• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 2023

Background: Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can have acute and chronic health effects on human beings in general and in working environments. In particular, VOCs are often emitted in large quantities in industrial settings. In such circumstances, there is a need to improve the indoor air quality at workplaces. Objectives: The purposes of this study were to verify the effectiveness of air cleaning devices in workplaces and provide alternative solutions for improving working environments. Methods: Personal exposure and area level of VOCs for workers were evaluated in a car-part adhesive process before and after installing an air cleaning device with a TiO₂-coated filter. Passive samplers and direct reading instruments were used to collect and analyze the VOCs, and the removal efficiency and improvement of air quality were evaluated. We also calculated the exposure index (EI) to assess the risk level in the workplace. Results: The removal efficiency for VOCs through the installation of the air cleaning device was approximately 26.9~69.0% as determined by the concentration levels before and after installation. The measured substances did not exceed the exposure limits for the work environment and the EI was less than 1. However, carcinogenic substances such as benzene, formaldehyde, carbon tetrachloride, and trichloroethylene were detected. Conclusions: The application of an air cleaning device can be a solution for controlling the indoor air quality in a workplace, particularly in cases where ventilation systems cannot be installed due to process limitations.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.11-19
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• 2004

Chlorinated and nitroaromatic compounds are non-degradable substances that are extremely toxic and are known to be carcinogens and mutation causing agents. Moreover, the half-lives of substances such as carbon tetrachloride, hexachloroethane and nitroaromatic compounds are several decades. In this study, the optimal conditions to detoxify chlorinated compounds by the reductive degradation were investigated. The following results were obtained in the reductive degradation of CCl$_4$, C$_2$Cl$\_$6/, C$_2$HCl$\_$5/, C$_2$Cl$_4$, and C$_2$HCl$\_$5/ by using Fe, FeS and FeS$_2$ as mediators. CCl$_4$ was reduced to CH$_2$Cl$_3$ and CH$_2$Cl$_2$in anaerobic conditions when FeS was used as a mediator. While the reduction of CCl$_4$ to CHCl$_3$ was rapidly proceeded, the reduction of CHCl$_3$ to CH$_2$Cl$_2$ was occurred slowly. Further reduction to CH$_3$Cl was not observed. Unlike CCl$_4$, C$_2$Cl$\_$6/ was degraded to C$_2$HCl$\_$5/, C$_2$Cl$_4$. C$_2$HCl$_3$ and cis-1,2-C$_2$H$_2$Cl$_2$ by complicated pathways such as hydrogenolysis, dehalo-elimination and dehydrohalogenation. A small amount of C$_2$HCl$\_$5/ was detected only in the early stages of the reduction. However, majority of the C$_2$Cl$\_$6/ was reduced to C$_2$Cl$_4$. cis-1,2-C$_2$H$_2$C1$_2$ was the only product among other possible isomers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.370-378
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• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 2010

The protective effect of a mixed powder from solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2:1, w/w) (designate LED) on the carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)- and ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat was investigated. In the $CCl_4$-induced rat hepatotoxicity experiment, rats of 4 groups (6 rats/group) were administere with Normal (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 200 mg/kg BW + 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/kg BW + 0.2 ml distilled water), p.o., daily for 2 weeks. Afterwards, all groups except for the Normal group were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1:1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). For the ethanol- induced rat hepatotoxicity experiment, rats were divided into 5 groups (5 rats/group): Normal; Pair-fed control (PFC); Control (ethanol); LED (ethanol + LED 200 mg/kg BW); and Silymarin (ethanol + silymarin 200 mg/kg BW). Rats of the Normal and PFC groups were fed a basal liquid diet, and rats of the Control, LED, and Silymarin groups were fed a liquid ethanol diet containing LED or Silymarin. Eight weeks later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. In $CCl_4$-induced SD rats, LED elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) were reduced, resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. Similar results of these enzymes and biochemical markers in both liver tissues and plasma were seen in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of SD rats. In addition, elevated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and reduced expression of cytochrome p450 mixed monooxygenase enzyme (CYP2E1) were seen in liver tissues from ethanol-treated rats by LED treatment. These effects of LED were similar to those of Silymarin. In in vitro experiments, LED showed antioxidant activity in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) system and mouse liver mitochondria system induced by NADPH/$Fe^{2+}$ and cumine hydroperoxide (CuOOH). These results indicate that LED protected SD rat hepatotoxicity, induced by $CCl_4$ and ethanol, through its antioxidative activity and might be useful as a material for protection from hepatoxicity in humans.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.231-250
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• 2001

In order to determine the effects of annexing bile extracts of bears on the anti-fibrotic effect of Injinhotang. Mix compound of Injinhotang and bile extracts of bears were administered to the carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced cirrhotic rats during 20 days and the changes of serum levels of GOT (glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyruvic transaminase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), ALP (alanine phosphatase), GGT (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase) and T-BIL (total bilirubin) were monitored with comparison to the results of Injinhotang administered group. The results were summarized as follows. 1. A significant (p<0.01) increase of serum GOT levels were observed in control group compared to those of normal group but these increased levels were dramatically decreased in Injinhotang and Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group. In addition, a significant (p<0.05) increase were also detected In Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group compared to that of Injinhotang-administered group. 2. A significant (p<0.01) increase of serum GPT levels were observed in control group compared to those of normal group but these increased levels were dramatically decreased in Injinhotang and Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group. Although significances were not recorded, increase of serum GPT levels were also detected in Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group compared to that of Injinhotang-administered group. 3. A significant (p<0.01) increase of serum LDH levels were observed in control group compared to those of normal group but these increased levels were dramatically decreased in Injinhotang and Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group. Although significances were not recorded, increase of serum LDH levels were also detected in Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group compared to that of Injinhotang-administered group. 4. A significant (p<0.01 or p<0.05) increase of serum ALP levels were observed in control group compared to those of normal group but these increased levels were dramatically decreased in Injinhotang and Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group. In addition, a significant (p<0.05) increase were also detected in Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group compared to that of Injinhotang-administered group. 5. A significant (p<0.01) increase of serum GGT levels were observed in control and Injinhotang-administered group compared to those of normal group but these increased levels were dramatically decreased in Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group. 6. A significant (p<0.01) increase of serum T-BIL levels were observed in control group compared to those of normal group but these increased levels were dramatically decreased in Injinhotang and Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group. Although significances were not recorded, increase of serum T-BIL levels were also detected in Injinhotang with Fel Ursi-administered group compared to that of Injinhotang-administered group. In conclusion, it is considered that bile extract of bears has some additional effect to the anti-fibrotic effect of Injinhotang but to know the exact mechanism of suitable dose and duration of administration, further studies such as pharmacokinetics and dose-dependent pharmacological studies were needed

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.604-609
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• 2011

Pine (pinus densiflora) needles have long been used as a traditional health-promoting medicinal food in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of pine needle extracts on the hepatic antioxidant system in the damaged liver of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-treated rats. Nine-week-old Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups: normal group (NOR), $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL), pine needle hot water extract and $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL-P), and Vitamin C and $CCl_4$-treated group (CCL-V). The enzyme activities and antioxidant effects of the pine needle hot water extracts were investigated at the levels of liver homogenates and serum of rats intoxicated with $CCl_4$. Serum GOT and GPT activities by $CCl_4$ treatment increased compared to those of the NOR group. However, they tended to decrease in the hot water extract-administered group. Liver SOD activity in the CCL group was significantly lower than the NOR group (p<0.05). However, they increased in the CCL-P group compared to the CCL group. Further, the CAT and GPx activities of serum treated with $CCl_4$ were higher compared to those of the NOR group but lower in the CCL-P group compared to CCL group. These results suggest that pine needle hot water extract increases antioxidant activities.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.782-788
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• 2010

The protective effects of a powder mixed with solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2 : 1, w/w) (designate LED) with different doses of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) on induced hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was investigated. The rats were divided into seven groups (6 rats/group) and the following substances were administered orally to each group: Vehicle (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/Kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water). After two weeks of daily administration, all groups except for the Vehiclegroup were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1 : 1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). One day later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. All LED treatments elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities, and reduced thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. These results indicate that LED effectively protected SD rat hepatotoxicity induced by $CCl_4$ through its antioxidative activity and reduction of some cytokines. The highest efficacy was found in LED 200 mg/kg BW, showing potential as a useful material for protection from hepatotoxicity in humans.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2017

In this study, 4 gases containing typical chlorinated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were treated by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The typical chlorinated VOCs are dichloromethane (DCM), trichloromethane (TCM), carbon tetrachloride (CTC) and trichloroethylene (TCE). The removal efficiency (RE) and the products of chlorinated VOCs by UV irradiation are investigated. At this time, 2 types of background gas (air and nitrogen) were used to figure out the RE by photooxidation and photolysis. The specification of UV-lamp used in this study was low-pressure mercury lamp emitting wavelength of 185~254 nm. The experimental conditions were set as initial VOC concentration of $180{\pm}10ppm$, empty bed retention time (EBRT) of 53 s, temperature of $23{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ and relative humidity of $65{\pm}5%$. In the photolysis condition with nitrogen ($N_2$) as background gas, the averaged RE of the 4 types of chlorinated VOCs was about 24% higher than that with photooxidation; and the REs of VOCs except CTC were confirmed as >99%. The composition of off-gases after UV photooxidation in air was investigated and several intermediates from DCM, TCM and TCE were detected by GC/MS. Among them, phosgene which is a toxics was detected as an intermediate of TCM. In addition, the concentration of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) in the off-gases was measured to calculate the mineralization rate (MR). With the photooxidation, TCE showed the highest RE (>99%) while MR was the lowest (17%); and the MR of DCM was the highest (86%). In addition, particulate matters (PM) in the off-gases was also detected and high concentrated $PM_{10}$ ($21,580{\mu}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$) and $PM_{2.5}$ ($6,346{\mu}g{\cdot}m^{-3}$) were detected in TCE off-gas. More than 99% of the chlorinated VOCs could be removed using UV254-185 nm lamp, while it is necessary to conduct further studies on the production and treatment of secondary pollutants.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.384-391
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• 2007

This study was conducted to clarify the effects of the Korean raisin (Hovenia dulcis Thunb) extracts and polyherbal extracts consisted of 6 types herbal extracts including HDT (HDTmix) on $CCl_4$ induced organ damages. Extracts were prepared by autoclave ($121^{\circ}C$, 15 psi, 3 hours) and filtered with nylon cloth and filter paper then freezing dried. Male Sprague-Dawley rats $(200^{\circ}{\ae}20g)$ were used as experimental groups, which were divided into 5 groups; intact control group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing after HDT extract dosing group (100 mg/kg), $CCl_4$ dosing after HDTmix dosing group (100 mg/kg), Silymarin dosing group (5 mg/kg) after all test articles were orally dosed once a day for 28 days. They were sacrifiled under ether anesthesia. HDT extracts and HDTmix dramatically inhibits the $CCl_4$ intoxicated hepato/nephropathies with immuno-suppress changes on the spleen. They showed more dramatical protective effects on most of specific organs compared to that of Silymarin 5 mg/kg except for hepatoprotective effects in which, quite similar effects were detected. In addition, HDT extracts showed synergic effects with other types of herbal extracts because HDTmix showed more favorable protective effects on the all specific organs showing $CCl_4-related$ histopathological changes compared to HDT extracts.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.407-416
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• 1996

The reactive intermediates formed during the metabolism of therapeutic agents, toxicants and carcinogens by cytochromes P450 are frequently capable of covalently binding to tissue macromolecules and causing tissue damage. It has been shown that YH439, a congener of malotilate, is effective in suppressing hepatic P450 2E1 expression. The present study was designed to further establish the mechanistic basis of YH439 protection against toxicant by assessing its effects against chemical-mediated potentiated hepatotoxicity. Retinoyl palmitate (Vit-A) pretreatment of rats for 7 days substantially enhanced carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity, as supported by an ${\sim}5-fold$ increase in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity, as compared to $CCl_4$ treatment alone. The elevation of ALT activity due to Vit-A was completely blocked by the treatment of $GdCl_3$ a selective inhibitor of Kupffer cell activity. Concomitant pretreatment of rats with both YH439 and Vit-A resulted in a 94% decrease in Vit-A-potentiated $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity. YH439 was also effective against propyl sulfide-potentiated $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity. Whereas propyl sulfide (50 mg/kg, 7d) enhanced $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity by >5-fold, relative to $CCl_4$ treatment alone, concomitant treatment of animals with both propyl sulfide and YH439 at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg prevented propyl sulfide-potentiated $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity by 35% and 90%, respectively. Allyl sulfide, a suppressant of hepatic P450 2E1 expression, completely blocked the propyl sulfide-enhanced hepatotoxicity, indicating that propyl sulfide potentiation of $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity was highly associated with the expression of P450 2E1 and that YH439 blocked the propyl sulfide-enhanced hepatotoxicity through modulation of P450 2E1 levels. Propyl sulfide- and $CCl_4-induced$ stimulation of lipid peroxidation was also suppressed by YH439 in a dose-related manner, as supported by decreases in malonedialdehyde production. The role of P450 2E1 induction in the potentiation of $CCl_4$ toxicity and the effects of YH439 were further evaluated using pyridine as a P450 2E1 inducer. Pyridine pretreatment substantially enhanced the $CCl_4$ hepatotoicity by 23-fold, relative to $CCl_4$ alone. YH439, however, failed to reduce the pyridine-potentiated toxicity, suggesting that the other form(s) of cytochroms P450 inducible by pyridine, but not suppressible by YH439 treatment, may play a role in potentiating $CCl_4-induced$ hepatotoxicity. YH439 was capable of blocking cadmium chloride-induced liver toxicity in mice. These results demonstrated that YH439 efficiently blocks Vit-A-enhanced hepatotoxiciy through Kupffer cell inactivation and that the suppression of P450 2E1 expression by YH439 is highly associated with blocking of propyl sulfide-mediated hepatotoxicity.