ObjectiveThe purpose of this research was to investigate the anti-angiogenic inhibitory effect of KR-31831, a newly developed anti-angiogenic agent, on an in vivo human ovarian carcinoma model using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI.Materials and MethodsXenografted ovarian tumors were established by subcutaneous injection of SKOV3 cells into mice. The mice were treated daily with KR-31831 at 50 mg/kg for 21 days. Tumor tissues were excised corresponding to the DCE-MRI sections for evaluation of MVD with CD31 immunohistochemistry. All in vivo MRIs were performed on a 7.0 Tesla micro-MRI System. DCE-MRI was acquired prior to initiating treatment with KR-31831 and again on days 3 and 21 after treatment. The permeability parameters (Ktrans, ve, and vp) were estimated using a pharmacokinetic model.ResultsQualitatively, the Ktrans parametric mapping showed different changes before and after treatment with KR-31831 in the treatment group. For quantification of this change, the median of Ktrans values were compared before and after treatments in the control and KR-31831-treated groups. A non-parametric statistical test (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) showed decreasing Ktrans values on day 21 compared to days 0 and 3 in the KR-31831-treated group (p < 0.05), whereas there was no significant difference in the control group (p = 0.84).ConclusionOur results suggest that DCE-MRI can be a useful tool by which to evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of KR-31831 on a xenografted human ovarian carcinoma model.

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Wastewater organic compounds, that is, nonylphenolic compounds (NPs) and fecal sterols, were measured in surface sediments from Busan Suyeong Estuary, where two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are located, to assess contamination from municipal effluents. The NPs analyzed were nonylphenol, and nonylphenol mono-and di-ethoxylates, all synthetic endocrine disruptors. The fecal sterols analyzed were coprostanol (COP), cholestanol, and epicoprostanol. Concentrations of NPs in the sediments ranged from 146 to 3,723 ng/g, and those of COP ranged from 366 to 13,018 ng/g. Their detection in all of the sediments analyzed indicates widespread pollution by municipal effluents. The highest concentrations of NPs and COP were detected at stations close to outfalls of WWTPs. Their levels in sediments are categorized in the higher range of those previously reported in Korean coastal areas. Moreover, in comparison with screening values of NPs in the Netherlands, Norway, and Canada, more than 50% of the sampling stations exceeded the guidelines. This indicates that the estuary may be adversely influenced by municipal effluents.