• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

Prolactin (PRL) is a pituitary hormone involved in various physiological processes, including lactation, mammary development, and immune function. To further investigate the in vivo and comparative endocrine roles of PRL, mouse PRL cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle by direct injection. Previously we studied the function of rat PRL using the same protocol. PRL mRNA was detected in the muscle following injection by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. PRL was also detected and Western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum PRL. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected female mice, the estrous cycle was extended, especially in diestrus stage and the uterus thickening that was shown in normal estrous stage was not observed. In the pCMV-mPRL-injected male mice, new blood vessels were first found at 5 weeks of age and fully developed blood vessels were found after 8 weeks in the testis. The number of Leydig cells increased within the testis and the testosterone level in serum was observed high. Finally, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) increased in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. The augmentation of WBCs persisted for at least 20 days after injection. When injection was combined with adrenalectomy, there was an even greater increase in number of WBCs, especially lymphocytes. This increase was returned normal by treatment with dexamethansone. Taken together, our data reveal that intramuscularly expressed mouse PRL influences reproductive functions in female, induces formation of new blood vessels in the testis, and augments WBC numbers. Of notice is that the Leydig cell proliferation with increased testosterone was conspicuously observed in the pCMV-mPRL-injected mice. These results also suggest subtle difference in function of PRL between mouse and rat species.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.344-350
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• 2023

Background: 4-carvomenthenol[4-methyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-3-cyclohexen-1-ol] is a main component of Origanum vulgare L., Zanthoxylum piperitum (L.) DC., and other plants. It has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and anti-tumor effects. Furthermore, it is necessary to conduct a toxicity test on 4-carvomenthenol to ensure its safety. Methods: This study included 5-week-old Institute of Cancer Research mice that were categorized into 3 treatment groups (12, 25, and 50 mg/kg 4-carvomenthenol dose levels) and a control group (10% dimethyl sulfoxide, 40% polyethylene glycol 300, 5% Tween 80, and 45% normal saline injection of the final volume), with 5 male mice and 5 female mice per group. All groups were observed for clinical symptoms and body weight in a period of 14 days and were subjected to gross necropsy after euthanasia. Results: No deaths were recorded. No test substance-related clinical signs in the female mice of the 12 mg/kg dose group were observed. Abnormal gait was observed in 1 male from day 1 to day 3 in the 12 mg/kg dose group; 1-3 males from day 1 to day 7 and 1-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 25 mg/kg dose group; and 2-5 males and 2-5 females from day 1 to day 15 in the 50 mg/kg dose group. No test substance-related effect on the body weight and necropsy findings was observed. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that the lethal dose of 4-carvomenthenol could be greater than 50 mg/kg. However, further research is needed, especially repeated-dose toxicity studies, to confirm the efficacy and safety of 4-carvomenthenol.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1987.06a
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• pp.59-66
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• 1987

Psychotropic actions of crude ginseng saponins(CGS), pure ginsenoslue Rbl(GS-bl) and gin- senoside Rgl(GS-gl) isolated from the root of Panax ginseng, were evaluated by determining their effects on agonistic behavior in male(Experiment 1) and female(Experiment 2) mice, using a biologically relevant method. The results of experiment 1 demonstrated that CGS and GS-bl significantly suppressed aggressive episodes (offensive sideways posture and attack bite) in a dose-dependent manner when the resident was drugged, whereas G5-gl was ineffective. However, when the intruder was treated with one of three ginseng saponins, agonistic behavior between resident and intruder males was not altered. In experiment 2, acute administration of CGS and G5-bl significantly suppressed maternal aggression, whereas GS-gl was ineffective. As compared with the vehicle-treated group, chronic treatment with CGS and GS-bl significantly suppressed maternal aggression, while GS-gl showed a tendency to increase the frequency of attack bite by females. These findings clearly indicate that the root of Panax ginseng contains psychoactive ingredient, which can suppress both intermale and maternal aggression in mice. We suggest that the present results have important implications for the clinical usefulness of ginseng saponins in psychiatric medicine.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.155-164
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• 2013

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) and Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) fermented with Lactobacillus acidophyllus in male and female ICR mice. Methods : In this single oral toxicity study, non-fermented and fermented Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) were administered to male and female ICR mice as an oral dose of 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg. After single administration, body weight changes, general behavior, adverse effects and mortality were determined for 14 days. Serum chemistry, organ weights and necropsy findings were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Results : There were no mortality or signs of toxicity for 14 days. There were also no significant differences in body weights, organ weights, or serum chemistry values between treatment and control groups. Conclusions : These results indicate that the 50% lethal dose of Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) fermented with Lactobacillus acipophullus may be over 2000 mg/kg. This finding can be expected to provide scientific evidence for the safety of Jaeumganghwa-tang (Ziyinjianghuo-tang) fermented with Lactobacillus acidophyllus.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.244-253
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• 2006

Effects of chrysene on immune functions were studied in female BALB/c mice. When mice were treated po with chrysene for 7 consecutive days, the antibody response was suppressed dose-dependently. Chrysene induced the enzyme activities of CYP LA and 2B time- and dose-dependently. In ex vivo lymphocyte proliferation, chrysene inhibited splenocyte proliferation by LPS and Con A. Moreover, the numbers of $CD4^+IL-2^+$ cells were reduced by chrysene. In conclusion, chrysene-induced immunotoxicity might be mediated, at least in part, via IL-2 production, and caused by mechanisms associated with metabolic activation.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.451-462
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• 2022

Dioscorea bulbifera tubers contain several phytochemicals of pharmaceutical value. They have been traditionally used for treating various ailments, including postmenopausal symptoms. In the present study, we analyzed the direct effects of Dioscorea tuber extract on mouse spermatozoa. Its contraceptive effect was also evaluated by an intravaginal application before copulation. Mouse spermatozoa were cultured in vitro with various concentrations of the extract. After culturing, the spermatozoa were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate peanut agglutinin or Coomassie blue to study the acrosome reaction, stained with trypan blue to study the viability, or treated with a hypo-osmotic medium to study the membrane damage. Estrous female mice were intravaginally injected with the extract and copulated with males. The extract induced acrosome exocytosis, viability loss, and membrane damage in a concentration-dependent manner. Female mice treated with the extract showed complete loss of fertility. These observations indicate that the Dioscorea bulbifera tuber extract could be used as a topical contraceptive. Infertility could be due to the precocious acrosome exocytosis of the spermatozoa or membrane damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.27-30
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• 1982

The effect of magnesium on the electrolytes distribution and transport in mice was studied using isocalorie and isonitrogenous diets added magnesium salt. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The body weight was the highest value in group C fed with basal diet and 0.4 mg of magnesium per day rather than others. 2. In blood plasma tile content of sodium of group B was higher than others in both male and female. The content of potassium of group B was higher than others in female, and the content of calcium of group B in female and group D in male was higher than others in blood plasma. 3. In case of muscle the content of sodium of group B was higher than others in both male and female. The content of potassium of group B was higher than others in female, but of group C was higher than others in male. The content of calcium of group B was higher than others in female, but of group D was higher than others in male. 4. Magnesium effect on the distribution electrolytes such as sodium, potassium and calcium ions in muscle and blood vessel.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.303-306
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• 2009

The defatted methanol extract of Raphanus sativus Linn. (Cruciferae) seed (MERS) was evaluated for its antisteroidogenic potential in mature female Swiss albino mice. The methanol extract at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight significantly elevated the levels of cholesterol and ascorbic acid contents which serve as a precursor for the synthesis of steroid hormones in ovaries. The extract also significantly inhibited glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and ${\Delta}^5-3{\beta}$-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase, the two key enzymes involved in ovarian steroidogenesis. Hence the extract (MERS) exhibited significant antisteroidogenic activity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.151-155
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• 1985

Female BALB/c mice weighing 18~20g were immunized by three injections of $1{\times}10^6$ Naegleria iowleri trophozoites intraperitoneally at the interval of one week 6 times for the pregnant mice and 3 times for the offspring mice. One week after immunization the mice were challenged intranasally with N. fcwleri trophozoites $5{\times}10^4$ under secobarbital anesthesia. Experimental primary amoebic meningoencephalitis developed between day 7 and 16 after infection. All mice were dead due to amoebic meningoencephalitis in all experimental groups except in the offspring born to non-immune mothers. Mean of survival time, which is the duration of survival of mice from infection to death, was delayed in the groups of mice born to immune mothers, immune mice born to immune mothers. Active or passive protective immunity against N. fowleri infection was demonstrated in the ismunized mice and mice born to immune mothers. But the effectiveness of immunization was greatly impaired in terms of mortality in the immune mice born to immune mothers when N. fowulsri was infected intranasally.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.391-398
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• 2000

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a small peptide molecule synthesized by white adipocytes with an important role in the regulation of body fat and food intake. Based on the evidence that synthesis of leptin is regulated by female sex hormone, estrogen, this present study was investigated whether sex hormone precursor DHEA, can regulate obese gene expression in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Antiobesity activity of DHEA was evaluated by determining body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight and serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in ICR, C57BL/6J, and ob/ob mice. The treatment of C57BL/6J lean and obese mice with a diet containing 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA resulted in lowered rates of weight gain in comparison to non-treated mice, although much greater response was found in the obese mice. All other concentrations of DHEA (0.015%, 0.06%, 0.15%, 0.3%) except the highest one(0.6%) showed no significant effects on weight gain in ICR mice. Food consumption was significantly decreased in all mice treated with 0.6% DHEA, whereas it was not decreased in ICR mice at lower concentrations than 0.6% DHEA. DHEA decreased significantly epididymal adipose tissue weight and serum triglyceride levels dose dependently in lean and obese mice. However serum cholesterol levels were decreased at lower concentrations than 0.15% DHEA and increased at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA in lean and obese mice. These increases in serum cholestrol levels at high concentrations of DHEA might result from the fact that DHEA has a cholesterol moiety thereby interfered the assay system. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for antiobesity activity of DHEA, we examined mRNA levels of obese gene in the adipocyte and obese gene product (leptin) in the serum. The results showed that DHEA did not affect obese gene expression in ICR and C57BL/6J mice. Therefore, we concluded that antiobesity activity of DHEA was not modulated by obese gene expression.