Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are reported to cause adverse effects on pulmonary function in occupationally exposed workers. However, evidence is lacking on the effect in the general population. We hypothesised that VOCs impair pulmonary function through enhancing oxidative stress, especially in the elderly population.A longitudinal panel study of 154 elderly people was performed in South Korea. Repeated spirometric tests were performed up to eight times on different days for each subject. We also measured urinary concentrations of metabolites of the VOC and markers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde and 8-oxo-29-deoxyguanosine) on the same day of spirometric tests. A mixed linear regression model was used to evaluate the association among the VOC metabolites, oxidative stress markers and spirometric tests.We found that the urinary levels of hippuric acid and methylhippuric acid, which are metabolites of toluene and xylene, respectively, were significantly associated with reduction of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory flow at 25-75% of FVC. We also found significant associations between the metabolites of VOCs and the markers of oxidative stress. In addition, the oxidative stress markers were associated with pulmonary function parameters.This study suggests that exposure to toluene and xylene exert a harmful effect on pulmonary function by exacerbating oxidative stress in elderly people.

-The object of this study was to evaluate the single oral dose toxicity of Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan (LMF) in male and female rats. LMF was administered to female and male SD rats as an oral dose of 2,000, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg (body wt.). Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation organ weight and histopathology of 14 principle organs were examined upon necropsy. As the results, no LMF treatment related mortalities, clinical signs, changes on the body and organ weights, gross and histopathological observations against 14 principle organs were detected up to 2,000 mg/kg in both female and male rats except for some sporadic findings not LMF treatment related toxicological signs. Therefore, LD50 (50% lethal dose) and approximate LD of LMF after single oral treatment in female and male rats were considered over 2,000 mg/kg -the limited dosages recommended by KFDA Guidelines 2005], respectively.

-In order to investigate the preliminary repeat oral dose toxicity and to determine the highest dosage for further 4-week repeated dose toxicity test, Low Molecular Weight Fucoidan (LMF) has been showed various pharmacological effects, was orally administered to female and male rats, once a day for 14 days at dose levels of 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 0 (vehicle control) mg/kg (body weights) in a volume of 10 ml/kg. The mortality and changes on the body weights, clinical signs, hematology, serum biochemistry and gross observations were monitored with organ weight and histopathology of principle organs. As the results of 14-day repeated oral treatment of LMF, no LMF treatment related mortalities were detected up to 2,000 mg/kg in both male and female rats, respectively. In addition, no noticeable changes on the body weight and clinical signs were detected except for significant decreases on the body weights and gains restricted to male 2,000 mg/kg treated groups as compared with male vehicle control. No meaningful changes on the organ weights, hematological, serum biochemistrical, gross and histopathological findings were observed. Therefore the highest dosage in the 4-week repeated dose toxicity test is suggested as 2,000 mg/kg in both female and male rats, respectively.

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