• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.542-551
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively assess the effectiveness of Chunggan plus extract (CGX) in improving liver function in a Korean medical clinic. Methods: We collected the data of inpatients who received CGX to improve abnormal liver function test (LFT) results from March 2016 to February 2020. We analyzed the changes in LFT and adverse events based on subjective symptom changes and creatinine results. Results: The data of eight patients, three male and five female, were selected by inclusion criteria (patients who did LFT before and after the prescription of CGX and who prescribed CGX more than 6 days) and exclusion criteria (patients who administered other herbal medicine for improving liver function except CGX and who are diagnosed with terminal stage of hepatobiliary cancer). As a cause of abnormal LFT, one case was diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease, two cases with non-alcoholic fatty hepatitis, and one case with cholecystitis. Three of the other four were suspected to have drug-induced hepatitis, and one case was determined to have an unknown cause. Most patients showed a decrease in LFT results (Aspartate transaminase 87.5%, Alanine transaminase 87.5%, and Alkaline Phosphatase 100%) without any critical adverse events. Conclusions: CGX may be an efficient and convenient herbal medicine for improving liver function regardless of the chief impression. Further study should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of CGX.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 1998

To assess the clinical and nutritional status of long-term survivors of biliary atresia, history taking, medical record review, physical examination (height, weight, MAC, TSF), blood tests (LFT, prothrombin time, platelet count, prealbumin, calcium) and liver needle biopsy were performed in 12 patients in whom Kasai procedure were performed more than 10 years ago at Department of Pediatric Surgery in Seoul National University Hospital. None were below the 5th percentile in height and weight. TSF was above the 75th percentile in all patients and showed good subcutaneous fat deposition. MAC was above the 5th percentile in all patients. Serum prealbumin level was abnormal in 2 patients with abnormal liver function and revealed visceral protein malnutrition. Serum calcium level was decreased below normal range in 4 patients with abnormal liver function. One patient had mild ascites. Five patients had abnormal liver function and 7 patients showed clinical manifestation of portal hypertension. Liver needle biopsy was performed in 5 patients and no cirrhotic change was observed. Although some patients who have survived for more than 10 years after Kasai procedure developed protein malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies, growth and development and nutritional status were generally satisfactory. Five patients(42%) showed normal liver function and no portal hypertension. In conclusion, Kasai procedure is satisfactory as a primary treatment in biliary atresia but significant portion of long-term survivors had abnormal liver function and portal hypertension. Continuous and careful follow-up is necessary to determine when liver transplantation may be indicated.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.192-203
• /
• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the incidence of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) by combined-prescription of Korean herbal medicine (KHM; prescribed herbal medicine by doctors of traditional Korean medicine) and Western medicine on liver function. Methods : Sixty-nine in-patients who took KHM and Western medicine for various conditions were enrolled for prospective observational study. All subjects were given liver and renal function tests at the start of hospitalization to establish a baseline. After taking KHM and Western medicine, tests were done at approximately 4-week intervals afterwards. Results : Fifty-three subjects showed normal liver function test (LFT) at baseline, 50 subjects (72.5%) remained within the normal range at the second test, while 3 subjects (4.3%) tests revealed slight increase of LFT. However not a single patient had a high enough raised LFT to indicate liver injury. Sixteen of 69 subjects had abnormal baseline, 11 subjects recovered to normal levels and 5 subjects remained at abnormal level. Among all subjects, there was no statistically significant increase in LFT level between the first and second tests. Conclusions : This study shows that the combined-prescription of KHM and Western medicine did not cause any DILI. In some cases, combined treatment increased LFT levels but those increases were not high enough to have statistical significance. Additional large scale and systematical studies are required for more conclusive proof and results.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.649-653
• /
• 2000

We had applied Saenggangunbitang, Gamijihwangtang, and Saenggangunbitang-Gamijihwangtang on a alcoholic liver disease patient with diabetes mellitus, Saenggangunbitang has been used to treat alcoholic liver disease and had known to have beneficial effects. Gamijihwangtang has been used to treat Yin deficiency syndrome in Orient Medicine. We observed clinical symptom, liver function, nutritional state and blood sugar. After first administration, Clinical symptom and blood sugar were improved by Gamijihwangtang medication. Alter second administration, Clinical symptom, blood sugar and liver function were improved by Saenggangunbitang-Gamijihwangtang medication. After third administration, clinical symptom and liver function were improved by Saenggangunbitang medication. It is possibly suggested that Saenggangunbitang-Gamijihwangtang medication has a therapeutic effect on alcoholic liver disease with diabetes mellitus.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.37-54
• /
• 2011

Background and Objective : Recently it is true that increasing interest in Oriental medicine and usage of herbal medicine. On the other hand, there are many concerns about the stability of herbal medicine. So, this study is carried out to see whether or not the treatment with Sanghan-Bang(傷寒方) is effective on the liver function besides its effectiveness in treating facial palsy. Methods : We examined serum TP, Albumin, TB, AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, ${\gamma}$-GGT levels, and facial palsy states in 37 patients with facial palsy who had admission treatment in an oriental medical hospital. Results and Conclusion : 1. We found the levels of TP, albumin, TB, and ${\gamma}$-GGT had decreased statistically significant. Also, AST, ALT, LDH and ALP levels had decreased however it was not statistically significant. 2. We analyzed the herbal group that may be efficient to the liver function; Daehwang-Jae(16 case), Injin-Jae(12 case), and Chija-Jae(6 case) in this order. 3. From the eight cases using oriental medicinal concoctions using one of Daehwang, Injin-Jae or Chija as their main component, the liver function test results displayed decreasing values, re-entering into normal LFT ranges. 4. As we compared the admission House-Brackmann Scale with discharge, the treatment was efficient and statistically significant.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.555-563
• /
• 2017

Objectives: This case report describes a patient who had suffered a stroke and who was treated for a long period with herbal medicine in combination with a Western medicine. Methods: Changes in liver function and renal function laboratory tests were measured while the patient took herbal medicine during the 1190 days of hospitalization. Results: During the hospitalization period, the liver function test (LFT) levels were elevated two fold, but after taking the herbal medicine, the LFT levels were stabilized and have remained stable since. Conclusions: The high risk of prescribing herbal medicine by an unlicensed person and the possibility of long-term herbal medicine usage for stabilizing liver function test were shown.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.61-72
• /
• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of herbal medicine and other associated factors for abnormal liver function tests(especially total bilirubin, AST, ALT, and ${\gamma}$GT) levels in outpatients at an oriental medical clinic. Methods : A cross-sectional study based on clinical records was conducted on 504 patients at one Oriental medical clinic in Seoul, Korea. They were tested a liver function tests for screening and 497 patients ranging from the age of 4 to 74 were chosen for the study. Patients with basal liver disease or DM were excluded during the screening process. Patients were classified into case(abnormal) and control(normal) groups by normal liver function test references. Results and Conclusions : In this study, Significant correlations for abnormal total bilirubin levels was age, for abnormal AST was gender, for abnormal ALT were gender, smoking, marriage status, and job, for abnormal ${\gamma}$GT were age, gender, obesity, alcohol, smoking, marriage status, and job using the Chi-square test(p<0.05). There was no significant correlations for abnormal LFTs by using herbal medication history, and intake duration. After controlling other covariates, logistic regression analysis showed that the significant associated factors for abnormal total bilirubin levels were age(odds ratio[OR]=0.87, 95% confidence intervals [CI]=0.87-0.99). For abnormal AST levels was obesity(OR=2.45, CI=1.2-4.9), for abnormal ALT levels were age(OR=1.01, CI=0.99-1.03), male gender(OR=3.31, CI=1.62-6.76), and obesity(OR=3.71 CI=2.28-6.08). For abnormal ${\gamma}$GT levels were male gender(OR=4.83 CI=1.34-17.43), obesity(OR=3.29, CI=1.74-6.22), alcohol (OR=2.51, CI=1.19-5.28), and smoking(OR=2.29, CI=1.16-4.50). Herbal medication history was not as a risk factor for all abnormal liver function tests. Therefore, people who are male, obese, alcohol drinker and smoker will have higher liver function test levels. But intake of herbal medication or the duration of intake may not be the risk factor for abnormal liver function test results.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2014

Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the causal relationship between use of levocetrizine or cetrizine, and liver injury, by comparing frequency and pattern of hepatotoxicity in levocetrizine or cetrizine prescribed patients. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, using data retrieved from electronic medical record system. Among 1164 patients prescribed levocetrizine or cetrizine during study period (Jul, 2009 - Jun, 2010) at Seoul National University Hospital, 543 patients with more than 4- time liver function test (LFT) results were included in final analysis. Liver injury was defined as greater than 3 times elevated level of alanine aminotransferase or 2 times elevated level of alkaline phosphatase or total bilirubin, compared to upper limit of normal, in patient with normal liver function at baseline. The frequency and pattern of liver injury were assessed. Results: Incidence of liver injury in patients prescribed with levotcetrizine or cetrizine were 1.48% and 2.94%, respectively. With few exceptions, most injuries were shown to be hepatocellular type. Rapid recovery was observed after drug cessation and long term use tends to be associated with incidence of liver injury. In patient with digestive system disorder, rate of liver injury was significantly higher (p=0.011). Conclusion: The result of this study implies potential need of liver toxicity monitoring, especially in patients taking long term levecetrizine or cetrizine or in patient with digestive system disorder. However, prospective large scale observational study is needed to confirm liver injury associated with the use of levocetirizine or cetirizine.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.30 no.7
• /
• pp.797-802
• /
• 1997

The effect of Artemisia princeps var orientalis(mugwort) and Circium japonicum var ussuriense (Unggungqui) on lipid metabolism was examined . Thirty rats of 5 experimental groups were fed with a diet containing 1% cholesterol and 0.25% sodium cholate(control diet) and 5% plant powder or its water soluble extract(experimental diet) for 4 weeks. The activity of enzymes related to liver function, lipid components of liver and principle organs, and fecal steroids were assayed. The activity of enzymes was significantly lower in the unggungqui and mugwort powder diet group than in control. Liver total cholesterol , free cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were significantly lower in Unggungqui powder diet groups that in the control. The concentrations of total cholesterol , triglyceride and phospholipid in heart and kidney were comparatively low in the Unggungqui powder diet groups. In each plant powder diet group, the values of serum bile acid were significantly lowe ran the fecal steroid excretion was higher than in the control and the extract diet groups.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.10 no.6
• /
• pp.1414-1423
• /
• 2009

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate such a relationship by comparing the indices of obesity, liver function, and hyperlipidemia with & without fatty liver by using data from health check-up for the adult males in a university hospital. Study subjects were 772 adult males of 30 years and over, who underwent health package check-up at the health promotion center of a university hospital. The prevalence rates of fatty liver of study subjects were 25.5%, and this study shows that fatty liver by abdominal ultrasound has a close correlation with indices of obesity(body weight, BMI, body fat, waist to hip ratio, & waist to stature ratio), liver function(AST, ALT,& GGT), and hyperlipidemia(TG, TC, & HDL-C), and that was independent of age that was relevant.