Biomedical subjects

Min Sun Kim

Publications and source records attributed to Min Sun Kim.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 decrease RXRalpha, PPARalpha, PPARgamma, LXRalpha, and the coactivators SRC-1, PGC-1alpha, and PGC-1beta in liver cells.

During the acute phase response, cytokines induce marked alterations in lipid metabolism including an increase in serum triglyceride levels and a decrease in hepatic fatty acid oxidation, in bile acid synthesis, and in high-density lipoprotein levels. Here we demonstrate that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL-1), but not IL-6, decrease the expression of retinoid X receptor alpha (RXRalpha), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha), PPARgamma, liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha), and coactivators PPARgamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha), PGC-1beta, and steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1) in Hep3B human hepatoma cells. In addition, treatment of mice with TNF and IL-1 also decreased RXRalpha, PPARalpha, PPARgamma, LXRalpha, and PGC-1alpha messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the liver. These decreases were accompanied by reduced binding of nuclear extracts to RXR, PPAR, and LXR response elements and decreased luciferase activity driven by PPAR and LXR response elements. In addition, the mRNA levels of proteins regulated by PPARalpha (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1alpha) and LXR (sterol regulatory element binding protein) were decreased in Hep3B cells treated with TNF or IL-1. Finally, using constructs of the LXRalpha promoter or the PGC-1alpha promoter linked to luciferase, we were able to demonstrate that a decrease in transcription contributes to the reduction in mRNA levels of nuclear hormone receptors and coactivators. Thus, our results suggest that decreased expression of nuclear hormone receptors RXRalpha, PPARalpha, PPARgamma, and LXRalpha, as well as coactivators PGC-1alpha, PGC-1beta, and SRC-1 may contribute to the cytokine-induced alterations in hepatic lipid metabolism during the acute phase response.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2006

Antinociceptive effects of heterotopic electroacupuncture in formalin-induced pain.

This study examined the antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture (EA) to heterotopic acupoints on formalin-induced pain in rats. EA (2 ms, 10 Hz, and 3 mA) was delivered to heterotopic acupoints HE(7) and PE(7), or non-acupoints at the right fore limb, for 30 min and was immediately followed by subcutaneous formalin injection into the left hind paw, respectively. The quantified pain score, electromyogram (EMG) response of the C-fiber reflex, and cFos immunoreactivity were assessed, respectively. EA to heterotopic acupoints significantly reduced both early- and late-phase pain-like behaviors and significantly decreased the EMG responses of the C-fiber reflex after formalin injection. By contrast, EA to non-acupoints had no significant effects on pain-like behavior or the EMG response. In addition, EA to heterotopic acupoints decreased cFos immunoreactivity in the lumbar spinal dorsal horn. Therefore, EA induced pre-emptive antinociception via the extra-segmental inhibition of the formalin-induced pain, suggesting that EA to heterotopic acupoints is a useful treatment for inflammatory pain.

Acupuncture Analgesia↗

PubMed2005

Suppression of estrogen-related receptor alpha and medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase in the acute-phase response.

Fatty acid oxidation provides energy in tissues with high metabolic demands. During the acute-phase response (APR) induced by infection and inflammation, fatty acid oxidation is decreased associated with hypertriglyceridemia. Little is known about the mechanism by which the APR decreases fatty acid oxidation. Therefore, we investigated whether the APR affects the expression of medium-chain acyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase (MCAD), its regulator the estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERRalpha), and a key coactivator of ERRalpha, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha). mRNA levels of PGC-1alpha, ERRalpha, and MCAD are markedly reduced in the liver, heart, and kidney of mice during the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced APR. The decreases were rapid and occurred at very low doses of LPS. MCAD activity in liver was also reduced. Furthermore, binding of hepatic nuclear extracts to the ERRalpha response element found in the promoter region of MCAD was significantly decreased during the APR, suggesting the decreased transcription of the MCAD gene. The binding activity was identified as ERRalpha by supershift with antibody to ERRalpha. Similar decreases in mRNA levels of these genes occur during zymosan- and turpentine-induced inflammation, indicating that suppression of the PGC-1alpha, ERRalpha, and MCAD pathway is a general response during infection and inflammation. Our study provides a potential mechanism by which the APR decreases fatty acid oxidation.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2004

Effects of bile acids on proliferation and production of proteinase activity of Uronema marinum (Ciliophora: Scuticociliatida).

Little is known about the effects of bile acids in relation to infectivity on the biological characteristics of Uronema marinum, a serious opportunistic parasite of farmed olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus. In this study, we examined the effects of bile acids on the proliferation of U. marinum and on proteinase production in vitro. Proliferation of U, marinum was significantly enhanced by lithocholic acid (LCA) at 30 and 60 pmol, and by chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) at 0.06 pmol. In contrast, a significant decrease in proliferation was observed with cholic acid (CA) at 30 and 60 micromol, and with deoxycholic acid (DCA) at all amounts used. Proteinase production from live U. marinum was significantly increased by LCA, whereas CA significantly decreased proteinase production. CDCA and DCA had no effect on proteinase production. Although the types and concentrations of bile acids in the faeces of olive flounder are not known, the present results suggest that bile acids in the culturing water might influence the proliferation and production of proteinases in U. marinum, resulting in an increased possibility of scuticociliatosis in olive flounder farms.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Asymmetric activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in rat vestibular nuclei by unilateral labyrinthectomy.

The expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK 1/2) was evaluated in the vestibular nuclei (VN) of rats following unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL). Immunohistochemistry revealed a significant asymmetrical increase in pERK 1/2 expression in the VN, 5 min after UL, after which pERK 1/2 immunoreactivity decreased rapidly and was undetectable by 90 min after UL. These results suggest that unilateral deafferentation of the vestibular system triggers intracellular signal pathways that activate ERK 1/2 in the VN.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed2004

Suppression of DHEA sulfotransferase (Sult2A1) during the acute-phase response.

The acute-phase response (APR) induces alterations in lipid metabolism, and our data suggest that this is associated with suppression of type II nuclear hormone receptors that are key regulators of fatty acid, cholesterol, and bile acid metabolism. Recently, the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), and pregnane X receptor (PXR) were found to regulate DHEA sulfotransferase (Sult2A1), which plays an important role in DHEA sulfation and detoxification of bile acids. Because FXR, PXR, and CAR are suppressed during the APR, we hypothesized that Sult2A1 is downregulated during the APR. To induce the APR, mice were treated with LPS, which will then trigger the release of various cytokines, and the mRNA levels of Sult2A1 and the sulfate donor 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthase 2 (PAPSS2), as well as the enzyme activity of Sult2A1, were determined in the liver. We found that mRNA levels of Sult2A1 decrease in a time- and dose-dependent manner during the LPS-induced APR. Similar changes were observed in the mRNA levels of PAPSS2, the major synthase of PAPS in the liver. Moreover, hepatic Sult2A1 activity and serum levels of DHEA-sulfate (DHEA-S) were significantly decreased in LPS-treated animals. These results suggest that decreased levels or activities of FXR, PXR, and CAR during the APR could contribute to decreases in Sult2A1, resulting in decreased sulfation of DHEA and lower circulating level of DHEA-S. Finally, we found that both TNF and IL-1 caused a significant decrease in the mRNA level of Sult2A1 in Hep3B human hepatoma cells, suggesting that the proinflammatory cytokines TNF and IL-1 mediate the inhibitory effect of LPS on Sult2A1 mRNA level. Our study provides a possible mechanism by which infection and inflammation are associated with altered steroid metabolism and cholestasis.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2004

Immunohistochemical detection of phosphorylated form of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in rat vestibular nuclei following hemorrhagic hypotension.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of the phosphorylated form of extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2), which is one of the major regulatory factors for transcription of the c-fos oncogene in neurons, within the vestibular nuclei (VN) of rats following acute arterial hypotension. Following acute arterial hypotension induced by rapid hemorrhage, a significant number of pERK1/2-immunoreactive neurons appeared bilaterally in the caudal aspect of the medial and inferior VN. No labeling of pERK1/2 was observed in the lateral VN. The peak expression of pERK1/2-immunoreactive neurons in these nuclei occurred within 5 min after hemorrhage. In bilaterally labyrinthectomized rats, the appearance of pERK1/2-immunoreactive neurons was eliminated in the VN. These results suggest that, following acute hypotension, afferent signals from the peripheral vestibular receptors are required for activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 in the VN.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Active components from Artemisia iwayomogi displaying ONOO(-) scavenging activity.

Peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) is one of cytotoxic species produced by the reaction between superoxide (*O(2) (-)) and nitric oxide (NO). The main aim of this study was to identify ONOO(-) scavenging constituents from herbs. Methanolic extracts derived from one hundred thirty eight herbs were screened out for their ONOO(-) scavenging activities. Twenty herbs showed excellent ONOO(-) scavenging activity in a dose dependent manner. Of them, Artemisia iwayomogi, which showed the highest activity, was fractioned with several solvents. The ONOO(-) scavenging activity of fractions was in order of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) > n-butanol (BuOH) > dichloromethane (CH(2)Cl(2)) > water (H(2)O) fraction. The EtOAc and the n-BuOH fractions were further purified to isolate active principles by column chromatography. Apigenin 7-methylether (genkwanin), apigenin 7,4'-di-O methylether, jaceosidin, and scopoletin from the EtOAc fraction and chlorogenic acid, 2,4-dihydroxy 6-methoxy acetophenone 4-O-beta-D-glucoside, quebrachitol, and scopolin from the n-BuOH fraction were identified. The scavenging activities of chlorogenic acid (IC(50) = 0.52 +/- 0.04 microM), genkwanin (IC(50) = 1.01 +/- 0.10 microM), and scopoletin (IC(50) = 1.03 +/- 0.15 micro M) were higher than or comparable to a well-known ONOO(-) scavenger, penicillamine (IC(50) = 1.76 +/- 0.18 microM), suggesting that those compounds might be developed as effective ONOO(-) scavengers for, prevention of the ONOO(-)-involved diseases.

Artemisia↗

PubMed2004

Peroxynitrite scavenging activity of indole derivatives: interaction of indoles with peroxynitrite.

One of the products of nitrogen-derived free radicals, peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)), is formed by the reaction of superoxide anion (O(2)(*-)) with nitric oxide (NO). ONOO(-) can cause damage to proteins and DNA through nitration. In particular, proteins and their constituent amino acids have been proven to be extremely sensitive to ONOO(-). However, the lack of specific endogenous defense enzymes to protect against ONOO(-) has prompted many researchers to search for endogenous scavengers. We previously found 5-hydroxytryptamine (HT), which is an indole derivative (ID), to be an efficient ONOO(-) scavenger. In the present study, the interaction of several other indoles was further investigated: tryptophan (TRP), 5-hydroxyL-tryptophan (HLT), HT, N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (AHT), 5-methoxyindole-3-acetate (MIA), 5-methoxytryptamine (MT), and melatonin. The ONOO(-) scavenging activity of ID was assayed by measuring the formation of oxidized dihydrorhodamine-123 (DHR-123). The scavenging efficacy was expressed as the IC(50), denoting the concentration of each indole required to cause 50% inhibition of DHR-123 formation. In a separate in vitro study, the protective effect of IDs against ONOO(-)-induced nitration of bovine serum albumin was investigated. Nitration was quantified using an immunoassay with a monoclonal anti-nitrotyrosine antibody, and a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated anti-mouse secondary antibody from sheep. The results revealed that the inhibitory activities of indoles were as follows: HLT, IC(50) = 0.73 microM; HT, IC(50) = 1.03 microM; and AHT, IC(50) = 0.98 microM), showing relatively strong activities against ONOO(-). Interestingly, TRP, MIA, MT, and melatonin were less effective. Regarding the protection of albumin by IDs, the data showed that the formation of ONOO(-) was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Further probing of the mode of the interaction of indoles revealed that the hydroxyl groups in IDs are required for the enhanced scavenging action. It was concluded that several indole derivatives with hydroxyl groups are effective scavengers against ONOO(-), and that the scavenging efficacy depends on the presence of hydroxyl groups located within the indole ring structure.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

PubMed2004

Adaptation of the horizontal vestibuloocular reflex in pilots.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The vestibular function in pilots has been reported as being different to that in other, normal subjects. However, there is little evidence as to why and when this occurs, and its cause is still in doubt. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in vestibular function in student pilots attending an elementary flight course, and in other active pilots, through the use of the slow harmonic acceleration (SHA) test and to verify the occurrence and timing of any vestibular function changes. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional and prospective group design. METHODS: The six study groups were control, student pilots before and after flight training, and three groups of active pilots classified according to flight time. Gain, phase, and symmetry of horizontal eye movements induced by sinusoidal harmonic acceleration test were investigated. RESULTS: There were significantly higher gain values in all active pilot groups as compared with the control group at frequencies above 0.04 Hz, and in student pilots after flight training, as compared with before training at 0.01, 0.04, and 0.08 Hz. However, there were no significant differences in gain values among the three groups of active pilots or between gain values in student pilots before flight training and those of the control group. We could not find any reliable relationship between vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) function changes and other factors such as age, height, and weight. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that these results might be explained by adaptations caused by VOR plasticity rather than habituation and that flight training might be responsible for the modulation of the vestibular function in pilots.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2004

Inhibition of tyrosinase by protocatechuic aldehyde.

The purpose of this study was to determine the inhibitory action of protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA) on tyrosinase activity. PCA is one of the compounds found in the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Our study documented that PCA has a potent inhibitory effect on tyrosinase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of melanin biosynthesis. Although melanin biosynthesis has an essential function normally in human skin for defense against ultraviolet light of the sun, its abnormal activity as seen in pigmentation disorder could lead to serious medical problems. Our data showed that PCA, with concentrations ranging from 1 x 10(-5) M to 8 x 10(-5) M, exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of the enzyme activity with 50% of inhibition at 19.92 x 10(-6) M. A further kinetic analysis on PCA inactivation of tyrosinase activity revealed a competitive inhibition of the enzyme at the L-tyrosine binding site. The findings of our present study merit further research on the applicability of PCA as a potential agent for treatment of pigmentation disorder.

Benzaldehydes↗

PubMed2004

Altered expression of nuclear hormone receptors and coactivators in mouse heart during the acute-phase response.

Severe sepsis results in the decreased uptake and oxidation of fatty acids in the heart and cardiac failure. Some of the key proteins required for fatty acid uptake and oxidation in the heart have been shown to be downregulated after endotoxin (LPS) administration. The nuclear hormone receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) and thyroid receptor (TR), which heterodimerize with the retinoid X receptor (RXR), are important regulators of fatty acid metabolism and decrease in the liver after LPS administration. In the present study, we demonstrate that LPS treatment produces a rapid and marked decrease in the mRNA levels of all three RXR isoforms, PPARalpha and PPARdelta, and TRalpha and TRbeta in the heart. Moreover, LPS administration also decreased the expression of the coactivators CREB-binding protein (CBP)/p300, steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-1, SRC-3, TR-associated protein (TRAP)220, and PPARgamma coactivator (PGC)-1, all of which are required for the transcriptional activity of RXR-PPAR and RXR-TR. In addition, the mRNA levels of the target genes malic enzyme, Spot 14, sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, or SERCA2, the VLDL receptor, fatty acyl-CoA synthetase, fatty acid transporter/CD36, carnitine palmitoyltransferase Ibeta, and lipoprotein lipase decrease in the heart after LPS treatment. The decrease in expression of RXRalpha, -beta, and -gamma, PPARalpha and -delta, and TRalpha and -beta, and of the coactivators CBP/p300, SRC-1, SRC-3, TRAP220, and PGC-1 and the genes they regulate, induced by LPS in the heart, could account for the decreased expression of key proteins required for fatty acid oxidation and thereby play an important role in cardiac contractility. These alterations could contribute to the myocardial dysfunction that occurs during sepsis.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2003

Characterization of spontaneous synaptic transmission in rat medial vestibular nucleus.

Spontaneous synaptic currents of medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) neurons were studied using whole cell recording in slices prepared from 13- to 17-day-old rats. The spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) were significantly reduced by the GABAA antagonist bicuculline (20 microM), but were not affected by the glycine antagonist strychnine (1 microM). The frequency, amplitude, and decay time constant of sIPSCs were 4.3 +/- 0.9 Hz, 18.1 +/- 2.0 pA and 8.9 +/- 0.4 ms, respectively. The specific AMPA receptor antagonist GYKI-52466 (50 microM) completely blocked the non-NMDA-mediated spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs), indicating that they are mediated by an AMPA-preferring receptor. The AMPA-mediated sEPSCs were characterized by low frequency (1.5 +/- 0.4 Hz), small amplitude (13.9 +/- 1.9 pA) and rapid decay kinetics (2.8 +/- 0.2 ms). The majority (15/21) displayed linear I-V relationships, suggesting the presence of GluR2-containing AMPA receptors.

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate↗

PubMed2003

Effects of acute hypotension on expression of cFos-like protein in the vestibular nuclei of rats.

The expression and regional distribution of cFos protein, which is an oncogene product and metabolic marker of neural excitation, were investigated in the vestibular nuclear complex following acute hypotension in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Intravenous administration of nitroprusside elicited a 10-50% reduction in mean blood pressure for 10 min. Unilateral or bilateral chemical labyrinthectomies were performed 14 days before the start of the experiment to eliminate afferent signals from the peripheral vestibular receptors in the inner ear. All of the animals were sacrificed and the tissues were fixed 2 h after the onset of acute hypotension using the cardiac perfusion method for c-Fos immunohistochemical staining. The cFos-like immunoreactive (cFLI) neurons were expressed selectively in the central area of the medial vestibular nucleus following a 10% reduction in blood pressure. Once the blood pressure had fallen by 30%, bilateral expression of cFLI neurons was observed in the superior, medial, and spinal vestibular nuclei, but not in the lateral vestibular nucleus, of control rats with intact labyrinths. The expression of cFLI neurons increased proportionately with reductions in blood pressure. In unilaterally labyrinthectomized rats, acute hypotension induced the expression of cFLI neurons in vestibular nuclei contra lateral to the injured labyrinth, but not in the ipsilateral vestibular nuclei. However, cFLI neurons were not expressed in bilateral vestibular nuclei following acute hypotension in bilateral labyrinthectomized rats. These results suggest that afferent signals from the peripheral vestibular receptors are essential for cFos protein expression in the vestibular nuclei following acute hypotension.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Repression of farnesoid X receptor during the acute phase response.

The acute phase response is associated with changes in the hepatic expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism. Nuclear hormone receptors that heterodimerize with retinoid X receptor (RXR), such as thyroid receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, and liver X receptors, modulate lipid metabolism. We recently demonstrated that these nuclear hormone receptors are repressed during the acute phase response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), consistent with the known decreases in genes that they regulate. In the present study, we show that LPS significantly decreases farnesoid X receptor (FXR) mRNA in mouse liver as early as 8 h after LPS administration, and this decrease was dose-dependent with the half-maximal effect observed at 0.5 microg/100 g of body weight. Gel-shift experiments demonstrated that DNA binding activity to an FXR response element (IR1) is significantly reduced by LPS treatment. Supershift experiments demonstrated that the shifted protein-DNA complex contains FXR and RXR. Furthermore, the expression of FXR target genes, SHP and apoCII, were significantly reduced by LPS (70 and 60%, respectively). Also, LPS decreases hepatic LRH expression in mouse, which may explain the reduced expression of CYP7A1 in the face of SHP repression. In Hep3B human hepatoma cells, both tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1) significantly decreased FXR mRNA, whereas IL-6 did not have any effect. TNF and IL-1 also decreased the DNA binding activity to an IR1 response element and the expression of SHP and apoCII. Importantly, TNF and IL-1 almost completely blocked the expression of luciferase activity linked to a FXR response element promoter construct transfected into Hep3B cells. Together with our earlier studies on the repression of RXRs, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, LXRs, thyroid receptors, constitutive androstane receptor, and pregnane X receptor, these results suggest that decreases in nuclear hormone receptors are major contributors to the decreased gene expression that occurs in the negative acute phase response.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

PubMed2002

Temporal changes of cFos-like protein expression in medial vestibular nuclei following arsanilate-induced unilateral labyrinthectomy in rats.

The compensation of spontaneous nystagmus and head deviation following chemical unilateral labyrinthectomy (UL) induced by arsanilate was delayed compared with surgical UL. Surgical UL produced two phases of significant asymmetry of cFos-like (cFL) protein expression between the bilateral medial vestibular nuclei, with more expression in the contralateral medial vestibular nuclei to the injured side than in the ipsilateral medial vestibular nuclei 2 h after UL; the pattern reversed after 6 h and expression disappeared after 72 h. Chemical UL produced three phases of asymmetric expression, with more cFL protein expression in the contralateral medial vestibular nuclei than in the ipsilateral medial vestibular nuclei 6 h after UL and a reversed pattern after 12 h. Asymmetric expression 72 h after UL followed increased expression in the contralateral medial vestibular nuclei. These results suggest that the course of vestibular compensation and the temporal expression of cFL protein in the medial vestibular nuclei following UL differed between surgical and chemical labyrinthectomy.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed2002

Aromatic as well as aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent axonopathy.

Superfund sites that contain mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic solvents represent an undefined health hazard. After prolonged exposure to relatively high levels of certain aliphatic solvents (e.g. n-hexane, 2-hexanone), humans and animals develop a dose-dependent neurodegeneration that occurs clinically as a symmetrical peripheral neuropathy. This is triggered by the action of 2,5-hexanedione (1,2-diacetylethane), a 1,4-diketone (gamma-diketone) metabolite that targets proteins required for the maintenance of neuronal (and testicular Sertoli cell) integrity. Certain aromatic solvents (1,2-diethylbenzene, 1,2,4-triethylbenzene) cause electrophysiological changes consistent with sensorimotor neuropathy in rodents, but the underlying mechanisms and pathogenesis are unclear. Our recent studies show that the o-diacetyl derivative and likely metabolite of 1,2-diethylbenzene, 1,2-diacetylbenzene, behaves as a neurotoxic (aromatic) gamma-diketone of high neurotoxic potency. Rats treated with 1,2-diacetylbenzene develop limb weakness associated with proximal, neurofilament-filled giant axonal swellings comparable to those seen in animals treated with the potent 3,4-dimethyl derivative of 2,5-hexanedione. The blue chromogen induced by treatment with 1,2-diacetylbenzene is under study as a possible urinary biomarker of exposure to aromatic solvents (e.g. 1,2-diethylbenzene, tetralin) with neurotoxic potential. Development and validation of sensitive new biomarkers, especially for non-cancer endpoints, will aid in assessing the health risk associated with exposure to hazardous substances at Superfund sites.

Animals↗