• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.218-226
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• 2011

Objectives: Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used ionic pesticide that is fatal when ingested accidentally or for suicidal purposes. It is thought that chronic exposure of PQ is related with the development of Parkinson's disease, but epidemiological studies have not yet confirmed that theory. This study attempted to estimate the possibility of environmental PQ exposure through soil and water. Materials and Methods: We analyzed the amount of decomposed PQ solution in wet soil after exposure to ultraviolet light. An artificial rainfall condition was simulated over soil sprayed with PQ to measure the amount of eluted PQ. In addition, PQ was diluted in water from three differently rated rivers and the changes in PQ concentration were measured after ultraviolet exposure over one month. High performance liquid chromatography/ultra violet detection was used to analyze the concentrations of PQ. Results: In the method we used, the recovery rate of PQ showed a precision rate less than 5%, an accuracy greater than 88%, and the calibration equation was y=5538.8x-440.01($R^2$=0.9985). There were no significant differences in the concentrations of PQ obtained from the three specimens over a 1-week period. From the PQ-sprayed soil, the artificial rainfall conditions showed no PQ elution over a 1-month period, and there was no significant differences in PQ concentrations according to ultraviolet exposure among the three samples. Conclusions: PQ remains well adsorbed naturally in soil. However, it may still exist in an integrated state for a long time in the hydrosphere, so the possibility of PQ exposure through drinking water cannot be disqualified.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.182-195
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• 2001

Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a devastating illness for which there is little effective treatment. The key cytokines currently implicated in the fibrotic process are the transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), endothelin-1(ET-1) and interferon-$\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$). The rat model for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis was chosen to investigate the role of ET-1 in this disease. Both ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression in lung lesions were examined using immunohistochemical staining. After $Bosentan^{(R)}$ administration, an orally active ET-$l_A$ and ET-$1_B$ receptor antagonist, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression were analyzed. Method : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, the control group, the fibrosis group, and the fibrosis-$Bosentan^{(R)}$-treated group. The animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after administering saline or paraquat. The effects between groups were compared with the results of light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, which were graded by a computerized image analyzer. The degree of immunohistochemical staining was categorized by a semi-quantitative analysis method. Results : The lung collagen content had increased in the paraquat instillated animals by day 3, and continued to increase up to day 14. A daily treatment by gavage with $Bosentan^{(R)}$ (100mg/kg) did not prevent the increase in collagen deposition on the lung that was induced by paraquat instillation. There were increased immunohistochemical stains of ET-1 on the exudate, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells and pneumocytes in the paraquat instillated group. Furthermore, TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression was higher on the exudate, macrophages, some inflammatory cells, pneumocytes( type I, and II), vascular endothelium and the respiratory epithelial cells around the fibrotic area. After Bosentan treatment, there were no definite changes in ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression. Conclusion : Fibrosis of the Paraquat instillated group was more advanced when compared with the control group. In addition, there was increased ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression around the fibrotic area. ET-1 is associated with lung fibrosis but there was little effect of the ET-1 receptor blocker($Bosentan^{(R)}$) on antifibrosis.Background : Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a devastating illness for which there is little effective treatment. The key cytokines currently implicated in the fibrotic process are the transforming growth factor-${\beta}_1$(TGF-${\beta}_1$), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$(TNF-$\alpha$), endothelin-1(ET-1) and interferon-$\gamma$(IFN-$\gamma$). The rat model for paraquat-induced pulmonary fibrosis was chosen to investigate the role of ET-1 in this disease. Both ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression in lung lesions were examined using immunohistochemical staining. After $Bosentan^{(R)}$ administration, an orally active ET-$1_A$ and ET-$1_B$ receptor antagonist, the degree of pulmonary fibrosis and ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression were analyzed. Method : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups, the control group, the fibrosis group, and the fibrosis-$Bosentan^{(R)}$-treated group. The animals were sacrificed periodically at 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 days after administering saline or paraquat. The effects between groups were compared with the results of light microscopy and immunohistochemical staining for ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$. The degree of fibrosis was evaluated by H&E and Masson's trichrome staining, which were graded by a computerized image analyzer. The degree of immunohistochemical staining was categorized by a semi-quantitative analysis method. Results : The lung collagen content had increased in the paraquat instillated animals by day 3, and continued to increase up to day 14. A daily treatment by gavage with $Bosentan^{(R)}$ (100mg/kg) did not prevent the increase in collagen deposition on the lung that was induced by paraquat instillation. There were increased immunohistochemical stains of ET-1 on the exudate, macrophages, vascular endothelial cells and pneumocytes in the paraquat instillated group. Furthermore, TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression was higher on the exudate, macrophages, some inflammatory cells, pneumocytes( type I, and II), vascular endothelium and the respiratory epithelial cells around the fibrotic area. After Bosentan treatment, there were no definite changes in ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression. Conclusion : Fibrosis of the Paraquat instillated group was more advanced when compared with the control group. In addition, there was increased ET-1 and TGF-${\beta}_1$ expression around the fibrotic area. ET-1 is associated with lung fibrosis but there was little effect of the ET-1 receptor blocker($Bosentan^{(R)}$) on antifibrosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4_2
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• pp.1087-1092
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• 2003

Paraquat is a non-selective contact herbicide. When it is consumed, it may cause fatal disorders such as acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and progressive respiratory failure. In spite of many efforts to cure patients poisoned with paraquat, the mortality rate still remain high. In this case, after using Gamdutanghaphwangryunhaedoktang-gamibang and Cheongsangboha-tang we got positive result in hepato-renal function, but progressive respiratory failure was unstoppable.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.107-109
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• 2005

Paraqaut, a widely used herbicide, is extremely toxic, causing multiple organ failure in human. Most of paraquat intoxications happen through oral administration. But there is no clinical data for parenteral paraquat intoxication. A 35-year-old male injected paraquat solution on his forearm. He visited emergency room within 10 minutes and was treated with tourniquet, incision, washing and suction. After eight days, the patient was discharged without respiratory symptoms and complications. In treatment of parenteral paraquat intoxication, first aid was very important and the treatment should include tourniquet, incision, washing and suction in order to delay absorptions.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.4 s.28
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• pp.454-465
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• 1989

In a small island community with a population of less than 100 residents, nine persons died and five experienced severe illnesses during the period from November 1986 to May 1988. Their initial symptoms were sore throat and fever. Renal failure and hepatitis developed within one week after the onset. Oral mucosal ulcer developed in some cases. After one week, progressive respiratory failure and dyspnea developed evidently and severe respiratory distress and hypoxia preceded those fatal cases. Chest X-ray findings revealed bilateral diffuse multiple cystic lesion with occasional multiple large emphysematous bullae. Based on these features paraquat poisoning was diagnosed and route of poisoning was investigated. In three sources of drinking water, trace amount of paraquat was detected in November 1988, six months after the incidence of recent fatal case. In November 1988, soybean sauces and soybean pastes from 12 households were found contaminated with high concentration of paraquat, the cause could not be identified. The possibility of the contamination of drinking water as the cause of this mass poisoning has been suggested.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2004

Purpose: Paraquat is the most commonly used herbicide in Korea. Exposure to paraquat through the skin has resulted in local irritation or inflammation of varying degree, sometimes severe. The purpose of this study was to review the patients with paraquat poisoning by skin absorption. Methods: We analysed retrospectively the clinical and laboratory findings of 45 patients with paraquat poisoning after dermal exposure, who were admitted to Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital from January 1999 to December 2003. Results: Among 870 cases of paraquat poisoning, 45 cases were exposed to paraquat through the skin. The peak incidence was the fifth decade($40\%$). The clinical symptoms were pain, pruritus, nausea, and vomiting. The major skin lesions were generalized vesicobullae and necrotic erosion in face, scrotum, trunk, upper and lower extremities and etc. All patients were survived after skin contact or inhalation of paraquat. Conclusion: This study illustrates the extreme toxicity of paraquat and demonstrates that lethal quantities of paraquat may be absorbed if repeated exposure to it. Stricter precautions, including the mandatory use of protective clothing, should be recommended whenever this material is used.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.155-160
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• 2005

Electrolyzed reduced water (ERW), showing extremely negative oxidation-reduction potential, was used to investigate the effects of paraquat-induced damages on DNA from human lymphocyte. The effect of ERW on paraquat-induced oxidative DNA damage in human lymphocytes was evaluated by Comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) quantified as percentage fluorescence in tail. Comet assay has been used widely to assess the level of the DNA damage in individual cells. Lymphocytes were oxidatively challenged with various concentrations of paraquat for 30 min at $37^{\circ}C$, and were then treated with electrolyzed reduced water for 30 min. The oxidative DNA damage by paraquat, as indicated by the fluorescent tail in DNA, increased in a dose-dependent manner. However, oxidative damage of the DNA was almost completely prevented upon treatment with electrolyzed reduced water.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1694-1700
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• 2005

Paraquat is a nonselective contact herbicide that may induced damage to many organs poisoned with it. But there is no effective treatment modality. This report is about one case of treatment for paraquat poisoning. The patient was hospitalized of Wonkwang university Gwangju Oriental Medical Hospital at the department of Internal Medicine. For 26 days of hospitalization period, the authors supplied gamdutanggami(甘豆湯加味), which consists of Radix glycyrrhizae(甘草), Semen Glycine(黑豆), burned powder of Rhizoma rhei(大黃沙炭末), Succus phyllostachyos(竹瀝) and chinese ink(墨汁), decoction of Galla chinensis(五倍子) and Radix glycyrrhizae(甘草), and fluid. And then he showed improvement of condition and returned to a daily life. This report has a limitation for proof of oriental medicine remedial value. Because this is the only one case of a small quantity of paraquat poisoning patient less than 20cc. Actually there are a few paper regarding the Oriental medicine remedial value in paraquat poisoning patient, so we hope luther study and report ensue.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.245-250
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• 2001

Paraquat is one of the widely used herbicides. But it is fatal, if it is consumed by people. Paraquat poisoning causes acute renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, and progressive respiratory failure. There are no effective antidotes to paraquat. This report is about one case's treatment for acute hepatitis caused by paraquat. The patient was hospitalized in the Department of Internal Medicine, Wonkwang University Oriental Medical Hospital in Chonju. The patient received the following treatments while in an acute stage : Gamdutanggamibang(甘豆湯加味方), which consists of Radix glycyrrhizae(甘草), Semen mungo(綠豆), burned powder of Rhizoma rhei(大黃炒炭末), Succus phyllostachyos(竹瀝), chinese ink(墨汁) and fluid therapy. The patient received Sagunjatanggamibang(四君子湯加味方) while in a chronic stage. The patient improved faster with the above treatments than with the conventional treatment. We hope that this report will help widening the clinical range of oriental medicine, and improve systemic efforts in treating paraquat poisoning cases.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.48-52
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• 2012

Heavy metals and residual agricultural chemicals in Bombyx mori silkworm cocoon for nontextile usages were examined. Proximate composition of silkworm cocoon was examined; contents of moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and ash were about 5 ~ 6%, 93 ~ 94%, 0.4 ~ 0.5%, and 0.3 ~ 0.4%, respectively. The Heavy metals were analyzed by ICP/MS after acid digestion. Arsenic, cadmium, and lead were not detected. The average contents of mercury, zinc, and cupric were 0.317, 3.99, and 2.06 mg/kg, respectively. Agricultural chemicals, such as dichlorvos and paraquart also were not detected. Silkworm cocoon may be safe used for nontextile applications.