• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2018

Early life exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and low protein diet through complementary foods during weaning is common in parts of Africa and Asia. This study evaluated the effect of co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet on the extrahepatic tissues of rats. Twenty-four three-week old weanling male albino rats were used for this study and were randomly assigned into four groups: group 1 served as control and was fed normal protein diet (20% protein), group 2 was fed low protein diet (5% protein), group 3 was fed normal protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1 while group 4 received low protein diet + 40 ppb AFB1, all for eight weeks. Afterward, biomarkers of anemia (packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin) and kidney function (urea, uric acid, and creatinine) were determined in the blood while biomarkers of oxidative stress were determined in the tissues spectrophotometrically. Co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight gain and PCV, increased biomarkers of kidney functions and induced oxidative stress in the tissues studied. There was significant (p < 0.05) reduction in glutathione concentration while TBARS was significantly increased in the tissues. Co-exposure to AFB1 and low protein diet had additive effects on decreasing the weight gain and potentiation effect of kidney dysfunction in the rats. The co-exposure also decreased antioxidant enzymes and increased oxidant status in the tissues. Our results demonstrate that this co-exposure has deleterious health effects on extrahepatic tissues and should be a public health concern especially in developing countries where AFB1 contamination is common.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.284-289
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• 2013

Antidiabetic and beta cell-protection activities of purple corn anthocyanins (PCA) were examined in pancreatic beta cell culture and db/db mice. Only PCA among several plant anthocyanins and polyphenols showed insulin secretion activity in culture of HIT-T15 cells. PCA had excellent antihyperglycemic activity (in terms of blood glucose level and OGTT) and HbA1c-decreasing activity when compared with glimepiride, a sulfonylurea in db/db mice. In addition, PCA showed efficient protection activity of pancreatic beta cell from cell death in HIT-T15 cell culture and db/db mice. The result showed that PCA had antidiabetic and beta cell-protection activities in pancreatic beta cell culture and db/db mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2024

Objective: Some age-related testicular changes, such as Sertoli cell vacuolization and blood-testis barrier breakdown, reduce total sperm production and male fertility. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of vitamin E on restoring testicular function in aged mice. Sperm cryo-resistance was also assessed. Methods: Twenty-eight 48-week-old male Naval Medical Research Institute mice were divided into four groups for a daily gavage of vitamin E: the control group received distilled water, while the three treatment groups were administered 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, respectively, for 4 weeks. Subsequently, semen analyses, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and protamine deficiency tests were conducted. Testicular histology, tissue antioxidant enzyme activity, and gene expression levels were also assessed. Results: The two higher dosages of vitamin E were associated with a higher sperm count, greater progressive motility, and improved sperm morphology (p<0.05). These benefits were also evident after sperm freezing (p<0.05). Although chromatin abnormalities increased following vitrification, the treatment groups showed better outcomes (p<0.05). The tubular diameter, epithelium height, and luminal diameters remained unchanged with age. The tissue antioxidant capacity was greater in the groups receiving the high doses of vitamin E. Additionally, significant increases in inhibitor of DNA binding protein-4 (Id4) and GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (Gfra1) expression were observed in the higher vitamin E dosage groups, and promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (Plzf) expression was notably present in the 400 mg/kg treatment group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Antioxidant supplementation might enhance reproductive outcomes in aging males. The observed effects included improved sperm cryo-resistance, which is advantageous for future applications such as sperm freezing or fertility preservation.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.167-170
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• 2003

Cytochrome $b_{5}$($b_{5}$) can be found in a variety of tissues and plays a role in the electron transfer pathways. Several retropseudogenes (numbered as I, II, II, IV, V) have been identified and well investigated for their structures. However, retropseudogene I is not clear in terms of its location on the chromosome. In addition the structure and the exression of retropseudogene V have not been confirmed. To examine the structure of bs retropseudogenes V and to see whether it is expressed in human blood we applied recombinant DNA technologies including polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing. Retropseudogene V turned out to contain open reading frame (ORF) within its structure, however, no evidence of its expression was detected. Retropseudogene I was also found on the chromosome V. This study should contribute to the understanding of the structure of bs gene family.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.222-224
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• 2017

A retrospective study was designed to determine whether there were any differences in prepartal blood biochemical parameters between cows developed subclinical ketosis (SCK) and non-SCK cows. Data on blood biochemistry from 33 Holstein parturient cows (15 SCK and 18 non-SCK cows) in one farm for one year, were compared. Plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate, non-esterified fatty acid and glucose concentrations were utilized in the diagnosis of SCK and showed significant differences between SCK and non-SCK cows after calving. Before calving, however, only plasma total cholesterol concentration in SCK cows was significantly lower than that in non-SCK cows. Consequently, it seems that lower plasma total cholesterol concentration before calving is related to the occurrence of SCK immediately after calving.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2002

An anticoagulant protein was purified from the edible portion of a blood ark shell, Scapharca broughtonii, by ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-75, DEAE-Sephacel, and Biogel P-l00. In vitro assays with human plasma, the anticoagulant from 'S. broughtonii, prolonged the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and inhibited the factor LX in the intrinsic pathway of the blood coagulation cascade. But, the fibrin plate assay did not show that the anticoagulant is a fibrinolytic protease. The molecular mass of the purified S. broughtonii anticoagulant was measured to be about 26.0kDa by gel filtration on a Sephadex G-75 column and SDS-PAGE under denaturing conditions. The optimum activity in the APTT assay was exhibited at pH 7.0-7.5 and $40-45^{\circ}C$ in the presence of $Ca^{2+}$.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.557-559
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• 2008

Three calves which were born in a village with similar symptoms that urine ran down along the inner femoral region were referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Kyungpook National University. On physical examination, there were aplasia of the penis, ventrally incomplete sheath and bifid scrotum in common. Blood cell count test and blood biochemistry test were performed and then diagnostic radiography was carried out in a case. Retrograde positive cystograph showed normal urinary bladder and no other urogenital abnormalities. The shape and size of the testes were normal on ultrasonographs, yet intact urethral wall was not detected. These cases were diagnosed as hypospadias.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.116-120
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• 2021

Three different cats who had chronic kidney disease (CKD) were treated for more than one month with fluid therapy in an animal clinic. Although this long-term treatment and hospitalization, there was no clinical improvement in clinical signs as well as serum biochemical indexes including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CREA), and phosphate (PHOS). All cases were then injected three times with allogeneic stem cells through an intravenous route for treatment on Day 0, 7, and 14 or 30. On the same day, clinical observation and blood tests for serum biochemistry were conducted together. Upon administrating stem cells to the CKD cats, clinical conditions and the indexes of BUN and CREA were clinically improved within normal ranges. Additionally, one of the cats who had the renal cysts presented clinical improvement with showing decreased cysts size than before.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.113-116
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• 1990

People in some tropical countries used to use some plant extracts in folklore medicine as treatment of diabetes melitus. Of these plants is Calligonum comsum ("orta"). The present work deals with the biochemical effects of the whole plant water extract given orally to the albino rats, normals and alloxan diabetics, as to fulfil its hypoglycemic effects on rats. The results showed that "orta" extract produced a hypoglycemic effect indicated by the decrease in blood sugar level. It was observed that the diabetic state in rats treated with 300 mg/kg body weight of "orta" extract, was alleviated, showeing normal levels of blood glucose, liver fat and cholesterol contents. Liver proteins were still below the normal level in the rats. Gibenclamide, a hypoglycemic drug, was used for comparison with "ora" extract. Although it did alleviate the diabetic state, yet the liver fat and cholesterol contents were still higher than those of normal. Also the liver proteins were lower than the control levels.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.489-495
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• 2012

Ischemia is a blockage of blood supply due to an embolism or a hemorrhage in a blood vessel. When an organ cannot receive oxygenated blood and can therefore no longer replenish its blood supply due to ischemia, stresses, such as the disruption of blood glucose homeostasis, hypoglycemia and hypoxia, activate the AMPK complex. LKB1 and $CaMKK{\beta}$ are essential activators of the AMPK signaling pathway. AMPK triggers proangiogenic effects through the eNOS protein in tissues with ischemic conditions, where cells are vulnerable to apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis. The AMPK complex acts to restore blood glucose levels and ATP levels back to homeostasis. This review will discuss AMPK, as well as its key activators (LKB1 and $CaMKK{\beta}$), as a central energy regulator and evaluate the upstream and downstream regulating pathways of AMPK. We will also discuss how we can control this important enzyme in ischemic conditions to prevent harmful effects in patients with vascular damage.