• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 2018

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming common chronic liver disease because of the increasing global prevalence of obesity and consequently Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanism for progression of NAFLD to NASH and then cirrhosis is not completely understood, yet. The triggering of these hepatic diseases is thought from hepatocyte injury caused by over-accumulated lipid toxicity. Injured hepatocytes release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which can stimulate the Kupffer cells (KCs), liver-resident macrophages, to release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and recruit monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). The increased activation of KCs and recruitment of MDMs accelerate the progression of NAFLD to NASH and cirrhosis. Therefore, characterization for activation of hepatic macrophages, both KCs and MDMs, is a baseline to figure out the progression of hepatic diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding of mechanisms of NAFLD and NASH, mainly focusing on characterization and function of hepatic macrophages and suggests the regulators of hepatic macrophages as the therapeutic target in hepatic diseases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.483-487
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic changes of verapamil and its major metabolite, norverapamil, after oral administration of verapamil (10 mg/kg) in rabbits with slight, moderate and severe hepatic failure induced by carbon tetrachloride. The plasma verapamil concentrations in all groups of hepatic failure were significantly higher (p<0.01) than the control. However, the plasma norverapamil concentrations in severe hepatic failure were significantly higher (p<0.05) than the control. The peak concentrations ($C_{max}$) and the areas under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of verapamil in the rabbits were significantly (p<0.01) higher than the control. The absolute bioavailability ($F_{A.B}$) and the relative bioavailability ($F_{R.B}$) of verapamil in the rabbits with hepatic failure were significantly higher ($13.6-22.2\% and 150-244\%$, respectively) than the control ($9.1\% and 100\%$, respectively). Although the AUC and $C_{max}$ of its major metabolite, norverapamil, in slight, moderate hepatic failure were not significantly lower than the control, the metabolite-parent AUC ratio in all groups of hepatic failure was decreased significantly (p<0.05, in slight group; p<0.01, in moderate and severe group) than the control. This could be due to decrease in metabolism of verapamil in the liver because of suppressed hepatic function in the hepatic failure groups because verapamil is mainly metabolized in the liver. From our data, it would seem appropriate that in patients with liver disease, doses of verapamil should be decreased by degree of hepatic failure.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.344-349
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was carried out to investigate the effect of scoparone(6, 7-dimethoxyco-umarin) on liver function. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with scoparone at a dose of 20mg/kg body weight for 5 days. Hepatic bile flow, liver weight, BSP(bromosulfophthalein) biliary excretion, alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activities, malondialdehyde production and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release were assayed. Among them, ALT and AST activities, malondialdehyde production and LDH release were assayed by using primary hepatocyte cultures at a concentration of 0.1mg/ml. Scoparone treatment had no effect on liver weight and hepatic bile flow. Scoparone treatment not only increased BSP biliary excretion, but also recovered the decreased BSP biliary excretion by CCl4, Also scoparone significantly decreased with the increases of ALT and AST activities, malondialdehyde production and LDH release induced by CCl4. These results suggested that scoparone could protect the liver damage by chemicals via promoting the liver excretory function.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.361-369
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• 1987

The four azo dyes such as Amaranth (FD & C Red No. 2), Tartrazine (FD & C Yellow No. 4), sunset Yellow (FD & C Yellow No. 5) and Allura red (FD & C Red No. 40) are currently employed as a food additives in Korea. In this study, the effects of these azo dyes on the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase systems in Rats. (i.e., Cyt. P-450, Cyt. b$_5$, NADPH cyt. c-reductase and azo reductase) were investigated. Furthermore, to determine the relationship among the electron transport systems, each level of azo reductase, Cyt. P-450 and NADPH cyt. c-reductase was measured upon the administration of phenobarbital (known as an inducer of Cyt. P-450), 3-methylcholanthrene (Known as an inducer of Cyt. P-448), CoCl$_2$ (inhibitor on Cyt. P-450) or $CCl_4$ (inhibitor on Cyt. P-450). The results of these studies are as follows; (1) The levels of Cyt. P-450 and Cyt. b$_5$ were decreased upon the administration of these azo dyes. (2) When the level of Cyt. P-450 was decreased, the azo reductase activity was also decreased. (3) These azo dyes did not show any significant effect on the level of NADPH cyt. c-reductase. (4) The administration of 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in the elevation of azo reductase activity. The 3-methylcholanthrene may be responsible for the induction of CO-insensitive electron transport system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2008

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with many pathological states such as fat deposit in the tendon and skin, hepatomegaly, pancreatitis and heart attack. The present study was focused on the effect of Korean red ginseng water extract (RGWE) on the recovery of hepatic function that was deteriorated in high-cholesterol diet fed mice. Mice were divided into 6 groups ; normal diet group (AIN-2WK), 4 week-high-cholesterol diet group (CHOL-4WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet group (CHOL-2WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet + RGWE treated group (R100, R300, R500). RGWE treated group received normal diet and RGWE at daily doses of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg b.w. for 2 weeks after the 2 weeks feeding of high-cholesterol diet. The results are as follows : 1. The hepatic weight and total hepatic lipid weight were markedly lower in RGWE treated group than those in the CHOL-4WK or CHOL-2WK group, indicating that ginseng inhibited hepatic hypertrophy. 2. Total hepatic cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in normal diet conversion group (CHOL-2WK) were significantly reduced compared with the high cholesterol group (CHOL-4WK). The lowering effect was significantly reinforced by RGWE administration. 3. Hepatic triglyceride level of CHOL-4WK group was markedly lower than that of the normal group (AIN-2WK). However, the level was significantly increased in CHOL-2WK and RGWE treated group. The result indicated that ginseng administration and diet conversion exert normalizing effects of hepatic function. 4. The lipid peroxide levels in RGWE treated groups were markedly lower than CHOL-2WK group. These results suggest that Korean red ginseng water extract can be useful as a dietary supplement for the treatment of obesity or hypercholesterolemia by improving lipid metabolism and hepatic function.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.49-64
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• 1971

The radioactive $^{131}I$-rose bengal serial scintiphotography was performed in 62 patients with the hepatobiliary diseases and in 20 normal subjects. This approach permitted visualization of the hepatic uptake of $^{131}I$-rose bengal from the circulation and its excretion into the biliary trees and the intestines. In some of these patients, gallbladder function was examined, using eggs as a gallbladder constrictor. The time of maximum hepatic uptake was well correlated to the conventional biochemical liver function tests. In addition to $^{131}I$-rose bengal scintiphotography, $^{198}Au$-colloid scintiphotography was also performed to make comparison of these two tests. The results obtained were as follows: 1. In normal subjects, the maximum hepatic uptake of $^{131}I$-rose bengal occurred at $23{\pm}2.9$ minutes, the initial hepatic excretion at $34{\pm}5.1$ minutes, the visualization of the gallbladder at $29{\pm}5.7$ minutes and the intestinal visualization at $54{\pm}25.8$ minutes. The radioactivity in the gallbladder decreased to $10.7{\pm}5.0%$ one hour after the ingestion of eggs. 2. In the patients with cirrhosis of the liver, there was a delayed and decreased hepatic uptake. The maximun hepatic upake occurred at $43{\pm}12.9$ minutes. The differences in the results of uptake between the cirrhotic and the normal group were statistically significant. The initial hepatic excretion occurred at $60{\pm}18.5$ minutes and had tendency of delaying compared with the normal controls. The gallbladder was visualized in 13 of 16 cases (81%) and its visualization occurred at $49{\pm}14.6$ minutes with a tendency to be delayed compared with the normal controls. The intestinal visualization occurred at $63{\pm}15.8$ minutes and its delaying tendency was somewhat more prominent. 3. In patients with hepatitis, the maximum hepatic uptake occurred at $59{\pm}21.4$ minutes and was significantly delayed. The initial hepatic excretion occurred at $82{\pm}34.3$ minutes and the results revealed a delaying tendency. The gallbladder was visualized in 15 of 20 cases (75%) at $57{\pm}18.7$ minutes, which was significantly delayed. The Intestinal visualization was noted in all cases with marked delay. 4. In patients with obstructive jaundice, the maximum hepatic uptake was noted at $83{\pm}14.7$ minutes, showing the most significant delay. The hepatic excretion into biliary trees and intestines was not entirely noted in all cases except the only one case with gallbladder visualization. 5. In patients with cholelithiasis, the maximum hepatic upake and the initial hepatic excretion were slightly delayed with mean times of $39{\pm}11.2\;and\;48{\pm}17.1$ minutes respectively. The visualization of the gallbladder was demonstrated in 10 of 17 cases (59%) and occurred at $52{\pm}25.6$ minutes with a slight delay. The intestinal visualization occurred at $67{\pm}47.7$ minutes and was slightly delayed. $^{131}I$-rose bengal in the gallbladder remained high, $49.3{\pm}21.3%$, which suggested quantitatively decreased power of gallbladder constriction. 6. The time of the maximum hepetic uptake was correlated well to BSP retention and serum alkaline phosphatase ativity. However, the maximum hepatic uptake had no definite correlation with serum albumin, serum globulin, TTT, serum cholesterol, SGPT or SGOT. 7. In the diagnosis of the hepatobiliary diseases with jaundice, $^{131}I$-rose bengel serial scintiphotography has proved to be more useful than $^{198}Au$-colloid scintiphotography. With these results, it could be justified that $^{131}I$-rose bengal scintiphotography is an excellent diagnostic aid for dynamic hepatobiliary function studies in the clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.2 s.62
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• pp.195-200
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• 2006

The response of hepatic mixed function oxygenase (MFO) system was investigated in olive flounder exposed to formalin. Hepatic microsome of olive flounder incubated in vitro with formalin demonstrated the induction of cytochrome P450 (CYP), ethoxyresorufin deethylase (EROD), cytochrome P450 reductase (P450R) and cytochrome b5 reductase (b5R) activity. In addition, olive flounder was exposed to 100, 300 and 500 ppm of formalin for 1 h and then transferred to a flow-through type of 1000 L aquarium. Hepatic MFO enzyme activity was determined for 72 h. As the result, hepatic CYP, P450R and EROD activities increased following exposure of formalin, but b5R and GST showed no significant change. These results imply that CYP and P450R can be considered as main hepatic enzymes involving in detoxification of formalin.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.739-744
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• 2009

This study aims to evaluate the therapeutic action of administration of Nigella sativa (NS) and Peganum harmala (PH) oils in diabetes and hepatic toxicity. Results show that treatment of diabetic rats with NS oil or PH oil ameliorate hyperglycaemia induced stress oxidative and hepatic dysfunction in diabetic rats. Administration of NS or PH oil to diabetic rats caused an anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities by the decrease in plasmatic glucose level and increase in hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, reduced glutathione (GSH) and glycogen contents compared to untreated diabetic rats. Besides, NS and PH oils protect the hepatic function observed by decrease of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TCh), and increase of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-Ch) levels in serum and hepatic tissues. Moreover, a diminution in the bilirubin, transaminase glutanic pyruvic (TGP), and transaminase pyruvic oxaloacetic (TPO) contents in serum and the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels (TBARs) in hepatic tissues are also detected.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.271-277
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• 1992

Rat hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion method and cultured on the collagen coated dish or on the floating collagen membrane. Using the primary cu1tured hepatocytes, the efficiency of cell attachment and the hepatic functions such as gluconeogenesis, ureogenesis and albumin synthesis were studied. The cell viability was kept above 50% until 5 days and the hepatic functions of ammonia metabolism and albumin synthesis were maintained until 7 days. Floating collagen membrane was found to be more efficient than the collagen coated dish for the maintenance of hepatic function in-vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1997

This study was done to investigate the effect of vitamin C on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced hepatic injury ul isolated perfused rat liver. Isolated livers from rats fasted 18 hours were subjected to 45 min of hypoxia followed by reoxygenation for 45 min. The perfusion medium used was Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) and 0.5 mmol/L of vitamin C was added to the perfusate. Alanine aminotransferase (ALI) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were significantly increased by hypoxia/reoxygenation. These increases were augmented by vitamin C. Glucose output and bile flow were markedly decreased by hypoxia/reoxygenation. Vitamin C aggavated the decrease of glucose output but had little effect on bile flow. Our findings suggest that hypoxia/reoxygenation diminishes hepatic metabolic and secretory functions, and vitamin C significantly aggravates these changes.