• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.176-184
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• 2006

The controversy on genotoxicity of molinate, an herbicide, has been reported in bacterial system, and in vitro and in vivo mammalian systems. To clarify the genotoxicity of molinate, we performed bacterial gene mutation test, in vitro chromosome aberration and mouse lymphoma $tk^{+/-}$ gene assay, and in vivo micronucleus assay using bone marrow cells and peripheral reticulocytes of mice. In bacterial gene mutation assay, no mutagenicity of molinate ($12-185{\mu}g/plate$) was observed in Salmonella typhimurium TA 98, 100, 1535 and 1537 both in the absence and in the presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. The clastogenicity of molinate was observed in the presence ($102.1-408.2\;{\mu}g/mL$) of metabolic activation system in mammalian cell system using Chinese hamster lung fibroblast. However, no clastogenicity was observed in the absence ($13.6-54.3\;{\mu}g/mL$) of metabolic activation system. It is suggested that the genotoxicity of molinate was derived some metabolites by metabolic activation. Molinate was also subjected to mouse lymphoma L5178Y $tk^{+/-}$ cells using microtiter cloning technique. In the absence of S-9 mixture, mutation frequencies (MFs) were revealed $1.4-1.9{\times}10^{-4}$ with no statistical significance. However, MFs in the presence of metabolic activation system revealed $3.2-3.4{\times}10^{-4}$ with statistical significance (p<0.05). In vivo micronucleus (MN) assay using mouse bone marrow cells, molinate revealed genotoxic potential in the dose ranges of 100-398 mg/kg of molinate when administered orally. Molinate also subjected to acridine orange MN assay with mouse peripheral reticulocytes. The frequency of micronucleated reticulocytes (MNRETs) induced 48 hr after i.p. injection at a single dose of 91, 182 and 363 mg/kg of molinate was dose-dependently increased as $10.2{\pm}4.7,\;14.6{\pm}3.9\;and\;28.6{\pm}6.3\;(mean{\pm}SD\;of\;MNRETs/2,000\;reticulocytes)$ with statistical significance (p<0.05), respectively. Consequently, genotoxic potential of molinate was observed in in vitro mammalian mutagenicity systems only in the presence of metabolic activation system and in vivo MN assay using both bone marrow cells and peripheral reticulocytes in the dose ranges used in this experiment. These results suggest that metabolic activation plays a critical role to express the genotoxicity of molinate in in vitro and in vivo mammalian system.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.182-192
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• 2004

Gamma irradiation at 5 and 10 kGy was applied to Kwamegi (semi-dried Colobabis seira) for their possible hygiene quality and carried out genotoxicological safety. In vitro genotoxicological safety of each 5 and 10 kGy-irradiated Kwamegi was evaluated by Salmonella typhimurium (TA98, TA100, TA1535 and TA1537) and E. coli WP2 uvrA reversion assay, SOS chromotest (Escherichia coli PQ37) and chromosome aberration test (Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells) in the absence and presence of an exogenous metabolizing system (S9 mix). Gamma-irradiated samples were not different from nonirradiated-control to respective in vitro tests. And in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice (male) micronucleus was not observed. Kwamegi exposed to 10 kGy-gamma ray revealed negative results in these three in vitro mutagenetic tests and in vivo micronucleus test up to 10,000 $\mu\textrm{g}$/plate, respectively. The results indicated that 5 and 10 kGy gamma-irradiated Kwamegi (semi-dried Colobabis seira) did not have mutagenicity.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.71-76
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• 1998

Exposure to environmental toxicants can cause cellular problems including the interference of DNA repair processes which may lead to the development of cancer. The existence of toxicant-induced DNA repair abnormality was investigated using mice exposed in vivo to genotoxic chemicals and then challenging their exposed lymphocytes in vitro with bleomycin. The repair of bleomycin-induced DNA damage as estimated by the frequency of chromosome aberrations was determined. Our data indicates that the observed aberration frequencies after in vivo exposure to N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitnsoguanidine (MNNG) and in vitro challenge with bleomycin are consistently higher than expected. The enhanced response is not due to the induction of chromosome damage by 25 or 50 mg/kg MNNG since the chemical did not cause chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of these mice. The observed response after the combined exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and bleomycin was significantly lower than expected with low in vivo doses of BP (50 mg/kg) and then significantly higher than expected with the high doses (200 mg/kg). We interpret our data to indicate that in vivo exposure to genotoxic agents can cause abnormal DNA repair activities. The response is, however, independent of the clastogenic activities of the inducing chemicals, but dependent upon the inducing agents and on the exposure doses.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2003

The genotoxicity of pendimethalin [N-(l-ethylpropyl)-2, 6-dinitro-3, 4-xylidine, C$\_$13/H$\_$19/N$_3$O$_4$, M.W.=281.3, CAS No. 40487-42-1], one of selective herbicide, was evaluated in bacterial gene mutation system, chromosome aberration in mammalian cell system and in vivo micronucleus assay with rodent. In bacterial gene mutation assay, pendimethalin revealed dose-dependent mutagenic potential in 313 ∼ 5,000 ${\mu}$g/plate of Salmonella typhimurium TA 98 and TA 1537 both in the absence and presence of S-9 metabolic activation system, and TA 100 only in the absence of S-9 mixture. In the TA 1535, slight increase of revertant was also observed in the presence of S-9 metabolic activation system. No mutagenic potential was observed in the TA 1535 without metabolic activation system and TA l00 in the presence of S-9 mixture. In mammalian cell system using Chinese hamster lung (CHL) fibroblast, no clastogenicity of pendimethalin was observed both in the absence and presence of S-9 metabolic activation system in the concentration range of 2.32∼9.28 ${\mu}$g/ml. And also, in vivo bone marrow micronucleus assay, pendimethalin revealed no clastogenic potential in the dose range of 203∼810 mg/kg body weight after oral administration in mice. Consequently, in vitro chromosome aberration with mammalian cells and in vivo bone marrow micronucleus assay revealed no clastogenic potential of pendimethalin. However, pendimethalin revealed mutagenic potential in bacterial gene mutation assay.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.27
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• pp.14.1-14.6
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• 2012

Objectives: The root barks of Periploca sepium Bge. (P. sepium) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for healing wounds and treating rheumatoid arthritis. However, toxicity in high-doses was often diagnosed by the presence of many glycosides. The potential mutagenicity of P. sepium was investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: This was examined by the bacterial reverse mutation (Ames) test using Escherichia coli WP2uvrA and Salmonella typhimurium strains, such as TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537. Chromosomal aberrations were investigated using Chinese hamster lung cells, and the micronucleus test using mice. Results: P. sepium did not induce mutagenicity in the bacterial test or chromosomal aberrations in Chinese hamster lung cells, although metabolic activation and micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes were seen in the mice bone marrow cells. Conclusions: Considering these results, it is suggested that P. sepium does not have mutagenic potential under the conditions examined in each study.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.213-224
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• 2016

Objectives: Ginseng Rh2+ is enzyme-treated ginseng extract containing high amounts of converted ginsenosides, such as compound k, Rh2, Rg3, which have potent anticancer activity. We conducted general and genetic toxicity tests to evaluate the safety of ginseng Rh2+. Methods: An acute oral toxicity test was performed at a high-level dose of 4,000 mg/kg/day in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. A 14-day range-finding study was also conducted to set dose levels for the 90-day study. A subchronic 90-day toxicity study was performed at dose levels of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg/day to investigate the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of ginseng Rh2+ and target organs. To identify the mutagenic potential of ginseng Rh2+, we conducted a bacterial reverse mutation test (Ames test) using amino-acid-requiring strains of Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli (E. coli), a chromosome aberration test with Chinese hamster lung (CHL) cells, and an in vivo micronucleus test using ICR mice bone marrow as recommended by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Results: According to the results of the acute oral toxicity study, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) of ginseng Rh2+ was estimated to be higher than 4,000 mg/kg. For the 90-day study, no toxicological effect of ginseng Rh2+ was observed in body-weight changes, food consumption, clinical signs, organ weights, histopathology, ophthalmology, and clinical pathology. The NOAEL of ginseng Rh2+ was established to be 2,000 mg/kg/day, and no target organ was found in this test. In addition, no evidence of mutagenicity was found either on the in vitro genotoxicity tests, including the Ames test and the chromosome aberration test, or on the in vivo in mice bone marrow micronucleus test. Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, ginseng Rh2+ is a non-toxic material with no genotoxicity. We expect that ginseng Rh2+ may be used as a novel adjuvant anticancer agent that is safe for long-term administration.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2001

EpoxidiBed soy bean oil (ESBO) is a plasticizer of PVC which is being widely used as a gaskets for the lid of glass jars including baby food. Using reverse mutation assay, chromosome aberration test and micronucleus test, ESBO were evaluated the mutagenicity. In the reverse mutation test, ESBO did not induced mutagenicity in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, TA1535, TA1537, TA102 with and without metabolic activation. In the chromosome aberration test using CHL cells, the results showed no increased structural and numerical aberrations in the concentration of sample producing cytotoxicity with and without metabolic activation. The in vivo induction of micronuclei was measured in polychromatic erythrocytes of bone marrow of young (3weeks old) and adult (6 weeks old) ddY mice of both sex. At 24 hours after treatment with ESBO 20, 10, 5, 2.5 g/B.W. kg/corn oil 10 ml by oral route animals were sacrificed and bone marrow cells were prepared for smear slides. The results showed no increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes regardless of sex and age. It was concluded that water soluble ESBO did not show certain genotoxicity within our studies conducted.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.290-297
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• 2021

Leptolyngbya sp. KIOST-1 (LK1) is a newly isolated cyanobacterium that shows no obvious cytotoxicity and contains high protein content for both human and animal diets. However, only limited information is available on its toxic effects. The purpose of this study was to validate the safety of LK1 powder. Following Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) guidelines, a single-dose oral toxicity test in Sprague Dawley rats was performed. Genotoxicity was assessed using a bacterial reverse mutation test with Salmonella typhimurium (strains TA98, TA100, TA1535, and TA1537) and Escherichia coli WP2 uvrA, an in vitro mammalian chromosome aberration test using Chinese hamster lung cells, and an in vivo mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test using Hsd:ICR (CD-1) SPF mouse bone marrow. After LK1 administration (2,500 mg/kg), there were no LK1-related body weight changes or necropsy findings. The reverse mutation test showed no increased reverse mutation upon exposure to 5,000 ㎍/plate of the LK1 powder, the maximum tested amount. The chromosome aberration test and micronucleus assay demonstrated no chromosomal abnormalities and genotoxicity, respectively, in the presence of the LK1 powder. The absence of physiological findings and genetic abnormalities suggests that LK1 powder is appropriate as a candidate biomass to be used as a safe food ingredient.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2003

The validation of many synthetic chemicals that may pose a genetic hazard in our environment is of great concern at present. Since these substances are not limited to the original products, and enter the environment, they have become widespread environmental pollutants, thus leading to a variety of chemicals that possibly threaten the public health. In this respect, the regulation and evaluation of the chemical hazard playa very important role to environment and human health. The clastogenicity of 17 synthetic chemicals was evaluated in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells in vitro. 2-Nitroaniline (CAS No. 88-74-4) induced chromosomal aberrations with statistical significance at the concentration of 86.3 ${\mu}$g/ml in the absence of metabolic activation system. 1-Chloroanthraquinone (CAS No. 82-44-0) which is one of the most cytotoxic chemical among 17 chemicals tested revealed no clastogenicity in the range of 0.8 ∼ 3.0 ${\mu}$g/ml both in the presence and absence of S-9 metabolic activation system. From the results of chromosomal aberration assay with 17 synthetic chemicals in Chinese hamster lung cells in vitro, 2-Nitroaniline (CAS No. 88-74-4) revealed weak positive clastogenic results in this study.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.129-138
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• 2002

The mouse lymphoma assay (MLA) has been recently validated as a sensitive and specific test system to determine the genotoxic potential for a chemical. The objective of this study is to evaluate the utility of MLA for detecting mutagens. Especially, to compare MLA with the in vitro chromosomal aberration test (CA), we performed MLA using the microwell method with three chemicals (hydroxyurea, theophylline and amino acid copper complex), which were reportedly positive in the CA. In cell treated with hydroxyurea, anti-neoplastic agent that blocks DNA replication, evidence of a positive response was obtained without S9 mix for 4 h and 24 h. In addition, analysis of colony size distribution at concentration that gave an elevated mutant fraction showed that hydroxyurea induced a high proportion of small type colonies, indicating that hydroxyurea-induced mutation is associated with large chromosomal deletion. Conversely, negative MLA result was obtained for theophylline, which was wed as central nervous system stimulator. Although theophylline increased the mutant frequency at concentration of 1250 $\mu\textrm{g}$/$\textrm{m}{\ell}$ with S9 mix for 4 h, a concentration-related increase in mutant frequency was not observed. The MLA result of amino acid copper complex was considered equivocal because the positive result was obtained at concentration showing 10% or less RS or RTG. Thus, among 3 CA-positive chemicals, positive MLA result was obtained for one. The other two chemicals were negative and equivocal. However MLA, which evaluates mutagenic potential of chemicals through colony formation by cell grouth, may provide a higher predictivity of carcinogenesis than CA.