High Housing Density-Induced Chronic Stress Diminishes Ovarian Reserve via Granulosa Cell Apoptosis by Angiotensin II Overexpression in Mice.

Repeated and prolonged stress causes hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) dysregulation. Excessive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity has been linked to inadequate activation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, which controls the growth and development of ovarian follicles and oocytes. Therefore, we assessed the ovarian reserve under high-housing-density-induced prolonged stress, and investigated the mechanisms underlying diminished ovarian reserve in this study.

Dried Ginger Extract Restores the T Helper Type 1/T Helper Type 2 Balance and Antibody Production in Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunocompromised Mice after Flu Vaccination.

Dried ginger ( (ZR)) is frequently used to prevent or treat common cold and flu. This study aimed to investigate the influence of ZR extracts on influenza-specific antibody production in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced immunocompromised mice. Female BALB/c mice were injected three times with saline or Cy.

Comprehensive analysis of miRNA-mRNA interactions in ovaries of aged mice.

Advanced maternal age and ovarian aging are deleterious to the quantity and quality of oocytes and epigenetic modifications, which can affect the health of offspring. However, relatively little is known about the regulation of microRNA-mediated transcription during ovarian aging. We therefore aimed to identify age-related mRNA and microRNA changes and their interactions in the ovaries of aged mice.

Restoration of miR-223-3p expression in aged mouse uteri with Samul-tang administration.

Background: During the secretory phase of the estrous cycle, endometrium senescence is accompanied by biological mechanisms such as metabolic dysfunction and epigenetic changes, leading to decreased embryo receptivity and implantation failure. Samul-tang has been reported to improve implantation potential in aged mice.

Methods: To uncover the age-related changes in the transcriptomes, we performed QuantSeq 3'mRNA sequencing to compare the mRNA expression patterns in the uteri between young and old mice.

Effect of samul-tang on female fertility via RAS signaling pathway in ovaries of aged mice.

Samul-tang (SM), a traditional herbal medicine, is used to treat age-related human conditions, such as infertility and menstrual irregularities. The mechanism underlying the role of SM in ovary function needs elucidation. In this study, the influence of SM administration on the ovarian reserve of aged mice was investigated.

Acupuncture for Poor Ovarian Response: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Acupuncture is believed to improve ovarian reserve and reproductive outcomes in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of network-optimized acupuncture followed by IVF on the oocyte yield in women showing a poor ovarian response. This study was an exploratory randomized controlled trial conducted from June 2017 to January 2020 at the Pusan National University Hospital.

Extended adverse effects of cyclophosphamide on mouse ovarian function.

Purpose: Most patients with cancer undergo multiple administrations of anticancer drugs during treatment, resulting in chronic impairment of their reproductive health. As improved treatment options increase cancer survival, it has become increasingly important to address fertility issues in cancer survivors. In this study, we examined the pathophysiological effects of multiple exposures to cyclophosphamide (Cy) on the ovaries of mice and their underlying molecular mechanism.

After cyclophosphamide exposure, granulosa cells recover their anti-müllerian hormone-producing ability but not their numbers.

Anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) produced by granulosa cells (GCs), reserves the ovarian follicle pool for future recruitment and ovulation. However, women who have undergone cyclophosphamide (Cy) treatment have decreased AMH levels due to damaged GCs. This study establishes flow cytometry protocols for identification of GCs and investigates the cause of the Cy-induced AMH decrease by analyzing the number of GCs and their AMH production at the single cell level.

Samul-tang ameliorates oocyte damage due to cyclophosphamide-induced chronic ovarian dysfunction in mice.

Samul-tang (SM), a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat menstrual irregularities and infertility in women. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of SM remain elusive. We investigated the potential protective effect of SM against chronic ovarian dysfunction and used bioinformatics analysis to identify its underlying mechanism in a mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced diminished ovarian reserve.

Carrot Pomace Polysaccharide (CPP) Improves Influenza Vaccine Efficacy in Immunosuppressed Mice via Dendritic Cell Activation.

Despite the advancements in vaccination research and practices, influenza viruses remain a global health concern. Inducing a robust immune response by vaccination is especially challenging in the elderly, the immunocompromised, and persons with chronic illnesses. Polysaccharides derived from food may act as a safe and readily accessible means to boost the immune system during vaccination.

Current clinical practice status of Korean medicine for managing female infertility: A cross-sectional survey.

Background: This survey aimed to investigate clinicians' perceptions and current practice patterns of Korean medicine (KM) treatment for female infertility.

Methods: A questionnaire on clinical practice patterns of KM treatment for female infertility was constructed and distributed to 703 KM doctors (KMDs).

Results: A total of 20.

Acupuncture for in vitro fertilization in women with poor ovarian response: a systematic review.

Background: Poor ovarian response (POR) is one reason for infertility. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is frequently used to help achieve pregnancy, and performing acupuncture before IVF may promote ovulation and reduce egg retrieval pain. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of acupuncture on clinical pregnancy rates (CPR) after IVF in women with POR.

Extracts from Paeonia lactiflora Pallas, Rehmannia Glutinosa var. Purpurea Makino, Perilla Frutescens var. Acuta Kudo may increase the endometrial receptivity through expression of leukemia inhibitory factor and adhesion molecules.

Objective: To find out the combination of the extracts from Paeonia lactiflora Pallas (PL), Reh- mannia Glutinosa var. Purpurea Makino (RG), Perilla Frutescens var. Acuta Kudo (PF) to increase endometrial receptivity.

Korean medicines for poor ovarian reserve in infertility: A protocol for a multicenter observational study.

Introduction: Many infertile patients have used Korean medicines (KMs) as a primary or adjuvant therapeutic method to improve in vitro fertilization success rates. The aim of this multicenter observational study is to investigate the effects of KMs on poor ovarian reserve (POR) in infertile patients.

Methods And Analysis: We will perform a prospective multicenter observational study.

Four Subgroups of Blood Stasis Syndrome Are Identified by Manifestation Cluster Analysis in Males.

Blood stasis syndrome (BSS) is an important pathological condition in traditional East Asian medicine and is associated with ischemic heart disease, cerebral vascular accident, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, severe traumatic injury, and dysmenorrhea. However, previous studies have been unable to reveal the clinical and biological characteristics or biological markers of BSS. We hypothesized that the heterogeneity among the manifestations of BSS or non-BSS could interfere with an analysis to describe the characteristics of BSS.

A systematic review of herbal medicines for the treatment of cancer cachexia in animal models.

Objective: The aim of this study is to summarize preclinical studies on herbal medicines used to treat cancer cachexia and its underlying mechanisms.

Methods: We searched four representing databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, and the Web of Science up to December 2016. Randomized animal studies were included if the effects of any herbal medicine were tested on cancer cachexia.

A randomized, open phase IV exploratory clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture on the outcome of induction of ovulation in women with poor ovarian response: A study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Women with infertility who have a poor ovarian responder (POR), characterized by a low number of retrieved oocytes after ovulation induction, often have a significantly reduced pregnancy rate after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), due to the few transferred embryos. Acupuncture is a form of Korean Traditional Medicine. It involves the insertion of a microscopic needle at a specific point in the body, known as an acupuncture point or an acupoint.

Immunodominance hierarchy of influenza subtype-specific neutralizing antibody response as a hurdle to effectiveness of polyvalent vaccine.

Strengthening of immunodominance hierarchy of influenza subtype-specific neutralizing antibody response by annual polyvalent vaccinations could increase the variation of vaccine effectiveness by subtype. Therefore, we suggest the assessment of neutralizing antibody titer prior to seasonal vaccination and recommend the inoculation of only strains lower than protective levels.

Paljung-San, a traditional herbal medicine, attenuates benign prostatic hyperplasia in vitro and in vivo.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Paljung-san is a traditional herbal medicine used widely for the treatment of urogenital diseases in East Asia. However, scientific evidence of the efficacy of Paljung-san and its mechanisms of action against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not clearly established.

Aim Of The Study: We investigated the inhibitory effect of Paljung-san water extract (PSWE) and its mechanisms against BPH in vitro and in vivo.

Innate-like Cytotoxic Function of Bystander-Activated CD8 T Cells Is Associated with Liver Injury in Acute Hepatitis A.

Acute hepatitis A (AHA) involves severe CD8 T cell-mediated liver injury. Here we showed during AHA, CD8 T cells specific to unrelated viruses became activated. Hepatitis A virus (HAV)-infected cells produced IL-15 that induced T cell receptor (TCR)-independent activation of memory CD8 T cells.

Anti-adipogenic effects of the traditional herbal formula Dohongsamul-tang in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Background: Blood stasis syndrome (BSS) is a general pattern identification and refers to pathological stagnation of blood circulation, dysfunction of endothelial cells or metabolic disorder in traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Dohongsamul-Tang (DHSMT) is a well-known traditional herbal formula which used for treatment and prevention of BSS by promoting blood circulation in TKM.

Methods: Cytotoxicity of DHSMT was examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).

Benzoic Acid Enhances Embryo Implantation through LIF-Dependent Expression of Integrin αVβ3 and αVβ5.

Embryo implantation is the crucial step for a successful pregnancy. Diverse factors, including adhesion molecules, growth factors, and cytokines are important for embryo implantation through improving endometrial receptivity. Benzoic acid (BA), a component of various plants, has been shown to have antifungal and antioxidant effects.

Gyejibongneyong-hwan, a herbal medicine for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea with uterine fibroids: a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Gyejibongneyong-hwan (GBH), or the Guizhi Fuling Formula in Chinese, is widely used to treat uterine fibroids in East Asian countries including Korea, China and Japan. This study will assess the efficacy and safety of the GBH formula for the treatment of dysmenorrhoea.

Methods And Analysis: This study will be a randomised double-blind controlled trial with two parallel arms: the GBH group and the placebo group.

Expert opinions on the concept of blood stasis in China: An interview study.

Objective: To study various experts' opinions on the defifinition and diagnosis of blood stasis in China.

Methods: We e-mailed the selected experts to explain the purpose of the study and to invite them to participate and asked them to name a time for the investigator to call them. Eight experts and fifive organizations were interviewed in the research community investigating blood stasis in China.

The use of maca (Lepidium meyenii) to improve semen quality: A systematic review.

The aim of this review was to assess the evidence for the effectiveness of maca (Lepidium meyenii) in improving semen quality. We searched 11 databases from their inception to March 2016 and included all clinical trials on the improvement of semen quality parameters in infertile and healthy men, regardless of the study design or the type of maca. The risk of bias for each study was assessed using the Cochrane criteria.