• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.183-189
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• 2018

Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish and fish oil. Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune system, cirrhosis, and nervous system disorders. In particular, omega-3 was also reported to help improve hyperlipidemia and liver function tests. On the other hand, there are few cases in Korea. This study examined whether omega-3 is effective in improving hyperlipemia and liver function by taking 1 gm/day for 2 weeks. As a result, AST was decreased in the liver function test, and GGT related to alcoholic hepatitis and fatty liver showed significant results. Omega-3 has been shown to help improve the liver function. The triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density cholesterol associated with cardiovascular disease decreased after omega-3 ingestion, particularly high density cholesterol. Omega-3 has also been shown to improve the hyperlipidemia. Comparisons between males and females before and after the ingestion of omega-3 showed significant results in AST (P<0.01) from the male group and in GGT (P<0.01) and high density cholesterol (P<0.01) from the female group. As a result, omega-3 intake can help control and improve liver function and hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.290-299
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• 2010

The bioactive effects of ethanol extracts from fly maggot (ME) on reduction of plasma lipids levels in rats fed high-fat diets (Expt. Ⅰ), and on liver function recovery of hepatotoxicity rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) or by orally administration of alcohol (Expt. II) were investigated. In expt. I, twenty seven, male rat SDS(sprague dawley strain) were randomly assigned to three treated groups, including normal control group, HF (group with high fat diets which have no extracts) and HFE (HF plus orally administered doses of ME extract at 5.0 mg/100g of body weight). In expt. II, forty five, male rats (SDS) were randomly assigned to each of the five groups: T1 (control), T2 (intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$), T3 (intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$ after orally administered with ME), T4 (orally administered with combination of ME and alcohol), T5 (orally administration of ME after orally administered with alcohol). There were significant decreases in plasma (TAG), (TC), (LDL-C) in the HFE group with orally administered doses of ME at 5.0 mg/100g of body weight, respectively, however, the (HDL-C) were significantly increased in HFE group as compared to HF group with high fat diets which have no extracts (p<0.05). The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferse(${\gamma}$-GTP) and bilirubin were highest in T2 or T3, and high in order T4 or T5, and lowest in T1 except for bilirubin which has same with T4, T5 (p<0.05). The high recovery of liver damage by $CCl_4$ from the light microscopic appearance was observed in rats (T3) with extracts, and also high in T4 than T5 by orally administrated with alcohol. In conclusion, the ethanol extracts from fly maggot may have a bioactive effects to prevent for human lipids disorder and alcoholic disease.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.478-484
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• 2011

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is known to be frequently associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes. We examined the effects of EtOH extracts from Triticum aestivum on lipid accumulation during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to screening the candidate materials in preventing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The lipid level in adipocytes was determined by Oil Red O staining. The treatment of 50% ethanol, but not water and 100% ethanol extracts, from Triticum aestivum at concentration of 0.5 $mg/ml$ inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, revealing no cell toxicity. Thus, the fractions of $CH_2Cl_2$, EtOAc and BuOH were separated from 50% EtOH extract to characterize anti-adipogenic effect. The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$ effectively inhibited the lipid accumulation in the adipocytes compared to those of EtOAc and BuOH at concentration of $50{\mu}g/ml$. The intracellular triglyceride accumulation also was significantly reduced by treatment of $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction in concentration-dependent manner. Western blot analysis showed that the $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction attenuated the intracelluar level of fatty acid synthase(FAS) accompanied by attenuated expression of Peroxidase proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) adipogenic transcription factor. These results suggest that $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction from 50% EtOH extract of Triticum aestivum may has the potent anti-adipogenic effects by inhibiting the transactivation of $PPAR{\gamma}$.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.229-237
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• 2019

More effective treatments are needed for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We hypothesized that water extracts of blackberry fruits (BF) and leaves (BL) and their combinations (BFL) reduce fat deposition in HepG2 cells and modulate shor-tchain fatty acids (SCFA) and fecal bacteria in vitro. HepG2 cells were treated with BF, BL, BFL1:2, and BFL1:3 for 1 h, and 0.5 mM palmitate was added to the cells. Moreover, low ($30{\mu}g/mL$) and high doses ($90{\mu}g/mL$) of BL and BF were applied to fecal bacteria in vitro, and SCFA was measured by GC. BL, BF, BFL1:2, and BFL1:3 reduced triglyceride deposition in the cells in a dose-dependent manner, and BFL1:2 and BFL1:3 had a stronger effect than BF. The content of malondialdehyde, an index of oxidative stress, was also reduced in BL, BF, and BFL1:2 with increasing superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. The mRNA expression of acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c was reduced in BL, BF, BFL1:2, and BFL1:3 compared to the control, and BFL1:2 had the strongest effect. By contrast, the carnitine palmitolytransferase-1expression, a regulator of fatty acid oxidation, increased mostly in BFL1:2 and BFL1:3. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin-$1{\beta}$ expression was reduced in BL compared to that in BF and BFL1:2 in HepG2 cells. Interestingly, BL increased propionate production, and BF increased butyrate and propionate production and increased total SCFA content in fecal incubation. BF increased the contents of Bifidobacteriales and Lactobacillales and decreased those of Clostridiales, whereas BL elevated the contents of Bacteroidales and decreased those of Enterobacteriales. In conclusion, BFL1:2 and BFL1:3 may be potential therapeutic candidates for NAFLD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.442-452
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the anti-lipogenic effect and the mechanism of Jungmanbunso-hwan extract (JMBSH) on a cellular model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) caused by palmitate in HepG2 cells.Methods: The JMBSH was prepared, andHepG2 cells were treated with various concentrations of JMBSH in order to perform an MTT assay. The HepG2 cells were cultivated in palmitate-containing media with or without extract of JMBSH. The intracellular lipid content in the HepG2 cells was examined. The effects of JMBSH on sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in HepG2 cells were measured.Results: JMBSH did not reduce HepG2 cell viability under 1,000 μg/mL. JMBSH considerably decreased intracellular lipid accumulation caused by palmitate in HepG2 cells. JMBSH repressed expression of SREBP-1c, which mediates the induction of lipogenic genes (ACC, FAS, and SCD-1). JMBSH also activated AMPK, which plays animportant role in the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism.Conclusions: This study suggested that JMBSH relieves hepatic steatosis by repressing SREBP-1c, which mediates the induction of lipogenic genes. The anti-lipogenic effect of JMBSH may also be related to the activation of AMPK. Therefore, JMBSH could potentially be applied to NAFLD treatment after further clinical studies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.174-182
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• 2003

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as an important childhood liver disease, especially where the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing. The purpose of this study is to clarify the usefulness of elevated serum aminotransferase activities and their ratio for predicting the presence of fatty liver and its severity in obese children. Methods: Forty-four children (M/F 29/15, age 4 to 16 years) with obesity (weight excess>20%) were analyzed retrospectively with medical records based on degree of obesity, bioelectrical impedence, serum aminotransferase activities, lipid profiles and ultrasonography. Results: 1) Ultrasonography was carried out in 34 cases. Elevated serum ALT was found in 89.7% (26/29) of the patients diagnosed as fatty liver by ultrasonography and decreased AST/ALT ratio (<1) was found in 96.6% (28/29). There was a strong correlation between elevated serum ALT (>45 IU/L) or decreased AST/ALT ratio (<1) and the fatty liver in obese children (p<0.05). 2) There was no significant correlation between the serum ALT or AST/ALT ratio and the degree of fatty liver (p>0.05). 3) There was a significant correlation between total cholesterol, triglyceride and fatty liver (p<0.05). Conclusion: Serum ALT activity and AST/ALT ratio were useful to predict the presence of fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonography in obese children, whereas they were not useful to predict the degree of fatty liver. Therefore, to prevent fatty liver progressing to advanced liver disease, it is necessary to manage and monitor the obese children continuously, especially those who have predicting factors of fatty liver.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2022

Objective: To validate the performance of 3T spin-echo echo-planar imaging (SE-EPI) magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) for staging hepatic fibrosis in a large population, using surgical specimens as the reference standard. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study initially included 310 adults (155 undergoing hepatic resection and 155 undergoing donor hepatectomy) with histopathologic results from surgical liver specimens. They underwent 3T SE-EPI MRE ≤ 3 months prior to surgery. Demographic findings, underlying liver disease, and hepatic fibrosis pathologic stage according to METAVIR were recorded. Liver stiffness (LS) was measured by two radiologists, and inter-reader reproducibility was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The mean LS of each fibrosis stage (F0-F4) was calculated in total and for each etiologic subgroup. Comparisons among subgroups were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Conover post-hoc test. The cutoff values for fibrosis staging were estimated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: Inter-reader reproducibility was excellent (ICC, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-0.99). The mean LS values were 1.91, 2.41, 3.24, and 5.41 kPa in F0-F1 (n = 171), F2 (n = 26), F3 (n = 38), and F4 (n = 72), respectively. The discriminating cutoff values for diagnosing ≥ F2, ≥ F3, and F4 were 2.18, 2.71, and 3.15 kPa, respectively, with the ROC curve areas of 0.97-0.98 (sensitivity 91.2%-95.9%, specificity 90.7%-99.0%). The mean LS was significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis (F4) of nonviral causes, such as primary biliary cirrhosis (9.56 kPa) and alcoholic liver disease (7.17 kPa) than in those with hepatitis B or C cirrhosis (4.28 and 4.92 kPa, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in LS among the different etiologic subgroups in the F0-F3 stages. Conclusion: The 3T SE-EPI MRE demonstrated high interobserver reproducibility, and our criteria for staging hepatic fibrosis showed high diagnostic performance. LS was significantly higher in patients with non-viral cirrhosis than in those with viral cirrhosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.161-170
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• 2007

Objectives : In this study, we determinated protective effects of Vitis labrusca Root herbal-acupuncture solution (VLHA) against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease induced by oxidative damage and cytochrome P450 (CYP) induction. Methods : Antioxidant capacity of VLHA were evaluated by the ${\beta}-carotene/linoleic$ acid emulsion system and FeCl2-ascorbic acid stimulted lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenate, respectively. Scavenging effects of VLHA on ONOO- and NO were measured by DHR 123, DAF-2 assay. Furthermore, we measured inhibitory activity of VLHA on CYP 2E1 in rat liver microsome using by Aniline assay. Results : VLHA exhibited potent inhibition rate(74%) on FeCl2-ascorbic acid induced lipid peroxidation, and revealed a strong scavenging effects on ONOO- and NO. In addition, VLHA showed inhibitory effect on CYP 2E1. Conclusions : The present study concludes that our results suggest that VLHA could be used as a good source in the prevention of atherosclerosis and alcoholic liver injury.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Objective : The aim of the present study is to examine hepatic lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin combined with Jakyakgamcho-tang on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a high fat diet-induced obese mice model. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were divided into four dietary groups: (1) Normal, (2) Control (60% high-fat diet), (3) Control + silymarin 50 mg/kg/day (Silymarin), (4) Control + Silymarin 50 mg/kg/day + Jakyakgamcho-tang 100 mg/kg/day (SPG). After 12 weeks administration, mice were sacrificed and lipids and inflammation-related biomarkers were analyzed liver and plasma. Results : Silymarin and SPG treatments significantly lowered body and liver weights compared to the Control. Serumlipids (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1𝛽, and IL-6) concentrations were significantly lowered in the Silymarin and SPG groups than the Control group. Silymarin and SPG treatments suppressed hepatic TG level and hepatic lipid droplets compared to the Control. Theses two treatments significantly increased hepatic kinase B1 and AMP-activated protein kinase protein levels, and significantly decreased hepatic key lipogenic enzymes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase and stearyl coenzyme A desaturase 1) protein levels than the Control. SPG also significantly increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation-related protein (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and uncoupling protein 2) levels than the Control. Conclusions: Silymarin and SPG suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating hepatic protein expression, and lowered blood pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations though the synergic effect of silymarin and Jakyakgamchotang was not clear.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2024

Cordyceps militaris L. (C. militaris) has been traditionally used as tonic medicine for metabolic syndrome. Cordycepin, has been reported with immunomodulatory, antitumor, and hepatoprotective effect, is the main extract from C. militaris. This study was conducted to evaluate the alcohol degradation and hepatoprotective effect of cordycepin-enriched C. militaris extract (CM) powder in chronic and binge ethanol (ethanol Lieber-DeCarli diet)-fed male C57BL/6 Mice. Cordycepin-enriched C. militaris extract powder was orally administered once daily at dose levels of 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg·kg^-1·day^-1 for 16 days. For evaluating alcohol degradation, ethanol concentration and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity were measured in serum. Serum ethanol (EtOH) concentration was decreased at CM treated groups, and the activities of ADH and ALDH were increased dose-dependently at CM treated groups compare to EtOH model group. In clinical chemistry, the values of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were lower in CM treated groups than those in EtOH model group. Additionally, absolute and relative (to body weight) liver weights were statistically decreased in the CM treated groups compared to the EtOH model group. In conclusion, our study showed that cordycepin-enriched C. militaris extract powder exhibits hepatoprotective effect by upregulating the ADH and ALDH enzyme in an alcoholic liver disease model.