| Articles : Effects of Red Ginseng on 5-Hydroxytryptamine Synthesis and Tryptophan Hydroxylase Expression in the Dorsal Raphe of Exercised Rat |
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| Abstract |
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The aqueous extract of red ginseng has traditionally been used as an ergogenic aid for endurance exercise. In the present study, the endurance in treadmill exercise and the concentration of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) and level of tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme of 5-HT synthesis, expression in dorsal raphe of rats were studied following treatment with red ginseng. In exercise groups, Sprague-Dawley rats were put on treadmill running for 30 min per day for 4 consecutive days. The speed of the treadmill used for measurement of the time to exhaustion was 20 m/min, the presumed equilibrium speed of running for the rats. In order to clarify the ergogenic mechanism of red ginseng, its effect of red ginseng on 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe was investigated via immunohistochemistry in this study. Rats receiving red ginseng showed ncreased time to exhaustion for treadmill running, and red ginseng theatment inhibited exercise-induced increases n 5-HT synthesis and the expression of tryptophan hydroxylase in the dorsal raphe. These results suggest that the suppressive effect of red ginseng on 5-HT synthesis n the dorsal raphe during exercise is a possible ergogenic mechanism of red ginseng. |
| Key Words:
Red Ginseng, Serotonin, Tryptophan hydroxylase, Central Fatigue, Endurance performance |
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