Clusterin is highly expressed in tubular complexes during spontaneous pancreatitis of spontaneous hypertensive rats.

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of pancreas which leads to varying degrees of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine dysfunction and manifests in either acute or chronic forms. Spontaneous pancreatitis in experimental animals has rarely been reported. Here, we found acute to chronic courses of spontaneous pancreatitis in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), showing the formation of tubular complexes (TCs) and enhanced islet regeneration.

Silk fibroin has a protective effect against high glucose induced apoptosis in HIT-T15 cells.

High glucose levels induce cell death in many cell types, including pancreatic β-cells. Although protective agents against glucotoxicity have been searched for extensively, so far none have been found. In this report, we tested silk fibroin (SF) as a candidate material for antiglucotoxicity in the pancreatic β-cell (HIT-T15 cell) line.

Immunolocalization of anion exchanger 1 (Band 3) in the renal collecting duct of the common marmoset.

The purpose of this study was to determine the expression and distribution of band 3 in the collecting duct and connecting tubules of the kidney of the marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), and to establish whether band 3 is expressed in type A intercalated cells. The intracellular localization of band 3 in the different populations of intercalated cells was determined by double-labeling immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical microscopy demonstrated that band 3 is located in the basolateral plasma membranes of all type A intercalated cells in the connecting tubule (CNT), cortical collecting duct (CCD), and outer medullary collecting duct (OMCD) of the marmoset.

Antiinflammatory activities of Rubus coreanus depend on the degree of fruit ripening.

The dried unripe fruit of Rubus coreanus, which is well-known in Korea and referred to as 'Bok-bun-ja', has been employed as a traditional medicine for centuries. This crude drug is utilized in Korea for the management of impotence, spermatorrhea, enuresis, asthma and allergic diseases. The principal objective of the present study was to conduct a comparison of the antiinflammatory effects of ethanol extracts of the unripe (URCE), half-ripened (HRCE) and ripe fruits (RCE) of Rubus coreanus.

Transient ischemia-induced changes of excitatory amino acid carrier 1 in the ventral horn of the lumbar spinal cord in rabbits.

Objectives: To examine temporal changes of EAAC1 immunoreactivity and its protein level in the spinal ventral horn after transient ischemia in the rabbit to investigate the correlation between neuronal cell death and EAAC1 in the ventral horn of spinal cord.

Methods: White rabbits weighing 2.5-3.

Effect of aging on insulin secretory function and expression of beta cell function-related genes of islets.

Recently, the glucose-stimulated insulin release of isolated human islets has been shown to deteriorate progressively with advancing donor age. This decline in beta cell function with aging may contribute to the increasing development of IGT and type 2 diabetes and also to the progressive nature of the disease. This study was to see whether there is any change in expression of beta cell function-related genes in islets with aging.

Age-dependent changes in iron deposition in the gerbil hippocampus.

In this study, we focused on age-dependent changes in intracellular iron deposition in the gerbil hippocampus. At 1 month of age (PM 1), iron reactivity was weak in the gerbil hippocampus. At this time, cells in the polymorphic layer of the dentate gyrus showed weak iron reactivity.

The circling mouse (C57BL/6J-cir) has a 40-kilobase genomic deletion that includes the transmembrane inner ear (tmie) gene.

The circling mouse (C57BL6-cir) shows deafness and circling behavior in homozygotes. The mutation is transmitted with 100% penetrance by an autosomal recessive gene on chromosome 9. In the present study, we characterized the circling mutation as a 40-kilobase deletion that includes the transmembrane inner ear (tmie) gene.

Induction of heme oxygenase-1 mediates the anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol extract of Rubus coreanus in murine macrophages.

Foods of plant origin, especially fruits and vegetables, draw increased attention because of their potential benefits to human health. The aim of the present study was to determine in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of four different extracts obtained from the fruits of Rubus coreanus (aqueous and ethanol extracts of unripe and ripe fruits). Among the four extracts, the ethanol extract of unripe fruits of R.

Age-related changes in calretinin-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the rat main olfactory bulb.

The changes of calretinin (CR)-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the glomerular layer of the main olfactory bulb (MOB) were investigated in rats differing ages from postnatal month 1 (PM 1) to PM 24. The number of cresyl violet-positive periglomerular cells was similar between PM 1 and PM 12, but they decreased slightly in the PM 24 group. The size of CR-immunoreactive periglomerular cells in the glomerular layer increased with age, while their numbers did not change significantly in the PM 6-PM 24 groups.

Anti-inflammatory effect of roasted licorice extracts on lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages.

Licorice, the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflata, is used by practitioners of alternative medicine to treat individuals with gastric or duodenal ulcers, bronchitis, cough, arthritis, adrenal insufficiency, and allergies. We investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of 4 licorice extracts: extracts of roasted licorice obtained by ethanol (rLE) or water extraction (rLW) and extracts of raw licorice obtained by ethanol (LE) or water extraction (LW). rLE demonstrated strong anti-inflammatory activity through its ability to reduce nitric oxide and prostaglandin E(2) production in the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell, RAW264.

Study on the ophthalmic diseases in ICR mice and BALB/c mice.

In pharmaceutical companies and research institutes, many toxicity tests are performed with laboratory animals. This study was performed to produce reference data for eye toxicity tests and to investigate the ophthalmic diseases of 408 ICR mice and 119 BALB/c mice, which are commonly used as subjects in toxicity tests. The experimental animals without clinical disorders were selected regardless of sex.

A novel missense mutation in the mouse hairless gene causes irreversible hair loss: genetic and molecular analyses of Hr m1Enu.

A novel autosomal recessive mutant was produced using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea mutagenesis. The characteristics of the mutant mice included progressive irreversible hair loss within a month of birth, wrinkled skin, and long curved nails. Linkage analysis revealed that the causative gene is linked to D14Mit193 on chromosome 14.

A new variant of the mouse Akp1 locus.

A new electrophoretic migration type of alkaline phosphatase 1 (Akp1) was found on the cellulose acetate electrophoresis for kidney and liver homogenates of KWHM mouse, a newly established inbred strain derived from the Korean wild mouse (Mus musculus molossinus). This new type of alkaline phosphatase 1 was distinguished from previously reported AKP1A and AKP1B types in the mouse, and tentatively named AKP1C. In genetic analysis by mating experiments between KWHM and C57BL/6J (AKP1A) or BALB/cA (AKP1B), the phenotypic segregation ratios of AKP1A : AKP1AC : AKP1C or AKP1B : AKP1BC : AKP1C were 1 : 2 : 1 in both groups of F2 generations.

Spontaneous ophthalmic diseases in 586 New Zealand white rabbits.

The purpose of this study was to investigate spontaneous eye disease in New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits, which are commonly used for toxicity tests, and to provide reference materials for pharmaceutical companies and research centers. A total of 586 NZW rabbits were randomly chosen without sex preference and were examined using ocular equipment, including a direct ophthalmoscope, an indirect ophthalmoscope, a slit-lamp biomicroscope, a focal illuminator, and a fundus camera. This study showed that the incidence rate of temporary cataracts, regarded as a change within normal variation, was 0.

The effect of P2X receptor activity on GABAA receptor-mediated inhibition in the gerbil hippocampus.

In the present study, to elucidate the effect of altered P(2)X receptor transmission on GABA(A) receptor expression and its transmission, we studied the morphological and electrophysiological responses of GABA(A) receptor in the gerbil hippocampus following P(2)X receptor antagonist/agonist treatment. Suramin or pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS) treatment did not affect GABA(A) receptor immunoreactivities and paired-pulse responses in the gerbil hippocampus. In addition, ATP treatment did not significantly affect population spike amplitude ratios and EPSP slope ratios in the gerbil dentate gyrus.

Quantitative trait Loci for glomerulosclerosis, kidney weight and body weight in the focal glomerulosclerosis mouse model.

In 183 male progeny derived from a backcross between the FGS/Kist strain, a new mouse model for focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS) in humans, and the standard normal strain, C57BL/6J, we performed a genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting the glomerulosclerosis index (GSI) based on histological observation as well as kidney and body weights. Two QTLs for GSI (Gsi1-2) located on chromosomes (Chrs) 8 and 10, a kidney weight QTL (Kdw1) on Chr 19, and a body weight QTL (Bdw1) on Chr 13 were detected at the genome-wide 5% or less level. The allele derived from FGS/Kist increased GSI at Gsi1, but decreased it at Gsi2.

Seizure-induced changes of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus in seizure sensitive gerbils.

Abnormal corticosteroid hormone levels during stress and resultant mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)/glucocorticoid receptor (GR) imbalance enhance the vulnerability of specific hippocampal neurons. In the present study, we investigated the distribution of MR and GR in seizure resistant (SR) and seizure sensitive (SS) gerbils, and observed the seizure-induced changes of MR and GR in the hippocampus of SS gerbils using immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. MR and GR immunoreactivities were higher in the SS pre-seizure gerbils than that in SR gerbils.

Quantitative trait loci for proteinuria in the focal glomerulosclerosis mouse model.

The FGS/Kist strain of mice, a new animal model for focal glomerulosclerosis (FGS) in humans, was previously established by recurrent selection for high proteinuria, which is a principal marker of FGS, from descendants of CBA/Nga and RFM/Nga strains. We performed a genome-wide scan for quantitative trait loci (QTLs) affecting proteinuria in a population of 356 backcross progeny derived from a cross between FGS/Kist and the standard normal strain, C57BL/6J. Five proteinuria QTLs (Ptnu1-5) were detected at the genome-wide 5% or less level.

Elevated voltage-gated Ca2+ channel immunoreactivities in the hippocampus of seizure-prone gerbil.

In present study, we investigated voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC) expressions in the hippocampus of the Mongolian gerbil and its association with different sequelae of spontaneous seizures, in an effort to identify the epileptogenesis in this animal. In the hippocampus of pre-seizure seizure sensitive (SS) gerbils, VGCC subunit expressions were significantly elevated, as compared with seizure-resistant (SR) gerbils. In 3 h postictal group, the alteration of VGCC expressions showed regional- and neuronal-specific manners; VGCC immunoreactivities in principal neurons were markedly decreased; however, their immunoreactivities in interneurons were significantly elevated.

Expression and changes of galanin in neurons and microglia in the hippocampus after transient forebrain ischemia in gerbils.

In the present study, we investigated chronological changes of galanin (GAL), well known as the potassium channel opener, immunoreactivity and GAL protein level in the hippocampus of the gerbil at the various times after 5 min transient forebrain ischemia. In the sham-operated group, weak GAL immunoreactivity was found in non-pyramidal cells. At 12 h after ischemia-reperfusion, the number of GAL-immunoreactive neurons and GAL immunoreactivity were significantly increased in the hippocampus compared to 3 h after ischemic insult, especially in the hippocampal CA1 region.

Chronological alterations of neurofilament 150 immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampus and dentate gyrus after transient forebrain ischemia.

In this study, we observed the chronological alterations of neurofilament 150 (NF-150) immunoreactivity in the gerbil hippocampus and dentate gyrus after 5 min transient forebrain ischemia. NF-150 immunoreactivity in the sham-operated group was mainly detected in mossy fibers and in the hilar region of the dentate gyrus. NF-150 immunoreactivity and protein contents of NF-150 and RT 97 (polyphosphorylation epitopes of neurofilament) were significantly decreased at 15 min after ischemic insult.

Fine mapping of the circling (cir) gene on the distal portion of mouse chromosome 9.

Circling mice manifest profound deafness, head-tossing, and bi-directional circling behavior, which they inherit in autosomal recessive manner. Histologic examination of the inner ear reveals abnormalities of the region around the organ of Corti, spiral ganglion neurons, and outer hair cells. A genetic linkage map was constructed for an intraspecific backcross between cir and C57BL/6J mice.

Morphological characteristics of dopaminergic immunoreactive neurons in the olfactory bulb of the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus).

The present study describes the distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive (IR) elements in the olfactory bulb of the common marmoset monkey (Callithrix jacchus), a primate species by immunohistochemistry. We identified six layers of the olfactory bulb of the common marmoset monkey in sections stained with cresyl violet. The majority of TH-IR cells were found in the glomerular layer.