• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.46-55
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Classifying the pattern of jaundice during diagnosis will significantly improve the outcome of common KM interventions. This study aimed at determining an objective index for accurately diagnosing heat and dampness KM patterns in patients with jaundice. Methods: We systematically reviewed laboratory findings from case reports published in the scientific literature of Korean medicine. Cases were classified as following either the heat or dampness pattern. Biochemical indices were compared using a Bayesian factor (BF) analysis and standard t-tests. Results: The laboratory findings of 32 patients were evaluated. The heat pattern was observed in 17 patients and the dampness pattern in 15. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of white blood cell count (BF=1.659); hemoglobin concentration (BF=2.627); platelet count (BF=1.019); or levels of direct bilirubin (BF=1.453), aspartate aminotransferase (BF=1.226), alanine aminotransferase (BF=1.340), alkaline phosphatase (BF=2.344), or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (BF=2.782). However, total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the dampness pattern group (BF=0.854, P-value=0.070). Conclusions: Patients with high total bilirubin levels may predominantly follow the dampness pattern, while those with low levels may predominantly follow the heat pattern. These results are expected to be useful for the development of timely and efficient KM treatments as well as new integrative therapeutic approaches for jaundice. However, further studies are essential to fully validate the utility of total bilirubin as a biomarker for differentiating between heat and dampness patterns.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.442-447
• /
• 2001

A 2-year-old 4.0-kg female Shih Tzu with history of hematemesis and melena was referred to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Seoul national University for further evaluation and treatment. During physical examination, the dog revealed mild depression, dry mucous membrane and abdominal pain. Hematologic values were normal and serum chemical values showed increased serum bile acid (53.47 umol/l, preprandial), fasting serum ammonia concentration (184 g/dl), alanine transferase (98 U/L), alkaline phosphatase (871 U/L) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (21 U/L), and decreased blood urea nitrogen (4 mg/dl), total protein (4.1 g/dl) and albumin (1.2 g/dl). Microhepatica was shown in abdominal radiography. During the ultrasound examination, dilated tortuous vein communicating with caudal vena cava ws observed near the stomach. Intraoperative jejunal vein portography was performed during laparotomy to confirm the location and size of shunt vessel. According to history taking, physical examination, hematologic and serum chemical examination and radiographic study, it was diagnosed as single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. The anomalous vessel (7 mm, o.d.) that enter the caudal vena cava from the left gastric vein, near the level of the diaphragm, was identified. A Ameroid constrictor (5 mm, i.d.) was applied to the shunting vessel near the caudal vena cava. Hematologic and serum chemical values recovered gradually and were revealed normal values 4 months after surgery. Four month after surgery serum bile acids concentrations were 0.56 $\mu$mol/l (preprandial) and 18.45 umol/l (postprandial). Abdominal radiograph showed normal gastric axis and it revealed normal size of the liver. Fine texture and increased echogenecity of liver and enlargement of portal vein were shown in ultrasonography. Single extrahepatic portosystemic shunt might be treated surgically using Ameroid constrictor.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.13-17
• /
• 2003

The hepatoprotective effect of the ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica fruits in rats treated with carbon tetrachloride. In hepatotoxic rats, liver damage was studied by assessing parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (AlT), alkaline phosphatase (AIP) and gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) in serum, and concentrations of total proteins, total lipids, phospholipids, triglycerides and cholesterol in both serum and liver. The effect of co-administration of ethanolic extract on the above parameters was further investigated. Histopathological study of the liver in experimental animals was also undertaken. Hepatic damage as evidenced by a rise in the levels of AST, AIT, AIP and GGT in serum, and also changes observed in other biochemical parameters In serum and liver showed a tendency to attain near normalcy in animals co-administered with the extract. The normal values for AST (IU/L), AIP (IU/I), protein (g/100 ml) and total lipids (mg/100 ml) in serum (i.e.,20.24, 70.04, 5.72 and 135.54 respectively) were found to alter towards values 32.61, 127.11, 3.83 and 265.91 in hepatotoxic rats. These parameters Attained near normal values (I.e.,22.82, 79.30, 5.22 and 151.24 for AST, AIP protein and total lipids respectively) in ethanolic extract co-administered rats. Profound steatosis, ballooning degeneration and nodule formation observed in the hepatic architecture of $CCl_4$ treated rats were found to acquire near-normalcy in drug co-administered rats, thus corroborating the biochemical observations. Thus the study substantiates the hepatoprotective potential of ethanolic extract of Coccinia indica fruits.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.83-88
• /
• 2009

Recently, herbal drugs haver been used world wide. and generally regarded as safe with no serious adverse reaction. Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of frequent cause of liver diseases. If DILI is not treated, it can be developed into liver cirrhosis, hepatoma, etc. Currently, DILI has been reported to be common cause of acute hepatitis, and oriental medicine and folk remedy are not exception. We encountered one case of DILI, cause by folk remedy. Patients complained chest discomfort, yellow skin and urine, nausea, vomiting. Lab test showed elevated level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (r-GTP), total bilirubin (TB). We estimated acute DILI and stopped taking folk medication made by himself. After 1 week of treatment, the clinical symptoms and liver function improved. Genetic and environmental factors as well as drug itself decide the hepatic toxicity, and the major DILI are belonged in acute type. So we need to get more attention to folk medication to help preventing the DILI cause by folk remedy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.949-957
• /
• 2021

Objective: This study aimed to report a case of alcoholic liver disease with jaundice that was improved with Korean medicine treatment. Methods: A patient who developed jaundice due to continuous drinking was treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, moxibustion, and cupping. Blood tests were performed to measure the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GTP), total bilirubin, albumin, and total protein; AST/ALT ratio; and mean corpuscular volume (MCV). Jaundice parameters were subjectively recorded at 3-day intervals. Results: After treatment, the AST, ALT, ALP, γ-GTP, and total bilirubin levels; MCV; and jaundice were decreased. Conclusion: Korean medicine treatment appeared to be an effective method for alcoholic liver disease with jaundice.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.909-913
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The liver is the organ to which colorectal carcinomas (CRCs) most commonly metastasize, and surgical resection has been established as the most effective and potentially curative treatment for CRC with liver metastasis (LM). Therefore, surveillance of LM is vital for improvement of prognosis of CRC patients. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and marker enzymes in indicating LM with CRC. Methods: Three groups of eligible patients with metastatic cancers were retrospectively included: CRC patients with LM (CRC-LM) or without LM (CRC-NLM), and non-CRC patients with LM (NCRC-LM). All metastatic lesions were identified by CT or MRI. Data on characteristics of the patients, the primary site, the locations of metastasis, CA 19-9, CEA, and biochemical parameters were collected for analysis. Results: A total of 493 patients were retrospectively included. More alcohol consumption was found in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM. Some biochemical enzymes were found to be significantly higher in groups with LM than without (CRC-LM or NCRC-LM v.s CRC-NLM). Both CEA and CA 19-9 were much higher in CRC-LM than CRC-NLM or NCRC-LM. For CRC patients, CA 19-9, ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase, CEA and alcohol consumption were identified as independent factors associated with LM. Conclusion: Our analysis suggested the CA 19-9 might be a potential valuable indicator for LM of CRC in the clinic.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.662-668
• /
• 2007

Studies have shown that onions exhibit a wide variety of health-promoting properties. The health benefits by the onion have been attributed to its ability to scavenge free radicals, to reduce blood lipids, to lower blood pressure, and to inhibit platelet aggregation. This study was performed to investigate whether onion extract supplementation would affect the blood markers of ethanol-induced fatty liver in rats. Initially, male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed singly in a room of controlled temperature and lighting and had free access to a nutritionally adequate AIN-93G and deionized water. The rats were trained for meal feeding to prevent a decline in food intake, as inevitably observed following an ethanol feeding. After the training period, rats were weight-matched and assigned to the following three groups: 1) a control group, fed the AIN-93G diet alone (control); 2) an ethanol group, fed the AIN-93G diet with ethanol at 4 g/day/kg body weight (ethanol); and 3) an onion group, fed the AIN-93G diet with ethanol plus supplemental freeze-dried onion powder at 500 mg/day/rat (ethanol + onion). All three group were meal-fed 7.0 g of their respective diets at 0900 h and 7.5 g at 1600 h for 28 days. At 0, 2, and 4 wk, blood was collected via the orbital sinus and organs were collected following overnight food deprivation. Both control and experimental groups continually gained weight throughout the study. No significant differences in the weights of the liver, kidneys, heart, spleen, and testis were observed. However, the serum level of triglycerides was significantly increased by ethanol but significantly decreased by onion extract. The activities of serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) at 4 wk were significantly increased by ethanol feeding but were significantly decreased by onion supplementation. However, no differences among groups were observed in the serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, bilirubin, and protein. These results provide that onion extract favorably affect alcoholic fatty liver by decreasing the serum concentration of triglyceride and the activities of GOT and GPT.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.105-113
• /
• 2014

The current study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of dried coffee meal (CM) on growth performance, intestinal and blood biochemical index, intestinal enzymes, and cecal microbial populations. A total of 162, 3-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated into three dietary groups: control group (CON), basal diet added with 0.5% CM (CM I), and basal diet added with 1.0% CM (CM II). Dietary supplementation of CM did not change bird performance and the relative weight of intestinal mucosal tissues. The birds fed the diet supplemented with CM (0.5 and 1.0%) significantly decreased mucosal glucose concentration (P<0.05) without affecting blood glucose level compared with those fed control diet. The level of blood aspartate aminotransferase (AST) significantly increased in CM II group (P<0.05) without affecting ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (${\gamma}$-GTP) compared with that in the CON group. The specific activity of intestinal maltase, leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were not affected by dietary supplementation of CM, whereas sucrase activity in birds fed the diet supplemented with CM was decreased (P<0.05) compared to that in the control birds. The colony forming units (CFU) of E. coli in the cecum of CM-fed birds was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with that of control birds without changing the CFU of Lactobacillus. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of lower level of CM (0.5%) can be used as a beneficial feed resource without liver toxicity in broiler chicks.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.925-935
• /
• 1996

Background : In order to elucidate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS associated with pulmonary surfactant and oxidant injury, acute lung injury was induced by N-nitroso N-methylurethane (NNNMU). In this model, the role of phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$), surfactant, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and morphology were investigated to delineate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS by inhibition of $PLA_2$ with high dose of dexamethasone. Method: Acute lung injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by NNNMU which is known to induce acute lung injury in experimental animals. To know the function of the alveolar type II cells, GGT activity in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage was measured. Surfactant phospholipid was measured also. $PLA_2$ activity was measured to know the role of $PLA_2$ in ARDS. Morphological study was performed to know the effect of $PLA_2$ inhibition on the ultrastructure of the lung by high dose of dexamethasone. Results : Six days after NNNMU treatment (4 mg/kg), conspicuous pulmonary edema was induced and the secretion of pulmonary surfactant was decreased significantly. In the acutely injured rats' lung massive infiltration of leukocytes was observed. At the same time rats given NNNMU had increased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity tremendously. Morphological study revealed bizarre shaped alveolar type II cells and hypertrophied lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm of the alveolar type II cells. But after dexamethasone treatment (20 mg/kg, for six days) in NNNMU-treated rats, these changes were diminished i.e. there were decrease of pulmonary edema and increase of surfactant secretion from alveolar type D cells. Rats given dexamethasone and NNNMU had decreased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity in comparison to NNNMU induced ARDS rats. Conclusion : Inhibition of $PLA_2$ by high dose of dexamethasone decreased pathological findings caused by infiltration of leukocytes and respiratory burst. Based on these experimental results, it is suggested that an activation of $PLA_2$ is the one of the major factors to evoke the acute lung injury in NNNMU-induced ARDS rats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.17
• /
• pp.7327-7331
• /
• 2014

Background: We had previously showed that the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) are prognostic factors for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients. In this study we developed a prognostic model based on these three indices. Materials and Methods: A total of 243 patients who were initially diagnosed as mCRC between 2005 and 2010 in the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center were studied. The endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results: NLR>3, elevated GGT and elevated CEA were confirmed as independent risk factors which could predict poor prognosis. Patients could be divided into three groups according to the number of risk factors they had. Those with two or three were defined as the high risk group, individuals with one risk factor as the modest risk group and patients without risk factor as the low risk group. The OS values for these three groups were 16.2 months (2.80~68.8), 24.2 months (4.07~79.0), and 37.2 months (12.6~87.8), respectively (p<0.001). Conclusions: We developed a simple but useful model based on NLR, GGT and CEA to provide prognostic information to clinical practice in highly selected mCRC patients. Further prospective and multi-center studies are warranted to test our model.