• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.1-8
• /
• 2022

Objectives This study is to investigate the effects and mechanisms of Gastrodia elata extract (GEE) on the high-fat diet-induced obesity model. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups (n=10). Control group was fed normal diet (ND). Obesity group was fed 60% high fat diet (HFD). The other three groups were fed HFD with 100, 200, 500 mg/kg GEE. After five weeks, body weight, liver and epididymal fat weight, triglyceride concentration in liver and serum, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor 𝛾 (PPAR-𝛾), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein 𝛼 (C/EBP-𝛼) expression level, insulin concentration in serum were measured. Results The GEE (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg)-treated animals exhibited substantial decreases in body mass, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue collate to the HFD-fed group. GEE treatment also reduced hepatic and serum triglyceride level. Furthermore, GEE treatment significantly inhibited adipogenesis in the GEE group by reducing the protein expression of SREBP-1, ACC and the messenger RNA expression of PPAR𝛾, C/EBP-𝛼, which are adipocyte differentiation-related genes. Conclusions These research outcomes recommend that GEE is possibly valuable for the prevention of HFD-induced obesity via modification of various pathways related with adipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.53-60
• /
• 2017

Objectives: Beakdugu-tang (BDGT) consists of three medicinal herbs, and this prescription has long been used in treatment of various digestant problem in Korea. In this study, we designed to clarify mechanisms by which Korean traditional digestive medicine, BDGT, may exert anti-hepatic steatosis effects via improved insulin resistance cell model in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and monocyte (THP-1). Materials and methods: The preparation of BDGT and constituents were extracted with 70% ethanol. HepG2 and THP-1 were treated with different concentrations of BDGT and constituents in the presence and absence of stimulants such as free fatty acids (FFAs) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), respectively. Results: The BDGT and its constituents inhibited the FFAs-stimulated lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. Ethanol extracts of Amomum cardamomum (ACE) improved the ox-LDL induced insulin resistance in THP-1 cells. Also, treatment of monocytic cells with ACE increased anti-hepatic steatosis related gene levels including ABCA, ABCG and SR-B1. Conclusion: The results suggest that the ethanol extract of BDGT and its constituents potently inhibit the FFAs- and ox-LDL induced liver steatosis via improved insulin resistance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.99-103
• /
• 2010

The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes (T2D), develops hyperglycemic obesity with hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance after the age of 25 weeks, similar to patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (DM). In the present study, we determined whether there are differences in the pattern of gene expression related to glucose and lipid metabolism between OLETF rats and their control counterparts, Long-Evans Tokushima (LETO) rats. The experiment was done using 35-week-old OLETF and LETO rats. At week 35 male OLETF rats showed overt T2D and increases in blood glucose, plasma insulin, plasma triglycerides (TG) and plasma total cholesterol (TC). Livers of diabetic OLETF and LETO rats also showed differences in expression of mRNA for glucose and lipid metabolism related genes. Among glucose metabolism related genes, GAPDH mRNA was significantly higher and FBPase and G6Pase mRNA were significantly lower in OLETF rats. For lipid metabolism related genes, HMGCR, SCD1 and HL mRNA were substantially higher in OLETF rats. These results indicate that gluconeogenesis in OLETF rats is lower and glycolysis is higher, which means that glucose metabolism might be compensated for by a lowering of the blood glucose level. However, lipid synthesis is increased in OLETF rats so diabetes may be aggravated. These differences between OLETF and LETO rats suggest mechanisms that could be targeted during the development of therapeutic agents for diabetes.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.105-118
• /
• 2001

Objectives : The prescription of Semyung-Gangji-tang, designed for the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis, consists of herbs good for treating blood stasis and phlegm stagnancy. It invigorates the liver, kidneys and spleen. Its medical nature is not too cold or too hot and increases human vital energy. The purpose of this study is to examine the curative effects of Semyung-Gangji-tang on atherosclerosis in hyperlipidemic rabbits. Methods : Twenty-four male NZW rabbits, around 2kg of body weight, were divided into 4 groups. Group I served as the normal group. Group II served as the atherogenic model group, fed a 1 % cholesterol diet for 8 weeks and sacrificed. Group III served as the atherogenic control group, fed with a 1 % cholesterol diet for 8 weeks and with a normal diet for the next 4 weeks. Group IV served as the treatment group treated the same as the control group and medicated with Semyung-Gangji-tang for the last 4 weeks. Three animals of group I and six animals of group n were sacrificed at 8 weeks. Five animals of group I , five animals of group III and IV were sacrificed at 12 weeks. Pathological examinations and image analysis were performed on the collected tissue samples. Results : The percentage of lipid deposition area of thoracic aortas of group IV($41.74{\pm}8.93%$) at 12 weeks was decreased compared with the group III ($71.30{\pm}12.74%$) at 12 weeks, but a statistical difference was not observed. The percentage of group IV at 12 weeks was significantly decreased (P<0.05) compared with the group n ($76.41{\pm}7.43%$) at 8 weeks. Histopathologically, advanced atheromas with calcification of aortic arches were observed in all animals of the control group at 12 weeks, but were observed in 2 animals of the treatment group at 12 weeks. Histopathologically, atheromas with calcification of thoracic aortas were observed with major atherogenic lesions in control group at 12 weeks, but simple fibro-fatty streaks were observed major atherogenic lesions in treatment group at 12 weeks. Conclusions : These results indicate that Semyung-Gangji-tang has antiatherogenic effects on experimentally induced atherosclerosis in rabbits.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.44 no.2
• /
• pp.238-246
• /
• 2020

Background: Dietary fat has been suggested to be the cause of various health issues. Obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and kidney disease are known to be associated with a high-fat diet (HFD). Obesity and associated conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are currently a worldwide health problem. Few prospective pharmaceutical therapies that directly target NAFLD are available at present. A Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginseng-plus-Bai-Hu-Tang (GBHT), is widely used by diabetic patients to control glucose level or thirst. However, whether it has therapeutic effects on fat-induced hepatic steatosis and metabolic syndrome remains unclear. Methods: This study was conducted to examine the therapeutic effect of GBHT on fat-induced obesity, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance in mice. Results: GBHT protected mice against HFD-induced body weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia compared with mice that were not treated. GBHT inhibited the expansion of adipose tissue and adipocyte hypertrophy. No ectopic fat deposition was found in the livers of HFD mice treated with GBHT. In addition, glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity in HFD mice was also improved by GBHT. Conclusion: GBHT prevents changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in a HFD mouse model. Our findings provide evidence for the traditional use of GBHT as therapy for the management of metabolic syndrome.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated whether Gelidium amansii extract (GAE) ameliorates obesity in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The mice were maintained on a high-fat diet (HD) for 5 weeks to generate the DIO mouse model. And then mice fed HD plus 0.5% (GAE1), 1% (GAE2) or 2% (GAE3) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: After the experimental period, GAE-supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in body weight gain and liver weight. GAE supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in both epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissue mass. The plasma leptin level was significantly higher in the HD group than in GAE-supplemented groups. The leptin level of HD+GAE3 group was significantly lower than that of the HD+conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) group. In contrast, plasma adiponectin level of the HD group was significantly lower than those of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups. The expression levels of adipogenic proteins such as fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ in the GAE supplemented groups were significantly decreased than those in HD group, respectively. In addition, the expression levels of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups are significantly decreased compared to those of HD+CLA group. On the contrary, the expression levels of hormone-sensitive lipase and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase, proteins associated with lipolysis, were significantly increased in the GAE supplemented groups compared to those in the HD group. HD+GAE3 group showed the highest level among the GAE supplemented groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that GAE supplementation stimulated the expressions of lipid metabolic factors and reduced weight gain in HD-fed C57BL/6J obese mice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.46-59
• /
• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Aster yomena (Kitam.) Honda (AY) has remarkable bioactivities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-cancer activities. On the other hand, the effects of AY against obesity-induced insulin resistance have not been reported. Therefore, this study examined the potential of AY against obesity-associated insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: An obesity model was established by feeding C57BL/6J mice a 60% HFD for 16 weeks. The C57BL6/When ethyl acetate fraction from AY (EFAY) at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day was administered orally to mice fed a HFD for the last 4 weeks. Normal and control groups were administered water orally. The body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured every week. Dietary intake was measured every other day. After dissection, blood and tissues were collected from the mice. RESULTS: The administration of EFAY reduced body and organ weights significantly compared to HFD-fed control mice. The EFAY-administered groups also improved the serum lipid profile by decreasing the triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein compared to the control group. In addition, EFAY ameliorated the insulin resistance-related metabolic dysfunctions, including the fasting blood glucose and serum insulin level, compared to the HFD-fed control mice. The EFAY inhibited lipid synthesis and insulin resistance by down-regulation of hepatic fatty acid synthase and up-regulation of the AMP-activated protein kinase pathway. EFAY also reduced lipid peroxidation in the liver, indicating that EFAY protected hepatic injury induced by obesity. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that EFAY improved obesity-associated insulin resistance by regulating the lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting that AY could be used as a functional food to prevent obesity and insulin resistance.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.400-407
• /
• 2023

Background: Rb3 is a ginsenoside with anti-inflammatory properties in many cell types and has been reported to attenuate inflammation-related metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disease. However, the effect of Rb3 on podocyte apoptosis under hyperlipidemic conditions, which contributes to the development of obesity-mediated renal disease, remains unclear. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effect of Rb3 on podocyte apoptosis in the presence of palmitate and explore its underlying molecular mechanisms. Methods: Human podocytes (CIHP-1 cells) were exposed to Rb3 in the presence of palmitate as a model of hyperlipidemia. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. The effects of Rb3 on the expression of various proteins were analyzed by Western blotting. Apoptosis levels were determined by MTT assay, caspase 3 activity assay, and cleaved caspase 3 expression. Results: We found that Rb3 treatment alleviated the impairment of cell viability and increased caspase 3 activity as well as inflammatory markers in palmitate-treated podocytes. Treatment with Rb3 dosedependently increased PPARδ and SIRT6 expression. Knockdown of PPARδ or SIRT6 reduced the effects of Rb3 on apoptosis as well as inflammation and oxidative stress in cultured podocytes. Conclusions: The current results suggest that Rb3 alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress via PPARδ-or SIRT6-mediated signaling, thereby attenuating apoptosis in podocytes in the presence of palmitate. The present study provides Rb3 as an effective strategy for treating obesity-mediated renal injury.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.307-314
• /
• 2013

Resveratrol (RSV) exerts several beneficial effects on metabolism and metaflammation-related diseases, including diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The purpose of this study is to investigate whether RSV affects pathophysiology of diabetes and NAFLD as well as hepatic autophagy in a rodent model of diet induced obesity (DIO). DIO was induced in a subset of C57BL/6J mice fed a high fat (HF, 45% kcal fat) diet. After six weeks of HF diet treatment, RSV (8 mg/kg/day) was administered via an osmotic pump for a period of four weeks. Therefore, the experimental groups were as follows: 1) lean control (CON), 2) HF diet-induced obese control (HF), and 3) HF_RSV. Body weight and food intake were monitored daily. Fasting glucose, insulin, and adiponectin in serum and lipid profiles in serum and liver were analyzed. In addition, the autophagic process was investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Body weight and food intake were not affected by RSV treatment. Impaired glucose control accompanied by DIO was recovered with RSV as shown by lower levels of fasting serum glucose and insulin when compared with HF obese controls. In addition, RSV treatment resulted in increased levels of serum adiponectin, however, indices of lipid profile in serum and livers were reduced. Results of TEM analysis showed that a HF diet induced excessive autophagy with the presence of double-membrane autophagosomes, which was ameliorated by RSV. The regulatory effect of RSV on autophagy was confirmed by the altered LC3-II formation, which increased with a HF diet and was decreased by RSV treatment. These results suggest that RSV treatment improves glucose control and lipid profile and these beneficial effects may be mediated by an altered autophagic process.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.8
• /
• pp.937-944
• /
• 2017

To investigate the beneficial effects of fiber derived from agar on the lipid and glucose metabolism of obese model mice, changes in the fat accumulation, lipid content, and insulin concentration were measured in C57BL/6N mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with a beverage containing agar (BCA) for 9 weeks. The feed efficiency ratio was significantly decreased in the HFD+BCA treatment group, although the body weight and food intake were maintained a constant level. Also, the fat accumulation in the fatty tissue and liver were lower in the HFD+BCA treatment group than in the HFD+Vehicle treatment group. Furthermore, a significant decrease was detected in the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and LDL after the BCA treatment, while a constant HDL level was maintained in the same group. Moreover, the serum insulin concentration was significantly decreased in the HFD+BCALo (Low concentration) and HFD+BCAMi (Middle concentration) groups compared to the HFD+Vehicle group. Therefore, the results suggest that the long-term administration of dietary fiber from agar can improve fat accumulation in the fatty tissue and liver, the serum lipid profile, and the insulin concentration in the blood. Also, the results provide evidence that the inclusion of agar fiber in beverages results in significant hypolipidemic and hypoinsulinemic effects.