• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

The study was conducted to investigate the role of vitamin E in the high altitude hypoxia-induced damage to the intestinal barrier in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (Control), high altitude hypoxia (HH), and high altitude hypoxia + vitamin E (250 mg/kg $BW^*d$) (HV) groups. After the third day, the HH and HV groups were placed in a hypobaric chamber at a stimulated elevation of 7000 m for 5 days. The rats in the HV group were given vitamin E by gavage daily for 8 days. The other rats were given equal volume saline. The results showed that high altitude hypoxia caused the enlargement of heart, liver, lung and kidney, and intestinal villi damage. Supplementation with vitamin E significantly alleviated hypoxia-caused damage to the main organs including intestine, increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.05), diamino oxidase (DAO) (p< 0.01) levels, and decreased the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (p< 0.01), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (p<0.001), interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) (p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), and decreased the serum erythropoietin (EPO) activity (p<0.05). Administration of vitamin E significantly increased the S-IgA (p<0.001) in ileum and significantly improved the expression levels of occludin and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and decreased the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and 2 alpha ($HIF-1{\alpha}$ and $HIF-2{\alpha}$), Toll-like receptors (TLR4), P-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ p65(NF-${\kappa}B$ P65) in ileum compared to the HH group. This study suggested that vitamin E protectis from intestinal injury caused by high altitude hypoxia environment. These effects may be related to the HIF and TLR4/NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-20
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• 2015

Objectives This study was intended to clarify the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation effects of gamikyejakjimo-tang herbal acupuncture (GKHA) for osteoarthritis. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA into right knee joint cavities of rats. Rats were divided into a total of 4 groups (n=8). The 4 groups were normal group, control group, positive comparison group and expeimental group. Indomethacin and GKHA were medicated for a total of 4 weeks. After that, functions of liver and kidney by AST, ALT, creatinine, BUN, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, NO (Total Nitric oxide), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ production, weight changes in the hind legs of MIA-induced osteoarthritis rat, serum PGE2, TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, LTB4, hs-CRP, and white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes were measured. The volume of cartilage was observed by micro CT arthrography. H&E and Safranin-O staining were used to examine the injury of synovial tissue. Results 1. In the hind leg weight bearing measurement, level of weight was increased. 2. AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine were decreased. 3. The production of total white blood cell was decreased, and the production of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes were significantly decreased. 4. The production of NO, PGE2, TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, LTB4 were significantly decreased, and the production of hs-CRP was also decreased but with no significance. 5. The cartilage volume was significantly increased. 6. In H&E staining and Safranin-O staning, the cartilage cell appeared to be proliferated, and proteoglycans appeared to be increased. Conclusions Based on the results above, Gamikyejakjimo-tang Herbal Acupuncture has anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation effects, which leads to suppressing the underlying causes and the progression of osteoarthritis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.177-183
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• 2008

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of dandelion water extract (DWE) on liver injury induced by D-galactosamine (GalN) in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifty rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (C), DWE-control (DWE-C: saline injection after feeding 3% DWE diet), GalN-control (GalN-C: GalN injection after normal diet), DWE I (GalN injection after feeding 1.5% DWE diet), and DWE II (GalN injection after feeding 3% DWE diet). After 2 weeks, the acute hepatitis was induced by GalN (650 mg/kg, i.p.) and 24 hrs later, all rats were sacrificed. The DWE supplement ameliorated the serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST, ALT) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. Hepatic antioxidative enzyme activities, such as catalase, GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, and Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) were slightly or significantly elevated by the treatment of DWE. Moreover, the histological examination corresponded with these biochemical observations. According to these findings, dandelion could be used as a potential therapeutic material for treating chemically induced acute hepatitis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.81-98
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• 2006

Objectives : Acupuncture using a tonification or sedation techniques method is used as a controlling the medication for an early stroke in the Korean medicine. LR3 has indicatons of headache, vertigo, facial paralysis, apoplexy, epiepsy as the source acupoint of a liver meridian. So this study is aims to investigate the anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of acupuncture on the focal ischemia induced by intraluminal filament insertion in rats. Methods : The focal ischemia was induced by intraluminal filament insertion into middle cerebral artery. The animals were divided into seven groups (n=8 in each group) : Normal, intactness group; Conrol group, no therapy group after being ischemia induced; MA-l, acupuncture perpendicularly without Tonification or Sedation techniques at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-2, acupuncture obliquely towards the knee at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-3, acupuncture obliquely towards the toe at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-4, acupuncture obliquely towards the knee and rotate 9 times in a clockwise direction at LR3 after being ischemia induced; MA-5, acupuncture obliquely towards the toe and rotate 6 times in a counterclockwise direction at LR3 after being ischemia induced. The anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects of Acupuncture techniques of tonification or sedation at LR3 are observed by mGluR5, Bax, Cresyl violet, ChAT-stain and NGF. Results : The intensity of mGluR5 and the density of ChAT was increased in MA-1 group. The intensity of Bax was decreased in MA-3, MA-4 group. The density of neurons stained by Cresyl violet and ChAT was increased in MA-2, MA-3, MA-4, MA-5 group. The density of neurons stained by NGF was only increased in MA-4 group. Conclusions : Our study suggests that acupuncture perpendicularly without Tonification or Sedation techniques and obliquely towards the knee and rotate 9 times in a clockwise direction(Tonifying technique) at LR3 after being ischemia induced at LR3 shows anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective effects on cholinergic neuron in focal cerebral ischemia of the stroke in rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1678-1727
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• 2006

This study was perfromed to develop the assessment guideline and endpoints for clinical trial with anticancer herbal medicine. The botanical products used to humans for long time may be applied to phase 3 clinical trial after submitting the evidences for safety and efficacy of them or completion of basic requirement of phase 1 and phase 2 for safety confirmation and dose determination. Syndrome improvement was chiefly evaluated by Zubrod and karnofsky(%) methods. We suggest the general clinical trial assessment with botanical products, by following assessment points, that is, tumor size for 50 points, survival fate for 10 points, major syndromes for 40 points. It is recommendable that the each symptom of Qi deficiency syndrome, blood deficiency syndrome and Qi stagnation syndrome was allocated by assessment points, Similarly, the each symptom was given the assessment points according to the severity of symptom, for example, slight for 3 points, moderate for 2 points and severe for 1 point in hepatocelluar carcinoma and lung cancer. Then, the efficacy of botanical products was evaluated by the difference between pre-treatment and post-treatment. Asking the neoplastic patients of questionnaire on physical, emotional, cognitive, social and role subjects availability, three more syndromes (Fatigue, Pain and Nausea/Vomit), quality of life(QOL) will be evaluated by GLM statistics. In addition, in case of lung cancer, 13 questions will be asked by the EORTC QLQ-C13 forms. As the assessment of endpoints for efficacy to reduce side effects induced by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, the data of image scanning and hemato-urinalysis can be usefully applied on immune response, weight loss, indigestion, hemopoietic damage and injury of liver and kidney, while the changes of syndromes of side effect can be evaluated by differentiation methods of Qi and blood and five viscera. However, it is still necessary to determine the ratio between scientific analytical method and Oriental differentiation method as well as confirm the Oriental assessment endpoints by clinical trial. In addition, we suggest the continuous development of assessment endpoints on other carcinomas except of hepatocelluar carcinoma and lung cancer in future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.928-932
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• 2001

The protective effect of Hericium erinaceus methanol extract was investigated on benzo($\alpha$)pyrene(B($\alpha$)P) induced hepatotoxicity in mice, Hericium erinaceus extract was intraperitioneally injected once a hay for successive 5 days. followed by treatment with B($\alpha$)P on the fifth day. The elevated activities of serum aminotransferase and hepatic cytochrome P-450 by B($\alpha$)P was decreased by pretretament with Hericium erinaceus extract. Moreover, hepatic lipid peroxide content and glutathions S-transferase activity increased by B($\alpha$)P were significantly decrease, but depletion of glutathione content induced by B($\alpha$)P was prevented by Hericium erinaceus extract. In addition, the increased activities of superoxide diamutase, catalase and glutathions peroxidase after B($\alpha$)P-treatment were decreasd. Immunoblott analysis of hepatic microsomes showed that methanol extract of Hericium erinaceus suppressed protein level of the cytochrome P-450 1AI increaed by B($\alpha$)P. These results suggest that Hericium erinaceus extract may protect liver from damage induced by B($\alpha$)P.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2021

Objectives : This study investigated cellular-protective effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA)+iron or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods : In vitro, MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and autophagy related proteins. In vivo, mice were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of NSCE of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then injected with CCl₄ 0.5 mg/kg body weight to induce acute damage. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. Results : Treatment with NSCE inhibited cell death induced by AA+iron and tBHP. NSCE induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, and this compound also induced the phosphorylation of LKB1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a primary downstream target of AMPK. NSCE increased the protein levels of autophagic markers (LC3II and beclin-1) and decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and simultaneously increased the phosphorylation of unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK-1) in time-dependent manner. Conclusions : NSCE has the ability 1) to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by AA+iron or tBHP. NSCE 2) to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and 3) to regulate autophagy, an important regulator in cell survival.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.78-84
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• 2020

Purpose: In acute acetaminophen poisoning, the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can effectively treat the main complications, such as kidney injury and liver failure. In the current situation, measurements of the acetaminophen concentration are not checked in the usual medical facilities. Therefore, this study examined the factors of determining the administration of NAC in addition to the stated amount of intake. Methods: The medical records of patients who visited Ajou University Hospital emergency center with acetaminophen poisoning from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy-nine patients were initially included. Among these patients, 82 patients were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who were 15 years of age or older; those whose ingested dose, ingested time, and body weight were clearly identified; and patients whose acetaminophen sampling time was within 24 hours. Patients were divided into two groups: NAC administered vs. non-NAC administered. The following variables were compared in these two groups: ingested dose, ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, psychiatric disease history, classification of toxic/non-toxic groups, duration of hospitalization, and laboratory results. Results: Univariate analysis revealed the ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, and psychiatric disease history to be the determining factors in administering NAC. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the ingested dose per body weight was the only significant factor leading to an NAC treatment decision. (Odds ratio=1.039, 95% Confidential interval=1.009-1.070, p=0.009) Conclusion: The ingested dose per body weight was the only determining factor for administering NAC in patients with acute acetaminophen poisoning. On the other hand, additional criteria or indicators for the NAC administration decision will be necessary considering the inaccuracy of the ingested dose per body weight and the efficiency of NAC administration.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.1210-1220
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• 2021

Objective: Unlike mammals, goose fatty liver shows a strong tolerance to fatty acids without obvious injury. Stearyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD1) serves crucial role in desaturation of saturated fatty acids (SAFs), but its role in the SAFs tolerance of goose hepatocytes has not been reported. This study was conducted to explore the role of SCD1 in regulating palmitic acid (PA) tolerance of goose primary hepatocytes. Methods: 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide was examined to reflect the effect of PA on hepatocytes viability, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of several genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, and the role of SCD1 in PA tolerance of goose hepatocytes was explored using RNA interfere. Results: Our results indicated that goose hepatocytes exhibited a higher tolerant capacity to PA than human hepatic cell line (LO2 cells). In goose primary hepatocytes, the mRNA levels of fatty acid desaturation-related genes (SCD1 and fatty acid desaturase 2) and fatty acid elongate enzyme-related gene (elongase of very long chain fatty acids 6) were significantly upregulated with 0.6 mM PA treatment. However, in LO2 cells, expression of ER stress-related genes (x box-binding protein, binding immunoglobulin protein, and activating transcription factor 6), inflammatory response-related genes (interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-1β [IL-1β], and interferon-γ) and apoptosis-related genes (bcl-2-associated X protein, b-cell lymphoma 2, Caspase-3, and Caspase-9) was significantly enhanced with 0.6 mM PA treatment. Additionally, small interfering RNA (siRNA) mediated downregulation of SCD1 significantly reduced the PA tolerance of goose primary hepatocytes under the treatment of 0.6 mM PA; meanwhile, the mRNA levels of inflammatory-related genes (IL-6 and IL-1β) and several key genes involved in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT), forkhead box O1 (FoxO1), mammalian target of rapamycin and AMPK pathways (AKT1, AKT2, FoxO1, and sirtuin 1), as well as the protein expression of cytochrome C and the apoptosis rate were upregulated. Conclusion: In conclusion, our data suggested that SCD1 was involved in enhancing the PA tolerance of goose primary hepatocytes by regulating inflammation- and apoptosis-related genes expression.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.260-266
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• 2021

This study aimed to identify the hepatoprotective effects of a fermented Chrysanthemum indicum L. water extract. The extraction yield, antioxidant activities (ABTS and DPPH), and content of luteolin and luteolin-7-glucoside were significantly higher in the fermented C. indicum L. water extract (FCI) than in the C. indicum L. water extract. Treatment with FCI (200 ㎍/mL) significantly reduced the activities of gamma(γ)-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase in HepG2 cells treated with 3% ethanol. Furthermore, FCI did not affect the viability of the HepG2 cells. These results suggest that FCI can be useful for the development of an effective hepatoprotective agent.