• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.8
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• pp.547-553
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• 2010

Biochemical tests such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are useful for diagnosing patients with liver disease. In this study, we tested the association between copy number variation and the hepatic biomarkers AST and ALT based on 8,842 samples from population-based cohorts in Korea. We used Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human 5.0 arrays and identified 10,534 CNVs using HelixTree software. Of the CNVs tested using univariate linear regression, 100 CNVs were significant for AST and 16 were significant for ALT (P < 0.05). We identified 39 genes located within the CNV regions. DKK1 and HS3ST3B1 were shown to play roles in heparan sulfate biosynthesis and the Wnt signaling pathway, respectively. NAF1 and NPY1R were associated with glycoprotein processes and neuropeptide Y receptor activity based on GO categories. PTER, SOX14 and TM7SF4 were expressed in liver. DPYS and CTSC were found to be associated with dihydropyrimidinuria and Papillon-Lefevre syndrome phenotypes using OMIM. NPY5R was found to be associated with dyslipidemia using the Genetic Association Database.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.828-835
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• 2005

Objectives : Boo-ja and Cheon-o are not commonly prescribed, but are necessary for some clinical conditions, dispite the fact that some negative effects have been known to occur with these medicines. Hence, consequences for aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) due to herbal medicines, including boo-ja and cheon-o are here reported. Methods : From January 2005 to July 2005, results were analyzed for 36 inpatients belonging to the sixth internal medicine department of Dongeui Oriental Medical Hospital who took herbal medicine, including boo-ja and cheon-o, over 20 days. The study is about the comparison and the investigation of LFT, and all results were taken upon their hospitalization and upon their departure. The standard of liver injury was used as a standard for their examinations. Results were as follows : No Change in normal limit : 28 of the 36 Increased AST. ALT from when they were hospitalized : 2 of 36 Normalized AST. ALT from when they were hospitalized with results higher than normal : 6 of 36 These results show no side-effects, therefore suggest that these herbal medicines, including boo-ja and cheon-o, do not cause adverse side-effects for patients of this kind if administered as was done in this study.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.117-121
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• 2010

Objective：The Herbal Remedy for Diabetes Mellitus-01 (HRDM-01) is composed of 11 species of medicinal plants. HRDM-01 is used as anti-hyperglycaemic agent. Anti-hyperglycaemic agents in western medicine often have hepatotoxicities. Therefore, we investigated safety of HRDM-01, especially in liver functions. Methods：We investigated the effects of HRDM-01 on liver function measuring serum AST, ALT and LDH levels and histopathological changes of liver tissue using photomicroscope. In addition, we also investigated the effects on serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride. Results：In our experiment, single injection of streptozotocin elevated levels of AST and ALT in serum. But LDH level was not affected. In addition, our animal model showed elevated levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum. 30 days treatment with HRDM-01 lowered serum AST level. Serum levels of ALT and LDH did not affected. In addition, HRDM-01 lowered serum triglyceride level significantly. In histopathological observation, we did not find any abnormal changes in all experimental groups. Conclusions：Briefly, HRDM-01 did not elevate serum levels of ALT, LDH, total cholesterol and did not affect histopathological changes in liver tissues. Moreover, HRDM-01 lowered serum AST, triglyceride, which are elevated by induction of diabetes mellitus. These results suggest the safety of HRDM-01 in diabetic treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.10-25
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• 2011

Objectives : Asthma is considered an inflammation disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary eosinophilia. Chungsang boha-tang is a herbal medication which has been frequently used in traditional therapeutic agents for asthma. We aimed to observe the clinical effects of Chungsangboha-tang on blood eosinophil, serum IgE, AST, ALT and pulmonary function in asthmatic outpatients. Methods : The subjects consisted of 66 asthmatic patients who had been treated with Chungsangboha-tang among all the asthmatic patients who visited the 5th Internal Medicine of the Oriental Medicine Hospital of Kyung Hee University from November,2004 to November,2009. We observed blood eosinophil, serum IgE, AST, ALT levels and pulmonary function test results as well as medical records of patients to evaluate the effects. Results : Pulmonary function significantly improved after 8 weeks of treatment, and blood eosinophil and serum IgE level significantly decreased after 8 weeks of treatment. AST, ALT levels changed in normal ranges. Chungsangboha-tang was significantly effective on the male patients who had a smoking history and worse initial lab findings. We also observed a significant improvement of pulmonary function and decrease of eosinophil and serum IgE levels in the patient group who had a single treatment of Chungsangboha-tang without steroid therapy. Conclusions : This study shows that Chungsangboha-tang has effects on the improvement of pulmonary function and decrease of eosinophil and serum IgE levels as well as improvement of symptoms. And, 8 weeks of long-term treatment showed no negative effects such as significant increase of AST, ALT levels.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.131-136
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• 1995

An attempt was made to elucidate the stability of serum metabolites and enzyme activities in blood samples taken from rockfish(Sebastes schlegeli), Israeli carp(Cyprinus carpio) and rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss) under different storing conditions. The concentrations of total protein(TP), albumin(ALB), triglyceride(TG), cholesterol(CHOL) glucose(GLC), phosphorus(P) and sodium(Na), and the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) in serum were investigated for 16 days at $15^{\circ}C$(room temp.) and $4^{\circ}C$ (refrigerative) condition, or frozen at $-20^{\circ}C$ for period of 30 days. Though there was a little difference between fish species, the concentrations of TP, ALB, GLC, P, Na in serum were stable at all storing temperatures, while those of TG, CHOL, ALT and AST were not stable, particularly even at the normal temperature. In general, serum components were more stable at refrigerative and frozen conditions than at room temp. storing. However, it was noticeable that the stability of CHOL in rockfish serum was found to be more unstable at $-20^{\circ}C$ than kept at $15^{\circ}C$ or$4^{\circ}C$.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.377-385
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• 2017

Objectives: Although mercury (Hg) exposure is known to be neurotoxic in humans, its effects on liver function have been less often reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether total Hg exposure in Korean adults was associated with elevated serum levels of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Methods: We repeatedly examined the levels of total Hg and liver enzymes in the blood of 508 adults during 2010-2011 and 2014-2015. Cross-sectional associations between levels of blood Hg and liver enzymes were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and nonlinear relationships were analyzed using a generalized additive mixed model. Generalized estimating equations were applied to examine longitudinal associations, considering the correlations of individuals measured repeatedly. Results: GGT increased by 11.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5 to 18.0%) in women and 8.1% (95% CI, -0.5 to 17.4%) in men per doubling of Hg levels, but AST and ALT were not significantly associated with Hg in either men or women. In women who drank more than 2 or 3 times per week, AST, ALT, and GGT levels increased by 10.6% (95% CI, 4.2 to 17.5%), 7.7% (95% CI, 1.1 to 14.7%), and 37.5% (95% CI,15.2 to 64.3%) per doubling of Hg levels, respectively, showing an interaction between blood Hg levels and drinking. Conclusions: Hg exposure was associated with an elevated serum concentration of GGT. Especially in women who were frequent drinkers, AST, ALT, and GGT showed a significant increase, with a significant synergistic effect of Hg and alcohol consumption.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.370-376
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidative effect of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort extracts (LCE) against the hyperlipidemia of high-fat diet-fed obese rats. The rats were divided into the three groups (normal group, control group and sample group) to perform the experimental research. 1.5 ml/kg of LCE was intraperitoneally administered into the sample group for 21 days. The equal dose of 0.9% saline was intraperitoneally administered into the normal group and the control group. On day 22, they were anesthetized with ether and dissected. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were examined in serum of rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was measured in mitochondrial fraction. Malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and glutamate peroxidase (GPx) were determined in liver homogenate. High-fat diet markedly increased the levels of AST, ALT and MDA, significantly decreasing those of SOD, CAT and GPx. But Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort-pretreatment decreased the levels of AST, ALT, and MDA. increasing those of SOD, CAT and GPx. These results demonstrated the antioxidative effects, suggesting that LCE could be the candidate for the functional material.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2001

The findings of serum biochemical tests in the inhabitants residing in some riverside areas of kyongsangnam-do were analized to know the correlation with the Clonorchis sinensis infection. A total of 2,722 fecal samples of inhabitants was examined by Kato's cellophane thick smear and formalin-ether sedimentation methods, and their serums were analized biochemically. Three hundred and thirty-three inhabitants (12.2%) were positive with C. sinensis eggs (egg-positive group), and remaining 2,389 were negative (egg-negative group). In the egg-positive group, the positive .ate of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 6.9% (male: 10.3%; female: 3.2%), that of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 6.3% (male: 9.1%; female: 3.2%), of $\gamma$-glutamy1 transpeptidase ($\gamma$-GIP) was 9.0% (male: 13.1%; female: 4.4%), and that of $\alpha$-fetoprotein (AEP) was 3.0% (male: 2.9%; female: 3.2%). In the egg-negative group, the positive rate of AST was 5.2% (male: 8.9%; female: 3.2%), that of ALT was 5.1% (male: 8.6%; female: 3.2%), of $\gamma$-GTP was 7.5% (male: 13.0%; female: 4.5%), and that of AFP was 0.3% (male: 0.5%; female: 0.1%). In the egg-positive group, 127 cases (38.1%) were light infection, 108 (32.4%) were moderate infection,64 (19.2%) were heavy infection, and 34 (10.2%) were very heavy infection. The positive rates of all tests were high according to the intensity of infection. From the above results, It was confirmed that prevalence of clonorchiasis is still high in some riverside areas of Kyongsangnam-do, and findings of serum biochemical tests are not different between the egg-positive group and egg-negative group. However, there were some difference in the positive rates of serum AST, ALT, $\gamma$-GTP and AEP by the age, sex and the intensity of infection.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.127-136
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• 2005

Objectives : The present study attempted to reveal the effects of the combination of Fel Ursi and Bezoar on the improvement of the function of the liver, through examining the effects of Fel Ursi, Bezoar, and Woong-Whang Tang composed of Fel Ursi and Bezoar. Method : Acute hepatitis was induced by galactosamine to rats, and then Fel Ursi, Bezoar Bovis, and Woong-Whang Tang were introjected to measure the influence of serums such as AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, and lipid peroxide of liver tissues which are considered as the index of the function of the liver. Results : 1. Fel Ursi decreased the lipid peroxide of ALT, ${\gamma}FT$, and liver tissue and that of mitochondria in liver tissues of the rats with galactosamine-induced acute hepatitis, but it did not have any significant effect on AST and ALP. 2. Bezoar Bovis decreased the lipid peroxide of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, and the liver tissues among serum of the rats suffering from acute hapatitis induced by galactosamine, but it did not have any significant effect on that of mitochondria of the liver tissues. 3. Woong-Whang Tang had a significant effects on the lipid peroxide of AST, ALT, ALP, ${\gamma}GT$, and the liver tissues, and on the decrease of lipid peroxide of mitochondria, among serum of the rats suffering from acute hapatitis induced by galactosamine. Conclusion : Fel Ursi and Bezoar Bovis were judged to be effective on the acute hepatitis of the liver by galactosamine. In particular, Woong-Whang Tang which was composed of the combination of Fel Ursi and Bezoar Bovis was more efficient in the improvement of the function of the liver and the amount of lipid peroxide than the respective use of Fel Ursi or Bezoar Bovis.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.235-242
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• 1998

Objectives : Alcohol-induced oxidative stress has been known to injure various tissues or organs. This stress is related with free radicals which are produced as the result of long-term alcohol consumption. Malonyldialdehyde(MDA) is produced by the interaction of free radicals and cell membrane lipids, and indicates the degree of lipid peroxidation indirectly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between red blood cell(RBC) membrane lipid peroxidation by free radicals, and associated hepatic injuries and hematologic changes. Methods : Thirty-three subjects diagnosed as alcohol dependence according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria were evaluated within 72 hours after discontinuing alcohol drinking. Clinical characteristics were evaluated by CAGE questionnaire and Korean Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test(MAST). RBC membrane MDA level was measured as the marker of RBC membrane lipid peroxidation. Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and gamma-glutamyltransferase(GGT) were used as the biochemical markers of liver damage due to alcohol ingestion. The alcohol-induced hematologic change was assessed by mean corpuscular volume(MCV). Results : The results were as follows. Clinical characteristics were not different between two groups having normal and abnormal levels of AST, ALT, GGT or MCV. The levels of MDA were not correlated with the clinical characteristics and serum levels of AST, ALT and GGT. However, there was a significant correlation between the levels of MDA and the value of MCV(p=0.017). Conclusions : These findings suggest that oxidative stress in alcohol dependence may not be reflected in liver enzyme markers such as AST, ALT and GGT, but may be reflected in MCV.