• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.66-66
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• 2003

Protein tyrosine kinases는 표적단백질의 tyrosine 잔기를 인산화하는 효소로서 다양한 종류의 성장인자, peptide 호르몬, cytokine 수용체 하위의 세포 내 신호전달에 관여한다. Non-receptor tyrosine kinase의 일종인 c-Src는 세포막에서 발생한 ligand-receptor 상호작용 하위의 신호전달에서 중요한 역할을 하며 C-terminal Src kinase (Csk)는 Src kinase의 C-terminal tyrosine 잔기를 인산화시켜 Src kinase의 활성을 저해한다. 이러한 Src-Csk loop를 통한 세포 내 신호전달과정은 세포의 증식과 분화, 사멸 조절에 중요한 기능을 갖지만 정소의 발생과 분화 과정에서 Src-Csk loop의 발현 및 정자형성 과정에서의 기능은 밝혀지지 않았다. 본 연구에서는 생쥐 정소에서 출생 후 성적 성숙과정에서 Csk의 발현과 Src kinase 활성의 변동을 조사하였다. Csk mRNA 발현은 생 후 2주령 이하의 미성숙 정소에서 다량으로 발현되었고 사춘기 정소 이후에는 오히려 감소하였다. Csk 단백질의 발현 양상은 mRNA 발현양상과 일치하였다. c-Src kinase 활성은 생 후 2주에 급격히 증가하고 이 후 4주령에서 감소하다가 성체 (8주령)에서 다시 증가하여 가장 높았다. 성체 조직의 Csk 단백질 현존량이 미성숙 개체보다 적은 반면 Src kinase 활성은 가장 높아 Csk 발현의 감소는 Src kinase 활성을 증가하는 것으로 사료된다. 면역조직화학방법으로 정소 조직 내 Csk의 발현양상을 조사한 결과 Leydig cell, Sertoli cell, germ cell 등 도처에서 발현되었으며 Sertoli cell 에서의 발현은 세정관 상피의 구성에 따른 차이가 확인되었다. 성체의 세정관 내에서는 감수분열 이후의 정세포(spermatid)를 감싸고 있는 Sertoli cell의 강소측에서 강한 Csk 활성이 검출되어 생식세포의 분화과정 동안 세정관 상피의 조직재구성에 관여하는 것으로 사료된다. Leydig cell에서의 발현은 생후 1주령까지는 미미하였으나 이후 2주령 이후에는 다량으로 발현함이 확인되어 adult type Leydig cell에서 진행되는 steroidogenesis와의 관련성을 추측할 수 있다. 미성숙 정소로부터 분리한 Sertoli cell-enriched culture에 200 nM testosterone을 처리하였을 때 Csk mRNA의 발현의 증가를 확인할 수 있었으므로 androgen에 의한 Sertoli cell의 분화과정에 Csk가 관여하고 있음을 알 수 있다. 결론적으로 성적 성숙에 따른 생쥐 정소 내 Src-Csk loop의 발현과 Src kinase 활성의 변동은 정소 내 간충조직, 세정관 상피의 증식 및 기능적 분화 과정을 매개하는 생리적 활성분자 수용체 하위의 신호전달 과정에 Src-Csk loop에 의한 조절가능성을 확인할 수 있었다.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1147-1155
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• 2018

Agaricus blazei mycelial liquid culture extract (ABMLCE) promoted the production of testosterone (TS) in TM-3 mouse Leydig testis cells. Now, we report that ABMLCE containing eritadenine (EA) as a minor constituent (15.3 mg/100 g) reduced $5{\alpha}-reductase$ 2 ($5{\alpha}-R2$) enzyme activity and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) content which are key constituents for the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) inductions. RWPE-1 prostate cells were grown in a Keratinocyte serum-free medium (K-SFM) containing ABMLCE (0~50 ppm), EA (0~10 ppm,), and finasteride (FS $10{\mu}M$: a positive control) in a 24-well plate for 24 hr. Supernatants collected from cell-cultured media were used for the assay of $5{\alpha}-R2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme activities, and for TS, DHT, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and $interleukin-1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) contents by their assay kits. The $5{\alpha}-R2$ activity and DHT content were proportionally reduced (p<0.05) to concentrations of ABMLCE. The SOD and CAT enzyme activities were significantly (p<0.05) elevated concomitant with ABMLCE concentrations, while COX-2, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ showed reverse results (p<0.05). Similarly, the effects of EA were similar to those of ABMLCE. Efficacies of ABMLCE 50 ppm and EA 10 ppm in $5{\alpha}-R2$ and DHT reduction were similar to those of $10{\mu}M$ FS. These results suggest that ABMLCE and EA reduced $5{\alpha}-R2$ and DHT through their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative actions. This implies that ABMLCE containing EA could be a beneficial material in the cure of BPH in humans.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.806-812
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• 2015

Prostatic inflammation plays a crucial role on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis and progression. In this study, BPH was induced by testosterone propinate in castrated rats for 8 weeks. Hot water extract from Curcuma longa L. (CL) was administered orally for 4 weeks along with positive controls, saw Palmetto and finasteride. CL supplementation induced histological changes, reduced expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, COX-2, and phospo-p65 in prostate tissue compared with the BPH group. These findings suggest that suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines could be attributed, at least partly, to the anti-inflammatory action of C. longa, and this action may be helpful to understand the inhibitory effect of Curcuma longa L. in BPH.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.261-275
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• 1998

본 연구에서는 GnRH가 과배란 처치된 래트의 초기 난포기와 후기 난포기에서 난소기능에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지를 이해하기 위해서, 30IU PMSG와 10IU hCG로 전처치된 미성숙 래트에 있어서 배란반응, 배란 난자의 형태학적 이상 유무 및 핵 성숙도, 난소 중량, 난소의 조직학적인 변화 및 혈중 스테로이드 호르몬 (17$\beta$-estradiol, progesterone 및 testosterone) 농도에 대하여 GnRH agonist의 효과를 검사하였다. GnRH agonist는 PMSG 전처치 후 초기 난포기 (PMSG 투여 후 6시간부터) 또는 후기 난포기(PMSG 투여 후 54시간부터)에 4시간 동안 20분 간격으로 경정맥 카테타를 통해 혈관내로 투여하였다. 각 실험동물은 혈중 스테로이드 호르몬의 변화를 측정하기 위하여 PMSG 투여 후 54시간, 72시간에 혈액을 채취하고 72시간에 희생시켰다. PMSG로 전처치한 미성숙 래트의 초기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 GnRH agonist를 투여하지 않은 군(대조군)에 비해 과배란 억제, 형태학적 비정상 배란난자의 증가, 난소 중량의 감소, 난포폐쇄의 증가 및 혈중 스테로이드 호르몬의 농도 감소가 보였다. 한편 후기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 대조군에서의 반응과 전반적으로 유사하였다. 이상의 결과, PMSG 및 hCG 처치로 과배란된 래트의 초기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 난소기능을 전반적으로 억제하지만, 후기 난포기에 GnRH agonist의 투여는 난소기능에 영향을 미치지 않았다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2008

Purpose : Leptin and adiponectin are two representative adipocytokines. Leptin increases, but adiponectin decreases, with obesity and insulin resistance. We aimed to study the relationship between the leptin/adiponectin ratio and insulin resistance in healthy children. Methods : Seventy-seven healthy children (36 boys and 41 girls) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and the percentage of weight for height (%WFH) was calculated in each subject. Fasting plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, testosterone, estradiol, and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The free androgen index (FAI) was used as a representative of testosterone bioactivity. The homeostasis model assessment was used to estimate the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results : In the boys, HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with age, pubertal stage, free androgen index (FAI), leptin, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. HOMA-IR was also significantly related to age, percentage of weight for height (%WFH), pubertal stage, estradiol, leptin, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio in girls. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, %WFH, and FAI in the boys (P<0.05). The leptin/adiponectin ratio was not independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, %WFH, and estradiol in girls. Conclusion : In non-obese healthy children, the leptin/adiponectin ratio was significantly correlated with insulin resistance. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to insulin resistance even after adjusting for age, degree of obesity, and androgen levels in healthy boys.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.159-172
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• 1991

It has been investigated what could be the selective marker distinguishing the immature from mature spermatozoa and whether fi -glucuronidase and fi -glucosidase are dependent on androgen in the luminal fluid of the epididymis or not. The contents of hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid in the epithelial cells, luminal fluid and spermatozoa of the epididymis were examined and the patterns of protein bands were compared in each group of the luminal fluid by SDS-PAGE. Lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, Na+ -K+ -ATPase and MgNa-ATPase showed higher activities in the cauda than the caput epididymal spermatozoa but only $Mg^2$+-ATPase activity appeared to be changed significantly. When the contents of hexose, hexosamine and sialic acid were analyzed and compared quantitatively, those of hexose were significantly different in the luminal fluid of caput and cauda epididymis, those of hexosamine in the epithelial cells and those of sialic acid in the epithelial cells and luminal fluid. When SDS-PAGE has been performed in each group, the band of MW 33-37 KD which was absent in the luminal fluid of caput epididymis appeared obviously in the luminal fluid of cauda epididymis and ako apeared in the cauda sperm crude membrane fraction. In addition, $\beta$ -glucuronidase and $\beta$ -glucosidase activities and their dependence on androgen were measured and the SDS-PAGE patiems of proteins and/or glycoproteins in the luminal fluid were examined. The activities of these two enzymes in the luminal fluid of the epididymis decreased significantly from the 5th day after castration. When testosterone was injected, the activity of $\beta$ -glucuronidase began to increase significantly from the 5th day following injection and that of $\beta$ -glucosidase from the loth day. On the other hand, the band of about MW 21 KD was newly observed in the lumen of caput epididymis when testosterone was administered.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.614-620
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• 2002

The sea bass, Lateoiabrax japonicus is a highly valued fish in aquaculture in South Korea. For establishment of seedling production of sea bass,1 japonicus, we examined change of gonadal development and plasma steroid levels of sea bass reared in indoor tank. Male matured unsimultaneously faster than females and spawning of females took place between the end of January and March. After the spawning period, and until the following January, all the females were in preyitello genesis and in some males, spermatogenetic activity restarted gradually. In October, under reducing photoperiod, cortical alveoli appeared in growing oocyte and the development of spermatogenesis greatly increased. Between October and february, vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurred respectively in female and male and gonadosomatic index increased from 4.31 to $24.07\%$ in female and upper 6o/o in male. Also, two sex hormones were analyzed during the course of a reproductive cycle in the sea bass: plasma levels of the gonadal steroid testosterone (T) and estradiol-l7$\beta$ (E_{2}). Variation of the plasma concentrations of T and E, appeared to depend on gonad stages. Plasma T and E, levels were high from November to January, suggesting that an sufficient gonadal stimulation by both hormones may undergoing a processes for the formation of sperm and oocyte.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.631-640
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• 2021

Houttuynia cordata Thunberg has been studied for a variety of pharmacological actions in traditional oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the effects of Houttuynia cordata ethanol extract (HCE) on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) models induced by castration and testosterone propionate (TP) injection. Thirty rats were divided into six groups. One group was used as a normal control, and the other groups were castrated and had intraperitoneal injections of TP for 14 days to induce BPH. A positive control group was given daily doses of finasteride (5 mg/kg) to the BPH model. Rats administered HCE (0.5, 1 or 2 mg/kg) instead of finasteride were compared with controls as experimental groups. There was no statistical significance in terms of prostate weight based on 100 g of body weight. The concentrations of 5-α reductase and dehydroxytestosteronre (DHT) were determined via ELISA tests, and there was a significant decrease in all experimental groups. The 0.5 mg/kg HCE group had the lowest level of 5-α reductase, and the 2 mg/kg HCE group had the lowest level of DHT. In the histopathological observation of prostates, the control and the 2 mg/kg HCE groups had normal cell shapes and no swelling. However, in the negative control group and the 1 mg/kg HCE group, the cells were swollen, and the gap between the cells was narrowed. In particular, in the 0.5 mg/kg HCE group, some cells were bursting. Therefore, the administration of more than 2 mg/kg of HCE is suitable to protect against BPH.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.261-266
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• 2008

In the present study, we investigated in vivo effects of Manchurian trout recombinant gonadotrophin hormone (mt-rGTH) on the induction of maturation in female eel, Anguilla japonica. The brood stock, female eel (450$\pm$50 g) were weekly injected intramuscularly with different doses of 0.1, 1, 10 ${\mu}g\m{\ell}$/fish (mt-rFSH or mt-rLH) for 10 week. The effects of r-mtGTH were analyzed by gonadosomatic index (GSI), ovarian follicle diameter and sex steroid levels. All groups did not exhibit significant differences in the GSI values. Whereas plasma testosterone (T) and estradiol-17$\beta$ (E2) levels did not change significantly in control group, plasma levels of T and E2 by injection of the r-mtFSH or r-mtLH were increased at 2 or 4 week after injection. In addition, injection of the mt-rFSH (1, 10 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$/fish) or mt-rLH (0.1, 1, 10 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$/fish) significantly increased follicle diameters comparing to the control group. These results demonstrate that the recombinant hormone may affect early ovary development and maturation in female eel. Taken together, these results suggest that the recombinant Manchurian trout FSH and LH are effective for reproductive activities in female eel.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.281-286
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• 2010

Recent evidence has revealed that the intratesticular injection of hypertonic saline(20%) resulted in a chemically castrated state such as nadir testosterone levels in rats. To confirm the efficacy of this simple saline-injection method further, we investigated the changes in the gross and microscopic anatomy of testis. Our study comprised three groups; intact(control) group, orchidectomy group and saline-injection (experimental) group. Single dose of hypertonic saline (sterilized, $750{\mu}{\ell}/testis$) were directly administered into both testis of adult rats (about 300 g BW). Bilateral orchidectomy was performed at the same day of saline injection. Following 30 days post-injection, reproductive tissues were surgically removed, weighed and fixed for histological examination. The body weights were not changed in both orchidectomy group and saline-injection group when compared to those in intact group. The wet weights of testis were significantly decreased in saline-injection group when compared to those in intact group. The wet weights of epididymis and seminal vesicle and prostate were significantly decreased in orchidectomy group and saline-injection group when compared to those in intact group. Macroscopically, the testes exerted slight atrophy and the tunica albuginea seemed to be intact in saline injection group. Histologically, however, larger parts of testicular tissue underwent necrosis and were barely recognizable after hematoxylin-eosin staining. In the same section, only the opposite part of the injection site was stained showing abnormal state of cell layers mostly fibrosis and infiltrated leukocytes. Sloughing of immature germ cells from the basement membrane along with shedding cells in the intraluminal space was notable in most seminiferous tubules from the saline injected testis. The present study confirmed that the direct injection of hypertonic saline into testis can induce a castration-like, testosterone-depriving effects on accessory sex organs. Our findings suggest that the efficacy of this less expensive and minimally invasive method seems to be almost even with that of conventional orchidectomy and chemical castration, though more in-depth evaluation should be supported.