본 연구는 일반적인 간 초음파영상에서 형태학적인 분류인 간 표면, 간 가장자리, 간 실질을 점수체계로 이용하여 간 조직검사 결과의 경미한 섬유화(F1), 중증도 섬유화(F2), 심한 섬유화(F3) 및 간병변(F4)으로 나 눈 섬유화 단계와 비교하여 유용성을 알아보고자 하였다. 결론적으로 일반적인 초음파 검사는 경미한 섬유 화(F1)~심한 섬유화(F3)를 검출할 수 있는 민감한 예측 인자로 간 가장자리>간 실질>간 표면으로 나타났으 며, 간경변(F4)를 검출할 수 있는 예측인자로는 간 실질>간 표면>간 가장자리로 나타났다. 일반적인 초음파 검사에서 각각의 변수가 아닌 3가지 변수조합을 활용한다면 간 섬유화 정도와 진행 상태를 평가하는데 더 유용할 것으로 사료된다.

Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor, induces toxicity in cells and in experimental animals. Ginseng extracts were evaluated to determine whether they can inhibit BPA-induced toxicity. The antioxidant activity of fresh ginseng extract (WGE), dried white ginseng extract (DGE), and dried red ginseng extract (RGE) was measured using the DPPH assay. WGE and RGE increased DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Cell viability was measured in HepG2 cells following treatment with BPA and ginseng extracts using the MTT assay. DGE and RGE increased HepG2 cell viability following treatment with 200 μM BPA. RGE reduced levels of biochemical markers of liver damage, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) that increased in mice following treatment with BPA. In addition, the regeneration and proliferation of damaged liver cells were significantly increased in RGE-treated mice. Moreover, RGE inhibited hepatic fibrosis in the surrounding area and in the central vein of the liver microstructure. RGE also significantly inhibited BPA-induced cytotoxicity. In addition, RGE protected liver damage and regenerated liver tissues in BPA-treated animals. These results show that RGE may represent a potential candidate drug for the treatment and prevention of liver damage caused by environmental toxins.