• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.215-230
• /
• 2004

Along with a development of medical technology, a variety of tests, such as laboratory tests, x-ray and endoscopies are being used in health screening tests. As the tests determine the quality of health screening, test items and methods should be carefully selected. This study was to get hold of the test items of major health screening programs in Korea. Most of the health screening programmes focused upon detection of risk factors and diagnosis of life-style related diseases(diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, overweight, drinking, smoking, cerebrovascular diseases, osteoporosis) ,cancers(stomach, cervix, lung, breast, liver, colon, prostate, ovary, pancreas, thyroid, esophagus), infectious diseases (hepatitis, tuberculosis, sexually-transmitted diseases, parasites),chronic obstructive respiratory diseases, chronic renal diseases(bacteriuria, hematuria, proteinuria), anemia, glaucoma, hearing loss, Alzheimer disease, stress, early Psychiatric diseases. The health screening tests were basic physical examination, basic laboratory tests(CBC, urinalysis, liver function tests, lipid tests, glucose, HbAlc, uric acid, electrolytes, serological tests(HBsAg, HBs-Ab, HCV-Ab, HIV-Ab, VDRL) EKG, x-ray(chest PA, CT), endoscopy (gastroscopy, colonoscopy) , sonography(abdormen, thyroid, pelvis, breast) , cytology(cervix) ,bone density, tumor markers(NMP22, alpha-FP, CEA, CA-19-9, CA12S, PSA) and eye tests. Advanced technologies, like CT, PET, MIRI, MIRI/Angio, molecular testings) were widely usedin hospital health screening programmes. In summary, a variety of were utilized by stages or programmes, however a few subjects. tests were utilized in health screening in Korea. Those tests according to sex and age in most of health screening program used tests to excess disregarding health screening subject.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.158-166
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of berberine on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: We searched seven electronic databases for studies through October 2022. All randomized controlled trials (RTCs) of berberine were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessments were performed by two independent reviewers. The RevMan 5.4.1 program was used for meta-analysis. Results: A total of 279 relevant studies were identified, and 6 eligible RCTs were included to study the efficacy berberine on NAFLD. The six selected trials are studies on the effect between berberine and conventional treatment combined treatment versus conventional treatment. Liver function tests, blood lipid levels, and blood glucose levels were assessed. Combination treatment with berberine, ursodeoxycholate acid, metformin, and monascus purpureus showed statistically significant improvements in liver function levels, blood lipid levels, and blood glucose levels compared to conventional treatment alone. However, there was no significant efficacy of berberine combination dietary, exercise than control group on NAFLD. The meta-analysis results of examining 4 RCTs comparing the therapeutic efficacy of berberine showed statistically significant improvement in the liver function test, blood lipids levels, blood glucose levels. Conclusions: This study suggests that berberine has positive efficacy on blood lipids, blood glucose liver function, fatty liver condition of NAFLD. However, the level of evidence is low because of small effect size,so further investigation is needed.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.183-189
• /
• 2018

Omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish and fish oil. Recent studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids are effective in cancer, cardiovascular disease, immune system, cirrhosis, and nervous system disorders. In particular, omega-3 was also reported to help improve hyperlipidemia and liver function tests. On the other hand, there are few cases in Korea. This study examined whether omega-3 is effective in improving hyperlipemia and liver function by taking 1 gm/day for 2 weeks. As a result, AST was decreased in the liver function test, and GGT related to alcoholic hepatitis and fatty liver showed significant results. Omega-3 has been shown to help improve the liver function. The triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density cholesterol associated with cardiovascular disease decreased after omega-3 ingestion, particularly high density cholesterol. Omega-3 has also been shown to improve the hyperlipidemia. Comparisons between males and females before and after the ingestion of omega-3 showed significant results in AST (P<0.01) from the male group and in GGT (P<0.01) and high density cholesterol (P<0.01) from the female group. As a result, omega-3 intake can help control and improve liver function and hyperlipidemia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.1145-1151
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate liver function test results in admitted patients before and after herbal treatment. Methods: 54 subjects admitted to hospital had liver function tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino transferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin) before and after herbal treatment from 1 March 2017 to 30 June 2019. Results: Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase were not significantly changed (p>0.05). On admission, 11 patients had abnormal liver function, while seven patients had abnormal results in alkaline phosphatase upon discharge. Three of the seven were normal when they were hospitalized. Conclusions: This study suggests that herbal treatment may have no effect on liver injury.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.325-333
• /
• 1986

In order to know the kinds of liver function tests which are applicable to the hepatotoxicity experiment in Korean black goats, 0.3ml of carbon tetrachloride per kilogram body weight was injected intraruminally in 6 Korean black goats and 8 liver function tests were performed sequentially during the 14-day experimental course. Serum total bilirubin concentration, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and BUN concentrotion were suggested not to be applicable to the hepatotoxicity experiment in Korean black goats as they were not altered significantly during the 14-day experimental course. Indocyanine green T 1/2, Serum AST, SDH, gamma-GTP, and OCT activities were suggested to be applicable as sensitive indicators to the hepatotoxicity experiment in Korean black goats.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.3323-3332
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigated the effects of alcohol intake on blood pressure, serum lipids, liver function tests and obesity indices in middle-aged male workers. The 2,175 male workers aged 30-59 years who examined health checkup were recruited as the study subjects during the period between January to December, 2013. We observed the relationships between the amount of alcohol intake and blood pressure, serum lipids, liver function tests and obesity indices. As a result, the mean score of SBP, DBP, LDL-C and TG were significantly higher increasing with amount of alcohol increased, but HDL-C were significantly lower increasing with amount of alcohol increased. AST, ALT, ALP and ${\gamma}$-GTP were significantly higher increasing with amount of alcohol increased, but obesity indices were not significant. Age adjusted odds ratios(ORs) increasing with abnormal levels of SBP, DBP, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, AST and ALT were significantly increased in heavy drinking group than light drinking group. Above results suggested that the heavy drink related with blood, serum lipid levels and liver function test levels, but not find out with obesity indices.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.45-55
• /
• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to determine whether Rhus verniciflua Stokes with Latin name Lacca Sinica Exsiccata, and Eucommia ulmoides Oliver with Latin name Eucommiae Cortex Extract Combination (ILF-RE) improves laboratory test results in participants with liver function disorder. Methods : This study was conducted at Woosuk university Korean medicine hospital where participants with high serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels from 45 to 135 U/L were enrolled. Subjects received ILF-RE 3.6 g (1.2 g/day as ILF-RE) or placebo 3.6 g for 12 weeks. It was confirmed that urushiol was not detected in ILF-RE. The primary outcomes were the decrement degree of serum ALT and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels between two groups. The secondary outcomes were the decrement degree of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LD), total bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and fatty liver index (FLI) levels between two groups. Adverse events, skin prick tests, laboratory tests, and vital signs were observed and analyzed to confirm the safety of ILF-RE.1) Results : In the ILF-RE group, the liver function index ALT, GGT, lipid metabolism index TG, and fatty liver index FLI were significantly decreased compared to the placebo group. There was no significant difference in ILF-RE group in terms of adverse events, severe adverse events, skin prick test, laboratory test, and vital signs compared with placebo group. Conclusions : ILF-RE was found to be effective in improving liver function. In addition, no clinically significant adverse events or body changes were observed during this study.

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

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.5
• /
• pp.347-353
• /
• 2018

There are some controversies about the safety of herbal medicine. In order to examine the safety of herbal medicine, this study investigated the level of liver function test(AST/ALT) in patients taking herbal medicine for more than 6 months We checked liver function in 121 patients who took herbal medicine for more than 6 months. AST/ALT were measured before treatment and every 3 months (from 3 month to 9 month). In 121 patients taking herbal medicine for more than 6 months, mean AST level after 6 months was lower than before treatment and mean ALT level after 6 months was lower than before treatment. In 20 patients with abnormal AST/ALT before herbal treatment, 18 patients's AST/ALT changed to normal after 6 month herbal treatment. 2 patients's AST/ALT was slightly higher than normal. One woman patient met the criteria for herb-induced liver injury(HILI) with RUCAM scores 4 after taking herbal medicine for 6 months. Although her RUCAM score decreased to zero after taking herbal medicine for 9 months. This study suggests that long-term herbal medicine for 6 months or longer is very unlikely to injury liver function. Individual-specific liver damage may occur, it can be recovered.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.181-188
• /
• 2005

Background : Osteopenia has been recognized as one of potential complication of chronic liver diseases. Its correlation with hepatits B virus(HBV) carrier, however, has not been reported. Thus this study was aimed to clarify the relationship between the osteopenia and HBV carrier. Methods : Bone densities in 192 HBV carrier women and 200 healthy women were measured; the lumbar spine and three sites of the proximal femur(neck, Ward's triangle, greater trochanter) by dual-photon absorptiometry. And liver function tests(AST, ALT, Albumin, GGT, ALP) were also performed. Results : Bone densities at the four sites measured, were significantly correlated with one another(r=0.34 to 0.99, P<0.01). Compared with control group, HBV carriers had significant decreases in bone densities of femur(P<0.05), particularly marked at Ward's triangle. A negative correlations between bone densities and serum total alkaline phosphatase were also found(r=-0.44, P<0.01). Conclusions : Osteopenia was more prevalent in HBV carrier, particularly in the groups before-fifties. Serum total alkaline phosphatase was higher in those with reduced bone densities Thus measurement of bone densities seems to be necessary in female HBV carriers.