• 대한한의학원전학회지
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.71-74
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• 2011

Objective : Nutrient Qi, Blood Qi and Essencial Qi are the most significant qi in spleen, liver and kidney. However, the origins and functions of those qi are not quite detailed somehow. Method : I will try to find out the origins and functions of Nutrient Qi, Blood Qi and Essencial Qi through "Hwangdineijing". Result : The Nutrient Qi is the essence of spleen, Blood Qi is the essence of liver and Essencial Qi is the essence of kidney. Conclusion : The Nutrient Qi has function of nourishment in human body and digestion of water and food in spleen itself. The Blood Qi has a function to make each organ work in human body and to make free coursing in liver itself. Essential Qi has a function to store each essential qi of five viscera in human body and reproduction in kidney itself.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.309-323
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• 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides that have recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Recent studies provided clear evidence that microRNAs are abundant in the lung, liver and kidney and modulate a diverse spectrum of their functions. Moreover, a large number of studies have reported links between alterations of miRNA homeostasis and pathological conditions such as infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and endometrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases. As a consequence of extensive participation of miRNAs in normal functions, alteration and/or abnormalities in miRNAs should have importance in human diseases. Beside their important roles in patterning and development, miRNAs also orchestrated responses to pathogen infections. Particularly, emerging evidence indicates that viruses use their own miRNAs to manipulate both cellular and viral gene expression. Furthermore, viral infection can exert a profound impact on the host cellular miRNA expression profile, and several RNA viruses have been reported to interact directly with cellular miRNAs and/or to use these miRNAs to augment their replication potential. Here I briefly summarize the newly discovered roles of miRNAs in various human diseases including infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and enodmetrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.84-92
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• 2020

Objectives: To observe the effects on liver and kidney of gynecology patients' during long term Korean Medicine. Methods: This research was conducted as a panel study on 29 female gynecology patients at Korean medicine clinic and compares their conditions before, 3 months after, and 6 months after Intake of Korean medicine. This analysis was conducted to frequency(%), repeated measure ANOVA and significantly statistics was p<0.05, confidence interval. Results: The most common conditions among the subjects were polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and uterine myoma. Except in a few instances, liver functions (AST, ALT, γ-GTP) were within the normal range before and after the intake of Korean medicine. Further, while there was a slight change in liver functions when three months and six months after the intake, but there was no statistical significance (p>0.05). As for the kidney functions (BUN, Creatinine, BUN/Creatinine), they were within the normal range before and after the intake of Korean medicine. Further, while there was a slight change in kidney functions three months and six months after the intake, there was no statistical significance(p>0.05) either. Conclusions: Based on these results, it can be concluded that Korean medicine does not have a negative impact on the gynecology patients' liver and kidney.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.166-174
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• 2022

Hepatic macrophages are key immune cells associated with the broad ranges of liver diseases including steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Hepatic macrophages interact with other immune cells and orchestrate hepatic immune circumstances. Recently, the heterogenous populations of hepatic macrophages have been discovered termed residential Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, and identified their distinct population dynamics during the progression of various liver diseases. Liver injury lead to Kupffer cells activation with induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which triggers recruitment of inflammatory monocyte-derived macrophages. To understand liver pathology, the functions of different subtypes of liver macrophages should be regarded with different perspectives. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the roles of hepatic macrophages under liver damages and suggest hepatic macrophages as promising therapeutic targets for treating liver diseases.

• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제51권4호
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• pp.334-342
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• 2018

People in Korea, a peninsular, have acquired a variety of marine food resources including seaweeds. Ecklonia stolonifera, a brown algae, is commonly dwelling in Korean coasts and their cultivation methods were developed for a mass-production. Recently, studies have revealed that Ecklonia stolonifera is a promising material for the development of health functional foods. In an effort to carefully review the current understating in the effects and mechanisms of Ecklonia stolonifera on liver functions by deduction from relevant literatures, the effective components were identified as phlorotannins, including dieckol, eckstolonol, eckol, phlorofucofuroeckol A, and phlorosterol. Their aiding action on the hepatic functions is categorized as follows. A) Regulation of oxidative stress by anti-oxidant capacity, B) Protection of hepatocytes from toxins, C) Prevention of alcoholic fatty liver and fibrogenesis, D) Regulation of chronic disease by improvement of inflammatory responses and lipid metabolisms, and E) indirect benefit conferred by a personal total wellness.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.78-90
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• 2006

Background : Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well. In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with liver damage. The use of herbal preparations as remedies for various medical conditions has continuously increased in Korea. Large proportions of Korean patients use herbal medicinal products, folk remedies, and health food. However, studies on the safety of herbal products are conducted on a less than sufficient basis even in the countries like Korea where herbal medicine is being used extensively. Some of the reports on the safety of herbs were done by the doctors of western medicine but lack of knowledge and misclassification led to misunderstandings. Objectives : This study aims to verify the evidences on safety of frequently used 4 herbal medications (Sipjeondaebo-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Ohjeok-San, Yukmaijihwang-tang) in the lab animal model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats was treated by 4 herbal medications during 31 days. After 1 month, we checked body weight, liver weight, and serum enzyme associated with liver function. Results : There is no significant difference in body weight and liver weight after 1 month of administrations. In all experimental groups, no abnormal findings was observed in histotogical research and lab liver Functions test(AST, ALT etc). Conclusions : These four herbal medications, frequently used in oriental medicine clinics and hospitals, are safe from hepatoxic events in the lab animal model.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.243-250
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• 2014

Mitochondrial integrity is critical for maintaining proper cellular functions. A key aspect of regulating mitochondrial homeostasis is removing damaged mitochondria through autophagy, a process called mitophagy. Autophagy dysfunction in various disease states can inactivate mitophagy and cause cell death, and defects in mitophagy are becoming increasingly recognized in a wide range of diseases from liver injuries to neurodegenerative diseases. Here we highlight our current knowledge on the mechanisms of mitophagy, and discuss how alterations in mitophagy contribute to disease pathogenesis. We also discuss mitochondrial dynamics and potential interactions between mitochondrial fusion, fission and mitophagy.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.68-76
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• 2000

Objectives: This experiment was conducted to verify the effects of Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) on the alcohol metabolism and liver functions, by measuring the activity levels of ADH and ALDH, as well as glucose, triglyceride, and BUN. Damage of the liver cells caused by alcohol was determined through the examination of serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and uric acid. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment and the rats were divided into control and experiment groups. Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) extract was orally administered in the experiment group for three weeks. Each group was further classified into two sub-groups, and control group's blood was taken without oral ingestion of alcohol, while the experiment group' s blood was withdrawn after ingestion of alcohol. Evaluation of damage level was done considering the presence of extract and alcohol. Results: In this experiment, Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) significantly suppressed the activity of ADH which is a precursor enzyme of acetaldehyde, but didn't cause significant changes in the activity of ALDH which is a catabolic enzyme. Decreased glucose level due to alcohol consumption was recovered back to the normal level and increased levels of triglyceride, BUN, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, and uric acid were significantly reduced. Conclusions: These experiment results suggest that Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) inhibits the formation of acetaldehyde in the metabolism of alcohol, and affects the recovery of weakened liver functions due to alcohol.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

This Dietary cholesterol augments lipid profile and primes production and activation of platelets, leading to development of atherosclerosis which produce several detrimental effects on cardiovascular health. Ethnomedicine and Mediterranean diet are natural sources and cost effective modes against several ailments including cardiovascular diseases while fermented foods have gained interest due to their increased nutrient profile, enhanced bioavailability and efficacy. Garlic has been known to reduce cholesterol and inhibit platelet activation. We examined whether fermented garlic ameliorates effects of hypercholesterolemia and platelet functions in rats. Methodology: Male SD rats were fed with hypercholesterolemia diet and treated with spirulina, fermented and non-fermented preparations of garlic for one month. Platelet aggregation and granule secretion were assessed to evaluate platelet activation. Liver and kidney weights, lipid and enzymatic profile of serum and whole blood analysis was performed. Expressions of SREBP, ACAT-2 and HMG-CoA were assessed using RT-PCR while liver and adipose tissues were analyzed for histological changes. Both fermented and non-fermented garlic inhibited platelet aggregation and granule secretion while fermented garlic showed greater inhibitor tendency. Fermented garlic significantly reduced liver weight and triglycerides concentrations than non-fermented garlic. Similarly, fermented garlic greatly abrogated the detrimental effects of steatosis on liver and adipose tissues. Fermented garlic significantly improved lipid profile and modulated platelet functions, thereby inhibiting atherosclerosis and platelet related cardiovascular disorders.

• 비만대사연구학술지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2024

Serotonin, a biogenic amine widely found in many organisms, functions as both a neurotransmitter and hormone. Although serotonin is involved in various physiological processes, this study aimed to review its role in energy metabolism. Given that serotonin cannot cross the blood-brain barrier and is synthesized by two different isoforms of tryptophan hydroxylase in the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues, it is reasonable to assume that serotonin in the CNS and peripheral tissues functions independently. Recent studies have demonstrated how serotonin influences energy metabolism in metabolic target organs such as the intestines, liver, pancreas, and adipose tissue. In summary, serotonin in the CNS induces satiety and appetite suppression, stimulates thermogenesis, and reduces body weight. Conversely, serotonin in the periphery increases intestinal motility, stimulates gluconeogenesis in the liver, suppresses glucose uptake by hepatocytes, promotes fat uptake by liver cells, stimulates insulin secretion while suppressing glucagon secretion in the pancreatic islets, promotes lipogenesis in white adipose tissue, inhibits lipolysis and browning of white adipose tissue, and suppresses thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, thereby storing energy and increasing body weight. However, considering that most experimental results were obtained using mice and conducted under specific nutritional conditions, such as high-fat diets, whether serotonin acts in the same way in humans, whether it will act similarly in individuals with normal versus obese weights, and whether its effects vary depending on the type of food consumed, remain unknown.