• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 1987.06a
• /
• pp.47-58
• /
• 1987

Ethanol exerts different effects on hepatic cellular metabolism, depending mainly on the duration of its intake. In the presence of ethanol following an acute load, a number of hepatic functions are inhibited, including lipid oxidation and microsomal drug metabolism. In its early stages, chronic ethanol consumption produces adaptive metabolic changes in the endoplasmic reticulum which result in increased metabolism of ethanol and drugs and accelerated lipoprotein production. Prolongation of ethanol intake may result in injurious hepatic lesions such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis A number of such metabolic effects of ethanol are directly linked to the two major products of its oxidation; hydrogen and acetaldehyde. The excess hydrogen from ethanol unbalances the liver cell's chemistry. In the presence of excess hydrogen ions the process is turned in a different direction. In this study, it was attempted to observe the effect of ginseng saponins on alcohol Oehydrogenase(ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) and microsomal ethanol oxidizing system(MEOS) in vivo as well as in vitro. Furthermore, the effect of ginseng saponin on the hydrogen balance in the liver and the hepatic cellular distribution of (1-14C) ethanol, its incorporation into acetaldehyde and lipids was also investigated. It seemed that ginseng saponin stimulated the above enzymes and other related enzymes in ethanol metabolism, resulting in a rapid removal of acetaldehyde and excess hydrogen from the animal body,

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.47-49
• /
• 2015

Sorafenib is indicated for the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but although rare, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) can be fatal in HCC patients with a large tumor burden. The authors describe the case of a 55-year-old hepatitis B carrier who visited our clinic with progressive dyspnea for 3 weeks. Chest and abdominal computed tomography revealed a huge HCC in the left lobe of the liver with invasion of the inferior vena cava, right atrium, and pulmonary arteries. After 8 days of sorafenib administration, TLS was diagnosed based on the characteristic findings of hyperuricemia, hyperkalemia, and acute kidney injury with massive tumor necrosis by follow-up imaging. Despite discontinuation of sorafenib and supportive care, the patient's clinical course rapidly deteriorated. The authors describe a rare but fatal complication that occurred soon after sorafenib initiation for HCC. Careful follow-up is required after commencing sorafenib therapy for the early diagnosis and management of TLS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.129-139
• /
• 2024

Liver diseases are a significant global health burden and are among the most common diseases. Ginssennoside Rg3 (Rg3), which is one of the most abundant ginsenosides, has been found to have significant preventive and therapeutic effects against various types of diseases with minimal side effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated the significant preventive and therapeutic effects of Rg3 on various liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, acute liver injury, nonalcoholic liver diseases (NAFLD), liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The underlying molecular mechanism behind these effects is attributed to apoptosis, autophagy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive description of the potential molecular mechanisms of Rg3 in the development of liver diseases. The article focuses on the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and other related factors. Additionally, the review discusses combination therapy and liver targeting strategy, which can accelerate the translation of Rg3 from bench to bedside. Overall, this article serves as a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians alike.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.260-264
• /
• 2013

Dapsone (4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, DDS), a potent anti-inflammatory agent, is widely used in the treatment of leprosy and several chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Dapsone therapy rarely results in development of dapsone hypersensitivity syndrome, which is characterized by fever, hepatitis, generalized exfoliative dermatitis, and lymphadenopathy. Here, we describe the case of an 11-year-old Korean boy who initially presented with high fever, a morbilliform skin rash, generalized lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly, and leukopenia after 6 weeks of dapsone intake. Subsequently, he exhibited cholecystitis, gingivitis, colitis, sepsis, aseptic meningitis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion, pneumonia, pleural effusions, peritonitis, bronchiectatic changes, exfoliative dermatitis, and acute renal failure. After 2 months of supportive therapy, and prednisolone and antibiotic administration, most of the systemic symptoms resolved, with the exception of exfoliative dermatitis and erythema, which ameliorated over the following 4 months. Agranulocytosis, atypical lymphocytosis, aseptic meningitis, and bronchiectatic changes along with prolonged systemic symptoms with exfoliative dermatitis were the most peculiar features of the present case.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.11
• /
• pp.1228-1231
• /
• 2008

Drug hypersensitivity syndrome (DHS) has rarely been reported in association with vancomycin treatment. Here, we describe an 11-year-old girl who developed fever and a maculopapular rash on day 18 of intravenous vancomycin for treatment of infective endocarditis. The patient presented with fever, a maculopapular skin rash, hepatitis, and acute renal failure caused by vancomycin-induced DHS. The symptoms resolved in less than 24 h after withdrawal of vancomycin and treatment with corticosteroids. We present this case of DHS associated with vancomycin.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.102-108
• /
• 2012

Fecal specimens from acute gastroenteritis in Seoul from 2003 to 2007 were collected and then tested for the presence of Norovirus by RT-PCR. Among a total of 4,685 samples investigated, 383 samples (8.2%) were positive. The analysis of outbreaks related norovirus contamination occurred from 2003 to 2007 in Seoul revealed 57 cases happened during investigated period. Seasonal prevalence showed winter season predominant characteristics of pattern of epidemics by long term investigation for norovirus infections. The incidence of norovirus infection in the case of acute gastroenteritis by catering food in school were 32%, by food in general restaurant were 29%. This epidemiological investigation in Seoul was strongly needed for control and prevention of outbreaks related with norovirus by forecasting disease epidemics.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.71-79
• /
• 2019

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) is the most common causative agent of community-acquired pneumonia in school-aged children. An 8-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with autism looked severely ill when he presented to our hospital due to dyspnea and lethargy. He had fever and cough 7 days prior to hospitalization. He had signs and symptoms of severe respiratory distress. The percutaneous oxygen saturation was 88% at high oxygen supply. Chest radiography showed diffusely increased opacity with moderate pleural effusion. He was intubated immediately and admitted to the intensive care unit. Under the clinical impression of mycoplasmal pneumonia, intravenous clarithromycin was started. Laboratory findings showed leukocytosis, hepatitis, decreased renal function, and presence of serum MP immunoglobulin (Ig) M (+) IgG (+) and sputum MP polymerase chain reaction (+). On hospital day 2, the patient developed multiple organ failure with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was performed with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and was weaned successfully. This is the first reported case of an ARDS due to MP infection complicated by multiple organ failure that was successfully treated with ECMO and CRRT in South Korea.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.201-212
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The gastrointestinal system is the most commonly affected organ, followed by the lungs, in patients with primary immunodeficiency disease (PID). Hence, it is common for children with PIDs to present with gastrointestinal symptoms. We aimed to analyze the clinical and histopathological findings of patients who were initially admitted to pediatric gastroenterology/hepatology clinics and subsequently diagnosed with PIDs to identify the clinical clues for PIDs. Methods: The demographic, laboratory, and histopathological findings, treatment modality, and outcomes of patients initially admitted to the pediatric gastroenterology/hepatology unit and subsequently diagnosed with PIDs were recorded. Results: The study included 24 patients (58.3% male; median age [range]: 29 [0.5-204] months). Common clinical presentations included chronic diarrhea (n=8), colitis (n=6), acute hepatitis (n=4), and acute liver failure (n=2). The association of autoimmune diseases, development of malignant diseases, and severe progression of viral diseases was observed in 20.8%, 8.3%, and 16.6% of the patients, respectively. Antibody deficiency was predominantly diagnosed in 29.2% of patients, combined immunodeficiency in 20.8%, immune dysregulation in 12.5%, defects in intrinsic and innate immunity in 4.2%, autoinflammatory disorders in 8.3%, and congenital defects of phagocytes in 4.2%. Five patients remained unclassified (20.8%). Conclusion: Patients with PIDs may initially experience gastrointestinal or liver problems. It is recommended that the association of autoimmune or malignant diseases or severe progression of viral diseases provide pediatric gastroenterologists some suspicion of PIDs. After screening using basic laboratory tests, genetic analysis is mandatory for a definitive diagnosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.129-135
• /
• 2002

Objective : The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBsAg-positives in the late 1990's among Korean adults. In addition, we evaluated the association of age, a residential area, a vaccination rate, a family history of chronic liver diseases and a past history of acute liver disease with the seropositivity of HBsAg, and estimated the prevalence of chronic HBV infection by follow-up for 6 month or more. Methods : A total of 10 areas, six metropolitan and four small cities, were selected. In each cities, one health screening center was selected for recruitment of study subjects. The study subjects were enrolled from a general health examination program that is provided by medical insurance companies. Questionnaires on various risk factors were administered to the study subjects. Sera was drawn and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBeAg and ALT were also tested for those of HBsAg positive. The HBsAg positives was retest for HBsAg 6 months later Results : Among the study subjects (n= 1816), the seroprevalence of HBsAg was 5.5% (95% CI=4.5%-6.6%), 7.4% in men (95% CI=5.8-9.4) and 3.6% in women (95% CI=2.5-5.0). A past history of acute liver disease and a family history of chronic liver diseases was shown to be risk factors for HBsAg positivity. Among the 31 HBsAg-positives, negative seroconversion rate was estimated to be 3.2%, Thus, prevalence of chronic HBV infection was estimated to be 5.3% (95% CI=3.7-6.6). Conclusion : In this study, the HBsAg seroprevalence rate was lower than that of the other studies in 1980's, particularly in young adult and women. Considering the public health importance of liver cancer and chronic liver diseases, the further effort is needed to prevent and reduce the HBV infection.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.147-155
• /
• 2020

PURPOSE : Andrographis Herba is used as a traditional herbal medicine in the Asian countries for the treatment common cold, fever, diabetes, hypertension, hepatitis, skin infections, snake bite, and other diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of MeOH extract of Andrographis Herba (AHME) on LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. METHODS : Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was determined by Griess reagent. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory proteins were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS : Production of NO in LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells, was significantly decreased by pre-treatment with 3-30 ㎍/mL of AHME. Production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α and IL were significantly decreased by AHME 30 ㎍/mL pre-treatment. AHME significantly decreased p-IκB and NF-κB expression. CONCLUSION : The results of this study indicate that AHME could inhibit the acute inflammatory response, via modulation of NF-κB activation.