• 약학회지
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• 제53권5호
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• pp.286-292
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• 2009

In this study, we investigated the anti-obese activity of HPJ extract in C57BL/6J mice. The C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal control group (Con), high fat diet control group (HFD), treatment groups with HPJ at 125 mg/kg (HPJ125), 250 mg/kg (HPJ250), or 500 mg/kg (HPJ500). To induce an obesity, mice were fed by a high fat diet for 6 weeks, and mice were administered with HPJ extract once a day for 8 weeks. At the end of treatment, we examined the effect of HPJ extract on body weight, plasma lipid, and lipogenic enzymes. HPJ extract was found to lower whole body and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and leptin, compared to those in HFD group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissues of mice treated with HPJ extract revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. In addition, HPJ extract preserved the morphological integrity of pancreatic islets. To elucidate an action mechanism of HPJ extract, Western blot and RT-PCR were performed using epididymal adipose tissues. HPJ extract up-regulated the levels of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylasse (ACC). HPJ extract also attenuated lipogenic gene expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein $1{\alpha}$ (SREBP$1{\alpha}$), fatty acid synthase (FAS), sterol-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in dose-dependent manners. In contrast, expressions of lipolytic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\alpha$ (PPAR-${\alpha}$) and CD36, and fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) were increased. These results suggest that HPJ extract ameliorates obesity through inhibiting synthesis of lipogenic enzymes as well as stimulating fatty acid oxidation resulting from activation of AMPK, and HPJ extract could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for obese patients.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.50-57
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• 2018

Millettia erythrocalyx는 콩과(Fabaceae)에 속하는 식물로 중국, 태국, 인도 등 열대 아열대 지역에 분포하며, 항바이러스 활성을 보유하고 있다는 보고가 있으나 항산화능과 항암활성 등에 관한 연구는 보고된 바가 없다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 M. erythrocalyx의 에탄올 추출물(EEME)을 사용하여 항산화능을 측정하고, 인체간암세포주인 HepG2에 대한 항암활성과 그 분자적 기전에 관하여 분석하였다. 먼저 DPPH radical scavenging activity를 통해 분석한 결과, EEME의 $IC_{50}$는 $2.74{\mu}g/ml$로 뛰어난 항산화능을 보유하였음을 확인하였다. 또한 EEME 농도 의존적으로 HepG2 세포의 성장을 억제하였다. EEME의 HepG2 세포 사멸 효과의 기전을 분석하기 위하여 세포주기를 분석한 결과, EEME 농도의존적으로 SubG1 세포가 증가하였으며, Annexin V 염색과 DAPI 염색을 통해 apoptotic 세포 및 apoptotic body가 증가됨을 확인하였다. 또한 apoptosis 관련 단백질들의 발현변화를 분석한 결과, EEME 처리에 의해 사멸수용체인 Fas와 pro-apoptotic 단백질인 Bax의 발현이 증가되었으며, caspase-3, -8, -9가 활성화되고 최종적으로 PARP가 분해되어 apoptosis가 유도되었음을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과들로부터 EEME는 내인성 및 외인성 경로를 통한 apoptosis 유도에 의하여 HepG2 세포의 증식을 억제하는 항암활성을 보유하였음을 확인하였다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권11호
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• pp.1255-1264
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• 2015

천궁(C. officinale)은 예로부터 민간처방 약재로 사용되었으며, 항염증, 항산화, 항암 및 신생혈관억제 등의 효능을 가지는 것으로 알려져 있다. 하지만 혈구암세포에서 apoptosis 유발과 관련된 분자생물학적 기전에 대해서는 명확히 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 인체 혈구암세포인 U937 세포에서 천궁의 열수, 에탄올 및 메탄올 추출물(WECO, EECO 및 MECO)이 유발하는 항암효과 및 항암기전을 조사하였다. 먼저 WECO, EECO 및 MECO가 유발하는 증식억제 정도를 조사한 결과 EECO가 가장 뛰어난 효능을 가진다는 것을 알 수 있었으며, 이러한 현상이 apoptosis 유발에 의한 것임을 annexin-V 염색, apoptotic body 형성, DNA 단편화 및 MMP 소실 등을 통하여 확인하였다. EECO 처리에 의한 apoptosis 유발에는 DR4의 발현 증가와 함께 cIAP-1, Bcl-2 및 total Bid의 발현감소가 관여하였으며, caspases-3, -8 및 -9의 활성화와 함께 caspases-3의 기질 단백질인 PARP, β-catenin 및 PLC γ1의 단편화도 관찰되었다. 또한 EECO는 AMPK signaling pathway를 활성화시키는 것으로 나타났으며, AMPK 억제제인 compound C를 이용하여 AMPK의 활성을 억제하였을 경우 EECO에 의하여 유발되었던 apoptosis가 현저하게 감소되는 것으로 나타났다. 이상의 결과를 살펴볼 때 인체 혈구암세포인 U937 세포에서 EECO에 의하여 유발되는 apoptosis는 AMPK가 중요한 조절자로서 작용하는 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.16-26
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• 2024

토종보리수 열매의 항당뇨 효과를 규명하기 위하여, 마우스를 네 군으로 나누어, 기본 식이, 고지방·고단순당 식이, 토종보리수 열매 추출물을 저농도 (0.5%) 및 고농도 (1.0%)로 첨가한 고지방·고단순당 식이를 12주간 제공하였다. 고지방·고단순당 식이를 섭취한 군은 대조군에 비해 체중 및 체중 증가량, 부고환 지방무게가 유의적으로 증가하였으나, 고농도 보리수 열매 추출물의 급여는 부고환 지방무게를 유의적으로 감소시켰다. 고지방·고단순당군은 대조군에 비해 혈당, 인슐린, HOMA-IR값이 유의적으로 증가하였으나, 고농도 보리수 열매 추출물은 인슐린 농도를 감소시켰고, 저농도 및 고농도 추출물은 혈당 및 HOMA-IR값을 감소시켰다. 고지방·고단순당군은 대조군에 비해 IRS-2 및 AMPK 단백질 발현도가 유의적으로 감소하였으나, 고농도 보리수 열매 추출물의 급여는 IRS-2 발현도를 증가시켰고, 저농도 및 고농도 보리수 열매 추출물의 급여는 AMPK 발현도를 증가시켰다. 따라서, 토종보리수 열매는 제2형 당뇨병 동물에서 인슐린 저항성을 개선시켜 고혈당 개선효과를 나타낸 것으로 나타났다. 고지방·고단순당 식이를 섭취한 마우스에서 저농도 및 고농도 토종보리수 열매 추출물의 급여는 혈청 중성지방 농도 및 간조직의 총 지질과 중성지방 함량을 감소시켰고, 고농도추출물의 급여는 혈청 콜레스테롤 농도를 감소시켜, 토종보리수 열매는 지방간과 이상지질혈증 개선효과를 나타내었다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.759-770
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• 2022

Background: Aerobic cellular respiration provides chemical energy, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), to maintain multiple cellular functions. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) can deacetylate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) to promote mitochondrial biosynthesis. Targeting energy metabolism is a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as cardiac and neurological disorders. Ginsenosides, one of the major bioactive constituents of Panax ginseng, have been extensively used due to their diverse beneficial effects on healthy subjects and patients with different diseases. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of total ginsenosides (GS) on energy metabolism remain unclear. Methods: In this study, oxygen consumption rate, ATP production, mitochondrial biosynthesis, glucose metabolism, and SIRT1-PGC-1α pathways in untreated and GS-treated different cells, fly, and mouse models were investigated. Results: GS pretreatment enhanced mitochondrial respiration capacity and ATP production in aerobic respiration-dominated cardiomyocytes and neurons, and promoted tricarboxylic acid metabolism in cardiomyocytes. Moreover, GS clearly enhanced NAD⁺-dependent SIRT1 activation to increase mitochondrial biosynthesis in cardiomyocytes and neurons, which was completely abrogated by nicotinamide. Importantly, ginsenoside monomers, such as Rg1, Re, Rf, Rb1, Rc, Rh1, Rb2, and Rb3, were found to activate SIRT1 and promote energy metabolism. Conclusion: This study may provide new insights into the extensive application of ginseng for cardiac and neurological protection in healthy subjects and patients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.1084-1098
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous research has shown maternal betaine supplementation alleviates fetal-derived hepatic steatosis. Therefore, this study examined the anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine intake in offspring mice and its mechanism. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice and their offspring were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the treatment received during gestation and lactation: control diet (CD), fatty liver disease (FLD), and fatty liver disease + 1% betaine (FLD-BET). The FLD group was given a high-fat diet and streptozotocin (HFD + STZ), and the FLD-BET group was treated with HFD + STZ + 1% betaine. After weaning, the offspring mice were given a normal diet for 5 weeks and then dissected to measure the relevant indexes. RESULTS: Compared to the CD group, the offspring mice in the FLD group revealed obvious hepatic steatosis and increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, interleukin (IL)-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; maternal betaine supplementation reversed these changes. The hepatic mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-18, and Caspase-1 were significantly higher in the FLD group than in the CD group. Maternal betaine supplementation reduced the expression of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing C-terminal caspase recruitment domain (ASC). Maternal betaine supplementation also reversed the increasing protein expressions of nitric oxide dioxygenase-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in offspring mice exposed to HFD + STZ. Maternal betaine supplementation decreased the homocysteine (Hcy) and s-adenosine homocysteine (SAH) levels significantly in the livers. Furthermore, the hepatic Hcy concentrations showed significant inverse relationships with the mRNA expression of TNF-α, NLRP3, ASC, and IL-18. The hepatic SAH concentration was inversely associated with the IL-1β mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: The lipotropic and anti-inflammatory effect of maternal betaine supplementation may be associated with the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome in the livers of the offspring mice.

• 한방비만학회지
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.102-114
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• 2022

Objectives: We investigated the effects of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (AFB) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice and the regulation of energy metabolism in muscle tissues of mice. Methods: The C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks, male) were fed a HFD for 8 weeks and then administrated with AFB extract at 500 mg/kg (p.o.) once daily for 4 weeks. The body weight (BW), muscle weight, calorie intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum glucose, insulin, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured in mice. It was also observed the histological changes of pancreas, liver, and fat tissues with hematoxylin and eosin staining. It was investigated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), Ser/Thr kinase (AKT), and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) in gastrocnemius tissues by western blot, respectively. Results: The increases of BWs, calorie intakes and FBG levels in obesity mice were decreased significantly by the administration of AFB extract. The AFB extract administration was reduced significantly serum levels of glucose, insulin, and LDL-C in obesity mice. The AFB extract inhibited lipid accumulation in liver tissues, hyperplasia of pancreatic islets, and enlargement of fat tissues in obesity mice. The phosphorylation of IRS-1 and AKT was increased significantly in muscle tissues and AMPK phosphorylation and the GLUT4 and Sirt1 expression were decreased significantly in muscle tissues after the AFB administration. Conclusions: Our study indicates that AFB extract improves symptoms of obesity through regulation of energy regulating proteins in muscle tissues.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.952-961
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• 2024

Objective: Stocking density (SD) is an important issue in the poultry industry, which is related to the production performance, intestinal health and immune status. In the present study, the effects of SD on the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid as well as the related functions of the liver and kidney in ducks were examined. Methods: A total of 360 healthy 56-day-old Shan-ma ducks were randomly divided into the low stocking density (n = 60, density = 5 birds/m²), medium stocking density (n = 120, density = 10 birds/m²) and high stocking density groups (HSD; n = 180, density = 15 birds/m²). Samples were collected in the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks of the experiment for analysis. Results: The serum levels of uric acid, lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were increased significantly in the HSD group. Serious histopathological lesions could be seen in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group in the 9th week. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) and related pathway components (toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, and nuclear factor-κB) were increased significantly in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group. The mRNA expression levels of enzymes (adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1) related to the synthesis of uric acid increased significantly in the livers in the HSD group. However, the mRNA expression level of solute carrier family 2 member 9, which plays an important role in the excretion of uric acid by the kidney, was decreased significantly in the kidneys in the HSD group. Conclusion: These results indicated that a higher SD could cause tissue inflammatory lesions in the liver and kidney and subsequently affect the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid, and is helpful for guiding decisions related to the breeding and production of ducks.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권6호
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• pp.333-339
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• 2005

B/K protein is a novel protein containing double C2-like domains. We examined the specific signaling pathway that regulates the transcription of B/K in PC12 cells. When the cells were treated with forskolin ($50{\mu}M$), B/K mRNA and protein levels were time-dependently decreased, reaching the lowest level at 3 or 4 hr, and thereafter returning to the control level. Chemicals such as dibutyryl-cAMP, cellpermeable cyclic AMP (cAMP) analogue and CGS21680, adenosine receptor $A_{2A}$ agonist, also repressed the B/K transcription. However, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin did not show inhibitory effect on B/K transcription, suggesting direct involvement of cAMP in the forskolin-induced inhibition of B/K transcription. Effect of forskolin, dibutyryl cAMP and CGS21680 was significantly reduced in PKA-deficient PC12 cell line (PC12-123.7). One cAMP-response element (CRE)-like sequence (B/K CLS) was found in the promoter region of B/K DNA, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicated its binding to CREM and CREB. Forskolin significantly suppressed the promoter activity in CHO-K1 cells transfected with the constructs containing B/K CLS, but not with the construct in which B/K CLS was mutated (AC：TG). Taken together, we suggest that the transcription of B/K gene in PC12 cells may be regulated by PKA-dependent mechanism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제55권4호
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• pp.462-475
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• 2022

본 연구는 팔미트산으로 인슐린 저항성을 유도한 C2C12 근육세포주에서 ADLE의 인슐린 저항성개선효과를조사하고이에대한조절기전을확인하고자하였다. C2C12 근육세포주에 ADLE를 처리 시, AMPK의 활성화를 통해 포도당흡수 (glucose uptake)가 증가되었으며, 이는 미토콘드리아-매개 에너지 생합성 조절단백질인 PGC1α, UCP3, CS 활성을 증가시킴과 동시에 지방산 합성인자인 ACC, FAS, SREBP-1의 발현을 억제함을 알 수 있었다. 세포주에서 확인된 결과들을 고지방식이 유도 당뇨마우스의 근육조직에서 조사한 결과, 고지방식이와 ADLE를 동시에 처리한 그룹에서 AMPK 활성화, GLUT4 발현증가와 미토콘드리아 에너지 대사증가, 지방산 합성 감소효과를 보였다. 이상의 결과들로, ADLE가 근육 내 에너지 대사 관련 경로의 상위유전자인 AMPK를 활성화하여 GLUT4의 세포막 이동을 증진시켜 당대사 조절에 관여하는 것을 관찰하였으며, AMPK의 인산화 증가는 PGC1α의 활성화에 관여하고, 이를 통해 열 발산 대사와 관련된 UCP3의 증가 및 CS 활성을 증가시키고, 지방산 합성 관련 유전자 발현을 억제시킴을 알 수 있었다. 본 결과로부터 ADLE는 대사증후군에서 공통적으로 나타나는 인슐린 저항성을 개선시킬 수 있으며, 이는 근육세포에서의 AMPK의 활성화를 통한 에너지생성기전과 관련이 있음을 알 수 있었다. ADLE는 비만, 당뇨 등의 다양한 부작용을 가진 약제와는 다른 안전성을 보장할 수 있는 이점을 가지고 있어 인슐린 저항성 및 제2형 당뇨병 치료를 위한 기능성 식품 소재로의 활용 가능성도 충분히 가지고 있음을 확인할 수 있었다.