• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.459-467
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• 2015

Purpose: We developed a method to load lycopene into maltodextrin and cyclodextrin in an attempt to overcome the poor bioavailability and improve the anti-inflammatory effect of this polyphenol. Methods: Nanosized lycopenes were encapsulated into biodegradable amphiphillic cyclodextrin and maltodextrin molecules prepared using a high pressure homogenizer at 15,000~25,000 psi. Cell damage was induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in a mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. The cells were subjected to various doses of free lycopene (FL) and nanoencapsulated lycopene (NEL). RT-PCR was used to quantify the tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA levels, while ELISA was used to determine the protein levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. Results: NEL significantly reduced the mRNA expression of IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$ at the highest dose, while not in cells treated with FL. In addition, NEL treatment caused a significant reduction in IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels, compared to cells treated with a similar dose of FL. In addition, mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 enzyme in the activated macrophages was more efficiently suppressed by NEL than by FL. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that lycopene is a potential inflammation reducing agent and nanoencapsulation of lycopene can further improve its anti-inflammatory effect during tissue-damaging inflammatory conditions.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.90-103
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• 2015

The agricultural soil, meets soil environmental standards whereas agricultural product from the same soil does not meet permissible level of contaminants, is identified in the vicinity of the abandoned mine in Korea. This study estimated the stabilization efficiency of Cd and Pb using limestone through the flood pot test for this kind of agricultural paddy soil. We had the concentration of the monitored contaminants in soil solution for 4 months and analyzed fractionations in soil and concentrations in rice plant. In soil solution of plow layer, the reductive Mn had been detected constantly unlike Fe. The concentrations of Mn in limestone amended soil was relatively lower than that in control soil. This reveals that the reductive heavy metals which become soluble under flooded condition can be stabilized by alkali amendment. This also means that Cd and Pb associated with Mn oxides can be precipitated through soil stabilization. Pb concentrations in soil solution of amended conditions were lower than that of control whereas Cd was not detected among all conditions including control. In contaminants fractionation of soil analysis, the decreasing exchangeable fraction and the increasing carbonates fraction were identified in amended soil when compared to control soil at the end of test. These results represent the reduction of contaminants mobility induced by alkali amendment. The Cd and Pb contents of rice grain from amended soil also lower than that of control. These result seems to be influenced by reduction of contaminants mobility represented in the results of soil solution and soil fractionation. Therefore contaminants mobility (phytoavailability) rather than total concentration in soil can be important factor for contaminants transition from soil to agricultural products. Because reduction of heavy metal transition to plant depends on reduction of bioavailability such as soluble fraction in soil.