• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1528-1534
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• 2009

This study was designed to evaluate the anti-obesity and hypoglycemic effects of Gugija (Lycium chinense Mill) extracts in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated the $\alpha$-amylase and $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activities of extracts from Gugija. Gugija was extracted by 70% EtOH and 80% MeOH and aqueous, respectively. A single oral dose of Gugija extract inhibited the increase of blood glucose levels significantly at 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min and decreased incremental response areas under the glycemic response curve. These results suggest that Gugija 70% EtOH extracts may delay carbohydrate digestion and reduce postprandial hyperglycemia. In addition, triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes decreased at higher concentrations of Gugija 70% EtOH extract. Free fatty acid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was increased at higher concentrations of Gugija 70% EtOH extract. Also, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), the key insulin signaling pathway transcription factor, was remarkably increased by the Gugija 70% EtOH extract when compared to those of control cells in protein expression levels. Therefore, Gugija can be developed as an effective anti-obesity and hypoglycemic agent.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.89-96
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• 1999

Some of the information concerning sexual function in the male diabetes has been focused upon the problems of endocrine or semen parameters. However, the characteristics of acrosome reaction and spermatozoa concentration at the epididymis and vas deferens have scarcely been studied, and the causes of the infertility has not been critically identified. So, we designed to inspect the spermatozoa concentration and the characteristics of acrosome reaction at epididymis and vas deferens of diabetic Wistar rat induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 70 mg/kg, ip). Experimental animal was sacrificed at 3 days and 14 days after the STZ injection. In the diabetes-induced rat, the levels of insulin and glucose had a pattern of inverse proportion. The spermatozoa concentrations in caput and corpus epididymis were significantly decreased in all diabetic condition. In cauda epididymis, however, there was significant decrease in sperm concentration at 14 days onward. In diabetic rat, the spontaneous reaction rate of spermatozoa of cauda and vas deferens were significantly higher than the control group. The ARIC (acrosome reaction to ionophore challenge) value of caudal sperm was 28.7 at control, 22.1 at 3 days, and 8.3 at 14 days. In the present study the spermatozoa concentration was decreased and the spontaneous reaction rate was increased by diabetes. In ARIC-test, it is revealed that the fertility of spermatozoa of 14 days group was lower than control or 3 days group. Diabetes mellitus may be provoke the decreased fertilization rate and subsequent infertility and subsequent infertility.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1133-1140
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• 2006

Human HtrA1 (High temperature requirement protein A1) is a homologue of the E. coli periplasmic serine protease HtrA. A recent study has demonstrated that HtrA1 is a serine protease involved in processing of insulin like growth factor binding protein (ICFBP), indicating that it serves as an important regulator of IGF activity. Additionally, several lines of evidence suggest a striking correlation between proteolytic activity of HtrA1 serine protease and the pathogenesis of several diseases; however, physiological roles of HtrA1 remain to be elucidated. We used the pGEX bacterial expression system to develop a simple and rapid method for purifying HtrA1, and the recombinant HtrA1 protein was utilized to investigate the optimal conditions in executing its proteolytic activity. The proteolytically active HtrA1 was purified to approximately 85% purity, although the yield of the recombinant HtrA1 protein was slightly low $460{\mu}g$ for 1 liter E. coli culture). Using in vitro endoproteolytic cleavage assay, we identified that the HtrA1 serine protease activity was dependent on the enzyme concentration and the incubation time and that the best reaction temperature was $42^{\circ}C$ instead of $37^{\circ}C$. We arbitrary defined one unit of proteolytic activity of the HtrA1 serine protease as 200nM of HtrA1 that cleaves half of $5{\mu}M\;of\;{\beta}-casein$ during 3 hr incubation at $37^{\circ}C$. Our study provides a method for generating useful reagents to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which HtrA1 serine protease activity contributes in regulating its physiological function and to identify natural substrates of HtrA1.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.667-673
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• 2009

The antihyperlipidemic and glycemic control effects of mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract were investigated. In high fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice, the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract showed significant decrease in epididymal fat tissue weight, blood triglyceride and VLDL level, triglyceride and total cholesterol level in liver, serum insulin and HOMA-IR level and AUC. Oral glucose tolerance test glucose level reduction were 4.9% (M150L; ${\beta}$-glucan 1.303 mg/kg bw), 9.5% (M150; ${\beta}$-glucan 2.606 mg/kg bw) after 180 min of glucose loading compared to H-C group. Besides, the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract treatment significantly increased glycogen contents in liver and adiponectin level in high fat diet-induced obese mice. In conclusion, the results showed that the mycelia of Inonotus obliquus including protein-bound polysaccharides extract possesses significant antihyperlipidemic and glycemic control effects in C57BL/6J mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.621-629
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of soybeans, $chungkukjang$, and $doenjang$ on blood glucose and serum lipid profile in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 205 g were divided into non-diabetic and diabetic groups. The diabetic groups were further subdivided into four experimental groups: a normal group (N), a diabetic control group (STZ-C), a diabetic group fed autoclaved soybean powder (STZ-S), a diabetic group fed $chungkukjang$ powder (STZ-CKJ) and a diabetic group fed $deonjang$ powder (STZ-DJ). Food and water intakes were higher in the diabetic groups than in the N group. The body weight gain and food efficiency ratios were higher in the STZ-S, STZ-CKJ, and STZ-DJ groups than in the STZ-C group, but created no significant changes between the diabetic groups on food intake and body weight gain. The whole blood level at 4 weeks of the STZ-CKJ group was significantly lower than the STZ-C group. Serum glucose levels of the STZ-S, STZ-CKJ, and STZ-DJ groups were significantly lower than the STZ-C group, but there was no significant change in serum insulin levels. The AST and ALP activities in serum were markedly higher in the STZ-C group, but these decreases in relation to diabetes increased in the STZ-S, STZ-CKJ, and STZ-DJ groups. The level of serum triglycerides was lower in the STZ-CKJ and STZ-DJ groups than in the STZ-C group, whereas level of serum HDL-cholesterol was higher in the STZ-CKJ and STZ-DJ groups. Levels of total serum and LDL-cholesterol were higher in the diabetic groups compared with the N group, but significantly decreased in the STZ-S, STZ-CKJ, and STZ-DJ groups compared to the STZ-C group. These results indicate that dietary supplements of soybean, $chungkukjang$ and $doenjang$ may improve blood glucose and lipid metabolism and help prevent or attenuate the progression of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.630-637
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the effects of puffed and fermented red ginseng on blood glucose-related biomarkers in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley diabetic rats were orally injected with 0.85% NaCL as a diabetic control (DC), 300 mg/kg general red ginseng (RG), 300 mg/kg puffing red ginseng fermented by mixed strain culture of $Bifidobacterium$ $breve$ and $Lactobacillus$ $delbrueckii$ (BL), and 300 mg/kg puffing red ginseng fermented by $Enterococcus$ $faecalis$ (EF) for 5 weeks. The blood glucose level of group BL was significantly lower maintained than in groups DC and RG for the experimental period (p<0.05). It was also significantly lower than in groups DC, RG, and EF at the 5th week (p<0.05). In the oral glucose tolerance test, the blood glucose of group BL was maintained the lowest level (p<0.05), and the area under the blood glucose curve (AUC) was also significantly lower in group BL than in group DC (p<0.05). The fasting blood glucose and insulin levels after the experiment were significantly low in group BL (p<0.05), and the HOMA-IR was more significantly low in groups BL and EF than in group DC (p<0.05). Also, the HbA1c content of group BL was significantly low than in groups DC and RG (p<0.05). The serum TC level was significantly decreased in groups RG, BL, and EF than in group DC (p<0.05), and the LDL-C content was significantly low in group BL than in group DC (p<0.05). From the findings, it was shown that the puffed and fermented red ginseng made using a mixed strain culture of $B.$ $breve$ and $L.$ $delbrueckii$ could improve blood glucose-related biomarkers.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 1996

The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of co-culture cells and growth factors on in vitro culture of Korean native cattle(KNC) embryos fertilized in vitro. Two-eight cell embryos were cultured in vitro using 4 types of co-culture cells and 3 growth factors singly or in combination. The results were as follows, In the co-culture of 2~8 cell embryos with bovine oviductal epithelial cell(BOEC), granulosa cell(BGC), uterine epithelial cell(BUEC) and mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) monolayers, the developing rate to blastocysts was significantly(P<0.05) higher with BUEC(32.1%) than with MEF(15.3%), BGC(13.2%) and non co-culture control(11.6%). When the morula co-cultured with BOEC for 5 days following in vitro fertilization were co-cultured with BOEC continuously or with BUEC, respectively, the developing rate to blastocysts was higher with BUEC(73.9%) than with BOEC(56.0%). To examine the effects of growth factors on in vitro development of 2~8 cell embryos, epidermal growth factor(EGF), transforming growth factor-$\beta$l(TGF-$\beta$l) and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) were added singly or in combination to TCM 199 maturation medium with respective concentration. In a addition of each 10, 30 and SOng /rnl EGF, the developing rate to blastocysts was the highest in lOng /ml EGF(25.3%). In addition of each 1, 2 and Sng /mi TGF-$\beta$1, the developing rate to blastocysts was the highest in lng /ml TGF-$\beta$1(28.8%). In addition of each 50, 100ng/ml JGF-l, the developing rate to blastocysts was higher in 100ng/ml IGF-l(16.5%) than in SOng/mi IGF-1(12.9%). When lOng /ml EGF and lng /ml TGF-$\beta$l was added singly or in combination, the developing rate to blastocysts was similar in groups added singly or in combination with EGF and TGF-$\beta$l (23.l~24.6%), although higher than in control(16.7%). In the co-culture of 2~8 cell embryos Wth BOEC + each 10, 30 and 5Ong /rnl EGF, the developing rate to blastocysts was significantly(p<0.05) higher in BOEC + long /ml EGF(32.3%) than in BOEC + 3Ong /ml EGF(18.9%) and BOEC + song /ml EGF(9.7%). In the co-culture of 2~8 cell embryos with BOEC + each 1, 2, Sng /ml TGF-$\beta$l the developing rate to blastocysts was higher in BOEC + Sng/rnl TGF-$\beta$l(28.2%) than in BOEC + lng /ml TGF-$\beta$l(21.7%) and BOEC + 2ng/ml TGF-$\beta$l(21.4%). In summary, higher developing rate to blastocysts were obtained with co-culture of BUEC for co-culture system, with addition of lOng /ml EGF or lng /ml TGF-$\beta$l for growth factor culture system, and with co-culture of BOEC + lOng /ml EGF or BOEC + Sng /ml TGF-$\beta$l for co-culture + growth factor culture system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2017

Purpose: Obesogenic environments in children, in particular excessive intake of sodium, generate hypertension, which is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Methods: In all, 725 children, 379 boys and 373 girls, aged 8~9 years were recruited from seven elementary schools in Kuro-ku, Seoul. To evaluate whether or not obesity risk was modulated by salt-sensitive genes, Solute Carrier Familiy 12 member 3 (SLC12A3) was used as the target. After children were assigned into obese (BMI > 85 percentile) or non-obese groups, anthropometry, blood biochemistry, and dietary intakes were measured according to the genotypes GG (wild) or GA+AA (hetero+mutant). Results: Without gender differences, high TG and low HDLc were detected in the obese group compared to the non-obese group. Regardless of obesity, weight gain and blood pressure (BP) increased in the SLC12A3 GA+AA genotype rather than in the GG type. HDLc was associated with obesity risk without genotype difference. Odd ratios for risk of obesity were 15.57 (95% CI 2.192~110.654), 22.84 (95% CI 1.565~333.469), and 9.32 (95%CI 1.262~68.817) in boys and girls with GA+AA genotypes as sodium intake increased above 4,000 mg/day. Dietary calcium, sodium, folate, and vit C were associated with obesity risk according to gender or genotype differences. Since high folate intake reduced obesity risk in only boys with GG type. Risk for overweight and obesity increased in boys with GA+AA genotypes and dietary habits with high sodium and cholesterol and low folate. Conclusion: The A allele of SLC12A3 rs11643718 was sensitive to development of obesity in children as sodium intake increased.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.7
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• pp.21-27
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• 1966

This experiment was performed to investigate the effect of the frequency of meals on the metatolism and the body composition of rats when equal amount of purified diet was ingested. Thirty approximately days old rats weighing 290 g and thirty-two about 40 days old rats weighing 180 g were employed for the period of 34 days. Rats fed ad libitum (10 to 15 meals per day) and two-meal per day were pair-fed and equal amount of diet was fed to each rat in pair. The experimental results obtained are summarized as follows: 1. Frequency of meal did not exert any effect on the body weight gain. However, rats fed two-meal per· day gained significantly (p <0.005) more fat and energy than ad libitum group. The rate of gain of protein in ad libitum group was higher than that of two-meal group. No difference was observed for the mineral deposition of rat body. 2. From the preperation of rat liver it was found that the activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was much higher for the rats fed two-meals per day than those fed ad libitum. Therefore, it is suggested that the metabolic pathway of carbohydrate for two-meal group has been shifted from glycolysis to Hexose Monophosphate Shunt and produced more NADPH which would be the essential cofactor of fatty acids synthesis. 3. The rate of excretion of urinary nitrogen for two-meal group was significantly (p<0.005) higher than that of ad libitum group. It is apparent that considerable amount of over-loaded amino acids by feeding two-big-meal daily· could not be used for the protein biosynthesis all at once and excreted following deamination through urine. The residual carbon chain could be served as a precursor of fatty acids synthesis. 4. The heat production rate of rats fed two-meal group was significantly (p<0.005) lower than that of ad libitum group. It seems possible that the activity of thyroid gland (and consequently BMR) can be depressed by the frequency of meal.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2009

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a syndrome accompanied with the abnormal secretion or function of insulin, a hormone that plays a vital role in controlling the blood glucose level (BGL). Type land 2 DM are most common form and the prevalence of the latter is recently increasing, The aim of this article was to assess whet her Type 2 DM could act as a predisposing risk factor on the pulpo-periapical pathogenesis. Previous literature on the pathologic changes of blood vessels in DM was thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, a histopathologic analysis of artificially-induced periapical specimens obtained from Type 2 diabetic and DM-resistant rats was compared. Histopathologic results demonstrate that the size of periapical bone destruction w as larger and the degree of pulpal inflammation was more severe in diabetic rats, indicating that Type 2 D M itself can be a predisposing risk factor that makes the host more susceptible to pulpal infection. The possible reasons may be that in diabetic state the lumen of pulpal blood vessels are thickened by atheromatous deposits, and microcirculation is hindered, The function of polymorphonuclear leukocyte is also impair ed and the migration of immune cells is blocked, leading to increased chance of pulpal infection. Also, lack of collateral circulation of pulpal blood vessels makes the pulp more susceptible to infection. These decrease the regeneration capacity of pulpal cells or tissues, delaying the healing process, Therefore, when restorative treatment is needed in Type 2 DM patients, dentists should minimize irritation to the pulpal tissue un der control of BGL.