• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.380-389
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• 2021

Metabolic syndrome (MS) refers to a clustering of at least three of the following medical conditions: high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, low high-density lipoprotein level, and high serum triglycerides. MS is related to a wide range of diseases which includes obesity, diabetes, insulin resistance, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. There remains an ongoing need for improved treatment strategies for MS. The most important risk factors are dietary pattern, genetics, old age, lack of exercise, disrupted biology, medication usage, and excessive alcohol consumption, but pathophysiology of MS has not been completely identified. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) refers to steamed/dried ginseng, traditionally associated with beneficial effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-fatigue, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. KRG has been often used in traditional medicine to treat multiple metabolic conditions. This paper summarizes the effects of KRG in MS and related diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, diabetes, dyslipidemia, or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease based on experimental research and clinical studies.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.129-139
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• 2024

Liver diseases are a significant global health burden and are among the most common diseases. Ginssennoside Rg3 (Rg3), which is one of the most abundant ginsenosides, has been found to have significant preventive and therapeutic effects against various types of diseases with minimal side effects. Numerous studies have demonstrated the significant preventive and therapeutic effects of Rg3 on various liver diseases such as viral hepatitis, acute liver injury, nonalcoholic liver diseases (NAFLD), liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The underlying molecular mechanism behind these effects is attributed to apoptosis, autophagy, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities, and the regulation of multiple signaling pathways. This review provides a comprehensive description of the potential molecular mechanisms of Rg3 in the development of liver diseases. The article focuses on the regulation of apoptosis, oxidative stress, autophagy, inflammation, and other related factors. Additionally, the review discusses combination therapy and liver targeting strategy, which can accelerate the translation of Rg3 from bench to bedside. Overall, this article serves as a valuable reference for researchers and clinicians alike.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.159-164
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• 2023

Ferroptosis is a type of regulated cell death recently discovered, characterized by the accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides in the cell membrane, and it involves a complex network of signaling pathways, including iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and redox regulation. The dysregulation of these pathways can lead to the induction of ferroptosis and the development of liver diseases, such as alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, viral hepatitis, and liver cancer. Studies have demonstrated that targeting key molecules involved in iron metabolism, lipid peroxidation, and redox regulation can reduce liver injury and improve liver function in different liver diseases by inhibiting ferroptosis. Thus, modulation of ferroptosis presents a promising therapeutic target for treating liver diseases. However, further research is required to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the role of ferroptosis in liver diseases and to develop more effective and targeted treatments.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.316-324
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• 2021

Background: Korea Red Ginseng (KRG) has been used as remedies with hepato-protective effects in liver-related condition. Microbiota related gut-liver axis plays key roles in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease. We evaluated the effect of KRG on gut-liver axis in patients with nonalcoholic statohepatitis by the modulation of gut-microbiota. Methods: A total of 94 patients (KRG: 45 and placebo: 49) were prospectively randomized to receive KRG (2,000 mg/day, ginsenoside Rg1+Rb1+Rg3 4.5mg/g) or placebo during 30 days. Liver function test, cytokeraton 18, and fatigue score were measured. Gut microbiota was analyzed by MiSeq systems based on 16S rRNA genes. Results: In KRG group, the mean levels (before vs. after) of aspartate aminotransferase (53 ± 19 vs. 45 ± 23 IU/L), alanine aminotransferase (75 ± 40 vs. 64 ± 39 IU/L) and fatigue score (33 ± 13 vs. 26 ± 13) were improved (p < 0.05). In placebo group, only fatigue score (34 ± 13 vs. 31 ± 15) was ameliorated (p < 0.05). The changes of phyla were not statistically significant on both groups. In KRG group, increased abundance of Lactobacillus was related with improved alanine aminotransferase level and increased abundance of Clostridium and Intestinibacter was associated with no improvement after KRG supplementation. In placebo group, increased abundance of Lachnospiraceae could be related with aggravation of liver enzyme (p < 0.05). Conclusion: KRG effectively improved liver enzymes and fatigue score by modulating gut-microbiota in patients with fatty liver disease. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of improvement of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. ClnicalTrials.gov: NCT03945123 (www.ClinicalTrials.gov).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.635-644
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• 2023

Objectives: This study analyzed laboratory serum data results before and after patients took herbal medicine to confirm the clinical safety of herbal medicine. In addition, in the event of liver damage, the case was analyzed to confirm the characteristics of liver damage and the possibility of liver damage caused by herbal medicine. Methods: A retrospective chart review of the effects of herbal medicine on liver function in patients diagnosed with functional dyspepsia was conducted. The electronic medical records of 128 patients in a single hospital were reviewed. Results: The statistical analysis revealed a statistically significant decrease in liver function-related laboratory serum data after taking herbal medicine (p<0.05). In addition, among 128 patients, there were two cases of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) (1.56%). Conclusion: Taking herbal medicine prescribed by experts does not significantly affect liver function in patients with functional dyspepsia. Rather, the liver levels of the subjects showed a significant decrease after taking herbal medicine. To support these results, further large-scale multicenter prospective studies are necessary.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.906-918
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• 2019

MicroRNA-223-3p (miR-223-3p) is one of the potential microRNAs that have been shown to alleviate inflammatory responses in pre-clinical investigations and is highly encased in exosomes derived from bone mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exosomes). MSC-exosomes are able to function as carriers to deliver microRNAs into cells. Autoimmune hepatitis is one of the challenging liver diseases with no effective treatment other than steroid hormones. Here, we examined whether MSC-exosomes can transfer miR-223-3p to treat autoimmune hepatitis in an experimental model. We found that MSC-exosomes were successfully incorporated with miR-223-3p and delivered miR-223-3p into macrophages. Moreover, there was no toxic effect of exosomes on the macrophages. Furthermore, treatments of either exosomes or exosomes with miR-223-3p successfully attenuated inflammatory responses in the liver of autoimmune hepatitis and inflammatory cytokine release in both the liver and macrophages. The mechanism may be related to the regulation of miR-223-3p level and STAT3 expression in the liver and macrophages. These results suggest that MSC-exosomes can be used to deliver miR-223-3p for the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 1983

Sixty-nine patients with diffuse lung uptake of $^{99m}Tc-tin$ colloid were evaluated to determine the kinds of associated diseases, the incidence of associated liver scan abnormalities, and prognosis. The results were as follows: 1) Diseases associated with diffuse lung uptake included malignancies in 31 patients, infectious diseases in 19, chronic liver diseases in 14, and others in 5. It appeared that the marked degree of lung uptake was associated with severe diseases. 2) Thirty-one of the 69 patients(45%) had abnormal liver size, 43(62%) had space occupying lesions or nonhomogeneity in liver image, 37(54%) had splenomegaly and 45(65%) had increased splenic uptake. Increased bone marrow uptake was found in 48(70%) and renal uptake in 15(22%). As the degree of lung uptake increased, there was a statistically significant (p<0.05) tendency for the incidences of the abnormal liver image and renal uptake to increase. 3) Sixty-two of the 69 patients were followed up for one to 439 days(mean 44 days) after liver scanning. Eleven(18%) were dead, 10(16%) were aggravated, and 13(21%) were improved. Most of improved patients had infectious diseases. It appeared that diffuse lung uptake of $^{99m}Tc-Tn$ colloid was found in the various diseases including malignancies, infections, and chronic liver diseases, and that it was strongly associated with other liver scan abnormalities, but was not necessarily associated with a poor prognosis, particularly when underlying diseases were infections.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.309-323
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• 2011

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small non-coding RNAs of about 22 nucleotides that have recently emerged as important regulators of gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Recent studies provided clear evidence that microRNAs are abundant in the lung, liver and kidney and modulate a diverse spectrum of their functions. Moreover, a large number of studies have reported links between alterations of miRNA homeostasis and pathological conditions such as infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and endometrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases. As a consequence of extensive participation of miRNAs in normal functions, alteration and/or abnormalities in miRNAs should have importance in human diseases. Beside their important roles in patterning and development, miRNAs also orchestrated responses to pathogen infections. Particularly, emerging evidence indicates that viruses use their own miRNAs to manipulate both cellular and viral gene expression. Furthermore, viral infection can exert a profound impact on the host cellular miRNA expression profile, and several RNA viruses have been reported to interact directly with cellular miRNAs and/or to use these miRNAs to augment their replication potential. Here I briefly summarize the newly discovered roles of miRNAs in various human diseases including infectious diseases, sickle cell disease and enodmetrium diseases as well as lung, liver and kidney diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.166-174
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• 2022

Hepatic macrophages are key immune cells associated with the broad ranges of liver diseases including steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Hepatic macrophages interact with other immune cells and orchestrate hepatic immune circumstances. Recently, the heterogenous populations of hepatic macrophages have been discovered termed residential Kupffer cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, and identified their distinct population dynamics during the progression of various liver diseases. Liver injury lead to Kupffer cells activation with induction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, which triggers recruitment of inflammatory monocyte-derived macrophages. To understand liver pathology, the functions of different subtypes of liver macrophages should be regarded with different perspectives. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the roles of hepatic macrophages under liver damages and suggest hepatic macrophages as promising therapeutic targets for treating liver diseases.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2009

The study found out developmental factors of the liver diseases in 29, 531 cases of the healthy adults who were diagnosed by using ultrasound at domestic healthcare centers in 6 cities. The results are as follows. Based on the result of the study, the liver diseases diagnosed by using ultrasound was revealed to show 43.1% of prevalence, and the occurrence was significantly higher in male (23.3%) than in female (19.8%). The prevalence of hepatic diseases related to the BMI was revealed to show highest prevalence of the fatty liver in obese group (BMI $\geqq$ 25) by recording 44.3%. Smoking contributed to the high prevalence of all liver diseases. Although the fatty liver was the most frequently occurred form of liver diseases by recording the prevalence of 49.1% (22.2% in male, 26.9% in female), the significant difference was found only in female (p < 0.05), but male group did not show significant difference (p > 0.05). The prevalence of hepatic diseases related to the hypertension was revealed to show highest prevalence of the fatty liver in hypertension group by recording 67.7%. The prevalence of hepatic diseases related to the diabetes was revealed to show highest prevalence of the fatty liver in diabetes group by recording 66.2%. The high prevalence of all hepatic diseases was related to diabetes mellitus with statistical significance (p < 0.001). The multiple regression analysis for the related factors which affect the prevalence of the liver diseases showed the higher prevalence by age. Sex, obesity and diabetes mellitus were positively related to the prevalence (p < 0.05) while hypertension and smoking showed no significant relationship to the prevalence of the disease (p > 0.05).