• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and, erythrocyte SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity and serum antioxidant mineral (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn and Se) concentrations of adolescents. Subjects were assigned to one of two groups such as obese ($BMI{\geq}25$, 32 boys, 24 girls) and normal group (18.5 < BMI < 23, 27 boys, 30 girls) Subjects were evaluated based on anthropometric measurements, 24-hr dietary recalls and blood analysis. The mean age of the total subjects was 13.8 years. The mean weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001) and body fat (p < 0.001) of obese were higher than those of normal group. There was no significant difference in nutrient intake between obese and normal groups. SOD activity of obese group was not significantly different from normal groups, in both males and females. However, in the males, serum Cu concentration of obese were significantly lower than those of normal group. In the females, Serum Mn concentration of obese were significantly lower then those of normal group. In the correlation analysis, BMI of the subjects had significantly negative correlations with serum Cu, Zn and Mn. To summarize the results, increase of obesity may lead to decrease of serum antioxidant minerals such as Cu, Zn and Mn.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.248-253
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• 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of exposure to manganese (Mn) and lead (Pb) on immune system. The subjects were 42 male workers, among whom 13 office workers (Group I) had never been occupationally exposed to heavy metals, 21 were worked in manufacturing factories (Group II) and 8 were welders (Group III). The mean blood Mn and Pb level by groups were significantly different. The numbers of CD19+ and total lymphocytes in Group I were significantly higher than those in other groups, but no significant differences were found in other T lymphocytes subpopulation. Mn and Pb concentrations showed negative correlation with T lymphocytes subpopulation, but Mn concentrations were statistical significances with T lymphocytes subpoplation except CD4+CD45RO+ and natural killer cell. Pb concentration was only statistical significance with total lymphocytes. Our results suggest that occupationally exposed to Mn and Pb can affect the cellular immune response.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.695-705
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the appearance of having relationship between the exposure to lead and cadmium and the dental caries targeting adults in the Republic of Korea. Methods : The study was designed as a cross-sectional study, using the data of the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The subjects as 1,966 people, who were confirmed the appearance of dental caries among 1,991 people of having been offered the heavy-metal concentration in blood. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS 19.0, according to complex sampling design. Results : As a result of multi-variate analysis on factors of dental caries, in Model I without correction, the gender, age, educational level, appearance of lifelong smoking, daily toothbrushing frequency, appearance of using dental floss, and subjective oral health status were recognized as important factors. In Model II with correction of gender and age, the educational level, daily toothbrushing frequency, and subjective oral health status were recognized as statistically significant factors. In Model III with correction of all factors, the gender, age, educational level, appearance of using dental floss, and subjective oral health status were functioning as statistically significant factors. As a result of statistically analyzing relationship between the exposure to lead and cadmium and the dental caries targeting adults, it was analyzed that there is no significant correlation. However, in case of lead, the tendency of being grown the cross ratio of dental caries could be examined in model I, which didn't correct disturbance factor, model II, which corrected gender and age, and model III, which corrected all variables of disturbance factor. Conclusions : The exposure to lead and cadmium was indicated to have no relationship with adults' dental caries. However, a continuous research of relationship was considered to be necessary by using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which is surveyed in the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.164-173
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• 2015

To investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria on the heavy metal adsorption from internal organs and blood, lactic acid bacteria were isolated from human feces. Some strains resistant to heavy metals were selected by incubation in agar media containing each of chrome and cadmium salts. Among them, a strain named KP-3 was ultimately chosen due to its higher growth rate in selective broth medium containing the heavy metals at the concentration of 0.01%. The strain was identified as Lactobacillus sp. based on its morphological, cultural and physiological characteristics. For evaluating the ability to prevent accumulation of heavy metals by selected Lactobacillus sp. strain in vivo, Sprague Dawley rats were fed with heavy metal salts (cadmium, chrome and lead) with or without cultured whole cells for 7 days. The amounts of heavy metals accumulated in liver, kidney and blood were analyzed. As a result, chrome was accumulated to kidney mostly, and lead was frequently found in liver and kidney. Experimental group (rats fed with lactic acid bacteria) showed less accumulation of heavy metal than control group (rats fed with saline solution). The inhibition rates of heavy metal accumulation were calculated to 41.8% (Cd), 33.4% (Cr) and 44.2% (Pb). Especially, feeding lactic acid bacteria strongly reduced accumulation of cadmium in blood. The results showed that feeding Lactobacillus sp. KP-3 could prevent the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the living body.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.3 s.31
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• pp.324-337
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• 1990

To assess the effectiveness of the interventions in working environment and personal hygiene for the occupational exposure to the lead, 156 workers (116 exposed subjects and 40 controls) of a newly established battery factory were examined for their blood lead concentration (Pb-B) in every 3 months up to 18 months. Air lead concentration (Pb-A) of the workplaces was also checked for 3 times in 6 months interval from August 1987. Environmental intervention included the local exhaust ventilation and vacuum cleaning of the floor. Intervention of the personal hygiene included the daily change of clothes, compulsory shower after work and hand washing before meal, prohibition of cigarette smoking and food consumption at the work site and wearing mask. Mean Pb-B of the controls was $21.97{\pm}3.36{\mu}g/dl$ at the preemployment examination and slightly increased to $22.75{\pm}3.38{\mu}g/dl$ after 6 months. Mean Pb-B of the workers who were employed before the factory was in operation (Group A) was $20.49{\pm}3.84{\mu}g/dl$ on employment and it was increased to $23.90{\pm}5.30{\mu}g/dl$ after 3 months (p<0.01). Pb-B was increased to $28.84{\pm}5.76{\mu}g/dl$ 6 months after the employment which was 1 month after the initiation of intervention program. It did not increase thereafter and ranged between $26.83{\mu}g/dl\;and\;28.28{\mu}g/dl$ in the subsequent 4 tests. Mean Pb-B of the workers who were employed after the factory had been in operation but before the intervention program was initiated (Group B) was $16.58{\pm}4/53{\mu}g/dl$ before the exposure and it was increased to $28.82{\pm}5.66{\mu}g/dl$(P<0.01) in 3 months later (1 month after the intervention). The values of subsequent 4 tests remained between 26.46 and $28.54{\mu}g/dl$. Mean Pb-B of the workers who were employed after intervention program had been started (Group C) was $19.45{\pm}3.44{\mu}g/dl$ at the preemployment examination and gradually increased to $22.70{\pm}4.55{\mu}g/dl$ after 3 months(P<0.01), $23.68{\pm}4.18{\mu}g/dl$ after 6 months, and $24.42{\pm}3.60{\mu}g/dl$ after 9 months. Work stations were classified into 4 parts according to Pb-A. The Pb-A of part I, the highest areas, were $0.365mg/m^3$, and after the intervention the levels were decreased to $0.216mg/m^3\;and\;0.208mg/m^3$ in follow-up tests. The Pb-A of part II was decreased from $0.232mg/m^3\;to\;0.148mg/m^3,\;and\;0.120mg/m^3$ after the intervention. Pb-A of part III and W was tested only after intervention and the Pb-A of part III were $0.124mg/m^3$ in Jannuary 1988 and $0.081mg/m^3$ in August 1988. The Pb-A of part IV not stationed at one place but moving around, was $0.110mg/m^3$ in August 1988. There was no consistent relationship between Pb-B and Pb-A. Pb-B of the group A and B workers in the part of the highest Pb-A were lower than those of the workers in the parts of lower Pb-A. Pb-B of the workers in the part of the lowest Pb-A incerased more rapidly. Pb-B of group C workers was the highest in part I and the lowest in part IV. These findings suggest that Pb-B is more valid method than Pb-A for monitoring the health of lead workers and intervention in personal hygiene is more effective than environmental intervention.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.81-97
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• 2007

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-oxidative effect of electroacupuncture at Kokchi($LI_{11}$) in rats. Methods: A study administer AAPH to the abdominal cavity of rats and stimulate Kokchi($LI_{11}$) of the rat that lead to oxidative stress by electropuncture. And the study survey serum albumin, total bilirubin, LDL-cholesterol, LDH, Glucose, GOT, GPT and measure SOD activity, GSH concentration, catalase activity, NO concentration, MDA concentration. Results: 1. At the analysis of blood chemistry Albumin and Glucose significantly increase at $LI_{11}$-NR group, $LI_{11}$-EA group than at control group and holder group. LDL cholesterol, GOT, GPT decrease meaningfully. 2. As results of measurement at liver, SOD, Catalase represnet significantly increase at $LI_{11}$-NR group and $LI_{11}$-EA group than at control group and holder group. 3. Glutathione has some increases at the $LI_{11}$-NR group and $LI_{11}$-EA group than at the control group and the holder group. 4. As a result of measurement of NO and MDA's content, the content of NO decrease at the $LI_{11}$-NR group than at the control group. That reduces more meaningfully at the $LI_{11}$-EA group than at the control group. MDA has a significant decrease at the $LI_{11}$-NR group and the $LI_{11}$-EA group. 5. At the histological analysis, the study confirm that the density of intracellular cytoplasm in the liver tissue decreases at the control group as compared with the Normal group and the size of cell increases. Conclusions : These results suppose that electroacupuncture at $LI_{11}$ has an anti-oxidant effect in human.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.508-513
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• 2016

To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of polyphenols in treating Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication and to explore the detailed underlying mechanisms. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control groups (CT), Pb exposure groups (Pb), Pb plus Polyphenols groups (Pb+PP) and Polyphenols groups (PP). Animals were kept for 60 days and sacrificed for tests of urea, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Histological evaluations were then performed. In vitro studies were performed using primary kidney mesangial cells to reveal detailed mechanisms. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate cell viability. Pb induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging were tested by DCFH-DA. Expression level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1-${\beta}$ (IL-1-${\beta}$) and IL-6 were assayed by ELISA. Western blot and qPCR were used to measure the expression of ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38. Polyphenols have obvious protective effects on Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication both in vivo and in vitro. Polyphenols reduced Pb concentration and accumulation in kidney. Polyphenols also protected kidney mesangial cells from Pb induced apoptosis. Polyphenols scavenged Pb induced ROS generation and suppressed ROS-mediated ERK/JNK/p38 pathway. Downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines were inhibited in consistency. Polyphenol is protective in Pb induced renal intoxication and inflammatory responses. The underlying mechanisms lie on the antioxidant activity and ROS scavenging activity of polyphenols.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.4 s.85
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• pp.316-321
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• 2005

4개 업종(축전지제조업, 광명단 제조업, 2차 제련업, 라디에타 제조업)에서 근무하는 총 100명의 근로자를 대상으로 8단계다단충돌기(eight stages personal cascade imparter)에 의한 입자 크기 별 납농도를 측정하였다 크기 별 납 농도는 총납(PbA), 흡입성납(IPM-PbA), 흉곽성납(TPM-PbA), 호흡성납(RPM-PbA), $1{\mu}m$ 미만의 납$(Pb_{1\mu})$ 그리고 $1{\mu}m$ 이상의 소화성납$(Pb_{ing})$이었다. 동일한 근로자(100명)를 대상으로 혈액에서 납농도를 측정하였다. 혈액 중 납은 원자흡광광도계(atomic absorption spectrometry)의 Zeeman effect graphite furnace를 이용하여 분석하였다. 총 납의 노출농도는 노출기준$(50\;ug/m^3)$을 크게 초과하였다. 평균 호흡성 납 노출농도$(115.7\;ug/m^3)$ 총 납의 노출기준을 훨씬 초과하였다. $1{\mu}m$미만의 납$(Pb_{1\mu})$ 노출농도의 범위는 0.7에서 $(492.2\;ug/m^3)$이나 되었다. 근로자의 $46\%$가 혈액 중 납 농도 40 ug/dL을 초과하였다. 60 ug/dL을 초과한 경우도 $13\%$나 되었다. 입자 크기가 큰 납인 총납, 흡입성 납 그리고 호흡성 납 농도는 혈액 중 납 농도와 유의한 상관을 보였다(p<0.0001). 그러나 가장 높은 상관은 $1{\mu}m$미만의 납$(Pb_{1\mu})$ 혈액 중 납과의 관계였다. T-test에서 $50ug/m^3$이상의 호흡성 납을 나타낸 근로자 그룹과 $50ug/m^3$ 이하의 근로자 그룹간에의 혈액 중 납 농도는 유의한 차이가 있는 것으로 나타났다(p=0.000). 이러한 연구결과는 입자크기 구분이 없는 현재의 총납에 의한 노출기준과 측정방법은 미세 납 먼지에 노출되는 근로자의 납흡수를 보호하는데 한계점이 있다는 것을 의미한다. 향후 납 입자크기는 물론 근로자의 개인적인 위생과 작업내용 등을 변수로 납 흡수에 영향을 미치는 종합적인 요인을 찾아내는 연구를 진행할 필요가 있다.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2005

Natural products are increasingly appreciated as a lead for drug discovery and development. A number of investigators have studied various activities of natural products and have found that they have not only nutritional effects but also beneficial properties to cure various diseases and to maintain good health. Job's Tear(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop that have long been used in traditional medicine and a nourishing food. Job's Tear has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, stomachic, antiallergic activity, and antispastic effects and has been used in China for the treatment of warts, rheumatism, and neuralgia although its mechanism remains unclear. Previous results in our laboratory demonstrated that the ethanol extract and water extract of Job's Tear exerted an immune regulatory function on mice cells in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the ex vivo effect of Job's Tear on immune function. Seven to eight weeks old mices(Balb/c) were fed ad libitum on chow diet and water extract of Job's Tear were orally administrated every other day for two or four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500mg/kg B.W.). Proliferation of mice spenocytes and antibody production to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) using hemolytic plague forming cell assay were used to indicate the immune activity. Splenocytes proliferation of Job's Tear with mitogen stimulation such as Con A and LPS was enhanced at 50 mg/kg B.W. concentrations compared to those of control group. In case of antibody production to sheep red blood cells, the number of antibody- secreting cells was increased by administration of 50mg/kg B.W. concentration in mice immunized as a T-dependent antigen. From the present study, Job's Tear water extracts may be suggested to stimulate the mice immune response by enhancing the splenocytes proliferation and the number of plague forming cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.131-135
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the inhibitory effect of extracts from Paeoniae radix on postprandial hyperglycemia. Organic solvent (hexane, ethyl acetate, butanol, water) extracts from Paeoniae radix were fractionated by high performance liquid chromatography. These fractions were used to screen $\alpha$-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) inhibitors by microplate colorimetric assay. The fractions 11, 12, 18, 19 of ethyl acetate extract from Paeoniae radix showed inhibitory activity by 85%, 84%, 77%, 77% at concentration of 20 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL, respectively. The selected fractions (no. 10~no. 19) significantly reduced by 22% the blood glucose elevation in comparison with positive control in mice loaded with maltose. The fractions of Paeoniae radix were determined in vitro inhibitory activity on $\alpha$-glucosidase and in vivo inhibition effect on blood glucose elevation in mice. Therefore, these results suggest that the extract of Paeoniae radix can be used as a new nutraceutial for inhibition on postprandial hyperglycemia as well as resource pool for lead compounds as a $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitor.