• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate a relationship between the blood concentrations of toxic metals and the blood pressure in people living near the copper smelter. Methods: The study included 570 adults living within 4km of the smelter. We compared systolic and diastolic blood pressure between tertiary groups for blood cadmium, mercury and lead levels, respectively. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors affecting systolic and diastolic blood pressures. Results: In male subjects, there is a significant difference in the mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure between tertiary groups of blood cadmium and mercury levels, but in women, there was no significant difference in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures in all tertiary groups of heavy metals. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that age, BMI, and cadmium concentration in men were risk factors for blood pressure. In women, age and BMI, drinking and smoking, and blood mercury were significantly influenced to blood pressure. Conclusions: Residents living near the Janghang smelter showed high concentrations of blood lead and cadmium, suggesting that they were exposed to high concentrations of heavy metals released from the smelter in the past. Such exposure may have caused some blood pressure increase. Especially, the concentration of cadmium in the case of men and the concentration of mercury in blood in the case of women were found to be significantly related to the increase of blood pressure. The local population should be advised to make efforts to reduce exposure to environmental contaminants, in order to minimize cardiovascular disease, and to pay close attention to any health problems possibly related to toxic metal exposure.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.571-578
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• 2001

To evaluate if the apoptotic fragment assay could be used to estimate the dose prediction after radiation exposure, we examined apoptotic mouse crypt cells per 1,000 cells after whole body $^{60}Co$ $\gamma$-rays and 50MeV ($p{\rightarrow}Be^+$) cyclotron fast neutron irradiation in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, respectively. The incidence of apoptotic cell death rose steeply at very low doses up to 1 Gy, and radiation at all doses tigger rapid changes in crypt cells in stem cell region. These data suggest that apoptosis may play an important role in homeostasis of damaged radiosensitive target organ by removing damaged cells. The curve of dose-effect relationship for the data of apoptotic fragments was obtained by the linear-quadratic model $y=0.18+(9.728{\pm}0.887)D+(-4.727{\pm}1.033)D^2$ ($r^2=0.984$) after $\gamma$-rays irradiation, while $y=0.18+(5.125{\pm}0.601)D+(-2.652{\pm}0.7000)D^2$ ($r^2=0.970$) after neutrons in mice. The dose-response curves were linear-quadratic, and a significant dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cell and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of apoptotic crypt cells with increasing dose. Both the time course and the radiation dose-response curve for high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation modalities were similar. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value for crypt cells was 2.072. In addition, there were significant peaks on apoptosis induction at 4 and 6h after irradiation, and the morpholoigcal findings of the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in crypt cells that were hardly observed in the control group. Thus, apoptosis in crypt cells could be a useful in vivo model for studying radio-protective drug sensitivity or screening test, microdosimetric indicator and radiation-induced target organ injury. Since the apoptotic fragment assay is simple, rapid and reproducible in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, it will also be a good tool for evaluating the dose response of radiation-induced organ damage in vivo and provide a potentially valuable biodosimetry for the early dose prediction after accidental exposure.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.295-305
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• 2001

Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play a pivotal role in neoplastic transformation cells and its high expression is often found in a variety of types of tumors including oral cancer. While PKC is associated with the altered signal transduction pathway of the tumor cells, it is still unclear which isoform is involved in the carcinogenesis process. Since the cellular distributions and the roles of PKC are isoform-specific, it is very important to identify the specific target molecules to improve our understanding of the carcinogenesis processes. Thus, the present study attempted to perform chemical carcinogen-induced neoplastic transformation of human epithelial cells and analyze the specific isoform of PKCs involved in the cellular transformation. The study analyzed overall PKC responses upon MNNG(N-Methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso guanidine) exposure with [$^3H$] PDBu binding assay. PKC translocation was observed at high doses of MNNG treatment in the presence of extracellular calcium. Such effects were not observed in the absence of extracellular calcium. Translocational effects with exposure of MNNG was further enhanced in the presence of hydrocortisone. The result suggests that the type of PKC involved may be $Ca^{2+}$-dependent classical isoform and steroid hormone enhances PKC activation. Among cPKC isoforms examined, only $PKC-{\alpha}$ and r showed significant translocation of protein levels from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction, as analyzed by immunoblot. $PKC-{\varepsilon}$ in nPKC class showed an inch·eased translocation, but other forms in this class did not show the effect. None of isoforms in aPKC class was affected by MNNG treatment. The study demonstrated that there was a certain specificity in the patterns of isoform induction follwong chemical carcinogen exposure and helped identify all the types of PKC isoforms expressed in human epithelial cells. It was revealed that PKC isoforms were activated in an early resonse to chemical carcinogen, suggesting that PKC be associated with carcinogenesis process from an early stage in this particular cell system. The study will contribute to improving our understanding of chemical-induced carcinogenesis in human cells and may provide a scientific basis to introduce the specific PKC inhibitors as an anticancer drug of epithelial cell-origin cancers including oral cancer.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.87-97
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Herba Polygalae Japonica on the proliferation and activation of eosinophils which were prepared from lung cells of asthma-induced mice by ovalbumin (OVA) treatment. Methods : C57BL/6 mouse was exposed to OVA three times a week for 6 weeks. The mouse lung tissues were dissected out, chopped and dessiciated with collagenase (1 ${\mu}g$/ml). Eosinophils were activated by rIL-3/rmIL-5 co-treatments. The lung cells were treated with extract of Herba Polygalae Japonica (EPJ), incubated for 48 hr at $37^{\circ}C$, and analyzed by flow cytometer, ELISA, RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry stain. Results : A significant cytotoxicity by drug treatment was not observed. The cell number ratio of granulocyte, CD3e-/CCR3+, CD3e+CD69+, CD4+, CD23+/B220+ cells was increased in rmIL-5/rIL-3 treated control group compared to the normal group. Cells numbers in the experimental animal group treated with EPJ was all decreased. In ELISA analysis, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 levels and histamine release level were increased in the control group compared to the normal animal group, then significantly decreased in the experimental group with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml of EPJ treatment. In RT-PCR analysis, mRNA expressions of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, CCR3 and eotaxin were increased in the control group compared to the normal animal group, then decreased in the experimental group with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml of EPJ treatment. And eosinophil proliferation levels were 18847${\pm}$,1527 (cpm) in the control group, 4676${\pm}$972 (cpm) in the positive control group, and 7709 ${\pm}$ 549 (cpm), 16839 ${\pm}$ 1403 (cpm), 16385 ${\pm}$ 1723 (cpm) in the experimental group with 100 ${\mu}g$/ml, 10 ${\mu}g$/ml, 1 ${\mu}g$/ml of EPJ treatment. Conclusions : The present data suggested that Herba polygalae japonica may have an effects on the inhibition of parameters associated with asthma responses in eosinpophils, and thus implicate the possibility for the clinical application of EPJ.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.27 no.1 s.53
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• pp.19-30
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• 2005

This study was to evaluate the biological activity of flavor components extracted from E. ciliata and E. splendens in order to survey the possibility applicable to tobacco and food industry. Flavor components were extracted with dividing into three parts; essential oil, absolute, oleoresin. In the nonenzymatic lipid peroxidation system, the inhibition rate($\%$) of essential oil were $67.3\;\pm\;20.7\%,\;58.1\;\pm\;19.3\%$ at the concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$ of E. ciliata and E. splendens, respectively. The inhibition rate($\%$) of the oleoresin in E. ciliata was higher than one in E. splendens. In the enzymatic lipid peroxidation system, the inhibition rate($\%$) of essential oil and oleoresin was$14.28\;\pm\;2.38\%,\;and\;65.93\;\pm\;0.01\%,\;and\;was\;22.58\;\pm\;2.84\%\;and\;40.73\;pm\;6.04\%$. The oleoresin of two species were showed above $90\%$ of the inhibition rate($90\%$) against autooxidative lipid peroxidation system. $EC_{50}$ values in neutral red uptake assays 24 h of exposure times were $23.3\;{\mu}g/mL,\;341.0\;{\mu}g/mL\;and\;17.2\;{\mu}g/mL$ in essential oil, absolute and oleoresin from E. ciliata respectively, and were $46.4\;{\mu}g/mL,\;681.7\;{\mu}g/mL\;17.6\;{\mu}g/mL$ in three extractions of E. splendens. Oleoresin of two species showed high rate in the cytotoxic effect by neutral red uptake assay. Absolute and oleoresin did not show antibiotic and mutagenic activity. On the contrary, essential oil with over 500 ug/plate showed antibiotic and mutagenic activity in Ames test. Essential oil and oleoresin have a prolongating effect the ciliostasis of rat trachea. This results indicate that flavor components extracted from E. ciliata and E. splendens can be considered to be toxicological safe and to be the possibility applicable the cigarette, food and drug industry as a flavor for expectoration.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.31
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• pp.10.1-10.8
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• 2016

Objectives Aromatase inhibitors that block estrogen synthesis are a proven first-line hormonal therapy for postmenopausal breast cancer. Although it is known that standardized extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb761) induces anti-carcinogenic effects like the aromatase inhibitors, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis have not been studied yet. Therefore, the effects of EGb761 on steroidogenesis and aromatase activity was studied using a H295R cell model, which was a good in vitro model to predict effects on human adrenal steroidogenesis. Methods Cortisol, aldosterone, testosterone, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol were evaluated in the H295R cells by competitive enzyme-linked immunospecific assay after exposure to EGb761. Real-time polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate effects on critical genes in steroid hormone production, specifically cytochrome P450 (CYP11/ 17/19/21) and the hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases ($3{\beta}$-HSD2 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1/4). Finally, aromatase activities were measured with a tritiated water-release assay and by western blotting analysis. Results H295R cells exposed to EGb761 (10 and $100{\mu}g/mL$) showed a significant decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone, but no change in aldosterone or cortisol. Genes (CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1) related to the estrogen steroidogenesis were significantly decreased by EGb761. EGb761 treatment of H295R cells resulted in a significant decrease of aromatase activity as measured by the direct and indirect assays. The coding sequence/Exon PII of CYP19 gene transcript and protein level of CYP19 were significantly decreased by EGb761. Conclusions These results suggest that EGb761 could regulate steroidogenesis-related genes such as CYP19 and $17{\beta}$-HSD1, and lead to a decrease in $17{\beta}$-estradiol and testosterone. The present study provides good information on potential therapeutic effects of EGb761 on estrogen dependent breast cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.1289-1294
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• 2009

Inflammation is a pivotal component of a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis and tumour progression. Various naturally occurring phytochemicals exhibit antiinflammatory activity and are considered to be potential drug candidates against inflammation-related pathological processes. Red pepper is the most consumed species in Korea. However, the antiinflammatory effects of red pepper have not been characterized. Thus, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of the aqueous extract from red pepper (RPAE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses in murine macrophages. RPAE demonstrated strong antiinflammatory activity through its ability to reduce nitric oxide and prostaglandin $E_2$ production in the LPS-stimulated mouse macrophage cell, RAW264.7. It also inhibited the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) on the LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Further study indicated that LPS-stimulated induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 was significantly inhibited by RPAE exposure (1,000 mg/mL) in RAW264.7 cells. Collectively, these data suggest that the use of RPAE may be a useful therapeutic approach to various inflammatory diseases.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2003

Objective:Some candidate gene polymorphisms were reported to be associated with tardive dyskinesia (TD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of the 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor gene polymorphisms with TD in Korean schizophrenic subjects. Method:Subjects were of 59 schizophrenic patients with TD and 60 schizophrenic patients without TD for studying of 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor gene polymorphisms. TD was evaluated using the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale(AIMS). Genomic DNA was amplified by PCR and digestion with MspI and BsmI. Result:There were no statistically significant differences in the demographic variables, such as age, male to female percentage, duration of illnesses and duration of antipsychotic drug exposure between the TD group and control group. 1) T102C polymorphisms and TD Comparing the TD group and control group, the 102T/C allele was associated with a significantly increased risk for TD (${\chi}^2$=5.560, df=1, p=0.018). 2) Three AIMS categories of TD and T102C genotype. There were statistically significant differences in the three AIMS categories(${\chi}^2$=6.835, df=2, p=0.033). Conclusion:These result suggest 102T/C genotypes of the 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor gene are related to the development of TD. The 102T/C genotypes were associated with significantly higher AIMS orofacial dyskinesia scores. These findings suggest that the 5-$HT_{2A}$ receptor gene is significantly associated with susceptibility to TD in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.549-554
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• 2011

FK506 is a widespread immunosuppressive drug after liver transplantion in patients with advanced-stage hepatocellular carcinoma. Dexamethasone is frequently used as co-treatment in cytotoxic cancer therapy, e.g. to prevent nausea, to protect normal tissue or for other reasons. Our aim was to investigate antitumor effects of FK506 in Hep3B cells, one of differentiated human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and inhibitory effects of dexamethsone on FK506- induced antitumor effects. Cell injury was evaluated by biochemical assays as cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Hep3B cells. Intracellular calcium concentration ([$Ca^{2+}$]i) and the level of activation of the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) and the Bax protein in cultured Hep3B cells was measured. Exposure of 0.1 ${\mu}M$ FK506 to Hep3B cells led to cell death accompanied by a decrease in cell viability and an increase in LDH, ROS and [$Ca^{2+}$]i. FK506 induced an increase in activity of Bax and JNK protein but inhibited the activity of Bcl-2 protein. Treatment of dexamethsone, per se, had no effects on cell viability, LDH and ROS. However, co-treatment of FK506 and dexamethasone diminished the FK506-induced LDH release, ROS generation and JNK activation. These results demonstrate that FK506 has antitumor effect in Hep3B cells but the combination of FK506 and dexamethasone antagonizes the FK506-induced antitumor effects.