Copper-zinc imbalance induces kidney tubule damage and oxidative stress in a population exposed to chronic environmental cadmium.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the effect of environmental cadmium (Cd) exposure and essential metal imbalance on renal tubular damage and oxidative stress in 979 adults living in a Cd-polluted area near an abandoned copper (Cu) refinery.

Methods: We analyzed urinary Cd concentrations, renal tubular damage and oxidative stress markers, such as beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG) and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity and urine malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The serum copper-to-zinc ratio (CZR) was used as an essential metal imbalance indicator.

Evaluation of factors associated with cadmium exposure and kidney function in the general population.

Cadmium (Cd) is a nonessential toxic metal which is widely distributed in the environment. The general population is exposed to low levels of Cd and the kidney is the organ most sensitive to Cd toxicity. This study was performed to simultaneously evaluate Cd exposure, kidney function, and oxidative stress biomarkers in the general population.

Risk assessment of low-level cadmium and arsenic on the kidney.

Cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) are widely distributed in the environment and are known human carcinogens. Several studies reported that chronic exposure to Cd and As produced renal injuries in humans. As one of the mechanisms, oxidative stress was suggested to play a role in the early process of Cd- and/or As-induced tubular damage in the kidney.

Effects of repeated seafood consumption on urinary excretion of arsenic species by volunteers.

Arsenic (As) is a known human carcinogen and widely distributed in the environment. The main route of As exposure in the general population is through food and drinking water. Seafood harvested in Korea contains high-level organoarsenics such as arsenobetaine, arsenocholine, and arsenosugars, which are much less harmful than inorganic arsenics.

Recovery from welding-fume-exposure-induced MRI T1 signal intensities after cessation of welding-fume exposure in brains of cynomolgus monkeys.

The shortening of the MRI T1 relaxation time, indicative of a high signal intensity in a T1-weighted MRI, is known as a useful biomarker for Mn exposure after short-term welding-fume exposure. A previous monkey experimental study found that the T1 relaxation times decreased time-dependently after exposure, and a visually detectable high signal intensity appeared after 150 days of exposure. The nadir for the shortening of the T1 relaxation time was also previously found to correspond well with the blood Mn concentration in welders, suggesting a correlation between a prolonged high blood Mn concentration and shortened T1 relaxation time.

Association of the G134A and G184C Polymorphisms in the Gene with Lung Cancer Incidence.

The G184C and G134A single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the gene result in Ala62Pro and Gly45Asp substitutions, respectively. Here, we tested whether these SNPs are associated with an alteration in lung cancer incidence. We examined 80 Korean subjects with lung cancer and 240 age- and sex-matched controls.

[Investigation on the situation of metabolic syndrome among Han-Chinese and Korean-Chinese in urban of Yanbian area].

Objective: To observe the situation of metabolic syndrome (MS) among Han-Chinese and Korean-Chinese in urban of Yanbian area.

Methods: Survey was carried out among 447 persons aged 50-60 years during August-September 2004, and their BP, TC, TG, HDLc, FBG and the index of obesity were measured:

Results: (1) The prevalence rates of hypertension, high FBG and dyslipidemia among Korean-Chinese were significantly higher than among Han-Chinese in either men or women (P < 0.01).