• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

Lentinus squarrosulus (Mont.) is an edible wild mushroom with tough fruiting body that belongs to the family Polyporaceae. It is used in ethnomedicine for the treatment of ulcer, anaemia, cough and fever. Recent studies have demonstrated its anticancer, anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties. However, little or no information is available regarding the bioactive components and toxicological study of wild dried L. squarrosulus. Therefore, this study investigated the bioactive components of aqueous extract of boiled wild dried L. squarrosulus and its toxicological effects in rats. The extract of L. squarrosulus was subjected to GC-MS analysis. The acute toxicity test was performed by oral administration of a single dose of up to 5,000 mg/kg extract of L. squarrosulus. In subacute study, the rats were orally administered extract of L. squarrosulus at the doses of 500, 1,000 and 1,500 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days. The haematological, lipid profile, liver and kidney function parameters were determined and the histopathology of the liver and kidney were examined. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds; 1-tetradecene, fumaric acid, monochloride, 6-ethyloct-3-yl ester, 9-eicosene, phytol, octahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine and 3-trifluoroacetoxypentadecane. In acute toxicity study, neither death nor toxicity sign was recorded. In the sub-acute toxicity study, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed on creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Whilst no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed on packed cell volume, heamoglobin, red blood cell, white blood cell and alkaline phosphatase, in all the tested doses. No histopathological alterations were recorded. Our findings revealed that aqueous extract of L. squarrosulus may have antimicrobial, antinocieptive and antioxidant properties based on the result of GC-MS analysis. Results of the toxicity test showed no deleterious effect at the tested doses, suggesting that L. squarrosulus is safe for consumption at the tested doses.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.3 no.3_4
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• pp.1-8
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• 1988

Experiment was performed to investigate the immunotoxicity of cadmium administered orally and the effect of ginseng petroleum ether fraction on it. Mice were given 3, 30, or 300 ppm cadmium as cadmium chloride orally in the drinking water and injection of ginseng petroleum ether fraction intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Mice were sensitized and challenged u'ith sheep red blood cells (5-HBC). Immune response was evaluated by delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH), Rosette forming cell (RFC), phagocyte activity, and natural killer cell activity (NK cell activity). In the present study, cadmium suppressed the cellular immunity, It also depressed phagocyte activity very significantly in all cadmium-administered groups, NK cell activity in the cadmium-300 ppm administered group. Ginseng petroleum ether fraction showed restoring effect on the decrease in RFC by cadmium-administration. Remarkably, it showed very significant restoring effect on the depression of phagocyte activity induced by cadmium-administration. From this result, we suppose that the anti-tumor effect of ginseng ether or petroleum ether extract, which has been reported by some other researchers, is mainly due to the increase of phagocyte activity by it's administration.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2013

An 11-year-old poodle bitch was presented for investigation of multicentric mammary masses. Abdominal sonography and radiography demonstrated abnormal enlargement of uterus and ovaries. Blood analysis revealed high progesterone concentration. The ovariohysterectomy and mastectomy were performed. Histopathologically, the mammary masses revealed complex carcinoma-tubulopapillary carcinoma with papillary pattern and tubule pattern. In the uterus, cystic endometrial hyperplasia was observed. Scattered inflammatory cells were observed in the endometrial stroma and mucinous material was protruded from endometrial surface. Also, in the ovaries, bilateral ovary granulosa cell tumor was detected. The bitch made a complete recovery following the ovariohysterectomy and mastectomy. This case was a very rare multiple tumor occurrence with bilateral ovary granulosa cell tumor and mammary complex carcinoma. High progesterone concentration was characterized clinically in the bitch.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.952-961
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare nutrient intakes and the serum iron status of 74 Food and Nutrition major, and 45 non-major, female students at a university in Incheon. This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire and the data were analyzed by the SPSS 10.0 program. The nutrient intake data collected from three-day dietary recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program. Anthropometric data and hematological indices of iron in the blood were measured. Average heights, weights, body fat and mid-upper arm circumference of Food and Nutrition major and non-major female students were 160.3 cm, 53.5kg, 25.8%, 23.7cm and 159.8cm, 55.5kg, 28.9%, 24.8cm, respectively. There were significant differences in body fat percentage and mid-upper arm circumference between the major and non-major students. In all subjects, daily dietary intakes of nutrients- except protein, vitarrlin B1, vitamin C and phosphorus - were lower than the Korean RDA. In particular, calcium and iron intakes of all subjects were under 60% of the Korean RDA. Values of RBC (red blood cell) count, Hb (hemoglobin), Hct (hematocrit), MCV (mean cell volume), MCH (mean cell hemoglobin), and MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) of the non-major students were significantly higher compared to those of the major students. The diastolic blood pressure of the major students was negatively correlated with MCV, MCH, TS, and serum iron levels. Triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm circumference and waist-to-hip ratios of the non-major students were negatively correlated with TIBC. Fat intake was positively correlated with RBC, Hb, Hct, and TIBC (total iron binding capacity) in the major students. Vitamin C intake was positively correlated with serum iron in the major students. Carbohydrate intake was positively correlated with Hb, Hct, and MCHC in the non-major students. Niacin and iron intakes were positively correlated with Hb and Hct in the non-major students. Therefore, nutrition education is necessary for female university students to improve nutritional status and to practice optimal nutrition strategies. (Korean J Nutrition 35(9) : 952~961, 2002)

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1507-1515
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• 2006

Angelica gigantis (AG), Rehamaninae Radix(RR), Paenia japonica (PJ), and Polygoni multiflori Radix (PM) have been used as medicinal plants to tonify the blood. General function of the drugs have been known to nourish blood and control the heart and liver meridians. Recently, several studies have proposed mechanisms by which some oriental medicinal herbs work on the immune system. However, it is uncertain whether aqueous-extract of these drugs has immunomodulatory effect yet. In this study, I investigated the immune promotive effects of the water-extracted AG, RR, PJ and PM. The water-extracted AG, RR, PJ and PM inhibited NO production and iNOS expression in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Among these extracts, AG and PM induced expression of IL-2 and IFN${\gamma}$ in mouse spleen cells. In the flow cytometry analysis, PM-stimulated mouse spleen cells showed an increase in B-cell phenotype (CD45R/B220). The oral administration of Polygoni multiflori water-extracts to mice having S-180 abdominal dropsy cancer prolonged life-span more than control mice. These data suggest that among these extracts, PM has cellular and humoral immune-enhancement effect through IL-2 and IFN${\gamma}$ cytokine production, the regulation of NO production in macrophage cells and the B cell production in spleen cells.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.191-198
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• 2021

Background: Most clinical studies of immune responses activated by Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) have been conducted exclusively in patients. However, there is still a lack of clinical research on immune-boosting benefits of KRG for healthy persons. This study aims to confirm how KRG boosts the immune system of healthy subjects. Methods: A total of 100 healthy adult subjects were randomly divided into two groups that took either a 2 g KRG tablet or a placebo per day for 8 weeks. The primary efficacy evaluation variables included changes in T cells, B cells, and white blood cells (WBCs) before and after eight weeks of KRG ingestion. Cytokines (TNF-α, INF-γ, IL-2 and IL-4), WBC differential count, and incidence of colds were measured in the secondary efficacy evaluation variables. Safety evaluation variables were used to identify changes in laboratory test results that incorporated adverse reactions, vital signs, hematological tests, blood chemistry tests, and urinalysis. Results: Compared to the placebo group, the KRG intake group showed a significant increase in the number of T cells (CD3) and its subtypes (CD4 and CD8), B cells, and the WBC count before and after eight weeks of the intake. There were no clinically significant adverse reactions or other notable results in the safety evaluation factors observed. Conclusion: This study has proven through its eight-week intake test and subsequent analysis that KRG boosts the immune system through an increase in T cells, B cells, and WBCs, and that it is safe according to the study's safety evaluation.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.109-113
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• 2016

Pre-analytical variables account for most laboratory errors and many factors affect the results from a patient. Type of tubes facilitated rapid separation and prevented hemolysis upon prolonged storage. However, there were some limitations associated with vacutainer conditions. To circumvent the problems, the comparability of complete blood cell count values was examined using various vacutainers. The results of the analysis showed a large coefficient variation of 0.24, 0.21 in the value of white blood cells and platelets, and significant correlation was observed between white blood cells, platelets, and the value of red blood cells (p<0.01). In each of the three tubes, compared to the value of platelets, white blood cells, the greatest coefficient variation was 0.27, 0.21. In correlation of the three companies, significant difference was observed in values of white blood cells, platelets, and platelet distribution width (p<0.01), however G and B, the value of platelets, and platelet distribution width were significantly lower (p<0.05). In conclusion, analysis of vacutainers showed that they were suitable for stability of these analytes under vacutainer conditions.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2008

Purpose : The ability to perform chromosome analysis of cryopreserved cord blood mononuclear cells is important for future retrospective studies. We compared the karyotypes of cryopreserved cells with cells before cryopreservation. Methods : One cord blood (CB) sample was obtained from normal healthy volunteer. Karyotype analysis was performed before cryopreservation. After mononuclear cell separation with Ficoll-Hypaque, the mononuclear cells were cryopreserved by programmed controlled-rate freezer and then transferred into the liquid nitrogen ($-196^{\circ}C$) for 3 days. After rapid thawing, cytogenetic analysis was performed as the same method for each sample by different conditions. The samples were divided by three groups. The first group was no culture before cryopreservation, the second group was 72 hours culture before cryopreservation, but no 24 hours culture after thawing and the third group was 72 hours culture before cryopreservation and 24 hours culture after thawing. Results : The chromosome analysis was successful in the second and third groups of CB sample. Conclusion : The successful result from CB samples may suggest the usefulness of long-term cryopreservation for retrospective study in various clinical settings including hematologic malignancies.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.794-800
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• 2004

Deer Antler has been known for its traditional oriental medicinal properties and has been widely used to promote growth, boost immune function, treat blood loss and chronic joint pain. Recent study showed imported (New Zealand) Deer Antler was beneficial in reducing the side effects of cancer treatments. However, there was no intervention study conducted on the effect of Korean Deer Antler on reducing the oxidative stress to patients with diabetes. One of the sensitive ways to measure endogenous oxidative stress is by measuring cellular DNA damage using single cell gel electrophoresis (COMET assay). This study was conducted to investigate the possible beneficial effect of commercial Deer Antler drink (provided by Chung-yang Deer Farm) on lymphocyte DNA damage and blood glucose of diabetic patients. Ten patients (4 men, 6 women) participated in the study and consumed 2 pouches of Deer Antler drink every day for 20 days. Blood was collected on the morning before and after the intervention for lymphocyte isolation and blood glucose analysis. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed a tendency to decrease but did not reach statistical significance after the trial. Blood glucose level was not affected by the supplementation. After the intervention, over 50% reduction were noted in the cellular DNA damage, expressed as tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM: tail length ${\times}$ percent tail DNA) . Although we did not obtain beneficial effect on lowering blood glucose levels in the patients, this results suggest that Deer Antler may initially act in protecting endogenous DNA damage in short-term experiment.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 1996

Purpose : Radiation-induced alteration in the immune function is well known phenomenon in cancer patients. Our purpose is to evaluate the extent of immune suppression immediately after mediastinal or pelvic irradiation, which include significant volume of active bone marrow in adults. Materials and Methods'48 cancer patients with mediastinal(N=29) and pelvic irradiation(N=19) were the basis of this analysis. Age ranged from 36 to 76 and mean and median value was 57 years, respectively Sex ratio was 1.3(M: F=27/21). The immunological parameters were the complete blood cell(CBC) with differential cell(D/C) count, T cell subset(CD3, CD4, CD8 CDl9), NK cell test(CDl6, CD56), and serum immunoglobulin(IgG, IgA, IgM) level. Results : The mean value of white blood cell(WBC) was reduced from 7017 to 4470 after irradiation(p=0.0000). In the differential count, the number of lymphocyte, neutrophil, and basophil was markedly reduced with statistical significance(p<0.01) and the number of monocyte was not changed and, on the contrary, that of eosinophil was increased by irradiation. In the lymphocyte subpopulation analysis, the number of all subpopulations, CD3(T cell), CD4(helper T cell), CD8(suppressor T cell), CDl6(NK cell), CDl9(B, cell) was reduced with statistical significance. The mean ratio of CD4 to CD8 in all patients was 1.09 initially and reduced to 0.99 after radiotherapy(p=0.34) , but the proportional percentage of all subpopulations was not changed except CD19(B cell) after irradiation. In the immunoglobulin study, initial values of Ig G, Ig A, and Ig M were relatively above the normal range and the only Ig M was statistically significantly reduced after radiotherapy(p=0.02). Conclusion : Mediastinal and pelvic irradiation resulted in remarkable suppression of lymphocyte count in contrast to the relatively good preservation of other components of white blood cells. But the further study on the functional changes of lymphocyte after radiotherapy may be necessary to conclude the effects of the radiation on the immunity of the cancer Patients.