• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2022

Medicinal herb demonstrated in many pharmacological effects and recognized to be safe has been used for a long time. However, side effects including safety of medicinal herb have not been identified yet. The aim of the study was to estimate safety evaluation of Magnoliae Flos used for the treatment of pain, rhinitis, and pneumonia in Korea, China and Japan through four-week dose range finding toxicity test in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Magnoliae Flos was orally administered to male and female SD rats once a day for 28 days at 1,500 and 3,000 mg/kg. The safety evaluation was determined to examine clinical signs, mortality, body weight, food intake, hematology, serum biochemistry and relative organ weights and there were no significant changes related toxicity. Consequently, these findings indicates that Magnoliae Flos did not show any side effects including toxicity in dose range finding toxicity test and the no observed adverse effect level for Magnoliae Flos was estimated as more than 3,000 mg/kg.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.129-141
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• 1998

Toxic effects of 2-bromopropane (2-BP) on the hematopoietic system and testis were investigated in male Srague-Dawley (SD) rats. 80 male SD rats, 5 weeks old, were treated with 2-BP in corn oil at levels of 0, 100, 330 and 1,000 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks orally. 10 animals from each group were maintained for additional 8 weeks following the treatment. In addition, 60 male SD rats were divided into 2 groups and administered 2-BP in corn oil at levels of 0 and 1,000 mg/kg/day orally and sacrificed after 1. 2 and 3 weeks of treatment. Clinical observation. body weight changes, food consumption, organ weight changes. hematology, serum chemistry and histopathology of the testis were performed in the study. No clinical sign and mortality were observed in the study. The body weights were significantly reduced with the treatment but gradually recovered. The relative organ weights of the testis and thymus significantly decreased in both of the groups treated with 1,000 mg/kg/day for 3 and 4 weeks. In the recovery groups, organ weights of the testis and epididymis were significantly reduced in both of the groups treated with 330 and 1,000 mg/kg/day. Platelets and reticulocytes were significantly reduced in both of the group treated with 1.000 mg/kg/day for 3 and 4 weeks. While red blood cells were de-creased but mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) were increased in the recovery group. Significant increase of chloride was observed in all of the treatment groups except the recovery groups, and calcium was significantly increased in both of the groups treated with 1,000 mg/kg/ day for 3 and 4 weeks. On the other hand. there were significant decreases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspatate aminotransferase (AST) in most of groups treated with 1.000 mg/kg/day. In the testis. the spermatogonia in stages I-VI were mostly depleted and the spermatocytes in stages VII-VIII were de-generated or necrotized at week 1 after treatment of 2-BP. The degeneration of germ cells and the a-trophy of seminiferous tubules became more severe in time-dependent and dose-dependent manners. The damaged tubules showed regeneration in part. however. they did not appear to be completely recovered within 8 weeks of the recovery period. On the basis of the results. it is suggested that 2-BP would cause toxicities in hematopoiesis by possibly interfering the production of red blood cells and platelets and in spermatogenesis by the destruction oj spermatogonia in SD male rats.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.555-559
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• 2020

In order to examine the toxicity of palatinose-L (Pal-L) bioconverted from sucrose, we performed a 14-consecutive day toxicity study with male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We recorded clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, organ weights, hematology, blood biochemical, urinalysis, histological changes in organs, such as the liver and kidneys, and clinical chemistry analysis data for all SD rats. There were no significant changes in food/water consumption, body weight, and organ weights during the experimental period. Although there were some hematologic and urinalysis alterations, these changes were not considered toxicologically significant. In addition, histopathological examination of the liver and kidneys revealed no abnormal or toxicological changes between the control and Pal-L-treated rats of both sexes. Collectively, these results suggest that Pal-L was not indicated to have any toxicity in the SD rats when it was orally administered up to a dose of 1,000 mg/kg/day for 14 days.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.278-281
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• 2015

An 8-year-old male red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Species Restoration Technology Institute of Korea National Park Service (KNPS), revealed nodular growths in its ventro-cervical region. The fox was introduced from Young-Yang Gun in 2012 to KNPS for re-introduction of the red fox. It has been cared in captive facility and showed the mass in August 2013 that was sent to Wildlife Medical Center. For the diagnosis of underlying disease and cervical mass, radiographical and sonographical examinations, complete blood count, serum chemistry analysis, peripheral blood smear examination and surgical removal of the mass were performed. The mass was fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and processed routinely for haematoxylin and eosin (HE) stain. Based on hematological and serum chemical examination, the fox showed mild leukocytosis, thrombopenia, increase of creatine kinase MB (CKMB) and uric acid. However, it was considered as no clinical relevance since the fox showed no related clinical signs. Macroscopically, the mass was round shape, whitish and well-demarcated. Microscopically, it was diagnosed as a lipoma consisting of mature adipose tissue. Lipoma is a common benign tumor in most domestic animals, however it has never been reported in the red fox. The present case report provides comprehensive diagnosis of a subcutaneous lipoma in a red fox.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.390-400
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• 2010

This study is aimed to test physiological and hematological actions of Rheum palmatum through clinical pilot study optimized for usual oriental medicine prescription. Thirty-one cases were finally collected and the sample extract 100 $m{\ell}$ of Rheum palmatum (ERP) was administered two times in a day during 3 days and checked with blood CBC test, urinalysis, liver function test, abdominal X-ray as well as general diagnostic process of oriental medicine; pattern identification, assessment of shapes and constitution. The total toxic effective rate of ERP was 9.68% in 3 cases of the whole in case of consistent uneasy state in the subjective symptomatic assessment and aggravation of blood and urine examination. The relevant diagnostic factors were so-eum constitution and essence type subject, carapaces species, lung type in the aspect of Jisan shape theory. On the other hand, the positive effective rate of ERP was 29.03% manifesting improvement of vital signs or present illness and no abnormal changes of blood chemistry and urinalysis and simple abdomen radiology. The relevant diagnostic factors were tae-eum constitution, energy type subject, aves species, heart and liver type in Jisan's shape theory. And the other cases were manifesting no specific change through the administration of ERP. The ratio of the numbers of decrease and increase was 44:5 in the tenderness and hardness of abdominal palpation. But if the pattern identification doesn't comply with the aim of rhubarb application despite of constipation and abdominal pain, the tendeness and biochemical report was shown in abnormal change. The mean number of diarrhea by ERP was $16.77{\pm}6.95$ during 3 days after administration, and the frequent areas of abdominal pain were lower>middle>upper in order, and it meant the target site of ERP too. Besides, the toxic reaction against ERP was expressed highly in case of decrease in blood cell count and hemoglobin, hematocrit having blood deficiency syndrome. Likewise, the toxicity of ERP was influenced by pattern identification manifesting present disease condition and diagnostic factors of four constitutions, Jisan's shape theory collaterally. In conclusion, evaluation of herbal toxicity in order for using as a clinical guideline, various diagnostic pattern information and shape features like the above should be studied together with other pharmacologic toxicology test for the future.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.1153-1162
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• 2016

Termitomyces albuminosus (Berk.) Heim is a well-known wild edible mushroom in the southern region of China. Novel cerebrosides, termed termitomycesphins, isolated from EtOH extract of T. albuminosus have shown significant neuritogenic activity. Neurotrophic factors have been targeted as potential therapeutic drugs for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. However, before expanding their applications to include food or therapeutic agents in Korea, a safety evaluation of T. albuminosus is needed. Herein, in a repeated-dose 90-day oral toxicity study, rats were exposed to a basal diet of powder ground from dried T. albuminosus at dose levels of 5%, 2.5%, 1.25%, and 0%. The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observation, body weight, gross and microscopic pathology, clinical chemistry, and hematology. Significant dose-dependent increases in the weight of the left kidney were observed, possibly due to the test substance. Based on toxicity-decision criteria for minor compound-related changes (no observed adverse effect level [NOAEL] and no observed effect level [NOEL]), NOAEL was observed in male rats at a dose of 5% of dried T. albuminosus powder, and NOEl was observed in female rats at the same dose. The results point to the safety and potential use of T. albuminosus as a nontoxic neurotrophic factor.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.74 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2013

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be measured easily, rapidly, and noninvasively for the assessment of airway inflammation, particularly mediated by eosinophil, such as asthma. In bronchiectasis (BE), the pathogenesis has been known as chronic airway inflammation and infection with abnormal airway dilatation; however, there are little studies to evaluate the role of FeNO in BE. Methods: From March 2010 to February 2012, 47 patients with BE, diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), performed FeNO, compared with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All patients carried out a complete blood count including eosinophil count, chemistry, sputum examination, and spirometry, if indicated. A retrospective analysis was performed to elucidate the clinical role of FeNO in BE patients. Results: The mean FeNO levels in patients with BE was $18.8{\pm}1.5$ part per billion (ppb), compared to $48.0{\pm}6.4$ and $31.0{\pm}4.3$ in those with asthma and COPD, respectively (p<0.001). The FeNO levels tended to increase along with the disease severity scores by HRCT; however, it was statistically not significant. FeNO in BE with a co-infection of nontuberculous mycobacteria was the lowest at $17.0{\pm}3.5$ ppb among the study population. Conclusion: FeNO in BE was lower than other chronic inflammatory airway diseases, particularly compared with asthma. For clinical application of FeNO in BE, more large-scaled, prospective studies should be considered.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.115-118
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• 2013

An 8-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat was presented with a chief complaint of chronic nasal discharge and dyspnea. Physical examination revealed pyohemorrhagic nasal discharge, inspiratory dyspnea and stertor, and an enlarged right mandibular lymph node. Abnormalities of blood works and serum chemistry included mildly increased hematocrit, and globulin concentration. Serologic tests for FeLV and FIV, and a panel of polymerase chain reaction tests for Chlamydophila felis, Feline Calicivirus, Herpesvirus, Bordetella, Mycoplasma felis, and H1N1 influenza was all negative. Only radiographic finding showed increasing soft tissue density in the right nasal cavity and computed tomography disclosed soft tissue/fluid opacification in the right nasal cavity, paranasal sinus, and pharyinx along with slight deviation to the right of the osseous nasal septum. Focal lysis of ventral nasal septum was also suspected in CT scan. Cytological evaluation of fine needle aspirate smears of the enlarged mandibular lymph nodes revealed numerous fungal yeasts having variably thick capsule both extracellularly and intracellularly with low numbers of macrophages. Some yeasts showed narrow based budding, which was a consistent finding with Cryptococcus organisms. Serum protein electrophoresis was a polyclonal consistent with chronic infection and serum was submitted for a fungal serology panel test. In serologic tests Cryptococcus antigen titer was 1 : 32,768. In vitro culture was unsuccessful. Treatment was initiated with administration of fluconazole, clindamycin, and tocopherol. Clinical signs resolved within 3 days after the initial treatment. The cat was discharged and scheduled for periodic evaluation and continued therapy, but was lost to follow-up thereafter.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.77-84
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• 2014

Purpose: Carbamate insecticides are potent cholinesterase inhibitors capable of causing severe cholinergic toxicity. Use of carbamate rather than organophosphate insecticides has been increasing. Compared with organophosphate poisoning, relatively few studies have investigated carbamate-associated acute pancreatitis. We investigated general characteristics and pancreatitis of carbamate poisoning and the predictors, among those readily assessed in the emergency department. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of consecutive patients, aged over 18 years, who were admitted between January 2008 and April 2012 to an emergency department (ED) of an academic tertiary care center for treatment of carbamate poisoning. Patients who exhibited poisoning by any other material, except alcohol, were excluded. After application of exclusion criteria, patients were divided according to carbamate-induced pancreatitis and non-pancreatitis groups. Results: A total of 41 patients were included in this study. Among these 41 patients, the prevalence of acute pancreatitis was 36.6% (15 patients). Initial blood chemistry tests showed a statistically higher glucose level in the pancreatitis group, compared with the non-pancreatitis group (222, IQR 189-284 vs. 137, IQR 122-175 mg/dL, P<0.05). Regarding clinical courses and outcomes, a significantly higher proportion of patients developed pneumonia [10 (66.7%) vs. 6 (23.1%), P<0.05] and had a longer hospital stay (7 days, IQR 6-12 vs. 5 days, IQR 2-11, P<0.05), but no difference in mortality, in the pancreatitis group vs. the non-pancreatitis group. In multivariate analysis, the initial glucose was showing significant association with the presentation of carbamate-induced acute pancreatitis (odds ratio 1.018, 95% confidence interval 1.001-1.035, P<0.05). Conclusion: Carbamate-induced acute pancreatitis is common, but not fatal. Initial serum glucose level is associated with acute pancreatitis.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.94-101
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• 2016

Objectives : Anemia is a common problem in the management of elderly patients. Recent studies reported that anemia was associated with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. This study was aimed to analyze the differences of hemoglobin levels in Korean patients with Alzheimer's disease(AD) dementia, mild cognitive impairment(MCI), and healthy controls. Furthermore, the study also examined if any association between hemoglobin levels and cognitive functions existed. Methods : A total of 116 Korean elderly adults were participated in this study(mean age 74.67 years ; 60.3% female). The Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination(MMSE-K), Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR) and Global Deterioration Scale(GDS) were applied to all subjects. Hematological and related blood chemistry values were investigated. Results : We found that patients with AD dementia had significantly lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels than MCI subjects and healthy control group. The hemoglobin levels showed a positive correlation with MMSE-K and negative correlation with CDR, GDS. Conclusions : Among Korean elderly, low hemoglobin level is associated with a cognitive impairment. This study indicates that AD is associated with anemia, and low hemoglobin levels may contribute to potentially useful clinical markers of AD. The risk factor for dementia needs to be confirmed by prospective longitudinal studies in a larger group of patients.