• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.73-83
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• 1994

Applications of liposomes as a drug carrier for the oral delivery of poorly-absorbable macromolecular drugs have been limited, because of their instability in gastrointestinal environments including pH, bile salts, and digestive enzymes. Two polysaccharides, dextran(DX) and pullulan(PL), were introduced to the preformed liposomes in order to enhance the stability. Palmitoyl derivatives of polysaccharides, palmitoyldextran(PalDX) and palmitoylpullulan(PalPL), were synthesizd and introduced to the liposomes during preparation for the same purpose of stability. The effects of these polysaccharides coating were evaluated basically by physical properties of particle size distribution and optical microscopy, then compared with uncoated liposomes by the observations of both in vitro stability and in vovo absorption characteristics. The geometric mean diameters of polysaccharide-coated liposomes were greater than that of uncoated liposome, showing the outermost polysaccharide-coated layer under the optical microscopy. In vitro stabilities of uncoated or polysaccharides-coated liposomes were measured by turbidity changes in various pH buffer solutions containing sodium choleate as bile salts. While uncoated liposome was very sensitive to bile salts, polysaccharides-coated liposomes were stable in relatively higher concentrations of sodium choleate, giving the results of better stability of PalDX- and PalPL-coated liposomes than that of DX- and PL-coated liposomes. After liposomal encapsulation of acyclovir(ACV), an antiviral agent as a model drug, it has been administered orally to rats as dose of ACV 40 mg/kg. Plasma concentrations of ACV were assayed by HPLC and analyzed by model-independent pharmacokinetics. Pharmacokinetic parameters of Cmax, tmax, and [AUC] have been compared.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.46-65
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• 1992

In this study, we have made morphological and cytochemical observations to investigate the type of Golgi apparatus around the bile canaliculus. The animal (Wister, $220{\sim}250gm$) were divided into 4 groups; normal, hydrochol, colchicine and hydrochol-colchicine. The Golgi apparatus is classified into 16 different types from 4 different groups. In the normal group, we could observe 12 different types of the sixteen. Type I which showed convexed cisterns facing the bile canaliculi was most abundant of the types. In the hydrochol group, 14 types were observed. Type VII and type I showed convexed cisterns facing the bile canaliculus and were abundant. In the colchicine group, 11 different types were viewed and type XIV which showed intensely dilated cisterns without the polarity was predominant. In the hydrochol-colchicine group, we observed 3 different types. Type XIV clearly showed the highest percentage, although that type was less numerous in this group than in the colchicine group. In the hydrochol group, the Golgi apparatus showed a tendency to increase in numbers, while in the hydrochol-colchicine group the Golgi apparatus showed a tendency to decrease in numbers. The reactive products of thiamine pyrophosphatase and acid phosphatase were apparent over the distal Golgi cistern in the normal and hydrochol groups, but were decreased or not observed in the colchicine and hydrochol-colchicine groups. From the results, it is assumed that with the presence of the microtubule, Golgi cisterns are dilated with polarity after stimulation of secretion. Without the microtubule, the cistern becomes more intensely dilated and none polaric. Also the enzymes within the cisternal membrane become decreaed or absent and the Golgi apparatus decreases in numbers after activation of secretion.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2004

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antimetabolite anticancer agent active against many types of solid tumors. Tegafur (TF), a prodrug of 5-FU, is frequently used in combination with uracil as dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) inhibitory fluoropyrimidine. We studied the stability of 5-FU and TF in biological fluids of rats and determined their bioavailability (BA) and excretion into bile, and urine. The drug concentrations were analyzed by an HPLC method. At room temperature, there was a 14-30% decrease in the concentration of 5-FU and TF in bile, urine, and plasma specimen at 10 and $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ over 240 min. No significant difference was noted among the sample types or between two different concentrations of 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$. The decrease in drug concentration was significantly less in samples kept on ice (6-12%) for both drugs. These data indicate that biological fluid samples containing 5-FU or TF in plasma, urine, or bile should be placed on ice during the sample collection. Following these storage guidelines, samples were collected after administration 50 mg/kg of each drug via i.v. or oral route. BA was 1.5 folds greater for TF (60%) than that of 5-FU (42%). Approximately 0.52 and 3.3% of the i.v. doses of 5-FU and TF was excreted into bile, respectively. Renal clearance of 5-FU was about 16% of its total body clearance. These results suggest that instability of 5-FU and TF in biological fluids should be considered in pharmacokinetic or pharmacogenomic studies.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2000

We examined the antifibrotic effect of a methanol extract from Stephania tetrandra (ST) on experimental liver fibrosis. liver fibrosis was induced by bile duct ligation and scission (BDL/S) in rats. In BDL/S rats, activity levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminse (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), concentration of total bilirubin in serum, and hydroxyproline content of the liver were significantly increased. The ST treatment (either 100 ${m}g/kg/day$ or 200 ${m}g/kg/day$, p.o. for 4 weeks) in BDL/S rats reduced the serum AST, ALT and ALP activity levels significantly (p<0.01). Similarly, when compared to the control group, the concentration of hydroxyproline in the livers of the BDL/S rats treated with 100${m}g$ or 200${m}g$ ST treated rats decreased by 40% and 33% respectively, when compared to the BDL/S control group (p<0.01). The morphological characteristics of fibrotic liver that were observed in the BDL/S control group, improved in the ST treated BDL/S group. In the fibrotic liver of BDL/S rats treated with ST, a marked reduction in the numbers of alpha smooth muscle cell actin positive stellate cells was observed. These results indicate that doses of either 100 or 200 ${m}g/kg/day$ of methanol extract from S. tetrandra, had an antifibrotic effect in rats with liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation and scission.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2011

Purpose: The Roux en Y method has rarely been performed due to longer operation time and high risk of complication, despite several merits including prevention of bile reflux. We conducted a retrospective review of the result of Roux en Y reconstruction using two circular staplers after subtotal gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: From December 2008 to May 2009, a total of 26 patients underwent Roux en Y reconstruction using two circular staplers after subtotal gastrectomy, and seventy-two patients underwent Billroth-I reconstruction. Roux en Y anastomosis was performed using two circular staplers without hand sewing anastomosis. We compared clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes between the two groups. All patients underwent gastrofiberscopy between six and twelve months after surgery to compare the bile reflux. Results: No significant differences in clinicopathologic findings were observed between the two groups, except for the rate of minimal invasive surgery (P=0.004) and cancer stage (P=0.002). No differences in the rate of morbidity (P=0.353) and admission duration (P=0.391) were observed between the two groups. Gastrofiberscopic findings showed a significant reduction of bile reflux in the remnant stomach in the Roux en Y group (P=0.019). Conclusions: When compared with Billroth-I reconstruction, Roux en Y reconstruction using the double stapler technique was found to reduce bile reflux in the remnant stomach without increasing postoperative morbidity. Based on these results, we planned to begin a randomized controlled clinical trial for comparison of Roux en Y reconstruction using this method with Billroth-I anastomosis.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2001

In this study, an attempt was made to increase the survival rate of bifidobacteria entrapped in alginate in the gastrointestinal tract, and to investigate the potential industrial applications, for example lyophilized capsules and yogurt. First, the protective effect of various food additives on bifidobacterial survivability was determined after exposure to simulated gastric juices and bile salts. The additives used in this study were skim milk (SM), polydextrose (PD), soy fiber (SF), yeast extract (YE), chitosan (CS), $\kappa$-carageenan ($\kappa$-C) and whey, which were added at 0.6% concentration (w/v) to 3% alginate-bifidobacterial solution. In the simulated gastric juices and bile salts, the protective effect of 0.6% skim milk-3% alginate (SM-A) beads on the survival rate of bifidobacteria proved to be higher than the other additives. Second, the hydrogen ion permeation was detected through SM-A vessel without bifidobacterial cells at different SM concentrations (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0%). There were no differences in terms of the pH decrease in SM-A vessels at 0.6%, 0.8%, and 1.0% (w/v) SM concentrations. The survival rate of bifidobacteria in SM-A beads would appear to be related to the SM buffering capacity against hydrogen ions and its tendency to reduce the pore size of bead. In this experiment, the survival rate of bifidobacteria entrapped in beads containing 0.6% SM showed the highest viability after exposure to simulated gastric juices for 3h, thereby indicating that 0.6% SM is the optimum concentration fir 3% alginate bead preparation. Third, the effect of SM-A beads on the freeze-drying and yogurt storage for 10 days was investigated. SM-A beads were found to be more efficient for freeze drying and yogurt storage than untrapped cells and the alginate bead. Consequently, the survival rate of bifidobacteria entrapped in SM-A beads was increased in simulated gastric juices, bile salts and probiotic products, such as lyophilized capsules and yogurt, SM-A beads can be expected to produce high value probiotic products.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2013

This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from Kimchi and to identify suitable probiotic strain for application in fermented dairy product as a commercial starter culture. A total of 106 (LAB) strains were isolated from Kimchi collected from different regions in Korea and their phenotypic characteristics were assayed. Four isolates from MRS agar plates were selected and designated as DKL109, DKL119, DKL121 and DKL128. They were identified first by API 50 CHL kit and then 16S rRNA gene sequencing. DKL121 and DKL128 were identified as Lactobacillus paracasei and Lactobacillus casei, respectively. Other two isolates (DKL109 and DKL119) were identified as Lactobacillus plantarum. To estimate their applicability in dairy products, the characteristics including acid and bile tolerance, cold shock induced cryotolerance and enzymatic activities were determined. There was wide variation in ability of strains to acid tolerance, but no significant differences in bile tolerance, cold shock induced cryotolerance within selected strains. DKL119 and DKL121 showed the highest resistance to acid and bile and the highest ${\beta}$-galactosidase activity, respectively. When these two strains were used for yogurt preparation as a single starter culture, their viable cell counts reached to $1.0{\times}10^9CFU/mL$. Lactobacillus plantarum DKL119 showed faster acid development than commercial starter culture. Also storage trials at $10^{\circ}C$ showed that the viability of these strains was retained over 15 d. With these results, it was indicated that probiotics isolated from Kimchi can be used in yogurt manufacturing as a starter culture.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.323-327
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to examine the pharmacokinetics of organic cations in intrahepatic cholestatic rats. A pretreatment with $17{\alpha}$-ethynylestradiol was used to induce intrahepatic cholestasis, and tributylmethylammonium (TBuMA) was used as a representative model organic cation. When $[^3H]$TBuMA was intravenously administered, the AUC value for TBuMA was significantly increased by $79\%$ in cholestasis, and its total systemic clearance was consequently decreased by $46\%$. In addition, the in vivo hepatic uptake clearance of TBuMA from the plasma to the liver was decreased by $50\%$ in cholestasis. The concentration of bile salts in plasma was increased by 2.1 fold in cholestatic rats. Since TBuMA forms ion-pair complexes with anionic components such as bile salts, the decreased hepatic uptake of TBuMA in cholestasis may be due to a change in endogenous components, e.g., bile salts in the plasma. In isolated normal hepatocytes, the uptake clearance for TBuMA in the presence of cholestatic plasma was decreased by $20\%$ compared with normal plasma. Therefore, we conclude that the inhibition of the hepatic uptake process by the cholestasis may be in part due to the increased formation of ion-pair complexes of TBuMA with bile salts in the plasma.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.82-88
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• 1998

The effect of hepatoprotective agents and bile acids on tumor necrosis factor-alpha, (TNF-${\alpha}$) production in murine and human macrophage cell line (RAW264.7 and U937) was inve stigated. The hepatoprotective agents including silymarin and its major component, silybin, significantly inhibited TNF-alpha production in a concentration dependent manner ($IC_50$ of silybin=67.7${\mu}g$/ml (140.3${\mu}g$M)). In differentiated U937 cells, especially, silybin showed more effective inbitory activity ($IC_50$=35.1${\mu}g$g/ml (72.7${\mu}g$M)). These results suggest that silymarin and silybin may inhibit TNF-alpha production in the process of hepatic diseases in human. However, biphenyldimethyl dicarboxylate (DDB) was not effective. In the case of bile acids, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) showed a concentration dependent inhibitory effect on TNF-alpha production ($IC_50$ of CDCA= 71.5${\mu}g$g/ml (182.1${\mu}g$M)). In contrast, glycine or taurine conjugated form (G-CDCA or T-CDCA) restored to the control level or significantly increased TNF-${\alpha}$ production. And also ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and its conjugated forms (G-UDCA and T-UDCA) showed a variety of patterns on TNF-${\alpha}$ production by changes of functional groups and concentration. These results also indicate that bile acids may regulate TNF-${\alpha}$ production in normal hepatic function or disease conditions.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-62
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• 2021

Radiologic imaging is important for evaluating extrahepatic bile duct (EHD) cancers; it is used for staging tumors and evaluating the suitability of surgical resection, as surgery may be contraindicated in some cases regardless of tumor stage. However, the published general recommendations for EHD cancer and recommendations guided by the perspectives of radiologists are limited. The Korean Society of Abdominal Radiology (KSAR) study group for EHD cancer developed key questions and corresponding recommendations for the radiologic evaluation of EHD cancer and organized them into 4 sections: nomenclature and definition, imaging technique, cancer evaluation, and tumor response. A structured reporting form was also developed to allow the progressive accumulation of standardized data, which will facilitate multicenter studies and contribute more evidence for the development of recommendations.