• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.494-500
• /
• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Evidence indicates that berry anthocyanins are anti-atherogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory. However, berries differ vastly in their anthocyanin composition and thus potentially in their biological and metabolic effects. The present study compared hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties of blueberry (BB), blackberry (BK), and blackcurrant (BC) in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high fat (HF; 35% fat, w/w) control diet or a HF diet supplemented with freeze-dried 5% BB, 6.3% BK or 5.7% BC for 12 weeks (10 mice/group) to achieve the same total anthocyanin content in each diet. Plasma lipids, antioxidant status and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. The expression of genes involved in antioxidant defense, inflammation, and lipid metabolism was determined in the liver, epididymal adipose tissue, proximal intestine, and skeletal muscle. Histological analysis was performed to identify crown-like structure (CLS) in epididymal fat pads to determine macrophage infiltration. RESULTS: No differences were noted between the control and any berry-fed groups in plasma levels of liver enzymes, insulin, glucose, ferric reducing antioxidant power, superoxide dismutase, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$. However, BK significantly lowered plasma triglyceride compared with the HF control and other berries, whereas BC significantly reduced F4/80 mRNA and the number of CLS in the epididymal fat pad, indicative of less macrophage infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that BB, BK and BC with varying anthocyanin composition differentially affect plasma lipids and adipose macrophage infiltration in DIO mice, but with no differences in their antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory potential.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.96-101
• /
• 2006

The extracts of some Bangladeshi medicinal plants, Possur (Xylocarpus mekongensis), Dhundul (Xylocarpus granatum), Gab (Diospyros peregrina), Kadom (Anthocephalus chinensis) and Sundari (Heritiera fomes), were assessed for their possible antinociceptive activity using acetic acid induced writhing model in mice. Most of these plants have been used in traditional medicine in Bangladesh as well as in other countries for the treatment of various ailments ranging from common cold to cancer. All these extracts significantly inhibited the acetic acid induced writhing in mice at the oral dose of 500 mg/kg body weight. The extract of Anthocephalus chinensis bark showed the most potent writhing inhibition (69.47%, P < 0.001) and that of Diospyros peregrina bark had the least (33.54%, P< 0.02).

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2001.10a
• /
• pp.14-17
• /
• 2001

Positional clonging (map-based cloning) of mutations or genetic variations has been served as an invaluable tool to understand in-vivo functions of genes and to identify molecular components underlying phenotypes of interest. Mice homozygous for the cerebellar deficient folia (cdf) mutation are ataxic, with cerebellar hypoplasia and abnormal lobulation of the cerebellum. In the cdf mutant cerebellum approximately 40% of Purkinje cells are ectopically located within the white matter and the inner granule cell layer (IGL). To identify the cdf gene, a high-resolution genetic map for the cdf-gene-encompassing region was constructed using 1997 F2 mice generated from C3H/HeSnJ-cdf/cdf and CAST/Ei intercross. The cdf gene showed complete linkage disequilibrium with three tightly linked markers D6Mit208, D6Mit359, and D6Mit225. A contig using YAC, BAC, and P1 clones was constructed for the cdf critical region to identify the gene. A deletion in the cdf critical region on chromosome 6 that removes approximately 150 kb of DNA selection. cdf mutant mice with the transgenic copy of the identified gene restored the brain abnormalities of the mutant mice. The positional cloning of cdf gene provides a good example showing the identification of a gene could lead to finding a new component of important molecular pathways.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
• /
• 2001.03a
• /
• pp.59-59
• /
• 2001

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is known as a regulator of inflammation and pathogenesis in mammalian organs, but its precise role is little known in the mammary gland. Our initial experiment showed that IL-10 expression levels in mice decreased at the lactation stage otherwise increased at the involution stage. To reveal the effects of IL-10 on the involution of mammary gland, expression profiles of the apoptosis-related genes were examined in transgenic mice expressing human IL-10 as well as in knock-out mice (IL-10-/-). Mild inflammatory legions by lymphocytes were observed in the mammary glands of transgenic lines at the lactation stage. The expression of TRAIL (Tumor necrosis factor-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand) among the apoptosis-related genes was highly elevated in the transgenic mice while others were not significantly changed. Furthermore, TRAIL was down regulated by four fold in the IL-10-/- mice at the involution stage. The expression of DR4 was elevated at the involution stage of normal mice. DR4 was detected in the milk of transgenic mice but absent in that of normal mice. Our results proposed that the elevated IL-10 at the involution stage recruit lymphocytes and induce TRAIL and DR4 genes, therefore, lead to enter involution stage of mammary glands.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.331-337
• /
• 2015

Background: The biological actions of various ginseng extracts have been studied for treating obesity and diabetes mellitus. However, few studies have evaluated the effects of fermented Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) on metabolic syndrome. The present study evaluated the antiobesity and antidiabetic effects of fermented red ginseng (FRG) on old-aged, obese, leptin-deficient (B6.V-Lepob, "ob/ob") mice. Methods: The animals were divided into three groups and given water containing 0%, 0.5%, and 1.0% FRG for 16 wk. The effect of FRG on ob/ob mice was determined by measuring changes in body weight, levels of blood glucose, serum contents of triglycerides, total cholesterol and free fatty acids, messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of key factors associated with insulin action, such as insulin receptor (IR), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucose transporter 1 and 4 (GLUT1 and GLUT4), peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR-{\gamma}$), and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) in the liver and in muscle, and histology of the liver and pancreas. Results: FRG-treated mice had decreased body weight and blood glucose levels compared with control ob/ob mice. However, anti-obesity effect of FRG was not evident rather than hypoglycemic effect in old aged ob/ob mice. The hyperlipidemia in control group was attenuated in FRG-treated ob/ob mice. The mRNA expressions of IR, LPL, GLUT1, GLUT4, $PPAR-{\gamma}$, and PEPCK in the liver and in muscle were increased in the FRG-treated groups compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that FRG may play a vital role in improving insulin sensitivity relative to reducing body weight in old-aged ob/ob mice.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.12
• /
• pp.1826-1835
• /
• 2019

Objective: Testicular growth and development are strongly influenced by androgen. Although both testis weight and plasma testosterone level are inherited traits, the interrelationship between them is not fully established. Males of DDD/Sgn (DDD) mice are known to have extremely heavy testes and very high plasma testosterone level among inbred mouse strains. We dissected the genetic basis of testis weight and analyzed the potential influence of plasma testosterone level in DDD mice. Methods: Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping of testis weight was performed with or without considering the influence of plasma testosterone level in reciprocal $F_2$ intercross populations between DDD and C57BL/6J (B6) mice, thereby assessing the influence of testosterone on the effect of testis weight QTL. Candidate genes for testis weight QTL were investigated by next-generation sequencing analysis. Results: Four significant QTL were identified on chromosomes 1, 8, 14, and 17. The DDDderived allele was associated with increased testis weight. The $F_2$ mice were then divided into two groups according to the plasma testosterone level ($F_2$ mice with relatively "low" and "high" testosterone levels), and QTL scans were again performed. Although QTL on chromosome 1 was shared in both $F_2$ mice, QTL on chromosomes 8 and 17 were identified specifically in $F_2$ mice with relatively high testosterone levels. By whole-exome sequencing analysis, we identified one DDD-specific missense mutation Pro29Ser in alpha tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (Atat1). Conclusion: Most of the testis weight QTL expressed stronger phenotypic effect when they were placed on circumstance with high testosterone level. High testosterone influenced the QTL by enhancing the effect of DDD-derived allele and diminishing the effects of B6-derived allele. Since Pro29Ser was not identified in other inbred mouse strains, and since Pro29 in Atat1 has been strongly conserved among mammalian species, Atat1 is a plausible candidate for testis weight QTL on chromosome 17.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.3 s.71
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications have shown that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many methods have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Ojung-hwan, composed of five crude herbs, has been considered effective for treating symptoms of aging. In male ob/ob mouse of severe obesity, hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia, which are features of NIDDM, the hyperglycemic activities and mechanisms of Ojung-hwan were examined. Methods : Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and diabetic (ob/ob mice) control groups received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Ojung-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. The effects of Ojung-hwan extract on the ob/ob mice were observed by measuring the serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid components, and the kidney levels of superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;O{_2}{^-}$), MDA+HAE, GSH/GSSG ratio, and also the enzyme activities involved in polyol pathway. Results : Ojung-hwan lowered the levels of serum glucose and insulin in a dose-dependent manner. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels decreased, while the HDL-cholesterol level increased, in Ojung-hwan treated groups. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities increased in the ob/ob mice, whereas they were inhibited in the Ojung-hwan treated groups. Ojung-hwan inhibited the generation of ${\cdot}\;O{_2}{^-}$ in the kidney. Finally, MDA+HAE levels increased and GSH/GSSG ratio decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas they improved in the Ojung-hwan treated groups. Conclusions : Ojung-hwan showed antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities by regulating theactivities of polyol pathway enzymes, scavenging reactive oxygen species and reducing the MDA+HAE levels in the ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.40 no.1
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2016

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease, for which there is no effective drug therapy at present. Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) and G-Rg2 have been reported to alleviate memory deterioration. However, the mechanism of their anti-AD effect has not yet been clearly elucidated. Methods: Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem MS (UPLC/MS)-based metabolomics was used to identify metabolites that are differentially expressed in the brains of AD mice with or without ginsenoside treatment. The cognitive function of mice and pathological changes in the brain were also assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: The impaired cognitive function and increased hippocampal $A{\beta}$ deposition in AD mice were ameliorated by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. In addition, a total of 11 potential biomarkers that are associated with the metabolism of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), hypoxanthine, and sphingolipids were identified in the brains of AD mice and their levels were partly restored after treatment with G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment influenced the levels of hypoxanthine, dihydrosphingosine, hexadecasphinganine, LPC C 16:0, and LPC C 18:0 in AD mice. Additionally, G-Rg1 treatment also influenced the levels of phytosphingosine, LPC C 13:0, LPC C 15:0, LPC C 18:1, and LPC C 18:3 in AD mice. Conclusion: These results indicate that the improvements in cognitive function and morphological changes produced by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment are caused by regulation of related brain metabolic pathways. This will extend our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the effects of G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 on AD.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.15-23
• /
• 2017

Objectives : It is well known that Sibjotang (Shizaotang), traditional herbal medicine formula, regulates the body fluid blood pressure homeostasis. This study is to investigate whether Sibjotang improves diabetic renal dysfunction in type II diabetes mellitus animal model, db/db mice. Methods : The animals model were divided into three groups at the age of 8 weeks; control group (C57BLKS/J-db/m mice), diabetic group [(C57BLKS/J+Lepr)-db/db mice], and Sibjotang group [(C57BLKS/J+Lepr)-db/db mice + Sibjotang 100 mg/kg/day]. During 8 weeks of treatment, blood glucose and urinary albumin excretion were checked in metabolic chamber at 8, 12, and 16 weeks of age, respectively. Results : Body weight and food intake of diabetic group were significantly higher than control group after 8 weeks administration. However, there were not significant different between the diabetic group and Sibjotang group. Urinary albumin excretion was significantly decreased in the Sibjotang group than the diabetic group. In addition, supplementation with Sibjotang significantly lowered levels of blood glucose, insulin, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), suggesting reduced insulin resistance. The ratio of mesangial matrix/glomerular area was markedly larger in diabetic group than control group, whereas Sibjotang significantly reduced this expansion. Moreover, immunohistological study revealed that Sibjotang attenuated the increase of transforming growth $factor(TGF)-{\beta}$ expression in kidney. Conclusion : Sibjotang ameliorates diabetes-associated renal injury through the improvement of the blood glucose and insulin sensitivity, and inhibiting the $TGF-{\beta}1$ expression. Therefore, Sibjotang may be a new therapeutic formula for the treatment of diabetic-associated renal dysfunction.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.233-239
• /
• 2009

The aim of this study was to evaluate the photodynamic effect of various photosensitizing agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA was exposed to light from a 632 urn diode laser (15 J/$cm^2$) in the presence of various photosensitizer, such as photofrin, photogem, radachlorine and ALA. In vivo study was performed using ICR mice. Twenty eight mice had a standard wound ($100\;mm^2$) created on the dorsum, and MRSA was inoculated into the wound region. The four groups were classified as follows: (1) the untreated control group (bacteria alone), (2) the bacteria plus light group (15 J/$cm^2$), (3) the bacteria plus photofrin group (kept in the dark), and (4) the photodynamic therapy (PDT) group (bacteria, photofrin, and light). After photofrin (dose 1 mg/kg) injection, the experimental group was irradiated with 632 urn diode laser (15 J/$cm^2$) for 30 minutes after In vitro results of PDT showed the complete killing of MRSA at the photofrin, radachlorine, and photogem However, ALA-PDT was ineffective on MRSA viability. In vivo results showed that photofrin has therapeutic effect on the wound infection. These results demonstrate that selective lethal photosensitization of MRSA can be achieved using phofrin, photogem and radachlorin. Thus, PDT can inactivate MRSA survival.