• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2014

Helicobacter pylori-induced gastric inflammation includes induction of inflammatory mediators interleukin (IL)-8 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which are mediated by oxidant-sensitive transcription factor NF-${\kappa}B$. High levels of lipid peroxide (LPO) and increased activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO), a biomarker of neutrophil infiltration, are observed in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa. Panax ginseng Meyer, a Korean herb medicine, is widely used in Asian countries for its biological activities including anti-inflammatory efficacy. The present study aims to investigate whether Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) inhibits H. pylori-induced gastric inflammation in Mongolian gerbils. One wk after intragastric inoculation with H. pylori, Mongolian gerbils were fed with either the control diet or the diet containing RGE (200 mg RGE/gerbil) for 6 wk. The following were determined in gastric mucosa: the number of viable H. pylori in stomach; MPO activity; LPO level; mRNA and protein levels of keratinocyte chemoattractant factor (KC, a rodent IL-8 homolog), IL-$1{\beta}$, and iNOS; protein level of phospho-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$(which reflects the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$); and histology. As a result, RGE suppressed H. pylori-induced mRNA and protein levels of KC, IL-$1{\beta}$, and iNOS in gastric mucosa. RGE also inhibited H. pylori-induced phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and increases in LPO level and MPO activity of gastric mucosa. RGE did not affect viable H. pylori colonization in the stomach, but improved the histological grade of infiltration of poly-morphonuclear neutrophils, intestinal metaplasia, and hyperplasia. In conclusion, RGE inhibits H. pyloriinduced gastric inflammation by suppressing induction of inflammatory mediators (KC, IL-$1{\beta}$, iNOS), MPO activity, and LPO level in H. pylori-infected gastric mucosa.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.105-115
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• 2006

Fucoidan has been shown to exhibit a host of biological activities, including anti-coagulant, anti-thrombotic, anti-tumourigenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-complementary and neuroprotective effects. In the present study, we attempted to determine the effects of Fucoidan on both apoptosis and cell proliferation in the hippocampal CA1 region and the dentate gyrus of gerbils after the induction of transient global ischemia. This experiment involved the use of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay as well as immunohistochemisty for caspase-3 and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). The monosaccharide composition of the purified Fucoidan which had been extracted from Laminaria religiosa was utilized in this study. The present study clearly induces that apoptotic cell death and cell proliferation in the gerbil's hippocampal regions increased significantly following the induction of transient global ischemia and the results of this study also indicate that Fucoidan exerted a suppressive effect on this observed ischemia-induced increase in apoptosis within the CA1 and dentate gyrus, and also suppressed cell proliferation in the dentate gyrus.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.223-228
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• 2002

In vitro bioassays of aqueous extracts of 25 herbal species were performed by ovicidal activity against Strongvloides venuelensis. 500 mg of feces from Mongorian gerbil infected with S. venuelensis were placed into polyvinyl culture with extracts of herb and anthelmintic drugs in triplicates. Larval activity inside the polyvinyl bag was recorded microscopically at 12 hours, and every 24 hours thereafter for up to 72 hrs incubation. Eggs were not hatched within 72 hrs and degeneration was evident in the presence of extracts. The ovicidal activity characterized by the absence of L$_3$ in fecal cultures inside the polyvinyl bag. 1. Among 25 herbs, 12 herbs had ovicidal effects and caused degeneration of larvae in egg. S. angustifolia, I. helenium, A. korenum, P. tenuifolia, F. virridissima, A. asiatica, S. chinensis, A. tataricus, S. baicalensis, M. rimosa, S. glabra and Z. piperitum were the most ovicidal effect. However, P. thunbergiana, T. chinensis, C. flos, G. uralensis, C. obutusifolia, C. fortunei, A. koreana, P. grandiflorum, P. tenuifolia (Radix), P. mume and A. asphodelodes showed no ovicidal effects in vinyl bag culture. 2. Of 25 hrebs, 4 herbs had ovicidal and wormicidal effects, P. thunbergiana, C. flos, B. Striata and T. chinensis were characterized by degeneration of larvae.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.77-84
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• 2007

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is an important bacterial pathogen that causes chronic gastritisand is associated with gastroduodenal ulcer disease, adenocarcinoma of the distal stomach, and gastricH. pylori infection associated with host agehave not been well-defined in human. To evaluate the difference in host susceptibility to infection in relationto age of acquisition of H. pylori infection, we designed an experiment involving inoculation of H. pyloriATC 43504 at different ages of Mongolian gerbils. H. pylori was inoculated at 5 weeks and 18 monthsof age, as representatives of early and late infection, respectively. Animals were sacrificed 1 week and 4weeks after challenge, and the stomach was removed from each animal for bacterial culture, histologicalexamination, and polymerase chain reaction test. 5 week-old gerbils revealed infection andmaintained continuously its infection until 4 weeks. However, old gerbils did not maintained H. pyloriinfection. These data suggest the insusceptibility of H. pylori in old Mongolian gerbils and the importanceof animal ages for successful animal experimental infection. Also, the results demonstrated that earlyinfection of H. pylori increases its host susceptibility, as compared to the case with later infection, possiblybecause of differences in host gastric mucosal factors and imunologic responses.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2012

In this study, a medicinal herbal plant, Meliae fructus, was examined and screened for anti-Helicobacter (H.) pylori activity. Seventy percent ethanol was used for herbal extraction. For anti-H. pylori activity screening, inhibitory zone tests as an in vitro assay and in vivo study using a Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) model were performed. Also, the safety of herbal compounds was evaluated by animal study. As a result of inhibitory zone test, Meliae fructus extract demonstrated strong anti-H. pylori activities. Also, as results of in vivo animal studies, Meliae fructus demonstrated strong therapeutic effects against H. pylori infection according to the criteria of histological examination and rapid urease test. As results of the safety study, after 28 days treatment of the Meliae fructus extract, the animals were not detected any grossly and histological changes. These results demonstrate that it can be successfully cured against H. pylori infection and protected from H. pylori-induced pathology with Meliae fructus. It could be a promising native herbal treatment for patients with gastric complaints including gastric ulcer caused by H. pylori.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.30-47
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• 1995

The ultrastructural changes of adrenal chromaffin cells and ganglion cells in the adrenal gland of vacor-induced diabetic Mongolian gerbils were studied by electron microscopy. After one month of vacor-induced diabetes, some chromaffin cells were filled with dense bodies and large cytosomes with formy contents. Most of degenerating axon terminals were observed on chromaffin cells. A few macrophages were found among chromaffin cells at one month after induction. Several of these macrophages were filled with numerous phagosomes. After one month of vacor-induced diabetes, the ganglion cells showed increase in numbers of dense bodies and degenerating dendrites compared with the normal ganglion cells. Both electron dense and lucent types of degenerating axon terminals were found in interstitial space of the ganglion cells. Degenerating unmyelinated and myelinted axons contained dense and lamellar bodies. The satellite cells and macrophages with engulfed degenerated axon terminals were observed. After three months of vacor-induced diabetes, the unmyelinated and myelinated axons showed degenerative changes, whereas no structural changes could be demonstrated in adrenal ganglion and chromaffin cells. The satellite cells and macrophages containing partially digested debris were still commonly observed in the interstitial space of adrenal medulla. These results suggest that the degenerative changes occur in the adrenal ganglion cells as well as adrenal chromaffin cells of vacor-induced diabetic Mongolian gerbils.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 2000

In order to investigate the pharmacological properties of fractions of Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix, the effects of the fractions on cerebral ischemia and subsequent reperfusion were studied. Brain ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in mongolian gerbil. Brains were recirculated for 30 mins after the 20 min occlusion. Methanol and butanol fractions of Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix were administered orally 2 hrs before common carotid artery occlusion. Histological observations showed that brain ischemia induced severe brain damage evidenced by the presence of necrotic foci, edema and hemorrhage. This injury was prevented by the methanol fraction and butanol fraction of Polygalae Radix. The level of ATP in brain tissue significantly decreased in ischemic gerbils. This decrease was prevented by the pretreatment with butanol fraction of Polygalae Radix. In contrast, the levels of lactate and lipid peroxide were both elevated in ischemic gerbils. This elevation was inhibited by the pretreatments with methanol fraction and butanol fraction of Polygalae Radix. Our findings suggest that the Polygalae Radix improves ischemia-induced brain damage.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.107-123
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• 1993

The ultrastructural changes of the cardiac ganglion and granule-containing cells in the heart of vacor-induced diabetic Mongolian gerbils were studied by electron microscopy. After one month of vacor-induced diabetes the ganglion cells showed increase in numbers of dense bodies and mitochondria compared with the normal cardiac ganglion. Most of the satellite cells were filled with numerous phagosomes containing digested debris. Both electron-dense and lucent types of degenerating axon terminals were observed. The former was characterized by clusters of agranular vesicles and numerous mitochondria. The electron lucent type of degenerating axon terminal contained a few agranular vesicles and swollen mitochondria. Degenerating unmyelinated and myelinated axons contained large numbers of dense bodies, lamellar bodies, and mitochondria. Numerous macrophages containing phagosomes were reveled in the interstitial spaces. Some of the granule-containing cells in the heart showed a variety of degenerative changes and a decreased number of dense-cored vesicles. After three months of vacor-induced diabetes the unmyelinated and myelinated axons showed degenerative changes, whereas no structure changes could be demonstrated in intraatrial ganglion and granule containing cells. The satellite cells containing engulfed debris were observed in the cardiac ganglion cells. These results suggest that the degenerative changes occur in the cardiac ganglion cells of vacor-induced diabetic Mongolian gerbils as well as atrial granule-containing cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2000

This study investigated whether propofol, an intravenous, non-barbiturate anesthetic, could reduce brain damage following global forebrain ischemia. Transient global ischemia was induced in gerbils by occlusion of bilateral carotid arteries for 3 min. Propofol (50 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before, immediately after, and at 1 h, 2 h, 6 h after occlusion. Thereafter, propofol was administered twice daily for three days. Treated animals were processed in parallel with ischemic animals receiving 10% intralipid as a vehicle or with sham-operated controls. In histologic findings, counts of viable neurons were made in the pyramidal cell layer of the hippocampal CA1 area 4 days after ischemia. The number of viable neurons in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1 area was similar in animals treated with a vehicle or a subanesthetic dose of propofol. In terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, semiquantitative analysis of dark-brown neuronal cells was made in the hippocampal CA1 area. There was no significant difference in the degree of TUNEL staining in the hippocampal CA1 area between vehicle-treated and propofol-treated animals. These results show that subanesthetic dose of propofol does not reduce delayed neuronal cell death following transient global ischemia in Mongolian gerbils.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.295-299
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sporulated Neospora caninum oocysts, which had been stored for 46 mo in a 2% sulfuric acid solution at $4^{\circ}C$, remain morphologically viable and infective to gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Six gerbils were orally inoculated with doses of 400 or 1,200 oocysts. Two mo after inoculation, the animals did not show any clinical signs, had no histological lesions, and were seronegative for N. caninum at 1:50 in an immunofluorescent antibody test. PCR using the brain from each gerbil did not reveal N. caninum specific DNA. We conclude that oocysts preserved for 46 mo are not infective, despite being morphologically intact.