• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권7호
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• pp.3009-3013
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• 2012

Background: The clinical course of individual chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is highly variable and clinical staging systems do not help us to predict if and at what rate there will be disease progression in an individual patient diagnosed with early stage disease. Recently, several important observations related to other prognostic factors including lymphocyte doubling time (LDT), ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin (${\beta}_2$-MG), and percent of smudge cell in peripheral blood smears, cytogenetic and molecular analysis have been made. The aim of this study was to evaluate a range of prognostic factors in our CLL patients. Design and methods: Seventy patients with CLL were enrolled. Prognostic factors of disease including Binet staging, LDT, ${\beta}_2$-MG, ESR, LDH, percent of smudge cell in peripheral blood smear, absolute lymphocyte count, and conventional cytogenetic (CC) analysis were evaluated at diagnosis, and the patients were followed up to determine their outcome. We compared factors with each other and with Binet staging and prognosis. Results: Enrolled patients aged 37-85 years at diagnosis or during follow up. There was no relationship between serum LDH level (P=0.3), ESR (P=0.11), percent of smudge cells in peripheral blood smear (P=0.94), and absolute lymphocyte count (P=0.18) with the stage of disease and prognosis, but the ${\beta}_2$ macroglobulin level (p<0.0001), LDT (p<0.001) had direct and significant relation with staging and outcome. In 19% of patients cytogenetic alteration were seen. Conclusion: The detection of cytogenetic alteration only using the CC method is not sufficient and we need to use FISH, but because FISH study is an expensive method not available in all areas, instead we believe that ${\beta}_2$ MG can be applied in its place as a good prognostic factor for CLL at diagnosis and during follow up. We suggest to add it to Binet staging for prognostic subgrouping of CLL.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.153-160
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• 2001

Objectives : The authors evaluated the effects on renal function of workers chronically exposed to low-level organic solvent mixtures. Methods : The authors measured the level of urine ${\beta}2$-microglobulin(${\beta}2$-MG) and microalbumin as biochemical markers of renal function and damage in 29 male workers exposed to organic solvents for more than five years and compared their results with those of 30 male office clerks as a reference group. Results : 1. The mean values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, SGOT, SGPT, ${\gamma}$-GTP were all within normal limits and there was no significant difference, except for hemoglobin(p<0.01), between exposed and reference group. 2. The values of BUN and serum creatinine were within reference limits and there was no significant difference between exposed and reference group. 3. The difference of mean values of urine microalbumin corrected by urine creatinine were statistically significant (p<0.01), but those of urine ${\beta}2$-MG was not. 4. There were no correlation of urine hippuric acids with BUN, serum creatinine, urine microalbumin and ${\beta}2$-MG. 5. There were no significant difference of BUN, serum creatinine, urine microalbumin and ${\beta}2$-MG upon work duration. Conclusions: It is assumed that chronic low-level organic solvent exposure in these workers shows early renal dysfunction, glomerular changes. The result corresponds to previous studies showing the relationship between hydrocarbon exposure and glomerulonephritis. For evaluation of impairment on kidney tubules, we need further study using more precise markers and long-term follow-up.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.424-439
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• 1998

1995년 8월부터 12월 사이에 미량의 카드뮴에 오염된 것으로 밝혀진 폐광 인근 지역에 거주하고 있는 지역주민 184명(남자: 82명, 여자: 102명)을 대상으로 카드뮴에 의한 만성적인 폭로와 신기능장애를 평가하기 위하여 요중 카드뮴과 NAG활성도, $\beta_2MG$배설량 및 총단백질량을 정량하여 비교 분석하였다. 이때 특별히 카드뮴에 폭로된 적이 없는 일반주민 160명(남자 : 64명, 여자 : 96명)을 대조군으로 선정하였다. 남자의 경우 폭로군의 요중 평균 카드뮴농도는 $2.56{\mu}g/\ell,\;2.80{\mu}g/g$ creatinine 및 $2.50{\mu}g/S.G.$, 대조군은 $1.19{\mu}g/\ell,\;1.36{\mu}g/g$ creatinine 및 $1.17{\mu}g/S.G.$ 였고, 여자에서는 폭로군 $2.69{\mu}g/\ell,\;3.94{\mu}g/g$ creatinine 및 $2.63{\mu}g/S.G.$, 대조군 $1.27{\mu}g/\ell,\;1.97{\mu}g/g$ creatinine 및 $1.25{\mu}g/S.G.$로서 폭로군이 대조군에 비해 남 여 모두에서 유의하게 높았다. 연령에 따른 요중 평균 카드뮴 농도는 남자의 경우 $20\sim39$세군에서는 폭로군과 대조군간에 차이가 없었으나, $40\sim59$세군과 60세 이상군에서는 폭로군이 유의하게 높았다. 여자에서는 폭로군이 대조군에 비해 모든 연령층에서 유의하게 높았다. 또한, 폭로군에 있어서 조사대상 지역에 거주한 기간이 길수록 그리고 이 지역에서 생산된 쌀과 채소류를 섭취하는 사람들의 요중 카드뮴 농도가 높게 나타나, 폐광 인근 지역주민들이 미량이지만 상대적으로 많은 양의 카드뮴에 만성적으로 폭로되고 있는 것으로 추정되었다. 폭로군과 대조군의 요중 평균 NAG활성도, $\beta_2-MG$ 배설량 및 총단백질량은 두 군간에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 그러나, 폭로군에서 요중 NAG활성도와 총단백질량은 요중 카드뮴량과 통계적으로 유의한 정상관이 있었으나 $\beta_2-MG$ 배설량은 유의하지 않았다. 또한 2.0 미만군, 2.0이상 10.0미만군, 10.0이상군으로 구분한 요중 카드뮴 농도수준에 따른 분석시 요중 카드뮴 2.0미만군에 비해 10.0이상군의 NAG활성도, $\beta_2-MG$배설량 및 총단백량이 유의하게 증가되었으며, NAG활성도는 2.0이상 10.0미만군에서도 유의하게 증가되었다. 즉, 폭로군에서 요중 카드뮴 농도에 따른 요중 NAG활성도의 증가가 $\beta_2-MG$배설량의 증가에 비해 상대적으로 민감하게 나타나, 향후 카드뮴 폭로군에 대한 색출검사시 $\beta_2-MG$배설량과 함께 NAG활성도를 조사함으로써 조기진단적 가치가 높을 것으로 사료된다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.57-64
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• 2016

Recently several studies reported that the renal toxicity of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) may exist in even a low level exposure. In terms of the deterioration of tubular function, it affects the loss of divalent metals and leads to other complications, so renal tubular effect of heavy metals should be well managed. Considering the exposure to heavy metals in reality, it is hard to find the case that human is exposed to only one heavy metal. We designed a cross-sectional study using Korean Research Project on the Integrated Exposure Assessment (KRIEFS) data to investigate the renal effects of multiple metal exposure in general population. We used blood Pb and urinary Cd as exposure measures, and urinary N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) and ${\beta}_2$-microglobulin (${\beta}_2$-MG) as renal tubular impairment outcome. We conducted linear regression to identify the association between each heavy metal and urinary NAG and ${\beta}_2$-MG. And then, we conducted linear regression including the interaction term. Of 1953 adults in KRIEFS (2010~2011), the geometric mean of blood Pb and urinary Cd concentration was $2.21{\mu}g/dL$ (geometric $SD=1.49{\mu}g/dL$) and $1.08{\mu}g/g\;cr$ (geometric $SD=1.98{\mu}g/g\;cr$), respectively. In urinary Cd, the strength of the association was also high after adjusting (urinary NAG: ${\beta}=0.44$, p < 0.001; urinary ${\beta}_2$-MG: ${\beta}=0.13$, p = 0.002). Finally, we identified the positive interactions for the two renal biomarkers. The interaction effect of the two heavy metals of ${\beta}_2$-MG was greater than that of NAG. It is very important in public health perspective if the low level exposure to multiple heavy metals has an interaction effect on kidney. More epidemiological studies for the interaction and toxicological studies on the mechanism are needed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제61권1호
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• pp.24-29
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of urinary biomarkers, such as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and ${\beta}-2$ microglobulin (uB2MG), in early detection of urinary tract infection (UTI) in infants aged <3 months with fever. Methods: A total of 422 infants aged <3 months (male:female=267:155; mean age, 56.4 days), who were admitted for fever, were retrospectively included in this study. We compared uNGAL and uB2MG between the UTI and non-UTI groups at the time of admission. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the curve (AUC) of uNGAL and uB2MG for use in diagnosing UTI were assessed. Results: Among 422 patients, 102 (24.2%) were diagnosed with UTI. Levels of uNGAL were higher in the UTI group than in the non-UTI group (366.6 ng/mL vs. 26.9 ng/mL, P<0.001). Levels of uB2MG were not different between the 2 groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that uNGAL was an independent predictive factor for UTI (P=0.033). The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 90.2%, 92.5%, and 91.9% for uNGAL, and 48.0%, 43.8%, and 44.8% for uB2MG, respectively. AUC of uNGAL was 0.942 and that of uB2MG was 0.407. Conclusion: Accuracy of uNGAL in the diagnosis of UTI is high in febrile infants aged <3 months. uNGAL can help in the early diagnosis and treatment of UTI in infants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.43-50
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• 1996

We experienced a case of nephropathy in chronic lead poisoning. The patient was 43-year-old male who has been working in secondary lead smelting plant for 14 years. On admission, blood pressure was 160/90 mmHg and the others were non-specific. In past history, he received chelating agent administration for lead poisoning irregularly and medicated for gout, and the blood lead concentration was $180.0{\mu}g/dl$ on 2 months before admission. Smoking habit has been 1 pack per day for 15 years and drinking habit has been 1 bottle of Soju per day but less flow. In liver function test, AST/ALT were 27/28 IU/l and $\gamma-GT$ was 456 IU/l. In blood test, Hb : 11.5 g/dl, Hct : 34.0% and basophilic stipplings were found in peripheral blood smear. Chest PA was normal and abdominal ultrasonographic finding was non-specific except fatty liver. In the test of lead exposure indices, $PbB:83.0{\mu}g/dl,\;PbU:28.3{\mu}g/l$, and blood ZPP was $300.0{\mu}g/dl$. And in renal function test, BUN : 31.4 mg/dl, blood creatinine : 2.7mg/dl, blood uric acid. 9.1 mg/dl, urinary albumin : 100.0 mg/g creatinine, urinary $\alpha_1-microglobulin$ : 120.5 mg/g creatinine, urinary $\beta_2-microglobulin$ : $183.8{\mu}g/g$ creatinine, and 24 hours urinary creatinine clearance was 31.9 ml/min. The ultrasonoguided renal biopsy showed the global sclerosis of glomerulus, moderate atrophy and loss of tubule, and interstitial fibrosis in light microscopy. There were diffuse losses of brush border of proximal tubule in electronmicroscopy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.625-631
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the oxidative damage and glomerular filteration rates(GFR) of kidney in streptozotocin(STZ) induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weihing 100$\pm$10gm were randomly assigned to one normal and three STZ-induced diabetic groups which were subdivided into vitamin E free diet(DM-0E group)40mg vitamin E per kg diet(DM-40E group) and 400mg vitamin E per kg diet (DM-400E group), Vitamin E level of normal group was 40mg per kg diet. diabetes was experimentally induced by intravenous injection of 55mg/kg of body weight of STZ in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of experimental diets. Animals were sacrificed at the 6th day of diabetic states. Activities of xanthine oxidase(XOD) in DM-0E DM-40 and DM-400E groups were significantly increased by 133%, 110%, and 74% respectively compared to normal group. The contents of microsomal superoxide radical(O2) in kidney were 106% and 119% higher of DM-0E and DM-40E groups than normal group respectively but that of DM-400E group was similar to normal group. The level of urnary microalbumin in DM-0E group was increased as 5 times much as normal group at the 6th day. Those of DM-40E and DM-400E groups were decreased to 16% and 36% respectively compared to DM-0E group. The content of urinary $\beta$2-microglobulin in DM-0E DM-40E and DM-400E group were increased by 268%, 181% and 163% respectively compared to normal group. GFR in DM-0E and DM-40E were significantly increased but was nor significantly different from DM-400E groups compared to normal group. In conclusion the supplementation of dietary vitamin E reduced peroxidative damage of renal glomerular and renal dysfunction in diabetic rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.408-419
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• 2021

Background: The decreased renal function is known to be associated with biological aging, of which the main pathological features are chronic inflammation and renal interstitial fibrosis. In previous studies, we reported that total saponins from Panax japonicus (SPJs) can availably protect acute myocardial ischemia. We proposed that SPJs might have similar protective effects for aging-associated renal interstitial fibrosis. Thus, in the present study, we evaluated the overall effect of SPJs on renal fibrosis. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) aging rats were given SPJs by gavage beginning from 18 months old, at 10 mg/kg/d and 60 mg/kg/d, up to 24 months old. After the experiment, changes in morphology, function and fibrosis of their kidneys were detected. The levels of serum uric acid (UA), β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and cystatin C (Cys C) were assayed with ELISA kits. The levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), inflammatory factors and changes of oxidative stress parameters were examined. Results: After SPJs treatment, SD rats showed significantly histopathological changes in kidneys accompanied by decreased renal fibrosis and increased renal function; As compared with those in 3-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in 24-month group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with those in the 24-month group, the levels of serum UA, Cys C and β2-MG in the SPJ-H group were significantly decreased. While ECM was reduced and the levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased, the levels of TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling were decreased; the expression level of phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) was down-regulated with reduced inflammatory factors; meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element (Nrf2-ARE) signaling was aggrandized. Conclusion: These results suggest that SPJs treatment can improve age-associated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β1/Smad, NFκB signaling pathways and activating Nrf2-ARE signaling pathways and that SPJs can be a potentially valuable anti-renal fibrosis drug.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.235-240
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• 2020

Background: Cadmium exposure may induce chronic intoxication with renal damage. Silver soldering may be a source of cadmium exposure. Methods: We analyzed working environment measurement data and periodic health screening data from a small-scale silver soldering company with ten workers. Concentrations of cadmium in air from working environment measurement data were obtained. Concentrations of blood and urinary cadmium, urine protein, and urine β2-microglobulin (β2M) were obtained. The generalized linear model was used to identify the association between blood and urine cadmium and urine β2M concentrations. Clinical features of chronic cadmium intoxication focused with toxicological renal effects were described. Results: The mean duration of work was 8.5 years (standard deviation [SD] = 6.9, range = 3-20 years). Cadmium concentrations in air were ranged from 0.006 to 0.015 mg/㎥. Blood cadmium concentration was elevated in all ten workers, with a highest level of 34.6 ㎍/L (mean = 21.288 ㎍/L, SD = 11.304, range = 9.641-34.630 ㎍/L). Urinary cadmium concentration was elevated in nine workers, with a highest level of 62.9 ㎍/g Cr (mean = 22.151 ㎍/g creatinine, SD = 19.889, range = 3.228-62.971 ㎍/g creatinine). Urine β2M concentration was elevated in three workers. Urinary cadmium concentration was positively associated with urine protein concentration (beta coefficient = 10.27, 95% confidence interval = [4.36, 16.18]). Other clinical parameters were compatible with renal tubular damage. Conclusion: Cadmium intoxication may occur at quite low air concentrations. Exposure limit may be needed to be lowered.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제49권1호
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• pp.48-56
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• 2023

Background: Few studies have assessed exposure to chemicals in the context of environmental vulnerability with a focus on exposure among populations living in certain geographical areas. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate cadmium exposure levels and kidney damage indices in environmentally and socioeconomically vulnerable populations, with further subgrouping according to economic status. Methods: Four areas were selected to represent geographical vulnerability (two environmentally vulnerable populations and two socioeconomically vulnerable populations). Among them, population groups with lower socioeconomic status (SES) were separately classified. Urinary cadmium (UCd), beta2-microglobulin (β2-MG), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) levels were analyzed in samples from 245 residents of these four areas. Results: Geometric means of concentrations of UCd (0.97~2.02 ㎍/g creatinine) in all selected populations (N, 245; mean age, 67.8~70.9 years old) were higher than the national reference values (0.39 for adults and 0.78 ㎍/g creatinine for people in their 60s). Participants with a lower SES had higher UCd and NAG concentrations than did non-low SES participants. In the lower SES group, there was a significant association between UCd and NAG concentrations; however, there was no such correlation in the non-low SES group. Conclusions: Consistent with the findings of previous studies evaluating chemical exposure and associated health effects in specific populations, the findings of this study suggest that individuals with a low SES may be more vulnerable to exposure and related health effects.