• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.672-685
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• 2019

Currently, liver transplantation is the only available remedy for patients with end-stage liver disease. Conservation of transplanted liver graft is the most important issue as it directly related to patient survival. Carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) protects cells against oxidative stress and cell death by inactivating cellular membrane-derived lipid aldehydes. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury during living-donor liver transplantation is known to form reactive oxygen species. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether CBR1 transcription might be increased during liver I/R injury and whether such increase might protect liver against I/R injury. Our results revealed that transcription factor Nrf2 could induce CBR1 transcription in liver of mice during I/R. Pre-treatment with sulforaphane, an activator of Nrf2, increased CBR1 expression, decreased liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase, and reduced I/R-related pathological changes. Using oxygen-glucose deprivation and recovery model of human normal liver cell line, it was found that oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation products were significantly lowered in cells overexpressing CBR1. Conversely, CBR1 knockdown cells expressed elevated levels of oxidative stress proteins compared to the parental cell line. We also observed that Nrf2 and CBR1 were overexpressed during liver transplantation in clinical samples. These results suggest that CBR1 expression during liver I/R injury is regulated by transcription factor Nrf2. In addition, CBR1 can reduce free radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation. Taken together, CBR1 induction might be a therapeutic strategy for relieving liver I/R injury during liver transplantation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.294-304
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• 2020

Objective: The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the absorbent (a mixture of activated carbon and hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate) on growth performance, blood profiles and hepatic genes expression in broilers fed diets naturally contaminated with aflatoxin. Methods: A total of 1,200 one-day-old male chicks were randomly assigned to 6 treatments with 10 replicate cages per treatment. The dietary treatments were as follows: i) control (basal diets); ii) 50% contaminated corn; iii) 100% contaminated corn; iv) control+1% adsorbent; v) 50% contaminated corn+1% absorbent; vi) 100% contaminated corn+1% absorbent. Results: During d 1 to 21, feeding contaminated diets reduced (p<0.05) body weight (BW), average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), but increased (p<0.05) feed-to-gain ratio (F/G). The absorbent supplementation increased (p<0.05) BW, ADG, and ADFI. There were interactions (p<0.05) in BW, ADG, and ADFI between contaminated corn and absorbent. Overall, birds fed 100% contaminated diets had lower (p<0.05) final BW and ADG, but higher (p<0.05) F/G compared to those fed control diets. The absorbent addition increased (p<0.05) serum albumin concentration on d 14 and 28 and total protein (TP) level on d 28, decreased (p<0.05) alanine transaminase activity on d 14 and activities of aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase on d 28. Feeding contaminated diets reduced (p<0.05) hepatic TP content on d 28 and 42. The contaminated diets upregulated (p<0.05) expression of interleukin-6, catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), but downregulated (p<0.05) glutathione S-transferase (GST) expression in liver. The absorbent supplementation increased (p<0.05) interleukin-1β, CAT, SOD, cytochrome P450 1A1 and GST expression in liver. There were interactions (p<0.05) in the expression of hepatic CAT, SOD, and GST between contaminated corn and absorbent. Conclusion: The results suggest that the naturally aflatoxin-contaminated corn depressed growth performance, while the adsorbent could partially attenuate the adverse effects of aflatoxin on growth performance, blood profiles and hepatic genes expression in broilers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.873-880
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to compare the effects of adding 130 mg/kg Cu from either copper sulfate (CS) or tribasic copper chloride (TBCC) on growth performance, mineral deposition in tissues, and the excretion in feces of pigs as well as changes in the mineral contents in tissues and feces when the supplemental Cu level was decreased from 130 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg. Methods: A total of 72 pigs ($32.6{\pm}1.2kg$) were randomly assigned to a CS diet or a TBCC diet with 6 pens per treatment. The trial lasted 102 d and included 3 phases (phase 1, 1 to 30 d; phase 2, 31 to 81 d; and phase 3, 82 to 102 d). The supplemental levels of Cu in the 2 treatments were 130 mg/kg in phase 1 and 2 and 10 mg/kg in phase 3. Results: The results showed that pigs fed the CS diet tended to have higher average daily gain than pigs fed the TBCC diet during d 1 to 81 (p<0.10). Compared with CS, TBCC increased the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), ceruloplasmin, and superoxide dismutase in serum on d 30 (p<0.05). The TBCC decreased the Cu level in the liver on d 81 (p<0.05) and increased the Mn level in the liver on d 102 (p<0.05). The concentration of Cu in feces sharply decreased when the supplemental Cu level in diet changed from 130 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg in both diets (p<0.05). Conclusion: The result suggested that TBCC and CS had no significant difference on growth performance but TBCC had higher activities of AST and antioxidant enzymes and lower liver Cu than CS when pigs fed diets with 130 mg Cu /kg diet.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.10-14
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• 2007

The present study was performed to elucidate the recovery effect of needle-acupuncture (needle-AP) and moxibustion treatments at Gan Shu (BL18) on $CCl_4$ induced hepatic injury in dogs, Total 9 clinically healthy experimental dogs (1 to 2 years old, 2.3-5.3kg body weight) were divided into control (3 dogs), needle-AP (3 dogs) and moxibustion (3 dogs) groups, respectively. Hepatic iniw was induced by intraperitoneal injection with $CCl_4$ (olive oil : $CCl_4=1:1,\;1ml/kg$, once/day). As far the treatments in each group, control group was not treated at all after induction of the hepatic injury till the end of experiment. Needle-Af group was treated by AP at BL18 (once/day, 20 minutes) from the next day of induction of the hepatic injury for 11 days. Moxibustion group was also treated with commercial moxa at BL18 (once/day, 20minutes) for 11days. The changes of the serum alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) activities were investigated on pre, 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 11 days after hepatic injury, respectively. Histopathological changes were also investigated in the liver tissues on day 11 in experimental and control groups. The results obtained in the present study were as follows. In needle-AP group, they showed significant lower values on the 1st (p<0.05) and $3^{rd} day (p <0.05)$ in serum ALT activities, and the $11^{th}$ day in serum GGT activities, compared with those of control group, respectively. However, the significances were not detected in serum AST activities of needle-AP group by comparison with those of control group. In moxibustion group, they showed significant low values on the $1^{st}(p<0.05)$, 3rd day (p<0.05) and $5^{th}$ day (p<0.05) in serum ALT activities, compared with those of control group, respectively. However, significances were not detected in serum GGT and AST activities of moxibustion group by comparison with those of control group. Among the experimental groups, the significant low values were found on $1^{st}\;and\;3^{rd}$ day in serum ALT activities (p<0.05), and $3^{rd}\;and\;5^{th}$ day in serum GGT activities (p<0.05) in needle-AP group, compared by those of moxibustion group, respectively. In addition, the marked recovery findings of histopathological changes in experimental groups were found, compared by those of control group: mild vacuolar degeneration and necrosis findings in needle-AP group, and moderate vacuolar degeneration and necrotic findings in moxibustion group were found, in contrast to severe changes such as accumulation of bile juice, vacuolar degeneration and necrotic findings observed in control group. In conclusion, needle-AP and moxibustion treatments at BL-18 were effective for the recovery for $CCl_4$ induced hepatic injury and needle-AP was more effective than that of moxibustion in dogs.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.149-157
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate the effects of the stocking density (standard stocking density (SSD, $495cm^2/bird$)) vs. high stocking density (HSD,245cm2/bird) and challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 5mg/kg BW) on the stress-related physiological indicators in chicks. There was a significant (p<0.05) decrease in body weight, but not in the weight of immune organs, between the SSD and HSD groups. The LPS group resulted in a significant (p<0.05) increase in the weights of the thymus and bursa of fabricius compared with the SSD group. Plasma biochemical components, including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen, Ca, P, creatine kinase and uric acid, markedly (p<0.05) increased in the LPS birds, although no difference in these parameters was observed between the SSD and HSD birds. Furthermore, the birds challenged with LPS showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in the plasma corticosterone level, although this hormone did not differ between the SSD and HSD groups. In the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, hepatic $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and iNOS in the LPS group significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with those in the SSD group. Thymic mRNA expression of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-18 in the LPS group also significantly (p<0.05) increased compared with those in the other groups. In addition, mRNA expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ in the bursa of fabricius of the LPS group increased (p<0.05) without affecting the other cytokines. Under high stocking density, thymic $IL-1{\beta}$ was the only cytokine that was up-regulated compared with the SSD group. In conclusion, an acute stress induced by LPS challenge profoundly affected immune organ weight, blood biochemical profiles and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, while chronic stress did not markedly affect biochemical and immunological parameters, suggesting that chicks under high stocking density could be adapted to prolonged stressors.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.33-43
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of acupuncture on the liver in the oxidative stress caused by cadmium accumulation. Sprague-Dawley male($150{\pm}30g$) rats were stabilized for a week and divided into 5 groups which is normal, control, $LR_3$ acupuncture, $BL_{23}$ acupuncture and sham acupuncture group. For three days experimental groups were received oral doses of cadmium 2 mg/kg twice a day. Acupuncture was given bilaterally at each point 10 times for two weeks. The depth of stimulation was 1 mm at right angles and torsion of acupuncture was produced 2 times per second for 1 minutes. The liver was shipped off and taken weight at the last day of two weeks, and hepatic functions was confirmed through alanine transaminase(ALT) and aspartate amino-transferase(AST). We measured reactive oxygen species of serum, liver and kidney, and compared expression levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase(Gpx), nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-related factor 2(Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), Bax and Cytochrome c. $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group significantly increased liver weight and decreased ALT compared to control group. For the oxidative stress, $LR_3$ acupuncture group significantly reduced reactive oxygen species, and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group significantly reduced reactive oxygen species and inflammation-related protein compared to control group. But $LR_3$ acupuncture group and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group didn't significantly reduce apoptosis-related protein. Therefore $LR_3$ and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture showed the effects of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, especially $BL_{23}$ acupuncture was more effective than $LR_3$ acupuncture on the protection of liver in the oxidative stress.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.590-604
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the safety of Korean medicine treatment in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222). Methods: We investigated patients at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine between June 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The safety of Korean medicine treatment was evaluated by examining adverse events that occurred within seven days of vaccination, including liver function and kidney function testing, assessment of the severity of adverse events, and examination of causality to vaccines and Korean medicine treatment. Results: Eleven patients vaccinated with the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine were included. A total of 19 adverse events were reported: 15 systemic adverse events, three local adverse events, and one alanine aminotransferase increase. The most commonly reported systemic adverse events were fatigue (4 cases, 36.4%), headache (4 cases, 36.4%), and myalgia (4 cases, 36.4%). All adverse events were rated below moderate (grade 2) in severity. Systemic and local adverse events were evaluated as definitely related to vaccination and unlikely to be related to Korean medicine treatment, while alanine aminotransferase increase was evaluated as unlikely to be related to either the vaccine or Korean medicine treatment. Aspartate transaminase, Blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were measured within the reference range after vaccination. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the severity and frequency of adverse events in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine did not increase after Korean medicine treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.792-799
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• 2019

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate whether the co-injection of antioxidants together with foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination has the potential to attenuate the negative effects caused by vaccination in Holstein finishing steers. Methods: A total of 36 finishing Holstein steers (body weight [BW]: $608{\pm}45.6kg$, 17 months old) were randomly allocated to one of three treatments: i) control (CON, only FMD vaccination without any co-injection), ii) co-injection of commercial non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) with FMD vaccination at a ratio of 10:1 (NSAID vol/FMD vaccine vol) as a positive control (PCON), iii) co-injection of commercial mixture of vitamin E and selenium with FMD vaccination (VITESEL) (1 mL of FMD vaccine+1 mL of antioxidants per 90 kg of BW). Changes in growth performance and blood parameters because of treatments were determined. Results: No significant difference in BW, average daily gain, and dry matter intake of the steers was observed among the treatments. The FMD vaccination significantly increased white blood cells (WBC), neutrophils, platelets, and mean platelet volume (p<0.01) in blood analysis. The count of lymphocyte tended to increase after vaccination (p = 0.08). In blood analysis, steers in VITESEL tended to have higher numbers of WBC, neutrophils, and platelets compared to that of other treatments (p = 0.09, 0.06, and 0.09, respectively). Eosinophils in VITESEL were higher than those in PCON (p<0.01). Among blood metabolites, blood urea nitrogen and aspartate transaminase were significantly increased, but cholesterol, alanine transferase, inorganic phosphorus, Mg, and albumin were decreased after FMD vaccination (p<0.01). Conclusion: The use of antioxidants in FMD vaccination did not attenuate growth disturbance because of FMD vaccination. The metabolic changes induced by vaccination were not controlled by the administration of antioxidants. The protective function of antioxidants was effective mainly on the cell counts of leukocytes.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2020

Objectives: Obesity is becoming more popular disease worldwide. Because of the side effects of conventional obesity treatment modality, herbal medicine treatment is becoming more preferred. Gambihwan which including Ephedra sinica Staph is widely used in traditional Korean Medicine practice for obesity treatment. Garcinia cambogia is a kind of health functional food that has body fat reducing effect. Nowadays, ephedra and Garcinia cambogia are often used simultaneously in clinical practice of Korean Medicine. However, the effectiveness and safety of combination therapy in obesity treatment is not well established. Methods: We conducted retrospective observational study to explore effectiveness and safety of combination therapy. We evaluated effect of combined treatment of Gambihwan and Garcinia cambogia on body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, and waist hip ratio reduction. We also assessed safety via liver function test and adverse event. Results: Finally, 23 patients were included. In paired t-test, body weight significantly decreased from 64.50±14.50 kg to 62.94±13.85 kg (P<0.001) and body mass index were also significantly decreased from 24.43±3.79 kg/㎡ to 23.83±3.59 kg/㎡ (P<0.001). Body fat mass was also reduced. Aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase were not significantly increased. There were no drug-induced liver injury and no severe adverse event. Conclusions: In our retrospective review, we found combination therapy of Gambihwan and Garcinia cambogia reduce body weight, body mass index and body fat mass. There were no severe adverse event and drug induced liver injury which indicated safety of combination therapy in obesity treatment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.88-93
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• 2007

The preventive effect of Lentinus edodes extract (LE) against constipation was studied in rats. Rats were pretreated with LE contained in drinking water at the concentration of 10%, 20% and 40% over 30 days. Constipation was induced by subcutaneous injection of loperamide (4 mg/kg/day) 3 days prior to sacrifice. Treatment of loperamide resulted in decreases in the number and wet weight of fecal pellets, and increase in the number of fecal pellet in the distal colon and cecocolon weight. In contrast, the number and wet weight of fecal pellets were increased, and the number of fecal pellet in the distal colon and the cecocolon weight were decreased in LE-pretreated groups compared to the loperamide-treated group. Blood parameters such as white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, and blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values were not significantly different between the groups. In addition, LE (0.5 mg/mL) increased spontaneous contractile activity, which was reduced by atropine or loperamide in isolated rat ileum. Theses results suggest that the improvement of constipation symptoms in LE-pretreated rats resulted from a stimulatory effect of LE on intestine contractile activity.