• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.51-64
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• 1988

It has been suggested that calcium is only one of many metals that compete with toxic metals in the body. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the influence of water hardness on accumulation of heavy metals in rats. The seventy-five rats were divided into control and case groups. Case group was subdivided into four subgroups in proportion to the concentration of water hardness respectively, such as, 0, 250, 500, 1000ppm. Control group was fed on only deionized water, but case groups were fed on hard water with ionized heavy metals (Cd 150mg + Pb 300mg + Cu 300mg/l) for 20, 40, 60 days. The concentrations of cadmium, lead and copper were measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (Perkin Elmer 2380) in livers and kidneys. The results of the study are summarized as following 1. The concentration of cadmium accumulation showed the tendency of decrease in proportion to water hardness in both livers and kidneys of rats having been fed for only 60 days, respectively. 2. In only livers of rats having been fed for 60 days, essential metal, copper had the tendency of decrease according as hardness in water. 3. It was impossible to compare case with control about the tendency of lead accumulation because there was no difference between the two in livers and kidneys respectively.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.237-244
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• 1991

$^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan has been evaluated not only the renal functional cell mass but also some anatomical structures at a loss of the renal parenchymal function. The author classified a renal morphology of the posterior image of $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan as the groups of symmetric and asymmetric morphology, the groups of the large, normal and small sized kidneys, the groups of the central photon defects (PD) which could be noted in a dilated pelvocalyceal system due to obstructive uropathy and the cortical photon defects (CD) due to focal parenchymal lesions or scars after a loss of function and the last groups of the single and multiple CD for a suggestion of the clinical usefulness. Regarding to measurement of normal renal size, the longest size of the kidneys were evaluated with 5 cm of a lead scale on the posterior renal image, and those were decided to the limits beteen 104.1 and 119.4 mm as comparison with the renal size of intravenous pyelogram (IVP) in 59 cases who were underwent $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ and IVP concommitantly. Among 85 cases of PD in $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal scan, the 61 (71.8%) were cases of a dilated pelvocalyceal system related with obstructive uropathy, meanwhile the 28 (27.0%) of 162 cases with CD were cases of obstructive and infectious uropathy. The probability of a presence of some uropathy in cases of CD were 99.3%, meanwhile that of the presence of CD in cases of some uropathy were 37.9%. Besides, there were some specific anatomical findings such as polycystic kidneys with symmetric enlarged kidneys with multiple CD and the kidneys of chronic renal failure and/or hypertension with symmetric small size in $^{99m}Tc-DMSA$ renal stan.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.227-237
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• 1996

In order to investigate the prevalence and pattern of renal lesions in sows, 250 kidneys collected from abattoir were examined grossly and histopathologically. The prevalence of renal lesions in sows was 46.8% (l17/250). Main gross findings were consisted of congestion and/or petechiation (21.6%), cortical enlargement (15.2%), renal cysts (6.0%), abscessation (4.4%), and infarction (1.5%). Principle microscopic lesions were composed of interstitial nephritis (25.6% ), glomerulosclerosis (13.6%), glomerular thrombosis (3.6%), amyloidosis (2.0%) and glomerulosclerosis (2.0%) Sixty four kidneys with interstitial nephritis was classified by 46 chronic and 18 acute cases. Among 34 kidneys with glomerulonephritis, there were divided into 18 membranous type, 9 proliferative type and 7 membranoproliferative type. For these results, it was confirmed that sows raised in Kwangju and Chonnam areas had been affected by a variety of pathological renal lesions.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.75-78
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• 1997

In uitro excystation studies were done on the metacercarial cysts of Echinostomn triuolvis obtained from the kidneys of naturally infected Rnna species tadpoles. Cysts were excysted in an alkaline trypsin-bile salts medium and the percentage of excystation was compared with that from previous studies done on cysts obtained from the kidneys of snails. The percentage of excystation of E. triuoluis metacercariae from tadpole kidneys was similar to that reported for previous studies on cysts obtained from experimentally infected gastropod hosts. The possible role of tadpoles as an agent for the transmission of Echinostomn and echinostomiasis to humans is discussed.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.423-434
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• 1986

The role of macrophages in the resistance of ICR mice to Candida albicans and Salmonella typhimurium was assessed using silica, agent which selectively inactivates macrophages or poly-2-vinylpyridine-N-oxide(PVNO), a lysosomal stabilizing agent. In addition, effect of silica on humoral and cellular immune responses to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) or polyvinylpyroridone(PVP) was examind. Colonyforming units(CFU) of C. albicans or S. typhimurium in the spleen, livers and kidneys of silica-treated or diluent-treated mice were enumerated at various times after infection. Silica was given i. v. to mice at 4 days or 1 day before infection. Although there was no apparent differences in the number of CFU of C. albicans cultured from the spleens or livers of silica-treated and control mice at every assay period, significant differences in the number of CFU of C. albicans in the kidneys of silica-treated and control mice. Namely, silica given to mice 1 day before infection significantly increased the number of CFU of C. albicans in the kidneys at 2, 4 and 6 days after infection, but did not change the number of CFU at 8 days after infection. Silica given to mice at 4 days before infection significantly increased the number CFU in the kidneys at 2 and 4 days after infection, but rather decreased the number of CFU at 8 days after infection. The number of CFU of C. albians cultured from the kidneys of splenectomized which were experimentally infected mice was similar to the number recovered from sham-operated mice at 4 and 8 days postinfection irrespective of time of infection relative to operation. The pretreatment of mice with PVNO appeared to abrogate the silica-induced susceptibility of mice to C. albicans. PVNO alone showed somewhat protective effect against challenge with C. albicans. In contrast, silica treatment did not alter the number of CFU of S. typhimurium recovered from the spleens and kidneys of mice. The administration of silica to mice at 4 days or 1 day before SRBC immunization significantly suppressed delayed-type hypersensitivity(DTH) reactions to SRBC and antibody production to SRBC, a thymus-dependent antigen and PVP, a thymus-independent antigen. These results provide evidence that macrophages play an important role in susceptibility to Candida infection and strongly demonstrated that macrophages play an essential role in the induction of immune responses in mice.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.273-286
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• 2013

Objectives: The present study was conducted in order to investigate the reproductive toxicity in rats exposed to 1,4-dichlorobutane. Methods: The test chemical was administered orally at 0, 8.3, 50 and 300 mg/kg/day. Males were administered daily for 10 weeks prior to the mating period. Females were administered from between two weeks before mating to the 21stday of lactation. Results: In both sexes, a decrease in body weight and an increase in the weights of the liver and kidneys were observed. In males, discoloration of the liver, hepatocyte hypertrophy and mineralization in the kidneys were observed. In females, animal deaths, dystocia and pup deaths due to maternal dysfunction were observed. In F1 animals of both sexes, a decrease in body weight was observed at 300 mg/kg/day. An increase in the weights of the liver in both sexes, mineralization in the kidneys of males, animal deaths, hepatocyte hypertrophy and pup deaths due to maternal dysfunction were observed at 50 mg/kg/day. Mineralization in the kidneys of males was observed at 8.3 mg/kg/day. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) of 1,4- dichlorobutane were considered to be under 8.3 mg/kg/day for males, 8.3 mg/kg/day for females, more than 300 mg/kg/day for fertility in both sexes, 8.3 mg/kg/day for maternal functions and 50 mg/kg/day for F1 offspring. The absolute toxic dose was believed to be 8.3 mg/kg/day for males, 50 mg/kg/day for females, 50 mg/kg/day for maternal functions and 300 mg/kg/day for F1 offspring. However NOAEL for fertility could not be determined since there were no treatment-related changes. Conclusions: Under the present experimental conditions, 1,4-dichlorobutane is a Category 1B Reproductive Toxicant (presumed human reproductive or developmental toxicant).

• Toxicological Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.37-41
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• 2011

This study investigated the antioxidative action of Corni Fructus aqueous extract on kidneys of diabetic mice. The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract and its antioxidant activities (XO, SOD, CAT, GST, eNOS) in kidneys of C57BL/6 or db/db mice were evaluated. For in vivo study, seven week-old male mice were divided into normal control group (NC, C57BL/6 mice), diabetic control group (DC, db/db mice) and Corni Fructus (500 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) treated diabetic group (DCF, db/db mice). The electron donating abilities of Corni Fructus aqueous extract exhibited 7%, 24.4%, and 42.7% at concentrations of 100, 500, and $1000\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. The activity of XO in the DCF group was significantly lower than the DC group by 35% (p < 0.05). The SOD activity was significantly higher in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05). The activities of CAT and GST were lowered in the DCF group than the DC group by 26% (p < 0.05) and 7.6%, respectively. The mRNA expression of eNOS in kidneys was lower in the DCF group than the DC group by 24%. These results indicate that Corni Fructus reduced oxidation stress as evidenced by the restoration of the enzymatic antioxidative defense system in renal tissues of db/db mice. It is suggested that these antioxidative actions of Corni Fructus on renal tissues in db/db mice could contribute to its renoprotective effects on diabetic nephropathy.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.7-20
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• 1972

Experimental radiation nephritis was produced in 15 rabbits by X-irradiation. About $2,000{\gamma}$ (tissue doses) were given to both kidneys of a rabbit in 5 days. Other tissues and organs except both kidneys were protected with 2mm thickened lead plates. 5 weeks after the last irradiation, blood pictures, blood pressures, B.U.N., serum creatinine, Ca, Mg, Fe levels and serum erythropoietin activity of the irradiated rabbits were studied. After finishing above studies, rabbits were sacrificed and both kidneys were removed and examined histopathologically. Same laboratory and pathological studies were performed in 6 control rabbits. In this study, the author obtained following results. 1) Both kidneys of rabbitis with experimental raditation nephritis showed marked histopathological changes, i.e.: renal tubules showed diffuse cloudy swelling, impacted intraluminal hyaline casts and focal precipitations of lime salts on the tubular epithelium. Diffuse interstitial fatty necrosis and various degrees of fibrotic infiltrations on the interstitium were also seen in association with focal lymphocytic infiltrations. Hyaline degenerations were observed on the glomeruli and small vessels. 2) Experimental radiation nephritis rabbits showed marked lowering in R.B.C. counts, decreased hemoglobin levels, low hematocrit values and leucopenia in comparison with those of control rabbits. (P<0.01). (Table 1 & 2). 3) Mild proteinuria were observed in experimental radiation nephritis in rabbits. 4) The levels of B.U.N. and serum creatinine increased in experimental radiation nephritis. (P<0.01). (Table 1,3 & 4) 5) The levels of serum Ca and Mg Showed no statistical difference in comparison with those of control rabbits. (P>0.05) (Table 3 & 4). 6) No statistical correlations were observable between the levels of B.U.N. and Hb. values. (${\gamma}=-0.223$) No close correlations (${\gamma}=-0.328$) were noticed between the levels of B.U.N. and serum iron levels. 7) Erythropoietin activity (R.B.C. $^{59}Fe$ Incorporation) was measured by the modified Fried method. No change in its activity was noticed in radiation nephritis group comparing with that of the control group. (P>0.05). (Table 1,3 & 5). 8) Carotid artery blood pressures showed also no difference. (P>0.05). (Table 1 & 2).

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.13-30
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• 1985

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of lead on organisms. Mice received 15mg or 30mg of lead acetate per kg body weight every day for 1, 2 or 3 weeks, and the livers and kidneys were removed 24h after repeated injections. The livers and kidneys were used as sources for measurement of enzyme activities and for observation of alterations in ultrastructure. It was observed that body weights of mice treated with lead acetate were decreased when compared with those before treatment. This decrease in body weight was proportional to dose. The enzyme activities of succinate and malate dehydrogenases of experimental group that was treated with lead acetate for 1 week were nearly unchanged when compared with controls, but the enzyme activities of experimental group that was treated with lead acetate for 2 or 3 weeks were lower than those of controls. Changes in the enzyme activities were dependent on, but were not proportional to dose. Histologic examination of livers and kidneys after lead treatment showed that lead compound was accumulated and damaged in nucleus and mitochondria mainly. It was also observed that intranuclear inclusion bodies were formed only in epithelial cell of kidney proximal tubule after lead treatment. The overall changes in the ultrastructure were much greater in the livers than in the kidneys. From the above results, it nay be possible to conclude that the lead results in the decrease in body weight, reduction in the succinate dehydrogenate and malate dehydrogenase activities, and damages in the ultrastructure of kidney and liver in mouse. The presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies only in the kidney implies that these bodies protect the kidney from lead toxicity to some extent.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.17
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• 2023

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are critical immune-response mediators. Although they largely reside in mucosal tissues, the kidney also bears substantial numbers. Nevertheless, kidney ILC biology is poorly understood. BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice are known to display type-2 and type-1 skewed immune responses, respectively, but it is unclear whether this extends to ILCs. We show here that indeed, BALB/c mice have higher total ILCs in the kidney than C57BL/6 mice. This difference was particularly pronounced for ILC2s. We then showed that three factors contributed to the higher ILC2s in the BALB/c kidney. First, BALB/c mice demonstrated higher numbers of ILC precursors in the bone marrow. Second, transcriptome analysis showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys associated with significantly higher IL-2 responses. Quantitative RT-PCR also showed that compared to C57BL/6 kidneys, the BALB/c kidneys expressed higher levels of IL-2 and other cytokines known to promote ILC2 proliferation and/or survival (IL-7, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin). Third, the BALB/c kidney ILC2s may be more sensitive to the environmental signals than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s since they expressed their transcription factor GATA3 and the IL-2, IL-7, and IL-25 receptors at higher levels. Indeed, they also demonstrated greater responsiveness to IL-2 than C57BL/6 kidney ILC2s, as shown by their greater STAT5 phosphorylation levels after culture with IL-2. Thus, this study demonstrates previously unknown properties of kidney ILC2s. It also shows the impact of mouse strain background on ILC2 behavior, which should be considered when conducting research on immune diseases with experimental mouse models.