• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1_2
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• pp.43-53
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• 1987

Among the environmental toxic metals, cadmium and lead compounds are very hazard for human health because these may affect the biological function of human body and furthermore enhance the cause of various disease. In recent years, as the view of environmental toxicology, the combination of toxic metals suffering human health is especially significant cadmium chloride (10 mg/kg P. 0., 1 mg/kg I.P.) and lead acetate (20 mg/kg P.O., 2 mg/kg I.P.) were administered to rats for 4 weeks on alternate days and then examined the effect of these on body weight, tissue weight and also biochemical function in blood and tissue were investigated and comparision of the two experimental groups such as single and combined administration. According to the results of this experiment, accumulation of heavy metals increased and biological metabolic function grew worse but, in tissue, toxic effect decreased by combined administration and intraperitoneal administration was more toxic than per OS.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.465-471
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• 2018

My professional journey to understand the glucose homeostasis began in the 1990s, starting from cloning of the promoter region of glucose transporter type 2 (GLUT2) gene that led us to establish research foundation of my group. When I was a graduate student, I simply thought that hyperglycemia, a typical clinical manifestation of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), could be caused by a defect in the glucose transport system in the body. Thus, if a molecular mechanism controlling glucose transport system could be understood, treatment of T2DM could be possible. In the early 70s, hyperglycemia was thought to develop primarily due to a defect in the muscle and adipose tissue; thus, muscle/adipose tissue type glucose transporter (GLUT4) became a major research interest in the diabetology. However, glucose utilization occurs not only in muscle/adipose tissue but also in liver and brain. Thus, I was interested in the hepatic glucose transport system, where glucose storage and release are the most actively occurring.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.43-54
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (n=8), LPS control (n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV4 (CV4, n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at ST36 (ST36, n=8), and LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 (CV12, n=8). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by peritoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-10 (IL-10), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) from blood and liver tissue were compared before and 5 hrs after inflammation induction. Results : In CV4 and CV12 groups, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ levels increased by LPS injection, significantly decreased 5 hrs after injection (p<0.05). For CV12 group, plasma IL-10 concentration significantly increased (p<0.05). Liver IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 levles significantly decreased in CV4 and CV12 groups (P<0.05), while normal and LPS control groups were not significantly different in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-10 levels. Plasma TBARS concentration was significantly decreased in CV12 group, while there was no significant difference among LPS control and pharmacopuncture groups for liver TBARS concentration. Conclusions : Based on the present findings, Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potentially preventive anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.745-750
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• 2014

This study investigated the effects of squid Todarodes pacificus liver oil on the serum lipids and adipose tissue weight of rats. The rats in the soybean oil (SO) group received a basic diet prepared according to the recommendations of the American Institute of Nutrition (AIN-93G), with 7% SO as lipid source. The rats in the Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides muscle oil (PTFO) group received 5% PTFO and 2% SO as the lipid source, while the rats in the eco-friendly squid liver oil (EFSO) group received 5% EFSO and 2% SO. EFSO was prepared according to the method outlined in the author's patent. PTFO was extracted from muscle using a physical method in the author's laboratory. The prominent polyunsaturated fatty acids in the dietary oils were 18:2n-6 (54.3%) and 18:3n-3 (5.64%) in SO, DHA (6.77%) and EPA (3.61%) in PTFO, and DHA (26.2%) and EPA (9.94%) in EFSO. After feeding for 4 weeks, the serum lipid levels (e.g., triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) of the rats in the EFSO group were significantly reduced as compared with those in the SO group (P<0.05); those of the rats in the PTFO group were also reduced, albeit not significantly, compared with the SO group. On the other hand, the total white adipose tissue (visceral, epididymal, and perirenal) weight was significantly reduced in the EFSO and PTFO groups compared to the SO group. These results demonstrate that EFSO is an effective lipid modifying agent in rat blood, and that EFSO and PTFO have greater anti-obesity effects than SO.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.36-50
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• 2005

Background and Objectives: Allergic rhinitis is an allergic reaction characterized by sneezingm itchy nose, mouth and throat, congestion and/or nasal discharge. The offending allergenes are usually pollens, molds, dust mites and animal allergen. Recently, the incidence of infectious nasal diseases tend to decrease. However, allergic rhinitis has increased and treatment in most cases has only deat with the symptom. Tongkyu-tang was composed of sixteen crude drugs. The Oriental Medical References mention therapeutic effects of Tongkyu-tang on nasal obstruction, watery nasal discharg. And Tongkyu-tang has clinically been used for the treatment of common cold, headache, sternutation, rhinitis etc. Speacially Tongkyu-tang is one of the most frequently used medical treatment for the allergic rhinitis. Experimental studies were conducted to investigate for the effect of Tongkyu-tang on the changes of neutrophil segment, lymphocyte, total IgE and nassal tissue in allergic rhinitis of ovalbumin-inhalation rat. Meterial and Methods: Fifteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three group: normal group, control group, experimental group. To induce the allergic rhinitis in control group and experimental group, rats were sentitized intraperitoneally with 0.1 % ovalbumin solution 3 times at intervals of I week. Then intranasal sensitization was performed by diffusing 0.1 % ovalbumin solution 3 times at intervals of 2 days. After that time, rat in the experimental group were oral administration treated by Tongkyu-tang for 28 days. We observed changes in nasal tissue; changes in the number of white blood cell, red blood cell and total Ig E; also changes in the segment of neutrophil and lymphocyte in blood. And we observed the changes of AST, ALT of three group. We used anova test statistically. Result: The number of leucocyte remained unchanged between three group. The number of erythrocyte was increased in experimental group and control group when compared with the normal group. The segment of neutrophil, in blood was decreased in experimental group when compared with the control group but, that was not significant statistically(p<0.05). The promotion of lymphocyte in blood was significantly decreased in experimental group when compared with the Control group(p<0.05). Total IgE was decreased in experimental group when compared with the control group but, that was not significant statistically(p<0.05). The cilium be well preserved in experimental group: the nasal tissue in experimental group was similar to in the normal group. Congestion and expantion of grandular cell in nasal submucosa, hypertropy of epithelium in nasal mucosa, acid mucus in epithelium and neutral mucus in subepithelium were decreased in experimental group when compared with the control group. Effect of Tongkyu-tang on the liver function were also studies in rats. Treatment of Tongkyu-lang did not affected on AST and ALT. Conclusion: Considering the above experimental results, it is suggested that oral administration treatment using Tongkyu-lang, without worry about liver function injury, decreased response on an Animal model with Allergic Rhinitis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.538-543
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• 1993

Effects of betaine, a major component of Lycii Fructus, on carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rats were evaluated. Histological studies showed that betaine had improved the typical necrosis around centrilobular area in liver tissue due to the carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Betaine, whether it was administrated simultaneously or prior to carbon tetrachloride, prevented or retarded the elevation of liver-weight/body-weight ratio due to the carbon tetrachloride intoxication. Betaine also significantly elevated the reduced activities of some enzymes, cytochrome P-450, 7-ethoxycoumarin-0-deethylase and glutathione-S-transferase, involved in xenobiotic metabolism due to carbon tetrachloride intoxication. These results demonstrate a possible hepato-protective role of betaine against fatty liver that could be easily induced by carbon tetrachloride in rat.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of Momordica Charantia L. water extracts, one of the natural chelator, on the biochemical and enzyme activity changes in the rats liver and kidney caused by lead acetate. Rat approximately 250 g in weight were grouped into the control, lead acetate treated, and the Momordica Charantia L. boiling water extracts treated after lead acetate groups. Lead acetate (1,000 ppm) and Momordica Charantia L. water extracts (5%, 10%) were delivered drinking water. Serum AST, ALT and BUN were measured, histological alteration of liver and kidney were examined by light microscopy. Momordica Charantia L. extract group was decreased serum AST, ALT and BUN level induced by lead. Optical observations of liver tissue, lead group were observed necrosis of hepatic cells and infiltration of inflammatory cells, but Momordica Charantia L. extract group was observed only slight infiltration of inflammatory cells around the central vein. Optical observations of kidney tissue, lead acetate induced atrophy and necrosis of glomerulus and infiltration of inflammatory cell around renal tubule. For the group treated with Momordica charantia L. extract, the glomerulus was similar to the control, some around the renal tubule was observed infiltration of inflammatory cells. In conclusion, Momordica Charantia L. water extract may protect the lead-induced toxicity on liver and kidney.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.170-192
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• 2000

Objectives : This study was carried out to research antioxidant effects of Sagunja-Tang(SA) through in vitro and vivo experiments, and tried to investigate the relation between oxidation of tissues and deficiency of Qi. Methods and results : HPLC analysis of glycyrrhizine - known to be the main compound of Radix Glycyrrhizae - was done to certify the quality of SA. Chemiluminescence was initiated by adding tort-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) to rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes (neutrophils), and generated reactive oxygen species (superoxide anion) decreased significantly by SA as dose dependent manner. Cell injury during 60 minutes tissue incubation was initiated by adding t-BHP, a hydrophobic hydroperoxide and $H_2O_2$, an water soluble oxidant to rat renal cortical and liver slices. Percentage cell death and lipid peroxidation were estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. t-BHP induced % cell death of renal cortical slices and lipid peroxidation of renal cortical and liver slices were decreased significantly by SA. SA decreased significantly % cell death and lipid peroxidation of renal cortical and liver slices induced by $H_2O_2$, too. Acute renal and liver injury induced by $HgCl_2\;and\;CCl_4$, which initiated from free radical, were applied to mice and metabolic data were obtained. Data showed protective effects of SA on acute renal injury caused by decrease of glomerular filtration. SA protected acute liver injury too. Conclusions Through this study, we found that SA have antioxidant effects and tissue oxidation was similar to deficiency of Qi. And further studies have to be followed to certify the mechanisms.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.613-618
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Iron deficiency in early life is associated with developmental problems, which may persist until later in life. The question of whether iron repletion after developmental iron deficiency could restore iron homeostasis is not well characterized. In the present study, we investigated the changes of iron transporters after iron depletion during the gestational-neonatal period and iron repletion during the post-weaning period. MATERIALS/METHODS: Pregnant rats were provided iron-deficient (< 6 ppm Fe) or control (36 ppm Fe) diets from gestational day 2. At weaning, pups from iron-deficient dams were fed either iron-deficient (ID group) or control (IDR group) diets for 4 week. Pups from control dams were continued to be fed with the control diet throughout the study period (CON). RESULTS: Compared to the CON, ID rats had significantly lower hemoglobin and hematocrits in the blood and significantly lower tissue iron in the liver and spleen. Hepatic hepcidin and BMP6 mRNA levels were also strongly down-regulated in the ID group. Developmental iron deficiency significantly increased iron transporters divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) and ferroportin (FPN) in the duodenum, but decreased DMT1 in the liver. Dietary iron repletion restored the levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit to a normal range, but the tissue iron levels and hepatic hepcidin mRNA levels were significantly lower than those in the CON group. Both FPN and DMT1 protein levels in the liver and in the duodenum were not different between the IDR and the CON. By contrast, DMT1 in the spleen was significantly lower in the IDR, compared to the CON. The splenic FPN was also decreased in the IDR more than in the CON, although the difference did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that iron transporter proteins in the duodenum, liver and spleen are differentially regulated during developmental iron deficiency. Also, post-weaning iron repletion efficiently restores iron transporters in the duodenum and the liver but not in the spleen, which suggests that early-life iron deficiency may cause long term abnormalities in iron recycling from the spleen.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.459-467
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• 2002

The sex steroid hormone progesterone is essential for normal development and maturation of the endometrium in preparation for the embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system that is composed of IGF-I, IGF-II, IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs) is also involved in the maintenance of pregnancy. In addition, liver, kidney, and uterus is a target tissue for IGF system. However, the effect of exogenous progesterone on IGF system was not elucidated in female rats. Therefore, we investigated the effect of progesterone on insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and IGF-binding proteins in serum, liver, kidney, and uterus in female ovariectomized rats. IGFs concentration was measured by radioimmuoassay (RIA) and IGFBPs levels by western ligand blotting(WLB). IGF-I concentration was increased in serum, liver, and uterus, but not in kidney of progesterone-treated ovariectomized rats, compared to control (P<0.05). IGF-II concentration was decreased in liver, but not in serum, kidney, and uterus of progesterone-treated rats, compared to control (P<0.05). IGFBP-3 was increased in serum, but not in liver of progesterone-treated rats, compared to control. IGFBP-2 was decreased in kidney, but not in others tissues of progesterone-treated rats, compared to control. These results suggest that progesterone may exert diverse physiological functions via the tissue-specific regulation of IGFs/IGFBPs system in female rats.