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Effect of Korean red ginseng extract in a steroid-induced polycystic ovary murine model

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Abstract

Experimental induction of polycystic ovary (PCO) in rodent resembling some aspects of human PCO syndrome was produced using the long-acting compound estradiol valerate (EV). Our previous study on the role of Korean red ginseng total saponins in a steroid-induced PCO rat model demonstrated that electro-acupuncture modulates nerve growth factor (NGF) concentration in the ovaries. In fact, the involvement of a neurogenic component in the pathology of PCO-related ovarian dysfunction is preceded by an increase in sympathetic outflow to the ovaries. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that Korean red ginseng extract (KRGE) administration modulates sympathetic nerve activity in PCO-induced rats. This was done by analyzing NGF protein and NGF mRNA expression involved in the pathophysiological process underlying steroid-induced PCO. EV injection resulted in significantly higher ovarian NGF protein and NGF mRNA expression in PCO-induced rats compared to control rats, and PCO ovaries were counteracted by KRGE administration with significantly lower expression of NGF protein and NGF mRNA compared to EV treated ovaries. These results indicate that EV modulates the neurotrophic state of the ovaries, which may be a component of the pathological process by which EV induces cyst formation and anovulation in rodents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, Australia

    Sok Cheon Pak

  2. College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Medical Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 500-757, Korea

    Se-Eun Kim, Dong-Min Oh, Soo Hyun Park, Seong Soo Kang, Chang Jong Moon, Jong Choon Kim, Sung Ho Kim & Chun Sik Bae

  3. Department of Radiological Science, College of Public Health & Nursing, Nambu University, Gwangju, 506-706, Korea

    Kyung Mi Shim

  4. Department of Oral Histology, College of Dentistry, Chosun University, Gwangju, 501-825, Korea

    Moon Jin Jeong

  5. Department of Pathology and Research Center for Resistant Cells, College of Medicine, Chosun University, Gwangju, 501-825, Korea

    Sung Chul Lim

  6. Ginsentology Research Laboratory and Department of Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, 143-701, Korea

    Seung Yeol Nah

  7. College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University, Yongbongdong, Bukgu, Gwangju, 500-757, South Korea

    Chun Sik Bae

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  1. Sok Cheon Pak
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  2. Se-Eun Kim
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  3. Dong-Min Oh
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  4. Kyung Mi Shim
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  5. Moon Jin Jeong
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  6. Sung Chul Lim
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  7. Seung Yeol Nah
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  8. Soo Hyun Park
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  9. Seong Soo Kang
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  10. Chang Jong Moon
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  11. Jong Choon Kim
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  12. Sung Ho Kim
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  13. Chun Sik Bae
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Chun Sik Bae.

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The first two authors contributed equally to this work.

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Pak, S.C., Kim, SE., Oh, DM. et al. Effect of Korean red ginseng extract in a steroid-induced polycystic ovary murine model. Arch. Pharm. Res. 32, 347–352 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-009-1306-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12272-009-1306-y

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