• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.9
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• pp.1243-1253
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• 2012

The production and secretion of growth hormone (GH) in the anterior pituitary gland can be induced by several natural products to control cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. To investigate whether Chungkookjang (CKJ) produced by the fermentation process affects GH-related metabolism, the secretion and the response of GH were observed in pituitary cells and GH target cells. Among six CKJs manufactured by different strains of glycine max, only three CKJs, including Daewon (DW), Daepung (DP), and Taegwang (TG), induced GH secretion from GH3 cells at 5.0 mg/ml concentration. There were no significant changes detected in the viability of any of the cells treated with these CKJs. In addition, the increase in GH secretion from the GH3 cells was dependent on the concentration of the three types of CKJs. The proliferation of cell lines, including MG63 and HepG2 cells, that originated from those derived from the GH target organs was significantly activated by treatment with the GH-containing conditional medium (GCM) harvested from the three CKJ-treated GH3 cells, although their induction rate was different from each other. In these cells, p-STAT5 was maximally translocated into the nucleus of MG63 cells 30 min after DW treatment, while it was translocated in HepG2 cells at 60 min. These results suggest that these three types of CKJ could enhance the secretion of GH, as well as the GCM-derived response, in the two target organs.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-134
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• 2012

We investigated the effects of fadrozol, an aromatase inhibitor (AI), and $17{\alpha}$-methyltestosterone (MT) on the induction of sex change in juvenile longtooth grouper $Epinephelus$ $bruneus$, via histological observation of gonads. Changes in the mRNA expression of GtH subunits (FSH-${\beta}$ and LH-${\beta}$) in the pituitary, and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ (E2) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) levels in the blood were also surveyed after AI and MT treatment. Juvenile longtooth groupers ($113{\pm}17g\;body\;weight$; $16.2{\pm}1.2cm\;body\;length$) received intramuscular injections of AI at 3 (3-AI) and 5 (5-AI) mg/kg BWdoses and MT at a 5 mg/kg BW (5-MT) dose. At week 7 post-injection, 3-AI and 5-MT oocytes were degenerated, and gonads of the 5-AI group initiated spermatogenesis. At week 21 post-injection, 3-AI- and 5-MT-treated gonads contained spermatogonia and spermatocytes, while 5-AI treatment induced advanced stages of spermatogenesis. The serum E2 level showed no significant differences throughout the experimental period, whereas that of 11-KT was significantly elevated in the 5-AI group at weeks 7 and 21 post-injection. A significant increase in the expression of FSH-${\beta}$ mRNA was evident in the 5-AI group at week 21 post-injection. In contrast, LH-${\beta}$ mRNA expression did not significantly differ among groups during the experimental period. These results imply that sex change has two stages in the longtooth grouper. In the first stage, oocytes are degenerated by the stimulation by 11-KT, and in the second stage spermatogenesis occurs, owing to the co-effects of 11-KT and FSH-${\beta}$.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the changes in growth performance, blood hormone levels and immunity of weaning pigs by the installation of warm curtain for keeping warmth in pigpen. A total of sixty-four piglets was weaned at 21 d of age with an average body weight of 5.8 kg. Each thirty-two piglets were allocated into the pens with (TRT) or without warm curtain (CONT). Daily gain and feed intake were increased by 17% and 9% in TRT from 2nd week to 4th week compared with CONT, respectively. The occurrence of diarrhea was decreased by 62% in TRT from initial to 2nd week compared with CONT. There were no significant differences in blood hormone levels and immunity of weaning pigs between treatments. In conclusion, the installation of warm curtain, which supported high temperature in pigpen, was considered to be effective in improving growth performance and reducing diarrhea occurrence of weaning pigs.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1989

The occurrence of thyroid disorders is connected with iodine deficiency, defective synthesis or releasing of thyroid hormone and endemicity. Genetic factors are known as a single gene defects, interaction of multiple genes with environmental factors, as well as chromosomal aberrations. Diofnosis thyroid disorders is enforced by I-131 uptake test, thyroid scanning with I-131 or Tc-99 m and serum radioimmunoassays of T3, T4, free T4 and TSH. They were largely classified as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, simple goiter and normal. The pedigree of 58 families was drawn by propositus, and then the correlation between thyroid disorders and TSH levels was analyzed. The results are as follows: 1) The offsprings and their mothers of 15 families were hypothyroidism, THS level was 5 folds for offsprings and 4 folds for mothers in comparison with control group. 2) 13 families were hyperthyyroidism in siblings but their mothers were normal in thyroid function, TSH level of the siblings was lower than control group. 3) Though the offsprings and their mothers of 10 families were similar to TSH level of control group, they are all simple goiter, familial thyroid disorders, in other thyroid function test. The familial thyroid disorders suggested that these transmitted from mothers to offsprings with X-linked dominant or autosomal dominant inheritance.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2003

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Western countries, and its prevalence is also increasing in Asia. The major risk factor for breast cancer can be traced to reproductive events that influence the lifetime levels of hormones. However, a large percentage of breast cancer cases cannot, be explained by these risk factors. The identification of susceptibility factors that predispose individuals to breast cancer (for instance, if they are exposed to particular environmental agents) could possibly give further insight into the etiology of this malignancy and provide targets for the future development of therapeutics. The most interesting candidate genes include those that mediate a range of functions. These include carcinogen metabolism, DNA repair, steroid hormone metabolism, signal transduction, and cell cycle control. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in South Korea to evaluate the potential modifying role of the genetic polymorphisms of selected low penetrance genes that are involved in carcinogen metabolisms (i.e., CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1/T1/P1, NAT1/2, etc.), estrogen synthesis and metabolism (i.e., CYP19, CYP17, CYP1B1, COMT, ER-$\alpha$, etc.), DNA repair (i.e., XRCC1/3, ERCC2/4, ATM, AGT, etc.), and signal transduction as well as others (i.e., TGF-$\beta$, IGF-1, TNF-$\beta$, IL-1B, IL-1RN, etc.). We also took into account the potential interaction between these and the known risk factors of breast cancer. The results of selected genes will be presented in this mini-review.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.31-41
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• 2000

The major issue in the post genome sequencing era is determination of gene expression patterns in variety of biological systems. A microarray system is a powerful technology for analyzing the expression profile of thousands of genes at one experiment. In this study, we constructed cDNA microarray which carries 2,304 cDNAS derived from oligo-capped mouse cDNA library. Using this hand-made microarray we determined gene expression in various biological systems. To determine tissue specific genes, we compared Nine genes were highly-expressed in adult mouse brain compared to kidney, liver, and skeletal muscle. Tissue distribution analysis using DNA microarray extracted 9 genes that were predominantly expressed in the brain. A database search showed that five of the 9 genes, MBP, SC1, HiAT3, S100 protein-beta, and SNAP25, were previously known to be expressed at high level in the brain and in the nervous system. One gene was highly sequence similar to rat S-Rex-s/human NSP-C, suggesting that the gene is a mouse homologue. The remaining three genes did not match to known genes in the GenBank/EMBL database, indicating that these are novel genes highly-expressed in the brain. Our DNA microarray was also used to detect differentiation specific genes, hormone dependent genes, and transcription-factor-induced genes. We conclude that DNA microarray is an excellent tool for identifying differentially expressed genes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.117-125
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• 2001

Envenoming by Russells viper causes a broad spectrum of renal impairment. Renal failure is an important complication in patients bitten by Russells viper. Experimental work in animals and in vitro has elucidated pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to life threatening complications and have suggested possibilities for therapeutic intervention. The evidence in experimental animals regarding mechanisms of venom action in relation to changes in either extrarenal or intrarenal factors is presented. The cardiovascular system and renal hemodynamics are affected by venom. Reductions of renal function including renal hemodynamics are associated directly with changes in general circulation during envenomation. Possible endogenous mechanisms for releasing the hormone inducing renal vasoconstriction after envenomation are evident. Hormonal factor such as the catecholamine, prostaglandin and renin angiotensin systems induce these changes. Direct nephrotoxicity of venom action is studied in the isolated per-fused kidney. Characteristic polarization of the cell membrane, changes of mitochondrial activity and Na-K ATPase in renal tubular cells are observed. Changes in renal function and the cardiovascular system are observed of ter envenomation and are reversed by the administration of Russells viper antivenom (purified equine immunoglobulin, $Fab_2$ fragment). The neutralizing effects are more efficient when the intravenous injection of antivenom is given within 30 min after the envenomation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.309-312
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• 2001

It has recently been suggested that the release of "endocrine disrupters (EDs)" into the environment has resulted in adverse health effects on wild life populations and humans (Golden et al., 1998; Tyler et al., 1998; Kang et al., 2000). Human sperm counts have declined significantly throughout the world during the past fifty years, and which is a significant public health concern (Carlsen et al., 1992; Carlsen et al.. 1995). In addition, the EDs persisting in the environment are known to disrupt the normal endocrine systems of wildlife (Colborn, 1995; Crewet al., 1995; Folmer et at, 1996; Sumpter, 1995; Tyler, 1998). Some estrogenic chemicals bind to estrogen receptors (Bolger et al.. 1998), interfere with the binding of physiological ligands to steroid hormone-binding proteins (Danjo, 1997; Milligan et al., 1998). and show immunotoxicity (Sakae et al., 1998). (omitted) (omitted)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1180-1186
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• 1999

A wide ranges of chemicals released into the environment have potential to interfere with physiological and development process by disrupting endocrine pathways. Endocrine system embraces a multitude of mechanisms of action, including effect on growth, behavior, reproduction and immune function. These environmental endocrine disruptors are present in environment and pose potential health consequences to human and wildlife. The best known form in endocrine distruptors involves substances which mimic or block the action of natural hormone in the body. Endocrine disruptor have been variously defined as exogenous agents that interfere with the synthesis, secretion, transport, metabolism, binding action or elimination of the natural hormones in the body which are responsible for the maintenance of homeostasis, reproduction developmental and/or behavior. Many compounds polluted into the environment by human activity are capable of disrupting the endocrine system of animals, including fish, wildlife, and humans. Among these chemicals are pesticides, industrial chemicals, and other anthropogenic products. It has been alleged that several adverse effects on human health are linked with exposure to chemicals which are claimed to be endocrine disrupters, that is, increased incidence of testicular, prostate and female breast cancer, time dependent reductions in sperm quality and quantity, increased incidence of cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias(malformation of the penis), altered physical and mental de velopment in children. This observation is currently the only example of chemically mediated endocrine disruption which has resulted in a clear effect at the population level.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.60-65
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study is to emphasize the importance of preventing precocious puberty. This study assessed current number of the patients with early puberty and their medical expenses from 2010 to 2015. Methods Using the data from Korean Statistical Information Service and Heathcare Bigdata Hub, number of patients diagnosed with precocious puberty by gender, age, and year from 2010 to 2015 were reviewed. Also, annual medical insurance expenses and the incidence of leuprorelin use were reviewed. Results Number of the patients with precocious puberty has increased from 29,251 in 2010 to 75,945 in 2015. Total medical insurance expenses have increased from 25,716,431 won in 2010 to 56,367,981 won in 2015. The use of lueprorelin also has increased annually from 11,097,590,000 won in 2010 to 21,617,585,000 won in 2015. Conclusions As a result, the patients diagnosed with precocious puberty are increasing in number, and their medical costs have been rising as well. It may be necessary to control the environmental causes of precocious puberty to reduce not only the physical and psychosocial health problems, but also the social costs.