• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2019

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of hepatocytes and liver tissue, and is mainly caused by viruses, alcohol, and drugs. Forsythiae Fructus has traditionally been used as a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic. Research on rengyolone, a bioactive substance extracted from Forsythiae Fructus, is rarely found in Korea and abroad. First, an acute animal toxicity test for rengyolone was conducted for the animal experiment. 4 week-old SD rats were injected intraperitoneally with acetaminophen for 2 weeks to induce chronic liver inflammation. Rengyolone was orally administered into two groups during 4 weeks: pre-inflammatory group and post-inflammatory group. Oral doses were also divided into 1 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg. Liver function tests (ALT, AST, ALP), western blot analysis of liver tissue, and level of inflammatory cytokine were performed to evaluate the improvement of hepatitis. Experimental results showed that rengyolone inhibited the development of acute inflammation and thus could reduce hepatitis symptoms.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.61-72
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of herbal medicine and other associated factors for abnormal liver function tests(especially total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ${\gamma}$GT) levels in outpatients at an oriental medical clinic. Methods : A cross-sectional study based on clinical records was conducted on 504 patients at one Oriental medical clinic in Seoul, Korea. They were tested a liver function tests for screening and 497 patients ranging from the age of 4 to 74 were chosen for the study. Patients with basal liver disease or DM were excluded during the screening process. Patients were classified into case(abnormal) and control(normal) groups by normal liver function test references. Results and Conclusions : In this study, Significant correlations for abnormal total bilirubin levels was age, for abnormal AST was gender, for abnormal ALT were gender, smoking, marriage status, and job, for abnormal ${\gamma}$GT were age, gender, obesity, alcohol, smoking, marriage status, and job using the Chi-square test(p<0.05). There was no significant correlations for abnormal LFTs by using herbal medication history, and intake duration. After controlling other covariates, logistic regression analysis showed that the significant associated factors for abnormal total bilirubin levels were age(odds ratio[OR]=0.87, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=0.87-0.99). For abnormal AST levels was obesity(OR=2.45, CI=1.2-4.9), for abnormal ALT levels were age(OR=1.01, CI=0.99-1.03), male gender(OR=3.31, CI=1.62-6.76), and obesity(OR=3.71 CI=2.28-6.08). For abnormal ${\gamma}$GT levels were male gender(OR=4.83 CI=1.34-17.43), obesity(OR=3.29, CI=1.74-6.22), alcohol (OR=2.51, CI=1.19-5.28), and smoking(OR=2.29, CI=1.16-4.50). Herbal medication history was not as a risk factor for all abnormal liver function tests. Therefore, people who are male, obese, alcohol drinker and smoker will have higher liver function test levels. But intake of herbal medication or the duration of intake may not be the risk factor for abnormal liver function test results.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.107-113
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• 2001

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Chungganhaeju-tang on alcoholic fatty liver. Methods : Thirty patients with alcoholic fatty liver were included in this study. Chungganhaeju-tang was administered to subjects for 1 month. The changes of clinical symptoms and chemical liver function tests were evaluated before and after treatment. Results : Chungganhaeju-tang has effects on the improvement of clinical symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, dyspepsia, nausea, and RUQ (Right Upper Quadrant) pain. On the chemical liver function test, serum AST, ALT, GGT, and TG level significantly decreased (P<0.05, by paired t-test). Conclusions : These results suggest that Chungganhaeju-tang has significant effects on the improvement of clinical symptoms and chemical liver function test with alcoholic fatty liver.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.54-60
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• 2017

Many obesity patients were affected by depressed liver function including hepatosteatosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effect of the obesity therapy with Korean herbal medicine (KHM) on obese patient with abnormal liver function. This is a retrospective observational study performed on obesity patients with abnormal liver function. All subjects have taken serum liver function tests (LFTs) before treatment. Ten patients showed abnormal LFTs. They were treated with KHM at least 15 days. During this treatment, LFTs were evaluated afterwards. Body weight and body mass index of the patients were decreased during treatments. Five of 10 subjects recovered normal levels of LFTs. While other subjects remained at abnormal level but their levels were decreased. This study shows that the obesity therapy including KHM could be effective to improve liver function on obese patient. Additional large scale studies are necessary for more evidences.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2009

Object : The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether herbal medication may injure the liver function and kidney function in stroke patients. Method : We observed the serum AST, ALT, r-GTP, Creatinine, BUN of 78 patient from May 1. 2008 to June 30. 2009 admitted in Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University. Liver function and Kidney function tests were done on admission and before discharge. And all patients take herbal medicine with Western medicine. Result : AST, ALT, r-GTP, Creatinine, BUN decreased on discharge compared with the value on admission. The liver function and kidney function test score(AST, ALT, r-GTP, Creatinine, BUN) by administration period of herbal medication was not significantly changed. Conclusion : This study suggests that general herbal medication does not injure liver function and kidney function of human.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.166-175
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• 2016

Objectives: This case study reports on improvements after treating patients who had abnormal liver function values in Soyangin gyolhyungjeung with Soyangin hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami.Methods: The study was carried out with three patients who showed abnormal liver function values in Soyangin gyolhyungjeung. Liver function tests (LFT) and numerical rating scales (NRS) were used to evaluate symptoms.Results: After we treated three patients with Soyangin hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami, their symptoms and LFT results had improved considerably.Conclusions: Soyangin hyeongbangdojeok-san-gami appears to have a useful effect on abnormal liver function values in Soyangin gyolhyungjeung. Further clinical studies are needed to verify these findings.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.121-136
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• 2005

Background/Aims The liver funtion tests(LFTs), such as aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine amino-transferase(ALT), r -glutamyl transferase( r -GT), have been widely used for screening tests but their low positive predictive value can cause many false positive results. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of these tests, we analyzed serial LFT results of single factory workers and compared the risk factor's in groups divided by the serial LFT results. Methods From June 2001 to October 2001, 1223 consecutive healthy workers in a single factory were enrolled and questionnaire, LFT and liver ultrasonography were performed. Previous LFT results were collected from Annual Health Examination Survey. According to the abnormalities in serial LFT, participants were classified into three groups (abnormal-in-both, alternating normal-in-both) and the risk factors were compared among these groups using multiple logistic regression Results The prevalence of LFT abnormality in a single test was 16.8% but, in serial LFT, only 5% of participants showed consistent abnormality. The risk factors for abnormal-in-both group, compared with alternating group, were liver ultrasonography abnormality such as fatty liver(odds ratio, 2.2; p=0.026) and heavy alcohol intake (more than 210g/week) (odds ratio, 7.2;P=0.064). HBsAg was not significant risk factor for any of the three groups. ConclusionIn factory workers with serial LFT abnormality, alcoholic liver disease could be the principal cause of abnormal LFT. Even if HBsAg were positive in patients with abnormal LFT, there is a possibility of another causes for LFT abnormalities such as alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic steatosis or steatohepatitis

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.548-554
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• 2017

Objective: A general prejudice exists that all herbal medicines are not good for liver. We report that herbal medicine can have positive effects on the liver, based on the improved liver function test levels observed in one patient. We also suggest the effectiveness of co-administration of herbal and western medicines. Methods: We checked the liver function test levels of one patient measured on 12 July at another hospital. We identified worse levels on 7 August, when he was first admitted to Semyung University Hospital. We measured liver function test levels of the same patient after treatment with Korean herbal medicine on 14 and 21 August during hospitalization at Semyung Hospital. We compared the figures and evaluated the effectiveness of 'Saenggangeonbi-tang' herbal medicine in the liver. Results: The patient's liver function test levels were normal on 12 July, but had become abnormal by 7 August, when he was admitted to Semyung Hospital. The cause of liver dysfunction was suggested as Atorvastatin, one of the western drugs he had started to take. Continuous treatment with Korean herbal medicine resulted in a definite improvement in liver function. Conclusion: Korean herbal medicine can provide positive improvements in liver function test levels.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.777-783
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• 2021

Objective: This case report describes a patient who suffered a drug-induced liver injury and was treated with Saengganggeonbi-tang. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean herbal medicine, and the treatment effect was evaluated using liver function tests (LFT) to determine total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Results: The patient's LFT levels were normal on 27 July 2021 but became abnormal by 12 August 2021 after taking Western drugs. After 15 days of treatment with Saengganggeonbi-tang, the LFT levels had improved. Conclusion: This study shows that Saenggangeonbi-tang may be an effective treatment for drug-induced liver injury.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1043-1050
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• 2019

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of Gyejigabuja-tang on liver function in patients with musculoskeletal disease. Methods: This research compared and analyzed data from liver function tests on patients who were treated with Gyejigabuja-tang during 17.98±1.78 days. Results: No significant effects appeared in the liver function of patients who were treated with Gyejigabuja-tang. Conclusions: This study suggests that Gyejigabuja-tang, which includes Aconiti Radix Lateralis Preparata, known as a toxic herb, may be used without causing significant liver injury if administered correctly as in this study.