• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 2000

The changes in pharmacokinetic parameters of tolbutamide, such as the area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to time infinity (AUC) and elimination rate constant (Kel) were evaluated after oral administration of the drug to rabbits with acute and chronic alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus (AIDRs). After oral administration, the plasma concentrations of tolbutamide were significantly higher between 9 and 12 hr in chronic AIDRs compared with these in control rabbits. Therefore, the AUC was significantly greater in chronic AIDRs $(3,490{\pm}649\;versus\;5,020{\pm}1,030{\mu}gml{\cdot}hr)$. This could be due to inhibition of tolbutamide metabolism by liver in AIDRs since tolbutamide is essentially completely metabolized in liver. Impaired liver and kidney function in AIDRs were based on blood chemistry and tissue microscopy. The absorption rate constant and Kel were significantly slower in chronic AIDRs compared with those in control rabbits.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.27-36
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• 2004

Objective : This study was aimed to validate the Herbal Acupuncture Therapies(HAT) for cancer patients. Patients and methods : This retrospective study was performed on 8 patients who were diagnosed as cancer in Korea and treated with HAT in the oriental hospital of Daejeon University, from January 2003 to January 2004. We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 8 patients for improvement of symptoms, toxic effects of liver and kidney, myelosupression and changes of Quality of Life(QOL). Results : Analysis of change of chief complaints showed that 75% patients replied moderate relief and 25% replied complete relief in Likert scale. Analysis of Liver Function Test(LFT), Renal Function Test(RFT) level showed that HAT does not have toxic effects on liver and kidney. Analysis of Complete Blood Count(CBC) level showed that HAT does not have myelosuppression effects on bone marrow. Analysis of QOL showed that 100% patients replied improvement in Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status(ECOG) status. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that HAT offer potential benefits for cancer patients.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.203-208
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• 2005

Thioacetamide (TA) is potent haptotoxincant that requires metabolic activation by mixed-function oxidases. Micrcarray technology, which is massive parallel gene expression profiling in a single hybridization experiment, has provided as a powerful molecular genetic tool for biological system related toxicant. In this study we focus on the use of toxicogenomics for the determination of gene expression analysis associated with hepatotoxicity in rat liver epithelial cell line WB-F344 (WB). The WB cells was used to assess the toxic effects of TA. WB cells were exposed to two concentrations of TA-doses which caused 20% and 50% cell death were chosen and the cells exposed for periods of 2 and 24 h. Our data revealed that following the 2-h exposure at the both of doses and 24-h exposure at the low doses, few changes in gene expression were detected. However, after 24-h exposure of the cells to the high concentration, multiple changes in gene expression were observed. TA treatment gave rise predominantly to up-regulation of genes involved in cell cycle and cell death, but down-regulation of genes involves in cell adhesion and calcium ion binding. Exposure of WB cells to higher doses of the TA gave rise to more changes in gene expression at lower exposure times. These results show that TA regulates expression of numerous genes via direct molecular signaling mechanisms in liver cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 1997

This study was done to investigate the effect of vitamin C on hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced hepatic injury ul isolated perfused rat liver. Isolated livers from rats fasted 18 hours were subjected to 45 min of hypoxia followed by reoxygenation for 45 min. The perfusion medium used was Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer (pH 7.4) and 0.5 mmol/L of vitamin C was added to the perfusate. Alanine aminotransferase (ALI) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were significantly increased by hypoxia/reoxygenation. These increases were augmented by vitamin C. Glucose output and bile flow were markedly decreased by hypoxia/reoxygenation. Vitamin C aggavated the decrease of glucose output but had little effect on bile flow. Our findings suggest that hypoxia/reoxygenation diminishes hepatic metabolic and secretory functions, and vitamin C significantly aggravates these changes.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 1996

The effect of aqua-acupuncture of total saponin on the recovery of liver function in -intoxicated rats was exemined. Rats were divided into normal, control and three experimental groups (As-I group : aqua-acupuncture of saline to Gansu locus and Aa-III group : aqua-a-cupuncture of total saponin to blank locus at the thigh). Changes of some serum biochemical parameters (ALT, AST and ALP, total protein and albumin, and albumin/globulin (A/G) ratio) were determined. Serum ALT activities were increased by $CCI_{4}$T and decreased in all aqua-acupuncture groups compared with the control group. Aa-I group showed significant decrease of ALT activities on the 2nd (P<0.05) and 3rd (P<0.05) day, respectively. Aa-II group showed significant decrease on the 3rd day (P<0.05) day. Serum AST activities were increased by $CCI_{4}$T and decreased in all apua-acupuncture groups compared with the control group. Aa-I group showed significant decrease on the 1st (P<0.05), 2nd (P<0.001) and 3rd (P<0.001) day, respectively. Aa-II group showed significant decrease on the 3rd (P<0.001) day. Aa-III group showed significant decrese on the 1st (P<0.05) and 3rd (P<0.001) day, respectrvely. Serum ALP activities were increased by $CCI_{4}$T and decreased in all aqua-a-cupuncture groups compared with the control group. Aa-I group showed significant decrease on the 3rd (P<0.01) day. Total protein, albumin and A/G ratio were decreased by $CCI_{4}$T and increased in all aqua-acupuncture groups compared with control group. Aa-I group showed significant increase only on the 3rd day in albumin (P<0.01). It was thought that the aqua-acupuncture of total saponin to Gansu locus was effective on the recovery of liver function in $CCI_{4}$T-intoxicated rats.

• BMB Reports
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.420-426
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• 1995

This study was conducted to compare the effects of n-6 linoleic acid and n-3 linolenic acid on lipid peroxidation and the activities of enzymes defending against oxidation, which are involved in the tumor promotion, and histolOgical changes of hepatocarcinogen treated rat liver. In this study, weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed one of three diets, containing 15% (w/w) of beef fat (BF), com oil (CO) or perilla oil (PO), for 11 weeks. During the 3rd week, experimental groups were injected with 2-AAF (50 mg/kg of BW) intraperitoneally 3 times. Findings show that the com oil diet group has greater liver MDA content than the beef fat and perilla oil diet groups. Also, it is observed that the perilla oil diet group has lower MDA content than beef fat and com oil diet groups, even though perilla oil is more desaturated than beef fat and com oil. In terms of activity, mixed-function oxidase activity is not Significantly affected by the different dietary fats and 2-AAF treatment. GSH-peroxidase, GSH-reductase and GSH-Stransferase activities are significantly higher in the CO+AAF group than those of the other groups. GST and GSH-Px are activated by 2-AAF treatment in the com oil diet group only. The hepatocytes of the BF+AAF group were the most severely degenerated, the second was the CO+AAF group and the least was the PO+AAF group. It was also found that dietary com oil increased lipid peroxidation and activated defense enzymes against oxidation in liver, but dietary perilla oil did not, or supressed defense enzymes. Therefore it is concluded that dietary n-3 linolenic acid in perilla oil inhibits lipid peroxidation and carcinoenesis in rat liver following 2-AAF treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2003

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether herbal medication may injure the liver function and kidney function. We clinically studied the changes of biochemistry and complete blood cell count in patients who were hospitalized in Korean hospital. Methods : The subjects were 160 patients admitted in Kangnam Korean hospital, Kyung Hee, whose mean duration of medication was 70 days(min 30, max 252). All patients had been checked biochemistry and complete blood cell count for 30 days since their hospitalization. Results : Aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and Creatinine(Cr) decreased significantly on discharge, compared with the values of admissoin(P<0.05). Total protein significantly elevated on dischrge compared with the values of admisson(P<0.05). Conclusions : This study suggests that even though there are few toxic herbal medicines, in general, herbal medications which are prescribed by oriental medicine doctors should be carefully administered not to hurt liver and kidney function.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.168-173
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of microsomal mixed function oxidase (MFO) and xanthine oxidase activities (XOD) in the liver of rats exposed to microwave. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 200$\pm$10g body weight were randomly assigned to a normal and microwave exposed(MW) groups; microwave exposed groups were divided into two groups; microwave (MW) group and green tea(GT) gropu which were fed distilled water and green tea extracts during experimental periods, respectively. Rats were irradiated with microwave at the frequency of 2.45 GHz for 15min and rats wre sacrificed at the 4th day of the microwave irradiaton. The hemoglobin level of GT group was higher than that of the normal gropu and MW group, but the hematocrit value was not significantly different among all experimental gropus. The activity of serum GOT of MW group was significantly increased but that of GT group was similar to normal group. Activities of GPT were not significantly different among all experimental groups. Liver XOD activity was significantly increased in the microwave exposed groups but green tea normalized the XOD activity. The activity of hepatic microsomal cytochrome P450 was significantly increased in MW group compared to normal group and that of GT group was similar to that of the normal group. The activity of hepatic microsomal NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase was also significantly increased in MW group compared to normal group, but that of GT group was similar to that fo the normal group. In conclusion, the activities of MFO and XOD were elevated by microwave irradiaton, but the activation of MFO system as well as the damage of the liver by microwave were reduced by green tea supplementation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.19-25
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cadmium is a toxic metal that is an occupational and environmental concern especially because of its human carcinogenicity; it induces serious adverse effects in various organs and tissues. Even low levels of exposure to cadmium could be harmful owing to its extremely long half-life in the body. Cadmium intoxication may be prevented by the consumption of dietary components that potentially reduce its accumulation in the body. Dietary chitosan is a polysaccharide derived from animal sources; it has been known for its ability to bind to divalent cations including cadmium, in addition to other beneficial effects including hypocholesterolemic and anticancer effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of dietary chitosan in reducing cadmium accumulation using an in vivo system. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cadmium was administered orally at 2 mg (three times per week) to three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats: control, low-dose, and high-dose (0, 3, and 5%, respectively) chitosan diet groups for eight weeks. Cadmium accumulation, as well as tissue functional and histological changes, was determined. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats fed the chitosan diet showed significantly lower levels of cadmium in blood and tissues including the kidneys, liver, and femur. Biochemical analysis of liver function including the determination of aspartate aminotransferase and total bilirubin levels showed that dietary chitosan reduced hepatic tissue damage caused by cadmium intoxication and prevented the associated bone disorder. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that dietary chitosan has the potential to reduce cadmium accumulation in the body as well as protect liver function and bone health against cadmium intoxication.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 1997

Gamijiyu-tang (GJT) described originally in the Dong Eui Bo Gam, a traditional reference for oriental medicine in the Korea, has been clinically used for treatment of chronic liver disease. In order to evaluate scientifcally a hepatoprotective effect of GJT in the liver fibrotic disease, the present study investigated how GJT improves a hepatic function in the dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-treated rat. DMN treatment caused a significant increase of relative liver weight to the body at 28 days after DMN induction. Administration of with a clinical dose decreased significantly the sAST level $(158.8{\pm}7.76\;IU/L)$ elevated by DMN in jection (p<0.01). A similar phenomenon was also observed at change of both Salt and Salt level in the GJT and/or DMN-treated animal (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). A remarkable increase of hydroxyproline was observed by treatment of DMN with comparing to the normal rat $(361.9{\pm}7.35\;vs.\;1278.1{\pm}52.9\;{\mu}g/g\;tissue,\;p<0.01)$. This was significantly reduced by a simultaneous treatment of GJT with DMN for 21 days (p<0.05), but not recovered completely to its normal value. In addition. GJT administration ameliorated conspicuously the DMN-induces histopathological changes of liver such as hemorrhage. Cell necrosis and fibrosis. Tak'en together, results described here demonstrated scientifically in first the medicinal efficacy of GJT by using in vivo animal model, indicating that GJT improves the DMN-induced hepatic injury through reducing an excessive accumulation of collagen and histopathological changes. The decreased collagen content may be a pivotal process for GJT to improve hepatic function in the DMN-induced liver fibrosis. The present study suggests that GJT may be useful for and applicable to the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease.