In order to study the effect of lead exposure on the hematocrit and hemoglobin values in accordance with the level of lead exposure, twenty-four Sprague-Dawly rates were equally divided into four groups of six tars each. Lead acetate disolved in glucose was injected intrapertitoneally six times a week, for weeks with does of 0.05 mg/kg/day for group I, 0.5 mg/kg/day for group II, and 5 mg/kg/day for group III. Control group was injected glucose only. Blood samples for the checking of the hematocrit and hemoglobin values, were taking from tail vein of rats before lead injection and on the third, seventh, fourteenth, twenty-first, and twenty-eighth days after lead injection. And also, the concentration of lead and ALA in urine were checked for evaluating the lead absorption. The results were as follows ; 1. The alteration of the hematocrit and hemoglobin values of the group I was not significant as that of the control group. 2. In group II, the hematocrit values were significantly decreased from the fourteenth day after lead injection, and the hemoglobin values were decreased from the twenty- first day after lead injection when the concentration of lead in urine was elevated more than 260 microgram/liter. 3. In group III, the hematocrit value were decreased from the seventh day after lead injection, and the hemoglobin value were decreased even from third day after lead injection. And the hemoglobin values were more rapidly decreased than the hematocrit values. 4. In all group, the correlation coefficient between hematocrit and hemoglobin was highly significant. And the difference between the correlation coefficient of the group III and that of the others was highly significant.
Absorption ; Animals ; Glucose ; Hematocrit* ; Rats ; Tars ; Veins

Risk Factors ; Tars ; toxicity ; Tobacco Products ; standards ; toxicity ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; etiology ; prevention & control

Pityriasis rotunda (PR) is a rare disease characterized by persistent, sharply defined, oval, scaly patches of dry skin, localized mainly on the trunk and extremities. Its etiology remains unknown. However, several reports suggest that it is a form of acquired ichthyosis vulgaris or a skin manifestation of systemic disease, such as malnutrition, chronic illness, hepatic disease, and malignancies. Although a variety of treatment modalities, including topical lactic acid, urea, tars, emollients, and corticosteroid, have been applied to it, their efficacies are not satisfactory. Herein, we report a case of PR in a healthy man who was successfully treated with oral and topical retinoids.
Chronic Disease ; Emollients ; Extremities ; Ichthyosis ; Ichthyosis Vulgaris ; Lactic Acid ; Malnutrition ; Pityriasis ; Rare Diseases ; Retinoids ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Tars ; Urea

Pityriasis rotunda (PR) is a rare disease characterized by persistent, sharply defined, oval, scaly patches of dry skin, localized mainly on the trunk and extremities. Its etiology remains unknown. However, several reports suggest that it is a form of acquired ichthyosis vulgaris or a skin manifestation of systemic disease, such as malnutrition, chronic illness, hepatic disease, and malignancies. Although a variety of treatment modalities, including topical lactic acid, urea, tars, emollients, and corticosteroid, have been applied to it, their efficacies are not satisfactory. Herein, we report a case of PR in a healthy man who was successfully treated with oral and topical retinoids.
Chronic Disease ; Emollients ; Extremities ; Ichthyosis ; Ichthyosis Vulgaris ; Lactic Acid ; Malnutrition ; Pityriasis ; Rare Diseases ; Retinoids ; Skin ; Skin Manifestations ; Tars ; Urea

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the impact of nicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract (fCSE) on the serum testosterone (T) level and erectile function of male rats.

METHODSWe randomized 30 male SD rats to three groups of equal number to receive subcutaneous injection of PBS (1.0 ml / 300 g body weight per day), fCSE (1.0 ml/300 g body weight per day), and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH, 200 mg per kg body weight per day) in addition to fCSE (fCSE + GSH), respectively, all for 8 weeks. Then we evaluated the erectile function of the rats by measuring the maximal intracavernous pressure (MICP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), ICP/MAP ratio, time of stimulation to MICP (Tmax), and cavernosal filling fate (CFR). We determined the serum T level, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) , malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the cavernosal tissue, and also observed the morphological changes of the corpus cavernosum.

RESULTSCompared with the controls, the rats of the fCSE group showed obvious decreases in the levels of serum T ([5.37 ± 1.43] vs [3.22 ± 1.11] μg/L), NOS ([2.90 ± 0.27] vs [1.67 ± 0.18] U/mg) , and SOD ([18.41 ± 1.09] vs [13.36 ± 1.18] U/mg prot) and erectile function-related indexes MICP ([85.92 ± 6.36] vs [58.99 ± 10.76] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.86 ± 0.09 vs [0.56 ± 0.08]), and CFR (2.14 ± 0.44 vs 0.89 ± 0.44), but markedly increased Tmax ([29.90 ± 5.78] vs [42.90 ± 8.56]s), with a positive correlation between the serum T level and CFR (r = 0. 364, P < 0.05). Masson staining revealed a lower ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber in the fCSE group (0.27 ± 0.04) than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12). Compared with the fCSE group, the fCSE + GSH group exhibited significantly improved MICP ([58.99 ± 10.76 ] vs [77.95 ± 7.71] mmHg), MICP/MAP (0.56 ± 0.08 vs 0.77 ± 0.09), and CFR (0.89 ± 0.44] vs 1.76 ± 0.42) and shortened Tmax ([42.90 ± 8.56 ] vs [32.10 ± 5.84 ] s). The ratio of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tissue to collagen fiber was higher in the fCSE + GSH than in the fCSE group (0.77 ± 0.09 vs 0.27 ± 0.04) but still lower than in the control (0.98 ± 0.12).

CONCLUSIONNicotine- and tar-free cigarette smoke extract reduces the serum T level and erectile function of rats, which is related to oxidative stress. Antioxidant therapy can improve erectile function but has a limited value for morphological protection of the penile tissue.

Animals ; Erectile Dysfunction ; chemically induced ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth ; pathology ; Nicotine ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; metabolism ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; Penis ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Smoke ; adverse effects ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tars ; Tobacco ; adverse effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of the smoke tar on the expression of aromatic hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and the cytochrome P4501Al (CYP1A1) gene of mice lungs.

METHODSThe smoke tar of 5.29, 10.58 and 15.87 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally in mice respectively. RNA of mice lungs was got with RNA kit. RT-PCR technique was used for determining AHR and CYP1A1 gene expression with beta-actin as control.

RESULTSThe AHR gene expression level was (0.554 +/- 0.023) for the mice intraperitoneally administered with 5.29 mg/kg smoke tar for 72 hours with the significant difference in gene expression level compared with the Tween-80 group (0.484 +/- 0.045) (P < 0.05). The AHR gene expression levels were (0.555 +/- 0.014), (0.606 +/- 0.051), and (0.566 +/- 0.014), (0.684 +/- 0.069) for the mice intraperitoneally administered with 10.58 and 15.87 mg/kg smoke tar for 48 hours and 72 hours respectively with the significant difference in gene expression level compared with the Tween-80 group (0.486 +/- 0.060, 0.484 +/- 0.045) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The CYP1Al gene expression levels were (1.535 +/- 0.021), (1.643 +/- 0.046) and (1.624 +/- 0.056), (1.739 +/- 0.038) respectively with the significant difference compared with the Tween-80 group (l.436 +/- 0.016, 1.404 +/- 0.036) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe smoke tar can regulate up the expression of AHR and CYP1A1 gene at a certain dosage and time. The regulation of the smoke tar for the expression of AHR was earlier than for that of CYP1A1.

Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Aryl Hydrocarbon ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smoking ; Tars ; toxicity ; Up-Regulation

Four patients with fulminant myocarditis (two males and two females, age 21-67 years old) were examined during 1995-2001. Fulminant myocarditis was diagnosed based on clinical features, abnormal electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings, and increased serum enzyme levels. In three of four cases, the diagnoses were confirmed histologically in autopsy. All four patients had flu-like symptoms and fever at the start. One patient died suddenly next day. Other three patients went into cardiogenic shock five and seven days after the onset of symptoms and hospitalized, and treated with temporary pacing, steroid pulse therapy, catecholamine (in all three patients) and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support : PCPS (in one patient), but they died within ten days. Electrocardigrams showed ventricular escape rhythm, ST elevation associated with Q wave, and low voltage of the QRS complex. Markedly increased serum enzyme levels, severe metabolic acidosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation were thought to be indicative of poor prognosis. Early recognition of cardiac involvement and using of PCPS without hesitation in an acute phase could improve the outcome of fulminant myocarditis.
Myocarditis ; Clinical ; Therapeutic brand of coal tar ; symptoms <1> ; Serum

OBJECTIVE: In this study, the exposure levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and urinary 1-hydroxypyrene(1-OHP) were surveyed among the workers using coal tar paint. METHOD: The study subjects for the exposed group were 107 male coal tar workers in 10 factories, and for the comparison group were 201 male clerk workers who had never been exposed to coal tar paint. Ambient PAHs, and pre-shift and end-shift urinary 1-OHP were sample and 16 PAHs were analysed. Smoking history was recorded during the survey day. RESULTS: The geometric mean of ambient concentration of total PAHs was 120.17 microgram/m3. Naphthalene had the highest level among the 16 PAHs. The pre-shift 1-OHP in the exposed group (8.89 micro mol/mol creatinine) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.29 micro mol/mol creatinine). The end-shift 1-OHP in the exposed group (19.02 micro mol/mol creatinine) was significantly higher than that in the pre-shift (8.89 micro mol/mol creatinine) (Ed- confirm). 1-OHP of smokers was significantly higher than that of non-smokers in both groups. The difference between pre-shift and end-shift 1-OHP in smokers (12.40 micro mol/mol creatinine) was twice as high as that in non-smokers (6.06 micro mol/mol creatinine). The difference of 1-OHP between smokers and nonsmokers was 7.59 micro mol/mol creatinine in pre-shift and 13.96 micro mol/mol creatinine in end-shift. Thus, the effect of smoking and exposure to PAHs on 1-OHP may not be additive. In regression analysis for 1-OHP, the significant independent variables were pre-shift 1-OHP and PAHs. The direction of these variables was positive. When the analysis was performed in workers exposed to higher PAHs, smoking was significant independent variable. CONCLUSION: The above results suggest that not only ambient PAHs but also smoking, one of the most important non-occupational PAHs source, influenced the level of 1-OHP. Moreover, the effect of smoking to 1-OHP changed according to the exposure level of PAHs.
Coal Tar* ; Coal* ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Male ; Paint* ; Polycyclic Hydrocarbons, Aromatic* ; Smoke ; Smoking

Many workers who used coal tar containing paints in shipyard industry have dermatitis, but the etiology is not known well. Our research is to fond out the etiology of the dermatitis and to provide proper management. Methods of this research are comprised of 3 steps. First, we diagnosed dermatitis by questionnaire and dermatologic examination and evaluated air level of coal tar pitch volatiles in workplace. Second, we confirmed coal tar phototoxicity by in vitro cell experiments. Third, we evaluated the effects of intervention. The results were as follows ; Questionnaire survey showed that the lesions of dermatitis were mainly on the sun exposed area and the symptoms were strongly associated with season, weather, and time. Air levels of coal tar pitch volatiles in workplace were higher than NIOSH standard (0.1 mg/m(3), cyclohexane solubles). Inhibitory effects of cellular proliferation by coal tar containing paints and UVA (365nm) exposure showed coal tar phototoxicity. Intervention was done by UV barrier cream(BPF 30) and 72.7% workers who applied UV barrier cream improved after 2 months later. Conclusively, the etiology of dermatitis of shipyard workers who used coal tar containing paint was coal tar phototoxicity, and this dermatitis would be protected by UV barrier cream.
Cell Proliferation ; Coal Tar* ; Coal* ; Dermatitis ; Dermatitis, Phototoxic* ; National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (U.S.) ; Paint* ; Questionnaires ; Seasons ; Solar System ; Weather

Lichen striatus (LS) is a self-resolving condition, which may occasionally need treatment for significant pruritus, a persistent course or cosmetic problems. The options for treatment have usually been topical or intralesional corticosteroids, salicylic acid, coal tar, or more recently, topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus. We report a case of LS successfully treated with pimecrolimus in a 15-year-old girl.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Coal Tar ; Female* ; Humans ; Lichens* ; Pruritus ; Salicylic Acid ; Tacrolimus