• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.481-485
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• 2011

T0901317 is a potent synthetic ligand for liver X receptor (LXR, NR1H2/3), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that functions as a transcription factor. However, T0901317 has been also reported to modulate the activity at least four other nuclear receptors (NRs), acting as agonists for farnesoid X receptor (FXR, NR1H4) and pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) and as antagonists for androgen receptor (AR, NR3C4) and retinoid-related orphan receptor-${\alpha}$ (ROR-${\alpha}$, NR1F1). We report here that T0901317 can also function as an inhibitor for constitutive androstane receptor (CAR, NR1I3). Since CAR is a major player of xenobiotic and cholesterol metabolism in the liver, along with PXR, FXR and LXR, which are reported to be regulated by T0901317, this further complicates the interpretation of potential results with T0901317 in liver cells.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 2010

Alginates are polysaccharides isolated from brown algae with gel-forming properties composed of 1,4-linked beta-D-mannuronic acid (M), alpha-L-guluronic acid (G), and alternating (MG) blocks. In this study, we have examined the toxic effects of high M-alginate to activate HepG2 human liver cells. Alginate enhanced the NO production and iNOS protein expression in HepG2 cells. In addition, alginates stimulated the HepG2 to induce IL-1 release and expression of TGF-beta1, which could influence the liver inflammation and chirrhosis. These findings suggest that high M-alginate form brown algae may have toxic effects on liver cells.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2000

Cell-Cell interaction and the extracellular matrix (ECM) are belisved to play essential roles during in vitro culturing of primary hepatocytes in the control of differentiation and in the maintenance of tissue spcific functions. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of degree of cell-cell contact (DCC) on liver sperific function of rat promary hepatocytes. Hepatocyte aggregates with various with various degrees of cell-cell contantact, I. e., dispersed cell, longish aggregate, rugged aggregate, and smooth spheroid were obtained at 1, 5-6, 15-20, and 36-48 hrs, respectively in suspension cultures grown in spinner flasks embedded in Caalginate bead and collagen gel in order. The may result from mass transfer limitation and shear damage caused by agitation during aggregation. The rugged aggregate showed a higer viability and albumin secretion rate than the dispersed cells or the other aggregates. This result indicates the possible enhancement of a bioartificial liver's (BAL) performance using primary hepatocytes and the reduction in time to prepare a BAL through optimization of the immobilization time.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.428-433
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• 1998

The effects of chromium picolinate supplementation in pig diet were evaluated by measuring the in vitro lipogenic and lipolytic activities in adipose tissue and the protein synthetic activity in liver acinar cell in culture. Thirty-two male and thirty-two female pigs were randomly assigned to one of four dietary groups: Control, 100 ppb, 200 ppb, and 400 ppb of Cr in the form of picolinate. The chromium picolinate supplementation (p < 0.01) increased the in vitro lipolytic activity in adipose tissue of pig, but had no effects on lipogenesis. The chromium picolinate effect was greater in female pigs than in male pigs on lipolytic activity. The results from the studies with the liver acinar cells in culture indicated that chromium picolinate supplementation increased protein synthetic activity (p < 0.05). It was observed through this experiment that chromium picolinate functions not only on fat degradation but also on retained protein synthesis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.391-396
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• 2009

The biological effects of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (cPAHs) including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP), dibenzo[a,h]anthracene (DBA), benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), benzo[b] fluoranthene (BbF), benzo[k]fluoranthene (BkF), and indeno[1,2,3-c, d]pyrene (InP) on transcriptomic changes were determined in the liver of Oryzias latipes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by binary exposure to cPAHs (BaP+BaA, BaP+BbF, BaP+BkF, BaP+DbA, BaP+InP) were screened by annealing control primers-based polymerase chain reaction followed by sequence analysis and BLAST searching. The results showed that four DEGs were commonly expressed by cPAHs and they were identified as ribosomal protein S4, coagulation factor II, elongation factor 1 beta, and a predicted protein similar to human immunodeficiency virus type I enhancer binding protein 3. This finding suggests that binary exposure to cPAHs interferes protein synthesis required for fundamental liver functions in fish.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.880-893
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• 2015

Taurine is an abundant amino acid in many animals, including humans. Relatively large amounts of taurine are found in leukocytes, heart, muscles, retinas, kidneys, bones, and liver. Taurine has antioxidant effects; it reacts with hydrogen peroxide to prevent oxidation of the cell membrane. Taurine enhances the effects of anticancer drugs, while also reducing side effects, and taurolidine, a taurine derivative, has been shown to exhibit anti-cancer effects without notable side effects in several types of cancer. Taurine aids in cholesterol metabolism by increasing the rate of synthesis of bile acids, and, thus, reduces triglyceride levels. In addition, taurine is involved in the growth and differentiation of nerve cells and is associated with some neurological disorders. Taurine aids in bone formation and prevents bone dissolution. Moreover, taurine prevents liver damage from a variety of drugs and, thus, protects the liver. Taurine is involved in the development and function of the retina and lens. It also has anti-atherosclerotic and anti-thrombotic effects that protect against cardiovascular disease. Taurine may have additional physiological functions, and warrants further investigation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.51-55
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• 2005

Objectives: Literary investigation of existing data was conducted to verify effects of Bezoar Bovis and its herbal acupuncture, and determine quality management through component analysis. Results: Following results were obtained through literary investigation. 1. Bezoar Bovis is dried cystic stone from a cattle. Its characteristics are cool, no toxicity, and bitter taste. Known actions are: quells heat and detoxifies Fire Poison, extinguishes internal movement of Liver Wind and stops convulsion, vaporizes phlegm, and opens orifice. It is mainly used for treating tremor, stroke, delirium, sore throat, oral furuncle, boil, and others. 2. Bezoar Bovis is effective for eliminating liver toxicity, protecting against brain damage, and has anti-microbial activities. 3. Bezoar Bovis is mixed with bear gall bladder and deer musk to be used as herbal acupuncture, and this mixture is effective is invigorating liver functions as well as treating arthritis, headache, and etc. 4. Principal components of Bezoar Bovis are bilirubin-type pigments and cholic acids. The amount of bilirubin can be used as a standard to determine the quality of Bezoar Bovis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1543-1546
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• 2003

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease of the skin marked by excessive scaling associated with inflammation, affecting 1-2% of the population. Although their etiologies remain unknown, the finding of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes at sites of psoriasis has led many reports to hypothesize that psoriasis is a T lymphocyte-mediated disease directed against unknown autoantigens. The oriental medicine understands the cause of psoriasis as low humidity of skin tissues and functional deteriorations of the liver and lung. Gami-Yunbueum (GY) is a mixture of two previous prescription, which were used to the protection of liver and lung. We had prescribed the GY to the three psoriasis patients for 11 weeks and examined the effectiveness of the GY by PASI (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index) score. In our experiment, GY improved the symptoms of psoriasis in all cases. These results indicated that GY can apply to the treatment of psoriasis. Furthermore, the process for treatment of psoriasis is possible to provide humidity to skin and control the functions of liver and lung.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.264-268
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• 2001

Aggregates of specific cells are often regarded as better from in artificial organs and mammalian cell bioreactors in terms of cell-specific functionality. In this study, the morphology and liver specific functions of freshly harvested primary rat hepatocytes, which were cultivated as spheroids and entrapped in a synthetic thermo-reversible extracellular matrix, were examined and compared to a control (hepatocytes in single cell form). A copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide(98 mole % in feed) and acrylic acid (poly (NiPAAm-co-AAC)), a thermo- reversible copolymer gel ma- trix, was used to entrap hepatocytes either in spheroids or single cells. During a 7-day culture pe-riod, the spheroids maintained higher viability and produced albumin and urea at a relatively con-stant rate, while, the single cell culture showed a slight increase in cell numbers and a reduction in albumin secretion Hepatocytes cultrured as spheroids present a potentially useful three-dimensional cell culture system for application in bioartificial liver device.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.519-523
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• 2004

This study sought to investigate the ameliorating effects of a Korean medicinal herb (KMH) complex on the impacts of alcohol consumption in rat hepatocytes and in reducing the total cholesterol levels and the total lipid levels in the serum. We compared the body weight gain and ratio of the liver, the kidney to body weight, and also the serum biochemistry of the rats administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex to the control rats treated with alcohol alone. The clinically important enzyme markers (Aspartate Aminotransferase, AST, and Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT) of rats, administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex treatments, were compared with those in the control group. The treatment regimen (KMH complex) significantly reduced the serum AST and ALT levels, indicating the hepato-protective effects of the KMH complex. Furthermore, total cholesterol and total lipid levels were significantly reduced. These results indicate that the KMH complex may positively mediate the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and the general liver functions.