• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.81-86
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• 2005

The hepatoprotective effects of chalcone derivatives were evaluated in D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (D-GaIN/LPS)-induced fulminant hepatic failure in mouse. Thirteen chalcone derivatives were synthesized for study and their hepatoprotective effects were evaluated by assessing aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in serum. Chalcone preparations were injected into mice at 12 hand 1 h before intraperitoneal injection of D-GaIN/LPS. After abdominal administration, changes in AST and ALT between the control and treated groups were observed. Ten of the synthesized chalcone derivatives exhibited inhibitory effects on D-GaIN/LPS-induced levels of AST and ALT in mice. Compounds 2, 3, 8, 9, and 12 markedly reduced serum AST and ALT at 8 h, inhibited hepatocyte necrosis and showed significant hepatoprotective activities. The activity of compound 3 was compared with the bifendate (DDB) through oral administration. Compound 3 showed much higher inhibitory effects than bifendate for decreasing AST and ALT activity. The results indicate that compound 3 has strong hepatoprotective activity through suppression of tumor necrosis factor­alpha (TNF-alpha) preduction, reduction of the histological change in the liver, and attenuated of hepatocyte apoptosis confirmed by DNA fragmentation assay.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.211-216
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• 2001

This studs was carried out to evaluate KBrO$_3$-induced acute toxicity by clinical pathological parameters in rats. Fourty rats were divided into 4 groups including normal group and three KBrO$_3$-treated groups with doses of 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg, p. o., respectively. Creatinine and BUN were increased remarkably by KBrO$_3$ at 400 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.05, p<0.01). Phosphorus content increased two times the control at 400 mg/kg (p<0.05). Osmolarity was increased, whereas $CO_2$ content showed decrease at 400 mg/kg, respectively (p<0.01, p<0.05). Histopathological findings also showed dose-dependent renal failure. On the other hand, AST was increased three times the control at 400 mg/kg (p<0.01). WBC was increased by KBrO$_3$ depending on the dosage. Platelet was decreased at 200 mg/kg, whereas it was increased at 400 mg/kg (p<0.05). The results above suggest that clinical pathological parameters could be used as indices for the evaluation of KBrO$_3$-induced acute toxic reponse occuring in not only kidney but other organs including liver, when the dosage is as high as 400 mg/kg.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2001

Recently hepatocyte-based bioartificial liver (BAL) and hepatocyte transplantation have been actively investigated to treat acute hepatic failure. The BAL acts as a bridge to provide patients with more time until a donor organ becomes available for transplantation or until their own liver can be regenerated. In this study, we manufactured a polyurethane foam (PUF) using 15% NCO-prepolymer with a pore opening that allows it to be used as a hepatocyte immobilizing material. Cubes of PUF (3 mm dim.) were seeded with rat primary hepatocytes at a density of 5.5$\pm$1.1$\times$ $10^6$ cells/$cm^3$ PUF by centrifuging them together. The cell laden PUF cubes were packed into a prototype reactor and perfused with a hormonally defined medium for a week. Hepatocytes in the pores of the PUF formed spheroids that showed stable ammonia removal and urea synthesis activities. The albumin production level was comparable to other BAL systems. The PUF packed hepatocyte bioreactor has the potential to be used as a BAL.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2008

Extrahepatic portosystemic shunts, known as Abernethy malformations, were first reported by John Abernethy in 1793. They are classified into two types: Type I refers to a congenital absence of the portal vein and Type II refers to a shunt involving a side-to-side anastomosis with reduced portal blood flow into the liver parenchyma. This malformation is so rare that less than 100 cases have been reported in the medical literature. We report the case of a 13-month-old boy who had a congenital extrahepatic portocaval shunt with a hypoplastic portal vein. This case was complicated with an atrial septal defect and a large hyperplastic nodule in the liver. The patient was diagnosed with a Type II Abernethy malformation. We planned on surgical occlusion of the extrahepatic portocaval shunt. However, six months later, the patient had a sudden onset of a fever of unknown origin and developed hepatic encephalopathy. Although he underwent a liver transplantation, he died of acute hepatic failure.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.80-90
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• 2017

Initial discovery on sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) as an intracellular second messenger was faced unexpectedly with roles of S1P as a first messenger, which subsequently resulted in cloning of its G protein-coupled receptors, $S1P_{1-5}$. The molecular identification of S1P receptors opened up a new avenue for pathophysiological research on this lipid mediator. Cellular and molecular in vitro studies and in vivo studies on gene deficient mice have elucidated cellular signaling pathways and the pathophysiological meanings of S1P receptors. Another unexpected finding that fingolimod (FTY720) modulates S1P receptors accelerated drug discovery in this field. Fingolimod was approved as a first-in-class, orally active drug for relapsing multiple sclerosis in 2010, and its applications in other disease conditions are currently under clinical trials. In addition, more selective S1P receptor modulators with better pharmacokinetic profiles and fewer side effects are under development. Some of them are being clinically tested in the contexts of multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as, psoriasis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, liver failure, renal failure, acute stroke, and transplant rejection. In this review, the authors discuss the state of the art regarding the status of drug discovery efforts targeting S1P receptors and place emphasis on potential clinical applications.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.197-201
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• 1991

Twenty-three patients with traumatic diaphragmatic injuries treated at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Keimyung University Dongsan Medical Center from Aug. 1978 to Nov. 1990 were reviewed. There were 19 male and 4 female patients. The age distribution was ranged from 1.5 to 72 years, with a mean age of 34.3 years. Sixteen patients had blunt trauma[traffic accident 14, fall down 2], and 7 had penetrating injuries[stab wound 6, broken glass 1]. Sixteen [70 percent]of the injuries occurred on the left side and 7[30 percent] on the right side. Fifteen patients were operated on during the acute phase, 5 patients during the latent phase, 2 patients during the obstructive phase. The surgical approach in 20 patients was through a thoracotomy; in 2 patients, a thoracoabdominal incision was necessary, and in 1 patient, a laparotomy was performed. Herniated organs in thorax included stomach[10], colon[5], small bowel[5], spleen[4], liver[2]. Postoperative complications included wound infection, empyema, pneumonia, hepatitis and respiratory failure. There were 3 postoperative deaths, 2 with cerebral dysfunction and 1 with sepsis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.711-716
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• 2016

Objective: To report a case of rhabdomyolysis that occurred after spinning exercise. Methods: A patient diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis received Korean medical treatment and Western medical treatment for 6 days. We observed the patient for 13 days. Clinical symptoms were evaluated with a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) and laboratory tests, which included Liver Functional Test (LFT), Renal Functional Test (RFT), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), myoglobin, and urine tests. Results: After treatment, the clinical symptoms were improved. In this case, acute renal failure did not occur. Laboratory results, including AST, ALT, CPK, and LDH, were also improved. Conclusions: Rhabdomyolysis can be treated cooperatively with Korean and western medical cooperative treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.209-216
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• 2013

Soybean polyunsaturated phosphatidylcholine (PC) is thought to exert anti-inflammatory activities and has potent effects in attenuating acute renal failure and liver dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PC in protecting multiple organ injury (MOI) from lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Six groups of rats (N=8) were used in this study. Three groups acted as controls and received only saline, hydrocortisone (HC, 6 mg/kg, i.v.) or PC (600 mg/kg, i.p.) without LPS (15 mg/kg, i.p.) injections. Other 3 groups, as the test groups, were administered saline, HC or PC in the presence of LPS. Six hours after the LPS injection, blood and organs (lung, liver and kidney) were collected from each group to measure inflammatory cytokines and perform histopathology and myeloperoxidase (MPO) assessment. Serum cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-10) and MPO activities were significantly increased, and significant histopathological changes in the organs were observed by LPS challenge. These findings were significantly attenuated by PC or HC. The treatment with PC or HC resulted in a significant attenuation on the increase in serum levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6, pro-inflammatory cytokines, while neither PC nor HC significantly attenuated serum levels of IL-10, anti-inflammatory cytokine. In the organs, the enhanced infiltration of neutrophils and expression of ED2 positive macrophage were attenuated by PC or HC. Inductions of MPO activity were also significantly attenuated by PC or HC. From the findings, we suggest that PC may be a functional material for its use as an anti-inflammatory agent.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.123-127
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• 2017

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) is a rare side effect of drugs. DIIHA may cause a systemic inflammatory response that results in acute multi-organ failure and death. Ceftizoxime belongs to the class of third generation cephalosporins, which are the most common drugs associated with DIIHA. Herein, we present a case of a 66-year-old man who developed fatal DIIHA after receiving a second dose of ceftizoxime. He was admitted to receive photodynamic therapy. He had a history of a single parenteral dose of ceftizoxime 3 months prior to admission. On the day of the procedure - shortly after the infusion of ceftizoxime - the patient's mental status was altered. The blood test results revealed hemolysis. Oliguric acute kidney injury developed, and continuous renal replacement therapy had to be applied. On the suspicion of DIIHA, the patient underwent plasmapheresis. Diagnosis was confirmed by a detection of drug-dependent antibody with immune complex formation. Although his hemolysis improved, his liver failure did not improve. He was eventually discharged to palliative care, and subsequently died.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.98-103
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• 2014

Purpose: Gallbladder (GB) wall thickening can be found in various conditions unrelated to intrinsic GB disease. We investigated the predisposing etiologies and the outcome of acalculous GB wall thickening in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 67 children with acalculous GB wall thickening who had visited our institute from June 2010 to June 2013. GB wall thickening was defined as a GB wall diameter > 3.5 mm on abdominal ultrasound examination or computed tomography. Underlying diseases associated with GB wall thickening, treatment, and outcomes were studied. Results: There were 36 boys and 31 girls (mean age, $8.5{\pm}4.8years$ [range, 7 months-16 years]). Systemic infection in 24 patients (35.8%), acute hepatitis in 18 (26.9%), systemic disease in 11 (16.4%), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in 4 (6.0%), acute pancreatitis in 3 (4.5%), and specific liver disease in 3 (4.5%) predisposed patients to GB wall thickening. Systemic infections were caused by bacteria in 10 patients (41.7%), viruses in 5 patients (20.8%), and fungi in 2 patients (8.3%). Systemic diseases observed were systemic lupus erythematosus in 2, drug-induced hypersensitivity in 2, congestive heart failure in 2, renal disorder in 2. Sixty-one patients (91.0%) received symptomatic treatments or treatment for underlying diseases. Five patients (7.5%) died from underlying diseases. Cholecystectomy was performed in 3 patients during treatment of the underlying disease. Conclusion: A wide range of extracholecystic conditions cause diffuse GB wall thickening that resolves spontaneously or with treatment of underlying diseases. Surgical treatments should be avoided if there are no definite clinical manifestations of cholecystitis.