Effects of herbal Epimedium on the improvement of bone metabolic disorder through the induction of osteogenic differentiation from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Herbal Epimedium (HE) has been commonly used as a tonic, antirheumatic agent and in the treatment of bone­associated diseases including osteoporosis. Treatment for osteoporosis is important to increase bone mass density and maintain to balance of bone remodeling. The present study was performed to investigate the effects of HE on mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (mBMMSC) proliferation and osteogenic differentiation, using MTT assays, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) detection and apoptosis and differentiation assays. HE was demonstrated to inhibit the proliferation of mBMMSCs up to 45.43±3.33% and to decrease the level of PCNA expression compared with untreated cells. HE also induced late apoptosis at 24 and 48 h after treatment up to 71.93 and 67.03%, respectively, while only 14.93% of untreated cells exhibited apoptosis. By contrast, HE induced differentiation of mBMMSCs into an osteogenic lineage at the beginning of three weeks after commencement of treatment. This suggested that HE is a candidate as an inducer of osteogenesis from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and additionally has potential for use in the treatment of bone metabolic disorders such as osteoporosis.

[Comparison of transient elastography and hepatic fibrosis assessed by histology in chronic liver disease].

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Transient elastography (Fibroscan, Echosens, France) is a new, simple, and non-invasive method to assess the degree of hepatic fibrosis by measuring liver stiffness. Recent reports have shown that liver stiffness measurement using Fibroscan allowed accurate prediction of hepatic fibrosis in patient with chronic hepatitis C. The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of Fibroscan for the detection of hepatic fibrosis in Korea with various etiologies of chronic liver disease by comparison with fibrosis assessed by histologic examination. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with chronic liver diseases, which were histologically confirmed within recent 6 months were enrolled. Etiologies were HBV, HCV infection, autoimmune hepatitis, and non alcoholic steatohepatitis. Hepatic fibrosis was graded on the basis of standard guideline proposed by the Korean Study Group for the Pathology of Digestive Diseases. RESULTS: Fibroscan values were significantly higher in F3 (16.96 kPa) and F4 (19.86 kPa) than others (p=0.003). Liver stiffness measurement was significantly correlated to the fibrosis stage (r=0.614, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Liver stiffness measurement by Fibroscan is a promising method for the assessment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease because it accompanies no complication.

An impacted clamshell in the duodenum mistaken for a gall stone.

Although most ingested foreign bodies pass through the gastrointestinal tract spontaneously, those that are sharp, pointed, or large require removal to avoid serious complications. Here we report an interesting case of a 60-year-old man who swallowed a clamshell that passed through the pylorus and was caught in the duodenum. Radiologic findings made it look like a biliary stone. Endoscopic retrieval of the clamshell with a Dormia Basket was performed safely and the patient was discharged uneventfully on the day of the procedure.

[A case of cholestatic hepatitis induced by epstein-barr virus infection].

Acute viral hepatitis in human can be caused by a large number of viruses with a wide range of clinical manifestations and laboratory findings. EBV is a rare causative agent of an acute hepatitis, during the course of infectious mononucleosis. Hepatic manifestations of EBV are usually mild and resolve without serious complications. EBV is rather uncommonly confirmed as an etiologic agent in acute viral hepatitis of adults and it rarely causes cholestatic hepatitis. We report a case of EBV hepatitis with cholestatic feature that was verified through serum viral marker and liver biopsy.