Thyroid scanning using technetium-99m (99mTc) is the gold standard for diagnosing feline hyperthyroidism. In cats with an overactive thyroid, a thyroid scan is the most appropriate imaging technique to detect and localize any hyperfunctional adenomatous thyroid tissue. In this study, the pharmacological properties of the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m), developed as a diagnostic agent for feline hyperthyroidism using 99mTc as an active ingredient, were tested in FRTL-5 thyroid follicular cell line and ICR mice. The percentage of cell uptake of the Tc-99m in FRTL-5 thyroid cells was 0.182 ± 0.018%, which was about 6 times higher compared to Clone 9 hepatocytes. This uptake decreased by 38.2% due to competitive inhibition by iodine (sodium iodide). In tissue distribution tests by using ICR mice, the highest distribution was observed in the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, and femur at 0.083 hours after administration, and this distribution decreased as the compound was excreted through the kidneys, the primary excretory organ. Maximum distribution was confirmed at 1 hour in the small intestine, 6 hours in the large intestine, and 2 hours in the thyroid gland. Additionally, the total amount excreted through urine and feces over 48 hours (2 days) was 78.80% of the injected dose, with 37.70% (47.84% of the total excretion) excreted through urine and 41.10% (52.16% of the total excretion) through feces. In conclusion, the Tc-99m has the same mechanism of action, potency, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics as 99mTc used for feline hyperthyroidism in the United States, Europe, and other countries, because the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) contains 99mTc as its sole active ingredient. Based on these results, the Technekitty injection (Tc-99m) is expected to be safely used in the clinical diagnosis of feline hyperthyroidism.

돼지의 체세포 핵이식(Somatic cell nuclear transfer,SCNT)은 인간에게 약리적 효과가 있는 단백질, 이종 간 장기이식(xenotransplantation)에 사용되는 장기, 질병 연 구 목적의 모델 동물을 제공한다. 특히 형질전환 돼지를 활용한 심장 이식이 세계 최초로 성공한 후 형질전환 돼 지 생산의 안정화는 다음 연구를 위한 중요한 점으로 대 두되고 있으나, 미니돼지의 체세포 핵이식 배아의 생산 효율은 아직 낮은 실정이다. 형질전환의 성공은 양질의 SCNT 배아 생산에서 시작되어야 한다. 이러한 SCNT 배 아의 생산 효율을 향상할 수 있는 요인 중에는 공여 세포 의 형태가 있으며, 성공적인 공여 세포의 생산을 위해서 는 종축에 따른 세포의 특성을 파악하여야 하고, 혈액형 의 차이에서 발생하는 문제점 해결을 위해 OO 타입의 선 별이 필요하다. 본 연구에서는 지속적인 계대 배양을 통 하여 공여 세포로 사용되는 미니돼지의 태아섬유아세포의 계대 배양 조건을 확립하고자 한다. 또한 미니돼지의 혈 액형을 PCR 기반으로 분석하여 분류하고 OO 타입의 선 별을 통하여 이종 간 이식에 용이하게 공여 세포의 조건 을 확립하였다. 이후 sgRNA(single guide RNA)를 사용하 여 CRISPR-Cpf1로 GGTA1(α-1,3 galactosyl-transferase) 유전자를 knock-out 한 미니돼지의 생산으로, 급성면역반 응을 유발하는 Gal(1,3)Gal epitope이 제거된 미니돼지의 세포 주를 구축 및 체세포 핵이식을 통해 GGTA1 knock-out 미니돼지를 생산하였으며, 이러한 연구는 이후 체세포 핵이식 및 이종 간 장기이식에 중요한 기초자료로 사용될 것이라고 생각된다.

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a gastrointestinal disorder with diverse symptoms but no structural or organic manifestations. Benachio-F® (herein named ‘BF-1’) is an over-the-counter liquid digestive formulated with multiple herbal extracts, which has been reported to improve symptoms of FD. A total two experiments were conducted. First, we examined whether BF-1 can modulate the progression of FD through two experimental rat models. A total of three doses (0.3x, 1x, 3x of the human equivalent dose) were used. In the gastric emptying model, both 1x (standard) or 3x (3-fold-concentrated) BF-1 enhanced gastric emptying was compared with that of vehicle-treated animals. In a feeding inhibition model induced by acute restraint stress, treatment with 1x or 3x BF-1 led to a similar degree of restoration in food intake that was comparable to that of acotiamide-treated animals. Among the constituents of BF, fennel is known for its choleretic effect. Thus, we next investigated whether a novel BF-based formula (named ‘BF-2’) that contains an increased amount of fennel extract (3.5-fold over BF-1), has greater potency in increasing bile flow. BF-2 showed a superior choleretic effect compared to BF-1. Furthermore, the postprandial concentration of serum secretin was higher in animals pretreated with BF-2 than in those pretreated with BF-1, suggesting that the increased choleretic effect of BF-2 is related to secretin production. Our results demonstrate that BF-1 can modulate the pathophysiological mechanisms of FD by exerting prokinetic and stress-relieving effects, and that BF-2 has a better choleretic effect than BF-1.