• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.252-265
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• 1997

This study was performed to investigate effect of dietary fibers in rice and barley on glucose, lipid and cadmium (Cd) metabolism in the rat. Fifty-six male Spague-Dawley rats weighing 244.6$\pm$2.7g were blocked into eight groups according to body weight and raised for four weeks with diets containing 0 or 0.04%(w/w) CdCl2 and four different carbohydrate sources, starch, rice flour, barley flour and mixture of rice and barley flour(7 : 3, w/w). Total dietary fibers and $\beta$-glucan contents of barley were about three times higher than those of rice (10.75% vs. 3.94%, 3.11% vs. 1.06%, respectively). Food intake, weight gain, food efficiency ratio, liver and kidney weights were lower in Cd exposed groups, and barley group among Cd exposed animals showed highest weight gain, food efficiency ratio and organ weights. Fasting serum glucose levels were not significantly different among groups, Serum cholesterol level was lowest in Cd exposed barley group. Serum HDL-cholesterol level was higher in none-Cd exposed starch and barley groups, and HDL-cholesterol : total cholesterol ratios were higher in none-Cd rice and mixed flour groups than other groups. Liver total lipid and triglyceride levels were lowest in barley groups regardless of Cd administration. Fecal total lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride excretions were high in barley and mixed flour groups. Liver Cd concentrations were low in Cd exposed barley and mixed flour groups. In Cd exposed barley group, fecal weight and Cd excretion were highest and Cd retention ratio was lowest among groups. Small intestine metallothionein(MT) concentration was highest in Cd exposed rice group, and kidney MT concentration was highest in Cd exposed barley group. In conclusion, cereals showed different effects on lipid and Cd metabolism that might be mediated by dietary fibers in cereals. Especially $\beta$-glucan-rich barley group showed greatest lipid and Cd lowering effects by increasing fecal lipids and Cd excretions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2004.12a
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• pp.63-68
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• 2004

Immunohistochemical and ultrastructural experiments were conducted to find out heavy metal accumulation in some selected organs such as the kidney, the digestive gland, and the gill of the Antarctic clam Laternula elliptica and R. philippinarum. According to the immunohistochemical study the subject organs of the clam showed reactions indicating the presence of MT (metallothionein), a metal-binding protein involved in metal detoxifying process. Examination under the transmission electron microscope also revealed that other ligands may play a role in metal accumulating and detoxifying process in L. elliptica and R. philippinarum. In the artificial exposure of the clam to Cd, the clams showed immediate subcellular responses. The level of the anti-MT reactions became higher in the proportion to the degree of pollution of their habitat and to the period of Cd exposure. These suggest that the two species can be used as efficient biomarkers for Cd exposure in the natural environment.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.280-291
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• 2019

Potential utility of 14 candidate housekeeping genes as normalization reference for RT-qPCR analysis with developmental samples (fertilized eggs to late veliger larvae) in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai was evaluated using four different statistical algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper and comparative ΔCT method). Different algorithms identified different genes as the best candidates, and geometric mean-based final ranking from the most to the least stable expression was as follow: RPL5, RPL4, RPS18, RPL8, RPL7, UBE2, RPL7A, GAPDH, RPL36, PPIB, EF1A, ACTB and B-TU. The findings were further validated via relative quantification of metallothionein (MT) transcripts using the stable and unstable reference genes, and expression levels of MT were greatly influenced according to the choice of reference genes. In overall, our data suggest that RPL5 and RPS18, either singly or in combination, are appropriate for normalizing gene expression in developmental samples of this abalone species, whereas ACTB, B-TU and EF1A are less stable and not recommended. In addition, our findings propose that standard deviations in geometric ranking as well as geometric mean itself should also be taken into account for the final selection of reference gene(s). This study could be a useful basis to facilitate the generation of accurate and reliable RT-qPCR data with developmental samples in this abalone species.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2007

Environmental and anthropogenic changes affect the health and stability of marine ecosystem. In this study we aimed to identify molecular biomarkers for ecotoxicological pollutants risk assessment in the rockfish (Sebastes schlegeli). We designed primers based on conserved sequences by multiple alignments of target genes from related species, and cloned the partial cDNAs of cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1), glutathione S-transferase (GST), metallothionein (MT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), ubiquitin (UB), vitellogenin (VTG) and $\beta$-actin by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from S. schlegeli. Northern blot results indicated that these six genes expressions were significantly induced by benzo[a]pyrene (BaP, 1 ${\mu}M$) and that the level of each of their transcripts increased in BaP-exposed rockfish in a time-dependent manner. This study suggests that transcriptional changes in these six genes may be used for monitoring environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.10
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• pp.997-1012
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of whole grape, grape pomace and grape juice intake on cadmium (Cd) metabolism during aging in thirteen-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats. One hundred and twenty rats weighing 548.8 $\pm$ 4.3 g were assigned to eight groups according to body weight and were raised for 3, 5 or 7 months on diets containing 2 ％ (w/w) dried powders of three different parts of the grape (Campbell Early) and 0.02 ％ (w/w) CdC12. Food intake tended to decrease with aging, and body weight and epididymal fat pad (EFP) weights of Cd-exposed groups were lower than those of Cd-free groups. Cadmium accumulated in the blood and tissues and Cd concentration was the lowest in the pomace group among Cd-exposed animals. Metallothionein (MT) concentration in the tissues increased through Cd administration. Grape diets, especially grape pomace diets, were effective in decreasing Cd absorption in the tissues by increasing Cd excretion through feces. The intake of grape pomace alleviated the decrease in bone density caused by Cd administration and prevented a decrease in glomerular filtration rates (GFR) with aging. Among the parts of grape, grape pomace, which had highest content of dietary fiber and flavonoids, was the most effective. The results of this study suggest the possibility of using grape pomace as a functional food material, a prospect that previously has been discarded.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1999

The present study was conducted to find the effects of different cadmium(Cd) levels in diets on clinical toxicity, sperm capacity and histopathological changes in rats. Thirty male rats of Sprague-Dawley weighing 125.3$\pm$15.2g were randomly blocked into five groups according to body weights. Five levels of Cd in AIN-76 purified diet(0, 25, 50, 100 and 250 ppm) had been fed for 8 weeks. Cadmium was supplemented with a form of CdCl$_2$. 1. After 8 weeks of Cd intake had resulted in apparent cadmium intoxication; reduced growth rate, enlarged kidney and testis, decreased hematocrit value and hemoglobin content in response to supplemented Cd levels in the diets. 2. Cadmium accumulation in liver and kidney showed a tendency to increase in cadmium-exposed groups. The levels of metallothionein were also significantly elevated in the tissues of liver in response to the levels of Cd supplemented(P＜0.05). 3. Although sperm motility was not significantly different among treatments, rats fed Cd tended to have reduced sperm motility but sperm concentration of Cd supplemented groups were significantly lower than that of control(p＜0.05). 4. Based on the findings from gross lesion, rats fed 250ppm of Cd were externally emaciated, had exposed penis and observed atrophies of kidney and testis. Histopathological observation seemed that the liver of groups feeding Cd supplemented diets showed cellular degeneration and accumulation of eosinophilic materials in the capillaries. In kidney, rats fed Cd diets had shown tubular epithelium degeneration and lesions of basophilic materials, while testes were weakened in numbers of spermatid and sporadically enlarged of giant cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.578-589
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• 1996

This study was performed to invstigate the effect of dietary protein level and source on cadmium intoxicification in rats. Forty-eight male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 171$\pm$3g were blocked into 8 groups of 6 animals according to body weigth, and were raised for 30days. Eight experimental diets different with cadmium(0ppm, 400ppm)and protein(15%, 40%) levels and protein source[casien, I.S.P.(isolated soy protein)] were given to animals for 30days. Food intake, weight gain, food efficiency ratio, liver weight, kidney weight and femur weight were lower in cadmium added group, and higher in high protein groups(40% protein) than medium protein groups(15% protein). But, dietary protein source had no influence on them. Cadmium concerntration of liver was higher in rats fed casein than I.S.P. groups, and cadmium concentration in intestine was higher in high protein groups. In femur both high protein and I.S.P.diets increased cadmium concentrations. MT concdentrations in liver, kidney and intestine were higher in cadmium added group, and kidney intestine MT concentration were higher in high protein group. Absorption and retention rates of cadmium were lower in rat fed I.S.P. than animal fed casein among medium protein groups and cadmium concentration in blood and liver of I.S.P groups were lower than casein groups. But absorption and retention rates of cadmium were similar in high casein and I.S.P. groups. Renal damage by cadmium administration was not seen in all groups. Absorption rates of zinc and copper competing with cadmium in absorption process were lower in high protein groups than medium protein groups and lower in rats fed I.S.P. than casein. In conclusion, weight gain, F.E.R, and MT concentraion of high protein groups were higher than those of medium protein groups and absorption and retention rates of cadmium were lower in high protein groups. From these results, it was shown that cadmium toxicity was alleviated by high dietary protein. Meanwhile, the effect of dietary source on the cadmium toxicity was different with protein level. In medium protein groups absorption and retention rates of cadmium were much lower in rats fed I.S.P. than casein. In high protein groups, cadmium toxicity was not influenced by protein source and absorption and retention rates of cadmium were not different between casein and I.S.P. groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.649-656
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• 2015

The protective effect of zinc against cortisol-induced cell injury was examined in rainbow trout gill epithelial cells. Cells exposed to cortisol for 24 h showed increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as decreased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with zinc ($100{\mu}M$ $ZnSO_4$) reduced the severity of both LDH release and cell death as well as protected cells against cortisol-induced caspase-3 activation, indicating reduction of apoptosis. Cortisol-induced cell death, leakage of LDH, and caspase-3 activation were blocked by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist Mifepristone (RU-486), suggesting that cell injury was cortisol-dependent. In addition, we studied the effect of zinc on the expression of antioxidant genes such as metallothionein A (MTA), metallothionein B (MTB), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) during cortisol-induced cell injury. MTA, MTB, GST, and G6PD mRNA levels increased after treatment with zinc or cortisol, separately or in combination. Higher mRNA levels of MTA, MTB, GST, and G6PD were detected when cells were treated with $100{\mu}M$ $ZnSO_4$ and $1{\mu}M$ cortisol in combination at the same time compared to treatment with zinc or cortisol separately. Cells treated with zinc showed increased intracellular free zinc concentrations, and this response was significantly enhanced in cells treated with cortisol and zinc. In conclusion, zinc treatment inhibited cortisol-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through indirect antioxidant action.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2006

The present study was conducted to confirm that a bivalve Ruditapes philippinarum can be used as a biomarker for the monitoring of the heavy metal pollution in the silt of the marine environment. The clams were collected from the silt of Cheonsu-bay, Buheung-ri, and Tan-island of the West Sea, Korea. To observe the normal structures of the target organs (hepatopancreas and gill), they were dissected out for the immunohistochemical study and the electron microscopy with TEM, SEM, and SEM-EDS. The immunohistochemical study showed that the interdiverticular connective tissues of the hepatopancreas, and the outer epithelium of the gill lamellae was strongly reacted to anti-metallothionein (MT), indicating the presence of MT, a metal-binding protein, involved in metal detoxifying process. According to the examinations under the TEM, the epithelial cells of the hepatopancreas of the clams collected from polluted area (Tan-island) showed certain changes such as swollen rER, swollen nuclear envelope and inclusion bodies in the nulcei. In the SEM-EDS analysis, tissue of the hepatopancreas showed relatively higher concentration of S, Zn, and Cd. These elements are supposed to be concerning with the MT-reaction in the hepatopancreas. Considering that the coastal bivalve R. philippinarum showed immediate subcellular responses to heavy metal pollution in the overall experiments conducted, this species might act as one of efficient biomarkers for the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.384-392
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green tea catechin on the cadmium accumulation in body, cadmium excretion and detoxification functions in chronic cadmium poisoned rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal group and three cadmium poisoned groups. Cadmium groups were classified to catechin free diet (Cd-0C group), 0.25% catechin diet(Cd-0.25C group) and 0.5% catechin diet(Cd-0.5C group) according to the levels of catechin supplement. Animals were maintained on 0, 0.25 and 0.5% catechin diets for 20 weeks and simultaneously administered 50ppm Cd(sup)2+ dissolved in the drinking water. Body weight, food intakes and food efficiency ratio in Cd-0C group was lower than the normal group. The accumulation of cadmium in rat liver, kidney, and blood was reduced by catechin supplementation. The excretion of cadmium in urine and feces was increased by catechin supplementation. The metallothionein(MT) contents in liver and kidney were increased in all cadmium groups compared with that of normal group. The ratios of cadmium absorption and retention ratios were significantly decreased in catechin supplementation groups. Accordingly, catechin supplementation resulted to an excretion of cadmium in urine and feces and a lowered accumulation of cadmium in liver and kidney by increasing methallothionein synthesis that led to the significant decrease in cadmium absorption and retention ratios.(Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 384~392, 2001)