• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.348-355
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• 2017

Aster yomena (AY) have been used as a traditional medicine to treat cough, bronchial asthma, and insect bites in Korea. In this study, we evaluated the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by AY ethanol extract. Lipid accumulation measurement indicates that AY markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. qRT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR-{\gamma}$) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly down-regulated by AY treatment. And inhibited the expression of FAS, a protein responsible for lipid synthesis, transport and storage. Oral administration of AY (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg, P.O/daily for 4 weeks) was conducted in high-fat diet induced obese mice and C57BL/6 mice. AY was orally administered for 4 weeks to extract liver and epididymal fat, and hematoxylin and eosin staining(H&E staining) was observed. Observation showed that the fat concentration of liver tissue tended to decrease dose-dependently and decreased significantly at 500 mg/kg concentration. The AY-administered group of HFD-induced mice had a lower body weight gain, along with decreased triglycerides and total cholesterol compared with the control mice, however, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. These results indicate that AY exhibits anti-obesity effects in obese mice by decreasing in serum lipid levels and lipogenesis related gene.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4435-4440
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• 2013

Aloe vera gel supercritical $CO_2$ extract (AVGE) has been shown to contain five phytosterols, reduce visceral fat accumulation, and influence the metabolism of glucose and lipids in animal model experiments. Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that obesity is an established risk factor for several cancers including colorectal cancer. Therefore, we examined the effects of AVGE on intestinal polyp formation in Apc-deficient Min mice fed a high-fat diet. Male Min mice were divided into normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), low dose AVGE (HFD+LAVGE) and high dose AVGE (HFD+HAVGE) groups. The ND group received AIN-93G diet and the latter 3 groups were given modified high-fat AIN-93G diet (HFD) for 7 weeks. AVGE was suspended in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and administered orally to mice in HFD+LAVGE and HFD+HAVGE groups every day (except on Sunday) for 7 weeks at a dose of 3.75 and 12.5 mg/kg body weight, respectively. ND and HFD groups received 0.5% CMC alone. Between weeks 4 and 7, body weights in the HFD and HFD+LAVGE groups were reduced more than those in the ND group. However, body weights were not reduced in the HFD+HAVGE group. Mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and their intestines were scored for polyps. No significant differences were observed in either the incidence and multiplicity of intestinal polyps (${\geq}0.5$ mm in a diameter) among the three groups fed HFD. However, when intestinal polyps were categorized by their size into 0.5-1.4, 1.5-2.4, or ${\geq}2.5$ mm, the incidence and multiplicity of large polyps (${\geq}2.5$ mm) in the intestine in the HFD+HAVGE group were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. We measured plasma lipid (triglycerides and total cholesterol) and adipocytokine [interleukin-6 and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin] levels as possible indicators of mechanisms of inhibition. The results showed that HMW adiponectin levels in the HFD group were significantly lower than those in the ND group. However, the levels in the HFD+HAVGE group were significantly higher than those in the HFD group. These results indicate that HAVGE reduced large-sized intestinal polyps and ameliorated reduction in plasma HMW adiponectin levels in Min mice fed HFD.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effect of TJGB on the liver of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and the cell viability of HepG2 cells. Methods: After a week adaptation, 8-week-old C57BL/6N mice were fed with a 45% HFD or normal diet for 3 weeks. For the next 9 weeks, the mice were divided into 6 groups: normal diet group; HFD group; HFD plus orlistat group; HFD plus Ephedra sinica Stapf (ES) group; HFD plus low dose of TJGB group; HFD plus high dose of TJGB group. To estimate the effect of TJGB in the liver of HFD-fed mice, the protein expressions of phospho-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (p-ACC) and liver X Receptor (LXR) were determined by Western blot assay. The cell viability of ES and TJG was also evaluated in HepG2 cells. Results: The administration of TJGB had little effect on the protein expressions of p-ACC and LXR in the liver of HFD-fed mice. And the cytotoxicity was showed above 7.8 ㎍/mL in HepG2 cells. Conclusion: Further research is needed to evaluate the mechanism of TJGB on hepatic steatosis and cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.543-551
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• 2017

Purpose: The objective of the present study was to determine whether fermentation can increase the protective effects of blueberry liquid in a high-fat diet-induced obese mice model. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HD, 60% fat, w/w,), HD supplemented with 10 ml/kg BW/day of blueberry liquid (BHD, blueberry high-fat diet), or HD supplemented with 10 ml/kg BW/day of fermented blueberry liquid (FBHD, fermented blueberry high-fat diet) for 10 weeks. Results: There were significant decreases in the body, epididymal adipose tissue, and liver weights of blueberry-fed groups compared to HD, whereas there were no significant differences in food intake among the groups. Furthermore, blueberry liquid groups, especially fermented blueberry liquid, significantly attenuated the contents of hepatic triglycerides and total cholesterol induced by HD. Serum LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the BHD and FBHD-fed groups, whereas FBHD significantly increased the serum HDL-cholesterol level compared to the control. Concentrations of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and leptins in serum were also reduced by blueberry liquid supplementation. The mRNA expression of hepatic acetyl CoA carboxylase was significantly reduced in both the BHD and FBHD groups compared to HD. Furthermore, FBHD altered the mRNA expression level of hepatic lipolysis genes. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results suggest that blueberry, especially fermented blueberry liquid, may improve obesity-related abnormalities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1202-1207
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• 2016

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extract (EJE) in a high-fat diet-induced obese mice model. For the analysis, 40 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet group (HD), high-fat diet containing EJE 100 mg/kg b.w. (EJE-L), 500 mg/kg b.w. (EJE-H), and Garcinia cambogia extract 100 mg/kg b.w. in each AIN 93G supplement for 8 weeks as positive control. During the study period, food intake and body weight were measured separately. Body weight, serum triglyceride level, and total cholesterol levels of the EJE group were significantly lower than those of the HD and ND. Moreover, mice fed an EJE-containing high-fat diet showed decreased leptin levels compared with high-fat diet-induced obese mice. These results suggest that EJE has potential as an anti-obesity agent by reducing body weight and improving levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin in serum.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-20
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• 2018

Objectives This study was conducted to experimentally evaluate the effects of Younggyechulgam-tang-ga Hwanggi(YGT) on obesity in mice induced by high fat diet. Methods The experiment was conducted with 4-week-old male mice divided into 5 groups. They were a normal diet group(Nor), a high fat diet group(Veh), a positive drug control group-orlistat 40 mg/kg(Oris), a 1.08 g/kg group(YGTL), and a 2.16 g/kg group(YGTH), and were tested for five weeks. Changes in antioxidant activity, body weight, organ weight, ROS, AST, ALT, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C and lipid metabolism protein were checked. Results YGTL and YGTH group significantly reduced body weight compared to Veh group. YGTH group significantly reduced visceral fat weights compared to Veh group. In blood biochemistry analysis, ROS, AST, ALT, TC, TG and LDL-C in YGTL and YGTH group were significantly lower than Veh group. HDL-C increased significance in YGTL and YGTH group. In antioxidation protein analysis, Catalase, GPx and HO-1 have increased significantly in YGTL and YGTH group. YGTH group have increased $PPAR-{\alpha}$, p-AMPK compared to Veh group. but decreased FAS. SREBP-1, p-ACC levels in YGTL and YGTH group were decreased compared to Veh group, however CPT-1, UCP-2 levels in YGTL and YGTH group were increased compared to Veh group. Conclusions YGT has anti-obesity effects by regulating lipolysis and antioxidation in a diet-induced obesity model. Additional clinical studies are needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.425-437
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Different fatty acids exert different health benefits. This study investigated the potential protective effects of perilla, olive, and safflower oils on high-fat diet-induced obesity and colon inflammation. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week old, C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 5 groups: low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) and high-fat diet supplemented with-perilla oil (HPO), olive oil (HOO), and safflower oil (HSO). After 16 weeks of the experimental period, the mice were sacrificed, and blood and tissues were collected. The serum was analyzed for obesity- and inflammation-related biomarkers. Gene expression of the biomarkers in the liver, adipose tissue, and colon tissue was analyzed. Micro-computed tomography (CT) analysis was performed one week before sacrifice. RESULTS: Treatment with all the three oils significantly improved obesity-induced increases in body weight, liver weight, and epididymal fat weight as well as serum triglyceride and leptin levels. Treatment with perilla oil (PO) and safflower oil (SO) increased adiponectin levels. The micro-CT analysis revealed that PO and SO reduced abdominal fat volume considerably. The mRNA expression of lipogenic genes was reduced in all the three oilsupplemented groups and PO upregulated lipid oxidation in the liver. Supplementation of oils improved macroscopic score, increased colon length, and decreased serum endotoxin and proinflammatory cytokine levels in the colon. The abundance of Bifidobacteria was increased and that of Enterobacteriaceae was reduced in the PO-supplemented group. All three oils reduced proinflammatory cytokine levels, as indicated by the mRNA expression. In addition, PO increased the expression of tight junction proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data indicate that the three oils exert similar anti-obesity effects. Interestingly, compared with olive oil and SO, PO provides better protection against high-fat diet-induced colon inflammation, suggesting that PO consumption helps manage inflammation-related diseases and provides omega-3 fatty acids needed by the body.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2019

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of either moderate or high intensity aerobic exercise on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the high fat diet-induced obese mice. The 4 weeks male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal diet control (NC; n=10), high-fat diet control (HC; n=10), high fat diet with moderate intensity exercise (HME; n=10), or high fat diet with high intensity exercise (HIE; n=10) groups. The high fat diet was given 60% calories from fat whereas normal diet was given 18% calories from fat. The moderate intensity exercise group (HME) was set at 10m/min in the first 2 weeks, 12m/min in 3-5 weeks and 14m/min in 6-16 weeks and the high intensity exercise group (HIE) was set at 14m/min in the first 2 weeks, 17m/min in 3-5 weeks and 18m/min in 6-16 weeks. The semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was used to analyze the gene expression. The moderate intensity exercise significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, F480, CD11c and CD86. Further, the moderate intensity exercise significantly increased CD206 and $PGC1{\alpha}$, BMP7 and PRDM. The high intensity exercise significantly reduced NLRP3, CD11c and CD86. Further, the high intensity exercise significantly increased $PGC1{\alpha}$ and BMP7. In conclusion, moderate intensity exercise has more positive effects on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte maskers compared to high intensity exercise in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.476-480
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• 2013

Obesity is one of the most serious health problems in developed countries. It negatively affects diverse aspects of human wellbeing. Of these, a relationship between obesity and depression is widely recognized but biomarkers for assessment of obesity-associated mood changes in animal obesity models are rarely known. Here we explored the link between obesity and the plasma levels of monoamine neurotransmitters involved in mood control using a sensitive UPLC/MSMS technique in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model in male C57BL/6 mice to explore the potential utility of plasma tests for obesity-associated mood change. HFD (60% of total calories, 8 weeks) induced significantly higher weight gains in body (+37.8%) and fat tissue (+306%) in male C57BL/6 mice. Bioanalysis of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine in plasma at 8 weeks of HFD revealed that serotonin decreased significantly in the obese mice when compared to normal diet-fed mice ($2.7{\pm}0.6$ vs $4.3{\pm}2.0ng/ml$, N=8). Notably, a negative correlation was found between the levels of serotonin and body weight gains. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) with the individual levels of neurotransmitters revealed that plasma levels of dopamine and serotonin could apparently differentiate the obese mice from lean ones. Our study demonstrated that blood plasma levels of neurotransmitters can be employed to evaluate the mood changes associated with obesity and more importantly, provided an important clue for understanding of the relationship between obesity and mood disorders.

• Journal of Convergence Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.23-27
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effects of the Epimedium koreanum Nakai (EK) on menopausal obesity in mice. Methods: To induce the menopausal obesity, female C57BL/6J mice were ovariectomized and fed with high fat diet for 12 weeks. 17β-estradiol was injected as a positive control and the extract of EK was orally administered 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Body weight, uterine weight and visceral fat weight were measured. The size of the adipocyte in visceral fat tissues was estimated by Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Fasting glucose level was estimated in serum. Results: Body weight and visceral fat weight were significantly decreased by EK treatment, while the uterine weight/body weight was increased in high fat diet-fed ovariectomized mice. The diameter of adipocyte in the visceral fat tissues was markedly reduced in EK-treated menopausal obese mice. In addition, the fasting blood glucose level was inhibited by oral EK administration. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results showed that EK has ameliorative effects on overweight after menopause. EK could be one of the alternative therapy for treating menopausal obesity.