• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.379-387
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• 2019

Clonorchis sinensis is a carcinogenic human liver fluke that promotes hepatic inflammatory environments via direct contact or through their excretory-secretory products (ESPs), subsequently leading to cholangitis, periductal fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This study was conducted to examine the host inflammatory responses to C. sinensis ESPs and their putative protein components selected from C. sinensis expressed sequenced tag (EST) pool databases, including $TGF-{\beta}$ receptor interacting protein 1(CsTRIP1), legumain (CsLeg), and growth factor binding protein 2 (CsGrb2). Treatment of CCA cells (HuCCT1) with the ESPs or bacterial recombinant C. sinensis proteins differentially promoted the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10, $TGF-{\beta}1$, and $TGF-{\beta}2$) in a time-dependent manner. In particular, recombinant C. sinensis protein treatment resulted in increase (at maximum) of ~7-fold in $TGF-{\beta}1$, ~30-fold in $TGF-{\beta}2$, and ~3-fold in $TNF-{\alpha}$ compared with the increase produced by ESPs, indicating that CsTrip1, CsLeg, and CsGrb2 function as strong inducers for secretion of these cytokines in host cells. These results suggest that C. sinensis ESPs contribute to the immunopathological response in host cells, leading to clonorchiasis-associated hepatobiliary abnormalities of greater severity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.59-78
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• 2009

Objective : This study was designed to examine the effects of stem bark extracts of Cornus walteri Wanger on the lipid lowering, anti-oxidative activity and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in hyperlipidemic rat. Methods : Male rats weighing $195.21{\pm}5.85g$ fed high fat diet for 8 weeks and 40 rats(above 400 g) were divided into 4 groups. Each groups were divided into a control group and 3 experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline(100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And we fed each experimental group of rats Basal diet and administered an extract of Cornus walteri Wanger(100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, anti-oxidative activity and gene expression. Results : 1. Concentration of plasma free fatty acid, LDL-cholesterol showed a tendency to decrease in Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. Concentration of plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol showed a significantly decrement in all Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group than that of control group. HDL-cholesterol showed a significantly increment in the 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group. 2. Concentration of liver total cholesterol showed a tendence to decrease in Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. Concentration of triglyceride liver showed a significantly decrement in all Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group than that of control group. 3. Concentration of plasma and liver TBARS showed a tendence to decrease in Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. The values of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT activity showed a significantly increment in the 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. group than that of control group. 4. The values of plasma AST and ALT activity showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. 5. Concentration of plasma $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ showed a tendency to decrease in the Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups. However the concentration of IL-10 in the 200 and 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups showed a significantly increment than that of control group. Concentration of liver $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 showed no significantly difference in all treatment groups. However concentration of IL-6 in the 200 and 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups showed a significantly decrement than that of control group. 6. In the analysis of RT-PCR, gene expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B, Apo-E and leptin in the Cornus walteri Wanger ext. groups showed a lower expression than that of control group. 7. The ratio of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-E and leptin expression per $\beta$-actin expression in the 200 and 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. showed a significantly decrement than that of control group. The ratio of Apo-B expression per $\beta$-actin expression in the 300 mg/kg Cornus walteri Wanger ext. showed a significantly decrement than that of control group. Conclusions : According to above results, in lowering lipid effect, antioxidative activity and antiinflammatory effect, the Cornus walteri Wanger ext. gives positive effect.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.45-53
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• 2013

Objectives The objective of present study was to investigate the effect of Ojeoksangamibang ($W\check{u}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) extract on recovery of liver function in carbontetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-exposed rat. Methods Male rats weighing $230{\pm}7.21g$ fed experimental diet for 1 week and 28 rats were divided into 4 groups. Each of 7 rats was devided into a control group and experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline (100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 3 weeks. And we fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of Ojeoksangamibang extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 3 weeks. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-10). Statistical analysis was done by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan's multiple range test with significance level at p<0.05. Results Plasma a-fetoprotein (AFP) and total protein concentration showed a tendency to decrease in Ojeoksangamibang extract-treated groups. However, plasma albumin concentration showed no significant differences in all treatment groups. Activity of plasma Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the Ojeoksangamibang extract-treated groups, increased addition amount of Ojeoksangamibang extracts tended to decline. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and ${\gamma}$-glutamyl transferase (${\gamma}$-GT) activities showed a tendency to decrease in Ojeoksangamibang extract-treated groups, increased addition amount of Ojeoksangamibang extracts tended to decline. Concentration of plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol showed a lower value than that of control group. The liver $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration were decreased, and IL-10 was increased in Ojeoksangamibang extract groups, compared to control group. Plasma $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ concentration were decreased, and IL-10 was increased in Ojeoksangamibang extract groups, compared to control group. Conclusions This study suggested that Ojeoksangamibang may alleviate liver inflammatory reaction induced by liver toxicity.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.133-139
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• 2018

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is becoming common chronic liver disease because of the increasing global prevalence of obesity and consequently Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the mechanism for progression of NAFLD to NASH and then cirrhosis is not completely understood, yet. The triggering of these hepatic diseases is thought from hepatocyte injury caused by over-accumulated lipid toxicity. Injured hepatocytes release damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which can stimulate the Kupffer cells (KCs), liver-resident macrophages, to release pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and recruit monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs). The increased activation of KCs and recruitment of MDMs accelerate the progression of NAFLD to NASH and cirrhosis. Therefore, characterization for activation of hepatic macrophages, both KCs and MDMs, is a baseline to figure out the progression of hepatic diseases. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding of mechanisms of NAFLD and NASH, mainly focusing on characterization and function of hepatic macrophages and suggests the regulators of hepatic macrophages as the therapeutic target in hepatic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.337-346
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• 2013

This study is a basic study on the development of functional substances involved in obesity prevention, lipid metabolism, and immune regulation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks. Allium monanthum extracts (AME) were administered orally to obesity-induced rats, and their lipid-lowering, antioxidative and various types of biological effects related to the immune system were examined. Blood free fatty acid and triglyceride concentrations decreased as the dose of AME increased. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol concentrations in the blood decreased as the dose of AME increased. The total cholesterol concentrations in the liver of the AME-treated groups were lower than the control group. The thiobarbituric acid reactive concentrations were lower in the plasma and liver of all AME-treated groups than the control group. Plasma AST and ALT activities did not show any significant differences among the treatment groups. IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 concentrations in the liver tended to decrease as the dose of AME increased. TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-10 concentrations did now show any significant differences compared to the control group. Lower expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, Apo-B and Apo-E genes were found in the AME-treated groups. Taken together, these results indicate that AME may show positive effects in lipid lowering, antioxidation and anti-inflammation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.172-176
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an important public health problem as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have become epidemic. In this study we investigated the protective effect of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) against NAFLD in an obese mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four-week-old male ob/ob mice were fed an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 1% C. militaris water extract for 10 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Serum glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), alanine transaminase (ALT), and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. Hepatic levels of lipids, glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide were determined. RESULTS: Consumption of C. militaris significantly decreased serum glucose, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), in ob/ob mice. In addition to lowering serum FFA levels, C. militaris also significantly decreased hepatic total lipids and triglyceride contents. Serum ALT activities and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were reduced by C. militaris. Consumption of C. militaris increased hepatic GSH and reduced lipid peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that C. militaris can exert protective effects against development of NAFLD, partly by reducing inflammatory cytokines and improving hepatic antioxidant status in ob/ob mice.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Objective : The aim of the present study is to examine hepatic lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin combined with Jakyakgamcho-tang on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a high fat diet-induced obese mice model. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were divided into four dietary groups: (1) Normal, (2) Control (60% high-fat diet), (3) Control + silymarin 50 mg/kg/day (Silymarin), (4) Control + Silymarin 50 mg/kg/day + Jakyakgamcho-tang 100 mg/kg/day (SPG). After 12 weeks administration, mice were sacrificed and lipids and inflammation-related biomarkers were analyzed liver and plasma. Results : Silymarin and SPG treatments significantly lowered body and liver weights compared to the Control. Serumlipids (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1𝛽, and IL-6) concentrations were significantly lowered in the Silymarin and SPG groups than the Control group. Silymarin and SPG treatments suppressed hepatic TG level and hepatic lipid droplets compared to the Control. Theses two treatments significantly increased hepatic kinase B1 and AMP-activated protein kinase protein levels, and significantly decreased hepatic key lipogenic enzymes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase and stearyl coenzyme A desaturase 1) protein levels than the Control. SPG also significantly increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation-related protein (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and uncoupling protein 2) levels than the Control. Conclusions: Silymarin and SPG suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating hepatic protein expression, and lowered blood pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations though the synergic effect of silymarin and Jakyakgamchotang was not clear.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1223-1236
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of Sosiho-tang on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in mice and to elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The mice were divided into 4 groups: Normal mice (Normal), TAA-induced control mice (Control), TAA-induced and silymarin-treated (50 mg/kg) mice (Silymarin), and TAA-induced and Sosiho-tang treated (200 mg/kg) mice (SSHT). Liver fibrosis was induced via intraperitoneal injection of TAA three times a week for 8 weeks. Silymarin and Sosiho-tang were concomitantly administered for 8 weeks. Serum and liver tissues were then collected and the anti-oxidant and inflammatory protein levels in the liver tissues were evaluated using western blotting. Results: SSHT administration significantly reduced the levels of AST, ALT, ammonia, and MPO in the serum. SSHT also significantly down-regulated liver NADPH oxidase and regulated the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. SSHT treatment downregulated the liver NF-κB levels and suppressed inflammatory cytokines. SSHT treatment also decreased bile acid-related factors, such as CYP7A1 and NTCP, and fibrosis-related factors, such as α-SMA and Collagen I. Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that SSHT administration suppressed the progression of liver fibrosis by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway and inhibiting NF-κB.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.55-59
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• 2009

This study for developing a new anti-inflammatory medicine was sought by investigating the antiinflammatory properties of C. indicum L. extract. Rats were treated with either saline (control) or C. indicum L. extract and then injected with LPS. We found that the plasma concentration of IL-1${\beta}$ IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$and IL-10 peaked at 5h after LPS injection, and the plasma concentration of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ showed a tendency to decrease, and IL-10 concentration showed a tendency to increase with increasing levels of C. indicum L. extract. In the liver concentration of cytokines at 5 h post LPS injection, IL-1${\alpha}$ and IL-6 decreased with increasing concentration of C. indicum L. extract, however TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-10 did not differ significantly the treatment groups.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.598-606
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• 1998

The liver expresses a considerable amount of nitric oxide (NO) upon induction with cytokines or/and endotoxin. The NO synthesized by inducible NO synthase (NOS) of the liver see ms to play a role in various hepatic physiological processes. Here we investigate the effects of NO on acetaminophen (AA)-induced liver injury. The treatment of S-nitros-N-acetyl penicillamine (SNAP, exogenous NO donor) at the dose of 0.1mM decreased AA-induced hepatotoxicity suggesting the possibility of NO to play a role in protection from the hepatotoxicity induced by AA. On the other hand, the excessive NO produced by NO donor (SNAP: 0.5, 2.5, 6.25mM) has been shown to cause a concentration dependent hepatotoxicity, and such damages was decreased by Superoxide and increased by superoxide dismutase, indicating that the hepatotoxicity induced by excessive NO depends on balancing between NO and superoxide. Taken together, the results indicate that NO has biphasic effects on hepatotoxicity.