• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.137-150
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• 2008

Sexually mature male and female rats were orally intubated with the organophosphorus insecticide, Pestban at a daily dosage of 7.45 or 3.72 mg/kg bwt, equivalent to 1/20 and 1/40 $LD_{50}$, respectively. Male rats were exposed for 70 days, while the female rats were exposed for 14 days, premating, during mating and throughout the whole length of gestation and lactation periods till weaning. The results showed depressed acetylcholinesterase(AChE) activity in the brain of parents, fetuses and their placentae in a dose-dependent manner. The fertility was significantly reduced with increasing the dose in both treated groups, with more pronounced suppressive effects in the male treated group. The number of implantation sites and viable fetuses were significantly reduced in pregnant females of both treated groups. However, the number of resorptions, dead fetuses, and pre-and postimplantation losses were significantly increased. The incidence of resorptions was more pronounced in treated female compared to male group and was dose dependant. The behavioral responses as well as fetal survival and viability indices were altered in both treated groups during the lactation period. The incidence of these effects was more pronounced in the treated female group and occurred in a dose-related manner. The recorded morphological, visceral, and skeletal anomalies were significantly increased with increasing the dose in fetuses of both treated groups, with more pronounced effects on fetuses of treated females. In conclusion, the exposure of adult male and female rats to Pestban would cause adverse effects on fertility and reproduction.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.10a
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• pp.174-174
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• 2003

There are many synthetic chemicals, such as di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), used in chemical reaction processes in industry. The establishment of toxicity and detection of synthetic chemicals that may pose a genetic hazard in our enviornment is subjects of great concern at present DEHP, a ubiquitous phthalate plasticizer, induces a wide range of developmental and reproductive toxicities in mammals. DEHP belongs to the large diverse class of peroxisome proliferator compounds, which include herbicides, hypolipidemic drugs. DBP is a plasticizer used to products containing nitrocellulose, polyvinyl acetate, and polyvinyl chloride such as food wraps and blood bags. DBP is also used in cosmetics as a solvent and fixative for perfumes, a suspension agent for solids, an antifoamer, a skin emollient, and hair spray The present study was performed to examine patterns of gene expression in MCF-7 cells following DEHP and DBP exposure. Changes in gene expression were determined by microarray analysis using KISTCHIP-400 including 401 endocrine related genes based on public database and research papers. Of the genes analysis, we determined that genes detected by array showed a 2-fold or greater change in their expression level(increase or decrease). The results of this study demonstrate that a number of genes were differentially expressed in MCF-7 cells but these changes were not significant. Therefore, we keep going this study using microarray analysis and future studies will examine changes of gene expression on time-course and does treatment in variable cell lines.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.2309-2317
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• 2009

Depurination, the release of purine bases from nucleic acids by hydrolysis of the N-glycosidic bond, gives rise to alterations of the cell genome. Though cells have evolved mechanisms to repair these lesions, unrepaired apurinic sites have been shown to have two biological consequences: lethality and base substitution errors. 2-Bromopropane (2-BP) is used as an intermediate in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, dyes, and other organics. In addition, 2-BP has been used as a replacement for chloroflurocarbons and 1,1,1-trichloroethane as a cleaning solvent in electronics industry. However, 2-BP was found to cause reproductive and hematopoietic disorders in local workers exposed to it. Owing to the toxicity of 2-BP, there has been a tendency to use 1-BP as an alternative cleaning solvent to 2-BP. However, 1-BP has also been reported to be neurotoxic in rats. Though $N^7$-guanine adduct of 2-BP has been reported previously, massive depurination of the nucleosides and calf thymus DNA was observed in this study. We incubated the nucleosides (ddG, dG, guanosine, ddA, dA and adenosine) with excess amount 2-BP at the physiological condition (pH 7.4, $37\;{^{\circ}C}$), which were analyzed by HPLC and LC-MS/MS. In addition, the time and dose response relationship of depurination in nucleosides induced by 2-bromopropane at the physiological condition was investigated. Similarly, incubation of calf-thymus DNA with the excess amount 2-BP at the physiological condition was also performed. In addition, the time and dose response relationship of depurination in calf-thymus DNA induced by 2-BP at the physiological condition was investigated. Those results suggest that the toxic effect of 2-BP could be both from the depurination of nucleosides and DNA adduct formation.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2001

The three medicinal herbs, Astragali Radix, Glycyrrhizae Radix and Aurantii nobilis Pericarpium, irradiated with γ-rays have been tested for their possible genotoxicity. The hot water extracts of the 10 kGy γ-ray irradiated herbs were examined in the Salmonella mutagenicity test(histidine reversion assay; Ames test) using Salmonella. typhimurium TA98 and TA100 as tester strains. No mutagenicity was detected in this assay both with and without metabolic activation. The safety of the herbs irradiated with γ-rays at tactical doses needs to be evaluated in further tests of genotoxicity in vivo and chronic and reproductive toxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.469-476
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• 2012

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) is an environmental toxicant with a polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon structure and is one of the most toxic man-made chemicals. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD induces reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated how 2,3,7,8-TCDD-induced hepatotoxicity affect the expression of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in rat. 2,3,7,8-TCDD increased heat shock protein (Hsp27, ${\alpha}$-B-crystallin, Mortalin, Hsp105, and Hsp90s) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD-3, GST and catalase) expression after a 1 day exposure in livers of rats, whereas heat shock protein (${\alpha}$-B-crystallin, Hsp90, and GRP78) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1, SOD-3, catalase, GST, and GPXs) expression decreased on day 2 and then slowly recovered back to control levels on day 8. These results suggest that heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes were induced as protective mechanisms against 2,3,7,8-TCDD induced hepatotoxicity, and that prolonged exposure depressed their levels, which recovered to control levels due to reduced 2,3,7,8-TCDD induced hepatotoxicity.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.236-251
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• 2023

Alcohol consumption alongside combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has attracted research interest, especially because of increasing male infertility. This study investigated the combined effects of alcohol and cART on testicular morphology, biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Rats, weighing 330-370 g, were divided into four groups of six animals each; control, alcohol treated (A), cART, and alcohol plus cART treated (A+cART). Following 90 days treatment period, animals were euthanized, testis extracted, and routinely processed for histology and immunohistochemical analysis. Significantly decreased epithelial area fraction, increased luminal and connective tissue area fractions, and reduction of epithelial height and spermatocyte number, were recorded in the treated groups compared to control. Extensive seminiferous epithelial lesions including widened intercellular space, karyolysis, and sloughing of germinal epithelium were recorded in all the treated groups. Furthermore, upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, interleukin-6, and caspase 3 recorded in treated animals, was more significant in A+cART group. Also, the levels of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α were more elevated in A and cART treated groups than in A+cART, while MDA was significantly elevated in cART and A+cART treated groups compared to control group. Altogether, the results indicate testicular toxicity of the treatments. It is concluded that consuming alcohol or cART induces oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in testis of rats, which lead to testicular structural and functional derangements, which are exacerbated when alcohol and cART are consumed concurrently. The result will invaluably assist clinicians in management of reproductive dysfunctions in male HIV/AIDS-alcoholic patients on cART.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.231-238
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Biochar (BC) has a great potential for enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration while facilitating beneficial waste disposition. Therefore, it is essential to assess and mitigate any inadvertent consequences associated with soil biochar amendment. Earthworm activity is very vital in the soil system, yet there are a limited number of studies that have examined their impact resulting from biochar application to soil. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, the survival, growth, reproductive tests, and oxidative DNA damage tests (measured by 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and catalase (CAT) activities) to assess the potential toxicity to earthworm Eisenia fetida in artificial soil amended with BCs were investigated. The BCs derived from perilla meal, sesame meal, and pumpkin seed were pyrolyzed at 300 and $550^{\circ}C$, and then amended with soil at a rate of 5%. All the earthworms survived, but lost weight compared to control soil after 28 day incubation period. Moreover, the BC-amended soils did not significantly affect the cocoon numbers of earthworms. Slightly higher concentrations of 8-OHdG and CAT were observed in earthworms present in BC-treated soil than those in control soil. Furthermore, the 8-OHdG concentrations in the soil amended with BC produced at $550^{\circ}C$ were greater than those at $300^{\circ}C$, and it slightly decreased as the incubation time increased. CONCLUSION: These observations could be due to higher contents of toxic metal(loid)s and also higher pH in BCs pyrolyzed at $550^{\circ}C$ than $300^{\circ}C$. While BC is efficiently being used in agricultural fields, this study suggests that it is required to assess the unintended negative impacts of BC on soil ecosystems.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.457-466
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• 2005

Industrial plasticizers such as phthalates can induce peroxisome proliferation. A growing concern among environmental and health groups has arisen because phthalates such as di-2-ethy1hexy1 phthalate (DEHP) and DBP may cause hormonal disorders, reproductive toxicity, hepatocellular tumors, genital disorders owing to a capacity to bind estrogen receptors, and a low-dose toxic action during certain periods of fetal development. Phthalate esters are used extensively as a plasticizer for plastic manufacture such as PVC bags and medical devices. This study investigated the effects of leached components from spring water container's cap and seal film. Phthalates, e.g. dimethy1 phthalate (DMP), diethy1 phthalate (DEP), di-n-buty1 phthalate (DBP), benzy1buty1 phthalate (BBP), di-(2-ethy1hexy1) phthalate (DEHP), and bisphenol A (BPA) were measured in the spring water. The bisphenol A was not detected or below the detection limit on the leaching from cap, sealing or spring water. DEHP were detected 90-116 ppb on the leaching from seal after 2 weeks, and 0.48-0.51 ppb from the spring water after I week. BBP were measured from seal within 1 week 25.4-66 ppb and below 0.12 ppb from spring water within 2 days. DMP were detected from seal within 2 weeks 51-68.5 ppb and 0.12 ppb after 2 weeks. DEP were measured from seal within 2 weeks 48.1-141 ppb and the concentrations were increased by the time from 0.10 to 0.31 ppb at spring water. DBP were detected from the seal within 2 weeks 92.3-5100 ppb and the concentration were decreased by the time from 0.24 to 0.10 ppb at spring water. These results indicate that some phthalate esters contaminated with spring water using the intact cap and seal film. It is concluded that the measured levels of phthalates leaching from these materials might in vivo only be slightly less than 1/10 of the LOAEL.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.196-200
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• 2006

In this study we investigated fecundity and survivorship of four staple Korean freshwater cladocerans for their whole life to develop a new standard method used for ecological risk assessment of pesticide. The tested Korean freshwater cladocerans were Daphnia obtusa, Daphnia sp., Moina macrocopa and Simocephalus vetulus. In addition, standard test species, Daphnia magna endorsed formally by the major international organizations was tested together in order to compare with the reproductive characteristics of Korean cladocerans. A total of 358 young was produced by D. magna, whereas, 297 young was reduced by Daphnia sp. throughout the entire life. The average life span of Daphnia magna was 50 days much longer than any other Korean species. Nevertheless all of the Korean water flea tested showed good fecundity, produced over 60 young for 21 days as the validation criterion for reproduction toxicity test in Ecological Effects Test Guidelines published by USEPA. Especially Moina macrocopa produced their first brood in 4 days. Therefore 10 day reproduction test with Moina macrocopa may be an alternative good method to save cost and time to elucidating the effects of hazardous substances on the reproduction of aquatic invertebrates.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2007

Toxicity of nonlyphenol (NP) one of EDCs was studied with focus on reproduction of the crucian carp, Carassius auratus. Fishes were cultured under control and nonylphnol exposure conditions for 32 weeks. Experimental group was composed of total of 4 groups, 1 control condition and 3 nonylphenol exposure condition ($18\;{\mu}g\;NP\;L^{-1},\;37\;{\mu}g\;NP\;L^{-1}\;and\;83\;{\mu}g\;NP\;L^{-1}$). Survival rate was found to be similar in control and $18\;{\mu};NP\;L^{-1}$. However, it is lower In the $37\;{\mu};NP\;L^{-1}$ and $83\;{\mu};NP\;L^{-1}$ in comparison to the control group. Deformation of gonads was the highest in the exposure condition of $18{\mu};NP\;L^{-1}$ with the female illustrating higher ratio than the male. GSI was not much different in the male but in the female, NP exposure group illustrated lower value compared to the control group. HSI and GI did not illustrate any clear differences between the control and exposure group for both male and female. Intersex was 0% in the wild group, 4.16% in the laboratory control group, and 25.67% in the NP exposure condition with female illustrating higher compared to male. Concentration of blood vitellogenin in female illustrated no clear differences between the control and NP exposure group. However, in the male, it was higher in the NP exposure group in comparison to the control group, and illustrated higher values of vitellogenin compared to the figures found in the female of same con-centration condition.