• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.90-98
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• 2011

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of urinary mercury and analyze which factors would affect urinary mercury concentration among dental hygienists in dental clinics. Methods: This study conducted by questionnaire and detection of urinary mercury concentration of 268 dental hygienists working in dental clinics from July to August of 2009. Data collected from two hundred and thirty-five dental hygienists were analyzed by the geometric mean (GM). Analytical results of urine samples with less than 0.3 g creatinine/L and greater than 3g creatinine/L were excluded from statistical analysis. Results: Urinary mercury concentration of 235 dental hygienists showed the geometric distribution. The arithmetic and geometric means of urinary mercury concentration were $0.996{\mu}g/g$ creatinine and $0.755{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, respectively. From multiple regression analysis, the number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Conclusions: The level of urinary mercury in dental hygienists was higher than in general Korean population. The number of amalgam filling, the consumption frequency of raw fish and the number of amalgam handling in current workplace was revealed as increasing factors of urinary mercury concentration. Therefore using resin materials instead of amalgam in dental clinics is highly desirable.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.137-143
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• 2008

Objectives : Cheonggukjang(natto) is known to have anti-hyperlipidemic action in our previous study. This study was designed to investigate the safety of Prototype-cheonggukjang (PC, Herbal-natto). Methods : We investigated the effects of PC on changes in body weights, food uptake, water uptake, levels of AST/ALT, levels of BUN/creatinine and electrolytes in serum from normal mice. PC is made by cheonggukjang added Codonopsis Lanceolata, Houttuynia cordata and Lentinus edodes in indicated concetrations. Results : In this experiment, PC group showed equal levels of body weights, urine volume compared to non-treated control group. Oral administration of PC did not affect food and water uptake too. Levels of AST/ALT, which are markers of liver function, were not changed by administration of PC. In addition, levels of BUN/creatinine, which are markers of renal function, were not affected by PC too. Finally electrolytes in serum were not affected by PC. Conclusions : These results imply that oral administration of PC is safe in the framework of liver and renal function, and electrolytes in serum.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.367-386
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• 2012

Objectives : The object of this study was to observe the effects of Gamioryung-san (GOS), which consists of 22 types of herbs, on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy rats. Methods : Three different dosages of GOS were orally administered once a day for 28 days from 3 weeks after STZ treatment. Six groups, each of 8 rats per group were used. Changes on the body weights, blood glucose levels, serum BUN and creatinine levels, urine volumes, and UAER were observed with changes on the kidney malondialdehyde contents and glutathione, dismutase and catalase contents. In addition, histopathology of kidney, pancreas, thymus and spleen were observed. The results were compared with antioxidant silymarin 100 mg/kg, of which the effects on STZ -induced diabetes and related complications are already confirmed. Results : As a result of treatment of GOS 800, 400 or 200 mg/kg for 28 days, STZ-induced decreases of body weights, hyperglycemia, atrophic changes of pancreatic islets with decreases of insulin-immunoreactive cells and decreases of glucagon -immunoreactive cells were inhibited dose-dependently. Increases in kidney weight, serum BUN and creatinine levels, urine volumes, UAER, vasodilated atrophic glomerulus and abnormal tubules were inhibited dose-dependently. Also increases of kidney MDA contents and decreases of GSH contents, SOD and CAT activities, decreases of thymus and spleen weights, and atrophic changes at histopathological observation were also inhibited. The effects of GOS 400 mg/kg showed similar effects to silymarin 100 mg/kg. Conclusions : These results suggest that 400 mg/kg of GOS retarded the STZ-induced diabetic nephropathies as similarly to silymarin 100 mg/kg, through modulations of oxidative stress and immune systems.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.69-83
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Malvae Semen herbal-acupuncture (MS-HA) at$KI_{10}$($Eumgok$) on nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rat. Methods : Rats with nephritis induced by LPS, were treated with Malvae Semen herbal-acupuncture(MS-HA) injection at $KI_{10}$. Two control groups, N.P group and Saline group, were treated with 26 gauge needle at $KI_{10}$, 3 times a week. In Saline group, normal saline was injected at $KI_{10}$. To evaluate the effects of Malvae Semen Herbal-acupuncture at $KI_{10}$ on nephritis in rats, WBC, Neutrophils in blood, BUN, Creatinine, TNF-a, CINC-1 in serum, urinal volume, creatinine, total protein in urine and renal TNF-a, renal tissue were analyzed. Results : MS-HA at $KI_{10}$ significantly reduced WBC and neutrophil in blood, TNF-${\alpha}$ in serum of LPS-stimulated rats. MS-HA at $KI_{10}$ significantly reduced total protein level in urine. MS-HA at $KI_{10}$ reduced accumulation of neutrophil in renal tissue of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusions : Taken together, MS-HA at $KI_{10}$ has a therapeutic effect on nephritis in LPS-stimulated rat. Therefore, it is suggested that MS-HA at $KI_{10}$ may be an useful therapeutics for nephritis in clinical field.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.11-18
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• 1976

In this third report influence of vibration on growth and on some metabolism of young growing rats fed on varying levels of protein was investigated. Forty eight (48) young growing male rats weighing about 60 grams were used, grouping to four (4) groups, twelve (12) rats each group. They were fed on 8%, 13%, 19%, and 26% casein diet respectively (See the table 1) for the period of 10 weeks experiment. During the experimental period the half number of the rats of each group were subjected to a given degree of vibration for two (2) hours daily. Observations for growth rate, food and protein efficiency ratios, organs development, cholesterol levels in aorta, total nitrogen, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels in urine may be summarized as follows 1. Growth was impaired by the vibration in all groups including 26% easein diet. 2. There is tendeney that in higher protein diets, the organs (See table 3) developed more well. And also the impairment of the organs development by the vibration revealed less in higher protein diets. 3. Food and protein efficiency ratios were generally decreased under vibration and the food efficiency was improved by increasing the protein level in diet. 4. Total and free cholesteral levels in aorta were increased by the vibration. Ester from/tatal ratio was 17.7% and 17.3% respectively at 8% and 13% protein diets and 54.8% and 54.2% at 19% and 26% protein diets. These show that, in higher protein diets, the vibration doesn't influence the cholesterol ratio. 5. Total nitrogen, urea nirogen and creatinine levels in urine were increased by increasing the protion level in diet and also increased by the vibration. 6. It seems that, according to the above observations, the vibration used in this experiment influenced, in certain extent, on physical development, physiological availability of nutrients, and on body metabolism. And it is also thought that higher protein diets act some good role in protecting body from suffering from vibration.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.113-129
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• 2002

The present study designed to investigate whether hwangryunhaedok-tang show an anti-hypertensive effect and elucidate its possible mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The systolic blood pressures (SBP) were significantly decreased as an oral administration of hwangryunhaedok-tang compared with their control group. The urine volume was significantly increased by administration of hwangryunhaedok-tang but urinary sodium (UNaV), potassium (UKV), chloride excretion (UCIV) were not remarkably affected. The urinary creatinine excretion rate (UcrV) was significantly increased in rats administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang in association with increase of creatinine clearance (Ccr). The urine osmolality (Uosmol) was significantly decreased in SHR administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang without being changed in solute-free water reabsorption ( TcH20). The expressions of Aquaporin 2 (AQP-2). 3 and ${\alpha}\;1$, ${\beta}\;1$ subunits of Na.K-ATPase were determined by Western blot analysis to assess the role of these proteins in association with changes of renal functions in SHR administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang. The expression of AQP-2 and 3 protein was significantly down-regulated in the kidney of SHR administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang compared with those in control rats without being altered expression of ${\alpha}\;1$, ${\beta}\;1$ subunits of Na,K-ATPase. In the in vitro assay, Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was inhibited by hwangryunhaedok-tang in a dose-dependent manner. Berberine and/or palmatine, which are well known as a main components of hwangryunhaedok-tang, also have an ACE inhibitory effects in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that hwangryunhaedok-tang lowered blood pressure through the increase of diuresis caused by down-regulation of water channels and the inhibition of Angiotensin converting enzyme.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.431-438
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was assessment of the variation of urinary mercury concentrations after removal of amalgam fillings in children. Methods : 10 elemental school children with amalgam filling tooth surfaces were took part in this study. One dentist recorded the number of amalgam filling surface, and general characteristics of subjects were surveyed by questionnaire. Each urine samples were collected before, immediately after and after 24 hours amalgam removal. The statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 18.0. Results : The mean concentration urinary mercury immediately after amalgam removal was higher ($5.70{\pm}1.20{\mu}g/g$ creatinine) than before amalgam removal ($5.28{\pm}1.53{\mu}g/g$ creatinine). The mean concentration urinary mercury level whose have 1-10 amalgam removal surfaces was increased after amalgam removal compared with before. Conclusions : Mercury concentration in urine was influenced by amalgam removal.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1-10
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• 2005

Objectives : The Present study was carried out to investigate the preventive effect of Anti-diabetic prescription 1(AD-1) on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy. Methods : AD-1 consists of eleven herbs that have an effect on diabetes mellitus. AD-1 was given to rats with the combination of oral administration and herbal-acupuncture stimulation. The experimental animals were divided into 3 groups : normal group of rats, control group of STZ-induced diabetic rats, sample group with AD-1 treatment. Experimental diabetes was induced by the injection of STZ(60mg/kg) to e rat via the peritoneum. The effect of AD-1 on STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy was observed by measuring the serum level of creatinine and BUN. Urine secretion of albumin for 24 hours and urine level of glucose measures too. Anti-oxidative stress of AD-1 administration in living body was estimated by measuring lipid peroxide and GSH content in cortex of kidneys. Results : STZ induced increase of serum creatinine, BUN and albumin secretion were lowered by AD-1 treatment. Conclusion : The AD-1 treatment showed protective effect on rat diabetic nephropathy model, and action mechanism of the effect was thought to be concerned with anti-oxidative stress.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.300-305
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• 2004

Background : Due to increased interest in herbal medicines is recent years, medical circles have made studies of toxicity and side effects of herbal medicines. Particularly the kidney is sensitive to toxicity. A few reports concerning the side effects and toxicity of herbal medicine have been presented recently. This has bought on some distrust in herbal medicines among patients and western doctors. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to determine what effects long-term prescription of one herbal medicine may have on renal function. Methods : Nineteen patients took herbal medicine for eight weeks. Tests of their Blood Urea Nitrogen(BUN), Creatinine of blood plasma, and urine (chemical and microscopic) were taken before taking medicine and at the 2nd, 4th, 8th weeks. Results : After taking a herbal medicine, BUN and Creatinine decreased significantly or remained the same in comparison with the prior interval. Chemical and microscopic examination of urine showed no changes. Conclusions : The results suggest that taking this herbal medicine for a long time does not induce nephrotixicity. Further study is needed for investigating safety and toxicity of herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.73-83
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Polyporus Herbal-acupuncture(PO-HA) at KI10 (Umgok) on nephritis induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) in rats. Methods: Rats were allocated into normal, control, and 2 experimental groups. The rats in the control group were intra-peritoneally injected with LPS for nephritis induction. The rats in the groups of experiment 1 and experiment 2 were treated with Saline injection, and PO-HA, respectively at KI10 three times for a week and then intra-peritoneally injected with LPS. To evaluate the effects of PO-HA at KI10, WBC count in blood, creatine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1(CINC-1) in serum, urinary volume, creatinine, total protein in urine, myeloperoxidase(MPO) in kidney were measured. Results: PO-HA at KI10 significantly suppressed the increase of WBC in blood, TNF-${\alpha}$, CINC-1 in serum, MPO in kidney of LPS-stimulated rats. PO-HA at KI10 significantly suppressed the increase creatinine, total protein in urine of LPS-stimulated rats. Conclusions: According to these results, it is postulated that PO-HA at KI10 has an anti-inflammatory and renal-protective effects on LPS-induced nephritis in rats. Therefore, it is suggested that PO-HA at KI10 may be an useful therapeutics for nephritis in clinical field after further researches.