• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.49-63
• /
• 2000

Aflatoxin $B_1(AFB_1)$ is a potent hepatotoxic and hepatocarcinogenic mycotoxin in human beings. It is accumulated in animal tissues and injured cell through variable metabolic pathway. This study was conducted to determine the effect of antioxidant vitamins on liver function enzymes and hepatic damage of $AFB_1$ treated mice. The 6 weeks old male ICR mice were randomly separated 6 groups, vehicle solvent or vitamin C(10 mg/kg/day) and vitamin E(63.8 mg/kg/day) were administered by intraperitoneal(i.p.) injection and 1 hr later, vehicle solution(DMSO) or $AFB_1$(0.4 mg/kg) were injected. The results obtained as follow ; The levels of liver function enzymes such as GOT, GPT, LDH, and alkaline phosphatase, in sera of mice were remarkably elevated by treatment with $AFB_1$ only. However, those enzymes were significantly alleviated by co-treatment with antioxidant vitamins(p<0.01). Especially the levels of LDH and ALK phosphatase were similar to those of control groups(p<0.01). The transmission electron microscopy(TEM) image of intracellular microrganelles on the liver cell of mice was also degenerated extremely by treatment with $AFB_1$, but vitamin C and vitamin E gave good effects on cellular deformation. The intracellular microrganelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, nucleus and nucleic membrane were nearly disappeared the cellular deformation by antioxidant vitamins co-administration. With above results, we could estimated that antioxidant vitamins blocked AFB1 induced hepatic cell damage.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.10
• /
• pp.4303-4310
• /
• 2015

Rumex vesicarius is an edible herb distributed in Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The whole plant has significant value in folk medicine and it has been used to alleviate several diseases. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the major primary malignant tumor of the liver, is one of the most life-threatening human cancers. The goal of the current study was to explore the potent role of Rumex vesicarius extract against HCC induced in rats. Thirty adult male albino rats were divided into 3 groups: (I): Healthy animals received orally 0.9 % normal saline and served as negative control group, (II): HCC group in which rats were orally administered N-nitrosodiethylamine NDEA, (III): HCC group treated orally with R. vesicarius extract in a dose of 400 mg/kg b.wt daily for two months. ALT and AST, ALP and ${\gamma}$-GT activities were estimated. CEA, AFP, AFU, GPC-3, Gp-73 and VEGF levels were quantified. Histopathological examination of liver tissue sections was also carried out. The results of the current study showed that the treatment of the HCC group with R. vesicarius extract reversed the significant increase in liver enzymes activity, CEA, AFP, AFU, glypican 3, golgi 73 and VEGF levels in serum as compared to HCC-untreated counterparts. In addition, the favorable impact of R. vesicarius treatment was evidenced by the marked improvement in the histopathological features of the liver of the treated group. In conclusion, the present experimental setting provided evidence for the significance of R. vesicarius as anticancer candidate with a promising anticancer potential against HCC. The powerful hepatoprotective properties, the potent antiangiogenic activity and the effective antiproliferative capacity are responsible for the anticancer effect of this plant.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.605-610
• /
• 2014

Chronic liver diseases, including cancer, are characterized by inflammation and elevated serum ferritin (SF). However, the causal-relationship remains unclear. This study used primary rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) as a model to investigate effects of physiological SF concentrations (10, 100 and 1000 pM) because HSCs play a central role in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. Physiological concentrations of SF, either horse SF or human serum, induced pro-inflammatory cytokine $IL1{\beta}$, IL6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in rat activated HSCs (all p<0.05). By contrast, treatment did not alter activation marker ${\alpha}SMA$ expression. The presence of SF markedly enhanced expression of Grp78 mRNA (p<0.01). Furthermore, transient knock down of Grp78 by endotoxin EGF-SubA abolished SF-induced $IL1{\beta}$ and $TNF{\alpha}$ secretion in activated HSCs (all p<0.05). In conclusion, our results showed that at physiological concentrations SF functions as a pro-inflammatory mediator in primary rat HSCs. We also provide a molecular basis for the action of SF and identified Grp78-associated ER stress pathways as a novel potential therapeutic target for resolution of fibrosis and possible prevention of liver cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.14
• /
• pp.5529-5533
• /
• 2014

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotide and 5-fluorouracil on the expression of c-myc, invasion and proliferation of HEPG-2 liver cancer cells. Materials and Methods: HEPG-2 cells were treated with lipiosome-mediated c-myc ADSON and 5-fluorouracil. The proliferation inhibition rate and invasion were measured by MTT and invasion assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and expression of c-myc by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results: The proliferation inhibition rate was significantly higher in the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide added-5-fluorouracil group than single antisense oligodeoxynucleotide or 5-fluorouracil group (p<0.05). G0/G1 cells in the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide group and S cells in the 5-fluorouracil groups were significantly increased than that in the control group, respectively (P<0.01). The amplification strips of PCR products in 5-FU, ASODN and combination groups were significantly weaker than that in the control group (P<0.01). The percentage of c-myc-protein-positive cells were significantly lower in antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, 5-fluorouracil and combination groups than that in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusions: A liposome-mediated c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotide and 5-fluorouracil can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of liver cancer cells by reducing the expression of c-myc. A c-myc antisense oligodeoxynucleotide can increase the sensitivity of liver cancer cells to 5-fluorouracil and decrease the dosage of the agent necessary for efficacy, providing an experimental basis for the clinical therapy of liver cancer.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.189-230
• /
• 2020

The metabolic syndrome, by definition, is not a disease but is a clustering of individual metabolic risk factors including abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. These risk factors could dramatically increase the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The reported prevalence of the metabolic syndrome varies, greatly depending on the definition used, gender, age, socioeconomic status, and the ethnic background of study cohorts. Clinical and epidemiological studies have clearly demonstrated that the metabolic syndrome starts with central obesity. Because the prevalence of obesity has doubly increased worldwide over the past 30 years, the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has markedly boosted in parallel. Therefore, obesity has been recognized as the leading cause for the metabolic syndrome since it is strongly associated with all metabolic risk factors. High prevalence of the metabolic syndrome is not unique to the USA and Europe and it is also increasing in most Asian countries. Insulin resistance has elucidated most, if not all, of the pathophysiology of the metabolic syndrome because it contributes to hyperglycemia. Furthermore, a major contributor to the development of insulin resistance is an overabundance of circulating fatty acids. Plasma fatty acids are derived mainly from the triglycerides stored in adipose tissues, which are released through the action of the cyclic AMP-dependent enzyme, hormone sensitive lipase. This review summarizes the latest concepts in the definition, pathogenesis, pathophysiology, and diagnosis of the metabolic syndrome, as well as its preventive measures and therapeutic strategies in children and adolescents.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.1 no.4
• /
• pp.275-280
• /
• 2005

Carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) is well known hepatotoxicant. Its overdose cause severe centrilobular hepatic necrosis in human and experimental animals. We administered $CCl_{4}$ at low (0.2 mL/kg p.o.) and high (2 mL/kg p.o.) doses to mice. Mice were sacrificed at 24 h after administration. We evaluated liver toxicity by serum AST and ALT level and by microscopic observation. Using cDNA chip, we conducted gene expression analysis in liver. Mean serum activities of the hepatocellular leakage enzymes, ALT and AST, were significantly increased compare to control, respectively, in the low and high dose groups. H&E evaluation of stained liver sections revealed $CCl_{4}-related$ histopathological findings in mice. Moderate centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis was present in all $CCl_{4}$ treated mice. We found that gene expression pattern was very similar between low and high dose group. However, some stress related genes were differently expressed. These results could be a molecular signature for the degree of liver injury. Our data suggest that the degree of severity could be figure out by gene expression profiling.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2007

The mechanism of cytotoxicity of doxifluridine, a prodrug fluorouracil (5-FU), has been ascribed to the misincorporation of fluoropyrimidine into RNA and DNA and to the inhibition of the nucleotide synthetic enzyme thymidylate synthase. Increased understanding of the mechanism of 5-FU has led to the development of strategies that increases its anticancer activity or predicts its sensitivity to patients. Using GeneChip?? Rhesus Macaque Genome arrays, we analyzed gene expression profiles of doxifluridine after two weeks repeated administration in cynomolgus monkey. Kegg pathway analysis suggested that cytoskeletal rearrangement and cell adhesion remodeling were commonly occurred in colon, jejunum, and liver. However, expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix was distinguished colon from others. In colon, COL6A2, COL18A1, ELN, and LAMA5 were over-expressed. In contrast, genes included in same category were down-regulated in jejunum and liver. Interestingly, MMP7 and TIMP1, the key enzymes responsible for ECM regulation, were overexpressed in colon. Several studies were reported that both gene reduced cell sensitivity to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Therefore, we suggest they have potential as target for modulation of 5-FU action. In addition, the expression of genes which have been previously known to involve in 5-FU pathway, were examined in three organs. Particularly, there were more remarkable changes in colon than in others. In colon, ECGF1, DYPD, TYMS, DHFR, FPGS, DUT, BCL2, BAX, and BAK1 except CAD were expressed in the direction that was good response to doxifluridine. These results may provide that colon is a prominent target of doxifluridine and transcriptional profiling is useful to find new targets affecting the response to the drug.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture, moxibustion and whuallak-tang on acute back pain and liver function. Methods : We investigated 34 acute back pain patients. We treated them with acupuncture, moxibustion and bed rest, herbal medicine (Whuallak-tang, Huoluo-tang, 活絡湯) and physical therapy and we observed clinical effects and checked the changes of AST,ALT,ALP on admission and 1week later. Results : The result obtained is as follows. The patients were 58.8% male and 41.2% female ranging in age from 29 to 76 years. after treatment, of the 34 cases, 10(29.4%) were obtained excellent results and 23(67.7%) were good, and 1(2.9%) case was obtained fair result, with the total effective rate being 97.1%. AST,ALT,ALP was within normal range on admission and 1week later. and AST and ALP were decreased but had no statically significance.(P>0.05) Conclusion : This study suggests that acupuncture, moxibustion and Whuallak-tang are effective on acute back pain and should not induce hepatotoxicity. even though there are few toxic herbs in Oriental medicine, acupuncture and general herbal medication by a oriental doctor should not injure liver function of human.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cadmium is a toxic metal that is an occupational and environmental concern especially because of its human carcinogenicity; it induces serious adverse effects in various organs and tissues. Even low levels of exposure to cadmium could be harmful owing to its extremely long half-life in the body. Cadmium intoxication may be prevented by the consumption of dietary components that potentially reduce its accumulation in the body. Dietary chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from animal sources; it has been known for its ability to bind to divalent cations including cadmium, in addition to other beneficial effects including hypocholesterolemic and anticancer effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of dietary chitosan in reducing cadmium accumulation using an in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cadmium was administered orally at 2 mg (three times per week) to three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: control, low-dose, and high-dose (0, 3, and 5%, respectively) chitosan diet groups for eight weeks. Cadmium accumulation, as well as tissue functional and histological changes, was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats fed the chitosan diet showed significantly lower levels of cadmium in blood and tissues including the kidneys, liver, and femur. Biochemical analysis of liver function including the determination of aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels showed that dietary chitosan reduced hepatic tissue damage caused by cadmium intoxication and prevented the associated bone disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary chitosan has the potential to reduce cadmium accumulation in the body as well as protect liver function and bone health against cadmium intoxication.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.290-299
• /
• 2010

The bioactive effects of ethanol extracts from fly maggot (ME) on reduction of plasma lipids levels in rats fed high-fat diets (Expt. Ⅰ), and on liver function recovery of hepatotoxicity rats by intraperitoneal injection of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) or by orally administration of alcohol (Expt. II) were investigated. In expt. I, twenty seven, male rat SDS(sprague dawley strain) were randomly assigned to three treated groups, including normal control group, HF (group with high fat diets which have no extracts) and HFE (HF plus orally administered doses of ME extract at 5.0 mg/100g of body weight). In expt. II, forty five, male rats (SDS) were randomly assigned to each of the five groups: T1 (control), T2 (intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$), T3 (intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$ after orally administered with ME), T4 (orally administered with combination of ME and alcohol), T5 (orally administration of ME after orally administered with alcohol). There were significant decreases in plasma (TAG), (TC), (LDL-C) in the HFE group with orally administered doses of ME at 5.0 mg/100g of body weight, respectively, however, the (HDL-C) were significantly increased in HFE group as compared to HF group with high fat diets which have no extracts (p<0.05). The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferse(${\gamma}$-GTP) and bilirubin were highest in T2 or T3, and high in order T4 or T5, and lowest in T1 except for bilirubin which has same with T4, T5 (p<0.05). The high recovery of liver damage by $CCl_4$ from the light microscopic appearance was observed in rats (T3) with extracts, and also high in T4 than T5 by orally administrated with alcohol. In conclusion, the ethanol extracts from fly maggot may have a bioactive effects to prevent for human lipids disorder and alcoholic disease.