• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Dance Sports on body composition, blood level of lipids and leptin in the middle-aged women. The 24 subjects for this study were divided into three groups by the % fat classification non-obese control group (n=8, CG), obese group with Dance Sports (n=8, OG), and normal group with Dance Sports (n=8, NG). They performed Dance Sports with 60∼80% of HRmax, for 60min a day and three times per week during 12 weeks. The body composition, blood levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and leptin were examined before and after Dance Sports. The percent body fat was decreased in OG and NG significantly. The blood levels of HDL-cholesterol were increased in OG and NC after the Dance Sports. The blood levels of triglyceride was significantly decreased in the same groups. Other serum lipids were not changed significantly. The blood levels of leptin were decreased in OG and NC after the Dance Sports. But the lowering effect of Dance Sports in the obese group (OG) was not improved compared with that in the normal group (NG), suggesting that Dance Sports on the obese group (OG) has no further improving effect in the change of blood lipid and leptin. These results suggest that Dance Sports has a beneficial effect on the change of blood levels of HDL-cholesterol and leptin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.786-794
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• 2018

Silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae have been widely worked in wound dressing, hepatoprotective activity, antigenotoxicity, control of glucose level and anti-cancer activity. To investigate the anti-obesity activity of ethanol extract of silkworm pupae powder fermented with Cordyceps militaris (ESfC), the free glycerol release and cAMP concentration as well as fat accumulation were measured in the primary adipocytes of SD (Sprague Dawley) rats and high fat diet (HFD)-treated C57BL/6 mice treated with 12 weeks. Firstly, the presence of the cordycepin with lipid lowering effect was confirmed in ESfC using HPLC analysis. The level of free glycerol and cAMP concentration was significantly increased in the primary adipocytes treated with high dose of ESfC ($400{\mu}g/ml$) although these levels were consistently maintained in other dose ESfC treated groups. In HFD-induced obesity model, the increased fat weight and size of adipocytes in HFD+Vehicle treated group was recovered in HFD+ESfC treated group. Also, the liver weight and the number of lipid droplets were higher in HFD+Vehicle treated group than No treated group. But, this level was significantly decreased in HFD+ESfC treated group compared with HFD+Vehicle treated group. Furthermore, a similar recovery was detected on the phosphorylation of periliphin and HSL, and ATGL expression. Overall, the results of the present study provide some scientific evidences that ESfC can stimulate lipolysis in primary adipocytes and prevent fat accumulation in HFD-treated obesity model, and therefore have the potential for use as anti-obesity agents to treat obese patient.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.283-290
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• 2008

Hypercholesterolemia is associated with many pathological states such as fat deposit in the tendon and skin, hepatomegaly, pancreatitis and heart attack. The present study was focused on the effect of Korean red ginseng water extract (RGWE) on the recovery of hepatic function that was deteriorated in high-cholesterol diet fed mice. Mice were divided into 6 groups ; normal diet group (AIN-2WK), 4 week-high-cholesterol diet group (CHOL-4WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet group (CHOL-2WK), 2 week-high-cholesterol + 2 week-normal diet + RGWE treated group (R100, R300, R500). RGWE treated group received normal diet and RGWE at daily doses of 100, 300, 500 mg/kg b.w. for 2 weeks after the 2 weeks feeding of high-cholesterol diet. The results are as follows : 1. The hepatic weight and total hepatic lipid weight were markedly lower in RGWE treated group than those in the CHOL-4WK or CHOL-2WK group, indicating that ginseng inhibited hepatic hypertrophy. 2. Total hepatic cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in normal diet conversion group (CHOL-2WK) were significantly reduced compared with the high cholesterol group (CHOL-4WK). The lowering effect was significantly reinforced by RGWE administration. 3. Hepatic triglyceride level of CHOL-4WK group was markedly lower than that of the normal group (AIN-2WK). However, the level was significantly increased in CHOL-2WK and RGWE treated group. The result indicated that ginseng administration and diet conversion exert normalizing effects of hepatic function. 4. The lipid peroxide levels in RGWE treated groups were markedly lower than CHOL-2WK group. These results suggest that Korean red ginseng water extract can be useful as a dietary supplement for the treatment of obesity or hypercholesterolemia by improving lipid metabolism and hepatic function.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of red-yeast-rice supplementation on cholesterol-lowering and glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We conducted a doubleblind, placebo-controlled study with 3 groups; placebo, low dose group (red yeast rice 210.0mg/capsule, 2.52g/day) and high dose group (red yeast rice 420.0mg/capsule, 5.04g/day), which were randomly assigned to subjects with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. We measured fasting serum concentrations of total-, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA) and 2 h oral glucose tolerence test (OGTT) before and after the supplementation. Both low dose and high dose groups had significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) compared with placebo group (p<0.05). Additionally, total and HDL cholesterol improved significantly in high dose group compared with placebo group (p<0.05). Fasting serum glucose decreased in test groups and increased in placebo group after intervention. However, it was not significant differences. In subjects which fasting blood glucose is more than 110mg/dL, fasting glucose had a tendency to decrease in high dose group (p<0.1) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) had significant decrease in low dose group (p<0.05), while insulin and HOMA-IR had a tendency to increase in placebo group after intervention. Mean changes of glucose related parameters (fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) compared with placebo group did not show significant differences. In conclusion, subjects with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance were significantly improved in serum lipid profile by red yeast rice supplementation without serious side effects. These are more effective in the case of a high dose. The effects of red yeast rice supplementation on glucose control were insignificant.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.174-179
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Gastrodiae elata Blume fractions on systolic blood pressure and serum lipid profiles in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR/NCrj) fed high fat diet. Twenty-four males SHR weighing approximately 160 g were randomly divided into four groups; A (low molecule, GR-1), B (polysaccharide, GR-2), C (protein, GR-3) fractions of G. elata Blume, respectively, and D (high fat diet as control). After orally tube feeding the fractions of G. elata Blume, there were no differences in final body weights among the treatment groups. Diet intake was somewhat high in the control group (D), but there were no significant differences in feed efficiency ratios. In terms of serum lipid profiles, total-cholesterol level was statistically higher in the control group (D) than in G. elata Blume fraction groups (p<0.05). Triglyceride levels of low molecule (A) and polysaccharide (B) groups were lower by 16% and 11%, respectively than that of the control group (D). HDL-cholesterol level was remarkably higher (p<0.05), whereas LDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower (by 25%) in the group B as compared to the control group (D). Atherogenic index (AI) of G. elata Blume fraction groups were significantly lower than in the control group (p<0.05). Reference blood pressure (RBP) showed an average of $180\sim190mmHg$ at 8 weeks old after 3 weeks on feeding high fat diet. Compared with RBP, final blood pressure of treatment groups (35 days after feeding the fractions of G. elata Blume gractions) were decreased by 1.7% (A), 5.5% (B) and 3.6% (C), respectively, but the control group (D) contrarily showed an increase of 2.6%. Especially, final systolic blood pressure of the polysaccharide group (B) was lower by 22 mmHg than that of the control group (D). From these findings, it can be suggested that polysaccharide fraction may improve blood serum lipids and should be considered as effective in lowering of blood pressure.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.618-624
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Isoflavones are widely believed to be beneficial to human health, in relation to their antioxidant potentials. Exercise can cause an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This study was conducted in order to investigate the ability of isoflavones in amelioration of oxidative stress induced by exercise. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four groups: isoflavone-free with no exercise (CON-sd), isoflavone-free with exercise (CON-ex), isoflavone-supplemented with no exercise (ISF-sd), and isoflavone-supplemented with exercise (ISF-ex). Animals exercised on the treadmill for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. TBARS as a marker of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity, including SOD, GSH-px, and catalase were determined in liver tissue. Serum lipid profile was also examined. RESULTS: A significant effect of isoflavone alone was observed on abdominal fat pad mass. ISF-ex had significantly less abdominal fat pad than CON-ex. Both exercise and isoflavone treatment had significant effects on lowering plasma triglyceride (TG), thus, the ISF-ex group had a significantly lower TG level than the CON-sd group, by 30.9%. However, no differences were observed in plasma cholesterol, HDL-C, and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio. Exercise, isoflavone, and exercise-isoflavone interaction effects were significant on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively). The CON-ex group showed a higher TBARS level than the other three groups. By contrast, in the ISF-ex group, TBARS was restored to the level of the ISF-sd or CON-sd group. Isoflavone had a significant effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.022) and catalase activities (P = 0.049). Significantly higher SOD and catalase activities were observed in ISF-ex than CON-ex. SOD and catalase activities showed an inverse pattern of TBARS. Taken together, isoflavones increased the activities of SOD and catalase with concomitant decreases in TBARS, indicative of decreased oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavone supplementation enhances antioxidant action with attenuation of exercise-induced oxidative stress, as measured by decreases in TBARS, and inhibits body fat accumulation and plasma TG increase. Antioxidative effects ascribed to isoflavones may be partially exerted via enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3 s.63
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• pp.249-262
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• 2005

Backgrounds : As obesity prevails as an epidemic. diet programs including low-calorie diets are developed continuously. It is generally believed that a low-calorie diet is commonly followed by resting metabolic rate decrease and ultimate weight regain. Ephedra and Evodia are known to have sympathomimetic and anti-obesity effect. Objectives : This study was a prospective, double-blinded, randomized md placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate the effects of Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on resting metabolic rate (RMR), weight, body composition, and short-term safety in obese women on low-calorie diet. Methods : 125 otherwise healthy obese women (body mass Index ${\geq}\;25kg/m^2$) were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups: Ephedra group (n=41), Evodia group (n =45), and placebo group (n=39). Subjects were administered Ephedra extract in capsules (pseudo-ephedrine 31.52mg) or Evodia extract in capsules (evodiamine 6.75mg, rutaecarpine 0.66mg) or placebo capsules as well as participating in a low-calorie diet for 8 weeks, Resting metabolic rate and body composition were measured at baseline,4 and 8 weeks. Basic serum exams were performed to evaluate the short-term safety of the herbs and changes of lipid variables. Results : All three groups showed significant BMI decreases probably due to low-calorie diet. Among them, the Ephedra group manifested most prominent BMI-reducing effect and towered total cholesterol and triglycerides significantly. The RMR was not changed during the 8-week diet in all groups. No significant difference among the groups was found in RMR, either. Stbject with higher RMR than the mean at the baseline showed a tendency to keep their RMR more stable during the diet program. Conclusions : Ephedra with a low-calorie diet was effective in reducing BMI. RMR change was not compensated by herbal medicines. RMR change seemed to be affected rather by constitution and body composition than medicine. Ephedra and Evodia were proven to be safe for sort-term use in herbal form. Especially, Ephedra was effective in lowering total cholesterol and triglycerides during the 8 weeks.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.97 no.4
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• pp.478-484
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• 2008

We investigated the effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) ingestion on plasma lipids, antioxidant defense and GOT, GPT for 5 weeks. 27 ICR mice were used as the subject that was divided into CON group (water ingestion), HALF group (RVS 50% ingestion), and MAX group (RVS 100% ingestion), respectively. Body weight in MAX was significantly lower than CON group (p<.05). A plasma of TG in both RVS groups were significantly lower than CON group (p<.05). Concentration of FFA in MAX was significantly higher than HALF and CON group (p<.05). Blood glucose, GOT, and GPT have not significance among them. Liver SOD was significantly increased in MAX compared to the CON (p<.05). In conclusion, 100% of RVS ingestion has the effect of lowering body weight, decreasing plasma lipids, and increasing antioxidant defense in mouse.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.10
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• pp.1484-1490
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• 2014

In the present study, we examined the effects of a mixture of three strains, Lactobacillus plantarum CECT 7527, 7528, and 7529 (L. plantarum mixture), on body weight and lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-fat diet. Rats were fed a high-fat diet and subjected to oral gavage with vehicle or the L. plantarum mixture ($0.6{\times}10^9$, $1.2{\times}10^9$, $2.4{\times}10^9$ colony-forming units (CFU)/day/rat, respectively) for 8 weeks. In rats fed a high-fat diet, oral administration of $2.4{\times}10^9CFU/day$ of the L. plantarum mixture significantly reduced body weight gain as well as weights of liver and epididymal fat. Leptin levels in sera were significantly reduced by oral administration of $2.4{\times}10^9CFU/day$ of the L. plantarum mixture. The L. plantarum mixture ($1.2{\times}10^9$ or $2.4{\times}10^9CFU/day$) also reduced the concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in sera when it administered orally. Further, the L. plantarum mixture significantly reduced the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor. In addition, oral administration of $2.4{\times}10^9CFU/day$ of the L. plantarum mixture markedly reduced levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in the liver. The results of this study indicate that the L. plantarum mixture may exhibit anti-obesity and cholesterol-lowering effects, which suggest that the L. plantarum mixture has the potential to be a probiotic in the management of obesity and hypercholesterolemia.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.398-404
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• 2010

It is known that onions, or bioactive compounds therein, providehealth benefits. The present study was designed to investigate whether a concentrated onion extract lowered blood lipid levels in rats fed a high-fat diet. Initially, male Sprague-Dawley rats were housed singly in an environment in which temperature and light duration were controlled, and had free access to a nutritionally adequate AIN-93G diet and deionized water. After an acclimatization period, rats were weight-matched and assigned to one of the following five groups: 1) a control group, fed the AIN-93G diet mixed with 10% (w/v) lard and 0.7% (w/v) cholesterol to induce hyperlipidemia (control); 2) three experimental groups, fed the AIN-93G diet mixed with a high-fat source plus concentrated onion extract at three different levels (termed the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose groups); and, 3) a placebo group, fed the AIN-93G diet with fats plus the same concentrated extract but devoid of onion-derived material. All five groups freely ingested their respective diets over 6 weeks. At 0, 3, and 6 weeks, blood samples were collected from the orbital sinus following overnight food deprivation. At 6 weeks, livers were collected. Both control and experimental groups continually gained body weight throughout the study. No significant differencein body weight gain was observed among groups. However, the serum concentrations of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and non HDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced by ingestion of concentrated onion extract. Also, the hepatic levels of total lipids and total fatty acids, especially C18:1 (oleic acid), were significantly decreased in rats fed a high level of concentrated onion extract, compared with the control and placebo groups. These results provide clear evidence that ingestion of a concentrated onion extract has a profound inhibitory effect on serum lipid levels in rats fed a high-fat diet. Our findings indicate that a concentrated onion extract may be used to alleviate hyperlipidemia by lowering serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels.