• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.291-298
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• 2021

In this study, we investigated whether the combined administration of berberine (BBR) and silibinin (SBN) was effective in improving hyperlipidemia and anti-obesity efficacy using a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mouse model. HFD-induced obese mice were supplemented with the BBR and SBN combination (BBR-SBN) along with the HFD administration for 8 weeks. During the experiment, body weight, food intake, and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol were analyzed. Consumption of HFD in the mice caused rapid increases in body weight and the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides compared to the normal control (NC) group. However, supplementation of BBR-SBN in these obese mice significantly reduced body weight gain and suppressed the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride with the increment of HDL cholesterol level. In the HFD-fed group, abdominal fat weight was significantly increased and the adipocytes within the epididymal adipose tissue were found to have expanded sizes compared to the NC group. However, in the BBR-SBN group, the sizes of the adipocytes were comparable to those of the NC group and abdominal fat weight was significantly reduced. Moreover, the deposition of giant vesicular fat cells in liver tissues seen in the HFD-fed group was considerably reduced in the BBR-SBN group. These results suggest that the BBR-SBN combination tends to have synergic potential as an anti-obesity agent by significantly reducing body weight gain as well as lowering serum lipid levels and thus improving anti-obesity efficacy in HFD-induced obese mice.

• 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.489-495
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dried Momordica charantia aqueous extracts (MCA) and ethanol extracts (MCE) on obesity and lipid profiles in mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIALS/METHODS: Forty two ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups. The normal group was fed a basal diet, and other groups were fed a 45% high-fat diet (HFD) for 7 weeks. The normal and HFD groups were also orally administered distilled water each day for 7 weeks. The remaining groups received Momordica charantia extract (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg/day MCA, and 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg/day MCE). In order to measure the anti-obesity and lipid profile improvement effects, body and visceral tissue weight, lipid profiles, plasma insulin levels, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. RESULTS: Both MCA and MCE significantly decreased body and visceral tissue weight relative to those of the HFD group (P < 0.05). Additionally high doses of MCE and MCA significantly reduced the plasmatic insulin levels compared to the HFD groups (P < 0.05) to concentrations comparable to those found in the normal group. MCA and MCE supplementation also significantly modulated the lipid profiles in plasma, liver, and feces compared to mice fed the HFD (P < 0.05). Furthermore MCA and MCE significantly increased hepatic SOD activity, and reduced MDA generation in the liver of the HFD mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study suggest that Momordica charantia extracts have anti-obesity effects and the ability to modulate lipid prolife of mice fed a HFD by suppressing body weight gain, visceral tissue weight, plasma and hepatic lipid concentrations, and lipid peroxidation along with increasing lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2010

This study evaluated the protective effects of ginseng leaf extract (GLE) against high fat-diet-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and explored the potential mechanism underlying these effects in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, high fat diet control (HFD), GLE-treated at 250 mg/kg, and GLE-treated at 500 mg/kg. To induce hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic states, mice were fed a high fat diet for 6 weeks and then administered GLE once daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment, we examined the effects of GLE on plasma glucose, lipid levels, and the expression of genes related to lipogenesis, lipolysis, and gluconeogenesis. Both GLE groups lowered levels of plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and non-esterified fatty acids when compared to those in HFD group. Histological analysis revealed significantly fewer lipid droplets in the livers of GLE-treated mice compared with HFD mice. To elucidate the mechanism, Western blots and RT-PCR were performed using liver tissue. Compared with HFD mice, GLE-treated mice showed higher levels of phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, but no differences in the expression of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1a, fatty acid synthase, sterol-CoA desaturase 1 and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. However, the expression levels of lipolysis and fatty acid uptake genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\alpha$ and CD36 were increased. In addition, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression was decreased. These results suggest that GLE ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and stimulating lipolysis, respectively, via AMPK activation.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.179-196
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• 2019

We investigated the effect of high density lipoprotein from egg yolk (EYHDL) on serum, hepatic and fecal lipid and fatty acids (FAs) levels and on gene expression involved in FAs metabolism. Male KM mice were fed either normal diet (ND; n=20), high fat diet (HFD; n=20), or high fat diet containing EYHDL (EYHDL; 0.6 mg/g, every day by oral gavage, n=20) for 100 days. At the end of the experiment, the effects of treatments on biochemical parameters, FAs profiles and involved gene expression were analyzed. Our results revealed that EYHDL markedly suppressed the body weight gain, accumulation of abdominal fat tissues, serum concentrations of LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides, hepatic triglycerides and cholesterol accumulation, while increased serum concentration of HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). EYHDL intake also increased total cholesterol (TC) excretions compared with HFD group. Moreover, it alleviated the severity of fatty liver and improved glucose and insulin tolerance compared with HFD. More importantly, EYHDL partially normalized FAs profiles in serum, liver and fecaces and neutralized the HFD-induced upregulation of SREBP-1c, Acaca, Fasn, GPAT and Scd1. In conclusion, our findings indicate that EYHDL may have the potential to improve metabolic disturbances that occur in HFD mice and can be considered as an appropriate dietary recommendation for the treatment of metabolic syndrome (MetS).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.289-297
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• 2017

The objective of this study was to identify and compare the anti-diabetic effects of mulberry leave (ML), silkworm (SK), mulberry fruit (MF), and Cudrania tricuspidata BUREAU (CT) extracts in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese and diabetic mice. C57BL/6N mice were assigned to six groups: normal diet (ND, n=7), HFD (n=10), HFD with 5% ML powder (ML, n=10), HFD with 2% SK powder (SK, n=10), HFD with 5% MF powder (MF, n=10), and HFD with 5% CT powder (CT, n=10). Mice were fed their assigned diet for 14 weeks. ML group showed significant reduction in levels of plasma glucose and insulin compared with the HFD group. Plasma total cholesterol (T-C) was significantly reduced by ML and SK compared with the HFD group. Plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and HTR (HDL-C to T-C ratio) levels of the ML, SK, MF, and CT groups were significantly elevated compared to the HFD group. Moreover, concentrations of hepatic T-C and triglycerides in the ML, SK, MF, and CT groups were significantly reduced in comparison to the HFD group. Levels of pAKT, pS6K, and pAMPK significantly increased in the ML group compared with the HFD group. Taken together, ML appears to be the most potent anti-diabetic and anti-dyslipidemic substance among sericultural products. ML could be developed as a potential agent for diabetes and its complication management.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.416-422
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of corn peptide(CP) on lipid metabolism. Sprague-Dawley(S.D) male rats were assigned to three dietary groups {control diet(CD), high fat diet (HFD) & high fat com peptide diet(FCD)} and fed 4 weeks to examine the effects of CP. There were no significantly different in cholesterol concentrations in the liver among the groups. However, triglyceride(TG) concentrations of the FCD & CD significantly lower than the HFD. Fecal excretion of neutral steroids & bile acids of the FCD significantly higher than the CD & HFD. Serum total cholesterol TG & LDL-cholesterol concentrations of the FCD & CD significantly lower than the HFD. These results suggest the improvement of lipid composition in serum by CP might be inhibit of lipid absorption in intestine & increment of neutral steroids & bile acids excretion in feces.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.498-510
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation and metabolic disturbances, presents a significant health challenge. Opuntia humifusa Raf., commonly known as Korean Cheonnyuncho, is rich in various beneficial compounds and has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential impact on glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in obese rats, remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate whether O. humifusa stems and fruits could beneficially alter glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in a rat model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-two rats were allocated into 4 groups: normal diet (NF), HFD control (HF), HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa stems (HF-OS), and HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa fruits (HF-OF). Experimental diets were administered for 6 weeks. At the end of the treatment, liver and fat tissues were isolated, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. The major flavonoid from O. humifusa stems and fruits was identified and quantified. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, the serum fasting glucose concentration in the HF-OS group was significantly lower than that in the HF group. Serum fasting insulin concentrations in both HF-OS and HF-OF groups tended to be lower than those in the HF group, indicating a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in the HF-OS group. Additionally, the HF-OS group exhibited a tendency towards the restoration of adiponectin levels to that of the NF group. CONCLUSION: The 2% O. humifusa stems contain abundant quercetin and isorhamnetin, which alter fasting blood glucose levels in rats fed a HFD, leading to a favorable improvement in insulin resistance.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.189-194
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• 2011

Effect of Sargassum confusum extract on the reduction of body weight gain and lipid contents in obese rats were evaluated to find natural materials with anti-obesity benefits. After inducing obesity by feeding 42.5% high-fat diet for 5 weeks, each 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to high-fat diet control (HFD) group and high-fat diet group containing 3% Sargassum confusum extract (HFDSC). Weight gain of HFD group ($2.96{\pm}0.31g/day$) was significantly (p<0.05) higher as compared to that of normal diet (ND) group ($2.19{\pm}0.17g/day$). Weights of adipose tissues of HFD group were higher than those of ND group. Body weight gain of HFDSC group, however, was $2.36{\pm}0.24g/day$, which was significantly (p<0.05) lower by 21% than that of HFD group. In addition, weights of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissues were lower by 15% and 16%, respectively, as compared to those of HFD group. Biochemical analyses showed that concentration of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and fatty acids were significantly (p<0.05) lower in HFDSC group. These results suggest that Sargassum confusum extract has a high potential as an anti-obesity material by reducing weight gain and obesity-related factors in serum.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.328-337
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• 2023

We investigated the effects of single and combined administrations of Lactobacillus species (L. plantarum, LP; L. gasseri, LG; L. casei, LC) on blood lipid metabolism and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The mice were continuously supplemented with LP, LP/LG, or LP/LG/LC, along with HFD, for 12 weeks. The consumption of HFD led to significant increases in body weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to the normal control group. However, administration of LP, LP/LG, or LP/LG/LC to HFD-fed mice reduced body weight gain and showed a tendency to suppress the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol, while increasing HDL-cholesterol levels. The HFD group exhibited increased abdominal fat weight and larger adipocytes in the epididymal adipose tissue compared to the NC group. However, the administered probiotics led to a significant reduction in adipocyte size with decreasing tendency in abdominal fat weight compared with the HFD group. Additionally, the deposition of giant vesicular fat cells in the liver of the HFD group considerably decreased in the probiotic-administered group. Microbiome analysis revealed an imbalance in intestinal microbes in the HFD group, characterized by lower Bacteroidetes and higher Proteobacteria ratios. However, probiotic administration tended to restore the microbial distribution by controlling the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, resulting in decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria/Bacteroidetes ratios. These results suggest that single and combined administration of LP and other probiotics holds enormous potential in reducing obesity in HFD-fed mice as they regulate lipid metabolism, reduce adipocyte size, and restore the balance of intestinal microbes.