• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.647-652
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• 2021

In this study, Saussurea Lappa roots were extracted using ethanol and n-hexane, and also the effects on proliferation of human hair dermal papilla cells and fibroblast and related signaling pathway were evaluated. 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was conducted for cell proliferation effect of Saussurea Lappa root extract, and extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), serine/threonine protein kinase (Akt), wingless-related integration site (Wnt)/𝛽-catenin signaling pathway, and 5𝛼-reductase expression through western blot analysis were measured. Saussurea Lappa root extract significantly increased human hair dermal papilla cells and propagation of fibroblast, promoted phosphorylation of ERK and Akt that get involved in cell proliferation. Additionally, Saussurea Lappa root extract significantly decreased promotion of Akt phosphorylation and cell proliferation by MEK/ERK inhibitor PD98059 and PI3K/Akt inhibitor LY294002. Also, Saussurea Lappa root extract induced intranuclear 𝛽-catenin accumulation by promoting phosphorylation of 𝛽-catenin (Ser552, 675) through phosphorylation of GSK-3𝛽 (Ser9), and suppressed activation of 5𝛼-reductase type I and II. Overall, Saussurea Lappa root induces cell proliferation through vitalization of ERK and Akt route of human hair dermal papilla cells and fibroblast and apoptosis defense mechanism, and can be helpful in hair loss prevention and hair growth by vitalizing the 𝛽-catenin signaling pathway and inhibiting activation of 5𝛼-reductase, which can be used as a potential hair care products.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.487-499
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• 2016

The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of testosterone (T) and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ ($E_2$) on the production of progesterone ($P_4$) by granulosa cells, and of the $E_2$ on the production of $P_4$ and T by theca internal cells. In the first experiment, granulosa cells isolated from the largest ($F_1$) and third largest ($F_3$) preovulatory follicle were incubated for 4 h in short-term culture system, $P_4$ production by granulosa cells of both $F_1$ and $F_3$ was increased in a dose-dependent manner by ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH), but not T or $E_2$. In the second experiment, $F_1$ and $F_3$ granulosa cells cultured for 48 h in the developed monolayer culture system were recultured for an additional 48 h with increasing doses of various physiological active substances existing in the ovary, including T and $E_2$. Basal $P_4$ production for 48 h during 48 to 96 h of the cultured was about nine fold greater by $F_1$ granulosa cells than by $F_3$ granulosa cells. In substances examined oLH, chicken vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (cVIP) and T, but not $E_2$, stimulated in a dose-dependent manner $P_4$ production in both $F_1$ and $F_3$ granulosa cells. In addition, when the time course of $P_4$ production by $F_1$ granulosa cells in response to oLH, cVIP, T and $E_2$ was examined for 48 h during 48 to 96 h of culture, although $E_2$ had no effect on $P_4$ production by granulosa cells of $F_1$ during the period from 48 to 96 h of culture, $P_4$ production with oLH was found to be increased at 4 h of the culture, with a maximal 9.14 fold level at 6 h. By contrast, $P_4$ production with cVIP and T increased significantly (p<0.05) from 8 and 12 h of the culture, respectively, with maximal 6.50 fold response at 12 h and 6, 48 fold responses at 36 h. Furthermore, when $F_1$ granulosa cells were precultured with $E_2$ for various times before 4 h culture with oLH at 96 h of culture, the increase in $P_4$ production in response to oLH with a dose-related manner was only found at a pretreatment time of more than 12 h. In the third experiment, theca internal cells of $F_1$, $F_2$ and the largest third to fifth preovulatory follicles ($F_{3-5}$) were incubated for 4 h in short-term culture system with increasing doses of $E_2$. The production of $P_4$ and T by theca internal cells were increased with the addition of $E_2$ of $10^{-6}M$. These increases were greater in smaller follicles. These results indicate that, in granulosa cells of the hen, T may have a direct stimulatory action in the long term on $P_4$ production, and on $E_2$ in long-term action which may enhance the sensitivity to LH for $P_4$ production, and thus, in theca internal cells, $E_2$ in short term action may stimulate the production of $P_4$ and T.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2016

This research reports the intersexuality of bivalves, such as Crassostrea gigas, Mytilus galloprovincialis, Rupiditapes philippinarum, Gomphina veneriformis and Barnea davidi discovered during the process of investigating the ecological health status of coastal waters of Korea. In intersex ovaries, the opposite germ cells were observed either individually or in groups in the interfollicular space and inside the oogenic follicle. Oocytes in the intersex testis were at the previtellogenic or initial vitellogenic stage. They were either scattered individually or in groups in the interfollicular space and inside the spermatogenic follicle. The intersexuality in C. gigas was 10.4% (n = 19/183), while female (12.2%, n = 6/49) exhibited a higher proportion than male (9.7%, n = 13/134). The intersexuality in M. galloprovincialis was 31.7% (n = 19/60), while female (36.4%, n = 12/33) exhibited a higher proportion than male (25.9%, n = 7/27). The intersexuality in R. philippinarum was 11.2% (n = 11/98), while male (16.7%, n = 7/42) exhibited a higher proportion than female (7.1%, n = 4/56). The intersexuality in G. veneriformis was 28% (n=30/107), while male (31.5%, n=17/54) exhibited a higher proportion than female (24.5%, n=13/53). The intersexuality in B. davidi was 18.4% (n = 7/38), while female (35.7%, n =5 /14) exhibited a higher proportion than male (8.3%, n = 2/24).

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2010

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) is a heavily glycosylated glycoprotein composed of non-covalently linked $\alpha$- and $\beta$-subunits. To study the function and signal transduction of tethered recombinant-eCG (rec-eCG), a single chain eCG molecule was constructed, and the rec-eCG protein was prepared. In this study, we constructed 5 mutants (${\Delta}1$, ${\Delta}2$, ${\Delta}3$, ${\Delta}4$, and ${\Delta}5$) of rec-eCG using data about known glycoprotein hormones to analyze the role of specific follicle stimulating homone (FSH)-like activity. Three amino acids of certain specific sites were replaced with alanine. The expression vectors were transfected into CHO cells and subjected to G418 selection for 2~3 weeks. The media were collected and the quantity of secreted tethered rec-eCGs was quantified by ELISA. The LH- and FSH-like activities were assayed in terms of cAMP production by rat LH/CG and rat FSH receptors. Then, the metabolic clearance rate analyzed by the injection of rec-eCG (5 IU) into the tail vein was analyzed. The mutant eCGs (${\Delta}l$, ${\Delta}4$, and ${\Delta}5$) were transcripted, but not translated into proteins. Rec-eCG A2 was secreted in much lower amounts than the wild type. Only the rec-eCG ${\Delta}3$ ($\beta$-subunit: $Gln^{94}-Ile^{95}-Lys^{96}{\rightarrow}Ala^{94}-Ala^{95}-Ala^{96}$) was efficiently secreted. Although activity is low, its LH-like activity was similar to that of tethered $eCG{\beta\alpha}$. However, the FSH-like activity of rec-$eCG{\beta\alpha\Delta}3$ was completely flat. The result of the analysis of the metabolic clearance rate shoed the persistence of the mutant in the blood until 4 hours after the injection. After then, it almost disappeared at 8 hours. Taken together, these data suggest that 94~96 amino acid sequences in eCG $\beta$-subunit appear to be of utmost importance for signal transduction of the FSH receptor.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.47-74
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• 1980

The present experiments were carried out to elucidate the effects of hypophysectomy and subsequent administration of sex hormone on thyroid, adrenal gland, gonads and blood plasma components in the rat. The jresults obtained were summarized as follows: The weight of the thyroid gland of both male and female hypophysectiomzed rats decreased markedly from 7 days up to 56 days after the hypophysectomy as compared to the control group. The administration of sex hormone (6 mg of testosterone propionate to male and 6 mg of hexestrol to female) to the hypophysectomized rat gave on effect on the change in the weight of the thyroid gland. The hopophysectomy decreased the uptake of radioactive iodine in the thyroid gland in both male and female rats with time. Subsequent administration of the sex hormone caused no effect. With regard to the histological changes of the thyroid gland, the hypophysectomy caused significant changes in the gland showing a remarkable degeneration. The function of the gland seemed to disa, pp.ar almost completely on 56th day after the hypophysectomy. Upon the administration of sex hormone after the hypophysectomy, however. the epithelia of the follicle which has changed to flat from has partly returned to its functional cubicfrom and nuclei recovered as nearly as normal. These recovery were more remarkable in the female than in the male. The hypophysectomy kept causing a significant decrease in the weight of the adrenal gland in male and female rats during the period of observation (up to 56 days) as in the case of thyroid gland. The administration of sex hormone has on effect in this respect either. The hypophysectomy also caused a marked morphological change in the gland: zona fasciculata and zona reticularis were dicreased in size quichly after the hypophysectomy. The administraton of the sex hormone to the hypophysectomized rat resulted in clear distinction among the three layers of the adrenal cortex which otherwise very diffused. In the male, this phenomenum was more remarkable than in the female and the pattern of the cell arrangements and the thickening of each layer became similar to those of normal rats. The gonads of both sexes have also kept decreasing in the weight and degenerated in morpohology after the hypophysectomy. However, the degenerate follicle became enlarged after the administration of hexestrol in the female. Furthermore, the vacuoles found in interstitial cells of hypophysectomized rat disa, pp.ared after the administration of testosterone in the male and the formation of spermatocytes seemed to be recovered. Hypophysectomy also caused a gradual increase in the contents of total protein, non-protein nitrogen, total lipid, cholesterol and calcium in the blood plasma with time. The concentrations of sodium, potassium and chloride in the blood did not change after the hypophysectomy. Sex hormone caused practically no change in above tendency.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.181-186
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• 2007

Inhibitor of DNA binding protein or inhibitor of differentiation(Id) is largely considered as positive and/or negative regulators of proliferation, differentiation, angiogeneisis, and apoptosis. The four Id genes(Id1, Id2, Id3, and Id4) were known in mammals. However, little is known about the expression and function of these genes in reproductive physiology. Among them, this study was conducted to analyze the expression pattern of Id3 mRNA on folliculogenesis in rat ovary. After PMSG administration, the ovaries were obtained at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48hrs, fixed, dehydrated, and paraffin embedded. For in situ hybridization, anti-sense and sense Id3 cRNA probes were prepared and applied to the ovarian section. The ovarian sections were coated with NTB-2 emulsion. After that, the slides were developed and counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. The hybridization signal was estimated on a scale of 1+ to 4+. In oocyte, the intensity of Id3 mRNA in primordial and primary follicles was scored at ${\geq}2+$, but the intensity was less than 1+ in secondary, dominant, and preovulatory follicles. In granulosa cells, the Id3 mRNA was strongly expressed(3+ or 4+) in dominant and preovulatory follicles. Taken together, Id3 mRNA was expressed specifically at follicle stages and follicular tissue and might be closely related with follicle development.

• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.2409-2419
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• 2019

The use of finasteride for alleviating hair loss has been investigated, and it has been applied as an oral dose medication. However, due to the inconvenience of daily drug administration over long period of time, novel controllable finasteride delivery has been actively investigated. As a novel method of finasteride delivery, the development of finasteride-loaded microspheres for subcutaneous administration is becoming increasingly pharmaceutically important. Therefore, the present study aimed to use finasteride-loaded microspheres in a controlled manner in an attempt to overcome the limitations of the oral administration of finasteride and to cause fewer adverse effects. Finasteride-loaded microspheres containing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and finasteride at a ratio of 4:1 were prepared, and a testosterone-induced androgenic alopecia mouse model was used. Following observation for 10 weeks, the percentage hair growth was 86.7% (total hair growth 60%, partial hair growth 26.7%) in the orally-applied finasteride-treated group as a positive control, and 93.3% (total hair growth 60%, partial hair growth 33.3%) in the finasteride-loaded microspheres-treated group. Serum dihydrotestosterone levels began to decrease at week 6 in the orally-applied finasteride- and finasteride-loaded microsphere-treated groups. In addition, the finasteride-loaded microspheres-treated group exhibited similar follicular number, follicular length, anagen/telogen ratio and hair bulb diameter values to those of the orally-applied finasteride-treated group. Furthermore, the finasteride-loaded microspheres increased the activities of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B and Wnt/β-catenin in relation to hair follicle cell growth signaling in mouse skin, and suppressed the apoptosis of hair follicle cells by reducing the expression of transforming growth factor-β2 and caspase-3, which are indicators of apoptosis. In conclusion, the administration of a single injection of finasteride-loaded microspheres was effective in treating testosterone-induced alopecia. Furthermore, it led to equivalent hair growth effects when compared with orally-applied finasteride, thus revealing the possibility of effective treatment via different routes of administration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.345-350
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• 2018

This study examines the role of six species of microalgae, including Phaeodacylum tricrnutum (PT), Chaetoceros gracilis (CG), Nanochloris oculata (NO), Pavlova lutheri (PL), Chlorella ellipsoidae (CE), and Scendedemus obliquus (SO), on hair loss prevention and scalp improvement. To determine the effects of microalgae extracts on hair loss prevention and scalp improvement, antioxidant activity, cell proliferation in HaCaT cells and HFDPC cells, and the inhibition level of 5-alpha reductase activity were examined. In the study of antioxidant activity, the $EC_{50}$ values of DPPH anti-radical activities indicated that the SO, CG, and ST9 treatment groups demonstrate significant antioxidant activity. In the study of the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, CG (6.6~42.1%), ST9 (26.0~44.0%), and SO (7.8~44.3%) demonstrated significant effects. Furthermore, SO promoted the proliferation of HaCaT cells and a human epidermal cell line during a 6-day treatment. In the study of the proliferation of HFDPC cells, a hair follicle dermal papilla cell line, CG, and SO significantly stimulated cell proliferation. Finally, PT, CG, and SO significantly inhibited 5-alpha reductase activity. These results suggest that among the six microalgae used in this study, CG and SO have antioxidant effects, induce cell proliferation, inhibit 5-alpha reductase activity, and can be used for hair loss prevention and scalp improvement.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.11-19
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• 2001

This review discusses the effects and roles of insect hormones and insect growth regulators (IGRs) on vitellogenesis in adult insects. Insect vitellogenesis is regulated by hormones such as juvenile hormone (JH), ecdysteroids, and neurosecretory hormones (ovaryecdysteroidogenic hormone : OEH) released by neurosecretory cells, diet, and other elements(male specific protein of sperm fluid). In the fat bodies, the vitellogenins are synthesized by the stimulation of JH released by corpus allatum (CA) and ecdysteroids produced by follicle cells with the ovary in most insects. Furthermore, vitellogenins are released into the hemolymph, transported to the ovarioles by carrier protein, and incorporated into oocytes for the developing ovary. Of IGRs, juvenile hormone and its mimics such as methoprene and pyriproxifen appear to have pharmacological effects such as membrane lysis, destruction of salivary grand and midgut epithlial cells, fat body cells, and ovarian tissue, and also anti-juvenile hormone such as precocenes I and II appear to have specific cytotoxicity such as inhibition of corpus allatum and oocytes development. These results suggest that IGRs may be useful as agents for integrated pest management.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.55-62
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• 1978

Adult mice were injected with a single sublethal dose of cyclophosphamide. Effects of the drug on the body weight, spleen weight, and morphology of the peripheral lymphoid system have been analysed. The body weights of the mice given cyclophosphamide(300mg/kg body weight) decreased slightly and returned to normal quickly. Spleen weights, however, changed greatly by keeping the process of decrease, recovery, overshoot, and gradual return to normal only by 20 days. Histologic examinations of spleen and popliteal lymph node showed that follicles disappeared 1 to 2 days before periarteriolar lymphatic sheath or paracortex. At the peak of splenomegaly, the architectures of spleen and lymph node were replaced with the interstitial tissue composed of dense and uniform layer of lymphoid cells. With the return of spleen weight to normal range, the architecturles returned to normal. Our results clearly indicated that cyclophosphamide affected not only B cells but also T cells. These results seemed to suggest that augmentation of delayed-type hypersensitivity by cyclophosphamide may be due to the eliminateion of the suppressor T cells.