• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.45-63
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• 2019

In view of the growing industrial use of Bacterial cellulose (BC), and taking into account that it might become airborne and be inhaled after industrial processing, assessing its potential pulmonary toxic effects assumes high relevance. In this work, the murine model was used to assess the effects of exposure to respirable BC nanofibrils (nBC), obtained by disintegration of BC produced by Komagataeibacter hansenii. Murine bone marrow-derived macrophages ($BMM{\Phi}$) were treated with different doses of nBC (0.02 and 0.2 mg/mL, respectively 1 and $10{\mu}g$ of fibrils) in absence or presence of 0.2% Carboxymethyl Cellulose (nBCMC). Furthermore, mice were instilled intratracheally with nBC or nBCMC at different concentrations and at different time-points and analyzed up to 6 months after treatments. Microcrystaline $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159, a plant-derived cellulose, was used for comparison. Markers of cellular damage (lactate dehydrogenase release and total protein) and oxidative stress (hydrogen peroxidase, reduced glutathione, lipid peroxidation and glutathione peroxidase activity) as well presence of inflammatory cells were evaluated in brochoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids. Histological analysis of lungs, heart and liver tissues was also performed. BAL analysis showed that exposure to nBCMC or CMC did not induce major alterations in the assessed markers of cell damage, oxidative stress or inflammatory cell numbers in BAL fluid over time, even following cumulative treatments. $Avicel-plus^{(R)}$ CM 2159 significantly increased LDH release, detected 3 months after 4 weekly administrations. However, histological results revealed a chronic inflammatory response and tissue alterations, being hypertrophy of pulmonary arteries (observed 3 months after nBCMC treatment) of particular concern. These histological alterations remained after 6 months in animals treated with nBC, possibly due to foreign body reaction and the organism's inability to remove the fibers. Overall, despite being a safe and biocompatible biomaterial, BC-derived nanofibrils inhalation may lead to lung pathology and pose significant health risks.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.57-67
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• 2017

The inhibitory effects of Asparagus cochinchinensis against inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), substance P and phthalic anhydride (PA) treatment were recently reported for some cell lines and animal models. To evaluate the hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of A. cochinchinensis toward the livers and kidneys of ICR mice, alterations in related markers including body weight, organ weight, urine composition, liver pathology and kidney pathology were analyzed in male and female ICR mice after oral administration of 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg body weight/day saponin-enriched extract of A. cochinchinensis (SEAC) for 14 days. The saponin, total flavonoid and total phenol levels were found to be 57.2, 88.5 and 102.1 mg/g in SEAC, respectively, and the scavenging activity of SEAC gradually increased in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, body and organ weight, clinical phenotypes, urine parameters and mice mortality did not differ between the vehicle and SEAC treated group. Furthermore, no significant alterations were measured in alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the serum creatinine (Cr) in the SEAC treated group relative to the vehicle treated group. Moreover, the specific pathological features induced by most toxic compounds were not observed upon liver and kidney histological analysis. Overall, the results of the present study suggest that SEAC does not induce any specific toxicity in the livers and kidneys of male and female ICR mice at doses of 600 mg/kg body weight/day.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.839-846
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Korean Eucommia ulmodies Oliver tea extract on aluminum administered rats. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (100${\pm}$10 g) were divided into the following six groups; control group, 3% E. ulmodies tea extract group, 1,000 and 2,000 ppm aluminum ($Al_2(SO_4)_3$ in distilled water) groups, and 1,000 and 2,000 ppm aluminum plus 3% E. ulmodies tea extract groups. The aluminum content in the rat tissues of the aluminum administered group was lower than that in the rat tissue of the aluminum group administered 3% E. ulmodies tea extract. Asparate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels increased in the aluminum-administered group but were lower in the 3% E. ulmodies tea extract group. Lactate dehydrogenase was lower in the 3% extract E. ulmodies teaaluminum group than that in the aluminum group. Cholinesterase was higher in the 3% E. ulmodies tea-aluminum group than that in the aluminum group. Plasma renin activity levels increased in the aluminum administration group, compared with the aluminum plus 3% E. ulmodies tea group. Plasma aldosterone levels increased in the aluminum administration group compared with the aluminum plus 3% E. ulmodies tea group. These results suggest that an extract of E. ulmodies tea in water has lowering effects on the accumulation of aluminum. It is believed that the E. ulmodies tea had some protective effects in the aluminum-administered rats, but the mechanisms remain obscure.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.708-717
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• 2018

The antioxidant activity and protective effects of a hot water extract from the Stauntonia hexaphylla fruit (WESHF) were investigated in vitro and in vivo. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of WESHF were $16.13{\pm}0.27mg$ gallic acid equivalent/g and $4.7{\pm}0.80mg$ catechin equivalent/g, respectively. In addition, the DPPH radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$) and the Oxygen Radical Absorbance capacity of WESHF were $63.62{\pm}4.10{\mu}g/ml$ and $90.63{\pm}5.29{\mu}M$ trolox equivalent/g, respectively. The hepatoprotective effect of WESHF against hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage was investigated. $H_2O_2$-induced liver damage on HepG2 cells was prevented by $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF. Furthermore, to investigate the protection mechanism of WESHF on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells, pre-treatment with $200{\mu}g/ml$ of WESHF significantly attenuated a decrease in the activities of CAT, SOD, GR, and GPx. The hepatoprotective activity of WESHF was evaluated in an experimental model of hepatic damage induced by acetaminophen (APAP). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly decreased in the livers of mice treated with 200 mg/kg of WESHF compared to the APAP-treated group. The lipid peroxidation level, which increased after APAP administration, was significantly reduced in the WESHF group. In addition, histological examinations of the liver showed the same protective effect of WESHF treatment. Based on these findings, it is suggested that WESHF has potent hepatoprotective effects, and the mechanism that causes this type of protection could be related to antioxidant pathways.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.117-121
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• 2005

Purpose: Elevated AST/ALT level in rotavirus gastroenteritis have been reported. We found elevated creatine kinase (CK) in those children. This study was carried out to define the relationship of major clinical presentation, laboratory findings, and level of creatine kinase. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made for thirty patients who were diagnosed rotavirus gastroenteritis from Jan 2001 to Mar 2005 in Department of Pediatrics, Gyeongsang National University Hospital. Serum creatine kinase was checked for the evaluation of high aminotransferase level among the patients. Results: Fourteen patients (8 males, 6 females) with high creatine kinase activity were included in this study. The mean age was $1.46{\pm}1.24year$ of age. The mean level of AST, ALT and CK were $127.5{\pm}136.2IU/L$, $126.1{\pm}154.3IU/L$, and $542.8{\pm}624.6IU/L$, respectively. Electrophoresis of CK isoenzyme was performed in four of them and the results revealed elevated CK-MM fraction (96~100%). Three of them revealed high serum creatine kinase acitivity (>1,000 IU/L) without acute renal failure and other symptom. However, none of them had muscular pain or trauma history. Elevated creatine kinase activity did not correlate with clinical implications (age, sex, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, symptom of URI, degree of dehydration or seizure) or laboratory findings. Conclusion: In this study, we found that serum creatine kinase acitivity also was elevated in infants with rotavirus gastroenteritis. This data support muscular damage due to rotavirus, but could not prove the mechanism of increased serum creatine kinase activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.641-649
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Peucedanum japonicum Thunb. (PJT) powder on lipid metabolism and antioxidative activity in rats fed a high-fat/high-cholesterol diet for 4 weeks. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups: normal diet group (N), high-fat/high-cholesterol group (HFC), high-fat/highcholesterol with 5% PJT powder (HFC-PBL), and high-fat/high-cholesterol with 10% PJT powder (HFC-PBH). Body weight gain and food efficiency ratio (FER) increased in the HFC group, whereas they gradually decreased in the PJT powder-fed groups. Food intake was not significantly different between the experimental groups. Liver and adipose tissue weights of the HFC group were heavier than that of the N group, whereas the groups fed PJT powder showed gradual reduction of tissue weights. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity significantly decreased after PJT powder administration. Serum triglyceride level significantly decreased in groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. The serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) level of the HFC group increased by 73.70% than that of the N group, whereas serum high density lipoprotein (HDL-cholesterol) tended to decrease in groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. Levels of triglycerides in epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissues, as well as cholesterol levels in liver and adipose tissues were lower in the groups fed 10% PJT powder compared to the HFC group. The liver glutathione (GSH) level increased in the groups fed PJT powder compare to the HFC group. The liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content significantly decreased in the groups fed PJT powder compared to the HFC group. These results suggest that PJT powder may improve lipid metabolism in the serum, liver, and adipose tissue and prevent oxidative stress by stimulating antioxidative systems in rats fed a high fat-high cholesterol diet.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.83-90
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the effects of ramie (Boehmeria nivea) leaf powder on improvements in lipid metabolism in serum, liver and adipose tissue, and the anti-obesity effect in rats fed a high fat/high cholesterol diet for 4 weeks to induce a hyperlipidemic and obese model rat. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 210 g were divided into four groups; a normal diet group (N), a high fat/high cholesterol diet group (HFC), a high fat/high cholesterol diet with 5% ramie leaf powder group (HFC-RL), and a high fat/high cholesterol diet with 10% ramie leaf powder group (HFC-RH). The body weight gain increased with a high fat/high cholesterol diet, but gradually decreased in the ramie leaf powder fed groups compared with the HFC group. The liver index in the HFC group was highest among the four groups, although the difference was not significant compared with the ramie leaf powder fed groups. The adipose tissues weight in the HFC group was heavier than that of the N group, whereas those of groups fed ramie leaf powder decreased gradually. Alkaline phosphatase activity was not different between the HFC groups, but serum alkaline aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities decreased significantly after ramie leaf powder feeding. Levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors tended to decrease in the ramie leaf powder fed groups compared with the HFC group, whereas serum HDL-cholesterol level decreased in the HFC group and markedly increased in the ramie leaf powder fed groups. Levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in the liver were significantly lower in the ramie leaf powder fed groups than in the HFC group. Levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol in adipose tissues were also lower in the ramie leaves powder fed groups than in the HFC group. The activities of heparinreleasable lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and total-extractable LPL in adipose tissues increased in the HFC group compared to that of the N group, but those of the ramie leaf powder fed groups decreased significantly. These results suggest that ramie leaf powder may improve lipid metabolism in serum, liver and adipose tissue and potentially reduce lipid storage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.661-668
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• 2002

We investigated the effect of tea fungus/kombucha beverage(TF) on the body weights, the blood glucose levels, lipid and protein concentrations, and enzyme activities in diabetic female rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed drinking water supplemented with 20% or 40% TF groups, respectively for 7 weeks. The female rats (mean weight 155.5$\pm$9.3 g) were assigned to one control and three diabetic groups. Diabetic groups were divided into diabetic control (TF free water), 20% or 40% TFD groups (20% or 40% TF in water) according to the levels of TF supplementation. Diabetes was experimentally induced by intraperitonially administration of streptozotocin in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 2 weeks feeding of four experimental water. Animals were sacrificed at the 5 weeks of diabetic state. The diabetic groups showed significantly decrease of body weight(6.8-7.5 g) compared with the control group(48.3 g). The hepatic, kidney and pancreatic weights of 20% or 40% TFD groups were not significantly different with D-control group. The fasting serum glucose level were higher in all diabetic groups than that of the control group. The concentrations of serum triglyceride in 40% TFD group and serum LDL-cholesterol in 20% TFD group were significantly decreased compared with the D-control group. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio, and atherogenic index in 20% or 40% TFD groups were similar to those in D-control group. The concentrations of hepatic triglyceride in 20% or 40% TFD groups were significantly decreased compared with the D-control group, but the concentrations of hepatic cholesterol and phospholipid were similar to all diabetic groups. The concentrations of serum and hepatic total protein, serum albumin, and the activities of GOT, GPT and LDH in the serum were the same levels of all diabetic groups.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.306-315
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• 1999

Purpose: We performed this study to evaluate the process of radiation induced apoptosis in A431 skin epithelial cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Low to high dose radiation (0, 2, 5, 10, 25 Gy) was given to A431 cells by Cs-137 cell irradiator. Apoptosis was evaluated by cell morphology, dye exclusion test, and DNA laddering. Results: Cell viability decreased as the radiation dose increased. Number of apoptotic bodies increased as radiation dose increased. It increased most significantly at 12 hours after irradiation. Lactate dehydrogenase activity in culture medium increased according to radiation dose and time after irradiation. DNA ladders could be identified in irradiated cells, but, it had no correlation with radiation dose or time after irradiation. Conclusion: Radiation-induced apoptosis which was the main course of cell death in A431 cells could be analyzed quantitatively by counting apoptotic bodies under microscope. Apoptosis increased as radiation dose increased.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1422-1430
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• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effect of fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LAF) on reduction of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats. In this experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals, which were divided into eight groups: normal group, D-GalN-treated group (control), D-GalN and non-fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LA)-treated groups [100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW (body weight)], and D-GalN and LAF-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW). ${\gamma}$-Glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities in serum of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups increased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The atherogenic index values of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05), and their high density lipoprotein cholesterol by total cholesterol ratio increased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity of liver tissues were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) in the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), whereas their malondialdehyde content decreased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). The histopathological observations revealed apoptotic cells and mild portal inflammation in liver tissues of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LAF may improve plasma lipid profile and alleviate hepatic damage.