• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of obesity, a worldwide pandemic, has been increasing steadily in Korea. Reports have shown that increased intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of body mass index. However, the relationship between dietary intake and IMAT accumulation in the Korean population remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to evaluate regional fat compartments using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. We also aimed to investigate the association between IMAT amounts and dietary intake, including carbohydrate intake, among Korean individuals with obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study, performed at a medical center in South Korea, recruited 35 individuals with obesity (15 men and 20 women) and classified them into 2 groups according to sex. Anthropometry was performed, and body fat distribution was measured using MRI. Blood parameters, including glucose and lipid profiles, were analyzed using commercial kits. Linear regression analysis was used to test whether the IMAT was associated with daily carbohydrate intake. RESULTS: Carbohydrate intake was positively associated with IMAT in all individuals, with adjustments for age, sex, height, and weight. No significant differences in blood indicators were found between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of sex and age, higher carbohydrate intake was strongly correlated with greater IMAT accumulation. This suggests the need to better understand sex differences and high carbohydrate diet patterns in relation to the association between obesity and metabolic risk, which may help reduce obesity prevalence.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2012

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Ingecheonggeumdan(ICD) on body weight and examined whether blood lipid levels and visceral fat are inhibited by it in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet-fed obese male mice were divided into 6 groups: C57BL/6N normal, control, ICD-1(150mg/kg), ICD-2(300mg/kg), ICD-3(600mg/kg) and orlistat(10mg/kg). After mice were treated with ICD and orlistat for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also performed histological analysis for liver and fat on the mice. Results : Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had lower body weight gain and adipose tissue weight, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3. Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had lower blood leptin levels, the magnitude of which was prominent in ICD-3. Compared with controls, ICD and orlistat-treated mice had higher blood HDL-cholesterol and lower blood plasma LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3. Blood plasma AST and ALT concentrations were not changed by ICD and orlistat, indicating ICD and orlistat do not show any toxic effects. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid accumulation were significantly decreased by ICD and orlistat. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that ICD and orlistat effectively reduce body weight gain, blood plasma LDL-cholesterol, free fatty acid and triglyceride levels and improves abdominal fat, the magnitudes of which were prominent in ICD-3.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2010

This study investigated the functional effect by diets of Triticum aestivum sprout (TA) on the levels of blood glucose and lipid profiles in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Diabetes mellitus were induced by STZ intraperitoneal injection (50 mg/kg) into the male Balb/c mice. All mice fed AIN-93 diet for 3 weeks. Mice were divided to 4 groups: normal, diabetic control and two experimental groups (TA 5.0, diet with Triticum aestivum sprout 5.0% w/w; TA 2.5, diet with Triticum aestivum 2.5% w/w). The blood glucose level was decreased by TA intake in diabetic mice in the dose-dependant manner; 21.34% and 35.77% in TA 2.5 and TA 5.0 groups. The weight gain and feed efficiency ratio also were improved by TA intake compared with DM group. The weight gain was increased 1.28 and 1.09 folds in TA 5.0 and TA 2.5 groups, respectively. The weight of organs, including liver and kidney, was reduced but that of spleen and abdominal fat was increased by TA intake. Moreover, TA treatment increased the level of HDL but decreased the level of total cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood of diabetic mice. The blood of HbA1c also was significantly decreased without changing hematocrit by TA treatment compared with DM group. These results indicate the TA intake has the functional effects attenuating blood glucose and plasma lipid levels in insulin-dependent diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.223-232
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• 2012

The effects of dietary supplementation of dried coffee meal (CM) on growth performance, blood biochemical profiles, the weights of immune-related organs, and the antioxidant defense system in broiler chicks were examined. A total of 162, 3-day-old male broiler chickens were assigned to three dietary groups: control group (CON), control diet added with 0.5% CM (CM0.5), and control diet added with 1.0% CM (CM1.0). In vitro antioxidant activity test, coffee extracts showed concentration-dependent increase in radical scavenging activity. Dietary addition of 0.5 and 1.0% of CM did not have negative effects on growth performance and feed conversion during the experimental periods, whereas dietary CM significantly (P<0.05) increased the relative weight of thymus without changes in the other organ weights. In addition, birds fed the diet supplemented with CM (0.5 and 1.0%) significantly increased blood albumin without affecting other components including glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol compared with those fed control diet. In antioxidant defense system, the specific activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase and the level of glutathione in the small intestine and liver were not affected by dietary supplementation of CM. However, hepatic lipid peroxidation in birds fed the diet supplemented with 0.5% CM was significantly (P<0.05) decreased compared with that in control birds. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of CM(0.5~1.0%) has potential for use as a natural antioxidant source without negative effect on growth performance in broiler chickens.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.255-264
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• 2022

This study was performed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with ginseng by-products on growth, organ development, blood biochemical profiles, immune response, and stress parameter of broilers reared in high ambient temperatures. One hundred one-day-old male chicks (Ross 308) were used. At week two, the birds were randomly allocated into five dietary groups; control (CON), 0.5% ginseng berry (GB1), 1.0% ginseng berry (GB2), 0.5% ginseng leaves and stems (GLS1), and 1.0% ginseng leaves and stems (GLS2). The temperature was maintained at 32±1℃from 9 AM to 5 PM. Growth, serum immunoglobulins and corticosterone levels were monitored and analyzed. No significant differences among groups were observed in growth. However, during the finisher period (21~35d) and overall period (7~35 d), body weight gain in all supplemented groups tended higher than CON group. Blood biochemical profiles did not significantly differ among treatment groups except in bilirubin level. Serum immunoglobulins and corticosterone level showed no significant differences among groups. IgM and IgG levels were numerically higher in GLS1 than in other groups, but the difference was not significant. Corticosterone level also tended lower in all supplemented groups than in CON group, and larger decreases were observed in groups with higher ginseng by-product concentration. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of ginseng by-products shows potential to reduce heat stress in growing broilers with no negative effect on productivity.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2005

To examine the combined effects of a high-protein diet and aerobic exercise on body weight and composition and blood lipid profiles in overweight women, 30 young women were recruited and placed into three groups: The high-protein diet and exercise group (HPE), the exercise-only group (EXO) and the control group (CON) (30$\pm$3%, 27$\pm$2%, and 29$\pm$3% body fat, respectively) for an 8-week experimental period. Daily diet included 25% isolated soybean protein (>90% protein, approximately 400 kcal) combined with each subject s usual diet for the HPE group. The exercise program consisted of aerobic-type exercises undertaken >3 times/wk and for>30 min/session at 50-60% of maximal capacity. Physical fitness, body composition, serum total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG) and glucose were measured before and after the experiment. Maximal aerobic capacity increased by the end of experiment in both the HPE (from 27.2$\pm$3.5 to 35.l$\pm$5.9 ml/kg/min, p<0.01) and EXO (from 30.3$\pm$5.4 to 33.8$\pm$3.8 mㅣ/kg/min, p<0.05) groups. Percent body fat decreased by 3.3% (p<0.01) in the HPE group and by 1.5% (p<0.05) in the EXO group by the end of the experiment, but not in the CON group. Lower back strength and agility increased only in the HPE group. In the HPE group, TC decreased from 168$\pm$20 to 155$\pm$18 mg/dL and HDL-C increased from 57$\pm$l0 to 61$\pm$9 mg/dL in HPE (p<0.01). But TC and HDL-C did not change in the EXO and CON groups. TG and glucose did not vary among the groups. Although the EXO group showed a similar outcome to that of the HPE group, a favorable change in body composition and blood lipids as well as an improvement in aerobic capacity was more marginal in the latter group.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2011

Obesity contributes to an increased risk for chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased in Korea. We compared the clinical and dietary characteristics of obese adults (n = 30, 17 men and 13 women, mean age 29.9) to those with a normal weight (n = 15, 8 men and 7 women, mean age 26.5). We determined lipid profiles, fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood pressure, and serum free fatty acid (FFA). Dietary intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a 3-day dietary record. Exercise patterns and average alcohol intake were determined. The average body mass index was 28.3 kg/$m^2$ in the obese and 21.2 kg/$m^2$ in the normal weight groups. The obese group had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, lower levels of HDL cholesterol, and higher blood pressures compared to the normal weight group. FBS was not significantly different between the two groups. The obese group had significantly more subjects with metabolic syndrome (26.7%) compared to the normal weight group (0%). Serum FFA levels tended to be higher in the obese (P = 0.087). No significant difference in caloric intake was observed between the two groups. No differences in carbohydrate, protein, or fat intake between two groups were observed from the FFQ. However, results from the 3-day dietary record showed that the percentage of energy from fat was significantly higher in the obese group. The frequency and amount of exercise did not differ between the two groups. Alcohol consumed per drinking episode was significantly higher in the obese group. These results confirm that excessive weight is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism in these fairly young and otherwise healthy adults. Dietary factors, including higher fat intake and alcohol consumption, seem to be contributing to the obesity of these subjects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.743-748
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to determine the molecular characteristics of the horse vascular endothelial growth factor alpha gene ($VEGF{\alpha}$) by constructing a phylogenetic tree, and to investigate gene expression profiles in tissues and blood leukocytes after exercise for development of suitable biomarkers. Using published amino acid sequences of other vertebrate species (human, chimpanzee, mouse, rat, cow, pig, chicken and dog), we constructed a phylogenetic tree which showed that equine $VEGF{\alpha}$ belonged to the same clade of the pig $VEGF{\alpha}$. Analysis for synonymous (Ks) and non-synonymous substitution ratios (Ka) revealed that the horse $VEGF{\alpha}$ underwent positive selection. RNA was extracted from blood samples before and after exercise and different tissue samples of three horses. Expression analyses using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) showed ubiquitous expression of $VEGF{\alpha}$ mRNA in skeletal muscle, kidney, thyroid, lung, appendix, colon, spinal cord, and heart tissues. Analysis of differential expression of $VEGF{\alpha}$ gene in blood leukocytes after exercise indicated a unimodal pattern. These results will be useful in developing biomarkers that can predict the recovery capacity of racing horses.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.355-362
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• 2016

We investigated the effects of Acorus gramineus water extract on the blood lipid levels in high fat diet-fed obese male mice. We divided thirty-five C57BL/6 mice into 5 groups: normal group, control group, and groups treated with Acorus gramineus water extract at concentrations of 20, 100, and 500 ㎎/㎏. We inoculated Acorus gramineus water extract per orally once a day for 6 weeks respectively. The results revealed that Acorus gramineus water extracts had positive effects on the total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.116-125
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension in postmenopausal women. Methods : The study was a multi-center, four-arm, non-blinded, randomized clinical trial. Sixty participants were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The experimental groups received 10 acupuncture sessions over 4 weeks(Group A, n=20) or 20 sessions over 8 weeks(Group B, n=20) along with usual care. The acupoints were GB20, LI11, ST36, and SP6, bilaterally. The acupuncture groups were followed-up for an additional 12 weeks after acupuncture treatment. The control groups received usual care for 16 weeks(Group C, n=10) or 20 weeks(Group D, n=10). The outcomes were blood pressure, blood pressure control rates, lipid profile, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP). Results : After 4 weeks, DBP in the acupuncture groups(A+B) showed no significant decrease compared to the control group(C+D). However, after 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment, group B showed a significant decrease in DBP after acupuncture treatment and follow-up period compared to control group. Although there was no difference between the acupuncture and control groups in SBP after acupuncture treatment, group B showed a significant decrease in SBP compared to control group after follow-up period. Lipid profiles and hs-CRP did not differ significantly between acupuncture and control groups. Conclusions : Acupuncture treatment for 8 weeks showed the effect on prehypertension and mild hypertension. To verify the effect of acupuncture on blood pressure, rigorous trials including more participants are required.