Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is the major protein component of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in blood, and ApoA1 genetic polymorphisms modulate the blood lipid profiles. This study was conducted in order to investigate the association between three genetic polymorphisms (rs670, rs5069, and rs5070) of ApoA1 and blood lipid profiles in postmenopausal Korean women. A total of 130 post- menopausal women who visited a hospital in order to undergo screening tests were subjects of this study. Genetic polymporphisms and blood lipid profiles were determined using a direct sequencing and spectrophotometric assay, respectively. A significant linkage disequilibrium was observed between all tested single nucleotide polymorphisms. ApoA1 rs5070 genetic polymorphism showed a marginally significant association with HDL cholesterol levels (p=0.066). After adjusting for age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol drinking, medication, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, we found that the ApoA1 rs5070 genetic polymorphism is a significant determinant of HDL cholesterol levels (β=4.421, p=0.037). According to the results of this study, ApoA1 rs5070 genetic polymorphism may be an important genetic marker associated with HDL cholesterol in postmenopausal Korean women.

Competitive ELISA methods were used to measure the level of aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) from urine in 1008 Korean adults. Subjects were selected by random sampling in all areas of Korea, except Cheju-do. The recovery rate of AFM1 using this method was 105% (73-124%). The geometric mean of urinary AFM1 in all subjects was 3.43 pg/mL (3.67 ng/g creatinine). The level of AFM1 in males was statistically higher, compared with female subjects. However, the levels of AFM1 did not differ according to age. Subjects in Chungbuk-do showed the highest urinary AFM1 concentration, whereas subjects in Kyeongnam-do showed the lowest concentration. Assuming an excretion rate of 5%, this AFM1 excretion corresponds to approximately 0.1 microgram/day in Korean adults.

Exposure to lead, particularly at chronic low-dose levels, is still a major public health concern. The present study is aimed to evaluate the blood lead levels in populations resident in some abandoned mine areas of Chungbuk, Korea. Eight hundreds and sixty-six subjects who reside in abandoned mine area located in Chungbuk, Korea, were enrolled this study. We evaluated the blood lead level according to the age, gender, and working history in mines. For statistical analysis, SPSS ver 12.0 was used. The geometric mean blood lead levels was 2.93 ㎍/ℓ and nobody showed levels over the guidelines of WHO. Ex-smokers and current-smokers showed significantly higher blood lead levels compared to that of non-smokers. The blood lead levels in individuals with a history of working in a mine was higher than those in individuals without such histories. The populations resident in some Chungbuk abadoned mine area showed low levels of lead in blood. This suggest that lead poisoning might not be induced by abandoned mine in Chungbuk, Korea.