• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.36-55
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of ginseng seed oil in healthy subjects who have mild liver dysfunction. Methods: A randomized, double blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 167 subjects visited Semyung University Hospital from July 1st, 2016 to June 10th 2017. Except for the 103 excluded subjects, 64 subjects were randomized into one of the two groups: an treatment group(n=33) and control group(n=31). Subjects were randomly given either ginseng oil seed capsules or indistinguishable placebo capsules(2 capsules per dose, twice per day). Laboratory tests(aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma glutamyl transpeptidase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were performed to evaluate the effectiveness after 6, 12 weeks of treatment. Vital sign, laboratory test were performed to assess safety at every visit. Results: There were no significant differences in efficacy between treatment group and control group. There were some adverse events with no significant difference in symptoms and frequency between treatment group and control group. Conclusions: Although the efficacy of ginseng seed oil was not proved, ginseng seed oil did not worsen liver function and proved its safety. More study of ginseng seed oil and clinical trials are necessary to increase the usefulness of above-ground parts of ginseng.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2022

Obesity is known as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Weight loss is needed to prevent liver function damage from progressing to non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) and NASH-related liver cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to observe the recovery of liver function in obese patients with liver dysfunction through traditional Korean obesity treatment. Body weight, liver function levels and renal function levels were examined by prescribing traditional Korean medicine in obese patients with mild elevation of liver function test. Blood tests were conducted at intervals of one month, and it was observed that liver function recovered to the normal range in three patients.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.606-617
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• 2019

Background: The Panax ginseng berry extract (GBE) is well known to have an antidiabetic effect. The aim of this study is to evaluate and investigate the protective effect of ultrasonication-processed P. ginseng berry extract (UGBE) compared with GBE on liver fibrosis induced by mild bile duct ligation (MBDL) model in rats. After ultrasonication process, the composition ratio of ginsenoside in GBE was changed. The component ratio of ginsenosides Rh1, Rh4, Rg2, Rg3, Rk1, Rk3, and F4 in the extract was elevated. Methods: In this study, the protective effect of the newly developed UGBE was evaluated on hepatotoxicity and neuronal damage in MBDL model. Silymarin (150 mg/kg) was used for positive control. UGBE (100 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg), GBE (250 mg/kg), and silymarin (150 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks after MBDL surgery. Results: The MBDL surgery induced severe hepatotoxicity that leads to liver inflammation in rats. Also, the serum ammonia level was increased by MBDL surgery. However, the liver dysfunction of MBDL surgery-operated rats was attenuated by UGBE treatment via myeloid differentiation factor 88-dependent Toll-like receptor 4 signaling pathways. Conclusion: UGBE has a protective effect on liver fibrosis induced by MBDL in rats through inhibition of the TLR4 signaling pathway in liver.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.62-67
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• 2004

Trauma remains one of the important sources leading to systemic inflammatory response anti sub-sequent multiple organ failure. Although hepatic microvascular dysfunction occurs during trauma, the mechanism responsible remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of trauma on hepatic vascular stress gene expression. Femur fracture (EFx) was induced by torsion to the femur at midshaft. Liver samples were taken for RT-PCR analysis of mRNA for gtenes of interest: endothelin-1 (ET-1), its receptors $ET_A$ and $ET_B$, nitric oxide synthases (iNOS and eNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and tumor necrosis tactor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$). The expression of ET-1 mRNA was significantly increased by FFx. Expression of mRNA in FFx group showed no change in $ET_A$, $ET_B$, iNOS and HO-1 and showed a slight increase of 2.2-fold and 2.7-fold for eNOS tll1d COX-2, respectively. The level of TNF-${\alpha}$ mRNA significantly increased in FFx group. In conclusion, mild trauma alone causes little change in expression of vasoactive mediators.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.254-259
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• 2003

$^{99m}Tc-galactosyl$ human serum albumin (Tc-GSA) is a radiopharmaceutical that binds to asialoglycoprotein receptors, which are specifically present in the hepatocyte membrane. Because these receptors are decreased in hepatic parenchymal damage, the degree of Tc-GSA accumulation in the liver correlates with findings of liver function test. Hepatic images were performed with Tc-GSA in patients with acute hepatic dysfunction by Amantia Subjunquillea poisoning, and compared with these of liver ultrasonography (USG). Tc-GSA (185 MBq, 3 mg of GSA) was injected intravenously, and dynamic images were recorded for 30 minutes. Time-activity curves for the heart and liver were generated from regions of interest for the whole liver and precordium. Degree of hepatic uptake and clearance rate of Tc-GSA were generated by visual interpretation and semiquantitative analysis parameters (receptor index : LHL15 and index of blood clearance : HH15). Visual assessment of GSA scintigraphy revealed mildly decreased liver uptake in all of subjects. The mean LHL15 and HH15 were 0.886 and 0.621, graded as mild dysfunction in 2, and mild to moderate dysfunction in 1 subject. In contrast, liver USG showed no remarkable changes of hepatic parenchyme. Tc-GSA scintigraphy was considered as a useful imaging modality in the assessment of the hepatic dysfunction.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.6-10
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• 1997

An 8-year old castrated domestic long-hair cat was presented with a two week history of abdominal distension. Physical examination revealed a non-painful, fluctuant, palpable mass in the right craniodorsal abdomen, and unilaterally muffled heart sounds on the right thorax. Routine clinico-pathological values were unremarkable apart from mild azotemia with a concurrent urine specific gravity of 1.031, which reflect a degree of renal dysfunction. Radiographic and ultrasound examinations of the thorax revealed the cardiac enlargement to be due to the congenital peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia with liver occupying the right half of the pericardial sac. There was also a mild gypertrophy of the heart. Radiography and ultrasonography of the abdomen showed the mass to be composed of a large fluid filled cystic structures surrounding the right and left kidneys, and the kidneys themselves were of increased echogenecity. A diagnosis of perinephric pseudocysts was made. The patient responded well to the surgical procedures. Perinephric pseudocysts and peritoneo-pericardial diaphragmatic hernia in the cat are rare, and a case is described and the literature is reviewed in this report.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.22-30
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• 2019

Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the related factors of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods The subjects were 187 persons diagnosed as fatty liver by abdominal ultrasonography. They were divided into three groups according to the severity of fatty liver: control, mild, moderate or severe. The three groups' general characteristics, laboratory results, liver function indexes, metabolic syndrome indexes, tumor markers, heart rate variability values and Sasang constitution distribution were compared and analyzed. Results Male ratio, height, weight, body mass index, red blood cell count, hemoglobin level and creatinine level were higher in NAFLD groups than in control group. The levels of sodium and amylase were higher in control than in NAFLD. In liver function, the levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and gamma-glutamyl transpepsidase of NAFLD were higher. In metabolic syndrome index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were higher in NAFLD, while high density lipoprotein cholesterol level was higher in control. The alpha-feto protein level was higher in NAFLD, and the heart rate variability was not different between NAFLD and control groups. In Sasang constitution, Taeeumin ratio of NAFLD was higher than of control. Conclusions The results suggest that nonalcoholic fatty liver is clinically related to liver dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, tumor markers, and Sasang constitution. Further studies are needed to control nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and prevent severe disease such as cirrhosis and cancer caused by fatty liver.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.163-169
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• 2023

Methods: This study presents a comprehensive case study of an elderly male diagnosed with acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from severe dehydration, supported by an extended follow-up with laboratory findings. Results: An 83-year-old male patient experienced severe diarrhea overnight, leading to hospitalization due to symptoms of dehydration and hypotension. His laboratory results displayed a typical AKI pattern, including a significant increase in creatinine levels (5.19 mg/dL) and the presence of hyperkalemia and hyponatremia. Following general treatments, including the administration of an herbal drug (Bulhwangeumjeonggi-san), the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) improved from 10 ml/min (Stage 5) to 34 ml/min (Stage 3) within five days when he was discharged. Although subsequent eGFR tests, conducted one and two months later as an outpatient, revealed an improvement of 42 ml/min, the patient still experienced mild chronic dysfunction as a consequence. Conclusion: This study presents a noteworthy case of acute kidney injury attributed to severe dehydration, emphasizing the importance of medical awareness regarding diarrhea-induced kidney function impairment, especially in the elderly population.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.136-145
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• 2023

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a severe neuropsychiatric abnormality in patients with either acute or chronic liver failure. Typical brain magnetic resonance imaging findings of HE are bilateral basal ganglia high signal intensities due to manganese deposition in chronic liver disease and hyperintensity in T2, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, or diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with hemispheric white matter changes including the corticospinal tract. Low values on apparent diffusion coefficient mapping of the affected area on DWI, indicating cytotoxic edema, can be observed in acute HE. However, neuropsychological impairment in HE ranges from mild deficits in psychomotor abilities affecting quality of life to stupor or coma with higher grades of hepatic dysfunction. In particular, the long-lasting compensatory mechanisms for the altered metabolism in chronic liver disease make HE imaging results variable. Therefore, the clinical relevance of imaging findings is uncertain and differentiating HE from other metabolic diseases can be difficult. The recent introduction of concepts such as "acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF)," a new clinical entity, has led to a change in the clinical view of HE. Accordingly, there is a need to establish a corresponding concept in the field of neuroimaging diagnosis. Herein, we review HE from a historical and etiological perspective to increase understanding of brain imaging and help establish an imaging approach for advanced new concepts such as ACLF. The purpose of this manuscript is to provide an understanding of HE by reviewing neuroimaging findings based on pathological and clinical concepts of HE, thereby assisting in neuroimaging interpretation.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 2007

An unconscious 5-year-old girl was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. She was neglected by her parents; she suffered from inadequate nutritional, medical and emotional care. The girl appeared to be emotionally detached, dehydrated and malnourished; she had edematous extremities, moderately bruised skin and brittle coarse hair. Laboratory testing showed electrolyte imbalance, anemia, pneumonia, copper deficiency, and liver dysfunction in addition to severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Medical intervention was followed by improvement of most of the symptoms. During the rehabilitation phase, the patient showed a voracious appetite and gained weight too fast. The liver became enlarged and the patient developed a mild fever due to excessive nutrition. The microcytic anemia with severe PEM did not responded to iron supplementation possibly due to the copper deficiency. Addition of copper without zinc and iron helped to improve the anemia. The patient was discharged to a childcare center where she received cognitive and psychosocial therapy.