The Neutralizing Effect of Panax Ginseng for Toxicities in the Survival, Sperm Quality, Pregnancy and F1 Generation of Guinea Pigs Exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), one of the most potent environmental pollutants, is known to disrupt the endocrine, immune, and reproductive system. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of a panax ginseng water extract (PG-WE) on the survival rate, sperm quality, and fertility impaired by TCDD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty male guinea pigs were divided into 8 groups. The normal control group received the vehicle and saline. TCDD was intraperitoneally injected at a single dose of 1microgram/kg. A PG-WE was administered at 100 or 200mg/kg/ day 1wk prior to (P groups) or subsequent to (C groups) TCDD-exposure for 12 and 10 weeks, respectively. The G groups received the vehicle and the PG-WE of 100 or 200mg/kg/day, respectively. The parameters for the male guinea pigs were assessed for 40 weeks. The effects on the F1 generation were assessed at a growth period of F1. RESULTS: All single TCDD-treated group animals died within 18 days and the survival rate of the PG-WE-treated groups increased in a dose dependant manner. Forty to 70% of the P and C groups survived until the 40th week and reached sexual maturation. The death rate of the progeny born from the PG-WE-treated groups was significantly lower than that in the NC group (14.3%). The M/F ratio of the F1 generation in the P and C groups had higher female birth ratio. The sperm number and morphology showed no significant differences among the groups. The PG-WE increased the sperm motility in the guinea pigs exposed to TCDD. CONCLUSIONS: Panax ginseng is a useful agent that can neutralize endocrine disrupters and environmental pollutants, and help maintain a high sperm quality after a growth period.

Effects of hOGG1 Associated with the Aging Process on the Development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG) repairs DNA by removing 8-oxoguanine (oh8Gua), a highly mutagenic oxidative DNA adduct. Recently, the human gene for OGG (hOGG1) was cloned and several genotypes have been reported. However, the implications of such genotypes in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have not been demonstrated. To assess the involvement of hOGG1 associated with the aging process on the development of BPH, we analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of hOGG1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 162 cases of BPH and 162 normal controls we studied the hOGG1 gene polymorphisms by performing genotype studies to characterize the genetic polymorphisms of hOGG1. RESULTS: We found a polymorphism at codon 326 in exon 7. The distribution of hOGG1 genotypes at codon 326 in BPH patients (Ser326Ser type, 18.5%; Ser326Cys type, 42.0%; and Cys326Cys type, 39.5%) was significantly different from that in the controls (14.8%, 63.0% and 22.2%, respectively) (p=0.022). Homozygosity for the Cys326Cys genotype significantly increased the risk of developing BPH, with the odds ratio (OR) being 2.286 (95% confidence interval [CI]=1.149-4.546). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the hOGG1 Cys326Cys genotype might play an important role in the development of BPH.