• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.2825-2830
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the effect of Cleistocalyx nervosum extract (CE) on diethylnitrosamine (DEN) and phenobarbital (PB) induced oxidative stress in early stages of rat hepatocarcinogenesis. Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, with Group 1 as a negative control and Group 2 was a positive control receiving DEN injections once a week and PB in drinking water for 6 weeks. Two weeks before DEN initiation and PB treatment, Groups 3 and 4, were fed with 500 and 1000 mg/kg of CEs, respectively, for 8 weeks. Results: A number of GST-P-positive foci, preneoplastic lesions, in the liver were markedly increased in carcinogen administered rats, but was comparatively decreased in rats treated with 1000 mg/kg of CE. The CE reduced malondialdehyde in serum and in the livers of rats treated with DEN and PB. Moreover, CE significantly increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase in rat liver. Conclusions: CE appeared to exert its chemopreventive effects by modulating antioxidant status during DEN and PB induced early stages of hepatocarcinogenesis in rats.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2009

Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common allergic disease. These diseases are severe & frequent which requires search of new treatments. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Rubia cordifolia Linn. (RC) on experimentally induced allergic conjunctivitis in rats. In this study, dried water soluble extracts of TC and RC. (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o. for 7 days) were evaluated for their antiallergic activity in Wistar rats. They were tested for inhibition of egg albumin-induced vascular permeability, inhibition of histamine release from the rat conjunctiva as well as in histamine content in tears. TC and RC showed significant (P < 0.05) inhibition in vascular permeability, inhibition in histamine release from the rat conjunctiva which is reflected by reduced level of histamine content in tears. The activities were found to be comparable to azelastine hydrochloride. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect on egg albumin-induced experimental allergic conjunctivitis in rat may be due to the antihistaminic activity of TC and RC. Our studies provide evidence that TC and RC may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.226-230
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• 1994

The characteristics of voltage-dependent ^{45}Calcium$ uptake and norepinephrine release as factors controlling neural activities in the hypothalamus which is an important regulatory site for cardiovascular function wre studied. Two groups of animals : male spontaneously hyperterisive rat (SHR) and age-matched nomotensive wistar rat (NW) were used in this study. Animals at 4, 6 and 16 weeks of age were sacrificed by decapitiation and the hypothalamus was dissected out. Voltage-dependent calcium uptake and norepinephrine release were determined from hypothalamic synaptosomes either in low potassium (5 mM) or high potassium (41 mM) stimulatory conditions by using ^{45}Ca$ isotope and HPLC-ECD techniques. Degrees of voltage-dependent ^{45}Calcium$ uptake and norepinephrine release evoked by calcium uptake in the hypothalamus of prehypertensive phase (4 weeks old) of SHR were significantly smaller than those in NW of the same age. However, in the developmental phase (6 weeks old) and the established phase (16 weeks old) of hyperrtension in SHR, degrees of voltage-dependent ^{45}Calcium$ uptake and norepinephrine release were similar to those of age-matched normotensive wistae eats. These data imply that the deficit in hypothalamic norepinephrine release might be an important underlying factor for the development of hypertension in SHR.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.280-284
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• 1996

Licorice has been widely used in combination with other herbs or synthetic drugs for various disorders. In an effort to study the effect of licorice roots (Glycyrrhizae Radix, GR) and glycyrrhizin on the hepatic glucuronidation, we have previously found that the pretreatment of GR or glycyrrhizin for 6 days resulted in a marked increase in the enzymatic activity of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-inducible hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) isozyme that has high affinity toward phenolic substrates (p-nitrophenol form, UGTIA) in Sprague-Dawley rats. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for the enzyme activation by licorice in rat liver, we examined the levels of hepatocellular mRNAs for UGTIA upon the treatment of GR or glycyrrhizin. The hepatic mRNAs were extracted from Sprague-Dawley rats and Wistar rats after the treatment of the methanol extract of GR (1 g/kg, p.o.), glycyrrhizin (23 mg/kg, p.o.) for 6 days, or 3-MC (40 mg/kg, i.p.) for 3 days. Using the UGT1A1 CDNA as a probe, we found that the mRNAs for the enzyme were induced by 3-MC treatment while those were influenced neither by GR nor by glycyrrhizin in both strains of rats. These results indicate that the activation of rat liver UGTI A by licorice and glycyrrhizin was not due to the induction of mRNAs for the enzyme.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.79-85
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• 2006

In order to study the effect of acupuncture stimulation on bone mineral density (BMD), using the ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, we assessed the degree of osteopenia by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, measured the level of locomotor activity using a metabolism measuring system, and performed histological studies of bone tissue. Twenty-four female Wistar rats (8 weeks old, 160 - 180 g)were divided into three groups. Rats in the OVX-A group underwent ovariectomy followed by acupuncture stimulation. The OVX rats in the Vehicle control group were not treated with acupuncture as a control. The rats in the control group received neither ovariectomy nor acupuncture. Acupuncture stimulation for 12 weeks in the OVX-A group inhibited the reduction in BMD of the femoral bones caused by ovariectomy. Moreover, in the two OVX groups, there was no clear difference in the level of locomotor activity between the active and resting phases prior to acupuncture stimulation in each rat, and the pattern of locomotor activity was irregular. After acupuncture stimulation of the OVX-A rats, the pattern of locomotor activity became diphasic with clear active and resting phases, as was observed in the Control group. On histological studies, the continuity of trabecular bone was maintained more favorably and bone mass was higher in the OVX-A group than in the vehicle control group. These results suggest that the increased locomotor activity that had been induced by acupuncture stimulation increased the BMD.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2022

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of melatonin and selenium in freezing extenders on frozen-thawed rat sperm. Methods: Semen samples were collected from 20 adult male Wistar albino rats. Following dilution, the samples were divided into six groups: four cryopreserved groups with 1 mM and 0.5 mM melatonin and selenium supplements, and two fresh and cryopreserved control groups. The rapid freezing technique was used to freeze the samples. Flow cytometry was used to assess plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and DNA damage, while computer-assisted sperm analysis was used to assess motility. Results: Total motility was higher in the 1 mM melatonin supplementation group than in the cryopreserved control group (mean±standard error of the mean, 69.89±3.05 vs. 59.21±1.31; p≤0.05). The group with 1 mM selenium had the highest plasma membrane integrity (42.35%±1.01%). The cryopreserved group with 0.5 mM selenium had the highest mitochondrial membrane potential, whereas the cryopreserved control group had the lowest (45.92%±4.53% and 39.45%±3.52%, respectively). Conclusion: Cryopreservation of rat semen supplemented with 1 mM melatonin increased sperm motility after freeze-thawing, while supplementation with 0.5 mM selenium increased mitochondrial activity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.51-64
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• 2014

Objectives This study was carried out to know the effects of Keonbodan (hereinafter referred to KBD) in osteoarthritis induced by Monosodium iodoacetate(hereinafter referred to MIA) on Wistar rat. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA into left knee joint cavities of rat. Osteoarthritis rats were divided into 4 groups (normal (n=6), control (n=6), indomethacin (n=6), KBD (n=6) group). The control group was administered normal saline and indomethacin group was administered indomethacin (2 mg/kg). And the KBD group was administered KBD (142 mg/kg). Each groups were administered by orally for 4 weeks. This experiment were carried out in vivo. In vivo, at the end of the experiment (5 weeks after MIA injection), effects on hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, cytokines in serum, arachidonic acid, osteocalcin, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and cartilage volume were evaluated. And histopathological examinations on the articular structures of knee joints were performed. Results 1. In weight-bearing measurement, level of weight was increased. 2. In order to hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, ALT, AST, BUN and creatinine were tested. And there were no significant changes. 3. In serum, levels of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ were significantly decreased. IL-6 was insignificantly decreased. 4. In serum, level of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 was decreased. 5. In serum, level of $LTB_4$, $PGE_2$ and osteocalcin was decreased. 6. In ${\mu}$CT-arthrography, the cartilage volume was greater than that of the control group. 7. The joint damage induced by osteoarthritis was lesser than the control group in histopathologic observation (H&E, Safranin-O staining). Conclusions These results demonstrated that KBD suppressed the osteoarthritis- inducing effects of MIA in rat. And further studies are required to find out more effective substance and anti-osteoarthritic mechanism in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.189-202
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• 1985

Enhanced activity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system has been suggested as a cause of the high blood pressure in certain forms of experimental hypertension. In spontaneously hypertensive rats, however, increased activity of the system has not been found, and even suppressed renin angiotensin system has been reported in the spontaneously hypertensive rat. In the present experiments it was attempted to explore the possible alteration of the short loop negative feedback control in the hypertensive rat. Experiments have been done in the anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) as well as in normotensive Wistar and Sprague Dawley rats as control. Responses of the plasma renin activity to the intravenous L-isoproterenol were dose dependent, in both SHR and normotensive control rats. Hypotensive responses to smaller do sea of L-isoproterenol were more accentuated in SHR than in the normotensive control rats. Angiotensin If given intravenously suppressed plasma renin activity in a dose dependent fashion in both groups. However, these suppressive responses were significantly attenuated in SHR as compared with the normotensive control rats. Treatment with angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor did not correct the attenuated responses of the plasma renin activity to angiotensin II in SHR. Intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin also produced a dose-dependent suppression of plasma renin activity in both groups. The responses to arginine vasopressin were also significantly attenuated to the normotensive control rats. In the sodium-depleted SHR, arginine vasopressin did not suppress plasma renin activity, whereas the suppressive responses to arginine vasopressin in the normotensive control rats were not different from the untreated control rats. These data suggest that there may be a derangement in the short loop negative feedback control of the renin-angiotensin system in spontaneously hypertensive rat.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2018

Background: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured. Methods: A vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months. Results: The SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later. Conclusions: SCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.92-105
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• 2014

Objectives : Cisplatin is a widely used cancer therapy drug. However, nephrotoxicity resulting in increased oxidative stress is a major side effect of cisplatin chemotherapy, thereby limiting its chemotherapeutic use. Lycium chinense Miller (LCM) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in various febrile and inflammatory diseases such as night sweat, cough, nosebleed, bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, etc. In this study we investigated the protective and antioxidative potential of LCM against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rats. Methods : Twenty-four 8-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: normal untreated; cisplatin treatment only; LCM 10 mg/kg plus cisplatin treatment; and LCM 30 mg/kg plus cisplatin treatment. Twenty-four hours after the last cisplatin injection, all the rats were sacrificed, and serological changes were evaluated. The levels of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity and NOX-4, $p47^{phox}$, $p22^{phox}$, COX-2, iNOS, SOD, catalase expressions were analyzed in Western blot analysis. Results : Cisplatin injection caused an increase in the BUN level, which is a reliable indicator of renal toxicity. The levels of BUN, renal ROS, and renal TBARS were significantly reduced in the LCM groups compared with the cisplatin-only groups. The levels of $p47^{phox}$ and $p22^{phox}$, which are NADPH oxidase subunits, were increased in the cisplatin-only groups, whereas they were decreased in the LCM groups. The levels of renal NF-${\kappa}B$ activity and COX-2, iNOS expressions were increased significantly in the cisplatin-only groups compared with the normal groups, whereas they were decreased in the LCM groups. Compared with the cisplatin-only groups, renal GSH and GSH/GSSG increased in the LCM groups. Also, the administration of LCM increased levels of SOD and catalase as compared with the cisplatin-only groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that LCM protects cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity via a mechanism that may involves the inhibition of oxidative stress by the activation of antioxidants.