• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 1987.06a
• /
• pp.47-58
• /
• 1987

Ethanol exerts different effects on hepatic cellular metabolism, depending mainly on the duration of its intake. In the presence of ethanol following an acute load, a number of hepatic functions are inhibited, including lipid oxidation and microsomal drug metabolism. In its early stages, chronic ethanol consumption produces adaptive metabolic changes in the endoplasmic reticulum which result in increased metabolism of ethanol and drugs and accelerated lipoprotein production. Prolongation of ethanol intake may result in injurious hepatic lesions such as alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis A number of such metabolic effects of ethanol are directly linked to the two major products of its oxidation; hydrogen and acetaldehyde. The excess hydrogen from ethanol unbalances the liver cell's chemistry. In the presence of excess hydrogen ions the process is turned in a different direction. In this study, it was attempted to observe the effect of ginseng saponins on alcohol Oehydrogenase(ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH) and microsomal ethanol oxidizing system(MEOS) in vivo as well as in vitro. Furthermore, the effect of ginseng saponin on the hydrogen balance in the liver and the hepatic cellular distribution of (1-14C) ethanol, its incorporation into acetaldehyde and lipids was also investigated. It seemed that ginseng saponin stimulated the above enzymes and other related enzymes in ethanol metabolism, resulting in a rapid removal of acetaldehyde and excess hydrogen from the animal body,

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.216-219
• /
• 2017

Laparoscopy has been one of the most effective modalities in various surgical situations, although its use in trauma patients has some limitations. The benefits of laparoscopy include cost-effectiveness, shorter length of hospital stay, and less postoperative pain. This report describes diagnostic laparoscopy and laparoscopic diverting sigmoid loop colostomy in penetrating extraperitoneal rectal injury. A 41-year-old male presented with perineal pain following penetrating trauma caused by a tree limb. Computed tomography showed air density in the perirectal space and retroperitoneum. As his vital signs were stable, we performed diagnostic laparoscopy and confirmed no intraperitoneal perforation. Therefore, laparoscopic diverting sigmoid loop colostomy was performed. He was discharged without any complications despite underlying hepatitis C-related cirrhosis. Colostomy closure was performed 3 months later.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.4953-4960
• /
• 2013

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common cancers at the global level, accounting for half of all cancers in some undeveloped countries. This disease tends to occur in livers damaged through alcohol abuse, or chronic infection with hepatitis B and C, on a background of cirrhosis. Various cancer-causing substances are associated with primary liver cancer, including certain pesticides and such chemicals as vinyl chloride and arsenic. The strong association between HBV infection and liver cancer is well documented in epidemiological studies. It is generally acknowledged that the virus is involved through long term chronic infection, frequently associated with cirrhosis, suggesting a nonspecific mechanism triggered by the immune response. Chronic inflammation of liver, continuous cell death, abnormal cell growth, would increase the occurrence rate of genetic alterations and risk of disease. However, the statistics indicated that only about one fifth of HBV carries would develop HCC in lifetime, suggesting that individual variation in genome would also influence the susceptibility of HCC. The goal of this review is to highlight present level of knowledge on the role of viral infection and genetic variation in the development of liver cancer.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.40-45
• /
• 2017

Background: Telbivudine is a nucleoside analogue used for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, but it often develops mitochondrial toxicity leading to symptomatic myopathy. In this study, three patients with telbivudine induced myopathy were enrolled in order to investigate the nature and pathogenesis of mitochondrial toxicity caused by long-term use of telbivudine. Methods: Clinical features, laboratory findings, muscle pathology, and quantitation of mitochondrial DNA were studied in three patients. Results: Patients presented with progressive muscle weakness with high serum creatine kinase levels. Light microscopic findings of muscle pathology showed ragged red fibers that reacted strongly with succinate dehydrogenase stain, but negative for cytochrome c oxidase activities. Electron microscopy revealed abnormal mitochondrial accumulation with rod shaped inclusions. The quantitative peroxidase chain reaction showed a depletion of mitochondrial DNA in skeletal muscle of the patients. Conclusions: Nucleoside analogues including telbivudine are potent inhibitors of viral DNA polymerases. However, they are not specific for viral DNA and can disturb mitochondrial replication at the same time. All nucleotide analogues should be used with close clinical observation in order to avoid development of mitochondrial myopathy.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.202-207
• /
• 2002

The hepato-protective activity of the GODEX (Hepadif-s capsule) has been studied in the rats against $CCl_4$-ethanol induced liver toxicity. The rats were oral1y treated with $CCl_4$ (corn oil/ $CCl_4$ 1:1, 1 mg/kg). And one week passes, $CCl_4$(0.4 mg/kg) administered two times a week for 7 weeks. The drugs have been administered every two days for 4 weeks after $CCl_4$ injection. The experimental groups have consisted of the GODEX (250 mg/kg), Hepadif (200 mg/kg), DDB complex (DDB 50 mg/kg and garlic oil powder 50 mg/kg), DDB (50 mg/kg), and vehicle control respectively. There was a significant decrement on the serum level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin in all treated groups. Specially, ALT level of GODEX and Hepadif only treated groups was decreased c1early. Also, serum albumin level was significantly enhanced in GODEX treated group compared with control and DDB treated groups. In histological results, hepatocellular vacuolar degeneration, lobular restructure and necrosis of bile duct were severely showed in control. But other treated groups showed centerilobular degeneration and mild hyper-plasia. Hepadif or DDB has a effects of the recovery on serum parameters and structure ill liver injury. When it was compared GODEX to Hepadif alone or DDB complex or DDB, it suggested to have the best activity of the liver recovery.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.119-129
• /
• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze current treatments and characteristics of patients with hemophilia. Method: research design is a descriptive study exploring the current treatments, accompanied disorders, features related to the disease and subjects' social-demographic characteristics. The sample consisted of 218 hemophilia patients registered at Korea Hemophilia Foundation. Results: 80.3% of the subjects were diagnosed of this disease before the age of 10. 64.7% of them had a hemophilia familial history. 74.3% of them had disabilities. Main characters related to the disease were lack of the 8th factor and bleeding tendencies. Levels of severity had significant relationship with the number of hemorrhagic experiences. A common comorbidity found was hepatitis C. A treatment agent frequently use was GREENMONO INJ. and most patients injected it by themselves. 47.7% of the subjects used a dosage of 100 unit, and 45.4% of them injected to once a week. Conclusion: These data will be used as valuable knowledge for planning a patient care and managing their symptoms.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.201-206
• /
• 2019

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC), a rare cause of cholestasis, is characterized by recurrent episodes of cholestasis without permanent liver damage. BRIC type 2 (BRIC2) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by ABCB11 mutations. A 6-year-old girl had recurrent episodes of jaundice. At two months of age, jaundice and hepatosplenomegaly developed. Liver function tests showed cholestatic hepatitis. A liver biopsy revealed diffuse giant cell transformation, bile duct paucity, intracytoplasmic cholestasis, and periportal fibrosis. An ABCB11 gene study revealed novel compound heterozygous mutations, including c.2075+3A>G in IVS17 and p.R1221K. Liver function test results were normal at 12 months of age. At six years of age, steatorrhea, jaundice, and pruritus developed. Liver function tests improved following administration of phenylbutyrate and rifampicin. Her younger brother developed jaundice at two months of age and his genetic tests revealed the same mutations as his sister. This is the first report of BRIC2 confirmed by ABCB11 mutations in Korean siblings.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.67-77
• /
• 2019

The paradigm of chronic liver diseases has been shifting. Although hepatitis B and C viral infections are still the main causes of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the introduction of effective antiviral drugs may control or cure them in the near future. In contrast, the burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has been increasing for decades, and 25 to 30% of the general population in Korea is estimated to have NAFLD. Over 10% of NAFLD patients may have nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of NAFLD. NASH can progress to cirrhosis and HCC. NASH is currently the second leading cause to be placed on the liver transplantation list in the United States. NAFLD is associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and metabolic syndrome. The pathophysiology is complex and associated with lipotoxicity, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and insulin resistance. The only proven effective treatment is weight reduction by diet and exercise. However, this may not be effective for advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis. Therefore, effective drugs are urgently needed for treating these conditions. Unfortunately, no drugs have been approved for the treatment of NASH. Many pharmaceutical companies are trying to develop new drugs for the treatment of NASH. Some of them are in phase 2 or 3 clinical trials. Here, pharmacologic therapies in clinical trials, as well as the basic principles of drug therapy, will be reviewed, focusing on pathophysiology.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.311-314
• /
• 2023

Thallium poisoning is usually accidental. We present a case of a 51-year-old woman who was evaluated in June 2018 for myalgia, vertigo, asthenia, and abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed temporal-spatial disorientation, jaundice, and asterixis. The laboratory reported the following: bilirubin, 10.3 mg/dL; aspartate transaminase, 78 U/L; alanine transaminase, 194 U/L; albumin, 2.3 g/dL; prothrombin time, 40%; and platelet count, 60,000/mm³. Serology performed for hepatitis A, B, and C; Epstein-Barr virus; cytomegalovirus; and human immunodeficiency virus was negative, and a collagenogram was negative. Physical reevaluation revealed alopecia on the scalp, armpits, and eyebrows; macules on the face; plantar hyperkeratosis; and ulcers on the lower limbs. Tests for lead, arsenic, copper, and mercury were carried out, which were normal; however, elevated urinary thallium (540 ㎍/g; range, 0.4-10 ㎍/g) was observed. The patient was treated with D-penicillamine 1,000 mg/day and recovered her urinary thallium levels were within normal range at annual follow-up. Thallium poisoning is extremely rare and can be fatal in small doses. An adequate clinical approach can facilitate early diagnosis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.135-146
• /
• 2023

Viral oncology is focused on understanding the relationship between cancer and viruses, which are known to play a role in the development of certain types of cancer. Approximately 15-20% of human cancers are believed to be caused by oncogenic viruses, and as a result, there is significant interest in understanding how these viruses contribute to cancer development. There are several viruses that have been linked to cancer, including human papillomavirus, hepatitis B and C virus, Epstein-Barr virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1, Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and Merkel cell polyomavirus. Each of these viruses is associated with different types of cancer, and the mechanisms by which they contribute to cancer development are diverse. This article discusses these mechanisms as well as current and future strategies for preventing and treating virus-associated cancers with the goal of presenting a thorough review of the current state of knowledge in viral oncology and to highlight the importance of continued research in this field.