• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.315-323
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• 2018

Rapid increase of diabetic population is a major health concern in Korea. In a trial to develop food components which can prevent and/or cure diabetes, we investigated the anti-diabetic activity of curcumin in high fat diet (HFD)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) animal model. C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), and curcumin (CUR, HFD+0.02% curcumin). Mice were fed each diet for 16 weeks. CUR significantly reduced body weight gain, the levels of plasma glucose, insulin, total-cholesterol (T-C), and LDL-C, whereas increased HDL-C compared to those of HFD group. Notably, insulin signaling pathway was activated by CUR. This suggests that CUR improves obesity-associated T2DM by overcoming insulin resistance in part.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2019

The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has increased with the incidence of obesity; however, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. In this study, high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) along with transcriptomics were applied on animal models to draw a mechanistic insight of NAFLD. Wild type (WT) and catalase knockout (CKO) mice were fed with normal fat diet (NFD) or high fat diet (HFD) to identify the changes in metabolic and transcriptomic profiles caused by catalase gene deletion in correspondence with HFD. Integrated omics analysis revealed that cholic acid and $3{\beta}$, $7{\alpha}$-dihydroxy-5-cholestenoate along with cyp7b1 gene involved in primary bile acid biosynthesis were strongly affected by HFD. The analysis also showed that CKO significantly changed all-trans-5,6-epoxy-retinoic acid or all-trans-4-hydroxy-retinoic acid and all-trans-4-oxo-retinoic acid along with cyp3a41b gene in retinol metabolism, and ${\alpha}/{\gamma}$-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid and thromboxane A2 along with ptgs1 and tbxas1 genes in linolenic acid metabolism. Our results suggest that dysregulated primary bile acid biosynthesis may contribute to liver steatohepatitis, while up-regulated retinol metabolism and linolenic acid metabolism may have contributed to oxidative stress and inflammatory phenomena in our NAFLD model created using CKO mice fed with HFD.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.688-696
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• 2018

Ginseng and probiotics have anti-obesity effects in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Absorption of ginsenoside and colonization of probiotics occur in the intestine. In this study, a mixture of fermented ginseng and two probiotics, Bifidobacterium longum BORI and Lactobacillus paracasei CH88, was administered to HFD-fed mice for 9 weeks. The mixture significantly suppressed weight gain (p < 0.05, n = 8) and lipid deposition in the liver and adipose tissues as well as increased the mice's food intake. The adipocyte size of the adipose tissue was significantly decreased in the mixture-fed group, especially when 0.5% fermented ginseng and $5{\times}10^8/ml$ of the two probiotics were used (p < 0.05, n = 10). The expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ in adipose tissue was efficiently downregulated in the mixture-fed group (p < 0.05, n = 4). The supplement also improved the mice's fasting blood glucose levels (p < 0.05, n = 8) and total cholesterol feces excretion (p < 0.05, n = 8). The mixture of fermented ginseng and B. longum BORI and L. paracasei CH88 could have an anti-obesity effect and suppress lipid deposit in the liver and adipose tissues.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.11-16
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of the aqueous extract of Schizandra chinensis (SC) in menopausal mice. Methods: To induce menopausal obesity, female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) and fed a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% fat, 28% carbohydrates, 14% protein) for 12 weeks. The mice were divided into 6 groups (n = 8): NOR (sham-operated and vehicle-treated), HFD+OVX (vehicle-treated), E2 (17-beta estradiol 50 ㎍/kg-treated), SC1 (1 mg/kg SC-treated), SC10 (10 mg/kg SC-treated), and SC100 (100 mg/kg SC-treated). Samples were orally administered for 6 weeks, after which all experimental mice were sacrificed. Body weight, feeding efficiency, white adipose tissue weight, adipocyte diameter, and fat vacuoles in liver were analyzed. Results: By treating with SC extract, the body weight and feeding efficiency of mice were significantly decreased. The weight of visceral fat tissues was decreased in the SC10 and SC100 groups. Histopathology showed that fat cell diameters of white adipose tissue were also decreased in the SC10 and SC100 groups. Additionally, SC extract regenerated the hepatocyte damage and decreased the size and number of follicular adipocytes Conclusion: In summary, these results suggest that SC has inhibitory effects against menopausal obesity. Schizandra chinensis may be a potential alternative for obesity among female menopausal diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer, while a calorie-restricted diet can extend life span by reducing the risk of these diseases. It is known that health effects of diet are partially conveyed through epigenetic mechanism including DNA methylation. In this study, we investigated the genome-wide hepatic DNA methylation to identify the epigenetic effects of HFD-induced obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed control diet (CD), calorie-restricted control diet (CRCD), or HFD for 16 weeks (after one week of acclimation to the control diet). Food intake, body weight, and liver weight were measured. Hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels were determined using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Changes in genome-wide DNA methylation were determined by a DNA methylation microarray method combined with methylated DNA immunoprecipitation. The level of transcription of individual genes was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The DNA methylation statuses of genes in biological networks related to lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis were influenced by HFD-induced obesity. In HFD group, a proinflammatory Casp1 (Caspase 1) gene had hypomethylated CpG sites at the 1.5-kb upstream region of its transcription start site (TSS), and its mRNA level was higher compared with that in CD group. Additionally, an energy metabolism-associated gene Ndufb9 (NADH dehydrogenase 1 beta subcomplex 9) in HFD group had hypermethylated CpG sites at the 2.6-kb downstream region of its TSS, and its mRNA level was lower compared with that in CRCD group. CONCLUSIONS: HFD alters DNA methylation profiles in genes associated with liver lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis. The methylation statuses of Casp1 and Ndufb9 were particularly influenced by the HFD. The expression of these genes in HFD differed significantly compared with CD and CRCD, respectively, suggesting that the expressions of Casp1 and Ndufb9 in liver were regulated by their methylation statuses.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.580-592
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to further investigate the potential health beneficial effects of long-term seaweed supplementation on lipid metabolism and hepatic functions in DIO mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four brown seaweeds (Undaria pinnatifida [UP], Laminaria japonica [LJ], Sargassum fulvellum [SF], or Hizikia fusiforme [HF]) were added to a high fat diet (HFD) at a 5% ratio and supplemented to C57BL/6N mice for 16 weeks. Triglycerides (TGs) and total cholesterol (TC) in the liver, feces, and plasma were measured. Fecal bile acid (BA) levels in feces were monitored. Hepatic insulin signaling- and lipogenesis-related proteins were evaluated by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Fasting blood glucose levels were significantly reduced in the LJ, SF, and HF groups compared to the HFD group by the end of 16-week feeding period. Plasma TG levels and hepatic lipid accumulation were significantly reduced in all 4 seaweed supplemented groups, whereas plasma TC levels were only suppressed in the UP and HF groups compared to the HFD group. Fecal BA levels were significantly elevated by UP, LJ, and SF supplementation compared to HFD feeding only. Lastly, regarding hepatic insulin signaling-related proteins, phosphorylation of 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase was significantly up-regulated by all 4 types of seaweed, whereas phosphorylation of protein kinase B was up-regulated only in the SF and HF groups. Lipogenesis-related proteins in the liver were effectively down-regulated by HF supplementation in DIO mice. CONCLUSIONS: Brown seaweed consumption showed hypotriglyceridemic effects in the prolonged DIO mouse model. Specifically, combinatory regulation of BA excretion and lipogenesis-related proteins in the liver by seaweed supplementation contributed to the reduction of plasma and hepatic TG levels, which inhibited hyperglycemia in DIO mice. Thus, the discrepant and species-specific functions of brown seaweeds provide novel insights for the selection of future targets for therapeutic agents.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.75-92
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the effect of Gami-cheongpyesagan-tang extract (GCST) on high fat diet-induced obesity in rats. Methods: The mice were divided into six groups; normal diet control, high fat diet control (HFD), HFD+GCST administrated group (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and olistat-admistrated group. Obesity was induced by high fat diet (45%) for 7 weeks in mice, and GCST was administrated orally every day for 7 weeks. The body weight, food intake, and serological markers such as total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid contents, leptin, adiponectin and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase/glutamic pyruvic transaminase were measured in mice. The mRNA expression of obese-associating genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CaP desaturase (SCD-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $(PPAR)-{\alpha}$, COA oxidase (ACO), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase ($CPT-1{\alpha}$) was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The administration of GCST at 400 mg/kg, significantly reduced the increase of body weight and food intake as well as food efficiency compared to HFD group. GCST decreased the serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, leptin in HFD control group and inhibited lipid accumulation in liver and adipose tissues, but did not increase high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol. In the liver tissues of GCST administrated HFD group, the mRNA levels of SREBP-1c, FAS and SCD-1 were decreased and the mRNA levels of $PPAR-{\alpha}$, ACO, and $CPT-1{\alpha}$ were increased. Conclusions: These results indicate that GCST could improve high fat diet induced obesity through inhibiting the hyperlipidemia in fatty Liver. It suggest that GCST may be used clinically for declining the accumultion of body fat with hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.1439-1445
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated the inhibition of phyto-extract mixture (PEM) in several digestive enzymes ($\alpha$-amylase, $\alpha$-glucosidase and lipase) for anti-obesity. The current study also examined the effects of PEM on adiposity and serum lipid levels in obese mice fed with high fat diet. ICR male mice weighing $33{\pm}1.1\;g$ were randomly divided into three groups, one normal diet group (control, ND group) and two high fat diet groups with or without PEM supplement (HFD group and PEM group). The mice were fed the PEM experimental for 6 weeks and then they were sacrificed. The results showed that the final weight, weight gain, food efficiency ratio and body fat were decreased by the addition of PEM compared to those of HFD group. White adipose tissue weights of epididymal, mesenteric and retroperitoneal areas in the PEM group were reduced to 31.2%, 8.8%, and 37.8%, respectively, compared to the HFD group. The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol in the PEM group were significantly lower than those of HFD group. The body weight gain and food efficiency ratio of PEM group were significantly lower compared with those of HFD group. From the above results, the PEM may be effective material for anti-obesity through reducing serum triglyceride and body fats as well as decreasing body weight.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.967-977
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC) is a traditional Asian medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The fruits of RC are known to prevent adult diseases through antioxidants. In this study, the effects of RC extract (RCex) on obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated in animal models. Twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were induced to become obese for 8 weeks and then the extract was orally administered for 8 weeks. RCex reduced body weight, adipose tissue, liver weight. RCex improved biochemical biomarkers including lipid metabolism (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol). The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduced the expression of adipogenesis genes (liver × receptor (LXR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthesis (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and the effect of enhancing carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity by RCex was verified. RCex also influence on plasma production of hormones (adiponectin & leptin) related on energy expenditure and metabolism. In addition, we confirmed that RCex improved glucose intolerance in HFD-induced obese rats. RCex was first demonstrated to have anti-obesity as well as anti-NAFLD effects by regulating fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid synthesis by phosphorylation of AMPK. This suggests that RCex could be a good supplement for the prevention of obesity and related NAFLD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.47-61
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• 2016

Objectives: The objective of this research is to develop new animal-experimental model for Sasang Constitutional Medicine, especially for partial Taeyangin(one of four constitution which has good pulmonary function and poor hepatic function) by AAP intraperitoneal injection, and to estimate from the viewpoint of obesity and lipid metabolism. Methods: The C57bl/6J mice was divided into 4 groups ; Normal group, AAP group, High-Fat-Diet(HFD) group, and HFD+AAP group. 200mg AAP was injected intraperitoneally to the AAP group twice a week for six weeks, and HFD group was fed with 60%-High-fat Diet for six weeks. HFD+AAP group got both AAP injection and 60%-High-fat Diet at the same time for the same period. In this period, We measured the weight and Food Efficiency Ratio(FER, %) once a week. After six weeks, We conducted the blood chemical test from the groups, and extracted the fat tissue to measure weight. Results & conclusion: In the liver function test, two AAP groups had higher AST and ALP, and normal LDH. The blood level of creatinine from all groups were normal. The rate in weight was lesser by 7.8% in HFD+AAP group, and had lesser FER than HFD group. Also They had lesser Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, and had more HDL cholesterol than HFD group. HFD+AAP group hadmore glucose in serum and lesser Insulin-like Growth Factor 1(IGF-1) than HFD group.