• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.342-350
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• 2010

This study was aimed to investigate whether soy protein hydrolysates had beneficial effects on serum and tissue lipid contents and appetite-related hormones as compared with intact soy protein. Four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93M diet containing high fat (18% w/w) with low protein (10% w/w). After four weeks, the rats were divided into four groups (n = 8/group) and fed experimental diets with different nitrogen sources and levels, respectively; 10% soy protein isolate (10SPI), 25% soy protein isolate (25SPI), 25% soy protein hydrolysates (25SPH) and 25% soy macro-peptide fractions (25SPP, MW $\geq$ 10,000) for six weeks. Weight gain was significantly higher in 25% nitrogen sources-fed groups than in 10% group (10SPI). In 25SPP, perirenal fat mass and serum total lipid were significantly lower than in other groups. As for appetite-related hormones, serum ghrelin concentration was not shown to be different among groups but leptin concentration was significantly decreased in 25SPP. It can be concluded that soy macro-peptide fractions as compared with intact soy protein may have beneficial effects on reducing fat mass and serum lipid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1507-1515
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• 2018

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is characterized by prostatic hypertrophy mainly in the elderly. Corni Fructus is reportedly effective in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, but its efficacy on BPH has not been previously studied. In the present study, we investigated whether or not a Corni Fructus water extract (CF) could prevent testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in rats. To induce BPH, castrated rats were subcutaneously injected with testosterone propionate (TP). CF was administered daily by oral gavage, along with the TP injections, and finasteride, a selective inhibitor of $5{\alpha}$-reductase type 2, was used as a positive control. The results show that CF significantly reduces prostate weight and histopathologic changes while also decreasing levels of serum dihydrotestosterone, similar to the finasteride-treated group. CF also suppresses TP-induced $5{\alpha}$-reductase expression and concentration in prostate tissue and serum, respectively. Furthermore, CF markedly inhibited TP-induced expression of the androgen receptor (AR) and the steroid receptor coactivator 1, an AR coactivator, which was associated with a decrease in prostate-specific antigen levels in both serum and prostate tissue. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that CF weakens BPH status by inactivation of $5{\alpha}$-reductase and AR.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.24 no.2 s.62
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• pp.166-171
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• 2006

To elucidate the effect of phytoestrogens on the prevention of neurodegenerative disease in postmenopausal women, the expression of occludin which build up the blood-brain barrier was examined in hippocampus following oral administration of estrogen (E2), genistein, diadzein or combination of genistein and diadzein in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats. E2 significantly increased occludin mRNA level in OVX rat hippocampus, suggesting that estrogen is a physiological regulator for structural integrity of the blood-brain barrier in hippocampus. Following isoflavone diet for 4 weeks, there was significant increase in occludin mRNA level in hippocampus, suggesting that isoflavone diet may be effective for protection of structural integrity of blood-brain barrier in hippocampus from degenerative changes in estrogen deficiency.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1693-1706
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• 2019

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of mainly infants and children. Currently, the development of safe and effective treatments for AD is urgently required. The present study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of yeast-extracted β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) LM1004 against AD-like symptoms. To purpose, β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 were orally administered to AD-induced animal models of rat (histamine-induced vasodilation) and mouse (pruritus and contact dermatitis) exhibiting different symptoms of AD. We then investigated the treatment effects on AD-like symptoms, gene expression of immune-related factors, and gut microbiomes. Oral administration of β-1,3/1,6-glucan (0.01 g/kg initial body weight) and/or 2 × 10¹² cells/g L. plantarum LM1004 (0.01 g/kg initial body weight) to AD-induced animal models showed significantly reduced vasodilation in the rat model, and pruritus, edema, and serum histamine in the mouse models (p < 0.05). Interestingly, β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 significantly decreased the mRNA levels of Th2 and Th17 cell transcription factors, while the transcription factors of Th1 and Treg cells, galactin-9, filaggrin increased, which are indicative of enhanced immunomodulation (p < 0.05). Moreover, in rats with no AD induction, the same treatments significantly increased the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Bacteroides. Furthermore, bacterial taxa associated with butyrate production such as, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae at family, and Roseburia at genus level were increased in the treated groups. These findings suggest that the dietary supplementation of β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 has a great potential for treatment of AD as well as obesity in humans through mechanisms that might involve modulation of host immune systems and gut microbiota.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2017

Background: Chong-Myung-Tang (CMT) extract is widely used in Korea as a traditional herbal tonic for increasing memory capacity in high-school students and also for numerous body ailments since centuries. The use of CMT to improve the learning capacity has been attributed to various plant constituents, especially black ginseng, in it. Therefore, in this study, we have first investigated whether black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts affected spatial learning using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Their molecular mechanism of action underlying improvement of learning and memory was examined in vitro. Methods: We used two types of black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, designated as CM-1 and CM-2, and evaluated their efficacy in the MWM test for spatial learning behavior and their anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells. Results: Our results show that both black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts improved the learning behavior in scopolamine-induced impairment in the water maze test. Moreover, these extracts also inhibited nitric oxide production in BV2 cells, with significant suppression of expression of proinflammatory cytokines, especially inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. The protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ pathway factors was also diminished by black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, indicating that it not only improves the memory impairment, but also acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent for neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our research for the first time provides the scientific evidence that consumption of black ginseng-enriched CMT extract as a brain tonic improves memory impairment. Thus, our study results can be taken as a reference for future neurobehavioral studies.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

Objectives : Effects of repetitive electroacupuncture(EA) on the pain behavior and activation of spinal glial cells were examined in the rat model of neuropathic pain. Methods : Twenty one adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups(control group, SP6 group, ST36+GB34 group). Neuropathic pain was induced by tight ligation of L5 spinal nerve. Mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity of hind paw were tested. Immunohistochemistry was performed in spinal cord L5/6 of all groups. EA was treated once in a day from the $5^{th}$ day after surgery. Results : EA treatments applied to ST36 and GB34 reduced significantly both of mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity after 3 times of treatment throughout the experiments. In the SP6 group, the analgesic effect was also shown after 7 times of treatment. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated inhibition of microglia and astrocyte activation in the spinal cord L5/6 dorsal horn in the ST36+GB34 group. Conclusions : The present results suggest that repetitive EA exert strong analgesic effect on neuropathic pain. These analgesic effects in neuropathic pain are associated with suppressing the activation of microglia and astrocyte.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.178-185
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• 2006

This study was to investigate the effect of 0.1% chitosan-ascorbate (CA) prepared with different molecular weight (223, 746, 1,110 and 2,025 kDa) of chitosan on the changes in antioxidant activity of mul-kimchi during storage at $10^{\circ}C$ for 20 days. Animal experiments were divided to 5 groups; normal control group (NC), high cholesterol diet group (HC), high cholesterol diet mul-kimchi diet group (HCKC), high cholesterol diet and CA2025 containing mul-kimchi administrated group (HCCA), and high cholesterol diet and 1/2 concentrated CA containing mul-kimchi administrated group (HC2CA). Mul-kimchi juice was administered 0.5 mL per 100 g body weight once a day and fed for 5 weeks. Electron donating activity of the 20 days-stored mul-kimchi with 0.1% CA showed higher activity (84.74~89.13%) than those of control and ascorbic acid mul-kimchi (35.04 and 75.04%). Superoxide dismutase activities of the kimchijuice with CA were higher in the higher molecular of chitosan. In the animal experiments, the average body weight of the HCCA and HC2CA group were lower 6.9% and 8.4% than that of HC control group, respectively. Hepatic glutathione content in HCCA and HC2CA group was increased 22.5% and 9.1% as compared to HC group. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase activities were significantly increased in the HCCA (219.9%) and HC2CA group (153.8%) compared to NC group. Hepatic superoxide dismutase activity was highest in the HCCA group, and the activities in CA groups were higher than those of NC and HC group.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.299-309
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of black soybean (CJ-3) testa extracts on lipid profiles in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: One control group and four STZ-induced diabetic groups with different doses of black soybean (CJ-3) testa extracts treatment [0 mg/kg (diabetic control, EX), 250 mg/kg (EX-250), 500 mg/kg (EX-500), 1,000 mg/kg (EX-1000)] were orally administered for 4 weeks. Results: All CJ-3 treatment groups had remarkably lower serum triglyceride (TG) levels than that of EX group (p < 0.05) whereas hepatic TG contents did not show any differences. Results from serum total cholesterol (TC) concentrations of EX-250 and EX-1000 groups were decreased compared to EX group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, protein levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase from the liver decreased in all treatment groups (p < 0.05). However, significant differences were not observed in serum glucose and insulin, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4) protein expression in skeletal muscle tissue. Conclusion: These results suggest that black soybean testa extracts could be useful for improvement of hyperlipidemia and hypercholesteremia in diabetes.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.987-995
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• 2009

The effects of Kwamaegi on serum lipid profiles and ROS(reactive oxygen spices) generating and scavenging enzyme activities were investigated in rats. The three experimental groups were divided as follows: normal control diet group (NC), 5% naturally prepared and freeze-dried Kwamaegi supplemented diet group (NPK) and 5% chitosan-ascorbate treated and artificially dried (CWDD: Chilly Wind & Dehumidification Drier) Kwamaegi supplemented diets group (CAK). There were no significant differences in weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio or organs weights per body weight including liver, kidney, heart and spleen among the group. In addition, there were no significant differences in serum triglyceride and total cholesterol contents. The HDL-cholesterol contents of the NC, CAK and NPK groups were 62.00, 36.48 and 78.44 mg/dL while LDL-cholesterol contents were 62.00, 36.48 and 78.44 mg/dL, respectively, which were significantly different. The atherogenic indeces in the experimental groups were 0.62, 1.20 and 0.13, respectively. There were no significant differences in total XOD (xanthine oxidoreductase) activities; however XOD type O activity was higher in the NPK group than un the NC group and in the CAK group XOD type O activity was 21~45% lower compared to NC and NPK groups. SOD (superoxide dismutase) activity was significantly higher in the CAK group than in the NC and NPK groups, while there were no significantly differences in GST (glutathione S-transferrase) activity among the groups. Furthermore, serum ALT activity was higher in the NPK group versus the NC and CAK groups. GSH (glutathione) content was higher and LPO (lipid peroxide) content lower in the CAK group compared to the NC and NPK groups. Forem the above results, we suggest that CA treated and artificially dried Kwamaegi is not only a hygienic product but also has lowering effects on LDL-cholesterol and the atherogenic index together with the lowering of ROS-generating and increasing of ROS-scavenging enzyme activities compared to other natural products.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.697-704
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• 2013

The inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts from Curdrania tricuspidata leaves (CTL) on osteoarthritis was investigated in primary cultured rat cartilage cells and a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced arthritis rat model. To identify the effects of CTL 80% ethanol extracts (CTL80) and CTL 10% ethanol extracts (CTL10) against $H_2O_2$ treatment in vitro, cell survival was measured by the MTT assay. Cell survival after $H_2O_2$ treatment increased with CTL80 and CTL10 close to normal up to $300{\mu}g/mL\;H_2O_2$. The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) was determined MMP-7 and MMP-13 (known catabolic factors), were significantly inhibited by CTL 80 and CTL10; a $200{\mu}g/mL$ dose of CTL80 especially decreased MMP-13 expression. In vivo, osteoarthritis was induced by an intra-articular injection of MIA into the knee joints of rats, then CTL80 and CTL10 orally administered daily for 35 days. After the animals were sacrificed, histological evaluations of their knee joints revealed a reduction in polymorphonuclear cell infiltration and smooth synovial lining in the CTL80-500 group. Micro-CT analysis of hind paws from CTL80-500 and CTL10 showed a protection against osteophyte formation, soft tissue swelling, and bone resorption. In conclusion, CTL ethanol extracts are effective in ameliorating joint destruction and cartilage erosion in MIA-induced rats. CTL decreases and normalizes articular cartilage through preventing extracellular matrix degradation and chondrocyte injury, and could potentially serve as a therapeutic treatment for humans.