• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.262-268
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• 2014

Rutaecarpine is one of the major alkaloids present in the fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa. In this study, rutaecarpine was evaluated, both in vitro and in vivo, for its hepatoprotective properties against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced hepatic fibrosis. The results showed that rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced cytotoxicity, reduced the expression of the fibrogenic cytokine transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ ($TGF-{\beta}1$), and induced the expression of bcl-2. To evaluate its in vivo effects, animal models with TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis were utilized. Levels of liver tissue injury-associated enzymes, including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were monitored. $TGF-{\beta}1$ and the ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA) were measured as markers of the protective effects on hepatic fibrosis. The AST and ALT levels in blood were greatly enhanced by TAA and completely blunted by rutaecarpine. Rutaecarpine led to the down-regulation of $TGF-{\beta}$ and Bax mRNA expression, as well as the up-regulation of Bcl-2 and $Bcl-X_L$ mRNA levels. In conclusion, rutaecarpine inhibited TAA-induced hepatic fibrosis and apoptosis by inducing the expression of Bcl-2 while blocking $TGF-{\beta}1$ in our TAA-intoxicated model.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.238-243
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• 2006

The methanol extract of waxy brown rice fermented with Agrocybe cylindracea was prepared. The extract was then freeze dried and fed to rats at the level of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 g/kg body weight for 14 days, followed by the treatment with carbon tetrachloride for three consecutive days to induce hepatotoxicity. After sacrificing the rats, the enzyme activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transpeptidase (${\gamma}$-GTP) in serum was determined. Biochemical analysis on serum for albumin, total protein, triglyceride, and total as well as HDL-cholesterol were carried out along with a histopathological study of liver tissues. Based on these data, we suggest that the waxy brown rice cultured with A. cylindracea may exert hepatoprotective activity against hepatotoxicity caused by chemicals such as carbon tetrachloride.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.290-296
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• 2005

Effects of water extract obtained from Chrysanthemum boreale M. (CE) on serum enzyme activities and Kupffer cells of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced rats were investigated. Thirty-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal (N), $CCl_4$-induced (T), CE-supplemented (C), and $CCl_4$-induced and CE-supplemented (TC) groups. $CCl_4$ injection significantly increased aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase activities in serum. Significant increases in total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were also observed in $CCl_4$-induced rats. Oral administration of CE at 300 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased serum enzyme levels and suppressed $CCl_4$ hepatotoxicity-induced lipid profile changes. Histological findings showed fatty change, fibrosis and increased number of Kupffer cells in T group. Electron microscopic examination showed increased lysosome content and dilation of rough endoplasmic reticulum within Kupffer cells in T group, whereas CE supplement attenuated liver injury in $CCl_4$-induced liver. These results indicated CE could significantly alleviate CC4-induced hepatotoxicity injury.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.738-745
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• 2016

Aquaculture production of Korean rockfish Sebastes schlegeli has been continuously increased from 2000s and the fish has become the second most important mariculture fish in Korea. However, there are some environmental problems in aquaculture of Korean rockfish recently. In this regards, stress responses to high water temperature was examined via oxygen consumption, blood physiological parameter and endocrinological method. Oxygen consumption of Korean rockfish had significantly increased with rising water temperature. And oxygen consumption during the light time was no different with the dark time. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed no difference until $27^{\circ}C$, but it had rapidly increased at $30^{\circ}C$. Moreover high water temperature affected to increase in plasma glucose and cortisol levels.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.141-147
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• 2004

In order to investigate whether or not the alcohol-treated rat liver cells can be protected by Korean Citrus junos and medicinal herbs, We compared the serum biochemistry of rats administered both alcohol and the complex of Korean Citrus junos and medicinal herbs to control rats treated with alcohol alone. The activities of Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the citron 3 (Citron 3, less mellowed citron which was ripened for three months)＋Phellinus linteus, Alnus japonica, Dendropanax morbifera and citron 4 (Citron 4, completely mellowed citron which was ripened fer four months)＋Phaseolus radiatus, Cordyceps militaris group were significantly low when compared with the negative control group (p<0.05). The levels of triglyceride (TG) in all experimental groups were significantly lower than the negative control group (p<0.05). The concentrations of total cholesterol in the citron 3＋Phellinus linteus, Atnus japonica, Dendropanax morbifera and citron 4＋Phaseolus radiatus, Cordyceps militaris, Phellinus linteus were lower than the negative control group (p<0.05). The activities of alcohol dehydyogenase (ADH) in all experimental groups were significantly high when compared with the normal control group (p<0.05). These results suggest that the complex of Korean Citrus junos and medecinal herbs could be an excellent candidate for protecting vat liver cell damage induced by alcohol.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.55-59
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• 2003

A necrotizing skeletal myopathy was diagnosed in three flocks of 30,000 thirty-eight-week-old layer breeder chickens. The mortality attributed to the myopathy was 17.7%, 12.3% and 21.1% in flock A, B and C, respectively. Clinically, chickens were showed depression, anorexia, posterior paresis, inability to rise, incoordination, reluctance to move, and leg trembling and weakness. The most striking findings at necropsy was pale streaking in the muscles of the thighs and legs. Microscopic lesions included myofiber degeneration and necrosis with massive cellular proliferation interpreted as sarcolemmal nuclei proliferation. Plasma creatine kinase, asparte aminotransferase and akaline phosphatase were markedly elevated. In conclusion, author suggested that submitted chickens were affected by ionophores poisoning.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2010

Herbal hepatotoxicity is a one of the most often encountered controversial issues in medical society. Some believe herbs are totally safe while others regard treatment with herbs as a very common cause of hepatotoxicity. But there are no comparative clinical hepatotoxicity studies between herbal and conventional medicines. We investigated incidence of patients with abnormal liver function who were treated with herbal or conventional medicine at Dongguk University International Hospital. Each group consisted of 300 patients, who were admitted for longer than 30 days during the year 2008. We compared albumin, total bilirubin, AST (aspartate aminotransferase), and ALT (alanine aminotransferase) levels, and excludes patients who had abnormal liver function test or liver-related disease when admitted. As a result, incidence of total bilirubin, AST, and ALT elevation in the CT (conventional treatment) group was more frequent than in the TKM (traditional Korean medicine) group (p<0.05) during admission. Albumin level also decreased more frequently in the CT group than in the TKM group (p<0.05). According to these results, herbal medicine is not more hepatotoxic than conventional medicine, and not a main cause of liver injury in inpatients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.679-686
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• 2012

This study was to elucidate the effects of Ukgan-san on the hyperthyroidism induced by sodium levothyroxine. Hyperthyroidisms were induced by continuous subcutaneous treatment of LT4, 0.3 mg/kg, once a day for 27days, and 1,500, 1,000 and 500 mg/kg of Ulkansan extracts were orally administered, once a day for 15 days from 12th LT4 treatment, and the changes on the body, thyroid gland, liver and epididymal fat pad weights, serum triiodothyronine(T3), thyroxine(T4), thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH), asparte aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentrations, hepatic lipid peroxidation(LPO), glutathione(GSH), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) activities were investigated with throid gland, liver and epididymal fat pad histopathological changes. The effects of Ukan-san extracts were compared with that of propyl thiouracil(PTU), a standard antithyroidic drug 10 mg/kg(intraperitoneally). 1,500 and 1,000 mg/kg of Ukan-san extracts reversed all LT4-induced hyperthyroidisms and these effects indicating their potential in the regulation of hyperthyroidism. Further, the Ukan-san extract normalized LT4-induced liver oxidative stresses, and also reduced liver damages and epididymal fat pad reducements suggesting its antioxidative and relative organ protective nature. However, nor favorable effects on LT4-induced hyperthyroidisms were detected in Ulkansan 500 mg/kg treated rats as compared with LT4 control rats in the present study. These effects of Ukan-san may help improvement of hyperthyroidisms and accompanied various organ damages.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 2011

This study was undertaken to investigate the hematological and biochemical changes in experimentally infected goats with Besnoitia caprae from the time of infection till 360 days post-infection (PI). Six male goats were inoculated subcutaneously with $13{\times}10^7$ bradyzoites of B. caprae, and blood samples were collected from the jugular vein. The total erythrocyte and total leukocyte counts, hematocrit value, and differential leukocyte counts were determined. Serum biochemical analysis, including the total protein, albumin, total globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, chloride, testosterone, calcium ($Ca^{2+}$), inorganic phosphorus, sodium ($Na^+$), potassium ($K^+$), iron ($Fe^{2+}$), glucose, serum amyloid A (SAA), haptoglobin (Hp), fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase, was undertaken. Skin biopsy from the limbs were collected at weekly intervals and histologically examined for Besnoitia cysts. Cysts were present in the skin biopsies of the leg of the infected goats from day 28 PI. There were variations in hematological analyses, but no significant difference was seen. From day 30 to 360 PI, results showed that SAA, Hp, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin concentrations increased, whereas testosterone concentrations decreased. Infected goats exhibited decrease of albumin and increase of serum total protein and globulin concentrations. By contrast, there were no significant differences in the remained analyses concentrations.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.231-234
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• 2017

Extrahepatic bile duct injury is commonly associated with hepatic, duodenal, or pancreatic injuries, and isolated extrahepatic bile duct injury is rare. We report a patient who presented with an isolated extrahepatic bile duct injury after blunt trauma. A 50-year-old man was referred to our hospital after having suffered a fall down injury. His laboratory findings showed hyperbiliribinemia with elevated aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase level. Initial abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a mild degree of hemoperitoneum without evidence of abdominal solid organ injury. On the 3rd day of hospitalization, the patient complained of dyspnea and severe abdominal discomfort. Follow-up abdominal CT showed no significant interval change. Owing to the patient's condition, Emergency laparotomy revealed a large amount of bile-containing fluid collection and about 1 cm in size laceration on the left lateral side of the common hepatic duct. Primary repair of the injured bile duct with T-tube insertion was performed On postoperative day (POD) 30, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed minimal bile leakage and endoscopic sphincteroplasty and endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage were performed. On POD 61, the T-tube was removed and the patient was discharged.