• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.103-108
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• 2005

${\alpha}-Amylase$ inhibitor is used to control blood glucose level by inhibiting starch digestion in the small intestine and delaying the absorption of glucose. In this study, we investigated the effect of the ethanol extracts from more than 1400 species of plants against ${\alpha}-amylase$ with the aim of developing a new ${\alpha}-amylase$ inhibitor. In the results, Cornus walteri extracts showed the highest inhibition activity. The inhibitory effect of Cornus walteri extract on the carbohydrate hydrolysis enzymes has different sensitivities against ${\alpha}-amylase$ from salivary and pancreatin and against ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ from yeast and porcine small intestine. In the study of inhibition kinetics of ${\alpha}-amylase$ and ${\alpha}-glucosidase$, Cornus walteri extract showed competitive inhibition against salivary and pancreatin while showing the combination of uncompetitive and noncompetitive inhibition against ${\alpha}-glucosidase$. The Cornus walteri extract was stable at acidic and thermal conditions. As for the blood glucose and body weight levels of Cornus walteri extract, we confirmed anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obesity effects. Also, in the investigation of the mRNA lever, Cornus walteri extract upregulated the level of GLUT4 mRNA in the quadriceps muscle.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.56-59
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• 2017

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and portomesenteric venous gas are uncommon radiological findings, but are found commonly in cases of bowel ischemia, or as a result of various non-ischemic conditions. A 72-year-old man visited an emergency center with altered mental status 2 hours after ingestion of an unknown pesticide. On physical examination, he showed the characteristic hydrocarbon or garlic-like odor, miotic pupils with no response to light, rhinorrhea, shallow respiration, bronchorrhea, and sweating over his face, chest and abdomen. Laboratory results revealed decreased serum cholinesterase, as well as elevated amylase and lipase level. We made the clinical diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning in this patient based on the clinical features, duration of symptoms and signs, and level of serum cholinesterase. Activated charcoal, fluid, and antidotes were administered after gastric lavage. A computerized tomography scan of the abdomen with intravenous contrast showed acute pancreatitis, poor enhancement of the small bowel, pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis, portomesenteric venous gas and ascites. Emergent laparotomy could not be performed because of his poor physical condition and refusal of treatment by his family. The possible mechanisms were believed to be direct intestinal mucosal damage by pancreatic enzymes and secondary mucosal disruption due to bowel ischemia caused by shock and the use of inotropics. Physicians should be warned about the possibility of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis and portomesenteric venous gas as a complication of pancreatitis following anticholinesterase poisoning.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 1973

Modifying the technique described by Schmidt, et al. (1972) the duodenum and stomach of female rats were perfused separately and contiunously with saline solution under urethane anesthesia. Secretory response of caerulein (Prof. V. Erspamer, F.I. 6934 Caerulein, Farmitalia, Italia), a gastrin or CCK-PZ like peptide, on acid, pepsin, bicarbonate and amylase were studied with and without simultaneous administration of secretin, CCK-PZ or other agents known secretory suppressives. A significant increase of acid, pepsin and amylase output was induced by intravenous infusion of caerulein. The response of acid secretion by caerulein in doses of 140 ng/100g/hr was equivalent to the response of histamine in the doses of $280\;{\mu}g/100g/hr$ and on a weight basis the potency of caerulein was approximately 2,000 times greater than histamine in rats. Acid secretory response of caerulein in the doses of 140 ng/100 g/hr was inhibited by simultaneous infusion of secretin in the doses of 0.2 u/ 100 g/hr, and the acid response was partly inhibited by concomitant infusion of histamine in the doses of $280\;{\mu}g/100g/hr$, but the response was enhanced by infusion of CCK-PZ in the doses of 0.2 u/100 g/hr. The secretory response of both aicd and enzymes were inhibited following administration of atropine in doses of 0.2 mg/100 g, but the response were not affected by hexamethonium in doses of 0.5 mg/100 g. In summary, it is concluded that caerolein is every effective in an increase of acid, pepsin and amylase secretion in rats through, possibly in part, the muscarinic and/or histaminic mechanism(s).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 1999

Patients with mediastinal teratoma are usually asymptomatic, but may develop symptoms by rupture into adjacent structures which result in pneumonia, hemoptysis, pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or pneumothorax. Rarely, life-threatening acute respiratory distress require a emergency surgery. Rupture into pleural cavity may result in pleuritis and pleural effusion with severe anterior chest or back pain. The symptom must be differentiated from other common intrathoracic distress diseases. Clinical, cytologic and radiologic examinations of pleural effusion, and moreover, measurement of enzymes such as amylase or insulin, which is secreted from pancreatic tissues, in pleural effusion and cystic fluid enabled us to make the diagnosis of rupture of mediastinal teratoma preoperatively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.580-584
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• 2008

In the present study, Radix clematidis extract (RCE) was evaluated to determine if it could protect pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells against multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLDS)-induced diabetes. Injection of mice with MLDS resulted in hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia, which was confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. However, the induction of diabetes by MLDS was completely prevented when mice were pre-administrated with RCE. Generation of oxidative stress is implicated in MLDS, a ${\beta}$ cell specific toxin-induced islet cell death. In this context, to elucidate the mechanisms of protective effects in RCE pre-administrated diabetic mice, we investigated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is one of the anti-oxidant enzymes. MLDS-induced HO-1 expressions were significantly reduced in MLDS-treated mice. However, the decrease of HO-1 by MLDS were protected by pretreatment of RCE. The molecular mechanism by which RCE inhibits diabetic conditions by MLDS appears to involve inhibition of HO-1 expression. Taken together, these results reveal the possible therapeutic value of RCE for the prevention of type 1 diabetes progression.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.226-229
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• 2009

Gastrointestinal involvement in Henoch-Sch$\"{o}$nlein purpura (HSP) is common. However, both acute pancreatitis and acute renal failure appear to be very rare complications of HSP. We describe a case of HSP with acute pancreatitis and hypovolemic acute renal failure in a 7-year-old girl who presented with a vasculitic purpuric rash involving the lower extremities, abdominal pain, hematochezia, vomiting, and oliguria. Laboratory findings showed increased serum levels of amylase, lipase, and creatinine. An abdominal CT scan revealed diffuse enlargement of the head and body of the pancreas. The patient was successfully managed with conservative treatment, including corticosteroids, and then her pancreatic enzymes and renal function returned to normal. Acute pancreatitis should be differentiated from other causes of acute abdomen in HSP to avoid unnecessary surgery.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.1-8
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• 2022

Objectives : Dioscorea batas Decaisne (DB) has been known to be good for the digestive system on Eastern Asia. However, the protective effect of DB on acute pancreatitis (AP) has not been studied. In this study, we tried to investigate the protective effect of DB water extract on caerulein-induced AP. Methods : To measure the protective effect of DB on AP, Mice were injected with cholecystokinin analogue caerulein (50 ㎍/kg) hourly for 6 times. DB water extract (200 or 400 mg/kg) or saline (control group) was administered orally 1 h before the first injection of caerulein. The mice were sacrificed at 6 h after the last injection of caerulein. The pancreas tissues and serum samples were immediately taken for further analysis. Results : Administration of DB water extract showed the inhibitory effect on the increase of pancreas weight/body weight ratio, pancreatic histological damage. And the rise of serum lipase level was significantly reduced in DB water extract treatment group during AP in mice. However administration of DB water extract did not show significant reduction in serum amylase level. Also, mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines Interleukin (IL)-6 and Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-𝛼 but not IL-1𝛽 were inhibited by administration of DB water extract. Conclusions : Taken together, we found that administration of DB water extract ameliorates the severity of caerulein-induced AP, which suggests the potential to be an effective treatment on AP.

• Mycobiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.246-255
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• 2023

Genus Penicillium comprising the most important and extensively studied fungi has been well-known as a rich source of secondary metabolites. Our study aimed to analyze and investigate biological activities, including in vitro anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, of metabolites from a marine-derived fungus belonging to P. levitum. The chemical compounds in the culture broth of P. levitum strain N33.2 were extracted with ethyl acetate. Followingly, chemical analysis of the extract leaded to the isolation of three ergostane-type steroid components, namely cerevisterol (1), ergosterol peroxide (2), and (3β,5α,22E)-ergosta-6,8(14),22-triene-3,5-diol (3). Among these, (3) was the most potent cytotoxic against human cancer cell lines Hep-G2, A549 and MCF-7 with IC₅₀ values of 2.89, 18.51, and 16.47 ㎍/mL, respectively, while the compound (1) showed no significant effect against tested cancer cells. Anti-inflammatory properties of purified compounds were evaluated based on NO-production in LPS-induced murine RAW264.7 macrophages. As a result, tested compounds performed diverse inhibitory effects on NO production by the macrophages, with the most significant inhibition rate of 81.37±1.35% at 25 ㎍/mL by the compound (2). Interestingly, compounds (2) and (3) exhibited inhibitory activities against pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase enzymes in vitro assays. Our study brought out new data concerning the chemical properties and biological activities of isolated steroids from a P. levitum fungus.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.62-70
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• 2024

Purpose: Choledochal cysts are congenital anomalies that occur as localized cystic or fusiform dilatations of the biliary tree. Reflux and stasis of pancreatic enzymes in the biliary duct may relate to the development of intestinal metaplasia which might be an important factor related to the carcinogenesis of choledochal cyst, thus the expression of beta-catenin in the metaplastic epithelium might be associated with malignant transformation of choledochal cyst epithelium. Methods: This study was conducted at a tertiary care pediatric center between October 2014 and March 2017. Forty patients were evaluated for epithelial lining, mural ulceration, fibrosis, inflammation, and metaplasia. Results: Out of 40, 12 cases (30.0%) were the infantile age group and 28 cases (70.0%) were in the classic pediatric group. Ulceration was classified as grade 0 (14 cases, 35.0%), grade 1 (17 cases, 42.5%), or grade 2 (nine cases, 22.5%). Inflammation was classified as grade 0 (2 cases, 5.0%), grade 1 (26 cases, 65.0%), or grade 2 (12 cases, 30.0%). Fibrosis was classified as grade 0 (five cases, 12.5%), grade 1 (11 cases, 27.5%), grade 2 (17 cases, 42.5%), or grade 3 (seven cases, 17.5%). Metaplasia was noted in five (12.5%) out of 40 cases. All choledochal cysts with metaplasia showed beta-catenin nuclear positivity on immunohistochemistry and were followed up. Conclusion: This study emphasizes the importance of detailed histopathological examination and documentation of metaplastic changes. Metaplasia was associated with beta-catenin nuclear positivity. These findings suggest a potential role for beta-catenin as a marker of metaplastic changes in choledochal cysts.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.117-125
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• 2019

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of zinc (Zn) sources (zinc oxide and Zn-methionine) on performance, organ weights, blood biochemical profiles, and digestive enzymes of the pancreas and small intestine in Korean native chicks (KNC). A total of 144 KNC (n=6) were fed a basal diet (CON, 100 ppm of Zn), a basal diet supplemented with 50 ppm of Zn with ZnO (ZNO), or a basal diet supplemented with 50 ppm of Zn with Zn-methionine (ZMT) for 28 days. There was no significant difference in body weight, gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio among the three groups. The relative weights of the liver, spleen, and intestinal mucosa were unaffected by the dietary source of Zn, whereas pancreas weight in the ZNO group decreased (P<0.05) compared with that in the CON and ZMT groups. Blood biochemical components including aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase were unaffected by dietary Zn supplementation. Pancreatic trypsin activity in the ZNO and ZMT groups was significantly (P<0.05) enhanced compared with that in the CON group. However, the activities of ${\alpha}$-amylase and carboxypeptidase A were not altered by dietary Zn supplementation. The activities of maltase and sucrase were unchanged, whereas the activity of leucine aminopeptidase tended (P=0.08) to be increased by dietary Zn supplementation. In conclusion, the supplementation with 50 ppm of ZnO or Zn-methionine resulted in an activation of protein digestive enzymes in the pancreas and small intestine without affecting animal performance in KNC.