• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.141-152
• /
• 1997

This study was performed to investigate the toxic effect of pyrrolizidine alkaloids from symphytum officinale i n rat. For this experiment, 120 male and female rats of Sprague-Dawley strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into five: Group CM and CF served as normal control with its gender. Group EM1 and EF1 were fed a 1% Symphytum officinal extract diet for 8 weeks. Group EM2 and EF2 fed a diet containing 2% extract diet. 4% extract diet into group EM3 and EF3 and 8% extract diet into group EM4 and EF4 were given. The results were as follows: 1. The major alkaloids of Symphytum officinale extract were symphytine, echmidine, and lasiocarpine. The amounts of total alkaloid were 168 $\mu\textrm{g}$ PAs/$m\ell$ extract. And contents of Pas in leaves were 0.05% wt.. 2. Total serum bilirubin concentrations increased significantly in group EM2, EM3, and EM4. Group EF1, EF2, EF3, and EF4 showed statistical significance for the group CF (p<0.05). 3. Aspartate transaminase activities were increased significantly in group EM3 and EM4 (p<0.05). Aspartate transaminase activities of EF1, EF2, EF3, and EF4 showed statistical significance for the group CF (p<0.05). 4. Alanine transaminase activities increased significantly in group EM3, EM4 (p<0.05). Alanine transaminase activities of EF1, EF2, EF3, and EF4 showed statistical significance for the group CF (p<0.05). 5. Alkaline phosphatase activities increased significantly in group EM2, EM3, and EM4 (p<0.05). Alkaline phosphatase activities of EF1, FE@, EF3, and EF4 showed statistical sigmificance for the group CF (p<0.05). 6. istopathological analysis of liver specimens from group EM3 and EM4 showed focal necrosis, periportal necrosis and apoptpsis. Hepatocytes obtained from group EM2 showed fatty change and hydropic degeneration in group EM3 and EM4. Chromatolysis and chromatin margination was shown in group EF2 and EF3. With the above results, it was demonstrated that the Symphytum officinal extract could induce functional change of liver, and histopathological change of liver in rats fed a diet containing extract. In conclusion, because of the risk of intoxication or adverse effect, the composition, dosage and mode of administration of herbal products should be monitored strictly. And this study serves as a reminder that herbal as well as orthodox medications may have serious side effects.

• Journal of Plant Biology
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.325-332
• /
• 1994

The effects of polyamines on the activities of elongation factors EF-1 and EF-2, phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase, and tRNA were investigated. The activities of EF-1 and EF-2 were mostly stimulated by spermidine among three kinds of polyamines. The activities of EF-1 and EF-2 were investigated in the presence of spermidine by 230 and 181%, respectively. The activity of phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase was slightly increased in the presence of polyamines. The effect of spermine on the synthetase was higher than that of the other polyamines. The tRNA activity in the presence fo polyamines was increased by 206% with spermidine, by 144% with spermine, and by 114% with putrescine. According to these results, it is concluded that polyamines in higher plants stimulate the protein biosynthesis by promoting the activities of elongation factors EF-1 and EF-2, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, and tRNAs, but the effects of polyamines on the various components for protein biosynthesis are different in according to the kind of polyamines.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.38 no.9
• /
• pp.763-771
• /
• 2014

As a preliminary study on the spray behavior characteristics of emulsified fuel, the fuel properties (viscosity, surface tension, and density) and evaporation characteristics of a fuel droplet were investigated. The emulsified fuel was made by mixing diesel and $H_2O_2$. In addition, the macroscopic spray behavior characteristics such as the spray penetrations and spray angles of the emulsified and diesel fuels were compared. The stirring condition of the emulsified fuel was a 9:1 mixture of the diesel fuel and the surfactant span 80. The mixing ratios for the hydrogen peroxide were set at EF2, EF12, EF22, EF32, EF42, EF52, EF62, EF72, EF82, and EF92. The injection pressures were set at 400, 600, 800, and 1000 bar. We found that as the mixing ratio of the hydrogen peroxide was increased from EF2 to EF52, the viscosity of the emulsified fuel increased. However, afterward, the viscosity of the emulsified fuel gradually decreased and approached the viscosity value of the diesel fuel. Therefore, generally oil-in-water emulsions were used for the hydrogen peroxide mixing ratios up to 52 (EF52), and water-in-oil emulsions were used for the hydrogen peroxide mixing ratios above 52. Finally, the spray behavior characteristics (spray penetration and spray angle) of the emulsified fuel were found to be almost independent of the mixing ratio.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.3-9
• /
• 2009

Purpose: It is well-known that stress-induced stunning and reversible perfusion defect have impact on ejection fraction (EF) when performing myocardial perfusion SPECT. Due to these reasons, gated SPECT is recommended at stress and rest studies. And there was many experiments to analyze between Stress and Rest EF by using $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI. The aim of this study is to analyze between stress EF and rest EF at myocardial perfusion SPECT by using $^{201}Tl$ and define possible predictors of EF variability. Materials and Methods: From 2008 June to 2009 February, we analyzed 144 patients undergoing $^{201}Tl$ gated myocardial perfusion SPECT in ASAN medical center. To analyze the data, we use QGS (Quantitative gated SPECT) software, and derived End-systolic volume (ESV), End-diastolic volume (EDV), EF from the result. In this study, we comparatively analyzed stress/rest EF correlation based on stress/rest EF, EDV, ESV and reversibility of myocardial perfusion defect by using paired t-test, Bland-Altman analysis. Results: Mached pairs of stress EF and rest EF demonstrated excellent correlation (r=0.92) with no statistically significant difference (p=0.11). Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a mean ${\Delta}EF$ was 0.52% (95% confidential interval[CI], -1.17~0.12%). No statistically significant difference between a mean ${\Delta}EF$ and hypothetic mean of 0 (${\Delta}EF$=0) (p=0.10). In the correlation of ${\Delta}EF$ according to stress/rest EDV and ESV, except rest ESV of <28mL (p<0.05), there was no statistically significant difference. In the correlation of ${\Delta}EF$ according to reversibility of perfusion defect, patients with reversible perfusion defect has statistically significant difference of ${\Delta}EF$ (p<0.05). ${\Delta}EF$ of stress/rest EF showed no statistically significant difference except 55% of rest EF (p<0.05). Conclusion: Like studies with $^{99m}Tc$-MIBI, there was generally no statistically significant difference between stress and rest EF in this study results. However a stress EF of <55%, a rest ESV of <28mL and patients with reversible perfusion defect showed statistically significant difference in ${\Delta}EF$. If performing $^{201}T$ myocardial perfusion SPECT to patients with abnormal cardiac function or reversible perfusion defect, consider this study results and apply it. We expect this study results could be useful predictors of ${\Delta}EF$ variability.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.237-243
• /
• 2015

In this study, the effects of the mixing ratio of emulsified fuel on the droplet evaporation and spray behavior characteristics were analyzed. A surfactant comprising span 80 and tween 80 mixed at a 9:1 ratio was used for the emulsified fuel. The fuel and surfactant were mixed at a ratio of 3:1 for the emulsified fuel. In addition, considering the mixing ratio of the surfactant, the mixing ratio of $H_2O_2$ in the emulsified fuel was set as EF (emulsified fuel)0, EF2, EF12, EF22, EF32, and EF42. To observe the evaporation characteristics, droplets of the emulsified fuel were dropped on a heating plate and observed using scattered light and a Schlieren system. In addition, to analyze the effect of the $H_2O_2$ mixing ratio, the behavior characteristics of the evaporative free spray were investigated in the mixing ratio range of EF0 to EF22 using a constant volume chamber with heaters. Consequentially, it was found that in the case of EF22, the free spray development of the emulsified fuel was faster than that of EF0 (diesel only) because of the promotion of the evaporation due to the phase change in the peroxide contained in the emulsion fuel.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.219-231
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study was designed to determine the effects of the GGEx18 ethyl acetate fraction(EF) on body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, and obesity-related factors in plasma as well as histology of liver and adipose tissues using high fat diet-fed male C57BL/6N obese mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, EF(1), EF(2) and EF(3). After mice were treated with EF for 9 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also analysed histology of liver and adipose tissues on high fat diet-fed male C57BL/6N obese mice. Results : Compared with control, EF-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, EF significantly decreased the adipose tissue weight compared with control. Consistent with the effects on feeding efficiency ratio, EF significantly decreased plasma leptin concentrations compared with control. EF reduced the size of adipocytes as well as hepatic lipid accumulation compared with control. EF seems to be safe since not only the plasma levels of ALT and AST are within the normal range, but also EF did not show any toxic effects on organs. EF(3) was most effective among EF(1), EF(2), and EF(3) at doses of 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that EF effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio in high fat diet-fed obese mice, leading to the modulation of obesity. In addition, EF decreases the size of adipocytes and improves plasma lipids and controls hepatic lipid accumulation, suggesting that EF may act as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2018

As a part of general toxicity studies of Enterococcus Faecalis 2001 (EF 2001) prepared using heat-treatment bacillus mort body EF 2001 in mice, this study examined the toxicity of EF 2001 in single and repeated administrations following the previous report in order to apply this product to preventive medicine. The safety of oral ingestion of EF 2001 was examined in 6-week-old male and female ICR mice with 1,000 mg/kg, 3,000 mg/kg and 5,000 mg/kg body weight/day administrated by gavage of the maximum acceptable dose of EF 2001. The study was conducted using distilled water as a control following the methods for general toxicity studies described in the "Guidelines for Non-clinical Studies of Pharmaceutical Products 2002". As a control, 1) observation of general conditions, 2) measurement of body weight, 3) determination of food consumption, 4) determination of water consumption, 5) blood test and urinalysis and 6) pathological examination were performed for the administration of EF 2001. Mice received EF 2001 for 13 weeks and results were compared with those of the control group that received distilled water. The results of the above examinations revealed no significant differences between control and EF 2001 groups for both males and females. Thus, no notable toxicity was confirmed with single and repeated oral administrations of EF 2001. Oral administration in the above doses did not result in abnormal symptoms or death during the observation period. No abnormalities in blood cell count or organ weights were seen. Without any evidence of toxicity to cells and organs, EF 2001 is speculated to not adversely affect living organisms. The 50% lethal dose of EF 2001 with oral administration in mice is estimated to be greater than 5,000 mg/kg body weight/day for both male and female mice. Therefore, $LD_{50}$ value for animals was 5,000 mg/kg or more.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.406-411
• /
• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding probiotic (Enterococcus faecium SF68, EF) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood characteristics and faecal noxious gas content in finishing pigs. A total of eighty [($Landrace{\times}Yorkshire$)${\times}Duroc$] pigs with an initial BW of $50.47{\pm}2.13kg$ were used in this 8-week experiment. Pigs were allotted to four treatments (4 replicates per treatment and 5 pigs per pen) according to a randomized complete block design. Dietary treatments were: 1) CON (control; basal diet), 2) CTC (control diet+0.1% antibiotic, chlortetracycline), 3) EF1 (control diet+0.1% probiotic, EF) and 4) EF2 (control diet+0.2% probiotic, EF). During weeks 0-4, ADG was not affected by the addition of antibiotic or EF (p>0.05). In weeks 4-8, ADG tended to increase in CTC and EF treatments compared to CON treatment (p<0.10). ADFI and gain/feed were not affected in each 4-week period and the entire experimental period (p>0.05). Digestibilities of DM and N were higher in EF supplemented treatments than in CON and CTC treatments (p<0.05). Blood characteristics of WBC, RBC and lymphocyte were not affected in pigs given diets containing EF (p>0.05). Supplementation of EF in the diet decreased faecal ammonia nitrogen ($NH_3$-N) and hydrogen sulphide ($H_2S$) concentrations (p<0.05). Faecal acetic acid concentration tended to decrease (p<0.10) while propionic acid and butyric acid concentrations were significantly lower on diets with EF supplementation than on the diet containing antibiotic (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of EF can increase nutrient digestibility and decrease faecal $NH_3$-N, $H_2S$ and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations in finishing pigs.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.66 no.1
• /
• pp.204-218
• /
• 2024

Elsholtzia fruticosa (EF) is present in tropical regions throughout South Asian countries as well as the Himalayas. Although it has been used as a traditional medicine to treat digestive, respiratory, and inflammatory issues, its effect on preadipocyte differentiation is unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of a methanol extract prepared from EF on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Cell differentiation was assessed by microscopic observation and oil-red O staining. The expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, including PPARγ and C/EBPα, was measured by western blot analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), to provide insight into adipogenesis and lipogenesis mechanisms. The results indicated that EF promotes the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, with elevated lipid accumulation occurring in a concentration-dependent manner without apparent cytotoxicity. EF enhances the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, including PPARγ, FABP4, adiponectin, and FAS, at the mRNA and protein levels. The effect of EF was more pronounced during the early and middle stages of 3T3-L1 cell differentiation. Treatment with EF decreased C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA and protein levels, while increasing C/EBPα and PPARγ expression. Treatment with EF resulted in the upregulation of cyclin E and CDK2 gene expression within 24 h, followed by a decrease at 48 h, demonstrating the early-stage impact of EF. A concomitant increase in cyclin-D1 levels was observed compared with untreated cells, indicating that EF modulates lipogenic and adipogenic genes through intricate mechanisms involving CHOP and cell cycle pathways. In summary, EF induces the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by increasing the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, possibly through CHOP and cell cycle-dependent mechanisms.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.227-232
• /
• 2012

In vertebrates, there are two variants of eukaryotic peptide elongation factor 1A (eEF1A; formerly eEF-$1{\alpha}$), eEF1A1 and eEF1A2, which have three well-conserved domains ($D_I$, $D_{II}$, and $D_{III}$). In neurons, eEF1A1 is the embryonic type, which is expressed during embryonic development as well as the first two postnatal weeks. In the present study, EGFP-tagged eEF1A1 truncates were expressed in cortical neurons isolated from rat embryo (E18-19). Live cell images of transfected neurons showed that $D_{III}$-containing EGFP-fusion proteins (EGFP-$D_{III}$, -$D_{II-III}$, -$D_{I-III}$) formed clusters that were confined within somatodendritic domains, while $D_{III}$-missing ones (EGFP-$D_I$, -$D_{II}$, -$D_{I-II}$) and control EGFP were homogeneously dispersed throughout the neuron including axons. In dendrites, EGFP-$D_{III}$ was targeted to the heads of spine- and filopodia-like protrusions, where it was colocalized with $SynGAP{\alpha}$, a postsynaptic marker. Our data indicate that $D_{III}$ of eEF1A1 mediates formation of clusters and localization to spines.