• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.1014-1026
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• 2006

Liver cirrhosis is a liverdisease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Liver cirrhosis is regarded as a serious health problem with high prevalence in the world as well as in Korea. Liver cirrhosis is an irreversible disease. However, in cases of liver cirrhosis induced by chronic hepatitis B, we should treat the chronic hepatitis B, because it frequently progresses to cirrhosis and hepatoma. We observedimprovements of symptoms and laboratory tests with herb medicine Injinchunggan-tang (茵蔯淸肝湯) in five cases ofliver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. The serum aminotransferase was preserved within normal value levels for a long time, 3 years to 7 years. However, further study is necessary to determine the effect of herb medicine on liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.264-269
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• 2013

Silymarin has been introduced fairly recently as a hepatoprotective agent. But its mechanisms of action still have not been well established. The aim of this study was to make alcoholic fatty liver model of rats in a short time and investigate silymarin's protective effects and possible mechanisms on alcoholic fatty liver for rats. The model of rat's alcoholic fatty liver was induced by intragastric infusion of ethanol and high-fat diet for six weeks. Histopathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE). The activities of alanine transarninase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the levels of total bilirubin (TBIL), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in serum were detected with routine laboratory methods using an autoanalyzer. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenates were measured by spectrophotometry. The TG content in liver tissue was determined by spectrophotometry. The expression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the liver were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Silymarin effectively protected liver from alcohol-induced injury as evidenced by improving histological damage situation, reducing ALT and AST activities and TBIL level in serum, increasing SOD and GPx activities and decreasing MDA content in liver homogenates and reducing TG content in liver tissue. Additionally, silymarin markedly downregulated the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, ICAM-1 and IL-6 in liver tissue. In conclusion, Silymarin could protect against the liver injury caused by ethanol administration. The effect may be related to alleviating lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.266-275
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• 2020

Purpose: The outcome predictors of Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) for biliary atresia (BA) are controversial. This study aimed to identify possible short-term outcome predictors of KPE for BA in infants. Methods: This retrospective study included infants with BA who underwent KPE between January 2015 and December 2017 and were followed up for at least 6 months after surgery at the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University Pediatric Hospital, Egypt. The short-term outcome was jaundice clearance within 6 months following surgery. All data were compared between the jaundice free group and those with persistent jaundice to identify the predictors of jaundice clearance. Results: The study included 75 infants. The mean age at the time of surgery was 82.43±22.77 days (range, 37-150 days), and 28 (37.3%) infants cleared their jaundice within 6 months postoperative. Age at surgery did not significantly affect the outcome (p=0.518). Infants with persistent jaundice had significantly higher pre-operative levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than those who were jaundice free (p=0.041). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that preoperative AST ≤180 IU/L was predictive of a successful KPE, with sensitivity 74.5% and specificity 60.7%. Infants with bile plugs in liver biopsy had a 6-fold higher risk of persistent jaundice than those without bile plugs (95% confidence interval: 1.59-20.75, p=0.008). Conclusion: Jaundice clearance after KPE for BA can be predicted using preoperative AST and presence of bile plugs in liver biopsy.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.1 s.140
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• pp.44-49
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• 2005

The protective effects of the DWP-04 [DDB : selenium yeast: glutathione {31.1 : 6.8 : 62.1 (%, w/w)} against hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$ were studied in rats. The rats were intraperitoneally injected with $CCl_4$ (50% in com oil) at initial dose of 1 ml/kg followed by 0.5 ml/kg 3 times during 1 week. The DWP-04 (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered everyday before the start of $CCl_4$ injection for two weeks. $CCl_4$ induced hepatocelluar degeneration and necrosis, which led to a great increase in serum aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase activity and serum lipid levels. It was found by biochemical analysis that $CCl_4$ treatment remarkably increased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and physphatidylcholine hydroperoxide in hepatic tissues and induced antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Liver and serum lipids were significantly lower in rats fed on DWP-04 than in rats induced by $CCl_4$ only-treatment. These results suggested that the DWP-04 could be a promising candidate for the protection of liver injury based on the preventive effects against lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1337-1343
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• 2005

The hepato-protective effects of the extract from Protaetia brevitarsis against hepatotoxicity by carbon tetrachloride ($CCI_4$) were studied in rats. The rats were orally treated with $CCI_4$ (50% in corn oil) at initial dose of $1\;m{\ell}/kg$ followed by $0.5m{\ell}/kg$ four times during 2-week period. The extract of P. brevitarsis (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg) or its vehicle was administered day after day from 1 week before $CCI_4$ Injection during five weeks. $CCI_4$ induced hepato-celluar degeneration and necrosis induced to increase in serum aspartate amintransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. In biochemical analyses, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in hepatic tissues were remarkably increased by $CCI_4$ treatment. Not only increases in serum AST and ALT, but also induction of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in hepatic tissues caused by $CCI_4$ were significantly attenuated by the P. brevitarsis extract in a dose-dependent manner. Such hepato-protective effects of P. brevitarsis extract were confirmed by histopathological examinations, wherein only mild hepatocytic vacuolations were observed in the liver of rats treated with a high dose (100 mg/kg) of P. brevitarsis extract in comparison with severe hepatocytic degenerations administered with $CCI_4$ alone. From these results, it is suggested that the extract of Protaetia brevitarsis could be a promising candidate for the protection of liver injury, based on the preventive effects against morphological cellular injuries, lipid peroxidation and serum biochemical parameters.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 2014

Objectives: The present study investigated the toxic properties of petroleum ether extract of Wattakaka (W.) volubilis in Wistar female rats. Methods: An in vitro brine shrimp lethality bioassay was studied in A. Salina nauplii, and the lethality concentrations were assessed for petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis. A water soluble portion of the test extract was used in different concentrations from $100-1000{\mu}g/mL$ of 1 mg/mL stock solution. A 24-hours incubation with a 1-mL aliquot in 50 mL of aerated sea water was considered to calculate the percentage rate of dead nauplii with test extract administration against a potassium-dichromate positive control. The acute and the sub-acute toxicities of petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis were evaluated orally by using gavage in female Wistar rats. Food and water intake, body weight, general behavioral changes and mortality of animals were noted. Toxicity or death was evaluated following the administration of petroleum ether extract for 28 consecutive days in the female rats. Serum biochemical parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and ${\alpha}$-amylase levels, were measured in the toxicity evaluations. Pathological changes in isolated organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, were also examined using hematoxylin and eosin dye fixation after the end of the test extract's administration. Results: The results of the brine-shrimp assay indicate that the evaluated concentrations of petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis were found to be non-toxic. In the acute and the sub-acute toxicity evaluations, no significant differences were observed between the control animals and the animals treated with extract of W. volubilis. No abnormal histological changes were observed in any of the animal groups treated with petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis. Conclusion: These results suggest that petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis has a non-toxic effect in Wistar female rats.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.89-95
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• 1999

Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP) preceding polymyositis is rare. In this report, a 40-year-old patient with fever, chillness, generalized myalgia and progressive exertional dyspnea, had bilateral interstitial infiltrates on chest radiograph. High-Resolution CT showed subpleural and peribronchial distribution of airspace consolidation. Open lung biopsy was consistent with BOOP. Prednisolone therapy led to improvement, but during tapering of prednisolone for 3 months to 30 mg, he complained of weakness of both lower legs. One month later, prednisolone was tapered to 15 mg a day, fever. chillness and generalized myalgia were recurred. He complained of weakness of both arms. The creatine kinase (CK) with MM isoenzyme, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were elevated. Anti-Jo1 antibody was positive. Vastus lateralis muscle biopsy was compatible with polymyositis. After injection of methylprednisolone for 1 week, the patient became afebrile, the dyspnea resolved, the pulmonary infiltrates decreased, and the muscle strength improved. The serum CK, LDH, AST levels declined significantly. Patients with idiopathic BOOP should have follow-up for the possible development of connective tissue disorders including polymyositis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated whether the water extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE) has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) in vitro and $CCl_4$ in vivo. Methods : In vitro, HepG2 cells pre-treated with Spatholobi Caulis water extract (1, 3, 10, $30{\mu}g$/ml) for 12h and further incubated with tBHP ($100{\mu}M$) for the next 12h. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. In vivo, rats were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE; 50, 100 mg/kg) for 4 days and then, injected with $CCl_4$ 1 mg/kg body weight to induce acute liver damage. Results : Treatment with SCE inhibited cell death induced by tBHP, as evidenced by alterations in the levels of the proteins associated with apoptosis:SCE prevented a decrease in $Bcl_2$, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and pro-caspase-3. Moreover, SCE inhibited the ability of tBHP to generate $H_2O_2$ production, thereby restoring GSH content. Moreover, SCE treatments in rats effectively decreased liver injuries induced by a single dose of $CCl_4$, as evidenced by decreases in hepatic degeneration and inflammation as well as plasma alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Consistently, treatments of SCE also protected liver in rats stimulated by $CCl_4$, as indicated by restoration GSH and prevention of MDA in the liver. Conclusions : SCE has the ability 1) to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tBHP and 2) to prevent $CCl_4$-inducible acute liver toxicity. Present findings may be informative not only in elucidating the pharmacological mechanism of Spatholobi Caulis, but in determining its potential application for oxidative cellular damage in the liver.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1238-1244
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• 2004

The suppressive effects of Platycodi Radix (Changkil: CK), the root of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), on the progress of acute carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic fibrosis were investigated in the rat. CK significantly suppressed $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic necrosis and inflammation, as determined by the serum enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ levels, in dose-dependent manners. In addition, the increased hepatic fibrosis after acute $(CCl_4)$ treatment was suppressed by the administration of CK. CK also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic ${\alpha}$ 1(I) procollagen (type I collagen) mRNA and ${\alpha}$ -smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$ -SMA) expressions in the liver of $(CCl_4)$-intoxicated rats and also suppressed the induction of ${\alpha}$ -SMA and type I collagen in cultured hepatic stellate cells, in dose-dependent manners. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of CK against the progress of acute $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic fibrosis possibly involve mechanisms related to its ability to block both hepatic inflammation and the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.167-173
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• 2018

Purpose: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a hyperinflammatory syndrome with many causes, including Kawasaki disease (KD). The purpose of this study was to identify the laboratory tests needed to easily differentiate KD with HLH from incomplete KD alone. Methods: We performed a retrospective study on patients diagnosed with incomplete KD and incomplete KD with HLH (HLH-KD) between January 2012 and March 2015. We compared 8 secondary HLH patients who were first diagnosed with incomplete KD with all 247 incomplete KD diagnosed patients during the study period. The complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, platelet count, and serum total protein, albumin, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), and ferritin levels were compared. Clinical characteristics and echocardiography findings were also compared between the 2 groups. Results: The total duration of fever was longer in the HLH-KD group than in the KD group. White blood cell and platelet counts were higher in the KD group. Alanine aminotransferase, ferritin, and coronary artery diameter were increased in the HLH-KD group compared with those in the KD group. The median of NT-proBNP was significantly higher in the HLH-KD group than in the KD group at 889.0 (interquartile range [IQR], 384.5-1792.0) pg/mL vs. 233.0 (IQR, 107.0-544.0) pg/mL. Conclusion: The NT-proBNP level may be helpful in distinguishing incomplete KD from KD with HLH. The NT-proBNP level should be determined in KD patients with prolonged fever, in addition to the white blood cell count, platelet count, and ferritin level, to evaluate secondary HLH.