• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2013

Introduction: ALT/AST enzymes are present inside the cells. AST is found in cardiac and skeletal muscle and red blood cells but the ALT is checked mainly in the liver. In general, the rise of these two indicators shows liver damage. The usual measurements of these enzymes are used in liver function tests, but the levels of AST and ALT do not always reflect liver function. Method and Cases: 17 cases of liver dysfunction transiently were evaluated clinically, biochemically, and imaging study of sonogram in pediatric in-patients for 3 years. Result: Most common causes of transient liver dysfunction were infection, especially viral gastroenteritis, and bacterial infection interfering oral food intake. More often occurred in the children who have infant hyperbilirubinemia, positive history of mitochondrial dysfunction or hypoglycemia. Fasting study in one case of hypoglycemia patient showed reversible liver dysfunction during fasting over 20 hours fasting. Discussion: A significant increase in AST and ALT with normal bilirubin can be observed in clinically healthy people during blunt trauma, viral infection, severe pain, metabolic syndrome, fasting or accidental health screening.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 2010

1. Objectives: The purpose of this case is to report that a Tae-eumin patient diagnosed as drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by Galgeunhaegi-tang (Gegenjieji-tang) treated with Taeumjowe-tang reduced ephedra to 2g (Taiyintiaowei-tang) and then liver function test Results: improved. 2. Methods: We diagnosed him as Tae-eumin Exterior cold disease induced from the esophagus affected by cold. We made him stop taking Galgeunhaegi-tang (Gegenjieji-tang) and take Taeumjowe-tang reduced ephedra to 2g. (Taiyintiaowei-tang) 3. Results: After our treatment, the symptom and the liver function test Results: improved. 4. Conclusions: The wrong diagnosis of constitution and pathological syndromes can be caused drug-induced liver injury. Taeumjowe-tang reduced ephedra to 2g (Taiyintiaowei-tang) may have an effect on treatment of drug-induced liver injury of Tae- eumin.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.149-158
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• 2011

Object: Any medication can have the risk of liver damage. To prevent this risk, liver function tests should be monitored carefully during every course of medication. This paper is a psoriasis case report on liver damage related to Scutellaria Radix medication. Shown by this case, herbal medicine has the possibility of liver damage, too. Therefore it should be carefully used under the direction of Oriental Medical Doctors who specialize in it. The purpose of this case report is to suggest this, and that more cases of liver damage related to herbal medicine should be reported. Methods: To monitor the medication's effect on the liver, liver function was evaluated during medications. Reflotron plus was used to evaluate AST and ALT by analyzing peripheral blood. Results: By this test, a case was identified as liver damage caused by a medication including Scutellaria Radix. Conclusion: This case suggests that Scutellaria Radix medication caused liver damage in a certain patient. Therefore, to prevent liver damage related to Scutellaria Radix, doctors should monitor patient's liver function regularly.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.244-247
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• 1996

A 67 year old male with postherpetic neuralgia complained of right anterior chest throbbing pain and also allodynia. We performed thoracic epidural block with 0.25% bupivacaine and 1% lidocaine. Oral carbamazepine and imipramine were also administred concomitantly. One month later, patient complained of fatigue, anorexia, pruritis, jaundice, and dark urine. Liver function test values were significantly elevated then. Therefore we removed the epidural catheter and ceased all medication. Liver function test values decreased rapidly after discontinuation of medication. Hepatitis might have developed as result of drugs administered and could have been prevented if the patient had been monitored with regular clinical laboratory follow up. The purpose of this case report is emphasize the importance of early regular laboratory test to detect any possible side effect that may occur by administration of drugs during treatment of chronic pain.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.121-136
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• 2005

Background/Aims The liver funtion tests(LFTs), such as aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine amino-transferase(ALT), r -glutamyl transferase( r -GT), have been widely used for screening tests but their low positive predictive value can cause many false positive results. To evaluate the clinical usefulness of these tests, we analyzed serial LFT results of single factory workers and compared the risk factor's in groups divided by the serial LFT results. Methods From June 2001 to October 2001, 1223 consecutive healthy workers in a single factory were enrolled and questionnaire, LFT and liver ultrasonography were performed. Previous LFT results were collected from Annual Health Examination Survey. According to the abnormalities in serial LFT, participants were classified into three groups (abnormal-in-both, alternating normal-in-both) and the risk factors were compared among these groups using multiple logistic regression Results The prevalence of LFT abnormality in a single test was 16.8% but, in serial LFT, only 5% of participants showed consistent abnormality. The risk factors for abnormal-in-both group, compared with alternating group, were liver ultrasonography abnormality such as fatty liver(odds ratio, 2.2; p=0.026) and heavy alcohol intake (more than 210g/week) (odds ratio, 7.2;P=0.064). HBsAg was not significant risk factor for any of the three groups. ConclusionIn factory workers with serial LFT abnormality, alcoholic liver disease could be the principal cause of abnormal LFT. Even if HBsAg were positive in patients with abnormal LFT, there is a possibility of another causes for LFT abnormalities such as alcoholic liver disease and nonalcoholic steatosis or steatohepatitis

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

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2015

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Cannabis Fructus on exercise capacity and cognitive function in chronic hypoperfusion induced vascular dementia rat model. Methods Vascular dementia rat models were induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion through bilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (BCCAO). All rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal group; control group; CF I group (feeding Cannabis Fructus 100 mg/kg); CF II group (feeding Cannabis Fructus 300 mg/kg). In order to study the effects of oral administration of Cannabis Fructus on vascular dementia rat models, corner turn test, hole board test, radial arm maze test, passive avoidance test were taken and Acetylcholine (ACh) activity, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, serum of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein level were measured. Also histological findings of the liver, kidney, brain and the change of Tau immunoreactive neurons in hippocampus were observed. Results CF I and CF II showed significant improvement in corner turn test, hole board test, radial arm maze test, passive avoidance test, Acetylcholine (ACh) activity, Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, the serum of Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein level and the change of Tau immunoreactive neurons in hippocampus. CF I showed more significant effect than CF II in these tests. However in histological observations of the liver and kidney both CF I and CF II showed glomerular injury and hepatotoxicity. Conclusions These results suggest that Cannabis Fructus was helpful in improving exercise capacity and cognitive function on Chronic hypoperfusion induced Vascular Dementia rats. However Cannabis Fructus affects the liver and kidney, therefore suggest that this is an area for further study.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.715-722
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety of short-term use of Korean herbal medicine (KHM; prescribed herbal medicine by doctors of traditional Korean medicine) on liver function. Three hundred eighty four outpatients who took KHM for various conditions were enrolled for multi-center, prospective observational study. Of them 237 patients completed questionnaire and were checked liver function (aspartic aminotransferase;AST, alanine aminotransferase;ALT, alkaline phosphatase;ALP, total bilirubin;t-Bil, direct bilirubin;d-Bil, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase;GGT, protein and albumin) before and after taking KHM (duration; 21.4${\pm}$10.0 days), and data were analysed statistically. Of the 213 patients showing normal liver function test (LFT) at baseline, 209 (98.1%) remained within the normal range at the second test while 3 (1.4%) revealed slight increase of LFT. Only one subject had raised LFT regarding level of liver injury without perceived symptoms. Twenty-four of 237 patients were abnormal at baseline, and 16 at the second testing. Of the patients taking KHM, only 4 changed from normal to abnormal while 12 from abnormal to normal in their LFT. There were no significant increase in LFT level between the first and second test, except in the t-Bil level, however, the change of t-Bil was small and within normal range. The current study showed that the use of KHM did not increase the frequency of abnormal LFTs, at least in the short term.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.540-541
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• 2008

The aim of the present study is to determine clinical efficacy and adverse reaction of yugan-tang. We compared symptoms and liver function test results of 160 patients with damp-heat type liver disease in before and after taking yugan-tang. The patients took 200ml yugan-tang two times daily for three months. Then we analyzed these datas statistically. The overall therapeutic effect was "markedly improved" in 70 of 160 patients (43.75%) and "improved" in 75 of 160 patients (46.88%). yugan-tang markedly improved damp-heat type liver disease, especially jaundice, abdominal distention, hypochondriac pain, nause, vomiting and anorexia. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level and total bilirubin (TBIL) level were within normal limits at baseline. But albumin-globulin ratio (A/G) level was not changed markedly. I think that yugan-tang is worth applying widely to clinic.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.1011-1016
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• 2023

We have experienced a case in which herbal medicine was administered to treat drug-induced liver damage and would like to introduce it. A 49-year-old man exhibited a positive result in the interferon-gamma release assay. He had never suffered from tuberculosis in the past, and the route and time of infection could not be confirmed. He had no respiratory or systemic symptoms suggestive of active tuberculosis, and a chest X-ray examination showed no active lung lesions, so he was diagnosed with latent tuberculosis infection. He was confirmed to be within the normal range in the liver function test, renal function test, and complete blood cell count test, and started taking rifampin (600 mg qd). In the screening test performed on the 19th day of taking the drug, other test items were normal, but alanine aminotransferase (ALT) increased to 50 U/L (reference value: 4-40 U/L). In a test performed on the 29th day of taking the drug, ALT was clearly elevated to 102 U/L. Ursodeoxycholic acid and Injinho-tang were taken together with rifampin, and the patient's progress was observed. In a test performed 14 days later, ALT decreased to 26 U/L, within the normal range. It is presumed that Injinho-tang may have partially contributed to alleviating liver damage in this case.