Stimulating Effect of Deer Antler Extract on Protein Synthesis in Senescence-Accelerated Mice in Vivo

The effects of subchronic administration of Rokujo (Cervus nippon TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe) extract on protein, ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) syntheses in vivo were investigated in male senescence-accelerated mice (SAM). At 20 min after intraperioneal injection of amino acid and nucleosides labeled with radioisotpes, the incorporation of [14C]leucine into the serum protein was increased in the Rokujo-treated mice, in a parallel manner to the elevation of the serum protein content. Increased incorporation of [14C]uridine into RNA as well as that of [14C]leucine into protein was found in the liver and kidney of the Rokujo-treated mice. Further experiments revealed that although a brief exposure to Rokujo extract in vitro did not directly affect the RNA polymerase activity, the activity of RNA polymerase II in solubilized liver nuclei of Rokujo-treated mice was markedly accelerated. These results suggest that enhancement of RNA polymerase II activity induced by long-term Rokujo treatment is responsible for the increase in protein synthesis in vivo in SAM.