• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.500-511
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of Saengangeonbitang-gasamchilgn(SGGBTGSCG) on collagen production in rat hepatic stellate cells(HSC) and on the TAA-induced chronic liver injury model in rats. Methods : 1) HSCs were treated with SGGBTGSCG extract powder(50% EtOH SGGBTGSCG, dw SGGBTGSCG). After the treatment, MTT assay, BrdU assay and procollagen assay were done. In addition, gene expressions of collagen type $1{\alpha}2$, ASMA, TIMP1, and TIMP2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by RT-PCR. 2) Liver fibrosis was developed in rats by injection of TAA 3 times a week for 5 weeks. After the SGGBTGSCG-treatment, body weight, liver & spleen weight, liver function test, the complete blood cell count and the change of portal pressure were studied. Results : In MTT assay, SGGBTGSCG significantly decreased the viability of HSCs in a dose-dependent manner. In BrdU assay, SGGBTGSCG significantly inhibited the HSC proliferation in a dose-dependant manner. In procollagen assay, SGGBTGSCG decreased procollagen production by HSC. In the change of rats' liver and spleen weight, TAA+SGGBTGSCG groups showed little difference compared with TAA-only group. In the liver function test, SGGBTGSCG decreased the serum level of ALT, AST, and Alp elevated by TAA. In the complete blood cell count, SGGBTGSCG significantly decreased WBC elevated by TAA and increased RBC and Hct lowered by TAA. In the change of portal pressure, SGGBTGSCG decreased portal pressure elevated by TAA. Conclusions : These results suggest that SGGBTGSCG is beneficial in the treatment of cirrhotic patients as well as for patients with chronic hepatitis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7213-7218
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• 2014

Background: Egypt has one of the highest prevalences of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection worldwide. Although the IL28B gene polymorphism has been shown to modify the course of chronic HCV infection, this has not been properly assessed in the Egyptian population. Materials and Methods: The IL28B rs12979860 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) was therefore examined in 256 HCV-infected Egyptian patients (group II) at different stages of disease progression and in 48 healthy volunteers (group I). Group II was subdivided into GII-A (chronic hepatitis patients, n=119), GII-B (post hepatitis cirrhosis, n=66) and GII-C (HCC on top of cirrhosis, n=71). Results: The C/T genotype was the commonest in all groups. It was more frequent in GI (52%) than in GII (48%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of C/T and C/C or T/T genotypes between groups and subgroups (p=0.82). Within the subgroups; the C/C genotype was more common in GII-B while C/T and T/T genotypes were more common in GII-C, though with no significant difference (p=0.59 and p=0.80). There was no significant association between IL28B rs12979860 SNP and viral load, ALT, AFP level, METAVIR scores for necro-inflammation and fibrosis, and Child-Pugh classification. Conclusions: 1) IL28Brs12979860 C/T genotype is the commonest genotype in HCV-associated CH and HCC in Egypt. 2) IL28Brs12979860 polymorphisms are not associated with disease progression or aggression (histological staging, severity of fibrosis in CH or the incidence of post-HCV HCC). 3) Differences in IL28Brs12979860 genotypes could be a consequence of environmental or ethnic variation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2011

목적 : 인진약침이 고지방식이로 유발된 비만 ICR mice에서 비만 및 동반 대사이상에 미치는 효과와 그 기전을 연구하고자 한다. 방법 : 인진약침의 비만 예방효과를 검증하기 위하여, 4주간 고지방식이를 급여하면서 150mg/kg 또는 300mg/kg의 인진약침을 양측 비수($BL_{20}$)에 교대로 매일 피하에 시술하였다. 또한 인진약침의 비만 치료효과를 검증하기 위하여, 4주간 고지방식이를 급여한 비만 ICR mice에 추가 4주간 고지방식이를 유지하면서 300 mg/kg 인진약침액과 vehicle control로써 등량의 distilled water를 양측 비수($BL_{20}$)에 교대로 매일 피하에 약침시술하였다. 인진약침의 항비만효과와 기전을 알아보기 위해, 체중, blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA), AST, ALT levels 등 대사지표를 측정하고 부고환조직의 조직학적 관찰을 시행하였으며, AMPK activation과 adipocyte differentiation, fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation 및 thermogenesis와 관련된 gene expressions을 평가하였다. 결과 : 인진약침의 치료를 통하여 고지방식이 급여로 인한 체중의 증가가 억제되었을 뿐만 아니라, 비만 ICR mice의 체중을 감소시켰으며, glucose 및 lipid homeostasis를 개선시켰으며 지방조직의 증식을 억제하였다. AMPK의 phosphorylation과 CPT-1 및 UCP2의 발현을 증가시켰으며, PPAR-${\gamma}$, C/EBP${\alpha}$, aP2, LPL,FAS, SCD-1의 발현을 억제하였다. 결론 : 인진약침은 고지방식이 유도 동물모델에서 비만 및 동반 대사이상을 개선시키는 효과가 있으며, 이는 식이억제에 의한 2차적 효과라기 보다는 energy expenditure를 증가시키고, pre-adipocyte differentiation 및 proliferation을 억제하며, lipogenesis를 억제하고 lipolysis를 증가시키는 효과에 의한 것으로 사료된다.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2012

Purpose: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) hepatitis is a usually asymptomatic and self-limiting disease in immunocompetent patients. However, the range of severity is wide, and the serological diagnosis is typically difficult until the convalescent phase. Thus, we examined the value of plasma EBV DNA real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in EBV hepatitis for the timely diagnosis and the relationship between EBV viral load and clinical severity. Methods: Sixty samples were confirmed as having EBV infection by RT-qPCR with the EBV BALF5 gene sequence. We examined the clinical characteristics of EBV hepatitis by reviewing medical records. Results: The median total duration of fever was 8 days (range: 0-13 days). The mean peak value of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was $241{\pm}214$ U/L, and the mean peak value of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was $298{\pm}312$ U/L. There was no correlation between the serum levels of liver enzyme and plasma EBV DNA titer ($p$=0.1) or between median total duration of fever and EBV DNA titer ($p$=0.056). The median age of the EBV VCA IgM-negative group was lower compared with the EBV VCA IgM-positive group in EBV hepatitis (2 years vs. 6 years, $p$=0.0009). Conclusion: The severity of EBV hepatitis does not correlate with circulating EBV DNA load according to our data. Furthermore, we suggest that plasma EBV PCR may be valuable in young infants in whom the results of serology test for EBV infection commonly are negative.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.868-873
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• 2004

Renal dysfunction could be developed as the secondary disease of liver cirrhosis. Delayed or suppresed lipid peroxidation by the treatment with physiological active substances could be explained as the antioxidative and protective effect in tissue damage. In this study, we investigated an antioxidative effect and renal function improvement of Hovenia dulcis in liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) induced rats. The female Sprague-Dawley rats (180∼210 g) were divided into 3 groups (Normal, AC: CCl₄ mixture treated group, AC-HV: CCl₄ mixture+ Hovenia dulcis treated group) and renal damage was developed by CCl₄ mixture administration in 4 weeks (0.8 ㎖/rat). The tissue of kidney and liver and sera were used for quantitative measurement of enzyme activity, MDA and Hyp. The histological change and gene expression of collagen α1(III) mRNA and a1(IV) mRNA were observed by Masson's trichrome staining and RT-PCR. As a result, the clinical biochemical parameters of liver function (AST and ALT) in sera of AC-HV group showed significantly 46.4% and 104.8% lower (p<0.005), and the level of ALP and BUN as the parameter of protein urine and azotemia showed 17.8 % and 25.8 % lower than in AC group. In AC-HV group, the concentration of MDA in kidney and liver was decreased significantly 15.8% and 21.3% when compared with AC group (p<0.01 -0.005). The content of Hyp in kidney of AC-HV group is merely higher than in AC group, in contrast to liver tissue. The expression of collagen α1(III) mRNA and collagen α1(IV) mRNA was decreased in AC, but both of collagen mRNA in normal and AC-HV group expressed fast similar. More massive lipid droplets, thicker collagen fiber bundles in portal triads and more formation of portal central septum were observed in the liver of AC group than in AC-HV group. In conclusion, CCl₄ mixture intoxication could be developed not only liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) but also renal dysfunction by the massive lipid peroxidation and suppression of interstitial collagen and basement membrane collagen synthesis. And the water extract of Hovenia dulcis may be possessed the antioxidative and protective effect and improvement of kidney function in renal dysfunction induced rats.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.84-92
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• 2020

Objectives: To observe the effects on liver and kidney of gynecology patients' during long term Korean Medicine. Methods: This research was conducted as a panel study on 29 female gynecology patients at Korean medicine clinic and compares their conditions before, 3 months after, and 6 months after Intake of Korean medicine. This analysis was conducted to frequency(%), repeated measure ANOVA and significantly statistics was p<0.05, confidence interval. Results: The most common conditions among the subjects were polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine myoma. Except in a few instances, liver functions (AST, ALT, γ-GTP) were within the normal range before and after the intake of Korean medicine. Further, while there was a slight change in liver functions when three months and six months after the intake, but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). As for the kidney functions (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine), they were within the normal range before and after the intake of Korean medicine. Further, while there was a slight change in kidney functions three months and six months after the intake, there was no statistical significance(p>0.05) either. Conclusions: Based on these results, it can be concluded that Korean medicine does not have a negative impact on the gynecology patients' liver and kidney.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.270-287
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• 2009

Objective : Yinjinchunggan-tang(YJCGT) is reported previously as having theraputic effects on hepatitis such as anti-implammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-viral(HBV), etc. Though this prescription is not studied on its anti-fibrogenic effect, it is still expected to have the effect in the liver. Thus, this study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of YJCGT on thioacetamide(TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in rats. Method: Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal TAA injection(150mg/kg) 3 times a week for 5 weeks. After the YJCGT (YJCGT 1g/kg, YJCGT 2g/kg)-treatment, body weight, liver and spleen weights, liver function test, the complete blood count and the portal pressure were studied. In addition, gene expressions of ASMA, procollagen type Ia2, MMP2, TIMP1 and TIMP2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by RT-PCR. After YJCGT (YJCGT 1g/kg, YJCGT 2g/kg) treatment, percentages of collagen in TAA-induced rat liver tissue were measured by image analyzer. Results : The body weight of the normal group increased more than that of the control and YJCGT-treated groups. The AST level of the YJCGT lg/kg-treated group significantly decreased compared to that of the control. The ALT and the GGT levels of the YJCGT 2g/kg-treated group significantly increased compared to those of the control. In the YJCGT-treated groups. WBC, RBC and Hgb elevated by TAA injection decreased but platelet count increased. In the YJCGT lg/kg-treated group, the portal pressure elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased. The significant decreases in the gene expressions of procollagen type Ia2, MMP2 and TIMP2 were observed in the YJCGT-treated groups. In histological findings. TAA injections caused severe liver fibrosis, but the YJCGT treatment significantly reduced the amounts of hepatic collagens. Conclusions: These results suggest that YJCGT has beneficial effects on the treatment of patients with liver cirrhosis as well as chronic hepatitis. Further study should be done to decide the optimal concentration of the YJCGT for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Wolbigachul-tang1(WBCEx1) on obesity using high fat diet-induced male mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods : 8-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; lean control, obese control, WBCEx1, 2, 3. After mice were treated with WBCEx1(water extract), 2(30% ethanol extract), 3(water extract; Ephedra sinica Stapf., Gypsum fibrosum) for 12 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR)$\alpha$ target genes were measured. In addition, $PPAR{\alpha}$ target gene expression was examined in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results : 1. WBCEx1-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. 2. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, WBCEx1 decreased the weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and brown adipose tissue. 3. WBCEx1 significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by WBCEx1, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by WBCEx1. 5. WBCEx1 did not affect the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. 6. Plasma asparate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatine concentrations were in the physiological range. Liver and kidney weights were significantly lower following WBCEx treatment compared with obese controls, indicating that WBCEx does not show any toxic effects on liver and kidney. Conclusions : These results suggest that WBCEx1-induced body weight reduction is associated with appetite control and mediated by a mechanism other than the activation of $PPAR{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.59-78
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• 2009

Objective : This study was designed to examine the effects of stem bark extracts of Cornus walteri Wanger on the lipid lowering, anti-oxidative activity and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in hyperlipidemic rat. Methods : Male rats weighing $195.21{\pm}5.85g$ fed high fat diet for 8 weeks and 40 rats(above 400 g) were divided into 4 groups. Each groups were divided into a control group and 3 experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline(100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And we fed each experimental group of rats Basal diet and administered an extract of Cornus walteri Wanger(100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidative activity and gene expression. Results : 1. Concentration of plasma free fatty acid, LDL-cholesterol showed a tendency to decrease in Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. Concentration of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol showed a significantly decrement in all Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group than that of control group. HDL-cholesterol showed a significantly increment in the 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group. 2. Concentration of liver total cholesterol showed a tendence to decrease in Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. Concentration of triglyceride liver showed a significantly decrement in all Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group than that of control group. 3. Concentration of plasma and liver TBARS showed a tendence to decrease in Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. The values of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT activity showed a significantly increment in the 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group than that of control group. 4. The values of plasma AST and ALT activity showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. 5. Concentration of plasma $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed a tendency to decrease in the Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. However the concentration of IL-10 in the 200 and 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups showed a significantly increment than that of control group. Concentration of liver $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 showed no significantly difference in all treatment groups. However concentration of IL-6 in the 200 and 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups showed a significantly decrement than that of control group. 6. In the analysis of RT-PCR, gene expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B, Apo-E and leptin in the Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups showed a lower expression than that of control group. 7. The ratio of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-E and leptin expression per $\beta$-actin expression in the 200 and 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. showed a significantly decrement than that of control group. The ratio of Apo-B expression per $\beta$-actin expression in the 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. showed a significantly decrement than that of control group. Conclusions : According to above results, in lowering lipid effect, antioxidative activity and antiinflammatory effect, the Cornus walteri Wanger ext. gives positive effect.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.171-187
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• 1998

Garlic occupies a special position among the many foods of vegetable origin because it is the sole food for Koreans during the their lives. And vitamin A has been ingested by forms of food or additives. Cadmium has been described as one of the most dangerous trace elements in the food and environment of man and livestocks. Since the de novo synthesis of stress proteins can be detected early after exposure to some agents, analysis of cadmium-induced changes in gene expression , ie. alterations in patterns of protein synthesis, may be useful to develop as biomarkers of exposure and damage for food hygiene. He acute and chronic combine effects of cadmium (Cd, CdCl2 20mg/kg), garlic oil(Dds: diallyl disulfide 50mg/kg, 3 times a week) and vitamin A(Ra: retinol acetate 50,000 IU/kg, 3 times a week) on Wistar male rats were evaluated concerning cadmium contents, tissues enzyme activity, HSP expression histopathological and electron microscopical examinations. The results of the study are as follows ; 1. Less cadmium was absorbed through the digestive tracts, but the ratio of contents in tissue were not changed by the simultaneous adminstration of diallyl disufide or retinol acetate. 2. ALT(alanine aminotransferase) , AST(aspartate aminotransferase), glucose, BUN (blood urea nitrogen), creatinine, the key indices of the clinical changes in hepatic and renal function were significantly hanged by the cadmium treatment after 1 week in liver, after 4 weeks in kidney. 3. Histopathological changes in cadmium treated rats were appeared at 8 weeks age treatment in kidneys. Homogenous eosinophilic material was accumulated in cortical and collecting tubular lumens at 16 weeks. Degenerated or necrotized tubular cells were observed in cortex and medulla. Degenerated seminiferous tubules and homogeneous eosinophilic material was seen in interstitial tissue of rat treated with cadmium for 16 weeks. Calcium deposits were seen in degenerated seminiferous tubules and the tubules showed severe calcification of rat treated with cadmium for 16 weeks. Electron microscope changes in kidney were observed in rats treated with CdCl2 20 mg/kg. Proximal convoluted tubule cells showed selling of cytoplasm and narrow lumen. Capillary endothelial cells showed cytoplasmic vacuoles and swelling. Degenerated epithelial cells were accumulated in tubular lumen of kidney. 4. Enhanced synthesis of 70 KDa relateve molecular mass proteins were detected in 2 hours after cadmium, exposure, with maximum activity occurring at 8~48 hours. Induction of HSP 70 was evident at proximal tubules and glomeruli in kidney. Testicular cells produced enough HSP to be detected normally. From the above results, it could be concluded that HSP70 induction by the cadmium treatment was a rapid reaction to indicated the exposure of xenobiotics, and retinol acetate reduced the cadmium induced nephrotoxicity.