• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.1-19
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• 2006

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities and mechanisms of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) herbal acupuncture. Methods : Anti-diabetic and anti-steatotic activity of the AS herbal acupuncture was investigated on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. After random grouping at the age of 9 weeks, the herbal acupuncture groups were injected subcutaneously at the left and right Gansu (BL18) corresponding acupuncture points alternately on exactly the same time every day with 0.1ml of either 400 mg/kg or 800 mg/kg of AS (AS400 and AS800) for 8-week period. As a positive control, metformin was administrated at a dose of 300 mg/kg (MT300). Body weights were measured weekly, and on every other week blood was collected for blood glucose analysis. At the end of study, blood was also collected for determination of plasma insulin and lipid levels, after which they were killed and periepidydimal fat, liver, muscle, and pancreas were immediately removed. The removed tissues were instantly soaked in liquid nitrogen and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ for morphological examination and mRNA analysis. Results : The AS herbal acupuncture significantly prevented weight gain on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The AS herbal acupuncture lowered blood glucose and improved glucose tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. The increase of insulin response during the OGTT was inhibited by the AS herbal acupuncture. Insulin sensitivity of skeletal tissue was enhanced. Plasma lipid levels were significantly improved in the AS herbal acupuncture groups. The AS herbal acupuncture decreased hepatic lipogenesis and hepatic triglyceride production, and increased fatty acid (FA) transporter that involves in FA uptake. The AS herbal acupuncture inhibited the increase of liver mass by prevention of the accumulation of TG but did not inhibit weight gain of fat tissue on C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. Conclusion : In summary, we have demonstrated several unique properties of the AS herbal acupuncture in decreasing body weight, and reversing insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. This AS herbal acupuncture acts as an insulin sensitizer and specifically decreases circulating glucose and lipids, and suppresses hepatic lipogenesis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.391-398
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• 2000

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a small peptide molecule synthesized by white adipocytes with an important role in the regulation of body fat and food intake. Based on the evidence that synthesis of leptin is regulated by female sex hormone, estrogen, this present study was investigated whether sex hormone precursor DHEA, can regulate obese gene expression in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Antiobesity activity of DHEA was evaluated by determining body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight and serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in ICR, C57BL/6J, and ob/ob mice. The treatment of C57BL/6J lean and obese mice with a diet containing 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA resulted in lowered rates of weight gain in comparison to non-treated mice, although much greater response was found in the obese mice. All other concentrations of DHEA (0.015%, 0.06%, 0.15%, 0.3%) except the highest one(0.6%) showed no significant effects on weight gain in ICR mice. Food consumption was significantly decreased in all mice treated with 0.6% DHEA, whereas it was not decreased in ICR mice at lower concentrations than 0.6% DHEA. DHEA decreased significantly epididymal adipose tissue weight and serum triglyceride levels dose dependently in lean and obese mice. However serum cholesterol levels were decreased at lower concentrations than 0.15% DHEA and increased at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA in lean and obese mice. These increases in serum cholestrol levels at high concentrations of DHEA might result from the fact that DHEA has a cholesterol moiety thereby interfered the assay system. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for antiobesity activity of DHEA, we examined mRNA levels of obese gene in the adipocyte and obese gene product (leptin) in the serum. The results showed that DHEA did not affect obese gene expression in ICR and C57BL/6J mice. Therefore, we concluded that antiobesity activity of DHEA was not modulated by obese gene expression.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.137-148
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of soy isoflavones to dairy ice cream modifies diabetic biomarkers in the type 2 diabetic model mice. Forty male C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice were randomly divided into 4 groups and fed control diet (basal, 7% fat), MS diet (milk ice cream with sugar, 20% fat), MS-SI diet (MS ice cream with 0.01% soy isoflavones, 20% fat), or MF-SI diet (milk ice cream with 0.01% soy isoflavones, 5% fructooligosaccharide, 20% fat) for 12 weeks. Blood response area by glucose tolerance test, plasma levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, leptin, and blood $HbA_{1c}$ were not significantly different among all the groups. Concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ secreted from splenocytes induced by Concanavalin A were not significantly different among all the groups. In conclusion, soy isoflavones supplemented to ice cream did not alter diabetic biomarkers in diabetic type 2 model mice.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2005

Semisulospira libertine (SL) has been used as a folk medicine for quenching a thirst, hepatic fever and inflammation in oriental countries. Although SL has been anecdotally ascertained to ameliorate the hepatic diseases, there are no sufficient experimental evidences. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Bitam-S, in which SL is a main component, on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease manifested in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice. At 6 week old, the ob/ob mice were randomly divided into four groups; control and three treatment groups. The control mice was to receive a regular diet, and the treatment groups were fed a regular diet with either 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg of Bitam-S (BS250 and BS500) or 300mg/kg of metformin (MT300) for a 8-week period. Bitam-S exerted beneficial effects on lipid homeostasis in ob/ob mice that are not necessarily due to its ability to decrease food intake but its specific effects on hepatic lipogenesis related genes (SREBP1a, FAS and SCD-1). The combined effects of Bitam-S to reduce body weight and lipogenic gene expressions, and reduce the deposition of triglyceride in the liver are indicative of a marked improvement in obesity-related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Taken together, Bitam-S has potential as a treatment agent for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and deserves clinical trial in the near future.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

In this study, we investigated the anti-obese activity of sevennight extract in high fat diet-ob/ob C57BL/6J mice by oral administered for 1 weeks. Mate water extract (MATEWi) was found to lower whole body and epididymal adipose tissue weights and lowered plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), HDL and LDL, compared to those in high fat fed ob/ob group. These results suggest that Mate extract ameliorates obesity through activation of lipogenic enzymes and FA oxidation resulting from phosphorylation of AKT and GSK-$3{\beta}$, and could be developed as a potential therapeutic agent for obese mices.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.33-40
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• 2011

Anti-diabetic effect of the exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced from submerged mycelial culture of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs) was studiedin a type II diabetic animal model (C57BL/6J ob/ob). This study was designed to determine whether Cs-EPS improves clinical symptoms of type II diabetes in ob/ob mice. After Cs-EPS treatment at doses of 200 mg/kg body weight, the fasting blood glucose levels decreased by 47% after 7 weeks compared with those of the control mice. According to the oral glucose tolerance test, the glucose levels recovered its baseline after 120 min in Cs-EPS-treated mice, although the blood glucose levels increased significantly after 30 min. On the other hand, the control group (not-treated) did not recovered its initial level of glucose after 120 min. Furthermore, food intake, body weight, total plasma cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in ob/ob mice treated with Cs-EPS were significantly decreased, compared with those in control ob/ob mice. Cs-EPS treatment increased significantly the plasma insulin level and the expression of leptin mRNA in adipose tissue of Cs-EPS-treated ob/ob mice. From these results, it is demonstrated that Cs-EPS could be effective for regulating normal blood glucose levels by increasing the amounts of plasma insulin and leptin expression in ob/ob mice, indicating that this compound could be a candidate material as a dietary supplement to control hyperglycemia in patients suffering from type II diabetes.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.20-42
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate anti-obesity effects the improvement effects of Gyejibongnyeong-hwan and Gyejibongnyeong-hwan-Gangji-hwan (CIPPDF) in a ob/ob mouse model. Methods: Seven-week old mice (wild-type C57BL/6J and ob/ob) were used for all experiments. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as normal group and obese ob/ob mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. a normal group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a standard diet with CIPP (300 mg/kg), CIPPDF (1) (300+300 mg/kg), CIPPDF (2) (300+600 mg/kg) respectively. After 10 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, mRNA levels of genes involved in fatty acid ${\beta}-oxidation$ and lipogenesis in in-vivo, were examined. Results: 1. Body weight gain and Feeding efficiency ratio were significantly decreased in CIPPDF (1) compared with control. Fat mass was significantly decreased in CIPPDF (2) in EAT compared with control. 2. Consistent their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of LDL-cholesterol were decreased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups compared with control. 3. MCAD mRNA levels of genes was increased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups in the liver, epididymal adipose tissue compared with control. VLCAD mRNA levels of genes was increased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups in the skeletal muscle compared with control. 4. $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA was decreased in CIPPDF (1) in the liver compared with control. SCD1 mRNA was decreased in CIPPDF (1), CIPPDF (2) groups in the epididymal adipose tissue compared with control. Conclusions: In conclusion, These results suggest that CIPPDF not only decrease feeding efficiency ratio, and LDL-cholesterol, but also reduce EAT fat mass contributing to the improvement of ovesity. CIPPDF also were increased in mRNA levels of genes involved in fatty acid ${\beta}-oxidation$ and decreased in mRNA levels of genes involved in lipogenesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.511-519
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• 2011

Dietary intake of whole grains reduces the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. In an earlier study, we showed that Panicum miliaceum L. extract (PME) exhibited the highest anti-lipogenic activity in 3T3-L1 cells among extracts of nine different cereal grains tested. In this study, we hypothesized that PME in the diet would lead to weight loss and augmentation of hyperlipidemia by regulating fatty acid metabolism. PME was fed to ob/ob mice at 0%, 0.5%, or 1% (w/w) for 4 weeks. After the experimental period, body weight changes, blood serum and lipid profiles, hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression, and white adipose tissue (WAT) fatty acid composition were determined. We found that the 1% PME diet, but not the 0.5%, effectively decreased body weight, liver weight, and blood triglyceride and total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) compared to obese ob/ob mice on a normal diet. Hepatic lipogenic-related gene ($PPAR{\alpha}$, L-FABP, FAS, and SCD1) expression decreased, whereas lipolysis-related gene (CPT1) expression increased in animals fed the 1% PME diet (P < 0.05). Long chain fatty acid content and the ratio of C18:1/C18:0 fatty acids decreased significantly in adipose tissue of animals fed the 1% PME diet (P < 0.05). Serum inflammatory mediators also decreased significantly in animals fed the 1% PME diet compared to those of the ob/ob control group (P < 0.05). These results suggest that PME is useful in the chemoprevention or treatment of obesity and obesity-related disorders.

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

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.1-9
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Gyeongshingangjeehwan18 (GGEx18) on obesity using ob/ob male mice. Methods : Eight-week old mice (wild-type C57BL/6J and ob/ob) were used for all experiments. Wild-type C57BL/6J mice were used as lean control and obese ob/ob mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: obese control, GGEx15, GGEx16, GGEx17, and GGEx18. After mice were treated with several kinds of GGEx for 11 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism. Results : 1. Compared with obese controls, GGEx-treated mice had lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio, the magnitudes of which were prominent in GGEx16 and GGEx18. 2. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, GGEx16 and GGEx18 not only decreased plasma triglycerides levels, but also increased HDL-cholesterol concentration. 3. CT analysis revealed that visceral fat areas were decreased in all treatment groups compared with obese control mice. The decrease in visceral fat area was prominent in GGEx16 and GGEx18, although they were not statistically significant. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by GGEx18, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was significantly increased, suggesting that GGEx18 decreased the number of large adipocytes. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by GGEx16 and GGEx18, and the inhibitory effect was most effective in GGEx18. 5. Plasma GOT and GPT concentrations were significantly lower following GGEx16 and GGEx18 treatment compared with obese controls. Organ weights were not changed by GGEx treatment, indicating GGEx do not show any toxic effects. Conclusions : These results suggest that GGEx may regulate obesity. Of the 4 compositions, GGEx18 seems to be most effective in improving obesity and lipid disorders.