• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제21권1호
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• pp.14-23
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• 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by fat accumulation and is associated with oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PPE) against oxidative stress in the liver of rats with NAFLD. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD), 20% corn oil, or palm oil for 8 weeks in the presence or absence of PPE. The control group was fed a basal diet. The progression of NAFLD was evaluated histologically and by measuring liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase), serum lipids (triglycerides and total cholesterol), and oxidative stress markers. The HFD feeding increased the body weight and caused NAFLD, liver steatosis, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and elevated liver enzymes. Administration of PPE ameliorated the hepatic morphology, reduced body weight, improved liver enzymes, and inhibited lipogenesis. Furthermore, PPE enhanced the cellular redox status in the liver tissue of rats with NAFLD. Our findings suggest that PPE could improve HFD-induced NAFLD via abolishment of hepatic oxidative damage and hyperlipidemia. PPE might be considered as a potential lead material in the treatment of NAFLD and obesity through the modulation of lipid metabolism.

• Animal Bioscience
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.50-60
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• 2024

Objective: Testicular fat deposition has been reported to affect animal reproduction. However, the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. The present study explored whether sperm meiosis and testosterone synthesis contribute to mouse testicular fat deposition-induced reproductive performance. Methods: High fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity CD1 mice (DIO) were used as a testicular fat deposition model. The serum hormone test was performed by agent kit. The quality of sperm was assessed using a Sperm Class Analyzer. Testicular tissue morphology was analyzed by histochemical methods. The expression of spermatocyte marker molecules was monitored by an immuno-fluorescence microscope during meiosis. Analysis of the synthesis of testosterone was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction and reagent kit. Results: It was found that there was a significant increase in body weight among DIO mice, however, the food intake showed no difference compared to control mice fed a normal diet (CTR). The number of offspring in DIO mice decreased, but there was no significant difference from the CTR group. The levels of follicle-stimulating hormone were lower in DIO mice and their luteinizing hormone levels were similar. The results showed a remarkable decrease in sperm density and motility among DIO mice. We also found that fat accumulation affected the meiosis process, mainly reflected in the cross-exchange of homologous chromosomes. In addition, overweight increased fat deposition in the testis and reduced the expression of testosterone synthesis-related enzymes, thereby affecting the synthesis and secretion of testosterone by testicular Leydig cells. Conclusion: Fat accumulation in the testes causes testicular cell dysfunction, which affects testosterone hormone synthesis and ultimately affects sperm formation.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.57-74
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-hyperlipidemic Effects of Taeyeumjowee-tang and its modified prescription on the animal model of obesity and hyperlipidemia induced high-fat diet. Method : 1) The extracts of Taeyeumjowee-tang (TJT) and its modified prescription, Taeyeumjoweetang gagam-bang (TJGB) were evaluated for its inhibitory effects on obesity. 2) The body weight and feed weight were determined in the pre-treated and post-treated mice and the lipid profiles in the serum were analyzed in order to evaluate the anti-hyperlipidemia action of the extracts. 3) The effect of each extract was investigated for the influences on monoamine oxidase activity and HMG-CoA reductase activity. Results 1. TJT and TJGB extracts dose-dependently reduced the body weight and feed intake in normal mice. The effect of TJGB extract was better than that of TJT extract. 2. TJGB extract diminished the body weight increase and reduced the feed intake in the pre-treatment or post-treatment of the extract 3. TJGB extract decreased the amount of total cholesterol slightly and triglyceride potently after the pre-treatment or post-treatment, but HDL cholesterol exhibited no remarkable change compared with control. 4. TJGB extract weakly potentiated the monoamine oxidase activity, but its effect was better than that of TJT extract. 5. TJGB extract weakly inhibited the HMG-CoA reductase activity, but its effect was better than that of TJT extract. Conclusion : Taeyeumjowee-tang and its modified prescription can clinically be useful as anti-obesity drug and also for the improvement of hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.9-18
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• 2012

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effects of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture at Bi-Su($BL_{20}$) on weight change, food efficiency, concentration of serum lipid, liver function of rats fed high fat diet for 8 weeks. Methods : Subject groups were diveded into normal diet group(Normal), high fat diet group(Control), high fat diet and saline in $BL_{20}$ treated group(Saline), high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-1, 0.008mg/ml/g), high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-2, 0.021mg/ml/g), and high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-3, 0.042mg/ml/g). Pharmacopuncture was bilaterally treated at BL20 every 4 days, totally 14 times in 56 days. We observed the changes of body weight, food efficiency, ALT, AST, r-GTP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL-cholesterol of each group. Results : 1. Body weight significantly decreased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1 from 2nd week to 8th week, in PT-2 from 4th week to 7th week. 2. Food efficiency decreased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1(0.05${\leq}$p<0.06). 3. HDL-cholesterol increased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1, PT-3, but not significantly. 4. In the changes of ALT, as compared with the control group, only in PT-1 group, the level of serum ALT decreased(0.05${\leq}$p<0.06). 5. As for the changes of r-GTP, as compared with control group, in every subject group, the levels of serum r-GTP significantly decreased. Conclusions : According to the above results, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture at $BL_{20}$ can act on body weight, food efficiency and liver function. It also does not seem to be injurious on liver function. To use Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture for obesity, further studies on its underlying mechanism and optimal dosage might be needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.164-173
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hyperglycemia is a major cause of diabetes and diabetesrelated diseases. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a short-chain fatty acid derivative that produces dietary fiber by anaerobic bacterial fermentation in the large intestine and occurs in foods, such as Parmesan cheese and butter. Butyrate has been shown to prevent obesity, improve insulin sensitivity, and ameliorate dyslipidemia in diet-induced obese mice. Therefore, this study examined the effects and mechanism of NaB on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines induced by high glucose (HG) in THP-1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: THP-1 cells were used as an in vitro model for HG-induced inflammation. The cells were cultured under normal glycemic or hyperglycemic conditions with or without NaB (0-25 μM). Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to evaluate the protein and mRNA levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, acetylated p65, acetyl CREB-binding protein/p300 (CBP/p300), and p300 using THP-1 cells. Histone acetyltransferase (HAT), histone deacetylase (HDAC), and pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion activity were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: HG significantly upregulated histone acetylation, acetylation levels of p300, NF-κB activation, and inflammatory cytokine release in THP-1 cells. Conversely, the NaB treatment reduced cytokine release and NF-κB activation in HG-treated cells. It also significantly reduced p65 acetylation, CBP/p300 HAT activity, and CBP/p300 gene expression. In addition, NaB decreased the interaction of p300 in acetylated NF-κB and TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that NaB suppresses HG-induced inflammatory cytokine production through HAT/HDAC regulation in monocytes. NaB has the potential for preventing and treating diabetes and its related complications.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.99-109
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• 2018

In this study, we examined the inhibitory effect of L. plantarum Q180 on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 and reduction of adipocyte size in mice fed high-fat diet. L. plantarum Q180 inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($18.47{\pm}0.32%$) at a concentration of $400{\mu}g/mL$ ($10^8CFU/g$). As a result of western blot analysis, the expression of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ in 3T3-L1 adipocyte treated with $400{\mu}g/mL$ of L. plantarum Q180 decreased 35.16% and 40.07%, respectively, compared with the control. To examine the effects, mice were fed three different diets as follows: ND (n=6) was fed ND and orally administered saline solution; HFD (n=6), HFD and orally administered saline solution; and HFD+Q180 (n=6), HFD and orally administered L. plantarum Q180. After six weeks, the rate of increase of body weight was 13.7% lower in the HFD+Q180 group compared to the HFD group. In addition, the epididymal fat weights of the HFD+Q180 group were lower than that of the HFD group. The change of adipocyte size was measured in diet-induced obese mice. Consequently, the number of large-size adipose tissue was less distributed in the ND and HFD+Q180 groups than in the HFD group. L. plantarum Q180 has an effect on the inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, fat absorption and reduction of adipocyte size. L. plantarum Q180 could be applied to functional food products that help improve obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제7권5호
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• pp.366-372
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• 2013

The application of polyphenols has attracted great interest in the field of functional foods and nutraceuticals due to their potential health benefits in humans. However, the effectiveness of polyphenols depends on their bioactivity and bioavailability. In the present study, the bioactive component from green tea extract (GTE) was administrated orally (50 mg/kg body weight/day) as free or in a microencapsulated form with maltodextrin in rats fed a high fructose diet. High fructose diet induced features of metabolic syndrome including hypertriglyceridemia, hyperuricemia, increased serum total cholesterol, and retroperitoneal obesity. In addition, myocardial fibrosis was increased. In rats receiving high fructose diet, the lowering of blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, non esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and uric acid, as well as the reduction in final body weight and retroperitoneal fat weight associated with the administration of GTE, led to a reversal of the features of metabolic syndrome (P < 0.05). In particular, the administration of microencapsulated GTE decreased myocardial fibrosis and increased liver catalase activity consistent with a further alleviation of serum NEFA, and hyperuricemia compared to administration of GTE. Taken together, our results suggest that microencapsulation of the bioactive components of GTE might have a protective effect on cardiovasucular system by attenuating the adverse features of myocardial fibrosis, decreasing uric acid levels and increasing hepatic catalase activity effectively by protecting their bioactivities.

• 대한한방소아과학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.12-21
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• 2019

Objectives Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis are herbs that treat obesity and dampness-phlegm. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis on lipid deposition with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods Male 6-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were divided into three groups: control group (Ctrl), high fat diet group (HFF), and high fat diet with Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis extract administration group (CGT). Each 10 mice were allocated to each group (total of 30 mice). All mice were allowed to eat fat rich diet freely throughout the experiment. To examine the effect of Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis, we observed weight changes, total cholesterol and glucose levels, lipid blot distributions, PGC-1, p-$I{\kappa}B$, and p-JNK. Results Body weights for all mice were measured and analyzed the difference between the groups. Weight gain was significantly lower in CGT group than the HFF group. Total cholesterol and glucose levels were significantly lower in CGT group. The distribution of lipid blots and positive reaction of PGC-1 were significantly lower in CGT group. The positive reaction of p-$I{\kappa}B$ in hepatic tissues was significantly lower in CGT group. The positive reaction of p-JNK in hepatic tissues was significantly lower in CGT group. Conclusions Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis have the effect of improving non - alcoholic fatty liver induced insulin resistance through regulation of lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제41권2호
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• pp.103-112
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• 2024

Background: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by an increase in hepatic triglyceride content and increased inflammatory macrophage infiltration through the C-C motif chemokine receptor (CCR) 5 pathway in the liver. DA-6034 (7-carboxymethyloxy-3',4',5-trimethoxy flavone), is a synthetic derivative of eupatilin that exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in inflammatory bowel disease. However, the effect of DA-6034 on the inflammatory response in NAFLD is not well elucidated. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effect of DA-6034 on hepatic steatosis and inflammation. Methods: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following four groups: (1) regular diet (RD), (2) RD with DA-6034, (3) high fat diet (HFD), and (4) HFD with DA-6034. All mice were sacrificed 12 weeks after the start of the experiment. The effects of DA-6034 on macrophages were assessed using RAW 264.7 cells. Results: DA-6034 not only reduced hepatic triglyceride levels and lipid accumulation but also macrophage infiltration and proinflammatory cytokines in HFD-fed mice. According to fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, DA-6034 reduced the CD8⁺ T cell fraction in the liver of HFD-fed mice. DA-6034 also reduced CCR5 expression and the migration of liver macrophages in HFD-fed mice and inhibited CCR2 ligand and CCR4 ligand, which stimulated the migration of macrophages. Conclusion: Overall, DA-6034 attenuates hepatic steatosis and inflammation in obesity by regulating CCR5 expression in macrophages.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제41권1호
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• pp.23-30
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• 2017

Background: Ginsenoside Rg1 is a class of steroid glycoside and triterpene saponin in Panax ginseng. Many studies suggest that Rg1 suppresses adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1. However, the detail molecular mechanism of Rg1 on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 is still not fully understood. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocyte was used to evaluate the effect of Rg1 on adipocyte development in the differentiation in a stage-dependent manner in vitro. Oil Red O staining and Nile red staining were conducted to measure intracellular lipid accumulation and superoxide production, respectively. We analyzed the protein expression using Western blot in vitro. The zebrafish model was used to investigate whether Rg1 suppresses the early stage of fat accumulation in vivo. Results: Rg1 decreased lipid accumulation in early-stage differentiation of 3T3-L1 compared with intermediate and later stages of adipocyte differentiation. Rg1 dramatically increased CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein-10 (CHOP10) and subsequently reduced the $C/EBP{\beta}$ transcriptional activity that prohibited the initiation of adipogenic marker expression as well as triglyceride synthase. Rg1 decreased the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and glycogen synthase kinase $3{\beta}$, which are also essential for stimulating the expression of $CEBP{\beta}$. Rg1 also reduced reactive oxygen species production because of the downregulated protein level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen (NADPH) oxidase 4 (NOX4). While Rg1 increased the endogenous antioxidant enzymes, it also dramatically decreased the accumulation of lipid and triglyceride in high fat diet-induced obese zebrafish. Conclusion: We demonstrated that Rg1 suppresses early-stage differentiation via the activation of CHOP10 and attenuates fat accumulation in vivo. These results indicate that Rg1 might have the potential to reduce body fat accumulation in the early stage of obesity.