• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2003

Bisphenol A shares similarities in structure, metabolism and action with DES, a known human teratogen and carcinogen. Bisphenol A, a monomer of polycarbonate and epoxy resins, has been detected in canned food and human saliva. The purpose of the this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation of bisphenol A In the presence of a rat liver S9 mix, contaning cytochrome P450 enzymes, and Cu (II). In the present study, Bisphenol A in combination with Cu (II) exhibited a enhancement in cytotoxicity which were inhibited by free radical scavengers. The content of malondialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation, was also found to increase with concentration of bisphenol A. Also, we examined the change of CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD, catalase and GPx activities in the MCF-7 cells exposed to bisphenol A. The activities of CuZn-SOD, CPx, catalase were found to decrease with bisphenol A concentration. Meanwhile, the activity of Mn-SOD was unchanged. This indicated that elevated oxidative stress caused by imbalance between the production and removal of free radicals occurred in cells.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.178-178
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• 2003

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), a prototype of many halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, is a ubiquitous, persistent environmental contaminant and the most powerful carcinogen categorized by IARC. It is display high toxicity in animals and is associated with several cancers in human. Although the mechanism of carcinogenesis by TCDD is unclear, it is considered to be a non-genotoxic and rumor promoter.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.312.1-312.1
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• 2002

Previous studies have demonstrated that 2,3',4,5' -tetramethoxystilbene (TMS) and 3,3',4',5,5'-pentamethoxystilbene (PMS) showed selective inhibition of human cytochrome P450 1 Bl and 1A1 in vitro., respectively, In the present study, the effects of synthetic stilbene analogs on the expression of cytochrome P450 1Al or lBl were investigated in human tumor cell lines such as HepG2, MCF-7 and MCF-l0A, TCDD caused a dramatic increase in the amount of P450 1A1 or 1B1 proteins and mRNA levels. (omitted)

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2004

Although 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD) is a powerful carcinogen in several species, limited model system exist to study carcinogenicity of this compound at cellular level. To enhance our under-standing of carcinogenicity of TCDD at cellular level, we investigated micronucleus (MN) frequency as a index of genetic toxicity and whether TCDD can transform the human cells in culture. Normal human cell lines, skin keratinocyte HaCaT, Chang liver and breast MCF10A cells were used. TCDD did not affect the cell viability of the Chang liver, HaCaT and MCF10A cells. The frequency of micronucleus was increased after treatment of TCDD for 24hr in Chang liver and HaCaT cells, but not changed in MCF10A cells. And we observed putative transformed cells in Chang liver cells exposed to 1 $\mu$M TCDD for 2 weeks. The putative transformed cells were also observed in HaCaT cells with subsequent exposure to TCDD (0.1, 1, 10, 100 nM) for 2 weeks after initial exposure to MNNG, but not observed in MCF10A cells. Collectively, these results indicate that the ability of TCDD to induce micronuclei may be involved in cellular transformation of Chang liver and HaCaT cells. Our putative TCDD-transformed cells of Chang liver and HaCaT are expected to provide a clue to the elucidation of TCDD-induced transformation pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.852-858
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• 2004

The morbidity and mortality of colon cancer are increasing, because of the westernization of food habit. Probiotics such as lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been known to play an important role in retarding colon carcinogenesis by possibly influencing metabolic, immunologic, and protective functions in the colon. In this study, we evaluated the effect of B. polyfermenticus SCD on N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) induced DNA damage in CHO-K, cells and human lymphocytes, and on proliferation of human colon cancer cell. Using the Comet assay to detect DNA damage, we found that B. polyfermenticus SCD protected cells from the DNA damage induced by MNNG in $CHO-K_1$ cells and in human lymphocytes. B. polyfermenticus SCD was also found to inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner, detected by the MTT assay. These results indicate that B. polyfermenticus SCD has the potential to inhibit not only DNA damage induced by a carcinogen, but also the proliferation of colon cancer cells.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.115.1-115.1
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• 2003

Cadmium, a human carcinogen, can induce apoptosis in various cell lines. Despite extensive research, the mechanisms of cadmium-induced apoptosis are poorly understood, and its toxicity and estrogenic potential in human are not clear. This study was performed to investigate the apoptotic activities of cadmium on two human breast cancer cell lines: MCF-7 cells, an estrogen receptor (ER) positive cell line, and MDA-MB-231 cells, an ER negative cell line. Both cells were treated with $CdCl_2$ 100$\mu$M for 12hrs, and the spoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation, DAPI staining, and expression of caspase-9. (omitted)

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.303-313
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• 2003

General information is summarized, that is necessary to introduce a scientific assessment of the human health and exposure issue concerning dioxin and dioxin-like compound. Scientific literatures were reviewed to assess the background exposures to the dioxin-like compounds for normal residents. Epidemiologic studies were also reviewed to assess malignant and nonmalignant sweets of dioxins. In 1997, the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as a human carcinogen, primarily based on occupational cohort studies. The US Environmental Protection Agency made the same decision in it's Draft Dioxin Reassessment. Epidemiologic evidences point to a generalized excess of all cancers, without any pronounced excess at specific sites. Reported non-cancer effects included a range of conditions affecting most systems. Among them, chloracne, elevation in gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT), and alterations in reproductive hormones are related to TCDO, Other adverse outcomes, such as lipid concentrations, diabetes, circulatory and heart diseases, immunologic disorders, neurobehavioral effects, and developmental outcomes require further study before their respective relationships to TCDD can be more definitively assessed.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.666-673
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• 2003

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of the lung cancer. However, mechanism of action underlying the carcinogenesis in the lung still remains to be elucidated. The present study attempted to look into the carcinogenic potential of tobacco-specific nitrosamine, NNK (4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone) and the effects of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in an immortalized human epithelial cell model. Material and Method: Immortalized human epithelial cells were exposed with NNK and examined for its carcinogenic potential as measured by saturation density, soft-agar colony formation, and cell aggregation assay. The specific isoform of PKCs involved in the cellular transformation was analysed through western blot with monoclonal antibody and measured separately in cytosolic fraction and membrane fraction. Result: Human epithelial cells exposed with NNK showed prominent carcinogenic potential in saturation density, soft agar colony formation, and cell aggregation assay. PKC isoform analysis results are as follows: PKC- $\alpha$ showed significant translocation of protein levels from cytosolic fraction to membrane fraction, as analyzed by immunoblot. PKC- $\varepsilon$ showed a dose-dependent increase of translocation. PKC- λ was not affected by NNK treatment. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that there was a certain specificity in the patterns of isoform induction following chemical carcinogen exposure. Thus, it is suggested that identification of specific isoform be a clue to find target molecules in the carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.87-98
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• 2001

There has been increased interest in the health effects of the Environmental Tobacco Smoke(ETS) as a confirmed human carcinogen. It has been known to be extremely difficult to make an accurate assessment of exposure to ETS since it is consisted of a variety of components and there are a number of labile chemicals. Therefore, it is necessary to obtain, to interpretate and to provide the data of quantitative exposure assessment to ETS in the field of environmental health. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the concentration of ETS using VOC in indoor office environments. The correlations and concentrations of benzene, RSP, 3-EP, nicotine that are indicators for ETS were investigate with smoking density, air change per hour(ventilation rate). Air samples were taken in smoking room(7 sites), smoking allowed office (3 sites), corridor outside smoking room(7 sites), non-smoking office (9 sites). The concentrations of benzene showed significant difference according to category of indoor office environments. The geometric mean concentration of benzene were 23.56 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥(range 4.80~192.90 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥) in smoking rooms. 6.16 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥ in smoking allowed offices, 1.32 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$/㎥ in the non-smoking offices respectively. The ratios of the concentration of benzene between outdoor air and smoking room, smoking allowed office, and non-smoking indicators concentrations, SD, and SI were 0.82(benzene and nicotine). 0.76(benzene and RSP), 0.60(benzene and SD), 0.76(benzene and SI). It is proposed that benzene is a good indicator for ETS.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.99-102
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• 2003

IARC classified areca quid as a human carcinogen. Areca quid chewed in Taiwan includes Piper betle inflorescence, which contains high concentrations of safrole (15 mg/fresh weight). Safrole is a documented rodent hepatocarcinogen, and chewing areca quid may contribute to human exposure (420 $\mu$m in saliva). The carcinogenicity of safrole is mediated through 1'-hydroxysafrole formation, followed by sulfonation to an unstable sulfate that reacts to form DNA adducts. Using human liver microsomes and Escherichia coli membranes expressing bicistronic human P450s, CYP2E1 and CYP2C9 were identified as the main P450s involved in the activation of safrole. We have demonstrated the presence of stable safrole-dGMP adducts in human oral tissues following areca quid chewing using $^{32}$ P-postlabeling and HPLC mass spectrometry methods. By studying 88 subjects with a known AQ chewing history and 161 matched controls, we have demonstrated that the presence of safrole-DNA adducts in peripheral blood cells was correlated to AQ chewing, and CYP2E1 seemed to play an important role in the modulation of safrole-DNA adduct formation. We have also shown that safrole can form stable safrole-DNA adducts as well as oxidative damages in rodent liver. However, the stable safrole-DNA adducts may represent a more significant initial lesion as compared to the rapidly repaired safrole-induced 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine. This oxidative DNA damage is mediated through the formation of hydoryxchavicol, the major safrole metabolite in human urine. Hydroxychavicol may have gone through two-electron oxidation to the o-quinone; then via one-electron reduction to semiquinone radicals to generate oxidative DNA damage. However, these reactive metabolites can be efficiently conjugated by GSH. These data suggest that safrole may contribute to the initiation of oral carcinogenesis through safrole-DNA adduct and not oxidative DNA damage. In addition, CYP2E1 may modulate this adduct formation.