• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary garlic powder on cytochrome P450 enzymes and membrane stability in murine hepatocarcinogenesis initiated by diethylnitrosamine (DEN). Male Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of DEN (200 mg/kg body wt) dissolved in saline. After 2 weeks on a basal diet, animals were fed diets containing 0. 0.5. 2.0. or 5.0% garlic powder for 6 weeks, and were subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy. The areas of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P) positive foci were inhibited in rats fed with garlic diets. GST-P is the most effective marker for DEN-initiated lesions. Hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation was significantly decreased in rats fed with 2.0 and 5.0% garlic powder diets compared with that observed in the control animals and hepatic microsomal glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase) activity was found to increase significantly in rats fed 0.5 and 2.0% garlic powder diets. Thus as little as 0.5% garlic powder has a positive effect on the stability of hepatic microsomal membranes. p-Nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNPH) activity and the level of cytochrome P450 2E1 protein in the hepatic microsomes from rats fed diets containing 2.0 and 5.0% garlic powder were much lower than those of control microsomes. Rats fed 5.0% garlic powder diets exhibited the lowest P450 2E1 activity and protein levels among groups. Pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity and immunoblot (cytochrome P450 2B1) analyses were not different between groups. However, the levels of cytochrome P450 1A1/2 protein in rats fed 0.5 and 2.0% garlic powder were significantly induced compared to controls. These results suggest that 2.0% garlic powder is effective in inhibiting the areas of GST-P positive foci, modulating certain isoforms of cytochrome P450 enzymes and stabilizing the hepatic microsomal membrane. Thus, the selective modification of cytochrome P450 enzymes and membrane stability by dietary garlic powder may influence areas of GST-P positive foci and chemoprevention of post-initiation of rat hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1991

The hepatic uptake of an anionic fluorescence probe, l-anilino-8-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS) was characterized using isolated rat hepatocytes. The initial uptake rate of ANS by isolated hepatocytes was determined. The uptake process of ANS was fitted well to the Michaelis-Menten equation with a saturable component. The $V_{max}$ and $K_m$ values were $2.9{\pm}0.1\;nmol/min/mg$ protein and $29.1{\pm}3.2\;{\mu}M$, respectively. The uptake clearance $(CL_{up})$ based on the ratio of $V_{max}$ to $K_m$ was 11.7 ml/min/g liver, revealing the good coincidence with that assessed from the analysis of the plasma disappearance curve in previous report. Furthermore, the effect of serum protein on the hepatic uptake of ANS into isolated hepatocytes was investigated. The permeability clearances $(PS_{inf})$ of ANS uptake were much higher than those predicted based on the unbound fractions in the presence of serum. These suggested that the hepatic uptake of extensively serum protein-bound ANS is mediated not only by the unbound form of ligand but also by the serum protein-mediated uptake mechanism.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.215-221
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• 2017

The purpose of present study was to assess whether Gd-EOB-DTPA with gadolinium-based contrast agent administration affects fat quantification using the two-point Dixon technique. Between April 2016 and September, 60 patients who underwent hepatic fat quantification using the two-point Dixon technique were divided into two group (normal liver donors=30, abnormal hepatic steatosis=30) and we compared the variability of mean fat fraction before and after administration Gd-EOB-DTPA. As a results, in both group, fat fraction after injection Gd-EOB-DTPA was significantly decreased (normal liver donors -33.8%, hepatic steatosis -47.2%) compared to before injection Gd-EOB-DTPA, suggesting that Gd-EOB-DTPA affects fat quatification using two-point Dixon technique. In conclusion, hepatic fat quantification using the two-point Dixon technique could maintain diagnostic value by acquiring images before administration Gd-EOB-DTPA.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.15.1-15.5
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• 2013

Previous reports showed that Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extract (CASE), which was mainly composed of astragalosides, astragalus polysaccharide and salvianolic acids, inhibited hepatic fibrosis by mediating transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$)/Smad signaling. Our aim was to examine the effects of CASE on D-galactosamine (D-GalN) treated liver injury in mice and carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. CASE was administered to mice with D-GalN-induced liver injury and to rats with $CCl_4$-induced liver fibrosis, respectively. Liver injury was routinely evaluated by relative liver weight, serum levels of ALT, AST, hyaluronic acid (HA), hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, hydroxyproline (HYP) and histopathologic changes. Treatment of mice with CASE (60, 120, and 240 mg/kg, ig) significantly lowered ALT, relative liver weight, and MDA levels when compared with D-GalN treated mice. CASE (120, 240 mg/kg) significantly lowered ALT, AST, HA, HYP, and MDA levels against $CCl_4$ treated rats. Decreased SOD level was reversed with CASE treatment. Upon histopathological examination, CASE treatment had significantly inhibitory effect on the progression of hepatic fibrosis in rats. These results indicate that CASE might be effective in treatment and prevention of acute and chronic hepatic injury due to its antioxidant activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.793-800
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidative effects of Paeonia lactiflora (PL) seeds on antioxidative defense system and lipid peroxidation of liver in rats fed high-cholesterol diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 $\pm$10g were randomly assigned into five experimental groups fed 0.5% cholesterol ; HC group which was not supplemented PL seeds extract, 0.1% methanol extract diet group (MP1 group), 0.2% methanol extract diet group (MP2 group), 0.05% ether-souble fraction diet group (EP1 group) and 0.1 % ether-souble fraction diet group (EP2 group). Experimental diets were fed ad libitum to the rats for 3 weeks. The activity of hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) was not significantly different among all the high cholesterol diet groups. The hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSHpx) activity in MP2 group was increased to 27% compared to HC group. The activity of hepatic catalase (CAT) was not significantly different among the all high cholesterol diet groups. The hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the EP1 and EP2 groups were increased to 12% and 13%, respectively, as compared to HC group. The levels of hepatic TBARS in the MP1, MP2, EP1 and EP2 groups were reduced by 18%, 21%, 20% and 23%, respectively, as compared with HC group. The contents of lipofuscin in liver was not significantly different among all the experimental groups. The results indicated that PL seeds extract may be reduced oxidative damage by activating antioxidative defense system of hepatic in rats fed high-cholesterol diets. (Korean J Nutrition 36(8): 793∼800, 2003)

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.768-774
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• 2007

To study the effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enrichment on the expression of hepatic genes in pigs, weaned, crossbred pigs (30 d old) were fed diets supplemented with either 2% tallow or DHA oil for 18 d. Hepatic mRNA was extracted. Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to explore the hepatic genes that were specifically regulated by dietary DHA enrichment. After subtraction, we observed 288 cDNA fragments differentially expressed in livers from pigs fed either 2% DHA oil or 2% tallow for 18 d. After differential screening, 7 genes were found to be differentially expressed. Serum amyloid A protein 2 (SAA2) was further investigated because of its role in lipid metabolism. Northern analysis indicated that hepatic SAA2 was upregulated by dietary DHA enrichment (p<0.05). In a second experiment, feeding 10% DHA oil for 2d significantly increased the expression of SAA2 (compared to the 10% tallow group; p<0.05). The porcine SAA2 full length cDNA sequence was cloned and the sequence was compared to the human and mouse sequences. The homology of the SAA2 amino acid sequence between pig and human was 73% and between pig and mouse was 62%. There was a considerable difference in SAA2 sequences among these species. Of particular note was a deletion of 8 amino acids, in the pig compared to the human. This fragment is a specific characteristic for the SAA subtype that involved in acute inflammation reaction. Similar to human and mouse, porcine SAA2 was highly expressed in the liver of pigs. It was not detectable in the skeletal muscle, heart muscle, spleen, kidney, lung, and adipose tissue. These data suggest that SAA2 may be involved in mediation of the function of dietary DHA in the liver of the pig, however, the mechanism is not yet clear.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.395-400
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• 2002

Recently, the increasing use of antenatal high resolutional ultrasonographic studies, and the increasing expertise of sonographers have contributed to the more frequent prenatal detecton of fetal hepatic calcification. Fetal hepatic calcification can arise from peritoneal, ischemic, infectious, neoplastic, and idiopathic causes. There are many reports that the prognosis is good in isolated fetal hepatic calcification without chromosomal aberrations, associated congenital malfomations or other organ abnormalities. We report one case of fetal hepatic calcification diagnosed by prenatal ultrasonography at gestational age of 27 weeks, without chromosomal abnormalities or other associated organ abnormalities, showing good prognosis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.693-700
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effects of genistein, a kind of soy isoflavones, on fatty liver and lipid metabolism in rats fed high fat diet. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups by dietary fat and genistein contents then raised for six weeks. The rats(n=6/group) were fed normal fat diet(NOR), high fat diet (HF), high fat with 0.1% genistein(HF+0.1%G) or high fat with 0.2% genistein(HF+0.2%G). Hepatic total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and Serum GPT, as a marker for fatty liver, were significantly increased by high fat diet. Also, serum total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, glucose and insulin concentration, hepatic lipogenic enzyme (fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme) activities were significantly increased by high fat diet. However, hepatic total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol and Serum GPT were significantly decreased by genistein intake. Also, genistein supplementation decreased serum total lipid, triglyceride, glucose and insulin concentration, hepatic lipogenic enzyme (fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme) activities. There were no differences by genistein level except for serum insulin. These results suggest that fatty liver induced by high fat diet was caused by increased serum lipid profiles and hepatic lipogenesis, whereas, genistein may be useful in inhibiting of fatty liver by reducing serum lipid profiles and hepatic lipogenesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.272-277
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the antioxidant activities and hepatoprotective effects of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extract (SCE) against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative hepatic damage in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were pretreated with SCE (300, 600, and 1,200 mg/kg BW) or saline once daily for 14 consecutive days. On day 14, each animal, except those belonging to the normal control group, were injected with t-BHP (0.8 mmol/kg BW/i.p.), and all of the rats were sacrificed 16 h after t-BHP injection. RESULTS: Although no significant differences in AST and ALT levels were observed among the TC and SCE groups, the high-dose SCE group showed a decreasing tendency compared to the TC group. However, erythrocyte SOD activity showed a significant increase in the low-dose SCE group compared with the TC group. On the other hand, no significant differences in hepatic total glutathione (GSH) level, glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were observed among the TC and SCE groups. Hepatic histopathological evaluation revealed that pretreatment with SCE resulted in reduced t-BHP-induced incidence of lesions, such as neutrophil infiltration, swelling of liver cells, and necrosis. In particular, treatment with a high dose of SCE resulted in induction of phase II antioxidant/detoxifying enzyme expression, such as glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC). CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we conclude that SCE exerts protective effects against t-BHP induced oxidative hepatic damage through the reduction of neutrophil infiltration, swelling of liver cells, and necrosis. In addition, SCE regulates the gene expression of phase II antioxidant/detoxifying enzymes independent of hepatic antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2013

This study was conducted in order to investigate the effects of Artemisia capillaris (AC) extract on disorders of hepatic functions and lipid metabolism induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an endocrine disrupter, using male rats (SD, five weeks old) for a period of three weeks. These 37 animals were divided into four groups. AC extract was added as 1.5% or 3% levels to basal diets, respectively. TCDD (40 ug/kg B.W) was administered by intraperitoneal injection into rats after a week from the beginning of the experiment. AC extract alleviated the increase of rat's relative liver weights induced by TCDD. Thymuses of all rats treated with TCDD were apparently shrunken by approximately 80%. Levels of white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrits were significantly increased by treatment with TCDD, however, WBC tended to decrease by AC extract diets. In hepatic function, the elevation of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase activities by TCDD treatment was diminished by AC extract diets. Serum HDL-cholesterol levels were significantly elevated by AC extract diets. The apparent increase of triglyceride levels of rat livers induced by TCDD was significantly suppressed in the AC extract diet groups. Hepatic cytosolic catalase activities significantly decreased by treatment with TCDD showed a recovering trend by AC extract diets. In histochemical observation, the fat droplets and apoptosis of hepatocytes treated with TCDD were markedly alleviated by AC extract diets. These results indicated that AC could exert recovering effects on some disorders of hepatic functions, lipids metabolism, and antioxidant activities resulting from TCDD treatment.