• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Acupuncture as a therapeutic intervention is widely used for the treatment of many functional disorders such as substance abuse and mental dysfunction. Clinical trials are currently underway to determine the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of drug addiction. Yet, there are still many unanswered questions about the basic mechanism of acupuncture. Studies have shown that both the psychomotor stimulant effects and rewarding properties of addictive drugs, including morphine, are sensitized by repeated drug administration and raised the possibility that both of these effects may be linked to the same or closely overlapping the mesolimbic dopamine systems. Neiguan (PC6) point on the pericardium channel which is associated with the brain and its mental function, has been used to treat mental, psychosomatic disorders and gastroenterological disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of acupuncture on repeated morphine-induced changes in extracellular dopamine levels using in vivo microdialysis and to measure the effect of acupuncture on Fos-like immunoreactivity. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated twice a day for three days with increasing doses of morphine (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, s.c.) or with saline. After 15 days of withdrawal, rats were challenged with morphine hydrochloride (5 mg/kg, s.c.). Acupuncture was applied at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) points for 1 min after the morphine challenge. Results showed that acupuncture at the specific acupoint PC6, but not at control points (tail and HE8) significantly decreased Fos-like immunoreactivity induced by a systemic morphine challenge or a single s.c. morphine injection in the morphine-repeated animals. Results and Conclusions : These results suggest that reduction in sensitization may be one mechanism whereby acupuncture alleviates morphine craving in addicts. Moreover, in a more general sense these results suggest that acupuncture can be used as a therapeutic intervention for correcting reversible malfunction of the body by direction of brain pathway and thus acupuncture can contribute to the biochemical balance in the central nervous system by regulating neurotransmitters.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 1999

To evaluate the effect of repeated treatment of xylene on its metabolism, m-xylene (0.25 ml of 50% in olive oi1/100 g body weight) has been intraperitoneally given to the rats 1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 times every other day. m-Xylene was once more administered to the animals after 24 hrs since last injection of it. And then the animals were sacrificed after 24 hrs. Four times xylene treated rats showed the significantly elevated urinary m-methylhippuric acid, compared to those treated with the single dose of m-xylene with the continued similiar high levels of urinary m-methylhippuric acid up to the animals pretreated 12 times and then those treated 16 times defined the significantly decreased urinary m-methylhippuric acid compared to those treated 12 times. On the other hand, hepatic aniline hydroxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase activities demonstrated a gradual increase from the first group to the 12 times xylene-treated animals, but those treated 16 times showed the significantly decreased value compared with the 12 times treated-group. And aldehyde dehydrogenase activities in rats treated with m-xylene 8, 12 or 16 times were significantly decreased compared to those pretreated one or four times. In the early stage of xylene administration, proliferation of SERs were seen whereas SERs were decreased and RERs were clearly increased in xylene-treated rats 16 times. These results indicate that the frequency of xylene injection may influence upon the changes in xylene metabolite, m-methylhippuric acid and it may be due to induction of xylene metabolizing enzymes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.109-115
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• 2021

Objectives : 'Johyun' yulmoo which is a new variety of Coix lacryma-jobi var. ma-yuen Stapf sprout was developed and registered by Rural development administration in 2004. This variety was derived from the cross between single cross of Suwon-6 and Okayama and UCN300-25 as F1. It is characterized by early maturity, short plant height, a strong resistance, and a superior yield and is suitable for the central and northern regions. Accordingly, we were performed and evaluated single oral dose toxicity test of 'Johyun' yulmoo sprout (JYS) in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Methods : Single oral dose toxicity test was performed using with male and female rats. Rats were divided into two groups: Group 1, vehicle-treated rats (Control); Group 2, JYS 5000 mg/kg-treated rats. JYS was orally administered to male and female rats at dose levels of 5000 mg/kg. Animals were monitored on the mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and necropsy findings for 14 days. groups : Group 1, vehicle-treated rats (Control); Group 2, JYS 5000 mg/kg-treated rats. JYS was orally administered to male and female rats at dose levels of 5000 mg/kg. Animals were monitored on the mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and necropsy findings for 14 days. Results : After oral treatment of JYS, we could not find any mortality at 5000 mg/kg. Compared with the control group, there were also no significant differences in clinical sign, weight changes, weight gain, and gross abnormalities in JYS 5000 mg/kg-treated group. Conclusions : Taken together, these results suggest that approximate lethal dose of JYS was considered as over 5000 mg/kg. Results from this study provide scientific evidence for the safety of JYS. Moreover, this study could be used as a basis for dose-setting data of the repeated dose 13-week oral toxicity test of JYS.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1152-1158
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• 2009

For the toxicological pathologic study of amanita muscaria, we have investigated single and repeated dose toxicity in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Single dose toxicity study was identified as catalepsy, incline and tail pinch methods (control 0 mg/kg, low 3.3 mg/kg, middle 16.5 mg/kg, high 33.0 mg/kg). Repeated dose toxicity study was carried out in blood tests, serum tests and histopathological methods. Neurotoxicity - muscle paralysis, and convulsion and loss of movement - was observed at 33.0 mg/kg group in the single dose toxicity study. Dysfunction of liver and kidney were shown in the repeated oral administration of the amanita muscaria at 3${\sim}$4 weeks. Serum chemistry results revealed a marked increase of LDH [Lactate Dehydrogenase (3181.5 IU/L; normal 230-460 IU/l)], ALT [Alanine transaminase (124.0 IU/l; normal <40 IU/l)] but the kidney was normal. Histopathological results show interstitial edema and tubular epithelial necrosis in the kidney. These results suggest that amanita muscaria has a neurotoxic effect and causes dysfunction of liver and kidney in the SD rat.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.275-283
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• 2010

Placenta transfer study in non-human primate (NHP) is one of the crucial components in the assessment of developmental toxicity because of the similarity between NHP and humans. To establish the method to determine placenta transfer in non-human primate, toxicokinetics of valproic acid (VPA), a drug used to treat epilepsy in pregnant women, were determined in pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. After mating, pregnancy-proven females were daily administered with VPA at dose levels of 0, 20, 60 and 180 mg/kg by oral route during the organogenesis period from gestation day (GD) 20 to 50. Concentrations of VPA and its metabolite, 4-ene-VPA, in maternal plasma on GDs 20 and 50, and concentrations of VPA and 4-ene-VPA in placenta, amniotic fluid and fetus on GD 50 were analyzed using LC/MS/MS. Following single oral administration of VPA to pregnant monkeys, concentrations of VPA and 4-ene-VPA were generally quantifiable in the plasma from all treatment groups up to 4-24 hours post-dose, demonstrating that VPA was absorbed and the monkeys were systemically exposed to VPA and 4-ene-VPA. After repeated administration of VPA to the monkeys, VPA was detected in amniotic fluid, placenta and fetus from all treatment groups, demonstrating that VPA was transferred via placenta and the fetus was exposed to VPA, and the exposures were increased with increasing dose. Concentrations of 4-ene-VPA in amniotic fluid and fetus were below the limit of quantification, but small amount of 4-ene-VPA was detected in placenta. In conclusion, pregnant monkeys were exposed to VPA and 4-ene-VPA after oral administration of VPA at dose levels of 20, 60 and 180 mg/kg during the organogenesis period. VPA was transferred via placenta and the fetus was exposed to VPA with dose-dependent exposure. The metabolite, 4-ene VPA, was not detected in both amniotic fluid and fetus, but small amount of 4-ene-VPA was detected in placenta. These results demonstrated that proper procedures to investigate placenta transfer in NHP, such as mating and diagnosis of pregnancy via examining gestational sac with ultrasonography, collection of amniotic fluid, placenta and fetus after Caesarean section followed by adequate bioanalysis and toxicokinetic analysis, were established in this study using cynomolugus monkeys.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.833-843
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• 2021

Objective: Current study was conducted to determine the effect of postpartum prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) administration on colostrum and milk yield, colostrum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and piglet growth performance. Methods: In total, 36 sows were included in the experiment. The sows were classified into two groups: i) control (n = 11) and ii) PGF2α (n = 25). Sows in the PGF2α group received 10 mg of PGF2α within an hour after farrowing. The body weight of piglets was measured at 0 and 24 h after birth to estimate colostrum consumption. Colostrum was collected at 1 and 24 h after farrowing to determine IgG concentrations. For milk yield study, the remaining sows in the PGF2α group (n = 23) were divided into two subgroups: i) single PGF2α (n = 12) and ii) multiple PGF2α (n = 11). In the multiple PGF2α, the sows received repeated doses of PGF2α at seven and 14 days postpartum. The piglets' body weight was measured at 0, 1, 5, and 20 days of age. The milk yield of the sows was calculated. Results: Colostrum yield of sows averaged 5.62±2.25 kg. Sows treated with PGF2α postpartum had a higher colostrum yield than control (7.01 and 5.12 kg, p<0.05). The concentration of IgG in colostrum at 24 h in the PGF2α group was higher than the control (31.6 and 17.4 g/L, p<0.05). For primiparous sows, milk yield was highest in the sows treated with multiple doses of PGF2α during lactation and lowest in control sows (10.25 and 7.61 kg, p<0.05). Colostrum intake was higher in the treatment than the control groups (+56.7 g, p<0.05). Primiparous sows treated with multiple doses of PGF2α had a higher litter weight than controls (p<0.01). Conclusion: Postpartum treatment with PGF2α improved colostrum yield and IgG in multiparous sows and increased colostrum intake of piglets. Multiple administration of PGF2α improved the milk yield and increased litter weight of piglets in primiparous sows.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.150-160
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. It is characterized by eczematous lesions, skin dryness, and pruritus. The existing treatment drugs for AD have side effects, especially if the drugs are taken for extended periods. Therefore, new alternative therapies are necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the combined effects of curcumin administration and LED irradiation on AD. AD-like lesions were induced in BALB/c mice by repeated application of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB) to the shaved skin of the ear and neck. Thirty male BALB/c mice were divided into five groups: vehicle, DNCB, curcumin, LED, and curcumin+LED groups. Curcumin (0.1 g/kg/day) was administrated repeatedly during a period of 14 days (experimental period) and 630 nm LED irradiation ($5J/cm^2/day$) was performed in the acryl box once a day for 10 days, after inducing AD-like lesions via DNCB application. The severity of AD-like lesions was evaluated during the experimental period, using a modified SCORAD index. Both ear and neck skin tissues were examined histologically for epidermal thickness, mast cell, eosinophil counting, and dermal collagen density. Epidermal cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected using immunohistochemistry and TUNEL, respectively. These were all reduced in SCORAD index, epidermal thickness, collagen density, number of mast cell and eosinophil in dermis, and number of proliferating cell and apoptotic cell in epidermis by curcumin administration and 630 nm LED irradiation. Moreover, all parameters were significantly lower in the curcumin+LED group compared with the curcumin group and LED group. These results suggest that the combined therapy of curcumin and LED is more effective than a single treatment. We recommend that this can be a feasible alternative therapy to manage AD.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.277-288
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• 2019

Background: This study evaluated the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) distraction and counter-stimulation (CS) on dental anxiety and pain perception to local anesthesia in children. Methods: A prospective, randomized, single-blinded interventional clinical trial with a parallel design was used. Seventy children 7-11 years old who required local anesthesia (LA) for pulp therapy or tooth extraction were recruited and allocated to two groups with equal distribution based on the intervention. Group CS (n = 35) received CS and Group VR (n = 35) received VR distraction with ANTVR glasses. Anxiety levels (using pulse rate) were evaluated before, during, and after administration of local anesthesia, while pain perception was assessed immediately after the injection. Wong-Baker faces pain-rating scale (WBFPS), visual analog scale (VAS), and Venham's clinical anxiety rating scale (VCARS) were used for pain evaluation. Student's t-test was used to test the mean difference between groups, and repeated measures ANOVA was used to test the mean difference of pulse rates. Results: Significant differences in mean pulse rates were observed in both groups, while children in the VR group had a higher reduction (P < 0.05), and the mean VCARS scores were significant in the VR group (P < 0.05). Mean WBFPS scores showed less pain perception to LA needle prick in the CS group while the same change was observed in the VR group with VAS scores. Conclusions: VR distraction is better than CS for reducing anxiety to injection in children undergoing extraction and pulpectomy.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.180-197
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• 1999

Acute and subacute oral toxicity of $HELIKIT^{TM}$ ($^{13}C-urea$) were carried out in Sprague-Dawley rats of both sex. The toxicity of $HELIKIT^{TM}$ was compared with urea($^{12}C-urea$ which is used for control). In acute toxicity studies, we daily examined number of deaths, clinical signs, body weights and pathological examination for 14 days after single oral administration of HELIKIT or urea($^{12}C-urea$) at a dose of 5000 mg/kg. The subacute oral toxicity was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with $HELIKIT^{TM}$ at a dose of 40, 200 and 1,000 mg/kg/day or $^{12}C-urea$ at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. In acute toxicity studies, $HELIKIT^{TM}$ and urea did not show any toxic effect in rats and oral LD50 value was over 5,000 mg/kg rats. In subacute toxicity studies, no death occured and no drug-related changes were found in clinical observations; body weight, food consumption, opthalmoscopy. auditory test, urinalysis, hematology, blood chemistry, gross pathological examination or organ weight between $HELIKIT^{TM}$, urea and control groups. In histopathological examinations, the slight thickening of mucosa of the limiting ridge in the stomach was noted in the animals treated with $HELIKIT^{TM}$ at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day and also the changes in urea group at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day was found, but all of these changes in the changes in ures group at a dose of 1,000 mg/kg/days was found, but all of these changes in the stomach regressed after withdrawal of the test article for 2 weeks and reversibility of the effect was revealed. These results indicate that the non toxic dose level of $HELIKIT^{TM}$ was 1,000 mg/kg/day in the 4 weeks-repeated dose study, suggesting that the substitution of $^{13}C$ for carbon in urea molecule has no effect on the toxicity of urea and changes in stomach are reversible.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.441-447
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• 2006

Abuse of drugs can elicit compulsive drug seeking behaviors upon repeated administration, and ultimately leads to the phenomenon of addiction. We developed a procedure for the standardization of microarray gene expression data of rat brain in drug addiction and stored them in a single integrated database system, focusing on more effective data processing and interpretation. Another characteristic of the present database is that it has a systematic flexibility for statistical analysis and linking with other databases. Basically, we adopt an intelligent SQL querying system, as the foundation of our DB, in order to set up an interactive module which can automatically read the raw gene expression data in the standardized format. We maximize the usability of this DB, helping users study significant gene expression and identify biological function of the genes through integrated up-to-date gene information such as GO annotation and metabolic pathway. For collecting the latest information of selected gene from the database, we also set up the local BLAST search engine and non-redundant sequence database updated by NCBI server on a daily basis. We find that the present database is a useful query interface and data-mining tool, specifically for finding out the genes related to drug addiction. We apply this system to the identification and characterization of methamphetamine-induced genes' behavior in rat brain.