• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.147-158
• /
• 2024

Hepatic fibrosis refers to the scarring of liver tissue, often resulting from chronic liver injury or inflammation. It is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, impairing liver function and potentially progressing to cirrhosis if left untreated. To improve the liver functions, Cordyceps militaris, a species of parasitic fungus known for its medicinal properties, is used in the form of extract. It has been traditionally used in Chinese medicine to boost energy, improve stamina, and support overall health. In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective effects of Cordyceps militaris extract powder in a liver injury model induced by hepatic fibrosis. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administered Dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) to induce liver injury, and the hepatoprotective effects of Cordyceps militaris extract powder intake were assessed by comparing changes in liver enzyme levels and histological observations. Rats injected with DMN were orally administered Cordyceps militaris extract powder at doses of 0, 125, 250, and 500 mg·kg^-1·day^-1 for three weeks. After three weeks of treatment, no significant differences were observed in hematological, clinical chemical, organ weight, gross examination, or microscopic examination between the DMN-alone group and the Cordyceps militaris extract powder-treated group. In conclusion, hepatoprotective effects against DMN-induced liver injury in SD rats treated with Cordyceps militaris extract powder were not observed under this study condition.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.630-636
• /
• 2002

After The Yellow Emperor's Canon of Internal Medicine, The text researches of pathologic change to the liver disease concluded the next, 1, The category of liver-disease(肝病) include the Symptoms of abnormality due to vital energy and blood motion, emotion and intention, muscular and reproductive function, and legions around descending liver channel. 2. In the theory that Liver-Yang energy(肝陽氣) is always overproducing, Liver-Yin blood(肝陰血) is always lacking, pathologic characteristics for liver disease is functional change of malfunction of the use of body(體用失調), So nourishing the liver and kidney is used for the principal aspects of a disease. regulating and calm the liver is used for the secondary aspects of a disease as the treatment plan, 3. If malfunctioning of the functions of dispersion and discharge(疏泄), Iiver-energy(肝氣) is becoming degected, So overproduct and overflow of ascent and exhalation of liver-yang(肝陽) is becoming blood are ascending following energy. complete usage of Yin-blood(陰血) is responsible for some kinds of mass formed by blood stasis in the early stage of pathogenesis of liver disease syndrome of the energy system as the progession of disease extravasated blood is forming. the pathologic characteristics is appeared loss of control of the vital energy and blood(體用失調) at the liver disease. 4. Sthenia-syndrome of liver(肝實證) and liver-heat syndrome(肝熱證) is appered that overproducing and overflow of dispersion(疏泄太過) and discharge is responsible for overfunctioning of liver disease or some kinds of heat syndrome such as liver fire(肝火), Sthenia of liver-yang(肝陽上亢), the syndromes of sthenic liver heat(肝實熱) are appered. deficiency of the liver(肝虛證) and cold syndrome of liver(肝寒證) is classified pathologic characteristics of cold and heat, deficiency and excess that regression of sensory, motor, mental due to lack of dispersion and discharge(疏泄不及), or intruding of the cold miasma, are degected. 5. The liver is close relation of physiologic function and internal organ such as spleen, stomach, lung, heart, kidney, gall bladder by the meridian channels, because of property of wind Zang, rapid progession is classified by phthologic charateristics.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.811-823
• /
• 2021

Objective: Eggshell color is an important indicator of egg quality for consumers, especially for brown eggs. Various factors related to laying hens and their environment affect brown eggshell coloration. However, there have been no studies investigating hepatic functions of laying hens with variable intensity of brown eggshell color. Therefore, this study was aimed to identify potential factors affecting brown eggshell coloration in aged laying hens at the hepatic transcriptomic level. Methods: Five hundred 92-wk-old Hy-line Brown laying hens were screened to select laying hens with different intensity of brown eggshell color based on eggshell color fans. Based on eggshell color scores, hens with dark brown eggshells (DBE; eggshell color fan score = 14.8) and hens with light brown eggshells (LBE; eggshell color fan score = 9.7) were finally selected for the liver sampling. We performed RNA-seq analysis using the liver samples through the paired-end sequencing libraries. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) profiling was carried out to identify their biological meaning by bioinformatics. Results: A total of 290 DEGs were identified with 196 being up-regulated and 94 being down-regulated in DBE groups as compared to LBE groups. The Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that these DEGs belong to several biological pathways including herpes simplex infection (toll-like receptor 3 [TLR3], cyclin-dependent kinase 1, etc.) and influenza A (TLR3, radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2, myxovirus [influenza virus] resistance 1, etc.). Genes related to stress response (ceremide kinase like) and nutrient metabolism (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxy-kinase 1, methylmalonic aciduria [cobalamin deficiency] cblB type, glycine receptor alpha 2, solute carrier family 7 member 11, etc.) were also identified to be differentially expressed. Conclusion: The current results provide new insights regarding hepatic molecular functions related to different intensity of brown eggshell color in aged laying hens. These insights will contribute to future studies aiming to optimize brown eggshell coloration in aged laying hens.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.1362-1373
• /
• 2004

In studying the specific effects of some drugs, animals under experiments get some stress through laboratory environments, drug injection, and adaptation period. These stimuli do harms on liver function. Nowadays studies on liver intoxication and its protection are under research, but the function of dissolution is rarely under studies. It is widely accepted that Soshiho-tang has function of clearing away low spirits, and that it enables liver bloods to move stronger, and to have calm mind. So I injured rats liver by injectioning CCI₄. And the rats took in Soshiho-tang solution. I made a comparison between the functions before and after rat's liver damage. There are many representative serums used to note an index on liver damage. I used total protein, albumin, ALP, GOT, GPT activity, P450, SOD, Catalase, GST, GR, and GPx. I got the following results. When Soshiho-tang was injected after CCI4 intoxication, total protein and albumin decreased. When Soshiho-tang was injected, ALP decreased, compared with control group. When Soshiho-tang was injected after CCI₄ intoxication, AST and ALT decreased. When Soshiho-tang was injected before CCI₄ intoxication, P450 was restrained. When Soshiho-tang was injected, LPO was all restrained. When Soshiho-tang was injected, SOD, Catalase, GST, GR, and, GPx increased. These results show that blood test reveals that it is good to inject Soshiho-tang after CCI₄ intoxication, but that it is good to inject Soshiho-tang before CCI₄ intoxication in case of P450, LPO, SOD, Catalase, GST, GR, and GPx. It is estimated that the medication period and time of liver damage by CCI₄ have counter results, and that it needs more modified study.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.274-278
• /
• 1990

Metastases to the liver presents a common clinical problem in the management of patients with cole-rectal cancer, and are responsible for a high degree of morbidity and mortality associated with this malignancy. Unfortunately, attempts at preventing the development of liver metastases in "high risk" patients has so far been unsuccessful. Ongoing studies of adjuvant chemotherapy have not yet illustrated a significant increase in survival in patients receiving such therapy. The purpose of the study is to investigate the value of adjuvant radiotherapy given in the form of colloidal chromic phosphate P-32 suspension administered via portal vein after radical resection of the primary cancer, in preventing the growth of occult metastases in the liver. Twenty one patients (10 patients of treated group with 11 controls) were followed 18 months after operation. There was no significant change in the CBC and liver functions after administration of P-32 labeled colloidal chromic phosphate. The number of patients who showed local metastases at 18 months were 2 in the treated group and 3 in the control group. While liver metastases occurred in one patient at 6 months and in three at 12 months in the control group, there was no development of liver metastases by 12 months in the treated group. At 18 month follow-up CT scan one patient in the treated group showed a single nodule in the liver. In conclusion liver metastasis rate was lower in the patients who received colloidal P-32 chromic phosphate via portal vein after radical resection of the primary cole-rectal cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.31 no.7
• /
• pp.1121-1129
• /
• 1998

The critical role of folate vitamin in the remethylation pathway for methionine synthesis from homocysteine has been well documented. Hyperhomocysteinemia resulting from inadequate folate nutrition has been implicated in increased incidence of macrovascular diseases, colorectal cancer, neural tube defects, etc. Chronic exposure to ethanol impairs folate nutrition and one-carbon metabolism in the liver, which often results in fatty liver due to a defective remethylation process. This study was carried out to investigate the chronic effects of moderate levels of alcohol and dietary 131ate on plasma homocysteine levels, and on histopathology and biochemical functions of the liver Rats were raised on experimental diets with three levels of folate(0, 2, 8mg/kg diet), and 50% ethanol(1.8m1/kg body weight) was administered intragastrically by intubation tubes three times a week for 10 weeks. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were found to be significantly influenced by dietary folate intake and alcohol administration. Among all treatment groups, Plasma homocysteine levels were highest in the animals receiving a combined treatment of folate deficient diet and alcohol administration. Plasma homocysteine concentration was negatively correlated with folate concentration in the plasma(p<0.01) and liver(p<0.05). Among alcohol treated rats, increase in plasma homocysteine values due to ethanol was prevented by 131ate supplementation. When liver histological tests were performed, macrovascular and microvascular fatty changes and spotted necrosis were observed more frequently in folate-deficient animals diet than those on folate-adequate and folate-supplemented diets in alcohol-treated rats. These results indicate that folate supplementation above the recommended level might be beneficial in the prevention of alcohol-related hyperhomocystei-nemia and abnormal histologic changes in the liver due. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) : l121-l129, 1998)

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.46 no.9
• /
• pp.527-534
• /
• 2023

Liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is the main cause of organ dysfunction and failure after liver surgeries including organ transplantation. The mechanism of liver IRI is complex and numerous signals are involved but cellular metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress, and inflammation are considered the major contributors to liver IRI. In addition, the activation of inflammatory signals exacerbates liver IRI by recruiting macrophages, dendritic cells, and neutrophils, and activating NK cells, NKT cells, and cytotoxic T cells. Technological advances enable us to understand the role of specific immune cells during liver IRI. Accordingly, therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat liver IRI have been proposed but no definitive and effective therapies exist yet. This review summarizes the current update on the immune cell functions and discusses therapeutic potentials in liver IRI. A better understanding of this complex and highly dynamic process may allow for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches and optimize patient outcomes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.276-282
• /
• 2012

High-intensive endurance exercises induce cell changes in body, changes in structures and functions of the heart, the muscles, the cartilages, and the liver, as well as increase of inflammatory cytokine. The purpose of this study was to estimate the biochemical changes in the liver and muscles during ultra-marathon race (100 km) by sections. The blood of the subjects was collected before the marathon as a control in order to analyze serum creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), asprtate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total(T)-bilirubin, direct(D)-bilirubin, total protein, albumin, uric acid, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (${\gamma}$-GTP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations. The CK, LDH, D-bilirubin, AST and ALT concentrations at 50 km and 100 km were significantly increased compared to the control (P<0.05). The markers at 100 km were higher than those at 50 km (P<0.05). The T-bilirubin and hs-CRP concentrations showed no difference among the groups, whereas the markers at 100 km were higher than those of the control and at 50 km (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the ultra-marathon race (100 km) may induce the damage of the skeletal muscle, liver and kidney, intravascular hemolysis and inflammatory responses.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.7
• /
• pp.374-384
• /
• 2023

Fibrosis is a pathological condition that is characterized by an abnormal buildup of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagen, in tissues. This condition affects various organs of the body, including the liver and kidney. Early diagnosis and treatment of fibrosis are crucial, as it is a progressive and irreversible process in both organs. While there are certain similarities in the fibrosis process between the liver and kidney, there are also significant differences that must be identified to determine molecular diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic targets. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of RNA molecules that do not code for proteins, are increasingly recognized as playing significant roles in gene expression regulation. Emerging evidence suggests that specific lncRNAs are involved in fibrosis development and progression by modulating signaling pathways, such as the TGF-β/Smad pathway and the β-catenin pathway. Thus, identifying the precise lncRNAs involved in fibrosis could lead to novel therapeutic approaches for fibrotic diseases. In this review, we summarize lncRNAs related to fibrosis in the liver and kidney, and propose their potential as therapeutic targets based on their functions.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.120-129
• /
• 2024

Recent amendments to regulatory frameworks have placed a greater emphasis on the utilization of in vitro testing platforms for preclinical drug evaluations and toxicity assessments. This requires advanced tissue models capable of accurately replicating liver functions for drug efficacy and toxicity predictions. Liver organoids, derived from human cell sources, offer promise as a reliable platform for drug evaluation. However, there is a lack of standardized quality evaluation methods, which hinders their regulatory acceptance. This paper proposes comprehensive quality standards tailored for liver organoids, addressing cell source validation, organoid generation, and functional assessment. These guidelines aim to enhance reproducibility and accuracy in toxicity testing, thereby accelerating the adoption of organoids as a reliable alternative or complementary tool to animal testing in drug development. The quality standards include criteria for size, cellular composition, gene expression, and functional assays, thus ensuring a robust hepatotoxicity testing platform.