• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2010

Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ ($Rg_3$), one of the active ingredients in Panax ginseng, attenuates NMDA receptor-mediated currents in vitro and antagonizes NMDA receptors through a glycine modulatory site in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ on 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OH-chol)-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. The results showed that $Rg_3$ treatment significantly and dose-dependently inhibited 24-OH-chol-induced cell death in rat cultured cortical neurons, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $28.7{\pm}7.5\;{\mu}m$. Furthermore, the $Rg_3$ treatment not only significantly reduced DNA damage, but also dose-dependently attenuated 24-OH-chol-induced caspase-3 activity. To study the mechanisms underlying the in vitro neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ against 25-OH-chol-induced cytotoxicity, we also examined the effect of $Rg_3$ on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ elevations in cultured neurons and found that $Rg_3$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited increases in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $40.37{\pm}12.88\;{\mu}m$. Additionally, $Rg_3$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited apoptosis with an $IC_{50}$ of $47.3{\pm}14.2\;{\mu}m$. Finally, after confirming the protective effect of $Rg_3$ using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, we found that $Rg_3$ is an active component in ginseng-mediated neuroprotection. These results collectively indicate that $Rg_3$-induced neuroprotection against 24-OH-chol in rat cortical neurons might be achieved via inhibition of a 24-OH-chol-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This is the first report to employ cortical neurons to study the neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ against 24-OH-chol. In conclusion, $Rg_3$ was effective for protecting cells against 24-OH-chol-induced cytotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. This protective ability makes $Rg_3$ a promising agent in pathologies implicating neurodegeneration such as apoptosis or neuronal cell death.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1999

This study was aimed to implement and evaluate worksite nutrition counseling for industrial workers with hyperlipidemia in Kyung-buk area. Forty-six subjects consisted of 41 men and 5 women who were diagnosed hyperlipidemia though health examination had their average age, 40.3$\pm$ 6.0 and half of them were office workers and one third labor workers. Twenty-eight subjects had fatty liver with or without other complications and six had gastric problems. The subjects were interviewed using questionnaires on food habit, food frequency, smoking, drinking and exercise, and they were given nutrition counseling which was continued for 7 months. Desirable food selections were practiced using foods or food models and various written materials individually or as group during lunch times and breaks. After counseling, smoking and drinking were reduced and exercise and food habits were improved. Average levels of initial serum total cholesterol(T-Chol), HDL-cholesterol(HDL-Chol) and triglyceride(TG) were 214$\pm$ 44, 45.07$\pm$ 7.14 and 281$\pm$ 13mg/dl respectively and were not changed significantly except 2.30$\pm$ 7.04mg/dl increase of HDL-Chol(p<0.1) after nutrition counseling. However, subjects who improved their food habits and smoking, drinking and exercise habits had higher tendency to have reduced serum T-Chol and TG levels compared with those who drank less. Food habit score was negatively correlated with serum TG levels(r=-0.378, p<0.01). It is concluded that an efficient and regular nutrition counseling by dietitian at worksite is beneficial for health of industrial workers.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.166-171
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lotus leaf on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in animal model of diabetes. Inhibitory activity of ethanol extract of lotus leaf against yeast ${\alpha}$-glucosidase was measured in vitro. The effect of lotus leaf on the postprandial increase in blood glucose levels was assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without lotus leaf extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to the rats after an overnight fast, and postprandial plasma glucose levels were monitored. Four-week-old db/db mice were fed a basal diet or a diet containing 1% lotus leaf extract for 7 weeks after 1 week of acclimation to study the chronic effect of lotus leaf. After sacrifice, plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-CHOL, and blood glycated hemoglobin levels were measured. Lotus leaf extract inhibited ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity by 37.9%, which was 1.3 times stronger than inhibition by acarbose at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL in vitro. Oral administration of lotus leaf extract significantly decreased the area under the glucose response curve by 35.1% compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Chronic feeding of lotus leaf extract significantly lowered plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin compared with those in the control group. Lotus leaf extract significantly reduced plasma TG and total CHOL and elevated HDL-CHOL levels compared with those in the control group. Therefore, we conclude that lotus leaf is effective for controlling hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in an animal model of diabetes mellitus.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.126-129
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• 2006

Effects of Coix lachryma-jobi var. mayuen stapf. ext. on lipidlowering and serum glucose were investigated in hyperlipidemic rat. Concentration of glucose and triglyceride in plasma showed a tendence to decrease in Coix lachryma-jobi var. mayuen stapf. ext. groups. However the values of 100mg/kg treatment group showed no significant difference in control group. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-chol. showed a low values than those of control group. However HDL-chol. showed no significant difference in all treatment groups, Concentration of liver total cho. and triglyceride showed a tendence to decrease in Coix lachryma-jobi var. mayuen stapf. ext. groups. Concentration of plasma and liver TBARS showed a low values in Coix lachryma-jobi var. mayuen stapf. ext. groups. The values of GSH-Px, SOD and CAT activity showed a tendence to increase in the Coix lachryma-jobi var. mayuen stapf. ext. groups.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.422-431
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• 1987

Dietary habits and serum lipid composition of 80 hospitalized patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD) were compared to those of normal subjects. CVD patients were significantly higher in BP, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low4r in HDL-choelsterol which resulted in the higher ratio of serum chol/HDL-chol than normal. Patients were also lower in the relative amount of HDL fraction by electrophoresis but were higher in LDL fraction and the ratio of LDL/HDL . In Korean, the high levels of serum chol, TG and LDL with low level of HDL as well as high BP could be one of the important causing factors of CVD. However, dietary habits of patients were not significantly different from those of normal . There is a possibility that patients might have controlled their dietary habits after they realized the severeness of disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.429-441
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• 1994

The difference in lipid metabolism between breast-fed(BF) and formula-fed(FF) infants were studied in 31 Korean infants at 1, 2 and 3 months postpartum. The formulas had more total lipids(TL), triglycerides(TG) and phospholipids and less cholesterol(CHOL) and free fatty acids(FFA) than the breast milk. The milk consumption of the FF infants was significantly greater than that of the BF infants with a wide individual variation. As a result, the FF infants appeared to consume more TL, TG and PL and less CHOL and FFA than the BF infants during 3 months. The lipid contents of the breast milk tended to decrease in due course of lactation, therefore the intake of lipids of BF infants was reduced during the first three month of lactation. The plasma TG and CHOL levels of infants at 3 month were not significantly different between the BF and FF infants, but the PL level of the BF infants was higher then that of the FF infants. The plasma levels of TG and CHOL were not significantly correlated with the intakes of TL, TG, CHOL, PL and FFA, respectively. The PL level, however, was positively correlated with the intakes of CHOL and FFA, respectively and negatively correlated with PL intake as well as 18 : 2w6 fatty acid content of the breast milk or the formulas. The fecal weight and fecal loss of TL of the FF infants were greater than those of the BF infants during 3 months, however, apparent lipids digestibility was not significantly different between the BF and FF infants. The fecal excretions of CHOL and bile acids of FF infants were substantially higher than those of BF infants during 3 months. New sterol balance showed a particularly large difference between the BF and FF infants. The value of the net sterol balance of the BF infants was negative, but that of the FF infants was positive. This study shows that the consumption pattern of various lipid components of BF and FF infants were different as a result of different lipid compositions between breast milk and formula. The significantly lower sterol balance of the BF infants than the FF infants may have been derived from the unique dietary characteristic of breast milk.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.33 no.1 s.60
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• pp.1-6
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• 2007

It has been generally known that liposomes become unstable when they contain cyclodextrins (CDs). Our present studies demonstrate that these liposomes can be stable by association of amphiphilic polyelectrolytes. Transmission electron microscopy and photocorrelation spectroscopy results showed that polymer-associated liposomes containing CDs (${\beta}-CD$(${\beta}CD$) and hydroxypropyl-${\beta}CD$ ($HP{\beta}CD$)) were more stable than phosphatidylcholine (PC)-cholesterol (Chol) liposomes containing these CDs. We also compared the stability of PC-Chol liposomes with polymer-associated liposomes containing $HP{\beta}CD$ complexed with water-insoluble drug, rhaponticin (Rh). Two liposomes were relatively stable when $HP{\beta}CD$ did not contain Rh, but Rh-$HP{\beta}CD$ complexes triggered the disruption of PC-Chol liposomes. In contrast, polymer-associated Liposomes containing Rh-$HP{\beta}CD$ complexes maintained its stability over 6 months. The skin permeation test demonstrated that drugs solubilized by CDs were delivered better into the skin of guinea pig by using polymer-associated liposomes than by using PC-Chol liposomes. Above results showed that polymer-associated liposomes gave an effective way to stabilize the liposomes containing drug-loaded CDs, which gives an application of liposomes in drug delivery systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1175-1181
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green vegetable (kale) juice powder supple-mentation on lipid profiles, plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in rats fed cholesterol (Chol. ) or Chol. free diet. 7-week old male Sprague Dawley rats (n=40) were divided into 4 groups, and experimental diets containing control diet group (CO), control diet plus 0.5 wt$ \% $ Chol. (CC), control diet added with 5 wt$ \% $ kale (KO), control diet added with 5 wt$ \% $ kale plus 0.5 wt$ \% $ Chol. (KC) were fed for 8 wks. Plasma homocysteine level was examined by amino acid analyzer and serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ level were measured by com-petitive radioimmunoassay methods. In various serum lipid profiles, TG level was lower in kale juice powder groups (KO, KC) compared to the corresponding groups (CO, CC) (p<0.001). In Chol. supplemented groups (CC, KC), HDL-Chol. level was lower (p<0.001) and LDL-Chol. level was higher (p<0.05) than Chol. free diet. HDL-Chol. level was higer (p<0.05) in kale juice powder groups. HDL/LDL ratio was lower in Chol. supplemented groups (CC, KC) and tended to be higher in kale juice powder groups (KO, KC) Serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels were not affected by dietary Chol. and kale juice powder supplementation. Plasma homocysteine level was not affected by dietary Chol. and kale juice powder supplementation, too. Serum folate level was positively correlated with serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level (r=0.5632, p<0.001), but plasma homocysteine level was not significantly correlated with any serum folate, vitamin $B_{12}$ and Chol. levels, respectively. In summary, kale juice powder supplementation have improved serum lipid profiles by increasing the HDL level and decreasing the TG level and have not altered homocysteine level under the sufficient supply of folate and vitamin B complex relating with the homocysteine metabolism.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.601-607
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the biochemical pollutant marker for diagnosis of marine pollutions by the changes in lipid components of the flounder (Pleuronichthys cornutus) in the Yellow Sea of Korea. Hemoglobin levels in serum of wild flounders in the yellow Sea were significantly lower $(15\~30\%)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang (control) of the East Sea. Triglyceride (TG) contents in serum of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were higher $(15\~50\%)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Total and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol contents in serum of flounders in the Yellow Sea were significantly higher $(20\~25\%\;and\;15\~35\%,\;respectively)$ than those of wild flounder in Pohang. Atherogenic index (Al) in serum of wild flounders in the Yellow Sea were significantly higher $(10\~60\%)$ than these of wild flounder in Pohang but T-Chol/PL ratios showed almost no change in serum of flounders in the Yellow Sea we examined. These results suggest that near-coastal water as well as neritic water of the Yellow Sea might be affected by pollutant input.