• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

Objective: Approximately 30% of preeclamptic pregnancies exhibit abnormal liver function tests. We assessed liver injury-associated enzyme levels and circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model. Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) received AVP (150 ng/hr) subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 18 days. Blood pressure was measured, urine samples were collected, and all animals were euthanized via isoflurane. Blood was collected to measure circulating levels of TGF-β1-3 isomers and liver injury enzymes in pregnant AVP (PAVP), pregnant saline (PS), non-pregnant AVP (NAVP), and non-pregnant saline (NS) rats. Results: The PAVP group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than both saline-treated groups. The weight per pup was significantly lower in the AVP-treated group than in the saline group (p<0.05). Circulating TGF-β1-3 isomer levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats than in the NS rats. However, similar TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels were noted in the PS and PAVP rats, while TGF-β2 levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats. Circulating liver-type arginase-1 and 5'-nucleotidase levels were higher in the PAVP rats than in the saline group. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate higher levels of TGF-β2, arginase, and 5'-nucleotidase activity in PAVP than in PS rats. AVP may cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral resistance and blood pressure, thereby elevating TGF-β and inducing the preeclampsia-associated inflammatory response. Future studies should explore the mechanisms through which AVP dysregulates liver injury enzymes and TGF-β in pregnant rats.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.123-127
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• 2009

After a health examination, abnormal patients were classified into two groups. One needs clinical treatment immediately, while the other one needs check-up in 2~3 month after for blood tests and preventive medical study. To discover the status and importance of the follow-up study in a health program, blood test upon health examination was compared to the test from the follow-up. We examined patients of ages from 20's to 70's. Among these patients, most of them were between 40's and 50's, and in male patients the follow-up test were more freguent than female. We examined blood obtained from January 2007 to December 2008. We analyzed and compared initial and the follow up blood test. Lipid profile, liver test, thyroid function tests (TFTs), glucose fasting, and HbA1c were examined from the blood tests. We also surveyed their distribution and status. The value of the follow up blood tests was significantly decreased with the most striking differences in lipid profiles and liver test. Follow up study is able to improve life style of patients through doctor's advice in a health program. Therefore, we can conclude that the follow up blood test is also quite critical.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2002

Hemophagocytic syndrome(HPS) has four subgroup, sporadic disorder, associated with acute infection, familial form seen in children, and associated with malignant disorders, immunodeficiencies, defective leukocyte function. Histologically, Hemopoietic cells are actively ingested by moncytes/macrophages in various organs, including lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) is now thought to be one of the major causes for the virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome(VAHS). Epstein-Barr(EB) virus infection is common, with up to 90% of individuals demonstrating positive titiers by age 20. Although elevated liver function tests commonly occur, severe hepatitis is rare. Only seven cases of ascites complicating Epstein-Barr infection are reported, but none clearly demonstrate the abscence of other causes of hepatic dysfunction. We are reporting a case of Epstein-Barr Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome with ascites.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.2153-2155
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• 2012

Objective: This study was to assess liver involvement in multiple myeloma with the aid of liver function tests. Materials and Methods: A hospital based retrospective study was undertaken using data retrieved of multiple myeloma from the register maintained in the Department of Biochemistry of the Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal between $1^{st}$ January, 2007 and $28^{th}$ February, 2012. We collected biomarkers of liver profiles including bilirubin (Total, Direct and Indirect), total protein, albumin, AG ratio, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, LDH, ferritin, renal profile and hematological profile. Descriptive statistics and testing of hypothesis were used for the analysis using EPI INFO and SPSS 16 software. Results: Out of 37 cases of multiple myeloma, serum level of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$ and LDH were increased above the cut-off point in 22 (59.5%), 24 (64.86%), 13 (35.13%), 9 (24.3%) and 11 (29.7%) respectively. The mean values of AST ($65.5{\pm}28.18$ U/L), ALT ($68.37{\pm}29.74$ U/L), ALP ($328.0{\pm}148.4$ U/L), ${\gamma}GT$ ($44.5{\pm}29.6$ U/L) and LDH ($361.7{\pm}116.5$ U/L), total protein ($9.79{\pm}1.03$ gm/dl) were significantly increased when compared with controls. In contrast, albumin ($3.68{\pm}0.43$ gm/dl) and the AG ratio ($0.62{\pm}0.15$) were significantly decreased. Similarly, anemia, hyperuricemia, azotemia, hypercalcaemia and Bence Jones proteinuria were found in 30 (78.9%), 27 (71.1%), 19 (51.5%), 15 (39.5%) and 16 (42.1%) respectively, in cases of multiple myeloma. Conclusions: While clinical manifestation of liver disease among the multiple myeloma was not common, abnormalities in liver function were characteristic.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

Background: Roles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Methods: We evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a LiebereDeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared. Results: No between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group ($0.37{\pm}0.06ng/mL$, $0.39{\pm}0.12ng/mL$, and $0.33{\pm}0.07ng/mL$, respectively, vs. $0.88{\pm}0.31ng/mL$; p < 0.05). Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group. Conclusion: The pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.243-248
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• 2006

Purpose: Liver demonstrates heterogeneous FDG uptake and sometimes it shows abnormally increased uptake even though there is no malignant tissue. However, there was no previous study to correlate these various pattern of hepatic FDG uptake with benign liver disease. Therefore, we evaluated the significance of hepatic FDG uptake associated with various clinical factors including fatty liver, liver function tests and lipid profiles. Materials and Methods: We reviewed a total of 188 patients (male/female: 120/68, mean age: $50{\pm}9$) who underwent PET/CT for screening of malignancy. Patients with DM, impaired glucose tolerance, previous severe hepatic disease or long-term medication history were excluded. The FDG uptake in liver was analyzed semi-quantitatively using ROI on transaxial images (segment 8) and we compared mean standardized uptake value (SUV) between fatty liver and non-fatty liver group. We also evaluated the correlation between hepatic FDG uptake and various clinical factors including serum liver function test (ALT, AST), ${\gamma}-GT$, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration. The effect of alcoholic history and body mass index on hepatic FDG uptake was analyzed within the fatty liver patients. Results: The hepatic FDG uptake of fatty liver group was significantly higher than that of non-fatty liver group. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration showed significant correlation with hepatic FDG uptake. However, there was no significant correlation between other factors (ALT, AST, and ${\gamma}-GT$) and FDG uptake. Also there was no difference of mean SUV between normal and abnormal groups on the basis of alcoholic history and body mass Index within fatty liver patients. Fatty liver and high serum triglyceride concentration were the independent factors affecting hepatic FDG uptake according to multivariate analysis. Conclusion: In conclusion, hepatic FDG uptake was strongly correlated with fatty liver and serum triglyceride concentration.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.121-124
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• 2014

Omega (${\omega}$)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to be effective in preventing and treating parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, and several mechanisms were proposed for this observation. An 8-week-old male infant with cholestasis and acholic stool was diagnosed non-syndromic intrahepatic interlobular bile duct paucity by open-wedge liver biopsy. Initially he was treated with usual supportive medical therapy, including ursodeoxycholic acid. However, the clinical status and laboratory tests did not improve. Omega (${\omega}$)-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (initially intravenous administration and oral administration later), were started and his liver function, including aminotransferase level and bilirubin levels normalized, and the ivory stool color turned green. We report the possible effectiveness of ${\omega}$-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a potent choleretic agent for non-syndromic intrahepatic interlobular bile duct paucity, a very rare structural pediatric hepatic disease.

• Journal of International Society for Simulation Surgery
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.87-89
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• 2014

An aberrant left hepatic artery is one of the most common variants of hepatic arteries, and its prevalence has been reported 6.5-30%. During D2 lymph node dissection for gastric cancer, an aberrant left hepatic artery arising from left gastric artery is ligated which may lead to hepatic damage. In this case report, a 66-year-old male patient underwent total gastrectomy with D2 lymph node dissection during which the aberrant left hepatic artery was ligated. Post-operative liver function tests revealed elevated liver enzymes, and ischemic changes in the left lateral hepatic section was seen on the CT scan. On retrospective review of preoperative CT images, a replaced left hepatic artery from left gastric artery could have been identified. The information on the presence of aberrant LHA and its supplying area is clinically important when planning curative gastrectomy for gastric cancer, because extended lymph node dissection requires division of the left gastric artery and this may lead to severe liver damage. By using preoperative CT scan, detection of aberrant left hepatic artery could be done.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 2023

Ascaris lumbricoides causes one of the most common soil-transmitted helminthiases globally. The worms mostly infect the human small intestine and elicit negligible or nonspecific symptoms, but there are reports of extraintestinal ectopic ascariasis. We describe a rare case of biliary ascariasis mistaken for biliary stent in a 72-year-old female patient with a history of liver resection. She visited our outpatient clinic complaining of right upper quadrant pain and fever for the past week. She had previously undergone left lateral sectionectomy for recurrent biliary and intrahepatic duct stones 2 years ago. Besides mildly elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, her liver function tests were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a linear filling defect closely resembling an internal stent from the common bile duct to the right intrahepatic bile duct. A live female A. lumbricoides adult worm was removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Despite a significant decrease of the ascariasis prevalence in Korea, cases of biliary ascariasis are still occasionally reported. In this study, a additional case of biliary ascariasis, which was radiologically misdiagnosed as the biliary stent, was described in a hepatic resection patient by the worm recovery with ERCP in Korea.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.