• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2013

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium that are found in cereals and agricultural products. ZEN has been implicated in mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. The toxic effects of ZEN are well known, but the ability of an alkaline Comet assay to assess ZEN-induced oxidative DNA damage in Chang liver cells has not been established. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the Comet assay for the determination of cytotoxicity and extent of DNA damage induced by ZEN toxin, and the second aim was to investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) to protect cells from ZEN-induced toxicity. In the Comet assay, DNA damage was assessed by quantifying the tail extent moment (TEM; arbitrary unit) and tail length (TL; arbitrary unit), which are used as indicators of DNA strand breaks in SCGE. The cytotoxic effects of ZEN in Chang liver cells were mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of oxidative DNA damage. Increasing the concentration of ZEN increased the extent of DNA damage. The extent of DNA migration, and percentage of cells with tails were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with ZEN toxin (p < 0.05). Treatment with a low concentration of ZEN toxin (25 ${\mu}M$) induced a relatively low level of DNA damage, compared to treatment of cells with a high concentration of ZEN toxin (250 ${\mu}M$). Oxidative DNA damage appeared to be a key determinant of ZEN-induced toxicity in Chang liver cells. Significant reductions in cytolethality and oxidative DNA damage were observed when cells were pretreated with NACA prior to exposure to any concentration of ZEN. Our data suggest that ZEN induces DNA damage in Chang liver cells, and that the antioxidant activity of NACA may contribute to the reduction of ZEN-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity via elimination of oxidative stress.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.19-40
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• 1971

Since the iron balance is maintained by regulated intestinal absorption rather than regulated excretion, there have been many reports concerning the factors which may influence the intestinal iron absorption. As the liver is the largest iron storage organ of the body, any hepatocellular damage may result in disturbances in iron metabolism, e,g., frequent co-existence of hemochromatosis and liver cirrhosis, or elevated serum iron level and increased iron absorption rate in patients with infectious hepatitis or cirrhosis. In one effort to demonstrate the influence of hepatocellular damage on intestinal iron absortion, the iron absorption rate was measured in the rabbits whose livers were injured by a single subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (doses ranging from 0.15 to 0.5cc per kg of body weight) or by a single irradiation of 2,000 to 16,000 rads with $^{60}Co$ on the liver locally. A single oral dose of $1{\mu}Ci\;of\;^{59}Fe$-citrate with 0.5mg of ferrous citrate was fed in the fasting state, 24 hours after hepatic damage had been induced, without any reducing or chelating agents, and stool was collected for one week thereafter. Serum iron levels, together with conventional liver function tests, were measured at 24, 48, 72, 120 and 168 hours after liver damage had been induced. All animals were sacrificed upon the completing of the one week's test period and tissue specimens were prepared for H-E and Gomori's iron stain. Following are the results. 1. Normal iron absorption rate of the rabbit was $41.72{\pm}3.61%$ when 0.5mg of iron was given in the fasting state, as measured by subtracting the amount recovered in stool collected for 7 days from the amount given. The test period of 7 days is adequate, for only 1% of the iron given was excreted thereafter. 2. The intestinal iron absorption rate and serum iron level were significantly increased when the animal was poisoned by a single subcutaneous injection of 0.15cc. per kg. of body weight of carbon tetrachloride or more, or the liver was irradiated with a single dose of 12,000 rads or more. The results of liver function tests which were done simultaneously remained within normal limit except SGOT and SGPT which were somewhat increased. 3. In each case, there has been good correlation between the extent of liver cell damage and degree of increased iron absorption rate or serum iron level. 4. The method of liver damage appeared to make no obvious difference in the pattern of iron deposit in liver. This may be partly due to the fact that tissue specimens were obtained too late, for by this time the elevated serum iron level had returned within normal range and the pathological changes were almost healed. 5. The possible factors and relationship between intestinal iron absorption and hepatic parenchymal cell damage has been discussed.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 1999

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is known as a potential hepatic carcinogen by single administration. This study was designed to measure the effects of DEN-induced cell damage on the triglyceride and cholesterol concentration in the liver, excluding dietary effects. Fertilized chicken eggs, 10 days before hatching, were randomly divided into three groups (n=20) and each egg was injected 10 ${mu}ell$ of corn oil (vehicle control), 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$ of DEN/10 ${mu}ell$ of DEN/10 ${mu}ell$ into yolk via air sac. After 48 hr and 96 hr incubation, the damage of the chick-embryo liver cell was investigated by electron microscopy and by measuring the concentration of lipid components (total cholesterol, free cholesterol, phospholipid and triglyceride). For eggs administered 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$ of DEN and incuvated 96 hr, in hepatocyte, the nucleus membrane was roughed, the size of nucleolus was apparently increased and euchromatin was accumulated. Mitochondria were condensed and cristae, located mitochondiral inner membrane, were obscured. Additionally, the leaves of triglyceride and cholesterol classes were significantly increased depend on the amount treated with 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$ DEN at 96 hr, but phospholipids component of cell membrane, were decreased with significance. As a conclusion, carcinogen induced hepatic lesion was correlated with the changes in lipid component of liver.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1091-1097
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• 2001

The main experiments was investigated the skin tissue damage changing for the skin bum having influence on the skin and the liver and also observed the radical liver weight, ALT in the serum, the fluctuating of AST for the skin bum causing to the liver damage. Anatomically the edema formation of skin after thermal injury was showed, and skin bum increased liver weight (% of body weight, p<0.05) and the activity of serum aniline aminotrasferase (p<0.05), and also histologically induced wes of epidermal layer, protein degeneration of connective tissue, local hemorrhage and degeneration of glandular epithelium in the skin tissue. Liver tissue showed the evidences of postbum damage, they were sinusoidal dilatation, cell swelling, infiltration of inflammatory cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.28-38
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• 2002

Objectives : This study was to examine the efficacy of GCT on the hepatoprotective effect in the liver function and immune octivity. Methods : The experiment to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of GCT on the liver damage was conducted with D-galactosamine. The experiments to verify the effects of GCT on the immune activity were conducted by carbon clearance assay, plaque-forming cell SRBC assay of IgM, lymphoproliferation assay of T and B cells, and adherence and phagocytosis of mocrophages. Results: In the damage of liver induced by D-galactosamine, GCT carried hepatoprotective effect on AST. In carbon clearance assay GCT showed significant effect on phagocytosis of Kuffer cells. In the plaque-forming cell assay, GCT improved the formation of IgM. In the lymphoproliferation assay, GCT activated the formation of T and B lymphocytes. In macrophages, GCT activated adherence and phagocytosis. Conclusion : Though further study is needed, our findings suggest that GCT could be recommended as hepatoprotector and immune modulator for liver disease.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.151-160
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was undertaken to examine whether Juglandis Semen herbal acupuncture (JGA) exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced cell injury in rabbit liver. Methods : The cell damage was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) in rabbit liver slices. Results : t-Butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) caused an increase in LDH release and lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner over concentrations of 0.5-2 mM, which were prevented by addition of 0.05% JGA. The protective effect of JGA was dose-dependent in concentration range of 0.005 to 0.1%. The concentrations of 0.005 and 0.1% JGA completely prevented the LDH release and lipid peroxidation by 1 mM tBHP. When liver tissues were exposed to 1 mM tBHP, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity in the medium was significantly increased, which was prevented by 0.05% JGA. tBHP (2 mM) decreased GSH content and the effect was prevented by 0.05% JGA. Conclusion : These results suggest that JGA exerts protective effect against oxidant-induced cell injury by antioxidant action resulting from enhancement of GSH content in the liver.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.46.1-46.16
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• 2023

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) affects all age group and occurs mainly in women. Pyroptosis is a novel programmed cell death featured with cell bursting and release of proinflammatory cytokines. A deeper understanding of AIH pathogenesis will contribute to novel therapy for AIH patients. Here, we aimed to investigate the role of IL-17 in immune-mediated liver injury. The levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA, and mRNA levels of STAT3 and IFN gamma-inducible protein 16 (IFI16) were detected by PCR. Expressions of STAT3, IFI16, gasdermin D and cleaved caspase-1 were measured by western-blotting. Immunohistochemical staining and transmission electron microscopy were applied to evaluate liver histopathological changes of the treated mice. Our results showed that the levels of IFI16 was increased in hepatocytes treated with IL-17 protein, and further elevated after STAT3-overexpressed (STAT3-OE) lentivirus treatment. The levels of IFI16 were reduced in hepatocytes treated with IL-17 neutralizing Ab (nAb), but were significantly increased after STAT3-OE treatment. Pyroptosis was observed in hepatocytes treated with IL-17 protein, and further cell damage was observed after STAT3-OE lentivirus treatment. Liver damage was alleviated in mice treated with IL-17 nAb, however sever damage was experienced after STAT3-OE lentivirus treatment. A binding interaction between IFI16 and STAT3 was detected in IL-17 treated hepatocytes. Glutathione transaminase activity was enhanced in concanavalin A-induced AIH mice compared to the control group (p<0.01). IL-17 plays an important role in activating STAT3 and up-regulating IFI16, which may promote the pyroptosis in AIH-related liver injury through STAT3-IFI16 axis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 1993

In the present study, the comparison of liver damage in carbon tetrachloride (CCl$_4$)-treated rats with that those pretreated with ethanol and an effect of liver injury on the serum and liver xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity were evaluated. The increasing rate of liver weight per body wt., the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase, and the decreasing rate of hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity and the protein contents in the liver cell were higher in carbon tetrachloride-treated animals pretreated with ethanol than the carbon tetrachloride-treated group. Especially, the histopathological findings also showed more severe liver damage in the ethanol-pretreated rats than the rats treated with carbon tetrachloride only. In such a experimental condition the xanthine oxidase activity of serum and liver both of carbon tetrachloride-treated rats and those pretreated with ethanol were higher than that of each control group. And the increasing rate of xanthine oxidase enzyme activity to the control group was higher in carbon tetrachloride-treated group pretreated with ethanol than those treated with CCl$_4$. In addition, the heptic uricase activity and the serum levels of uric acid were more increased in carbon tetrachloride-treated group pretreated with ethanol than those in the CCl$_4$-treated rats. On the other hand, there were no statistical differences in hepatic catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities between the CCl$_4$-treated rats and those pretreated with ethanol. In conclusion, it is assumed that the more severe liver damage in ethanol pretreated rats would be due to oxygen free radical produced by the xanthine oxidase system.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.127-141
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• 2002

Objectives: Haeganjeon(HGJ) has been used for the treatment of liver disease in traditional medicine. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant and protective effects of HGJ extract on oxidative damage of hepatocytes by tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP). Methods: In the linoleic acid water-alcohol system, the levels of lipid peroxide(LPO) were determined by TBA method. The scavenging effect of HGJ on ${\alpha},{\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$(DPPH) radical was determined according to the method of Hatano. In the Fenton system(ferrous ion reaction with hydrogen peroxide), the levels of hydroxyl radical induced LPO in rat liver homogenate were determined according to the method of TBA. Inhibitory effect of HGJ on superoxide generation was measured by xanthine-xanthine oxidase system. In order to evaluate antioxidative activity of HGJ in the liver cell, cultured normal rat liver cells(Ac2F) were prepared and incubated with or without HGJ. After 18hr, cells placed in DMEM medium without serum, and then incubated with 1mM tert-butyl hydroperoxide(t-BHP) for 2hrs. Viable cells were detected by MTT assay. Conclusions: In the linoleic acid autoxidation system, HGJ extract significantly inhibited the time course of the lipid peroxidation. These effects were similar to those of BHA HGJ extracts showed about 70% scavenging effect on DPPH radical. And HGJ extract inhibited the lipid peroxide formation in rat liver homogenate induced by hydroxyl radical derived from Fenton system. In addition, HGJ extract protected the cell death induced by t-BHP and significantly increased cell viability in the normal rat liver cell. These result indicated that HGJ extract might playa protective role against oxidative hepatic cell injury by means of free radical scavenger.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2001

The effects of Malloti Cortex Water Extract (MCWE), bergenin (isolated as an active component from MCWE), and acetylbergenin (synthesized from acetylation of bergenin) on the liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats. We studied hydroxypro1ine (HYP) as a marker of collagen accumulation in the liver, alanine aminotransferase (s-ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (s-AST), and alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP) as serum markers of liver cell damage induced by BDL, MCWE, bergenin, and acetylbergenin decreased towards normal the accumulated levels of HYP in the liver and the elevated serum levels of s-ALT, s-AST and 5-ALP. The results indicate that MCWE, bergenin, and acetylbergenin ameliorated the liver damage induced by BDL in rats.