• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.338-343
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• 2013

Serum levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) are widely used in the clinical diagnosis of hepatic diseases and the assessment of liver status. They also have epidemiological significance to be prospective risk factors for bone diseases, such as osteitis deformans, rickets, osteomalacia, hyperparathyroidism, healing fractures, and osteoblastic bone tumors. In the previous study, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in several genes have been reported to be associated with serum levels of liver enzyme in American population. We aimed to confirm whether the genetic variation of RETNLB (resistin like beta) gene also influence the serum levels of liver enzyme in Korean population. We genotyped variants in or near RETNLB in a population-based sample including 994 Korean adults. Here, we performed association analysis to elucidate the possible relations of genetic polymorphisms in RETNLB gene with serum levels of liver enzyme. By examining genotype data of a total of 944 subjects in 5 hospital health promotion centers, we discovered the RETNLB gene polymorphisms are associated with serum levels of ALP. The common and highest significant polymorphism was rs736327 (${\beta}$=8.66, P=2.37E-05), rs7639070 (${\beta}$=8.56, P=3.24E-05) with ALP in all groups. Furthermore, the ALP was consistently associated with rs736327 (${\beta}$=10.40, P=5.23E-05), rs7639070 (${\beta}$=10.32, P=6.74E-05) in the male population. Consequently, we found statistically significant SNPs in RETNLB gene that are associated with serum levels of ALP. In addition, these results suggest that the individuals with the minor alleles of the SNP in the RETNLB gene may have elevated serum levels of ALP in the Korean population.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7517-7522
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• 2015

Onion (Allium cepa) consumption has been remarked in folk medicine which has not been noted to be administered so far as an adjunct to conventional doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. To our knowledge, this is the first study aimed to investigate the effects of consuming fresh yellow onions on hepatic enzymes and cancer specific antigens compared with a low-onion containing diet among breast cancer (BC) participants treated with doxorubicin. This parallel design randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 56 BC patients whose malignancy was confirmed with histopathological examination. Subjects were assigned in a stratified-random allocation into either group received body mass index dependent 100-160 g/d of onion as high onion group (HO; n=28) or 30-40 g/d small onion in low onion group (LO; n=28) for eight weeks intervention. Participants, care givers and laboratory assessor were blinded to the assignments (IRCT registry no: IRCT2012103111335N1). The compliance of participants in the analysis was appropriate (87.9%). Comparing changes throughout pre- and post-dose treatments indicated significant controls on carcinoembryonic antigen, cancer antigen-125 and alkaline phosphatase levels in the HO group (P<0.05). Our findings for the first time showed that regular onion administration could be effective for hepatic enzyme conveying adjuvant chemotherapy relevant toxicity and reducing the tumor markers in BC during doxorubicin-based chemotherapy.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.2.1-2.9
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• 2019

In the present study, the protective effects of Hizikia fusiforme and Chlorella sp. extracts on lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. Hepatic damage was induced in rats by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of lead acetate and the protective effects of H. fusiforme (HZK) and Chlorella sp. (CHL) extracts on lead acetate-induced hepatic damage in rat liver were examined. The results revealed significantly increased glutamic oxaloacetate and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels in the group treated with lead acetate only (Pb group); oral administration of HZK and CHL extracts tended to decrease the enzyme levels similar to those observed in the control group. Regarding antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase activity was increased in the Pb group and decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. Glutathione levels were increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. There was no significant difference in catalase activity. Western blot analysis showed inflammation-related protein expression in mitogen-activated protein kinase and Nrf2 pathways was affected in the HZK- and CHL-treated groups. Therefore, HZK and CHL extracts exerted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against lead acetate-induced hepatotoxicity. Development of functional health foods containing HZK and CHL extracts, which have hepatoprotective effects against inhaled lead acetate, should be considered.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.678-684
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• 1993

To evaluate the role of xanthine oxidase in liver damage by CCl4, a group of rats were fed tungstate for a month, which suppressed the activities of xanthine oxidase in serum and liver. Control group of rats were fed standard diet without tungstate. Liver damage was induced both in tungstate fed and control groups by two intraperitoneal injections of CCl4 at the level of 0.1ml/100g body weight at intervals of 24 hours. Increases in the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase by CCl4 were significantly smaller in tungstate fed rats than in control rats. Concomitantly, histopathologic changes were less in tungstate fed rats than in control ones. In rats either treated with CCl4 or not, hepatic type O xanthine oxidase activities were remarkably reduced by tungstate feeding. Hepatic aniline hydroxylase activities were higher in rats fed tungstate than control rats when animals were not treated with CCl4, but the enzyme activities were lower in tungstate fed rats than control when they were treated with CCl4. Neither tungstate feeding nor CCl4 treatment caused any significant changes in hepatic glutathione contents, and activities of hepatic glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase. It is concluded xanthine oxidase reaction augment CCl4 induced liver damage via oxygen free radical system.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.53-59
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• 2002

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary sources of fatty acids and protein on serum protein profiles, hepatic functional enzyme activities, mammary tumor incidence and tumor weight in 7, 12-dimethylbenz($\alpha$)anthracene (DMBA)-treated rats. The sources of dietary fatty acids were 18n6 (rich in linoleic acid), 18n3 (rich in linolenic acid) and 22n3 (rich in DHA) : sources of dietary protein were casein (C) and soy protein isolate (S). mammary tumors (MTs) were chemically induced by DMBA (9 mg/100 g body weight) which was gastrically intubated at 7 weeks of age. Each experimental diet was given for the following 25 weeks. Casein-fed rats (group C) exhibited significantly higher levels of weight gain and FER (food efficiency ratio) than did group S. Group C showed higher levels of serum protein and globulin, and higher albumin/globulin (A/G) ratios than group S. Liver functional enzyme activities (GOT, GPT, ALP, LDH, $\gamma$-GT) and LDH/GOT ratios were not influenced by dietary protein. GPT activity was lower in the group given 18n3, and ALP activity was lower in the group given 18n6. The incidence and total number of MTs appeared to be lower in the group given 22n3 than in the group given 18n3 or 18n6, even though the average weight of MTs was highest in the group given 22n3, The average weight of MTs was higher in the C group than in the S group. MT incidence had a positive correlation with LDH activity and LDH/GOT ratio. The average weight of MTs had a negative correlation with serum albumin levels and A/G ratios, and a positive correlation with ALP activity. This research suggests that the measurement of serum protein profiles and liver functional enzyme activities may be utilized to monitor the development of mammary tumors.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.355-366
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• 2001

Objectives : Oldenlandiae Diffusae herba has been used as a natural drug for tumor, inflammation and liver disease in traditional medicine. This study was performed in order to investigate the antioxidative effects of Oldenlandiae Diffusae herba methanol extract(ODHM) on acetaminophen induced acute liver injury in mice. Methods : In order to investigate the protective effect of ODHM on acute hepatic injury in vivo, ICR mice were pretreated with ODHM, and then treated with acetaminophen(500mg/kg). And the levels of LPO and glutathione(GSH), antioxidative enzyme activities were measured. The levels of LPO were measured by TBA method. And catalase activity was measured as the decrease in hydrogen peroxide absorbance at 240nm on spectrophotometer using 30mM hydrogen peroxide. Superoxide dismutase(SOD) was assayed by recording the inhibition of nitro blue tetrazolium reduction with xanthine and xanthine oxidase. Glutathione peroxidase(GPX) activity was determined by the modified coupled assay developed by Paglia and Lawrence. The reaction was started by addition of 2.2mM hydrogen peroxide as substrate. The change in absorbance at 340nm was measured for 1min on spectrophotometer. Glutathione-S-transferase(GST) activity was assayed with CDNB as substrate and enzyme activity of GST towards the glutathione conjugation of CDNB. And Total SH and GSH levels were measured. Results : In vivo study, LPO levels of acetaminophen treatment group were significantly higher than other groups. This increased level was significantly reduced by ODHM pretreatment. The acetaminophen treatment resulted in a decrease of catalase, GPX, SOD and GST activities. By contrast, ODHM pretreatment markedly increased compare to those of untreated groups. Total SH and GSH levels were reduced by of acetaminophen treatment, and ODHM pretreatment significantly increased GSH levels.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.725-730
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• 1994

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) and/or cadmium (Cd) on hepatic microsomal and cytosol enzyme activities. Male Spraque-Dawley rats (110$\pm$10g ) received zinc (0, 30 and 300 ppm/) and Cd-treated groups were administered oral intubation with Cd chloride (5.0mg/kg of body weight 0 at the same time once a week. The effect of Cd on the activity of hepatic cytochromep-450 , xanthine oxidase(X. O) and superoxide dismutase (SOd) was studied in rats. Cd oral intubation resulted in a decrease in cytochrome P-450 content and SOD activity whereas a significant increase in the X.O. activity was observed was observed . Intake of excessive Zn led to an increased activity of microsomal alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) , whereas Zn deficiency group led to a decreased group. The mechanism by which Zn induces the decreasing of Cd toxicity in rats, seems to rely on the protection of the enzyme systems P-450, ADH, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and X.O. in the liver, possibly by forming non-toxic Cd metallothionein. These results indicate that Zn and Cd regulation might occur via inhibitory protein component of the $H_2O$$_2$ -generator system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.470-477
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• 2015

Objectives: Given current vaccinations against the hepatitis B virus and changes in dietary lifestyles, the status of liver disorders, especially in the younger population, is different than it was in the past. This study aimed to discover the prevalence of the HBsAg positive and abnormal hepatic enzyme among college students.Methods: The study analyzed the medical examinations of 2,646 college students that were performed at Semyung University from March to September 2013.Results: A total of 11 out of 2,646 students (0.4%) showed as positive for the hepatitis B antigen, while 23.8% of students had the serum HBs antibody. A total of 212 students (8.0%) showed abnormally elevated serum levels of ALT, with significant differences between men and women. The prevalence of the abnormal serum ALT and its average value significantly increased according to an increase of BMI score, especially in male students.Conclusions: This study showed the importance of obesity as a causative factor in liver disorders, especially in the young generation. This finding will be useful for the development of therapeutics using Korean medicine in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.15-18
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• 1993

To evaluate an effect of dietary protein on the intoxication of methanethiol in rats, the methanethiol was intraperitoneally injected to the rats fed a low or high protein diet and then the liver weight per body weight and seurm levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were determined to investigate the differences in liver damage between the animal groups fed low protein diet and that fed high protein diet. On the other hand, the hepatic glutathione content and its conjugating enzyme, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity were determined to clarify the cause of difference in liver function between the two groups. The increasing rate of liver weigh/body wt., serum levels of ALT to its control group were higher in methanethiol-treated rats fed low protein diet than those fed high protein diet. The hepatic content of glutathione and GST activity were higher in rats fed high protein diet than those fed low protein diet and the decreasing rate of hepatic glu-tathione content to its control group was higher in rats fed low protein diet than those fed high protein diet. Furthermore, the hepatic GST activity in methanethiol-treated rats was higher in rats fed high protein diet than those fed low protein diet. In case of control group, the GST activity was also higher in rats fed high protein diet than those fed low protein diet.