• BMB Reports
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.331-338
• /
• 1999

Ethanol catabolism is thought to produce metabolic disorders resulting in alcoholic liver disease. To investigate the mutual effects of ethanol catabolism and cholestasis induced by common bile duct ligation on the activities of carboxylesterase, we have determined the enzyme activities in rat hepatic (cytosolic, mitochondrial, and microsomal) preparations as well as in rat serum using ten animal models: normal rats (group 1), sham-operated rats (group 2), common bile duct-ligated rats (group 3), ethanol-intoxicated rats (group 4), sham-operation plus chronic ethanol-intoxicated rats (group 5), common bile duct-ligated plus chronic ethanol-intoxicated rats at 1.5h and 24h (groups 7A and 7B), and duct-ligated and acute ethanol intoxicated rats at 1.5 h and 24 h (groups 8A and 8B). The $K_m$ and $V_{max}$ values of carboxylesterase from these hepatic preparations of cholestatic rat liver combined with chronic ethanol intoxication were also measured by using ethyl valerate as the substrate from the 14th day post-ligation. Carboxylesterase activities of all hepatic preparations and rat serum (group 3) showed significant decreases compared to the activities from the sham-operated control (group 2). Enzyme kinetic parameters indicated that $V_{max}$ of carboxylesterase from all the hepatic preparations in cholestatic rats (group 3) decreased significantly, although the $K_m$ values were about the same as in the sham-operated control (group 2). When cholestasis was combined with chronic ethanol intoxication (group 6), carboxylesterase activities showed further decrease in all the hepatic preparations and serum compared to the control activity (group 5). The $V_{max}$ also decreased significantly, although $K_m$ values did not change. When common bile duct ligation was combined with acute ethanol intoxication (group 8), the enzyme activities in the rat liver and serum showed significant decrease compared to the activity from acute ethanol-intoxicated rats (group 7). However, quite contrary to this, the activities of serum from acute ethanol intoxication 1.5 h (group 7A) increased significantly compared to the activities in the normal control (group 1). These results, therefore, suggest that the biosynthesis of hepatic carboxyl-esterase seems to decrease when cholestasis is combined with chronic and acute ethanol intoxication, and the decrease in activity is more significant than from cholestasis alone.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.473-479
• /
• 2005

Possible mechanism of decreased catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) activity in cholestatic rat liver was studied. Hepatic and serum COMT activities were determined from the experimental rats with common bile duct ligation (CBDL). The Michaelis-Menten constants in this hepatic enzyme were also measured. The activities of cytosolic, mitochondrial and mircosomal COMT as well as their Vmax values were found to be decreased significantly in CBDL plus taurocholic acid (TCA) injected group than in the control group, such as CBDL alone groups. However, their Km values in the experimental groups did not vary. Serum COMT activity increased slightly in the CBDL plus TCA injected group than in the control group. The above results suggest that TCA represses biosynthesis of the COMT in the liver. The elevated activity of the serum COMT is believed to be caused by the increment of membrane permeability of hepatocytes upon TCA mediated liver cell necrosis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2004

Changes of thiol methyltransferase (TMT) activity in cholestatic rat liver were studied. Hepatic subcellular and serum TMT activities were determined in cholestatic rat induced by common bile duct (CBD) ligation over a period 28 days. The mitochondrial and microsomal TMT activities in cholestatic rat liver were found to be significantly increased between the 1st and the 28th day after CBD ligation. The TMT activity in serum was significantly increased throughout the experiments. The Vmax values of the above hepatic TMT in cholestatic rat were significantly increased at the 7th day after CBD ligation. However, the Km values of the above hepatic enzymes did not vary in all the experimental groups. Therefore, the results indicate that the biosynthesis of TMT was increased in cholestatic rat liver. The elevated serum TMT activity is most likely caused by increased hepatocytes membrane permeability due to cholestasis mediated liver cell necrosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.617-620
• /
• 2011

A 6-month-old orange winged Amazon parrot (Amazona amazonica) was presented for evaluation of weight loss, anorexia, and abdominal distension for two months. Clinical and laboratory examinations revealed evidence of hepatic failure, including transudative ascites, increased serum serum aspartate aminotransferase and bile acids, and decreased albumin-to-globulin ratio. Hepatic fibrosis with bile duct hyperplasia and chronic hepatitis was diagnosed by liver biopsy. The cause of this condition remained unclear, but exposure to hepatotoxins was suggested.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.41 no.2
• /
• pp.220-224
• /
• 1997

This study was carried out to investigate the dose dependent antifibrotic effects of polysaccharide from mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum. The experimental hepatic cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation/scission (BDL/S) in rats. BDL/S rats in each group were dosed 0.5 mg, 2.0 mg, 5.0 mg or 10.O mg/rat/day orally for 4 weeks after the operation. Antifibrotic effects were evaluated by serum biochemical values, hydroxyproline contents, and light microscopical histology. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Hydroxyproline contents in liver of 5.0 and 10.0mg polysaccharide-treated BDL/S rats were significantly reduced 2) In serum test, ALT, AST, ALP values in polysaccharide from Ganoderma lucidum-treated group were lower than BDL/S control group 3) The hepatic damage such as hepatocellular necrosis, inflammation, bile duct proliferation and fibrosis was less severe in the livers of 2.0 mg and 5.0 mg polysaccharide-treated rats. These results suggest that polysaccharide from mycelium of Ganoderma lucidum to be a promising agent for the inhibition of hepatic cirrhosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.263-270
• /
• 2019

Hydrogen sulfide is well-known to exhibit anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activities, and also has protective effects in the liver. This study aimed to examine the protective effect of hydrogen sulfide in rats with hepatic encephalopathy, which was induced by mild bile duct ligation. In this rat model, bile ducts were mildly ligated for 26 days. Rats were treated for the final 5 days with sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS). NaHS ($25{\mu}mol/kg$), 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or silymarin (100 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once per day for 5 consecutive days. Mild bile duct ligation caused hepatotoxicity and inflammation in rats. Intraperitoneal NaHS administration reduced levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, which are indicators of liver disease, compared to levels in the control mild bile duct ligation group. Levels of ammonia, a major causative factor of hepatic encephalopathy, were also significantly decreased. Malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, catalase, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ levels were measured to confirm antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors with neurotoxic activity were assessed for subunit NMDA receptor subtype 2B. Based on these data, NaHS is suggested to exhibit hepatoprotective effects and guard against neurotoxicity through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.94-100
• /
• 2002

Liver cirrhosis is characterized by hyperaccumulation of fibrous tissue components and is commonly observed in latter or terminal states of chronic hepatic diseases. In this study, the antifibrotic effects of GLM001 on liver cirrhosis were examined in bile duct ligated rats and patients with hepatic diseases. GLM001 (250 mg/kg rat weight/ day) was administrated to cirrhotic rats for 4 weeks and to humans for 14 weeks. Bile duct ligated rats significantly increased liver collagen content and biochemical markers of hepatic injury. Liver histology showed collagen fiber deposition was increased and the normal architecture was lost with large zones of necrosis being observed frequently. GLM001 administrated rats showed significantly decreased liver collagen content, and accumulation of collagen fiber in histological analysis. Patients, who were treated with GLM001, showed decreases in biochemical markers of hepatic diseases. These results demonstrate the usefulness of GLM001 as an antifibrotic agent for liver cirrhosis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 1999

Purpose: Proliferation of bile duct-like structures and fibrosis is a hepatic cellular reaction observed in most forms of human liver disease and in a variety of experimental conditions associated with liver injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the activation of Ito cells and bile duct proliferation in the rat after common bile duct ligation (CBDL). Methods: Hepatic morphological abnormalities were examined in rats whose bile ducts had been irreversibly ligated for 15, 21, 24 and 28 days. The liver was examined by immunohistochemical staining for ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin, the known marker of activated Ito cells, and light and electron microscopes. Results: After CBDL, the bile canalicular proliferation and interstitial fibrosis were gradually increased in the periportal areas extended to hepatic sinusoids. Ito cells positive for ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin were frequently observed in the periductular space and in perisinusoidal space of Disse. Ito cells and myofibroblasts were gradually increased in the interstitial fibrosis until the 28th day after CBDL. Ito cells and myofibroblasts had microfilaments with dense body at the periphery of the cell. Conclusions: Our results suggest that Ito cells may be fibroblastic or myogenic. It has also been postulated that during the development of hepatic fibrosis, Ito cells become myofibroblasts or fibroblast like cells.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2007

Hepatic cirrhosis is an important feature of chronic liver disease. Liver cirrhosis is characterized by hyperaccumulation of fibrous tissue components and is commonly observed in latter or terminal states of chronic hepatic disease. The antifibrotic effects on liver cirrhosis by oriental herbs extraction material were examined in bile duct ligated rats. Oriental herbs extraction (0.99 mg/kg rat weight/day) was administrated to cirrohotic rats for 4 weeks. Liver collagen content of bile duct ligated rats was significantly increased. And liver histology showed collagen fiber deposition was increased as well as the normal architecture was lost with large zone of necrosis being observed. Herbs extraction administrated rats showed significantly decreased liver collagen content, accumulation of collagen fiber in histological analysis, and biochemical markers of hepatic diseases. Those results demonstrate the usefulness of herbs extraction materials as an antifibrotic agent for liver cirrhosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.1062-1073
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study examined the case of a patient with recurrent salivary duct carcinoma and hepatic metastasis. Methods: The patient was treated with Casodex/Nolvadex from January 25^th 2021 onward with doses of bicalutamide (150 mg/day) and tamoxifen (10 mg/day) every four weeks. Simultaneously, the patient was treated with Korean medicine. The tumor size was measured using computed tomography (CT). Adverse events were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute's Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), version 5.0. Results: Following the four-month treatment, the extent of the proximal portion of hepatic metastasis decreased, and discomfort and physical activity gradually improved. Conclusions: The results suggest that combined chemotherapy and Korean medicine may help to reduce tumor size and improve quality of life.