• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to investigate whether the concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications affects liver and kidney function, by examining blood test data. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the electronic medical records of 590 inpatients with musculoskeletal diseases between 2013 and 2017. We investigated cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) according to the Roussel Uclaf Causality Assessment Method criteria and cases of drug-induced kidney injury (DIKI) based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes definition. Results One case (0.17%) of DILI and one case (0.17%) of DIKI were identified. Significant improvements in serum laboratory data were observed after the concurrent use of both types of medications (p<0.05). The kappa coefficients ranged from 0.26 to 0.72, indicating that the values after the concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications showed a fair similarity to the baseline values of the patients. The linear regression test showed that female sex and high body mass index (BMI) were risk factors for an increase in the serum blood levels of liver function parameters. Conclusions The concurrent use of conventional and herbal medications for musculoskeletal disorders is relatively safe; however, clinicians should exercise caution when prescribing these medications to female patients and patients with a high BMI because of their potential effect on hepatic function.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.439-454
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• 2023

Objectives: As Korea transitions into an aging society, the incidence of cerebrovascular disease is expected to increase. Herbal medicine is commonly used in Oriental medicine to treat cerebrovascular disease. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to actively support the safety of herbal medicine in clinical practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the toxicity and safety of four herbal medicines (Cheongsimyeonja-tang, Dodam-tang, Hyeolbuchukso-tang, and Boshiniknai-tang) in patients with cerebrovascular disease. Methods: This study used electronic medical records to analyze patients admitted to an oriental medicine hospital from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020. Liver and renal function values at the time of admission and discharge were compared. Results: A total of 25 patients were included in this study. We found no significant differences in various variables, such as complete blood count, liver-renal function test, and urine, before and after the administration of the four herbal medicines. Additionally, no significant adverse events related to herbal medicine were observed. Conclusions: This study confirmed the safety of the four herbal medicines in patients with cerebrovascular disease who were hospitalized in a single Oriental medicine hospital.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is finding optimum contrast medium quantity during abdominal CT using dual energy technique. The study subjects are 30 patients who had received general single energy abdominal CT and received double energy technique follow-up abdominal CT. dual energy technique abdominal CT images were obtained after setting contrast medium quantities at 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70% of contrast medium quantity at the time of single energy technique. Then the contrast enhancement (Hounsfield Unit; HU) was estimated by setting-up the regions of interest at aorta, inferior vena cava, hepatic portal vein and hepatic parenchymal. The obtained values were compared to the values of the same parts measured during single energy technique abdominal CT. The results of the study were as following. The 60% set up group had HU in aorta : $210.80{\pm}13.609$, IVC : $190.40{\pm}25.215$, hepatic portal vein : $198.40{\pm}21.232$ and hepatic parenchymal : $119.20{\pm}7.98$, The single energy abdomianl CT images had HU in aorta : $205.40{\pm}16.426$, IVC : $188.20{\pm}21.476$, hepatic portal vein : $195.40{\pm}22.744$ and hepatic parenchymal : $121.00{\pm}6.595$. Therefore, it is possible to obtain contrast enhancement by dual energy technique abdominal CT similar to the same by single energy technique abdominal CT by setting-up the quantity of contrast medium at 60% of contrast medium at the time of single energy technique abdominal CT. Based on the result of this study, it is possible to decrease existing quantity of contrast medium by _% and the injection velocity can be also decreased. Accordingly, it is believed that the result of study would be quite useful for patients who have renal function disorder, weak vein or side effect of contrast medium in the past.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.259-263
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• 1999

Nefazodone, a newer antidepressant is a phenylpiperazine derivative that inhibits the reuptake of both norepinephrine and serotonin, and antagonizes $5-HT_{2A}$ and ${\alpha}_1$ adrenergic receptors. Compared with SSRIs, nefazodone caused the fewer activating symptoms, adverse gastrointestinal effects(nausea, diarrhea, anorexia) and adverse effects of sexual function, but is associated with the more dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, visual disturbances and confusion. We report on 4 cases of visual disturbances and hallucinations in patients taking nefazodone. It is not certain what mechanisms mediated these side effects, but three mechanisms are possible. 1) Nefazodone, as a 5-HT2 antagonist, might induce visual disturbances. 2) mCPP, metabolite of nefazodone might contribute to the hallucination through action on 5-HT receptor. 3) Dopaminergic enhancing activity of nefazodone might cause hallucination. These case report raises the possibility that dose-related perceptual disturbances may exist with nefazodone. The fact emphasizes the need to pay close attention to all possible drug interactions, particularly in patients treated with multiple psychoactive agents, older patients, and patients with decreased hepatic function.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 1995

Cyclophosphamide (CP) must be enzymatically activated by cytochrome P450(CYP)-linked mixed-function oxidation pathway to be either mutagenic or teratogenic. Influences of alterations in hepatic mixed-function oxidase acitivity and glutathione (GSH) content on the embryotoxicity of CP were studied in rat whole embryo culture system. The embryotoxicity of CP was compared using rat S-9 fraction (S-9) pretreated with chemicals inducing different CYP isozymes, acetone (ACE), Aroclor 1254 (ARO), $\beta$-naphthoflavone (NAF) and phenobarbital (PHE). When 10.5 day embryos were cultured in the immediately centrifuged rat serum for 48 hrs using general gas char{ging schedule, CP$(40{\mu}g/ml)$ with S-9 induced by either NAF or PHE increased the incidence of realformations and significantly decreased embryonic growth compared with the non-induced S-9 group. ACE or ARO induced S-9 group showed no significant difference in embryonic growth. These data suggest that PB and/or NAF inducible CYP isoenzymes are mainly involved in the activation of CP. To examine the effect of GSH on the embryotoxicity of CP, 10.5 day embryos were exposed to CP and S-9 after preincubation with 10 mM of GSH for 3 hrs. In the GSH pretreated group the growth of embryos increased significantly compared with that of the untreated group, suggesting that GSH may protect embryos in culture from some toxic effects of CP.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.578-583
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• 2011

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are biochemical markers used to test for liver diseases. Copy number variation (CNV) plays an important role in determining complex traits and is an emerging area in the study various diseases. We performed a genome-wide association study with liver function biomarkers AST and ALT in 407 unrelated Koreans. We assayed the genome-wide variations on an Affymetrix Genome-Wide 6.0 array, and CNVs were analyzed using HelixTree. Using single linear regression, 32 and 42 CNVs showed significance for AST and ALT, respectively (P value < 0.05). We compared CNV-based genes between the current study (KARE2; AST-140, ALT-172) and KARE1 (AST-1885, ALT-773) using NetBox. Results showed 9 genes (CIDEB, DFFA, PSMA3, PSMC5, PSMC6, PSMD12, PSMF1, SDC4, and SIAH1) were overlapped for AST, but no overlapped genes were found for ALT. Functional gene annotation analysis shown the proteasome pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, programmed cell death, and protein binding.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.95-99
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• 2002

Hemophagocytic syndrome(HPS) has four subgroup, sporadic disorder, associated with acute infection, familial form seen in children, and associated with malignant disorders, immunodeficiencies, defective leukocyte function. Histologically, Hemopoietic cells are actively ingested by moncytes/macrophages in various organs, including lymph nodes, bone marrow, liver, and spleen. Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) is now thought to be one of the major causes for the virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome(VAHS). Epstein-Barr(EB) virus infection is common, with up to 90% of individuals demonstrating positive titiers by age 20. Although elevated liver function tests commonly occur, severe hepatitis is rare. Only seven cases of ascites complicating Epstein-Barr infection are reported, but none clearly demonstrate the abscence of other causes of hepatic dysfunction. We are reporting a case of Epstein-Barr Virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome with ascites.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.399-413
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• 2023

cAMP responsive element-binding protein (CREB) is one of the most intensively studied phosphorylation-dependent transcription factors that provide evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of differential gene expression in vertebrates and invertebrates. Many cellular protein kinases that function downstream of distinct cell surface receptors are responsible for the activation of CREB. Upon functional dimerization of the activated CREB to cis-acting cAMP responsive elements within the promoters of target genes, it facilitates signal-dependent gene expression. From the discovery of CREB, which is ubiquitously expressed, it has been proven to be involved in a variety of cellular processes that include cell proliferation, adaptation, survival, differentiation, and physiology, through the control of target gene expression. In this review, we highlight the essential roles of CREB proteins in the nervous system, the immune system, cancer development, hepatic physiology, and cardiovascular function and further discuss a wide range of CREB-associated diseases and molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of these diseases.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.418-427
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• 2003

Objects: $^{99m}-lactosylated$ human serum albumin (LSA) is a newly synthesized radiopharmaceutical that binds to asialoglycoprotein receptors, which are specifically presented on the hepatocyte membrane. Hepatic uptake and blood clearance of LSA were evaluated in rat with acute hepatic injury induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) and results were compared with corresponding findings of liver enzyme profile and these of histologic changes. Materials and Methods: DMN (27 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally in Sprague-Dawley rat to induce acute hepatic injury. At 3(DMN-3), 8(DMN-8), and 21 (DMN-21) days after injection of DMN, LSA injected intravenously, and dynamic images of the liver and heart were recorded for 30 minutes. Time-activity curves of the heart and liver were generated from regions of interest drawn over liver and heart area. Degree of hepatic uptake and blood clearance of LSA were evaluated with visual interpretation and semiquantitative analysis using parameters (receptor index : LHL3 and index of blood clearance : HH3), analysis of time-activity curve was also performed with curve fitting using Prism program. Results: Visual assessment of LSA images revealed decreased hepatic uptake in DMN treated rat, compared to control group. In semiquantitative analysis, LHL3 was significantly lower in DMN treated rat group than control rat group (DMN-3: 0.842, DMN-8: 0.898, DMN-21: 0.91, Control: 0.96, p<0.05), whereas HH3 was significantly higher than control rat group (DMN-3: 0.731,.DMN-8: 0.654, DMN-21: 0.604, Control: 0.473, p<0.05). AST and ALT were significantly higher in DMN-3 group than those of control group. Centrilobular necrosis and infiltration of inflammatory cells were most prominent in DMN-3 group, and were decreased over time. Conclusion: The degree of hepatic uptake of LSA was inversely correlated with liver transaminase and degree of histologic liver injury in rat with acute hepatic injury.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.260-264
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• 1997

This study was conducted with adult cockerels to determine whether dietary RNA affects feed intake and renal weight and function, and if the responses are similar to dietary adenine. Chickens were ad libitum fed a RNA diet (100 g/kg) or an adenine diet (9.1 g/kg) for 14 d and catheterized in right jugular vein, hepatic portal vein and both urethers, and saline together with para-amino hippuric acid and sodium thiosulfate was continuously infused into them to evaluate renal functions. Dietary RNA reduced feed intake and body weight, and dietary adenine increased kidney weight expressed as a proportion of body weight (P < 0.05). Feed intake and body weight on the adenine diet and kidney weight on the RNA diet showed similar though non significant tendencies. No calculi were detected in the kidney in chickens fed either the RNA or adenine diets. Plasma inorganic phosphate (IP), Ca and 1,25 $(OH)_2$ vitamin $D_3$ concentrations were increased by dietary RNA and adenine, although the increases of IP and Ca in adenine-fed chickens were not significant. Uric acid and urea concentrations in the blood plasma were unaffected by dietary RNA or adenine. Both dietary RNA and adenine increased renal blood flow rates 3.5-3.7 fold, renal plasma flow rates 3.4-3.7 fold and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) 2.9-3.0 fold (p < 0.01). Clearance of urea, IP and Ca were also enhanced by dietary RNA, but not by dietary adenine. However, neither RNA nor adenine affected uric acid clearance. Only IP clearance was significantly augmented at the glomerular level by dietary RNA (p < 0.05). Glomerular filtration of uric acid, urea, IP and Ca and reabsorption of urea, IP and Ca at the renal tubule were increased by dietary RNA and adenine (p < 0.05), whereas tubular secretion of uric acid was decreased by both dietary treatments. It is concluded that dietary adenine is effective in changing renal function and P and Ca metabolism in chickens.