• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.397-402
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• 2009

Kombucha tea(KT) is sugared black tea fermented with a symbiotic culture of acetic acid bacteria and yeasts, which is said to be tea fungus. KT is claimed to have various beneficial effects on human health, but there is very little scientific evidence available in the literature. In the present study, KT along with black tea(BT) and black tea manufactured with tea fungus enzymes(enzyme-processed tea, ET) were evaluated for hepatoprotective and curative properties against $CCl_4$-induced toxicity, using male albino rats as an experimental model by analyzing aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase in plasma and malondialdehyde content in plasma and liver tissues. Histopathological analysis of liver tissue was also included. Results showed that BT, ET, and KT have the potential to revert the $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity. Among the three types of teas tried, KT was found to be more efficient than BT and ET. Antioxidant molecules produced during the fermentation period could be the reason for the efficient hepatoprotective and curative properties of KT against $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.273-282
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• 2013

The present study was designed to investigate the cardioprotective effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRG) on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced cardiac injury in rats, particularly in regards to electrocardiographic changes, hemodynamics, cardiac function, serum cardiac enzymes, components of the myocardial antioxidant defense system, as well as inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in heart tissue. ISO (150 mg/kg, subcutaneous, two doses administered at 24-hour intervals) treatment induced significant decreases in P waves and QRS complexes (p<0.01), as well as a significant increase in ST segments. Moreover, ISO-treated rats exhibited decreases in left-ventricular systolic pressure, maximal rate of developed left ventricular pressure ($+dP/dt_{max}$) and minimal rate of developed left ventricular pressure ($-dP/dt_{max}$), in addition to significant increases in lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and creatine kinase activity. Heart rate, however, was not significantly altered. And the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased, whereas the activity of malondialdehyde was increased in the ISO-treated group. ISO-treated group also showed increased caspase-3 level, release of inflammatory markers and neutrophil infiltration in heart tissue. KRG pretreatment (250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively) significantly ameliorated almost all of the parameters of heart failure and myocardial injury induced by ISO. The protective effect of KRG on ISO-induced cardiac injury was further confirmed by histopathological study. In this regard, ISO treatment induced fewer morphological changes in rats pretreated with 250 or 500 mg/kg of KRG. Compared with the control group, all indexes in rats administered KRG (500 mg/kg) alone were unaltered (p>0.05). Our results suggest that KRG significantly protects against cardiac injury and ISO-induced cardiac infarction by bolstering antioxidant action in myocardial tissue.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by fat accumulation and is associated with oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PPE) against oxidative stress in the liver of rats with NAFLD. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD), 20% corn oil, or palm oil for 8 weeks in the presence or absence of PPE. The control group was fed a basal diet. The progression of NAFLD was evaluated histologically and by measuring liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase), serum lipids (triglycerides and total cholesterol), and oxidative stress markers. The HFD feeding increased the body weight and caused NAFLD, liver steatosis, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and elevated liver enzymes. Administration of PPE ameliorated the hepatic morphology, reduced body weight, improved liver enzymes, and inhibited lipogenesis. Furthermore, PPE enhanced the cellular redox status in the liver tissue of rats with NAFLD. Our findings suggest that PPE could improve HFD-induced NAFLD via abolishment of hepatic oxidative damage and hyperlipidemia. PPE might be considered as a potential lead material in the treatment of NAFLD and obesity through the modulation of lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.17-31
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• 2010

Objectives : Ganoderma Lucidum has been used in traditional oriental medicine to treat various conditions including chronic fatigue and cough. This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of yeast-fermented Ganoderma Lucidum extract on the fatigue of rats elicited by forced swimming. Materials and methods : The rat subjects were divided into 4 groups: normal group, control group administered with 0.9% normal saline, experimental I(Exp I) group administered with yeast-fermented Ganoderma lucidum extract and experimental II(Exp II) group administered with Ganoderma lucidum extract for 4 weeks. All the serum samples collected by heart puncture were used to measure biochemical factors such as glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), inorganic phosphorus, ammonia, total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein(HDL), low-density lipoprotein(LDL), aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT). Results : 1. Weight change and swimming time were not significantly different in the experimental groups as compared with control group. 2. Lactate was significantly decreased in the experimental groups as compared with control group. Inorganic phosphorus was also significantly decreased in the Exp I group as compared with control group(p<0.05). 3. Serum lipid concentration was not significantly different in the experimental groups as compared with control group. 4. AST and ALT were significantly decrease in the experimental groups as compared with control group. Conclusions : Yeast-fermented Ganoderma lucidum in forced swimming rats would appear to reduce fatigue-related factors, AST, ALT of serum and promote anti-fatigue effect.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.337-347
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• 2013

Aspirin is widely used for treatment or prophylaxis of many diseases. Although aspirin is used chronically for preventing cardiovascular diseases especially, liver function is rarely monitored because of unpredictable and uncommon hepatotoxicity induced by aspirin. We evaluated changes in liver function indicators and compared to acetaminophen and NSAIDs. We retrospectively analyzed EMR data (n=28788) of patients who took study drugs and had liver function tests (LFT) during study period from 2009.7.1 to 2010.6.30 at a tertiary hospital and evaluated the above information. Patients not having LFT results at these three standard points of time (baseline, during medication, and after finishing medication) were excluded. During medication, mean changes of Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), Total Bilirubin (TB) were increased and that of serum albumin (Alb) was decreased, with the largest effect from aspirin (n=461; 16.8, 14.9, 0.28, -0.24) and the smallest from celecoxib (n=127; 3.4, 5.2, 0.11, -0.16). In addition, aspirin caused more changes of blood liver function indicators in patient group with liver disease (n=128, 27.4, 26.9, 0.53, -0.3) than those in patient group without liver disease (n=357, 12.5, 13.1, 0.23, -0.24). Taking low dose aspirin for prophylaxis purpose with long-term medication may be associated with liver injury. Our study is just a signal regarding the possibility of hepatotoxicity among patients taking low dose aspirin in a hospital setting, and thus it needs to be further investigated.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3909-3919
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• 2013

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of A ferruginea extract on Dalton's lymphoma ascites (DLA) induced tumours in BALB/c mice. Experimental animals received A ferruginea extract (10 mg/kg.b.wt) intraperitoneally for 14 consecutive days after DLA tumor challenge. Treatment with extract significantly increased the life span, total white blood cell (WBC) count and haemoglobin (Hb) content and decreased the level of serum aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (${\gamma}$-GT) and nitric oxide (NO) in DLA bearing ascites tumor models. In addition, administration of extract significantly decreased the tumour volume and body weight in a DLA bearing solid tumor model. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1 beta (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and granulocyte monocyte-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), as well as pro-angiogenic growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were elevated in solid tumour controls, but significantly reduced by A ferruginea administration. On the other hand, the extract stimulated the production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$) in animals with DLA induced solid tumours. Increase in $CD4^+$ T-cell population suggested strong immunostimulant activity for this extract. GC/MS and LC/MS analysis showed quinone, quinoline, imidazolidine, pyrrolidine, cyclopentenone, thiazole, pyrazole, catechin and coumarin derivatives as major compounds present in the A ferruginea methanolic extract. Thus, the outcome of the present study suggests that A ferruginea extract has immunomodulatory and tumor inhibitory activities and has the potential to be developed as a natural anticancer agent.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1390-1396
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• 2008

The aim of this study is to analyze literatures researching changes of liver function parameters after administration of herbal medicine and the safety of herbal medicine on hepato-biliary system. Eight Korean databases were searched for researches on the safety of oriental herbal medicine. According to inclusion criteria, nineteen studies were selected and analyzed. As a result, seventy outcomes in five parameters(aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, gamma(${\gamma}$)-glutamyl transferase, alkaline Phosphatase, total bilirubin) were obtained. After administration, parameters decreased or sustained in fifty seven outcomes. In thirteen outcomes, parameters slightly increased. In two outcomes, parameters increased but not severely. The change of liver function parameters after administration of herbal medicine is expected to be harmless. But it requires additional large scale studies and modification in method to corroborate the safety of herbal medicine.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.937-949
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• 2008

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the anti-hepatotoxic effect of ginseng in rats induced with CC14 or TCDD, the toxicities that cause liver damages. Primary studies were collected from the ScienceDirect database, the DBpia, and the KISS. The data on the effect factors in plasma and in enzyme are listed as many as possible: The effect factors were alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), liver aminopyrine N-demethylase(AD), liver aniline hydroxylase(AH), liver 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine(liver MDA), cytochrome P450(P450), serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP), serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cytochrome b5(Cyto b5), glutathione reductase (GR), Liver glutathione S-transferase(GST), liver glutamyltransferase (GT), Liver($\gamma$-GCS), serum liver 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine(serum MDA), serum sorbitol dehydrogenase(SDH), serum total protein(TP), and serum $\gamma$-glutamyltransferase($\gamma$-GT). In order to investigate the effect of ginseng, the standard mean difference(HG) between the group of rats induced with toxicity(RH) and the group of rats induced with ginseng(RHG) were combined, and the significance of HGs were tested. The combined HGs checked the biases caused by heterogeneity among studies and the publication biases. Then they were adjusted by using the random effect model and trim and fill method. Although the publication biases were assumed, among all plasma factors the HGs of ALT, AST, serum MDA, SDH, TP, and $\gamma$-GT were significant, and among all enzyme factors the HGs of liver MDA, Cyto b5, GR, GST, and GT were significant. The treatment with ginseng significantly affected the plasma and enzyme levels in rats induced with toxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.17-26
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• 2020

This study was conducted to evaluate the functionality of fermented black garlic extracts under various conditions. Black garlic powder was prepared by aging for 0~72 hours at 80℃ depending on relative humidity (RH). It showed the highest antioxidant effects among the samples; the total antioxidant activity of black garlic powders at RH 75%, 84%, and 90% for 72 hours was increased 31.9 times, 28.2 times, and 22.6 times compared with that of the fresh garlic powder, respectively. Also, the alliin content was gradually decreased. S-ally-L-cysteine and S-ethyl-cysteine levels were increased; the highest values were 495.9 ㎍/g and 1,769.7 ㎍/g after aging for 72 hours at RH 75%. Aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were increased following high fat diet feeding, but the rise was obviously reduced by administration of black garlic extract. The total cholesterol, LDL/VLDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride contents in serum were significantly lower in methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet treatment groups than in the positive control group. The concentration was increased following the intake of black garlic and fermented black garlic extracts. Therefore, black garlic extracts could be an ideal material as a dietary supplement in healthy functional foods to improve the effects on fatty liver.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2015

Purpose: Cholecystectomy is rarely performed in the child and adolescent. However, it is associated with several conditions. This study was conducted to describe the characteristics of pediatric patient who underwent cholecystectomy unrelated to hematologic disorders, and then to suggest its clinical significance in management by comparing a simple and complicated gallbladder disease. Methods: We reviewed cases of cholecystectomy in pediatric patients (under 18 years old) at a single institution between January 2003 and October 2014. There were 143 cases during the study period and 24 were selected as the subject group. Results: There were 7 male (29.2%) and 17 female (70.8%) patients. The mean age was 13.1 years old, and 66.6% of patients were older than 12 years. Mean body weight was 52.7 kg, and body mass index was $21.7kg/m^2$, with 41.7% of patients being overweight or obese. We could identify a female predominance and high proportion of overweight or obesity in a complicated disease. There were also significantly increased levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin in this group. Most patients (87.5%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conclusion: Cholecystectomy for diseases unrelated to hematologic disorders is rarely performed in the child and adolescent. In general, female patients who are overweight or obese, and those older than 12 years old, require laparoscopic cholecystectomy owing to multiple gallstones. This condition has a tendency to show a complicated gallbladder disease and significantly increased levels of AST, ALT, ALP, and bilirubin.