• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.587-596
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• 2015

Obesity and diabetes arise from an intricate interplay between both genetic and environmental factors. It is well recognized that obesity plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance and diabetes. Yet, the exact mechanism of the connection between obesity and diabetes is still not completely understood. Metabolomics is an analytical approach that aims to detect and quantify small metabolites. Recently, there has been an increased interest in the application of metabolomics to the identification of disease biomarkers, with a number of well-known biomarkers identified. Metabolomics is a potent approach to unravel the intricate relationships between metabolism, obesity and progression to diabetes and, at the same time, has potential as a clinical tool for risk evaluation and monitoring of disease. Moreover, metabolomics applications have revealed alterations in the levels of metabolites related to obesity-associated diabetes. This review focuses on the part that metabolomics has played in elucidating the roles of metabolites in the regulation of systemic metabolism relevant to obesity and diabetes. It also explains the possible metabolic relation and association between the two diseases. The metabolites with altered profiles in individual disorders and those that are specifically and similarly altered in both disorders are classified, categorized and summarized.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.233-240
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• 1996

In order to study effects of Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) saponin fraction on polyamine metabolism in rat organs, Korean ginseng saponin fraction was administrated to rats for 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12 months and brain, liver, prostate, spleen and testis were removed from these rats. Two enzyme activities were measured from those organs; ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which is a regulatory enzyme of putrescence biosynthesis and S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), which is also a regulatory enzyme of spermidine and spermine biosynthesis. The amounts of polyamine were also determined. As for prostate and testis organs, Korean ginseng saponin fraction was innocuous for ODC and SAMDC activities from rats fed for 1 and 2 months. However, after 3 months, the stimulatory effect on the activities of two enzyme gradually increased in test groups and reached its maximum in 12 months. The contents of spermidine and spermlne of test groups in prostate and testis were also much higher than those of control groups. Another stimulatory effect on the activities of two enzymes was observed in liver and reached its maximum in 6 months. In the other organs such as brain and spleen, the enzymes were turned out to be not affected by feeding Korean ginseng saponin fraction. From the cumulative results, the stimulatory effect of Korean ginseng saponin fraction on polyamine metabolism was observed in prostate, testis and liver.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2000.10a
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• pp.3-4
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• 2000

The synthesis of acyl-CoA catalyzed by acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS, EC 6.2.1.3) from fatty acid, ATP, and CoA is a crucial reaction in mammalian fatty acid metabolism. In arachidonate metabolism, acyl-CoA synthetase(ACS) plays a key role in the esterification of free arachidonate into membrane phospholipids. Following its release by the action of calcium dependent phospholipase, free arachidonate is believed to be rapidly converted to arachidonoyl-CoA and reesterified into phospholipids in order to prevent excessive synthesis of eicosanoids. In previous studies, we have characterized five ACSs (designated as ACS1-5) with different tissue distribution. ACS1, ACS2, and ACS5 are similar in structure and fatty acid preference, and completely different from ACS3 and ACS4. The latter are arachidonate-preferring enzymes closely related in structure but expressed in different tissues: ACS3 mRNA is highly expressed in the brain and the mRNA for ACS4 is expressed in steroidogenic tissues including adrenal gland, ovary, and testis. To learn more about the potential function of ACS4 in arachidonate metabolism, we have produced knock-out mice for ACS4 gene. ACS4+/- females become pregnant less frequently and produce small litters with extremely low transmission of the disrupted alleles. Striking morphological changes including extremely enlarged uterine filled with numerous proliferative cysts of various size were detected in ACS4+/- females. Furthermore, marked accumulation of prostaglandins were seen in the uterus of heterozygous females. These results indicate that ACS4 is critical for the uterine arachidonate metabolism and heterozygous disruption of its gene lead to impaired pregnancy.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.51-59
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• 1990

Effects of altering hepatic mixed-function oxidase (MFO) enzyme activities on the metabolism and acute toxicity of parathio were investigated in adult female rats. In vitro hepatic metabolism of parathion to paraoxon was increased by phenobarbital pretreatment (50 mg/kg/day, ip, for 4 consecutive days) and SKF 525-A (50 mg/kg, ip, 1 hr prior to sacrifice) decreased paraoxon formation indicating that phenobarbital induces that form(s) of cytochrome P-450 catalyzing conversion of parathion to paraoxon. Degradation of paraoxon to p-nitrophenol was increased by phenobarbital pretreatment, but not affected by SKF 525-A suggesting that MFO activities play only a minor role in the detoxification of the active metabolite of this insecticide. The phenobarbital-induced increase in paraoxon formation was partially antagonized by SKF 525-A. Significant activity for both parathion activation and paraoxon degradation was also observed in the lung preparation, however, this extrahepatic parathion and paraoxon metabolizing activity was not induced by phenobarbital or inhibited by SKF 525-A pretreatment. Phenobarbital pretreatment increased paraoxon level in livers of rats when measured 3 hr following parathion injection (2 mg/kg, ip). SKF 525-A did not alter parathion or paraoxon levels in brain, blood and liver. Phenobarbital pretreatment decreased the toxicity of parathion (4mg/kg, ip) or paraoxon (1.5 mg/kg, ip) as determined by decreases in lethality and inhibition of brain and lung acetylcholinesterases. An additional SKF 525-A treatment failed to decrease the protective effects of phenobarbital against parathion or paraoxon toxicity. These results suggest that some unknown factors other than hepatic MFO induction are involved in the protective action of phenobarbital against parathion and paraoxon toxicity.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.1
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• pp.81-107
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• 1992

In order to estimate the effects of Eucommiae Cortex, which is one of the most important herb medicines used for invigorating the liver and kidney and strengthening ones and muscles, fetus-soothing etc., this experiment was conducted the quantitative analysis of geniposidic acid and geniposide by HPLC, and the analgesic effects of mice, the lipid metabolism of rats, the catecholamine concentration in the brain and the plsma of rats stressed by immobilization. The results obtained are as follows. 1. The contents of geniposidic acid and geniposide were 22.3mg/g, 5.4mg/g in Eucommiae Cortex without processing, and 119.8mg, 10.4mg/g in Eucommiae Cortex fried with salts. 2. In analgesic effects of mice, there were all significant in Eucommiae Cortex without processing and Eucommiae Cortex fried with salts. 3. In the effects of lipid metabolism of rats, there were not significant on the change of organ weight and the level of serum total lipid and total cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid, HDL-cholesterol. But, there were significant on the level of free fatty acid. 4. In tile effects of the catecholamine concentration in the brain and the plsma of rats stressed by immobilization, there were all significant in Eucommiae Cortex without processing and Eucommiae Cortex fried with salts, especially in case of norepinephrine. From the results mentioned above, there were significant on the analgesic effects of mice, and the catecholamine concentration in the brain and the plsma of rats stressed by immobilization. And there were different from Eucommiae Cortex without processing and Eucommiae Cortex fried with salts in the contents of geniposidic acid and geniposide. These results are relative to invigorating the liver and kidney and strengthening ones and muscles, and fetus-soothing, therefore when we use Eucommiae Cortex, it is more desirable to use Eucommiae Cortex with processing.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.301-305
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• 2012

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a rare inborn error of amino acid metabolism. A defect in the glycine cleavage enzyme system results in highly elevated concentrations of glycine in the plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain, resulting in glycine-induced encephalopathy and neuropathy. The prevalence of NKH in Korea is very low, and no reports of surviving patients are available, given the scarcity and poor prognosis of this disease. In the current study, we present a patient with NKH diagnosed on the basis of clinical features, biochemical profiles, and genetic analysis. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allowed the measurement of absolute glycine concentrations in different parts of the brain that showed a significantly increased glycine peak, consolidating the diagnosis of NKH. In additional, serial MRS follow-up showed changes in the glycine/creatinine ratios in different parts of the brain. In conclusion, MRS is an effective, noninvasive diagnostic tool for NKH that can be used to distinguish this disease from other glycine metabolism disorders. It may also be useful for monitoring NKH treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.333-366
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• 1992

Safety of recombinant porcine somatotropin administration on pig was studied using 32 Landrace x Yorkshire crossbred pigs. The starting body weight ranged from 55.5kg to 65.3kg. Eight pigs were allotted to each low dose group of sustained releasing rPST(SL), high dose group of sustained releasing rPST(SH), daily injection group of rPST(DI), and control group(C). Pigs in SL group and SH group were injected subcutaneously twice in 3 week-interval with 1000$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 2000$\mu\textrm{g}$ of sustained releasing rPST per kg body weight, respectively. Pigs in DI group were injected intramuscularly with 100$\mu\textrm{g}$ of rPST everyday for 6 weeks. Blood was collected from anterior vena cava just before the first treatment, and at four weeks and six weeks of experiment. Hematological parameters and blood chemical parameters indicating liver function, kidney function, electrolyte metabolism, mineral metabolism and lipid metabolism were determined. Necropsy and urinalysis were performed after final blood collection. The results were summarized as follows, and it is concluded that rPST administration does not affect pig health negatively. 1. rPST administration did not affect kidney function as manisfested by BUN, creatinine and urinalysis. 2. rPST administration did not affect liver function as manisfested by total protein, albumin, serum AST activity serum ALT activity serum ALP activity, serum LDH activity, serum GGT activity and serum SDH activity. 3. rPST administration did not affect skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and brain as manifasted by serum AST activity and serum LDH activity. 4. rPST administration increased blood glucose level within normal range. 5. rPST administration did not affect lipid metabolism as manisfested by triglyceride, cholesterol, and phospholipid concentrati on. 6. rPst administration dia not affect mineral metabolism as manisfested by calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron concentration. 7. rPST administration did not affect electrolyte metabolism as manisfested by Na, K, chloride concentration. 8. rPST administration did not affect erythrocyte count, leukocyte count, thrombocyte count, and plasma fibrinogen level.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2001

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome (CVS) is characterized by recurrent, periodic, self-limiting vomiting. However, its pathogenesis is not yet established. We investigated the changes of the cerebral glucose metabolism using F-18 FDG during the vomiting attack and symptom free period in two children with CVS. FDG PET study showed the markedly increased metabolism in both temporal lobes and also in the medulla and cerebellum during the vomiting period. Also, FDG PET showed the decreased metabolism un the parieto-occipital and occipital areas during the vomiting period. The area with decreased metabolism seemed to be related with the region showing abnormalities in EEG and perfusion SPECT studies. We expect that what we observed would be a helpful finding in clarifying the pathogenesis of the CVS.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.389-399
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• 2004

Metallothionein (MT), a small protein molecule which can bind or release metal ions, is involved in the regulation of cellular metal homeostasis. This study was investigated the accumulation of cadmium in blood, tissue (liver, kidney and brain), and the effect of cadmium on several key genes (MT-I, MT-II, ZnT-1) in zinc metabolism in the mouse. Mouses weighing 20∼25 g were randomly assigned to control and cadmium treated group (Cd group). Cd group was intraperitoneally injected with cadmium 2, 4, 8 mg/kg and control group was administerd with saline. Mouses of each group were sacrificed by decapitation 4 hours after the administration of cadmium. Cadmium contents in blood, liver, kidney and brain were increased by a dose-dependent manner. Accumulation of cadmium was mainly occurred in liver and kidney. Induction of MT-I and MT-II protein was increased, but ZnT-1 expression was decreased in a dose-dependent manner by the treatment of 2∼8 mg/kg cadmium. These results suggested that cadmium can be transported to brain and alter the expression of several key genes in zinc homeostasis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.165-172
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• 1999

In the present work , the transport mechanism of a capsaicin derivative, DA-5018, through blood-brain barrier (BBB) has been investigated to evaluate the feasibility of potential drug development. The result of pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from the intravenous injection of plasma volume marker,$[3^H]RSA$ and $[{14}^C]DA-5018$, indicated that both AUC, area under the plasma concentration curve and VD, volume of distribution in brain of $[3^H]RSA$ agreed with those reported ($1620{\pm}10 $percentage injected dose minute per milliliter (%IDmin/ml) and $12.0{\pm}0.1{\mu}l/g$, respectively). Elimination half-life and AUC of $[{14}^C]DA-5018$is corrected by the PHLC analysis, 19.6$\pm$1.2 min and 7.69$\pm$0.85% IDmin/ml, respectively. The metabolic rate of $[{14}^C]DA-5018$was very rapid. The blood-brain barrier permeability surface area (PS) product of $[{14}^C]DA-5018$ was calculated to be 0.24$\pm$0.05 $\mu$l/min/g. The result of internal carotid artery perfusion and capillary depletion suggested that [14C]DA-5018 pass through BBB with the time increasingly. Investigation of transport mechanism of $[{14}^C]DA-5018$ using agonist and antagonist suggested that vanilloid (capsaicin) receptor did not exist in the BBB, and nutrient carrier system in the BBB has no effect on the transport of DA-5018. In conclusion, despite the fact that penetration of DA-5018 through BBB is significant, the intact drug found in the brain tissue is small because of a rapid metabolism. Therefore, for the central analgesic effect of DA-5018, the method to increase the metabolic stability in plasma and the brain permeability should be considered.