• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.226-236
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• 2013

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the levels of serum 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and evaluate their association with age, body mass index, smoking, military record-based variables, and estimated exposure to Agent Orange in Korean Vietnam veterans. Methods: Serum levels of TCDD were analyzed in 102 Vietnam veterans. Information on age, body mass index, and smoking status were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire. The perceived exposure was assessed by a 6-item questionnaire. Two proximitybased exposures were constructed by division/brigade level and battalion/company level unit information using the Stellman exposure opportunity index model. Results: The mean and median of serum TCDD levels was 1.2 parts per trillion (ppt) and 0.9 ppt, respectively. Only 2 Vietnam veterans had elevated levels of TCDD (>10 ppt). The levels of TCDD did not tend to increase with the likelihood of exposure to Agent Orange, as estimated from either proximity-based exposure or perceived self-reported exposure. The serum TCDD levels were not significantly different according to military unit, year of first deployment, duration of deployment, military rank, age, body mass index, and smoking status. Conclusions: The average serum TCDD levels in the Korean Vietnam veterans were lower than those reported for other occupationally or environmentally exposed groups and US Vietnam veterans, and their use as an objective marker of Agent Orange exposure may have some limitations. The unit of deployment, duration of deployment, year of first deployment, military rank, perceived self-reported exposure, and proximity-based exposure to Agent Orange were not associated with TCDD levels in Korean Vietnam veterans. Age, body mass index and smoking also were not associated with TCDD levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.112-116
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• 2006

To investigate the protective effect of saponin from red ginseng extract, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo--dioxin (TCDD) was exposed to female guinea pigs and then femur weights was measured. Forty eight female guinea pigs ($820{\pm}25\;g$) were divided into 6 groups. Normal control group (NC) received vehicle and saline; only TCDD-treated group (TT) received TCDD ($5.0\;{\mu}g/kg$, single dose) intraperitoneally; pretreated group of saponin 10 (PE 10) received 10 mg/kg of saponin i.p. for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD-exposure; pretreated group of saponin 20 (PE 20) also received 20 mg/kg of saponin i.p. for 4 weeks from 1 week before TCDD-exposure. While, post-treated group of saponin 10 (CE 10) received 10 mg/kg of saponin i.p for 3 weeks after TCDD-exposure. Post-treated group of saponin 20 (CE 20) received 20 mg/kg saponin i.p for 3 weeks after TCDD-exposure. Body weight of TT group was significantly decreased after TCDD-exposure. However, body weight in all saponin-treated groups increased throughout the experimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Body weights of PE 10 and 20 groups showed more higher increase than those of CE groups during the experimental period. Decrease of femur weights in female guinea pigs by TCDD intoxification was significantly recovered by the saponin treatment. Decrease of $Ca^{2+}$ level of femurs in female guinea pigs exposed TCDD also recovered by the treatment of saponin from red ginseng extract. Especially, PE20 group showed the highest increase of the $Ca^{2+}$ level in femur among the saponin treated groups. These results suggest that ginseng saponin might be a useful protective agent against femur damage caused to decrease of $Ca^{2+}$ by TCDD.