Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng protects heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats.

Testicular hyperthermia is well studied to cause impaired spermatogenesis. In the present study, the protective effect of enzymatically modified (pectinase-treated) Panax ginseng (GINST) against intermittent sub-chronic heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats was investigated. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), heat-stressed control (HC), heat-stressed plus GINST-100 mg/kg/day (HG100) and heat-stressed plus GINST-200 mg/kg/day (HG200) treatment groups. GINST (100 and 200 mg/kg/day) was mixed separately with a regular pellet diet and was administered orally for 8 weeks starting from 1 week before heat exposure. Parameters such as organ weight, blood chemistry, sperm kinetic values, expression of antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenesis molecules and sex hormone receptors levels were measured. Data revealed that kidney and epididymis weight were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased with heat stress and recovered by GINST treatment. Further, the altered levels of blood chemistry panels and sperm kinetic values in heat stress-induced rats were attenuated when GINST was administered (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression levels of antioxidant-related enzymes (GSTM5 and GPX4), spermatogenesis-related proteins (CREB1 and INHA) and sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor) were reduced by heat stress; however, GINST treatment effectively ameliorated these changes. In conclusion, GINST was effective in reducing heat-induced damage in various male fertility factors in vivo and has considerable potential to be developed as a useful supplement in improving male fertility.

Questionnaire Development to Assess Risk Factors for Environmental Diseases of Children in Daejeon.

Background: Allergic diseases are common in children and adolescents. It is important to assess the prevalence and risk factors of environmental diseases to implement tailored countermeasures. Methods: This questionnaire study investigated factors associated with environmental diseases in elementary school children with an environmental disease from 150 households in Daejeon Metropolitan City, South Korea in 2021. Results: The participants comprised 55.7% girls and 44.3% boys, and the mean age was 10.1 years with an even age distribution. The typical risk factors observed were the type of roads nearby, the presence of mold or stains within the residence, pet ownership, and frequency of indoor ventilation and cleaning. Notably, 73.2% of the households had an eight-lane road nearby, 40.2% reported leaks, stains, or mold within their homes during the past year, and 37.1% ventilated their homes for less than 30 min. After education on preventing and managing environmental diseases, significant changes were observed in bedding washing frequency, average ventilation duration per session, and duration of humidifier usage (p < 0.05-0.001), with improvements in lifestyle. Conclusions: Our study can be used as a reference for expanding indoor air quality control education for parents with children with an environmental disease and providing tailored environmental consultations.

Silk and silkworm pupa peptides suppress adipogenesis in preadipocytes and fat accumulation in rats fed a high-fat diet.

PURPOSE: The objective was to confirm the anti-obesity activity of a silk peptide (SP) and a silkworm pupa peptide (SPP) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and to elucidate their action mechanism(s) in a preadipocyte culture system. METHODS: In an in vitro mechanistic study, the differentiation and maturation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated with insulin (5 µg/mL), and effects of SP and SPP on the adipogenesis of mature adipocytes were assessed. In an in vivo anti-obesity study, male C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD containing SP or SPP (0.3, 1.0, or 3.0%) for 8 weeks, and blood and tissue parameters of obesity were analyzed. RESULTS: Hormonal stimulation of preadipocytes led to a 50-70% increase in adipogenesis. Polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses revealed increases in adipogenesis-specific genes (leptin and Acrp30) and proteins (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and Acrp30). The hormone-induced adipogenesis and activated gene expression was substantially inhibited by treatment with SP and SPP (1-50 µg/mL). The HFD markedly increased body weight gain by increasing the weight of epididymal and mesenteric fat. Body and fat weights were significantly reduced by SP and SPP, in which decreases in the area of abdominal adipose tissue and the size of epididymal adipocytes were confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging and microscopic examination, respectively. Long-term HFD caused hepatic lipid accumulation and increased blood triglycerides and cholesterol, in addition to their regulatory factors Acrp30 and leptin. However, SP and SPP recovered the concentrations of Acrp30 and leptin, and attenuated steatosis. CONCLUSIONS: SP and SPP inhibit the differentiation of preadipocytes and adipogenesis by modulating signal transduction pathways and improve HFD-induced obesity by reducing lipid accumulation and the size of adipocytes.

Effect of long-term administration of cordycepin from Cordyceps militaris on testicular function in middle-aged rats.

This study was carried out to examine the potential beneficial effect of cordycepin on the decline of testicular function induced with age. A total of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats (twenty-four 12-month-olds and six 2-month-olds) were divided into five groups. The young control (YC) and middle-aged control (MC) groups received vehicle only. Cordycepin-treated groups were administered daily doses of oral cordycepin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 months. As a result, the MC group exhibited epididymal weight loss, decreased sperm motility, and reduced spermatogenesis compared to the young control group. Interestingly, the epididymal weights of middle-aged rats were dose-dependently increased by treatment with cordycepin. Cordycepin also improved calcium levels and decreased urea and nitrogen, uric acid, and creatinine in the blood of middle-aged rats. In addition, cordycepin significantly increased sperm motility and the progressiveness of sperm movement. All cordycepin-treated groups showed well-arranged spermatogonia, densely packed cellular material, and increased numbers of mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous lumen compared to the middle-aged control group. These results indicate that long-term administration of cordycepin can counteract the decline of testicular function in middle-aged rats.

Anti-allergic effects of white rose petal extract and anti-atopic properties of its hexane fraction.

Rosa rugosa is a species of rose native to eastern Asia. The root of R. rugosa has been used to treat diabetes mellitus, pain and chronic inflammatory disease, and a R. rugosa petal extract has a strong anti-oxidant effect. In the present study, we examined if solvent fractions from white rose petal extract (WRPE) had any anti-allergic or anti-atopic effects not previously reported. WRPE and butanol and hexane fractions effectively reduced systemic anaphylactic reactions and anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis in mice, with the greatest inhibition observed for the hexane fraction. In addition, a significant reduction of scratching behavior by mice after histamine injection suggested this fraction's potential anti-allergic effect. At the cell level, the hexane fraction markedly inhibited beta-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 mast cells and suppressed the expressions of mRNA interferon-gamma and interleukin-4 cytokines produced by T helper cells (type 1 and 2). These results strongly support that the hexane fraction may have an effect on atopic dermatitis, as these 2 cell types play central roles in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. In conclusion, these results suggest that either the hexane fraction or one of its components may be beneficial for the treatment of allergic diseases, including atopic dermatitis.

Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) with enriched Rg3 ameliorates chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats via multifunctional approach.

BACKGROUND: Panax ginseng Meyer, known as Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), is one of the important age-old traditional herbs used in boosting libido and improving male fertility. In this study, the effects of Rg3-enriched KRG extract (KGC04P) on heat stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats was evaluated. METHODS: Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided into four groups (n = 10): normal control (NC), heat-stressed control (HC), heat-stressed plus KGC04P-100 mg/kg (HK100), and heat-stressed plus KGC04P-200 mg/kg (HK200) groups. Starting 1 week prior to heat stress, animals were administered orally with KGC04P (100 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet and continued for 25 weeks. Heat stress was induced to HC, HK100, and HK200 groups by intermittently exposing the animals to high temperatures (32 ± 1°C, 2 h/day). After 6 months, animals were euthanized under general anesthesia with carbon dioxide and evaluated for various parameters in serum and testicular tissue by using Western blotting, biochemical kits, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Significant (p < 0.05) alterations in several parameters, such as body/organ weight, sperm kinematics, and lipid metabolism marker levels, in the serum and testis of rats were observed. Further, the expression of testicular antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, sex hormonal receptors, and spermatogenesis-related genes were also affected significantly (p < 0.05) in the heat-stressed group. However, KGC04P prevented the heat stress-induced changes in rats significantly (p < 0.05) at both concentrations. CONCLUSION: KGC04P attenuated heat stress-induced testicular damage by a multifunctional approach and can be developed as an excellent therapeutic agent for hyperthermia-mediated male infertility.

Cordycepin, an Active Constituent of Nutrient Powerhouse and Potential Medicinal Mushroom Cordyceps militaris Linn., Ameliorates Age-Related Testicular Dysfunction in Rats.

Age-related male sexual dysfunction covers a wide variety of issues, together with spermatogenic and testicular impairment. In the present work, the effects of cordycepin (COR), an active constituent of a nutrient powerhouse Cordyceps militaris Linn, on senile testicular dysfunction in rats was investigated. The sperm kinematics, antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenic factors, sex hormone receptors, histone deacetylating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), and autophagy-related mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) expression in aged rat testes were evaluated. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into young control (2-month-old; YC), aged control (12-month-old; AC), and aged plus COR-treated groups (5 (COR-5), 10 (COR-10), and 20 (COR-20) mg/kg). The AC group showed reduced sperm kinematics and altered testicular histomorphology compared with the YC group (p < 0.05). However, compared with the AC group, the COR-treated group exhibited improved sperm motility, progressiveness, and average path/straight line velocity (p < 0.05-0.01). Alterations in spermatogenesis-related protein and mRNA expression were significantly ameliorated (p < 0.05) in the COR-20 group compared with the AC group. The altered histone deacetylating SIRT1 and autophagy-related mTORC1 molecular expression in aged rats were restored in the COR-20 group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the results suggest that COR holds immense nutritional potential and therapeutic value in ameliorating age-related male sexual dysfunctions.

Protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng against sub-acute immobilization stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats.

BACKGROUND: Excessive stress causes varied physiological and psychological disorders including male reproductive problems. Here, we attempted to investigate the protective effects of Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer; KRG) against sub-acute immobilization stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats. METHODS: Male rats (age, 4 wk; weight, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups (n = 8 in each group): normal control group, immobilization control group, immobilization group treated with 100 mg/kg of KRG daily, and immobilization group treated with 200 mg/kg of KRG daily. Normal control and immobilization control groups received vehicle only. KRG (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed in the standard diet powder and fed daily for 6 mo. Parameters such as organ weight, blood chemistry, sperm kinematic values, and expression levels of testicular-related molecules were measured using commercially available kits, Western blotting, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Data revealed that KRG restored the altered testis and epididymis weight in immobilization stress-induced rats significantly (p < 0.05). Further, KRG ameliorated the altered blood chemistry and sperm kinematic values when compared with the immobilization control group and attenuated the altered expression levels of spermatogenesis-related proteins (nectin-2, cAMP responsive element binding protein 1, and inhibin-⍺), sex hormone receptors (androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor), and antioxidant-related enzymes (glutathione S-transferase m5, peroxiredoxin-4, and glutathione peroxidase 4) significantly in the testes of immobilization stress-induced rats. CONCLUSION: KRG protected immobilization stress-induced testicular damage and fertility factors in rats, thereby indicating its potential in the treatment of stress-related male sterility.

Effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on testicular spermatogenesis-related panels and serum sex hormone levels in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the detrimental role of tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in testicular histology, spermatogenesis-related panels and proteome, and serum sex hormone levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 40 male rats were divided into equal groups: a normal control (NC) group that received vehicle and saline, and a TCDD-treated (TT) group injected intraperitoneally with TCDD (one dose, 50 microg/kg body weight). The rats were killed 4 weeks after TCDD exposure and testicular weight, histopathology, proteome and variables related to spermatogenesis, and serum sex hormone levels were investigated. RESULTS: TCDD induced a significant decrease in testicular weight, Johnsen's score, seminiferous tubular size, percentage of tubules containing sperm, sperm counts, germ cell counts and Sertoli cell index. In addition, there was a significant decrease in serum testosterone level (P < 0.01) and a remarkable increase in oestradiol (P < 0.01), follicle-stimulating hormone (P < 0.05) and luteinizing hormone (P < 0.05) levels in the TT group. The expression of six testicular proteins including testis-specific heat shock protein (Hsp70), protein disulphide isomerase A3 precursor, 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase, nonmuscle myosin heavy-chain type B-like protein, and superoxide dismutase 1 were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05-0.01). Interestingly, fertility protein SP22 and phosphatidylethanolamine-binding protein were down-regulated but this was only significant for fertility protein SP22 (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: TCDD induces marked histological changes in the testis, impairs variables related to spermatogenesis, and increases serum oestradiol levels but decreases testosterone levels. In particular, TCDD disturbs testicular proteome profiles in rats.

Antiteratogenic effect of resveratrol in mice exposed in utero to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

The effect of resveratrol, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor antagonist, on the teratogenicity induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) was investigated. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were orally administered resveratrol (50 mg/kg) for 6 consecutive days, from gestational day (GD) 8 to GD13, followed by an oral challenge with TCDD (14 mug/kg) on GD12. TCDD caused severe fetal malformations including cleft palate (40.7%), renal pelvic dilatation (100%, mean score 3.060), and ureteric dilatation (100%, mean score 3.210) and tortuosity (95.1%). Resveratrol significantly reduced both the incidence of TCDD-induced cleft palate to 18.4% and the degrees of renal pelvic and ureteric dilatations caused by TCDD. The results suggest that pretreatment with resveratrol might bring a beneficial outcome for reducing the incidence and severity of fetal malformations caused by TCDD exposure in utero.

Effect of maternal restraint stress on fetal development of ICR mice.

The present study was conducted to elucidate the susceptibility of embryos and fetuses at different gestational stages to the maternal stress in mice. Groups of pregnant ICR mice were subjected to daily 12-h restraint stress, taped in the supine position on a plastic board, on gestational days (GD) 1-4, 5-8, 9-12 and 13-16, respectively. Caesarean sections were performed on gestational day 18, and the fetuses were weighed and examined for morphological defects. During the daily restraint for 4 days, the maternal body weights markedly decreased. Although the body weights recovered gradually after termination of the stress, the recovery was not full until the final stage of pregnancy. Interestingly, restraint stress caused growth retardation of the fetuses, leading to a significant decrease in their body weights, and increased early and late resorptions of embryos and fetuses according to the stress periods. Although the preceding (GD1-4) and concurrent (GD5-8) stresses did not affect embryonic implantation, restraint stress on GD9-12 caused cleft palate. Whereas vertebral abnormalities, mainly bipartite ossification, were observed only in animals stressed on GD5-8, abnormalities of sternebrae, exhibiting asymmetric or bipartite ossification, were enhanced by the stress at all of the gestational stages. On the other hand, the incidence of other malformations including renal malposition and costal abnormalities was not increased by stress at any of the 4 stages. Taken together, the results suggest that intensive restraint stress influences the maternal body weight resulting in growth retardation and increased mortality of embryos and fetuses, in addition to gestational stage-specific ventricular dilatation, cleft palate and sternal abnormalities.

Korean red ginseng attenuates hypercholesterolemia-enhanced platelet aggregation through suppression of diacylglycerol liberation in high-cholesterol-diet-fed rabbits.

Intake of Korean red ginseng (KRG, ginseng Radix rubra), rich in glycosylated saponins (ginsenosides), has been known to inhibit platelet aggregation in the normocholesterolemic condition. However, it is unclear whether KRG can attenuate hypercholesterolemia-enhanced platelet aggregation. This study examined whether the daily consumption of a KRG-water extract (WE) could prevent the hypercholesterolemia-enhanced platelet aggregation and progression of hypercholesterolemic atherosclerosis. KRG-WE administration (200 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks potently inhibited the platelet aggregation induced by low doses of agonists (0.5 microg/mL collagen and 0.025 unit/mL thrombin), whereas it weakly reduced the blood-cholesterol levels and formation of atheromatous lesions. In further investigation, KRG-WE significantly suppressed collagen-induced 1,2-diacylglycerol liberation, but had no significant effect on arachidonic acid liberation. Taken together, it can be suggested that the antiplatelet effect of KRG-WE may, at least partly, be due to the inhibition of 1,2-diacylglycerol generation rather than regulation of blood lipid levels. In conclusion, daily consumption of KRG-WE could be a useful alternative measure for the prevention of thrombus and atheroma formation in hypercholesterolemia.

Debilitating stresses do not increase blood-brain barrier permeability: Lack of the involvement of corticosteroids.

The involvement of corticosteroids in stress-induced change in blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was investigated. Mice were adrenalectomized and administered with pyridostigmine bromide (PB) or Evan's blue, markers of BBB penetration, followed by 18-h cold-restraint stress (CRS). Rats were administered with mifepristone, a corticosteroid receptor blocker, and the markers, followed by 4-h water immersion-restraint stress (WIRS). Separately, soman was administered to induce seizures-mediated BBB opening. CRS did not induce PB and Evan's blue penetration, which were not affected by adrenalectomy. Also, the markers were not detected in the brain of rats subjected to WIRS, regardless of the treatment of mifepristone. In comparison, 1-h epileptic seizures increased the penetration of Evan's blue by 875%. The results suggest that in contrast to seizure-related BBB opening, profound stresses do not practically increase the BBB permeability, and that corticosteroids are not involved in the stress-induced BBB penetration of charged chemicals and albumin-dye complex.

Antiteratogenic effects of alpha-naphthoflavone on 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposed mice in utero.

The effects of alpha-naphthoflavone, an aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonist, on the reproductive toxicity and teratogenicity induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) were investigated. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were orally administered alpha-naphthoflavone either once on gestational day 12 (GD12; 50 microg/kg) or for 6 days (GD8-GD13; 5 mg/kg/day) followed by an oral challenge with TCDD (14 microg/kg) on GD12. Cesarean section was performed on GD18 for the evaluation of maternal and fetal toxicities. TCDD caused severe fetal malformations including cleft palate (43.7%) and renal pelvic and ureteric dilatations (100%). The administration of alpha-naphthoflavone either in a single treatment or 6-days remarkably reduced the incidence of cleft palate to 27.6% and 26.5%, respectively. In addition, the degree of renal pelvic and ureteric dilatations caused by TCDD were significantly attenuated by repeated treatment of alpha-naphthoflavone. These results suggest that AhR antagonists such as alpha-naphthoflavone could be promising candidates for reducing the incidence and severity of fetal malformations caused by TCDD exposure in utero.

Pectinase-treated Panax ginseng protects against chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage by modulating hormonal and spermatogenesis-related molecular expression in rats.

BACKGROUND: Elevated testicular temperature disrupts spermatogenesis and causes infertility. In the present study, the protective effect of enzymatically biotransformed Panax ginseng Meyer by pectinase (GINST) against chronic intermittent heat stress-induced testicular damage in rats was investigated. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 wk old, 60-70 g) were divided into four groups: normal control (NC), heat-stress control (HC), heat-stress plus GINST-100 mg/kg (HG100), and heat-stress plus GINST-200 mg/kg (HG200) treatment groups. Each dose of GINST (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) was mixed separately with a regular pellet diet and was administered orally for 24 wk. For inducing heat stress, rats in the NC group were maintained at 25°C, whereas rats in the HC, HG100, and HG200 groups were exposed to 32 ± 1°C for 2 h daily for 6 mo. At week 25, the testes and serum from each animal were analyzed for various parameters. RESULTS: Significant (p < 0.01) changes in the sperm kinematic values and blood chemistry panels were observed in the HC group. Furthermore, spermatogenesis-related molecules, sex hormone receptors, and selected antioxidant enzyme expression levels were also altered in the HC group compared to those in the NC group. GINST (HS100 and HS200) administration significantly (p < 0.05) restored these changes when compared with the HC group. For most of the parameters tested, the HG200 group exhibited potent effects compared with those exhibited by the HG100 group. CONCLUSION: GINST may be categorized as an important medicinal herb and a potential therapeutic for the treatment of male subfertility or infertility caused by hyperthermia.

Korean red ginseng improves testicular ineffectiveness in aging rats by modulating spermatogenesis-related molecules.

Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is known to rejuvenate testicular effectiveness and the sperm maturation process by regulating redox proteins in aged rats. This study was performed to investigate the effect of Korean red ginseng water extract (KRG-WE) on the expression level of spermatogenesis-related key biomolecules and sex hormone receptors as well as enzymes regulating oxidation, histone deacetylation, and growth-related activities in aged rat testis. KRG-WE (200mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet was administered to 12-month-old rats for 6months (KRG-AC), whereas the young (YC, 2months) and aged (AC, 12months) controls received the vehicle only. The results showed that the expression levels of spermatogenesis-related key biomolecules (inhibin-α, nectin-2, and cyclic adenosine monophosphate [cAMP] responsive element binding protein [CREB]-1), sex hormone receptors (androgen, luteinizing- and follicle-stimulating hormone receptors [AR, LHR, and FSHR, respectively]), and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione S-transferase mu [GSTm]-5, glutathione peroxidase [GPx]-4, peroxiredoxin [PRx]-3), as well as histone deactylation (silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1, SIRT1) and growth-related (mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1, mTORC1) molecules were significantly altered in the AC group rat testes compared with those of the YC group. However, KRG-WE treatment of the AC group significantly (p<0.05) attenuated these molecular changes. From these results, it can be concluded that long-term administration of KRG-WE significantly delayed the aging-induced testicular dysfunction.

The therapeutic effect of tissue cultured root of wild Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer on spermatogenetic disorder.

This study examined the possibility of using a tissue cultured root of wild Panax ginseng (tcwPG) as a fertility agent. The effect of tcwPG on spermatogenesis was studied using male rats. The tcwPG crude powder was administered orally to 7-week-old rats over a 6-week period. The number of sperm in the testes and epididymides was significantly higher than the control. A histological examination did not reveal any morphological changes in the testes from the tcwPG powder treated rats. Moreover, there were no significant differences in the weights of the heart, spleen, liver, kidney, brain, testes and epididymides. Oligospermia was also induced by administering 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodaibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to the rats in order to estimate the feasibility of using tcwPG as treatment for infertility caused by spermatogenic disorders. After exposing the rats to TCDD, the tcwPG saponin fraction treated rats showed some improvement in the body weight, sperm number and testis morphology. It was estimated that tcwPG had feasibility as a therapeutic agent on spermatogenic disorder.

Black Rice with Giant Embryo Attenuates Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders in ob/ob Mice.

Obesity is closely associated with metabolic disorders such as hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia. Leptin-deficient ob/ob mice (C57BL/6J-ob/ob) and C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a diet of black rice with giant embryo (BR), white rice (WR), or AIN-93G (control) and pair-fed for 14 weeks. Although there was no significant difference in body weight, BR-fed ob/ob mice had (1) significantly lower body fat mass than WR- and control-fed ob/ob mice determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; (2) significantly lower blood glucose, serum insulin, and triacylglycerol levels than control-fed ob/ob mice; and (3) significantly lower liver weight, hepatic triacylglycerol, and hepatic lipid droplets than both WR- and control-fed ob/ob mice. Furthermore, DNA damage in the liver, determined by phosphorylated H2AX protein, and in the kidney, determined by single-cell gel electrophoresis, was significantly lower in BR-fed than WR- and control-fed ob/ob mice. This study indicates that BR ameliorates obesity and its related metabolic disorders.

Protection by a transdermal patch containing physostigmine and procyclidine of soman poisoning in dogs.

The prophylactic efficacy of a combinational patch system containing physostigmine and procyclidine against soman intoxication was evaluated using dogs. Female beagle dogs (body weights 9-10 kg) were shaved on the abdominal side, attached with a matrix-type patch (7x7 cm) containing 1.5% of physostigmine plus 6% procyclidine for 2 days, and challenged with subcutaneous injection of serial doses (2-10 LD50) of soman. Separately, in combination with the patch attachment, atropine (2 mg/dog) plus 2-pralidoxime (600 mg/dog) or atropine plus 1-[([4-(aminocarbonyl)pyridinio]methoxy)methyl]-2-[(hydroxyimino)methyl]pyridinium (HI-6, 500 mg/dog) were injected intramuscularly 1 min after soman poisoning. The LD50 value of soman was determined to be 9.1 microg/kg, and high doses (> or = 1.4 LD50) of soman induced salivation, emesis, defecation and diarrhea, tremors and seizures, and recumbency of dogs, leading to 100% mortality in 24 h. The prophylactic patch, which led to mean 18.5-18.8% inhibition of blood cholinesterase activity by physostigmine and mean 7.9-8.3 ng/ml of blood concentration of procyclidine, exerted a high protection ratio (4.7 LD50), in comparison with relatively-low effects of traditional antidotes, atropine plus 2-pralidoxime (2.5 LD50) and atropine plus HI-6 (2.7 LD50). Noteworthy, a synergistic increase in the protection ratio was achieved by the combination of the patch with atropine plus HI-6 (9 LD50), but not with atropine plus 2-pralidoxime (5 LD50). In addition, the patch system markedly attenuated the cholinergic signs and seizures induced by soman, especially when combined with atropine plus HI-6, leading to elimination of brain injuries and physical incapacitation up to 6 LD50 of soman poisoning. Taken together, it is suggested that the patch system containing physostigmine and procyclidine, especially in combination with atropine and HI-6, could be a choice for the quality survival from nerve-agent poisoning.

Anti-Diabetic and Hepato-Renal Protective Effects of Ziyuglycoside II Methyl Ester in Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, and closely associated with abnormal lipid metabolism and hepato-renal dysfunction. This study investigated the anti-diabetic and hepato-renal protective properties of ziyuglycoside I (ZG01) derivative on type 2 diabetes. ZG01 was isolated from roots of Sanguisorba officinalis and chemically modified by deglycosylation and esterification to obtained ziyuglycoside II methyl ester (ZG02-ME). Here, we showed that ZG02-ME has stronger anti-diabetic activity than the original compound (ZG01) through decreasing blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin levels in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes (db/db mice). We further found that ZG02-ME treatment effectively ameliorated serum insulin, leptin and C-peptide levels, which are key metabolic hormones, in db/db mice. In addition, we showed that elevated basal blood lipid levels were decreased by ZG02-ME treatment in db/db mice. Furthermore, treatment of ZG02-ME significantly decreased serum AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine, and liver lipid peroxidation in db/db mice. These results demonstrated that compared to ZG01, chemically modified ZG02-ME possess improved anti-diabetic properties, and has hepato-renal protective activities in type 2 diabetes.