• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2018

This study aimed to identify the effects of extracts of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) with a Monascus purpureus strain on anti-obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven dietary groups (n=8 per group), as follows: a normal diet group (N) and six HFD groups (C: control, HFD and no treatment; AG: HFD +10% A. gigas extracts; FAG2.5: HFD +2.5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG5: HFD +5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG10: HFD +10% fermented A. gigas extracts; GC: HFD + Garcinia cambogia extracts). FAG-fed rats exhibited effectively lowered rates of increasing body weight and visceral fat accumulation in the HFD-induced obesity model. The activities of several hepatic marker enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were increased with HFD-induced obesity, but levels of these marker enzymes were significantly decreased in FAG-fed rats. The consumption of FAG reduced triglyceride concentrations in serum to normal levels. FAG-fed rats showed effectively increased leptin concentrations in the HFD-induced obesity model. HFD ingestion induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was decreased in FAG-fed rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining of the liver showed that the lipid deposits were decreased via FAG feeding. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin staining of epididymal adipose adipose tissue showed that the adipocyte were decreased by feeding FAG.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1529-1536
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• 2007

Anti-obesity effects of kimchi tablet composition (KTC) were investigated with male Sprague-Dawley rats fed high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Fifty rats were classified to 4 groups: normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), HFD+KTC 5% and HFD+KTC 10% for feeding experiments. This research showed that the final weight, weight gain, food efficiency ratio and organ weight were decreased by the addition of KTC compared to those of HFD group. Amount of subcutaneous fat of KTC groups were 13.6% and 21.3%, respectively. The plasma triglyceride concentration of KTC groups was lower than that of high fat diet group. Plasma cholesterol concentration of all four groups were not significantly different. HDL-cholesterol concentration of KTC groups was higher than those of high fat diet group. In addition, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations in the liver and heart were reduced by the addition of KTC. Moreover, triglyceride concentration of fecal and hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity were increased in KTC group. These results suggested that KTC might be useful for obesity control and good source of functional kimchi tablet.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.368-374
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• 2022

In this study, the effects of UV irradiation-enhanced ergocalciferol (vitamin D₂) content containing Lentinula edodes extract on inflammation and allergic responses were investigated in vitro. The anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects of the mushroom extract were tested by estimating the cytokine secretions, such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in LPS-activated macrophages (RAW 264.7), or histamine release in PMA and A23187-activated mast cells (RBL-2H3). Under the condition of macrophage activation with LPS, mushroom extract significantly reduced the secretions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6, and their mRNA expression also matched the observation. The current mushroom extract also significantly reduced the amount of mast cell degranulation-induced histamine secretion from PMA- and A23187-treated mast cells as well as the reduced secretion of IL-4. These results suggest that mushroom extract, which has increased ergocalciferol content by UV irradiation, inhibits the expression of cytokines in inflammation and allergic reactions; therefore, it can be used effectively for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.455-461
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• 2012

Obesity, a strong risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, is characterized by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from precursor cells, preadipocytes. Recent research suggests that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in 3T3-L1 adipocyte facilitates adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation. This study was to investigate whether reduced ROS production by Sargassum micracanthum extract (SME) could protect the development of obesity through inhibition of adipogenesis. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated SME for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. The extent of differentiation reflected by amount of lipid accumulation and ROS production was determined by Oil red O staining and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay. Treatment of SME significantly inhibited ROS production and adipocyte differentiation that is depend on down regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), a major ROS generator, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), a key adipogenic transcription factor. These results indicate that SME can inhibit adipogenesis through a reduced ROS level that involves down-regulation of NOX4 expression or via modulation of adipogenic transcription factor.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.650-657
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• 2015

This study aimed to investigate the suppressive effect of acorn extracts, by evaluating 70% ethanol extract (AE) and hot water extract (AW) using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We applied various levels (0, 100, 200, 300 and $500 {\mu}g/mL$) of AE and AW to 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The cell viability of the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was not affected by up $300 {\mu}g/mL$ of extracts, but was suppressed by level $500{\mu}g/mL$ of both AE and AW by 20% and 9% respectively. The accumulation of lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was dose-dependently suppressed by AE and AW. Especially, at high concentrations ($300{\mu}g/mL$), AE (42%) was more effective than AW (41%). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was also dose-dependently suppressed by treatment with AE (58%) and AW (52%). With regard to the mRNA related to differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and aP2 were suppressed by treatment with AE (54 and 40%) and AW (38 and 18%). From our results, acorn extract (AE) has more suppressive effects than AW in differentiated 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. We therefore concluded that acorn has suppressive effects against obesity in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells due to antioxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.654-666
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• 2018

This study was determined the effects of dietary omega-6 and 3 fatty acid ratios (n-6/n-3, 0, 4:1, 15:1, 30:1) on lipid metabolism in obese model animal rats. Blood triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, LDL-C, glucose, ALT, AST, insulin, and leptin concentrations in n-6/n-3 group were decreased by 22.21, 20.60, 52.96, 15.71, 11.97, 9.13, 37.57, 45.98%, respectively, while HDL-C and phospholipid concentrations were increased by 28.38, 80.39% respectively, compared with control group, as especially in 4:1 group showed the greatest effect. SREPB-$1{\alpha}$ and SREPB-2 mRNA in liver tissues were down-regulated in n-6/n-3 group, but LPL-mRNA of PPARs in adipose tissue was up-regulated compared with control group. The adipocyte size in liver tissues was decreased in the order of n-6/n-3 ratio of 30:1, control, 15:1 groups, and the adipocyte size in adipose tissues was decreased in the order of n-6/n-3 ratio of control, 30:1, 15:1, 4:1 groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.349-354
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• 2014

Elevation of intracellular calcium ($Ca^{{+}{+}}$) triggers degranulation of mast cells by bypassing receptor activation. Flos Sophora japonica L. has been used as a natural dying source and has been reported to have biological activities such as anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ and IgE crosslinking. In the present investigation, we report the regulatory effect of ethanolic extract of Flos Sophora japonica L. (S.F) on allergic mediators produced by $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ ionophore activation in mast cells. S.F significantly inhibited calcium ionophore (A23187)-induced interleukin (IL)-4 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ production as well as mast cell degranulation. Furthermore, administration of S.F suppressed allergic reactions in a 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced allergic dermatitis mouse model. Both oral administration and ear painting using 50 mg/kg of S.F significantly reduced levels of cytokines such as IL-4, TNF, and interferon-${\gamma}$ in ear tissues compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Serum IgE level in the S.F-treated group also decreased compared to the DNFB alone-treated group. Weights of spleens and lymph nodes in the S.F-treated groups also decreased compared to the control group. Considering the data, we conclude that S.F mediates its anti-allergic effects not only through $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ stimulation but also $Ca^{{+}{+}}$ influx in mast cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1523-1532
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• 2007

In order to determine if the mRNA and protein expression levels of 3T3-L1 adipocytes are influenced by oriental medicines, adipocytes were treated with $100\;{\mu}g/ml$ of G-Re and aqueous extract of a Coix lachrymajobi var. mayuen (AEC) every other day for 12 days, respectively. The tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$). mRNA and protein expressions were suppressed markedly in treated mature adipocytes. Those of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) levels were found to increase gradually in preadipocytes differentiating into mature adipocytes. Those were higher than that of the untreated mature adipocytes. The treated adipocytes showed reduction of leptin expression levels, while in untreated mature adipocytes cell, those of levels were significantly higher after the conversion of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. The resistin levels in the treated adipocytes were significantly decreased comparing to that of the untreated mature adipocytes. In conclusion, the expression levels of LPL, $TNF-{\alpha}$, leptin and resistin mRNA and proteins are shown to be regulated by G-Re and AEC, making them potential candidates for controlling fat mass related obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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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.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

Purpose: Several studies have proven that EGCG, the primary green tea catechin, and glucosamine-6-phosphate (PGlc) reduce triglyceride contents in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The objective of this study is to evaluate the combination effect of EGCG and PGlc on decline of accumulated fat in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: EGCG and PGlc were administered for 6 day for differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cell viability was measured using the CCK assay kit. In addition, TG accumulation in culture 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated by Oil Red O staining. We examined the expres-sion level of several genes and proteins associated with adipogenesis and lipolysis using real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. A flow cytometer Calibar was used to assess the effect of EGCG and PGluco on cell-cycle progression of differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Results: Intracelluar lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by combination treatment with EGCG $60{\mu}M$ and PGlc $200{\mu}g/m$ compared with control and EGCG treatment alone. In addition, use of combination treatment resulted in directly decreased expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP1. In addition, it inhibited adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis through downstream regulation of adipogenic target genes such as FAS, ACSL1, and LPL, and the inhibitory action of EGCG and PGlc was found to inhibit the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) process as evidenced by impaired cell cycle entry into S phase and the S to G2/M phase transition of confluent cells and levels of cell cycle regulating proteins such as cyclin A and CDK2. Conclusion: Combination treatment of EGCG and PGlc inhibited adipocyte differentiation through decreased expression of genes related to adipogenesis and adipogenic and cell cycle arrest in early stage of adipocyte differentiation.