• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 1994

This study examined the effects of cyclosporin A [CsA] and methylprednisolone[MP] on the viability of the devascularized trachea after heterotopic transplantation. Fourty-two tracheal segments were harvested from 21 donor Wistar rats. Those tracheal segments were heterotopically implanted into the abdomen of recipient rats after wrapping in omentum. Heterotopical implantation was performed in six groups of rats:Group I was Wistar syngeneic controls, and five groups of Sprague Dawley recipients, receiving no immunosuppression[Group II], CsA alone[Group III, V], and CsA in combination with MP[Group IV, VI]. After 14 days, the tracheal segments were histologically evaluated.Epithelial thickness and the degree of epithelial regeneration were significantly different between group I and group II, III, VI, VI [p< 0.05]. There were significant differences in the epithelial thickness between group II, III, IV and group V, VI. In the degree of epithelial regeneration, there were significant differences in group II, group III-IV, and group V-VI. Without immunosuppression there was virtually no epithelium, whereas low-dose immunosuppression yielded intermediated viability, and with high dose CsA and MP we observed improved tracheal viability. Our results suggest that optimal combination of CsA and MP may improve the viability in heterotopic tracheal allografts.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-66
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• 1993

Effects of a voltage dependent calcium channel antagonist, nifedipine, on the responses of blood pressure, and secretion of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and aldosterone to angiotensin II (Ang II) were compared in male Wistar and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). A low, control or high sodium diet (2, 10 or 25 mmol Na/100 g diet) was fed for 6 weeks from the age of 6 weeks. On the morning of the experiment catheters were inserted under ether anesthesia in the femoral artery for pressure recording and blood sampling, and in the femoral vein for drug infusion. Ang II was infused at a rate of 250 ng/kg/min for 20 min. Nifedipine mixed with Ang II was infused at a rate of $16{\mu}g/kg/min$ for 20 min. Arterial blood samples were collected before and after infusion of Ang II with or without nifedipine. The control plasma level of aldosterone was inversely related to the amount of salt intake, whereas the plasma ANP level was not different between the salt groups. SHR showed a higher basal plasma ANP but a lower aldosterone concentration than Wistar rats. Infusion of Ang II produced a significant increase in blood pressure and plasma levels of aldosterone and ANP: The % increase was not significantly different either between the salt groups or between SHR and Wistar rats. SHR showed a greater pressor response to Ang II but a remarkably smaller decrease in heart rate after Ang II infusion than Wistar rats, With increasing sodium intake, the effect of Ang II on aldosterone secretion was decreased, whereas that on ANP secretion or blood pressure was not changed. Nifedipine decreased the responses of blood pressure and heart rate to Ang II in all groups. Nifedipine caused almost a complete inhibition of Ang II induced ANP secretion, but only a partial inhibition of Ang II induced aldosterone secretion or vasoconstriction. These results indicate that calcium dependent processes were involved in Ang II induced vasoconstriction, and secretions of aldosterone and ANP. However, the calcium dependent process far ANP secretion was considerably different from that for aldosterone secretion or vasoconstriction evoked by ang II. The ang II induced increase in ANP secretion appeared to be caused primarily by activating voltage-dependent calcium channels, whereas Ang II induced aldosterone secretion and vasoconstriction was not.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.355-359
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the hyperglycemic effects of mineral-rich salt in type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats and normal Wistar rats. Animals were divided into five groups, including a normal group, fed three different experimental salts [purified salt (PS), mineral-rich salt (WS1 and WS2), and bamboo salt (BS)] in the form of 1% salt solution for 12 weeks. Liver, kidney, and spleen weights were significantly increased in GK rats of salt groups as compared to Wistar normal group without salt. However, there was no difference among the salt groups. For serum lipids, total cholesterol level in the BS group and triglyceride level in the WS group were significantly reduced compared to those of the PS group. The concentration of blood glucose in the GK-PS group increased continuously during the experimental period, whereas that in the GK-WS group was significantly reduced at 12 weeks. In GK rats, glucose levels among the salt groups in OGTT by glucose were not significantly different compared to normal rats. Insulin and glucagon levels in blood were not significantly different among the groups, and no such association was observed for insulin. Pancreatic lslets of Langerhans in the PS group showed irregular formation compared to those of the normal, WS, and BS groups.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2019

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), an overwhelming neurodegenerative disease, has deleterious effects on the brain that consequently causes memory loss and language impairment. This study was intended to investigate the neuroprotective activity of the two essential oils (EOs) from Iranian Pistacia khinjuk (PK) leaves and Allium sativum (AS) cloves against β-Amyloid 25-35 (Aβ25-35) induced elevation of cholinesterase enzymes in AD. Methods: The EOs of PK (PKEO) and AS (ASEO) were prepared and analyzed in terms of extraction yield, phenolic content, and cholinergic markers in vitro. Moreover, both were administered orally to adult male Wistar rats at concentrations of 1, 2, and 3%. The inhibitory potential of PKEO and ASEO was compared with Donepezil (0.75 mg/kg) against the high activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Results: PKEO reached an inhibition rate of 83.6% and 81.4% against AChE and BChE, respectively. ASEO had lower anti-cholinesterase activity (65.4% and 31.5% for the inhibition AChE and BChE). PKEO was found to have more phenolic content than ASEO. A significantly positive correlation was observed between the total phenolics and anti-cholinesterase potential. In rats, both EOs decreased the enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. As compared with Donepezil, the significant difference in the AChE and BChE inhibition occurred as rats were treated with PKEO 3% (p < 0.05). Conclusion: It could be concluded that PKEO and ASEO are potent inhibitors of AChE and BChE in rats that hold promise to be used for the treatment of AD.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.308-314
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• 2012

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a cruciferous vegetable, and its leaves have antioxidant and anticancer properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethyl acetate extracts from radish leaves on hypertension in 11-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). The SHRs were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 rats each on the basis of initial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and were treated with oral administration of radish leaf extract (0, 30, or 90 mg/kg body weight [bw], respectively) for 5 weeks. Six Wistar rats were used as normotensive controls. The amount of the radish leaf extract had no effect on body weight. The SBP of the SHRs showed a decreasing trend with the consumption of the radish leaf extract. In the third week, the SBP of the group fed 90 mg extract/kg bw reduced from 214 mmHg to 166 mmHg and was significantly lower than that of the normotensive and hypertensive controls. The extract did not show a significant effect on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in the serum, kidney, and lung. The extract increased the concentration of NO in serum and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione peroxidase and catalase in red blood cells (RBCs). The serum concentrations of $Na^+$ and $K^+$ were not significantly different between all groups. However, the fecal concentrations of $Na^+$ and $K^+$ increased; the fecal concentrations of $Na^+$ and$K^+$for the normotensive and hypertensive controls were not different. Urinary excretion of $Na^+$ was higher in the normotensive Wistar rats than in the SHRs, while that of $K^+$ was not significantly different. These findings indicate that consumption of radish leaves might have had antihypertensive effects in SHRs by increasing the serum concentration of NO and fecal concentration of $Na^+$ and enhancing antioxidant activities.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.173-180
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• 2015

Extract from Gryllus bimaculatus crickets inhibits oxidation at the DNA level, with reduced production of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Microarray analyses were performed with a rat 28K cDNA clone set array to identify the gene expression profiles of aged (10 months old) Wistar Kyoto rats treated for one month with 100 mg/kg G. bimaculatus ethanol extract to assess the effects. The extract produced a meaningful anti-edema effect, evident by the inhibition of creatinine phosphokinase activity. The weights of abdominal and ovarian adipose tissues were reduced and the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids in adipose tissues was increased in an extract dose-dependent manner. Compared with untreated control rats, rats treated with the extract displayed the upregulation of 1053 genes including Fas (tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 6), Amigo3 (adhesion molecule with an immunoglobulin-like domain), Reticulon 4, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme (Hmgcr; a reductase), related anti-fatigue (enzyme metabolism), and Rtn antioxidant, and the downregulation of 73 genes including Ugt2b (UDP glycosyltransferase 2 family), Early growth response 1, and Glycoprotein m6a. Data suggest that G. bimaculatus extract may have value in lessening the effects of aging, resulting in a differential gene expression pattern indicative of a marked stress response and lower expression of metabolic and biosynthetic genes.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-17
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• 2017

Objectives: Boswellic acid (BA), a compound isolated from the gum-resin of Boswellia carterii, is a pentacyclic terpenoid that is active against many inflammatory diseases, including cancer, arthritis, chronic colitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and memory impairment, but the mechanism is poorly understood. This study investigated the effects of boswellic acid on spatial learning and memory impairment induced by trimethyltin (TMT) in Wistar rats. Methods: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: Normal group, TMT-administrated rats (8.0 mg/kg, Intraperitoneally, i.p.) and TMT + BA (40, 80 and 160 mg/kg, i.p.)-administrated rats. BA was used daily for 21 days. To evaluate the cognitive improving of BA, we performed the Morris water maze test. Moreover, to investigate the neuroprotective effect of BA, we determined the acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activity, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level as a marker of lipid peroxidation, and the glutathione (GSH) content in the cerebral cortex. Results: Treatment with TMT impaired learning and memory, and treatment with BA at a dose of 160 mg/kg produced a significant improvement in learning and memory abilities in the water maze tasks. Consistent with behavioral data, the activity of AChE was significantly increased in the TMT-injected rats compared to the control group (P < 0.01) whereas all groups treated with BA presented a more significant inhibitory effect against AChE than the TMT-injected animals. In addition, TMT reduced the GSH content and increased the MDA level in the cerebral cortex as compared to the control group) P < 0.01). On the other hand, treatment with BA at 160 mg/kg slightly increased the GSH content and reduced the MDA level in comparison to the TMT-administered group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The above results suggest that the effect of BA in improving the cognitive function may be mediated through its antioxidant activity.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.65-78
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• 2008

Objectives : this study was to access the effect of Hyeonggaeyeongyotang water extracts, a polyherbal formula has been used as folk medicine, on the fertility and early embryonic development of male and female Wistar rats when administered by oral gavage. Methods : In male rats, Hyeonggaeyeongyotang extract were dosed 4 weeks before pairing and 2 weeks after mating including the mating periods up to termination after necropsy of the majority of the females. In female rats, they were dosed 2 weeks before pairing, and from Day 0 to Day 7 of gestation. This study was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of the KFDA Guideline [2005-60] for Detection of Toxicity to Reproduction for Medicinal Products. Results: 1. No Hyeonggaeyeongyotang extract treatment-related changes on the clinical signs and mortalities, the Food consumptions, the Body weights and gains were demonstrated in all dosed levels tested in this study except for 500ml/kg-dosing male group in which a significant(p<0.05) increase of body gains was detected during day 0-7 after dosing. 2. No Hyeonggaeyeongyotang extract treatment-related changes on the pre-coital intervals, the estrus cycles, the mating index, conception rate and fertility index were demonstrated in all dosed levels tested in this study. 3. No Hyeonggaeyeongyotang extract treatment-related gross findings on reproductive organs, the weights of reproductive organs, histopathological findings on reproductive organs, the corpora lutea number, implantation site number, live fetus number, number of resorpted embryo and pre-and post-implatation loss were demonstrated in all dosed levels tested in this study. Conclusions : Base on the results, it is considered that the NOAEL (No-Observed-Adverse-Effect Level) for fertility and early embryonic development toxicity of Hyeonggaeyeongyotang extract was under 2000ml/kg/day in Wistar male and female rats because there no treatment-related changes on the fertility and early embryonic developmental index were demonstrated in all dosed levels tested.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.95-99
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• 2008

In a project to study the hepatroprotective effect of some plant extracts four plants Ephedra foliate Boiss, Alhagi maurorum Medikus, Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. were studied. The ethanol extract of the aerial part of the first three plants and the flowers of H. sabdariffa were subjected to hepatoprotective assays using Wistar albino rats. Liver injury induced in rats using carbon tetrachloride. The biochemical parameters; serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin were estimated as reflection of the liver condition. Based on the good results of the biochemical parameters measurements, histopathological study was performed on the liver of rats treated with E. foliate. The normal appearance of hepatocytes indicated a good protection of the extract from carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity. All the results were compared with silymarin, the reference hepatoprotective drug.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.141-145
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• 1995

The effect of splenectomy on the concentration of progesterone in pregnant wistar rats showing 4-day regular estrous cycles more than two cycles were investigated. The day after mating with the same male animal was designated day 0 of pregnancy. Splenectomy was conducted on day 0 (early-S), 6 (middle-S) and 13 (late-S) of pregnant rat, respectively. Blood sample were collected at day 1, 7, 14 and 21 of pregnancy. Concentraton of serum progesterone was determined by emzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using specific antibodies and emzyme conjugate(progesterone peroxidase labeled). In normal pregnant rats, serum progesterone concentrations were increased significantly (P<0.05) on day 7 and 14 of pregnancy compared with on day 1 of pregnancy and then dramatically decreased on day 21. However in early and middle splenectomized rats, progesterone concentrations were significantly (P<0.05) decreased on day 7 and 14 of pregnancy compared with same day of normal rats. These observations indicate that luteotropic action and steroidogenesis by corpus luteum of ovary may be regulated by splenocytes in rat.