• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.61-77
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• 2004

Present review is built on base of research work on Ganoderma lucidum in our laboratory. A great deal of experimental evidence has suggested that the pharmacological activities of Ganoderma lucidum(Lingzhi) are related to anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging activity. The anti-oxidative and free radical scavenging effects of polysaccharides and triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum in different oxidative injury models including tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBOOH)- damaged mice peritoneal macrophages, alloxan-induced diabetes, experimental liver injury models induced by carbon tetrachloride (CC14), D-galactosamine (DGal) and Bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG) plus lipopolysaccharides(LPS) were investigated. It is also demonstrated that Lugu lingzhi, one of Ganoderma product, significantly inhibited LDL oxidation mediated by endothelial cells and decreased monocyte adhesion to endothelial cell (EC) induced by Oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and advanced glycation endproducts(AGE). Lugulingzhi-treated serum could markedly inhibit the expression of intercellular cell adhesion molecule-l (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-l (VCAM-1) induced by ox-LDL and AGE.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.893-905
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• 2019

Mitochondria are highly dynamic organelles that constantly undergo fission and fusion processes that closely related to their function. Disruption of mitochondrial dynamics has been demonstrated in acute kidney injury (AKI), which could eventually result in cell injury and death. Previously, we reported that augmenter of liver regeneration (ALR) alleviates renal tubular epithelial cell injury. Here, we gained further insights into whether the renoprotective roles of ALR are associated with mitochondrial dynamics. Changes in mitochondrial dynamics were examined in experimental models of renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR). In a model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (HR) injury in vitro, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission process protein 1 (MTFP1), two key proteins of mitochondrial fission, were downregulated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression additionally had an impact on phosphorylation of Drp1 Ser637 during AKI. The inner membrane fusion protein, Optic Atrophy 1 (OPA1), was significantly increased whereas levels of outer membrane fusion proteins Mitofusin-1 and -2 (Mfn1, Mfn2) were not affected in the Lv-ALR + HR group, compared with the control group. Furthermore, the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway was highly activated in the Lv-ALR + HR group. ALR overexpression led to suppression of HR-induced apoptosis. Our collective findings indicate that ALR gene transfection alleviates mitochondrial injury, possibly through inhibiting fission and promoting fusion of the mitochondrial inner membrane, both of which contribute to reduction of HK-2 cell apoptosis. Additionally, fission processes are potentially mediated by promoting tubular cell survival through activating the mTOR/4E-BP1 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.81-94
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• 1997

The concentrations of cadmium, metallothionein(MT), superoxide dismutase(SOD), and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) were investigated in liver and kidney of rats which were fed the water containing 50 or 100ppm cadmium chloride with basal diet(group A), 5% horsetail diet(group, B), 5% mugwort diet(group C) and 5% champignon diet(group D) for weeks. Cadmium in liver decreased for the first 12 weeks of treatment, but thereafter increased, and was lower in experimental group B,C,D than in control group A. Cadmium in kidney increased linearly during the 16 weeks of treatment, and was lower in group B than in group A. MT in liver decreased for the first 12 weeks of treatment in group A, but increased linearly during the 16 weeks in group B,C,D, higher in group B than in group A. There were significantly higher accumulation of cadmium and MT in liver than in kidney in the beginning of cadmium treatment, but reversed in the ending of treatment. The SOD and LDH activities were not affected during the 16 weeks treatment, and there was no significant difference between groups. Histologic examination revealed moderate to severe hepatic and renal injury in group A compared to horsetail diet group B. These results indicate that the kidney is a major target organ of chronic cadmium poisoning, and suggest that Cd-induced hepatic injury, via release of Cd-MT, may play an important role in the nephrotoxicity. In addition, higher MT concentrations in liver and kidney in the group B constitute a plausible explanation of the protective effects of horsetail diet against the cadmium toxicity in relation to histologic findings.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2001

Silk fibroin (SF) derided from the domestic silk worm, bombyx mori, is the natural protein and widely used as bio-functional materials as well as apparels. We studied the livers protective effect of SF from alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in the alcohol preference mouse. To increase more absorption of SF in experimental animals, molecular weight of SF was lowered by 2N of HCI aqueous solution at 10$0^{\circ}C$ for 48 hrs. SF was added to liquid diet with alcohol and fed to the alcohol preference mice for 4 weeks. To assess the liver function, the concentration of alanine aminotransferase (AlT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol present in either blood or liver tissue were measured. As compared with non-SF treated groups the SF-treated showed significantly low concentrations of ALT, AST, cholesterol and triacylglycerol values, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed that the extent of hepatocyte injury in the SF-treated group was reduced when it was compared with non SF-treated group. These results suggest that SF may have liver protective effects against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.95-107
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• 2008

Objectives : The main purpose of this research is to observe the effects of herbal acupuncture(HA; herbal acupuncture) with Chijadaehwangtang applied to the Gansu($BL_{18}$) on D-galactosamine-induced liver injury in rats. Methods : According to HA concentration, the experimental rats were divided 5 groups(control group, saline group, CP-1, CP-2, CP-3 group). In the control group, we first injected D-galactosamine and then didn't treated. In the saline group, we first injected D-galactosamine and then injected saline. In the CP-1, CP-2, CP-3 group, we first injected D-galactosamine and then injected HA with Chijadaehwangtang applied to the Gansu($BL_{18}$), each 25.3mg/kg, 12.7mg/kg, 5.1mg/kg. HA with Chijadaehwangtang was treated at $20{\mu}{\ell}$ every second day, total 10 times in 20 days. We observed the changes of $\gamma$-GTP, GOT, GPT, total bilirubin, LDH, ALP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, SOD, Catalase and hepatic tissues. Results : 1. In the changes of $\gamma$-GTP, GOT contents, as compared with control group, CP-2 group was significantly decreased. 2. In the changes of GPT content, CP-1, CP-2, CP-3 groups as compared with control group were significantly decreased. 3. In the changes of LDH content, CP-3 group as compared with control group was significantly decreased. 4. In the changes of ALP content, all groups as compared with control group were significantly decreased. 5. In the changes of SOD, Catalase contents, CP-2 group as compared with control group was significantly increased. 6. In the morphological and histopathological changes of hepatic tissues, CP-2, CP-3 groups as compared with control group were improved. Conclusions : we observed HA with Chijadaehwangtang applied to the Gansu($BL_{18}$) can be effective treatment on hematological recovery and regenerative process in morphological liver change. Further studies about their underlying mechanism and concentrations may be needed to use HA with Chijadaehwangtang for liver injury clinically.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.654-660
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• 1995

The present study was attempted to investigate the mechanism of oxidative cellular injuries which occur in diabetic rats by determining changes of antioxidant enzymes activity in the lung of alloxan-induced diabetic rats, the contents of glutathione in the lung, liver, blood samples, and ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase activities in the liver. Superoxide dismutase activities (SOD), including Cu, Zn-SOD and Mn-SOD, decreased in the lung of diabetic rats compared with those of normal control rats. However, activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase(GPX) activities were not affected in the lung of diabetic rats. In diabetic rats, glutathione contents in the lung, liver, and blood samples, as well as the activities of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase in the livers which is known to be the key enzyme of glutatione biosynthesis, decreased significantly. From these experimental results, it is thought that the decrease in SOD activities in the lung, glutathione contents and ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase activities in some tissues in alloxan-induced diabetic rats may be the crucial cause of vullnerability to oxidative cellular injuries.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 1993

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of red ginseng extract (5.5 mg/mouse ip) on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase and catalase in the liver of the gamma ray irradiated male mice. The experimental groups consisted of control, red ginseng extract injection group, irradiation (8 $Gy^{60}$Co) group and red ginseng extract injection after irradiation group. in red ginseng extract injection group, SOD, peroxidase and catalase activities were similar to that in the control group. In irradiation group SOD, peroxidase and catalase activities increased progressively until the 2nd day after the treatment and then decreased thereafter, whereas red ginseng extract injection after irradiation group recovered more rapidly than irradiation group. The above results suggested that red ginseng extract injection after irradiation group have the recovery effects on the activities of SOD, peroxidase and catalase after radiation injury in the liver of male mice.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2005

This experiment was conducted to find out the therapeutic effect of Artemisia capillaris extracts on hepatic damage in rats induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_{4}$). In this experiment, 96 Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental groups, which were divided into 4 groups; control group(A), $CCl_{4}$-treated group(B), $CCl_{4}$+Artemisia extract-treated group(C) and $CCl_{4}$+silymarin-treated group(D). The B, C, D group were administrated single dose of $CCl_{4}$(2.5 ml/kg) to induce acute hepatic injury. C group was administrated with Artemisia capillaris extract(200 mg/kg/day) and D group treated with silymarin(50 mg/kg/day) for 7 days. Hematological, ultrasonographical, histological examinations and examination of antioxidant activity were also performed in all groups. AST and ALT activities of C group were significantly decreased compared with B group. The activities of AST and ALT in C and D groups returned to the normal range more rapidly than those of B group. In ultrasonographic examination, the echogenicity of liver in C group was significantly decreased compared with B group. Also C and D group had tended to recover faster than B group on liver histogram. Histologically, the percentage of degenerative regions and degenerative cell numbers in peri-central vein hepatic parenchyma of C and D group were significantly decreased compared with B group. In examination of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde of hepatic tissue in C group was decreased as compared with B group. In examination of antioxidant enzyme activity in liver, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities were significantly increased compared with B group. As results of this study, it is thought that A. capillaris extract has therapeutic effects on hepatic injury induced by carbon tetrachloride, and has the similar therapeutic effects as silymarin in rats.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.115-123
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• 2012

Human placenta extract (hPE) has therapeutic potential against certain diseases such as burn injury, liver cirrhosis and chronic wound through stimulating tissue repair processes. However, the effects of hPE on liver regeneration in animals are unknown. This study investigated the effect of hPE on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) during liver regeneration induced by partial hepatectomy (PH) in rats. The activities of AST, ALT and ALP increased during a few days after PH. A high level of ALP was particularly seen at day 3 in the control group. All the levels of experimental groups were normalized by day 5 after PH. On immunohistochemistry, the expression of PCNA increased at the early days, showed a peak at day 3 after PH. The PCNA staining was more obvious in the experimental group over the whole period. By western blotting, PCNA seemed to be more strongly expressed in the hPE injected group in the early stage and fell to almost undetectable levels at day 7. On immunocytochemical observations, the number of PCNA-gold particles in the nuclei at day 1 of the hPE treated groups was more than those of the untreated groups. The results suggest that hPE could accelerate liver regeneration induced by PH involving the expression of PCNA in rats.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.51-72
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshungi-san) and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture on pain reduction and nerve regeneration after crush injury in rat sciatic nerve. Methods : Animal model was produced through crush injury of right sciatic nerve and they were divided into four groups; Group I: no treatment control group; Group II: experimental group treated with Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshungi-san); Group III: experimental group treated with Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture; Group IV: experimental group treated with Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshungi-san) and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture. For the assessment of pain, this study was observed the paw withdrawal latency(PWL) and immunoreactivity on the substance-P. For the assessment of nerve regeneration, the sciatic functional index(SFI) and immunoreactivity on the BDNF were measured. Results : 1. In the assessment of pain, the PWL of experimental groups was significantly higher than control group and group IV was significantly higher than other groups at the all days. 2. In immunohistochemical response of substance-P, as time passes, the immunoreactivity of all groups were decreased gradully. Especially, group IV had the lowest immunoreactivity. 3. In the assessment of SFI, the SFI of experimental groups were significantly higher than control group. 4. In immunohistochemical response of BDNF, the BDNF immunoreactivity of all groups was significantly higher than control group and especially, group IV had the highest immunoreactivity at the 14 days after injury. 5. H & E stain was used on the liver and kidney to investigate toxic effect of Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture and Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshungi-san) on on 21 days after injury. However there were no any toxic effects both control group and experimental groups. Conclusions : On the basis of these results, we propose that Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshungi-san) and Jungsongouhyul pharmacopuncture were related to pain reduction and motor nerve recovery, also decreased substance-P expression and increased BDNF expression after crush injury of sciatic nerve, especially these two treatments could be more effective when they were combined simultaneously.