• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2014

Panax ginseng is a medicinal herb that is used worldwide. Its medicinal effects are primarily attributable to ginsenosides located in the root, leaf, seed, and flower. The flower buds of Panax ginseng (FBPG) are rich in various bioactive ginsenosides, which exert immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of 18 ginsenosides isolated from steamed FBPG on the transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-stimulated target genes in liver-derived cell lines. Noticeably, the ginsenosides $Rk_3$ and $Rs_4$ exerted the strongest activity, inhibiting NF-${\kappa}B$ in a dose-dependent manner. SF and $Rg_6$ also showed moderately inhibitory effects. Furthermore, these four compounds inhibited the TNF-${\alpha}$-induced expression of IL8, CXCL1, iNOS, and ICAM1 genes. Consequently, ginsenosides purified from steamed FBPG have therapeutic potential in TNF-${\alpha}$-mediated diseases such as chronic hepatic inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 1978

Nitrate poisoning was observed in Holstein calves raising for beef purpose in a dairy-farm of Gyeongbug province. The results observed were summarized as follows: 1. These calves had been fed mainly cornstalk, and a qualitative reaction by "dephenylamine blue test" for nitrate was positive in the serum of the affected calves and in the cornstalk provided. 2. In the clinical signs, the affected calves were suddenly recumbent without premonition and then dyspnea, followed by death. Death also occurred after inappetence, depression, dyspnea, cyanosis of mucous membrane, and terminal anoxic convulsions were observed. 3. In the macroscopical findings, the blood was dark brown (chocolate in color) and more or less poor coagulative. Petechiae of epicardium, severe cloudy swelling of liver, cloudy swelling and hemorrhage of kidney, congestion and hemorrhage of spleen, congestion and edema of lung, and congestion af abomasum and small intestine were observed in these cases. 4. Microscopical changes observed in these cases were peripheral congestion of lobules, centrilobular necrosis and sinusoidal dilatation in liver, hydropic degeneration of hepatic cells, hemorrhage and edema of kidney, necrosis of convoluted-tubular epithelium, and dilatation of Bowman's space and convoluted tubule. There were also congestion and hemorrhage of spleen, hemorrhage and edema of lung, cloudy swelling of myocardium, and congestion and hemorrhage of various organs.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.403-409
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• 2010

Gardenia jasminoides is a popular traditional herb used to treat inflammatory diseases including liver disorders. This study was performed to examine protective effect of G. jasminoides on galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute hepatitis. Rats were treated intraperitoneally with GalN (700 mg/kg). G. jasminoides (30, 100 and 300 mg/kg) was administered orally 48, 24, and 2 h before and 6 h after GalN injection. Serum ALT and AST activities were significantly increased after GalN injection, and these increases were attenuated by G. jasminoides. Histological studies showed that G. jasminoides inhibited hepatocellular necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration. GalN decreased the serum levels of total cholesterol and this decrease was attenuated by G. jasminoides. Hepatic glutathione content was decreased and lipid peroxidation was increased after GalN treatment and these changes were attenuated by G. jasminoides. Furthermore, the level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ mRNA expression was significantly increased after GalN injection, and this increase was attenuated by G. jasminoides. The level of interleukin-10 mRNA expression was significantly increased after GalN injection, and this increase was augmented by G. jasminoides. Our results suggest that G. jasminoides ameliorates GalN-induced acute hepatitis and this protection is likely due to antioxidative activity and regulation of inflammatory mediators.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2016

BACKGROUNG/OBJECTIVES: Corn silk (CS) extract contains large amounts of maysin, which is a major flavonoid in CS. However, studies regarding the effect of CS extract on cholesterol metabolism is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CS extract on cholesterol metabolism in C57BL/6J mouse fed high-fat diets. MATERIALS/METHODS: Normal-fat group fed 7% fat diet, high-fat (HF) group fed 25% fat diet, and high-fat with corn silk (HFCS) group were orally administered CS extract (100 mg/kg body weight) daily. Serum and hepatic levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol as well as serum free fatty acid, glucose, and insulin levels were determined. The mRNA expression levels of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hyroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ were determined. RESULTS: Oral administration of CS extract with HF improved serum glucose and insulin levels as well as attenuated HF-induced fatty liver. CS extracts significantly elevated mRNA expression levels of adipocytokines and reduced mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and FXR. The mRNA expression levels of CYP7A1 and LCAT between the HF group and HFCS group were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: CS extract supplementation with a high-fat diet improves levels of adipocytokine secretion and glucose homeostasis. CS extract is also effective in decreasing the regulatory pool of hepatic cholesterol, in line with decreased blood and hepatic levels of cholesterol though modulation of mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and FXR.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.413-418
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• 2004

Objectives : Cirsii Japonici Herba (CJH) is one of medicinal plants that has been frequently used for styptic purposes in Asian countries. In order to evaluate a hepatoprotective effects of CJH in the liver fibrotic diseases, the present study investigated how CJH improves a hepatic function in the dimethylnitrosamine(DMN) treated rat. Methods : CJH were orally administered to rats that has been treated with DMN. Subsequently, the amount of blood L-asparate aminotransferase (AST), L-alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and hydroxyproline were quantitated. Several histopathological markers for examining the degree of hepatic fibrosis were investigated by H-E and Masson-Trichrome staining. Results: DMN treatment caused a increase of relative liver weight to the body at 14 days after DMN induction, Administration of CJH with 100mg/kg and 1,000mg/kg dose decreased significantly the AST level elevated by DMN injection(p<0.01). But ALT level was not improved. The hydroxyproline level was reduced by a simultaneous treatment of CJH with DMN for 7 days, but not recovered completely to its normal value, CJH administration improved conspicuously the DMN-induced histopathological changes of liver such as granuloma, but cell necrosis and fibrosis were not improved with CJH 1,000mg/kg dose. Conclusion: These results indicate that CJH has protective effect on liver injury and can inhibit liver fibrosis Induced by DMN in rats.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.413-418
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• 2011

Human alveolar echinococcosis (AE), a hepatic disorder that resembles liver cancer, is a highly aggressive and lethal zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of the fox tapeworm, Echinococcus multilocularis. E. multilocularis is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere; the disease-endemic area stretches from north America through Europe to central and east Asia, including northern parts of Japan, but it has not been reported in Korea. Herein, we represent a first case of AE in Korea. A 41-year-old woman was found to have a large liver mass on routine medical examination. The excised mass showed multinodular, necrotic, and spongiform appearance with small irregular pseudocystic spaces. Microscopically, the mass was composed of chronic granulomatous inflammation with extensive coagulation necrosis and parasite-like structure, which was revealed as parasitic vesicles and laminated layer delineated by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain. Clinical and histologic features were consistent with AE. After 8 years, a new liver mass and multiple metastatic pulmonary nodules were found and the recurred mass showed similar histologic features to the initial mass. She had never visited endemic areas of AE, and thus the exact infection route is unclear.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2014

As well-being foods pursuing healthy life are becoming popular, interest in Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCM) fruit, a type of Korean blackberry, is increasing due to its medicinal actions including protecting the liver, brightening the eyes, and alleviating diabetes. This study was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of RCM concentrates on liver injuries induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) in rats. RCM, produced in June ~ July 2008 at Chunbook, Gochang (South Korea), was finely mashed. The seeds were removed and the juices were condensed. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups according to treatment: normal (eight rats), $CCl_4$, 1% RCM, and 2% RCM. Experimental diets were provided to the experimental animals for 4 weeks. We measure total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels. Part of the livers was isolated for histopathological evaluation, and analyzed for lipid peroxide (TBARS), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and liver proteins. The activities of serum AST, ALT, and ALP were elevated following $CCl_4$ administration. Levels of hepatic TBARS were also significantly increased in the $CCl_4$ groups. However, hepatic TBARS levels and the activities of serum enzymes were markedly reduced by supplementation with the RCM concentrates (P < 0.05). Hepatic SOD activity increased in the RCM concentrates group versus $CCl_4$ groups. Histopathological examination revealed massive necrosis in the centrilobular area and degenerative changes caused by $CCl_4$ were ameliorated by dietary supplementation with RCM concentrates. These results suggest that RCM concentrates have hepatoprotective effects and may improve the symptoms of liver injuries.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2008

The protective effects of the Naringin, on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in mice. Pretreatment with Naringin prior to the administration of $CCl_4$ significantly prevented an increase in serum alanine, aspartate aminotransferase activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with Naringin also significantly prevented the depletion of glutathione (GSH) content in the livers of $CCl_4$-induced mice. However, reduced hepatic glutathione levels was unaffected by treatment with Naringin alone. In addition, Naringin prevented $CCl_4$-induced apoptosis and necrosis, as indicated by a liver DNA laddering. To determine whether caspase-8,-3 pathway involved in $CCl_4$-induced acute liver injury, caspase-8, -3 activities were tested by ELISA. Naringin attenuated $CCl_4$induced caspase-8, -3 activities in mouse livers. $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was also prevented, as indicated by a liver histopathologic study. The effects of Naringin on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1, the major isozyme involved in $CCl_4$ were also investigated. Treatment of mice with Naringin resulted in a significant decrease of the CYP2E1-dependent hydroxyl at ion and aniline in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that protective effects of Naringin against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block CYP2E1-mediated $CCl_4$ bioactivation and that is also protects against caspase-8, -3 pathway mediated apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.387-393
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• 2004

Experiments were carried out to investigate the lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and histopathological change of hepatic tissue for rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli after feeding sub-chronic dietary Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in the concentration of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food of diet for 30 days. In 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food group, the significant increase of LPO was observed in all period, and SOD activity was incresed at 30 days significantly in the same concentration. In the histological investigation of liver, there was the swelling of hepatic cells at 10 days over the 1.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food concentration. At 30 days Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive granule was observed in the same group and at 20 days was observed in 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food group. And there was necrosis of hepatic cell in some fish of 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food group at 30 days.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 1986

The purpose of this study is to determine the antidotal effects of thiamine in phenylmercury poisoning rats. Sixty-six rats were divided into six groups the control group, the $40{\gamma}$ thiamine-only-dosed group, the 6 ppm phenylmercury-only-dosed group, the simultaneously-dosed-group with 6 ppm mercury & $20{\gamma}$ thiamine, and with 6 ppm mercury & $40{\gamma}$ thiamine, and with 6 ppm mercury & $80{\gamma}$ thiamine. The thiamine was put into pellet by various concentrations, and phenylmercury was mixed in drinking water by 6 ppm concentration. The rats were sacrificed for observing the histopathological changes of brain, liver and kidney. The remits summarized are as follows 1. In the group dosed with only $40{\gamma}$ thiamine, the tissues of brain, liver and kidney did not show any abnormal architecture. 2. The phenyhnercury-only-dosed group and the simultaneoulsy-dosed group with mercury and $20{\gamma}$ thiamine showed remarkable degenerative or necrotic hepatic cells. In addition, a remarkable swelling and necrosis on epithelium of proximal tubules in kidney were found. 3. The simultaneously-dosed group with mercury and $40{\gamma}$ thiamine showed moderate degeneration and necrosis of Purkinje cells in cerebellum. A moderate necrosis and swelling on epithelium of proximal tubules and a large amount of tubular casts were found as well. 4. The simultaneously-dosed group with mercury and $80{\gamma}$ thiamine showed a slight degenerative change of Purkinje cells. A slight degenerative change on epithelium of proximal tubules and a small amount of tubular casts were also found.