• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.285-292
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• 2002

The repeated toxicity of Gleditschia-saponin produced and provided by S.S. Bio-Tech Bench Co. was evaluated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Gleditschia-saponin was administered to rats by oral route at dose levels of high (180 mg/kg/day), medium (90 mg/kg/day) and low (45 mg/kg/day) once a day for 14 days. Saline was administered to another group of rats as control. Each group was consisted of 5 male and female rats. There were no dose-related changes in clinical findings, food and water consumption, organ weights, urine analysis, biochemical examination and hematological findings in all groups of animals treated with Gleditschia.- saponin, except body weights. Body weighs in male and female rats were increased significantly (p < 0.05) from day 4 to 14 in low, middle and high dose groups than control group. Body weight in high dose group was increased higher than control or low, middle dose groups on day 14. Gross and histopathological findings revealed no evidence of specific toxicity to Gleditschia.-saponin. Therefore, it was concluded that Gleditschia-saponin had no toxic or side effects in Sprague-Dawley rats in an repeated oral toxicity tests.

• 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.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.387-395
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• 2022

Purpose: Toxins produced by Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) can cause enteritis and diarrhea. Although the number of pediatric CDI cases is increasing, the clinical management of pediatric CDI, including patient characteristics and prognosis, remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the background and clinical course of patients with CDI and evaluate the reliability of diagnostic tests in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Japan. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of children diagnosed with CDI between 2011 and 2021 at the Saitama Children's Medical Center in Saitama, Japan. Results: During the study period, 1,252 C. difficile antigen/toxin tests were performed, and 37 patients were diagnosed with CDI. The main underlying diseases among the patients were hematological and malignant disorders and gastrointestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (59.4%). Two patients (5.4%) had an unremarkable medical history. Among the 37 patients, 27 (73.0%) were immunocompromised, 25 (67.6%) had a history of antibiotic use within the past two months, and 6 (16.2%) were negative on the initial test but were positive on the second test. Finally, 28 patients (75.7%) required primary antibiotic therapy only, and two patients with IBD required additional antibiotic therapy as secondary treatment. Conclusion: The number of pediatric patients with CDI is increasing. Both a comprehensive interview, including underlying diseases and history of antibiotic use, and an understanding of the features of clinical examinations should be emphasized to appropriately diagnose and treat CDI.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.70.1-70.14
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• 2023

Background: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes a chronic and progressive granulomatous enteritis and economic losses in dairy cattle in subclinical stages. Subclinical infection in cattle can be detected using serum MAP antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Objectives: To investigate the differences in blood parameters, according to the detection of MAP using serum antibody ELISA and fecal PCR tests. Methods: We divided 33 subclinically infected adult cattle into three groups: seronegative and fecal-positive (SNFP, n = 5), seropositive and fecal-negative (SPFN, n = 10), and seropositive and fecal-positive (SPFP, n = 18). Hematological and serum biochemical analyses were performed. Results: Although the cows were clinically healthy without any manifestations, the SNFP and SPFP groups had higher platelet counts, mean platelet volumes, plateletcrit, lactate dehydrogenase levels, lactate levels, and calcium levels but lower mean corpuscular volume concentration than the SPFN group (p < 0.017). The red blood cell count, hematocrit, monocyte count, glucose level, and calprotectin level were different according to the detection method (p < 0.05). The SNFP and SPFP groups had higher red blood cell counts, hematocrit and calprotectin levels, but lower monocyte counts and glucose levels than the SPFN group, although there were no significant differences (p > 0.017). Conclusions: The cows with fecal-positive MAP status had different blood parameters from those with fecal-negative MAP status, although they were subclinically infected. These findings provide new insights into understanding the mechanism of MAP infection in subclinically infected cattle.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.883-897
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• 1997

Present study was undertaken in order to find out the most significant laboratory test for the early diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning in dogs. Seven dogs weighing from 5.0kg to 19.3kg were administered orally 6ml or l0ml of ethylene glycol per kilogram of body weight. In addition to clinical observations, blood samples were taken from the jugular vein on 0, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours or until death after the adminisration and examined for the hematological, blood chemical, venous blood gas and electrolyte changes. Urine samples were simultaneously taken and examined for pH, protein, glucose and calcium oxalate crystals in the sediments. The results were as follows : 1. All dogs showed marked hypothermia in addition to the characteristic signs of ethylene glycol poisoning until death. 2. No significant hematological changes were observable after the administration of ethylene glycol except the secondary dehydration and stress leukogram. 3. Chemical values related to the liver function(serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, total serum protein, serum albumin, serum total bilirubin) showed no significant changes during the experimental period in all dogs. 4. Chemical values related to the renal function(BUN and creatinine) showed significant(p<0.0l, p<0.001) increase from 24 hours to death in all dogs. 5. All dogs showed significant(p<0.01, p<0.001) decrease in blood pH from 3 hours to death after the ethylene glycol administration. 6. All dogs showed significant(p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) increaes in anion gap from 1 hour to death after the ethylene glycol administration. 7. All dogs showed significant(p<0.05, p<0.01) decrease in urine pH from 1 hour to 6 hours after the administration of ethylene glycol. 8. Characteristic envelope form of calcium oxalate crystals were found in the urinary sediment from 6 hours after the administration of ethylene glycol in all dogs. 9. Histologically calcium oxalate crystals were found in the renal rubles in all dogs. 10. From these results, it may be concluded that the examinations of urinary sediments for the calcium oxalate crystals, blood or urinary pH and blood anion gap are most reliable tests for the early diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 1997

The study of present study was to determine the valuable laboratory tests for the differential diagnosis of lead poisoning in dogs. Sixteen mongrel dogs were divided into 2 experimental groups (A and B) and a control group (C). The A and B groups were administered orally 2 mg and 20 mg of lead per kilogram of body weight for 49 days, respectively. In addition to clinical observation, blood, urine and hair samples were collected on appointed day and examined for hematological changes, lead content of serum, whole blood and hair, and urinary $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid concentrations. All dogs were necropside on 49th day and examined for the lead content and histological changes of organs. The results obtained were summarized as follows: The group B showed digestive and nervous signs, and weight loss. The group A showed no significant hematological changes except polychromatophilla on the 7th day. But group B showed polychromatophilia as well as mild anemia and nucleated erythrocyte on the 7th and 35th day. Basophlic stippling erythrocytes were observed in some of the group B on the 14th day. The lead content of whole blood was increased significantly in both A and B groups on the 21the day. The urinary $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid content was increased in both A and B groups on the 7th day. The hair lead content of A and B groups was increased significantly on the 49th and 21th day, respectively. The lead contents of organs including liver, kidney, spleen, muscle and bone were increased significantly in group B. Histopathologic changes were characterized by hemorrhages, necrosis and intranuclear inclusion body in the epithelial cells of convoluted tubles of kidney, cloudy swelling and degeneration and/or necrosis of liver, enlargement of Virchow-Robin space, and swelling of endothelial cells and hyperplasia of the pericytes of brain. From these results it may be concluded that examination of nucleated erythrocyte/polychromatophilia, urinary $\delta$ -aminolevulinic acid, and whole blood and hair lead contents is a reliable clinico-pathological diagnostic methods, and that examination of the Virchow-Robin space, endothelial cells and pericytes of brain as well as intranuclear inclusion body in the epithelial cells of convoluted tubles of kidney is valualble postmortem diagnostic methods for lead poisoning in dogs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2153-2155
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• 2012

Objective: This study was to assess liver involvement in multiple myeloma with the aid of liver function tests. Materials and Methods: A hospital based retrospective study was undertaken using data retrieved of multiple myeloma from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between $1^{st}$ January, 2007 and $28^{th}$ February, 2012. We collected biomarkers of liver profiles including bilirubin (Total, Direct and Indirect), total protein, albumin, AG ratio, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, LDH, ferritin, renal profile and hematological profile. Descriptive statistics and testing of hypothesis were used for the analysis using EPI INFO and SPSS 16 software. Results: Out of 37 cases of multiple myeloma, serum level of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$ and LDH were increased above the cut-off point in 22 (59.5%), 24 (64.86%), 13 (35.13%), 9 (24.3%) and 11 (29.7%) respectively. The mean values of AST ($65.5{\pm}28.18$ U/L), ALT ($68.37{\pm}29.74$ U/L), ALP ($328.0{\pm}148.4$ U/L), ${\gamma}GT$ ($44.5{\pm}29.6$ U/L) and LDH ($361.7{\pm}116.5$ U/L), total protein ($9.79{\pm}1.03$ gm/dl) were significantly increased when compared with controls. In contrast, albumin ($3.68{\pm}0.43$ gm/dl) and the AG ratio ($0.62{\pm}0.15$) were significantly decreased. Similarly, anemia, hyperuricemia, azotemia, hypercalcaemia and Bence Jones proteinuria were found in 30 (78.9%), 27 (71.1%), 19 (51.5%), 15 (39.5%) and 16 (42.1%) respectively, in cases of multiple myeloma. Conclusions: While clinical manifestation of liver disease among the multiple myeloma was not common, abnormalities in liver function were characteristic.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.25-30
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the single-dose intravenous toxicity of Guseonwangdo-go glucose 20% pharmacopuncture. Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five males and five females per group: an intravenous (IV) injection of 1.0 mL of normal saline solution per animal was administered to group 1 (G1, control group); an IV injections of 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mL of Guseonwangdo-go glucose pharmacopuncture per animal were administered to experimental groups 2, 3, and 4 (G2, G3, and G4), respectively. General symptoms, body weights, hematological and biochemical test results, and necropsy histopathological observation were recorded in all groups. In the statistical analyses, significance was determined by using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The significance level was 0.05 in all comparisons. Results: For 14 days, no deaths or abnormalities were observed in any of the 4 groups. The body weights of all groups continuously increased during the observation period. In the hematological test, the WBC count was significantly increased in female rats of G4 compared to the control group, but this difference was considered not to be statistically meaningful. No significant biochemical changes were observed. On necropsy, crust formation was observed in one rat of the control group, and granulation tissues were observed around the injection site in one rat of G4; these changes were concluded to have been caused by injection of the needle into a vein. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the lethal dose of Guseonwangdo-go glucose pharmacopuncture is more than 1.0 mL per animal in both male and female rats. Thus, we can conclude that Guseonwangdo-go glucose pharmacopuncture injection is relatively safe to use in acute toxicity tests. Further studies are needed to establish more detailed evidences of its toxicity.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2007

Despite the risk of high altitude disease (HAD), raising cattle at higher altitudes does have advantages such as beef quality due to minimal chance of infection and stress. The ideal situation is to determine the optimum altitude suitable for raising cattle while at the same time minimizing the risk of HAD. Therefore, in this study, we documented the health status of three groups of steers, raised at three different altitudes (200m, 400m and 800m) in Gangwon province, using routine hematological, biochemical and hormonal tests. The red blood cell counts and hemoglobin concentration were highest in the 800m group, and lowest in the 200m group, possibly due to hypoxia induced myeloid and erythroid stimulation. The mean concentration of AST, BUN and serum cortisol were lowest in the 800m. These findings suggest the stress factor will contribute the general health status of animal and indicate a difference in the Hanwoo groups raised at 800m compared to 200m, where the cattle raised at the higher altitude exhibit better health status compared to the lower altitude, possibly due to less stressful environment in the higher altitude.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2015

Objectives: Water-soluble carthami flos (WCF) is a new mixture of Carthami flos (CF) pharmacopuncture. We conducted a 4-week toxicity test of repeated intramuscular injections of WCF in Sprague-Dawley rats. Methods: Forty male and 40 female rats were divided into 4 groups of 10 male and 10 female SD rats: The control group received 0.5 mL/animal/day of normal saline whereas the three experimental groups received WCF at doses of 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mL/animal/day, respectively. For 4 weeks, the solutions were injected into the femoral muscle of the rats alternating from side to side. Clinical signs, body weights, and food consumption were observed; opthalmological examinations and urinalyses were performed. On day 29, blood samples were taken for hematological and clinical chemistry analyses. Then, necropsy was conducted in all animals to observe weights and external and histopathological changes in the bodily organs. All data were tested using a statistical analysis system (SAS). Results: No deaths were observed. Temporary irregular respiration was observed in male rats of the experimental group for the first 10 days. Body weights, food consumptions, opthalmological examinations, urinalyses, clinical chemistry analyses, organ weights and necropsy produced no findings with toxicological meaning. In the hematological analysis, delay of prothrombin time (PT) was observed in male rats of the 0.25- and the 0.5-mL/animal/day groups. In the histopathological test, a dose-dependent inflammatory cell infiltration into the fascia and panniculitis in perimuscular tissues was observed in all animals of the experimental groups. However, those symptoms were limited to local injection points. No toxicological meanings, except localized changes, were noted. Conclusion: WCF solution has no significant toxicological meaning, but does produce localized symptoms. No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) of WCF in male and female rats is expected for doses over 0.5 mL/animal/day.