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

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제18권6호
• /
• pp.1784-1794
• /
• 2004

To study the effects between Cd inhalation toxicity and methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, 4 rat groups were exposed to Cd aerosol by whole-body inhalation exposure for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, and 4 weeks. Cd concentration in air was 0.98㎎/㎥ and mass median diameter(MMD) was 1.78㎛. 3 different dose intraperitoneal injections of methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae to 3 inhalation exposure groups applied for 4 weeks and the results were as follows: The highest body weight gain for 4 weeks and food intake per day were from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). The highest lung weight was from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ and the highest liver and kidney weight were from inhalation exposure group Ⅱ(p<0.05). The lowest Cd content in lung was 22.77㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). The highest Cd concentration in blood was 11.71㎍/㎗ from inhalation exposure group Ⅰ(p<0.05). Cd concentrations of 14.87㎍/g in liver and 17.91㎍/g in kidney were the highest from inhalation exposure group Ⅰ(p<0.05). The lowest Cd concentration in liver and kidney were 5.71㎍/g and 3.17㎍/g from the control(p<0.05). For weekly Cd concentration in urine, the highest value was 0.48㎍/㎖ from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ of the 3rd week and inhalation exposure group Ⅰ, Ⅱ of the 4th week. For weekly Cd concentration in feces, the highest value was 0.32㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ. The highest metallothionein concentration in lung was 89.02㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). The highest metallothionein concentrations in liver and kidney were 265.47㎍/g and 214.21㎍/g from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ, respectively(p<0.05). The highest Hct, Hb, and WBC values were from inhalation exposure group Ⅱ and the highest RBC value was from inhalation exposure group Ⅲ(p<0.05). Mostly damaged part in liver tissue was hepatic lobule and the degrees of damage were lessened by the intraperitoneal injection of methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae. Proximal, distal convoluted tubules and glomerulus in kidney tissue were mostly damaged part. Degeneration and swelling were partially observed but the degrees of kidney tissue damage were lessened more or less by the intraperitoneal injection of methanol extract of Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• 제28권
• /
• pp.7.1-7.9
• /
• 2013

Objectives We investigated the particle mass size distribution and chemical properties of air pollution particulate matter (PM) in the urban area and its capacity to induce cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells. Methods To characterize the mass size distributions and chemical concentrations associated with urban PM, PM samples were collected by a 10-stage Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor close to nearby traffic in an urban area from December 2007 to December 2009. PM samples for in vitro cytotoxicity testing were collected by a mini-volume air sampler with $PM_{10}$ and $PM_{2.5}$ inlets. Results The PM size distributions were bi-modal, peaking at 0.18 to 0.32 and 1.8 to $3.2{\mu}m$. The mass concentrations of the metals in fine particles (0.1 to $1.8{\mu}m$) accounted for 45.6 to 80.4% of the mass concentrations of metals in $PM_{10}$. The mass proportions of fine particles of the pollutants related to traffic emission, lead (80.4%), cadmium (69.0%), and chromium (63.8%) were higher than those of other metals. Iron was the dominant transition metal in the particles, accounting for 64.3% of the $PM_{10}$ mass in all the samples. We observed PM concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects on BEAS-2B cells. Conclusions We found that exposure to $PM_{2.5}$ and $PM_{10}$ from a nearby traffic area induced significant increases in protein expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8). The cell death rate and release of cytokines in response to the $PM_{2.5}$ treatment were higher than those with $PM_{10}$. The combined results support the hypothesis that ultrafine particles from vehicular sources can induce inflammatory responses related to environmental respiratory injury.

• 환경생물
• /
• 제20권4호
• /
• pp.303-308
• /
• 2002

3-weeks old Commelina was transferred to and grown in Hoagland solution ($\pm$ 100 $\mu{M}$ $Cd^{2+}$, 100 $\mu{M}$ $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ 100$\mu{M}$ $Ca^{2+}$, 100 $\mu{M}$ $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ 200 $\mu{M}$ EGTA) for two weeks and then a number of physiological activities was investigated. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced total chlorophyll content up to 29% at a week and 75% at two weeks. In the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$, the total chlorophyll content was reduced to 29% at a week and 80% at two weeks. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced 24% of Fv/Fm after two weeks. In case of $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$, Fv/Fm was reduced 55% at a week, but after two weeks, the plants were almost dead and Fv/Fm could not be measured. When EGTA was treated with $Cd^{2+}$, the value of Fv/Fm was not affected. There were no differences of water potential between the control and the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$+EGTA toy a week, but in other treatments. water potential was reduced. $Cd^{2+}$ reduced about 21% of water potential and $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$ reduced 43% of water potential after two weeks. $Cd^{2+}$ inhibited 21% of photosynthetic activity at a week and 32% at two weeks. In case of photosynthetic activity, $Cd^{2+}$ ＋ $Ca^{2+}$ inhibited 58% at a week and 73% at two weeks. $Cd^{2+}$+EGTA inhibited 15% of photosynthetic activity at a week and 21% at two weeks. Similar results were found in stomatal conductance. From the above results, it was observed that the treatment of $Ca^{2+}$ with $Cd^{2+}$ induced more reduction of a series of physiological responses than those of the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$ alone. Therefore, it could be concluded that $Ca^{2+}$ did not reduce the toxicity of $Cd^{2+}$, but enhanced $Cd^{2+}$ -induced physiological toxicities, but EGTA induced an decrease of $Cd^{2+}$ -induced physiological toxicities.

• 한국토양비료학회지
• /
• 제47권6호
• /
• pp.491-495
• /
• 2014

Phytoremediation is a technology using plants and associated soil microbes to reduce the concentrations or toxic effects of contaminants in the environments. It is regarded as a cost-effective, efficient, eco-friendly, and solar-driven technology with good public acceptance. This study was conducted to find the plants accumulating heavy metals in soils contaminated with Cd and Pb. Experimental plots (plot size: $0.81m^2$) was artificially contaminated using a contaminated soil collected from a field in vicinity of Wondong mine (WD). Sunflower, corn and castor were tested for their potential to remove heavy metals from the contaminated soils. The results indicated that sunflower was most effective in accumulating heavy metals and thus remedying the soils among the three crops. Dry weight and heavy metal uptake of sunflower shoot differed with growth period. For example, the Cd content of shoots including leaf and stem were 0.31mg, 2.23 mg, and 0.96 mg per plot at 4, 8 and 12 weeks after planting in Cd4-WD treatment; in addition, the dry weight of the shoots in Cd8-WD treatment was reduced due to heavy metal toxicity. This experiment showed that sunflower absorbed Cd, Pb and Zn in their shoots up to 8 weeks of planting; thereafter heavy metals uptake was diminished. This implies that the efficiency of these plants in cleaning the contaminated soils may be high at the early stage of plant growth.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• 제9권1_2호
• /
• pp.25-35
• /
• 1994

Many nephrotoxic agents exert their effect primarily on the cells of the proximal tubules. We used the LLC-$PK_1$, kidney epithelial cell line as a model system for studies on nephrotoxicity and investigated whether the uptake of $\alpha$-methylglucose($\alpha$-MG) could serve as a parameter to assess effects of nephrotoxicants on the functional integrity of the cells at an early time of toxicity. The enzyme leakage test which has been used to be as a conventional cytotoxic parameter in vitro, was conducted to compare with $\alpha$-MG uptake. Treatment with cisplatin for 24 and 48 hours significantly increased activities of lactate dehydrogenase and $\gamma$-glutamyltransferase in culture medium at a concentration of 50$\mu$M. However, above 100$\mu$M of concentration, activities of these enzymes in media were dramatically decreased by cisplatin. These observations indicate that cisplatin has direct inhibitory effect on the activities of these enzymes and make it doutful to use enzyme leakage test to demonstrate damage of kidney cells by chemicals such as cisplatin over the appropriate range of concentration. Cisplatin inhibited $\alpha$-MG uptake at a low concentration which enzymes were not leaked. Also cadmium chloride and mercuric chloride which are acutely nephrotoxic in vivo, significantly inhibited $\alpha$-MG uptake at a low concentration. These results indicate that the uptake of $\alpha$-methylglucose in LLC-$PK_1$cell line is a useful biomarker for the study of nephrotoxicity.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• 제12권3호
• /
• pp.179-184
• /
• 2009

Hemibarbus mylodon (Cypriniformes) is an endemic freshwater fish species in the Korean peninsula, for which urgent conservation efforts are needed. To understand their stress responses in relation to metal toxicity and thermal elevation, we performed a real-time RT-PCR-based expression assay of hepatic copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD), a key antioxidant enzyme, in response to experimental heavy metal exposure or heat treatment. The transcription of hepatic Cu/Zn-SOD was differentially modulated by acute exposure to Cu, cadmium (Cd), or Zn. Exposure to each metal at $5{\mu}M$ for 24 h revealed that Cu stimulated the mRNA expression of Cu/Zn-SOD to a greater extent than the other two heavy metals. The elevation in Cu/Zn-SOD transcripts in response to Cu exposure was dose-dependent (0.5 to $5{\mu}M$). Time course analysis of Cu/Zn-SOD expression in response to Cd exposure ($5{\mu}M$) revealed a transient pattern up to day 7. Exposure to thermal stress (an increase from 22 to $30^{\circ}C$ at a rate of $1^{\circ}C/h$ followed by $30^{\circ}C$ for 18 h) did not significantly alter SOD transcription, although heat shock protein 90 kDa (HSP90) transcription was positively correlated with an increase in temperature.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• 제14권4호
• /
• pp.212-219
• /
• 2009

Emission characteristics of air pollutants from three commercially operating cement kilns co-burning waste were investigated. The major heavy metals emitted were mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As) Removal efficiency of the bag filter was above 98.5% for heavy metals (except Hg), and above 60% for Hg. Higher fractions of heavy metals entering the bag filter were speciated to cement kiln dust. On average, 3.3% of the -heavy metals of medium and low toxicity (Pb, Ni, and Cr) entering the bag filter were released into the atmosphere. Among highly toxic heavy metals, 0.14% of Cd, 0.01% of As, and 40% of Hg entering the bag filter were released into the atmosphere. In passing through the bag filter, the proportion of oxidized Hg in all cases increased. Emission variations of hazardous air pollutants in cement kilns tested were related to raw materials, fuel, waste feed and operating conditions. Volatile organic compounds detected in gas emissions were toluene, acrylonitrile benzene, styrene, 1,3-butadiene, and methylene chloride. Although hazardous air pollutants in emissions from cement kilns co-burning waste were within the existing emission limit, efforts are required to minimize their levels.

• 한국환경과학회지
• /
• 제13권6호
• /
• pp.513-518
• /
• 2004

3-weeks old Commelina was transferred to and grown in Hoagland solution (Control, $100\muM$ $Cd^{2+}$, $100\muM$ $Cd^{2+}$+ $100\muM$ IAA, $100\muM$ $Cd^{2+}$+ $100\muM$ IAA + 2 mM sucrose) for 3 weeks and then the effects of indole acetic acid (IAA) on the accumulation of $Cd^{2+}$ and growth of $Cd^{2+}$-treated Commelina were investigated. In the treatment of $Cd^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ was uptaked to 1.74, and 51.36 ${\mu}g/g$ frwt. at the first week, but for three weeks, 0.51 and 34,53 ${\mu}g/g$ frwt, in leaf and stem respectively. When IAA was treated along with $Cd^{2+}$, $Cd^{2+}$ was uptaked to 0.18 and 8.63 ${\mu}g/g$ fiwt, at the first week, and for the incubation of 3 weeks, 0,51 and 45.0 ${\mu}g/g$ fiwt. in leaf and stem. In case of $Cd^{2+}$+IAA+sucrose, $Cd^{2+}$ was uptaked to 1.45 and 18.33 ${\mu}g/g$ frwt. at the first week, but for 3 weeks, 0,51 and 25.45 ${\mu}g/g$ fiwt. in leaf and stem. Likewise $Cd^{2+}$ uptake, the growth was also affected by $Cd^{2+}$ and IAA. During the incubation of 3 weeks, $Cd^{2+}$ reduced the stem growth about 8% in all weeks, but the treatment of IAA recovered the inhibition of stem growth caused by $Cd^{2+}$ to the degree of the control Therefore, it could be concluded that IAA altered the pattern of $Cd^{2+}$ uptake and the growth which were supposed to change $Cd^{2+}$ toxicity.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• 제28권3호
• /
• pp.143-149
• /
• 2012

To prepare measures for practical policy utilization and the control of heavy metals, hazard control related institutions by country, present states of control by country, and present states of control by heavy metals were examined. Hazard control cases by heavy metals in various countries were compared and analyzed. In certain countries (e.g., the U.S., the U.K., and Japan), hazardous substances found in foods (e.g., arsenic, lead, cadmium, and mercury) are controlled. In addition, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) recommends calculating the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of individual heavy metals instead of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) to compare their pollution levels considering their toxicity accumulated in the human body. In Korea, exposure assessments have been conducted, and in other countries, hazardous substances are controlled by various governing bodies. As such, in Korea and other countries, diverse food heavy metal monitoring and human body exposure assessments are conducted, and reducing measures are prepared accordingly. To reduce the danger of hazardous substances, many countries provide leaflets and guidelines, develop hazardous heavy metal intake recommendations, and take necessary actions. Hazard control case analyses can assist in securing consumer safety by establishing systematic and reliable hazard control methods.