• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.1083-1099
• /
• 2008

Objective : We aimed to identify the effects of Bogimakseong-bang(BGMSB) treatment on cBSA-induced MN in a mouse model. Methods : We divided 20 mice into 4 groups. The normal group (NR) had no treatment. We used cBSA to induced MN to the other 3 groups. One group (CT) was treated with cBSA (7mg/kg i.p) only. The second (BG-250) was treated with cBSA (7mg/kg i.p) and BGMSB extract (250mg/kg, p.o). The third group (BG-500) was treated with cBSA(7mg/kg i.p) and BGMSB extract (500mg/kg, p.o). After cBSA and BGMSB extract treatment for 4 weeks, proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, serum creatinine, BUN, total nucleated spleen cell number and total infiltrated kidney cell number of all groups were measured. CD3e+/CD19+ and CD4+/CD8 cells ratio of peripheral blood, kidney and spleen of all groups were analyzed. $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, IgG, IgM, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ levels of all groups were gauged. Histological analysis of kidney tissue and immunohistochemical staining (CD4 CD8) of kidneys were observed. Results : Proteinuria significantly decreased and serum albumin increased in groups treated with cBSA and BGMSB extract compared with the control. Total cholesterol decreased but not significantly. CD3e+/CD19cells ratio of peripheral blood decreased. CD3e+/CD19+ and CD4+/CD8 cells percentage of kidney and spleen showed no significant change. Level of $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 significantly decreased. and $IFN-{\gamma}$ increased but has not significantly. Concentration of IgG and IgM significantly decreased compared with control. Thickness of GBM decreased on histological analysis of kidney. Deposition of CD4 and CD8 decreased on immunohistochemical staining of kidney. Conclusions : According to the above result, BGMSB had a significant effect for treating MN which is cBSA-induced.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.71-82
• /
• 1996

This study has been undertaken to evaluate hydrophobic cyclodextrin(CD) derivatives as a sustained release carrier of azidothymidine(AZT), AZT, which has potent activity against AIDS and AIDS-related complex as thymidine analogue, has been reported that it has significant toxicity and short half life. Therefore, it is necessary to design sustained release oral dosage form to avoid undesirable side effects attributable to an excessive plasma concentration and to reduce the frequency of administration of AZT. Inclusion complexes of AZT with $acetyl-{\beta}-cyclodextrin\;(AC{\beta}CD)$ and $triacetyl-{\beta}-cyclodextrin(TA{\beta}CD)$ were prepared by solvent evaporation method. Interactions of AZT with CD were investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry(DSC) and Infrared Spectrophotometry(IR). The decreasing order of water solubilities of AZT and AZT-CD inclusion complexes were as follows; $AZT\;(27.873{\pm}0.015,mg/ml)\;>\;AZT-AC{\beta}CD\;(3.377{\pm}0.003)\;>\;AZT-TA{\beta}CD\;(2.528{\pm}0.001)$. Partition coefficients of $AZT-AC{\beta}CD\;and;\AZT-TA{\beta}CD$ inclusion complexes were increased by 1.27-fold, 1.54-fold in pH 1.2 and 1.32-fold, 1.47-fold in pH 6.8 in comparison with that of AZT. The mean dissolution time (MDT, min) which represents the rapidity of dissolution rate of AZT, $AZT-AC{\beta}CD,\;AZT-TA{\beta}CD$ were 5.12, 14.02 and 19.38 min in pH 1.2 and 2.52, 15.19 and 18.19 min in pH 6.8. AZT was very rapidly and completely dissolved in pH 1.2 and pH 6.8 within 5 minutes. But AZT-CD inclusion complexes showed the sustained release pattern in comparison with AZT alone. The simultaneous in situ nasal and jejunal recirculation study to compare the intrinsic absorptivity and the property of absorption sites revealed that the absorption of $AZT-TA{\beta}CD\;(N:35.35{\pm}1.08%,\;J:27.47{\pm}1.18%)$ was more than that of $AZT\;(N:16.89{\pm}2.25%,\;J:15.86{\pm}2.33%)$. The above results suggest that $TA{\beta}CD$ which is a hydrophobic cyclodextrin may serve as sustained release carrier with absorption enhancing effect.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
• /
• v.42 no.spc
• /
• pp.4-7
• /
• 2009

Agricultural soils contaminated by cadmium (Cd) are common problems in Asia due to rapid industrial development, so the risks of Cd exposure from food crops consumption are concerned by public and authorities. The latest data on Cd concentration in plant-based food and the dietary intakes of Cd around the world are presented in this review. In general, Cd concentrations in major plant-based commodities seldom exceed 0.05 mg/kg fresh weight and decline in the order as: cereals > pulses > vegetables > roots and tubers > fruits in Far Eastern region. In Middle Eastern and European regions, the order is vegetables > cereals > roots and tubers > pulses > fruits. Rice has the highest Cd levels among cereals in Asian countries, but in Middle Eastern and European region the highest level of Cd occurred in leaf vegetables. The dietary intakes of Cd from plant-based commodities around the world declined in the order as: cereals > vegetables > roots and tubers > fruits > pulses. Rice is the largest contributor to total dietary Cd intake (58%) in the Far Eastern region and contributed 36% of Provisional Tolerable Daily Intake (PTDI). For high foodstuffs consumers, intake of Cd from all diets may exceed PTWI, especially for high rice consumers in Asian countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) conducted impact assessment of different maximum levels (MLs) of Cd and demonstrated that each of the four possible MLs for rice had little impact on dietary Cd intake. Since many Cd-contaminated soils in Asian countries still producing crops due to the growing population, the cost-effective techniques for reducing Cd contents in crops especially rice grain are absolutely required.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.63-85
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study was carried out to know the effects of Danggwisayeokgaohsuyusaenggang-tang(hereinafter referred to DST) on arthritis induced by collagen on DBA/1 OlaHsd mice. Methods : For this purpose, DST was orally administered to mouse with arthritis induced by collagen II. Cytotoxicity, high performance liquid chromatograph(HPLC) analysis, arthritis index, value of immunocyte in draining lymph node and paw joint, cytokine were measured in vivo. Results : 1. The cytotoxicity against human fibroblast cells(hFCs) was not measured in any concentration. 2. In HPLC analysis, There are high peak patterns at 8 minute(min), 12 min, 35 min, 45 min. 3. The arthritis index was decreased significantly. 4. The degree of arthritis induced damage of joint of DST group is slight compared with control group in histopathologic observation(Hematoxylin and eosin stain(H&E), Masson's trichrome(M-T) staining). 5. In total cell counts of draining lymph node(DLN) and paw joint, the cells in DLN decreased significantly on DST 200 mg/kg and the cells in paw joint decreased significantly on 200 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. 6. In DLN, $CD4^+/CD25^+$, $CD3^+/CD69^+$, major histocompatibility complex(MHC), class-II/$CD11c^+$ cells decreased significantly on DST 200 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg $CD3^+/CD8^+$ cells decreased significantly on DST 200 200 mg/kg, $CD4^+$, $CD3^+/CD44^+$ cells decreased. 7. In paw joints, $CD4^+$, $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells decreased significantly on DST 200 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. 8. In joints, levels of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, cyclo-oxygenase-2(COX-2), NOS-II were decreased on DST 200 mg/kg and DST 50 mg/kg. 9. In analysing of cytokine in CD3/CD28 activated spleen, IL-17 was decreased significantly, IL-4 was increased significantly $INF-{\gamma}$ was decreased on DST 200 mg/kg. 10. In analysing of cytokine in collagen activated spleen, IL-17 were decreased significantly, IL-4 was increased significantly. Conclusions : This results demonstrated that DST suppressed the inflammatory progression of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) mice and supported further studies are required to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.12 no.6
• /
• pp.627-633
• /
• 2003

The PM$_{10}$ concentration and chemical composition in an western area of Busan were surveyed between March, 2001 and February, 2002. The mean concentration was 98.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥ with a range of 18.1 to 330.6 $\mu\textrm{g}$/㎥. The magnitude of metallic elements in PM$_{10}$ is as follows in decreasing order: K>Ca>Na>Al>Fe. The mean values of crustal enrichment factors for four elements (Cd, Ni, Pb and Zn) were all higher than 10, which presumably resulted from the effect of anthropogenic origin. Moreover, the wintertime values were higher than springtime and summertime values, possibly due to emissions westerly transported from industries around this area. The contribution of soil particle to airborne particle in the study area was estimated to be 9.5%.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.129-137
• /
• 2012

Probabilistic ecological risk assessment (PERA) for deriving ecological protective concentration (EPC) was previously suggested in USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Netherland. This study suggested the EPC of cadmium (Cd) based on the PERA to be suitable to Korean aquatic ecosystem. First, we collected reliable ecotoxicity data from reliable data without restriction and reliable data with restrictions. Next, we sorted the ecotoxicity data based on the site-specific locations, exposure duration, and water hardness. To correct toxicity by the water hardness, EU's hardness corrected algorithm was used with slope factor 0.89 and a benchmark of water hardness 100. EPC was calculated according to statistical extrapolation method (SEM), statistical extrapolation $method_{Acute\;to\;chronic\;ratio}$ ($SEM_{ACR}$), and assessment factor method (AFM). As a result, aquatic toxicity data of Cd were collected from 43 acute toxicity data (4 Actinopterygill, 29 Branchiopoda, 1 Polychaeta, 2 Bryozoa, 6 Chlorophyceae, 1 Chanophyceae) and 40 chronic toxicity data (2 Actinopterygill, 23 Branchiopoda, 9 Chlorophyceae, 6 Macrophytes). Because toxicity data of Cd belongs to 4 classes in taxonomical classification, acute and chronic EPC (11.07 ${\mu}g/l$ and 0.034 ${\mu}g/l$, respectively) was calculated according to SEM technique. These values were included in the range of international EPCs. This study would be useful to establish the ecological standard for the protection of aquatic ecosystem in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Magnetic Resonance Society
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.100-108
• /
• 1999

Cop protein is the transcription repressor protein in rolling circle replication plasmid. With antisense RNA, Cop protein controls the copy number of plasmid. Cop family proteins have been found in various plasmids. Among Cop family proteins, Cop studied in this paper consists of 55 amino acids (Mw. 6,400), and was known to have trimer structure. Since no structural facts are elucidated, we have carried out preliminary experiments aimed at the elucidation of its three dimensional structure. The secondary structure of Cop is studied by CD and NMR. To solve the aggregation of Cop at high concentration, we tested various detergents and salts. The addition of detergents and salts could not solve the aggregation problem. However, we found that concentration is important in solving the aggregation problem. We knew that 0.18mM in 50mM potassium phosphate without any other ingredients is maximum concentration not to aggregate. Wa also investigated the pH dependence of Cop protein, and knew that Cop protein is more stable in acid state. At various temperatures, 15N-1H HSQC spectra were measured in order to find the optimal experimental condition. To enhance the peak resolution, 3D NOESY-HSQC spectrum is acquired. Since there are NOE peaks in the NH-NH region, we knew that Cop protein has $\alpha$-helical content, which was also confirmed by CD.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.341-354
• /
• 2002

Heavy metal concentration/distribution in sediments and bivalves from the tidal flats in Saemankeum coastal area, western Korea, were investigated, Among 6 sampling sites, S2, S5 and S6 showed the higher levels of Zn, Cr, Ni, Cu and Cd contamination and S1 did the higher level of Pb contamination than other sites, while S-4 showed the lowest levels of these metal contamination. Overally, the levels of Zn, Cu and Pb concentrations in Sinonovacula constricta were estimated to be relatively high. The shell lengths of the collected mussels were linearly related to their dry weights of the whole soft parts, but the mussels collected from S3 were in a poor nutrition, resulting in the distinctively high levels of metal concentrations in the body. It was shown that in S. constricta, Cr, Ni, Cu and Zn are distributed equally into the whole soft parts or a little more into the flesh, after absorption, while Fe, Cd, Pb and Mn are transferred more into the non-flesh parts than into the flesh parts. In S. constricta, the heavy metal concentrations in the flesh increase with those in the whole soft parts. The bioaccumulation factors(heavy metal concentration in S. constricta/heavy metal concentration in sediment) showed that, of the examined metals, Cd is the most cumulative in the body of S. constricta, followed by Zn and Cu, while Mn, Cr, Ni and Pb are not cumulative.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.91-96
• /
• 2010

This study is an endeavor to evaluate the safety of medicines from heavy metals, prescribed on the basis of herbal medicinal system and oriental medical prescription which are circulated much recently. For that, six globular types, six granular types and seven liquid types of herbal medicines were bought to compare and analyze the content of heavy metals, such as As, Pb, Cd and Hg, which are harmful to human body. The concentration of As was 0.219 mg/kg to 1.243 mg/kg, Cd was 0.0282 mg/kg to 0.8481 mg/kg, Pb was 0.9582 mg/kg to 5.233 mg/kg and Hg was 0.001 mg/kg to 0.01 mg/kg in globular and granular types. Otherwise, in the liquid types, As was 0.0123 mg/kg to 0.5024 mg/kg, Cd was 0.0128 mg/kg to 0.0568 mg/kg, Pb was 0.1755 mg/kg to 0.712 mg/kg, and Hg was 0.001 mg/kg to 0.002 mg/kg. It was found that the concentration of heavy metals in liquid types herbal medicines was relatively lower than globular and granular types. It is required to treat, manufacture and manage herbal medicines for safety.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.210-215
• /
• 2011

It is already known that high concentration of vitamin C induces apoptosis on tumor cells. However, there is no report regarding the function of vitamin C on the modulation of immune susceptibility of cancer. Therefore, we investigated whether vitamin C can modulate immune susceptibility of tumor cells, especially on the induction of Fas-mediated apoptosis. First, the optimal concentration of vitamin C, which cannot induce damages on tumor cells for 36 hrs. We found that 2 mM of vitamin C did not show harmful effect. In addition, the optimal concentration of agonistic anti-Fas Abs for 18 hrs was examined. As a result, 400 ng/ml of agonistic anti-Fas Abs did not induce apoptosis on tumor cells. Next, we tried to find the effect of 2 mM of vitamin C on the modulation of the susceptibility to agonistic anti-Fas Abs. When tumor cells were cultured with 400 ng/ml of agonistic anti-Fas Abs for 18 hrs, after pre-treatment with 2 mM of vitamin C for 24 hrs, viability of cells was decreased. Interestingly, we found that the expression of Fas (CD95) and MHC class I was increased by the treatment of vitamin C. Taken together, vitamin C increases the susceptibility of tumor cells to anti-Fas Abs and the expression of Fas (CD95) and MHC class I on tumor cells.