• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.96-103
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• 2005

It has been suggested that the elevated plasma homocysteine may lead to retinal dysfunction. We investigated the effects of plasma levels of homocysteine and folate on the retinal glial cells' injuries. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised either on a control diet or on an experimental diet containing 3.0 g/kg homocystine without folic acid for 10 weeks. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by a HPLC-fluorescence detection method. Plasma folate and vitamin B/sub 12/ levels were analyzed by a radioimmunoassay. The response of Muller cells which are the principal glial cells of the retina was immunohistochemically examined using an antibody for vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein belonging to the family of intermediate filament. At 2 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a twofold increase in plasma homocysteine, and a concomitant increase in the expression of vimentin in the Muller cells' processes spanning from the inner to outer membranes of the retina indicating arterial degeneration. At 10 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a fourfold increase in plasma homocystine, but vimentin immunoreactivity in the retinas was similar in both groups. In conclusion, increased plasma homocysteine levels have influence on morphological and functional changes of Muller cells in the retina. (Korean J Nutrition 38(2): 96～103, 2005)

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.211-218
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary Chungkookjang (Korean fermented soybean) powder on blood glucose level, lipid profiles, antioxidant enzymes activities and histological changes in kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats of three groups including nondiabetic group fed normal diet (NC), diabetic group fed normal diet (DC) and diabetic group fed Chungkookjang diet (DCH; 100 g/kg diet) were reared for 8 weeks. The serum glucose, triglycelide and total lipid levels in the DCH group were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the DC group. The renal xanthine oxidase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the DC group were significantly higher than the NC group. The xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the DCH group were significantly lower than the DC group (P<0.05). Tubular epithelial change, such as Armanni-Ebstein cells, was significantly reduced in the DCH group compared to the DC group. In conclusion, these results indicated that Chungkookjang supplement seems to be beneficial to correct the hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia as well as to protect kidney against diabetic changes.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• 제4권2호
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• pp.138-143
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• 2008

We investigated if Chlorella vulgaris (CV) has protective effects on cadmium (Cd) induced liver damage in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Forty rats, aged 5 weeks old and weighed 90-110g, were divided into a control (with Cd free water), 50 ppm of $CdCl_2$ in drinking water treated groups (Chlorella 0% diet group (Cd/CV0%), Chlorella 5% diet group (Cd/CV5%) or Chlorella 10% diet group (Cd/CV10%). All the rats had freely access to water and diet for 8 weeks. The results show that body weight gain and relative liver weight had significantly lower in Cd/CV0%-treated group than in Cd/CV-treated groups. Hepatic Cd contents showed significantly less by feeding CV (P<0.05). Cd/CV0%-treated rats had significantly (P<0.05) higher hepatic T-MTs, and Cd-MTs concentrations, compared to Cd/CV5% or Cd/CV10% treated rats. The MT I/II mRNA was expressed in the liver of all experimental rats. Its expression was more increased in Cd/CV5%- or Cd/CV10%-treated rats, compared to control and Cd-treated rats. Thus, this study suggested that CV would have a protective effect on Cd-treated liver injury by the reduction of Cd concentrations and stimulation of Cd-MT binds in the liver. However, more studies are needed to identify the proper mechanism of CV and liver toxicity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.309-321
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of folic acid supplementation in high-fructose-induced hepatic steatosis and clarify the underlying mechanism of folic acid supplementation. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male SD rats were fed control, 64% high-fructose diet, or 64% high-fructose diet with folic acid for eight weeks. Plasma glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase, lipid profiles, hepatic lipid content, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) were measured. RESULTS: The HF diet significantly increased hepatic total lipid and triglyceride (TG) and decreased hepatic SAM, SAH, and SAM:SAH ratio. In rats fed a high fructose diet, folic acid supplementation significantly reduced hepatic TG, increased hepatic SAM, and alleviated hepatic steatosis. Moreover, folic acid supplementation in rats fed high fructose enhanced the levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and liver kinase B (LKB1) and inhibited phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the protective effect of folic acid supplementation in rats fed high fructose may include the activation of LKB1/AMPK/ACC and increased SAM in the liver, which inhibit hepatic lipogenesis, thus ameliorating hepatic steatosis. The present study may provide evidence for the beneficial effects of folic acid supplementation in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

• 약학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.284-290
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• 2005

The ginseng root has been used as a tonic remedy, and its antidiabetic activity has been demonstrated as early as 1920s. Although wild ginseng was anecdotally thought to be superior to cultivated ginseng in terms of pharmacological properties, there have been no prior reports on its improvement of metabolic syndrome. In this study, we figured out whether wild ginseng ethanol extract (WGEE) exerted the preventive effects on high fat diet-induced metabolic syndrome as well as treatment effect in ICR mice. In the preventive mode experiment, WGEE at 500 mg/kg significantly inhibited body weight gain $(16\%)$, fasting blood glucose $(37\%)$ and insulin $(37\%)$, triglyceride $(15\%)$, and free fatty acid levels $(32\%)$ when compared to those in high fat diet (HFD) fed control group. WGEE-treated mice at doses of 250 and 500mg/kg improved the insulin resistance index by $55\%\;and\;61\%$ compared to the HFD control group, respectively. In the treatment mode experiment, WGEE also markedly reduced the blood glucose levels (210 mg/dl in control group was lowered to 167 mg/dl).Taken together, WGEE has potential as a preventive and treatment agent for metabolic syndrome and deserves clinical trial in the near future.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.230-237
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• 2015

This study investigated the impact of microalgal oil (MO) on body weight management in C57BL/6J mice. Obesity was induced for 8 weeks and animals were orally supplemented with the following for 8 additional weeks: beef tallow (BT), corn oil, fish oil (FO), microalgal oil (MO), or none, as a high fat diet control group (HD). A normal control group was fed with a normal diet. After completing the experiment, the FO and MO groups showed significant decreases in body weight gain, epididymal fat pad weights, serum triglycerides, and total cholesterol levels compared to the HD and BT groups. A lower mRNA expression level of lipid anabolic gene and higher levels of lipid catabolic genes were observed in both FO and MO groups. Serum insulin and leptin concentrations were lower in the MO group. These results indicated that microalgal oil has an anti-obesity effect that can combat high fat diet-induced obesity in mice.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.81-87
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate the cholesterol-lowering effect of liquid extract from Leonurus sibiricus Linne (LS). SD rats were fed atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. During the experimental period, LS liquid extract (3 g/kg and 6 g/kg) was orally given to the rats. The liver weight and levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in serum were significantly increased in rats fed with atherogenic diets. Oral treatment of LS liquid extract to the rats fed atherogenic diet significantly reduced the liver weights and significantly decreased the levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides. The level of serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly increased at a high dose group compared with rats fed normal diet chow. These results indicate that LS liquid extract has the potential to restore altered lipid profiles induced by cholesterol rich diets and prevent the development of atheroclerosis.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2020

Obesity is a critical health issue in Korea, where half of all adults are overweight and a third obese. Aronia melanocarpa -rich in flavonoids and phenolics- with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, could have anti-obesity activity and reduce body fat mass by upregulating lipolysis and β-oxidation in obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice (n=12) were assigned into four groups: normal chow (18% kcal from fat); high-fat diet control (HFD, 45% kcal from fat); HFD+A. melanocarpa (200 mg/kg diet); HFD+Xenical (500 mg/kg diet, positive control). Antioxidant capacity of A. melanocarpa was established in vitro and in vivo. Weight loss was induced as decreased adiposity and lowered respiratory quotient at rest suggested oxidation of stored fat. Adiposity reduction, accompanied with elevated fat utilization, was owing to enhanced activity of hormone-sensitive lipase. Thus, A. melanocarpa lowered adiposity by enhancing lipolysis and utilization of fatty acids in visceral fat.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.17-25
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• 2009

Objectives: This study was on the pharmaceutical components in purified ginseng total saponin (GTS), coisis semen (CS), the combination of these drugs, and the major component of coicis coixol for the prevention and treatment of obesity. Methods: In this study, to evaluate the effect on the suppression of obesity, high fat diet-induced obese rats were treating with the drugs, the effects on the balance of energy and diet activity were examined, and the change of weight, the change of the intake of diet, body fat rate, etc. were assessed. Results: The results demonstrate that in high fat diet-induced obese white rats, the combination treatment of ginseng total saponin and coicis was effective in suppression of weight gain, reduction of intake of food, and reduction of body fat. Conclusions: The results suggest that a combination treatment with major components of red ginseng total saponin and coicis may be used therapeutically for the suppression and treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.206-211
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• 1995

This study was investigated to find the effects of petroleum ether extract (Lipophilic fraction) from Korean red ginseng on platelet aggregation and thrombin time of the plasma in two groups of the experimental rats. One group of rats were fed with 15% corn oil (15%kg-diet) containing a number of 18 : 2 (linoleic acid) or 15% beef-tallow (15%/kg-diet) containing saturated fatty acids for 3 weeks, and were followed by feeding the petroleum ether extract (25 mg/kg-diet) for 3 weeks. The other group of rats (control group) were fed with 15% corn oil or 15% beef-tallow for 6 weeks. The platelet aggregation induced by thrombin and collagen was significantly inhibited and the thrombin time was prolonged in the 15% corn oil plus petroleum ether extract administrated group than in the 15% corn oil administrated group. And the same results were shown in the 15% beef-tallow plus petroleum ether extract administrated group. These results suggest that the petroleum ether extract from Korean red ginseng may have the beneficial effects on the inhibition of the platelet aggregation and the inhibition of blood coagulation induced by dietary fats.