• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.249-257
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• 2010

Crataegii Fructus is commonly used as a improving digestion, removing retention of food, promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis agent in East Asia. Cadmium (Cd) is widely distributed in the environment due to its use in industry. An exposure to Cd causes dysuria, polyuria, chest pain, hepatic and renal tubular diseases. The liver is the most important target organ when considering Cd-induced toxicity because Cd primarily accumulates in the liver. This study investigated the protective effect of Crataegii Fructus water extract against cadmium ($CdCl_2$, Cd)-induced liver toxicity in H4IIE cells, a rat hepatocyte-derived cell line and in rats. Cell viability was significantly reduced in Cd-treated H4IIE cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner. However, Crataegii Fructus water extract (CFE) protected the cells from Cd-induced cytotoxicity via inhibition of PARP cleavage. To induce acute toxicity in rats, Cd (4 mg/kg body weight) was dissolved in normal saline and intravenously injected into rats. The rats then received either a vehicle or silymarin (as a positive control) or CFE (50, 100 mg/kg/day) for 3 days, and were subsequently exposed to a single injection of Cd. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly increased by Cd treatment. In contrast, pretreatment with CFE reduced ALT, AST and LDH. In histopathological analysis, CFE reduced the hepatic degenerative regions and the number of degenerative hepatocytes. These are considered as direct evidences that Crataegii Fructus has favorable inhibitory effects on the Cd-intoxicated liver damages. The efficacy of Crataegii Fructus shows slight lower than that of silymarin in the present study.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.270-276
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• 2010

This study estimated the heavy metal concentrations in octopus (Octopus minor) and conducted a food safety assessment of octopus. Octopus, a benthic cephalopod, was collected from the Seosan intertidal zone on the west coast of Korea. The samples were digested with acids, and then the cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) contents were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The Cd, Cu, and Zn range of concentrations in octopus were 0.06-19 (mean 5.8), 44-1,463 (mean 354.8), and 76-929 (mean 247.9) mg/kg on a dry weight basis, respectively. The concentrations of heavy metals were higher in the internal organs than in the mantle. Of the three heavy metals, copper had the highest concentrations in the internal organs because of the existence of hemocyanin bound with copper in octopus blood, whereas zinc had the highest concentrations in the mantle. No relationship between the concentration of heavy metals and biological parameters (length, weight, and sex) was found. The ratios (I/M) of the heavy metal concentrations in internal organs and mantle were highest for cadmium, although cadmium had much lower concentrations in the internal organs compared with copper and zinc. Considering the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of the three heavy metals and the average intake of octopus per day, all three elements should have no adverse effects on humans.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-140
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• 2012

Movement and accumulation of cadmium in male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed with brown rice from nearby Janghang smeltery area were investigated. The rat fed with five different cadmium level diets made with Cd-polluted during 12 weeks. The brown rice-polluted with 0.87 ppm Cd (PBR) was sampled from products in the Janghang smeltery area. Diets of brown rice group were brown rice (BR, 0.002 ppm Cd), each 50% of BR and PBR (BR+PBR 50%, 0.44 ppm Cd) and PBR (PBR 100%, 0.87 ppm Cd). To compare with BR+PBR 50%, the another group diet composed the feed (FE, 0.002 Cd ppm) and each 50% of FE and PBR (FE+PBR 50%, 0.44 ppm Cd). Accumulation of Cd, Zn and Cu in blood, liver and kidney rats was measured by GF-AAS. The weight gain in BR groups and FE groups were different 0.22-0.26 and 1.08-1.26 g/day, respectively. Daily intake cadmium was 10.77 and 22.36 ${\mu}g/rat$ in BR+PBR 50% and PBR 100%, and 8.83 ${\mu}g/rat$ in FE+PBR 50%. Cadmium contents in diets were higher, and total intake of the heavy metals was more increased on the whole. Weights of liver and kidney in FE+PBR 50% group was 2.64 and 2.27 folds higher than those in BR+PBR 50% group. Cadmium contents in blood were increased with intake of BR diet, but Zn and Cu were decreased with them. In the diet groups with the same Cd concentration, Cd content of FE+PBR 50% was higher 1.27 times than that of BR+PBR 50%. In the diet group of BR, BR+PBR 50%, and PBR 100%, the increase of Cd concentration was significantly different to the increase of Cd content in the livers. In the same condition of Cd concentration, Cd contents were higher in the BR+PBR 50% group. In the diet groups of BR, BR+PBR 50%, and PBR 100%, the increase of Cd content in the kidneys led to the increase of Zn and Cu contents. In the same condition of Cd concentration, the diet group with the addition of BR was shown to be 3.11 times higher than with the addition of FE. In view of the results so far achieved, It was closely related with Cd, Zn, and Cu content.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.348-357
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between heavy metal concentrations in the soil and the level of heavy metals in the blood or urine of 216 local residents living near abandoned metal mines. Methods: Residents around abandoned metal mines were interviewed about their dietary habits, including seafood consumption, medical history, cigarette smoking, and drug history. Metal concentrations in the soil were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA-7000, Shimadzu, Japan). Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contents in the blood or urine were analyzed by GF-AAS (AA-6800, Shimadzu). Mercury (Hg) contents in the blood were determined by means of a mercury analyzer (SP-3DS, NIC). Arsenic (As) content in the soil and urine were measured by a HG-AAS (hydride vapor generation-atomic absorption spectrophotometer). Results: The heavy metal concentrations in the soil showed a log normal distribution and the geometric means of the four villages were 8.61 mg/kg for Pb, 0.19 mg/kg for Cd, 1.81 mg/kg for As and 0.035 mg/kg for Hg. The heavy metal levels of the 216 local residents showed a regular distribution for Pb, Cd, Hg in the blood and As in the urine. The arithmetic means were 3.37 ${\mu}g$/dl for Pb, 3.07 ${\mu}g$/l for Cd and 2.32 ${\mu}g$/l for Hg, 10.41 ${\mu}g$/l for As, respectively. Conclusions: As a result of multi-variate analysis for the affecting factors on the bodily heavy metal concentrations, gender and concentration in the soil (each, p<0.01) for blood lead levels; gender and smoking status (each, p<0.01) for blood cadmium levels; gender (p<0.01) for urine arsenic levels; gender, age and concentration in the soil (p<0.01) for blood mercury levels were shown to be the affecting factors.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.361-383
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• 1987

This thesis was designed to find out whether the cadmium content of hair in living animals reflects the status of cadmium accumulation in internal organs or muscles so that this status can be used as a diagnostic method. Forty-five rats were divided into 4 experimental groups and one control group. The control group received a basal diet which contained zinc $100{\mu}g/g$, iron $80{\mu}g/g$ and copper $135{\mu}g/g$. The experimental group received experimental diets sllpplemented with 1, 10, 100 or $1,000{\mu}g/g$ cadmium as cadmium sulfate. Rats were dissected on the 28th or 56th day of experimental periods and tissues, blood and hair samples were taken, dried and burned to ash and analysed. The cadmium, iron zinc and copper concentrations were measured with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. In addition feed efficiency and hematological changes were observed. The results obtained can be summerized as follows: A marked decrease in feed intake, weight gain and feed efficiency were observed from 1 or 2 weeks of experimental periods, which was in accordance with the dosage and periods. The cadmium contents of kidney, liver, spleen and muscle were significantly increased in all experimental rats; the accumulation was marked in kidney and liver tissues. It was shown that the cadmium contents of hair reflects the cadmium accumulation in internal organs and muscle; the higher the cadmium levels of diet and of rat tissues, the higher the cadmium content of hair. In the $100{\mu}g/g$ group of rats erythrocyte counts and. hemoglobin concentrations were decreased. A significant(p<0.01, p<0.05) increase in iron contents of kidney, liver and muscle was observed in 10, 100, $1,000{\mu}g/g$ groups of rats on the 28th day of experiment. A significant (p<0.01, p<0.05) increase in zinc contents of kidney, liver and muscle was observed in all experimental rats. On the other hand, serum zinc concentration was decreased. A significant(p<0.01) increase in copper contents in the liver was observed on the 28th day in $100{\mu}g/g$ and $1,000{\mu}g/g$ groups of rats. From these results it may be concluded that the analysis of hair for cadmium is a useful diagnostic approach for the cadmium status of internal organs and muscle in living animals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.286-298
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• 1993

In order to investigate the effect of selenium (Se) on the liver damage, metallothionein synthesis and hepatic antioxidative detoxification system in cadmium(Cd) administered rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats(60\\5g) were divided into two diet groups, depending on with (CdS groups) or without (Cd groups) 0.5ppm Se supplementation and fed experimental diets ad libidum for 4 weeks. And then each group was again subdivided into five groups, depending on injection number of Cd, i.e., 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 times of 2.5mg Cd/kg of body wt once a day. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit values, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase activite were decreased progressively with increasing number of Cd injection, but increased by the supplementation of Se. The reduced form of glutathione (GSH) contents in blood and liver and vitamin E content were decreased and oxidized form (GSSG) increased in Cd groups, but these of Se supplemented groups were not very different from controls. Cd reduced liver vitamin E content which was not restored by Se supplementation. Liver lipid peroxide values were elevated with increasing doses of Cd, but Se supplementation reduced these elevated levels. Accumulation of metallothionein in liver and kidney was increased with increasing number of Cd injection, but Se did not affect on them. Histological examination revealed that lysosomes were significantly increased and mitochondria and Golgi apparatus were enlarged by Cd, however, these changes were reduced by Se. It was concluded that Se administration promoted antioxidative detoxification and alleviated peroxidative damage in rat liver by Cd.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.29-33
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• 2006

The uptake of cadmium in animals is mainly accumulated in and affected to the liver and kidney by binding with red blood cells and serum albumin. The process accounts for more than 50% of the total accumulated cadmium in the body. The kidneys may be damaged without regarding the pathway uptake of cadmium. In a group of rats on supplements of 1% chlorella and 40 ppm cadmium, the concentration of cadmium in urine greatly decreased by 66% compared to control group, and the total synthesis of metallothionein decreased by 48.6% compared to control group. However, no previous study has assessed the protective effect on kidney damage induced by cadmium uptake through supplementation with chlorella. This study analyzed the biochemical marker for kidney damage in the rats after uptake of 40 ppm $CdCl_2$ and supplementation of the diet of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with 1%, 5%, and 10% chlorella during 4 weeks. In a group of SD rats on supplementation with 1% chlorella and uptake of 40 ppm $CdCl_2,\;\beta_2$ microglobulin in the urine was found to be $3.1\pm0.6\;{\mu}g/L$, a decrease of 58% compared to a group of Sp rats on uptake of $CdCl_2$ only, in which the $\beta_2$ microglobulin was found to be $4.9\pm0.7\;{\mu}g/L$. According to the results of histopathological observation, the accumulation of mild and localized chronic inflammatory cells in kidney tissues was observed in 50% of the SD rats on uptake of cadmium only. In contrast, only 30% of the SD rats on supplementation with 1% chlorella and uptake of 40ppm $CdCl_2$, representing a histopathological abnormality, and there were no histopathological abnormalities at all in groups of SD rats on supplementation with 5% or 10% chlorella and uptake of 40 ppm $CdCl_2$. In conclusion, protein, calcium, and iron, which account for more than 50% of the total dried chlorella composition, may contribute to the reduction nephrotoxicity by stimulating both inhibited absorption of cadium and increased excretion of accumulated cadmium in kidneys.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.127-130
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• 2001

Objective : To verify the separate and combined effects of cadmium and nickel on blood pressure in rats. Methods : Following the daily administration of cadmium chloride$(CdCl_2)$ and nickel chloride$(NiCl_2)$ to rats both individually and in combination with intraperitoneal injection method for one week, systolic blood pressure of the tail was measured at 1 day and 5, 10, 20, 30 days after administration. Each substance was injected into the rats with 0.1 mg/kg bw and 1.0 mg/kg bw concentration. Results : After 0.1 mg/kg bw $CdCl_2$ was injected, a statistically significant difference was found as compared with the control group(only saline) after 1, 5 and 10 days. After 0.1 mg/kg bw $NiCl_2$ was injected, a statistically significant difference was not found compared with the control group. After 0.1 mg/kg bw $CdCl_2$ and 0.1 mg/kg bw $NiCl_2$ were injected simultaneously, a statistically significant difference was found as compared with the control group after 1,5 and 10 days and compared with 0.1 mg/kg bw $CdCl_2$ group after 5 days and as compared with 0.1 mg/kg bw $NiCl_2$ group after 5 and 10 days. After 1.0 mg/kg bw $CdCl_2$ was injected, a statistically significant difference was found as compared with the control group after 1, 5, 10 and 20 days. After 1.0 mg/kg bw $NiCl_2$ was injected, a statistically significant difference was found as compared with the control group after 1 day and 5 days. After 1.0 mg/kg bw $CdCl_2$ and 1.0 mg/kg bw $NiCl_2$ were injected in combination, a statistically significant difference was found after 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days as compared with 1.0 mg/kg bw $CdCl_2$ after 10, 20 and 30 days and as compared with 1.0 mg/kg bw $NiCl_2$ after 5, 10, 20 and 30 days. Conclusion : It was found that the effect of $CdCl_2$ on blood pressure was much more than $NiCl_2$ and a high concentration $CdCl_2\;and\;NiCl_2$ in combination delayed the recovery of blood pressure.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 1997

This study was planned to evaluate the urinary ascorbic acid as a new biological marker for the intoxication of cadmium, which could possibly be driven by its increased utilization and environmental pollution. In order to meet this goal, we have peformed measurement of urinary ascorbic acid concentration, histopathological examination of the kidney, and biochemical test for the liver function using cadmium-intoxicated rats by oral administration. The average concentrations of urinary ascorbic acid in the $CdCl_2$-treated rats were 214.0 mg/dl for 100 ppm group and 254.3 mg/dl for 200 ppm group during experimental period of 50 days. These levels are 24 and 28 times higher than one in the control group (9.0 mg/dl), respectively. Ultrastructural study showed the eosinophilic hyaline cast and focal effacement, fusion in the renal tubules, as well as loss of foot processes on the glomerular epithelial cells. These results suggested that cadmium may be responsible for renal glomerular injury. The blood levels of AST, ALT and LDH in the treated groups (199 IU/I, 88 IU/I, 1190 U/I for the 100 ppm group and 270 IU/I, 226 IU/I, 760 U/I for the 200 ppm group) were higher than ones in the control group(143 IU/I, 50 IU/I, 334 U/I). These results indicated the cadmium induced the damage of liver function. In conclusion, the administration of cadmium showed a remarkable increase of urinary ascorbic acid with renal and hepatic damage. Therefore, it is expected that measurement of urinary ascorbic acid would be an powerful method as a noninvasive biomarker for cadmium intoxication.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the dietary intake and blood concentrations for examination of exposure levels and exposure characteristics of Cd and Pb via food among college students aged 20 years living in Busan area. Methods: Food duplicate per a day and venous blood samples were accepted from healthy man and women college students. The samples were analyzed with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Dietary intake of Cd and Pb in the participants were $17.5{\mu}g\;Cd/day$, $21.7{\mu}g\;Pb/day$. Blood concentrations were $2.01{\mu}g\;Cd/L$, $4.32{\mu}g\;Pb/dL$, respectively. Conclusions: Smoking and drinking habits might be high influential factors in 20 years college students. Dietary intake of Cd and Pb, however, from food group of seaweed, or fish and shellfish in 20 years college students were lower than that in any other age group.