• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1684-1690
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• 2014

Estrogen and its receptors are essential hormones for normal reproductive function in males and females during developmental stage. To better understand the effect of estrogen receptor (ER) gene in yak (Bos grunniens), reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to clone $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ genes. Bioinformatics methods were used to analyze the evolutionary relationship between yaks and other species, and real-time PCR was performed to identify the mRNA expression of $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$. Sequence analysis showed that the ER open reading frames (ORFs) encoded 596 and 527 amino acid proteins. The yak $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ shared 45.3% to 99.5% and 53.9% to 99.1% protein sequence identities with other species homologs, respectively. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that $ER{\alpha}$ and $ER{\beta}$ were expressed in a variety of tissues, but the expression level of $ER{\alpha}$ was higher than that of $ER{\beta}$ in all tissues, except testis. The mRNA expression of $ER{\alpha}$ was highest in the mammary gland, followed by uterus, oviduct, and ovary, and lowest in the liver, kidney, lung, testis, spleen, and heart. The $ER{\beta}$ mRNA level was highest in the ovary; intermediary in the uterus and oviduct; and lowest in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, mammary gland, and testis. The identification and tissue distribution of ER genes in yaks provides a foundation for the further study on their biological functions.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2000

We came to the conclusion after considering all the information from many kinds of books on the circulation courses, cross-link points, functions and the symptoms of disease of Chongmai. The results were as follows : 1. The Chongmai that starts from a Uterus flows to Dazhu through the inside of vertebra after joining Renmai and Duimai at Huiyin. The Chongmais up-line that comes out from Qichong into a surface of body arrives and is scattered at a chest through an abdomen. One strand of them goes upward again and is connected to a throat and lips area. After coming out from Qichong, separated down-line is divided into two parts when it arrives a inner part of a heel through the inner part of a leg. One is for an instep, the other is for the sole of a foot. 2. We call it "Sea of Twelve Meridians" or "Meridian's Sea". Because Chongmai controls all of Meridian by acquired "Basic energy" as getting Stomach's energy, Kidney's energy and air-energy, and there are responsible of physiological phenomenon control. And also we name it "Sea of Blood", because it starts from and provides a nutrition to Uterus. 3. All of these four Meridian such as Renmai, Kidney Meridian, Stomach Meridian and Spleen Meridian are ones that flow around the part of a chest and an abdomen. Chongmai makes energy and blood circulation of a chest and an abdomen be stronger and be controlled. Therefore it makes viscera, bowels and body surface be warm and given a nutrition. So Chongmai becomes "Sea of Viscera and Bowels". 4. Chongmai provides a nutrition for ligament and muscle and makes legs get warm as making energy and blood circulate from head to foot. If Chongmai is energetic, hair is completely easy to grow. 5. To see in pathological phase, Chongmais failure or weakness causes like a chest pain, stomachache, heart attack, a menstrual irregularity and sterility and so on. And also if Chongmai is damaged, it happens that giving a nutrition for lips area is stopped, and then mustache doesn't grow any more.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2018

NUCB2/nesfatin-1 is first known to be expressed in the hypothalamus while controlling appetite and energy metabolism. However, recent studies have shown that NUCB2/nesfatin-1 was expressed in the various organs as well as the hypothalamus. Our previous reports also demonstrated that NUCB2/nesfatin-1 was expressed in the ovary, testis, pituitary gland, lung, kidney, and stomach of fetal and adult mice. However, the role of NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in mouse fetus remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether NUCB2/nestatin-1 is expressed in mouse fetus at the developmental stage in which organogenesis begins. To do this, we performed in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to examine the distribution of NUCB2 mRNA and nesfatin-1 protein in the mouse fetal organs during early developmental stages, especially at embryonic day (E) 10.5. As a result of ISH, NUCB2 mRNA positive signals were more frequent in the liver, but there were relatively few positive signals in heart. On the other hand, no positive signals were detected in other organs. These ISH results were validated by IHC staining and qRT-PCR analysis. Expression of nesfatin-1 protein detected by IHC staining was similar to that of NUCB2 mRNA detected by ISH in the liver and heart. In addition, the levels of NUCB2 mRNA expression analyzed by qRT-PCR were significantly increased in the liver and heart compared to other organs of the mouse fetus at E13.5, whereas its level was extensively decreased in the liver, but increased in the lung, stomach, and kidney of the mouse fetus at E17.5. These results suggest that NUCB2/nesfatin-1 may play an important role in liver and heart development and physiological functions in the developmental process of mouse fetus. Further studies are needed on the function of NUCB2/nesfatin-1, which is highly expressed in the various organs, including liver and heart during mouse development.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2019

Polycystic kidney disease 2-like-1 (PKD2L1), polycystin-L or transient receptor potential polycystin 3 (TRPP3) is a TRP superfamily member. It is a calcium-permeable non-selective cation channel that regulates intracellular calcium concentration and thereby calcium signaling. Although the calmodulin (CaM) inhibitor, calmidazolium, is an activator of the PKD2L1 channel, the activating mechanism remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to clarify whether CaM takes part in the regulation of the PKD2L1 channel, and if so, how. With patch clamp techniques, we observed the current amplitudes of PKD2L1 significantly reduced when co-expressed with CaM and $CaM{\triangle}N$. This result suggests that the N-lobe of CaM carries a more crucial role in regulating PKD2L1 and guides us into our next question on the different functions of two lobes of CaM. We also identified the predicted CaM binding site, and generated deletion and truncation mutants. The mutants showed significant reduction in currents losing PKD2L1 current-voltage curve, suggesting that the C-terminal region from 590 to 600 is crucial for maintaining the functionality of the PKD2L1 channel. With PKD2L1608Stop mutant showing increased current amplitudes, we further examined the functional importance of EF-hand domain. Along with co-expression of CaM, ${\triangle}EF$-hand mutant also showed significant changes in current amplitudes and potentiation time. Our findings suggest that there is a constitutive inhibition of EF-hand and binding of CaM C-lobe on the channel in low calcium concentration. At higher calcium concentration, calcium ions occupy the N-lobe as well as the EF-hand domain, allowing the two to compete to bind to the channel.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.333-342
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• 2016

Lipins play dual function in lipid metabolism by serving as phosphatidate phosphatase and transcriptional co-regulators of gene expression. Mammalian lipin proteins consist of lipin1, lipin2, and lipin3 and are encoded by their respective genes Lpin1, Lpin2, and Lpin3. To date, most studies are concerned with Lpin1, only a few have addressed Lpin2 and Lpin3. Ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 and their associations with traits would help to explore their molecular and physiological functions in sheep. In this study, 48 animals with an equal number of males and females each for both breeds of fat-tailed sheep such as Guangling Large Tailed (GLT) and Small Tailed Han (STH) were chosen to evaluate the ontogenetic expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 from eight different tissues and months of age by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between gene expression and slaughter and tail traits were also analyzed. The results showed that Lpin2 mRNA was highly expressed in perirenal and tail fats, and was also substantially expressed in liver, kidney, reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest levels in small intestine and femoral biceps. Lpin3 mRNA was prominently expressed in liver and small intestine, and was also expressed at high levels in kidney, perirenal and tail fats as well as reproductive organs (testis and ovary), with the lowest level in femoral biceps. Global expression of Lpin2 and Lpin3 in GLT both were significantly higher than those in STH. Spatiotemporal expression showed that the highest levels of Lpin2 expression occurred at 10 months of age in two breeds of sheep, with the lowest expression at 2 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. The greatest levels of Lpin3 expression occurred at 4 months of age in STH and at 10 months of age in GLT, with the lowest expression at 12 months of age in STH and at 8 months of age in GLT. Breed and age significantly influenced the tissue expression patterns of Lpin2 and Lpin3, respectively, and sex significantly influenced the spatiotemporal expression patterns of Lpin3. Meanwhile, Lpin2 and Lpin3 mRNA expression both showed significant correlations with slaughter and tail traits, and the associations appear to be related with the ontogenetic expression as well as the potential functions of lipin2 and lipin3 in sheep.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.65-79
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• 2015

Objectives : In this study, effects of haepyoijintang (HIJ) on the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances of rats and ATP-, PMA-, EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells were investigated. Methods : Hypersecretion of airway mucus was induced by exposure of rats to $SO_2$ during 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered HIJ during 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats was evaluated using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with PAS-alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicity of HIJ was evaluated by examining the potential damage of kidney and liver functions by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN and creatinine concentrations of rats and the body weight gain during experiment, after administering HIJ orally. At the same time, the effect of HIJ on ATP-, PMA-, EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of HIJ and treated with ATP ($200{\mu}M$), PMA (10 ng/ml), EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24 hrs, to evaluate the effect of HIJ both on ATP-, PMA-, EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and on gene expression by the same inducers using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results : (1) HIJ decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of trachea of rats. (2) HIJ did not show renal and hepatic toxicities and did not affect body weight gain of rats during experiment. (3) HIJ significantly inhibited ATP-, PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin productions from NCI-H292 cells. (4) HIJ significantly inhibited ATP-, PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin gene expression from NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions : The result from the present study suggests that HIJ might control the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in various respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and do not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effect of HIJ with their diverse components should be further investigated using animal experimental models that can reflect the pathophysiology of airway diseases through future studies.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.65-81
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• 2014

Objectives This study was carried out to find out the anti-osteoarthritic effects of Mahwangbujaseshin- tang (Mahuangfuzixixintang ) on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injecting MIA ($50{\mu}l$) into the knee joint of rats. Rats were divided into a 3 groups (n=7). The injection did not fit the normal group. A week later, after the injection of MIA, while control group took normal saline 2 ml, the extract of Mahwangbujaseshin-tang (Mahuangfuzixixintang ) (MBST) (200 mg/kg) was injected to treated group. After that, we examined hind paw weight bearing ability, functions of liver and kidney, serum TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, $PGE_2$, $LTB_4$, TIMP-1, MMP-9 and hematology. Volume of cartilage was measured by micro CT arthrography. Injury of synovial tissue was measured by H & E, Safranin-O immunofluorescence. Results 1) DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of MBST was increased according to concentration of MBST and total phenolic contents were in high level. 2) In RAW 264.7 cells, ROS production was significantly decreased in MBST (at 10, $100{\mu}g/ml$) and NO was also decreased but meaningless in MBST (at $100{\mu}g/ml$). 3) In RAW 264.7 cells, IL-6 production was significantly decreased in MBST (at $100{\mu}g/ml$) and TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ production were also decreased but meaningless in MBST (at $100{\mu}g/ml$). 4) In hind legs weight-bearing measurement, level of weight-bearing was increased. 5) Functions of liver and kidney were not affected. 6) TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, $PGE_2$, $LTB_4$, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production were significantly decreased. 7) In hematology, the levels of neutrophils, monocytes were significantly decreased and the levels of white blood cells, lymphocytes were also decreased but meaningless. 8) In micro CT-arthrography, cartilage volume was significantly increased. 9) Histopathologically, injury on cartilage and synovial membrane of MBST group was decreased. Conclusions Based on all results mentioned above, Mahwangbujaseshin-tang (Mahuangfuzixixintang) is believed to be meaningful for suppressing the progress of osteoarthritis. And it is related to inhibiting the activity of inflammatory cytokine and injury of volume in cartilage.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.69-81
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• 2013

Objectives In this study, effects of Macmundongtang (MMT) on ATP or TNF-${\alpha}$ or PMA or EGF induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells and the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances of rats were investigated. Materials and Methods Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30min in the presence of MMT and treated with ATP ($200{\mu}M$) or PMA (10 ng/ml) or EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24hrs, to assess the effect of MMT both on ATP- or PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and on gene expression by the same inducers using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). At the same time, hypersecretion of airway mucus was induced by exposure of rats to SO2 during 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered MMT during 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats was assesed using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with PAS-alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicity of MMT was assessed by investigating the potential damage of kidney and liver functions by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN concentration of rats and the body weight gain during experiment, after administering MMT orally. Results (1) MMT did not only inhibit but also increased MUC5AC mucin productions and expression levels of MUC5AC gene from NCI-H292 cells. (2) MMT did not decrease the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of trachea of rats. (3) MMT did not show renal and hepatic toxicities and did not affect body weight gain of rats during experiment. Conclusions The result from the present study suggests that MMT might normalize the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in various respiratory diseases accompanied by yin-deficiency, without in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.403-408
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• 2002

For stimulating the in vivo secretion of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1) which is well known to promote the various physiological actions in human body, the natural herbal extract, YGF251 (young growth factor 251), was developed and evaluated for its effect as IGF-1 secretagogue in this study. The clinical study was peformed as double blind test, and 31 adult female and male volunteers between the age of 40 and 70 were investigated for their changes of concentration of IGF-1 , insulin level, weight, blood pressure, and liver and kidney functions. As the result of paired sample test on the change of the concentration of IGF-1, in YGF251 treated group, it was 245.6 ng/mL before dosing. The concentration of IGF-1 was increased to 269.3 ng/mL after a month and to 275.6 ng/mL after two months, and both were statistically significant (p〈0.05). While in control group, the concentration of IGF-1 was 280.0 ng/mL before dosing, but decreased to 239.2 ng/mL after a month and to 230.2 ng/mL after two months, and both were also statistically significant (p〈0.05). In YGF251 treated group, the concentration of insulin in blood increased about 2 times after a month dosing as an average level, but in control group, it showed a decrease of 36% compared with before dosing. And there were little changes regarding to the measured weight and blood pressure. Various measured data in order to observe the alteration in liver and kidney functions by the administration of YGF251 showed a little change within measuring error range.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.56-71
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• 2014

Objectives In this study, the author tried to investigate whether piryongbang-gamgil-tang (PGGT) significantly affect in vitro airway mucin secretion, PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production / gene expression from human airway epithelial cells and increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells of rats. Materials and Methods For in vitro experiment, confluent RTSE cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of PGGT to assess the effect of PGGT on mucin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, effect of PGGT on PMA- or EGFor TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of PGGT and treated with PMA (10 ng/ml) or EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-${\alpha}$ (0.2 nM) for 24 hrs, to assess both effect of PGGT on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin production by ELISA and gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). For in vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia by exposure of rats to $SO_2$ during 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered PGGT during 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats and hyperplasia of goblet cells were assesed by using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with alcian blue. Possible cytotoxicities of PGGT in vitro were assessed by examining LDH release from RTSE cells and the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. In vivo liver and kidney toxicities of PGGT were evaluated by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN/creatinine concentrations of rats after administering PGGT orally. Results (1) PGGT did not affect in vitro mucin secretion from cultured RTSE cells. (2) PGGT significantly inhibited PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-${\alpha}$-induced MUC5AC mucin productions and the expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA from NCI-H292 cells. (3) PGGT decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances and showed the tendency of expectorating airway mucus already produced. (4) PGGT increased LDH release from RTSE cells. However, PGGT did not show in vivo liver and kidney toxicities and cytotoxicity to NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion The result from this study suggests that PGGT can regulate the production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in diverse respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and do not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effect of PGGT with their components should be further studied using animal experimental models that reflect the diverse pathophysiology of respiratory diseases through future investigations.