• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제48권3호
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• pp.151-169
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• 2015

Objectives: The deleterious effects of air pollution on various health outcomes have been demonstrated. However, few studies have examined the effects of air pollution on liver enzyme levels. Methods: Blood samples were drawn up to three times between 2008 and 2010 from 545 elderly individuals who regularly visited a community welfare center in Seoul, Korea. Data regarding ambient air pollutants (particulate matter ${\leq}2.5{\mu}m$ [$PM_{2.5}$], nitrogen dioxide [$NO_2$], ozone [$O_3$], carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide) from monitoring stations were used to estimate air pollution exposure. The effects of the air pollutants on the concentrations of three liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], and ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase [${\gamma}$-GTP)]) were evaluated using generalized additive and linear mixed models. Results: Interquartile range increases in the concentrations of the pollutants showed significant associations of $PM_{2.5}$ with AST (3.0% increase, p=0.0052), ALT (3.2% increase, p=0.0313), and ${\gamma}$-GTP (5.0% increase, p=0.0051) levels; $NO_2$ with AST (3.5% increase, p=0.0060) and ALT (3.8% increase, p=0.0179) levels; and $O_3$ with ${\gamma}$-GTP (5.3% increase, p=0.0324) levels. Significant modification of these effects by exercise and alcohol consumption was found (p for interaction <0.05). The effects of air pollutants were greater in non-exercisers and heavy drinkers. Conclusions: Short-term exposure to air pollutants such as $PM_{2.5}$, $NO_2$, and $O_3$ is associated with increased liver enzyme levels in the elderly. These adverse effects can be reduced by exercising regularly and abstinence from alcohol.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.703-706
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• 2014

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of sequential transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and portal vein embolization (PVE) before major hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellur carcinoma (HCC). Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, data were collected from patients who underwent sequential TACE and PVE prior to major hemihepactectomy. Liver volumes were measured by computed tomography volumetry before TACE, and preoperation to assess degree of future remnant liver (FRL) hypertrophy and to check whether intro- or extrohepatic metastasis existed. Liver function was monitored by biochemistry after TACE, prior to and after major hepatectomy. Results: Mean average FRL volume increased 32.3-71.4% (mean 55.4%) compared with preoperative FRL volume. After TACE, liver enzymes were elevated, but returned to normal in four weeks. During PVE and resection, no patient had intro- or extrohepatic metastasis. Conclusion: Sequential TACE and PVE is an effective method to improve resection opportunity, expand the scope of surgical resection, and greatly reduce postoperative intra- and extrahepatic metastasis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.40-45
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• 2014

As well-being foods pursuing healthy life are becoming popular, interest in Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) fruit, a type of Korean blackberry, is increasing due to its medicinal actions including protecting the liver, brightening the eyes, and alleviating diabetes. This study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of RCM concentrates on liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) in rats. RCM, produced in June ~ July 2008 at Chunbook, Gochang (South Korea), was finely mashed. The seeds were removed and the juices were condensed. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups according to treatment: normal (eight rats), $CCl_4$, 1% RCM, and 2% RCM. Experimental diets were provided to the experimental animals for 4 weeks. We measure total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Part of the livers was isolated for histopathological evaluation, and analyzed for lipid peroxide (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and liver proteins. The activities of serum AST, ALT, and ALP were elevated following $CCl_4$ administration. Levels of hepatic TBARS were also significantly increased in the $CCl_4$ groups. However, hepatic TBARS levels and the activities of serum enzymes were markedly reduced by supplementation with the RCM concentrates (P < 0.05). Hepatic SOD activity increased in the RCM concentrates group versus $CCl_4$ groups. Histopathological examination revealed massive necrosis in the centrilobular area and degenerative changes caused by $CCl_4$ were ameliorated by dietary supplementation with RCM concentrates. These results suggest that RCM concentrates have hepatoprotective effects and may improve the symptoms of liver injuries.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.267-274
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• 2010

We assessed the effect of Se-methylselenocysteine (MSC) treatment, at a dose of 0.75 mg/rat/day for 1 or 2 weeks, on the activities of antioxidant systems in Sprague-Dawley rat tissues. Significant changes in glutathione and antioxidant enzyme activities, with different patterns among tissues, were evidenced. Glutathione content and its reduction state in the liver, lung, and kidney were elevated upon MSC treatment, whereas they were significantly lowered in the spleen. Among the tissues exhibiting glutathione increase, there were different enzymatic responses: $\gamma$-glutamylcysteine ligase activity, the rate-limiting enzyme in the glutathione synthesis pathway, was increased in the liver, whereas the activities of the enzymes associated with glutathione recycling, namely, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, were significantly increased in the lung and the kidney. The superoxide dismutase activity was decreased in all tissues upon MSC treatment, whereas catalase activity was increased in all tissues but the liver. Lipid peroxidation level was transiently increased at 1 week in the lung and the kidney, whereas it was persistently increased in the spleen. The increase was not evident in the liver. The results indicate that the MSC treatment results in an increase in the antioxidant capacity of the liver, lung, and kidney principally via an increase in glutathione content and reduction, which appeared to be a result of increased synthesis or recycling of glutathione via tissue-dependent adaptive response to oxidative stress triggered by MSC. The spleen appeared to be very sensitive to oxidative stress, and therefore, the adaptive response could not provide protection against oxidative damage.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

This study was intended to examine whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dietary fat level or source could modulate glutathione utilizing detoxifying system activity and the cytosolic NADPH generation in rat liver. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurifed diet containing either 2%(w/w) corn oil (low level of corn oil diet: 5 ca% of fat) 15% corn oil (high level of corn oil diet: 31 cal% of fat) or 13% sardine oil plus 2% corn oil(high level of fish oil diet: 31 cal% of fat) for 9 weeks. Half of the rats in each diet group were fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% DHEA (w/w). DHEA administration increased plasma total cholesterol level in low corn oil diet-fed rats. The high fish oil diet significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol level compared to the high corn oil diet. Plasma triglyceride level was not significantly changed by DHEA administration and dietary fat level and source. Fasting plasma glucose level was increased by DHEA administration and fish oil diet. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration and high fat diet, especially fish oil diet. Malic enzyme activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration and high fat diet, especially fish oil diet. Malic enzyme activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration. DHEA suppressed the glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-dependent enzymes compared to the low corn oil diet, while fish oil diet elevated the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase compared to corn oil diet. These results suggest that DHEA administration and high level of corn oil diet may suppress the cellular detoxifying system activity through reduction of glutathione utilization, while the fish oil diet did not show these effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제42권9호
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• pp.672-685
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• 2019

Currently, liver transplantation is the only available remedy for patients with end-stage liver disease. Conservation of transplanted liver graft is the most important issue as it directly related to patient survival. Carbonyl reductase 1 (CBR1) protects cells against oxidative stress and cell death by inactivating cellular membrane-derived lipid aldehydes. Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury during living-donor liver transplantation is known to form reactive oxygen species. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate whether CBR1 transcription might be increased during liver I/R injury and whether such increase might protect liver against I/R injury. Our results revealed that transcription factor Nrf2 could induce CBR1 transcription in liver of mice during I/R. Pre-treatment with sulforaphane, an activator of Nrf2, increased CBR1 expression, decreased liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase, and reduced I/R-related pathological changes. Using oxygen-glucose deprivation and recovery model of human normal liver cell line, it was found that oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation products were significantly lowered in cells overexpressing CBR1. Conversely, CBR1 knockdown cells expressed elevated levels of oxidative stress proteins compared to the parental cell line. We also observed that Nrf2 and CBR1 were overexpressed during liver transplantation in clinical samples. These results suggest that CBR1 expression during liver I/R injury is regulated by transcription factor Nrf2. In addition, CBR1 can reduce free radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation. Taken together, CBR1 induction might be a therapeutic strategy for relieving liver I/R injury during liver transplantation.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.253-257
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• 1999

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, a variant presentation of severe preeclampsia/eclampsia is associated with high maternal morbidity and mortality. Despite several advantages to the use of epidural analgesia for the management of labor pain in preeclamptic parturients, this procedure is relatively contraindicated in the presence of severe thrombocytopenia. Determining the pain management of choice depends on the parturient's condition, fetal well-being, and the urgency of the situation. We report a safe case of epidural analgesia in a HELLP syndrome parturient with severe thrombocytopenia for labor pain management without any neurologic complications or epidural hematoma.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.251-259
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• 2004

Xenoestrogens are chemicals with diverse structure that mimic estrogen. Bisphenol A, a monomer of polycarbonate and epoxy resins, has been detected in canned food and human saliva. Bisphenol A stimulate cell proliferation and induce expression of estrogen -response genes in vitro. The purpose of the this study was to evaluate cell proliferation of bisphenol A in the presence of a rat liver 59 mix contaning cytochrome P450 enzymes and Cu (II). The fragmentation of intact DNA, a parameter of apoptotic cell death, was evaluated quantitatively by diphenylamine reaction method. Bisphenol A induced apoptotic cell death in a dose-dependent manner The effect of radical scavenger on the apoptotic cell death induced bisphenol A was investigated. The DNA fragmentation induced by bisphenol A was significantly inhibited by addition of radical scavenger to the culture medium. This indicated that elevated oxidative stress caused by imbalance between the production and removal of free radicals occurred in cells. Taken together, these results suggest that free radical reacts with Cu (II) leading oxidative stress.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.175-182
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• 2003

Bisphenol A shares similarities in structure, metabolism and action with DES, a known human teratogen and carcinogen. Bisphenol A, a monomer of polycarbonate and epoxy resins, has been detected in canned food and human saliva. The purpose of the this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, cell proliferation of bisphenol A In the presence of a rat liver S9 mix, contaning cytochrome P450 enzymes, and Cu (II). In the present study, Bisphenol A in combination with Cu (II) exhibited a enhancement in cytotoxicity which were inhibited by free radical scavengers. The content of malondialdehyde, an end product of lipid peroxidation, was also found to increase with concentration of bisphenol A. Also, we examined the change of CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD, catalase and GPx activities in the MCF-7 cells exposed to bisphenol A. The activities of CuZn-SOD, CPx, catalase were found to decrease with bisphenol A concentration. Meanwhile, the activity of Mn-SOD was unchanged. This indicated that elevated oxidative stress caused by imbalance between the production and removal of free radicals occurred in cells.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.93-96
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• 2007

A 34-year-old man presented with a severe headache, fever, and cervical lymphadenopathy followed by generalized tonic-clonic seizure. Evaluations showed splenomegaly, elevated liver enzymes, and 380 white blood $cells/mm^3$ in the cerebrospinal fluid. Two weeks after admission, he developed sudden vertigo. Examination revealed spontaneous horizontal-torsional nystagmus to the right and bithermal caloric tests documented left canal paresis. A cervical lymph node biopsy disclosed subacute necrotizing lymphadenitis. We report a case of aseptic meningitis and unilateral vestibulopathy associated with histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis (Kikuchi's disease).