• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2005

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are an important class of environmentally prevalent xenobiotics that exert complex effects on the biological system and characterized as probably carcinogenic materials. Single cell gel electrophoresis assays were performed in order to evaluate DNA damage occurring in the T-and B lymphocytes, spleens (T/B-cell), bone marrow, and livers of mouse exposed to mixture of PAHs (Benzo(a)pyrene, Benzo(e)pyrene, Fluoranthene, Pyrene) at dose of 400, 800, or 1600 mg/kg body weight for 2 days. DNA damage of the cells purified from mice was increased in dose dependent manner. In the blood cells and organs, DNA damage was also discovered to vary directly with PAHs. Especially T-cells had been damaged more than B-cell. Plasma proteomes were separated by 2-dimensional electrophoresis with pH 4-7 ranges of IPG Dry strips and many proteins showed significant up-and -down expressions with the dose dependent manner. Of these, significant 4 spots were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of fight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. Identified proteins were related to energy metabolism and signal transduction.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.2 s.53
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• pp.127-138
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• 2006

In urban areas, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are probably a major component of particulate matters, especially in Korea where drive many diesel vehicles. The aim of this study was to investigate genotoxic effects of DEP using single ceil gel electrophoresis. In order to evaluate the mechanisms of DEP genotoxicity, the rat microsome mediated and DNA repair enzyme treated comet assays together with conventional comet assay were performed. Total diesel particles (DEPT) was collected without site fractionation from diesel engine bus and dichloromethane extract was obtained. The organic extract of DEPT revealed DNA damage itself in NIH/3T3 cells. The level of DNA breaks plus oxidative DNA lesions and microsome mediated DNA damage was assessed by modified single cell gel eletrophoresis. DEPT was able to induce oxidative DNA damage as well as microsome mediated DNA damage. Vitamin C as an model antioxidant reduced DNA damage in endonuclase III treated comet assay. One of flavonoid, galangin as a CYP1A1 inhibitor. reduced DNA damage in the presence of S-9 mixture. $DEP_T$ is the sources of oxidative stress, but antioxidants can significantly reduce oxidative DNA dmage. And $DEP_T$ may contain indirect mutagens which can be inhibited by CYP1A1 inhibitors. The ethanol extracts of the mixed vegetables (BV) or the mixed fruits (BF) were evaluated for their in vitro antigenotoxic effects. BV and BF showed potent Inhibitory effects against DEPT induced DNA damage with oxidative DNA lesions and in the prescence of S-9 mixture. These results indicate that BV and BF could prevent cellular DNA damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing cytochrome P4501A1 in cell culture.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.239-245
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the genotoxicity of airborne particulate matter extracted with dichloromethane (APE), the rat microsome mediated (S-9) or DNA repair enzyme treated Comet assays were performed using the single cell gel electrophoresis in A549 human lung carcinoma cells. It was found that the cells interacting with APE showed more DNA single-strand breaks relative to untreated cells. The genotoxicity of APE was increased with the treatment of S-9 mixture. Microsome mediated DNA damage was inhibited by CYP1Al inhibitor, quercetin. The APE also showed oxidative DNA damage evaluated by endonuclease III treatment. Oxidative DNA damage of APE was inhibited by antioxidants such as vita- min C and Trolox. We also found that the vegetables or fruits extract may reduce APE-induced genotoxicity by their anti- oxidant activity and CYP1A1 inhibition.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.335-344
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• 2004

Diesel exhaust particle (<2.5 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$, DEP$_{2.5}$) is known to be probarbly carcinogenic (IARC group 2A). DEP$_{2.5}$ contains organic compounds such as polycyclicaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), heterocyclic compounds, phenols, and nitroarenes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated by DEP$_{2.5}$ without any biological activation system. Therefore, an alternative mechanism by which DEP$_{2.5}$ could be carcinogenic is known by the generation of oxidative DNA damage. The aim of this study was to investigate genotoxic effects of DEP$_{2.5}$ using single cell gel electrophoresis. In order to evaluate the mechanisms of DEP$_{2.5}$ genotoxicity, the rat micro-some mediated and DNA repair enzyme treated comet assays together with routine comet assay were performed. DEP$_{2.5}$ was collected from diesel engine bus and dichloromethane extract was obtained. The organic extract of DEP$_{2.5}$ revealed DNA damage itself in NIH/3T3 cells. And it showed both oxidative and microsome mediated DNA damages. Vitamin C as an model antioxidant reduced DNA damage in endonuclase III treated comet assay. One of flavonoid, galangin as a CYP1A1 inhibitor reduced DNA damage in the presence of S-9 mixture. Our results show that DEP$_{2.5}$ are genotoxic and a great source of oxidative stress, but antioxidants can significantly reduce oxidative DNA damages. And DEP$_{2.5}$ may contain indirect mutagens which can be inhibited by CYP inhibitors.d by CYP inhibitors.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.285-292
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• 2008

Crocin is one of the major components of gardenia fruit and saffron which are widely used as natural food colorants and as traditional Chinese medicines. However, the genotoxicity data on crocin are not sufficient for safety evaluation. The purpose of this study was the examination of the genotoxicity on crocin from gardenia yellow in bacterial and mammalian cells, using various genotoxic battery testing assays and the influence of crocin on methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) and ${H_2}{O_2}$-induced DNA damage in vitro, using single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay. From results, no considerable mutagenicity and clastogenicity were seen in bacteria and mammalian cells treated with crocin, by Ames test, chromosomal aberration assay, ${tk}^{+/-}$ gene forward mutation assay and comet assay. And, post-treatment with crocin significantly suppressed ${H_2}{O_2}$-induced DNA damage in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, the findings of the present study and other previous observations indicate that crocin has no genotoxic potential. And it showed that crocin clearly repressed the genotoxic potency of ${H_2}{O_2}$. These results suggest that anti-oxidative effects of crocin may be involved in the protective effects of DNA damage.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2001

Effect of single pre-administration of Cordyceps militaris(Cm) extract on the survival ratio, body weight and organ weight changes and blood cell counts after whole-body ${\gamma}-irradiation$ were investigated. The single pre-administration of Cm extract at 24 hrs before ${\gamma}-irradiation$ increased the 40-day survival ratio of irradiated mice from 60.1% to 71.4%. The administration of Cm extract completely prevented weight reductions of spleen and thymus produced by ${\gamma}-irradiation$ (P<0.01, P<0.05). Similar but somewhat less radioprotective effect was also found In the testis of the Cm treated mice. The administration of Cm extract retarded the reduction of both leukocyte and lymphocyte counts occured during the first 7 days and accelerated the recovery of the counts thereafter. The exrtract also acclerated the recovery of the erythrocyte counts occured after the day 21th. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the soluble proteins extracted from various organs did not reveal differences to any extent in all groups except in the livers of the irradiated and extract treated groups, in which some proteins were missing or less present. Also, the result of general intra and extra mycelial enzyme assays with Cm, extramycelial enzyme activity was relatively higher than the intramycelial enzyme, Cm appeared to indicate that ${\alpha}-amylase$ was the highest among the enzymes and gluosidase and chitinase were followed. Since the spleen, thymus and testis have been well known as radiosensitive organs, the protective action of Cm extract on irradiated mice may be responsible for its enhancing recovery of these organs. Although the exact mechanism in protective effect of Cm extract on irradiated mice is not clear yet, the present study is the first report regarding the Cm which was tested and found to be a potential radioprotective agent.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.68-73
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• 2011

The single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay is a microelectrophoretic technique for assessments of DNA damage at the level of the individual eukaryotic cell. The SCGE assay, due to its simplicity, sensitivity and need of a few cells, has advantages compared to other genomic damage assays such as sister chromatid exchange, chromosomal aberration and micronucleus test. In this study, investigated were the levels of DNA damage and the repair kinetics in the coelomocytes of Eisenia fetida treated with HgCl2 and ionizing radiation by means of the SCGE assay. For detecting DNA damage and repair in coelomocytes, earthworms (E. fetida) were irradiated with six doses of ${\gamma}$-rays (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 20 and 50 Gy) and in vivo exposed to mercuric chloride at 0, 80 and 160 mg $kg^{-1}$ for 48 hours. Then the Olive tail moments were measured during 0~12 hours after irradiation and 0~72 hours after Hg treatment. The results showed that the more the oxidative stress was induced by mercury and radiation, the longer the repair time was required. Also, the results suggest that the SCGE assay may be used as an important tool for comparison of the sensitivity of different species to oxidative stresses.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.251-259
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• 2011

Cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) is known to be carcinogenic compound. CSC contains many organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and heterocyclic amine compounds (HCAs). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are also generated and induce oxidative DNA damage during the metabolism of CSC. The rat microsome mediated and DNA repair enzyme treated comet assays together with conventional comet assay were performed to evaluate the mechanisms of CSC genotoxicity. The organic extract of CSC induced oxidative and microsome mediated DNA damage. Vitamin C as a model antioxidant reduced DNA damage in endonuclease III treated comet assay. One of flavonoid, galangin as a CYP1A1 inhibitor, reduced DNA damage in the presence of S-9 mixture. The ethanol extracts of the mixed vegetables (BV) or the mixed fruits (BF) showed potent inhibitory effects against CSC induced DNA damage with oxidative DNA lesions and in the prescence of S-9 mixture. These results indicate that BV and BF could prevent CSC-induced cellular DNA damage by inhibiting oxidative stress and suppressing cytochrome P450 in mammalian cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.1053-1062
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• 2011

Reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (${O_2}^1$), superoxide anion radical ($O_2{\cdot}^-$), hydroxyl radical ($HO{\cdot}$), peroxyl radical ($ROO{\cdot}$), hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$), and hypochlorous (HOCl), are generated as byproducts of normal cellular metabolism. ROS induce damage to many biological molecules, such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, and DNA. It is widely believed that some degenerative diseases caused by ROS can be prevented by the high intake of fruits and vegetables due to their antioxidant activities. Recently, research on natural antioxidants has become increasingly active in various fields. Several assays have been developed to measure the total antioxidant capacity of antioxidants in fruits and vegetables in vitro. These assays include those for DPPH radical scavenging activity, SOD-like activity, total polyphenol content, oxygen radical absorbance capacity, reducing power, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (ABTS assay), single-cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay), and a cellular antioxidant activity assay. Because different antioxidant compounds may act through different mechanisms in vitro, no single assay can fully evaluate the total antioxidant capacity of foods. Due to the complexity of the composition of foods, it is important to be able to measure antioxidant activity using biologically relevant assays. In this review, recently used assays were selected for extended discussion, including a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of each assay and their application to fruits and vegetables.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.14 no.1_2
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• pp.1-12
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• 1999

Recently, several new methods for the detection of genetic damages in vitro and in vivo based on molecular biological techniques were introduced according to the rapid progress in toxicology combined with cellular and molecular biology. Among these methods, mouse lymphoma thymidine kanase (tk) gene forward mutation assay, single cell gel electrophoresis (comet assay) and transgenic animal and cell line model as a target gene of lac I (Big Blue) and lac Z (Muta Mouse) gene mutation are newly introduced based on molecular toxicological approaches. The mouse lymphoma tk$\^$+/-/ gene assay (MOLY) using L5178Y tk$\^$+/-/ mouse lymphoma cell line is one of the mammalian forward mutation assays, and has many advantages and more sensitive than hprt assay. The target gene of MOLY is a heterozygous tk$\^$+/-/ gene located in 11 chromosome, so it is able to detect the wide range of genetic changes like point mutation, deletion, rearrangement, and mitotic recombination within tk gene or deletion of entire chromosome 11. The comet assay is a rapid, simple, visual and sensitive technique for measuring and analysing DNA breakages in mammalian cells, Also, transgenic animal and cell line models, which have exogenous DNA incorporated into their genome, carry recoverable shuttle vector containing reporter genes to assess endogenous effects or alteration in specific genes related to disease process, are powerful tools to study the mechanism of mutation in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Also in vivo acridine orange supravital staining micronucleus assay by using mouse peripheral reticulocytes was introduced as an alternative of bone marrow micronucleus assay. In this respect, there was an International workshop on genotoxicity procedure (IWGTP) supported by OECD and EMS (Environmental Mutagen Society) at Washington D. C. in March 25-26, 1999. The objective of IWGTP is to harmonize the testing procedures internationally, and to extend to finalization of OECD guideline, and to the agreement of new guidelines under the International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) for these methods mentioned above. Therefore, we introduce and review the principle, detailed procedure, and application of MOLY, comet assay, transgenic mutagenesis assay and supravital staining micronucleus assay.