• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.311-320
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• 2007

The present study was designed to estimate the protective effect of (-) epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on ethanol-induced liver injury in rats. Chronic ethanol administration (6 g/kg/day ${\times}$ 60 days) caused liver damage that was manifested by the elevation of markers of liver dysfunction - aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, bilirubin and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase in plasma and reduction in liver glycogen. The activities of alcohol metabolizing enzymes such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase were found to be altered in alcohol-treated group. Ethanol administration resulted in the induction of cytochrome p450 and cytochrome-$b_{5}$ activities and reduction of cytochrome-c reductase and glutathione-S-transferase, a phase II drug metabolizing enzyme. Further, ethanol reduced the viability of isolated hepatocytes (ex vivo) as assessed by trypan blue exclusion test and induced hepatocyte apoptosis as assessed by propidium iodide staining. Treatment of alcoholic rats with EGCG restored the levels of markers of liver injury and mitigated the alterations in alcohol metabolizing and drug metabolizing enzymes and cyt-c-reductase. Increased hepatocyte viability and reduced apoptotic nuclei were observed in alcohol + EGCG-treated rats. These findings suggest that EGCG acts as a hepatoprotective agent against alcoholic liver injury.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.285-302
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• 1992

Human and rat hepatocytes were isolated by nonperfusion method and cultured for longer than 5 days. Human liver biopsy sample and rat liver were used as hepatocyte source. Several physical and chemical factors which were influencing on hepatocyte isolation procedure were examined and a batch isolation procedure was established for small size sample of rat liver. Isolated hepatocytes showed normal morphlologica characteristics in microscopy and electron microscopical examinations and a morphologica response to phalloidin. Isolated cells were cultured as a monolayer and proven to have intact morphological characteristics for longer than 15 days. Because human liver sample is harder and tighter compared with rat liver, a standard procedure for rat hepatocytes was slightly modified to reduce mechanical damage. Similarly with rat hepatocytes, isolated human hepatocytes showed a normal morphological characteristics and could be cultured for longer than 15days. Human and rat hepatocytes were examined on their functional integrities including cytochrome-P450 related enzyme activity and it's inducibility, hormonal inducibility of AIB uptake and TAT activity, albumin synthesis, DNA synthesis, cellular protein maintenance. In all parameters used in the present study, human and rat hepatocytes showed normal functional characteristics.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.78-86
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• 2004

Panax ginseng occupies an important role in the folk medicine of China, Korea and Japan. The present study was undertaken to determine the radioprotective efficacy of ginseng root extract in the liver of Swiss albino mice. The animals were divided into 4 groups. Group I-Only vehicle was administered. Group II-The animals received 10 mg/kg body weight ginseng root extract i.p. for 4 consecutive days. Group III-Animals were irradiated with 8Gy gamma radiation at the dose rate of 1.69 Gy/min at the distance of 80 ems. Group IV-Animals were given by ginseng root extract (10 mg/kg body weight) continuously for 4 days and on 4th day they were irradiated with 8 Gy gamma radiation after 30 min. The animals from above groups were autopsied on 1,3,7,14 and 30 days. Biochemical estimations of phosphatases (acid ＆ alkaline), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), LPO (lipid peroxidation) and GSH (reduced glutathione) in liver and SGOT (serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase), SGPT (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase) and alkaline phosphatase in serum were done. In ginseng treated group acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), LPO and LDH in liver and SGOT, SGPT and alkaline phosphatase in serum did not show any significant alteration. However, a significant increase in GSH content in liver was recorded. In irradiated group there was a significant increase in ACP, ALP and LPO content in liver and SGOT ＆ SGPT in serum was noted. Whereas, a significant decrease was recorded in GSH and LDH activity in liver and alkaline phosphatase activity in serum. Pretreatment of ginseng with radiation significantly alters the biochemical parameters in liver and serum. A significant decline in ACP, ALP activity and LPO content in liver and SGOT and SGPT activity in serum was observed. However, a significant increase in GSH content and LDH activity in liver and ALP activity in serum was estimated. The present study suggests that pretreatment of ginseng before irradiation significantly protects the liver and maintains the enzyme activity.

• 전기학회논문지
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• 제61권2호
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• pp.270-275
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• 2012

This paper presents a portable and compact optical device which can conveniently be used to perform a functional analysis of human liver function. The proposed system employed red/green LEDs, as a light source, and CMOS image sensor, which is commonly used in cellular phones. With this system, several blood serum samples have been evaluated for liver functional analysis by measuring light absorption level through the blood serum samples depending on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin concentration. The light absorption through the blood serum samples containing AST, ALT, or total bilirubin can provide their concentrations. The green light absorption is more sensitive to the concentration of AST or ALT, and the red light absorption is more sensitive to the total bilirubuin concentration. Additional calibration steps were performed by using a MATLAB program in order to eliminate the light scattering effects from the extraneous particles existing in each blood serum sample. From the blind test, three standard light intensity curves through each enzyme have been obtained and the enzyme concentration values have been compared to those obtained from a commercially available biochemistry analyzer (Toshiba 200 FR). The average percent difference in the obtained concentrations from two systems for AST, ALT, and total bilirubin concentration came out to be 7.79%, 7.98%. and 7.56%, respectively, with the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.98. This system can possibly lead to a low-cost and simple system that can be used as a point-of-care (POC) system in a condition without advanced equipments.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제2권6호
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• pp.771-778
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• 1998

To investigate interaction of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor with local tissue renin- angiotensin system (RAS), changes in gene expression of the RAS components in various tissues in response to chronic administration of an ACE inhibitor, enalapril, were examined in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Enalapril was administered in their drinking water $(3{\sim}4\;mg/day)$ over 8 wk. Plasma and renal ACE activity increased significantly after 4 and 8 wk of enalapril treatment. Renin levels of the plasma and kidney of the enalapril-treated rats markedly increased after 4 wk and decreased thereafter, but still remained significantly higher than those of control rats. Kidney mRNA levels of renin markedly increased after 4 and 8 wk of enalapril treatment, but those of angiotensinogen and ANG II-receptor subtypes, $AT_{1A}$ and $AT_{1B}$, did not change significantly. The liver expressed genes for renin, angiotensinogen and $AT_{1A}$ receptor subtype, but $AT_{1B}$ receptor subtype mRNA was not detectable by RT-PCR. None of mRNA for these RAS components in the liver changed significantly by enalapril treatment. The hypothalamus showed mRNA expressions of renin, angiotensinogen, $AT_{1A}$ and $AT_{1B}$ receptor subtypes. $AT_{1A}$ receptor subtype mRNA was more abundant than $AT_{1B}$ receptor subtype in the hypothalamus as shown in the kidney. However, gene expression of the RAS components remained unchanged during 8-wk treatment of enalapril. In the present study, chronic ACE inhibition increased plasma and renal levels of ACE and renin, but did not affect mRNA levels of other RAS components such as angiotensinogen, ANG II receptor subtypes in the kidney. Gene levels of the RAS components in the liver and hypothalamus were not altered by chronic treatment of enalapril. These results suggest the differential expression of the RAS components in response to enalapril, and localized action and some degree of tissue specificity of enalapril.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.25-30
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• 1991

영양학적으로 매우 우수한 부존자원이라 할 수 있는 닭 간의 이용 가능성을 검토하기 위하여 alkaline protease로 가수분해 시켰다. 가수분해시 최적조건을 파악하기 위하여 온도, 시간, pH 및 효소 첨가량(E/S ratio)의 조건을 검토하고 수분과 기름의 흡수성, 유화활성, 점도등의 기능성을 조사하였으며 냄새와 색에 대한 관능검사를 시행하였다. Alkaline protease로 닭 간 단백질을 가수분해 시켰을 때 온도 $60^{\circ}C$, pH8.0에서 최대활성을 나타내었고, 효소의 첨가량이 증가할수록 가수분해도는 증가하였다. 수분과 기름의 흡수성은 수분 흡수성에 있어서 0시간에서만 낮은 값을 보여주었고 반응시간이 지날수록 감소하는 경향을 나타내었다. 또한 점도는 증가하였다. 가수분해 1/2시간에서 유화활성도는 가장 낮았고 수분흡수력은 높았으며 1시간 이후에는 시료간에 큰 차이가 없었다. 동결건조된 닭 간 단백질 가수분해물의 냄새와 색깔에 대한 관능평가에서는 별차이가 없었으나 색깔에서는 밝기와 붉은색에서 유의성이 있었으며 가수 분해는 닭 간의 밝기를 증가시키면서 녹색을 약간 있게함을 알 수 있었다.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.279-287
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• 2010

In this study we examined the effects of water extract of garlic on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury, and demonstrated increased beneficial enzyme and anti-oxidant activity as well as histopathological changes (by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining, Trichrome staining, and TEM examination), and showed that the treatment was dose-dependent and safe. A total of 42 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally (n=7) into six groups. To induce hepatotoxicity in these subjects, carbon tetrachloride diluted in an equal volume of olive oil was intraperitoneally administrated at 0.5 ml/kg (0.20 g/kg/day) once a day for five days. Water extract of Korean-grown garlic was administered via a stomach sonde once a day, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks. Groups received 0.35 g/kg (E1), 0.70 g/kg (E2), or 1.40 g/kg (E3), with the dose adjusted for body weight. Administration of garlic extract resulted in positive physiological effects in terms of reduced oxidative stress and toxicity, and induced functional changes in the liver. Comparing the subject groups (E1, E2, E3) administered different doses of garlic extract, the importance of morphological analysis in further studies is emphasized, because morphological changes indicating hepatotoxicity could occur, even though beneficial enzyme activities were found to be elevated.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.304-308
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• 2005

The effects of diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) on various oxidative stress responses in liver, kidney and gill tissues of freshwater bagrid catfish Pseudobagrus fulvidraco were investigated under laboratory conditions. Bagrid catfish were intraperitoneally injected with sunflower seed oil containing nominal concentrations of 0, 300 or 900mg DEHP per kilogram of body weight for 3 days and the effects after last injection were assessed in liver, kidney and gill tissues of the exposed organisms. The oxidative stress responses of fish were evaluated by analyzing the level of glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR). After exposure to the DEHP, there were significant decrease in GR, GPx activity and GSH content in liver of fish exposed to 900 mg DEHP per kilogram of body weight compared to the control group. Compared with the control group, significant decreases in renal GPx and GR activity were observed in the DEHP treatment groups (900 mg $kg^{-1}$ bw). However, no significant difference was observed in any oxidative stress responses in gills between the DEHP-treated and the untreated group of fish. The findings of the present investigation show that DEHP induce oxidative stress and the liver was the most affected organ followed by the kidney and gills. Furthermore, the changes of GPx and GR activities may be important indicators of oxidative stress responses but additional study is required to confirm the oxidative stress of DEHP.

• 한국지역사회생활과학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.25-38
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• 2005

In order to investigate the effect of dietary zinc and phytic acid levels on enzyme activity and lipid metabolism in rats, male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing approximately 60-74g, were fed different diets which contained 0, 0.35 or $1.05\%$ phytic acid each at 3 levels of zinc (0, 30 and 1500ppm zinc) for 28 days. Body weight gain, food consumption, and food efficiency ratio were lower in the rats fed a zinc deficient diet (0ppm zinc) than those consuming 30 or 1500ppm dietary zinc. The activities of GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase were lower in the rats consuming 30ppm zinc than those fed 0 or 1500ppm zinc diet. The activity of GOT was increased in rats consuming $0.35\%$ phytic acid, whereas that of alkaline phosphatase was decreased in the rats fed phytic acid-containing diet. The concentration of phospholipid in serum was higher in rats fed $0.35\%$ dietary phytic acid, whereas that of liver phospholipid was higher in zinc deficient groups, and increased by addition of dietary phytic acid. The concentration of triglyceride in serum from rats fed 30ppm zinc was lower than those fed 0 or 1500ppm zinc On the other hand, liver triglyceride was higher in both the rats fed 30ppm zinc and $0.35\%$ phytic acid. The concentration of serum total cholesterol was lower in the rats fed 30ppm zinc diet, and it was increased by addition of dietary phytic acid. But liver total cholesterol was higher in 30ppm zinc group. HDL-cholesterol in serum was the highest in both rats consuming 30ppm zinc and $0.35\%$ dietary phytic acid, and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol was higher in rats consuming 30ppm zinc diet. In conclusion, we suggest that coronary heart disease or liver disease can be prevented with phytic acid in rats which are fed the high zinc diet.

• Mycobiology
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.399-409
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• 2020

Many of the 𝛽-glucans are known to have antihypertensive activities, but, except for angiotensin-converting enzyme II inhibition, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Corin is an atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-converting enzyme. Activated corin cleaves pro-ANP to ANP, which regulates water-sodium balance and lowers blood pressure. Here, we reported a novel antihypertensive mechanism of 𝛽-glucans, involved with corin and ANP in mice. We showed that multiple oral administrations of 𝛽-glucan induced the expression of corin and ANP, and also increased natriuresis in mice. Microarray analysis showed that corin gene expression was only upregulated in mice liver by multiple, not single, oral administrations of the 𝛽-glucan fraction of Phellinus baumii (BGF). Corin was induced in liver and kidney tissues by the 𝛽-glucans from zymosan and barley, as well as by BGF. In addition to P. baumii, 𝛽-glucans from two other mushrooms, Phellinus linteus and Ganoderma lucidum, also induced corin mRNA expression in mouse liver. ELISA immunoassays showed that ANP production was increased in liver tissue by all the 𝛽-glucans tested, but not in the heart and kidney. Urinary sodium excretion was significantly increased by treatment with 𝛽-glucans in the order of BGF, zymosan, and barley, both in 1% normal and 10% high-sodium diets. In conclusion, we found that the oral administration of 𝛽-glucans could induce corin expression, ANP production, and sodium excretion in mice. Our findings will be helpful for investigations of 𝛽-glucans in corin and ANP-related fields, including blood pressure, salt-water balance, and circulation.