• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.207-211
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• 2017

It is introduced an outstanding book about an important topic in occupational and environmental sciences i.e., the opportunities and challenges that may be connected with increasing the use and distribution of rare earth elements. These chemically similar elements, comprising the lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium, are involved in a number of essential technological applications, and their effects raise a number of human health issues of relevance to the occupational and environmental sciences. The book that I introduced here, "Rare Earth Elements in Human and Environmental Health; At the Crossroads between Toxicity and Safety" edited by Giovanni Pagano (Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd., Temasek Boulevard, Singapore) represents a break from that situation. It is essential to increase our knowledge about the environmental fate and biological effects of these technologically important metals in order to prevent unforeseen long-term man-made consequences to human health. This book is likely to become an important resource for scientists, engineers, and decision makers who understand the need for sensible exploitation of this resource.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.138-147
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• 1996

DWP401, a recombinant human epidermal growth factor, was subcutaneously administered to ICR mice at the dose levels of 0, 0.04, 0.2 and 1.0 mg/kg/day (15rats/sex/group) in order to evaluate the subchronic toxicity. General observations, examinations for food and water consumption, ophthalmoscopy and urinalysis were carried out during the study. For the complete gross and microscopic examinations, 10 mice/ sex/group were sacrificed at the ends of the dosing period, and the remaining animals were sacrificed with a 5 week recovery period. Examinations for hematology and blood biochemistry were also carried out at the time of recovery period. Based on the results, it was thought that the target tissue or organs were mesothelial cell, injection site, spleen, adrenal gland, ovary and transitional epithelial cell of urinary tract, and no observed toxic level of DWP401 was 0.04 mg/kg while definite toxic dose level might be 0.2 mg/kg.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.869-876
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• 2022

The skin, which is the largest organ of the human body, is in direct contact with pollutants in the surrounding atmosphere. Meanwhile, 1-nitropyrene (1-NP), the most abundant nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in particulate matter, is known to have carcinogenic effects; however, studies on its toxicity in human and canine skin are still needed. In this study, we investigated 1-NP-induced apoptosis and inflammatory pathways in HaCaT cells. In addition, we also measured the cytoprotective effect of methyl gallate (MG), which is widely distributed in medicinal and edible plants and is well known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. MG inhibited 1-NP-induced cell death and apoptosis pathways, including the cleavage of PARP and activation of caspase-3, -7, and -9. MG also suppressed 1-NP-induced COX-2 expression and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and MAPK kinases (MAPKKs). Our findings suggest that 1-NP induces skin toxicity in human and canine through apoptosis and inflammatory responses, and moreover, that this can be prevented by treatment with MG.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.605-613
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• 2014

We have previously shown that paraquat (PQ)-induced oxidative stress causes dramatic damage in various human cell lines. Naringenin (NG) is an active flavanone, which has been reported to have beneficial bioactivities, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumorigenic activities, with a relatively low toxicity to normal cells. In this study, we intended to assess the cytoprotective effect of NG against PQ-induced toxicity in the human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cell line. Co-treatment with NG in PQ-treated BEAS-2B cells can reduce PQ-induced cellular toxicity. NG can also decrease the generation of intracellular ROS caused by PQ treatment. We also observed that treatment with NG in PQ-exposed BEAS-2B cells can significantly induce the expression of antioxidant-related genes, including GPX2, GPX3, GPX5, and GPX7. NG co-treatment can also activate the NRF2 transcription factor and promote its nuclear translocation. In addition, NG co-treatment can induce the expression of NRF2-downstream target genes such as that of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). A small interfering RNA study revealed that the knockdown of NRF2 can abrogate NG-mediated protection of the cells from PQ-induced cellular toxicity. We propose that NG effectively alleviates PQ-induced cytotoxicity in human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells through the NRF2-regulated antioxidant defense pathway, and NG might be a good therapeutic candidate molecule in oxidative stress-related diseases.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.157.1-157.1
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• 2003

This study was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory effects of Resina Pini on cultured human gingival fibloblasts. We carried out a study of cytotoxic effects of Resina Pini on cultured cells by MTT assay. Various treatments on Resina Pini reduced its toxicity on cultured cells in order of natural Resina Pini, water extracted mixture of Resina Pini and Ramus Mori Albae and recrystalized Resina Pini. However, Resina Pini showed harmless levels of cytotoxicity to cultured human gingival fibroblast. (omitted)

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.266-269
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• 1993

The acute toxicity of a recombinant human interferon $\alpha$A (code name: LBD-007) was evaluated in both sexes of ICR mice, 5 weeks old, by the oral, subcutaneous and intravenous routes of administration. Based on the results, LBD-007 was not considered to induce any toxic effect on the mice in mortalities, clinical findigs, body weights and gross findings. It is suggested that LD$_{50}$ values in mice would be $>48{\times}10^8$ IU/kg in the oral, subcutaneous or intravenous routes.s.

• Mycobiology
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2014

Mushrooms are a recognized component of the human diet, with versatile medicinal properties. Some mushrooms are popular worldwide for their nutritional and therapeutic properties. However, some species are dangerous because they cause toxicity. There are many reports explaining the medicinal and/or toxic effects of these fungal species. Cases of serious human poisoning generally caused by the improper identification of toxic mushroom species are reported every year. Different substances responsible for the fatal signs and symptoms of mushroom toxicity have been identified from various poisonous mushrooms. Toxicity studies of mushroom species have demonstrated that mushroom poisoning can cause adverse effects such as liver failure, bradycardia, chest pain, seizures, gastroenteritis, intestinal fibrosis, renal failure, erythromelalgia, and rhabdomyolysis. Correct categorization and better understanding are essential for the safe and healthy consumption of mushrooms as functional foods as well as for their medicinal use.

• Electronics and Telecommunications Trends
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2023

The announcement of the US Environmental Protection Agency that it will stop conducting or funding experimental studies on mammals by 2035 should prioritize ongoing efforts to develop and use alternative toxicity screening methods to animal testing. Toxicity screening is likely to be further developed considering the combination of human-induced pluripotent-stem-cell-derived organ-on-a-chip and multielectrode array (MEA) technologies. We briefly review the current status of MEA technology and MEA-based neuropharmacological drug screening using various cellular model systems. Highlighting the coronavirus disease pandemic, we shortly comment on the importance of early prediction of toxicity by applying artificial intelligence to the development of rapid screening methods.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.13 no.3_4
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• pp.87-94
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• 1998

The use of cisplatin is limited by severe side effects such as renal toxicity. Our platinum-base drug discovery is aimed at developing drugs capable of diminishing toxicity and improving antitumor activity. We synthesized new Pt (II) complex analogue [Pt (cis-DACH)(DPPP)]. 2NO$_3$ (PC) containing cis-1,2-diaminocyclohexane as a carrier ligand and 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino) propane as a leaving group. Furthermore, nitrate was added to improved the solubility. In this study, its structure was determined and its antitumor activity against SKOV-3 and NIH-OVCAR-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma, and in vitro cytotoxicity was determined against primary cultured rabbit kidney proximal tubular and renal cortical cells of human kidney using colorimetric MTT assay. PC demonstrated acceptable antitumor activity against SKOV-3 and NIH-OVCAR-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma and significant activity as compared with that of cisplatin. The toxicity of PC was found quite less than that of cisplatin using MTT and $^3$H-thymidine uptake tests in rabbit proximal tubular cells and human kidney cortical cells. PC was used for human cortical tissue in 7 weeks hitoculture by the glucose-consumption tests. We determined that the new platinum drug has lower nephrotoxicity than cisplatin. Based on these results, this novel platinum (II) complex compound (PC) represent a valuable lead in the development of a new anticancer chemotherapeutic agent capable of improving antitumor activity and low nephrotoxicity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 1998

LBO0014, a new recombinant human erythropoietin, was at dose levels of 0, 120, 600, and 3,000 IU/kg/day administered intravenously to pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats during the organogenetic period. All dams were subjected to caesarean section on day 20 of pregnancy, Effects of test substance on dams and embryonic development of Fl fetuses were examined. No treatment-related changes in clinical signs, body weight, and food consumption were observed at all doses tested. At necropsy spleen enlargement was found at 3,000 lU/kg. There was an ulcrease in the spleen weight at 600 and 3,0007/kg. Developmental toxicity was evident as increased resorptions at 3,000 lU/kg. At 600 and 3,000 RJ/kg, retarded ossification of fetuses occurred at an incidence of 31.3% and 64.7%, respectively. In addition, there was a delay in ossification of sternebrae and sacrocaudal vertebrae at 600 and 3,000 lU/kg. A decrease in the number of metacarpi and metatarsi was also seen at 3,000 nJ/kg. The results show that the no observed adverse effect dose level (NOAEL) for material toxicity was over 3,000 IU/kg/day and the NOAEL for developmental toxicity was 120 IU/kg/day.