• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.37-42
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• 1997

The toxic and detoxifying effects of cadmium and zinc on rat plasma ACTH and serum cortisol levels were investigated in rats. Rats were injected by i.p. with saline (0.9%), cadmium chloride (0.25 or 0.5mg/kg body weight) and pretreated with zinc chloride (4mg/kg body weight) before cadmium chloride treatment 1 or 2 weeks, respectively. The ACTH levels were no significant differences in cadmium 0.25mg/kg-treated group, but were significantly decreased in cadmium 0.5mg/kg-treated group compared with normal group. The ACTH levels after zinc pretreatment for 1 week were significantly increased but zinc pretreatment for 2 week were no difference. The serum cortisol levels of cadmium treated rats were significantly decreased, but were increased in zinc pretreated rats. The results showed that the zinc have some protective effect on cadmium toxicity in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 1969

The double tracer study on erythrokinetics was carried out experimentally with radioactive iron ($^{59}Fe$) and chromium ($^{51}Cr$) in rabbits. The 0.1% canthalidin solution and 1% pot. perchlomate solution was given subcutaneously to 20 rabbits respectively. 3 and 6 days after injection, the blood chemistry, urine examination, ferrokinetics and apparent half survival time of RBC were ($^{51}Cr\;T\frac{1}{2}$)determined. Following were the results: 1) Red blood cell hematocrit and hemoglobin values were moderately reduced and B.U.N. and serum creatinine values were slight]y inercased in the canthalidin group, while B.U.N. and serum creatinine values were within normal limits in the pot. perchlomate group. Reticulocyte values were slight]y increased in the canthalidin group, while was normal range in the pot. perchlomate group. 2) Blood chemistry finding was not significant statistically in both experimental groups, but serum iron value was moderately reduced in both group. 3) Plasma volume was unchanged in both group, but red cell volume and whole blood volume were slightly reduced in both groups. 4) Results of ferrokinetics were as follows: i) The plasma iron disappearance rate was delayed in both groups. Plasma iron turnover rate, red cell iron utilization and red cell iron turnover rate were decreased in both groups, and then red cell iron turnover rate was more decreased than plasma iron turnover rate in both groups. Circulating red cell iron was slight]y increased in canthalidin group and red cell iron concentration was within normal range in both groups. ii) P.I.T.R.-R.C.I.T. value was moderately increased in the canthalidin group and slightly increased in the pot. perchlomate group. Reticulocyte index, red cell iron turnover index, plasma iron turnover index and effective erythropoiesis index were whole]y reduced in both groups. iii) The red cell life span was slightly shortened in the canthalidin group while was within normal range in pot. perchlomate group. The pathologic finding of renal biopsy of the canthalidin group shows a selective damage in glomerulus, while shows almost normal range or slight damage in tubules. And that of the pot. perchlomate group shows a selective damage in tubules with slight damage of glomerulus.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.203-211
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• 2010

Advancements in the field of proteomics have provided great opportunities for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic tools against human diseases. In this study, we analyzed haptoglobin and amyloid A protein levels of vivax malaria patients with combinations of depletion of the abundant plasma proteins, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE), image analysis, and mass spectrometry in the plasma between normal healthy donors and vivax malaria patients. The results showed that the expression level of haptoglobin had become significantly lower or undetectable in the plasma of vivax malaria patients due to proteolytic cleavage when compared to healthy donors on 2-DE gels. Meanwhile, serum amyloid A protein was significantly increased in vivax malaria patient's plasma with high statistical values. These 2 proteins are common acute phase reactants and further large scale evaluation with a larger number of patient's will be necessary to establish the possible clinical meaning of the existential changes of these proteins in vivax malaria patients. However, our proteomic analysis suggests the feasible values of some plasma proteins, such as haptoglobin and serum amyloid A, as associating factor candidates for vivax malaria.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.358-364
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• 2003

Effects of Cheunhwasangamibang on serum glucose and lipid composition were investigated in high fat diet induced diabetic rat. Plasma glucose and free fatty acids concentration showed a high reduction in Cheunhwasangamibang groups compared to those of control group and these values decreased to increasing Cheunhwasangamibang concentration. Plasma ${\beta}$-lipoprotein and triglyceride concentration showed a low values in Cheunhwasangamibang groups, however these values showed no significantly different in 4 ml and 6 ml treatment groups. Total cholesterol concentration showed no significantly different in control group and 2 ml Cheunhwasangamibang group, however these values in 4 ml and 6 ml treatment groups showed a reduction compared to those of control group. Plasma LDL-cholesterol concentration showed a reduction in Cheunhwasangamibang group and HDL-cholesterol showed no significantly different in all treatment groups.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.107-118
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• 2009

In patients with type 2 diabetes, oxidative stress could be increased by their metabolic changes. Elevated plasma homocysteine is considered as one of markers of enhanced oxidative stress. Due to oxidative stress, some complications like cardiovascular or renal diseases may develop in type 2 diabetes patients. Plasma homocysteine concentration may be increased if folate status were inadequate. Protective effects against oxidative stress may be diminished if the status of anti-oxidative nutrient as vitamin C was poor. It is, therefore, important to maintain adequate status of folate and vitamin C in type 2 diabetes patients. Thus, this study was performed to determine the effects of supplementation of folate and/or ascorbate on blood glycated hemoglobin ($HbA_{1c}$) level, serum concentrations of homocysteine and cholesterol, plasma oxidized low density-lipoprotein (LDL), concentration and plasma glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 92 type 2 diabetes patients participated voluntarily with written consents. They were divided into one of the four experimental groups; Control (C), Folate-supplemented (F), Ascorbate-supplemented (A), and Folate plus ascorbate-supplemented (FA). The subjects in C were taken placebo, those in F were supplemented 1 mg of folate, those in A received 1,000 mg of ascorbate, and those in FA were given 1 mg of folate plus 1,000 mg of ascorbate daily for 4 weeks. Supplementation of folate or ascorbate resulted to increase serum folate level or plasma ascorbate concentration apparently, respectively. Folate supplementation not ascorbate seemed to decrease plasma concentrations of homocysteine and oxidized LDL and reduce plasma GSH-Px activity. There might not be synergic effect of the supplementation of folate plus ascorbate. The results indicate that oxidative stress in the patients with type 2 diabetes may lower mainly by folate supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.276-287
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• 2008

Diabetic mellitus in an older population is associated with increased basal oxidative stress and free radical accentuated by hyperglycemic challenge. Enhanced free radical in diabetic elderly can cause the oxidative damage and such damage can be protected by antioxidant defense system. It is believed that vitamin C, A and E are the most abundant and effective antioxidants in human plasma. The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant status in Korean diabetic elderly using the case-control study. The antioxidant status was examined by determining plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, A, E, ${\beta}$-carotene), total antioxidant status (TAS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and intakes of vitamin C, A, ${\beta}$-carotene and retiol. Fasting glucose and HbA1c levels and serum lipid profiles (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were also determined. Diabetic subjects were 122 elderly persons over 60 years old, visiting public health center, and control subjects were 96 healthy elderly persons living in Ulsan, Korea and they were matched by age, gender, smoking and drinking status. The diabetic and control subjects were divided into sub-groups according to the status of using diet therapy and vitamin supplement. The subjects were interviewed to collect data on their general characteristics, disease history, vitamin supplement, diet therapy and health-related habits by questionnaires. Their dietary intakes were obtained by means of semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SQFFQ). Fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in diabetes than in control subjects, and plasma total cholesterol level of diabetes was not significantly different from that of control subjects. However serum HDL cholesterol level of diabetes was significantly lower and serum TG level of diabetes was significantly higher than those of control group. The average vitamin A and ${\beta}$-carotene intakes of diabetes were significantly higher than those of control subjects. There was no significant difference in plasma vitamin C, ${\beta}$-carotene, and TBARS levels between two groups, but plasma vitamin A, E and TAS levels were significantly higher in diabetes than those in control group. Plasma vitamin A and TAS levels of diabetic subjects using diet therapy were higher than those of control using diet therapy, and plasma vitamin E, ${\beta}$-carotene and TAS levels of diabetic subjects using vitamin supplements were significantly higher than those of controls using vitamin supplements. These results suggested that diabetic mellitus could enhance antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and interest in healthy eating such as consumption of more antioxidant nutrients.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.217-225
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• 2003

Changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured in rats administered with lead acetate to investigate the in vivo cytotoxic effects of lead and examine the usefulness of these in vivo cytotoxicity changes as indicators of lead exposure and diagnosis of lead poisoning. Rats were given once intraperitonealy with lead acetate (1.6, 8, 40 and 200 mg/kg b.w) and the changes of plasma DNA contents and serum biochemical values were measured at the time of 2, 4, 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the administration of lead acetate. Plasma DNA contents began to increase at 2 hours after the administration of lead acetate in the treatment groups of 8, 40 and 200 mg/kg b.w dose-dependently and significantly compared with control group. These DNA increases of each dosage group were continued until 24, 48 and 72 hours and the maximum levels of DNA (4.02, 10.67 and 14.10 times of control) were arrived at 8, 8 and 4 hours after the each treatment, respectively. Among 10 serum biochemical indicators, the activities of creatine kinase were increased to maximum level (6.55 times of control) at 2 hours after the administration and remained to be significantly higher than that of control by 8 hours in the treatment group of 200 mg, however, after 48 hours, the levels in the treatment groups of 40 mg above were lower than that of control. The values of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase were higher than that of control from 2 to 24 hours in the treatment group of 200 mg. Maximum levels of these enzymes were 3.34, 3.00 and 3.19 times of control, respectively. Both of alkaline phosphatase and triglyceride values in the treatment groups were decreased compared with control. In the case of alka-line phosphatse, the values were significanly decreased from 24 hours and more severely decreased until 72 hours in the treatment groups of 40 mg above (p<0.01). The minimum value was 0.36 times of control in the 200 mg group. The values of triglyceride were significantly decreased in the tratment groups of 40 mg above (p<0.01), but the values were not different significantly among the treatment groups. This study demonstrates that plasma DNA content and serum biochemical values such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase and triglyceride are valuable as biomarkers for exposure assessment and diagnosis of lead poisoning.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.502-506
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• 2000

Effects of powdered siho(bupleuri radix) on serum and liver lipid composition and antioxidative capacity were investigated in rat fed high oxidized fat. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 161.25$\pm$2.51g were blocked into four groups according to body weight and raised seven weeks with basal diet(normal group), basal diet and 10% oxidized fat(control group), basal diet, 10% oxidized fat and 2% powdered siho(2% powdered siho group) and basal diet, 10% oxidized fat and 3% powdered siho(3% powdered siho group). Feed intake, body weight gain and feed efficiency were not significantly different among oxidized fat diet groups. The values of total cholesterol and triglyceride in plasma and liver showed no significantly different(p>0.05) in the oxidized fat diet groups. Plasma HDL-cholesterol showed atendency to increase in powdered siho diet groups. The values of thiobarbituric acid in plasma and liver were lower in the powdered siho diet groups than control group. Plasma GOT and GPT activity showed a tendence to decrease in powdered siho groups. Liver glutathione peroxidase activity showed a tendence to increase in powdered siho diet groups. Thus, it seems that powdered siho had some antioxidative elements.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2011

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have demonstrated their potential as biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis. In recent years, miRNAs have been found in body fluids such as serum, plasma, urine and saliva. Circulating miRNAs are highly stable and resistant to RNase activity along with, extreme pH and temperatures in serum and plasma. In this study, we investigated serum miRNA profiles that can be used as a diagnostic biomarker of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: We compared the expression profile of miRNAs in the plasma of patients diagnosed with lung cancer using an miRNA microarray. The data from this assay were validated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: Six miRNAs were overexpressed and three miRNAs were underexpressed in both tissue and serum from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients. Sixteen miRNAs were overexpressed and twenty two miRNAs were underexpressed in both tissue and serum from adenocarcinoma (AC) patients. Of the four miRNAs chosen for qRT-PCR analysis, the expression of miR-23a was consistent with microarray results from AC patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were done and revealed that the level of serum miR-23a was a potential marker for discriminating AC patients from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Conclusion: Although a small number of patients were examined, the results from our study suggest that serum miR-23a can be used in the diagnosis of AC.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.577-588
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• 2003

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition, common in patients with advanced liver disease, can seriously undermine the capacity for regeneration and functional restoration of liver. Nutritional supplementation for these patients can improve biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. However, these effects were not identified in patient with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. To determine effects of nutritional supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, 77 subjects aged 29 to 69 years participated in this study for 12 weeks and were subdivided into three groups; normal diet group (Control group, n ＝ 16), branched-chain amino acid supplementation group (BCAA group, n ＝ 31), nutritional supplementation group (NS group, n ＝ 30). Anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood cell counts, serum levels of lipids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acid composition, and plasma amino acids were examined. The mean values of age and height, and the initial values of weight and body mass index (BMI) were not different among all groups. After 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in these values in Control group. Only NS group showed significant increases in weight, lean body mass, midarm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness. Serum transferrins were increased both in BCAA and NS groups. Plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids, urea amino acids and glutamic acid were also significantly increased in these groups, but plasma levels of ammonia, serum LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased. However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of vitamin and mineral and composition of fatty acids in phospholipids in these groups. These results showed that the nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis can more improve nutritional status in these people together with increases of weight, body fat and lean body mass, compared to only BCAA supplementation. To ascertain and investigate the appropriate nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, further studies are necessary.