• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.337-347
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• 2013

Aspirin is widely used for treatment or prophylaxis of many diseases. Although aspirin is used chronically for preventing cardiovascular diseases especially, liver function is rarely monitored because of unpredictable and uncommon hepatotoxicity induced by aspirin. We evaluated changes in liver function indicators and compared to acetaminophen and NSAIDs. We retrospectively analyzed EMR data (n=28788) of patients who took study drugs and had liver function tests (LFT) during study period from 2009.7.1 to 2010.6.30 at a tertiary hospital and evaluated the above information. Patients not having LFT results at these three standard points of time (baseline, during medication, and after finishing medication) were excluded. During medication, mean changes of Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Total Bilirubin (TB) were increased and that of serum albumin (Alb) was decreased, with the largest effect from aspirin (n=461; 16.8, 14.9, 0.28, -0.24) and the smallest from celecoxib (n=127; 3.4, 5.2, 0.11, -0.16). In addition, aspirin caused more changes of blood liver function indicators in patient group with liver disease (n=128, 27.4, 26.9, 0.53, -0.3) than those in patient group without liver disease (n=357, 12.5, 13.1, 0.23, -0.24). Taking low dose aspirin for prophylaxis purpose with long-term medication may be associated with liver injury. Our study is just a signal regarding the possibility of hepatotoxicity among patients taking low dose aspirin in a hospital setting, and thus it needs to be further investigated.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.240-245
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• 2008

Aloe vera extract was fermented by Lactobacillus casei. The ability of fermented Aloe vera (FAV) as an antioxidant to protect against $CCl_4$-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity in rats was investigated. The rats were administered orally with various doses of FAV with 50, 100 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. For this study, we not only tested activity of various plasma enzymes (AST, ALT), which are used as indicators of liver disease, but also checked those change of liver components such as superoxide dismutase and catalase activity. Pretreatment of FAV for two weeks significantly reduced the elevated plasma enzyme activities induced by $CCl_4$. Pretreatment of FAV also restored the hepatic enzyme, malonedialdehyde (MDA) formation. The results indicate that FAV has a protective effect against acute hepatotoxicity induced by the administration of $CCl_4$ in rats, and that the hepatoprotective effects of FAV may be due to both the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the increase of antioxidant activity.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 2001

Silk fibroin (SF) derided from the domestic silk worm, bombyx mori, is the natural protein and widely used as bio-functional materials as well as apparels. We studied the livers protective effect of SF from alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity in the alcohol preference mouse. To increase more absorption of SF in experimental animals, molecular weight of SF was lowered by 2N of HCI aqueous solution at 10$0^{\circ}C$ for 48 hrs. SF was added to liquid diet with alcohol and fed to the alcohol preference mice for 4 weeks. To assess the liver function, the concentration of alanine aminotransferase (AlT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and cholesterol present in either blood or liver tissue were measured. As compared with non-SF treated groups the SF-treated showed significantly low concentrations of ALT, AST, cholesterol and triacylglycerol values, respectively. Histopathological examination revealed that the extent of hepatocyte injury in the SF-treated group was reduced when it was compared with non SF-treated group. These results suggest that SF may have liver protective effects against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.318-324
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• 2009

1-Furan-2-yl-3-pyridin-2-yl-propenone (FPP-3) has recently been synthesized and characterized to have an anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of the production of nitric oxide. In the present study, adverse effects of FPP-3 on hepatic functions were determined in female BALB/c mice. When mice were administered with FPP-3 at 125, 250 or 500 mg/kg for 7 consecutive days orally, FPP-3 significantly increased absolute and relative weights of liver with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, FPP-3 administration dramatically increased the hepatotoxicity parameters in serum at 500 mg/kg, in association of hepatic necrosis. FPP-3 significantly induced several phase I enzyme activities. To elucidate the possible mechanism(s) involved in FPP-3 induced hepatotoxicity, we investigated the hepatic activities of free radical generating and scavenging enzymes and the level of hepatic lipid peroxidation. FPP-3 treatment significantly elevated the hepatic lipid peroxidation, measured as the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance, and the activity of superoxide dismutase. Taken together, the present data indicated that reactive oxygen species might be involved in FPP-3-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.313-325
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• 1996

Experiments were undertaken to examine the ability of selenium to protect against alcohol and/or paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity and to examine the additive effect between alcohol and paraquat. Protective effect against hepatotoxic functions was measured in serum from alcohol(15% v/v), paraquat(200ppm), alcohol and paraquat, and combination of sodium selenite(4ppm) in drinking water-fed guinea pigs ad libitum for 4 weeks. A total of 68 healthy 7-weeks-old male animals were assigned at random to 8 treatment groups(9~13 animals/group). Body and liver weight losses, and high serum concentrations in aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT, in only paraquat group), $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase($\gamma$-GTP), cholesterol(Cho), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), total bilirubin(TB), direct bilirubin(DB), total protein(TP), albumin and globulin as well as low values in alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and glucose were produced in a groups of alcohol or paraquat-fed. These values were not potentiated in a group given the combination of alcohol plus paraquat. Morphological changes in the liver were also observed in the alcohol or paraquat-fed group. Lipid droplet and cell swelling in the hepatocytes were observed in alcohol-fed guinea pig, especially Mallory's hyaline arounded hepatic vein. In the paraquat-fed guinea pig, lipid droplet, pyknosis and karyolysis were observed. When alcohol or paraquat was combined with selenium-fed, hyperplasia of Kupffer cell in liver were observed. However, the mean ALT, $\gamma$-GTP, Cho, BUN, TB, TP, albumin and globulin values were lower in groups given the combination of alcohol and/or paraquat plus selenium, compared with groups given alcohol and/or paraquat. Also, the ratio of liver weight to body weight and ALP values(exception of paraquat plus selenium group) were increased by selenium. These results suggest that an adequate selenium confers marked protection against alcohol and paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.95-101
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• 2009

It has been reported that dietary polyunsaturated fats (PUFA) increase liver injury in response to ethanol feeding. We tested the hypothesis that diets rich in linoleic acid (18:2n-6) would affect acute liver injury after acetaminophen injection and that protein restriction might exacerbate the liver injury. We examined effects of feeding diets with either 15% (wt/wt) corn oil or 14% beef tallow and 1% corn oil for six weeks with either 6 or 20 g/100 g protein on acute hepatotoxicity. After the feeding period, liver injury was induced by injecting either with 600 mg/kg body weight acetaminophen suspended in gum arabic-based vehicle, or with vehicle alone during fasting status. Samples of liver and plasma were taken for analyses of hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels and liver-specific enzymes [(Glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT)], respectively. Whereas GSH level was significantly lower in only group fed 15% corn oil with 6 g/100 g protein among acetaminophen-treated groups, activities of GPT and GOT were significantly elevated in all groups except the one fed beef tallow with 20 g/100 g protein, suggesting low protein might exacerbate drug-induced hepatotoxicity. The feeding regimens changed the ratio of 18:2n-6 to oleic acid (18:1n-9) in total liver lipids approximately five-fold, and produced modest changes in arachidonic acid (20:4n-6). We conclude that diets with high 18:2n-6 promote acetaminophen-induced liver injury compared to diets with more saturated fatty acids (SFA). In addition, protein restriction appeared to exacerbate the liver injury.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2006

Tamoxifen (TAM), a non-steroidal anti estrogen anticancer drug and chemopreventive agent for breast cancer, have caused cholestasis in liver. The potent hepatocarcinogenicity of this drug has been reported. Methotrexate (MTX) is dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor which interfaces with the synthesis for urine nucleotide and dTMP. And it may cause atrophy, necrosis and steatosis in liver. These two anticancer drug have well-known hepatotoxicity. So, in this study we compare the gene expression pattern of antitumor agent TAM and MTX, using the cDNA microarray. We have used 4.8 K cDNA microarray to identify hepatotoxicity-related genes in 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Confirm the pattern of gene expression, we have used Real time PCR for targeted gene. In the case of MTX, Protease related gene (Ctse, Ctsk) and Protein kinase (Pctk 1) have shown specific expression pattern. And in the case of TAM, apoptosis related gene (Pdcd 8) and signal transduction related gene (kdr) have significantly up regulated during treatment time. Gene related with growth factor, lipid synthesis, chemokins were significantly changed. From the result of this study, the information about influence of TAM and MTX to hepatoxicity will provide.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.296-300
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the preventive effects of Lycii fructus Extract (LFE) against the acute hepatotoxicity-inducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the liver. LFE of 100 mg/kg concentration was intraperitoneally administered into rats at dose of 1.5 ml/kg for 20 days. On the day 21, 1.5 ml/kg of LPS dissolved in saline was injected 4 hours before anesthetization. We examined the levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in serum of rats, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in mitochondrial fraction, and malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver homogenate. LPS-treatment markedly increased the levels of GOT, GPT, LDH and MDA, and significantly decreased those of SOD, CAT and GPx. But LFE-pretreatment decreased the levels of GOT, GPT, LDH and MDA, by 17.7%, 27.5%, 40.7% and 56.9%, respectively and increased those of SOD, CAT and GPx, by 90.5%, 78.9% and 83.8%, respectively. These results showed that the LFE had the preventive effects against the acute hepatotoxicity-inducing LPS in the liver.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.5071-5074
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• 2016

Background: Azoxymethane (AOM) is a well-known colon cancer-inducing agent in experimental animals via mechanisms that include oxidative stress in rat colon and liver tissue. Few studies have investigated AOM-induced oxidative stress in rat liver tissue. Red seaweeds of the genera Hypnea Bryodies and Melanothamnus Somalensis are rich in polyphenolic compounds that may suppress cancer through antioxidant properties, yet limited research has been carried out to investigate their anti-carcinogenic and antioxidant influence against AOM-induced oxidative stress in rat liver. Objective: This study aims to determine protective effects of red seaweed (Hypnea Bryodies and Melanothamnus Somalensis) extracts against AOM-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats received intraperitoneal injections of AOM, 15 mg/kg body weight, once a week for two consecutive weeks and then orally administered red seaweed (100 mg/kg body-weight) extracts for sixteen weeks. At the end of the experiment all animals were overnight fasted then sacrificed and blood and liver tissues were collected. Results: AOM treatment significantly decreased serum liver markers and induced hepatic oxidative stress as evidenced by increased liver tissue homogenate levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, decreased total antioxidant capacity and glutathione, and inhibition of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase and superoxide dismutase). Both red seaweed extracts abolished the AOM-associated oxidative stress and protected against liver injury as evidenced by increased serum levels of liver function markers. In addition, histological findings confirmed protective effects of the two red seaweed extracts against AOM-induced liver injury. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that red seaweed (Hypnea Bryodies and Melanothamnus Somalensis) extracts counteracted oxidative stress-induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model of colon cancer.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.36 no.2 s.141
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• pp.81-87
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• 2005

The effects of the DWP-04 [DDB:selenium yeast:glutathione (31.1 : 6.8 : 62.1 (w/w%)] on acetaminophen detoxification enzyme system were studied in rats. Treatment with DWP-04 was prevented againt acetaminophen-induiced hepatotoxicity in rat as evidenced by the decreased formation of lipid peroxide. Effect of DWP-04 on the activities of free radical-generating enzymes, free radical scavenging enzymes and glutathione-related enzymes as well as detoxification mechanism of DWP-04 against acetaminophen-treated was investigated in rat. Activities of cytochrome p450, cytochrome b5, aminopyrine demethylase and aniline hydroxylase as free radical-generating enzymes activities were decreased by the treatment with DWP-04 against acetaminophen treated. Although acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity results in the significantly decrease in the level of hepatic glutathione and activities of glutathine S-transferase, quinone reductase, glutathione reductase and ${\gamma}-glutamyl-$cysteine synthetase, these decreasing effects were markedly lowered in the DWP-04-treated rat. Therefore, it was concluded that the mechanism for the observed preventive effect of DWP-04 against the acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity was associated with the decreased activities in the free radical-generating enzyme system.