• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.3 s.35
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• pp.287-304
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• 1991

Tolerance to several toxic effects of cadmium, including lethality has been shown following pretreatment with cadmium and zinc. This study was designed to determine if tolerance also develops to Cd-induced hepatotoxicityandrenaltoxicity. Three groups of rats (A, B, C), each consisting of 16 rats, were studied and each group was divided into four subgroups (1, 2, 3, 4), 4 rats for each subgroup. Rats were subcutaneously pretreated with saline (A), $CdCl_2$ (0.5 mg/kg, B), and $ZnCl_2$ (13.0 mg/kg, C) during time periods of $1{\sim}6$ weeks. At the end of the period, rats were challenged with $CdCl_2$ (3.0, 6.0 and 9.0 mg/kg, ip). After giving the challenge dose, cadmium and metallothionein (MT) concentrations were determined and also observed the histologic change in liver and kidney. The concentration of cadmium in liver and kidney increased dose-dependently to the challenge dosage. These da indicate the kidney is a major target organ of chronic cadmium poisoning, and suggest that cadmium induced hepatic injury, via release of Cd-MT, may play an important role in the nephrotoxicity observed in response to long-term exposure to cadmium. In addition, histologic examination of group $A_2,\;A_3\;and\;A_4$ revealed moderate to severe cadmium toxicity, evidenced by infiltration of inflammatory cells, cell swelling, pyknosis, enlarged sinusoids and necrosis in liver, and tubule cell necrosis and degeneration in kidney. However, MT concentrations in liver and kidney were increased by the pretreatment of $CdCl_2$ and $ZnCl_2$, and their morphological findings were not significantly changed, comparing with control group. Higher MT concentration in liver and kidney observed in the pretreated groups constitutes a plausible explanation of the protective effects of pretreatment against the cadmium toxicity after challenge dosing.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.717-719
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• 2006

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled human intervention study involving 62 healthy volunteers was performed to investigate the effects of Keumsa sangwhang (Phellinus linteus) mushroom extracts (KPLE) on natural killer (NK) cell activity in peripheral blood. The volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups, one receiving KPLE (3.3 g/day) and the other a placebo by oral administration for 8 weeks. In this study, the number of NK cells did not increase with KPLE administration, however the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against the Jurkat leukemia cell line increased significantly. This result suggests that administration of KPLE induces cell-mediated immunity by increasing NK cell activity in humans.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.20 no.1 s.21
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• pp.1-9
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• 1987

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) observed by means of bromodeoxyuridine substitution and fluorescence plus Giemsa (FPG) technique were proposed as a sensitive and quantitative assay for mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in short-term cultures of phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated human lymphocytes. Therefore, this study was carried out to investigate the relation between anticancer agents and cytotoxic effects. Chromosomal analysis was performed on metaphase cells that had divided one, two, or three or more times after treatment for SCEs, mitotic indices (MI) and cell cycle kinetics by FPG technique. The results indicate that anticancer agents led to a dose dependent increase in SCE frequency except methotrexate. But, highly inhibited mitotic indices and delayed cell cycle kinetics were observed except for cyclophosphamide. The author suggest that the difference of SCE frequency is due to the differences in the cytotoxic action of anticancer agents, but although the induction of SCEs has a correlation with cell cycle delay, in some cases the induction of SCEs is not always related to cell cycle delay because of different cytotoxic action of anticancer agents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.13
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• pp.5531-5536
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• 2015

Background: Increased pricing of cigarettes might be one of the most effective approaches for reducing the prevalence of smoking. This study aimed to investigate the effects of increasing cigarette prices through taxation by a tobacco intervention policy on the changes in smoking prevalence in Korean university students. Materials and Methods: The participants in this study were 23,047 healthy university students aged 18-29 years from a health examination in 2011-2015. We investigated the adjusted prevalence of daily and occasional smoking before and after increasing cigarette prices through taxation. Results: The prevalence of occasional smoking was significantly decreased in 2015 from 2014 in both male (from 10.7% in 2014 to 5.4%) and female (from 3.6% to 1.1%) students, but the prevalence of daily smoking did not decrease significantly. The frequency of individuals who had attempted smoking cessation during the past year was significantly higher among occasional smokers in male students (90.2%) compared with daily smokers (64.9%). For female students, there were no differences in experience of smoking cessation, willingness for smoking cessation, or E-cigarette experience between daily and occasional smokers. Conclusions: We found that a policy of increasing cigarette prices through taxation is associated with decreases in the prevalence of occasional smokers, who have relatively lower nicotine dependence compared with individuals who smoke daily. The results of our study suggest that social support and direct intervention for smoking cessation at the community level are needed for university students alongside the pricing policy.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.65-80
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• 2004

Objectives : CRATAEGII FRUCTUS(山査) is known as the substance which delays aging by the antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of CRATAEGII FRUCTUS(山査) on antioxidant enzyme activities such as Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS), Superoxide dismutase(SOD), Catalase(CAT), Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) in rat erythrocytes and blood plasma. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups, Normal group (supplied enough water and feeds only, Normal Group), D-galatose administered group(injected D-galatose 50mg/kg, 1time/day for 6 weeks, Control Group) and CRATAEGII FRUCTUS(山査) administered group (D-galactose 50mg/kg and CRATAEGII FRUCTUS(山査) extracts 85.0mg/200g 1time/day for 6 weeks, SS Group). Rats were sacrificed and TBARS, SOD, CAT, GSH-px, neutral fat and cholesterol were measured in rat erythrocytes and blood plasma. Results : There was no significant difference in the level of TBARS in the blood plasma between each experimental group. Red blood cell SOD activities were significantly different in each group. They were significantly decreased in the Control group compared to those of Normal and there was an increasing phenomenon in the SS group compared to the Control group. There was a significant difference in the activities of the red blood cell - glutathione peroxides in each group. There was a significant increase in the SS group compared to the Control group. Red blood cell catalase activities was no significant difference in each group. Plasma total lipid concentration was significantly different in each group. It was significantly increased in the Control group compared with the Normal group and it was decreasing in the SS group compared to the control group. Plasma triglyceride was not significantly different in each group. Plasma total cholesterol and Plasma HDL -cholesterol concentrations in the blood plasma were not significantly different in each group. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is considered that CRATAEGII FRUCTUS(山査) is effective in inhibiting lipid peroxides and increasing the activities of antioxidative(anti aging) enzyme in D-galactose induced aging rat.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.356-368
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• 1997

In effort to determine whether aircraft noise can have health effects such as hearing loss, hypertension and psychological stress, a total of 111 male professors and administrative officers working a college near a military airport in Korea(exposed group) and a total of 168 males and 112 females matched by age groups(control groups) were analyzed. Personal noise exposure and indoor and outdoor sound level of jet aircraft noise were measured at the exposed are3. And pure tone, air conduction test and measurement of blood pressure were given to the exposed(males) and matched control groups (males and females). BEPSI(Brief Encounter Psychological Instrument) and psychological response to aircraft noise were examined for the exposed group. The noise dosimetry results revealed time-weighted averages(TWAs) that ranged from 61 to 68 dBA. However the levels encountered during taking off jet airplanes reached 126 dBA for two half minutes time period. Th, audiometric, test showed that mean values of HTL(hearing threshold level) in exposed group at every frequency(500, 1,000, 2,000, 4,000, and 8,000 Hz were much lower than them of male and female control groups. And in old age groups, interaction of age and noise was observed at 8,000 Hz in both ears(p<0.05). Conclusively, aircraft noise does not appear to induce hearing loss directly in high frequency, but may decreased hearing threshold level by interaction of aging process and noise exposure. However, difference of mean values of exposed and control groups on blood pressure was not significantly. In psychological test, annoyance was the most severe psychological response to noise in exposed group, but mean value of BEPSI was not correlated with job duration in exposed group.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.19 no.2 s.20
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• pp.244-251
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• 1986

Sister chromatid exchanges(SCEs) and cell cycle kinetics were proposed as a sensitive and quantitative assay for mutagenicity and cytotoxicity in short-term cultures of phytohema-gglutinin(PHA)-stimu1ated human 1ymphocytes. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the relation between the cytotoxic effects and sister chromatid exchanges. The resultes are summarized as follows: 1) The frequency of SCEs per cell are $13.1{\pm}2.8$ in the lower concentration of $6.25{\times}10^{-9}M\;and\;75.8{\pm}8.2$ in the highest concentration of $1.00{\pm}10^{-7}M$. Mitotic index is decreased in the higher concentration of mitomycin C. The result indicates that mitomycin C led to a dose dependent increase in SCE frequency, but decease in mitotic index. 2) Chromosomal analysis was performed on metaphase cells that have divided one, two, and three or more times for cell cycle kinetics by fluorescence-plus-Giemsa(FPG) technique. According to the increased concentration of mitomycin C, the proportion of metaphase cells in the first are profoundly increased but the cells of third division are greatly decreased. 3) The frequency of SCEs per chromosome by chromosomal group are decreased gradually from A group to G group. But relationships between specific chromosomal group and SCE frequency are not found.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.187-201
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• 1997

An experimental study was done to examine the effects of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang on gastro-intestinal track and central nervous system and were undertaken by being carried out with rat. The following results have been obtained ; 1. Dokwhaljiwhang-tang showed to have an inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle contraction of the isolated ileum by acetylcholene chloride and barium chloride. 2. Dokwhaljiwhang-tang showed to have an inhibitory effect on the contraction of the gastric fundus-strip by acetylcholine chloride and barium chloride. 3. The preventive effect was recognized on the pylorus-ligated ulcer, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. 4. The preventive effect was not recognized on the indomethacine -induced ulcer, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. 5. The inhibitory effects on the secretion gastric juice, free acidity were recognized, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang 6. The transport ability in the small intestine was increased, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. 7. The transport ability in the large intestine was increased, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. 8. The analgesic effect was recognized, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. 9. The effect of sleeping time was not recognized, by administration of Dokwhaljiwhang-tang. according to the results, it is considered that Dokwhaljiwhang-tang has effects of gastric ulcer, chronic gastritis,hyper-acidity, gastroptosis such as abdominal discomfort, gastric acid, indigestion and anorexia.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.237-246
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• 2023

Background: Arsenic is a metalloid of public health significance due to its unique material properties and toxicity and the widespread pollution in the environment. Arsenic exists as inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic with distinct chemical properties. Its toxicity varies depending on the properties. Objectives: Although the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been identified, the various diseases that occur after acute and chronic exposure to arsenic are not yet clearly known. Methods: Research on the effects of chronic exposure to arsenic on human health was searched and the results were summarized. Results: It has been found that cancer occurs due to exposure to high concentrations of arsenic in areas with elevated exposure to arsenic, but research results have recently been presented on health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. Cancers have also been identified to be related to inorganic arsenic, including skin cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer. Significant relationships with neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus have been suggested as well. Conclusions: Our results suggest that it is necessary to evaluate the health impact on residents around abandoned metal mines and industrial complexes in South Korea.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2024

Liver diseases are a significant global health burden and are among the most common diseases. Ginssennoside Rg3 (Rg3), which is one of the most abundant ginsenosides, has been found to have significant preventive and therapeutic effects against various types of diseases with minimal side effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated the significant preventive and therapeutic effects of Rg3 on various liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, acute liver injury, nonalcoholic liver diseases (NAFLD), liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The underlying molecular mechanism behind these effects is attributed to apoptosis, autophagy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive description of the potential molecular mechanisms of Rg3 in the development of liver diseases. The article focuses on the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and other related factors. Additionally, the review discusses combination therapy and liver targeting strategy, which can accelerate the translation of Rg3 from bench to bedside. Overall, this article serves as a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians alike.