• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.899-905
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• 2003

The effects of cooked soybean and a traditional fermented soy product, chongkukjang, on blood pressure and lipid metabolism were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). SHRs were divided into 3 groups (n=10, male), and fed casein, powders of cooked soybean, and chongkukjang as dietary protein sources for 6 weeks. Body weight gain was not different among experimental groups, but food efficiency was increased in groups fed cooked soybean and chongkukjang diets compared to control group. Consumption of cooked soybean and chongkukjang for 6 weeks in SHR significantly suppressed blood pressure rise with aging (p<0.05). Feeding of cooked soybean and chongkukjang to SHR decreased plasma triacylglycerols (p<0.05) by 21.6% and 30.2% and LDL-cholesterol by 30.0% and 27.5%, respectively. Addition of cooked soybean and chongkukjang to the diet resulted in reduction of total lipids and triacylglycerols of liver, while consumption of cooked soybean and chongkukjang resulted in the increase of fecal cholesterol and bile acid excretions, respectively (p<0.05). Cooked soybean and chongkukjang diets down-regulated the activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase by 56.4% and 94.5%, compared to control, respectively. From the above-mentioned results, it can be concluded that consumption of cooked soybean and chongkukjang might be helpful in preventing cardiovascular disease by suppressing blood pressure rise and hyperlipidemia.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 1998

In the present study, the vacuolar apparatus were investigated in the hepatocytes of rats treated with DA by transmission electron microscopy of conventional and cytochemical thin sections. In the rats after 20 min of dehydrocholic acid treatment, the cis Golgj cisterns were sacculated in line. The saccule occasionally occured by elongation and attenuated neck. The lysosomes also showed protrudent saccule. The vesicles were observed near the cis Golgi cisterns, lysosome and bile canaliculi. Some of the vesicles appeared to be fused to bile canaliculi. The cis Golgi cisterns usually faced toward the bile canaliculi both in normal and experimental groups. The cis Golgi cisterns, protrudent saccule and vesicles were almost devoid of visible contents. The osmium deposits were heavy on the protrudent saccule as well as on the cis Golgi cisterns or on the vesicles isolated near by, but they were light or not observed on the vesicles in the immediate vicinity of bile canaliculi. The acid phosphatase activities appeared on the lysosome and vesicles located near by, but did not appear on the vesicles as approaching closer to the bile canaliculi. The evidence suggests that the vesicles are derived from the cis Gogi cistern and lysosomes and fuse to bile canaliculi for exocytosis, and that the activity in the vesicles is diminished as approaching closer to the bile canaliculi.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.49-57
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• 1984

The exocrine pancreatic secretion is controlled mainly by gastrointestinal hormones as well as cholinergic nerves. The adrenergic influence on exocrine pancreas is thought not to he important and the evidences supporting this contention are still contradictory. In an effort to elucidate the adrenergic influence on the exocrine pancreas, we have determined the amylase release from pancreatic slices of rats treated with adrenergic drugs. The albino rats of either sex, weighing $60{\sim}80\;g$, were decapitated and the uncinate pancreata were isolated and incubated in screw top vials containing 2 ml krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer solution gassed with 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. These vials were shaken continuously in a waterbath maintained at $37^{circ}C$, and enzyme release was stimulated with acetylcholine$(10^{-5}M)$. For chronic treatment methoxamine$(an\;{\alpha}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;5\;mg/kg)$, isoproterenol (a\;{\beta}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;10\;mg/kg) and reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) along with cholecystokinin octapeptide$(CCK-op,\;2{\mu}g/kg)$ were given i.p. in rats daily for 3, 5, 7, 9 or 12 days. For acute experiment these drugs were added directly to the incubation medium in a concentration of $10^{-5}M$ except CCK-OP $(10^{-9}M)$. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The addition of methoxamine, isoproterenol or reserpine to the incubation medium containing pancreatic slices augmented the release of amylase induced by acetylcholine and among them the effect of isoproterenol was most prominent. 2) Chronic treatment of methoxamine or reserpine caused enhancement of acetylcholine response in amylase release from pancreatic slice throughout the experimental period, but the amylase release was less than that of control by 12 days isoproterenol treatment. 3) In the pancreatic slices obtained from 12 days treatment of CCK-OP, the amylae release responding to acetylcholine was enhanced. By these finding it is suggested that methoxamine, isoproterenol and reserpine had marked influence on the exocrine pancreatic functions in rats and that these effects are due to their inherent actions rather than sympathetic nerve or adrenergic receptor function.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2002

Korean safflower (Carthami Flos) seed has been known to have healing effects on both bone fracture and osteoporosis. On the base of such a notice, this experiment was carried out to explore the effects of safflower seed on bone formation and bone repair. In addition, the healing mechanism was evaluated by analysing serum after feeding the seed to experimental. animals. The effect of Korean safflower seed were evaluated with 40 rats,3-month old. Forty Sprague-Dawley rats composed of 20 male and 20 female were underwent unilateral tibial defect and then fastened with unilateral fixators. The operated rats were divided into two groups depending on the composition of diet, such as positive control group fed normal diet (C-OP group) and safflower seed group fed 30% of safflower seed diet and 70% of normal diet (S-OP group). Postoperative radiographys were taken once in 2 weeks to evaluate callus formation for operated groups. In addition, a possible protein spots involved in bone recovery were examined using 2-Dimensional Gel Electrophoresis (2-DE). The comparison of the radiography between C-OP and S-OP group were showed that the safflower seed diet appeared to stimulate the formation of callus in the rat. On the images of 2-BE, it was able to identify possible five protein spots, having pl from 4 to 5 and molecular weight range from 24 to 26 kDa, involved in bone formation and repair, since no differing protein spots were found the two between groups except the five spots. No differences were observed between two groups before operation, but clear and bigger protein spots were observed from the S-OP group compared with C-OP group on 6 and 9 weeks post operation. These protein spots were, however, showed similar sizes and densities between two groups in 12 weeks later. The transformation of protein spots was suggested that these protein spots were involved in bone formation and recovery, in addition safflower seed might induce the formation of factors and activate these factors. In conclusion, this study suggest that safflower seed influence a variety of factors in the course of bone formation or the periods of remedy.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.384-391
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• 2007

This study was conducted to clarify the effects of the Korean raisin (Hovenia dulcis Thunb) extracts and polyherbal extracts consisted of 6 types herbal extracts including HDT (HDTmix) on $CCl_4$ induced organ damages. Extracts were prepared by autoclave ($121^{\circ}C$, 15 psi, 3 hours) and filtered with nylon cloth and filter paper then freezing dried. Male Sprague-Dawley rats $(200^{\circ}{\ae}20g)$ were used as experimental groups, which were divided into 5 groups; intact control group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing after HDT extract dosing group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing after HDTmix dosing group (100 mg/kg), Silymarin dosing group (5 mg/kg) after all test articles were orally dosed once a day for 28 days. They were sacrifiled under ether anesthesia. HDT extracts and HDTmix dramatically inhibits the $CCl_4$ intoxicated hepato/nephropathies with immuno-suppress changes on the spleen. They showed more dramatical protective effects on most of specific organs compared to that of Silymarin 5 mg/kg except for hepatoprotective effects in which, quite similar effects were detected. In addition, HDT extracts showed synergic effects with other types of herbal extracts because HDTmix showed more favorable protective effects on the all specific organs showing $CCl_4-related$ histopathological changes compared to HDT extracts.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.605-610
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• 2007

This experimental study was performed to evaluate the effects of ehtanol extract of Purple Solanum tuberosum L(EPSTL) on obesity and hyperlipidemia in rats induced by high fat diet. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal group, control group, EPSTL (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) treated group. EPSTL was orally administered to the obese rats by high fat diet for 6 weeks. The effect of EPSTL on obesity and hyperlipidemia were examined in vitro and in vivo as follows : EPSTL effectively inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a concentration dependent manner. EPSTL significantly lowered body weight of rats fe high fat diet for 6 weeks from 4 weeks treatment compared with untreated control. EPSTL significantly reduced the weight of retroperitoneal fat only at 100 mg/kg and epididymal fat pad in rats fed high fat diet for 4 weeks at 100 and 200 mg/kg. EPSTL significantly reduced the level of triglyceride at 200 mg/kg, while EPSTL tended to lower the levels of total lipid and phospholipid in rats fed high fat diet for 4 weeks with no significance. EPSTL significantly attenuated the level of total cholesterol, LDL and atherosclerosis index (Al) as well as increased the level of HDL at 200 mg/kg. EPSTL significantly reduced the levels of total lipid and triglyceride of hepatic tissues in rats fed high fat diet for 4 weeks at 200 mg/kg. EPSTL significantly lowered the level of insulin, while it did not affect leptin compared with untreated control. Taken together, these results suggest that EPSTL can be used for the treatment or prevention of hyperlipidemia and obesity.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 1999

Purpose: Proliferation of bile duct-like structures and fibrosis is a hepatic cellular reaction observed in most forms of human liver disease and in a variety of experimental conditions associated with liver injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the activation of Ito cells and bile duct proliferation in the rat after common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Methods: Hepatic morphological abnormalities were examined in rats whose bile ducts had been irreversibly ligated for 15, 21, 24 and 28 days. The liver was examined by immunohistochemical staining for ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin, the known marker of activated Ito cells, and light and electron microscopes. Results: After CBDL, the bile canalicular proliferation and interstitial fibrosis were gradually increased in the periportal areas extended to hepatic sinusoids. Ito cells positive for ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin were frequently observed in the periductular space and in perisinusoidal space of Disse. Ito cells and myofibroblasts were gradually increased in the interstitial fibrosis until the 28th day after CBDL. Ito cells and myofibroblasts had microfilaments with dense body at the periphery of the cell. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Ito cells may be fibroblastic or myogenic. It has also been postulated that during the development of hepatic fibrosis, Ito cells become myofibroblasts or fibroblast like cells.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2013

Purpose: To test whether the expression of P-cadherin, a component of slit diaphragms between podocyte foot processes, would be altered by puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) in a cultured podocyte in vitro. Methods: Rat glomerular epithelial cells (GEpC) were cultured with various concentrations of PAN. The distribution of P-cadherin was examined with a confocal microscope. Western blotting and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to measure the change in P-cadherin expression. Results: This study found that P-cadherin was concentrated in the inner and peripheral cytoplasm with high concentrations of PAN under immunofluorescence views. Western blotting of GEpC revealed that PAN induced a decrease of P-cadherin in dose- and time-dependent manners. A high dose ($50{\mu}g/mL$) of PAN decreased P-cadherin expression by 21.9% at 24 h (P <0.05) and 31.9% at 48 h (P <0.01) compared to those without PAN. In RT-PCR, high concentrations ($50{\mu}g/mL$) of PAN also decreased P-cadherin mRNA expression, similar to protein suppression, by 23.5% at 48 h (P <0.05). Conclusion: Podocytes exposed to PAN in vitro concentrated P-cadherin internally, and reduced P-cadherin mRNA and protein expression. This could explain the development of proteinuria in experimental PAN-induced nephropathy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was designed to observe the effects of the feeding Zizyphus jujuba seed extract on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipids in the serum of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats fed the experimental diets for 4 weeks. Concentrations of blood glucose, total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, LDL, LDL-cholesterol, free-cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglyceride (TG) and phospholipid (PL) in serum were significantly higher in the STZ (55mg/kg B.W.)-induced diabetic group (group 2) and STZ (I.P.)+ Zizyphus jujuba seed extract group (group 3) than those in the control group (group 1, basal diet + water). But the concentrations of blood glucose, total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, LDL, LDL-cholesterol, free-cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, TG and PL in serum were remakably lower in the group 3 than those in the group 2. In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentration, Zizyphus jujuba seed extract administration group (group 3) were higher percentage than in the group 2. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were rather lower in the Zizyphus jujuba seed extract administration group (group 3) than in the STZ- induced diabetic group (group 2). From the above results, it was suggested that the Zizyphus jujuba seed were effective on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipid compositions in serum of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, in Zizyphus jujuba seed was effective therapeutic regimen for the control of metabolic derangements in adult disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.377-383
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• 1988

This studies have been carried out to develop Korean traditional tea from the effects of Cornus officinalis and Lycium chinense and to study the developed tea on microbiological (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and metaboilsm of experimental animals (Spraque-Duwely male rats 200g). On the microbiological study the yeast growth is increased with the increase of added Cornus officinalis or Lycium chinense and Lycium chinense increased the yeast growth more than Cornus officinalis, especially the synergistic effects are recognized on mixed extract of Lycium chinense and Cornus officinalis. The effects of Cornus officinalis, Lycium chinense or the mixed extract of both extract on liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride were investigated in the case of animal test. The activities of GOT and GPT in serum are increased on control group compared to normal group but Lycium chinense group and group (which is administrated with the mixed extract of both ectract) decreased apparently the activities of GOT and GPT. The contents of Creatinine, BUN and Glucose in serum has no difference between normal and control group when the Cornus officinalis, Lycium chinense or mixed extract of both extracts were injected. Among them Lycium chinense group showed more normal value compared to Cornus officinalis and the mixture of both extract. The protective effect on rat liver damage caused by carbon tetrachloride is in order of Lycium chinense. The synergistic effects of the mixed extract on liver damage are proved to be better than Lycium chinense or Cornus officinalis singly.