Adipose tissue is one of the major endocrine gland. More recently, local production of steroids in adipocytes differentiated from mouse 3T3-L1 cell-line was reported. We hypothesized that rat adipocytes have steroidogenic machinery and the expression patterns of the components might be differentially regulated, depending on the distribution and sex. To verify this hypothesis, we collected the adipose tissues depot- and sex-specifically at postnatal day (PND) 30, and performed quantitative RT-PCRs. In overall aspects, the abundances of the transcripts were lower in the brown adipose of both sexes. 3β-HSD transcript levels in female abdominal and reproductive adipose, CYP17 transcript levels in female reproductive adipose, 17β-HSD transcript levels in female abdominal and reproductive adipose, and CYP19 transcript levels in female abdominal adipose were significantly lower than those of male counterparts. Similar to steroidogenic factors, the abundance of the ER-α transcripts were generally lower in the brown adipose of both sexes. ER-β transcripts were more abundant in male white adipose depots than their female counterparts. The levels of LHR transcripts in female reproductive adipose were significantly higher than those of male counterpart. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that the expressions of steroidogenesis-related genes were depot- and sex-specifically occurred in the immature male and female rat adipose tissues. Our study suggested that the adipose tissues are not only targets but de novo synthesizing sites of sex steroid(s), though the synthesizing activities could be much less than in gonads. Further researches in this field will be helpful for understanding the adipose physiology and for medical application such as sex-specific steroid supplement therapies for older populations.

A proper development of the epididymis during the early postnatal development is required for successful fertility in the adult male. Direct cell-cell communication via connexin (Cx) molecules is a common way of cellular interactions to achieve normal development of a given tissue consisting of different cell types. The present research was attempted to determine the effect of exogenous exposure to estrogenic agonist or antiandrogen at the weaning age on expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis. Male rats were subcutaneously administrated with estradiol benzoate (EB) or flutamide (Flu) at the weaning age. The tissue was collected at 4 months of age. Expressional levels of Cx isoforms were determined by a quantitative real-time PCR. Statistical comparison showed significant increases of Cxs31, 32, 37, 40, and 43 transcript amounts by a treatment of 0.015 mg of EB /kg body weight (BW). A treatment of 1.5 μg of EB /kg BW caused a significant decrease of Cx43 gene expression but increases of Cxs26, 31, 32, 37, and 40 transcript levels. Exposure to 500 mg of Flu/kg BW induced an increase of Cx37 expression but significant decreases of Cxs43 and 45 mRNA levels. Expression of Cx37 was increased by a treatment of 5 mg of Flu/kg BW, while transcript levels of Cxs26, 30.3, 31, 31.1, 32, and 43 were significantly decreased by same treatment. These results demonstrate that exposure to steroidal compounds at the early developmental age alters expression of Cx isoforms in the adult corpus epididymis.

본 연구에서는 피부재생 화장품 소재로 활용하고자 저분자화 시킨 Polydeoxynucleotide (PDRN)의 창 상 치유 효과를 조사하였다. 이를 위하여 연어 정소 유래 PDRN 단백질 제거공정, 내독소 제거공정을 거쳐 순수 분리 정제하였고 분자량 저감공정을 거쳐 기존 PDRN 보다 피부 침투율을 높인 고순도 PDRN을 제조하였다. 상처 치료 과정 중 PDRN 처리에 의한 효능을 평가하기 위해 sprague-dawley rats (SD)의 배부에 bioxy punch를 이용한 4개의 창상을 유발하고, 시료를 포함한 총 5종의 실험시료를 마리당 500 μL씩 도포한 후 7일 간격으로 4주간 피부조직 변화를 관찰하였다. 상처에 PDRN을 도포한 후, 절개된 상처의 표피화와 수축이 더 빨라졌고, 창상면적에 있어서 PDRN의 도포는 양성대조군인 FucidinⓇ 도포군과 비교하여 유의하게 줄어들었다. 염색한 조직의 현미경 관찰 결과에서는 양성대조군이 가장 빠르게 재상피화가 이루어졌으며, 그 다음으로는 PH 군, PD군, HA군으로 교원질 재합성 및 형성 수준을 보였다. 또한, 병변의 형질전환성장인자(TGF-β) 및 혈관 내피성장인자(VEGF) 등의 성장인자에서도 염색 조직의 결과와 유사하게 나타났다. 이러한 결과를 종합하여 볼 때, 저분자화된 PDRN은 창상에 치료효과가 있다고 판단되며, 화장품 및 의료산업 분야의 기능성 소재로 활용 가능할 것으로 판단되어 진다.

This study measured the plasma and liver concentrations of cytokines, the distribution of blood lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4 and CD8), plasma levels of nitrite (NO3 –) and nitrate (NO2 –), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and CINC-1 in order to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the cinnamon extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats. The plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were lower in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at both 2 and 5 h after LPS injection. Furthermore, the liver concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were lower in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at 5 h after LPS injection. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were higher in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at both 2 and 5 h after LPS injection, and liver concentrations of IL-10 did not differ significantly among all treatment groups at 5 h after LPS injection. The distribution of CD4 tended to increase, and that of CD8 tended to decrease in the cinnamon extract groups. The CD4/CD8 ratio was increased in the cinnamon extract groups. The plasma concentrations of NO3 –/NO2 –, ICAM-1, CINC-1, and PGE2 and the PLF concentrations of MCP-1 and CINC-1 exhibited a tendency to decrease in the cinnamon extract groups. These results indicate that cinnamon extract can exert functional anti-inflammatory effects.

Cell-cell direct communication through channel-forming molecules, connexin (Cx), is essential for a tissue to exchange signaling molecules between neighboring cells and establish unique functional characteristics during postnatal development. The corpus epididymis is a well-known androgen-responsive tissue and involves in proper sperm maturation. In the present research, it was attempted to determine if expression of Cx isoforms in the corpus epididymis in the adult is modulated by exposure to estrogenic or anti-androgenic compound during the early postnatal period. The neonatal male rats at 7 days of age were subcutaneously injected by estradiol benzoate (EB) at low-dose (0.015 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (1.5 mg/kg body weight) or flutamide (Flu) at low-dose (500 mg/kg body weight) or high-dose (50 mg/kg body weight). The corpus epididymis collected at 4 months of age was subjected to evaluate expressional changes of Cx isoforms by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of low-dose EB resulted in increases of Cx32, Cx37, and Cx45 transcript levels, while exposure to high-dose EB decreased expression of Cx26, Cx30.3, Cx31, Cx31.1, Cx32, Cx40, Cx43, and Cx45. Treatments of Flu caused significant decreases of expression of all examined Cx isoforms, except Cx37 and Cx43 shown no expressional change with high-dose Flu treatment. These findings imply that expression of most Cx isoforms present in the corpus epididymis would be transcriptionally regulated by actions of androgen and/or estrogen during postnatal period.

Connexin (Cx) is a complex which allows direct communication between neighboring cells via exchange of signaling molecules and eventually leads to functional harmony of cells in a tissue. The initial segment (IS) is an excurrent duct of male reproductive tract and expression of numerous genes in the IS are controlled by androgens and estrogens. The effects of these steroid hormones on gene expression in the IS during postnatal development have not extensively examined. The present research investigated expressional modulation of Cx isoforms in the IS by exogenous exposure to estrogen agonist, estradiol benzoate (EB), or androgen antagonist, flutamide (Flu), at weaning age. Two different doses of EB or Flu were subcutaneously administrated in 21-day old of male rats, and expressional changes of Cx isoforms in the adult IS were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Treatment of a low-dose EB (0.015 μg/kg body weight) resulted in an increased expression of Cx31 gene and a decreased expression of Cx37 gene. A high-dose EB (1.5 μg/kg body weight) treatment caused an increase of Cx31 gene expression. Increased levels of Cx30.3 and Cx40 transcripts were observed with a low-dose Flu (500 μg/kg body weight) treatment. Treatment of high-dose Flu (50 mg/kg body weight) led to expressional increases of Cx30.3, 40, and 43 genes. Our previous and present findings suggest differential responsiveness on gene expression of Cx isoforms in the IS by androgens and estrogens at different postnatal ages.

Direct cell-cell communication through connexin (Cx) complexes is a way to achieve functional accordance of cells within a tissue or an organ. The initial segment (IS), a part of the epididymis, plays important roles in sperm maturation. Steroid hormones influence on expression of a number of genes in the IS of adult animals. However, developmental effect of sex hormones on the gene expression in the IS has not been examined. In this study, estradiol benzoate (EB, an estrogen agonist) or flutamide (Flu, an androgen antagonist) was exogenously administrated at 1 week of postnatal age, and expressional changes of Cx genes in the IS were determined at 4 months of age by a quantitative real-time PCR analysis. Treatment of EB at 0.015 mg/kg body weight (BW) increased expression of Cx30.3, 31.1, and 43 genes. However, treatment of 1.5 mg EB/kg BW resulted in expressional decreases of Cx31, 32, and 45 genes and caused increases of Cx30.3 and 43 gene expression. Significant decreases of Cx31, 31.1, 32, 37, and 45 gene expression were detected with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW, while expression of Cx43 gene was significantly increased with a treatment of 500 mg Flu/kg BW. A treatment of 50 mg Flu/kg BW led to significant increases of Cx30.3, 32, 37, 40, and 43 gene expression. These findings imply that exogenous exposure of steroidal hormones during the early developmental period would result in aberrant expression of Cx genes in the adult IS.

본 연구는 흰쥐에게 AFB1을 투여하거나 방사선과 AFB1을 병합처리함으로 유발된 흰쥐의 간세포에서의 AFB1-DNA 부가체의 형성과 세포의 산화적 손상에 대한 vitamin C의 효과를 조사하기 위하여 수행되었다. X-ray 조사는 실험기간 내 단 1회로 실험사육기간 1일에 조사 하였고 X-ray 조사 후 vitamin C를 투여하였으며 vitamin C 투여 1시간 후 AFB1을 투여하였다. Vitamin C와 AFB1은 모두 복강투여로 실험 사육 첫 일부터 1회 시작하여 3일에 한번씩, 5회 반복 투였으며 실험동물 사육기간은 총 15일로 하였다. ELISA에 의한 흰쥐의 혈청 내 AFB1 잔여 농도는 AFB1 단독 투여군에서 5.17±0.34ng/mL이었으나 여기에 vitamin C 혼합 투여군에서는 3.23±0.76ng/ml가 검출되었다. 간세포의 AFB1-DNA adduct 농도는 AFB1 단독 투여군에서는 9.38±0.41ng/mL이었으며 2군에 vitamin C를 함께 투여한 3군에서는 5.28±0.32ng/ml로 나타나 2군에 비해 유의적으로(p＜0.001) 44% 감소한 양상을 나타내었다. 한편 X선 조사와 AFB1 병합처리한 4군에 비해 4군에 vitamin C를 투여한 5군에서 혈청 내 AFB1 함량과 간세포의 AFB1-DNA adduct 함량이 다소 감소하였으나 유의적인 차이는 없었다. 또한 면역조직화학적 관찰에서 AFB1 단독 투여군에서는 중심정맥과 혈관주변에서 AFB1 축적이 관찰되었는데 이러한 현상은 vitamin C를 혼합 투여함으로써 중심정맥과 혈관 주변의 갈색 침전이 현저하게 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 X선 조사와 AFB1 병합 처리한 군에서는 그 정도가 약했다.

국내 유통되는 한약재를 이용한 신장질환의 예방 및 치료제 개발을 위한 기초 자료를 제시하고자 경동시장에서 구입한 63종의 한약재 추출물을 이용하여 항산화 활성 및 사구체혈관간 세포의 증식억제능 탐색 활성을 확인하였다. 그 결과 강진향, 고련피, 대풍자, 목향이 RMC 세포의 증식을 50% 이상 억제하는 것으로 나타났고, ORAC와 DPPH assay를 통한 항산화 활성을 확인한 결과 백단향, 백렴이 가장 우수한 ORAC 활성 효능을 보였으며, DPPH 라디칼 소거활성에서는 계혈등, 귀전우, 대풍자, 반대해, 백단향, 백렴이 우수한 효능을 나타냈다. 이 중 대풍자 추출물과 목향 추출물은 항산화 활성과 사구체혈관간세포 증식억제능 모두 뛰어난 효능을 나타냈으나, 목향이 함유하고 있는 aristolochic acid는 임상적으로 신장에 독성을 일으켜 신장질환 치료제에서 제외되는 한약재로 알려져 있다. 따라서, 가장 뛰어난 효능을 보인 대풍자 추출물은 신장질환 치료 및 예방을 위한 한약재 후보물질로서 분획별 항산화 활성과 유효성분 규명의 연구가 요구된다.

This experiment was conducted to verify whether one time feeding of Lythrum salicaria root crude extract (LSR extract) exhibits liver protecting activities in acutely ethanol administrated rat. Experiment groups were composed of normal, negative control (alcohol control), 2 positive control (Hovenia dulcis extract 900 mg/kg and milk thisle 100 mg/kg), betulinic acid (20 mg/kg), a compound separated from LSR, and 3 LSR (100, 300, 900 mg/kg) groups. LSR treated groups showed decrease (p < 0.05) in serum triglyceride by dose-dependent manner. The content of serum albumin and the activity of ADH and ALDH in LSR extract fed rats were increased (p < 0.05) dependently on the administration amounts. Our study indicated that one time supplement of LSR downregulates oxidative stress and shows liver protective activity in the acute alcohol-fed rats.

We evaluated the inhibitory effects of extracts and components of Geranium thunbergii on aldose reductase (AR) and galactitol formation in rat lenses with high levels of galactose as a part of our ongoing search of natural sources for therapeutic and preventive agents for diabetic complications. The inhibitory effects of water, methanol and ethanol extracts of G. thunbergii on rat lens AR (RLAR) were determined. Comparing inhibitory effects of various solvent extracts, ethanol extract showed RLAR inhibitory activity (IC50 values, 5.24 and 6.39μg/ml, respectively). The ethanol extract was fractionated to chloroform, ethyl acetate and water. Of these, the ethyl acetate fraction from ethanol extract of G. thunbergii exhibited RLAR inhibitory activity (IC50 value, 2.64μg/ml). In order to identify the bioactive components of ethyl acetate soluble fraction of ethanol extract from G. thunbergii, eight compounds, namely gallic acid (1), protocatechuic acid (2), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (3), brevifolin carboxylic acid (4), geraniin (5), ellagic acid (6), kaempferol-3-O-arabinofuranosyl-7-O-rhamnopyranoside (7), kaempferitrin (8) were isolated. The isolates were subjected to in vitro bioassays to evaluate their inhibitory activity on RLAR and galactitol formation in rat lenses. The ellagic tannins (5, 6) and flavonoid (7) exhibited strong inhibitory effects on RLAR. Also, these three compounds (5, 6 and 7) suppressed galactitol accumulation in rat lens under high galactose conditions, demonstrating the potential to prevent galactitol accumulation exo vivo. These results suggest that the extracts and components of G. thunbergii are a promising agent in the prevention or treatment of diabetic complications.

The antioxidant activities of makgeolli and other alcoholic beverages were compared. Based on the same volume (70 μL eq.) of the alcoholic beverages, the 2,2′-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid ammonium salt) (ABTS+) radical-scavenging activities were as follows: whisky > makgeolli crude extract (MCE) > rice wine (RW) > clarified makgeolli (CM) > soju. Based on the same alcohol concentration (6%) of the alcoholic beverages, however, makgeolli showed the highest activity. In addition, based on the same volume (70 μL eq.), the inhibition effects against the formation of cholesteryl ester hydroperoxide (CE-OOH) were as follows: soju > whisky > RW > MCE > CM. Based on the same alcohol concentration (6%), however, the inhibition effects against the formation of CE-OOH were as follows: RW > MCE > soju > whisky > CM. Therefore, it was suggested that makgeolli may contain radical-scavenging- and metal-ion-chelate-type antioxidants and may increase the antioxidant activity in the blood.

성 호르몬과 유사한 기능을 하는 것으로 알려진 내분비교란물질은 흰쥐 흉선세포에 세포자연사를 일으켜 흉선의 기능을 감소시키는 것으로 보고되고 있으나, 그 작용 기전에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 내분비 교란물질 중 하나인 Tributyltin(TBT)를 흰쥐에 투여한 후 흉선의 상피세포가 지방세포로 분화되는지를 조사하고, 이로 인한 T 세포의 세포자연사와 연관성을 조사함으로써 TBT가 흉선기능에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다.

The study was done to investigate the effects of the extracts from the different parts of Lythrum salicaria (LS) on liver protective activities in chronically alcohol-treated rats. SD male rats except normal animals were administrated with alcohol (30ml of 30%~40% ethanol/kg/day) and the extracts (300 mg/kg/day) for 10 weeks. Chronic alcohol administration decreased body weight, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and the reduced form-glutathione (GSH), whereas increased the ethanol content, glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)- cholesterol, triglyceride in blood/serum and the ratio of the oxidized form of glutathione (GSSG) and total GSH (GSSG/total GSH) in liver tissue. Groups treated with the extracts of leaf, root and stem, showed decrease in GOT, total cholesterol and GSSG/total GSH and increase in hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), total GSH and serum albumin. Administration with the root extract of LS decreased blood ethanol content compared with the other part extracts. But, serum triglyceride values in rats treated with root and stem extract were higher than that of the negative control animals. Flower extract-fed group showed decrease in body weight and serum triglyceride, but increase in the ratio of GOT and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and GSSG/total GSH. From the results, we conclude that the extracts of root and leaf among the plant parts of LS might be useful for the amelioration of the chronic alcohol-induced liver demage of rat.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Lythrum salicaria L. ethanol extract on anti-obesity effects in rat fed a high fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obese rat model. Male SD rats were divided into normal group, control (high fat diet) group, positive control (Garcinia Cambogia extracts) group, high fat group supplemented with ethanol extracts of Lythrum salicaria L. (EELS). The body weight gain and control (high fat diet) were increased by a high fat diet, but decreased in the EELS. At the end of the experiment, the body weight in high fat diet groups was higher than that of normal diet group, while the body weights of EELS and positive control group were significantly reduced by 16.62%, as compared with that of high fat diet group (p < 0.05). The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol in EELS group were significantly decreased as compared with high fat diet group (p < 0.05). The liver and mesenteric adipose tissue weights of control (high fat diet) increase than that for normal group, whereas EELS and positive control group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Levels of triglyceride in liver were significantly lower in EELS group than those in high fat diet group (p < 0.05). These results indicate that Lythrum salicaria L. extract may improve lipid metabolism and reduce fat accumulation and body weight.