• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.331-338
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• 1999

Ethanol catabolism is thought to produce metabolic disorders resulting in alcoholic liver disease. To investigate the mutual effects of ethanol catabolism and cholestasis induced by common bile duct ligation on the activities of carboxylesterase, we have determined the enzyme activities in rat hepatic (cytosolic, mitochondrial, and microsomal) preparations as well as in rat serum using ten animal models: normal rats (group 1), sham-operated rats (group 2), common bile duct-ligated rats (group 3), ethanol-intoxicated rats (group 4), sham-operation plus chronic ethanol-intoxicated rats (group 5), common bile duct-ligated plus chronic ethanol-intoxicated rats at 1.5h and 24h (groups 7A and 7B), and duct-ligated and acute ethanol intoxicated rats at 1.5 h and 24 h (groups 8A and 8B). The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of carboxylesterase from these hepatic preparations of cholestatic rat liver combined with chronic ethanol intoxication were also measured by using ethyl valerate as the substrate from the 14th day post-ligation. Carboxylesterase activities of all hepatic preparations and rat serum (group 3) showed significant decreases compared to the activities from the sham-operated control (group 2). Enzyme kinetic parameters indicated that $V_{max}$ of carboxylesterase from all the hepatic preparations in cholestatic rats (group 3) decreased significantly, although the $K_m$ values were about the same as in the sham-operated control (group 2). When cholestasis was combined with chronic ethanol intoxication (group 6), carboxylesterase activities showed further decrease in all the hepatic preparations and serum compared to the control activity (group 5). The $V_{max}$ also decreased significantly, although $K_m$ values did not change. When common bile duct ligation was combined with acute ethanol intoxication (group 8), the enzyme activities in the rat liver and serum showed significant decrease compared to the activity from acute ethanol-intoxicated rats (group 7). However, quite contrary to this, the activities of serum from acute ethanol intoxication 1.5 h (group 7A) increased significantly compared to the activities in the normal control (group 1). These results, therefore, suggest that the biosynthesis of hepatic carboxyl-esterase seems to decrease when cholestasis is combined with chronic and acute ethanol intoxication, and the decrease in activity is more significant than from cholestasis alone.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.251-258
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• 2015

Curcumin, a major polyphenolic compound of turmeric, is well known to prevent non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) related to obesity. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) in obese mice. $CCl_4$ was administrated in mice fed a normal diet (ND) or a high fat diet (HFD) for 7 weeks together with or without curcumin. It was conducted to examine for metabolic profiles, adipocyte size, and liver fibrosis by serum biochemistry, histology and immunohistochemistry. Also, Apoptosis of hepatic cells was determined by the TUNEL method. Treatment with curcumin significantly lowered the body weight, fasting glucose, serum AST and ALT, and decreased the adipocyte size, the number of macrophage and mast cells in adipose tissue, and collagen deposition in liver tissue in the HFD+$CCl_4$ group compared with the findings of the HFD+$CCl_4$ group. In contrast, treatment with curcumin on the ND+$CCl_4$ group did not show a significant difference except the body weight and mast cell number when compared with the ND+$CCl_4$ group. Furthermore, curcumin significantly reduced the number of parenchymal apoptotic cells, whereas it increased the number of non-parenchymal apoptotic cells, especially resembling an activated hepatic stellate cell in the liver. Taken together, this data suggests that curcumin might be an effective antifibrotic drug for the prevention of liver disease progression in obese mice. Thus, the development of curcumin as a therapy for obesity and liver fibrosis is supported.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 1991

It has been well known that the splanchnic nerve block is effective for patients who suffer from intractable upper abdominal pain. However, it is unclear whether the effect of the splanchnic nerve block depends on varied alcoholic concentration. In this study, an attempt was made to use absolute ethanol on patients who recieved a splanchnic nerve block at Severance Hospital during the period from September l990 to April l991. The results are as follows; 1) Among the 33 patients, including 22 males and 1l females, the fifties and sixties were the major age groups. 2) Stomach cancer was the most common underlying disease(13 cases), with pancreatic can- cer next(9 cases). 3) The main locations of pain were the upper abdomen, epigastrium, and entire abdomen in decreasing order. 4) There were 17 cases who had had chemotherapy, and 1l cases of whom had had surgery before the splanchnic nerve block. 5) The volume of alcohol used was 12 ml bilaterally. 6) Among the 33 patients, 15.2% required a second block within two weeks of the first block. One case required a third block. 7) The most common complications of splanchnic nerve block were hypotension(33.3%), occasional transient sharp burning pain, flushing of face, pain on injection site, nausea, vomiting, dyspnea, chest discomfort and diarrhea. 8) The supplemental block most commonly used was a continuous epidural block. It was used both as a diagnostic block and to afford relief from pain before the splanchnic nerve block was done. 9) The interval between the receiving the absolute ethanol block and discharge was within 2 weeks in l5 cases. But, in the patients with poor general health, the interval between the splanchnic nerve block and discharge prolonged. The above results suggest that bilateral splanchnic nerve block done with absolute ethanol after an effective test block with 1% lidocaine under C-arm fluroscopic control is satisfactory and reliable. Still, 26.6% of the patients received a repeat block within 2 weeks. Insufficient spread of ethanol due to its small volume seems to be a major factor in the repeat block. Minimizing the incidence of repeat block remains a problem to be solved.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2011

Hovenia dulcis Thunb (HDT) has been known folk medicine and has been used as therapeutic drug in the treatment of liver disease. Also it has been used as a detoxifying agents for alcoholic poisoning and promoting diuresis. However, there has not been any study on therapeutic effect of Hovenia dulcis extract on $CCl_4$ induced liver and kidney damage in rats. In this study, we report on therapeutic effects of Hovenia dulcis extract on $CCl_4$ induced liver and kidney damage in rats. Rats were divided into four groups of eighteen animals. Control group (DW) was administrated with distilled water 2.5 mL/kg per peritonial administration and then $CCl_4$ group (CCl) was administrated $CCl_4$ 2.5 mL/kg per peritonial administration, $CCl_4$+HDT extract group ($CCl_4$+HDT) was administrated HDT extrat (100 mg/kg) after $CCl_4$ 2.5 mL/kg administration, $CCl_4$+Silymarin group ($CCl_4$+Sily) was administrated Silymarin (50 mg/kg) after $CCl_4$ 2.5 mL/kg administration. The complete blood cell (CBC) count of RBC, WBC, PCV, Hb, MCH, MCV, MCHC and blood chemistry profile of AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, Total choloesterol, Tryglyceride, Total bilirubin, Amylase, Glucose, BUN, Creatinine, Lipase and pathologic changes were observed for 7 days after administration of D.W., $CCl_4$, $CCl_4$+HDT extract, $CCl_4$+Silymarin. The results are as follows : 1. RBC and PCV were significantly (p < 0.01) increased in all groups compared to D.W. but hemoglobin, MCH, MCV and MCHC were not showed significant difference during experimental periods. 2. AST, ALT, T-cholesterol, T-bilirubin, TG were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in all groups on day 3 compared to D.W. and were normal on day 7. 3. ALP was significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in $CCl_4$+HDT group on day 3 but Amylase was not showed significant difference during experimental periods. 4. BUN was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in $CCl_4$ group on day 7, but $CCl_4$+HDT group and $CCl_4$+Sily group were normal. Creatninie was significantly (p < 0.05) increased in $CCl_4$ group on day 3 and normal on day 7 but $CCl_4$+HDT group and $CCl_4$+Sily group were not showed significant difference during experimental periods.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

This study has been conducted to see the expression of $TGF-{\beta}_1$, c-Myc, Erb-B2 and $Thymosin-{\beta}_4$ genes in ethanol - damaged liver tissues. Experimental groups were divided into 2 groups, one where damaged liver was caused by 25% ethanol and normal group administered with purified water. Results of test showed the expression of $TGF-{\beta}_1$, c-Myc, and $Thymosin-{\beta}_4$ genes was higher in the experimental group treated with 25% ethanol than in the normal group. Erb-B2 gene was not expressed clearly. Thus, it is considered that we can expect to utilize $TGF-{\beta}_1$, c-Myc 및 $Thymosin-{\beta}_4$ as auxiliary data and find clinical meanings of diagnosis on hepatic diseases, In addition to serologic and histological examination by convergence examining the gene expression status by molecular diagnostic techniques in liver-related disease prevention and diagnosis through results of this study.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.307-314
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• 2013

Resveratrol (RSV) exerts several beneficial effects on metabolism and metaflammation-related diseases, including diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study is to investigate whether RSV affects pathophysiology of diabetes and NAFLD as well as hepatic autophagy in a rodent model of diet induced obesity (DIO). DIO was induced in a subset of C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat (HF, 45% kcal fat) diet. After six weeks of HF diet treatment, RSV (8 mg/kg/day) was administered via an osmotic pump for a period of four weeks. Therefore, the experimental groups were as follows: 1) lean control (CON), 2) HF diet-induced obese control (HF), and 3) HF_RSV. Body weight and food intake were monitored daily. Fasting glucose, insulin, and adiponectin in serum and lipid profiles in serum and liver were analyzed. In addition, the autophagic process was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Body weight and food intake were not affected by RSV treatment. Impaired glucose control accompanied by DIO was recovered with RSV as shown by lower levels of fasting serum glucose and insulin when compared with HF obese controls. In addition, RSV treatment resulted in increased levels of serum adiponectin, however, indices of lipid profile in serum and livers were reduced. Results of TEM analysis showed that a HF diet induced excessive autophagy with the presence of double-membrane autophagosomes, which was ameliorated by RSV. The regulatory effect of RSV on autophagy was confirmed by the altered LC3-II formation, which increased with a HF diet and was decreased by RSV treatment. These results suggest that RSV treatment improves glucose control and lipid profile and these beneficial effects may be mediated by an altered autophagic process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.805-811
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• 2016

This study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of water extract from Crassostrea gigas (CGW) against ethanol-induced hepatic toxicity in rats. Seventy-two male Wistar rats (6-week-old) were divided into six groups of 12 animals each: control group (1 mL saline/d), ethanol-treated group, positive control group (ethanol+Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract), CGWL group (ethanol+low dosage of CGW), CGWM group (ethanol+medium dosage of CGW), and CGWH group (ethanol+high dosage of CGW). All groups except the control group received ethanol (40% ethanol 5 g/kg) orally. CGW administration with ethanol resulted in prevention of ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity by increasing levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and ${\gamma}-glutamyltransferase$. CGW supplementation significantly reduced formation of malonaldehyde and inhibited reduction of hepatic glutathione and peroxidase levels, as compared with the ethanol-administration group. Further, CGW suppressed expression of CYP2E1, which was elevated by ethanol administration. Consequently, our results indicate that Crassostrea gigas may exert hepatoprotective effects against alcohol-induced hepatocyte injury by intensifying the anti-oxidative defense system.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Gongjin-dan (Gongchen-dan, here in after GJD) in order to obtain the evidence for clinical application. Methods The GJD-related articles published from 1990 to 2013 were searched using "Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal", "Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS)", "Korean Association of Medical Journal Edition (Koreamed)", "Research Information Services (RISS4U)", "Korean Medicine Database (KMbase)", "National Discovery for Science Leader (NDSL)", "PubMed", "China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)". The search keywords were "Gongjin-dan", "Gongchen-dan". Thirty-nine articles were obtained. After excluding the eighteen article which did not meet inclusion criteria, finally twenty-one articles were included; five clinical articles and sixteen experimental articles. Results In clinical studies, GJD has the various effectiveness in cardiovascular diseases, alcoholic hepatitis, mild dementia, anemia. Also experimental studies related to the GJD show a variety of effects, such as anti-oxidative activity, neuroprotective activity, hepatoprotective activity, anti-inflammatory activity, immunological activity, reproductive recovery activity with fewer side-effects. Conclusions It has been suggested that there are various effects of GJD in treating a wide-range disease. However, in order to put GJD to use for many kinds of diseases in more reasonable ways, it is needed to publish well-design clinical trial based on the variety of results of experimental studies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.145-252
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• 1987

Isolated rat adipocytes are well known to possess opposite pathways of lipid metabolism: lipolysis and ipogenesis. Both of the metabolism respond to various biologically active substances such as epinephrine, ACTH and insulin. Epinephrine and ACTH stimulate lipolysis and insulin accelerates lipogenesis. Recently, Korean red ginseng powder was found to contain adenosine and an acidic poptide which inhibited epinephrine-induced lipolysis and sl imulated insulin-mediated lipogenesis from added glucose. The acidic peptide is consisted mainly of glutamic acid and glucose. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Re inhibited ACTH-induced lipolysis in isolated rat adipocytes, while they did not affect insulinstimulated lipogenesis, Thus, all these substances extracted from Korean red ginseng exhibited selective modulations toward the opposite metabolic pathways in rat adipocyte; They inhibited the lipolysis but not the lipogenesis. We call these substances"selective modulators". Recently, we isolated a toxic substance named "toxohormone-L " from ascites fluid of patients with various malignant tumors. The toxohormone-L stimulated lipolysis in rat adipocytes and induced anorexia in rats. Both the lipolytic and the anorexigenic actions of toxohormone-L were found to be inhibited by ginsenoside Rb2 in Korean red ginseng. Based on these results, physiological signifi¬cances of these substances in Korean red ginseng were discussed. Pan ax ginseng is a medicinal plant long used in treatment of various pathological states including general complaints such as head ache, shoulder ache, chilly constitution and anorexia in cancer patients, There have been many pharmacological studies on Panax ginseng roots. Petkovllreported that oral administration of an aqueous alcoholic extract of ginseng roots decreased the blood sugar levtl of rabbits. Saito2lreported that Panax ginseng suppressed hyperglycemia induced by epinephrine and high carbohydrate diets. These findings suggest that Panax ginseng roots contain insulin-like substances. Previously, we demonstrated that gin¬seng roots contain an insulin-like peptide which inhibits epinephrine-induced lipolysis and stimulated insulin-mediated lipogenesis. In 1984, we suggested that such an insulin-like substance should be called a selective modulator4). Present investigation describes the details of the selective modulators in ginseng roots. During progressive weight loss in patients with various neoplastic disease, depletion of fat stores have been observed. The depletion of body fat during growth of neoplasms is associated with increase in plasma free fatty acids. Recently, we found that the ascites fluid from patients with hepatoma or ovarian tumor and the pleural fluid from patients with malignant lymphoma elicited fatty acid release in slices of rat adipose tissue in vitro. The lipolytic factor, named"toxohormone-L". was purifed from the ascites fluid of patients with hepatoma. The isolated preparation gave a single band on both disc gel electrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)-acrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol. Its molecular weight was determined to be 70,000-75,000 and 65,000 by SDS-acrylamide gel electrophoresis and analytical ultracentrifugation, respectively. Injection of toxohormone-L into the lateral ventricle of rats significantly suppressed food and water intakes. There was at least 5 hr delay between its injection and appearance of its suppressive effect. In the present study, we also tried to find a inhibitory substance toward toxohormone-L from root powder of ginseng.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

Chronological aging and photoaging affect appearance, causing wrinkles, pigmentation, texture changes, and loss of elasticity in the skin. Phragmites communis is a tall perennial herb used for its high nutritional value and for medicinal purposes, such as relief from fever and vomiting and facilitation of diuresis. In this study, we investigated the effects of ethanol extract of P. communis rhizome (PCE) on skin aging. The total flavonoid and total phenolic content in PCE were 2.92 ± 0.007 ㎍ of quercetin equivalents (QE) and 231.8 ± 0.001 ㎍ of gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100 mg of dried extract (n = 3). The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of PCE for 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities were 0.96 and 0.97 mg/mL, respectively. PCE showed inhibitory effects on tyrosinase when L-tyrosine (IC50 = 1.25 mg/mL) and L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (IC50 = 0.92 mg/mL) were used as substrates. PCE treatment up to 200 ㎍/mL for 24 h did not cause any significant cytotoxicity in B16F10 melanocytes, human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and HaCaT keratinocytes. In B16F10 melanocytes, PCE (25 and 50 ㎍ /mL) inhibited melanin production and cellular tyrosinase activity after challenge with α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH; p < 0.05). In HDFs, PCE suppressed the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) and reduced the activity of elastase (p < 0.05). In addition, ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated downregulation of hyaluronic acid synthase-2 gene expression in HaCaT keratinocytes was also effectively suppressed by PCE treatment. Overall, our results showed that PCE has potential anti-skin aging activity associated with the suppression of hyperpigmentation, wrinkle formation, and reduction in dryness. PCE is a promising candidate for the development of an anti-skin aging cosmetic ingredient.