• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1053-1058
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• 2008

Glutathione is a well known chemotherapeutic agent for liver disease and is a popular nutritional supplement in the United States. Previous our studies reported the suppressive effects of glutathione-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 strain (FF-8GY) on carbon tetrachloride- and alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the comparative effects of FF-8GY and commercially available glutathione-enriched yeast extract (GYE) against the oxidative stress in alcohol-induced fatty liver of rats. The lipid peroxidative index (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) and antioxidant status (reduced glutathione level) were used to monitor those protective roles of FF-8GY or GYE treatment. When the rat was treated alcohol, the TBARS levels in the whole liver and the subfractions of microsomal and mitochondria were significantly increased but these were significantly decreased by FF-8GY treatment and tended to be lowered by GYE treatment. The concentration of hepatic glutathione is known to be closely associated with antioxidant system and this was slightly deplete in the alcohol-induced rats, but this was recovered by treating with FF-8GY. However, the glutathione concentration was more significantly decreased in the GYE supplementation in alcohol feeding rats. Alcohol treatment also negatively affected the serum total protein and albumin, but these were significantly increased near normal levels in FF-8GY coadministered rats. These results suggest that glutathione-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 strain may have positively mediate the alcohol-induced oxidative stress, and this effect was more pronounced in FF-8GY compared to GYE.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.1007-1013
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• 2004

The study was conducted to investigate per oral (PO) effects of Raspberry wine on testosterone levels in Sprague-Dawley rats. Raspberry wine of 13% alcohol concentration, was prepared from ripen fruits of Rubus coreanus fermented with Saccharomyces cervisiae. PO administration of Raspberry wine for 15 week (group A) produced dramatic increases of serum testosterone levels. Increase in the testosterone level was observed, using gamma counter with 1251 testosterone, starting from 1 week post administration. Maximum increase in testosterone level was observed at 5 week post administration, 7.486±6.482ng/mL, which was 14.6 times higher than normal and at 15 weeks post administration it was recorded as 1.84±3.516ng/mL. However, PO administration of Saccharomyces cervisiae broth (Group B) and 13% brewed alcohol (group C) for 15 weeks resulted slight increase in testosterone levels, indicating Raspberry wine as an effective phyto-testosogenic beverage of the future.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.655-662
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• 2016

Ginsenosides are major constituents of ginseng and are known to be responsible for its pharmacological properties. This study aimed to investigate the detoxification effect of a mixture containing black red ginseng powder, red ginseng extract, Puerariae radix extract, and Hovenia dulcis extract, on SD (Sprague Dawley) rats treated with 30% ethanol. Thirty minutes before treatment, the animals were orally administered different concentrations of the mixture or water. Results revealed that the concentration of ethanol in blood serum was significantly decreased in the black red ginseng mixture treated group in a dose-dependent manner, as compared with that of the control group. The blood level of acetaldehyde increased until 1 hr after alcohol administration, but the levels rapidly decreased later. Furthermore, ADH and ALDH activities in the hepatic tissue were also increased in the black red ginseng mixture administered group, than in the control group. These results indicate that the black red ginseng mixture has the ability of decomposing alcohol by increasing the ADH and ALDH activities responsible for alcohol metabolism.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.377-385
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• 2017

Objectives: Although mercury (Hg) exposure is known to be neurotoxic in humans, its effects on liver function have been less often reported. The aim of this study was to investigate whether total Hg exposure in Korean adults was associated with elevated serum levels of the liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT). Methods: We repeatedly examined the levels of total Hg and liver enzymes in the blood of 508 adults during 2010-2011 and 2014-2015. Cross-sectional associations between levels of blood Hg and liver enzymes were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and nonlinear relationships were analyzed using a generalized additive mixed model. Generalized estimating equations were applied to examine longitudinal associations, considering the correlations of individuals measured repeatedly. Results: GGT increased by 11.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.5 to 18.0%) in women and 8.1% (95% CI, -0.5 to 17.4%) in men per doubling of Hg levels, but AST and ALT were not significantly associated with Hg in either men or women. In women who drank more than 2 or 3 times per week, AST, ALT, and GGT levels increased by 10.6% (95% CI, 4.2 to 17.5%), 7.7% (95% CI, 1.1 to 14.7%), and 37.5% (95% CI,15.2 to 64.3%) per doubling of Hg levels, respectively, showing an interaction between blood Hg levels and drinking. Conclusions: Hg exposure was associated with an elevated serum concentration of GGT. Especially in women who were frequent drinkers, AST, ALT, and GGT showed a significant increase, with a significant synergistic effect of Hg and alcohol consumption.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.177-182
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• 2004

Alcohol consumption and exposure to endocrine disruptors and industrial solvents have been implicated in impaired spermatogenesis, increase in the incidence of malformed sperm and decrease in the percentage of moving sperm. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the direct effects of some organic solvents(bisphenol A; BPA, dibutyl phthalate; DBP, formaldehyde; HCHO, dimethylsulphoxide; DMSO, ethanol) on mucus penetration distance, motility and survival rate of human sperm in vitro. Semen samples from 3 health subjects were prepared using swim-up method and 0.0005-0.5% organic solvents were added to the test medium. BPA, DBP, HCHO and DMSO produced significant decreases in the motility and survival rate with a different potency. The most potent inhibition of mucus penetration distance, motility and survival rate was observed after exposure to HCHO. A concentration of 0.0005% HCHO significantly inhibited sperm motility. When ethanol m.: added directly to sperm, at concentrations equivalent to that in serum after heavy drinking, these damaging effects were lowest compared with other solvents. Present study shows that each compound has different toxic potency to human sperm and we need special caution for the use of HCHO.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.111-116
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• 2001

To investigate an effect of aging on the xylene metabolism in liver damaged animals, a study was conducted. 50% carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) in olive oil (0.1 ml/100 g body weight) was intraperitoneally given to 5-week and 12-week rats 12 times every other day and then one dose of 50% xylene in olive oil (0.25 ml/100 g body weight) was intraperitoneally given to the rats, and after 24 hr, the animals were sacrificed. On the basis of the functional findings in rat liver, ie, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase activity, liver protein and malonedialdehyde contents, 5-week rats showed less liver damage than 12-week rats. The increasing rate of urinary methylhippuric acid concentration to the control was significantly higher in 5-week rats than 12-week rats in case of xylene treatment after induction of liver damage. On the other hand, liver damaged 5-week rats showed significant rise of hepatic cytochrome P45O content compared with the liver damaged 12-week rats by the xylene treatment. And increasing rate of hepatic alcohol or aldehyde dehydrogenase activities to each liver damaged animals was higher tendency in 5-week rats than 12-week rats by the xylene treatment. In conclusion, 5-week rat showed greater metabolic rate of xylene than 10-week rats in case of liver injury because 5-week rats led to a slight liver damaged compared with 12-week rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.732-739
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• 2009

Metabolic syndrome has been strongly associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), a surrogate of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We investigated the relationship between metabolic syndrome and elevated ALT in the general Korean population. The study sample was comprised of 4,781 Korean adults who had participated in the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Metabolic syndrome was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program for Adult Treatment Panel III. Elevated ALT was defined as an enzyme activity > 40 IU/L for men, and > 31 IU/L for women. ALT was measured by enzymatic methods. Among participants, 425 (8.9%) subjects displayed elevated ALT. The odds ratios (ORs) for elevated ALT increased in subjects with obesity or one of components of metabolic syndrome such as abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose, high triglyceride, and low HDL cholesterol after adjusting for age and sex. The unadjusted OR for elevated ALT increased according to the number of components of metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.5, 95% CI: 0.96-2.32 for 1 component; OR = 3.0, 95% CI: 1.98-4.61 for 2 components; OR = 6.3, 95% CI: 4.29-9.35 for ${\geq}3$ components; p for trend < 0.0001). This trend did not differ after adjustments for putative risk factors including age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and alcohol intake. Metabolic syndrome is implicated as a strong risk factor of elevated ALT in Korean adults.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2023

The liver, a multifunctional organ, plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being by regulating metabolism, detoxification, nutrient storage, hormone balance, and immune function. Liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer, have significant clinical implications and remain a global health concern. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) and explores their underlying molecular mechanisms in protecting against liver diseases. Silkworm larvae are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and n-3 fatty acids, making them a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of silkworm larvae involve modulating the production of cytokine such as TNF-α and interleukins, inflammatory enzymes including cyclooxygenase-2 and macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating liver inflammation. Silkworm larvae also exhibit anti-oxidative effects by scavenging free radicals, reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhancing the liver's antioxidant defense system. Moreover, silkworms have been reported to decrease the serum alcohol concentration and lipid accumulation. Understanding the therapeutic properties of silkworm larvae contributes to the development of innovative strategies for liver injury prevention and treatment. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise signaling pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of silkworm larvae, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions in liver diseases.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 1998

In this study, we investigated the effects of three kinds of culture medium (Charles and Rosenkrans; CRlaa, Tyrode's; TALP, synthetic oviduct fluid: SOF), insulin transferrin + selenium complex (ITS), macromolecules(polyvinyl alcohol: PVA, fetalb-ovine serum: FBS) and NaCl on the development of early bovine embryos. In experiment 1, there were no differences in embryo development among three kinds of embryo culture medium (CR $l_{aa}$ , TALP, SOF). In experiment 2, BSA, FBS and PVA were added each in TALP as macromolecule sources. The developmental rates of embryos in BSA or FBS added TALP were significantly higher than in PVA added one (p〈0.01), but there was no difference between BSA and FBS added groups. In experiment 3, bovine embryos were cultured in TALP with the following supplements: BSA alone(1, 3 or 8 mg/ml, each) or BSA(1, 3 or 8 mg/ml, each)+ITS (10$\mu\textrm{g}$/m1 insulin, 5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml transferrin, 5 ng/ml selenium). In higher concentration of BSA and ITS supplemented groups, the developmental rates over compacted morula were higher than others, but there was a significant effect of ITS only in 1 mg/ml of BSA added group (p〈0.05). In experiment 4, the effect of reduced concentration of NaCl was evaluated. The developmental rate over compacted morula in the medium containing 90 mM of NaCl was higher than in 114 mM group (p〈0.05). In conclusion, BSA could be used as a macromolecule source in bovine embryo culture, and ITS, as a serum substitute, could be used for improving of embryonic development. Also, reduction of NaCl concentration from 114 mM to 90 mM may improve the development of bovine embryos.bryos.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.547-552
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• 2002

To investigate an efficacy of mixed extract with Ginseng radix, Puerariae lobata, Puerariae radix, Rubi pructus, Gomi pructus, Hoelen, Dried orange peel and Parvum comus cervi etc., on the hangover elimination, 12 hr-fasted male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150-200 g were given mixed extract (5 mL/kg, p.o.) and administered ethanol at a dose of 3 g/kg bw (25% in distilled water) orally 30 min postdosing. Blood was collected from caudal artery at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12hr and then the animals were sacrificed at 24hr after the ethanol treatment. In these experiments, liver function indices, such as alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities, showed unaltered results in all treated groups compared with the normal group. The pharmacokinetics of ethanol after oral administration of mixed extract were also evaluated. From 0 min to 12hr, the administration of mixed extract showed 14% reduction of the area under the serum concentrations-versus-time curves (AUC) compared with the control group. The activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase measured at 24hr postdosing were also not altered by the administration of mixed extract compared with the control group. These studies demonstrate that oral administration of mixed extract, prepared by traditional prescription, decreases the ethanol concentration in serum and reduces AUC, suggesting that the mixed extract is effective for elimination of ethanol-induced hangover.