Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many commercial products may interfere with the normal functioning of the endocrine system and are unsafe because of their cumulative effect on the human body. However, little is known about the effects of combinations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in humans. Methoxychlor and bisphenol A are toxic to male reproductive organs. Therefore, we studied the effects of methoxychlor and bisphenol A on male reproductive function. Male mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, 400 mg methoxychlor, 1 mg bisphenol A, and 400 mg methoxychlor + 1 mg bisphenol A/kg/day. Methoxychlor and bisphenol A were dissolved in sesame oil and acetone and administered orally for 4 weeks. After administration, the weight and histological changes in the testicles and epididymis, sperm count and health were observed biochemical tests and whole blood counts were performed. The results showed that the mice in the bisphenol A and methoxychlor + bisphenol A groups gained more weight than those in the control and methoxychlor group. The weights of the testes and epididymis were higher in the experimental groups than in the control. Sperm motility and progression were significantly reduced in the bisphenol A and methoxychlor + bisphenol A groups. Histological observation showed a reduced number of sperm, smaller seminiferous tubules, and destroyed lumen in the methoxychlor + bisphenol A group compared to the other groups. In conclusion, our study showed that methoxychlor and bisphenol A destroy male reproductive tissues and decrease sperm quality.

Subunit vaccines are being developed as a potential therapy for preventing microbial pathogen infection. In this study, the immunogenicity of recombinant Brucella (B.) abortus Fe/Mn superoxide dismutase (rFe/Mn SOD) protein as a subunit vaccine against B. abortus was investigated in BALB/c mice model. Brucella Fe/Mn SOD gene was cloned into a pcold-TF DNA vector. The bacterial recombinant protein was expressed using the Escherichia coli DH5α strain with a size of 82.50 kDa. The western blotting assay showed that rFe/Mn SOD reacted with Brucella-positive serum, indicating the potential immunoreactivity of this recombinant protein. After the second and third vaccinations, the peripheral CD4+ T cell population was increased significantly in the rFe/Mn SOD-immunized mice group compared to the PBS control group. Moreover, immunization of this recombinant protein increased the CD4+ T cell population from the first vaccination to the third vaccination. Meanwhile, the CD8+ T cells were slightly enhanced after the second vaccination compared to the first vaccination and compared to control groups. Fourteen days after the bacterial infection, the splenomegaly and the number of bacteria in the spleen were evaluated. The result showed that both rFe/Mn SOD and positive control RB51 decreased the bacterial replication in the spleen and the splenomegaly compared to control groups. Altogether, these results suggested that rFe/Mn SOD could induce host immunity against B. abortus infection.

Repetitive or excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation causes oxidative stress-mediated skin photoaging through the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. Actinidia polygama is known as a medical plant used in oriental medicine for treating several diseases such as abdominal pain, stroke and rheumatoid arthritis. Recently, it was reported that A. polygama extract had anti-wrinkle and skin hydrating properties in ultraviolet B (UVB)-exposed hairless mice. However, the molecular biological mechanism of this extract on alleviating skin photoaging is still unknown. Therefore, we investigated the anti-photoaging effects of PB203, which is the powder of A. polygama extract, in the in vivo and in vitro photoaging models. First, PB203 showed 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities due to the presence of anti-oxidant components including flavonoids and polyphenols. In UVB-irradiated hairless mice, oral administration of PB203 (100 mg/ kg) significantly improved wrinkle formation, skin dehydration, elasticity and skin barrier function by decreasing the levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and increasing those of collagen I, filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin. Especially, the reduced production of p-p38, p-c-Jun and p-c-Fos by PB203 reversed the elevated levels of MMPs mediated by UVB exposure, resulting in the upregulation of collagen I expression. Consistent with these animal data, PB203 remarkably enhanced the mRNA expression of collagen I, filaggrin, involucrin and loricrin, while suppressed that of MMPs in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. And PB203 increased the wound recovery rate of cells by promoting their proliferation and migration. Moreover, PB203 significantly recovered the activity of superoxide dismutase inhibited by UVB in both mice and cells. In conclusion, PB203, which protects skin from UVB-induced photodamage by exerting antioxidant properties, can be considered to have sufficient potential as a functional ingredient or therapeutic agent improving skin photoaging and related skin symptoms.

Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), the most conserved nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent protein deacetylase, is involved in the regulation of energy metabolism, genomic stability, and development. SIRT1 knockout (SIRT1) mice exhibit decreased energy expenditure and hypersensitivity to a high-fat diet (HFD). SIRT1 deficiency in the testis has also been shown to cause male infertility in animal models. Therefore, the present study was conducted to examine the alteration of the testicular function of SIRT1 mice on HFD. Six-week-old mice were fed ad libitum as wild type (WT) and SIRT1 male mice with either a control diet or with HFD for 32 weeks and then were sacrificed. The levels of biomarkers for hepatotoxicity, sex hormones, and cytokines were analyzed in the serum and blood-testis barrier, and the sperm morphology was examined in the testis and epididymal spermatozoa. Interestingly, an enlargement of seminal vesicles was observed in the SIRT1 mice fed with HFD. A significantly higher level of hepatotoxicity was also seen in these mice. The concentration of serum testosterone increased in HFD-fed SIRT1 mice compared to the controls. The levels of interleukin-1β and TNF-α increased in both HFD-fed WT and SIRT1 mice. In RT-PCR, the m RNA expression of tight junction protein 2 and claudin 3 significantly decreased in HFD-fed SIRT1 compared to those of the controls. Degenerative spermatocytes and spermatids were detected in the HFD-fed SIRT1 mice testicular section. Sperm motility decreased in WT and SIRT1 with HFD feeding, and sperm concentration decreased significantly in WT-HFD and SIRT1 mice with or without HFD feeding. Taken together, HFD can alter energy and steroid metabolism in SIRT1-deficient mice, which can lead to imbalances in motility and production of sperm and testosterone that can result in male reproductive disorders.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is recognized one of the leading metabolic diseases globally, and the younger age population with the disease is rapidly growing, especially in developed countries. Since there has been no approved medicine, losing weight is known to be the only best remedy to control or reverse the disease. Recently, the field of microbiome has attracted much attention to offer more practical choices for patients. Here, we provide experimental evidence that Streptococcus thermophilus LM1012 (LM1012), a safe probiotic strain, is effective for improving NAFLD indexes. In the methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet induced C57BL/6 mouse model, administration of LM1012 promoted marked reductions of aspartate transaminase (23.8%), total bilirubin (27.8%), hydroxycholesterol (64.2%), triglyceride (29.7%) and IL-1β (68.3%) compared to the MCD diet alone group. Also, the histopathological data imply that LM1012 inhibited fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, which are the key biomarkers for progression of the disease. Together, these findings suggest that human consumption of LM1012 as a healthy nutritional supplement, may be helpful in reducing the risk of liver damages in NAFLD patients.

This study evaluated the effect of a combination of acetaminophen (AAP), vitamin C (VC) and thioctic acid (TA) on reducing serum cortisol concentrations in mice with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination. For 5 days from 3 days before FMD vaccination to 2 days after vaccination, mice were orally administered with AAP 600 mg/kg feed (n=25, AAPT), combination of AAP 600 mg and VC 200 mg per kg feed (n=25, AVCT) and combination of AAP 600 mg, VC 200 mg and TA 20 mg per kg feed (n=25, AVTT), respectively. From day 1 to day 7 after FMD vaccination, the cortisol concentration of all groups treated with the drug was significantly decreased compared to that of the positive control group with FMD vaccination (p<0.05). In conclusion, the combined treatment of AAP, VC and TA was the most effective in relieving stress from FMD vaccination compared to the single treatment.

This study aimed to investigate whether bacterial ghosts (BGs), empty cell envelopes of a gram-negative bacterium, delivering envelope protein domain III (EDIII) of dengue virus (DENV) serotype 2 could induce protective immune responses against dengue infection. In this study, we constructed Salmonella Typhimurium BGs expressing and delivering EDIII (BG-EDIII) and evaluated these ghosts for their immunogenicity studies in C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that the mice vaccinated once orally with BG-EDIII followed by an intramuscular boosting with a recombinant EDIII protein elicited significantly higher humoral and cell-mediated immune responses compared to the BGs alone vaccinated group (p<0.001). Upon challenge with DENV2, significantly lower viral load and liver damage was observed in BG-EDIII vaccinated group than BGs alone control group (p<0.05). The outcomes of this study revealed the ability of BG- EDIII to stimulate immune response with no observable damage to the vital organs.

아토피 피부염(Atopic dermatitis, AD)은 주로 5세 이전에 발병하여 심한 가려움을 동반하는 만성 염증성 피부질환이다. 본 연구의 목적은 NC/Nga 마우스를 AD 유사 증상에 대한 405 nm+ 850 nm LED 광선 치료의 효과를 조사하는 것이다. 마우스는 Normal (Vehicle), 아토피성 피부염 유발군 (CON), 405 nm+ 850 nm LED 광선 치료군 (LED)으로 나누어 난괴법을 이용하여 무작위 배치하여 실험을 진행 하였다. LED 실험군은 하루 10분씩 405 nm+ 850 nm 파장의 LED 치료를 7일 간 실시하였다. LED 광선 치료 연구는 Dermatics 점수의 개선을 측정하고 피부염으로 인한 표피조직 두께 감소를 관찰하였다. LED 광선 요법으로 인한 혈청 IL-1β의 현저한 감소와 경피 수분 손실 및 혈청 IgE 농도 결과를 바탕으로 LED 광선 치료는 아토피 유발 생쥐의 정상적인 피부 상태 회복에 도움을 주었다. 본 연구 결과는 아토피 피부염 마우스 모델에서 적외선 영역의 광선과 blue light 영역의 광선의 동시 조사치료가 아토피 피부염 치료에 뛰어난 효능을 가지며, 두 파장의 LED의 동시 사용 가능성에 대하여 시사하였다.

The leaves of Allium victorialis (AV) are known an edible perennial herb, which has been used in Korean traditional medicine. However, the beneficial pharmacological effects of AV extracts (AVE) on the antioxidant activity and atopic dermatitis (AD) have not been thoroughly examined. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate both antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory effect of AVE on AD in vitro and in vivo. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by total polyphenol content and ferric reducing ability. AVE showed a level of polyphenol content and reducing power activity. The five-week-old BALB/c mice were used as an AD-like mouse model by treating them with 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB). Topical administration of AVE for 3 weeks to DNCB-treated mice significantly alleviated clinical skin lesion dermatitis severity and epidermal thickness. Histopathological analysis also demonstrated that AVE decreased eosinophil and mast cell infiltration into skin and ear tissue. These results suggest that topical application of AVE inhibits the development of AD-like skin lesion in mice by their antioxidant activity. Thus, AVE may be a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

Parthenogenesis is maternally uniparental reproduction through the embryonic development of oocytes without fertilization. Artificial activation of mature oocytes could generate homozygous haploid embryos with the extrusion of the second polar body. However, the haploid embryos showed low embryo development in preimplantation embryos. In this study, we investigated whether the electronic fusion of the haploid embryos could enhance embryo development and ESC establishment in mice. Haploid embryos showed the developmental delay from 4-cell to the blastocyst stage. The haploid blastomeres of the 2-cell stage were fused electronically, resulting in that the fused embryos showed a significantly higher rate of blastocysts compared to non-fused haploid embryos (55% vs. 37%). Further, the embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from the fused embryos were confirmed to be diploid. The rate of ESC establishment in fused embryos was significantly higher compared to non-fused ones. Based on the results, we concluded that the electronic fusion of haploid embryos could be efficient to generate homozygous ESCs.

Embryo transfer (ET) in the animal is an important procedure to generate genetically engineered animals and conserve genetic resources. For ET experiments in mice, pseudopregnant recipients are usually prepared with proestrus stage of females and vasectomized males. However, this conventional method is inefficient because the size of female colonies should be large to select only the proestrus stage in the estrous cycle and the surgical procedures are required to generate vasectomized males. In this study, we established a simple and efficient protocol to prepare ET recipients using the estrous synchronization with hormone injection and the mating with wild male mice. The delivery rate of ET recipients tended to be increased with estrous synchronization using hormone injection (100%) compared to the conventional method (71%). Further, natural pregnancy of the recipients, induced by mating with a wild male, significantly enhanced the birth rate of ET offspring than the conventional method (33% vs. 13%). Based on the results, we concluded that our new protocol using hormone injection to ET recipients and mating with wild males could be more efficient and simpler compared to the conventional method.

Lonicera caerulea (Honey berry, HB) has been used in medical treatment in Russia, Japan, China and Korea. It has high level of vitamin C and polyphenolics. Polyphenolics can improve anti-inflammatory effect and prevent cancer, diabetes mellitus type 2. Also, Vitamin C is a representative anti-oxidant. however, it is still unknown what effect it will have on the oxidation stress of the reproductive system. In previous studies, ROS can be produced when it is exposed to heat stress and has negative effect on sperm’s maturation, capacitation, hyperactivation, acrosome reaction and fusion of egg and sperm. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the antioxidant effects of L. Caerulea on the sperm and mice. At first, it conducted using ICR mouse (n = 20) for 4 weeks. There are four groups of mice (n = 5 per group). Also, L. Caerulea was taken by oral gavage. Group I (control) kept at 23℃-27℃ and administer D.W (0.5 mL/day), Likewise, Group II (HB) kept at room temperature but gave HB (250 mg/kg, 0.5 mL/day), Group III (HB + HS) received heat stress (40℃) using hyperthermia induction chamber and gave HB at same dose. and Group IV (HS) exposed heat stress only. Mainly, we showed degree of gene expression using Western blot in SOD, HSP 70, 17β-HSD and Real-time PCR. It can find correlation between intracellular activity like steroid hormone, apoptosis under ROS and antioxidant activity of L. Caerulea.

This study aims to investigate the effects of exogenous succinic acid (SCA) on Brucella (B.) abortus infection in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and ICR mice. Firstly, the in vitro experiment was conducted by MTT cytotoxicity and bacterial internalization assay to evaluate the uptake of B. abortus into macrophage cells. Two non-cytotoxic concentrations of SCA demonstrated attenuated invasion of Brucella into macrophages at 30 and 45 min post- infection (pi). Secondly, ICR mice were treated with SCA and infected with B. abortus. On day-14 pi, spleen and blood serum were collected to evaluate the bacterial burden and total spleen weight as well as the production of cytokine/chemokine, respectively. The results showed that SCA treatment promoted bacterial growth and reduced the total spleen weight in mice. Furthermore, SCA treatment increased the level of IL-10 cytokine in the sera, while dampening the production of MCP-1 chemokine compared to the control. The results of bacterial load in spleen and spleen weight together with cytokine/chemokine production profile in the sera indicated that SCA induced the host anti-inflammatory response which is beneficial for the survival of Brucella. Therefore, these findings suggest that SCA contributed to host immunity against Brucella infection and the emerging potential topic-immunometabolism should be invested for further investigations.

이상의 결과를 종합하면, 혼합유산균 2종(Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. Lactis Bf141와 Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lb102)의 섭취는 고지방식이 유도 비만 마우스에서 체중, 체지방, 제지방, 골밀도 등 주요 체성분에 영향을 주지 않았다. 혼합유산균은 식욕 조절 효과를 위해 측정한 사료 섭취량에도 영향을 주지 않았으며, 간 조직 무게에도 영향을 미치지 않았다. 인슐린저항성과 포도당신생합성의 주요 지표인 공복혈당량 또한 혼합유산균 급여에 의해 변화 하지 않았다. 또한 혼합유산균은 심혈관질환의 지표로 사용되는 혈중 중성지방 및 총 콜레스테롤에 영향을 주지 않았으며, 체내 지방의 소화 및 흡수율에서도 영향을 미치지 않았다. 결론적으로, 고지방식이유도 비만 마우스를 이용하여 혼합유산균(Bf141 + Lb102)의 항비만 생리활성 을 검증한 결과, 유의미한 물리적, 대사적 표현형 개선은 검증되지 않았다. 따라서, 추후 개별 보다 다양한 혼합 조건 및 농도로 연구를 설계하여 혼합유산균의 항비만 효과를 검증할 필요성이 있다.

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus After inducing obesity by feeding hight fat diet (diet induced obesity model: DIO) for four weeks, each 8 rats were assigned to normal (Nor), high fat diet (HF), high fat diet containing orlistat (PC), high fat diet containing different concentration of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus (UPDM_L, UPDM_H) and Discorea Japonica Thunb. (UPD) extract. Although the UPD, UPDM_L (ultrafine pulverized Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus: 400 mg/kg) and UPDM_H (DIO oral administration ultrafine pulverized Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus: 800 mg/kg) showed weight gain inhibition effects, the results of poor obesity inhibition rather than PC were confirmed. However, it showed a more effective weight loss effect in UPDM_H than UPD, and significantly reduced the weight of epididymal fat and subcutaneous fat. Furthermore, the possibility of anti-obesity effects of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus can be confirmed by observing the effects of reducing serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL concentrations, reducing ALT and AST levels, and inhibiting fat build-up in liver tissue. It is believed that Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus can be expected to utilize as a functional material that is important to improve anti-obesity and metabolic syndrome.