• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.13-28
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• 2016

Objectives To investigate anti-obesity effects of Galgeun-tang, an herbal formula, in high fat diet induced obese mice model. Methods 24 Male C57Bl/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal group fed with normal research diet (NOR, n=6), high fat diet control group treated with water (HFD, n=6), high fat diet group treated with Orlistat (ORL, n=6, Orlistat 10 mg/kg), and high fat diet group treated with Galgeun-tang (GGT, n=6, Galgeun-tang 700 mg/kg). 12 weeks later, body weight, fat weight, liver weight, blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, ALT, AST, obesity related neuropeptides and adipokines, ratio of gut microbiota, and histopathology of liver were evaluated. Results In the GGT group, 1. body weight gain, liver weight gain, and total fat weight gain were significantly less than those in the HFD group. 2. blood glucose level was significantly lower and insulin level was significantly higher than in the HFD group. 3. total cholesterol level and triglyceride (TG) level were significantly lower and high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was significantly higher than in the HFD group. 4. appetite-promoting ARC neuropeptides such as Agrp and Npy were significantly less and appetite-inhibiting ARC neuropeptide, Cart was significantly more than in the HFD group in qRT-PCR analysis. 5. adiponectin level and visfatin level were significantly higher, and resistin level and leptin level was significantly lower than in the HFD group. 6. the relative level of Bacteroidetes was significantly higher, and the relative level of Firmicutes was significantly lower than in the HFD group. 7. the increase of adipose tissue was significantly more inhibited than in the HFD group. Conclusions The present study showed that Glageun-tang exerts anti-obesity effects in that it. 1. inhibited the increase in body weight, liver weight, and total fat weight. 2. decreased the level of TG, and increased the level of HDL. 3. influenced neuropeptides and adipokines that are important in regulating food intake and changes of body weight. 4. modified the beneficial quantitative changes in gut microbiota suppressing the tendency toward obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 1996

This work has been carried out to examine the number of Total, ICM and TE cells of F1 mouse blastcysts at day 4 after IVF by differential labelling of the nuclei with polynucleotide-specific fluorochromes and to obtain a fundamental information of preimplantation mouse embryo development. Blastocysts produced by superovulated B6CBA F1(C57BL/${\times}$CBA) eggs were inseminated with $1{\times}10^6$spermatozoa/ml and cultured in M16 medium at $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator for 95hrs. Blastocysts were classified as early, middle, expanded and hatching stage according to the developmental morphology; blastocoel expansion and zona thickness. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows; 1) The development rate of blastocysts at 95hrs after IVF was 86.7% and classified blastocysts to early, middle, expanded and hatching were 16.3%, 18.9%, 10.5% and 40.9%, respectively. 2) The numbers of total blastomere using bisbenzimide in the classified blastocysts to early, middle, expanded and hatching were 35.6${\pm}$1O.4, 49.4${\pm}$8.6, 60.8${\pm}$1O.7 and 62.7${\pm}$13.9, respectively. 3) In ICM and TE cell number by using differential labelling with polynucleotide-specific fluorochrome in the classified blastocysts to early, middle, expanded and hatching; ICM numbers were 9.6${\pm}$3.0, 13.6${\pm}$3.9, 16.0${\pm}$3.3 and 19.5${\pm}$4.6, respectively and TE cell numbers were 30.6${\pm}$5.1, 39.9${\pm}$5.8, 42.2${\pm}$8.1 and 43.7${\pm}$11.1, respectively. These results showed the same increase pattern according to development advance level. Also, when compared with the results of total count were obtained between bisbenzimide only and differential labelling, both of them showed the same increase pattern according to development level and at the same time their cell numbers were almost the same. So, rapid and simple cell count method using differential labelling can be used for the examination of later preimplantation development or as an indicator of embryo quality according to the variables of culture conditions.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.90-90
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• 2003

Circling mice were recorded to display profound deafness and a head-tossing and bidirectional circling behavior, showing an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. In addition, the histological examination of inner ears revealed that the region around organ of Corti, spiral ganglion neurons and outer hair cells showed definite abnormality. On the other hand, a genetic linkage map was constructed in an intraspecific backcross between cir and C57BL/6J mice. The cir gene was mapped to a region between D9Mitl16/D9Mit15 and D9Mit38 on the mouse chromosome 9. Estimated distances between cir and D9Mitl16, and between cir and D9Mit38 are 0.70 $\pm$ 0.40 and 0.23 $\pm$ 0.23 cM, respectively. The markers in order was defined as follows: centromere-D9Mit182- D9Mit51/ D9Mit79/ D9Mit310- D9Mit212/ D9Mit184- D9Mit116/ D9Mit15- cir- D9Mit38- D9Mit20- D9Mit243- D9Mit16- D9Mit55/ D9Mit125- D9Mit281 Based on genetic mapping, we constructed for a YAC contig across cir region. They covered the entire region or cir and cir gene was located on between the lactotransferrin (ltf) and the macrotubule-associated protein (map4). It is known that sr gene is localized in 64cM of mouse chromosome 9. The two mouse were found to be allelic by complementation test. Recently the spinner mouse has been mapped to our cir region, and tmie gene were elucidated. And further study will be needed in circling mouse to prove tmie gene mutaiton.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.29-45
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• 2019

Objectives This study is to investigate anti-obesity effects of Banggihwanggi-tang-hap-yeonggyechulgam-tang (BY), an herbal formula, in high fat diet induced obese mice model. Methods Fourty five male C57Bl/6J mice were randomly assigned to normal group fed with normal research diet (Nor, n=9), high fat diet control group treated with water (Veh, n=9), high fat diet group treated with orlistat (Oris; n=9, Orlistat 40 mg/kg), high fat diet group treated with low concentraion BY (BYL; n=6, BY 0.87 g/kg) and high fat diet group treated with high concentration BY (BYH; n=6, BY 1.74 g/kg). Results Seven weeks later, antioxidative capacity, body weight, epididymal fat pad and liver weight, reactive oxygen species (ROS), peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and histology of liver were evaluated. In the BYH group, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azinobis (3 ethybenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activity were more than L-ascorbic acid. Body weight gain were significantly less than Veh group. Epididymal fat pad and liver weight gain were significantly less than Veh group. ROS and $ONOO^-$ were significantly less than with Veh group. ALT and AST were significantly less than with Veh group. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were significantly less, HDL were significantly more than Veh group. SOD, catalase, Gpx, HO-1 significantly increased compared with Veh group. Injury on liver was lesser than Veh group. Conclusions It can be suggested that BY has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet induced obese mice model.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.953-958
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• 2008

The object of this study was to investigate the immune-enhancing effects of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) on a deteriorated immune function by a protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) diet. Unicellular algae, CV were used as a biological response modifier. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed for 15 days with standard diet or a PEM diet, which is associated with decreased host immune defense. After 8 days, mice in the PEM diet group were orally administered by 0.05, 0.1, and 0.15 g/kg body weight of CV or distilled water. Nutritional parameters, and interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ levels were significantly increased in the blood serum of the CV (0.15 g/kg)-treated group (29.6$\pm$2.8 pg/mL) compared to the non-treated PEM group (4.1$\pm$0.4 pg/mL, p<0.05). In addition, cell proliferation and production of cytokines were investigated via a CV (0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/mL) treatment using a human T cell line MOLT-4 cell. The CV treatment (1 mg/mL) significantly increased the production of both IFN-$\gamma$ and interleukin (IL)-2 (51.3$\pm$3.4 and 285.9$\pm$18.8 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the control (51.3$\pm$3.4 and 442.6$\pm$14.3 pg/mL, respectively), but did not affect the production of IL-4. These results suggest that CV may be useful in improving the immune function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.168-177
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• 2020

Background: Ginseng has been widely used as a health-promoting tonic. Gintonin present in ginseng acts as a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand that activates six LPA receptor subtypes. The LPA6 subtype plays a key role in normal hair growth, and mutations in the LPA6 receptor impair normal human hair growth. Currently, human hair loss and alopecia are concerning issues that affect peoples' social and day-to-day lives. Objective: We investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of a gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) on mouse hair growth. Methods: Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used. The mice were divided into the four groups: control, 1% minoxidil, 0.75% GEF, and 1.5% GEF. The dorsal hair was removed to synchronize the telogen phase. Each group was treated topically, once a day, for 15 days. We analyzed hair growth activity and histological changes. Results: GEF induced transient [Ca²⁺]_i, which stimulated HFDPC proliferation and caused 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation in a concentration-dependent manner. GEF-mediated HFDPC proliferation was blocked by the LPA receptor antagonist and Ca²⁺ chelator. HFDPC treatment with GEF stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor release. Topical application of GEF and minoxidil promoted hair growth in a dose-dependent manner. Histological analysis showed that GEF and minoxidil increased the number of hair follicles and hair weight. Conclusion: Topical application of GEF promotes mouse hair growth through HFDPC proliferation. GEF could be one of the main components of ginseng that promote hair growth and could be used to treat human alopecia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.594-602
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• 2021

Purpose: The zinc transporter ZIP7 is known to regulate glucose metabolism in skeletal muscles, and skeletal muscles are known to play a critical role in glycemic control. The present study examines the effects of dietary zinc supplementation on the blood glucose concentration and expression of ZIP7 in skeletal muscle obtained from obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HF). Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were divided into three groups and were administered either a HF (60% of total calories from fat), HF supplemented with zinc (HF+Zn, 60% calories from fat + 300 mg zinc/kg diet), or low-fat diet (CON, 10% calories from fat), for 15 weeks. Results: Compared to CON group mice, the final body weights and adipose tissue weights were significantly increased, while the skeletal muscle weights were significantly decreased in mice belonging to the HF and HF+Zn groups. The HF+Zn group had significantly lower levels of fasting blood glucose concentrations than the HF group. Similarly, zinc supplementation significantly decreased the HF-elevated area under the curve values obtained from the oral glucose tolerance test. Skeletal muscle protein levels of ZIP7 in samples obtained from the HF group were significantly decreased as compared to the CON group. Conversely, the skeletal ZIP7 protein levels in the HF+Zn group were significantly increased as compared to the HF group. Moreover, the protein levels of phosphorylated-AKT and glucose transporter 4 in the skeletal muscle were significantly increased subsequent to zinc supplementation. Conclusion: Our data demonstrates that zinc supplementation up-regulates the skeletal muscle ZIP7 expression, which is associated with improved glucose tolerance in the obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.156-166
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• 2022

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer (P. ginseng), a herb distributed in Korea, China and Japan, exerts benefits on diverse inflammatory conditions. However, the underlying mechanism and active ingredients remains largely unclear. Herein, we aimed to explore the active ingredients of P. ginseng against inflammation and elucidate underlying mechanisms. Methods: Inflammation model was constructed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in C57BL/6 mice and RAW264.7 macrophages. Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi) and immunofluorescence were utilized to predict active component. Results: P. ginseng significantly inhibited LPS-induced lung injury and the expression of proinflammatory factors, including TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Additionally, P. ginseng blocked fluorescencelabeled LPS (LPS488) binding to the membranes of RAW264.7 macrophages, the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Furthermore, molecular docking demonstrated that ginsenoside Ro (GRo) docked into the LPS binding site of toll like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD2) complex. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that the MD2-GRo binding conformation was stable. SPRi demonstrated an excellent interaction between TLR4/ MD2 complex and GRo (K_D value of 1.16 × 10^-9 M). GRo significantly inhibited LPS488 binding to cell membranes. Further studies showed that GRo markedly suppressed LPS-triggered lung injury, the transcription and secretion levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPKs as well as the p65 subunit nuclear translocation were inhibited by GRo dose-dependently. Conclusion: Our results suggest that GRo exerts anti-inflammation actions by direct inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.549-564
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between harmful free radicals and antioxidants. Long-term oxidative stress can lead to an "exhausted" status of antioxidant defense system triggering development of metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. Green perilla (Perilla frutescens) is commonly used in Asian cuisines and traditional medicine in southeast Asia. Green perilla possesses numerous beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. To investigate the potentials of green perilla leaf extract (PE) on oxidative stress, we induced oxidative stress by high-fat diet (HFD) in aging mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice were fed HFD continuously for 53 weeks. Then, mice were divided into three groups for 12 weeks: a normal diet fed reference group (NDcon), high-fat diet fed group (HDcon), and high-fat diet PE treated group (HDPE, 400 mg/kg of body weight). Biochemical analyses of serum and liver tissues were performed to assess metabolic and inflammatory damage and oxidative status. Hepatic gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation related enzymes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: PE improved hepatopathology. PE also improved the lipid profiles and antioxidant enzymes, including hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver. Hepatic gene expressions of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related enzymes, such as SOD-1, CAT, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) were significantly enhanced by PE. PE also reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and liver; moreover, PE suppressed hepatic gene expression involved in pro-inflammatory response; Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: This research opens opportunities for further investigations of PE as a functional food and possible anti-aging agent due to its attenuative effects against oxidative stress, resulting from HFD and aging in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2024

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are some drawbacks to long-term drug therapy such as the risk of opportunistic infections. Recently, there was an increasing interest on the use of khorasan Kamut wheat because of their higher value of selenium and fiber than modern wheat. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Kamut brand wheat enzyme (Kamut WE) diet on colon health in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Methods : Female C57BL/6J mice were divided into 6 groups. (1) normal (Water and AIN-93G diet), (2) control (1.25% DSS and AIN-93G diet), (3) Kamut WE (1.25% DSS and Kamut WE diet), (4) normal (Water and AIN-93G diet), (5) control (2.50% DSS and AIN-93G diet), (6) Kamut WE (2.50% DSS and Kamut WE diet). Dietary intake, body weight change, disease activity index (DAI), colon length and spleen weight were monitored. Results : Kamut WE group alleviated colitis symptom, including dietary intake loss, DAI (weight loss, loose stools, bleeding), colon length shortening and spleen swelling. Further, Kamut WE diets showed a significant effect against pathological damage by the increased colon length, decreased DAI and spleen weight in DSS 1.25% as well as DSS 2.50%. Conclusions : Our study provides evidence that Kamut WE diet increased colon length, decreased DAI and spleen weight in intestinal inflammation.