• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-70
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• 1999

This study is concerned with assessment of diethylnitrosamine(DEN) induced liver cell carcinogenesis by measurement of changes preceding the development of neoplasms. Therefore, it was undertaken to investigate the changes of liver-specific enzyme activities in rats (Sprague-Dawley) by ad libitum feeding of DEN. And also, as another objective index in urine, the level of urinary biopterin was measured by high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) method. The results were as follows ; 1. Minor behavioral change, brittleness of hair and decreased amount of water and diet intake were observed in rats 7 weeks after DEN administration. 2. The body and liver weights were significantly(p<0.05) decreased in rats 11 weeks after DEN administration. 3. The ratio of liver weight to body weight was rather stable and not significantly decreased in the all treatment groups. 4. The liver specific enzyme activities(AST, ALT,$\gamma$-GTP) were significantly(p<0.05) increased in all treatment groups compared to control group. 5. Compared to normal level, urine biopterin level was significantly (p<0.05) increased in all treatment groups(p<0.05). In conclusion, this result confirmed that the DEN was one of the potent hepatocarcinogens. In experimental model of rats exposed to DEN, the results indicated that values of liver specific enzyme activities(AST, ALT, $\gamma$-GTP) and urine biopterin level could be useful complementary tumor indices.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.305-313
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• 1998

The reduction in the amount of asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptor, which resides exclusively on the plasma membrane of functioning mammalian hepatocytes, as a consequence of hepato-cellular damage has been demonstrated in various pathologic conditions of the liver. Galac-tosylated human serum albumin (GSA) is a newly developed receptor-binding agent, specific for the ASGP receptor. Tc-99m GSA binds quantitatively to liver ASGP receptors and the rate of accumulation in the liver is dependent on hepatic function represented as the amount of receptor, as well as the amount of ligand injected, its affinity to the receptor and the hepatic blood flow. The findings of Tc-99m GSA scintigraphy were reported to reflect the hepatic function of the patients with large hepatic tumors, obstructive jaundice, acute and chronic liver disease. Tc-99m GSA scintigraphy is an easy and reliable test and has the clinical potentials to evaluate the liver function in the patients with hepatic disorders.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2024

Despite improvements in operative techniques and perioperative care, post-hepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) remains the most serious cause of morbidity and mortality after surgery, and several risk factors have been identified to predict PHLF. Although volumetric assessment using imaging contributes to surgical simulation by estimating the function of future liver remnants in predicting PHLF, liver function is assumed to be homogeneous throughout the liver. The combination of volumetric and functional analyses may be more useful for an accurate evaluation of liver function and prediction of PHLF than only volumetric analysis. Gadoxetic acid is a hepatocyte-specific magnetic resonance (MR) contrast agent that is taken up by hepatocytes via the OATP1 transporter after intravenous administration. Gadoxetic acid-enhanced MR imaging (MRI) offers information regarding both global and regional functions, leading to a more precise evaluation even in cases with heterogeneous liver function. Various indices, including signal intensity-based methods and MR relaxometry, have been proposed for the estimation of liver function and prediction of PHLF using gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI. Recent developments in MR techniques, including high-resolution hepatobiliary phase images using deep learning image reconstruction and whole-liver T1 map acquisition, have enabled a more detailed and accurate estimation of liver function in gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRI.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2016

Metabolism of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) was studied to identify the function of LDH-C. Tissues of LDH liver-specific Ldh-C expressed Carassius auratus and eye-specific Ldh-C expressed Lepomis macrochirus after starvation were studied. LDH activity in liver tissue from C. auratus was increased after starvation. And LDH specific activity (units/mg) and LDH/CS were increased in tissues. It means the anaerobic metabolism was taking place in C. auratus after starvation. LDH B₄ isozyme was decreased in skeletal muscle and increased in heart tissue. LDH C₄ isozymes those showed in eye and brain tissues were identified as liver-specific C₄ isozymes and disappeared after starvation. And C hybrid in eye, A₄ isozyme in brain, and both C hybrid and C₄ isozyme in liver tissue were increased, respectively. In L. macrochirus, the level of variation of LDH activities was low but greatly increased especially in eye tissue and LDH A₄ and AC hybrid were increased in brain tissue. The LDH activities in tissues from C. auratus and L. macrochirus remained 30.30-18.64% and 25-18.75%, respectively, as a result of the inhibition by 10 mM of pyruvate. The Km^PYR values of LDH in C. auratus were increased. As a result, LDH liver-specific C₄ isozyme was expressed in liver, brain and eye tissues during starvation. It seems metabolism of lactate was predominant in brain tissue. After starvation, the liver-specific LDH-C was affected more than eye-specific LDH-C.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.17-22
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• 1978

Carcinoembryonic antigen was initially known as tumor specific antigen and had a potential diagnostic value in the detection of digestive tract malignancies. However, subsequent studies showed CEA and CEA-like antigen present in benign disease, particullary in liver. We had collected sera from 58 patients who had liver scan and later were diagnosed clinically and histologically as liver disease. We estimated CEA values and correlations were made with liver function tests in liver cirrhosis cases. The results: 1) The raised plasma carcinoembryonic antigen level were found in 13 (68.4%) of 19 patients in liver cirrhosis, 5(27.8%) of 18 patients in hepatoma, 5(71. %) of 7 patients in chronic active hepatitis, all 3 patients in liver abscesses, 2(66.7%) of 3 patients in liver ablscesses, 2(66.7%) of 3 patients in obstructive biliary disease and none in each one patient of traumatic liver hematoma, subphrenic abscess and clonorchiasis. 2) There is no linear correlation between carcinoembryodic antigen level and liver function tests including serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, SGOT and prothrombin time in liver cirrhosis patients.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 1989

Studies on the biodisposition of beta-nicotyrine by lung and liver microsomes was examined in order to provide a better understanding of its fate in this tissue. beta-nicotyrine (100$\mu$M) was incubated with microsomes (1 mg/ml) prepared from New Zealand White rabbits. The rate of oxidation observed in lung microsomal incubations was 1.7 nmoles $\beta$-nicotyrine oxidized mg$^{-1}$ min$^{-1}$ compared with 2.7 nmoles $\beta$-nicotyrine oxidized mg$^{-1}$ min$^{-1}$ by the liver microsomal preparation. However, when these rates were expressed as a function of cytochrome P-450 content, the specific activity of the metabolic oxidation catalyzed by lung (8.3 nmoles $\beta$-nicotyrine oxidized nmole cytochrome P-450$^{-1}$ min$^{-1}$) was approxiamtely 4 times greater than liver microsomes (2.3 nmoles $\beta$-nicotyrine oxidized nmole cytochrome P-450$^{-1}$ min$^{-1}$). Isozyme studies on the oxidation of $\beta$-nicotyrine employed several methods of altering activities of specific isozymes present in pulmonary microsomes, including the use of the isozyme 2 and 6 specific inhibitor $\alpa$-methyl ABT, metabolic inhibitor(MI) complex formation. The results of this inhibition study would appear to indicate the $\beta$-nicotyrine is metabolized predominantly by pulmonary isozyme 5.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.347-353
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• 2018

There are some controversies about the safety of herbal medicine. In order to examine the safety of herbal medicine, this study investigated the level of liver function test(AST/ALT) in patients taking herbal medicine for more than 6 months We checked liver function in 121 patients who took herbal medicine for more than 6 months. AST/ALT were measured before treatment and every 3 months (from 3 month to 9 month). In 121 patients taking herbal medicine for more than 6 months, mean AST level after 6 months was lower than before treatment and mean ALT level after 6 months was lower than before treatment. In 20 patients with abnormal AST/ALT before herbal treatment, 18 patients's AST/ALT changed to normal after 6 month herbal treatment. 2 patients's AST/ALT was slightly higher than normal. One woman patient met the criteria for herb-induced liver injury(HILI) with RUCAM scores 4 after taking herbal medicine for 6 months. Although her RUCAM score decreased to zero after taking herbal medicine for 9 months. This study suggests that long-term herbal medicine for 6 months or longer is very unlikely to injury liver function. Individual-specific liver damage may occur, it can be recovered.

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

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.264-272
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• 2008

The lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27, LDH) isozymes in tissues from Acanthogobius hasta were characterized by biochemical, immunochemical and kinetic methods. The activities of LDH in skeletal muscle and eye tissues were 65.30 and 53.25 units, but LDH activities in heart and liver tissues were very low. LDH/CS (EC 4.1.3.7, citrate synthase) in skeletal muscle was the highest as 22.29. Specific activities of LDH in brain, eye and skeletal muscle were 56.45, 38.04 and 11.0 units/mg, respectively. The LDH isozymes in tissues were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis after immunoprecipitation with antiserum against $A_4,\;B_4$ eye-specific $C_4$ and liver-specific $C_4$. LDH $AC_4$ isozymes were detected predominantly in skeletal muscle, brain and eye tissues, and $B_4$ isozyme was detected in heart. Anodal eye-specific $C_4$ and cathodal liver-specific $C_4$ were coexpressed in A. hasta. The eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme showed higher activity in eye tissue, but liver-specific $C_4$ isozyme showed lower activity in liver. As a result, one part of molecular structures in $A_4\;and\;C_4,\;A_4\;and\;B_4$, and eye-specific $C_4$ and liver-specific $C_4$ were similar, but in $B_4\;and\;C_4$ were different with each other. Therefore the subunit A may be conservative in evolution, and the evolution of subunit B seems to be faster than that of subunit A. The LDH $A_4$ isozyme of skeletal muscle was purified in the fraction from elution with NAD+ containing buffer of affinity chromatography and eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme was eluted right after $A_4$, so the structure of eye-specific $C_4$ isozyme is similar to $A_4$. And LDH activity remained 35.22-43.47% as a result of the inhibition by pyruvate, the Michaelis-Menten constant values for pyruvate was 0.080-0.098 mM, and Vmax were 153.85 units, 35.09 units in skeletal muscle and eye, respectively. Also the $B_4$ isozyme was the thermo-stablest and $C_4$ was stabler than $A_4$ isozyme. The optimum pH of LDH was 6.5. The results mentioned above indicate that isozymes in tissues showed the properties between LDH $A_4\;and\;B_4$ isozyme as A. hasta was adapted to hypoxic conditions. Also LDH seems to function more effectively under anaerobic condition because LDH in skeletal muscle and eye tissues have high affinity for pyruvate.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.45.1-45.11
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• 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common type of chronic liver disease, with severity levels ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The extent of liver fibrosis indicates the severity of NASH and the risk of liver cancer. However, the mechanism underlying NASH development, which is important for early screening and intervention, remains unclear. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a useful method for identifying hub genes and screening specific targets for diseases. In this study, we utilized an mRNA dataset of the liver tissues of patients with NASH and conducted WGCNA for various stages of liver fibrosis. Subsequently, we employed two additional mRNA datasets for validation purposes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to analyze gene function enrichment. Through WGCNA and subsequent analyses, complemented by validation using two additional datasets, we identified five genes (BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2) as hub genes. GSEA analysis indicated that gene sets associated with liver metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis were uniformly downregulated. BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2 were identified as hub genes of NASH, and were all related to liver metabolism, NAFLD, NASH, and related diseases. These hub genes might serve as potential targets for the early screening and treatment of NASH.