• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.166-175
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of fermented Smilax china leaf ethylacetate extracts by Aspergillus oryzae on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice. Experimental mice were divided into four groups (five mice/group) (NC; normal control group, CB; basic diet supplemented before $CCl_4$ treatment group, NS ; basic diet mixed with 0.5% Smilax china leaf ethyl acetate extract supplemented before $CCl_4$ treatment group, FS; basic diet mixed with 0.5% fermented Smilax china leaf ethyl acetate extract supplemented before $CCl_4$ treatment group) fed for 4 weeks each. In the $CCl_4$-treated groups (CB, NS and FS) compared with the NC group, liver weights, activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase, contents of triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum, and hepatic lipid peroxide levels increased, whereas body weight gain and contents of glutathione and HDL-cholesterol decreased. Furthermore, in the FS groups compared with the NS and CB groups, increased or decreased indicators by $CCl_4$ treatment significantly decreased or increased, respectively. This study suggests that fermented Smilax china L. leaf extracts may regulate xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase inhibitory activities and hepatoprotective effects due to flavonoid aglycone derived from its glycoside in leaves of Smilax china by fermentation of A. oryzae.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.761-767
• /
• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT) on anti-oxidative function and pork quality. After feeding a corn-soybean meal-based diet for two weeks, 48 pigs ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Chinese\;Black Pig$) were assigned randomly to four groups. Pigs in Group 1 were maintained under non-stress conditions, whereas pigs in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were aggressively handled for 25 min to produce stress. Pigs in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received intramuscular administration of saline (control group; CON), 0 (negative control group; NCON), 0.8 (low dose group; LOW), and 1.6 (high dose group; HIGH) mg rabbit liver Zn-MT per kg body weight, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at 3 and 6 h post-injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PX) while decreasing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver. These responses were greater (p<0.05) at 6 h than at 3 h post Zn-MT injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) hepatic SOD mRNA levels in a time and dose-dependent manner and decreased (p<0.05) serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities (indicators of tissue integrity). Zn-MT administration decreased (p<0.05) lactate concentration and increased (p<0.05) pH and water-holding capacity in the longissimus thorasis meat. Collectively, our results indicate that intramuscular administration of Zn-MT to pre-slaughter stressed pigs improved tissue anti-oxidative ability and meat quality.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.7
• /
• pp.983-993
• /
• 2009

The effects of Monascus-fermented Korean red ginseng (MFRG) on the contents of serum lipids and tissues lipid peroxidation was investigated in alcohol feeding rats (AC group). Serum contents of total lipid and free fatty acid in alcohol feeding rats were significantly increased, but these increases tended to decrease in the AMFRG group. Serum triglyceride content was also significantly decreased in the AMFRG group compared to other groups. Serum content of total-cholesterol was significantly increased in AC group compared to normal control (NC) group, whereas there was no significant difference between the AC and AMFRG groups. Content of HDL-cholesterol in serum was slightly increased in the AC group compared to the NC group, but this increase in the AC group was more significantly increased in the AMFRG group. At the same time, atherogenic index (AI) was also significantly decreased in the AMFRG group compared to the AC group. Contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, heart, spleen and testes were significantly increased in the AC group compared to the NC group, but these increases were significantly less in the AMFRG group. Contents of liver nonheme ion was increased in the AC group and was significantly decreased in the AMFRG group, which suggested that lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with liver nonheme ion content. Hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the AC group, but this content was significantly increased in the AMFRG group and it showed the antioxidant abilities of glutathione. These results suggested that Monascus-fermented Korea red ginseng has anti-atherogenic index (AI) effects as well as antioxidative activities through reduced tissue oxidative stress in alcohol feeding rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.299-309
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of black soybean (CJ-3) testa extracts on lipid profiles in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: One control group and four STZ-induced diabetic groups with different doses of black soybean (CJ-3) testa extracts treatment [0 mg/kg (diabetic control, EX), 250 mg/kg (EX-250), 500 mg/kg (EX-500), 1,000 mg/kg (EX-1000)] were orally administered for 4 weeks. Results: All CJ-3 treatment groups had remarkably lower serum triglyceride (TG) levels than that of EX group (p < 0.05) whereas hepatic TG contents did not show any differences. Results from serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations of EX-250 and EX-1000 groups were decreased compared to EX group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, protein levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase from the liver decreased in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). However, significant differences were not observed in serum glucose and insulin, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) protein expression in skeletal muscle tissue. Conclusion: These results suggest that black soybean testa extracts could be useful for improvement of hyperlipidemia and hypercholesteremia in diabetes.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.1 s.28
• /
• pp.17-25
• /
• 1981

No evidence has accumulated that lead compound is an essential component for biological function in animals. Lead is absorbed primarily through the epithelial mucosal cells in duodenum and the absorption can be enhanced by the substances which bind lead and increase its solubility. Iron, zinc and calcium ions, however, decrease the absorption of lead without affecting its solubility, probably by competing for shared absorptive receptors in the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the absorption of lead is increased in iron deficient animals. Lead shows a strong affinity for ligands such as phosphate, cysteinyl and histidyl side chains of proteins, pterins and porphyrins. Hence lead can act on various active sites of enzymes, inhibiting the enzymes which has functional sulfhydryl groups. lead inhibits the activity of ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase for the biosynthesis of hemoproteins and cytochrome, which catalyzed the synthesis of monopyrrole prophobilinogen from ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid. Accordingly lead decrease hepatic cytochrome p-450 content, resulting an inhibition of the activity of demethylase and hydroxylase in liver. Little informations are available on the effect of lead on digestive system although the catastrophic effects of lead intoxication are well documented. The present study was, therefore, attempted to investigate the effect of lead on pancreaticobiliary secretion in rats. Albino rats of both sexes weighing $170{\sim}230g$ were used for this study. The animals were divided into one control and three treated groups, i.e., control (physiologic saline 1.5ml/kg i.p.), lead acetate $(l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and EDTA$(each\;10{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and $FeSO_4(each\;l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;hp)$. The pancreatico-biliary juice was collected under urethane anesthesia, and activities of amylase and lipase were determined by employing Sumner's and Cherry and Crandall's methods. The summarized results are follows. 1) In the experiment for acute toxicity of lead acetate, 20% of mortality was observed in rat treated with lead acetate as well as inhibition of the activity of amylase in the juice at the 3 rd day of the treatment. 2) No increases in body weight were observed in rats treated with lead acetate, while in control group the significant increases were observed. However, the body weights of animals were increased in the group lead acetate plus EDTA or $FeSO_4$. 3) Lead acetate decreased significantly the volume of pancreatico-biliary juice whereas additional treatment of EDTA and $FeSO_4$ prevented it. 4) Total activity of amylase was markedly reduced due to lead acetate treatment, but no change was showed following additional treatment with EDTA and $FeSO_4$. 5) No changes in the cholate and lipase output were observed in rats treated with lead acetate as compared with that of control rats. 6) Increase in bilirubin output in rats treated with lead acetate was shown on the 2nd and 3rd weeks treatment. 7) In the case of in vitro experiment, lead acetate also markedly inhibited release of amylase from pancreatic fragment. 8) Histologic finding indicated that acini vacuolation was induced in the pancreatic tissue of rat treated with lead acete. From the above results, it might be concluded that lead acetate decreases the volume of pancreatico-biliary secretion and inhibits the amylase activity, by acting directly on pancreatic cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.659-670
• /
• 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors responsible for progression of liver injury. A variety of functions of oyster hydrolysate (OH) are affected by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known regarding the effects of OH on a liver injury model. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of OH on acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) in mice. Experimental groups were divided into six groups as follows (each group, n=10): control (saline), LPS/D-GalN, LPS/D-GalN+OH (100 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (200 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (400 mg/kg), and LPS/D-GalN+silymarin (25 mg/kg, positive control). The experimental acute liver injury model was induced with LPS ($1{\mu}g/kg$) and D-GalN (400 mg/kg). We first analyzed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in OH. OH showed high DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reduced ROS generation in Chang cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, OH showed anti-inflammatory activities, such as inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipooxygenase. Treatment with OH down-regulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and $IL-1{\alpha}$ expression levels in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. OH significantly reduced LPS/D-GalN-induced increases in the concentrations of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum. In the LPS/D-GalN group, liver tissues exhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes with hemorrhages. These pathological alterations were ameliorated by OH treatment. Consistently, hepatic catalase activity was low in the LPS/D-GalN group compared to the control group, and catalase activity was significantly restored by OH treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, OH markedly reduced the LPS/D-GalN-induced increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 levels in liver tissue. Taken together, these results show that OH has hepatoprotective effects on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that OH could be used as a health functional food and potential therapeutic agent for acute liver injury.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.35-40
• /
• 2002

Purpose : To evaluate the NMR relaxation properties and imaging characteristics of tissue-specificity for a newly developed macromolecular MR agent. Materials and methods : Phthalocyanine (PC) was chelated with paramagnetic ion, Mn.2.01g (5.2 mmol) of Phthalocyanine was mixed with 0.37g (1.4 mmol) of Mn chloride at $310^{\circ}C$ for 36 hours and then purified by chromatography (CHC13/CH3OH 98/2 v/v, Rf, 0.76) to obtain 1.04g (46%) of MnPC (molecular weight= 2000d). The $T1}T2$ relaxivity of MnPC was measured in 1.5T(64 MHz) MR using 0.1 mM MnPC. The MR image characteristics of MnPC was evaluated using spin-echo (TR/TE=500/14 msec) and gradient-echo (FLASH) (TR/TE=80/4 msec, flip angle=60) techniques in 1.57 MR scanner. The images of rabbit liver were obtained every 10 minutes up to 4 hours. To study the effect of concentration on image, 20 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM of MnPC were tested. Results : The relaxivities of MnPC at 1.5T(64MHz) were Rl=7.28 $mM^{-1}S^{-1},{\;}R2=55.56mM^{-1}S^{-1}$. Compared to the values of Gd-DTPA (Rl[=4.8 $mM^{-1}S^{-1})$], R2[=5.2 $mM^{-1}S^{-1}])$]), both T1/T2 relaxivities of MnPC were higher than those of Gd-DTPA. For both of SE and FLASH techniques, the contrast enhancement reached maximum at 10 minutes after bolus injection and the enhancement continued for more than 2 hours. When compared with small molecular weight liver agents such as Gd-EOB-DTPA, Gd-BOPTA and MnDPDP, MnPC was characterized by more prolonged enhancement time. The time course of MR images also revealed biliary excretion of MnPC. Conclusion : We developed a new macromolecular MR agent, MnPC. The relaxivities of MnPC were higher than those of small molecular weight Gd-chelate. Hepatic uptake and biliary excretion of MnPC suggests that this agent is a new liver-specific MR agent.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.167-173
• /
• 2009

Capillaria hepatica is a parasitic nematode which causes hepatic capillariasis in rodents and other mammals, including man. Rat species of the genus Rattus are main primary host and rates of genus Rattus of up to 100% have been reported. Infection to reservoir and other mammalian hosts occur incidentally due to ingestion of water or food contaminated with C. hepatica embryonated eggs. The worms mature exclusively inside the liver, but they die and disassemble soon after egg spawning in rats. Dead worms and their eggs cause immune response of focal necrosis and inflammation within the liver. C. hepatica adult with a thin and long body is similar to capillary. The members of Order Trichurida are characterized by having a stichosome and the bacillary bands in front of the body. As already mentioned, the adult C. hepatica residesin the liver, where it deposits groups of eggs, and finally die in the encapsulated tissue of the liver. They produce eggs that elicit a marked granulomatous reaction that eventually destroy the worms. And the adult worms were mixed with eggs. So the complete isolation of the worm and observation of intact ultrastructure is very difficult. In this study, integument structure of C. hepatica isolated from the liver of mouse at 7 weeks after inoculation of embryonated eggs were observed with scanning and transmission electron microscopy. As a results, body length of isolated C. hepatica was about 99 mm. Cuticle, bacillary band and bacillary pore were obtained in the integument of worm. Bacillary pore across cuticular surface of the worm were observed. According to the existence of cap material, external forms of bacillary pore can be divided into three types such as flat, ingression, and ingression with the cap material type. The complete isolation of the worm and observation of ultrastructure of integument will provide the fundamental data which is important in the nematode research including C. hepatica.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.140-148
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of coffee in diabetic rats in order to prevent hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and to improve antioxidant enzyme activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty two male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight $200{\pm}5g$) were divided into two groups; diabetic and nondiabetic groups. The groups were each randomly divided into two subgroups; fed control and coffee (5 g coffee powder/kg diet) diets. Diabetes was induced by intramuscular injection of 50 mg streptozotocin/kg body weight. Rats with blood glucose concentrations ${\geq}300mg/dL$ were considered diabetic for these experiments. All rats were fed an experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 4 weeks. Results: The results of this study indicate that body weight gain was significantly lower in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups regardless of diet. Mean food intake was significantly higher in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups, and significantly higher in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic rats. Food efficiency ratio (FER) was significantly lower in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups regardless of diet. The fasting blood glucose of coffee supplemented groups was significantly lower compared with the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The levels of serum LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats, and serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in the coffee group than in control groups. The contents of hepatic triglyceride were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents was significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase in liver was not significantly different by experimental diets among all groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, effects of 0.5% coffee powder supplemented diet were beneficial on blood glucose and lipids in diabetic rats.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.34-41
• /
• 2016

Adult-onset type II citrullinemia (CTLN2) is characterized by episodes of neurologic symptoms associated with hyperammonemia leading to disorientation, irritability, seizures, and coma. CTLN2 is distinct from classical citrullinemia, which is caused by a mutation of the argininosuccinic acid synthetase (ASS) gene. The serum citrulline level is elevated, while the activity of ASS in liver tissue is decreased. CTLN2 is known to have a poor prognosis if the proper treatment is not taken. We reported a female aged 37 years who developed recurrent attacks of altered consciousness, aberrant behavior, and vomiting. We initially suspected the patient had CTLN2 because of the signs of hyperammonemic encephalopathy, such as altered mentality, memory disturbance, and aberrant behaviors provoked by exercise-induced stress and excessive intravenous amino acid administration. Through her peculiar diet preferences and laboratory findings that included hyperammonemia and citrullinemia, we diagnosed the patient as CTLN2, and SLC25A13 sequencing revealed known compound heterozygous mutations (IVS11+1G>A, c.674C> A). Her parents were heterozygous carriers, and we identified that her older sister had the same mutations. The older sister had not experienced any episodes of hyperammonemia, but she had peculiar diet preferences. The patient and her sister have been well with conservative management. When considering the clinical course of CTLN2, it was meaningful that the older sister could be diagnosed early in an asymptomatic period and that preemptive treatment was employed. Through this case, CTLN2 should be considered in adults who present symptoms of hyperammonemic encephalopathy without a definite etiology. Because of its rare incidence and similar clinical features, CTLN2 is frequently misdiagnosed as hepatic encephalopathy, and it shows a poor prognosis due to the lack of early diagnosis and proper treatment. A high-carbohydrate diet, which is usually used to treat other urea cycle defects, can also exaggerate the clinical course of CTLN2, so proper metabolic screening tests and genetic studies should be performed.