• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.429-439
• /
• 2011

Objectives: Ethylene oxide (EtO) is classified as a human carcinogen, but EtO is still widely used to sterilize heat-sensitive materials in hospitals. Employees working around sterilizers are exposed to EtO after sterilization. The aim of the present study was to assess the exposure of EtO level, coupled with occupationally induced micronuclei from hospital workers. The influence of genetic polymorphisms of detoxifying genes (GSTT1 and GSTM1) and DNA repair genes (XRCC1 and XRCC3) on the frequencies of micronuclei in relation to exposure of EtO was also investigated. Methods: The study population was composed of 35 occupationally exposed workers to EtO, 18 student controls and 44 unexposed hospital controls in Korea. Exposure to EtO is measured by passive personal samplers. We analyzed the frequencies of micronuclei by performing cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay (CBMN assay) and GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3 were also genotyped by performing polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The frequencies of micronuclei in EtO exposure group, student controls and hospital controls were $18.00{\pm}7.73$, $10.47{\pm}7.96$ and $13.86{\pm}6.35$ respectively and their differences were statistically significant, but no significant differences according to the level of EtO were observed. There was a dose-response relationship between the frequencies of micronuclei and cumulative dose of EtO, but no significantly differences were observed. We also investigated the influence of genetic polymorphisms (GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3) on the frequencies of micronuclei, but there were no differences in the frequencies of micronuclei by genetic polymorphisms. Conclusions: The frequencies of micronuclei in EtO exposure group was significantly higher than control groups. A dose-response relationship was found between the level of EtO exposure and the frequencies of micronuclei, but no statistically differences were observed. We also found that the frequencies of micronuclei were increased according to cumulative EtO level. There was no association of the genetic GSTM1, GSTT1, XRCC1, and XRCC3 state with the frequency of micronuclei induced by EtO exposure.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2010

To investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) and Eucommia ulmoides (EU) on antioxidant defense system in laying hens, a total of three hundreds sixty 20-wk old Hyline brown commercial laying hens were assigned to five dietary groups for 10-wk: (1) control diet, (2) control diet supplemented with AS at 0.5%, (3) control diet supplemented with AS at 1.0%, (4) control diet supplemented with EU at 0.5% and (5) control diet supplemented with EU at 1.0%. Total antioxidant status (TAS) in blood and antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), gluthathione -S- transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and lipid peroxidation in the small intestine and liver were measured. There were no changes in body weight for 10-wk dietary treatment. TAS in blood significantly (P<0.05) increased in birds fed the diet supplemented with 1% AS and 0.5 and 1.0% EU compared with those fed control diet. Especially, dietary EU showed much higher (P<0.05) TAS compared with AS. In the antioxidant defense enzymes, GST activity of the small intestine was shown to be significantly (P<0.05) increased in birds fed the diets supplemented with 0.5 and 1.0% EU compared with those fed the control diet. In addition, intestinal SOD activity significantly (P<0.05) increased in birds fed the diets supplemented with 0.5% of AS and EU. However, we could not observe any significant dietary treatment effect of those antioxidant parameters in the liver. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 0.5% AS and EU in a laying hen diet could be applied as a potential antioxidant source to improves bio-activity of antioxidant and economical aspect in laying hens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2010

The current study was performed to develop natural bio-active substances as additives for the production of high quality broiler chickens. A total of 120 male 3 day-old broiler chicks were randomly allocated to CON (control), GK2.5 (ginkgo leaf 2.5%), GK5.0 (ginkgo leaf 5.0%), PK2.5 (pumpkin 2.5%) and PK5.0 (pumpkin 5.0%) of five groups in cages (24 birds per group). All birds were fed corresponding diets from 3 to 35 d of age and determined growth performance and biological parameters including blood biochemical profiles, antioxidant status and intestinal microflora. During the entire feeding trial, GK5.0 and PK5.0 groups resulted in a significantly (P<0.05) higher FCR than GK2.5 and PK2.5 groups. Plasma triglyceride significantly (P<0.05) increased in GK5.0 group compared with the other groups, and the level of alanine transaminase (ALT) increased (P<0.05) in GK5.0 and PK5.0 groups compared with that in PK2.5 group. Dietary addition of ginkgo leaf and pumpkin significantly (P<0.05) increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the small intestine. Also, the addition of 2.5% ginkgo leaf significantly (P<0.05) increased the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) in the liver. Futhermore, muscle GST activity significantly (P<0.05) enhanced by dietary addition of ginko leaf and pumpkin. However, the level of lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the small intestine and muscle turned to be higher (P<0.05) in PK5.0 group. The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli in intestinal digesta significantly (P<0.05) decreased in both ginko leaf and pumpkin supplemented groups compared with CON group. In conclusion, dietary addition of 2.5% ginko leaf and pumpkin as dietary sources can be applicable for the production of high quality broiler chickens.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.36 no.8
• /
• pp.801-810
• /
• 2003

Chronic alcoholism is considered a common cause of malnutrition. Especially, micronutrient deficiency may playa critical role in the incidence of alcoholic liver diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of folate deficiency and ethanol consumption on cholesterol metabolism and the antioxidative system in rats. Plasma concentration of total cholesterol was increased by ethanol administration in folate-fed rats. HDL-cholesterol tended to be higher in the folate-fed group, but it was not significant. The plasma and hepatic levels of malondialdehyde were increased after chronic ethanol feeding, but dietary folate depressed the plasma malondialdehyde content of rats. Ethanol or folate feeding did not significantly change alcohol dehydrogenase activity. But folate feeding increased catalase activity in ethanol-fed rats. There was no significant change in superoxide dismutase activity among the experimental groups. Glutathione peroxidase activity tended to decrease by chronic ethanol feeding, but dietary folate did not affectthe glutathione peroxidase activity of chronic ethanol-fed rats. Glutathionine-S-transferase activity was not affected by ethanol feeding or folate deficiency. The plasma and hepatic levels of retinol decreased after chronic ethanol feeding. The hepatic level of retinol significantly decreased in ethanol-fed rats by folate deficiency. The plasma level of $\alpha$-tocopherol tended to be low in the folate deficient group with ethanol feeding, but there was no difference among the experimental groups in the hepatic level of $\alpha$-tocopherol. These results demonstrate that chronic ethanol consumption changes the plasma cholesterol metabolism and antioxidative system of rats, and optimal folate feeding in ethanol-fed rats exerts protective effects to some extent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.40 no.7
• /
• pp.606-615
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to investigate anti-thrombogenic, anti-inflammatory effects of n-BuOH (B) and $CH_2Cl_2$ (MC) fractions extracted from Sancho (Zanthoxylum. schinifolium) leaves in rats fed high fat diets. The experimental animal groups were consisted of eight including one 5% fat (N) and one 20% fat (H) without the test materials in diets and six H groups of feeding three levels (50, 100 and 150 mg/day) of the B and the MC fractions from Z. schinifolium, respectively. Plasma activated partial thromboplastin times and thrombin times of H group were decreased compared to the N group, but they were increased by feeding the MC fraction of 50 mg and over. Polymorphonuclear leukocyte 5#-lipo-xygenase activities and leukotriene $B_4$ contents of the H group were significantly increased compared to the N group, but they were decreased in the 100 mg and 150 mg of B fraction or the 150 mg of MC fraction fed groups. Liver cytochrome $P_{450}$, $O_2^-$, $H_2O_2$ and GSSG contents were increased by the high fat diet but decreased by feeding the B fraction or the MC fraction, while GSH content and glutathione S-transferase activity lowered by high fat diet were increased by feeding the two solvent fractions. The effects of the solvent fractions were evident at the level of 100 mg/day and over. The present results confirmed that two solvent fractions from the leaves of Z, schinifolium have enhancing effects on anti-thrombosis and anti-inflammation partly by antioxidant action and partly by direct modulation of the respective processeds. In conclusion, the n-BuOH and $CH_2Cl_2$ fractions from leaves of Z, schinifolium can be utilized as the proper ingredients of functional foods for preventing chronic degenerative disease.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.178-184
• /
• 2004

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the association of the COMT polymorphism with the TD in Korean sample of families with TD probands. The relationship between risk alleles and specific clinical features (tic severity, comorbidity, drug response) was also explored. Method : Patients were recruited from the Tic Disorder clinic at the Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Division of Seoul National University Hospital and assessed through 2 stage evaluation. Firstly, all the patients and parents received semistructured interview using Korean version of K-SADS-PL. Secondly all the patients received clinical interview and tic severity assessment with Korean version of YGTSS. The subjects in control group were recruited from the health promotion center in out hospital and were evaluated by SCL-90 and SCID-IV. Through these process, total of 42 children and adolescents with TD, their 84 parents and 86 control subjects were finally recruited. Genotyping for The Val158Met polymorphism of the COMT gene was done by standardized method. After collection of genetic data of all the patients, parents and control subjects, case-control comparison and tranmission dysequilibrium test was executed by SPSS version 11. Result : From the case-control comparison, the frequency of L-allele and LL genotype was significantly higher in TD group. However, no differences were found from the TDT. No significant differences were found in in family history of tic, ADHD, OCD, drug response and comorbid conditions among the three different genotypes in patients with TD. Conclusion : Though this study results should be interpreted cautiously due to small sample size and negative finding in TDT test, this study is the first report that there is positive association between the functional polymorphism of COMT gene the TD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.7
• /
• pp.1043-1053
• /
• 2013

We investigated the ability of soybean curd residue (SCR) and its fermented products to inhibit obesity and improve the blood lipid profiles of obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Samples were prepared by fermenting SCR with Aspergillus oryzae var effuses KACC 44990 (ASCR), a microbe used for the fermentation of traditional Korean Meju, and with Monascus pilosus IFO 4480 (MSCR), a microbe used for the production of red rice. In addition, AMSCR, a mixture composed of equal amounts of ASCR and MSCR, was also prepared. Male mice were divided into six groups and fed with either a normal diet, a high-fat diet, or a high-fat diet supplemented with SCR, ASCR, MSCR, or AMSCR. After 8 weeks, body weight gain, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, and the activities of enzymes that generate or scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. Compared with the high-fat diet group, all the test groups showed a significant reduction in body, organ, and epididymal fat weight gain. These effects were observed with supplements in the order AMSCR>ASCR>MSCR>SCR. Similarly, supplements of test samples reduced high levels of serum and hepatic triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol caused by hight-fat diet, while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was increased. Interestingly, the ability of ASCR to lower serum TG was stronger than that of MSCR, while MSCR showed a stronger hypocholesterolemic effect than ASCR. Meanwhile, AMSCR returned comprehensively serum lipid levels to normal. In addition, hepatic damage was prevented with effects in the order AMSCR>ASCR>MSCR>SCR. Hepatic ROS generating system including xanthine oxidase (XO) and ROS scavenging system including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) were recovered to normal level by all test diets. In conclusion, this study suggests that SCR and its fermented products can inhibit obesity and improve lipid profiles.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.55 no.1
• /
• pp.88-97
• /
• 2003

Background : Although smoking is a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), only 10-20% of cigarette smokers develop symptomatic COPD, which suggests the presence of genetic susceptibility. This genetic susceptibility to COPD might depend on variations in the activities of the enzyme that detoxify hazardous chemical products, such as microsomal epoxide hydrolase (mEPHX) and glutathione-S transferase M1 subunit (GSTM1) genes. Methods : The genotypes of 58 patients with COPD, and 79 age matched control subjects, were determined by a polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) for the mEPHX, and multiplex PCR for the GSTM1. Results : GSTM1 was deleted in 53.3% of the subjects. There was no difference in GSTM1 deletion rates between the COPD patients (32/58, 55.2%) and the control subjects (41/79, 51.9%). The combination patterns of two polymorphisms of mEPHX showed slow enzyme activity in 29(21.2%), normal in 73(53.3%) and fast in 32(23.4%). The COPD group (7/57, 12.3%) showed a significantly lower incidence of slow enzyme activity compared to the control subjects (22/77, 28.6%, p<0.05). However, when the COPD and control groups were compared with smokers only, there were no significant differences in the genotypes of GSTM1 and mEPHX. Conclusion : The genotypes of GSTM1 and mEPHX were not significant risk factors of COPD in this cohort of study.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.360-368
• /
• 2015

The present study evaluated the effect of controlled ryegrass-white clover herbage availability from day 128 until day 142 of pregnancy in comparison to unrestricted availability, on the performance of twin-bearing ewes of varying body condition score (BCS; 2.0, 2.5, or 3.0) and their lambs. It was hypothesised that under conditions of controlled herbage availability, the performance of lambs born to ewes with a greater BCS would be greater than those born to ewes with a lower BCS. During the period that the nutritional regimens were imposed, the pre- and post-grazing herbage masses of the Control regimen ($1,070{\pm}69$ and $801{\pm}30$ kg dry matter [DM]/ha) were lower than the ad libitum regimen ($1,784{\pm}69$ and $1,333{\pm}33kg\;DM/ha$; p<0.05). The average herbage masses during lactation were $1,410{\pm}31kg\;DM/ha$. Nutritional regimen had no effect on ewe live weight, BCS and back fat depth or on lamb live weight, indices of colostrum uptake, maximal heat production, total litter weight weaned or survival to weaning (p>0.05). The difference in ewe BCSs and back fats observed among body condition groups was maintained throughout pregnancy (p<0.05). At weaning, ewes from the BCS2.0 group had lower BCS and live weight ($2.4{\pm}0.2$, $74.3{\pm}2.6kg$) than both the BCS2.5 ($2.6{\pm}0.2$, $78.6{\pm}2.4kg$) and BCS3.0 ewes ($2.7{\pm}0.2$, $79.0{\pm}2.6kg$; p<0.05), which did not differ (p>0.05). Ewe BCS group had no effect on lamb live weight at birth or weaning or on maximal heat production (p>0.05). Serum gamma glutamyl transferase concentrations of lambs born to BCS3.0 ewes were higher within 36 hours of birth than lambs born to BCS2.0 ewes and BCS2.5 ewes ($51.8{\pm}1.9$ vs $46.5{\pm}1.9$ and $45.6{\pm}1.9IU/mL$, respectively [p<0.05]). There was, however, no effect of ewe body condition on lamb plasma glucose concentration (p>0.05). Lamb survival was the only lamb parameter that showed an interaction between ewe nutritional regimen and ewe BCS whereby survival of lambs born to BCS2.5 and BCS3.0 ewes differed but only within the Control nutritional regimen ewes (p<0.05). These results indicate farmers can provide twin-bearing ewes with pre- and post-grazing ryegrass-white clover herbage covers of approximately 1,100 and 800 kg DM/ha in late pregnancy, provided that herbage covers are 1400 in lactation, without affecting lamb performance to weaning. The present results also indicate that under these grazing conditions, there is little difference in ewe performance within the BCS range of 2.0 to 3.0 and therefore they do not need to be managed separately.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.219-226
• /
• 2010

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (SDWE) on lipid levels, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities on rats fed a high fat diet for 6 weeks. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (4-weeks-old) were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet and deionized water (ND), normal diet and Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (NDS), high fat diet and deionized water (HFD), high fat diet and Scutellaria baicalensis water extract (HFDS). The food intakes were significantly lower, but the food efficiency ratios were significantly higher in the high fat diet groups than those in other groups. The level of HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in plasma were significantly higher and AI (atherogenic index) in HFDS group was significantly lower than that in HFD group. The level of triglyceride in plasma was significantly decreased in SDWE groups. The triglyceride of liver was significantly increased in the high fat diet groups and the total cholesterol of liver in the HFDS group was significantly lower than that in the HFD group. The plasma and liver concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the NDS group were significantly lower than those in the ND group. The total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma was significantly increased in the HFDS group compared to the HFD group. The activities of SOD, catalase and GST were significantly increased in SDWE groups compared to ionized water groups. The activity of GSH-Px and the concentration of GSH in liver in the HFDS group were significantly higher than those in the HFD group. These results suggest that a supplement of SDWE on rats fed high fat diet reduce levels of lipid and lipid peroxidation in plasma and liver and improve the antioxidant defense systems.