• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.45-51
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• 2013

Because nonalcoholic steatohepatitis can progress towards cirrhosis even in children, early detection of hepatic fibrosis and accurate diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are important. Although liver biopsy is regarded as the gold standard of diagnosis, its clinical application is somewhat limited in children due to its invasiveness. Noninvasive diagnostic methods, including imaging studies, biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, hepatic apoptosis, hepatic fibrosis, and noninvasive hepatic fibrosis scores have recently been developed for diagnosing the spectrum of NAFLD, particularly the severity of hepatic fibrosis. Although data and validation are still lacking for these noninvasive modalities in the pediatric population, these methods may be applicable for pediatric NAFLD. Therefore, noninvasive imaging studies, biomarkers, and hepatic fibrosis scoring systems may be useful in the detection of hepatic steatosis and the prediction of hepatic fibrosis, even in children with NAFLD.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.41-59
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• 2006

Chronic liver diseases and hepatic cancer have been reported as 10% of cause of death in Koreans. Regardless of various causes, chronic liver disease accompanies commonly hepatic fibrosis. But still the mechanism of hepatic fibrosis remains poorly understood. Using the dimethylnitrosamine(DMN)-induced hepatic fibrosis rat model, We performed to evaluate the possible therapeutic effect of RIP(extracts of Phellodendron amurense and Patrinia scabiosaefolia) and to investigate the changes in referential connective tissue proteins($TGF-{\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin, and vimentin) as a marker of fibrogenesis. For these purposes, liver tissues were stained with H & E, and Azan staining for estimation of developing fibrosis. In the DMN-treated rat liver tissue, fibrosis were developed forming incomplete septal fibrosis. Whereas, in the RIP-treated rat liver tissues, the fibrosis were decreased recovering to normal morphology. The expressions of $TGF-{\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin($\alpha-SMA$), and vimetin were increased in the DMN-treated rat liver tissues, but decreased in the various areas of RIP-treated rat liver tissues. According to these results, RIP could be a possible therapeutic agent to reduce hepatic fibrosis, and the $TGF-{\beta}_1$, ${\alpha}$-SMA, and vimentin could be possible indicative markers of hepatic fibrosis development and recovery.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.39-56
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• 2002

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of lnjinchunggantang-derivative on acute and sub-acute hepatic fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$, and to compare the efficiency of lnjinchunggantang-derivative, Salviae Radix and Scirpi Tuber.Zeloariae Rhizoma on acute and sub-acute hepatic fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$. Method : Western blotting for collagen type N, quantitative RT-PCR and gross & histological findings on liver tissue (Hematoxylin & Eosin stain, Reticulin stain, Masson-Trichrome stain) were studied. Results : In the study on collagen type N expression, lnjinchunggantangcderivative, Scirpi Tuber.Zeloariae Rhizoma and Salviae Radix showed inhibitory effect in western blotting. In quantitative RT-PCR assay, lnjinchunggantang-derivative showed inhibitory effect on collagen type N expression in acute hepatic fibrosis model, whereas lnjinchunggantang-derivative, Scirpi Tuber.Zeloariae Rhizoma and Salviae Radix showed inhibitory effect on collagen type N expression in sub-acute hepatic fibrosis model. In the gross findings of acute and sub-acute hepatic fibrosis models,lnjinchunggantang-derivative, Salviae Radix and Scirpi Tuber. Zeloariae Rhizoma showed inhibitory effect on hepatic fibrosis in the order. In the histological findings of acute and sub-acute hepatic fibrosis models in Hematoxylin & Eosin, Reticulin and Masson-Trichrome staining, the liver of $CCl_4$-only group showed atrophy and necrotic change with white nodules whereas that of $CCl_4$+ Injinchunggantang-derivative showed no significant histological change with well preservation of the tone of the tissue, and Scirpi Tuber. Zeloariae Rhizoma and Salviae Radix group showed minimal fibrotic changes. In the scoring system of the extent of the inhibition of the hepatic fibrosis, lnjinchunggantang-derivative group showed statistically significant inhibitory effect(p<0.05) whereas Scirpi Tuber.Zeloariae Rhizoma and Salviae Radix group showed no statistically significant effect in the acute hepatic fibrosis model. In the sub-acute hepatic fibrosis model, lnjinchunggantang-derivative, Scirpi Tuber.Zeloariae Rhizoma and Salviae Radix group showed statistically significant effect (p<0.01). Conclusion : These results show that lnjinchunggantang-derivative, Salviae Radix and Scirpi Tuber.Zeloariae Rhizoma have inhibitory effect in the order on hepatic fibrosis induced by $CCl_4$ by suppressing the expression of collagen type N, ultimately preventing liver cirrhosis. To obtain more credible results in this experiment, developement of a new experimental model more similar to human hepatic fibrosis is still needed.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 1998

This study was performed to investigate the pathogenesis of hepatic granuloma and hepatic fibrosis induced in mice infected with Capillaria(C) hepatica and treated cyclophosphamide. The results were as grossly well-defined yellowish white spots and small nodules at the surface of the liver were scattered. Histopathologically, there were numerous granulomas composed of eggs and fragments of C hepatica surrounded by heavy infiltration of inflammatory cells. Severe fibrosis was observed around granulomas. Pathological lesions of group infected with C. hepatica and then injected with cyclophosphamide were most severe than those of other groups. Therefore this study suggested that hepatic fibrosis induced by C hepatica in mice would be useful for animal model of hepatic fibrosis in human.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.98-101
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• 2004

Congenital hepatic fibrosis is an inherited, congenital disorder of the liver characterized by portal hypertension and hepatic fibrosis. We experienced a case of congenital hepatic fibrosis with esophageal varix in a 9-year-old male. He complained hematemesis, hematochezia, dizziness. In laboratory examination, AST/ALT was slightly increased. Esophageal varix was noted by an endoscopic examination. Hepatosplenomegaly and hypoechoic lesion of periportal area were seen by abdominal CT scanning. Histologic finding of liver biopsy showed fibrous tracts containing dilated bile ductules connecting adjacent portal spaces that were widened by mature fibrosis. Endocopic sclerotherpy and ligation was done. We summarized a case with review of literatures

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2013

Purpose: Childhood obesity is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and it has become one of the most common causes of childhood chronic liver diseases which significant as a cause of liver related mortality and morbidity in children in the United States. The development of simpler and easier clinical indices for medical practice is needed to identify advanced hepatic fibrosis in childhood NAFLD instead of invasive method like liver biopsy. FibroScan and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) have been proposed as a simple and noninvasive predictor to evaluate hepatic fibrosis in several liver diseases. APRI could be a good alternative to detect pathologic change in childhood NAFLD. The purpose of this study is to validate the efficacy of APRI for assessing hepatic fibrosis in childhood NAFLD based on FibroScan. Methods: This study included 23 children with NAFLD who underwent FibroScan. Clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluation including APRI was performed. To confirm the result of this study, 6 patients received liver biopsy. Results: Factors associated with hepatic fibrosis (stiffness measurement >5.9 kPa Fibroscan) were triglyceride, AST, alanine aminotransferase, platelet count, APRI and collagen IV. In multivariate analysis, APRI were correlated with hepatic fibrosis (>5.9 kPa). In receiver operating characteristics curve, APRI of meaningful fibrosis (cutoff value, 0.4669; area under the receiver operating characteristics, 0.875) presented sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 66%, positive predictive value of 94%, and negative predictive value of 64%. Conclusion: APRI might be a noninvasive, simple, and readily available method for medical practice to predict hepatic fibrosis of childhood NAFLD.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.267-273
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• 2006

Tungtungmadic acid(3-caffeoyl, 4-dihydrocaffeoyl quinic acid: CDCQ) is a new chlorogenic acid derivative isolated from the Salicornia herbacea. The suppressive effects of CDCQ on the progress of acute carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$)-induced hepatic fibrosis were investigated in mice. CDCQ significantly suppressed $CCl_4$-induced hepatic necrosis and inflammation, as determined by serum enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and serum TNF-$\alpha$ levels in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, increased hepatic lipid peroxidation and fibrosis after acute $CCl_4$ treatment were suppressed by the administration of CDCQ. CDCQ also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic hydroxyproline and collagen content and ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin(${\alpha}$-SMA) expression in the liver of $CCl_4$-intoxicated mice. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of CDCQ against the acute $CCl_4$-induced hepatic fibrosis possibly related to its ability to block both hepatic inflammation and the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

• 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.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.124-132
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• 2013

In this study, novel peptides (NIPP-1, NIPP-2) derived from Navicula incerta (microalgae) protein hydrolysate were explored for their inhibitory effects on collagen release in hepatic fibrosis with the investigation of its underlying mechanism of action. TGF-${\beta}1$ activated fibrosis in LX-2 cells was examined in the presence or absence of purified peptides NIPP-1 and NIPP-2. Besides the mechanisms of liver cell injury, protective effects of NIPP-1 and NIPP-2 were studied to show the protective mechanism against TGF-${\beta}1$ stimulated fibrogenesis. Our results showed that the core protein of NIPP-1 peptide prevented fibril formation of type I collagen, elevated the MMP level and inhibited TIMP production in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of NIPP-1 and NIPP-2 on TGF-${\beta}1$ induced LX-2 cells alleviated hepatic fibrosis. Moreover, ${\alpha}$-SMA, TIMPs, collagen and PDGF in the NIPP-1 treated groups were significantly decreased. Therefore, it could be suggested that NIPP-1 has potential to be used in anti-fibrosis treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.34-39
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• 2008

Oxidative stress may represent a common link between chronic liver damage and hepatic fibrosis. In the present study, we investigated activity changes of sphingomyelin catabolic enzymes, such as sphingomyelinases and ceramidases by using dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-treated Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats hepatic fibrosis model as a hepatic fibrosis model. Twenty rats divided into five groups received: (1) saline; (2) DMN for 1 week, (3) DMN for 2 weeks, (4) DMN for 3 weeks, and (5) DMN for 4 weeks by intraperitoneally 10 mg/kg of body weight for three consecutive days a week. Activities of acidic and neutral sphingomyelinases and acidic, neutral and alkaline ceramidases were measured in the liver and kidney from DMN-treated rats. We found increased ceramidase activities from 2-week and/or 3-week DMN treated rat livers compared to control rat liver. Acidic sphingomyelinase and alkaline ceramidase activities were significantly increased in 3-week DMN-treated rat kidneys compared to control rat kidney. Therefore, sphingolipid metabolizing enzymes and sphingolipid metabolites are supposed to be involved in liver fibrosis, although further investigation is necessary to elucidate meanings of sphingolipids during the liver fibrosis