• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2018

The efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to an increase demand for therapeutic use, thereby necessitating investigation into drug toxicity. This study was designed to investigate the in vivo effects of HAART on sperm parameters and testicular oxidative stress in lean and obese rats. Wistar rats (males, n = 40, weighing 180~200 g) were assigned randomly into 4 groups and treated accordingly for 16 weeks as follows: Control (C): lean group fed with standard rat chow; Diet induced obesity (DIO): obese animals fed a high caloric diet; C + ART: lean animals treated with HAART; DIO + ART: obese animals treated with HAART. An antiretroviral drug combination of Tenofovir, Emtricitabine and Efavirenz at a dose of 17, 26 and 50 mg/kg/day was administered for the latter 6 weeks via jelly cube feeding. At the end of the experimental period, sperm analysis was performed on sperm collected from the caudal epididymis, while the testis was homogenized for antioxidant enzyme and lipid peroxidation assays. Results showed that HAART significantly decreased sperm motility (p < 0.05) in both lean and obese animals, and viability (p < 0.05) in the DIO group. Testicular glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were significantly increased (p < 0.05) when the DIO+ART group was compared to Control group. Thus, the decreased sperm qualities associated with HAART might be as a result of increased testicular oxidative stress prominent in obese animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2011

To evaluate hepatoprotective effect of Epimedium Koreanum nakai (EKN) on liver-damaged animal model, rats were intoxicated with carbon tetrachloride (1 ml/kg) for 9 weeks orally. Liver-damaged rats were divided into 2 groups: liver-damaged control (LDC) group and EKN group were administered vehicle (saline), EKN extract per os for 4 weeks respectively. Normal control (NC) group was administered saline as the same process of LDC group. The weights of prostate (absolute), testis (relative), epididymis (relative) and packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) of EKN group significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared with LDC group. But Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpusulcar hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) decreased. Fibrotic regions in hepatic parenchyma of EKN group significantly (P < 0.01) decreased compared with LDC group and mean diameters of hepatic lobules significantly (P < 0.01) increased. Percentages of degenerative kidney regions and number of degenerative kidney tubules, number of vasodilated atrophic glomerulus of EKN group was significantly (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) decreased compared with LDC group. Number of atrophic seminiferous tubules and epididymal tubules showing oligospermatozoa of EKN group were significantly (P < 0.01) decreased compared with LDC group. In conclusion, EKN extract has a favorable effect on the $CCl_4$-induced liver damage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2010

To evaluate of oral toxicity of Epimedium koreanum nakai (EKN) water extract, three doses of EKN water extract (10, 100 and 1000 mg/kg/day) were administered to healthy Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 weeks. The results showed that there are no abnormal signs during the experimental period. The weights of testis and epididymis were increased dose-dependently, but seminal vesicle was decreased compared with control group. In hematology and serum chemistry, changes were observed within the normal ranges. In histological finding, slight to moderated changes were found but those were commonly or rarely encountered in the normal rats. These results suggest that no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of the oral application of EKN was considered to be more than 1000 mg/kg in SD rats under the conditions employed in this study.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.293-300
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• 2014

Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an androgen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at $0.015{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 mg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of $500{\mu}g\;Flu/kg$ BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of $500{\mu}g\;Flu/kg$ BW. A treatment of $50{\mu}g\;Flu/kg$ BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.303-311
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• 1986

This work was designed as basic studies on the development of diet for the treatment of obesity. The effect of alginic acid which is the major component of brown algae was investigated by comparing with agar, cellulose, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), chitin, and lignin as dietary fibers. These dietary fibers ($10\%$) supplemented to basic diet were fed ad libitum to Sprague Dawley rat for 4 weeks, and the inhibitory effects on obesity were evaluated by measuring body weight gain and feed efficiency, the content of glucose and cholesterol in serum, lipase activity in serum, lipid content in liver, adipose tissue around epididymis and ovarium, and Lee index etc. Among the inhibitory effect of these dietary fibers on obesity, lignin was the most effective (p<0.001), followed by Na-alginate (p<0.01) for body weight gain, but lignin was the most effective, followed by CMC, and followed by Na-alginate for feed efficiency (p<0.001). In the inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in liver and adipose tissue around epididymis and ovarium, lignin and Na-alginate group among these dietary fibers were more effective than others, but there was no significant difference between male and female. The inhibitory effect on obesity evaluated by Lee index was effective in the order of Na-alginate>lignin>CMC>chitin>cellulose (p<0.001). The decreasing effects of lipid content in liver by dietary fibers were found in the order of agar>CMC>cellulose>Na-alginate>chitin>lignin (p<0.001). Glucose content in serum was significantly decreased in cases of CMC, lignin and Na-alginate, whereas a slight difference was found in chitin, but cholesterol content in serum was decreased for all dietary fibers examined except cellulose group. The increasing effect of lipase activity in plasma was found in cases of Na-alginate and chitin, while cellulose, CMC and lignin groups were decreased.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.281-286
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• 2000

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-Dioxin (TCDD), a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, causes a variety of adverse effects on the male reproductive system in rats. The effect of green tea extract (GTE) was investigated on the testicular function in Spragure-Dawley rats after a single exposure of 10$\mu\textrm{g}$ TCDD/kg body weight. The exposure of rat to TCDD significantly increased the weights of the epididymis and ventral prostate, yet significantly decresed the weight of the seminal vesicle when compared to the controls (p<0.05). In a combined treatment of TCDD with GTE, the organ weight changes caused by TCDD treatment disappeared. Significant decreases in sperm motility and sperm numbers were observed in the TCDD-treated rats, when compared to the control (p<0.05). GTE treatment reversed the decrease of sperm motility and sperm numbers caused by TCDD. There were no differences in sperm morphology, histological changes of the reproductive organs, and spermatogenesis between all the treated groups. In the ventral prostate and seminal vesicle, TCDD increased the CYP1A1 mRNA level, however, it did not affect the estrogen receptor $\beta$ (ER-$\beta$) mRNA level. GTE treatment did not influence the effect of TCDD on the levels of CYP1A1 and Er-$\beta$ mRNA. These results seem to indicate that green tea protects the testicular function against TCDD-induced reproductive toxicity, not because of a receptor-mediated mechanism but rather due to a secondary change of testes or accessory sex organs.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-141
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• 1998

Toxic effects of 2-bromopropane (2-BP) on the hematopoietic system and testis were investigated in male Srague-Dawley (SD) rats. 80 male SD rats, 5 weeks old, were treated with 2-BP in corn oil at levels of 0, 100, 330 and 1,000 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks orally. 10 animals from each group were maintained for additional 8 weeks following the treatment. In addition, 60 male SD rats were divided into 2 groups and administered 2-BP in corn oil at levels of 0 and 1,000 mg/kg/day orally and sacrificed after 1. 2 and 3 weeks of treatment. Clinical observation. body weight changes, food consumption, organ weight changes. hematology, serum chemistry and histopathology of the testis were performed in the study. No clinical sign and mortality were observed in the study. The body weights were significantly reduced with the treatment but gradually recovered. The relative organ weights of the testis and thymus significantly decreased in both of the groups treated with 1,000 mg/kg/day for 3 and 4 weeks. In the recovery groups, organ weights of the testis and epididymis were significantly reduced in both of the groups treated with 330 and 1,000 mg/kg/day. Platelets and reticulocytes were significantly reduced in both of the group treated with 1.000 mg/kg/day for 3 and 4 weeks. While red blood cells were de-creased but mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were increased in the recovery group. Significant increase of chloride was observed in all of the treatment groups except the recovery groups, and calcium was significantly increased in both of the groups treated with 1,000 mg/kg/ day for 3 and 4 weeks. On the other hand. there were significant decreases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspatate aminotransferase (AST) in most of groups treated with 1.000 mg/kg/day. In the testis. the spermatogonia in stages I-VI were mostly depleted and the spermatocytes in stages VII-VIII were de-generated or necrotized at week 1 after treatment of 2-BP. The degeneration of germ cells and the a-trophy of seminiferous tubules became more severe in time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. The damaged tubules showed regeneration in part. however. they did not appear to be completely recovered within 8 weeks of the recovery period. On the basis of the results. it is suggested that 2-BP would cause toxicities in hematopoiesis by possibly interfering the production of red blood cells and platelets and in spermatogenesis by the destruction oj spermatogonia in SD male rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.163-176
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• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Bangpungtongsung-san extracts on the preadipocytes proliferation, of 3T3-L1 cell line. lipolysis of adipocytes in rat's epididymis and localized fat accumulation of porcine by extraction methods(alcohol and water). Methods : Diminish 3T3-L1 proliferation and lipogenesis do primary role to reduce obesity. So, 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and adipocytes were performed on cell cultures, and using Sprague-Dawley rats for the lipogenesis, and treated with 0.01-$1mg/m{\ell}$ Bangpungtongsung-san Extracts depend on concentrations. Porcine skin including fat tissue after treated Bangpungtongsung-san Extracts by means of the dosage dependent variation are investigated the histologic changes after injection of these extracts. Results : Following results were obtained from the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte proliferation and lipolysis of adipocyte in rats and histologic investigation of fat tissue. 1. Bangpungtongsung-san extracts were showed the effect of decreased preadipocyte proliferation on the high dosage($1.0mg/m{\ell}$). 2. Bangpungtongsung-san extracts were showed the effect of decreased the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase(GPDH) on the high dosage($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) and Specially, alcohol extract of Bangpungtongsung-san was clear as time goes by high concentration. 3. Bangpungtongsung-san extracts were showed tries to compare the effect of lipolysis, alcohol extract of Bangpungtongsung-san on the high dosage($1.0mg/m{\ell}$) was observed the effect is higher than water extract. 4. Investigated the histological changes in porcine fat tissue after treated Bangpungtongsung-san extracts, we knew that water extract of Bangpungtongsung-san was showed the effect of lipolysis on the high dosage($10.0mg/m{\ell}$) and alcohol extract of Bangpungtongsung-san was showed significant activity to the lysis of cell membranes in all concentration. Conclusion : These results suggest that Bangpungtongsung-san efficiently induces diminish proliferation of preadipocyte and lipolysis in adipose tissue.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.514-521
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• 2010

Epimedium koreanum nakai (EKN) has been used for treatment of reproductive disorders. In this study, we evaluated the effects of EKN water extract on the 2-bromopropane (2-BP) induced reproductive dysfunction. The daily sperm production (DSP), sperm counts and histological changes of reproductive organs were investigated after 4 weeks of EKN administration in 2-BP induced reproductive damaged rats. Although the weights of epididymis and seminal vesicle were increased dose-dependently, they were lower than control group. DSP of EKN-dosing groups were increased compared to control group. In EKN-dosing groups, the number of degenerative seminiferous tubules and the number of epididymal tubules showing epithelial cell vacuolation and decreased spermatozoa in the lumen were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased compared to control group dose-dependently. Significant (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01) increases of the number of sertoli cells, spermatogonia, patchytene spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids were observed in EKN-dosing groups compared control group. Consequently, based on the results, EKN water extract could treat 2-BP induced reproductive damages dramatically.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2007

Objectives : Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE) is the major component in commercial liquid epoxy resins, which are manufactured by co-reacting bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. This study was performed to show the developmental effects of prenatal and postnatal exposures to BADGE in male rat offspring. Methods : Mated female rats were divided into four groups, each containing 12 rats. The dosing solutions were prepared by thoroughly mixing BADGE in corn oil at the 0, 375, 1500 and 3000 mg/kg/day concentrations. Mated females were dosed once daily by oral gavage on gestation day (GD) 6 - 20 and postnatal day (PND) 0 - 21. Pregnant female dams were observed general symptoms and body weight. Also, male pups were observed the general symptoms, body weight, developmental parameters (e.g. anogenital distance, pina detachment, incisor eruption, nipple retention, eye opening, testis descent), organ pathologic changes and hormone levels of plasma. Results : Pregnant rats treated with BADGE died at a rate of about 70% in the 1500 mg/kg/day group and all rats treated with 3000 mg/kg/day died. Body weight, for male pups treated with doses of 375 mg/kg/day, was significantly lower than in the control group at PND 42, 56, and 63 (p<0.05). Evaluation of body characteristics including; separation of auricle, eruption of incisor, separation of eyelid, nipple retention, descent of testis, and separation of the prepuce in the BADGE treated group showed no difference in comparisons with the control group. AGD and adjusted AGD (mm/kg) for general developmental items in BADGE 375 mg/kg/day treated pups tended to be longer than in controls, however, these differences were not statistically significant. Relative weights of adrenal gland, lung (p<0.05), brain, epididymis, prostate, and testis (p<0.01) were heavier than in control in measures at PND 9 weeks. There were no significant changes in comparisons of histological findings of these organs. Loss of spermatids was observed in the seminiferous tubule at PND 9 weeks, but no weight changes were observed. The plasma estrogen levels were similar in the control and treatment groups at PND 3, 6 and 9 weeks. The plasma testosterone levels in the control group tended to increase with age. However, in the BADGE 375 mg/kg/day treated male pups it did not tend to increase. Conclusions : These findings suggest that BADGE is a chemical that has developmental effects consistent with it being an endocrine disruptor.