• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-31
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• 1996

Psoralens are metabolized in the liver and thus can produce liver damage in laboratory animals when given in excessive doses. However, in humans, reports of the effects of psoralens on liver functions during photochemotherapy have been contradictory. We studied 311 patients t o observe the effects of various phototoxic drugs: 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP), 4,5,8-trimethylpsoralen (TMP)-on liver function during photochemotherapy. Of the 311 patients, only seven had transient elevations of transaminases. Incidence of hepatotoxicity of 8-MOP, TMP and 5-MOP showed 0.6%, 6% and 3%, respectively. Although the effects of psoralens on liver functions during photochemotherapy have been contradictory in humans and there have been few cases showing transient elevated values of liver transaminases during photochemotherapy, it is advisable to obtain serial liver function tests before and during photochemotherapy.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.305-313
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• 1998

The reduction in the amount of asialoglycoprotein (ASGP) receptor, which resides exclusively on the plasma membrane of functioning mammalian hepatocytes, as a consequence of hepato-cellular damage has been demonstrated in various pathologic conditions of the liver. Galac-tosylated human serum albumin (GSA) is a newly developed receptor-binding agent, specific for the ASGP receptor. Tc-99m GSA binds quantitatively to liver ASGP receptors and the rate of accumulation in the liver is dependent on hepatic function represented as the amount of receptor, as well as the amount of ligand injected, its affinity to the receptor and the hepatic blood flow. The findings of Tc-99m GSA scintigraphy were reported to reflect the hepatic function of the patients with large hepatic tumors, obstructive jaundice, acute and chronic liver disease. Tc-99m GSA scintigraphy is an easy and reliable test and has the clinical potentials to evaluate the liver function in the patients with hepatic disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.344-349
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was carried out to investigate the effect of scoparone(6, 7-dimethoxyco-umarin) on liver function. Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with scoparone at a dose of 20mg/kg body weight for 5 days. Hepatic bile flow, liver weight, BSP(bromosulfophthalein) biliary excretion, alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) activities, malondialdehyde production and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) release were assayed. Among them, ALT and AST activities, malondialdehyde production and LDH release were assayed by using primary hepatocyte cultures at a concentration of 0.1mg/ml. Scoparone treatment had no effect on liver weight and hepatic bile flow. Scoparone treatment not only increased BSP biliary excretion, but also recovered the decreased BSP biliary excretion by CCl4, Also scoparone significantly decreased with the increases of ALT and AST activities, malondialdehyde production and LDH release induced by CCl4. These results suggested that scoparone could protect the liver damage by chemicals via promoting the liver excretory function.

• Proceedings of the Korea Environmental Mutagen Society Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.51-58
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• 2002

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.11b
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• pp.42-58
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• 2002

Acute Cd exposure produces hepatotoxicity, whereas chronic Cd exposure produces nephrotoxicity, hematotoxicity, immunotoxicity and bone damage. Previous experiments suggest that the low-molecular-weight, metal-binding protein metallothionein (MT) in liver protects against liver injury, but is responsible for the kidney injury observed after chronic Cd exposure.(omitted)

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.265-277
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• 2008

In order to investigate the protective effects of Gami Yugan-tang on liver damage in rats induced by $CCl_{4}$ and d-galactosamine, the serum transaminase(ALT & AST), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), lactic dehydrogenase(LDH), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione S-transferase(GST), glutathione peroxidase(GPX) for enzyme activities, and lipid peroxidation were measured. All animals were divided into 4 groups: normal group (untreated), control group (treated with 0.9% saline solution), sample I group (treated with 740mg/kg Gami Yugan-tang), and sample II group (treated with 1,480mg/kg Gami Yugan-tang). The results were as follows : 1. The results of liver damage in rats induced by $CCl_4$ : The protective effects of ALT were displayed in sample I and sample II, and AST, ALP, LDH, SOD, catalase, GST, GPX, and lipid peroxidation were noted in sample II group. It showed slight necrosis of hepatic cell and pathologic changes, for example, inflammatory cells infiltration were improved in sample II group compared to the control group. 2. The results of liver damage in rats induced by d-galactosamine : The inhibitory effects of AST, ALT, LDH, and ALP activities were noted in both sample I and sample II groups. The findings from this experiment suggests that Gami Yugan-tang has protective effects against liver damage in rats induced by $CCl_{4}$ and d-galactosamine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 1995

Alcoholic liver disease is defined by the development of three types of liver damage following chronic heavy alcohol consumption, namely, alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis, The clinical features and laboratory tests often do not distinguish among these types of liver injuries. In addition, a considerable number of the patients who have clinical and laboratory features compatible with alcoholic liver disease are diagnosed on liver biopsy to have chronic viral hepatitis or other lesion. Because of these factors, liver biopsy is frequently needed to arrive a definite diagnosis of the disease, its activity, and its chronicity. Fatty liver is usually a benign and reverible condition that disappears on abstinence from alcohol. However, alcoholic hepatitis is usually regarded as a precursor of cirrhosis. The principle factors in the development of alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis are the quantity and length of ingestion of alcohol. women are much more susceptible than men to hepatic injuries. Since only 10 - 20% of alcoholics develop cirrhosis, however, it is conceivable that other factors, either genetic, environmental, or nutritional may contribute in the genesis of liver injuries. The most important factor in the treatment of alcoholic liver disease is prolonzed abstinence from alcohol, since abstinence by itself improves clinical status and survival, Nutritional support in patients with nutritional deficiency, and specific drug therapies such as corticosteroid or anabolic steroids for hospitaliged patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis also play an important role in devreasing morbidity and improving survival. Liver transplantation is a newer treatment modality in the patients with advanced cirrhosis, not responsible to medical treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1 s.65
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• pp.78-90
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• 2006

Background : Traditional herbal medicine is used extensively among the Korean populations, and other Asian countries employ similar therapies as well. In recent years, extensive focus was laid on adulteration of the herbal medicine with liver damage. The use of herbal preparations as remedies for various medical conditions has continuously increased in Korea. Large proportions of Korean patients use herbal medicinal products, folk remedies, and health food. However, studies on the safety of herbal products are conducted on a less than sufficient basis even in the countries like Korea where herbal medicine is being used extensively. Some of the reports on the safety of herbs were done by the doctors of western medicine but lack of knowledge and misclassification led to misunderstandings. Objectives : This study aims to verify the evidences on safety of frequently used 4 herbal medications (Sipjeondaebo-tang, Bojungikgi-tang, Ohjeok-San, Yukmaijihwang-tang) in the lab animal model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats was treated by 4 herbal medications during 31 days. After 1 month, we checked body weight, liver weight, and serum enzyme associated with liver function. Results : There is no significant difference in body weight and liver weight after 1 month of administrations. In all experimental groups, no abnormal findings was observed in histotogical research and lab liver Functions test(AST, ALT etc). Conclusions : These four herbal medications, frequently used in oriental medicine clinics and hospitals, are safe from hepatoxic events in the lab animal model.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.47-56
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated whether the water extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE) has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) in vitro and $CCl_4$ in vivo. Methods : In vitro, HepG2 cells pre-treated with Spatholobi Caulis water extract (1, 3, 10, $30{\mu}g$/ml) for 12h and further incubated with tBHP ($100{\mu}M$) for the next 12h. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. In vivo, rats were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE; 50, 100 mg/kg) for 4 days and then, injected with $CCl_4$ 1 mg/kg body weight to induce acute liver damage. Results : Treatment with SCE inhibited cell death induced by tBHP, as evidenced by alterations in the levels of the proteins associated with apoptosis:SCE prevented a decrease in $Bcl_2$, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and pro-caspase-3. Moreover, SCE inhibited the ability of tBHP to generate $H_2O_2$ production, thereby restoring GSH content. Moreover, SCE treatments in rats effectively decreased liver injuries induced by a single dose of $CCl_4$, as evidenced by decreases in hepatic degeneration and inflammation as well as plasma alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Consistently, treatments of SCE also protected liver in rats stimulated by $CCl_4$, as indicated by restoration GSH and prevention of MDA in the liver. Conclusions : SCE has the ability 1) to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tBHP and 2) to prevent $CCl_4$-inducible acute liver toxicity. Present findings may be informative not only in elucidating the pharmacological mechanism of Spatholobi Caulis, but in determining its potential application for oxidative cellular damage in the liver.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2021

We have previously reported that Acer tegmentosum extract, which is traditionally used in Korea to reduce alcohol-related liver injury, suppresses liver inflammation caused by excessive alcohol consumption and might improve metabolism. The active ingredient, 6-O-galloylsalidroside (GAL), was isolated from A. tegmentosum, and we hypothesized that GAL could provide desirable pharmacological benefits by ameliorating physiological conditions caused by alcohol abuse. Therefore, this study focused on whether GAL could ameliorate alcoholic fat accumulation and repair liver injury in mice. During chronic alcohol consumption plus binge feeding in mice, GAL was administered orally once per day for 11 days. Intrahepatic lipid accumulation was measured in vivo using a noninvasive method, ¹H magnetic resonance imaging, and confirmed by staining with hematoxylin and eosin and Oil Red O. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured using a Konelab system, and the triglyceride content was measured in liver homogenates using an enzymatic peroxide assay. The results suggested that GAL alleviated alcohol-induced steatosis,e as indicated by decreased hepatic and serum triglyceride levels in ethanol-fed mice. GAL treatment also correlated with a decrease in the Cd36 mRNA expression, thus potentially inhibiting the development of alcoholic steatosis via the hepatic de novo lipogenesis pathway. Furthermore, treatment with GAL inhibited the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 and attenuated hepatocellular damage, as reflected by a reduction in ALT and AST levels. These findings suggest that GAL extracted from A. tegmentosum has the potential to serve as a bioactive agent for the treatment of alcoholic fatty liver and liver damage.