• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2016

Recently several studies reported that the renal toxicity of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) may exist in even a low level exposure. In terms of the deterioration of tubular function, it affects the loss of divalent metals and leads to other complications, so renal tubular effect of heavy metals should be well managed. Considering the exposure to heavy metals in reality, it is hard to find the case that human is exposed to only one heavy metal. We designed a cross-sectional study using Korean Research Project on the Integrated Exposure Assessment (KRIEFS) data to investigate the renal effects of multiple metal exposure in general population. We used blood Pb and urinary Cd as exposure measures, and urinary N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin (${\beta}_2$-MG) as renal tubular impairment outcome. We conducted linear regression to identify the association between each heavy metal and urinary NAG and ${\beta}_2$-MG. And then, we conducted linear regression including the interaction term. Of 1953 adults in KRIEFS (2010~2011), the geometric mean of blood Pb and urinary Cd concentration was $2.21{\mu}g/dL$ (geometric $SD=1.49{\mu}g/dL$) and $1.08{\mu}g/g\;cr$ (geometric $SD=1.98{\mu}g/g\;cr$), respectively. In urinary Cd, the strength of the association was also high after adjusting (urinary NAG: ${\beta}=0.44$, p < 0.001; urinary ${\beta}_2$-MG: ${\beta}=0.13$, p = 0.002). Finally, we identified the positive interactions for the two renal biomarkers. The interaction effect of the two heavy metals of ${\beta}_2$-MG was greater than that of NAG. It is very important in public health perspective if the low level exposure to multiple heavy metals has an interaction effect on kidney. More epidemiological studies for the interaction and toxicological studies on the mechanism are needed.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.117-125
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• 2001

Envenoming by Russells viper causes a broad spectrum of renal impairment. Renal failure is an important complication in patients bitten by Russells viper. Experimental work in animals and in vitro has elucidated pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to life threatening complications and have suggested possibilities for therapeutic intervention. The evidence in experimental animals regarding mechanisms of venom action in relation to changes in either extrarenal or intrarenal factors is presented. The cardiovascular system and renal hemodynamics are affected by venom. Reductions of renal function including renal hemodynamics are associated directly with changes in general circulation during envenomation. Possible endogenous mechanisms for releasing the hormone inducing renal vasoconstriction after envenomation are evident. Hormonal factor such as the catecholamine, prostaglandin and renin angiotensin systems induce these changes. Direct nephrotoxicity of venom action is studied in the isolated per-fused kidney. Characteristic polarization of the cell membrane, changes of mitochondrial activity and Na-K ATPase in renal tubular cells are observed. Changes in renal function and the cardiovascular system are observed of ter envenomation and are reversed by the administration of Russells viper antivenom (purified equine immunoglobulin, $Fab_2$ fragment). The neutralizing effects are more efficient when the intravenous injection of antivenom is given within 30 min after the envenomation.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.45-57
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• 2006

Objective : This study was undertaker to determine if Juglandis Semen herbal acupuncture (JSA) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function in rabbits with mercury-induced acute renal failure. Methods : Nephrotoxicity was induced by subcutaneous administration of Hg(a single dose of 10mg/kg) and JSA was performed at both sides of Shenshu($(BL_{23})$, Sinsu) for 7 days. Results: The administration of Hg at a subcutaneous single dose of 10 mg/kg caused a reduction in GFR to 12% of the basal value and an increase in fractional $Na^+$ excretion to 8.9-fold, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When JSA were given for 7 days prior to Hg administration, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased to approximately 102- and 35-fold, respectively, in rabbits treated with Hg alone. The increase in rabbits treated with Hg following ISA are significantly lower than that in animals treated with Hg alone. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane and $Na^+-K^+-ATPase$ activity in microsomal fraction were inhibited in rabbits treated with Hg alone, suggesting that impairment in proximal reabsorption of glucose and phosphate is resulted from a direct damage of membrane transport carriers and disruption of the normal $Na^+$ gradient. Such changes were prevented by JSA. Conclusion These results indicate that the administration of Hg causes impairment in reabsorption of solutes in the proximal tubule via the generation of reactive oxygen species. JSA provides the protection against the Hg-induced impairment in proximal reabsorption, and its effect may be resulted from its antioxidant action.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.199-208
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• 2002

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Carthami Semen Aquacupunc- ture(CSA) exerts protective effect against alterations in membrane transport function rabbits with mercury chloride(HG)-induced acute renal failure. Methods : The administration of Hg at a subcutaneous single dose of 10 mg/kg caused a reduction in GFR and an increase in fractional Na excretion, indicating generation of acute renal failure. When CSA were given for 7 days prior to Hg administration, such changes were significantly attenuated. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate was increased in rabbits treated with Hg alone. Results : The increase in rabbits treated with Hg following CSA are significantly lower than that in animals treated with Hg alone. Uptakes of glucose and phosphate in purified isolated brush-border membrane and Na-K-ATPase activity in microsomal fraction were inhibited in rabbits treated with Hg alone. Such changes were prevented by CSA. Uptakes of organic ions, PAH and TEA, in renal cortical slices were inhibited by the administration of Hg, which was prevented by CSA. Exposure of renal cortical slices to Hg in vitro caused an increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which was significantly prevented by CSA extract. Conclusions : These results indicate that the administration of Hg causes impairment in reabsorption of solutes in the proximal tubule via the generation of reactive oxygen species. CSA provides the protection against the impairment in proximal reabsorption, and its effect may be resulted from its antioxidant effect.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-110
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• 2001

Objective : This study was undertaken to determine if Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (SbG) extract exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced cell injury in renal proximal tubular cells. Methods : The cell injury was evaluated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in rabbit renal cortical slices and lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA). t-Butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) was used as a model of oxidant. Results : tBHP at 1 mM increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which were prevented by SbG in a dose dependent manner over concentration range of 0.001-0.1%. SbG provided the protective effect against oxidant-induced reduction in PAH uptake by renal cortical slices and microsomal Na+-K+-ATPase activity. SbG attenuated tBHP-induced depletion of reduced glutathione. 0.2 mM $HgCl_2$ increased LDH release and lipid peroxidation, which were completely prevented by 0.05% SbG. Conclusion : SbG prevents oxidant-induced impairment in membrane transport function.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.359-374
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• 2000

Cyclosporine A(CsA) is a widely used immunosuppressant for transplant patients and is also used for the treatment of a wide variety of systemic diseases with immunologic disorders. However, its use is frequently limited because of complications such as nephrotoxicity or gingival hyperplasia. Although several hypotheses have been postulated for CsA-induced gingival hyperplasia, i.e. various cytokine effects of inflammatory cells, existence of plaque or CsA itself, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. For experimental chronic CsA toxicity, salt depletion has been shown to increased susceptibility of rodents to the effects of CsA, and this maneuver facilitates production of arteriolopathy and interstitial fibrosis in kidney that mimic the changes found in human. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pathogenesis of CsA-induced gingival hyperplasia by comparing changes between CsA administration groups of normal standard diet and those of low salt diet group. Specific pathogen-free, 20 to 25 days old(120 to 150 g), male Fisher-344 rats(KIST, Korea), 120 to 150g of body weight, were assigned to four groups of six animals each after one week of adaptation period for powder food. Group 1 received olive oil($300{\mu}l/g\;of\;diet$) with normal standard diet(0.4% of sodium)(NSD). Group 2 received CsA(Cypol-N, Jonggundang, Korea; $300{\mu}g/g\;of\;diet$) with normal standard diet(NSD+CsA). Group 3 received same amount of olive oil with low salt diet(0.05 % of sodium, Teklad Premier, U.S.A.)(LSD). Group 4 received same dose of CsA with low salt diet(LSD+CsA). Rats were pair fed and were sacrificed after six weeks. Renal histologic lesions associated with CsA, consisted of cortical interstitial fibrosis, tubular atrophy and hyalinization of arterioles and the impairment of renal function including increase of serum creatinine and decrease of glomerular filtration rate was more severe in low salt diet group. These were proved as the results of activated of renin-angiotensin system in the kidney by low salt condition. Meanwhile the degree of gingival hyperplasia at incisor and molar tooth was less severe in low salt diet group compared with normal sodium diet group. Hyperplastic gingiva showed mild epithelial hyperplasia and expanded underlyng stroma which consisted of matrix increasement, capillary proliferation and dilatation. While the number and the activation of fibroblasts were increased, inflammatory cells were rare in the stroma. The immunohistochemistry for TGF-${\beta}_1$ in the kidney and gingiva revealed stronger positive in LSD+CsA in kidney but in gingiva of NSD+CsA. These results suggested followings; Gingival hyperplasia can be developed without inflammatory cells infiltration and seemed not induced by CsA by itself. The major role for gingival hyperplasia by CsA would be the secondary effect of TGF-${\beta}$, which maybe upregulated by CsA administration. Low salt diet can attenuate this hyperplasia perhaps by decreasing the activation of $TGF-{\beta}$.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.316-325
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• 2003

In this paper, the effect of Ganopoly(extracts of Ganoderma lucidum) and Ganopoly/C+(70% Ganopoly + 30% chitosan) on cisplastin-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. A single dose of cisplastin(5 ㎎/㎏) kg) was administered intraperitoneally after pretreatment of saline, Ganopoly and Ganopoly/C+ for 7 days. The nephrotoxicity and renal function were manifestated by the changes of body weight, blood pressure, biochemical changes and solute in urine and plasma. After the treatment of CDDP(cis-dichlorodiamineplatinum), a significant elevation of kidney weight, serum urea, cretinine, urine volume for 24 hours, urine magnesium, and a severe or significant decrease in body weight, blood pressure, creatinine clearance, urine osmolarity, serum albumin, etc. The nephrotoxicity was further confirmed by a significant decrease in glutathione S-transferase(GSH) in urine and kidney homogenate, GSH, glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and catalase in kidney tissue. And also the lipid peroxidation was significantly increased in kidney homogenate. These signs of nephrotoxicity was ameliorated by the pretreatment and consecutive administration of Ganopoly and Ganopoly/C+ for 14 days after the Lp. injection of CDDP on 7th day after pretreatment of Ganopoly and Ganopoly/C+. The amelioration of nephrotoxicity was evidenced by significant reduction in serum urea and creatinine concentration, and improvement of other index of renal function. And The activity of antioxidant enzymes were partially recovered in kidney tissue of rats treated by CDDP and the administration of Ganopoly and Ganopoly/C+. These results indicate the cispastin induced nephrotoxicity is due to an impairment of tubular reabsorption systems enhanced by necrosis of proximal tubule, and the Ganopoly and Ganopoly/C+ has a partial protective effect on nephrotoxicity induced by CDDP. The polysacchride of Ganoderma lucidum may improve the therapeutic index of nephrotoxicity induced by CDDP. However, it is needed to elucidate the mechanism for confirming the therapeutic effect.