• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.50-56
• /
• 2004

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is used extensively in the plastic industry and has been known as an endocrine disruptor. Present study was undertaken to examine whether DBP can induce oxidative stress in mice. In this study, oxidative stress was measured in terms of the modification of lipid peroxidation and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activity. The serum toxicity index, level of lipid peroxidation and triglyceride (TG), and activity of GGT were measured in male ICR mice after a single administration of DBP (5 g/kg, po). DBP did not alter serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, glucose and cholesterol level. However, the treatment with DBP was found to significantly increase the level of lipid peroxidation in liver and lung. The TG content and activity of GGT in the liver of DBP-exposed animals was also increased. These results indicate that DBP can induce mild oxidative stress in mice. The GGT activity is considered to be increased as one of the adaptive defense mechanisms to oxidative stress induced by DBP.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.93-97
• /
• 2006

To investigate whether GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1), an anti-obesity herbal medicine widely used in oriental medicine, regulates the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese male rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), PPAR $\gamma$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), PPAR$\delta$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, TNF$\alpha$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. PPAR$\gamma$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in drug-treated groups compared with control group and the decrease of PPAR$\gamma$ expression was more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid storage by decreasing the PPAR$\gamma$ expression. In contrast, PPAR$\delta$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue and kidney were increased by RD and GGT1 , and the magnitudes of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating PPAR$\delta$ expression, Compared with control and RD groups, GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and TNF$\alpha$ were not changed by GGT1 and RD, compared with DW. These results demonstrate that GGT1 not only decreases PPAR$\gamma$ expression of liver and kidney, but also increases PPAR$\delta$ expression of adipose tissue and kidney, leading to the regulation of obesity and that these effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to prevent obesity by increasing the serum leptin levels.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.3230-3242
• /
• 2015

In this study, in an attempt to elucidate the relevance and the association between AUDIT level and health related indices such as obesity-related indices (BMI, waist circumference, body fat percentage), serum liver-enzyme levels (AST, ALT, GGT, total bilirubin) and serum lipid levels (TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C), data about including results of health checkup examination and questionnaire from 558 male examinees of 30-79 years old, who received a comprehensive health examination in the health promotion center of a university hospital during the period of January 1 to December 31, 2012, was analysed. As a results, the distribution of AUDIT rating of subjects was Zone I 58.2%, Zone II 25.3%, Zone III 7.0%, and Zone IV 9.5%. And AUDIT levels have significant relevance with age, smoking, body fat, GGT and TG. Especially, for the waist circumference, GGT and TG, the odds ratio indicating abnormality significantly increased in the higher AUDIT groups (Zone II~Zone IV) than a low-grade group (Zone I). This suggests that drinking problem with a high AUDIT level has a significant relevance with an abnormal increase of indices for obesity, serum liver-enzyme levels, serum lipid levels.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.124-131
• /
• 2013

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified a number of common variants associated with serum liver enzyme homeostasis in population. In the previous study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several genes have been reported to be associated with serum liver enzyme levels in European population. We aimed to confirm whether the genetic variation of SMAD2 (SMAD family member 2) gene influence the serum liver enzyme levels in Korean population. We genotyped variants in or near SMAD2 in a population-based sample including 994 unrelated Korean adult. Here, we performed association analysis to elucidate the possible relations of genetic polymorphisms in SMAD2 gene with serum liver enzyme levels. By examining genotype data of a total of 944 subjects in 5 hospital health promotion center, we discovered the SMAD2 gene polymorphisms are associated with serum liver enzyme levels. The common and highest significant polymorphism was rs17736760 (${\beta}$=3.51, P=5.31E-07) with glutamic oxaloacetic transferase (GOT), rs17736760 (${\beta}$=5.99, P=1.25E-05) with glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and rs17736760 (${\beta}$=15.68, P=9.93E-07) with gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) in all group. Furthermore, the SNP rs17736760 was consistently associated with GOT (${\beta}$=5.25, P=1.72E-06), GPT (${\beta}$=9.97, P=1.16E-05), GGT (${\beta}$=26.13, P=3.43E-06) in men group. Consequently, we found statistically significant SNP in SMAD2 gene that are associated with serum levels of GOT, GPT, and GGT. In addition, these results suggest that the individuals with the minor alleles of the SNP in the SMAD2 gene may be more elevated serum liver enzyme levels in the Korean population.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.162-185
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gamigwichulpajing-Tang(GGT) on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Materials and Methods : Endometriosis was induced in rats by auotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and devided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group(n=8), (3)surgically induced endometriosis and GGT treated group. GGT(700mg/head) was orally administrated for 15days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volumes of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the content of cytokines(MCP-1, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-l{\beta}$) in serum and ascites. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results :- The $volume(mm^3)$ of endometriotic implants in GGT-treated group$(53.50\;{\pm}18.63)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.01) compared with control group$(404.50{\pm}317.68)$. - The content(pg/ml) of MCP-1 in ascites in GGT-treated group$(4265{\pm}108)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(8632{\pm}1245)$. - The content(pg/ml) of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in serum in GGT-treated group$(64.5{\pm}21.6)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.05) compared with control group$(147.1{\pm}78.2)$. - The content(pg/ml)- of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in ascites in GGT-treated group$(738.3{\pm}502.4)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.05) compared with control group$(1245.2{\pm}362.2)$. - The percentage(%) of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in GGT-treated group$(22.9{\pm}9.3)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(50.2{\pm}8.2)$. - The number of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in GGT-treated group$(61.4{\pm}13.9)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(109.3{\pm}30.2)$. - The number of mast cells in stroma of transplanted uterine tissue in GGT-treated group$(9.4{\pm}2.7)$ was significantly decreased(p<<0.001) compared with control group$(26.0{\pm}7.7)$. - Histopathologically, proliferation of endomeuiotic epithelia and stroma, and infiltration of inflammatory cells in transplanted uterine tissue of GGT-treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. Conclusion :On the basis of these results, we concluded that Gamigwichulpajing-Tang have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased Production of MCP-1 and $TNF-{\alpha}$, decreased expression of COX-2, and decreased infiltration of mast cells by administration of Gamigwichulpajing-Tang.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.383-387
• /
• 2006

To investigate the effect of GyeongshinhaeGihwan 1(GGT1) frequently used as an anti-obesity herbal medicine in oriental medicine on the expression of obesity-related genes, we measured the changes in mRNA levels of these genes by GGT1 in human growth hormone transgenic (hGHTg) obese female rats, and these effects by GGT1 were compared with those of reductil (RD), an anti-obesity drug approved by FDA. Rats received once daily oral administrations of autoclaved water, RD, or GGT1 for 8 weeks. At the end of study, rats were sacrificed and tissues were harvested. Total RNA from adipose tissue, liver and kidney was prepared and the mRNA levels for LPL (lipoprotein lipase), $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma), $PPAR{\delta}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-delta), leptin, $TNF{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), and internal standard G3PDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase) were analyzed by RT-PCR. Compared with control group, $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA levels of liver and kidney were decreased in both RD and GGT1 groups, and the effects were more prominent in GGT1 group than in RD group, suggesting that GGT1 is effective in the inhibition of lipid storage by decreasing the $PPAR{\gamma}$ expression. $PPAR{\delta}$ mRNA levels of adipose tissue were increased by RD and GGT1 compared with DW, and the magnitude of increase were higher in GGT1 group than in RD group, indicating that GGT1 stimulates fatty acid oxidation and energy metabolism by activating $PPAR{\delta}$ expression. GGT1 group had higher concentrations of serum leptin, a well-known inhibitor of appetite, than control and RD groups. However, The mRNA levels of leptin, LPL, and $TNF{\alpha}$ were not changed by GGT1. These results indicate that GGT1 can prevent obesity in hGHTg obese female rats by down-regulating and up-regulating the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $PPAR{\delta}$, respectively, and that this anti-obesity effects were more pronounced in GGT1 group compared with RD group. In addition, GGT1 seems to inhibit obesity by increasing the circulating leptin levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.386-399
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study examined whether the supply of healthy Korean diets for 12 weeks is effective in improving the risk factors related to serum GGT and cardiovascular diseases in patients with hypertension and diabetes. Methods: This study selected 41 patients, who were treated with hypertension and diabetes. The Korean diet was composed of cooked-rice, soup, kimchi, and various banchan with one serving called bapsang, which emphasize proportionally high consumption of vegetables and fermented foods, moderate to high consumption of legumes and fish, and low consumption of animal foods. The control group was instead instructed to "eat and exercise as usual" while following the Korean Diabetes Association's dietary guidelines with an intake that can assist in glycemic control, maintain adequate weight, and meet the nutritional requirements. The Korean diet group (21 patients) were served three healthy Korean meals a day for 12 weeks, and the control group (20 patients, who trained in the diet guideline of diabetes) maintained their usual diabetic diet. The serum GGT, blood pressure, heart rate, glycemic control data, cardiovascular risk indicators, and changes in diet measured at the four visits (week 0, 4, 8, and 12) during the course of 12 weeks were compared and evaluated. Results: The serum GGT (p < 0.001), HbA1c (p = 0.004), heart rate (p = 0.007), weight (p = 0.002), Body Mass Index (p = 0.002), body fat mass (p < 0.001), body fat (%) (p < 0.001), and free fatty acid (p = 0.007) in the Korean diet group decreased significantly after the dietary intervention compared to the control group. The amount of intake of rice, whole grains, green vegetables, Kimchi, and soybean fermented food were increased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The Korean diet group showed significant decreases (p < 0.001) in the intake of animal protein, lipid, and cholesterol derived from animal foods compared to the control group but significant increases (p < 0.001) in the intake of total calories, folic acid, dietary fiber, sodium, potassium, and vitamins A, E, and C. Conclusion: In patients with hypertension and diabetes, it was confirmed that regular eating of a healthy Korean diet helps improve the risk factors for GGT and cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.377-385
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Although mercury (Hg) exposure is known to be neurotoxic in humans, its effects on liver function have been less often reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether total Hg exposure in Korean adults was associated with elevated serum levels of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Methods: We repeatedly examined the levels of total Hg and liver enzymes in the blood of 508 adults during 2010-2011 and 2014-2015. Cross-sectional associations between levels of blood Hg and liver enzymes were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and nonlinear relationships were analyzed using a generalized additive mixed model. Generalized estimating equations were applied to examine longitudinal associations, considering the correlations of individuals measured repeatedly. Results: GGT increased by 11.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5 to 18.0%) in women and 8.1% (95% CI, -0.5 to 17.4%) in men per doubling of Hg levels, but AST and ALT were not significantly associated with Hg in either men or women. In women who drank more than 2 or 3 times per week, AST, ALT, and GGT levels increased by 10.6% (95% CI, 4.2 to 17.5%), 7.7% (95% CI, 1.1 to 14.7%), and 37.5% (95% CI,15.2 to 64.3%) per doubling of Hg levels, respectively, showing an interaction between blood Hg levels and drinking. Conclusions: Hg exposure was associated with an elevated serum concentration of GGT. Especially in women who were frequent drinkers, AST, ALT, and GGT showed a significant increase, with a significant synergistic effect of Hg and alcohol consumption.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.15
• /
• pp.6255-6259
• /
• 2015

Purpose: To evaluate the prognostic value of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in gallbladder cancer (GBC). Materials and Methods: Serum ALP and GGT levels and clinicopathological parameters were retrospectively evaluated in 199 GBC patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the cut-off values of ALP and GGT. Then, associations with overall survival were assessed by multivariate analysis. Based on the significant factors, a prognostic score model was established. Results: By ROC curve analysis, $ALP{\geq}210U/L$ and $GGT{\geq}43U/L$ were considered elevated. Overall survival for patients with elevated ALP and GGT was significantly worse than for patients within the normal range. Multivariate analysis showed that the elevated ALP, GGT and tumor stage were independent prognostic factors. Giving each positive factor a score of 1, we established a preoperative prognostic score model. Varied outcomes would be significantly distinguished by the different score groups. By further ROC curve analysis, the simple score showed great superiority compared with the widely used TNM staging, each of the ALP or GGT alone, or traditional tumor markers such as CEA, AFP, CA125 and CA199. Conclusions: Elevated ALP and GGT levels were risk predictors in GBC patients. Our prognostic model provides infomration on varied outcomes of patients from different score groups.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.239-246
• /
• 2021

The fertility of dairy cows has been declining worldwide. The number of services per conception has increased, and repeat breeder (RB) cows are considered important in the dairy industry. However, there has been little research on RB cows in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum biochemical profiles and RB Holstein cattle in Korea and compare the results with those of studies conducted abroad. In addition, we investigated hidden factors that are needed for RB cattle to become pregnant. Overall, 34 Korean Holstein Friesian cows were divided into three groups: pregnant with normal cycling (PNC), pregnant with repeat breeder (PRB), and non-pregnant with repeat breeder (NRB). Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein, and serum parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, LD, CK, TP, ALB, GLOB, TBIL, BUN, CRE, GLU, TC, TG, NEFA, CA, MG, and IP) were analyzed. GGT levels were significantly different among groups (P=0.01). The concentration of GGT was the highest in the NRB and the lowest in the PNC. In contrast to the findings of other studies, there were no differences in GLU, TP, TC, and BUN levels. This study is the first to investigate serum biochemistry in RB cattle and provides results that differ from those of previous studies; these findings would help establish a novel approach to improve fertility of RB cattle.