• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.863-870
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• 2008

The aim of this study was to investigate that Injinoryung-san-Ga-Samchilgun(IJORS) has an inhibitory effect on the development of liver fibrosis in rats. The influence of IJORS on liver stellate cell viability in rat was measured by the MTT assay, and proliferation was measured by the BrdU assay. The mRNA expression of procollagen type $1{\alpha}2$, ${\alpha}-SMA$, TIMP1, and TIMP2 all of which are associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by RT-PCR. The inhibitory effect of IJORS on procollagen production in hepatic stellate cell was examined using by enzyme immuno assay(procollagen Type 1 C-Peptide EIA). And after IJORS was orally administered to experimental rats with thioacetamide(TAA)-induced liver fibrosis for 4 weeks, the body weight, liver function test, complete blood and the change of portal pressure were measured. IJORS prevented hepatic stellate cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. IJORS reduced the mRNA expression of procollagen type $1{\alpha}2$, ${\alpha}-SMA$ and TIMP1 and the production of procollagen protein. IJORS inhibited the increase of AST, ALT, WBC and portal pressure in rats administered by TAA. IJORS is considered to prevent liver fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of stellate cell and production of procollagen and prevent the progress of liver fibrosis by inhibiting the inflammation of liver tissue complicated in many liver disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.153-172
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• 2009

Background : The safety of Korean herbal Medicine (KHM: prescribed herbal medicine by doctors of traditional Korean medicine) is an important issue in Korea. Although both fields. western medicine and traditional Korean medicine. have been studied on the safety of herbs and KHM, their results were not concordance with each other. Objectives : This study aims to review the influence of KHM on liver function in Korean literature systematically. Additionally, we tried to estimate the change of data of liver function test (LFT) and the incidence of liver injury (LI) after the use of KHM. Methods : Systematic literature searches were performed on 4 major databases of Korea from their inception to May 2008. Screening and selection of the studies and the extraction of data were performed independently by two authors. There were no restrictions on the types of publication including grey literatures. Results : Forty studies were included. Only sixteen studies were performed prospectively and fifteen studies collected data from outpatients. Only 8 studies reported the occurrence of LI after the use of KHM. Nineteen cases of LI showed no or mild symptoms and the elevation of LFT was not high. All of LI patients used conventional western drug and KHM concomitantly. and causality of LI was not assessed properly. The incidence of LI related to the use of KHM was estimated as 0.59%-0.76% from all data of these studies. The conflicting results were shown on the change of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total bilirubin (TB) after the use of KHM. Conclusions : KHM might be a minor cause of LI in Korea. However the results are not strongly supported as enough to make the safety issue clear because of the limitations of original studies. More rigorous studies are required for answering the safety issue of KHM with the cooperative investigation of both fields of Korean traditional medicine and western medicine.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.32-45
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• 2004

Objective : The aim of this study were to measure quality of life(QOL) in liver transplant recipients, to compare QOL between living donor liver transplant recipients and cadaveric liver transplant recipients and to investigate whether SF-36 may be used as a disease-specific instrument in liver transplant recipients. Methods : We conducted a single-center cross-sectional study of 133 LT recipients ages 13 to 65 years, all of whom had had Liver Transplantation(LT) at least 1 months previously. QOL was assessed using a self-completion questionnaire consisting of the Bang Whal Ran(1991) instruments and the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey(SF-36) health status profile measure. We investigated whether the SF-36 instrument may be used as a disease-specific instrument in LT recipients. Individual scale scores range from 0 to 100, with higher score reflecting better health. Data on demographics, clinical status at pre transplantation 1 day, post transplantation clinical status, and graft function were collected to identify predictors of post transplantation QOL. Results : Standard measures for test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and discriminant and concurrent validity were examined. The reliability of the SF-36, as measured by test-retest correlation(Pearson coefficients: 0.729, p=0.002) and by internal consistency(Cronbach's alpha: 0.9431) exceeded conventional acceptability criteria. The correlation between domain scores of SF-36 and the Bang Whal Ran(l991) was clear and logical in that the clinical characteristics of SF-36 strongly correlated with the clinical component summary score of the Bang Whal Ran(l991)(r = 0.8155, P<.01). SF-36 scale scores were compared between Cadaveric Liver Transplant recipients and Living Donor Liver Transplant recipients. Donor types of post LT did not influence HRQOL(p>0.05). 87% of the liver transplant recipients were satisfied to get LT. Satisfaction of post LT showed significantly greater HRQOL(p<0.001). Conclusion : SF-36 is found reliable and valid. This study indicates thet Donor Type did not influence HRQOL after LT. The information gained from this study will help us to better define expectations and the clinical course after liver transplantation to patients and their families.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-23
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• 2011

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus(SLE) is an autoimmune disease invading the skin, joint, kidney, intestinal membrane, neurosystem and other organs. SLE is an autoimmune disease characterized by immune dysregulation resulting in the production of antinuclear antibodies(ANA), generation of circulating immune complexes, and activation of the complement system. In Korean medicine, lupus can be classified as acute arthritis, reddish butterfly erythema, asthenic disease, edema and so on. The cause and procedure of the diseases are flourishing noxious heat, excessive fire due to deficiency of yin, blood stasis due to stagnation of qi, internal movement of the liver-wind, congenital deficiency, exhausted vital-qi, which are treated by clearing away heat and cooling the blood, nourshing yin and extinguishing fire, treating flatulence and activating blood circulation, nourishing the blood to expel wind, invigorating the liver and kidney, invigorating qi and replenishing the blood. To experimentally examine the influence of Insam-Buja-Tang (Ginseng & Aconiti Extract, IBT) on the outbreak and development of lupus, lupus induce MRL/MpJ-Faslpr lupus-prone mice model was used. As IBT was orally administrated to a lupus model mouse, various tests such as the weight, urine protein, renal function, Lymph cell test of the spleen, Cytokine expression, histopathological analysis of kideny were performed to see the influence on the kidney and whether it work effectively on the immune function. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of IBT on MRL/MpJ-Faslpr lupus-prone mice model. The effect of IBT on MRL/MpJ-Faslpr lupus-prone mice that can have autoimmune disease similar to SLE in human was evaluated after IBT per oral in the present study.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1064-1071
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• 2018

Purpose: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Materials and Methods: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. Results: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory ($TGF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines ($TGF-{\beta}1$, COL1A1, ${\alpha}-SMA$) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. Conclusion: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.483-486
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• 2012

Background: The hepatocellular carcinoma is very common in China. Our aim in this report was to investigate clinical and pathological factors based on the current decade data that could influence prognosis of HCC patients after hepatectomy. Methods: Between 2002 and 2009, all patients undergoing hepatectomy for HCC were followed up and reviewed retrospectively. Prognostic factors were studied by univariate and multivariate analysis, with Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate survival analyses. Results: Complete clinicopathologic and follow-up data were available for 114 patients. The estimated cumulative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 yr were 84.6%, 60.2% and 51.8%, respectively. On univariate analysis, key prognostic factors were AFP level, GGT level, tumor size, number of tumors, portal vein invasion, liver cirrhosis status and TNM stage. In the multivariate analysis, tumor size, GGT level, liver cirrhosis status and portal vein invasion were significantly associated with patients' prognosis. Conclusion: Through follow-up of a relatively large cohort of Chinese patients, tumor size, GGT level, liver cirrhosis status, portal vein invasion were revealed as important factors for long-term survival after hepatectomy. Early diagnosis for tumor and the improvement of liver function before surgery are important ways to improve the prognosis.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.38-57
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• 2003

Objective: The purpose of this study is to discourse upon that the construction of Sasang Constitutional Medicine has a significant property of Oriental Medicine by explaining the disparity of the viscera and bowels of four constitutions through the special quality of ying-qi and wei-qi circulating in human body on the basis of the channel-qi theory of ${\ulcorner}Huangdi$ $Neijing{\lrcorner}$ Conclusion: 1. Primordial-qi is the congenital essence inherited from the parents and pectoral-qi, ying-qi and wei-qi is the acquired essence derived from the food and air that human eat and breathe. 2. Ying-qi and wei-qi circulates in the meridian system by the strength and pushing of pectoral-qi under the influence of primordial-qi 3. Ying-qi, by the pushing function of pectoral-qi, determines large lung-small liver and small lung-large liver according to the innate quantity of qi and blood. 4. Wei-qi, by the pushing function of pectoral-qi, determines large spleen-small kidney and small spleen-large kidney according to the innate quantity of qi and blood. 5. The heart in the theory of the meridian system's fetus-nourishing and Sasang Constitutional Medicine is involved in the formation of viscera and bowels as governing human body and seven emotions. 6. It is considered that Taiyang person and Taiyin person have the constitution influenced by ying-qi. 7. It is considered that Shaoyang person and Shaoyin person have the constitution influenced by wei-qi. The inquiry into several literatures on the basis of the channel-qi theory of ${\ulcorner}Huangdi$ $Neijing{\lrcorner}$ leads us to the idea that the construction of Sasang Constitotional Medicine is another well-implied representation of the property of the meridian doctrine in the existing Oriental Medicine. And it is considered that the more continual studies of literatures and Sasang Constitutional Medicine Acupuncture are necessary henceforth.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.437-444
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• 2009

Ultrasonography has been used as a basic examination of a medical check up for prevention and diagnostics of diseases. Even the person who has no particular subjective symptoms can have a variety of diseases. Especially fatty liver is found in many cases. In this study, we tested 3582 persons who are in between the ages of 15 to 81 and observed that 1390 persons had fatty liver while 2192 persons are normal. We classified the grade of fatty liver and compared their life styles with the results of liver function test and BMI. The results are as follows. Ratio of the subjects who had a fatty liver is 38.8%. Male and female ratio was 46.2% and 24.2%. On the correlation among the fatty liver, the body mass index and the body fat%, the average value of body mass index and body fat% were significantly higher in the group of the fatty liver than in those of the normal liver. The influence of the related factor and the correlation on the fatty liver was shown that it was more related with the order of age, body mass index, triglyceride, ALT, body fat%, sex, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, and GGT. The result of the ultrasonography carried out for the purpose of regular health check up indicates that even the 38.8% of those who was diagnosed as normal condition could have the fatty liver and have possibility of other diseases. Therefore, if there are any troubles related to liver function and lipid through hematologic examination or when practicing follow-up study with ultrasonography concerning the correlation relation between the body fat% and dietary preference, alcohol consumption and exercise, the ultrasonography is definitely useful for prevention and treatment of diseases.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.111-123
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anticancer effects of Caesalpiniae Lignum (Somok) on HepG2 cells, a human liver cancer cell line. To study the cytotoxic effect of Caesalpiniae Lignum methanol extract (CL-MeOH) on HepG2 cells, the cells were treated with various concentrations of CL-MeOH and then cell viability was determined by XTT reduction method and trypan blue exclusion assay. CL-MeOH reduced proliferation of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To confirm the induction of apoptosis, HepG2 cells were treated with various concentrations of CL-MeOH. The activation of caspase 3 and the cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), a substrate for caspase-3 and a typical sign of apoptosis, was examined by western blot analysis. CL-MeOH decreased procaspase 3 level in a dose-dependent manner and induced the clevage of PARP at concentration> $200{\mu}/ml$. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascades are multi-functional signaling networks that influence cell growth, differentiation, apoptosis, and cellular responses to stress. CL-MeOH-induced MAPK activation was examined by Western blot for phosphorylated ERK, p38 and JNK. CL-MeOH significantly increased p38 phosphorylation and JNK phosphorylation in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibition of p38 function using the selective inhibitor SB20358O results in inhibition of apoptosis by CL-MeOH. These results suggest that CL-MeOH-induced apoptosis is MAP kinase-dependent apoptoric pathway. These results suggest that CL-MeOH is potentially useful as a chemotherapeutic agent in human liver cancer.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2019

Objectives : Alcohol hangover is a common phenomenon which basically occurs after heavy drinking. Moreover, heavy alcohol consumption leads to acute and chronic diseases. We investigated the effect of herbal mixture (SJ) on alcohol metabolism in serum or/and liver. Methods : 5W-old Sprague Dawley rats were used for the study. To overnight fasted rats, 0.9% saline or SJ extract was administrated per os before alcohol treatment. Then, 40% alcohol was orally administrated to all rats in 30 mins. Ethanol, acetaldehyde concentrations, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities were measured by assay kits. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured by analyzer. Results : Ethanol and acetaldehyde concentrations lowered in SJ groups compared with CON group. Especially, acetaldehyde concentration significantly decreased in SJ groups compared with CON group. AST and ALT levels tended to increase in SJ groups compared with CON group but there was no significant difference between CON group and SJ groups. ADH activity in serum was higher in SJ groups than CON group but no significant difference in liver. ALDH activity in both serum and liver showed significantly increased in SJ groups compared with CON group. Conclusions : Treatment of SJ extract showed not only reducing concentration of alcohol and acetaldehyde but also increasing activities of ADH and ALDH. These results suggest SJ may influence in alcohol metabolism via control of metabolic enzyme activities and metabolite. Therefore, SJ, herbal mixture, might have a function of preventing hangover after drinking alcohol.