• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.374-378
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• 1996

The effects of pine needle extracts on lipid contents and antioxidative enzyme activities in liver of rat were evaluated. Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups and fed high fat diets for four weeks. Each group was administered with pine needle extract in the following doses: control, water ; WE-3, hot water extract(3% PN) ; WE-6, hot water extract(6% PN) ; AE-3, acetone extract(3% PN) ; AE-6, acetone extract(6% PN). The results obtained from the experiment were as follows: GOT activities were not significantly different among experimental groups but GPT activities were significantly low in the experimental groups compared to the control group. Liver superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity of pine needle extract administered groups was higher than that of control group. Catalase activities of liver had a similar tendency to SOD activities, but were not significantly different among the groups. Liver TBARS of WE-3 WE and AE-6 groups were slightly lower than those of other groups. Microscopic observation of liver tissue revealed that pine needle extracts increased cellular swelling, which was markedly increased in WE-6 group compared with control group.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.70-78
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• 1982

To investigate the effect of 'Saengkankunbi-Tang' on the liver tissue recovery in about 70% cutted rat liver, the observation on the photographing by the Gamma-camera and the electromicroscopic section against the rabbit liver induced by $CCl_4$, these studies were conducted. The results were summarized as follows; Observed on the liver tissue recovery, function regeneration and body weight increase in about 70% cutted rat liver, the recovery of liver tissue and body weight were increased with the passage of the time and also they were showed to the high increase rate in proportion to administration amount. The glucose content in the serum was found in increasing tide as compared with the control group. The alkaline phosphate activity in the serum showed the significant difference in the 10th day and 13th day as compared with the control group. The ammonia content in the blood showed the significant difference only in the 10th day. Observed on the photographing by the Gamma-camera against the rabbit liver induced by $CCl_4$, sample groups were shown to be significant recovery as compared with the control group. Observed on the electromicroscopic section, sample groups showed the control action of the nuclear destruction against the rabbit liver induced by $CCl_4$ and also they showed the control action of the expansion of glycogen and granular endothelial reticulum in cytoplasm. According to the above finding, it is presume that 'Saengkankunbi-Tang' can be applicable to the extensive treatment of liver disease.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2008

We investigated if Chlorella vulgaris (CV) has protective effects on cadmium (Cd) induced liver damage in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Forty rats, aged 5 weeks old and weighed 90-110g, were divided into a control (with Cd free water), 50 ppm of $CdCl_2$ in drinking water treated groups (Chlorella 0% diet group (Cd/CV0%), Chlorella 5% diet group (Cd/CV5%) or Chlorella 10% diet group (Cd/CV10%). All the rats had freely access to water and diet for 8 weeks. The results show that body weight gain and relative liver weight had significantly lower in Cd/CV0%-treated group than in Cd/CV-treated groups. Hepatic Cd contents showed significantly less by feeding CV (P<0.05). Cd/CV0%-treated rats had significantly (P<0.05) higher hepatic T-MTs, and Cd-MTs concentrations, compared to Cd/CV5% or Cd/CV10% treated rats. The MT I/II mRNA was expressed in the liver of all experimental rats. Its expression was more increased in Cd/CV5%- or Cd/CV10%-treated rats, compared to control and Cd-treated rats. Thus, this study suggested that CV would have a protective effect on Cd-treated liver injury by the reduction of Cd concentrations and stimulation of Cd-MT binds in the liver. However, more studies are needed to identify the proper mechanism of CV and liver toxicity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.209-210
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• 2018

NAFLD induces the development of advanced liver diseases such as NASH and liver cancer. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of NAFLD development is critical for its prevention and treatment. Ablation of PTEN or Hippo pathway components induces liver cancer in a murine model by hyperactive AKT or YAP/TAZ, respectively. Although the regulation of these two pathways occurs in the same hepatocyte, the details of crosstalk between Hippo-YAP/TAZ and PTEN-AKT pathways in liver homeostasis and tumorigenesis still remain unclear. Here, we found that depletion of both PTEN and SAV1 in liver promotes spontaneous NAFLD and liver cancer through hyperactive AKT via YAP/TAZ-mediated up-regulation of IRS2 transcription. Conversely, NAFLD is rescued by both ablation of YAP/TAZ and activation of the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, human HCC patients with NAFLD showed strong correlation between YAP/TAZ and IRS2 or phospho-AKT expression. Finally, the inhibition of AKT by MK-2206 treatment attenuates NAFLD development and tumorigenesis. Our findings indicate that Hippo pathway interacts with AKT signaling during the intervention with IRS2 to prevent NAFLD and liver cancer.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2015

Pyogenic liver abscess with metastatic septic complications is a rare and serious infectious disease if not treated properly. Pyogenic liver abscesses are caused by bacterial, fungal, or parasitic organisms. Escherichia coli used to be the predominant causative agent, but Klebsiella pneumoniae emerged as a major cause in the 1990s. Liver abscesses are caused by hepatic invasion via many routes, such as, the biliary tree, portal vein, hepatic artery, direct extension, or penetrating trauma. Furthermore, diabetes mellitus and malignant conditions are established important risk factors of K. pneumoniae liver abscesses and of septic metastasis, and several recent studies have asserted that K. pneumoniae liver abscess might be a presentation of occult or silent colon cancer. We report a case of K. pneumoniae liver abscess, metastatic septic pulmonary embolism, and endophthalmitis associated with diabetes and advanced gastric cancer.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2020

Purpose: In 2018, the Act on Decisions on Life-Sustaining Treatment for Patients in Hospice and Palliative Care or at the End of Life was implemented and the scope of official recognition for terminally ill patients was expanded. The purpose of this study was to investigate the decisions made by patients with end-stage liver disease about their life-sustaining treatment in a clinical setting. Methods: The subjects of this study were patients with end-stage liver disease hospitalized at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea who wrote physician orders for life-sustaining treatment (POLST). Data collection was done using patients' electronic medical records, and a retrospective analysis of POLST was conducted. Results: Among 101 patients, 18.8% were female and 81.2% were male, and their mean age was 61.8 (±10.61) years. Sixty-three patients (62.4%) wrote their POLST by themselves. Three patients withdrew the POLST, of whom two did so for liver transplantation, and one did so for chemotherapy. Conclusion: This study shows that sufficient consideration of liver transplantation is needed for end-stage liver disease patients before making decisions on life-sustaining treatment. The self-determination of patients must be respected and effective guidelines are urgently needed.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2005

Objectives : The present study attempted to reveal the effects of the combination of Fel Ursi and Bezoar on the improvement of the function of the liver, through examining the effects of Fel Ursi, Bezoar, and Woong-Whang Tang composed of Fel Ursi and Bezoar. Method : Acute hepatitis was induced by galactosamine to rats, and then Fel Ursi, Bezoar Bovis, and Woong-Whang Tang were introjected to measure the influence of serums such as AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, and lipid peroxide of liver tissues which are considered as the index of the function of the liver. Results : 1. Fel Ursi decreased the lipid peroxide of ALT, ${\gamma}FT$, and liver tissue and that of mitochondria in liver tissues of the rats with galactosamine-induced acute hepatitis, but it did not have any significant effect on AST and ALP. 2. Bezoar Bovis decreased the lipid peroxide of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, and the liver tissues among serum of the rats suffering from acute hapatitis induced by galactosamine, but it did not have any significant effect on that of mitochondria of the liver tissues. 3. Woong-Whang Tang had a significant effects on the lipid peroxide of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, and the liver tissues, and on the decrease of lipid peroxide of mitochondria, among serum of the rats suffering from acute hapatitis induced by galactosamine. Conclusion : Fel Ursi and Bezoar Bovis were judged to be effective on the acute hepatitis of the liver by galactosamine. In particular, Woong-Whang Tang which was composed of the combination of Fel Ursi and Bezoar Bovis was more efficient in the improvement of the function of the liver and the amount of lipid peroxide than the respective use of Fel Ursi or Bezoar Bovis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.768-776
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• 2006

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in obesity. However, weight reduction alone does not prevent the progression of NAFLD to end-stage disease associated with the development of cirrhosis and liver disease. In a previous experiment, 50% ethanol extract of Acanthopanax senticosus stem bark (ASSB) was found to reduce body weight and insulin resistance in high fat diet-induced hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic ICR mice. To evaluate the anti-steatosis action of ASSB, insulin-resistant ob/ob mice with fatty livers were treated with ASSB ethanol extract for an 8 week-period. ASSB ethanol extract reversed the hepatomegaly, as evident in reduction of % liver weight/body weight ratio. ASSB ethanol extract also specifically lowered circulating glucose and lipids, and enhanced insulin action in the liver. These changes culminated in inhibition of triglyceride synthesis in non-adipose tissues including liver and skeletal muscle. Gene expression studies confirmed reductions in glucose 6-phosphatase and lipogenic enzymes in the liver. These results demonstrate that ASSB ethanol extract is an effective treatment for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice by decreasing hepatic lipid synthesis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.375-385
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was carried out to research the protective effects of Sagunja-Tang(SA) through in vivo experiments, and tried to investigate the relation between oxidation of liver tissues and deficiency of Qi. Methods : Acute liver injury which initiated from free radical induced by $CCl_4$, were applied to mice and metabolic data were obtained. In order to measure the degree of liver injury, serum level of alanine aminotransferase(AST), aspartate aminotransferase(ALT), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), total protein(TP) and glucose were measured. Lipid peroxidation of liver slice was examined by measuring malondialdehyde(MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. Results : SA had protective effects on $CCl_4$ induced acute liver injury by decreasing serum level of ALT. Kidney injury was induced by injection of $CCl_4$ too, and SA protected kidney injury by decreasing serum level of creatinine and BUN. Conclusions : Through this study, we found that SA have healing effects on liver and kidney injury of $CCl_4$ induced oxidative stress that is similar to deficiency of Qi. And further studies have to be followed to certify the mechanisms.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.943-952
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• 2022

As a test for diagnosing fatty liver, recently, ultrasound and blood exam are being performed simultaneously. In particular, in the case of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in blood exam, it is used as an index indicating the level of inflammation in various parts of the body as well as cardiovascular diseases. Thus, this study was conducted to analyze the association between metabolic syndrome components, liver function, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels according to the degree of nonalcoholic fatty liver, and use it as a clinical indicator for fatty liver diagnosis. Metabolic syndrome components, liver function and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein blood test values analyzed from 1,139 men and women over 20 years of age with nonalcoholic fatty liver in abdominal ultrasonography from March 2021 to August 2021 at the Korea Association of Health Promotion, Gwangju-Jeonnam Branch. Analyzed for all men and women, the blood test values for subjects with mild fatty liver were AST 30 U/L, ALT 32.1 U/L, γ-GTP 41.2 IU/L, and hs-CRP 0.14 mg/dL. These values were lower than the blood test values of subjects with moderate fatty liver (AST 38 U/L, ALT 47.6 U/L, γ-GTP 54.9 IU/L, hs-CRP 0.22 mg/dL) and was statistically significant (p<0.001). In this case of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein test, it is statistically significant, showing higher values in Subjects with moderate fatty liver than Subjects with mild fatty liver. thus, it is considered that hs-CRP can be used as clinical data for the prevention and management of fatty liver.