• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.9
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• 2019

In the present study, the protective effects of Hizikia fusiforme and Chlorella sp. extracts on lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. Hepatic damage was induced in rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lead acetate and the protective effects of H. fusiforme (HZK) and Chlorella sp. (CHL) extracts on lead acetate-induced hepatic damage in rat liver were examined. The results revealed significantly increased glutamic oxaloacetate and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels in the group treated with lead acetate only (Pb group); oral administration of HZK and CHL extracts tended to decrease the enzyme levels similar to those observed in the control group. Regarding antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity was increased in the Pb group and decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. Glutathione levels were increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. There was no significant difference in catalase activity. Western blot analysis showed inflammation-related protein expression in mitogen-activated protein kinase and Nrf2 pathways was affected in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. Therefore, HZK and CHL extracts exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity. Development of functional health foods containing HZK and CHL extracts, which have hepatoprotective effects against inhaled lead acetate, should be considered.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권3호
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• pp.114-119
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the reference values and factors influencing blood lead levels among Korean adolescents. Methods: The study population consisted of 1,585 adolescents (801 males, 784 females; aged 10-19 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013. We analyzed blood lead concentrations in relation to demographic/lifestyle characteristics for all participants. "Reference values" of blood lead levels were calculated as the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the 95th percentile. Results: The average "reference value" for blood lead concentrations among Korean adolescents was $2.25{\mu}g/dL$ ($2.49{\mu}g/dL$ for males, $2.07{\mu}g/dL$ for females), and the geometric mean of the blood lead concentrations was $1.34{\mu}g/dL$. Males had higher blood lead concentrations than females (male, $1.48{\mu}g/dL$; female, $1.19{\mu}g/dL$; P<0.001). Elementary school students had higher blood lead concentrations than junior and senior high school students ($1.44{\mu}g/dL$ vs. $1.31{\mu}g/dL$, P<0.001). Participants living in detached houses had higher blood lead concentrations than those living in apartments (P<0.001) and current smokers had higher concentrations than nonsmokers or participants with secondhand smoke exposure (P<0.05). Additionally, participants with excessive alcohol consumption had higher levels than non-drinkers (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides national reference data on blood lead concentrations stratified by demographic and lifestyle factors among Korean adolescents. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between increased lead exposure and demographic factors including type of housing.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.105-110
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• 2009

Yellow sand (or Asian dust) occurs mainly in spring in East Asia. Yellow sand from China and its surrounding regions transports air pollutants, such as aerosols, ozone, and heavy metals. The outdoor workers are frequently exposed to heavy metals during yellow sand phenomenon. This study was carried out to investigate the heavy metal levels in blood among 75 outdoor workers (exposed group) and 86 indoor workers (controled group) in Gyeonggi province from March 2008 to May 2009. Heavy metal levels in blood were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Mean blood lead levels in exposed group and controled group were $5.19{\pm}1.64{\mu}g/dL$, $4.24{\pm}1.34{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Mean blood cadmium levels in exposed group and controled group were $1.28{\pm}0.89{\mu}g/dL$, $0.90{\pm}0.59{\mu}g/dL$, respectively. Lead and Cadmium levels in blood of exposed group were significantly higher than those of controled group. In the comparison of smoking status, lead and cadmium levels of smokers were significantly higher than those of non-smokers. In conclusion, the heavy metal levels of outdoor workers were significantly higher than those of indoor workers. And smoking was hazardous factor to elevate heavy metal levels in blood.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.224-230
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• 1998

In order to provide a basic data for the prevention of the adverse effect of lead on health, We examined lead level in the blood and urine of 371 healthy men living in Choongchung-do from May to June, 1997. The results were as follows ; 1. Average lead level of all the subjects was $3.98{\pm}1.02{\mu}g/dl$ in blood, and $3.94{\pm}2.09{\mu}g/L$ in urine, respectively. Lead contents examined in this study were significantly lower than those of other investigators. 2. The lead levels of all the subjects in blood and urine had almost normal distribution. 3. Relation between lead content in blood and urine was a simple linear regression; its equation was "Lead level in blood=36.76+0.77 lead level in urine".

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.235-240
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• 2001

This study was performed to compare the lead levels of 20 quality control standard samples(KOSHA:18-2000) and 72 field samples in lead-acid battery manufacturing plant between ICP and portable-XRF methods. 1. While the proficiencies of 20 quality control standard samples by ICP were 100%, those of analytic result values by XRF were 75%. 2. The correlation coefficient(r) between the reference values for quality control (REF) and the analytic result values by ICP (ICP) was 1.0(p<0.05), and simple linear regression equation and the coefficient(R2) were REF = -0.0009 + 1.016 ICP and 0.9997, respectively. 3. The correlation coefficient(r) between the analytic result values of quality control standard samples by ICP (ICP) and by XRF (XRF) was 0.975(p<0.05), and simple linear regression equation and the coefficient(R2) were ICP = -0.0003 + 1.002 XRF and 0.950, respectively. 4. The correlation coefficient(r) between the analytic result values for lead samples of a lead-acid battery manufacturing plant by ICP (ICP) and by XRF (XRF) was 0.993(p<0.05), and simple linear regression equation and the coefficient(R2) were ICP = -2.058 + 0.996 XRF and 0.987, respectively. 5. While the frequency distributions of XRF /ICP(Ratio) for each ICP concentration levels in a lead-acid battery manufacturing plant revealed high proportion in ratio range of 0.876-1.125 than in ration range of 1.126-1.375. Also, ICP concentration level in ration range of 0.786-1.125 was increased with increase of frequency distribution of XRF/ICP. 6. The limit of detection of XRF on lead was determined to be $6.11{\mu}g$/filter The data presented in this study indicated that relationship for lead level of quality control samples and field samples in a lead -acid battery manufacturing plant by ICP and portable-XRF methods was proved. The practicing industrial hygienist can use portable-XRF to produce a rapid on-site determination of lead exposure that can immediately becommunicated to workers and help identify appropriate levels of personal protection.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.211-223
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• 1986

In this experiment forty-eight Sprague Dawley male rats were chosen and used in order to measure the growth rates and to see the effects of lead acumulation in their organs resulting from variously controlled lead protein diet. Protein sources were casein and isolated soyprotein (ISP), and each source was divided into three groups : 7% low protein [LP], 20% standard protein (SP) and 40% high protein (HP) groups. The six experimental groups were given lead acetate(25 mg/kg B.W.) and six control groups were given sodium chloride by oral administration 6 times a week for weeks. The results from this experiment were summeraized as following ; 1) Food consumption, weight gain, organ weight and food efficiency ; Lead acetate administration with protein source had no effects on food consumption, weight gain and organ weight . By their different levels of protein, food consumption of LP group was less the that of SP and HP groups after 3 weeks, weight gain of LP group was less than that of SP and HO groups after 1 weeks. The organ weight in LP group was significantly lower than SP and HP groups except teeth and adrenal s. Effect of lead acetate administration on food efficiency have significantly lower in LP-ISP diet and HP -casein diet than other groups only first week. By their different levels LP group showed significantly lower than SP group until 3 weeks. 2) Hematopoietic effect ; The hematopoieteic effect was not influencec by lead acdtate administration and protein source. But the LP group showed a significantly lowe hematopoietic effect than the SP, HP, groups. 3) Accumulation of lead in the liver, kidney, teeth by protein source showed no significantly differences. Accumulation of lead in blood, heart of LP group, spleen of LP and HP groups. femur of SP and HP groups fed with casein diet groups were significantly higher than fed with ISP diet groups. By their different levels of group showed generally higher than SP and HP groups. But accumulation of lead in teeth of HP group was high also.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.211-223
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• 1986

In this experiment forty-eight Sprague Dawley male rats were chosen and used in order to measure the growth rates and to see the effects of lead acumulation in their organs resulting from variously controlled lead protein diet. Protein sources were casein and isolated soyprotein (ISP), and each source was divided into three groups : 7% low protein [LP], 20% standard protein (SP) and 40% high protein (HP) groups. The six experimental groups were given lead acetate(25 mg/kg B.W.) and six control groups were given sodium chloride by oral administration 6 times a week for weeks. The results from this experiment were summeraized as following ; 1) Food consumption, weight gain, organ weight and food efficiency ; Lead acetate administration with protein source had no effects on food consumption, weight gain and organ weight . By their different levels of protein, food consumption of LP group was less the that of SP and HP groups after 3 weeks, weight gain of LP group was less than that of SP and HO groups after 1 weeks. The organ weight in LP group was significantly lower than SP and HP groups except teeth and adrenal s. Effect of lead acetate administration on food efficiency have significantly lower in LP-ISP diet and HP -casein diet than other groups only first week. By their different levels LP group showed significantly lower than SP group until 3 weeks. 2) Hematopoietic effect ; The hematopoieteic effect was not influencec by lead acdtate administration and protein source. But the LP group showed a significantly lowe hematopoietic effect than the SP, HP, groups. 3) Accumulation of lead in the liver, kidney, teeth by protein source showed no significantly differences. Accumulation of lead in blood, heart of LP group, spleen of LP and HP groups. femur of SP and HP groups fed with casein diet groups were significantly higher than fed with ISP diet groups. By their different levels of group showed generally higher than SP and HP groups. But accumulation of lead in teeth of HP group was high also.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.193-198
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• 1984

Rice, the staple food in Korea, is deficient to some extent in protein, lipid and vitamins. This study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation to the rice diet of cellulose, ginseng, and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol on lead toxicity in rats. Using male rats fed the rice diet with the distilled drinking water containing 750mg of lead as nitrate per liter, for 11 weeks, organ weights, hemoglobin levels, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity and accumulation of lead in liver, blood and kidney were observed. Supplementation of cellulose, ginseng and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol to the lead groups showed the protective effect significantly in the weight of liver but no influence in hemoglobin levels. Ginseng especially decreased the serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase activity to normal level. The three supplemented diets reduced the lead accumulation in kidney and blood, but not in liver.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제6권1호
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• pp.88-96
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• 1996

This study was conducted to establish model between lead and ZPP concentration in blood of workers exposed to lead. Workers employed in secondary smelting manufacturing industry showed $85.1{\mu}g/dl$ of blood lead level, exceeding $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal defined by Occupational Safety and Health Act of Korea. Average blood lead level of workers in the battery manufacturing industry was $51.3{\mu}g/dl$, locating between $40{\mu}g/dl$ and $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal. Blood lead level of in the litharge and radiator manufacturing industry was below $40{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria Requiring Temporary Medical Removal. Blood lead levels of workers by industry were Significantly different(p<0.05). 50(21 %) showed blood lead levels above $60{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal and 66(27.7 %) showed blood lead levels between the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal, $40-60{\mu}g/dl$. Thus, approximately 50 percent of workers indicated blood lead levels above $40{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria Requiring Temporary Medical Removal and should receive medical examination and consultation including biological monitoring. Average ZPP level of workers employed in the secondary smelting industry was $186.2{\mu}g/dl$, exceeding above $150{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Removal. Seventy seven of all workers(32.3 %) showed ZPP level above $100-150{\mu}g/dl$, the Criteria for Requiring Medical Removal. The most appropriate model for predicting ZPP in blood was log-linear regression model. Log linear regression models between lead and ZPP concentrations in blood was Log ZPP(${\mu}g/dl$) = -0.2340 + 1.2270 Log Pb-B(${\mu}g/dl$)(standard error of estimate: 0,089, ${\gamma}^2=0.4456$, n=238, P=0.0001), Blood-in-lead explained 44.56 % of the variance in log(ZPP in blood).

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.161-167
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• 2020

Objective: Oxidative stress has been suggested as a possible mechanism for the adverse effects of heavy metal toxicity on male reproduction. Cichorium intybus L. is used in Iranian folk medicine as a hepatoprotective agent as well as for its supposed fertility-enhancing properties. The present study was performed to investigate whether the ethanolic extract of C. intybus leaves could protect male rats against lead-induced testicular oxidative stress. Methods: In this experimental study, adult Wistar rats were treated with 0.1% lead acetate in drinking water alone or with 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg body weight of C. intybus extract via gavage once daily for 70 days. The weight of their reproductive organs, levels of serum hormones, histometric parameters of the seminiferous tubules, epidydimal sperm quality, and oxidative stress status were evaluated. Results: The testis weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, epididymal sperm count, serum testosterone level, and testicular levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced (p< 0.05) in the lead-treated rats. Moreover, significantly (p< 0.05) higher levels of malondialdehyde were observed in the lead-exposed group compared to the control. However, the co-administration of C. intybus ethanolic extract in lead-treated rats was associated with a significant improvement in reproductive parameters. Conclusion: We conclude that C. intybus leaf extract has the potential to prevent lead-induced testicular toxicity and to suppress the adverse effects of lead on male reproductive health.