• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.179-184
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• 2005

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EH) is a rare borderline malignant tumor which originating from vascular endothelial cells and occurs in many organs such as soft tissues, lung, liver and bone. But, pulmonary EH which simultaneously involves pleura and liver is very rare. In the present report, we describe an uncommon case of EH involving the lung, pleura and liver in a 26-year-old woman. Chest CT showed single nodule in right upper lobe with large amount of pleural effusion at ipsilateral side and abdominal CT multiple round low densities in liver. The EH was confirmed by microscopic analysis and immunohistochemical staining of CD34+ from open lung biopsy specimen.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2011

Purpose: ${\alpha}$-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing gastric cancer is a rare tumor with high rates of liver metastasis and a poor prognosis. Many studies have been performed but there have been no comprehensive investigations of the clinicopathological and prognosis. Materials and Methods: Six hundred ninety four patients with gastric cancer who underwent a curative gastric resection in Hanyang University Hospital from February 2001 to December 2008 were evaluated retrospectively after excluding active or chronic hepatits, liver cirrhosis and preoperative distant metastasis. Among them, thirty five patients had an elevated serum level of AFP (>7 ng/ml) preoperatively. The clinicopathological features of AFP-producing gastric cancer were analyzed. Results: There was poorer differentiation, a higher incidence of lymph node metastasis, more marked lymphatic and vascular invasion in the AFP-positive group than in the AFP-negative group. The 5-year survival rate of the AFP-positive group was significantly poorer than that in the AFP-negative group (66% vs. 80%, P=0.002). A significantly higher incidence of liver metastasis was observed in the AFP-positive group than in the AFP-negative group (14.3% vs. 3.6%, P=0.002) with a shorter median time period from the operation to the metachronous liver metastasis (3.7 months vs. 14.1 months, P=0.043). Multivariate survival analysis revealed the depth of invasion, degree of lymph node metastasis and AFP-positivity to be the independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: AFP-producing gastric cancers have an aggressive behavior with a high metastatic potential to the liver. In addition, their clinicopathological features are quite different from the more common AFP-negative gastric cancer.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.195-205
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• 2013

Obesity may cause metabolic syndrome and adult diseases. This study was undertaken to investigate the ameliorative or useful effects of beanleaves on inflammation and liver damage in obese rat models. Rats were divided into three groups: a control group (normal diet, n=6), a fat diet group (45%-fat diet, n=7), and a bean leaf group (45%-fat+Korean bean leaves diet, n=7). Body weights in the bean leaf group were lower than those of the fat group (P<0.05). Serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) concentrations were lower in both the control and bean leaf groups than in the fat group (P<0.001). TNF-${\alpha}$ concentrations in the bean leaf group were slightly higher than in the control group but statistically significant (P<0.05). The bean leaf group histologically exhibited lower fatty degeneration, spotty necrosis, and leukocyte infiltrations in hepatic tissues than those of the fat group. In the homogenized liver tissues, the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene was only expressed in the fat group. The gene expression levels of hepatic TNF-${\alpha}$, inducible nitric-oxide synthase, peroxiome proliferator-activated receptor-${\alpha}$ (PPAR-${\alpha}$), poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) were weaker in the bean leaf group than in the fat group. These results suggest that adding bean-leaves to the diet may ameliorate obesity-induced systemic inflammation and liver damage and that bean leaves may be a useful food for preventing obesity and thereby metabolic syndrome and adult diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4151-4155
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• 2013

Background: To compare response evaluation criteria in solid tumours (RECIST) and volumetric evaluation (VE) for colorectal cancer with liver-limited metastasis. Patients and Methods: VE of liver metastases was performed by manual contouring before and after chemotherapy on 45 pairs of computed tomography (CT) images in 36 patients who suffered from metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with liver metastasis only. Cohen kappa was used to compare the agreement between VE and RECIST. Pearson correlation was performed for their comparison after cubic root transformation of the aggregate tumor volumes. Logistic regression was done to identify clinical and radiographic factors to account for the difference which may be predictive in overall response (OR). Results: There were 16 partial response (PR), 23 stable disease (SD) and 6 progressive disease (PD) cases with VE, and 14 PR, 23 SD and 8 PD with RECIST. VE demonstrated good agreement with RECIST (${\chi}$=0.779). Discordant objective responses were noted in 6 pairs of comparisons (13.3%). Pearson correlation also showed excellent correlation between VE and RECIST ($r^2$=0.966, p<0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that VE was in slightly better agreement with RECIST for enlarging lesions than for shrinking lesions ($r^2$=0.935 and $r^2$=0.780 respectively). No factor was found predictive of the difference in OR between VE and RECIST. Conclusions: VE exhibited good agreement with RECIST. It might be more useful than RECIST in evaluation shrinking lesions in cases of numerous and conglomerate liver metastases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 2011

This study was designed to determine the effects of larval extracts from Protaetia brevitarsis seulensis shade dried larva from Korea and China on liver tissues of hepatic injury groups. The experimental groups are divided into five groups; Normal, carbon tetrachloride single injection ($CCl_4$), Pb-CHI ($CCl_4$ + P. brevitarsis shade dried larva from China), Pb-KOR ($CCl_4$ + P. brevitarsis shade dried larva from Korea) and SIL ($CCl_4$ + 0.35% silymarin) groups. Sprague Dawley rats were oral injected with $CCl_4$ at a dose l mg/kg (20% in corn oil) for induction of liver damage for 4 weeks. Each experimental group was fed with a dose 50 mg/kg of larval extracts based on medicinal preparations from 3 weeks to 4 weeks after $CCl_4$ treatment. At the end of 4 weeks, we evaluated the serum levels of glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transferase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum and the cytokine levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) (TNF-${\alpha}$) and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) in the cells isolated from spleen and liver. The histological analysis was also conducted. The $CCl_4$ injection reduced body weight, induced congestion of middle lobe and hepatocytic degeneration, resulting in disintegration of hepatic cords, and increased biochemical markers of blood related to hepatic injury. On the other hand, the Pb-CHI and Pb-KOR group decreased the levels of biochemical markers in blood and cytokine levels in spleen and liver. Especially, the Pb-KOR group facilitated the recovery of biochemical values of blood related to hepatic injury, hepatic lesions and fibrosis. Taken together, larval extract from P. brevitarsis might prevent acute hepatotoxicity and enhance the recovery of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis induced by $CCl_4$, and the ingredients could be a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of hepatic disorders.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.8
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• pp.794-798
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• 2007

Hepatopulmonary syndrome is a triad that includes: hepatic dysfunction, intrapulmonary vascular dilatation and abnormal arterial oxygenation. The incidence of intrapulmonary vascular dilatations, in adults with end-stage liver disease, has been reported to be 13% to 47%, however the incidence in children is unclear and the cases in Korean children have never been reported. The hepatopulmonary syndrome may occur as a result of chronic liver disease following nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in children with hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction. We report a case of hepatopulmonary syndrome in a 13-year-old child who had rapidly progressive liver dysfunction secondary to panhypopituitarism after craniopharyngioma resection. Careful monitoring and treatment of endocrine abnormalities and metabolic status, as well as liver function, are required in all children undergoing pituitary tumor resection.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.540-548
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• 2018

Background: Acute hepatic failure is a life-threatening critical condition associated with rapid deterioration of liver function and liver transplantation. Several studies have shown that Panax ginseng Mayer has antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effects. However, the hepatoprotective effect of ginseng berry is still unveiled. In this study, we evaluated the hepatoprotective effects of ultrasonication-processed ginseng berry extract (UGBE) on acute hepatic failure model in rats. Methods: Ginseng berry extract (GBE) was ultrasonically processed. The GBE, silymarin, and UGBE were orally administered to male Sprague-Dawley rats for 4 wk. Twenty-four h after the last administration, rats were challenged with D-galactosamine (D-GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Results: After ultrasonication, the component ratio of ginsenosides Rg2, Rg3, Rh1, Rh4, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in GBE had been elevated. Administration of UGBE significantly increased the survival rate of D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats. Pretreatment with UGBE significantly decreased serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bilirubin levels in D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of enzymatic markers for oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione) were increased by UGBE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor necrosis factor alphalevel, inducible nitric oxide synthase activities, and nitric oxide productions were reduced by UGBE treatment. In addition, hemeoxygenase-1 levels in liver were also significantly increased in the UGBE-treated group. The protein expression of toll-like receptor 4 was decreased by UGBE administration. Hematoxylin and eosin staining results also supported the results of this study showing normal appearance of liver histopathology in the UGBE-treated group. Conclusion: UGBE showed a great hepatoprotective effect on D-GalN/LPS-challenged rats via the toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.31-42
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• 2021

Objectives : This study was undertaken to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Spatholobi Caulis water extract (SC) to thioacetamide (TAA)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in rats. Methods : The rats were injected intraperitoneally with TAA (200 mg/kg body weight) and orally administered SC (100 or 200 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 3 days. Liver biomarkers were assessed by serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and ammonia levels. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured both serum and liver tissue. In addition, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, anti-oxidant, and inflammation-related proteins were investigated by western blot analysis. Histological examination further confirmed though hematoxylin and eosin stain. Results : The SC treatment reduced liver function markers like GOT and GPT and also remarkably decreased ammonia level. Moreover, the elevated MDA level in TAA-induced group was significantly reduced by SC treatment. NADPH oxidase expression associated with oxidative stress including NOX2, NOX4, and p47phox markedly inhibited by SC administration. SC treatment exerted anti-oxidant effect through the increase of anti-oxidant enzyme including superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). The protein expressions of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-�� (TNF-��), IL-6, and IL-1�� induced by nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-��B) activation were modulated through blocking the phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor ��B�� (I��B)��. SC treatment also improved histological alterations. Conclusion : These findings suggested that SC administration may be a potential candidate for the prevention or treatment of ALI.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.415-422
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Although cancer survivors are at higher risk of developing second primary malignancies, cancer surveillance strategies for them have not yet been established. This study aimed to identify first primary cancers that had high risks of developing second primary exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC). Methods: Data on individuals diagnosed with primary cancers between 1993 and 2017 were obtained from the Korea Central Cancer Registry. The standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) of second primary EPCs were analyzed according to the primary tumor sites and follow-up periods. Results: Among the 3,205,840 eligible individuals, 4,836 (0.15%) had second primary EPCs, which accounted for 5.8% of the total EPC patients in Korea. Between 1 and 5 years after the diagnosis of first primary cancers, SIRs of second primary EPCs were increased in patients whose first primary cancers were in the bile duct (males 2.99; females 5.03) in both sexes, and in the small intestine (3.43), gallbladder (3.21), and breast (1.26) in females. Among those who survived 5 or more years after the diagnosis of first primary cancers, SIRs of second primary EPCs were elevated in patients whose first primary cancers were in the bile duct (males 2.61; females 2.33), gallbladder (males 2.29; females 2.22), and kidney (males 1.39; females 1.73) in both sexes, and ovary (1.66) and breast (1.38) in females. Conclusions: Survivors of first primary bile duct, gallbladder, kidney, ovary, and female breast cancer should be closely monitored for the occurrence of second primary EPCs, even after 5 years of follow-up.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4871-4876
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• 2014

Background: We sought to evaluate the role of tumor associated macrophages (TAMs) on the promotion of coal tar pitch extract (CTPE)-induced tumorigenesis of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B) and tumor metastasis in nude mice, and related mechanisms. Materials and Methods: BEAS-2B cells were first treated with 2.4 mg/mL CTPE for 72 hours. After removal of CTPE, the cells were continuously cultured and passaged using trypsin-EDTA. THP-1 cells were used as macrophage-like cells. BEAS-2B cells under different conditions (n=6/group) were injected into the back necks of nude mice, and alterations of tumor xenograft growth, indicative of tumorigenicity, and tumor metastasis were determined. Pathological changes (tumor nests and microvascular lesions) of HE-stained tumor tissues were also evaluated. The expression of AP-1(c-Jun) in xenografts and metastatic tumors was determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: Tumor size and weight in nude mice transplanted with the mixture of CTPE-induced passage 30 BEAS-2B and THP-1 cells (2:1) were increased compared to those from the CTPE-treated BEAS-2B cells at passage 30 alone at different observation time points. Tumor metastasis to lymph nodes and liver was only detected after transplantation of a mixture the two kinds of cells. The numbers of tumor nests and microvascular lesions, and the expression levels of AP-1 (c-Jun) in tumors from the mixture of two kinds of cells were increased apparently in contrast to those in tumor from the CTPE-treated BEAS-2B cells of passage 30 alone. In addition, there was positive correlation between AP-1 (c-Jun) expression level and the number of microvascular lesions, or between AP-1 (c-Jun) expression level and tumor metastasis in these two groups. Conclusions: TAMs not only facilitate tumorigenesis transformation of CTPE-induced BEAS-2B cells, but also promote tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis in nude mice in vivo, which may be mediated by AP-1.