• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2006

To evaluate whether metformin restores leptin sensitivity in aged rats with leptin resistance, we measured leptin sensitivity in aged (2 year old) and adult (5 month old) rats after 4 weeks of treatment with metformin (300 mg/kg/D, mixing in drinking water), by measuring food intake, body weight and visceral fat losing effects. Leptin ($15{\mu}g/D$) was administered by intracerobroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion through osmotic minipump for 1 week. Metformin treatment decreased body weight and daily food intake in both adult and aged rats compared with their control rats, however, these effects were more prominent in aged rats than in adult rats. Anorexic and fat losing responses following i.c.v. leptin were attenuated in aged rats compared to adult rats. However, these responses of aged rats to leptin were restored by metformin treatment. Moreover, serum concentration of leptin in aged rats was significantly decreased by combined treatment with metformin and leptin. These results suggest that metformin enhances leptin sensitivity in aged rat model, and that combination therapy with metformin and leptin would be helpful for treatment of aging-associated obesity.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1998.06a
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• pp.1-11
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• 1998

Ameliorating mechanisms of red ginseng on learning deficits were investigated in the following 3 experiments; its effects on 1) place learning deficits in aged rats and in young rats with selective hippocampal lesions (behavioral study), 2) long-term potentiation in the hippocampal formation (neuro- physiological study), and 3) ChAT (choline acetyl transferase) activity in various brain regions of aged rats (pharmacological study). In the behavioral study, first, performance in the place learning tasks were compared among 3 groups of young and aged rats; control young intact rats (10-12 week old) treated with water, aged rats (28-32 month old) treated with water, and aged rats (28-32 month old) treated with red ginseng (100 mghglday) suspended in water. Second, performance in the place learning tasks was compared among 3 groups of young rats; control intact rats treated with water, rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions treated with water, and rats with bilateral hippocampal lesions treated with red ginseng (100 mg/kg/day). Each rat in these 2 behavioral experiments was tested with the 3 types of the place learning tasks in a circular open field using intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) as reward. The ICSS reward was delivered if the rat (1) moved distance of 100-160 cm (DMT): (2) entered an experiment-determined reward place within the open field, and this place was randomly varied in sequential trials (RRPST); or (3) entered 2 specific places, and did a shuttle behavior between the 2 places (PLT). Performance of the aged rats in the ginseng group was not significantly different from that of control young rats in ICSS (current intensity, bar press rates), DMT and RRPST. However, treatment with red ginseng significantly ameliorated place-navigation learning deficits in aged rats in the PLT. Similarly, red ginseng ameliorated learning and memory deficits in young rats with hippocampal lesions in the same tasks. In the neurophysiological study using young rats, perfusion of hippocampal slices with non-sapon in fraction of red ginseng significantly enhanced magnitudes of the long-term potentiation (LfP) in the CA3 subfield. In the pharmacological study, treatment with red ginseng did not affect ChAT activity in aged rat brain including the hippocampal formation. These results strongly suggest that red ginseng ameliorates learning and memory deficits in aged rats through actions on the CA3 subfield of the hippocampal formation, which were independent of the presynaptic components of the cholinergic system

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.388-393
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the influence of vadrious dietary fiber sources such as mugwort, apple, sea mustard, butterbur on the intestinal in aged rats. Nine groups of aged rats (12months after weanling) were fed each experimental diet containing 5% and 15% dietary fibers for 4 weeks. The contents in large intestine of aged rats used for the measurement of intestinal microflora. Total viable counts and the numbers of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Clostridium, E. coli and Staphylococcus were determined by nonselective medium and various selective media. The intake of dietary fiber sources employed did not show any differece in the number of total microorganisms, Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. It was remarkable that Clostridium perfringens appeared in the colon of aged rats. The prpulations of Peptococcus and Clostridium were significantly larger in the apple 5% group than in other dietary fiber groups while the number of Staphylococcus was significantly smaller in the dietary fiber groups than in cellulose group. And the Streptococcus populations decreased in the mugwort 15% group. Accordingly, the mugwort 15% group is effective in improving intestinal flora of aged rats.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.44-47
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• 2002

The effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack on masculine copulatory behaviour were studied in the middle aged male Sprague-Dawley rats, 9 months old and retired breeders after dosing them with 500 mg/kg twice daily for 10 days prior to test. The test lasted for 30 minutes after a 20 minute adaptation period, was carried out on the 11th day during the dark phase of the light-dark cycle (2000-0700 hours) and in subdued light, using a modified copulation cage but with the presence of a piece of mirror of appropriate size to facilitate observation. Results showed that the mean values of EL-1, EL-2 and EL-3 of the control middle aged male rats were 103.20 sec, 91.21 sec and 80.00 sec but were significantly (p<0.05) increased to 118.40-120.20 sec, 101.24-171.28 sec and 100.42-110.21 sec respectively in the methanol-chloroform, methanol-butanol-water and methanol-butanol treated middle aged male rats. However, further results also showed that PEI-1 and PEI-2 of the control middle aged male rats were 182.30 sec and 257.2 sec but were significantly (p<0.05) decreased to 100.42-121.31 sec and 40.21-132.31 sec respectively in the methanol-chloroform-butanol-water and methanol-butanol treated middle aged male rats. In conclusion, this study showed that although E. longifolia Jack continued to enhance the sexual activity of the middle aged male rats by extending the duration of coitus and decreasing the refractory period between the different series of copulation, but to a smaller degree as compared to sexually active, adult male rats (Ang and Sim, 1997).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.497-506
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• 1989

To investigate the effect of levels of dietary protein and age on bone metabolism 40% and 5% casein were fed to the rats of 2 & 13 months of age for 12 weeks. High protein groups showed higher bone weight and Ca content than low protein groups and urinary Ca loss was increased in high protein groups but the difference disappeared gradually. A significant increase in urinary hydroxyproline excretion was noted in high protein groups of both age. Another short term study was undertaken to study if the above effect was related with renal function or PTH. Extremely high and low protein diets(60%, 6%) were fed to the rats of different ages(6wks, 6mos.) for 2 weeks, Urinary Ca excretion was significantly increased in high protein groups of young and aged rats and GFR was increased as well. There was no difference in serum iPTH levels between low and high protein groups, but it was elevated in aged rats. Alkaline phosphatase activity was higher in young rats, reflecting faster bone formation. The observed hypercalciuria in high protein groups, especially in aged rats, seems to be related to higher GFR, and PTH dose not appear to be a major mediator.

• Mycobiology
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2022

Inflammaging in male reproductive organs covers a wide variety of problems, including sexual dysfunction and infertility. In this study, the beneficial effects of cordycepin (COR), isolated from potential medicinal fungi Cordyceps militaris, in aging-associated testicular inflammation and serum biochemical changes in naturally aged rats were investigated. Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (YC), aged control (AC), and COR (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) treated aged rat groups. Aging-associated serum biochemical changes and inflammatory parameters were analyzed by biochemical assay kits, Western blotting, and real-time RT-PCR. Results showed a significant (p < 0.05) alteration in the total blood cell count, lipid metabolism, and liver functional parameters in AC group when compared with YC group. However, COR-treated aged rats ameliorated the altered biochemical parameters significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, respectively). Furthermore, the increase in the expression of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tissue necrosis factor-alpha) in aged rat testis was significant (p < 0.05) when compared with YC group. Treatment with COR at 20 mg/kg to aged rats attenuated the increased expression of inflammatory mediators significantly (p < 0.05). Mechanistic studies revealed that the potential attenuating effects exhibited by COR in aged rats was mediated by regulation of NF-κB activation and MAPKs (c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, and p38) signaling. In conclusion, COR restored the altered serum biochemical parameters in aged rats and ameliorated the aging-associated testicular inflammation proving the therapeutic benefits of COR targeting inflammaging-associated male sexual dysfunctions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.253-262
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigated the effect of dietary fat sources on renal senescence in aged rats. Seventeen month old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups according to urinary protein excretion. Four month old rats were used as a control group. The rats were fed one of three different experimental diets ; 20% beef tallow, 20% corn oil 20% fish oil diet. They were fed experimental diets ad libitum for 16 weeks . The results are summarized as follows. Serum lipid concentrations were higher in aged rats than in control rats, with the beef tallow group showing the highest level, followed by the corn oil and fish oil groups. Old rats showed higher HDL and lower LDL levels than the control groups. Age and dietary fat had no effect on VLDL. GFR for the both age groups were increased with experimental period with the beef tallow group showing the highest value. Urinary protein excretion was also increased with experimental period in both age groups. There was a large increase in urinary protein in old rats that were fed beef tallow and corn oil, but not in old rats fed fish oil. On the contrary , the effect of dietary fat on urinary protein was not found in control groups. There was individual susceptibility in the effect of dietary fat on urinary protein. Old rats fed beef tallow with high initial urinary protein showed highest increase, but , the change was not significant in rats with a low initial value . It was also found that the increase was kept low in rats of the fish oil group with high initial urinary protein. The corn oil group showed in between values. There were no differences in urine and renal tissue concentrations of TXB2 . Aged rats showed a tendency of having higher urinary PGE2 excretion and lower renal cortex content. Since higher PGE2 excretion was reported to be associated with decreased renal function, this might suggest that the aged rats show renal function reduction. Light microscopic examination showed that glomerular segmental sclerosis, mesangial matrix expansion and tubular atrophy were more frequently present in aged rats, and that these changes were more significant in the beef tallow group, followed by corn oil and fish oil groups. The percentage of urinary protein excretion was increased in aged rats in association with increased glomerular sclerosis and mesangial matrix . This change could be partly due to a change in eicosanoids metabolism . Therefore, modification of dietary fat could affect the eicosanoids metabolism in kidney and renal senescence.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.218-232
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Yongyukjowitang(YJT) distillate on the immune activity of spleen cells of aged SD rats. Methods Spleen cells from 10w, 52w, 72w old rats were stimulated with Concanavalin A(Con A) and treated with Vitamin C(Vit.C) or Yongyukjowitang distillate(YJT). After 24 hours, levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured using ELISA in spleen cells. Results and Conclusions 1. The concentration of IL-2, IL-4 in spleen cells of 52 weeks old SD rats(YJT group) significantly decreased in comparison with ConA group. 2. The concentration of IFN-${\gamma}$ in spleen cells of 72 weeks old SD rats significantly increased in comparison with 10 weeks old SD rats(NT group), but decreased in comparison with 10 weeks old SD rats(YJT group). These results suggest that Yongyukjowitang distillate has an effect on the immune activity of spleen cells of aged SD rats.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.19-35
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• 1998

Some oriental medicine turned out to have a significant clinical effect on the cure for dementia. Therefore, thorough scientific tests for physiological effect of oriental medicne are needed. This study is aimed at doing experimental studies on the effects of two medicines, Jowiseungcheongtang and hyungbangjihwangtang, on the cure for dementia.For the demonstration of the effect of the two medicines on aged rats, we perfomed a radial arm medicines on aged rats, water maze task, known for their proper learning paradigm for behavior.Previous studies on aging and dementia show that aged rats displayed significant impariments in the learning of the radial arm maze task compared with younger rats. As in experiment 1, we found that the learning of the radial arm maze task compared with younger rats. As in experiment 1, we found that the learning deficits aged rats exhibit in radial arm maze task were improved with the application of each medicine. The resutls suggest that these two medicine can be effective to patients whose working or shortterm memory is impaired. In experiment 2 we studied the effect of the two medicines on the deficit of the aged rats with the Morris water maze task known for measuring long-tern memory. We did not find significant results between the performance of the ages rats and the younger ones. Considered the different results previous studies have reported, more thorough studies are needed to investigate the effect of the medicines on long-term memory.In conclusion, the results we found in experiment 1 and 2 suggest that Jowisengcheongtang and hyungbangjihwangtang can have useful effects for the cure of age-related memory (especially for short-term memory)deficits. Recent interests in dementia urges researchers concerned to explore the effect of oriental medicine on the disease. As there have been relatively few behavioral or scientific studies on dementia using oriental medicine to date, further studies are expected are expected to continue to elucidate 'what the wisdom of the oriental medicine tells about dementia'.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.1023-1028
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• 2007

This study was designed to determine whether dietary glutinous barley (GB) affects lipid metabolism in middle-aged rats previously fed a high-fat diet. To induce obesity, 20 male 9-month-old Sprague Dawley rats were raised for 1 month on a diet containing 20%(w/w) lipid. The rats were allocated to 1 of 2 groups of 10 rats each and for the subsequent 2 months were fed an 8%(w/w) lipid diet containing well-milled rice (WMR) or GB powder. Rats fed the GB diet had significantly lower concentrations of plasma triglyceride, plasma total cholesterol, and liver cholesterol than rats fed the WMR diet. Fecal excretions of triglyceride and bile acids were significantly greater for the GB group than for the WMR group. In conclusion, dietary GB has positive effects on lipid metabolism: it decreases plasma cholesterol concentration by increasing fecal excretion of bile acids.