• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.295-305
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• 2021

Purpose: Hepcidin levels have previously been reported to be correlated with liver damage. However, the association between hepcidin levels and liver fibrosis in children with fatty liver disease remains unclear. This study therefore aimed to investigate the pathophysiology of fibrosis in children with fatty liver disease and its association with hepcidin levels. Methods: This retrospective case series included 12 boys aged 6-17 years who were diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at the Tokyo Medical University Hospital. Sixteen liver biopsy samples from 12 subjects were analyzed. Serum hepcidin levels were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunostaining for hepcidin was performed, and the samples were stratified by staining intensity. Results: Serum hepcidin levels were higher in pediatric NAFLD/NASH patients than in controls. Conversely, a significant inverse correlation was observed between hepcidin immunostaining and Brunt grade scores and between hepcidin scores and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, hyaluronic acid, and leukocyte levels. We observed inverse correlations with a high correlation coefficient of >0.4 between hepcidin immunostaining and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bile acid, and platelet count. Conclusion: There was a significant inverse correlation between hepcidin immunoreactivity and fibrosis in pediatric NAFLD patients; however, serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher, suggesting that these patients experienced a reduction in the hepcidin-producing ability of the liver in response to iron levels, leading to subsequent fibrosis. Therefore, hepcidin levels can be used as markers to identify the progression of fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.237-246
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• 2009

최근 성인 남성에서 비만 인구가 늘어나며, 심혈관질환을 야기하는 대사증후군 유병률이 증가하고 있고, 증상이 없지만 지방간으로 진단되는 환자가 늘고 있다. 본 연구는 알코올성 또는 비알코올성 지방간 질환과 대사증후군과의 관련성이 있는지 알아보고자 하였다. 799명의 남성을 대상으로 평소 음주량을 조사하였고, 초음파 검사를 통해 지방간 유무를 확인 한 결과 297명은 정상군이었고, 206명은 알코올성 지방간, 296명은 비알코올성 지방간이었다. IDF(international diabetes federation) 기준을 적용한 대사증후군과 구성요소들을 독립변수로, AFLD(alcoholic fatty liver disease) 및 NAFLD(nonalcoholic fatty liver disease)을 종속변수로 하여 로지스틱 회귀분석을 실시하였다. 정상군과 AFLD 또는 NAFLD에서 대사증후군의 분포는 각각 7.4%, 48.8%, 34.9%이었고, 대사증후군 구성요소 중 고혈압, 고혈당, 고중성지방, 비만은 AFLD 또는 NAFLD의 위험인자였고, AFLD에선 고중성지방과 복부비만이, NAFLD에서는 복부비만이 영향력이 가장 큰 것으로 나타났다. 또한 AFLD군의 경우 대사증후군과 비만, 저HDL-콜레스테롤의 이상범위에서 지방간 중증의 교차비가 높았고, NAFLD군에서는 대사증후군과 고중성지방군의 이상범위에서 지방간 중증의 교차비가 높았다. 결론적으로 AFLD 및 NAFLD는 대사증후군 구성요소 각각의 기준과 밀접한 관련성이 있었고, 지방간 관리를 위해 꾸준하고 포괄적인 접근이 필요하다.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.205-211
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• 2017

비알콜성 지방간에서 지방 간염으로 진행되는 확률이 높은 중등증 이상에서 적극적인 진단과 치료가 필요하다. 이에 본 연구에서는 비알콜성 지방간을 경도, 중등증, 중증으로 나누어 GLCM 알고리즘의 컴퓨터 분석기법을 이용하여 정량적인 방법으로 분류하였다. 또한 지방간 중에서 국소지방회피영역의 초음파영상의 특징을 알아보고자 하였다. 정상, 경도, 중등도, 중증지방간, 국소적 저지방영역, 각각 80증례를 대상으로 GLCM 알고리즘의 파라미터 중에 간초음파영상의 인식률이 높은 자기상관성, 편차의 제곱, 평균의 합, 분산의 합에 대한 값을 산출하였다. GLCM알고리즘의 파라미터 인식률의 결과는 평균 97.5%로 나타났다. 국소적 저지방 영상분석의 결과는 정상실질과 가장 유사한 값을 나타내었다. 초음파검사는 일차적인 선별검사법으로 쉽게 접근할 수 있지만 숙련도에 따라 검사방법의 정확도나 결과의 일치성 부분에서 차이가 있을 수 있다. GLCM알고리즘을 적용하여 지방간 정도를 정량적으로 분류할 수 있었으며, 국소적 저지방영역은 지방침착이 되지 않은 균질한 간실질임을 예측 가능하였다. 이러한 GLCM 컴퓨터영상분석이 지방간뿐만 아니라 다른 병변의 감별에도 중요한 정보를 제공할 것으로 판단한다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.403-410
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• 2019

Curcumin, a hydrophobic polyphenol isolated from the Curcuma longa L. plant, has many pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and chemo-preventive activities. Curcumin has been shown to have potential in preventing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the low bioavailability of curcumin has proven to be a major limiting factor in its clinical adoption. Theracurmin, a highly bioavailable curcumin that utilizes micronized technology showed improved biological absorbability in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of theracurmin in modulating hepatic lipid metabolism in vivo. A fatty liver mouse model was produced by feeding mice a high fat diet (HFD; 60% fat) for 12 weeks. We found that treatment for 12 weeks with theracurmin significantly lowered plasma triacylglycerol (TG) levels and reduced HFD-induced liver fat accumulation. Theracurmin treatment lowered hepatic TG and total cholesterol (T-CHO) levels in HFD-fed mice compared to controls. In addition, theracurmin administration significantly reduced lipid peroxidation and cellular damage caused by reactive oxygen species in HFD-fed mice. Overall, these results suggest that theracurmin has the ability to control lipid metabolism and can potentially serve as an effective therapeutic remedy for the prevention of fatty liver.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• 제15권2호
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• pp.74-78
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• 2012

With a markedly increased prevalence of obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) now becomes the most common cause of chronic liver disease in both adults and children. The etiology and pathogenesis of NAFLD are multifactorial and remain incompletely understood. According to the "two-hit" theory, inflammatory cytokines and adipokines are activated by oxidative stress and they are involved in insulin resistance, necroinflammatory steatohepatitis and fibrosis. This review discusses the latest updates on the role of some of important inflammatory adipokines and cytokines in the pathogenesis of NAFLD with an emphasis on their potential therapeutic implications.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.472-478
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• 2021

Background: Early identification of patients who are highly likely to develop severe illness among confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) can be expected to lead to effective treatment. This study therefore aimed to determine whether the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has an impact on the exacerbation of COVID-19 symptoms. Methods: The study used the Korean National Health Insurance claim data for treatment of COVID-19 patients in 2020. NAFLD includes nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The outcome variables used were hospitalization and the use of medical devices. Hospitalization was defined by a length of stay exceeding one day and the use of medical devices was defined as one or more uses of a ventilator or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if there was a difference in the hospitalization and use of medical devices of COVID-19 patients depending on the presence of NAFLD. Results: The odds ratio of hospitalization was 1.059, indicating slightly higher odds of hospitalization for patients with NAFL or NASH compared to those without the conditions, but it was not statistically significant (0.969-1.156). On the other hand, the odds ratio of use of medical devices was high at 1.667 and was statistically significant (1.111-2.501). Conclusion: The study results found NAFLD to be a risk factor that can exacerbate symptoms in COVID-19 patients. Accordingly, it is necessary to identify NAFLD patients through preemptive screening and provide them with appropriate treatments.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권2호
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• pp.316-324
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• 2021

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota. Methods: A total of 94 patients (KRG: 45 and placebo: 49) were prospectively randomized to receive KRG (2,000 mg/day, ginsenoside Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 4.5mg/g) or placebo during 30 days. Liver function test, cytokeraton 18, and fatigue score were measured. Gut microbiota was analyzed by MiSeq systems based on 16S rRNA genes. Results: In KRG group, the mean levels (before vs. after) of aspartate aminotransferase (53 ± 19 vs. 45 ± 23 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (75 ± 40 vs. 64 ± 39 IU/L) and fatigue score (33 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13) were improved (p < 0.05). In placebo group, only fatigue score (34 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 15) was ameliorated (p < 0.05). The changes of phyla were not statistically significant on both groups. In KRG group, increased abundance of Lactobacillus was related with improved alanine aminotransferase level and increased abundance of Clostridium and Intestinibacter was associated with no improvement after KRG supplementation. In placebo group, increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae could be related with aggravation of liver enzyme (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KRG effectively improved liver enzymes and fatigue score by modulating gut-microbiota in patients with fatty liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT03945123 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.533-542
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• 2012

Objectives : We try to compared the efficacy of six herbal medicines, Rhizoma Alismatis (RA), Fructus Crataegi (FC), Fructus Lycii (FL), Radix Curcumae (RC), Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM), and Herba Artemisiae Scopariae (HAS), constituting KHchunggan-tang which was previously proven to be hepatoprotective on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with combined properties of cellular steatosis, ROS production, and cytoprotection. Methods : HepG2 cells were pretreated with aqueous extracts of the six herb medicines at concentrations of 1, 10, 50 and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ each, and treated with 0.5 mM palmitate consecutively. After 21 hrs, cell viability was assessed using MTT assay, and the percentage of cells with sub-G1 DNA content was measured using fluorescence-activated cell sorting after propidium iodide staining. Results : The first three extracts, RA, FC, and FL restored cell viability reduced by palmitate in MTT assay, and RA, FC, FL and RC inhibited palmitate-induced apoptosis in sub-G1 analysis. FL showed relatively weak potential only at tested maximal dose, and RA showed the greatest higher efficacy on this experimental cellular model of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions : According to this comparative experiment, Rhizoma Alismatis seems to have the most powerful potential among the six herbs constituting KHchunggan-tang, and consecutive further study seems to be required for more standardized and effective clinical application of KHchunggan-tang for treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.362-367
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in children with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the effect of lifestyle intervention on NAFLD. Methods: The clinical data of 86 children diagnosed with NAFLD were reviewed retrospectively. Forty-six patients belonged to the elevated ALT group and 40 to the normal ALT group. The clinical parameters of patients with NAFLD were also compared based on the status of ALT levels after lifestyle intervention. Results: Patients with elevated ALT had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) scores than those with normal ALT (P<0.05). Of all the patients with elevated ALT, 89% exhibited moderate or severe degree of fatty change in the liver on ultrasonographic examination, whereas most patients with normal ALT exhibited mild or moderate degree changes. Liver biopsy was performed in 15 children with elevated ALT and all showed mild histological changes. Of all patients with elevated ALT, 49% achieved normal ALT levels after lifestyle intervention. Those with more severe histological changes tended to have continuously increasing ALT levels. There was no correlation between the normalization of posttreatment ALT level and BMI, as well as ultrasonographic findings at diagnosis. Conclusion: ALT elevation in NAFLD is highly associated with higher BMI scores and more severe degree of fatty changes on ultrasonographic examination. Lifestyle intervention can significantly improve ALT in children with NAFLD. The degree of histologic changes appears to be a predictor of the treatment response to NAFLD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.350-361
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• 2020

Background: Black ginseng (BG) is a type of Korean ginseng prepared by steaming and drying raw ginseng to improve the saponin content. This study examined the effects of BG on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acids to induce lipid accumulation before supplementation with BG. NAFLD-induced mice were fed different doses (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of BG for 8 weeks. Results: BG significantly reduced lipid accumulation and expression of lipogenic genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in HepG2 cells, and the livers of mice fed a 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water (HFHF diet). BG supplementation caused a significant reduction in levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, while antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly increased in 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water diet-fed mice. Expression of proliferator-activated receptor alpha and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I were upregulated at the transcription and translation levels in both HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Furthermore, BG-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl CoA carboxylase in both models, suggesting its role in AMP-activated protein kinase activation and the acetyl CoA carboxylase signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of NAFLD.