• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.210-214
• /
• 2004

Whole liver transplantation, the currently available treatment of end-stage liver disease, has limitations including serious donor shortage, fatal surgical complications, risk of allograft rejection, and the requirement of life-long immunosuppression. In this study, we investigated the possibility of reconstructing liver tissues in vivo by implanting fetal hepatocytes on polymer scaffolds as a potential method to replace the current treatments. Fetal hepatocytes were freshly isolated from mice and seeded onto porous mesh scaffolds fabricated from polyglycolic acid, a biodegradable synthetic polymer. The seeded scaffolds were implanted into peritoneal cavity of athymic mice for one week. As a control, fetal hepatocytes were implanted without scaffold. One week after transplantation, liver-like tissues formed. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses indicated that the hepatocyles and liver tissue structures (bile ducts) were present in the newly formed tissues. In the control group, no transplanted hepatocytes were observed. Theses preliminary results suggest that liver tissues may be regeneration by transplanting fetal hepatocytes on polymer scaffolds.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.239-246
• /
• 1997

In the present study, liver regeneration rate (%) was increased up to 70% 3 days after partial hepatectomy (PH). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in liver tissue as well as serum nitrite/ nitrate content had no timed response, revealing no significant difference between shamoperated and partially hepatectomized rat liver. Contents of free methylarginines in liver tissue were increased biphasically in a time-dependent manner after PH. However, those in serum did not exhibit the same patterns as in liver. Taken together, the results suggest that $N^{G}$-monomethyl-L-arginine (MMA) and $ N^{G}, N^{G}$-dimethylarginine (DMA) play a role in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) synthesis in regenerating rat liver because the increase of their contents was synchronized with NOS expression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.22-32
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study researched the effect of Gamisoyo-san intravenous pharmacopuncture on restoration of liver function after partial hepatectomy in SD rat. Methods: Twelve rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (n=4) underwent partial hepatectomy, saline group (n=4) was injected $1m{\ell}$ saline after partial hepatectomy, Gamisoyo-san group (n=4) was injected with 10mg/kg Gamisoyo-san after partial hepatectomy. Liver function and liver regeneration ratio were measured on the seventh day after partial hepatectomy. Results: The results show that the AST, AST and ALT level in Gamisoyo-san group was significantly lower than those of control group and saline group(P<0.05) Conclusion: In partial hepatectomy model, Gamisoyo-san intravenous pharmacopuncture seems to significantly promote the restoration of liver function.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.3 no.1_2
• /
• pp.21-31
• /
• 1988

The effect of capsaicin on the toxicity of ethanol in mice were studied. Capsaicin was administered i.p. every other day for 4 weeks and 5% ethanol was provided ad libitum by tap water for 4 weeks. The administration of capsaicin 3.0 mg/kg showed the increase of body weight gain, ratio of liver wt./body wt., s-GPT. s-triglyceride and s-cholesterol, and showed the decrease of BUN as compared to control group. Capsaicin administered 3.0 mg/kg showed severe moth eaten appearance. eosinophilic necrosis and cholangitis in mouse liver The administration of 5% ethanol showed the decrease of body weight gain, ratios of liver, kidney and spleen wt./body wt., s-tryglyceride and s-cholestrol. Ethanol administered 5% solution showed little fatty change, moth eaten appearance, Kupffer cell proliferation, spotty necrosis and nuclear regeneration. The administration of capsaicin and ethanol together decreased the influence of ethanol on body weight gain, ratios of liver, kidney and spleen wt./body wt., s-triglyceride and s-cholesterol, and showed the less severe moth eaten appearance, eosinophilic necrosis and cholangitis. It might be concluded that the administration of capsaicin and ethanol together decreased the toxicity caused by capsaicin or ethanol respectively.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.5
• /
• pp.375-381
• /
• 2010

In this study, the cDNA library of Chang-liver cells was immunoscreened using common ADAMs antibody to obtain ADAM related genes. We found one positive clone that was confirmed as a new gene by Blast, which is an uncharacterized helical and coil protein and processes protease activity, and named protease-related protein 1 (ARP1). The submitted GenBank accession number is AY078070. Molecular characterizations of ARP1 were analyzed with appropriate bioinformatics software. To analyse its expression and function, ARP1 was subcloned into glutathione S-transferase fusion plasmid pGEX-2T and expressed by E. coli system. The in vitro expression product of ARP1 was recognized by common ADAMs antibody with western blot. Interestingly, ARP1 cleaves gelatine at pH9.5, which suggests it is an alkaline protease. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR result indicates that ARP1 mRNA is strongly transcribed in the liver and the treated Chang-liver cells.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.70-78
• /
• 1982

To investigate the effect of 'Saengkankunbi-Tang' on the liver tissue recovery in about 70% cutted rat liver, the observation on the photographing by the Gamma-camera and the electromicroscopic section against the rabbit liver induced by $CCl_4$, these studies were conducted. The results were summarized as follows; Observed on the liver tissue recovery, function regeneration and body weight increase in about 70% cutted rat liver, the recovery of liver tissue and body weight were increased with the passage of the time and also they were showed to the high increase rate in proportion to administration amount. The glucose content in the serum was found in increasing tide as compared with the control group. The alkaline phosphate activity in the serum showed the significant difference in the 10th day and 13th day as compared with the control group. The ammonia content in the blood showed the significant difference only in the 10th day. Observed on the photographing by the Gamma-camera against the rabbit liver induced by $CCl_4$, sample groups were shown to be significant recovery as compared with the control group. Observed on the electromicroscopic section, sample groups showed the control action of the nuclear destruction against the rabbit liver induced by $CCl_4$ and also they showed the control action of the expansion of glycogen and granular endothelial reticulum in cytoplasm. According to the above finding, it is presume that 'Saengkankunbi-Tang' can be applicable to the extensive treatment of liver disease.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2004

The effects of membrane lipid peroxidation and retinyl palmitate on rat liver microsomal functions were investigated in vitro. Rat liver homogenates exposed to oxygen tension for 0, 3, 6, 9 or12 hours and lipid peroxidation levels were evaluated by the measurements of fluorescence intensity, malondialdehyde (MDA) and retinyl palmitate. The fluorescence intensity of homogenates and microsomes were elevated and retinyl palmitate concentrations were decreased. But the concentration of MDA was not affected to exposure time. Therefore, fluorescence intensity and retinyl palmitate concentration were used to analyze the correlation between lipid peroxidation and microsomal functions. To investigate the liver microsomal functions, the microsome was isolated from rat liver homogenates exposed to oxygen. The concentration of cytochrome P450 and the activity of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase in liver microsomes were gradually decreased with increasing the exposure time. The correlation between fluorescence intensity of microsomes showed a very high inverse correlation of -0.97 and -0.93, respectively. The decrease of cytochrome P450 concentration was due to the regeneration of cytochrome P450 to cytochrome P420. Also, the activities of cytochrome P450-dependent aminopyrine demethylase and benzpyrene hydroxylase of liver microsomes were gradually decreased with increasing the exposure time. The correlation with fluorescence intensity of microsome showed a high inverse correlation of -0.97 and -0.91, respectively. The retinyl palmitate concentrations of rat liver homogenates were decreased with increasing the exposure time. The decrease of retinyl palmitate concentration was followed by a low concentration of cytochrome P450 and activity of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase. The correlation indicated high direct correlation of 0.92 and 0.93, respectively. The decrease of retinyl palmitate concentration was also accompanied by the reduction of aminopyrine demethylase and benzpyrene hydroxylase activities. The correlation was analyzed a high direct correlation of 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. In conclusion, these studies have shown that the membrane lipid peroxidation of rat liver microsome proportionally decreased microsomal enzyme activities in vitro experiments.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.577-588
• /
• 2003

Severe protein-calorie malnutrition, common in patients with advanced liver disease, can seriously undermine the capacity for regeneration and functional restoration of liver. Nutritional supplementation for these patients can improve biochemical and hormonal abnormalities. However, these effects were not identified in patient with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis. To determine effects of nutritional supplementation in patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, 77 subjects aged 29 to 69 years participated in this study for 12 weeks and were subdivided into three groups; normal diet group (Control group, n ＝ 16), branched-chain amino acid supplementation group (BCAA group, n ＝ 31), nutritional supplementation group (NS group, n ＝ 30). Anthropometric parameters, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood cell counts, serum levels of lipids, vitamins, minerals and fatty acid composition, and plasma amino acids were examined. The mean values of age and height, and the initial values of weight and body mass index (BMI) were not different among all groups. After 12 weeks, there were no significant changes in these values in Control group. Only NS group showed significant increases in weight, lean body mass, midarm circumference, triceps skinfold thickness. Serum transferrins were increased both in BCAA and NS groups. Plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids, urea amino acids and glutamic acid were also significantly increased in these groups, but plasma levels of ammonia, serum LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index were decreased. However, there were no significant changes in serum levels of vitamin and mineral and composition of fatty acids in phospholipids in these groups. These results showed that the nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis can more improve nutritional status in these people together with increases of weight, body fat and lean body mass, compared to only BCAA supplementation. To ascertain and investigate the appropriate nutritional supplementation for patients with nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, further studies are necessary.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.752-755
• /
• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of ash tree leaf extract (ALE) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Hepatoprotective effects were detected by biochemical analysis of hepatic enzymes and histopathological examination of the liver. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups: 'normal' control mice, APAP-treated control mice, and mice pretreated with ALE and treated with APAP. A single dose of APAP markedly increased levels of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Light micrographs of liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin showed that APAP induced severe centrilobular necrosis, degeneration, and infiltration by inflammatory cells. Moreover, APAP caused the numbers of TUNEL-positive hepatocytes to increase and caused glycogen content to decrease as observed by Periodic acid-Schiff stain. However, pretreatment with ALE for 7 days prior to the administration of APAP significantly decreased plasma levels of AST and ALT. Histological findings demonstrated that ALE pretreatment alleviated APAP-induced liver damage, and induced the regeneration of liver tissue and restoration of glycogen. These results indicate that ash tree leaf extract exerts a protective effect against APAP-hepatotoxicity induced injury.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.8-13
• /
• 2006

The present study was carried out to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of the extract of Pterocarpus santalinus Linn on acute hepatotoxicity induced in Wistar albino rats by a single dose of Galactosamine (400 mg/kg). Suspensions of methanolic extract of heartwood of P. santalinus (200 and 400 mg/kg) in 0.3% Carboxy Methyl Cellulose (CMC) were administered p.o. to experimental animals and hepatoprotective activity was monitored by estimating aspartate amino transferase (ASAT, GOT), alanine amino transferase (ALAT, GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGL), albumin, total protein (TP) levels. The methanolic extract significantly reduced the elevation of serum transaminases and alterations of biochemical parameters induced by hepatotoxin, and alleviated the degree of liver damage. The results were supported by histopathological studies of liver samples showing regeneration of hepatocytes in treated animals. Silymarin (25 mg/kg), a known hepatoprotective drug was used for comparison. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that P. santalinus exerts hepatoprotective activity and may serve as a useful adjuvant in several clinical conditions associated with liver damage.