• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2016

Eryngium foetidum Linn. leaves (EF) are widely used in Thailand and many countries throughout Asia as a culinary seasoning and a traditional medicine. However, adverse effect of high dose consumption in long duration has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate chronic toxicity of EF in mice. Thirty-two ICR male mice were divided into 4 groups of 8 mice each. The mice were fed AIN-76 rodent diet, or AIN-76 rodent diet supplemented with ground freeze-dried EF at 0.8%, 1.6% and 3.2% that is equivalent to approximately 35, 73 and 155 times that of human consumption, respectively, at 97.5 percentile for a period of 24 weeks. At the end of experiment, the mice were euthanized and blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical evaluations. Necropsy was performed while visceral organs such as lung, liver, kidneys, spleen etc. were collected, weighed and histopathologically examined. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) results of mice in 1.6% and 3.2% EF diet groups were significantly higher than the BUN of control group. No significant difference was noted in other biochemical and hematological properties between the treatment groups and control; all results were within normal range. Histopathology of almost all visceral organs showed no significant changes. However, tubulonephrosis and chronic interstitial nephritis were observed in the groups treated with 1.6% and 3.2% EF diet. Body weight was reduced significantly at week 12 to week 20 when compared to the control group while relative kidney weights were significantly increased. In conclusion, the consumption of EF in diet at high doses illustrated the adverse effect on some biochemical parameters and histopathology in mice. Our findings suggested that EF daily consumption for 24 weeks, at higher doses than the 0.8% EF diet (35 times of human consumption), might cause adverse effect on kidney function in mice.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 1990

Thirty-day-old piglets were intranasally or subcutaneously inoculated with 2ml of Aujeszky's disease virus, NYJ-1 strain, at the titer of $10^{6.75}$ $TCID_{50}/0.1ml$, that was isolated from the diseased piglets in Korea, and histopathological studies were performed to elucidate the pathognomonic characters of the isolate. Results obtained through the experiments were as follows: 1. Major clinical signs on the 2nd and 3rd days post inoculation (p.i.) were fever, anorexia and dyspnea. On the 6th and 7th days p.i., nervous signs, severe dyspnea and salivation were observed in the group of intranasal inoculation, and one out of 3 piglets in this group died on the 7th day p.i.. General signs were more severe in the group of intranasal inoculation than the group of subcntaneous injection. Between the 8th and l0th days p.i., the signs subsided and the piglets were completely recovered from the illness. 2. Hematologically, most of the inoculated pigs showed a mild lymphocytopenia on the 5th and 6th days p.i.. 3. By necropsy, swelling and hemorrhagic lesions were observed in tonsil, central nervous system and lung. No specific changes were grossly found in other parenchymatous organs. 4. In histopathological study, degeneration and necrosis of nervous cells, non-suppurative meningoencephalitis, diffuse or focal gliosis, perivascular cutting and degeneration of ganglion cells were observed in central nervous system, and swelling and hemorrhagic changes were shown in the tissues of liver, lung and lymph nodes. 5. By indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay using ADV-monoclonal antibody, specific ADV antigens were detected in the tissues of tonsil, brain and spleen of the succumbed piglet. However, in the experimentally slaughtered piglets, the specific reactions were noted only in the tonsils.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.843-852
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• 1998

From Jan. 1996 to Oct. 1997, 29 pigs with 40-70 days old showing dyspnea inappetite and polyserositis were collected and carried out necropsy, bacterial culture, histopathology, avidin biotin complex(ABC) stain, fluorescent antibody(FA) test, and electron microscopy. In the study, 4 strains from 3 pigs were isolated from meninges, pleura and synovial fluid and also were identified as Haemophilus parasuis serovar 5. Main histopathological lesions of 29 pigs with polyserositis were frequently composed of fibrinous peritonitis(27), pleurisy(22), interstitial pneumonia(21), fibrinous epicarditis(20), fibrinopurulent meningitis(8) and synovitis(4). By ABC stain, 11/29(37.9%) pigs with polyserositis were confirmed to have H parasuis serovar 5 in the cytoplasm of macrophages and neutrophils in cerebral meninges, epicardium, pleura surface of lung or serosa of spleen. ABC stain(20.8~40.0%) to detect H parasuis serovar 5 in tissues was more sensitive than bacterial culture(10.3%), but less sensitive than FA test(62.5%) using frozen tissues even though the result of 8 cases. By electron microscopy, a bacterium was also detected in the cytoplasm of macrophages in purulent exudate of cerebral meninges. Consequently, we confirmed that H parasuis serovar 5 has been involving to cause pigs with polyserositis and can be detected by FA and ABC stain as reliable diagnostic tools.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2017

Acanthopanax divaricatus (Siebold & Zucc.) Seem. var. albeofructus (ADA), a traditional medical herb, has been used to treat arthritis and muscular injury, to strengthen muscle and bone, and to get vital energy. However, information regarding its toxicity is limited. ADA was administered by oral gavage to groups of rats at doses of 0 (control), 1,000, 1,500, 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 mg/kg five times per week for 13 weeks. Mortality, clinical signs, body weights, food consumption, hematology, serum chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights, necropsy, histopathological finding, vaginal cytology, and sperm morphology were compared between control and ADA-treated groups. Salivation was intermittently observed in both sexes receiving 2,500 and 3,000 mg/kg directly after dosing. Absolute liver weights increased in females receiving 2,000, 2,500, and 3,000 mg/kg ADA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01, respectively) and so did the relative liver weights (P < 0.001). Salivation and increased liver weight were ADA-related changes but not considered to be adverse effects. Salivation was intermittent and transient, and the liver weight increase was minor and not accompanied by other changes such as hepatic morphological or functional alterations. The no-observed-adverse-effect-level was determined to be at least 3,000 mg/kg in both sexes of rats.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.211-216
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• 2018

Heat stroke in a dog is a life-threatening syndrome characterized by a high body temperature over $41^{\circ}C$, by the central nervous system dysfunction, and by multiple organ dysfunction. A 11-month-old male American Pit Bull Terrier was presented to clarify the cause of death to diagnostic laboratory. This dog showed clinical signs such as high body temperature ($42^{\circ}C$), severe tachypnea, hematochezia, epistaxis and hemoptysis after transportation at hot summer time. At necropsy, there were hemorrhages in skin, serosa of stomach and small intestine, and also dark red fluid in lumen of intestine. Histopathologic examination revealed extensive hemorrhages in stomach, muscle, skin, and tongue. In microbiology, pathologic bacteria such as Pasteurella, Boedetella, Salmonella, Clostridium, and circulating virus in Korea such as CDV, CIV, CAV, CHV, CCV, CPIV were negative except CPV. There were many gross and microscopic lesions suggesting hest stroke while pathologic agents and related lesions were not detected. Therefore we diagnosed this case as heatstroke.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.61-65
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• 2014

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the oral toxicity of Gami-Jakyak Gamcho buja Decoction (Mecasin) to develop safe treatments. Methods: All experiments were conducted at the Medvill, an institution authorized to perform non-clinical studies, under the Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations. In order to investigate the oral toxicity of Mecasin, we administered Mecasin orally to rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups of five male and five female animals per group: group 1 being the control group and groups 2, 3, and 4 being the experimental groups. Doses of Mecasin, 500 mg/kg, 1,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg, were administered to the experimental groups, and a dose of normal saline solution, 10 mL/kg, was administered to the control group. We examined the survival rate, weight, clinical signs, and gross findings. This study was conducted under the approval of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee. Results: No deaths or abnormalities occurred in any of the four groups. Although slight decreases in the weights of some female rats were noted on the third day, no significant changes in weights or gross findings between the control group and the experimental groups were observed. To check for abnormalities in organs, we used microscopy to examine representative histological sections of each specified organ; the results showed no significant differences in any of the organs. Conclusion: The results showed that administration of 500 - 2,000 mg/kg of Mecasin did not cause any changes in weight or in the results of necropsy examinations. It also did not result in any mortalities. The above findings suggest that treatment with Mecasin is relatively safe. Further studies on this subject are needed to yield more concrete evidence.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 1998

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of antibody against Toxoplasma gondii in the dog by Latex agglutination test and Indirect fluorescent antibody test. Two month-old dogs were infected intraperitoneally with T gondii to observe histopathological and immunohisto-chemical changes. Results obtained through this experiment were summarized as follows ; 1. Among the serum samples of 163 heads of the dog, 10 samples(6.1%) were positive. 2. In the sex, 6 heads (7.1%) out of 84 female dogs and 4 heads(5.1%) out of 79 male dogs were positive. However, there were no significant differences between the male and female. 3. Overall proportion of agreement between indirect fluorescent antibody and Latex agglutination test in 163 sera of dogs was 97.5%. 4. When 2 month-old dogs were infected intraperitoneally with T gondii, main clinical signs were intermittent fever, dyspnea, diarrhea. In general, the infected dogs recovered closely on the 11th day of post-inoculation. 5. At necropsy, petechial and ecchymotic hemorrages and swelling in small intestine, lung, spleen, liver and kidney were observed. 6. In histopathological observation, interstitial pneumonia, hyperemia and hemorrhages in lung were observed. Focal necrosis of hepatocytes, the neutrophil and basophil in the renal tubular epithelium were observed. 7. By immunohistochemical staining using Vectorstain ABC kit, the positive cells were recognized in the lung and the liver. 8. By indirect fluorescent antibody test, the Toxoplasma antibodies in the infected dogs were detected on the 15th day of postinoculation.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2007

This study was conducted to obtain information of the oral dose acute toxicity of PGB-2, a novel polyglucosamine polymer produced from Citrobacter sp. BL-4 (a new strain) in male and female mice. Mortality, body weight changes, clinical signs were monitored during 14 days after single oral dose of test article at dose levels of 2000, 1000, 500, 250 and 125 ml/kg. Gross lesions, organ weight and histopathology of principal organs were examined after necropsy. As the results, we could not find any mortalities, clinical signs, changes in the body weight and gross findings except for white foci in the liver. In addition, no PGB-2-treatment related abnormal changes on the organ weight and histopathology of principle organs were detected except for atypical signs of liver. White liver foci were confirmed as focal infiltration of inflammatory cells. The results suggest that the PGB-2 is relatively safe in mice but the possibility of hepatotoxicity could not be excluded. The $LD_{50}$ and approximate LD in mice after single oral dose of PGB-2 were considered over 2000 mg/kg, respectively. In future, the potential hepatotoxicity of PGB-2 should be evaluated through the repeat dose toxicity test prior to develop as a new agent.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.343-354
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• 2018

Aluminum oxide nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$ NPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials; however, relatively little information about their risk identification and assessment is available. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of $Al_2O_3$ NPs following repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were exposed to $Al_2O_3$ NPs for 28 days (5 days/week) at doses of 0, 0.2, 1, and $5mg/m^3$ using a nose-only inhalation system. During the experimental period, we evaluated the clinical signs, body weight change, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology findings. Additionally, we analyzed the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), including differential leukocyte counts, and aluminum contents in the major organs and blood. Aluminum contents were the highest in lung tissues and showed a dose-dependent relationship in the exposure group. Histopathology showed alveolar macrophage accumulation in the lungs of rats in the $5mg/m^3$ group during exposure and recovery. These changes tended to increase at the end of the recovery period. In the BALF analysis, total cell and neutrophil counts and lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 levels significantly increased in the 1 and $5mg/m^3$ groups during exposure. Under the present experimental conditions, we suggested that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of $Al_2O_3$ NPs in male rats was $1mg/m^3$, and the target organ was the lung.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2011

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of methylcyclohexane (MCH) by a single oral dose in female rats. The test chemical was administered once by gavage to female rats at dose levels 0, 1,250, 2,500, and 5,000 mg/kg. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period following the administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, all animals were sacrificed and complete gross postmortem and histopathological examinations were performed. Treatment-related clinical signs, as evidenced by depression, soft feces, decreased locomotion activity, solid perineal region, crouching position, and anorexia were observed in all treatment groups in a dose-dependent manner. At the dose level of 5,000 mg/kg, decreased or suppressed body weight gain was found during the study period. At the scheduled necropsy, one case of congestion of the intestine and an increase in the weights of liver and kidney were observed in the 5,000 mg/kg group. Histopathological examinations exhibited an increased incidence of glomerular atrophy, congestion/hemorrhage, and focal degeneration/necrosis in the liver and an increased incidence of congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the kidney. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that a single oral administration of MCH resulted in some adverse effects on clinical sign, body weight gain, and organ weight and histopathology in the liver and kidney in female rats. In the experimental conditions, the minimal lethal dose ($LD_{10}$) of MCH was greater than 5,000 mg/kg.