• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.5-5
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• 2021

Alcoholic and nonalcoholic steaohepatitis is a leading form of chronic liver disease with few biomakers ad treatment options currently available. a progressive disease of NAFLD may lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Recently, we extracted HIMH0021, which is an active flavonoid component in the Acer tegmentosum extract, has been shown to protect against liver damage caused by hepatic dysfunction. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate whether HIMH0021 could regulate steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis during alcoholic or nonalcoholic metabolic process. HIMH0021, which was isolated from the active methanol extract of A. tegmentosum, inhibited alcohol-induced steatosis and attenuated the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) during hepatocellular alcohol metabolism, both of which promote lipogenesis as well as liver inflammation. Treatment with HIMH0021 conferred protection against lipogenesis and liver injury, inhibited the expression of cytochrome P4502E1, and increased serum adiponectin levels in the mice subjected to chronic-plus-binge feeding. Furthermore, in hepatocytes, HIMH0021 activated fatty acid oxidation by activating pAMPK, which comprises pACC and CPT1a. These findings suggested that HIMH0021 could be used to target a TNFα-related pathway for treating patients with alcoholic hepatitis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the physical and biochemical parameters related with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in obese children. Methods: One hundred forty-two obese or overweight children who visited the out-patient clinics of Chungnam National University Hospital between January 2006 and August 2008 were enrolled. Physical measures and biochemical tests were performed in all patients. Liver sonography was performed in 43 patients. They were divided into the following 2 groups based on ALT levels: group I, normal ALT levels (n=65); and group II, elevated ALT levels (n=77). We compared the physical measures, biochemical results, and ultrasonographic findings of the livers in both groups. Other causes of elevated serum ALT levels were ruled out. Results: The male-to-female ratios were 1.6:1 in group I and 7.6:1 in group II. Among physical parameters, the waist circumference-to-height ratio and hip circumference-to-height ratio were significantly higher in group II (p=0.001 and 0.046, respectively). Among biochemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT), and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in group II (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The AST/ALT ratio was <1 (mean, 0.55) and statistically lower in group II. There was a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and ${\gamma}$-GT (p<0.001, r=0.750), and a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and the waist circumference-to-height ratio in group II (p<0.001, r=0.401). Conclusion: The results suggest that the waist circumference-to-height ratio and ${\gamma}$-GT may be associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase activity in obese children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.174-182
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• 2003

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been recognized as an important childhood liver disease, especially where the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing. The purpose of this study is to clarify the usefulness of elevated serum aminotransferase activities and their ratio for predicting the presence of fatty liver and its severity in obese children. Methods: Forty-four children (M/F 29/15, age 4 to 16 years) with obesity (weight excess>20%) were analyzed retrospectively with medical records based on degree of obesity, bioelectrical impedence, serum aminotransferase activities, lipid profiles and ultrasonography. Results: 1) Ultrasonography was carried out in 34 cases. Elevated serum ALT was found in 89.7% (26/29) of the patients diagnosed as fatty liver by ultrasonography and decreased AST/ALT ratio (<1) was found in 96.6% (28/29). There was a strong correlation between elevated serum ALT (>45 IU/L) or decreased AST/ALT ratio (<1) and the fatty liver in obese children (p<0.05). 2) There was no significant correlation between the serum ALT or AST/ALT ratio and the degree of fatty liver (p>0.05). 3) There was a significant correlation between total cholesterol, triglyceride and fatty liver (p<0.05). Conclusion: Serum ALT activity and AST/ALT ratio were useful to predict the presence of fatty liver diagnosed by ultrasonography in obese children, whereas they were not useful to predict the degree of fatty liver. Therefore, to prevent fatty liver progressing to advanced liver disease, it is necessary to manage and monitor the obese children continuously, especially those who have predicting factors of fatty liver.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.597-604
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• 2014

$\small{D}$-Phenylglycine aminotransferase ($\small{D}$-PhgAT) from Pseudomonas stutzeri ST-201 is useful for enzymatic synthesis of enantiomerically pure $\small{D}$-phenylglycine. However, its low protein solubility prevents its application at high substrate concentration. With an aim to increase the protein solubility, the N-terminus of $\small{D}$-PhgAT was genetically fused with short peptides ($A_1$ ${\alpha}$-helix, $A_2$ ${\alpha}$-helix, and ALAL, which is a hybrid of $A_1$ and $A_2$) from a ferredoxin enzyme of a halophilic archaeon, Halobacterium salinarum. The fused enzymes $A_1$-$\small{D}$-PhgAT, $A_2$-$\small{D}$-PhgAT, and ALAL-$\small{D}$-PhgAT displayed a reduced pI and increased in solubility by 6.1-, 5.3-, and 8.1- fold in TEMP (pH 7.6) storage, respectively, and 5-, 4.5-, and 5.9-fold in CAPSO (pH 9.5) reaction buffers, respectively, compared with the wild-type enzyme (WT-$\small{D}$-PhgAT). In addition, all the fused $\small{D}$-PhgAT displayed higher enzymatic reaction rates than the WT-DPhgAT at all concentrations of L-glutamate monosodium salt used. The highest rate, $23.82{\pm}1.47$ mM/h, was that obtained from having ALAL-$\small{D}$-PhgAT reacted with 1,500 mM of the substrate. Moreover, the halophilic fusion significantly increased the tolerance of $\small{D}$-PhgAT in the presence of NaCl and KCl, being slightly in favor of KCl, where under the same condition at 3.5 M NaCl or KCl all halophilic-fused variants showed higher activity than WT-$\small{D}$-PhgAT.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2570-2578
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• 2012

We investigated whether coffee and green tea consumption reduced the risk of elevated alanine aminotransferase(ALT)/aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activity and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome. Participants were 5,283 adults, aged 19-79 years, in the Third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, with excessive alcohol consumption, overweight, viral hepatitis, metabolic syndrome. Increased coffee and green tea consumption was not associated with decreased serum ALT. However, amount of coffee consumption had negative correlation with serum AST activity. Moreover, coffee consumption reduced the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (p for trend <0.001). Hypertension, impaired glucose metabolism and dyslipidemia was involved as subgroup of metabolic syndrome. Comparing persons who drank more than 2 cups per day with less than 1 cup per day, the prevalence of all subgroups was declined significantly. In this large, national, population-based study, consumption of coffee was associated with lower the risk of metabolic syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.328-336
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was designed to observe the effects of the feeding Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max. extract on the concentrations of the lipids and blood glucose in the S.D. rats fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. Concentrations of total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, LDL, LDL-cholesterol, free-cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglyceride(TG), phospholipid(PL) and blood glucose in serum were significantly higher in the cholesterol administration groups (groups BCG (cholesterol+water), BCPG (cholesterol+ Prunus persica 5.0 g% extract) than those in the control group (group BG, basal diet+water). But the concentrations of total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, LDL, LDL-cholesterol, free-cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, TG, PL and blood glucose in serum were remarkably lower in the group BCPG than those in the group BCG. In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentration, Prunus persica 5.0 g% extract administration group was higher percentage than in the group BCG. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were rather lower in the Prunus persica 5.0 g% extract administration group(group BCPG) than in the cholesterol diet group(group BCG). From the above research, Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max. were effective on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipid compositions in serum of dietary hyperlipidemic rats. And particularly, Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max. was more effective therapeutic regimen for the control of metabolic derangements in adult disease.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.337-345
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was designed to observe the effects of the feeding Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max. extract on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipid compositions in the serum of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. Concentrations of blood glucose, total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, LDL, LDL-cholesterol, free-cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglyceride(TG) and phospholipid (PL) in serum were significantly higher in the STZ (55 mg/kg B.W.)-induced diabetic group (group 2) and STZ(I.P.)+Prunus persica 5.0 g% extract group(group 3) than those in the control group (group 1, basal diet + water). But the concentrations of blood glucose, total cholesterol, atherosclerotic index, LDL, LDL-cholesterol, free-cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, TG and PL in serum were remakably lower in the group 3 than those in the group 2. In the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol concentration, Prunus persica 5.0 g% extract administration group(group 3) were higher percentage than in the group 2. The activities of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum were rather lower in the Prunus persica 5.0 g% extract administration group(group 3) than in the STZ- induced diabetic group (group 2). From the above results, it was suggested that the Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max. were effective on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipid compositions in serum of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Moreover, in Prunus persica Batsch var. davidiana Max. was effective therapeutic regimen for the control of metabolic derangements in adult disease.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2010

We determined oxidative stress caused by thermal stress in olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus based on the altered-mRNA expression and enzymatic activity of two key antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), along with monitoring of several other biomarkers. When the fish were exposed to acute thermal change (from $20^{\circ}C$ to $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$), the expression and activity of both enzymes were significantly higher at elevated temperatures ($25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$) than at $20^{\circ}C$. Lipid peroxidation (LPO) was also higher at $25^{\circ}C$ and $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$. In addition, the plasma $H_2O_2$ concentration was significantly increased by thermal stress. Furthermore, we investigated changes due to thermal stress by measuring levels of plasma alanine aminotransferase (AlaAT) and aspartate aminotrasferase (AspAT). Both were significantly increased by thermal stress. As an immune indicator, the lysozyme concentration was lower at $30^{\circ}C$ than at $20^{\circ}C$, indicating that thermal stress decreases immune function. Therefore, thermal stress could induce oxidative stress and suppress immune function and can cause physiological stress.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2000

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and histologic changes of interferon-alfa therapy on chronic hepatitis B virus infection in children. Patients and Methods: Thirty five children aged 3~16 years who were seropositive for HBV DNA, HBsAg and HBeAg were enrolled. Interferon-alfa 2a ($3.4\;MU/m^2$) were given for 6 months. Serologic markers of viral replication was evaluated 1 year after therapy. Post treatment liver biopsy was performed in 18 patients who showed serologic response. Results: Serum HBeAg and viral DNA became negative in 22 (63%) of treated children at 12 months after therapy. Serum aminotransferase levels normalized in all of the responders and HBsAg became negative in one responder. Horizontal transmission, serum aminotransferase levels more than twice normal, and active inflammation on liver biopsy were predictive factors for response to interferon therapy. Periportal piecemeal necrosis, lobular activity, portal inflammation, fibrosis, and total histologic activity index were reduced in responders. Conclusion: In children with chronic hepatitis B, interferon alfa promotes loss of viral replication and improves aminotransferase. Serologic response is associated with improvement in hepatic histology.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.21 no.2 s.24
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• pp.329-339
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• 1988

The study is carried out to investigate the effect of drinking and smoking for the activities of aspartate aminotransferase(AST, or GOT) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT or GPT), from December 25, 1986 to April 30, 1987. The male physical examinees for employment, 900 who had visited to the Taegu Medical Center were subjected. And the positive cases of HBs-Ag, Anti-HBs and skin test for Clonorchis sinensis were excluded. The general characters of drinking and smoking pattern were introduced by interview with questionnaire provided for. In drinking cases, the longer duration was significantly effected the higher rate of abnormality in AST and ALT level. But the amount and the frequency were not. It was not appeared effects by mackgulri which is a Korean traditional wine and small amount of beers. In smoking cases, also same pattern. The age was related in all cases. By the way, when the effect is related the positive results with other factors: HBs-Ag, Anti-HBs, skin test for Clonorchiasis and harmful occupational history, it is higher abnormal rate of AST and ALT in the duplicated cases with two factors or more. Particularly in HBs-Ag positive cases, those who had smoking was the highest in rate of abnormality, and drinking was the follows. In correlation matrix among seven factors; HBs-Ag, age, drinking amount, drinking period, drinking frequency, smoking amount and smoking period, correlation coefficient was significant between the abnormal rate and to with age, drinking period, smoking period, and smoking amount.