• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2011

N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) is globally used as an organic solvent in the production of synthetic leather and resins because of its low volatility, making it an attractive industrial material. Despite its excellent property as a chemical solvent, utilization of DMF is somewhat controversial nowadays due to its hazardous effects on exposed workers in work places. Many toxification cases are being reported globally and the number of cases of liver damage is still increasing in developing countries. On account of this, a series of epidemiologic surveys are being conducted to understand the degrees of liver damage caused by DMF exposure. Furthermore, many investigations have been performed to clarify the mechanism of DMF-induced liver toxicity using both human and experimental animal models. This review summarizes the current occupational cases reported on liver damage from workers exposed to DMF in industrial work places and the research results that account for DMF-induced liver failure and possible carcinogenesis. The findings reviewed here show the synergistic toxicity of DMF exposure with other toxicants, which might occur through complicated but distinct mechanisms, which may extend our knowledge for establishing risk assessments of DMF exposure in industrial work places.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2007

Formononetin is an isoflavonoid phytoestrogen found in certain foodstuffs such as soy and red clover. In this study, we examined the action of formononetin with the carcinogen activation pathway mediated through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells. Treating the cells with formononetin alone caused the accumulation of CYP1A1 mRNA as well as elevation in CYP1A1-specific 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity in a dose dependent manner. However, a concomitant treatment with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) and formononetin markedly reduced both the DMBA-inducible EROD activity and CYP1A1 mRNA level. Under the same conditions, formononetin inhibited the DMBA-induced AhR transactivation, as shown by reporter gene analysis using a xenobiotic responsive element (XRE). Additionally, formononetin inhibited both DMBA-inducible nuclear localization of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and metabolic activation of DMBA, as measured by the formation of the DMBA-DNA adducts. Furthermore, formononetin competed with the prototypical AhR ligand, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), for binding to the AhR in an isolated rat cytosol. These results suggest that formononetin might be considered as a natural ligand to bind on AhR and consequently produces a potent protective effect against DMBA-induced genotoxicity. Therefore, that's the potential to act as a chemopreventive agent that is related to its effect on AhR pathway as antagonist/agonist.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2008

The bio-molecules involved in defense mechanisms can be used as efficient biomarkers for physiological changes in organisms caused by both of internal and external stress. Thus, the expression level of genes which encoding such molecules serve as critical 'early warning system' for environmental assessment as well as health diagnosis of biological organisms. In this study, Cytochrome P450, Heat shock protein 90, Ubiquitin and ${\beta}$-actin gene were isolated for the first time from a red alga Gracilaria textorii. The quantitative differential gene expression analyses of three genes, GteCYP1A, GteHsp90 and Gte-UB, were carried out in G. textorii sporophytes collected from two different localities, polluted Sujeong (Masan, Korea) and potentially unpolluted Danggeum (Daemaemuldo Is., Korea). The transcripts of all three tested genes were highly expressed in the Sujeong population. The results suggest: 1) the Sujeong site was more polluted than the Danggeum site; 2) G. textorii could be applicable to marine environment monitoring in coastal regions.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2002

Phenoxy compounds, 2,4-Dichlorophenol acetoxy acid (2,4-D) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), are widely used as a hormonal herbicide and intermediate for pesticide manufacturing, respectively. In order to assess the potential of these compounds as endocrine disruptors, we studied the androgenicity of them wing in vivo and in vitro androgenicity assay system. Administration of 2,4-D (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or DCP (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) to rats caused an increase in the tissue weight of ventral prostate, Cowpers gland and glands penis. These increase of androgen-dependent tissues were additively potentiated when rats were simultaneously treated with low dose of testosterone (1 g/kg, s.c.). 2,4-D increased about 350% of the luciferase activity in the PC cells transiently cotransfected phAR and pMMTV-Luc at concentration of $10^{-9}$ M. In 2,4-D or DCP-treated castrated rats, testosterone 6$\beta$-hydroxylase activity was not significantly modulated even when rats were co-treated with testosterone. In vitro incubation of 2,4-D and DCP with microsomes at 50 $\mu$M inhibited testosterone 6$\beta$-hydroxylase activity about 27% and 66% in rat liver microsomes, about 44% and 54% in human liver microsomes and about 50% and 45% in recombinant CYP3A4 system, respectively. The amounts of total testosterone metabolites were reduced about 33% and 75% in rat liver microsomes, 69% and 73% in human liver microsomes and 54% and 64% in recombinant CYP3A4 by 2,4-D or DCP, respectively. Therefore, the additive androgenic effect of 2,4-D or DCP by the co-administration of the low dose of testosterone may be due to the increased plasma level of testosterone by inhibiting the cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of testosterone. These results collectively suggested that 2,4-D and DCP may act as androgenic endocrine disrupter by binding to the androgen receptor as well as by inhibiting the metabolism of testosterone.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.794-799
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• 2012

The cytochrome P450c17-I (CYP17-I) is one of the enzymes critical to gonadal development and the synthesis of androgens. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected within the coding region of the CYP17-I gene in a population of 75 male Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus). They were SNP1 (c.C445T) located in exon2 and SNP2 (c.T980C (p.Phe307Leu)) located in exon5. Four physiological indices, which were serum testosterone (T), serum $17{\beta}$-estradiol ($E_2$), Hepatosomatic index (HSI), and Gonadosomatic index (GSI), were studied to examine the effect of the two SNPs on the reproductive endocrines of Japanese flounder. Multiple comparisons revealed that CT genotype of SNP1 had a much lower T level than CC genotype (p<0.05) and the GSI of individuals with CC genotype of SNP2 was higher than those with TT genotype (p<0.05). Four diplotypes were constructed based on the two SNPs and the diplotype D3 had a significantly lower T level and GSI. In conclusion, the two SNPs were significantly associated with reproductive traits of Japanese flounder.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.2 s.27
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• pp.45-53
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• 1980

Lipid peroxidation in vitro has been identified as a basic deteriorative reaction in cellular mechanism of aging processes, such as air pollution oxidant damage to cell and to the lung, chlorinated hydrocarbon hepatotoxicity. Many experimental evidences were reported by several investigators that lipid peroxidation could be one of the principle causes for the hepatotoxicity produced by $CCl_4$. It is now reasonably established that $CCl_4$ is activated to a free radical in vivo, that lipid peroxidation occurs very quickly in microsomes prepared from damaged livers, that the peroxidation is associated with loss of enzyme activity of microsomes, and that various antioxidants can protect animals against the hepatotoxic effect of $CCl_4$. Recent studies have drawn attention to some other feature of microsomal lipid peroxidation. Incubation of liver microsomes in the presence of NADPH has led to a loss of cytochrome $P_{450}$. However, the presence of an antioxidant prevented lipid peroxidation and preserved cytochrome $P_{450}$. Decrease of cytochrome $P_{450}$ in microsomes under in vitro incubation can be enhanced by $CCl_4 and these changes were parallel to a loss of microsomal polyunsaturated fatty acid and formation of malonaldehyde. The primary purpose of this experiment was to study the effect of riboflavin tetrabutylate on lipid peroxidation, specially, the relationship between lipid peroxidation and drug metabolizing enzyme system which is located in smooth endoplasmic recticulum as well as the effect of ritoflavin tetrabutylate on drug metabolizing enzyme system of animal treated with $CCl_4$. Albino rats were used for experimental animal. In order to induce drug metabolizing enzyme system, phenobarbital was injected intraperitoneally. $CCl_$ and riboflavin tetrabutylate were given intraperitoneally as solution in olive oil. Microsomal fraction was isolated from liver of animals and TBA value as well as the activity of drug metabolizing enzyme were measured in the microsomal fractions. The results are summerized as following. 1) The secobarbital induced sleeping time of $CCl_4$ treated rat was about 2 times longer than that of the control group. However, the pretreatment with riboflavin tetrabutylate inhibited completely the lengthened sleeping time due to $CCl_4$ treatment. Furthermore TBA value was significantly increased in $CCl_4$ treated rat in comparison to control group tut the increase of TBA value was prevented by the pretreatment with riboflavin tetrabutylate. On the other hand, the activity of hepatic drug metabolizing enzyme was decreased in $CCl_4$ group, however, the pretreatment with riboflavin tetrabutylate also prevented the decrease of the enzyme activity caused by $CCl_4$. 2) The effect of riboflavin tetrabutylate on TBA value and the activity of drug metabolizing enzyme in vitro was similar to in vivo results. Incubation of liver microsome from rat in the presence of $CCl_4$, $Fe^{++}$, or ascorbic acid has led to the marked increase of TBA value, however, the addition of riboflavin tetrabutylate in incubation mixture prevented significantly the increase of TBA value, suggesting the inhibition of lipid peroxidation. In accordance with TBA value, the activity of drug metabolizing enzyme was inhibited in the presence of $CCl_4$, $Fe^{++}$, ascorbic acid but the addition of riboflavin tetrabutylate protected the loss of the enzyme activity in microsome under in vitro incubation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5673-5679
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• 2014

Background: Previous published data on the association between CYP1A2 rs762551, rs2069514, rs2069526, and rs2470890 polymorphisms and lung cancer risk have not allowed a definite conclusion. The present meta-analysis of the literature was performed to derive a more precise estimation of the relationship. Materials and Methods: 8 publications covering 23 studies were selected for this meta-analysis, including 1,665 cases and 2,383 controls for CYP1A2 rs762551 (from 8 studies), 1,456 cases and 1,792 controls for CYP1A2 rs2069514 (from 7 studies), 657 cases and 984 controls for CYP1A2 rs2069526 (from 5 studies) and 691 cases and 968 controls for CYP1A2 rs2470890 (from 3 studies). Results: When all the eligible studies were pooled into the meta-analysis for the CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism, significantly increased lung cancer risk was observed in the dominant model (OR=1.21, 95 % CI=1.00-1.46). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity, significantly increased risk of lung cancer was observed in Caucasians (dominant model: OR=1.29, 95%CI=1.11-1.51; recessive model: OR=1.33, 95%CI=1.01-1.75; additive model: OR=1.49, 95%CI=1.12-1.98). There was no evidence of significant association between lung cancer risk and CYP1A2 rs2069514, s2470890, and rs2069526 polymorphisms. Conclusions: In summary, this meta-analysis indicates that the CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism is linked to an increased lung cancer risk in Caucasians. Moreover, our work also points out the importance of new studies for rs2069514 associations in lung cancer, where at least some of the covariates responsible for heterogeneity could be controlled, to obtain a more conclusive understanding about the function of the rs2069514 polymorphism in lung cancer development.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.547-553
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• 2004

The pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), contained in a number of traditional remedies in Africa and Asia, show wide variations in metabolism between animal species but little work has been done to investigate differences between animal strains. The metabolism of the PA senecionine (SN) in Fischer 344 (F344) rats has been studied in order to compare to that found in the previously investigated Sprague-Dawley (SO) rats (Drug Metab. Dispos. 17: 387, 1989). There was no difference in the formation of ($\pm$) 6,7-dihydro-7-hydroxy-1-hydroxymethyl-5H-pyrrolizine (DHP, bioactivation) by hepatic microsomes from either sex of SO and F344 rats. However, hepatic microsomes from male and female F344 rats had greater activity in the Noxidation (detoxication) of SN by 88% and 180%, respectively, when compared to that of male and female SD rats. Experiments conducted at various pH showed an optimum pH of 8.5, the optimal pH for flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO), for SN N-oxidation by hepatic microsomes from F344 females. In F344 males, however, a bimodal pattern was obtained with activity peaks at pH 7.6 and 8.5 reflecting the possible involvement of both cytochrome P450 (CYP) and FMO. Use of specific inhibitors (SKF525A, 1-benzylimidazole and methimazole) showed that the N-oxide of SN was primarily produced by FMO in both sexes of F344 rats. In contrast, SN N-oxide formation is known to be catalyzed mainly by CYP2C11 rather than FMO in SD rats. This study, therefore, demonstrated that there were substantial differences in the formation of SN N-oxide by hepatic microsomes from F344 and SD rats and that this detoxification is catalyzed primarily by two different enzymes in the two rat strains. These findings suggest that significant variations in PA biotransformation can exist between different animal strains.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.522-528
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• 2010

This study was designed to examine the effect of estrogen deficiency on the metabolism of ethanol in ovariectomized rats. Female rats were assigned to an ovariectomy (OVX) and a sham (SHAM) surgery group. Gain body weight was greater in incresed in OVX group and especially uterus weight significantly decrease depending on the concentration of estrogen after 3 month of ovariectomy. Ethanol at the tolerative dose (6 g/kg) was injected to rats by oral administration to measure the concentration of ethanol in blood. The area under the blood concentration time curve (AUC) was significantly lower in OVX group than SHAM group. The significant decrease in AUC in OVX group indicates that the estrogen deficiency leads to changes of the factors related to ethanol metabolism. Activity of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase was not significantly influenced by the ovariectomy and also the ethanol elimination rate in vivo was not different. Cytochrome P450 isozymes did not show any changes except CYP 1A1 and 2E1. Level of hepatic glutathione in OVX group was higher after treatment of ethanol. Therefore the reduction of AUC appears not to be directly associated with the difference of ethanol metabolizing enzyme, but to be related with the physical factors like body weight.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.227-233
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• 2021

Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and ubiquitous environmental toxin with known harmful effects to human health. Abnormal phenotypes of keratinocytes are closely associated with their exposure to B[a]P. Resorcinol is a component of argan oil with reported anticancer activities, but its mechanism of action and potential effect on B[a]P damage to the skin is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of resorcinol on B[a]P-induced abnormal keratinocyte biology and its mechanisms of action in human epidermal keratinocyte cell line HaCaT. Resorcinol suppressed aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) activity as evidenced by the inhibition of B[a]P-induced xenobiotic response element (XRE)-reporter activation and cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) expression. In addition, resorcinol attenuated B[a]P-induced nuclear translocation of AhR, and production of ROS and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We also found that resorcinol increased nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) activity. Antioxidant response element (ARE)-reporter activity and expression of ARE-dependent genes NAD(P)H dehydrogenase [quinone] 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were increased by resorcinol. Consistently, resorcinol treatment induced nuclear localization of Nrf2 as seen by Western analysis. Knockdown of Nrf2 attenuated the resorcinol effects on ARE signaling, but knockdown of AhR did not affect resorcinol activation of Nrf2. This suggests that activation of antioxidant activity by resorcinol is not mediated by AhR. These results indicate that resorcinol is protective against effects of B[a]P exposure. The mechanism of action of resorcinol is inhibition of AhR and activation of Nrf2-mediated antioxidant signaling. Our findings suggest that resorcinol may have potential as a protective agent against B[a]P-containing pollutants.