• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.224-229
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effectiveness of Korean medicine, especially Palmijihwang-hwan and Oryung-san, on an alcoholic liver disease patient with fatigue and dizziness. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean medicine, including herbal decoction, acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping. Then, the patient was asked about his condition every day and underwent liver function tests three times. Results: After 13 days of treatment, fatigue decreased by 80%, and dizziness disappeared on the second day of hospitalization. It also recovered from indigestion and abdominal distension. Conclusions: According to this study, Korean medicine, including Palmijihwang-hwan and Oryung-san, is an effective treatment for symptoms associated with alcoholic liver disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2021

Background: The diagnosis of esophageal varices (EV) is based on the findings of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), biopsy, and serum markers. Thus, noninvasive cost-effective tests through which high-risk EV children can be diagnosed are needed. Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the noninvasive markers for EV in children with liver cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 98 children with liver cirrhosis were evaluated in this study. The spleen size, platelet count, serum albumin, liver function test results, and risk scores were evaluated prior to endoscopy. The endoscopic investigations aimed to identify the presence of EV and red signs, and determine varices sizes. Results: Endoscopy revealed varices in 43 subjects (43.9%). The spleen size, platelet count, international normalized ratio, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), platelet count to spleen size ratio, and risk score differed significantly between patients with and without EV on univariate analysis; however, the logistic regression analysis showed no differences, indicating that none of these parameters were independently associated with the presence of EV. Conclusion: Platelet count, risk score, platelet count to spleen size, and APRI can be useful tools for the identification of high-risk patients with EV and might reduce the need for invasive methods like EGD.

• Environmental and Resource Economics Review
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.845-873
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• 2008

This study estimates the VSL(value of a statistical life) as well as the WTP(willingness to pay) for mortality risk reduction using sample selection model with data on liver cancer examination which is associated with little possibility of multi-purpose(i.e. joint production) in averting behavior. The marginal benefits of mortality risk reduction are estimated by applying for household production function model with medical expense and the time required for medical examination of liver cancer. Individuals are more likely to take liver cancer test if they are male, older, higher educated, those with spouse, smoker, more income of household, and more anxious about their health. The costs of liver cancer examination are statistically significantly affected with expected signs by size of mortality risk reduction, sex, period of eduction, those with spouse, and household income. The marginal effect of mortality risk reduction owing to taking liver cancer examination is estimated at 321,097 won. The costs of liver cancer examination are increased by 905 won with more one year of education period and by 1,743 won with more one million won in household income. On liver cancer examination, male spends more 12,310 won than female and those with spouse pay more 7,969 won than those without spouse. Therefore the VSL from mortality risk reduction due to liver cancer examination is 321.10 million won at mean size of mortality risk reduction and mean cost of liver cancer examination. The results of sensitivity tests on costs and effects of liver cancer test shows that the VSLs are estimated in a range from 160.55 million won to 642.19 million won.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.59-74
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• 2004

We have conducted questionnaire and measured serum liver function tests on 153 patients whom have received a treatment at a local Oriental medicine clinic in Seoul from Sept. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2002. Patients were categorized into the groups of control(10), decoction group(41), herbal group(5), western medicine group(45), and the group taking both herbal and western medicines(55) concurrently or separately. This study was conducted to investigate how these treatment methods can affect the liver functions. Following results were obtained : 1) Most of the research subjects were male(l03 individuals) living in large urban area, with drinking habit, highly educated, and with normal marriage. For the treatment history, 45 individuals received western medicine treatment(28.85%), 46 with Oriental medicine (29.49%), and 55 patients(35.26%) experienced both forms of treatment. 2) Measuring SD of serum liver functions for all the research subjects, T-protein was 6.95(0.73)g/dl, 4.07(0.51)g／dl for albumin, 0.44(0.19)mg／dl for T-bilirubin, 23.18(18.68)U／L for ALT, 27.42(27.43)U／L for AST, and 22l.27(64.58)mg／dl for LDH. 3) Among the research subjects with the liver functions outside of normal range were 0.64% for T-protein, 3.21% for T-bilirubin and ALT, 36.62% for AST, 0.64% for LDH, and none for Albumin. 4) Confusion variables which may affect the liver functions such as age, smoking, drinking, occupation, and residence were eliminated in calculation and no significant differences were witnessed between the control and experiment groups. 5) In measuring affects of treatment duration on the liver functions, no statistical significances were shown in multiple regression's ,${\beta}$(SE) values. 6) The values of odd ratio in the experiment groups compared to the control were in the range of $0.26(0.22){\sim}0.62(1.23)$. but T-bilirubin of the group receiving both Oriental and western medicine was 1.47(1.90) which showed statistical increase(p<0.001). 7) Factors affecting the liver functions are drinking volume per round duration of alcohol intake, western medicine treatment, gender, and age difference caused significant influences. 8) 57 individuals with serum liver functions out of normal range were mostly male, living in large urban area, median age of 38.89, with normal marriage, highly educated drinking less than once a week with less than 2 bottles per round, and with prior treatment in either western or Oriental medicine. Summarizing above results, we can carefully deduce that taking herbal medicine (both decoction and pills) or western medicine doesn't cause much affect in the liver functions. But taking two forms of medication simultaneously or altering dosage affect significant increase in the T-bilirubin level, thus one needs to take precaution when taking both. Further research is needed in this field to verify this evidence.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.293-301
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• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this clinical trial is to examine the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture on liver cirrhosis patients suffering from muscle cramps. Methods: A total of 14 liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramps were treated by electroacupuncture three times a week for four weeks (12 times total). The electrical stimulation was a frequency of 100 Hz. Evaluation of the muscle cramps was measured by a questionnaire of subjective symptoms. The patients' condition was evaluated four times over a period of eight weeks. We also assessed the deterioration of liver disease using the Child-Pugh score and blood tests. Results: This study proves that four weeks of electroacupuncture treatment is effective in reducing the frequency of muscle cramps and that the effects of electroacupuncture treatment lasted during another four-week follow-up period after treatment. Conclusions: This study suggests that electroacupuncture treatment is beneficial for improving muscle cramps in liver cirrhosis patients (p=0.000). Electroacupuncture is thought to be a safe treatment for liver cirrhosis patients with muscle cramps without contributing to the worsening of liver function. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to confirm our findings.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.65-71
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• 2019

The propose of this study has been conducted to examine expression of c-Myc and Thymosin-${\beta}4$ in liver cirrhosis model from liver fibrosis and For the method of study, the experiment was conducted in 2 groups; liver cirrhosis model experiment group due to liver fibrosis and control group with distilled water. This study outcome showed that liver cirrhosis model experiment group had significantly higher expression of c-Myc and Thymosin-${\beta}4$. with changes to hepatic tissue of special staining and electron microscopy. In conclusion, in clinical tests regarding liver function, molecular evaluation of c-Myc and Thymosin-${\beta}4$ and their expression along with serological change and histological assessment can be utilized as a reference for diagnosing liver disease for prevention and diagnosis of the disease, Based on this research in the future, we will carry out an in-depth study by adding the types of experimental groups and related genes.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.9-20
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• 2005

Cholestatic liver disease is a frequent complication of prolonged parenteral nutrition, especially in premature infants. Numerous factors have been cited as contributing to TPN associated cholestasis. However the exact etiology remains obscure. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) has been reported to be beneficial far children and adults with various chronic cholestatic liver disease. The aim of this prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to determine the preventive effects of UDCA administration during TPN. Seventeen pediatric patients (8 boys and 9 girls) undergoing TPN were assigned randomly to two groups, UDCA and placebo group. UDCA group (n=9) received 15 mg/kg/day UDCA and placebo group (n=8) received 15 mg/kg/day placebo enterally during the TPN period. Liver function tests (total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase) were per-formed before TPN and weekly or three times a week. The patients' weights, complete blood count, composition of TPN, and the infusion rate of TPN and lipid were monitored everyday. Calcium and phosphate were monitored twice a week. Between the UDCA and placebo groups, there were no differences in weight at the onset of TPN, birth weight, duration of TPN, respiratory distress syndrome associated with prematurity, age at the onset of TPN, gestational age, the number of days the patients received antibiotics, the number of patients received enteral nutritions and the composition of TPN. In contrast, there was a significant difference between the UDCA and placebo groups in alanine aminotransferase levels during TPN. It doesn't seem that UDCA administration during TPN correlates directly with improvement of liver function. But the preventive administration of UDCA may be effective in reducing liver enzyme, alanine aminotransferase and has no adverse effects.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.444-455
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to report a case of alcoholic hepatitis with megaloblastic anemia that improved with Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A 27-year-old woman with alcoholic hepatitis and megaloblastic anemia was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, and moxibustion. The responses before and after treatment were evaluated using blood tests, ultrasound imaging, the Checklist Individual Strength (CIS), and the numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: Post-treatment, blood tests showed improved liver function test, lipid test, and anemia work-up. Ultrasound imaging showed improvement in the superoinferior diameter of right lobe, from 13.02 to 11.09, and the fatty liver improved. The CIS score decreased from 107 to 55. Fatigue diminished from NRS 10 to NRS 3, and dizziness dropped from NRS 5 to NRS 1. The abdominal distension slightly decreased, from NRS 7 to NRS 5. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment might be effective for treating alcoholic hepatitis with megaloblastic anemia.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1999.10a
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• pp.330-331
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• 1999

• 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.