Dose-response relationship among blood cadmium concentrations, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were studied with acutely intoxicated rats by cadmium. The Sprague-Dawley male rats to which single dose of 1-32 mg/kg CdCl2 were administered into peritoneal cavity were sacrificed by decapitation at 3-36 hours after the administration. Cadmium concentrations in blood increased significantly with dose of CdCl2 administered and reached peak level at 3 hours later. Catalase activities in rats' tests were not correlated with exposure time elapsed after the administration in rats to which 1-2 mg/kg of CdCl2 were administered, but they showed linear relationship with time in groups to which 4-32 mg/kg of CdCl2 were administered. Cu, Zn-SOD activities in tests of acutely intoxicated rats by cadmium were not altered either by dosage or by time elapsed after the administration. Mn-SOD activities in the tests were also not influenced by dosage of 1-2 mg/kg CdCl2, but remarkably inactivated by dosage of 4-32 mg/kg CdCl2 with time elapsed after the administration. Neither catalase, Cu, Zn-SOD nor Mn-SOD activities of tests were correlated with blood cadmium concentrations in acutely intoxicated rats by cadmium.
Animals ; Cadmium Chloride ; Cadmium* ; Catalase* ; Decapitation ; Humans ; Male ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase* ; Superoxides* ; Testis*

Aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery are rare, accounting for 8% of visceral artery aneurysms. About 60% of all superior mesenteric artery aneurysms have a mycotic origin. The only helpful clinical manifestations are episodes of previous abdominal pain and a history of valvular heart disease. In this case, a 66-year-old female patient with mitral regurgitation and aortic regurgitation presented with pain in the upper abdominal area. A superior mesenteric artery aneurysm was diagnosed at the time of impending rupture. Since excellent collateral circulation was present, an aneurysmectomy without revascularization was performed, and no ischemic symptom occurred. The patient presented no major complications during the postoperative course.
Abdominal Pain ; Aged ; Aneurysm ; Aneurysm, Infected* ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Arteries ; Collateral Circulation ; Endocarditis* ; Female ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Humans ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior* ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Rupture

Analyses of lead and zinc were made by means of standard addition method using atomic absorption spectrophotometer(Baird Ltd., Model A5100) with flameless method for lead and flame method for zinc. The blood samples used were merely diluted with triton x-100, because it was simple, rapid and minimal risk of contamination. Mean recovery rate for lead added to the blood ranged from 97.7 to 101.3% with coefficient of variation ranging from 1.9 to 10.7%, and that for the added zinc ranged from 99.0 to 102.2% with coefficient of variation ranging from 2.1 to 9.1%. In repeated measurements of zinc in the blood, good reproducibility and inter-individual variation were proved(p<0.01). In comparison of the lead and zinc concentrations in the blood determined by the standard addition method and standard method, there were good correlations between 2 sets of data (r=0.9731 for lead and r=0.9785 for zinc), although lead levels were estimated higher by the former method(p<0.01) and zinc levels by the latter method(p<0.01). It can be concluded that lead zinc levels in blood standard addition method is reliable for determination of lead and zinc in the blood with good accuracy and reproducibility.
Absorption ; Octoxynol ; Zinc*

OBJECTIVES: Cadmium (Cd), a toxic and non-essential metal, is recognized as a human carcinogen, which has a tendency to accumulate in the human body. The levels of Cd in renal cortex and liver are good indicators as an index of Cd exposure in the general population. In this study, we present an estimation of reference Cd levels in tissue (renal cortex and liver) and total body burden in the general population of Korea. MEDTHODS: Cd and zinc (Zn) were analyzed in renal cortex and liver from 254 autopsies (male : 188 cases, female : 66 cases) aged 0 to 87 years. RESULTS: Geometric mean concentration of Cd was 27.4 and 3.1 ua/g wet weight in renal cortex and liver, respectively. The level of Zn in renal cortex and liver was 35.4 and 42. 6 v/g wet weight, respectively. The result suggests that kidney is the target organ for Cd accumulation. The accumulation of Cd in renal cortex was age-dependent with a biphasic pattern. The level of Cd in renal cortex increased with age up to the fifties, and then leveled off thereafter. Based on the data, the regression model for Cd accumulation in renal cortex by age is predicted by : Log KCd = 0. 2325 + 0. 0553 Age 0. 0005 Age. The highest Cd accumulation in renal cortex of Koreans was estimated at 43. 3 ua/g wet weight at 50. 8 years old. In addition, the total Cd body burden by age was estimated by the following equation: Total Cd Body Burden = -4. 5948 + l. 2278 Age - 0. 0121 Age. The highest body burden of Cd was estimated at 26. 5 mg at age 50. 7 years in the Korean general population. The positive correlation between Zn and Cd was observed in renal cortex and liver. CONCLUSIONS: The level of Cd exposure in Korean was found to be lower than in Japanese, but same as or higher than in American and Europeans.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Autopsy ; Body Burden ; Cadmium* ; Child ; Female ; Human Body ; Humans ; Kidney Cortex ; Kidney* ; Korea ; Liver* ; Reference Values* ; Zinc

Thirty five male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with cadmium chloride solution ranging from 0.2 to 3.2mg CdCl2/kg by intravenous single injection. At 48 hours after administration of cadmium, total cadmium, MT bound cadmium and histopathologic finding in liver, kidney, lung, heart, testis, metallothionein in liver, kidney and total cadmium in blood were examined. Tissue cadmium concentration was highest in liver, followed by in kidney, heart, lung and testis. Cadmium bound to metallothionein(MT-Cd) and ratio of MT-Cd to total cadmium were increased in liver and kidney dependently of cadmium exposure dose, but not significantly changed in other organs. On histopathologic finding, the most susceptible organ was heart in considering cadmium exposed dose, but testis in considering cadmium concentration. Blood cadmium concentration was increased with dose-dependent pattern, and significantly correlated with tissue cadmium concentration, so that we may estimate tissue cadmium concentration by measurement of blood cadmium concentration. Metallothionein in liver and kidney was increased with dose-dependent pattern, higher in liver than in kidney, and was significantly correlated with tissue cadmium concentration. However, metallothionein induction efficiency of tissue cadmium(microgram MT/microgram Cd) was greater in liver than in kidney, and reverse to tissue concentration or exposed dose of cadmium.
Animals ; Cadmium Chloride ; Cadmium* ; Heart ; Humans ; Kidney ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Metallothionein* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis

A 19 month old girl with trisomy 18 is described. She showed loose folds of skin about the neck, a prominent occiput, a simian crease on both palms, epicanthal folds, acrocephaly, micrognathia, and unusual dermatologic features including total alopecia and no finger prints on either hands. Because of the simian crease on both palms, dermatoglyphics of both hands and total alopecia, a skin biopsy from the scalp and a chromosomal study were established at age 19-months, and an absence of hair follicles was observed, while peripheral blood lymphocytes demonstrated 47, XX, 4-18. To our knowledge, this would be the first recorded report on the dermatoglyphic pattern of Edwards syndrome in a Korean journal of dermatology.
Alopecia ; Biopsy ; Craniosynostoses ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Dermatology ; Female ; Fingers ; Hair Follicle ; Hand ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Micrognathism ; Neck ; Scalp ; Skin ; Trisomy*

A 19 month old girl with trisomy 18 is described. She showed loose folds of skin about the neck, a prominent occiput, a simian crease on both palms, epicanthal folds, acrocephaly, micrognathia, and unusual dermatologic features including total alopecia and no finger prints on either hands. Because of the simian crease on both palms, dermatoglyphics of both hands and total alopecia, a skin biopsy from the scalp and a chromosomal study were established at age 19-months, and an absence of hair follicles was observed, while peripheral blood lymphocytes demonstrated 47, XX, 4-18. To our knowledge, this would be the first recorded report on the dermatoglyphic pattern of Edwards syndrome in a Korean journal of dermatology.
Alopecia ; Biopsy ; Craniosynostoses ; Dermatoglyphics* ; Dermatology ; Female ; Fingers ; Hair Follicle ; Hand ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; Micrognathism ; Neck ; Scalp ; Skin ; Trisomy*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to find the protective effects of garlic on the halogenated hydrocarbon induced hepatotoxicities, and the possible protection mechanisms involved. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats received garlic (0.5 %) or regular diet, for 4 weeks. This was followed by a single dose of corn oil (the controls), carbon tetrachloride (400mg/kg body weight) and trichloroethylene (2,000mg/kg body weight) being administered to each diet group. Blood samples were collected 24 hours following the administration, and the serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities measured. The liver samples were studied for their cytochrome P450 and CYP2E1 contents, lipid peroxidation and histopathology. RESULTS: The results for the group receiving the 0.5 % garlic diet showed a slight decrease of CYP2E1 expression compared with the regular diet group. Carbon tetrachloride was significantly decreased the CYP2E1 contents in both the regular and garlic diet groups, but the trichloroethylene remained unchanged. Garlic did not decrease the lipid peroxidation of the liver in the control group, but attenuated the increase of lipid peroxidation caused by carbon tetrachloride. Garlic attenuated the increase of both the serum AST and ALT activities caused by carbon tetrachloride. The histopathological observations also showed that garlic attenuated centrilobular necrosis and vacuolar degenerative changes significantly in the carbon tetrachloride treated group. Conclusions : The results indicate that garlic attenuates the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity, through the prevention of the metabolic activation and lipid peroxidation.
Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Biotransformation ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Carbon* ; Corn Oil ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Diet ; Garlic* ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Liver ; Male ; Necrosis ; Protective Agents ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Trichloroethylene

Heavy metals are distributed in the environment ubiquitously. Metals are widely used in various industries, because of which have characteristics of marked malleability and ductility. Workers are exposed to metals through inhalation in industry, while the general population who has not been exposed to metals occupationally, exposed orally through diet and drinking water. Workers are exposed to the low level of metals chronically. All metals and metal compounds are potentially toxic to human, but many metals are essential and homeostasis is key to survival. Recently, the proportion of heavy metal poisoning is about 1% in the occupational disease, and reported cases annually are around 10 peoples in Korea. Ninety four cases of heavy metal poisoning were reported from 2001 to 2008 in Korea. The most cause of poisoning was chromium of 51 cases, and followed by lead (25 cases), manganese (9 cases), cadmium (6 cases), and mercury (3 cases), in orders. In this paper, there are reviewed and discussed about exposure source and route, absorption and metabolism, health effects, medical treatment and management of major metals mentioned above. Several metals are known human carcinogens, therefore workers exposed to metals in workplace should be controlled with meticulous care. In conclusion, the efficient controls for workers, who are working under the metal contaminated environment in industry, could be suggested as the prohibition of excessive exposure to metals through health education and environmental controls, and prevention and early detection of metal poisoning by the periodic health examination and exposure assessment.
Absorption ; Cadmium ; Carcinogens ; Chromium ; Diet ; Drinking Water ; Health Education ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Korea ; Manganese ; Metals ; Metals, Heavy ; Occupational Diseases ; Occupations ; Poisoning

No abstract available.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin* ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy*