• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1278-1285
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• 2017

Accumulation of excess low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood can initiate and accelerate atherosclerosis. Statins mediate the transactivation of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), which in turn limits their cholesterol-lowering effects via LDL receptor (LDLR) degradation. The objective of this study was to investigate whether or not Allium tuberosum (AT) regulates LDLR and PCSK9. Mice were fed a low fat control diet (LD) or Western diet (WD) supplemented with AT (1%, w/w). AT significantly attenuated total and LDL cholesterol levels in mice fed WD (P<0.05). AT also significantly inhibited hepatic PCSK9 gene expression (P<0.05) while AT maintained hepatic LDLR gene expression. To further investigate AT-mediated PCSK9 regulation, HepG2 cells were treated with 10% delipidated serum (DLPS) in the presence or absence of AT. Non-toxic level of AT dose-dependently increased the LDLR protein level, and AT at $400{\mu}g/mL$ markedly inhibited PCSK9 protein expression. Similarly, AT significantly increased LDLR gene expression, whereas it significantly down-regulated PCSK9 gene expression. AT-mediated reduction of PCSK9 gene expression is likely due to decreased hepatic nuclear factor $1{\alpha}$ ($HNF1{\alpha}$) expression, but not SREBP2 in HepG2 cells under lipid-depleted conditions. AT-mediated PCSK9 inhibition contributed to LDLR protein stabilization via protection against LDLR lysosomal degradation in HepG2 cells under lipid-depleted conditions. Further investigation is warranted to determine the active components of AT and whether or not these components are effective in reducing hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.506-515
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• 2015

In this study, the effect of Goheung pomegranate extract on postmenopausal syndrome was evaluated both in vitro and in vivo in ovariectomized Sprague-Dawly (SD) rats. Sixty female SD rats were divided into six groups: sham, sham operation and distilled water; OVX, ovariectomized and distilled water; PE1, ovariectomized and pomegranate concentrate (0.75 mL/twice/d); PE2, ovariectomized and pomegranate concentrate (1.5 mL/twice/d); PE3, ovariectomized and pomegranate concentrate (2.2 mL/twice/d); and CE, ovariectomized and commercial pomegranate concentrate (2.2 mL/twice/d). Percent bone volume (bone volume/tissue volume) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th) improved in a dose-independent manner in PE1, 2, and 3. Especially, bone mineral density was significantly improved in PE3 (P<0.05) compared to OVX. Pomegranate extract reduced body weight and visceral fat mass. High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level slightly increased in a dose-independent manner in the experimental group. In addition, HDL-C/total cholesterol level of PE3 significantly increased (P<0.05) compared with OVX. These results show that pomegranate concentrate improved blood lipid levels and bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats. Therefore, Goheung pomegranate concentrates are expected to improve cardiovascular and bone-related diseases in menopausal women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.557-564
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• 2006

This research was planned and executed to evaluate how the composition of Yak-sun (oriental diet therapy) can effect health conditions of people who are suffering from diet-related diseases like obesity and hyper lipidemia by taking Yak-sun in a form of nutritional supplement with our daily meals. We produced Yak-sun tea with $Ky\hat{a}lmy\hat{a}ngja$, Kamguk, $K\hat{u}m\hat{u}nhwa$, Ch'onkung and observed nutritional composition and evaluated how this tea effects on serum lipids and homocystein concentration by clinical practices. With this observation, we found out that this tea has significant effect on increasing of HDL-cholesterol, decreasing of LDL-cholesterol and homocysteine concentration, and we think that scientific and objective evaluation was done on the components of Yak-sun tea prescription. We concluded that we could apply the components not only in a form of tea, but also in other forms of various food. The information we received from this conclusion will be a basic information on how we can apply oriental medicinal resources into other food and will also be a stepping stone for medicinal herbs to step foot in the field of functional food research, which already draws sizable attention world-wide.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.452-458
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• 2008

The effect of fermented soybean culture of Bacillus subtilis MORI mixed with mulberry leaves on the lowering the levels of blood glucose and cholesterol was examined using neonatal streptozotocin-induced diabetic (n-STZ) rats. B. subtilis MORI produces 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), an $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitor. The content of DNJ of soybean fermented culture mixed with mulberry was higher (4.1$\pm$0.0 mg/g dry base) than that (1.5$\pm$0.0 mg/g) of mulberry. The concentration of 50% inhibition (IC50) against rat intestinal $\alpha$-glucosidase of soybean fermented culture mixed with mulberry was $5.6{\pm}0.1{\mu}g$/mL and that of mulberry was $17.0{\pm}0.5{\mu}g$/mL. Experimental groups of diabetic rats were randomly assigned to normal control group (NC group), diabetic control group (DC group) and three diabetic groups fed with DNJ food product. One of the three diabetic groups was M group (60 mg DNJ food product/kg) (DNJ food product containing 30% mulberry) and the other two were MM-60 group (60 mg/kg) and MM-120 group (120 mg/kg) (DNJ-fortified food product containing 30% fermented soybean culture mixed with mulberry leaves). The glucose in serum was significantly decreased in the MM-60 and MM-120 groups fed with DNJ-fortified food product for 4 weeks, compared with DC group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride in serum were also lower in MM-60 and MM-120 groups than the DC group. These results support that the fermented soybean culture of B. subtilis MORI mixed with mulberry leaves improved the metabolism of blood glucose and lipid in the n-STZ rat model.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.669-676
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Brassica rapa (BR) sprouts on weight reduction and cholesterol-lowering action in rats fed high fat diet for 4 weeks. Weight-matched male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to four groups according to dietary fat levels (10% or 20% of diet wt.). Experimental groups were normal diet group (N), high fat diet group (HF), high fat diet with 5% BR sprouts powder group (HF-BRL), and high fat diet with 10% BR sprouts powder group (HF-BRH). The body weight gain was increased in HF group, but gradually decreased to the corresponding level of the N group fed BR sprouts powder. The concentrations of serum LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor tended to decrease in the BR sprouts powder fed groups compared with the HF group. However, HDL-cholesterol concentration in serum decreased in the HF group and markedly increased in the BR sprouts powder fed groups. Concentrations of triglyceride and total cholesterol in liver were also markedly decreased in the BR sprouts powder fed groups. Triglyceride concentrations of epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissues in the BR sprouts powder fed groups were also decreased compared with the HF group. These results indicate that BR sprouts powder may reduce fat accumulation and body weight, and have cholesterol-lowering effect.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1499-1505
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• 2009

This study investigated the effect of improved liver function in rats administered with ethanol by kimchi lactic acid bacteria with high GABA producing capacity. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four groups; normal diet control (NC), ethanol control (EC), ethanol＋Lactobacillus sp. OPK2-59 normal powder (EL1), ethanol＋Lactobacillus sp. OPK2-59 GABA powder (EL2) and fed for 6 weeks. Analysis showed that there were no significant differences in body weight and feed consumption among the groups during the experimental period. Also, there were no significant differences in organ weight among the groups. The test results showed total cholesterol and triglyceride in the blood concentration that were increased by ethanol administration were significantly lowered in EL2 group. Liver triglyceride was also significantly lowered in the EL2 group compared with the EC group. Serum GOT and GPT, and liver GOT levels were significantly lower in the EL2 group compared with the EC group. Serum ethanol concentration was lower in the EL1 and EL2 groups compared with the EC group. SOD activities in liver were significantly increased in the EL1 and EL2 groups compared with the EC group. These results suggest that Lactobacillus sp. OPK2-59 GABA powder improves lipid and enzyme profiles of rats administered with ethanol.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2006

This study was peformed to document the association between nutrient intakes, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), and a major risk factor for chronic diseases. A three-day dietary intake survey, using a 24 hour recall method, was obtained from 187 subjects aged 46 to 84 (mean age 65.3) living in Wando island area. The average daily mean energy intakes were 1869.0 kcal for male and 1943.9 kcal for female, respectively. Daily intakes of protein for male and female were 28.0 and 30.4 g, and those of fat were 31.5 and 28.51 g, respectively Carbohydrate dependency was decreased with age. Protein dependency was increased with age. The mean intakes of energy, protein, Vit. A, Vit. D, Vit. E, Ca, Zn did not meet Korean RDA for elderly. The level of serum triglyceride was higher in males than in females and showed the tendency to increase with age in both sexes, whereas HDL-cholesterol tended to decrease with age in both sexes. The levels of serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in males than in females, particularly in the age of $46\~59$ (p<0.05). The level of atherogenic index (AI) was significantly higher in females than in males, particularly in the age of 80 and over (p<0.05) Based on these results, it is evident that people in island area did not consume enough nutrient. Specially, dietary intake of protein was not adequate. This study implies that triglyceride, total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, AI were increased with increasing age, BMI and WHR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1422-1430
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• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the effect of fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LAF) on reduction of hepatotoxicity induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats. In this experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as experimental animals, which were divided into eight groups: normal group, D-GalN-treated group (control), D-GalN and non-fermented water extracts from Ligularia fischeri (LA)-treated groups [100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW (body weight)], and D-GalN and LAF-treated groups (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg BW). ${\gamma}$-Glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase activities in serum of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups increased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05). The atherogenic index values of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups decreased significantly compared to those of the control group (P<0.05), and their high density lipoprotein cholesterol by total cholesterol ratio increased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). Superoxide dismutase activity of liver tissues were enhanced significantly (P<0.05) in the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups compared to that of the control group (P<0.05), whereas their malondialdehyde content decreased significantly in these groups (P<0.05). The histopathological observations revealed apoptotic cells and mild portal inflammation in liver tissues of the D-GalN and LAF-treated groups. Taken together, these results demonstrate that LAF may improve plasma lipid profile and alleviate hepatic damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.491-496
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immuno-enhancing effects of Daebong persimmon (DP) and Bansi (BS) in vivo. Two types of astringent persimmons (DP and BS) were used for this experiment. C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the following groups: 1) lean control, 2) high-fat diet control (HF), 3) A region DP (3% wt/wt) with HF diet (A-DP), 4) B region DP with HF diet (B-DP), 5) C region DP with HF diet (C-DP), 6) D region BS with HF diet (D-BS), and 7) E region BS with HF diet (E-BS). All mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks of treatment, after which blood and tissues were collected. Antioxidant enzyme activities, inflammatory markers, and immune factors were evaluated. DP and BS treatments did not alter food intake or body weight, compared with HF. Administration of B-DP increased catalase activities in serum. Hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, were significantly lower in A-DP mice than in the HF group. A-DP had down-regulatory effects against inflammation induced by high-fat diet feeding, as shown by significant reduction of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Additionally, A-DP treatment exerted an immuno-stimulatory effect, as shown by increasing levels of immunoglobulin G. DP treatment improved the level of insulin-like growth factor-1. These results indicate that DP has beneficial health effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and immunity in vivo.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1053-1058
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• 2008

Glutathione is a well known chemotherapeutic agent for liver disease and is a popular nutritional supplement in the United States. Previous our studies reported the suppressive effects of glutathione-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 strain (FF-8GY) on carbon tetrachloride- and alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the comparative effects of FF-8GY and commercially available glutathione-enriched yeast extract (GYE) against the oxidative stress in alcohol-induced fatty liver of rats. The lipid peroxidative index (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) and antioxidant status (reduced glutathione level) were used to monitor those protective roles of FF-8GY or GYE treatment. When the rat was treated alcohol, the TBARS levels in the whole liver and the subfractions of microsomal and mitochondria were significantly increased but these were significantly decreased by FF-8GY treatment and tended to be lowered by GYE treatment. The concentration of hepatic glutathione is known to be closely associated with antioxidant system and this was slightly deplete in the alcohol-induced rats, but this was recovered by treating with FF-8GY. However, the glutathione concentration was more significantly decreased in the GYE supplementation in alcohol feeding rats. Alcohol treatment also negatively affected the serum total protein and albumin, but these were significantly increased near normal levels in FF-8GY coadministered rats. These results suggest that glutathione-enriched Saccharomyces cerevisiae FF-8 strain may have positively mediate the alcohol-induced oxidative stress, and this effect was more pronounced in FF-8GY compared to GYE.