No association of LCT-13910 single nucleotide polymorphism with gastroenteritis in Korean children

Choi, Byung Joon,Yoon, Jung Hwan,Choi, Yoo Jin,Han, Lin,Park, Yong Gyu,Park, Won Sang 대한독성유전단백체학회 2013 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.9 No.1

Zinc and lactase deficiency are closely associated with the severity of gastroenteritis in children. Absorption of lactose is dependent on lactase and enhances the absorption of zinc. In the present study, we analyzed the association of the lactase (LCT)-13910 polymorphism and serum zinc levels with the severity of gastroenteritis in Korean children. 133 gastroenteritis patients and 476 healthy controls were examined for their LCT-13910 genotype using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. We also analyzed serum zinc levels in 111 pediatric patients and compared their severity of gastroenteritis. For the LCT-13910 genotype, all of 133 gastroenteritis patients and 476 healthy children had only the C/C genotype, which is associated with lactase deficiency. In addition, 111 pediatric patients showed no deficit of serum zinc and no association with severity of gastroenteritis. These results suggested that LCT-13910 polymorphism and zinc deficit may not be risk factors and that zinc administration may not be needed in Korean pediatric patients with gastroenteritis.

The biological toxicities of two crystalline phases and differential sizes of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles during zebrafish embryogenesis development

Yeo, Min-Kyeong,Kang, Misook 대한독성유전단백체학회 2012 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.8 No.4

In this study, we investigated the biological toxicities of two crystalline phases and differential sizes of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (anatase; 7-8 nm, 12-14 nm, and 17-23 nm, rutile; 80-100 nm, 150-200 nm, and 500 nm) using the zebrafish in an aquatic ecosystem. The zebrafish morphants that survived exposure to the $TiO_2$ nanoparticles exhibited incomplete notochord formation, with epidermal malformations observed in the larvae exposed to the anatase crystal type of $TiO_2$ nanoparticle (12-14 nm). In particular, there was more apoptosis after exposure to specific particle sizes (12-14 nm) than there was with the larger particle size (17-23 nm) of the anatase crystal type of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles. In addition, the group exposed to the anatase crystal type $TiO_2$ nanoparticles (7-8 nm, 12-14 nm, and 17-23 nm) showed more accumulation in the M1 phase of the cell cycle than did the control group. We observed that the $TiO_2$ nanoparticles penetrated zebrafish larvae cells; the anatase type (12-14 nm) penetrated the nucleus, and the rutile type (80-100 nm) penetrated the mitochondria. The results of the present study suggest that the toxic effects of $TiO_2$ nanoparticles on zebrafish embryogenesis depend on the crystalline phase and size of the nanoparticles.

Comparative study of active and inactive hepatocarcinogens using a QSAR-based prediction model

Kang, Jin Seok,Kang, Sukmo,Ryu, Doug-Young,Lee, Yun-Seok,Lee, Jong Kwon,Kang, Tae Seok,Park, Han-Jin,Yoon, Seokjoo 대한독성유전단백체학회 2012 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.8 No.4

In this study, we investigated global gene expression in primary rat hepatocytes treated with three active hepatocarcinogens (prednisolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and monocrotaline), three inactive hepatocarcinogens (hydrocortisone, glycyrrhetinic acid and lithocholic acid) and two unclassified chemicals (griseofulvin (possibly active) and prednisone (possibly inactive)). At 48 h after treatment with these eight chemicals, cells were harvested for RNA extraction. Global gene expression analyses were conducted using oligonucleotide microarrays to detect genes whose expression was altered. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and KEGG pathway analysis were also conducted. Seven-hundred and sixty genes whose expression was altered >1.2-fold (P<0.05; unpaired Welch's t-test) were identified as DEGs for the active and inactive carcinogens. In PCA, prednisolone and dehydroepiandrosterone were located away from the inactive carcinogens. In contrast, monocrotaline was close to the inactive carcinogens. Hydrocortisone, glycyrrhetinic acid and lithocholic acid were separate from the active carcinogens. PCA identified griseofulvin as an active carcinogen and prednisone as an inactive carcinogen. GSEA detected several genes associated with hepatocarcinogenesis, such as glutathione S-transferase A2 and NADPH oxidase. KEGG pathway analysis showed that several pathways might be associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. Our results suggest that it may be feasible to differentiate active and inactive hepatocarcinogens by PCA, GSEA and KEGG pathway analysis.

A safety assessment of phototoxicity and sensitization of $SiO_2$ nanoparticles

Choi, Jae-Eun,Park, Yoon-Hee,Lee, Eun-Young,Jeong, Sang-Hoon,Kim, Sun-Yae,Kim, Meyoung-Kon,Son, Sang-Wook 대한독성유전단백체학회 2011 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.7 No.2

Despite widespread use of silicon dioxide ($SiO_2$) NPs in industry and in our daily lives, no studies so far have evaluated the potential of their skin phototoxicity and sensitization. This study was designed to investigate the potential of phototoxicity and sensitization of $SiO_2$ NPs. Assessment of the potential of skin phototoxicity was carried out using the 3T3 neutral red uptake test, an HSEM, and an animal model. The potential of skin sensitization was evaluated by a non-radioisotope local lymph node assay (non-RI LLNA). Findings from the present study suggest that the HSEM may be a reasonable model system for evaluation of skin phototoxicity of NPs. In addition, our data demonstrate that non-RI LLNA may be a useful method for identification of skin sensitization of NPs. In this study, we showed that $SiO_2$ NPs do not induce phototoxicity or skin sensitization.

Effect of ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehydes on endothelial cell growth in bacterial cellulose for vascular tissue engineering

Jeong, Seong Il,Lee, Seung Eun,Yang, Hana,Park, Cheung-Seog,Jin, Young-Ho,Park, Yong Seek 대한독성유전단백체학회 2012 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.10 No.1

Cardiovascular disease is the leading global cause of death. Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. And ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehydes such as acrolein and crotonaldehyde are major component of cigarette smoke. Use of replacement grafts materials is one of the cardiovascular disease treatments. However, currently available synthetic materials generally produce poor outcomes including hyperplasia and thrombogenicity. Recently, bacterial synthesized cellulose has received interest as a new functional vascular graft biomaterial owing to its biocompatibility. However, the association of a bacterial cellulose-based scaffold and cigarette smoke is not known. The present study investigated the alteration of function of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehyde on bacterial cellulose-based material. The data suggest that ${\alpha},{\beta}$-unsaturated aldehydes in cigarette smoke induce altered endothelial cell functions including morphology, adhesion, proliferation, viability and growth on bacterial cellulose. These results may provide the view that cigarette smoking of cardiovascular disease patients applied to bacterial cellulose-based vascular grafts is risk.

Implication of ultraviolet B radiation exposure for non-melanoma skin cancer in Korea

Lee, Sang Geun,Yoon, Hong Seok,Bae, Hyunjoo,Ha, Jongsik,Pak, Haeyong,Shin, Yongseung,Son, Sang Wook 대한독성유전단백체학회 2014 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.10 No.1

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the two most common subtypes of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Ultraviolet B radiation (UVB) exposure has been correlated with the occurrence of NMSC in humans. Thus far, studies investigating UVB-associated risk factors for NMSC in Asia have not been completed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of UVB radiation exposure on the incidence of NMSC. Using UVB index and National Health Insurance databases, we performed a regression analysis using a linear model to describe the relationship between UVB measurements and NMSC incidence. The cut-off age at which the number of NMSC patients increased significantly was 60 years old. Our study found that 52.2% of NMSC patients were males, while 47.8% were females. There was a strong positive correlation between the annual UVB index and NMSC incidence rates in individuals 60 years and older. Males, individuals 60 years and older and persons who live in higher UVB index in Korea might be susceptible to NMSC.

Characterization of mixed organic compounds extracted from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and applications to enhance the physiological responses of fermenting microorganisms

Park, Ju-Yong,Lee, Hyun Jeong,Ahn, Ji-Young,Kim, Yang-Hoon,Min, Jiho 대한독성유전단백체학회 2014 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.10 No.3

Photosynthetic bacteria can produce physiologically active compounds (PACs). In this study, PACs extracted from Rhodobacter sphaeroides were aerobically grown in the dark for 48 h. Neutral monosaccharides and amino acids in PACs were characterized and changes in the features of PACs before and after hydrolysis were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The growth and fermentation efficiency of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were enhanced under PACs-supplemented conditions. S. cerevisiae showed enhanced ethanol production. PACs did not act as carbon sources. The mixed organic compounds in PACs enhanced the physiological activities of other organisms by acting as nutrients. Therefore, the productivity of industrial microorganisms can be enhanced through exposure to PACs.

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride induces oxidative stress and inhibits cell growth in lung epithelial cells

Kwon, Jung-Taek,Kim, Hyun-Mi,Kim, Pilje,Choi, Kyunghee 대한독성유전단백체학회 2014 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.10 No.1

Didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) is a commonly used biocide that can cause lung inflammation and fibrosis. However, the mechanism of this pulmonary toxicity is unclear. Thus, we examined the mechanism for the DDAC-induced pulmonary toxicity at the cellular level by using lung epithelial cells. DDAC induced cell damage, including injury of mitochondria and lysosomes with the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), as well as caused cell morphological changes and necrotic reactions. In a clonogenic assay, treatment with a low concentration of DDAC ($5{\mu}m$) for 10 days reduced both the number and size of the colonies, which are indexes of cell growth. In addition, DDAC increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production while it decreased glutathione (GSH) activity. Therefore, our results suggest that exposure to even a low concentration of DDAC may inhibit cell growth and cause oxidative stress in lung epithelial cells.

Gene expression in zebrafish embryos following exposure to Cu-doped $TiO_2$ and pure $TiO_2$ nanometer-sized photocatalysts

Yeo, Min-Kyeong,Park, Hyung-Geun 대한독성유전단백체학회 2012 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.10 No.1

We investigated the comparative effects of Cu 15 mol % doped $TiO_2$ (anatase crystal phase, 20 ppt) nanoparticles and pure $TiO_2$ (anatase crystal phase, 20 ppt) nanoparticles on cellular toxicity, penetration, and gene expression in zebrafish embryogenesis. HR-TEM analysis observed that pure $TiO_2$ particles were in the form of small balls (<10 nm), while Cu-doped (15 mol %) $TiO_2$ particles were large (20-70 nm) squares and balls. Both Cu/$TiO_2$ and pure $TiO_2$ nanoparticles penetrated into cells. Cu/$TiO_2$ nanoparticles penetrated into the yolk sac epithelial cells of zebrafish larvae as aggregated particles. Mitochondria in embryos exposed to Cu/$TiO_2$ nanoparticles were damaged and did not contain cristae. In microarray analysis, several genes involved in apoptosis and endocytosis regulation were differentially expressed according to nanoparticle type. Bcl2 gene expression was significantly upregulated in embryos exposed to both Cu/$TiO_2$ and pure $TiO_2$ in comparison to the control group. Cu/$TiO_2$ nanoparticles caused more damage than pure $TiO_2$ nanoparticles and resulted in apoptosis during zebrafish development.

Cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity is inhibited by Taxilli Ramulus

Lee, Gihyun,Lee, Jun-Ho,Ham, Kyoung Keun,Lee, Hyojung,Kim, Hyunseong,Lee, Hyeonhoon,Hong, Moochang,Shin, Minkyu,Bae, Hyunsu 대한독성유전단백체학회 2012 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.10 No.2

Taxilli Ramulus has been shown have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Cisplatin is the most active cytotoxic anti-cancer drugs. However, the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin limits its use as a therapeutic. In the present study, we examined whether Taxilli Ramulus could protect against cisplatin induced acute renal failure in mice. Taxilli Ramulus were administrated orally once a day for 3 days (150 or 300 mg/kg body wt). After 3 days, all groups of mice received a single dose of cisplatin (25 mg/kg (body wt)) intraperitoneally. Taxilli Ramulus treatment ameliorated renal dysfunction 72 h after cisplatin injection. Taxilli Ramulus treated group had significantly reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines when compared to the control group. These results show that Taxilli Ramulus is a potent herbal medicine that can reduce cisplatin nephrotoxicity. It also demonstrates that Taxilli Ramulus can prevent the renal toxic effects caused by cisplatin.