• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.17-29
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the correlation of meridian system in oriental medicine and muscular system in western medicine. Methods : Muscles were assigned to meridians by their main functions and the acupoints on them. New mutual relationships between meridians in lower limb were studied based on the muscular function. Results : In gluteal & femoral region, iliopsoas & quadratus femoris are assigned to spleen & stomach meridians, gluteus maximus & hamstrings to urinary bladder & kidney meridians, adductor muscle groups to liver meridian, gluteus medius & minimus & iliotibial tract to gall bladder meridian. In crural region, anterior crural muscles are assigned to stomach meridian, lateral crural muscles to gall bladder meridian, suferficial posterior crural muscles to urinary bladder (& kidney) meridian, deep posterior crural muscles to liver, spleen, kidney meridians. In lower limb, urinary bladder meridian and stomach meridian lead the muscular functions and correspond to each other, while spleen meridian assists stomach meridian, and kidney meridian assists urinary bladder meridian. Conclusions : Muscles may be assigned to meridians by their functions and the acupoints on them. From the view of muscular function, Yang meridians lead Yin meridians in lower limb.

• 동아시아식생활학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.44-52
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• 2013

This study investigated hepatic functional improvement and anti-fibrotic effects of water extracts of black tea. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (normal, control, and two experimental subgroups: Ba, Bb) and observed for 3 weeks. Liver fibrosis in rats developed from carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) administration, except for the normal group. Except for the normal and control group, the two experimental subgroups were fed water extracts of black tea. The food efficiency ratio significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The experimental group had a significantly lower liver weight compared to the control group. The ratio of liver weight to body weight was significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in serum significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The values of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in liver were even lower in the experimental group than the control group. In observations on liver histology, weaker inflammation and fibrosis were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. In conclusion, water extracts of black tea help hepatic cells keep their functions, restraining and protecting the liver from impairments caused by $CCl_4$ administration, and can be effective as anti-fibrotic agents.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.1908-1912
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• 2004

This study was designed to assess the clinical effects of Inginoryung-san on liver function. : Inginoryung-san was prescribed for the patient for 14 months. Symptoms were checked repeatedly, and liver function test(such as AST, ALT, ALP, GGT ect.) were done, as well as urinalysis, to evaluate improvement. After 14 months treatment with Inginoryung-san, most symptoms disappeared or improved. Liver function test and urinalysis showed improvement. The above results that Inginoryung-san is beneficial for patient with abnormal liver functions.

• 한국환경성돌연변이발암원학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.134-142
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• 2005

Liver cancer is a leading cause of tumor-related mortality, Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is one of the most extensively studied hepatic carcinogens to date. In this study, the mRNA expression profile in DEN-induced liver tumors in mice was analyzed using DNA microarrays. We report increased expression of genes that participate in hypoxia response, including metallothionein 1 (Mt1), metallothionein 2 (Mt2), fatty acid synthase (Fasn), transferrin (Trf), adipose differentiation-related Protein (AdfP) and ceruloplasmin (CP), as well as those involved in predisposition and development of cancers, such as cytochrome P450 2A5 (Cyp2a5), alpha 2-HS-glycoprotein (Ahsg) and Jun-B oncogene (Junb). The hepatic iron regulatory peptide, hepcidin (Hampl), was downregulated in DEN-stimulated liver tumors. Expression of tumor suppressor genes, such as tripartite motif protein 13 (Trim13), was decreased under these conditions. The data collectively indicate that DEN-induced tumor development can be exploited as a possible model for liver cancer, since this process involves various genes with important functions in hepatic carcinogenesis.

• 대한중풍순환신경학회지
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.27-32
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• 2009

Object : The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether herbal medication may injure the liver function and kidney function in stroke patients. Method : We observed the serum AST, ALT, r-GTP, Creatinine, BUN of 78 patient from May 1. 2008 to June 30. 2009 admitted in Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University. Liver function and Kidney function tests were done on admission and before discharge. And all patients take herbal medicine with Western medicine. Result : AST, ALT, r-GTP, Creatinine, BUN decreased on discharge compared with the value on admission. The liver function and kidney function test score(AST, ALT, r-GTP, Creatinine, BUN) by administration period of herbal medication was not significantly changed. Conclusion : This study suggests that general herbal medication does not injure liver function and kidney function of human.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.149-157
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• 2010

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of safety on liver functions when Korean herbal medicine was taken internally. Method: 101 inpatients who took Korean herbal medicine were enrolled and liver function test (aspartic aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase) was performed on admission and 1 month later. Results: In 101 patients, alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyltranspeptidase decreased significantly compared with the value taken on admission (p<0.05) but aspartic aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, albumin, and lactate dehydrogenase were not significantly changed (p>0.05). In the patients who took Scutellaria baicalensis (n=34), alkaline phosphatase decreased and albumin increased significantly (p<0.05). Among the patients who took Atractylodes macrocephala (n=29), alkaline phosphatase decreased significantly (p<0.05). In the patients who took Glycyrrhiza uralensis or Paeonia lactiflora, liver function parameters were not significantly changed (p>0.05). On admission 11 patients had abnormal liver function and 2 patients had liver injury while 7 patients had abnormal liver function and 2 patients showed liver injury 1 month later. Conclusions: This study suggests that prescribed Korean herbal medicine does not injure liver function.

• Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering:BBE
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• 제8권1호
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• pp.41-46
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• 2003

Difficulties associated with bioartificial liver (BAL) preservation limit not only the commercialization of BAL, but also its clinical trials. In this study, the possibility of cold preservation of BAL cartridges containing porcine hepatocytes was examined at 4$^{\circ}C$. In an in vitro perfusion culture System, BAL cartridges maintained cytochrome P450 metabolic function for at least 50 days. However, all BAL cartridges completely lost their ammonia eliminating ability when stored at 4$^{\circ}C$. We a1so studied the effect of cell density on the maintenance of BAL liver function In a highly differentiated and healthy state. As expected, BALs containing a larger number of hepatocytes demonstrated higher metabolic functions. When metabolic functions were compared per gram of hepatotytes, no large differences were observed between devices containing different densities of hepatocytes. Decreased cell density did not Successfully prolong BAL function. The viability and function of isolated hepatotytes highly depend on the culture conditions, such as cell density, substrata, culture media, and additives to the culture media. Perfusion culture of BAL cartridges at 4$^{\circ}C$ gave a promosing result with respect to the maintenance of P450 activity. However, as indicated by the rapid loss of ammonia metabolic activity, many factors still remain to be optimized for preservation of BAL keeping high metabolic functions for a longer time.

• 한국의사학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.55-62
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• 2005

In "Lingshu Benshen". five vicera are damaged due to changes in emotion having qi flow opposite to five viscera. As a result, it suggests that mental and physical illness could develop. The content of this piece can be explained in relation to five elements but uniformly through qi's flow. The contents can be summarized as follows. 1. The Heart is fire among the five elements and mainly characterized with dispersing. The flow of its qi is characterized facing upward and outward. On the other hand, being afraid or thinking seriously is characterized by making qi to go downward and stop so that the flow of qi is mainly facing toward inward and downward, damaging the heart. 2. The spleen has the conveyance function and spreads qi. On the other hand, worry and emotion inhibit qi function, blocking qi, damaging the spleen. 3. The liver has dispelling and removing functions and the power of sending up. The qi flow goes toward upward and outward. On the other hand, sadness stagnates qi, preventing the flow of liver's qi, damaging the liver. As a result, work is not done accurately. Madness develops with heat accumulated with qi stagnation. When qi is not sending up, mentality is not clear, leading to forgetfulness. 4. The lung has astringent and sending down functions, lowering qi. On the other hand, happy and joyful emotions bring up qi, showing the opposite flow of qi compared with the lung, damaging the lung. 5. The kidney has closing and storing functions, making qi flow to downward and inward. On the other hand, being angry makes qi to go up. Excessive expression of anger damages the kidney. As a result, the yin function of kidney does not work properly, leading to forgetfulness.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.233-239
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• 2024

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation has recently emerged as a significant co-transcriptional modification involved in regulating various RNA functions. It plays a vital function in numerous biological processes. Enzymes referred to as m6A methyltransferases, such as the methyltransferase-like (METTL) 3-METTL14-Wilms tumor 1 (WT1)-associated protein (WTAP) complex, are responsible for adding m6A modifications, while m6A demethylases, including fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and alkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5), can remove m6A methylation. The functions of m6A-methylated RNA are regulated through the recognition and interaction of m6A reader proteins. Recent research has shown that m6A methylation takes place at multiple sites within hepatitis B virus (HBV) RNAs, and the location of these modifications can differentially impact the HBV infection. The addition of m6A modifications to HBV RNA can influence its stability and translation, thereby affecting viral replication and pathogenesis. Furthermore, HBV infection can also alter the m6A modification pattern of host RNA, indicating the virus's ability to manipulate host cellular processes, including m6A modification. This manipulation aids in establishing chronic infection, promoting liver disease, and contributing to pathogenesis. A comprehensive understanding of the functional roles of m6A modification during HBV infection is crucial for developing innovative approaches to combat HBV-mediated liver disease. In this review, we explore the functions of m6A modification in HBV replication and its impact on the development of liver disease.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권8호
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• pp.401-406
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• 2022

Ahnak, a large protein first identified as an inhibitor of TGF-β signaling in human neuroblastoma, was recently shown to promote TGF-β in some cancers. The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, various biological functions, and cancer growth and metastasis. In this study, we used Ahnak knockout (KO) mice that underwent a 70% partial hepatectomy (PH) to investigate the function of Ahnak in TGF-β signaling during liver regeneration. At the indicated time points after PH, we analyzed the mRNA and protein expression of the TGF -β/Smad signaling pathway and cell cycle-related factors, evaluated the cell cycle through proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, analyzed the mitotic index by hematoxylin and eosin staining. We also measured the ratio of liver tissue weight to body weight. Activation of TGF-β signaling was confirmed by analyzing the levels of phospho-Smad 2 and 3 in the liver at the indicated time points after PH and was lower in Ahnak KO mice than in WT mice. The expression levels of cyclin B1, D1, and E1; proteins in the Rb/E2F transcriptional pathway, which regulates the cell cycle; and the numbers of PCNA-positive cells were increased in Ahnak KO mice and showed tendencies opposite that of TGF-β expression. During postoperative regeneration, the liver weight to body weight ratio tended to increase faster in Ahnak KO mice. However, 7 days after PH, both groups of mice showed similar rates of regeneration, following which their active regeneration stopped. Analysis of hepatocytes undergoing mitosis showed that there were more mitotic cells in Ahnak KO mice, consistent with the weight ratio. Our findings suggest that Ahnak enhances TGF-β signaling during postoperative liver regeneration, resulting in cell cycle disruption; this highlights a novel role of Ahnak in liver regeneration. These results provide new insight into liver regeneration and potential treatment targets for liver diseases that require surgical treatment.