Cheol-Hong Lim

Identification of Gene Markers for Formaldehyde Exposure in Humans

Background Formaldehyde (FA) is classified as a human carcinogen and has been linked to increased leukemia rates in some epidemiologic studies. Inhalation of FA induces sensory irritation at relatively low concentrations. However, little is known concerning the cellular alterations observed after FA exposure in humans. Objectives Our aim was to profile global gene expression in Hs 680.Tr human tracheal fibroblasts exposed to FA and to develop biomarkers for the evaluation of FA exposure in humans. Methods and Results We used gene expression analysis, and identified 54 genes designated as FA responsive. On the basis of these data, we conducted an exploratory analysis of the expression of these genes in human subjects exposed to high or low levels of FA. We monitored FA exposure by measuring the urinary concentration of thiazolidine-4-carboxylate (TZCA), a stable and quantitative cysteinyl adduct of FA. Nine genes were selected for real-time PCR analysis; of these, BHLHB2, CCNL1, SE20-4, C8FW, PLK2, and SGK showed elevated expression in subjects with high concentrations of TZCA. Conclusion The identification of gene marker candidates in vitro using microarray analysis and their validation using human samples obtained from exposed subjects is a good tool for discovering genes of potential mechanistic interest and biomarkers of exposure. Thus, these genes are differentially expressed in response to FA and are potential effect biomarkers of FA exposure.

Effect of water-soluble metal working fluid aerosols on respiratory system after 13 weeks of repeated inhalation exposure in F344 rats.

Three groups of male F344 rats were exposed to a water-soluble metal working fluid (MWF) aerosol at concentrations of 20, 60 or 180 mg/m3 for 6 h/day, five days a week, for 13 weeks in inhalation chambers. The aerosol particles were normally distributed and the mass median aerodynamic diameter was 1.56 mm. Despite the absence of clinical findings or significant changes in body weight during the 13-week exposure period, the numbers of white blood cells and lung weights were significantly higher at the end of the 13-week exposure period. Exposure to 20 mg/m3 of the MWF aerosol was found to have an effect on the respiratory system, including an accumulation of foamy macrophages in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and thickening of the alveolar walls in the histopathology. The level of histamine and number of polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells were also higher in the BAL fluid from the rats exposed to 60 mg/m3 of the MWF aerosol, while the respiratory inflammation was most pronounced in the rats exposed to 180 mg/m3 of the MWF aerosol, including the accumulation of PMNs and foamy macrophages in the BAL cells, lung weight increase and thickening of the alveolar walls. Immunoglobulin IgG2a level was also lower in the sera from the rats exposed to 180 mg/m3 of the MWF aerosol. Therefore, even though no clinical symptoms were observed in the rats exposed to the high MWF concentration, respiratory inflammation was still induced by a relatively low concentration of the MWF, while the immune system was affected by the high MWF concentration.

Twenty-eight-day repeated inhalation toxicity study of nano-sized lanthanum oxide in male sprague-dawley rats

Although the use of lanthanum has increased in field of high‐tech industry worldwide, potential adverse effects to human health and to the environment are largely unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of nano‐sized lanthanum oxide (La2O3) following repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Male rats were exposed nose‐only to nano‐sized La2O3 for 28 days (5 days/week) at doses of 0, 0.5, 2.5, and 10 mg/m3. In the experimental period, we evaluated treatment‐related changes including clinical signs, body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology findings. We also analyzed lanthanum distribution in the major organs and in the blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF), and oxidative stress in lung tissues. Lanthanum level was highest in lung tissues and showed a dose‐dependent relation. Alveolar proteinosis was observed in all treatment groups and was accompanied by an increase in lung weight; moreover, lung inflammation was observed in the 2.5 mg/m3 and higher dose groups and was accompanied by an increase in white blood cells. In the BALF, total cell counts including macrophages and neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, nitric oxide, and tumor necrosis factor‐alpha increased significantly in all treatment groups. Furthermore, these changes tended to deteriorate in the 10 mg/m3 group at the end of the recovery period. In the present experimental conditions, we found that the lowest‐observed‐adverse‐effect level of nano‐sized La2O3 was 0.5 mg/m3 in male rats, and the target organ was the lung.

Twenty-Eight-Day Repeated Inhalation Toxicity Study of Nano-Sized Neodymium Oxide in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

Neodymium is a future-oriented material due to its unique properties, and its use is increasing in various industrial fields worldwide. However, the toxicity caused by repeated exposure to this metal has not been studied in detail thus far. The present study was carried out to investigate the potential inhalation toxicity of nano-sized neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) following a 28-day repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were exposed to nano-sized Nd2O3-containing aerosols via a nose-only inhalation system at doses of 0 mg/m3, 0.5 mg/m3, 2.5 mg/m3, and 10 mg/m3 for 6 hr/day, 5 days/week over a 28-day period, followed by a 28-day recovery period. During the experimental period, clinical signs, body weight, hematologic parameters, serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathological findings were examined; neodymium distribution in the major organs and blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and oxidative stress in lung tissues were analyzed. Most of the neodymium was found to be deposited in lung tissues, showing a dose-dependent relationship. Infiltration of inflammatory cells and pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) were the main observations of lung histopathology. Infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the 2.5 mg/m3 and higher dose treatment groups. PAP was observed in all treatment groups accompanied by an increase in lung weight, but was observed to a lesser extent in the 0.5 mg/m3 treatment group. In BALF analysis, total cell counts, including macrophages and neutrophils, lactate dehydrogenase, albumin, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, increased significantly in all treatment groups. After a 4-week recovery period, these changes were generally reversed in the 0.5 mg/m3 group, but were exacerbated in the 10 mg/m3 group. The lowest-observed-adverse-effect concentration of nano-sized Nd2O3 was determined to be 0.5 mg/m3, and the target organ was determined to be the lung, under the present experimental conditions in male rats.

Brazilin inhibits mitogen induced cell proliferation despite of augmentation of T cell growth factor(TCGF) production and expression of IL-2 receptors

The present work was designed to investigate the effects of brazilin on ConA-induced TCGF release, responsiveness to standard IL-2, and mitogens-induced proliferation of splenocyte when administered intraperitoneally to 8 week-old C57BL/6 mice for 2 consecutive days. Immunological tests were performed 72 hours after the treatment of brazilin. The administration of 50 mg/kg brazilin caused a noticeable increase in TCGF release and responsiveness to standard IL-2, but inhibited mitogens-induced proliferation of splenocyte. These results indicated that brazilin is able to modulate immunological functions despite of its inhibitory effect on mitogen induced cell proliferation.

Oxidative Stress and Sex Difference in Liver of Rats Exposed to Cyclohexanone

Cyclohexanone is widely used in industry for the organic synthesis of chemicals such as adipic acid, caprolactam, polyvinyl chloride and its copolymers, and methacrylate ester polymers. Its mechanism of toxicity, especially oxidative stress, is rarely reported in cyclohexanone toxicity studies. In this study, we evaluate oxidative stress immunohistochemically in the livers of rats xp sed to cyclohexanone. Rats were exposed to 0 ppm and 625 ppm cyclohexanone for 6 h/day, 5 days/week, for 13 weeks via whole-body inhalation. All rats were sacrificed at the end of exposure and livers were removed and prepared for histological examination. Histopathology indicated an increase in bile duct hyperplasia in the liver was only observed in the cyclohexanone-exposed group, compared to t hat in the control group in males. Immunohistochemistry showed 4-HNE immunoreactivity in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes in the liver. Immunoreactivity was significantly stronger in the cyclohexanone-exposed group compared to the control group in both sexes. How ever, it was significantly stronger in males compared to females. This result shows a sex-based difference in the expression of oxida t ve stress in response to cyclohexanone exposure.