• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.130-136
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• 2003

The protective effects of onion extract (OE), onion powder extracted in ethanol for 2 days. on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicities and the possible mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in mice. Pretreatment with OE prior to the administration of $CCl_4$ significantly reduced the increase in serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferase activities and hepatic lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with OE significantly prevented the depletion of reduced glutathione content in the liver of $CCl_4$-intoxicated mice. $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was also prevented, as indicated by a liver histopathologic findings. The effects of OE on the cytochrome P450 (P450) 2E1, the major isozyme involved in $CCl_4$ biotransformation were investigated. Treatment of mice with OE resulted in a significant decrease in P450 2E1-dependent p-nitrophenol and aniline hydroxylation in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with these observations, the P450 2E1 expressions were also decreased, as determined by immunoblot analysis. OE also exhibited antioxidant effects in FeCl$_2$-ascorbate induced lipid peroxidation in rat liver homogenates and in superoxide radical scavenging activity. These results show that the protective effects of OE against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block bioactivation of $CCl_4$, mainly tty inhibiting the expression and activities of P450 2E1 and by scavenging free radicals.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.376-383
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• 2015

Background: Panax ginseng has a wide range of biological activities including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory functions. Wild ginseng cambial meristematic cells (CMCs) were obtained from P. ginseng cambium. This study examined the protective mechanism of wild ginseng CMCs against $\small{D}$-galactosamine (GalN)-induced liver injury. GalN, a well-known hepatotoxicant, causes severe hepatocellular inflammatory damage and clinical features similar to those of human viral hepatitis in experimental animals. Methods: Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats using GalN (700 mg/kg, i.p.). Wild ginseng CMCs was administered orally once a day for 2 wks, and then 2 h prior to and 6 h after GalN injection. Results: Wild ginseng CMCs attenuated the increase in serum aminotransferase activity that occurs 24 h after GalN injection. Wild ginseng CMCs also attenuated the GalN-induced increase in serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6 level, and hepatic cyclooxygenase-2 protein and mRNA expression. Wild ginseng CMCs augmented the increase in serum interleukin -10 and hepatic heme oxygenase-1 protein and mRNA expression that was induced by GalN, inhibited the increase in the nuclear level of nuclear factor-kappa B, and enhanced the increase in NF-E2-related factor 2. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that wild ginseng CMCs protects liver against GalN-induced inflammation by suppressing proinflammatory mediators and enhancing production of anti-inflammatory mediators.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.225-231
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• 2004

This study was designed to investigate the effect of Trolox, a hydrophilic analogue of vitamin E, on the alteration of vasoregulatory gene expression during hepatic ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). Rats were subjected to 60 min of hepatic ischemia in vivo. The rats were treated intravenously with Trolox (2.5 mg/kg) or the vehicle as a control 5 min before reperfusion. Liver samples were obtained 5 h after reperfusion for a RT-PCR analysis on the mRNA for the genes of interest. These mRNA peptides are endothelin-1 (ET -1), potent vasoconstrictor peptide, its receptor $ET_A$ and $ET_B$, vasodilator endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). It was seen that serum alanine aminotransferase and lipid peroxi-dation levels were markedly increased after I/R and Trolox significantly suppressed this increase. In contrast, the glutathione concentration decreased in the I/R group, and this decrease was inhibited by Trolox. ET-1 mRNA expression was increased by I/R, an increase which was prevented by Trolox. The mRNA levels for $ET_A$ receptor was significantly decreased, whereas ET$_{B}$ receptor transcript increased in the I/R group. The increase in $ET_A$ was prevented by Trolox. The mRNA levels for iNOS and HO-1 significantly increased in the I/R group and Trolox attenuated this increase. There were no significant differences in eNOS mRNA expression among any of the experimental groups. The mRNA levels for COX-2 and TNF-$\alpha$ significantly increased in I/R group and Trolox also attenuated this increase. Our findings suggest that I/R induces an imbalanced hepatic vasoregulatory gene expression and Trolox ameliorates this change through its free radical scavenging activity.y.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.189-194
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• 1995

The focus of this study was to investigate the influences of enzymatic scavengers of active oxygen metabolites and phospholipase $A_2$ inhibitor on hepatic secretory and microsomal function during hepatic ischemia/reperfusion. Rats were pretreated with free radical scavengers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, deferoxamine and phospholipase $A_2$ inhibitor such as quinacrine and then subjected to 60 min. no-flow hepatic ischemia in vivo. After 1, 5 hr of reperfusion, bile was collected, blood was obtained from the abdominal aorta, and liver microsomes were isolated. Serum aminotransferase (ALT) level was increased at 1 hr and peaked at 5 hr. The increase in ALT was significantly attenuated by SOD plus catalase, deferoxamine and quinacrine especially at 5 hr of reperfusion. The wet weight-to-dry weight ratio of the liver was significantly increased by ischemia/reperfusion. SOD and catalase treatment minimized the increase in this ratio. Hepatic lipid peroxidiltion was elevated by ischemia/reperfusion, and this elevation was inhibited by free radical scavengers and quina crine. Bile flow and cholate output, but not bilirubin output, were markedly decreased by ischemia/reperfusion and quinacrine restored the secretion. Cytochrome $P_{450}$ content was decreased by ischemia/reperfusion and restored by free radical scavengers and quinacrine to the level of that of the sham operated group. Aminopyrine N-demethylase activity was decreased and aniline p-hydroxylase was increased by ischemia/reperfusion. The changes in the activities of the two enzymes were prevented by free radical scavengers and quinacrine. Our findings suggest that ischemia/reperfusion diminishes hepatic secretory functions as well as microsomal drug metabolizing systems by increasing lipid peroxidation, and in addition to free radicals, other factors such as phospholipase $A_2$ are involved in pathogenes of hepatic dysfunction after ischemia/reperfusion.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.325-335
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• 2008

The protective effects of the Naringin, on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanisms involved in this protection were investigated in mice. Pretreatment with Naringin prior to the administration of $CCl_4$ significantly prevented an increase in serum alanine, aspartate aminotransferase activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, pretreatment with Naringin also significantly prevented the depletion of glutathione (GSH) content in the livers of $CCl_4$-induced mice. However, reduced hepatic glutathione levels was unaffected by treatment with Naringin alone. In addition, Naringin prevented $CCl_4$-induced apoptosis and necrosis, as indicated by a liver DNA laddering. To determine whether caspase-8,-3 pathway involved in $CCl_4$-induced acute liver injury, caspase-8, -3 activities were tested by ELISA. Naringin attenuated $CCl_4$induced caspase-8, -3 activities in mouse livers. $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity was also prevented, as indicated by a liver histopathologic study. The effects of Naringin on the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1, the major isozyme involved in $CCl_4$ were also investigated. Treatment of mice with Naringin resulted in a significant decrease of the CYP2E1-dependent hydroxyl at ion and aniline in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that protective effects of Naringin against the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity may be due to its ability to block CYP2E1-mediated $CCl_4$ bioactivation and that is also protects against caspase-8, -3 pathway mediated apoptosis.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2013

Objectives: The present study investigated the potential subacute toxicity of 1,4-dichlorobutane (1,4-DCB) by a 2-week repeated oral dose in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Materials and Methods: The test chemical was administered once daily by gavage to male rats at dose levels of 0, 74, 222, 667, and 2000 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. All rats were sacrificed at the end of treatment period. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, food and water consumption, urinalysis, hematology, serum biochemistry, gross findings, and organ weights were examined. Results: At 2000 mg/kg/day, treatment-related clinical signs, as evidenced by hypothermia, decreased locomotor activity, piloerection, lying on side, and prone position were observed. All the rats were found dead on test day 2. At 667 mg/kg/day, polyuria, suppressed body weight gain, food consumption, and spleen and thymus weights, and increased adrenal gland and liver weights were observed.Hematological and serum biochemical investigations revealed increases in the alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphataseand total bilirubinand decreases in the serum $Na^+$ level, white blood cell count and lymphocyte ratio. There were no treatment-related adverse effects in the 74 and 222 mg/kg/day groups. Conclusions: In the present experimental conditions, target organs were determined to be spleen, thymus,and liver. The no-observed-adverse-effect level was considered to be 222 mg/kg/day in male rats.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2019

As the use of cosmetics has greatly increased in a daily life, safety issues with cosmetic ingredients have drawn an attention. Drometrizole [2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole] is categorized as a sunscreen ingredient and is used in cosmetics and non-cosmetics as a UV light absorber. No significant toxicity has been observed in acute oral, inhalation, or dermal toxicity studies. In a 13-week oral toxicity study in beagle dogs, No observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) was determined as 31.75 mg/kg bw/day in males and 34.6 mg/kg bw/day in females, based on increased serum alanine aminotransferase activity. Although drometrizole was negative for skin sensitization in two Magnusson-Kligman maximization tests in guinea pigs, there were two case reports of consumers presenting with allergic contact dermatitis. Drometrizole showed no teratogenicity in reproductive and developmental toxicity studies in which rats and mice were treated for 6 to 15 days of the gestation period. Ames tests showed that drometrizole was not mutagenic. A long-term carcinogenicity study using mice and rats showed no significant carcinogenic effect. A nail product containing 0.03% drometrizole was nonirritating, non-sensitizing and non-photosensitizing in a test with 147 human subjects. For risk assessment, the NOAEL chosen was 31.75 mg/kg bw/day in a 13-week oral toxicity study. Systemic exposure dosages were 0.27228 mg/kg bw/day and 1.90598 mg/kg bw/day for 1% and 7% drometrizole in cosmetics, respectively. Risk characterization studies demonstrated that when cosmetic products contain 1.0% of drometrizole, the margin of safety was greater than 100. Based on the risk assessment data, the MFDS revised the regulatory concentration of drometrizole from 7% to 1% in 2015. Under current regulation, drometrizole is considered to be safe for use in cosmetics. If new toxicological data are obtained in the future, the risk assessment should be carried out to update the appropriate guidelines.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.575-583
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• 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of parity and the stage of lactation on the metabolic profile of cows based on the basic chemical milk components and the blood parameters. Methods: The study material consisted of high-yielding Holstein-Friesian cows. In total, 473 cows were examined. According to the parity, cows were divided into four groups: primiparous (P), and multiparous in the second (M2), in the third (M3), and in subsequent lactations (M4). The feeding of cows was based on total mixed ration (TMR) ad libitum. Milk and blood samples were collected individually from each cow three times per standard lactation period. Results: Greater exacerbation of changes in the dynamics of the blood plasma parameters examined was proved for multiparous cows. The highest value of β-hydroxybutyrate acid (0.946 mmol/L) was found for multiparous cows from group M3 at the beginning of lactation. However, it was still in the normal range. The results showed aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) activities in dairy cows during lactation had significant variations taking in to account stage of lactation. The highest activity of GGT was found in the group of the oldest cows and measured from 26.36 U/L at the beginning of lactation to 48.75 U/L at the end of the lactation period. Conclusion: The time-related changes in the concentrations of the biochemical parameters described differ markedly among lactating cows, though the housing conditions on the research dairy farm are highly standardised. This indicates that the ability to cope with metabolic stress is mainly affected by the individual predispositions of cows and feed nutrient supply in different stage of lactation. Especially, the feed nutrient supply (in net energy for lactation), which was the best in TMR 1 in comparison TMR 3.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.229-237
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and hangover cure effects of compound prescription containing Phyllanthus emblica and Azadirachta Indica leaf extract (CP). In vitro experiments, HepG2 cells were induced oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and treated with CP at 50, 100, 200 ㎍/㎖ concentration. Antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalse (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) activity and glutathione (GSH) content were decreased by hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress, but CP was increased that. In vivo experiments, experiment rats were orally administered alcohol 3 g/kg and, after 30 min administered CP 200 mg/kg. After 1 and 3 h of alcohol administration, blood was collected from the tail vein, while after 5 h, blood was collected from the heart. CP modulates alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and acetaldehyde level, thereby decreased alcohol level in serum. Also, CP decreased the levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). These results suggest that CP has antioxidant effects and alleviates alcohol hangover symptoms.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.850-860
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• 2023

The effects of dietary mannan oligosaccharides, Lactobacillus plantarum, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus licheniformis supplementation on hybrid grouper Epinephelus akaara ♀×Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂ were evaluated. The fish were fed a basal diet and five other diets consisting of 0.6% mannan oligosaccharides, L. plantarum, B. subtilis, and B. licheniformis and mixture of each 0.15% prebiotic and all the probiotics (designated as MOS, LP, BS, BL, and SYN) for 56 days. Growth performance and feed utilization showed no significant differences among all experimental groups. Lipid level of whole-body was significantly high in MOS and BL groups. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase was significantly low in BL and SYN groups. Nitro-blue tetrazolium, lysozyme and anti-protease, and glutathione peroxidase in BS, SYN, and all probiotic groups, respectively, were significantly high. Intestinal Vibrio bacteria was significantly low in all probiotic and SYN groups. Gene expression of interleukin-1β and interleukin-10 in SYN group; transforming growth factor β2 in MOS and BS groups, toll-like receptor 2-2 in BS and BL groups; and C-type lectin in MOS, LP and SYN groups were significantly upregulated. Our findings indicate that mannan oligosaccharides, L. plantarum, B. subtilis, and B. licheniformis could improve innate immunity, antioxidant capacity, anti-inflammation, and intestinal microbiota of hybrid grouper.