• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.31-38
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was aimed at investigating liver protection mechanism of bear bile juice (Fel Ursi)by inducing liver toxicity through $CCl_4$ in mice and evaluated histological and serological findings. Methods : Experiment groups was categorized into untreated normal group, $CCl_4$ treated control group, and orally administered bear bile juice experiment group. At the termination of experiment, gross examination of the liver as well as histological findings, and Total protein, Albumin, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin SGOT, SGPT, and ALP contents in the serum were evaluated. Results : 1. For gross examination and histological findings, $CCI_4$ treated control group showed destroyed lobular structure, increased fibrosis, as well as hepatic cirrhosis. For the group treated with bear bile juice, the lobular structure suffered less damage, and showed lower level of fibrosis and liver cirrhosis compared to the control group. 2. For serum analysis, Total protein and Albumin were significantly increased in the bear bile juice experiment group than the control group. Total bilirubin and Direct bilirubin didn't show significant differences between the two groups. SOOT, SGPT, and ALP were significantly decreased in the normal and bear bile juice experiment groups compared to the control group. Conclusion : Taken together, bear bile juice can be effectively used for recovering the liver functions and further researches must be conducted to verify the efficacies of bear bile juice.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was aimed at investigating liver protection mechanism of Moschus by inducing liver toxicity through $CCl_4$ in mice and evaluated histological and serological findings. Methods : Experiment groups was categorized into untreated normal group, $CCl_4$ treated control group, and orally administered Moschus experiment group. At the termination of experiment, gross examination of the liver as well as histological findings, and Total protein, Total bilirubin, Direct bilirubin SGOT, SGPT, and ALP contents in the serum were evaluated. Results : 1. For gross examination and histological findings, $CCl_4$ treated control group showed destroyed lobular structure, increased fibrosis, as well as hepatic cirrhosis. For the group treated with Moschus, the lobular structure suffered less damage, and showed lower level of fibrosis and liver cirrhosis compared to the control group. 2. For serum analysis, Total protein were significantly increased in the Moschus experiment group than the control group. 3. Total bilirubin didn't show significant differences between the two groups. but direct bilirubin was significantly increased in the Moschus experiment group than the control group. 4. SGOT, SGPT, were significantly decreased in the normal and Moschus experiment groups compared to the control group. 5. ALP was significantly decreased in the normal group compared to the control group, but Moschus experiment group didn't show significant differences compared to the control group. Conclusion : Taken together, Moschus can be effectively used for recovering the liver functions and further researches must be conducted to verify the efficacies of Moschus bile juice.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.269-276
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• 2020

Fibrosis is characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components. The fibrotic process ultimately leads to organ dysfunction and failure in chronic inflammatory and metabolic diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, advanced kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a common form of progressive and chronic interstitial lung disease of unknown etiology. Pathophysiologically, the parenchyma of the lung alveoli, interstitium, and capillary endothelium becomes scarred and stiff, which makes breathing difficult because the lungs have to work harder to transfer oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveolar space and bloodstream. The transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and scarring of the lung tissue. Recent clinical trials focused on the development of pharmacological agents that either directly or indirectly target kinases for the treatment of IPF. Therefore, to develop therapeutic targets for pulmonary fibrosis, it is essential to understand the key factors involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and the underlying signaling pathway. The objective of this review is to discuss the role of kinase signaling cascades in the regulation of either TGF-β-dependent or other signaling pathways, including Rho-associated coiled-coil kinase, c-jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5, and p90 ribosomal S6 kinase pathways, and potential therapeutic targets in IPF.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 1970

In an endeavor to help understand some typical scan findings and portal hemodynamics in liver cirrhosis, several commonly occurring scan changes and esophageal varices as demonstrated by esophagram were correlated one another from quantitative and qualitative stand points. Clinical materials consisted of 34 patients with proven diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and esophageal varices. Liver scan was performed with colloidal 198-Au and the changes in the size and internal architecture of the liver, splenic uptake and splenomegaly were graded and scored by repeated double-blind readings. The variceal changes on esophagrams were also graded according to the classification of Shanks and Kerley following modification. Of 34 patients, 91% showed definite reduction in liver volume (shrinkage) constituting the most frequent scan change. The splenic uptake and splenomegaly were noted in 73.5 and 79.4%, respectively. The present study revealed no positive correlation between the graded scan findings including shrinkage of the liver, splenic uptake or splenomegaly and severity of variceal changes of the esophagus. Exceptionally, however, apparently paradoxical correlation was noted between the severity of mottlings and varices. Thus, in the majority (73.5%) of patients mottlings were either absent or mild. This interesting observation is in favor of the view held by Christie et al. who consider the mottlings to be not faithful expression of actual scarring of the cirrhotic liver. This also would indicate that variceal changes are to be the results of intrahepatic arteriovenous shunting of blood with hypervolemic load to the portal system rather than simple hypertension secondary to fibrosis and shrinkage.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.1983-1988
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• 2012

Stem cell transplantation is emerging as a possible new treatment for liver cirrhosis, and recent animal studies have documented the benefits of stem cell therapy in a hepatic fibrosis model. However, the underlying mechanism of stem cell therapy is still unclear. Among the proposed mechanisms, the cell replacement mechanism is the oldest and most important, in which permanently damaged tissue can be replaced by normal tissue to restore function. In the present study, Cy5.5-labeled superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) was used to label human mesenchymal stem cells. The uptake of fluorescently labeled nanoparticles enabled the detection and monitoring of the transplanted stem cells; therefore, we confirmed the direct incorporation and differentiation of SPIO into the hepatocyte-like transplanted stem cells by detecting human tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT), well-known enzymatic marker for hepatocyte-specific differentiation.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.253-262
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• 2021

Objective: To determine whether the values of hepatic apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) can differentiate biliary atresia (BA) from non-BA or be correlated with the grade of hepatic fibrosis in infants with cholestasis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included infants who received liver MRI examinations to evaluate cholestasis from July 2009 to October 2017. Liver ADC, ADC ratio of liver/spleen, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), and spleen size were compared between the BA and non-BA groups. The diagnostic performances of all parameters for significant fibrosis (F3-4) were obtained by receiver-operating characteristics (ROCs) curve analysis. Results: Altogether, 227 infants (98 males and 129 females, mean age = 57.2 ± 36.3 days) including 125 BA patients were analyzed. The absolute ADC difference between two reviewers was 0.10 mm²/s for both liver and spleen. Liver ADC value was specific (80.4%) and ADC ratio was sensitive (88.0%) for the diagnosis of BA with comparable performance. There were 33 patients with F0, 15 with F1, 71 with F2, 35 with F3, and 11 with F4. All four parameters of APRI (τ = 0.296), spleen size (τ = 0.312), liver ADC (τ = -0.206), and ADC ratio (τ = -0.288) showed significant correlation with fibrosis grade (all, p < 0.001). The cutoff values for significant fibrosis (F3-4) were 0.783 for APRI (area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.721), 5.9 cm for spleen size (AUC, 0.719), 1.044 x 10^-3 mm²/s for liver ADC (AUC, 0.673), and 1.22 for ADC ratio (AUC, 0.651). Conclusion: Liver ADC values and ADC ratio of liver/spleen showed limited additional diagnostic performance for differentiating BA from non-BA and predicting significant hepatic fibrosis in infants with cholestasis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.21-32
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of Injinchunggantang on hepatic sclerosis induced by $CCl_4$. Methods : Weight, liver function test and complete blood cell count, gross findings, and findings on liver tissue of the past(Hematoxylin & Eosin stain, Masson-Trichrome stain) were studied. Results : When it comes to the change of rats' body weight, The $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group lost far less weight than The $CCl_{4^-}$only group. In the liver function test, which is focused on various areas such as total cholesterol, alkaline phosphotase, albumin, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, The $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group was much more closer to normal limit than the $CCl_4$ only group. In the complete blood cell count, including white blood cell, red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrite, platelet, The $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group significantly closer to normal limit than $CCl_{4^-}$only group. In the gross findings of hepatic fibrosis models, Injinchunggantang showed inhibitory effect on hepatic fibrosis in the order. In the past findings of hepatic fibrosis models in Hematoxylin & Eosin, Masson-Trichrome staining, the liver in $CCl_{4^-}$only group showed atrophy and necrotic change with white nodules, whereas that of $CCl_{4^+}$Injinchunggantang group showed lesser significant change with the well_preserved tone of the tissue. In the extent of the inhibition of the hepatic fibrosis, the Injinchunggantang group showed statistically significant inhibitory effect(p<0.05) in the sclerosis model. Conclusions : These results show that Injinchunggantang have inhibitory effect on hepatic sclerosis induced by $CCl_4$ and further ultimately prevent liver cirrhosis. To obtain more credible results in this experiment, the invention of a new experimental model more similar to human hepatic sclerosis is still needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.306-316
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect of Curcumae Longae Radix on human hepatic stellate cells. Materials and Methods: Hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) were treated with various concentrations of Curcumae Longae Radix extract for 24, 48, and 72 hours. It was extracted with distilled water. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, cell cycle analysis, procollagen levels and the mRNA of the ASMA, TIMPl, TIMP2, MMP2, collagen type la, PDGF-receptor-beta and TGF-beta were measured by using MTT assay, BrdU assay, RT-PCR, and procollagen type 1 C-peptide EIA kit. Results : The viability of HSCs decreased in the 48 hours group, and proliferation of HSCs decreased as the concentration increased. In the cell cycle analysis, Curcumae Longae Radix decreased the ratio of M phase, and increased the ratio of apoptosis, G0/G1 and S phase. In the RT-PCR, the mRNA expression of the collagen type la and ASMA decreased with the Curcumae Longae Radix treatment. The production of procollagen by the HSCs was decreased by the treatment of Curcumae Longae Radix with high dose. Conclusion : These results suggest that Curcumae Longae Radix is helpful in the treatment of liver fibrosis as well as liver cirrhosis.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.120-124
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• 2001

Sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic disease characterized by inflammation and obliterative fibrosis of the bile ducts, leading to biliary cirrhosis and ultimately to liver failure. In children, sclerosing cholangitis is known to be associated with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, as well as with congenital immunodeficiencies and cystic fibrosis. Secondary sclerosing cholangitis is suspected in Langerhans cell histiocytosis with chronic cholestasis, liver dysfunction and portal hypertension. Unlike primary sclerosing cholangitis, the cholangitis associated Langerhans cell histiocytosis is destructive in nature and progresses more rapidly to biliary cirrhosis, therefore uniformly the prognosis is poor. In this setting, liver transplantation should be considered early in children with sclerosing cholangitis complicating Langerhans cell histiocytosis before end-stage liver failure and variceal bleeding. We experienced a case of secondary sclerosing cholangitis in Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a 2-year-old boy. We report this case with brief review of the related literatures.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.868-873
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• 2004

Renal dysfunction could be developed as the secondary disease of liver cirrhosis. Delayed or suppresed lipid peroxidation by the treatment with physiological active substances could be explained as the antioxidative and protective effect in tissue damage. In this study, we investigated an antioxidative effect and renal function improvement of Hovenia dulcis in liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) induced rats. The female Sprague-Dawley rats (180∼210 g) were divided into 3 groups (Normal, AC: CCl₄ mixture treated group, AC-HV: CCl₄ mixture+ Hovenia dulcis treated group) and renal damage was developed by CCl₄ mixture administration in 4 weeks (0.8 ㎖/rat). The tissue of kidney and liver and sera were used for quantitative measurement of enzyme activity, MDA and Hyp. The histological change and gene expression of collagen α1(III) mRNA and a1(IV) mRNA were observed by Masson's trichrome staining and RT-PCR. As a result, the clinical biochemical parameters of liver function (AST and ALT) in sera of AC-HV group showed significantly 46.4% and 104.8% lower (p<0.005), and the level of ALP and BUN as the parameter of protein urine and azotemia showed 17.8 % and 25.8 % lower than in AC group. In AC-HV group, the concentration of MDA in kidney and liver was decreased significantly 15.8% and 21.3% when compared with AC group (p<0.01 -0.005). The content of Hyp in kidney of AC-HV group is merely higher than in AC group, in contrast to liver tissue. The expression of collagen α1(III) mRNA and collagen α1(IV) mRNA was decreased in AC, but both of collagen mRNA in normal and AC-HV group expressed fast similar. More massive lipid droplets, thicker collagen fiber bundles in portal triads and more formation of portal central septum were observed in the liver of AC group than in AC-HV group. In conclusion, CCl₄ mixture intoxication could be developed not only liver fibrosis(cirrhosis) but also renal dysfunction by the massive lipid peroxidation and suppression of interstitial collagen and basement membrane collagen synthesis. And the water extract of Hovenia dulcis may be possessed the antioxidative and protective effect and improvement of kidney function in renal dysfunction induced rats.