• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2020

Objectives : Pyeongwi-san is widely used in Korean medicine for acute indigestion or gastrodynia. As a therapeutic agent for digestive diseases of modern people, in order to confirm the mechanism of Pyeongwi-san on digestive tract disease and the difference of therapeutic efficacy between its formulation, a comparative efficacy test was conducted on digestive tract disease animal model. Methods : For LPS enteritis animal model, male SD rats were intraorally treated with different formulation types of Pyeongwi-san, and then intraperitoneally administered LPS one hour later to induce enteritis. After 5 hours, blood was collected and TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 were confirmed by ELISA. For acute gastritis animal model, male SD rats were intraorally treated with different formulation types of Pyeongwi-san according to the prescribed concentration, and then intraorally administered 60% ethanol and 150 mM HCl one hour later to induce acute gastritis. After 5 hours, blood was collected and TNFα,IL-6 were confirmed by ELISA. Results : In the LPS-administered enteritis animal model, Pyeongwi-san decreased TNFα, IL-1β, PGE2 and especially IL-6. Pyeongwi-san also decreased IL-6 in acute gastritis animal model. In addition, there was no significant difference in efficacy between the two formulations when compared with inflammatory markers. Conclusions : The efficacy of Pyeongwi-san was confirmed in the inflammatory markers related to digestive inflammatory diseases, and the efficay between two formulations of Pyeongwi-san was relatively similar. Further studies are needed to investigate the new applicability of Pyeongwi-san on different inflammatory diseases that have similar inflammation markers identified in this experiment.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.168-174
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• 2015

Purpose: Recent studies have suggested that decreased serum potassium level may contribute to various metabolic disorders in adult patients including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to study the correlation between serum potassium levels and the histologic severity of NAFLD in children. Methods: Pediatric patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological data were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether potassium levels are associated with the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fibrosis after adjusting for possible confounders. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 125 biopsies, 49.6% (62) had evidence of NASH while 66.4% (83) had some degree of fibrosis (stage 1-3). Mean serum potassium was significantly lower in NASH group as compared to non-NASH group ($4.4{\pm}0.42mmoL/L$ vs. $4.8{\pm}0.21$, p<0.001). Higher potassium level had negative correlation with presence of steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, fibrosis and NAFLD activity score (p<0.05). On multivariable analysis and after adjusting for the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, higher potassium level was significantly associated with lower likelihood of having a histological diagnosis of NASH on biopsy (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.05-0.28; p<0.001). Similarly, the likelihood of having fibrosis decreases by 76% for every 0.5 mmoL/L increase in potassium (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.54; p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows an inverse relationship between serum potassium levels and the presence of aggressive disease (NASH and fibrosis) in children with NAFLD.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.16
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• pp.6737-6743
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• 2014

It is reported that sinomenine (SIN) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) both are effective for colon cancer, but their cooperative suppressive effects and toxicity remain to be clarified in detail. This study aimed to determine suppressive effects and toxicity of sinomenine (SIN) plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on LoVo colon carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo. CCK-8, Hoechst 33258 staining and an annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit were used to detect suppressive effects. Western blotting was applied to investigate the essential mechanism underlying SIN and 5-FU-induced apoptosis. SIN or 5-FU or both were injected into nude mice, and then suppressive effects and side effects were observed. SIN plus 5-FU apparently inhibited the proliferation of LoVo cells and induced apoptosis. Moreover the united effects were stronger than individually (p<0.05). The results of annexin V-FITC/PI staining and Hoechst 33258 staining showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells induced by SIN and 5-FU combined or alone was significantly higher than the control group (p<0.05). Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was up-regulated and down-regulated respectively. SIN or 5-FU significantly inhibited effects on the volume of tumour xenografts and their combined suppressive effects were stronger (p<0.05). No obvious side effects were observed. It was apparent that the united effects of SIN and 5-FU on the growth of colorectal carcinoma LoVo cells in vitro and in vivo were superior to those using them individually, and it did not markedly increase the side effects of chemotherapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.213-221
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• 2010

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis is the primary endocrine system to respond to stress. The HPA axis may be affected by increased level of corticotrophin-releasing factors under chronic stress and by chronic administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether chronic MSG administration aggravates chronic variable stress (CVS)-induced behavioral and hormonal changes. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 200~220 g, were divided into 4 groups as follows: water administration (CON), MSG (3 g/kg) administration (MSG), CVS, and CVS with MSG (3 g/kg) administration (CVS＋MSG). In addition, for the purpose of comparing the effect on plasma corticosterone levels between chronic stress and daily care or acute stress, 2 groups were added at the end of the experiment; the 2 new groups were as follows: naive mice (n=7) and mice exposed to restraint stress for 2 h just before decapitation (A-Str, n=7). In an open field test performed after the experiment, the CVS＋MSG group significant decrease in activity. The increase in relative adrenal weights in the CVS and CVS＋MSG group was significantly greater than those in the CON and/or MSG groups. In spite of the increase in the relative adrenal weight, there was a significant decrease in the plasma corticosterone levels in the CVS＋MSG group as compared to all other groups, except the naive group. These results suggest that impaired HPA axis function as well as the decrease in the behavioral activity in adult rats can be induced by chronic MSG administration under CVS rather than CVS alone.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 2019

Purpose: Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (chief cell predominant type) (GA-FG-CCP) was first reported as a rare adenocarcinoma found in the normal fundic mucosa. Recent studies have proposed the possibility that GA-FG-CCPs were also generated in the atrophic mucosa after Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication therapy. However, little is known on the endoscopic findings of GA-FG-CCP generated in the atrophic mucosa due to its extreme rarity. Materials and Methods: A total of 8 patients who underwent endoscopic submucosal resection and were diagnosed with GA-FG-CCP generated in the HP-uninfected mucosa (4 cases, HP-uninfected group) or HP-eradicated atrophic mucosa (4 cases, HP-eradicated group) were retrospectively analyzed, and their endoscopic findings, including magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (M-NBI), and pathological features were compared. Results: While GA-FG-CCPs in the 2 groups displayed similar macroscopic appearance, M-NBI demonstrated that characteristic microvessels (tapered microvessels like withered branches) were specifically identified in the HP-eradicated group. Pathological investigation revealed that a decreasing number of fundic glands and thinned foveolar epithelium covering tumor ducts were thought to lower the thickness of the covering layer over tumor ducts in the HP-eradicated group. Moreover, dilation of vessels just under the surface of the lesions contributed to the visualization of microvessels by M-NBI. Conclusions: The change in background mucosa due to HP infection influenced the thickness of the covering layer over the tumor ducts and M-NBI finding of GA-FG-CCP.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.245-259
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• 2015

Objectives : This study is intended to establish the areas of use of the major effects of Coptidis Rhizoma-Evodiae Fructus Pair in the Prescriptions. Methods : Prescriptions that include both Coptidis Rhizoma and Evodiae Fructus have been selected with the use of programs offered by http://www.koreantk.com, http://youl.net/data . This study compared and analyzed the main effects of the selected prescriptions. Results : Prescriptions that work on upper digestive system tend to have Coptidis Rhizoma to Evodiae Fructus ratio of 2:1~10:1, and Prescriptions that work on lower digestive system tend to have ratio of 1:1. When Coptidis Rhizoma takes up 50% or more of the total dose of the prescriptions, these prescriptions tend to have major effect on the upper digestive system, and when it takes less than 50%, these tend to have major effect on the lower digestive system on the contrary. Conclusions : The prescriptions based on Coptidis Rhizoma-Evodiae Fructus Pair have a tendency to treat digestive problems caused by mass of fever in Liver-system. On this basis, further studies are expected to unveil the effectiveness of these prescriptions on adult diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2024

This study investigated the effect of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JSA22-fermented rice drinks on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Twenty-four mice were randomly assigned; No colitis (Con), colitis with tap water (DSS-only), colitis with unfermented rice (DSS-UFR), and colitis with fermented rice (DSS-FR). After inducing colitis with 2% DSS for 5 days, they were given Tap water, UFR drink, or FR drink for an additional 6 days. The DSS-FR group had significantly lower Disease Activity Index (DAI) scores compared to the DSS-only group, but no significant difference with the DSS-UFR group. Colon length was reduced in the DSS-only group. The DSS-only group had significantly higher IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the Con group, while the DSS-FR groups showed significantly lower IL-6 mRNA levels compared to the DSS-only group. These results suggest that rice drinks fermented with Lactiplantibacillus Plantarum JSA22 ameliorate the severity of DSS-colitis, by potentially reducing proinflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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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).

• 한국전자현미경학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.43-44
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• 2001

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.80.1-80.1
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• 2003

Intestinal epithelial cells can produce cytokines and chemokines that play an important role in the mucosal immune response. Regulation of this production is important to prevent inflammatory tissue damage. Glycyrrhiza glabra has been shown to inhibit inflammation. The aim of this study was to examine the inhibitory effect of 18- beta-glycyrrhetinic acid, a triterpenoid saponin of Glycyrrhiza glabra, on IL-S production via mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) in TNF-alpha-stimulated human colon epithelial cells. (omitted)