• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2012

Paecilomyces sinclairiis (PS) is known as a functional food or human health supplement. However concerns have been raised about its kidney toxicity. This study was performed to investigate the kidney toxicity of PS by 13 week-oral administration to rats. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine, and kidney damage biomarkers including beta-2-microglobulin (${\beta}2m$), glutathione S-transferase alpha (GST-${\alpha}$), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), calbindin, clusterin, cystatin C, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and osteopontin were measured during or after the treatment of PS. BUN, creatinine and kidney damage biomarkers in serum were not changed by PS. However, kidney cell karyomegaly and tubular hypertrophy were observed dose-dependently with higher severity in males. KIM-1, TIMP-1 and osteopontin in kidney and urine were increased dose dependently in male or at the highest dose in female rats. Increased urinary osteopontin by PS was not recovered at 2 weeks of post-exposure in both genders. Cystatin C in kidney was decreased at all treatment groups but inversely increased in urine. The changes in kidney damage biomarkers were more remarkable in male than female rats. These data indicate that the PS may provoke renal cell damage and glomerular filtration dysfunction in rats with histopathological lesions and change of kidney damage biomarkers in kidney or urine. Kidney and urinary KIM-1 and cystatin C were the most marked indicators, while kidney weight, BUN and creatinine and kidney damage biomarkers in serum were not influenced.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.268-272
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• 2012

Nephrotoxicity occurs when kidney-specific detoxification and excretion do not work properly due to the damage or destruction of kidney function by exogenous or endogenous toxicants. Exposure to drugs often results in toxicity in kidney which represents the major control system maintaining homeostasis of body and thus is especially susceptible to xenobiotics. Understanding the toxic mechanisms for nephrotoxicity provides useful information on the development of drugs with therapeutic benefits with reduced side effects. Mechanisms for drug-induced nephrotoxicity include changes in glomerular hemodynamics, tubular cell toxicity, inflammation, crystal nephropathy, rhabdomyolysis, and thrombotic microangiopathy. Biomarkers have been identified for the assessment of nephrotoxicity. The discovery and development of novel biomarkers that can diagnose kidney damage earlier and more accurately are needed for effective prevention of drug-induced nephrotoxicity. Although some of them fail to confer specificity and sensitivity, several promising candidates of biomarkers were recently proved for assessment of nephrotoxicity. In this review, we summarize mechanisms of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and present the list of drugs that cause nephrotoxicity and biomarkers that can be used for early assessment of nephrotoxicity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2016

The identification of biomarkers for the early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) is clinically important. Acute kidney injury (AKI) in critically ill patients is closely associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Conventional biomarkers, such as serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), are frequently used to diagnose AKI. However, these biomarkers increase only after significant structural damage has occurred. Recent efforts have focused on identification and validation of new noninvasive biomarkers for the early detection of AKI, prior to extensive structural damage. Furthermore, AKI biomarkers can provide valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms of this complex and heterogeneous disease. Our previous study suggested that pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), which is excreted in the urine, is a sensitive biomarker for nephrotoxicity. To appropriately and optimally utilize PKM2 as a biomarker for AKI requires its complete characterization. This review highlights the major studies that have addressed the diagnostic and prognostic predictive power of biomarkers for AKI and assesses the potential usage of PKM2 as an early biomarker for AKI. We summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the role of biomarkers and the molecular and cellular mechanisms of AKI. This review will elucidate the biological basis of specific biomarkers that will contribute to improving the early detection and diagnosis of AKI.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.414-420
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• 2006

The present study evaluated the effects of pomegranate peel (Granati pericarpium) extract on the lipid profiles and antioxidant biomarkers in mice fed a high fat and cholesterol diet: the measured biomarkers included the TBARS value, GPx, GR, SOD and GST activities. Body fat depositions were significantly decreased in the group that received pomegranate peel. In addition, the activities of GPx, GST and SOD were significantly higher in the liver and plasma of the pomegranate peel group than in the control group. Also, the pomegranate peel diet decreased lipid peroxidation of the liver and kidney. Alkaline single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) showed that the DNA damage in the plasma of the pomegranate peel group was decreased compared to that of control. The present results show that a diet with added pomegranate peel exerts protective effects against oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation possibly via effects on the free radical levels in mice fed a high fat and cholesterol diet.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.399-407
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• 2006

We evaluated the effects of butterbur (Petasites japonicus Maxim) addition to the diet on lipid profiles and antioxidant biomarkers such as total glutathionine, TBARS value, carbonyl value, GPx, GR, SOD and paraoxonase activity in the plasma or liver of mice. The distribution of body fat deposition, total cholesterol (TC) contents, and atherogenic index in the plasma were significantly decreased in the butterbur group. The levels of GSH and the activity of GR and SOD were significantly higher in the liver of the butterbur group than in that of the control group. Lipid oxidation of the liver and kidney and protein oxidation of the liver and heart were decreased in the butterbur group. Additionally, the DNA damage, as determined using the comet assay (single cell gel assay) with alkaline electrophoresis and as quantified by measuring the tail length (TL), was decreased in the butterbur group. The results of the present study showed that a diet with added butterbur exerts degenerative disease-protective effects on oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.344-352
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• 2012

Mercury is a toxic and non-essential metal in the human body. Mercury is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, present in natural products, and exists extensively in items encountered in daily life. There are three forms of mercury, i.e., elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. This review examines the toxicity of elemental mercury and inorganic mercury compounds. Inorganic mercury compounds are water soluble with a bioavailability of 7% to 15% after ingestion; they are also irritants and cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Upon entering the body, inorganic mercury compounds are accumulated mainly in the kidneys and produce kidney damage. In contrast, human exposure to elemental mercury is mainly by inhalation, followed by rapid absorption and distribution in all major organs. Elemental mercury from ingestion is poorly absorbed with a bioavailability of less than 0.01%. The primary target organs of elemental mercury are the brain and kidney. Elemental mercury is lipid soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier, while inorganic mercury compounds are not lipid soluble, rendering them unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Elemental mercury may also enter the brain from the nasal cavity through the olfactory pathway. The blood mercury is a useful biomarker after short-term and high-level exposure, whereas the urine mercury is the ideal biomarker for long-term exposure to both elemental and inorganic mercury, and also as a good indicator of body burden. This review discusses the common sources of mercury exposure, skin lightening products containing mercury and mercury release from dental amalgam filling, two issues that happen in daily life, bear significant public health importance, and yet undergo extensive debate on their safety.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.192-198
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• 2007

Emodin (1,3,8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a major constituent of rhubarb. Although it has been claimed to have a wild spectrum of therapeutic value, its side effects, especially in human kidney cells have not been well characterized. In this study, we have carried out in vitro genetic toxicity test of emodin and microarray analysis of differentially expressed genes in response to emodin. The result of Ames test showed mutations with emodin treatment in base substitution strain TA1535 both with and without exogenous metabolic activation. Likewise, emodin showed mutations in frame shift TA98 both with and without exogenous metabolic activation. The result of COMET assay in L5178Y cells with emodin treatment showed DNA damage both with and without exogenous metabolic activation. Emodin did not increase micronuclei in CHO cells both with and without exogenous metabolic activation. 150 Genes were selected as differentially expressed genes in response to emodin by microarray analysis and these genes would be candidate biomarkers of genetic toxic action of emodin.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.171-187
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• 1998

Garlic occupies a special position among the many foods of vegetable origin because it is the sole food for Koreans during the their lives. And vitamin A has been ingested by forms of food or additives. Cadmium has been described as one of the most dangerous trace elements in the food and environment of man and livestocks. Since the de novo synthesis of stress proteins can be detected early after exposure to some agents, analysis of cadmium-induced changes in gene expression , ie. alterations in patterns of protein synthesis, may be useful to develop as biomarkers of exposure and damage for food hygiene. He acute and chronic combine effects of cadmium (Cd, CdCl2 20mg/kg), garlic oil(Dds: diallyl disulfide 50mg/kg, 3 times a week) and vitamin A(Ra: retinol acetate 50,000 IU/kg, 3 times a week) on Wistar male rats were evaluated concerning cadmium contents, tissues enzyme activity, HSP expression histopathological and electron microscopical examinations. The results of the study are as follows ; 1. Less cadmium was absorbed through the digestive tracts, but the ratio of contents in tissue were not changed by the simultaneous adminstration of diallyl disufide or retinol acetate. 2. ALT(alanine aminotransferase) , AST(aspartate aminotransferase), glucose, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, the key indices of the clinical changes in hepatic and renal function were significantly hanged by the cadmium treatment after 1 week in liver, after 4 weeks in kidney. 3. Histopathological changes in cadmium treated rats were appeared at 8 weeks age treatment in kidneys. Homogenous eosinophilic material was accumulated in cortical and collecting tubular lumens at 16 weeks. Degenerated or necrotized tubular cells were observed in cortex and medulla. Degenerated seminiferous tubules and homogeneous eosinophilic material was seen in interstitial tissue of rat treated with cadmium for 16 weeks. Calcium deposits were seen in degenerated seminiferous tubules and the tubules showed severe calcification of rat treated with cadmium for 16 weeks. Electron microscope changes in kidney were observed in rats treated with CdCl2 20 mg/kg. Proximal convoluted tubule cells showed selling of cytoplasm and narrow lumen. Capillary endothelial cells showed cytoplasmic vacuoles and swelling. Degenerated epithelial cells were accumulated in tubular lumen of kidney. 4. Enhanced synthesis of 70 KDa relateve molecular mass proteins were detected in 2 hours after cadmium, exposure, with maximum activity occurring at 8~48 hours. Induction of HSP 70 was evident at proximal tubules and glomeruli in kidney. Testicular cells produced enough HSP to be detected normally. From the above results, it could be concluded that HSP70 induction by the cadmium treatment was a rapid reaction to indicated the exposure of xenobiotics, and retinol acetate reduced the cadmium induced nephrotoxicity.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.386-396
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• 2005

The effects of spirulina-added salad dressing on lipid profiles and antioxidant biomarkers such as total glutathionine, TBARS value, carbonyl value, GPx, GR, SOD and paraoxonase activity in plasma or liver of mice were evaluated Sixteen male ICR mice weighing 20$\pm$2 g were divided into two groups and fed low fat ($5\%$ fat) diet (low fat control: LFC) and low fat control plus dressing diet (LFD) for eight weeks. Body weight, tissue weights of liver, heart and kidney, and the distribution of body fat deposition were not significantly different between two groups. Also, the profile of TG, TC, LDL and HDL cholesterol were similar between two groups. The DNA damage was determined using the comet assay (single cell gel assay) with alkaline electrophoresis and quantified by measuring tail length (TL). Spirulina salad dressing consumption resulted in significant decrease in lymphocyte DNA damage expressed by TL (LFC: $28.8{\mu}m$, LFD: $20.3{\mu}m$). Additionally, salad dressing consumption for 8 wks decreased the lipid peroxidation assayed by TBARS to $12.6\%$ compared with the control. The levels of antioxidant vitamins such as $\beta$-carotene were significantly higher in plasma of LFD group than those in LFC group based on HPLC method This study shows that spirulina-added salad dressing exerts degenerative disease-protective effects on oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation possibly via a free radical levels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

Objectives : Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) is bind formation of glucose and protein. Acceleration of AGE formation during hyperglycemia is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic complications and causes kidney and skin damage. The aim of this study was investigated the AGEs inhibitory activity and antioxidant activity of water extracts from young persimmon (YP) and heated young persimmon (HYP). Methods : Paeoniae Radix Alba (YP) is prepared by heating with 30% ethanol. AGEs formation inhibitory activities of YP and HYP measured using bovine serum albumin. To evaluate the protective effects of YP and HYP in diabetic rats induced with streptozotocin (STZ) and methyl glyoxal (MGO), SD rats were distributed into four groups; normal mice (Nor), AGEs-induced rats (Con), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg YP (YP), AGEs-induced rats treated with 100 mg/kg heated YP (HYP) for 3weeks. Heated young persimmon respectively decrease AGEs construction. Results : YP and HYP administration inhibited the biomarkers of AGEs in serum, kidney and skin tissues. AGE-induced rats revealed that the significant decreased collagen however, heat processing methods of young persimmon up regulated inhibits AGEs-induced collagen decrease. The expressions of AGEs were decreased in YP and HYP treated group compared with the control group in tissues. It specifies that HYP has potential to serve as a positive regulator of via AGEs path way. Conclusion : It has proposed that may have an improvement effect on diabetic complications, heated young persimmon has AGEs inhibitory excellent activities and antioxidant effect.