• 대한간학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.409-416
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early manifestation of cardiac dysfunction in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC). However, the effect of LVDD on survival has not been clarified, especially in decompensated LC. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 70 patients with decompensated LC, including ascites or variceal bleeding, at Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital from April 2013 to April 2015. The cardiac function of these patients was evaluated using 2D echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. The diagnosis of LVDD was based on the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Results: Forty-four patients (62.9%) had LVDD. During follow-up (22.3 months), 18 patients died (16 with LVDD and 2 without LVDD). The survival rate was significantly lower in patients with LVDD than in those without LVDD (31.1 months vs. 42.6 months, P=0.01). In a multivariate analysis, the Child-Pugh score and LVDD were independent predictors of survival. Moreover, patients with a ratio of early filling velocity to early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e') ${\geq}10$ (LVDD grade 2) had lower survival than patients with E/e' ratio < 10. Conclusions: The presence of LVDD is associated with poor survival in patients with decompensated LC. Therefore, it may be important to monitor and closely follow LVDD patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.89-97
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• 2024

Background: Ginsenoside F2 (GF2), the protopanaxadiol-type constituent in Panax ginseng, has been reported to attenuate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, the mechanism of action is not fully understood. Here, this study investigates the molecular mechanism by which GF2 regulates MASLD progression through liver X receptor (LXR). Methods: To demonstrate the effect of GF2 on LXR activity, computational modeling of protein-ligand binding, Time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) assay for LXR cofactor recruitment, and luciferase reporter assay were performed. LXR agonist T0901317 was used for LXR activation in hepatocytes and macrophages. MASLD was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding with or without GF2 administration in WT and LXRα^-/- mice. Results: Computational modeling showed that GF2 had a high affinity with LXRα. LXRE-luciferase reporter assay with amino acid substitution at the predicted ligand binding site revealed that the S264 residue of LXRα was the crucial interaction site of GF2. TR-FRET assay demonstrated that GF2 suppressed LXRα activity by favoring the binding of corepressors to LXRα while inhibiting the accessibility of coactivators. In vitro, GF2 treatments reduced T0901317-induced fat accumulation and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in hepatocytes and macrophages, respectively. Consistently, GF2 administration ameliorated hepatic steatohepatitis and improved glucose or insulin tolerance in WT but not in LXRα^-/- mice. Conclusion: GF2 alters the binding affinities of LXRα coregulators, thereby interrupting hepatic steatosis and inflammation in macrophages. Therefore, we propose that GF2 might be a potential therapeutic agent for the intervention in patients with MASLD.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.167-172
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• 2022

Obesity is known as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Weight loss is needed to prevent liver function damage from progressing to non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) and NASH-related liver cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to observe the recovery of liver function in obese patients with liver dysfunction through traditional Korean obesity treatment. Body weight, liver function levels and renal function levels were examined by prescribing traditional Korean medicine in obese patients with mild elevation of liver function test. Blood tests were conducted at intervals of one month, and it was observed that liver function recovered to the normal range in three patients.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.243-250
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• 2014

Mitochondrial integrity is critical for maintaining proper cellular functions. A key aspect of regulating mitochondrial homeostasis is removing damaged mitochondria through autophagy, a process called mitophagy. Autophagy dysfunction in various disease states can inactivate mitophagy and cause cell death, and defects in mitophagy are becoming increasingly recognized in a wide range of diseases from liver injuries to neurodegenerative diseases. Here we highlight our current knowledge on the mechanisms of mitophagy, and discuss how alterations in mitophagy contribute to disease pathogenesis. We also discuss mitochondrial dynamics and potential interactions between mitochondrial fusion, fission and mitophagy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권10호
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• pp.843-850
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• 2015

The1hepatic cell death induced by acetaminophen (APAP) is closely related to cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, which is mainly caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of low energy status. AMPK regulates metabolic homeostasis by stimulating catabolic metabolism and suppressing anabolic pathways to increase cellular energy levels. We found that the decrease in active phosphorylation of AMPK in response to APAP correlates with decreased ATP levels, in vivo. Therefore, we hypothesized that the enhanced production of ATP via AMPK stimulation can lead to amelioration of APAP-induced liver failure. A769662, an allosteric activator of AMPK, produced a strong synergistic effect on AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation with APAP in primary hepatocytes and liver tissue. Interestingly, activation of AMPK by A769662 ameliorated the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6N mice treated with APAP at a dose of 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally. However, mice treated with APAP alone developed massive centrilobular necrosis, and APAP increased their serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Furthermore, A769662 administration prevented the loss of intracellular ATP without interfering with the APAP-mediated reduction of mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, inhibition of glycolysis by 2-deoxy-glucose eliminated the beneficial effects of A769662 on APAP-mediated liver injury. In conclusion, A769662 can effectively protect mice against APAP-induced liver injury through ATP synthesis by anaerobic glycolysis. Furthermore, stimulation of AMPK may have potential therapeutic application for APAP overdose.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.225-232
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• 2013

Children with abnormal liver function can often be seen in outpatient clinics or inpatients wards. Most of them have respiratory disease, or gastroenteritis by virus infection, accompanying fever. Occasionally, hepatitis by the viruses causing systemic infection may occur, and screening tests are required. In patients with jaundice, the tests for differential diagnosis and appropriate treatment are important. In the case of a child with hepatitis B virus infection vertically from a hepatitis B surface antigen positive mother, the importance of the recognition of immune clearance can't be overstressed, for the decision of time to begin treatment. Early diagnosis changes the fate of a child with Wilson disease. So, screening test for the disease should not be omitted. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which is mainly discovered in obese children, is a new strong candidate triggering abnormal liver function. Muscular dystrophy is a representative disease mimicking liver dysfunction. Although muscular dystrophy is a progressive disorder, and early diagnosis can't change the fate of patients, it will be better to avoid parent's blame for delayed diagnosis.

• KSBB Journal
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.73-77
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• 2007

갈파래는 해양성 조류 중 녹조류의 일종으로 해양성 조류의 생리활성물질로 알려진 다당체인 푸코이단을 함유하고 있다. 갈파래로부터 추출된 푸코이단의 간 독성 보호효과를 검토하기 위해서 흰쥐를 사용하여 갈파래 푸코이단 추출물 (ULF)을 14일간 매일 1회 복강 내로 선 투여하고 15일째 되는 날에 $CCI_4$를 후투여한 후에 혈액 및 간 조직에서의 지질의 평가와 효소 활성의 변동을 통해 간 독성의 보호효과를 관찰하였다. GOT의 경우 정상군에 비해 대조군에서 $CCI_4$의 간 장애 유발로 인해 효소 활성이 약 3.3 배 증가하였고 시료군인 ULF군은 대조군과 비교 하였을 때 29.8% 감소하여 갈파래 푸코이단 추출물의 효과를 확인할 수 있었다. 또한 GPT의 경우에도 $CCI_4$를 투여한 대조군이 정상군에 비해 약 3.7배 정도 증가하여 간 장애 유발이 확인되었고 ULF은 대조군에 비해 48.15% 감소하는 것으로 나타나 갈파래 푸코이단 추출물의 효소 활성 감소효과를 확인할 수 있었다. $CCI_4$로 간 손상이 초래된 대조군은 MDA 양이 정상군보다 약 2.97배 증가하는 경향을 나타내었고 ULF군은 대조군에 비해 37.64%의 감소율을 보여 갈파래 푸코이단 추출물의 지질과산화 감소효과를 화인할 수 있었다. SOD 활성 정도는 대조군의 효소활성이 정상군에 비해서 1.38배 정도로 낮게 나타났고 ULF군은 대조군에 비해 343% 이상의 효과를 나타내었다. 또한 CAT는 대조군이 정상군에 비해 약 1.7배 감소하였으며 ULF군은 대조군 보다 30.2% 높게 나타났다. GPx의 경우 대조군은 정상군에 비해 약 3.5배의 감소율을 보였고 ULF군은 대조군에 비해서 34.43%의 증가율을 보여 효과가 매우 높음을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 측정 결과는 갈파래 추출 푸코이단이 간 독성을 예방하는 보호효과가 있음을 보여 주었다.

• 사상체질의학회지
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2012

Objectives : We aimed to analyze the meanings of the energy and fluid metabolism in the Discourse on Viscera and Bowels of Donguisusebowon, and to find the clues for the explanation of the pathology and symptomatology of Taeeumin. Methods : The Discourse on Viscera and Bowels of Donguisusebowon was reviewed and examined for relevant information on the energy and fluid metabolism from the structural and the functional point of view respectively. And, based on the derived meanings of the energy and fluid metabolism, the pathology and symptomatology of Taeeumin were analyzed. Results and Conclusions : 1. The meanings of the energy and fluid metabolism can be explained by the different attributes of the energy and fluid produced from the esophagus and the small intestine, and the different function of exhaling-dispersing and inhaling-concentrating in the different tract of circulation such as Lung affiliation (esophagus, skin, ear and lung) and Liver affiliation (small intestine, flesh, nose and liver). 2. The Exterior disease of Taeeumin starts with the weakness of exhaling-dispersing function at the skin, and leads to the dysfunction of the esophagus and the lung sequently. The dysfunction of the lung aggravates that of the skin and the esophagus. 3. The Interior disease of Taeeumin begins with excess of the inhaling-concentrating functions at the flesh and the small intestine, and leads to the dysfunction of the lung, which induces the dysfunction of exhaling-concentration at the skin and esophagus. And, this disparities between exhaling-dispersing and inhaling-concentrating functions exasperate the problem at the flesh and the small intestine.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2019

Objectives: Oxidative stress plays a central role in diabetes-induced complications. In the present study, the protevtive effect of Artemisia turanica (A. turanica) was evaluated against diabetes-induced liver oxidative stress and dysfunction. Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: control, diabetic, diabetic + metformin, diabetic + A. turanica extract, and diabetic + A. turanica extract + metformin. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single-dose (55 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (ip)) injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Metformin (300 mg/kg) and A. turanica extract (70 mg/kg) were orally administrated three days after STZ injection for four weeks. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were measured in the liver tissue. Serum glucose concentration, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were also determined. Results: In the diabetic group, serum glucose concentration, serum AST and ALT activities and liver MDA level were significantly higher while tissue total thiol content as well as catalase and SOD activities were lower, compared to the control group. Serum glucose in diabetic rats treated with metformin + A. turanica extract showed a significant decrease compared with the diabetic group. In all the A. turanica extract and metformin treated groups, serum ALT, tissue MDA level, total thiol content and SOD activity significantly improved compared with the diabetic rats. However, treatment of the diabetic rats only with metformin could not significantly change the activities of catalase and AST compared with the diabetic group. Conclusion: These findings suggested that A. turanica extract had a therapeutic effect on liver dysfuncyion and oxidative stress induced by diabetes, that may be probably due to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.59-67
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• 1969

Correlation between the blood clearance half time and findings of liver scan using the colloidal radiogold in patients of liver cirrhosis is observed through the scoring system, in which the more changes in size, shape and density in the liver scan, the more points are given (table 1). Results: 1) Within the increase in severity of hepatocellular dysfunction in liver cirrhosis, the degree and frequency of following changes in liver scan (done with colloidal radiogold) were increased in order. a) generalized hepatomegaly b) enlargement of the left lobe & reduction of the right lobe c) relatively increased radiodensity in the left lobe and 4) visualization of spleen. 2) Frequency of the normal scan in liver cirrhosis was $12{\pm}3.56%$, frequency of normal value in blood clearance half time of the radiogold was $5.0{\pm}2.34%$ and frequency of normal scan & normal blood clearance rate in liver cirrhosis was $3.6{\pm}2.06%$.