• Toxicological Research
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.329-337
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• 2010

Inhaled inorganic dusts, such as coal, can cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, known as pneumoconiosis. Diagnosis of pneumoconiosis depends on morphological changes by radiological findings and functional change by pulmonary function test (PFT). Unfortunately, current diagnostic findings are limited only to lung fibrosis, which is usually irreversibly progressive. Therefore, it is important that research on potential and prospective biomarkers for pneumoconiosis should be conducted prior to initiation of irreversible radiological or functional changes in the lungs. Analytical techniques using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) or exhaled gas are non-invasive methods for detection of various respiratory diseases. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between inflammatory biomarkers, such as EBC pH or fractional exhaled nitric oxide ($FE_{NO}$), and pneumoconiosis among 120 retired coal miners (41 controls and 79 pneumoconiosis patients). Levels of EBC pH and FENO did not show a statistically significant difference between the pneumoconiosis patient group and pneumoconiosis patients with small opacity classified by International Labor Organization (ILO) classification. The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in the low percentage $FEV_1$ (< 80%) was lower than that in the high percentage (80% $\leq$) (p = 0.023). The mean concentration of $FE_{NO}$ in current smokers was lower than that in non smokers (never or past smokers) (p = 0.027). Although there was no statistical significance, the levels of $FE_{NO}$ in smokers tended to decrease, compared with non smokers, regardless of pneumoconiosis. In conclusion, there was no significant relationship between the level of EBC pH or $FE_{NO}$ and radiological findings or PFT. The effects between exhaled biomarkers and pneumoconiosis progression, such as decreasing PFT and exacerbation of radiological findings, should be monitored.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.232-239
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• 2016

Recently, research has been focusing on high quality and safer animal production by utilizing natural functional materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of administration of natural Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) on gamma linolenic acid (GLA) levels in milk from Holstein dairy cows. Quality and quantity of milk as well as blood and fatty acids from Holstein cow fed diets supplemented with 2.7-4% calcium-salted EPO coated with palm stearin oil were analyzed. There was no significant difference in yield and composition of milk between control and EPO treatment. However, EPO treatment lowered blood aspartate aminotransferase (AST), somatic cell count (SCC), and cholesterol levels (p < 0.05) compared to untreated control. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level was decreased (p < 0.05) in GLA 1 and GLA 2 group when compared with control group. Non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentration was lower (p < 0.05) in GLA 1 and GLA 2 groups than in control group. The level of GLA in milk was increased in EPO group when compared to control. Therefore, results from the present study demonstrate that supplementary EPO has beneficial effects on cow health, showing a decrease in somatic cell count and levels of blood cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and AST. Furthermore, supplementation of EPO improves milk quality with increased amounts of GLA.

• ALGAE
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.175-187
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• 2016

This study evaluated the effects of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-enriched fermented sea tangle (GFST), as a functional food, on brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-related muscle growth and lipolysis, in a sarcopenic obesity high-risk group. Twenty-one middle-aged women (53-63 y) participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Participants ingested either 1,000 mg of GFST (n = 10) or a sucrose placebo (CON) (n = 11) everyday, for 8 weeks. Subjects were asked to abstain from any regular exercise. Fasting venous blood samples, body composition and muscular strength were measured before and after supplementation period. Collectively, we demonstrated that GFST significantly decreased total fat mass and triglyceride in body composition, as well as significantly increasing serum BDNF (p < 0.001), angiotensin converting enzyme (p < 0.001), human growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-1 levels (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively) accompanied by increased total lean mass (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the reported improvements in total work, knee extension and flexion at 60° s⁻¹ (p < 0.05), and peak torque normalized to body weight of knee flexion at 60° s⁻¹ (p < 0.05), support an ergogenic effect of GABA associated with increased growth factor levels. The use of GFST, as a functional food ingredient, to elicit anti-obesity effects and stimulate the release of muscle-related growth factors with increasing serum BDNF levels may provide a protective intervention for age-related degeneration such as sarcopenic obesity.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제22권11호
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• pp.27.1-27.6
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• 2019

Background: In order to assess the high value-added use of the alginate-free residue of sea tangle, an animal study was performed to evaluate the functional activities and key compounds present. In the animal study, sea tangle and the alginate-free residue demonstrated good anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-arteriosclerotic abilities. Results: The functional compounds in the alginate-free residue of the sea tangle were effectively extracted by supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The optimum extraction temperature and pressure were 40 ℃ and 6500 psi (M1) in the SFE, a better method in comparison to the conditions of 70 ℃ and 4500 psi (M2), respectively. The anti-atherosclerotic effects of the alginate-free residue of sea tangle (M1, M2) were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats treated with poloxamer 407, Triton WR 1339, corn oil, and a high-fat diet. The M1 fraction reduced the serum lipid levels with greater efficacy than the M2 fraction. In the hyperlipidemic rats, treatment with M1 decreased the serum triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels when compared to the levels in normal rats. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that the alginate-free residue of sea tangle reduces serum TC, TG, and LDL-C. These results suggest that the alginate-free residue of sea tangle contains physiologically active components, such as fucosterol, that may exert beneficial effects in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.657-662
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 큰실말의 지질대사 효과를 연구하기 위하여 체중 158±10 g의 SD계 암컷 흰쥐 25마리를 대상으로 정상군, 고지방식이 대조군, 큰실말 섭취군, 큰실말 불용성 식이섬유 섭취군, 큰실말 수용성 식이섬유 섭취군으로 분류하여 52일간 사육하였다. 체중은 큰실말 섭취군이 고지방식이군에 비하여 유의적으로 감소하여 정상군에 가까운 수치를 나타냈다. 혈액에서의 HDL 수치는 대조군보다 큰실말 및 식이섬유를 섭취한 군의 수치가 더 높게 나타났고, TC, TG, LDL, GOT, GPT의 수치는 대조군보다 큰실말 및 식이섬유를 섭취한 군의 수치가 더 낮게 나타났다. 이와 같은 연구를 통해 큰실말 및 식이섬유가 혈중 콜레스테롤 농도를 개선시켜 지질 대사에 미치는 순기능적 효과를 보여주는 것으로 사료된다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.194-209
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The disruption of cholesterol efflux or reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in peripheral tissues and macrophages may promote atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to examine whether bioactive ellagic acid, a functional food component, improved RCT functionality and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in diet-induced atherogenesis of apolipoproteins E (apoE) knockout (KO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE KO mice were fed a high-cholesterol Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and concomitantly received 10 mg/kg ellagic acid via gavage. RESULTS: Supplying ellagic acid enhanced induction of apoE and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G1 in oxidized LDL-exposed macrophages, facilitating cholesterol efflux associated with RCT. Oral administration of ellagic acid to apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet improved hypercholesterolemia with reduced atherogenic index. This compound enhanced the expression of ABC transporters in peritoneal macrophages isolated from apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet, indicating increased cholesterol efflux. Plasma levels of cholesterol ester transport protein and phospholipid transport protein involved in RCT were elevated in mice lack of apoE gene, which was substantially reduced by supplementing ellagic acid to Paigen diet-fed mice. In addition, ellagic acid attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in apoE KO mice, evidenced by staining of hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Furthermore, the supplementation of 10 mg/kg ellagic acid favorably influenced the transcriptional levels of hepatic LDL receptor and scavenger receptor-B1 in Paigen diet-fed apoE KO mice. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid may be an athero-protective dietary compound encumbering diet-induced atherogenesis though improving the RCT functionality.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.249-260
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• 2024

New supplements with preventive effects against skin photodamage are receiving increasing attention. This study evaluated the anti-photoaging effects of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (SPG), acting as a functional material for skin health. We administered SPG to in vitro and in vivo models exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and assessed its moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on dorsal mouse skin and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell lines. These results showed that SPG restored the levels of filaggrin, involucrin, and AQP3 in the epidermis of UVB-irradiated dorsal skin and keratinocytes, thereby enhancing the keratinization process and water flow. Additionally, SPG treatment increased the levels of hyaluronan and skin ceramide, the major components of intercellular lipids in the epidermis. Furthermore, SPG treatment significantly increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type 1 by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1, which play a crucial role in skin fibroblasts, in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, SPG strongly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling, the including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. These findings suggest that dietary SPG may be an attractive functional food for preventing UVB-induced photoaging. And this SPG product may provide its best benefit when treating several signs of skin photoaging.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제58권3호
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• pp.259-265
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• 2015

비터멜론으로 알려진 여주(Momordica charantia)는 항암, 항바이러스, 항균, 항염증, 진통 및 산화방지제를 포함한 흥미로운 약리활성이 있다고 알려져 있다. 민간에서 전통적으로 사용된 여주의 효능은 최근에 과학적인 보고에 의해 증명이 되고 있으며, 현재 당뇨병 예방과 치료를 위해 연구되어야 할 가장 기대되는 기능성 식물 중 하나이다. 본 연구에서는 여주를 유산균으로 발효하여 추출하고 이것이 혈당을 감소시켜 당뇨병을 조절할 수 있는 지를 조사하였다. 발효한 여주를 열수 또는 에탄올로 추출한 후, 마우스 모델을 사용하여 고혈당 조절 등 여러가지 생물학적 활성을 테스트를 하였다. 여주발효추출물은 알록산으로 유도한 당뇨 마우스모델의 혈당을 유의적 수준에서 저하시켰고, 또한 알록산 처리에 의한 간 손상을 보호하였으며 중성지방은 낮게 그리고 HDL 콜레스테롤은 높은 수준으로 유지하고 있는 것을 발견하였다. 따라서 이러한 결과들은 여주와 유산균을 결합한 새로운 방법이 여주의 효능을 극대화시킴으로써 혈당 강하와 간 손상 억제 및 혈중 지질 조절 등 건강기능식품으로서의 개발 가능성이 충분히 있다고 사료된다.

• 경영과정보연구
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.211-225
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• 2019

오늘날 소비자들은 쇼핑의 결과에서 느끼는 실용적인 가치보다 쇼핑행위를 하는 과정에서 느끼는 다양한 감각적 경험을 더욱 중요시 여긴다. 날이 갈수록 다양해지는 소비자 개개인의 욕구를 만족시키기 위해 소매점들은 오프라인 매장을 체험형 공간으로 탈바꿈하여 소비자들이 다양하고 즐거운 경험을 할 수 있도록 장려한다. 본 연구에서는 고객경험의 하위요소를 쾌락적 경험, 기능적 경험, 사회적 상호작용 경험으로 나누고, 이러한 고객경험의 하위요소들이 매장 내에서 소비자들이 느끼는 즐거움에 미치는 영향과 체류의도에 미치는 영향을 검증하고자 하였다. 뿐만 아니라, 소비자 개인의 자기해석수준에 따라서 세 가지 차원의 고객경험이 즐거움에 미치는 영향력에는 차이가 있을 것이라고 가정하였다. 본 연구의 주효과를 분석한 결과, 고객의 쾌락적 경험이 즐거움에 정(＋)의 영향을 미칠 것이라는 가설1을 제외한 나머지 가설이 모두 지지되었다. 또한 자기해석수준의 조절효과를 검증한 결과, 쾌락적 경험이 즐거움에 미치는 경로에서 소비자의 자기해석수준이 유의하지 않은 영향력을 나타났으나, 기능적 경험과 상호작용경험이 즐거움에 미치는 경로에서는 자기해석수준에 따른 유의미한 영향력이 확인되었다. 최근 소비자들에게 주어진 유통채널의 선택권이 넓어짐에 따라 전통적인 오프라인 채널이 위협을 받는 상황에서 오프라인 매장 만이 차별적으로 제공할 수 있는 다양한 차원의 고객경험 효과를 본 연구가 확인함으로써 타 유통채널 간의 경쟁 또는 타 매장들 간의 경쟁에서 차별화 할 수 있는 좋은 마케팅 방안을 강구하는데 도움이 될 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.52-68
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• 2008

Objectives and Methods : Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix (SMR) promotes blood circulation to remove blood stasis, cools the blood to relieve carbuncle, clears away heat from the heart and tranquilizes the mind. This study was designed to investigate the effects of SMR on immuno-potentiative action in terms of changes in the genetic profile of dendritic cells (DC) using by microarray analysis. Results and Conclusion: In this experiment, treatments with more than 250 ${\mu}g/ml$ upto 1000 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SMR elevated the proliferation rates of DC. Microscopic observations confirmed the tendency on proliferation rates. Expression levels of genes related with cellular methabolic process, cell communication, and macromolecule metabolic process were elevated by treatment with SMR in comparison of functional distribution in a Biological Process. In molecular functions, expression levels of genes related with receptor activation, nucleotide binding and nucleic acid binding were elevated. In cellular components, expression levels of genes related to cellular membrane-bound organelles were elevated. In addition, expression levels of genes related to Wnt signalling pathways and the glycerophospholipid metabolism were elevated through analysis using pathway analysis between up-and down-regulated genes in cells treated with SMR. Finally, genes related to JAK2, GRB2, CDC42, SMAD4, B2M, FOS and ESRI located the center of Protein interaction network of genes through treatment with SMR.