• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.31-41
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• 2001

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of Cordyceps Sinensis (CS) and Cordyceps Militaris (CM) on anti oxidation in the livers of ${CCl_4}-treated$ rats. Methods : Hepatotoxicity in rats was induced by carbon tetracWoride. $CCl_4-induced$ rats were administered with the extract of CS and CM. Results : In vitro, CS and CM didn't affect levels of lipid peroxide and the activities and type conversion ratio of xanthine oxidase. However, hydroxyl radicals and DPPHL radicals were decreased. In vivo, in the ${CCl_4}-treated$ rats, lipid peroxide, the activities and type conversion ratio of xanthine oxidase and superoxide radicals were increased but superoxide dismutase was decreased. After CS and CM were administered to ${CCl_4}-treated$ rats, levels of lipid peroxide, the activities and type conversion ratio of xanthine oxidase and superoxide radicals were decreased but superoxide dismutase was increased. Conclusions : These results suggest that CS and CM decrease the activities of free-radical-generating enzymes which form lipid peroxide and increase the activities of oxygen free radical scavenging enzymes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.438-442
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• 2010

Rhemannie Radix Preparata (RRP) has been previously employed in traditional oriental medicine as a treatment for diabetic thirst and improving blood flow. The aim of this study was to evaluate its hypoglycemic control by assaying the activities of key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism in streptozotocin-(STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Further, RRP extracts were prepared in water (RRPW), in 50% ethanol (RRP50), and in 100% ethanol (RRP100), respectively, and compared for their actions in diabetic rats. The oral treatment of RRP (5 mg/kg b.w./d) to diabetic rats for 21 days resulted in a significant decline in blood glucose by 67% compared to diabetic control rats (P < 0.05). The altered activities of glucokinase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD), and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the livers of diabetic rats were reversed significantly to near-normal levels by the administration of RRP (P < 0.05). Among the three RRP extracts, RRP100 was the most effective in terms of hypoglycemic action. However, the administration of RRP to diabetic rats did not improve insulin production. The modulatory effects of RRP100 on the attenuation of carbohydrate enzyme activities appear to hold promise for widespread use for the treatment of diabetes in the future.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4953-4960
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• 2013

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common cancers at the global level, accounting for half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries. This disease tends to occur in livers damaged through alcohol abuse, or chronic infection with hepatitis B and C, on a background of cirrhosis. Various cancer-causing substances are associated with primary liver cancer, including certain pesticides and such chemicals as vinyl chloride and arsenic. The strong association between HBV infection and liver cancer is well documented in epidemiological studies. It is generally acknowledged that the virus is involved through long term chronic infection, frequently associated with cirrhosis, suggesting a nonspecific mechanism triggered by the immune response. Chronic inflammation of liver, continuous cell death, abnormal cell growth, would increase the occurrence rate of genetic alterations and risk of disease. However, the statistics indicated that only about one fifth of HBV carries would develop HCC in lifetime, suggesting that individual variation in genome would also influence the susceptibility of HCC. The goal of this review is to highlight present level of knowledge on the role of viral infection and genetic variation in the development of liver cancer.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.229-234
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• 2006

We have generated transgenic mice that expressed mouse extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) in their skin. In particular, the expression plasmid DNA containing human keratin K14 promoter was used to direct the keratinocyte-specific transcription of the transgene. To compare intron-dependent and intron-independent gene expression, we constructed two vectors. The vector B, which contains the rabbit -globin intron 2, was not effective for mouse EC-SOD overexpression. The EC-SOD transcript was detected in the skin, as determined by Northern blot analysis. Furthermore, EC-SOD protein was detected in the skin tissue, as demonstrated by Western blot analysis. To evaluate the expression levels of EC-SOD in various tissues, we purified EC-SOD from the skin, lungs, brain, kidneys, livers, and spleen of transgenic mice and measured its activities. EC-SOD activities in the transgenic mice skin were approximately 7 fold higher than in wild-type mice. These results suggest that the mouse overexpressing vector not only induces keratinocyte-specific expression of EC-SOD, but also expresses successfully functional EC-SOD. Thus, these transgenic mice appeared to be useful for the expression of the EC-SOD gene and subsequent analysis of various skin changes, such as erythema, inflamation, photoaging, and skin tumors.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.43-58
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• 1989

To investigate the effects of hexavalent chromium on mitochondrial respiration of rat kidney, various hexavalent chromium concentrations were treated, then respiration and electron transfer enzyme activities were measured. Ultrastructural changes at state IV respiration of mitochondria were also observed. Then, to investigate protective role against hexavalent chromium in the body, low-molecular-weight, chromium-binding substances (LMCr) were purified from livers of rabbits 2hr after intravenously administrated with sodium dichromate at a dose of 74mg per kg body weight. And then, respiration rates of mitochondria treated with LMCr, hexavalent chromium containing 0.7mM chromium were measured. Hexavalent chromium decreased state IV respiration rates and electron transfer enzyme activities of mitochondria, and increased labile membrane and swelling. And partial inhibitions of condensed to orthodox conformational change were observed. Respiration rates of mitochondria treated with LMCr containing 0.7mM chromium did not differ from that of the non-treated mitochondria. But respiration rates of 0.7mM hexavalent chromium-treated mitochondria decreased by 42%, compared to non-treated mitochondria. These results suggest that LMCr may play an important role in detoxification of toxic hexavalent chromium.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.413-422
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• 2019

Heavy ion particle, represented carbon ion, radiotherapy is currently most advanced radiation therapy technique. Conventional radiation therapy has made remarkable changes over a relatively short period of time and leading various developments such as intensity modulated radiation therapy, 4D radiation therapy, image guided radiation therapy, and high precisional therapy. However, the biological and physical superiority of particle radiation, represented by Bragg peak, can give the maximum dose to tumor and minimal dose to surrounding normal tissues in the treatment of cancers in various areas surrounded by radiation-sensitive normal tissues. However, despite these advantages, there are some limitations and factors to consider. First, there is not enough evidence, such as large-scale randomized, prospective phase III trials, for the clinical application. Secondly, additional studies are needed to establish a very limited number of treatment facilities, uncertainty about the demand for heavy particle treatment, parallel with convetional radiotherapy or indications. In addition, Bragg peak of the heavy particles can greatly reduce the dose to the normal tissues front and behind the tumor compared to the photon or protons. High precision and accuracy are needed for treatment planning and treatment, especially for lungs or livers with large respiratory movements. Currently, the introduction of the heavy particle therapy device is in progress, and therefore, it is expected that more research will be active.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.21-24
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• 1992

The infectivity of metacestodes of Asian Taenia saginata, now tentatively called Taenia saginata taiwanensis, in human host was confirmed. The metacestodes used in experimental infection were collected from the livers of naturally infected domestic pigs at an abattoir in Cheongju City, Korea. The first gravid proglottid was spontaneously discharged 76 days after infection. Two worms were recovered two years later by chemotherapy. The scolex was unarmed. The number of main uterine branches, varying from 16 to 21, was similar to that of classical Taenia saginata. The liver of pigs was confirmed to be an infection source of Asian T. saginata in Korea.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2008

Oxidative stress may represent a common link between chronic liver damage and hepatic fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated activity changes of sphingomyelin catabolic enzymes, such as sphingomyelinases and ceramidases by using dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-treated Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats hepatic fibrosis model as a hepatic fibrosis model. Twenty rats divided into five groups received: (1) saline; (2) DMN for 1 week, (3) DMN for 2 weeks, (4) DMN for 3 weeks, and (5) DMN for 4 weeks by intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg of body weight for three consecutive days a week. Activities of acidic and neutral sphingomyelinases and acidic, neutral and alkaline ceramidases were measured in the liver and kidney from DMN-treated rats. We found increased ceramidase activities from 2-week and/or 3-week DMN treated rat livers compared to control rat liver. Acidic sphingomyelinase and alkaline ceramidase activities were significantly increased in 3-week DMN-treated rat kidneys compared to control rat kidney. Therefore, sphingolipid metabolizing enzymes and sphingolipid metabolites are supposed to be involved in liver fibrosis, although further investigation is necessary to elucidate meanings of sphingolipids during the liver fibrosis

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 1989

The etiologic agents of mucormycosis are several nonpathogenic fungi of the order Mucorales and are ubiquitous. A total of 82 chickens were infected with the disease and developed anorexia, diarrhea, malnutrition, dyspnea, and paralysis in a chicken farm, Sokcho, Kwangwon. At necropsy there were multiple nodular lesions and hemorrhages in livers, spleens, kidneys, gastrointestinal track, and respiratory system. On histopathological examination it was found that the nodular lesions were consisted of granoulomatous inflammation accompanying characteristic hyphae ($4{\sim}24{\mu}$ wide) of the fungi.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.35-46
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• 2016

No-flow ischemia occurs during cardiac arrest, hemorrhagic shock, liver resection and transplantation. Recovery of blood flow and normal physiological pH, however, irreversibly injures the liver and other tissues. Although the liver has the powerful machinery for mitochondrial quality control, a process called mitophagy, mitochondrial dysfunction and subsequent cell death occur after reperfusion. Growing evidence indicates that reperfusion impairs mitophagy, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, defective oxidative phosphorylation, accumulation of toxic metabolites, energy loss and ultimately cell death. The importance of acetylation/deacetylation cycle in the mitochondria and mitophagy has recently gained attention. Emerging data suggest that sirtuins, enzymes deacetylating a variety of target proteins in cellular metabolism, survival and longevity, may also act as an autophagy modulator. This review highlights recent advances of our understanding of a mechanistic correlation between sirtuin 1, mitophagy and ischemic liver injury.