart, while carboxypeptidase M may have a minor role.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4883-4889
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• 2013

Background: The most common incident cancer and cause of cancer-related deaths in women is breast cancer. The Myc gene is upregulated in many cancer types including breast cancer, and it is considered as a potential anti-cancer drug target. The present study was conducted to evaluate the Myc (gene and protein) expression pattern in an experimental mammary tumour model in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty six Sprague Dawley rats were divided into: Experimental group (26 animals), which received the chemical carcinogen N-methyl nitrosourea (MNU) and a control group (10 animals), which received vehicle only. c-Myc oncoprotein and its mRNA expression pattern were evaluated using immunohistochemistry (IHC) and semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively, in normal rat mammary tissue and mammary tumours. The rat glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene was used as internal control for semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results: Histopathological examination of mammary tissues and tumours from MNU treated animals revealed the presence of premalignant lesions, benign tumours, in situ carcinomas and invasive carcinomas. Immunohistochemical evaluation of tumour tissues showed upregulation and heterogeneous cellular localization of c-Myc oncoprotein. The expression levels of c-Myc oncoprotein were significantly elevated (75-91%) in all the tumours. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed increased expression of c-Myc mRNA in mammary tumours compared to normal mammary tissues. Conclusions: Further large-scale investigation study is needed to adopt this experimental rat mammary tumour model as an in vivo model to study anti-cancer strategies directed against Myc or its downstream partners at the transcriptional or post-transcriptional level.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.7
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• pp.238-248
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• 2012

Purpose: Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is an important cause of neonatal mortality, as this brain injury disrupts normal mitochondrial respiratory activity. Carnitine plays an essential role in mitochondrial fatty acid transport and modulates excess acyl coenzyme A levels. In this study, we investigated whether treatment of primary cultures of rat cortical neurons with L-carnitine was able to prevent neurotoxicity resulting from oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD). Methods: Cortical neurons were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rat embryos. L-Carnitine was applied to cultures just prior to OGD and subsequent reoxygenation. The numbers of cells that stained with acridine orange (AO) and propidium iodide (PI) were counted, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and the terminal uridine deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assay were performed to evaluate the effect of L-carnitine (1 ${\mu}M$, 10 ${\mu}M$, and 100 ${\mu}M$) on OGD-induced neurotoxicity. Results: Treatment of primary cultures of rat cortical neurons with L-carnitine significantly reduced cell necrosis and prevented apoptosis after OGD. L-Carnitine application significantly reduced the number of cells that died, as assessed by the PI/AO ratio, and also reduced ROS release in the OGD groups treated with 10 ${\mu}M$ and 100 ${\mu}M$ of L-carnitine compared with the untreated OGD group (P<0.05). The application of L-carnitine at 100 ${\mu}M$ significantly decreased cytotoxicity, LDH release, and inhibited apoptosis compared to the untreated OGD group (P<0.05). Conclusion: L-Carnitine has neuroprotective benefits against OGD in rat primary cortical neurons in vitro.