• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.2857-2860
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• 2016

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is one of the important causes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Thailand, involved in the pathogenesis and leading to a development of HCC with or without cirrhotic changes of the liver. This study was aimed to investigate the predictive factors for HCC among CHB patients in a tertiary care center in Thailand. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of CHB patients with or without HCC during the period of January 2009 and December 2014 at Thammasat University Hospital, Pathumthani, Thailand. Data on clinical characteristics, biochemical tests and radiologic findings were collected from review of medical records. Results: A total of 266 patients were diagnosed with CHB in Thammasat university hospital during the study period. However, clinical information of only 164/266 CHB patients (98 males, 66 females with mean age of 49.4 years) could be completely retrieved in this study. The prevalence of HCC in CHB infection in this study was 38/164 (23.2%). CHB patients with HCC had a mean age older than those without HCC (59.5 vs 47 years, P-value = 0.01). Furthermore, history of upper GI bleeding, tattooing, blood transfusion, and chronic alcoholism were significantly more common in CHB patients with HCC than patients without HCC (13.2% vs 3.2% P-value 0.03, OR = 4.6, 95%CI = 1.2-18.1, 20% vs 3.9%, P-value = 0.01, OR= 6.1, 95% CI= 1.6-23.6, 20% vs 6.3%, P-value = 0.03, OR = 3.8, 95%CI =1.1-12.7, 62.2% vs 30.3%, P-value <0.0001, OR = 3.7, 95%CI= 1.7-8.1 respectively). Interestingly, more CHB patients with HCC had evidence of cirrhosis than those without HCC (78.9% vs 20.4%, P-value <0.0001, OR = 14.6, 95%CI = 5.8-36.7). In CHB patients with HCC, surgical therapy provided longer survival than radiofrequency ablation (RFA) (72 vs 46.5 months, P-value= 0.04). The mean survival time after HCC diagnosis was 17.2 months. Conclusions: HCC remains a major problem among patients with CHB infection in Thailand. Possible risk factors are male gender, history of upper GI bleeding, chronic alcoholism, tattooing, blood transfusion and evidence of cirrhosis. For early stage HCC patients, surgical treatment provided longer survival time than RFA. Most HCC patients presented with advanced disease and had a grave prognosis. Appropriate screening of CHB patients at risk for HCC might be an appropriate approach for early detection and improvement of long-term outcomes.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 2012

We report on two cases of anti-$Jk^a$, whose reactivity disappeared on an antibody identification test using enzyme-treated red cells. One of two patients was a 72-year-old female with cirrhosis of the liver and colon cancer, and the other was a 55-year-old female with known MDS and incomplete Behcet's disease. Results of an antibody identification test using a LISS/Coombs gel card (DiaMed AG) showed negative to one positive with red cells having the $Jk^a$ antigen; however, all reactions using the enzyme-treated cells showed negative results, which was unexpected. The patients' RBC phenotype was Jk(a-b+). We obtained positive results in reactions of enzyme-treated $Jk^a+$ cells and EDTA using a patient's serum and proved that the cause of the negative reaction might be complement-related.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.224-252
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate tinnitus of Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$ and Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$. Methods : We conducted a study on the original text paragraphs of Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ containing the tinnitus and analysis of Yang, Ma, Zhang, Wang etc. We drew a parallel between tinnitus from Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ and matching diagnoses from western medicine. Results : The results were as follows. 1. Tinnitus in Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$Tong Pyeong Heo Sil Ron <通評虛實論> was similar to the symptoms of diabetes mellitus complication and schizophreniform disorder in western medicine. 2. Liver fire tinnitus in Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$ Yuk Won Jeong Gi Dae Ron <六元正紀大論> was similar to the symptoms of psychological distress in western medicine. 3. Phlegm fire tinnitus in Plain Questions $\ll$素問$\gg$ Ji Jin Yo Dae Ron <至眞要大論> was similar to the symptoms of meniere's disease and malfunction of autonomic nervous system in western medicine. 4. Blood deficiency tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Sa Gi Jang Bu Byeong Hyeong <邪氣藏府病形> was similar to the symptoms of anemia in western medicine. 5. Tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Gyeong Geun <經筋> was similar to the myofacial pain syndrome of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the masseter muscle in western medicine. 6. Gallbladder deficiency tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Gwol Hyeong <厥病> was similar to the symptoms of otitis media and labyrinthitis in western medicine. 7. Kidney deficiency tinnitus in Miraculous Pivot $\ll$靈樞$\gg$ Gyeol Gi <決氣> and Hai Ron <海論> was similar to the symptoms of degenerative auditory organ in western medicine. 8. Tinnitus in Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ showed close relations with the symptoms of the wind character. Conclusion : We analyzed the original text paragraphs of Internal Classic $\ll$內經$\gg$ and explanations about tinnitus. Further studies are needed to compare oriental medicine and western medicine diagnoses to develop better treatments for tinnitus.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.185-199
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• 2021

Vibriosis is an important septicemic bacterial disease that affects a variety of commercial fish species, including cultured Dicentrarchus labrax. Nanotechnology has become an important modern tool for fish diseases prevention. Furthermore, nanomaterials have the ability to prevent and treat fish diseases. The current study was aimed to identify the causative agent of massive mortality of D. labrax commercial farm in Alexandria, Egypt. Experimental infection and the median lethal dose (LD50) of pathogenic isolate were assessed. Also, the effect of ginger nanoparticles (GNPs) and Sacchromyces cerevisiae as feed additives for prevention of vibriosis in D. labrax was carried out. Similarly, the tissue immunstimulant genes, IL-1β and TLR2 were measured in the spleen of feeding groups. The clinical signs of naturally diseased D. labrax showed corneal opacity and paleness of gills with excessive mucous secretion. The post-mortem abnormalities were severe hemorrhage and adhesion of internal organs. After bacteriological isolation and identification, the causative agent of mortality in the current study was Vibrio alginolyticus. The LD₅₀ of V. alginolyticus was 1.5×10^5.4 CFU/ml. The experimentally infected D. labrax showed ulceration, exophthalmia and skin hemorrhages. The post-mortem findings of the experimentally infected D. labrax revealed internal hemorrhage, spleen darkness and paleness of liver. There is no mortality and 100% RPS in groups fed GNPs then injected with V. alginolyticus, in those fed a combination of GNPs and S. cerevisiae and a group fed normal diet then injected with physiological saline (control negative), respectively. Contrarily, there was 10% mortality and 87.5 RPS in the group fed S. cerevisae then injected with V. alginolyticus. On the other hand, the control positive group showed 79% mortality. The spleen IL-1β and TLR2 immunostimulant genes were significantly increased in groups of fish fed GNNP, S. cerevisiae and a combination of GNPs and S. cerevisiae, respectively compared to control group. The highest stimulation of those immunostimulant genes was found in the group fed a combination of GNPs and S. cerevisiae, while fish fed S. cerevisiae had the lowest level. Dietary combination of GNPs and S. cerevisiae was shown to be efficient in preventing of vibriosis, with greatest stimulation of spleen IL-1β and TLR2 immunostimulant genes.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.934-953
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• 2021

Ciglitazone is a member of the thiazolidinedione family, and specifically binds to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), thereby promoting adipocyte differentiation. We hypothesized that ciglitazone as a PPARγ ligand in the absence of an adipocyte differentiation cocktail would increase adiponectin and adipogenic gene expression in bovine satellite cells (BSC). Muscle-derived BSCs were isolated from six, 18-month-old Yanbian Yellow Cattle. The BSC were cultured for 96 h in differentiation medium containing 5 µM ciglitazone (CL), 10 µM ciglitazone (CM), or 20 µM ciglitazone (CH). Control (CON) BSC were cultured only in a differentiation medium (containing 2% horse serum). The presence of myogenin, desmin, and paired box 7 (Pax7) proteins was confirmed in the BSC by immunofluorescence staining. The CL, CM, and CH treatments produced higher concentrations of triacylglycerol and lipid droplet accumulation in myotubes than those of the CON treatment. Ciglitazone treatments significantly increased the relative expression of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase, and perilipin 2. Ciglitazone treatments increased gene expression of Pax3 and Pax7 and decreased expression of myogenic differentiation-1, myogenin, myogenic regulatory factor-5, and myogenin-4 (p < 0.01). Adiponectin concentration caused by ciglitazone treatments was significantly greater than CON (p < 0.01). RNA sequencing showed that 281 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found in the treatments of ciglitazone. DEGs gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that the top 10 GO enrichment significantly changed the biological processes such as protein trimerization, negative regulation of cell proliferation, adipocytes differentiation, and cellular response to external stimulus. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that DEGs were involved in the p53 signaling pathway, PPAR signaling pathway, biosynthesis of amino acids, tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and Wnt signaling pathway. These results indicate that ciglitazone acts as PPARγ agonist, effectively increases the adiponectin concentration and adipogenic gene expression, and stimulates the conversion of BSC to adipocyte-like cells in the absence of adipocyte differentiation cocktail.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.796-805
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• 2021

Hepatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contributes to the development of steatosis and insulin resistance. The components of unfolded protein response (UPR) regulate lipid metabolism. Recent studies have reported an association between ER stress and aberrant cellular lipid control; moreover, research has confirmed the involvement of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)-the central regulators of lipid metabolism-in the process. However, the exact role of SREBPs in controlling lipid metabolism during ER stress and its contribution to fatty liver disease remain unknown. Here, we show that SREBP-1c deficiency protects against ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis in mice by regulating UPR, inflammation, and fatty acid oxidation. SREBP-1c directly regulated inositol-requiring kinase 1α (IRE1α) expression and mediated ER stress-induced tumor necrosis factor-α activation, leading to a reduction in expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1-α and subsequent impairment of fatty acid oxidation. However, the genetic ablation of SREBP-1c prevented these events, alleviating hepatic inflammation and steatosis. Although the mechanism by which SREBP-1c deficiency prevents ER stress-induced inflammatory signaling remains to be elucidated, alteration of the IRE1α signal in SREBP-1c-depleted Kupffer cells might be involved in the signaling. Overall, the results suggest that SREBP-1c plays a crucial role in the regulation of UPR and inflammation in ER stress-induced hepatic steatosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.470-477
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• 2019

White jelly fungus (Tremella fuciformis Berk) is effective for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, lung disease, beauty, and has been known as an elixir of life in ancient Chinese dynasty. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity and diabetic effects of the fermented white jelly fungus extract by the bioconversion process. We fed an obesity-inducing mouse with 5% non-fermented Tremella fuciformis (TF), 2.5% fermented Tremella fuciformis (FTF), and 5% FTF containing High Fats Diet (HFD) and HFD for 8 weeks, respectively. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed analysis after 7 weeks of feeding and the dietary intake, food efficiency ratio, body weight, liver, epididymal fat weight, and serum insulin level were measured after 8 weeks of feeding. Also, HOMA-IR was analyzed. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides test was analyzed. The FTF compare with 5% TF and HFD confirmed that 5% FTF reduced body weight, tissue weight, triglycerides concentration, HOMA-IR, respectively. As a result, we confirmed that the fermented white jelly fungus has the anti-obesity effect. Finally, this study can be used a basic data for obesity treatment using fermented white jelly fungus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.964-971
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• 2019

Hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance increases in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Piperine is a major compound found in black pepper (Piper nigrum) and long pepper (P. longum). Piperine has been used in fine chemical for its anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. However, the signaling-based mechanism of piperine and its role as an inhibitor of lipogenesis and insulin resistance in human hepatocyte cells remains ill-defined. In the present study, we explored the effects of piperine on lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, and explored the potential underlying molecular mechanisms in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. Piperine treatment resulted in a significant reduction of triglyceride content. Furthermore, piperine treatment decreased palmitate-treated intracellular lipid deposition by inhibiting the lipogenic target genes, sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS); whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT-1) and phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) gene involved in fatty acid oxidation was increased. Moreover, piperine also inhibited the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 (Ser307). Piperine treatment modulated palmitate-treated lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells with concomitant reduction of lipogenic target genes, such as SREBP-1 and FAS, and induction of CPT-1-ACC and phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Tyr632)-Akt pathways. Therefore, piperine represents a promising treatment for the prevention of lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2019

Purpose: Obesity is a major health problem of global significance because it is clearly associated with an increased risk of health problems, such as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Lonicera caerulea (LC) originates from high mountains or wet areas and has been used as a traditional medicine in northern Russia, China, and Japan. LC contains a range of bioactive constituents, such as vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols. This study examined the anti-obesity effects of LC during differentiation in preadipocytes. Methods: The cell viability assay was performed after the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells for 7 days. Oil Red O staining was used to visualize the changes in lipid droplets in 3T3-L1 cells and mouse adipose-derived stem cells (MADSCs). The mRNA expression of obesity-related genes was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: According to the results of Oil Red O staining, the lipid levels and size of lipid droplets in the adipocytes were reduced and the LC extract (LCE, 0.25-1 mg/mL) markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of LCE also decreased the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in 3T3-L1 cells. Western blot analysis showed that the $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP1 protein levels in both 3T3-L1 and MADSC were reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: These results suggest that LCE can inhibit adipogenic differentiation through the regulation of adipogenesis-related markers.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.81-91
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• 2021

Objectives : Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that decreases bone density and increases the risk of fractures. Bisphosphonates and SERMs are mainly used to treat osteoporosis, but, long-term use increases the risk of side effects such as jaw bone necrosis and breast cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a therapeutic agent for a natural product with few side effects. Water extract of Lonicerae Japonicae Flos (wLF) was mainly found to have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of wLF on osteoporosis has not been elucidated. Therefore, this experiment investigated the effect of wLF on osteoclasts, osteoblasts and osteoporosis models. Methods : In order to study the effect of wLF on osteoporosis, the OVX-induced rat model was used for in vivo study. After 8 weeks, we measured body weight, uterine weight, liver weight, femur weight, bone density, trabecular area and tibia ash weight. To determine the effect of wLF on osteoclast differentiation, we measured the number of TRAP-positive cells and TRAP activity. To examine the effect of wLF on the expression of osteoblast-related genes, we measured the mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP, Alpl) and osteocalcin (OCN, Bglap2). Results : In vivo experiment, wLF inhibited the reduction of femur weight, trabecular area, bone density and tibia ash weight. In vitro experiment, wLF had no significant effect on osteoclast differentiation. However, wLF increased the mRNA expression of Alpl and Bglap2 in MC3T3-E1 cell. Conclusions : This result suggested that wLF may be used for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.