• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.44-52
• /
• 2013

This study investigated hepatic functional improvement and anti-fibrotic effects of water extracts of black tea. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (normal, control, and two experimental subgroups: Ba, Bb) and observed for 3 weeks. Liver fibrosis in rats developed from carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) administration, except for the normal group. Except for the normal and control group, the two experimental subgroups were fed water extracts of black tea. The food efficiency ratio significantly increased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The experimental group had a significantly lower liver weight compared to the control group. The ratio of liver weight to body weight was significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in serum significantly decreased in the experimental group compared to the control group. The values of hydroxyproline and malondialdehyde in liver were even lower in the experimental group than the control group. In observations on liver histology, weaker inflammation and fibrosis were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group. In conclusion, water extracts of black tea help hepatic cells keep their functions, restraining and protecting the liver from impairments caused by $CCl_4$ administration, and can be effective as anti-fibrotic agents.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.351-359
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of mung bean (Phaseolus aureus L.) on the hepatic functional enzyme and catalase activity of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into four groups (n=6), and fed experimental diets containing mung bean meal [basal diet+5% mung bean (BM), basal diet+STZ+5% mung bean (SM)], and control (Basal Diet, BD), BS groups (basal diet+STZ). Serum concentrations of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine were significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 5% mung bean supplementation diet. The activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), akaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), amylase and lipase were decreased in the BD, BM and SM group than BS group. The catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased (p<0.05) in mung bean supplementation diet (BM, SM group) than diabetic group (BS). In vivo experiments with diabetic rats showed that ingestion of mung bean supplementation diet were effective in BUN concentration, and hepatic functional enzyme activities.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.2052-2061
• /
• 2021

Objective: The role of preoperative overt hepatic encephalopathy (OHE) in the neurophysiological mechanism of cognitive improvement after liver transplantation (LT) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore changes in sub-regional thalamic functional connectivity (FC) after LT and their relationship with neuropsychological improvement using resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data in cirrhotic patients with and without a history of OHE. Materials and Methods: A total of 51 cirrhotic patients, divided into the OHE group (n = 21) and no-OHE group (n = 30), and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this prospective study. Each patient underwent rs-fMRI before and 1 month after LT. Using 16 bilateral thalamic subregions as seeds, we conducted a seed-to-voxel FC analysis to compare the thalamic FC alterations before and after LT between the OHE and no-OHE groups, as well as differences in FC between the two groups of cirrhotic patients and the control group. Correction for multiple comparisons was conducted using the false discovery rate (p < 0.05). Results: We found abnormally increased FC between the thalamic sub-region and prefrontal cortex, as well as an abnormally decreased FC between the bilateral thalamus in both OHE and no-OHE cirrhotic patients before LT, which returned to normal levels after LT. Compared with the no-OHE group, the OHE group exhibited more extensive abnormalities prior to LT, and the increased FC between the right thalamic subregions and right inferior parietal lobe was markedly reduced to normal levels after LT. Conclusion: The renormalization of FC in the cortico-thalamic loop might be a neuro-substrate for the recovery of cognitive function after LT in cirrhotic patients. In addition, hyperconnectivity between thalamic subregions and the inferior parietal lobe might be an important feature of OHE. Changes in FC in the thalamus might be used as potential biomarkers for recovery of cognitive function after LT in cirrhotic patients.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.286.2-286.2
• /
• 2002

Oxidative stress and its consequent lipid peroxidation exert harmful effects, which have been currently involved in the generation of carbon tetrachloride(CC14)-induced fibrosis(cirrhosis). In this study, it was investigated whether dried extract of 田螺(Concha Cipangopaludinae: CC) is liver functional improvement, antioxidative and antifibrotic effect under the liver fibrotic(cirrhotic) condition by CC14 administration. The female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups(Normal, AC, AC-CC), and were observed for 3 weeks. (omitted)

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.383-393
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on the hepatic functional enzyme and catalase activity of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats were divided into four groups (n=6), and fed experimental diets containing turmeric meal [basal diet+5% turmeric (BT), basal diet+STZ+5% turmeric (ST)], and control (basal diet, BD), BS groups (basal diet+STZ). Serum concentrations of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly decreased (p<0.05) by 5% turmeric supplementation diet. The activities of akaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), amylase and lipase were decreased in the BD, BT and ST group than BS group. The catalase (CAT) activity was significantly increased (p<0.05) in turmeric supplementation diet (BT, ST group) than diabetic group (BS). Furthermore, the activities of amylase and lipase in the sera of turmeric diet group were significantly decreased (p<0.05). In vivo experiments with diabetic rats showed that ingestion of turmeric supplementation diet were effective in creatinine concentration, and hepatic functional enzyme activities.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.341-346
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of Cordyceps militaris extract supplementation on the improvement of blood glucose, lipid compositions and hepatic functional enzyme activities in the serum of streptozotocin(STZ, 50 mg/kg BW, IP injection)-induced diabetic rats fed the experimental diets for 5 weeks. The concentrations of blood glucose and lipid compositions(total cholesterol, ${\beta}$-lipoprotein, free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, triglyceride and phospholipid) and atherosclerotic index in serum were significantly lower in the DM+CM group than in the DM group, whereas the ratio of HDL-cholesterol concentration to total cholesterol in the DM+CM group were higher than in the DM group. The activities of hepatic functional enzymes(aminotransferase, LDH and ALP) in serum were lower in the Cordyceps militaris extract administration group(group DM+CM) than in the hyperglycemic DM group. The results shown above suggested that Cordyceps militaris extract supplementation effectively improves blood glucose and atherosclerosis in the serum of diabetic rats.

• Food Science and Industry
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.334-342
• /
• 2018

People in Korea, a peninsular, have acquired a variety of marine food resources including seaweeds. Ecklonia stolonifera, a brown algae, is commonly dwelling in Korean coasts and their cultivation methods were developed for a mass-production. Recently, studies have revealed that Ecklonia stolonifera is a promising material for the development of health functional foods. In an effort to carefully review the current understating in the effects and mechanisms of Ecklonia stolonifera on liver functions by deduction from relevant literatures, the effective components were identified as phlorotannins, including dieckol, eckstolonol, eckol, phlorofucofuroeckol A, and phlorosterol. Their aiding action on the hepatic functions is categorized as follows. A) Regulation of oxidative stress by anti-oxidant capacity, B) Protection of hepatocytes from toxins, C) Prevention of alcoholic fatty liver and fibrogenesis, D) Regulation of chronic disease by improvement of inflammatory responses and lipid metabolisms, and E) indirect benefit conferred by a personal total wellness.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.198-205
• /
• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.118-122
• /
• 2003

Oxidative stress and its consequent lipid peroxidation exert harmful effects, which have been currently involved in the generation of carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced fibrosis(cirrhosis). In this study, it was investigated whether dried extract of 田螺(Concha Cipangopaludinae; CC) has liver functional improvement, antioxidative and antifibrotic effect in rats those were induced liver fibrosis by CCl₄ administration. The female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups(Normal, AC, AC-CC) and were observed in 6 weeks. Except for normal group, liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) in rats were developed by CCl₄ administration(0.8 ㎖/rat/week). And the rats were treated with prepared CC(p. o. 2 ㎖/day/rat). At the time of sacrifice, the liver, kidney and spleen were weighed and the ratio of organ weight/body weight was calculated. The MDA, hyp and biochemical parameters(AST, ALT, ALP, t-bili) were measured in sera and liver tissue of rats. The strong yellow color of urine was observed in all CCl₄-treated group compared with normal group, but jaundice didn't appear in CCl₄-treated group. The mortality of CCl₄-treated group is very low(<13%) during 6 weeks of observation time. The ratio of liver/body as well as the weight of liver in CCl₄-treated rats significantly increased compared with that in normal group(p<0.001). The level of clinical parameters in sera of all liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) developed rats were significantly higher than that of normal group(p<0.001-0.05). Especially the value of BUN, ALP, t-bilirubin in AC-CC group showed 20.9%, 19.6%, 47.9% lower than that in AC group. The content of hyp in CCl₄-treated rats was significantly higher than normal group(p<0.001～<0.05), and showed 12.2% lower value in the AC-CC group than AC group(p<0.05). The production of lipid peroxidation(MDA) in sera and liver tissue significantly increased under the fibrotic(cirrhotic) condition(p<0.001～<0.05). Especially the MDA value of AC-CC group in sera significantly 46.5% decreased compared with that of AC group(p<0.05), and the MDA value of AC-CC in liver tissue showed 21.4% lower than that of AC group. Concha Cipangopaludinae can be improved hepatic function, and maybe have effect of liver protection, antioxidation and antifibrosis.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.149-153
• /
• 2005

Lactic acid bacteria had been widely utilized in fermented foods such as fermented dairy products, traditional sauces, kimchi, fermented sausages, medicines or probiotic feed additives for a long time. LAB are also widely distributed in the mammalian gastrointestinal tracts, oral cavity, vagina, and various foods or soils. The most familiar examples of using LAB would be the fermented milk products, and those had become one of the favorite foods in Korea f3r more than 34 years of history. The main benefits of the fermented milk products were originally the improvement of the balance of intestinal flora to control diarrhea and congestion disorders, and gradually, they were chosen by the consumer preference of the taste. The very beginning of the fermented milk products in Korea was the Yakult type products in 1971, and it was the commencement of the solid foundation of the dairy industry and the understanding beneficial effect of probiotic yogurt. After middle of 80's, stirred type fermented milk products had been firstly produced, and it was the time that the domestic dairy industry took root in Korea. From 90's, functional fermented milk products were produced, and drink type yogurt sales a mount increased drastically, and these products began to be chosen not only with the values of nutrition but also with physiological functions. The health claims are classified into intestinal health, gastric health and hepatic health. The prospects for the Korean market are as follows; The majority of leading products would be the premium functional yogurt products as it was last year. It is because the sales of lower cost products shows slow-down, and industries tend to increase the commercial advertisements of premium functional yogurt products through mass media. These tendencies would make the market situation become more competitive.