• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.79-86
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the physiochemical properties and anti-diabetic effect of yacon vinegar by two-step fermentation. Yacon was matured at room temperature for 20 days. The sugar content of yacon juice prepared from mature yacon was approximately $14^{\circ}Brix$. In the first stage, yacon wine was produced from the juice at $28^{\circ}C$ for 6 days. In the second stage, acetic acid fermentation was conducted at $30^{\circ}C$ and 200 rpm for 6 days to produce yacon vinegar with 4.75% acidity. The major free sugars of yacon vinegar were glucose and fructose at 2,072.12 mg% and 463.95 mg%, respectively. The acetic acid content was the highest of the major organic acids at 3,881.44 mg%. The total free amino acid content was 62.88 mg% with the main free amino acids being proline, ${\gamma}$-amino-n-butyric acid and ornithine. The major minerals of yacon vinegar were Ca, K and Mg. The in vivo anti-diabetic activity of yacon vinegar was investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Diabetic mice were administered orally with 10% yacon juice and two yacon vinegars (5% and 10%) at a dose of 7 mL/kg body weight once per day for 4 weeks. Five% yacon vinegar improved the fasting blood glucose levels and glucose tolerance test significantly compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.05). Yacon vinegar increased the pancreatic C-peptide concentration in a dose-dependent manner. These results show that 5% yacon vinegar has a more potent effect on ameliorating hyperglycemia than 10% yacon juice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1214-1222
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of Pueraria lobate-root based combination supplementation containing Rehmannia glutinosa and exercise on histone modification in ovariectomized rat hindlimb skeletal muscle. Sixty rats were fed with high fat diet and randomly assigned into the following groups for 8 weeks: 1)HSV; High fat+Sedentary+Vehicle, 2)HSP; High fat+Sedentary+PR, 3)HSH; High fat+Sedentary+Estradiol, 4)HEV; High fat+Ex+Vehicle, 5)HEP; High fat+Ex+PR, 6)HEH; High fat+Ex+Estradiol. Exercise consisted of low intensity treadmill exercise(1-4th wk:15 m/min for 30 min, 5-8th wk: 18 m/min for 40 min, 5 times/week). The result of this study showed that exercise and Pueraria and Rehmannia glutinosa intake suppressed weight gain. Furthermore, exercise and Pueraria and Rehmannia glutinosa intake increased muscle mass. This study observed H3K9 acetylation and demethylation in plantaris muscle in exercised group, but no difference in soleus muscle. To test whether the decrease in HDAC4, HDAC5 and G9a mRNA levels after exercise and Pueraria/Rehmannia glutinosa intake, HDAC4, HDAC5 and G9a mRNA levels were determined by real-time PCR. Only exercise induced HDAC5 and G9a mRNA reduction in plantaris muscle, but not in soleus muscle. In conclusion, these data demonstrates that exercise and Pueraria/Rehmannia glutinosa intake effect on body compositions. These changes are regulated by epigenetic modifications, such as histone acetylation and methylation. Future studies should focus on gene-specific epigenetics and other epigenetic mechanism for Pueraria/Rehmannia glutinosa intake.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.671-680
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• 2012

Three kinds of dietary composites-R+T, R+F, and R+TF-were combined in green tea (T), dietary fiber (F), and green tea dietary fiber mixture (TF) to red garlic extract (RG), respectively. The effects of their diets on anti-obesity were investigated $in$ $vitro$ and $in$ $vitro$ in obese rats induced high fat-cholesterol. In $in$ $vivo$ rats, the total phenolic content of the R+T and R+TF was 1.9~2.0 times higher, and their total cholesterol adsorption was 9.5~11.5 times higher than that of RG. $In$ $vivo$, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups (Normal, HFC, HRG, HR+T, HR+F and HR+TF). Afterwards, the diets of the HRG, HR+T, HR+F, and HR+TF groups were supplemented with 1% of RG and its dietary composites (R+T, R+F, and R+TF) for 4 weeks, respectively. The final body weight of the HRG, HR+T, HR+F, and HR+TF groups decreased significantly compared to the group fed high fat-cholesterol (HFC), but the food efficiency ratio was not significantly different from the HFC group. The liver weight of the HFC group doubled compared to the normal group, whereas that of HR+T and HR+TF groups decreased significantly. The weight of visceral and epididymal fat decreased significantly in the groups fed the composites compared to the HFC group. The obesity index of HR+TF group decreased significantly only when compared to the HFC group. The serum lipid profile such as total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL- and VLDL-cholesterol, as well as the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factors decreased drastically in all experimental groups compared to the HFC group, and the levels of HR+T, HR+F and HR+TF groups were a similar trend. GPT activity was not significantly different among the groups fed the composites, and it decreased significantly in the HRG group. The content of the lipid peroxide level decreased significantly in the HRG group and in the groups fed the composites, compared to the HFC group. Serum antioxidant activity was the highest in the HR+T group. We suggest that the hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effect of the RG composites, achieved by mixing green tea extract and/or dietary fiber, was due to their total phenolic content and total cholesterol adsorption effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.1082-1087
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• 2003

This study was designed to investigate the effects of butanol (BuOH) fraction of pine (Pinus densiflora Sieb et Zucc) needle extract on membrane fluidity (MF), basal and induced oxygen radicals (BOR and IOR), lipid peroxide (LPO) and oxidized protein (OP) as an oxidative stress, and lipofuscin (LF) in liver membranes of Sprague-Dawley male rats. The rats were fed basic diets (control group) and experimental diets (BuOH-25, BuOH-50 and BuOH-100) prepared with 25, 50 and 100 mg added to basic diet for 45 days. MFs were significantly increased (about 16∼22%) in mitochondria of BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups compared with control group (p<0.01∼0.001) BOR and IOR formations in mitochondria were significantly decreased (11∼17% and 11∼28%, respectively) in these three BuOH groups (p<0.05∼0.001), while BOR and IOR formations in microsomes were significantly decreased (11∼24%) in BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups, and (15∼24%) in these three BuOH groups compared with control group (p<0.05∼0.001; p<0.01-0.001). LPO levels were significantly decreased (9% and 9∼13%, respectively) in mitochondria of BuOH-100 and microsomes of BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups (p<0.05∼0.01), whereas OP levels were significantly decreased (10∼12%) in mitochondria of BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups compared with control group (p<0.05). LF formations were significantly decreased (8∼9%) in BuOH-50 and BuOH-100 groups (p<0.05). These results suggest that butanol fraction of pine needle extract may playa effective role in an attenuating an oxidative stress and increasing a membrane fluidity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.758-763
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• 1999

The protective effects of sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) extract and fucoidan components on the attack of oxygen radicals in kidney were studied, Sprague-Dawley (SD) male rats (210 $\pm$ 5 g) were with fed experimental diets of Dasi-Ex group (sea tangle extract powder of $4.0\%$ added to control diet), Euco-I, II and III groups (fucoidan powder of 1, 2 and $3\%$, respectively, added to Dasi-Ex group) for 45 days, Hydroxyl radical formations were significantly decreased ($10\~15\%$ and $15\~30\%$) in mitochondria and microsomes of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I, II, III groups compared with control group. Hydrogen peroxide formations were also significantly decreased ($10\~15\%$) in microsomes of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I, II, III groups compared with control group. Significant differences in mitochondrial basal oxygen radical (BOR) and microsomal induced oxygen radical (IOR) formations of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I groups could not be obtained, but mitochondrial BOR and microsomal IOR formations were significantly decreased ($12\~15\%$ and $13\~14\%$) in Fuco-II and III groups compared with control group. BOR formations were significantly decreased ($12\~25\%$) in microsomes of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I, II, III groups, and IOR formations were also significantly decreased ($10\~15\%$) in mitochondria of Fuco-I, II, III groups compared with control group, Significant differences in mitochondrial Mn-SOD activities of Dasi-Ex group could not be obtained, but mitochondrial Mn-SOD activities were dose-dependently increased by $8\%,\;16\%$ and $36\%$ in Fuco-I, II and III groups compared with control group, Mn-SOD activities an microsome were significantly increased about $20\%$ in Dasi-Ex group, while they were remarkably increased about $40\%$ in Fuco-I, II and III groups compared with control group. lipid peroxide contents were significantly decreased about $15\%$ and $15\~25\%$ in mitochondria and microsomes of Fuco-II and III groups. Membrane fluidities resulted in marked increases ($20\~35\%$ and $17\~24\%$) in mitochondria and microsomes of Dasi-Ex and Fuco-I, II and III groups. These results suggest that administrations of fucoidan added to sea tangle may play a pivotal role in attenuating attack of oxygen radicals in kidney.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 1984

Recently, it has been reported that acute and chronic intoxication of Cd was concerned with environmental hygienic studies. In this study the effect of Ca and V-D was given directly into the diet with water containing the 20 ppm of Cd during so days. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. Administration of Ca and V-D inhibited the reduction of body weight induced by Cd. The internal organ weights of rats receiving Cd solution without Ca and V-D were generally increased except lung. 2. The values of hematocrit were higher in rats receiving Cd solution supplemented Ca and V-D than those doing Cd solution without Ca and V-D, and the levels of cholesterol were in- creased in experimental rats compared with control group. Total protein concentration in serum of the both group intaking the Ca and Y-D, and without Ca and V-D was not significant. 3. The concentration of Cd and Mg in liver was increased in rats feeding only Cd solution than those doing Ca and V-D group, whereas the concentration of Cu, Zn and Ca was decreased. The concentration of Cd, Cu and Ca in kidney was decreased in only Cd solution group, whereas by supplementing Ca and vitamin D was increased the concentration of Cd, Cu and Zn.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.235-245
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• 2000

This study was peformed to elucidate the effects of antler, red ginseng, safflower seed, ipriflavone and estrogen on ovariectomized rats. The rats were fed with Ca and P deficient diet for five weeks to induce osteoporosis. After this period, these animals were fed with normal for and treated every other day with antler(600mg/kg, PO), red ginseng(200mg/kg, PO), safflower(200mg/kg, PO), ipriflavone(80mg/kg, PO) and estrogene(400$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, IM) for S weeks. During the treatment, the rats were examined for body, organ, femur and femur ash weights. And electron-microscopical examinations were also performed on femora. The results are summarized as follows : 1. The body weights of the antler, red ginseng, safflower, ipriflavone and estrogen-treated groups after five weeks of treatment, were 303.0$\pm$3.0g, 273.3$\pm$4.4g, 288.3$\pm$5.1g, 300.5$\pm$5.2g, 320.5$\pm$4.2g, respectively. They, except the red ginseng-treated group, were significantly higher than 278.4$\pm$2.7g of normal control group(P<0.05). And the body weight of non-treatment group was 29it.2$\pm$5.5g which was higher than that of control group, too. 2. The weights of left femur after five weeks of treatment were showed 0.83$\pm$0.2g by antler, 0.89$\pm$0.2g by red ginseng, 0.87$\pm$0.2g by safflower 0.83$\pm$0.1g by ipriflavone and 0.78$\pm$0.1g by estrogen-treated group. They were a little lower than 0.97$\pm$0.1g of normal control group. Non-treatment group showed 0.83$\pm$0.1g which was lower than that of control group but not significant. 3. The weights of ashed left femora after five weeks of treatment were showed 0.36$\pm$0.01g by antler, 0.40$\pm$0.01g by red ginseng, 0.41$\pm$0.01g by safflower, 0.36$\pm$0.01g by ipriflavone and 0.35$\pm$0.01g by estrogen-treated group. Those results were significantly lower than 0.43$\pm$0.01g of normal control group. And non-treatment group showed 0.29$\pm$0.01g of femoral ash which was significantly lower than that showed by control group(p<0.05). 4. The femoral Ca contents of the antler, red ginseng, safflower, ipriflavone and estrogen-treated rats were 19.6$\pm$0.7%, 17.8$\pm$1.1%, 18.8$\pm$0.9%, 18.0$\pm$1.1%, 15.3$\pm$1.1%, respectively, after five weeks of treatment. The femoral Ca contents of antler and safflower-treated groups were higher than that of control group which showed 18.2$\pm$0.9% of Ca The non-treatment group, showing 15.3$\pm$0.7%, had significantly lower content of Ca than normal group(p<0.05). 5. The weights of liver, spleen, and kidney in the osteoporosis-induced rats during the treatment with antler, red ginseng, safflower, jpriflavone and estrogen showed not significant changes. 6. The connections among the trabeculae of control group were maintained well, showing no bone loss. However, the connections among the trabeculae of non-treatment group were thinner than those of control group and were almost disconnected and the lacunae were found to be broadened. Antler and safflower-treated group showed only slight changes. The recovery rates were prominent in antler, safflower, estrogen-treated groups but they were insignificant in red ginseng and ipriflavone-treated groups.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.81-87
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• 2009

Purpose : We sought to evaluate enhancement of plaque with gadolinium-based contrast agent by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in comparison with histopathology, namely lipid-rich and macrophage-rich components that were two representative characteristics of plaque vulnerability using atherosclerotic rabbit aorta in order to determine which histopathologic component is relevant to the enhancement. Materials and Methods : New Zealand white rabbit (n=4, weight 3.0 to 3.5 kg, all male) was used for animal model of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic aortic lesions were induced by high-cholesterol diet and double balloon injury. T1-weight axial images were acquired before and after gadolinium-based contrast agent using a 3-T MRI. MR images and the matched histopathological sections (n=35) were divided into 4 quadrants or 3 (n=130). Enhancement ratio (ER, ER=SIpost/SIpre) on MRI was calculated for each quadrant and compared with histopathology in regard to lipid-rich and macrophage-rich areas. Results : Lipid-rich quadrants were 72 and fibrous quadrants were 58. The number of quadrants which had macrophage-rich areas was 105 and that of quadrants which did not have macrophage-rich areas was 25. ER was significantly higher in lipid-rich quadrants than in fibrous quadrants (mean ER 2.25c$\pm$0.41 vs. 2.72$\pm$0.65, p=0.013). ER poorly correlated with macrophage-rich areas when lipid-component was controlled (correlation coefficient -0.203, p=0.236). Conclusion : Lipid-rich plaques showed stronger enhancement than fibrous plaques using a standard gadolinium-based extracellular contrast agent. Macrophage infiltration did not correlate with degree of enhancement. Further study is warranted that account for optimal time of imaging after contrast injection using various plaque models from early to advanced stages and all possible parameters associated with contrast enhancement.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

Background: Heat-processed ginseng, sun ginseng (SG), has been reported to have improved therapeutic properties compared with raw forms, such as increased antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity effects of SG through the suppression of cell differentiation and proliferation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells and the lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: To investigate the effect of SG on adipocyte differentiation, levels of stained intracellular lipid droplets were quantified by measuring the oil red O signal in the lipid extracts of cells on differentiation Day 7. To study the effect of SG on fat accumulation in C. elegans, L4 stage worms were cultured on an Escherichia coli OP50 diet supplemented with $10{\mu}g/mL$ of SG, followed by Nile red staining. To determine the effect of SG on gene expression of lipid and glucose metabolism-regulation molecules, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of genes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, the phosphorylation of Akt was examined by Western blotting. Results: SG suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells stimulated by a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI), and inhibited the proliferation of adipocytes during differentiation. Treatment of C. elegans with SG showed reductions in lipid accumulation by Nile red staining, thus directly demonstrating an antiobesity effect for SG. Furthermore, SG treatment down-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor subtype ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and decreased the mRNA level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c in MDI-treated adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-regulating factors, such as amplifying mouse fatty acid-binding protein 2, leptin, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter protein 1, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, were increased, whereas that of the lipolytic enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 was decreased. Our data demonstrate that SG inversely regulated the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG induced increases in the mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes such as glucokinase and pyruvate kinase, and a decrease in the mRNA level of the glycogenic enzyme phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase. In addition, mRNA levels of the glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 were elevated by MDI stimulation, whereas SG dose-dependently inhibited the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) at an early phase of MDI stimulation. Intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels were markedly decreased by MDI stimulation and recovered by SG treatment of adipocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SG effectively inhibits adipocyte proliferation and differentiation through the downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$, by suppressing Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation and enhancing NO production. These results provide strong evidence to support the development of SG for antiobesity treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.686-693
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• 2014

Restricted supply of nutrients may affect genes at the molecular level as well as physiological functions. Understanding the cellular responses during starvation is necessary for developing strategies to reduce damage caused by starvation stress. After 1 h of starvation, Got1 gene expression was increased but its expression returned to the normal state after 24 h. Mat1 gene expression continuously increased with starvation from 1 h until 24 hr. Rats starved for 1-3 days showed significant changes in expression of the Got1 and Mat1 genes, which were significantly reduced in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In the lung, gene expression was increased by starvation for 1-2 days but decreased on the third day. No differences were observed in gene expression in the heart. Strong Got1 lung gene expression was seen in the starvation group one day after restoration of the food supply. Muscle mass was significantly reduced at the start of starvation and remained the same after two days of starvation and one day after the food supply was restored. The Mat1 gene expression did not change. The Got1 was induced by NaCl and showed strong expression in the lung and the thymus, but the apparent decrease of the remaining changes were not observed in male rats. The Mat1 gene was not as sensitive as the Got1 gene to induction by NaCl. However, differences in gene induction by NaCl were evident between males and females, indicating that diet control of gene expression is associated with hormones.