• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.348-356
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• 2023

Objectives: Neuralgia-pharmacopuncture (NP) was recently developed as a water-soluble type of pharmacopuncture inspired by CS (care special pain)-pharmacopuncture. I aimed to evaluate the toxic response and approximate lethal dose of when NP when administered intramuscularly to Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: The experimental group was divided into the NP test substance group and the saline control group and administered at a dose of 1.0 mL/animal to the posterior thigh muscles on both sides using a 1 mL syringe; each group consisted of five males and five females. Each rat was monitored for clinical signs and changes in body weight for 14 days after a single intramuscular injection. After completing observation, necropsy findings and localized tolerance at the injection site were assessed via gross necropsy and histopathological examination. Results: No deaths occurred in the NP or control group, regardless of sex. During the observation period, no changes (such as general symptoms, weight change, or visual observation results at the time of autopsy) were judged to be due to the test substance. Histopathological examination showed no changes at the administration site judged to be caused by the test substance in either the male or female test substance administration groups. In addition, mononuclear cell infiltration of the outer membrane of the femoris muscle at the administration site was observed at the same frequency and extent in the control and NP groups, and was judged to be caused by physical stimulation by the injection needle; therefore, it had no toxicological significance. Conclusion: Based on the above results, the approximate lethal dose for a single intramuscular administration of the test substance NP in Sprague-Dawley rats was judged to be > 1.0 mL/animal, and there were no findings that were judged to be due to the test substance at the administration site.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.239-252
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• 2024

Dexmedetomidine displays multiple mechanisms of neuroprotection in ameliorating ischemic brain injury. In this study, we explored the beneficial effects of dexmedetomidine on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h to establish a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Dexmedetomidine (9 ㎍/kg) was administered to rats 30 min after MCAO through intravenous injection, and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor, 200 ㎍/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before MCAO. Brain damages were evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Nissl staining, and brain water content assessment. BBB permeability was examined by Evans blue staining. Expression levels of claudin-5, zonula occludens-1, occludin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as M1/M2 phenotypes-associated markers were assessed using immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine inflammatory cytokine levels. We found that dexmedetomidine or SB203580 attenuated infarct volume, brain edema, BBB permeability, and neuroinflammation, and promoted M2 microglial polarization after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Increased MMP-9 activity by ischemia/reperfusion injury was inhibited by dexmedetomidine or SB203580. Dexmedetomidine inhibited the activation of the ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways. Moreover, activation of JNK or p38 MAPK reversed the protective effects of dexmedetomidine against ischemic brain injury. Overall, dexmedetomidine ameliorated brain injury by alleviating BBB permeability and promoting M2 polarization in experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.508-517
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• 2023

In cancer patients, chemo/radio therapy may cause infertility by damaging the spermatogenesis affecting the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). In vitro differentiation of stem cells especially mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into germ cells has recently been proposed as a new strategy for infertility treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the proliferation and differentiation of SSCs using their co-culture with Sertoli cells and conditioned medium (CM) from adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AD-MSCs). Testicular tissues were separated from 2-7 days old neonate Wistar Rats and after mechanical and enzymatic digestion, the SSCs and Sertoli cells were isolated and cultured in Dulbecco's modified eagle medium with 10% fetal bovine serum, 1X antibiotic, basic fibroblast growth factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor. The cells were treated with the CM from AD-MSCs for 12 days and then the expression level of differentiation-related genes were measured. Also, the expression level of two major spermatogenic markers of DAZL and DDX4 was calculated. Scp3, Dazl, and Prm1 were significantly increased after treatment compared to the control group, whereas no significant difference was observed in Stra8 expression. The immunocytochemistry images showed that DAZL and DDX4 were positive in experimental group comparing with control. Also, western blotting revealed that both DAZL and DDX4 had higher expression in the treated group than the control group, however, no significant difference was observed. In this study, we concluded that the CM obtained from AD-MSCs can be considered as a suitable biological material to induce the differentiation in SSCs.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.256-270
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• 2024

The antidepressant drug trazodone (TRZ) is commonly used for treating depression, anxiety, and insomnia, however, it causes cardiotoxicity, which is one of its limitations. The objective of this work was to investigate the impact of sage (Salvia officinalis) in rats against cardiotoxicity induced by TRZ and to investigate the mechanisms involved in its cardio-protective properties through autophagy and oxidative stress. Fifty male albino rats were split randomly into five experimental groups: control group, sage oil group (100 mg/kg), TRZ group (20 mg/kg), protective group, and curative group. Cardiac function biomarkers (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], creatine kinase-MB [CK-MB], and cardiac troponin T [cTnI]) were assessed in serum. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers in cardiac tissue (total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, and tumor necrosis factor-α) were evaluated. Heart tissues were subjected to histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural evaluations. DNA damage also evaluated. Significant rise in the levels of AST, CK-MB, and cTnI were observed with enhanced autophagy along with marked histopathological changes in the form of interrupted muscle fibers with wide interstitial spaces with areas of hemorrhage and extravasated blood and interstitial mononuclear cellular infiltration in TRZ group. DNA damage was also significantly increased in TRZ group. However, administration of sage in both protective and curative groups show marked improvement of the cardiac alterations. In conclusion, sage ameliorated the alterations in the heart induced by trazadone through modulation of autophagy and oxidative stress.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.498-510
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation and metabolic disturbances, presents a significant health challenge. Opuntia humifusa Raf., commonly known as Korean Cheonnyuncho, is rich in various beneficial compounds and has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential impact on glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in obese rats, remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate whether O. humifusa stems and fruits could beneficially alter glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in a rat model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-two rats were allocated into 4 groups: normal diet (NF), HFD control (HF), HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa stems (HF-OS), and HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa fruits (HF-OF). Experimental diets were administered for 6 weeks. At the end of the treatment, liver and fat tissues were isolated, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. The major flavonoid from O. humifusa stems and fruits was identified and quantified. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, the serum fasting glucose concentration in the HF-OS group was significantly lower than that in the HF group. Serum fasting insulin concentrations in both HF-OS and HF-OF groups tended to be lower than those in the HF group, indicating a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in the HF-OS group. Additionally, the HF-OS group exhibited a tendency towards the restoration of adiponectin levels to that of the NF group. CONCLUSION: The 2% O. humifusa stems contain abundant quercetin and isorhamnetin, which alter fasting blood glucose levels in rats fed a HFD, leading to a favorable improvement in insulin resistance.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.112-119
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• 2024

Objective: Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease among reproductive-age women. Numerous hypotheses exist regarding the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In Turkey, the consumption of Allium cepa (commonly known as the "onion cure") is a popular treatment employed to alleviate a variety of gynecological disorders. Methods: In this study, our objective was to assess the therapeutic mechanisms of the onion bulb A. cepa using an autologous endometriosis model in Sprague-Dawley rats. Previous research has shown that A. cepa possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties. We evaluated the pathological condition of endometriotic implants by employing hematoxylin-eosin staining and Ki67 immunohistochemistry analysis. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) have been identified as profibrotic markers that are highly overexpressed in endometriotic tissues relative to eutopic endometrial tissue. Furthermore, TGF-β1 influences the differentiation and progression of endometriosis. To quantify profibrotic activity, we measured TGF-β1 and α-SMA using the immunosorbent assay method. Results: Lower histologic evaluation scores for endometriotic implants were observed in the group receiving high-dose A. cepa relative to the other groups. Ki67 expression was reduced following the high-dose A. cepa regimen, which consisted of 30% A. cepa and 70% normal feed. However, no statistically significant differences in TGF-β1 or α-SMA levels were observed among the groups (p=0.7 and p=0.778, respectively). Conclusion: The findings suggest that A. cepa could serve as a therapeutic agent in endometriosis treatment, as evidenced by the reduction in proliferative potential. Nevertheless, A. cepa was not associated with significantly lower levels of endometriosis-associated TGF-β1 or α-SMA.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.12
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• pp.1720-1725
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• 2011

Aspartic acid chelated iron (Asp-Fe) was synthesized by a new method using calcium carbonate, aspartic acid, and ferrous sulfate. This study was carried out to investigate the bioavailability of Asp-Fe in iron-deficient rats. We divided the rats into four experimental groups. The first was the normal diet control group, or NC. The second was the no treated control group of iron-deficient (ID) rats, or ID+C. The third was the heme-iron (heme-Fe) treated group of ID rats, ID+heme-Fe. And the fourth was the Asp-Fe treated group of ID rats, or ID+Asp-Fe. There were no differences among any of the experimental groups in diet consumption, change of body weight, or the weight of the livers, kidneys, or spleens. After 7 days of feeding, the iron content in the sera of the ID+Asp-Fe group (175.2 ${\mu}g$/dL) and the ID+heme-Fe group (140.8 ${\mu}g$/dL) were significantly higher than that of the ID-C group (96.1 ${\mu}g$/dL). The total iron binding capacity (TIBC) of the ID+Asp-Fe group (735.4 ${\mu}g$/dL) was significantly normalized compared to the ID+C group (841.9 ${\mu}g$/dL) or ID+heme-Fe group (824.6 ${\mu}g$/dL). The hematocrit level of the ID+Asp-Fe group was increased to normal levels, but there was no statistical difference among ID groups. The absorption ratio of heme-Fe was 21.3% and that of Asp-Fe was 50.2%, which indicates a 2.3 times higher ratio in comparison with heme iron. With the above results we found that Asp-Fe seems to be an efficient form of iron to supply iron deficient rats in order to cure them of anemia. Thus, these findings suggest that aspartic acid chelated iron has the potential to serve as a functional food related to iron metabolism.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.187-201
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• 2008

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine whether cortical punching stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -8, and -13 in orthodontic tooth movement in rats. Methods: A total of 32 male sprague-dawley rats at 15 weeks old were divided into two groups of 16 rats each, to form the tooth movement with cortical punching (TMC) group and tooth movement only (TM) group. A total of 20 gm of orthodontic force was applied to rat incisors to cause experimental tooth movement. Cortical punching was performed on the palatal side near the central incisor with a 1.0 mm width microscrew in the TMC group. The duration of tooth movement was 1, 4, 7, and 14 days. Results: Measurements of the mRNA expression were selected as the means to determine the identification of expression of MMP-1, -8, and -13. In the TMC group, the expression of collagen type I was greater than that of the TM group from day 4 to day 14. Expression of TIMP-1 in the TM group was greater than that of the TMC group in the pressure side of PDL and alveolar bone cell at day 4. In the TMC group, TIMP-1 was expressed at the osteoclast, but not at the tooth surface of the TM group at day 14, Maximum induction of the mRNA of MMP-1 was observed on day 4 in the TMC group, but it was observed on day 7 in the TM group. MMP-8 mRNA of the TMC group was twice greater than that of the TM group at f days. In the TMC group, maximum induction of MMP-13 mRNA was observed on day 1. Conclusions: These findings suggested that cortical punching can stimulate remodeling of PDL and alveolar bone connective tissues during experimental orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.100-115
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide containing nerve fibers in rat pulp after dentinl injury by means of immunohistochemistry and confocal laser scanning microscope. The Spague-Dawley rats weighing about 250-300gm were used. The animals were devided into normal control and experimental groups. Experimental animals were sacrified 1, 2, 4, 7, 10, 21days after dentinal injury (dentin cutting, and then acid etching with 35% phosphoric acid) on the maxillary molar teeth. The maxillary teeth and alveolar bone were removed and immersed in the 4% paraformaldehyde in 0.1M phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), then were decalcified with 15% formic acid for 10 days. Serial frozen $50{\mu}m$ thick sections were cut on a cryostat. The rabbit CGRP antibody was used as a primary antibody with a dilution of 1:2000 in 0.01M PB. The sections were incubated for 48 hours at $4^{\circ}C$, and placed into biotinylated antirabbit Ig G as a secondary anti body with dilution of 1:200 in 0.01M PB and incubated in ABC(avidin-biotin complex). The peroxidase reaction was visualized by incubating the sections in 0.05% 3,3 diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride containing 0.02% $H_2O_2$. For the confocal laser scanning microscopic examination, Primary antibody reaction was same as immunoperoxidase stainning, but fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-conjugate antirabbit IgG as a secondary antibody was used. The confocal laser scanning microscope was used for the examination. A series of images of optical sections was collected with a 20x objective at $3{\mu}m$ intervals throughout the depth of specimen. FITC fluerescence was registrated through a 488nm and 568nm excitation filter, and images were saved on optical disk. The stereoscopic images and three dimentionnal images were reconstructed by computer software, and then were analyzed. The results were as follows : 1. In normal control group, CGRP containing nerve fibers were coursed through the root with very little branching, and then formed a dense network of terminals in coronal pulp. 2. A slight increase in CGRP containing nerve fibers at 1 and 2day postinjury was noted subjacent to the injury site. In the 4day group, there were an extensive increase in the number of reactive fibers, followed by a partial return toward normal levels at 7~10 day postinjury, and return by 21days. 3. The sprouting of the CGRP containing nerve fibers was evident within 2day after dentinal injury, and by 4days there was a maximal increased, but was decreased at 7days and returned to normal 10~21 day postinjury. 4. In confocal laser scanning microscopic exammination, the distinct distribution pattern and sprouting reaction of CGRP containing nerve fibers were observed in stereoscopic images and three dimentional images. These results suggest that CGRP containing nerve fiber can be important role in the response to dental injury and pain regulation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.695-701
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• 2003

Purpose : It had been suggested that pain arising from deep somatic body regions influences neural activity within periaqueductal gray(PAG) of midbrain via distinct spinal pathways. Aspirin is one of the popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs used in the management of pain. Fos expression was used as a marker for neuronal activity throughout central neurons following painful peripheral stimulation. This study was prepared to investigate changes of c-Fos immunoreactivity in midbrain by deep pain and effects of aspirin. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with 0.1 mL of 5% formalin in the plantar muscle of the right hindpaw. For experimental group II, aspirin was injected intravenously before injection of formalin. An aspirin-untreated group was utilized as group I. Rats were sacrificed at 0.5, 1, 2, 6 and 24 hours after formalin injection. Rat's brains were removed and sliced in rat brain matrix. Brain slices were coronally sectioned at interaural 1.00-1.36 mm. Serial sections were immunohistochemically reacted with polyclonal c-Fos antibody. The numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons in ventrolateral periaqueductal gray(VLPAG) and dorsomedial periaqueductal gray(DMPAG) were counted and analyzed statistically with Mann-Whitney U tests. Results : Higher numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons were found in VLPAG. In both VLPAG and DMPAG of formalin-treated group, the numbers of c-Fos protein immunoreactive neurons were significantly higher at all time points than the formalin-untreated group, which peaked at two hours. The numbers of c-Fos immunoreactive neuron of the aspirin-treated group were less compared to the aspirin-untreated group at each time point. Conclusion : These results provide some basic knowledge in understanding the mechanism of formalin-induced deep somatic pain and the effects of aspirin.