• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.435-447
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• 2021

Purpose: Body adiposity is negatively correlated with hepatic iron status, and Korean pine nut oil (PNO) has been reported to reduce adiposity. Therefore, we aimed to study the effects of PNO on adiposity, hepatic mineral status, and the expression of genes and proteins involved in iron absorption. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed a control diet containing 10% kcal from PNO (PC) or soybean oil (SBO; SC), or a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 35% kcal from lard and 10% kcal from PNO (PHFD) or SBO (SHFD). Hepatic iron, copper, and zinc content; and expression of genes and proteins related to iron absorption were measured. Results: HFD-fed mice had a higher white fat mass (2-fold; p < 0.001), lower hepatic iron content (25% lower; p < 0.001), and lower hepatic Hamp (p = 0.028) and duodenal Dcytb mRNA levels (p = 0.037) compared to the control diet-fed mice. Hepatic iron status was negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.607, p < 0.001) and white fat mass (r = -0.745, p < 0.001). Although the PHFD group gained less body weight (18% less; p < 0.05) and white fat mass (18% less; p < 0.05) than the SHFD group, the hepatic iron status impaired by the HFD feeding did not improve. The expression of hepatic and duodenal ferroportin protein was not affected by the fat amount or the oil type. PNO-fed mice had significantly lower Slc11a2 (p = 0.022) and Slc40a1 expression (p = 0.027) compared to SBO-fed mice. However, the PC group had a higher Heph expression than the SC group (p < 0.05). The hepatic copper and zinc content did not differ between the four diet groups, but hepatic copper content adjusted by body weight was significantly lower in the HFD-fed mice compared to the control diet-fed mice. Conclusion: HFD-induced obesity decreased hepatic iron storage by affecting the regulation of genes related to iron absorption; however, the 18% less white fat mass in the PHFD group was not enough to improve the iron status compared to the SHFD group. The hepatic copper and zinc status was not altered by the fat amount or the oil type.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2004

The objective of this study was to examine diet-induced changes in the expression of UCP2 mRNA in the liver and UCP3 mRNA in the skeletal muscle of mice fed a high-sucrose or high-fat diet. Male ICR mice, aged 4 weeks, were divided into three dietary groups and fed control (N) or modified AIN-76 high-sucrose (US) or high-fat (HF) diets for 12 weeks. The serum total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-cholesterol concentrations of the HF group were significantly higher than those of the N and HS groups. The hepatic TC and triglyceride contents of the HS and HF groups were also significantly higher than those of the N group. The HS diet group had higher serum leptin and insulin levels compared to those of the HF group. Hepatic UCP2 mRNA expression was significantly higher in the HS group than in the N group, but the level in the HF group did not differ from that of the N group. Muscular UCP3 mRNA level was significantly higher in the HF group and especially in the HS group than in N the group. We observed that two gene (UCP2, 3) levels exhibited a similar tendency. These results suggest that UCPs mRNA levels and energy expenditure may be altered or controlled by various dietary patterns. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of diet on the regulation of many obesity-related genes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.503-511
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginger, a root vegetable, is known to have antioxidant and antiobesity effects. Preparation, such as by steaming, can affect the chemical composition of prepared root vegetables or herbs and can change their functional activities. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of steamed ginger against oxidative stress and steatosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIAL/METHODS: The levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in two different extracts of steamed ginger, i.e., water extract (SGW) and ethanolic extract (SGE); as well, their antioxidant activities were examined. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 10), high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat, w/w, n = 10), HFD supplemented with 200 mg/kg of SGE or garcinia (GAR) by weight (SGED or GARD, respectively, n = 10) for 12 weeks. Serum chemistry was examined, and the expressions of genes involved in lipid metabolism were determined in the liver. Histological analysis was performed to identify lipid accumulations in epididymal fat pads and liver. RESULTS: The SGE had higher contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and higher DPPH and $ABTS^+$ free radical scavenging activities compared to those of SGW. Treatment with SGE or GAR significantly decreased the HFD-induced weight gain. Both SGE and GAR significantly reduced the high serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein levels induced by HFD. Compared to ND, HFD significantly increased hepatic TC and TG levels. SGE or GAR supplementation significantly decreased the increase of hepatic lipids by HFD. Interestingly, SGE had a more significant effect in reducing hepatic TC and TG levels than GAR. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis were altered in both the SGED and GARD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that steamed ginger supplementation can decrease plasma TC and TG and can inhibit liver steatosis by regulating the expressions of hepatic genes.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.589-602
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• 2012

The Korean society has gone through a dramatic change in its population, with rapidly increasing number of multicultural families through international marriages since 1990s. This study investigated the differences between multicultural families and Korean families in three areas related to dietary behaviors: diet-related behaviors and perception, and food preferences. A cross-sectional analysis was performed in 500 Koreans from Korean families and 104 couples from the multicultural families with Vietnamese wives. More subjects from multicultural families grew up in the countryside, received less education and also had lower income than the subjects from Korean families. Multicultural families ate traditional Korean meals more often at home and dined out less often than Korean families. The multicultural families focused more attention on nutritional aspects of their diets than Korean families. The Vietnamese wives in multicultural families favored Vietnamese foods but they rarely ate those foods in Korea despite an easy accessibility to Vietnamese ingredients. In conclusion, the multicultural families had more traditional Korean dietary patterns than Korean families, which could have been influenced by their socioeconomic factors. Further research with a quantitative analysis is needed in future studies to understand the effect of dietary patterns on nutritional status and quality of life in multicultural and Korean families.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.95-113
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to examine prepurchase information seeking behavior and postpurchase satisfaction levels for the diet products. Ninty-one women who were living in Cheongju-city area were selected. The survey was conducted during 1996. 7. 25$\sim$8. 12, and questionnare and SAS PC program were utilized. The major findings were as follows : 1. The level of information seeking activity was found to be rather low level, 9.2/20. 2. Friend colleague neighborhood were found to be the most important information source. 3. The level of information seeking according to diet product attributes was found to be rather high, 2.5/3. 4. The level of satisfaction was found to be rather low, 1.6/3. 5. Positive relationships were found between satisfaction level and friend colleague neighborhood, and family relatives out of 6 information sources.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.231-237
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• 2016

Eryngium foetidum Linn. leaves (EF) are widely used in Thailand and many countries throughout Asia as a culinary seasoning and a traditional medicine. However, adverse effect of high dose consumption in long duration has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to investigate chronic toxicity of EF in mice. Thirty-two ICR male mice were divided into 4 groups of 8 mice each. The mice were fed AIN-76 rodent diet, or AIN-76 rodent diet supplemented with ground freeze-dried EF at 0.8%, 1.6% and 3.2% that is equivalent to approximately 35, 73 and 155 times that of human consumption, respectively, at 97.5 percentile for a period of 24 weeks. At the end of experiment, the mice were euthanized and blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical evaluations. Necropsy was performed while visceral organs such as lung, liver, kidneys, spleen etc. were collected, weighed and histopathologically examined. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) results of mice in 1.6% and 3.2% EF diet groups were significantly higher than the BUN of control group. No significant difference was noted in other biochemical and hematological properties between the treatment groups and control; all results were within normal range. Histopathology of almost all visceral organs showed no significant changes. However, tubulonephrosis and chronic interstitial nephritis were observed in the groups treated with 1.6% and 3.2% EF diet. Body weight was reduced significantly at week 12 to week 20 when compared to the control group while relative kidney weights were significantly increased. In conclusion, the consumption of EF in diet at high doses illustrated the adverse effect on some biochemical parameters and histopathology in mice. Our findings suggested that EF daily consumption for 24 weeks, at higher doses than the 0.8% EF diet (35 times of human consumption), might cause adverse effect on kidney function in mice.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2003

Acanthopanax senticosus was grown by a novel, proprietary method, of culturing isolated cells in a bioreactor. An extract from the cells was evaluated for its effect on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high fat diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n＝6) were fed either an AIN-76 diet (control, NDCon), control diet plus Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ND＋Ex), a modified AIN-76 diet supplemented with 20% beef tallow (high fat, HFCon), or a high fat diet plus Acanthopanax senticosus extract (HF＋Ex), for 5weeks. Body weight gain was significantly higher in the HFCon group than the NDCon group. Feed consumption was significantly lower, but energy intake higher, in the groups fed high fat diets compared with the groups fed control diets. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased but serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations were decreased in the groups fed the Acanthopanax senticosus extract. Abdominal fat accumulation and serum leptin levels were significantly higher in the HFCon group than the other groups. Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-I (CPT-I) mRNA levels were increased in the groups fed Acanthopanx senticosus extract. These results suggest that supplementation of cell cultured Acanthopanax senticosus extract regulates CPT-I mRNA levels in liver and has an effect on the normalization of lipids in rats fed a high fat diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.589-601
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• 2023

Purpose: Baicalein, a natural flavone found in herbs, exhibits diverse biological activities. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an irreversible condition often associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of baicalein on the development of NASH in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH and were simultaneously treated with baicalein (at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle only (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet without the administration of baicalein. Results: The baicalein treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, suggestive of reduced liver damage. Histological analysis revealed a marked decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver activity scores induced by the MCD diet in the mice. Similarly, baicalein treatment at both doses significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, as examined by Sirius red staining, and hepatocellular death, as examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Baicalein treatment attenuated MCD-diet-induced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, demonstrating a reduction in oxidative stress resulting from lipid peroxidation. Moreover, baicalein treatment suppressed hepatic protein levels of 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) induced by the MCD diet. In contrast, baicalein enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, baicalein treatment significantly reduced hepatic non-heme iron concentrations and hepatic ferritin protein levels in mice fed an MCD diet. Conclusion: To summarize, baicalein treatment suppresses hepatic lipid peroxidation, 12-Lox expression, and iron accumulation, all of which are associated with the attenuation of NASH progression.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.386-394
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of shellfish hydrolysate on lipid metabolism in rats fed high fat diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rate weighting approximately 110g were fed basal control diet, high fat diet and high fat diet plus 4 different shellfish hydrolyates for 4 weeks. The shellfish hydrolysates from the different sources, were oyster, hard-shelled mussel, little neck clam and march clam. After 4 weeks, serum GOT, GPT, ${\gamma}$-GTP, triglyceride and total cholesterol was significantly decreased in shellfish hydrolysates supplementation with high fat diet compared to basal control and high-fat group(p<0.05). The total lipid and cholesterol content in liver showed significant decrease(p, 0.05). There were no different in serum GPT, HDL-cholesterol, liver total cholesterol and lipid of rats between basal control diet and high-fat diet. The unsaturated fatty acids, specific components of shellfishes were a little components in shellfish hydrolysate as they were a low and not different among the groups and were most well reflected in liver and plasma. Considering digestive and absorptive process of in human body, it was assumed that the hypolipidemic effect of shellfish was not under the influence of unsaturated fatty acids but the other components, peptides, taurine and betaine and so on was detected in the process of hyperlipidemia induced by high-fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2005

This study was designed to observe the effects of the feeding Callophyllis japonica extracts on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipid in the serum of dietary hypercholesterolemic rats(S.D. strain, ?) fed the experimental diets for 4 weeks. Concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum were significantly lower in the Callophylis japonica extracts group than in the choloesterol supplemented diet group. Concentrations of HDL-cholesterol in serum were higher in the Callophyllis japonica extracts group than in the cholesterol supplemented diet group. Concentrations of free cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid and blood glucose in serum were significantly lower in the Callophyllis japonica extracts group than in the cholesterol supplemented diet group. The activities of aspatate aminotransferae(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum were lower in the CAllophyllis japonica extracts supplemented group than in the cholesterol diet group. From the above research, the physiological activity substances in Callophylis japonica extracts were effective on the improvement of the blood glucose, lipid compositions in serum of dietary hypercholesterolemic rats.