• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.100-107
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-lipogenic effect of Sobuncheong-eum on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in free fatty acid induced cellular model. Methods : HepG2 cells were treated with palmitate for 24h to overload intracellular triglyceride (TG) content in the presence or absence of Sobuncheong-eum extract. After palmitate treatment, Intracellular TG content was measured with TG assay kit. Several lipogenesis related markers, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and fatty acid synthase (FAS), were assessed using Western-blot analyses and RT-PCR. Results : Palmitate markedly increased intracellular TG in HepG2 cells, and which were alleviated by coadministered Sobuncheong-eum extract. Sobuncheong-eum extract activated AMPK, which plays a key role in reducing hepatic lipid accumulation, and reduced lipogenic fators, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS. Conclusions : Taken together, it is conceivable that Sobuncheong-eum has an potential to alleviate steatosis, and which may be mediated by activating AMPK at least in part.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) is excessive hepatic lipid accumulation mainly caused by obesity. This study aimed to evaluate whether micro-current stimulation(MCS) could modulate lipid metabolism regarding the Sirt1/AMPK pathway, fatty acid β-oxidation pathway, and lipolysis and lipogenesis-related factors in FL83B cells. For the NAFLD cell model, FL83B cells were treated with oleic acid for lipid accumulation. MCS were stimulated for 1 hr and used frequency 10 Hz, duty cycle 50%, and biphasic rectangular current pulse. The intensity of MCS was divided into 50, 100, 200, and 400 ㎂. Through the results of Oil red O staining, it was confirmed that MCSs with the intensity of 200 ㎂ and 400 ㎂ significantly reduced the degree of lipid droplet formation. Thus, these MCS intensities were applied to western blot analysis. Western blot analysis was performed to analyze the effects of MCS on lipid metabolism. MCS with the intensity of 400 ㎂ showed that significantly activated the Sirt1/AMPK pathway, a key pathway for regulating lipid metabolism in hepatocytes, and fatty acid β-oxidation-related transcription factors. Moreover, it activated the lipolysis pathway and suppressed lipogenesis-related transcription factors such as SREBP-1c, FAS, and PPARγ. In the case of MCS with the intensity of 200 ㎂, only PGC1α and SREBP-1c showed significant differences compared to cells treated only with oleic acid. Taken together, these results suggested that MCS with the intensity of 400 ㎂ could alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation by modulating lipid metabolism in hepatocytes.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2022

Obesity is known as the most common risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Weight loss is needed to prevent liver function damage from progressing to non-alcoholic hepatosteatosis (NASH) and NASH-related liver cirrhosis. The purpose of this study was to observe the recovery of liver function in obese patients with liver dysfunction through traditional Korean obesity treatment. Body weight, liver function levels and renal function levels were examined by prescribing traditional Korean medicine in obese patients with mild elevation of liver function test. Blood tests were conducted at intervals of one month, and it was observed that liver function recovered to the normal range in three patients.

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.392-401
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Leptin is associated with metabolic disorders, which predispose one to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The role of leptin in NAFLD pathogenesis is not fully understood. We aim to investigate the association between serum leptin level and severity of NAFLD using U.S. nationally representative data. Methods: Data were obtained from the United States Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. NAFLD was defined by ultrasound detection and severity of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other liver diseases. The severity of hepatic fibrosis was determined by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). We used multivariate survey-weighted generalized logistic regression to evaluate the association between leptin level and the degree of NAFLD. We also performed subgroup analyses by body mass index (lean vs. classic NAFLD). Results: Among 4,571 people, 1,610 (35%) had NAFLD. By ultrasound findings, there were 621 people with mild, 664 with moderate, and 325 with severe steatosis. There were 885 people with low NFS (<-1.455, no significant fibrosis), 596 with intermediate NFS, and 129 with high NFS (>0.676, advanced fibrosis). Leptin levels for normal, mild, moderate and severe steatosis were $10.7{\pm}0.3ng/mL$, $12.1{\pm}0.7ng/mL$, $15.6{\pm}0.8ng/mL$, $16{\pm}1.0ng/mL$, respectively (trend P-value<0.001). Leptin levels for low, intermediate, and high NFS were $11.8{\pm}0.5ng/mL$, $15.6{\pm}0.8ng/mL$, $28.5{\pm}3.5ng/mL$, respectively (trend P-value<0.001). This association remained significant even after adjusting for known demographic and metabolic risk factors. In the subgroup analysis, this association was only prominent in classic NAFLD, but not in lean NAFLD. Conclusions: Serum leptin level is associated with the severity of NAFLD, especially in classic NAFLD patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1789-1794
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• 2015

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver problem in diabetes, is a risk factor for liver cancer. Diabetes, high body mass index (BMI) and old age can all contribute to NAFLD progression. Transient elastography (TE) is used for non-invasive fibrosis assessment. Objectives: To identify the prevalence of NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis in diabetic patients and to assess associated factors. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-one diabetic and 60 normal subjects were screened. Fatty liver was diagnosed when increased hepatic echogenicity and vascular blunting were detected by ultrasonography. Liver stiffness measurement (LSM) representing hepatic fibrosis was assessed by TE. LSM ${\geq}7$ kPa was used to define significant hepatic fibrosis. Results: Four cases were excluded due to positive hepatitis B viral markers and failed TE. Diabetic patients had higher BMI, systolic blood pressure, waist circumference and fasting glucose levels than normal subjects. Fatty liver was diagnosed in 82 (60.7%) diabetic patients but in none of the normal group. BMI (OR: 1.31; 95%CI: 1.02-1.69; p=0.038) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)(OR: 1.14; 95%CI: 1.05-1.23; p=0.002) were associated with NAFLD. Diabetic patients with NAFLD had higher LSM than those without [5.99 (2.4) vs 4.76 (2.7) kPa, p=0.005)]. Significant hepatic fibrosis was more common in diabetic patients than in normal subjects [22 (16.1%) vs 1 (1.7%), p=0.002]. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)(OR: 1.24; 95%CI: 1.07-1.42; p=0.003) was associated with significant hepatic fibrosis. Conclusions: Sixty and sixteen percent of diabetic patients were found to have NAFLD and significant hepatic fibrosis. High BMI and ALT levels are the predictors of NAFLD, and elevated AST level is associated with significant hepatic fibrosis.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2021.04a
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• pp.60-60
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• 2021

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the common diseases with 25% of prevalence globally, but there is no thera-peutic access available. Amomum villosum var. xanthioides (Wall. ex Baker) T.L.Wu & S.J.Chen (AX), which is a medicinal herb and traditionally used for treating digestive tract disorders in Asia countries. We aimed to examine pharmacological effects of ethyl acetate fraction of AX (AXEF) against ER stress-induced NASH mice model using C57/BL6J male mice by tunicamycin (TM, 2 mg/kg) injection focusing on the oxidative stress. Mice were orally administrated AXEF (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg), silymarin (50 mg/kg) or distilled water daily for 5 days, and outcomes for fatty liver, inflammation, and oxidative stress were measured in serum or liver tissue levels. AXEF drastically attenuated hepatic ER stress-induced NASH which were evidenced by decreases of li-pid droplet accumulations, serum liver enzymes, hepatic inflammations, and cell death signals in the hepatic tissue or serum levels. Interestingly, AXEF showed potent antioxidant effects by quenching of reactive oxidative stress and its final product of lipid peroxide in the hepatic tissue, specifically increase of metallothionein (MT). To confirm underlying actions of AXEF, we ob-served that AXEF increase MT1gene promoter activities in the physiological levels. Collectively, AXEF showed antioxidant properties on TM-induced ER stress of NASH by enhancement of MTs.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.2093-2098
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• 2010

Insulin resistance plays a central role in fatty liver, a part of the metabolic syndrome. This study examined the relationship between fatty liver, metabolic abnormalities and mitochondrial DNA [mtDNA] copy number in peripheral blood that is correlated with diabetes or metabolic markers. Fatty liver was assessed by questionnaire on alcohol consumption and abdominal ultrasonography. MtDNA copy number in peripheral leukocytes was measured by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. Among 445 subjects, 148 subjects had hepatic steatosis and 297 were controls. mtDNA copy number was significantly lower in fatty liver group in comparison with that of normal finding group. This result is similar in both groups, alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver group. MtDNA copy number was inversely correlated with alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], gamma-glutamyltransferase [$\gamma$-GTP], body mass index [BMI], waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, and free fatty acid. MtDNA copy number in peripheral leukocytes was associated with fatty liver and insulin resistance related factors.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.175-183
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• 2014

Objectives : We tried to uncover the anti-lipogenic effect and underlying mechanism of Laminaria japonica on an experimental cellular model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Methods : Ethanol extract of Laminaria japonica (LJ) was prepared. Intracellular lipid content of palmitate-treated HepG2 cells was evaluated with or without LJ treatment. We measured the effects of LJ on liver X receptor ${\alpha}$ ($LXR{\alpha}$) and sterol regulatory element-binding transcription factor-1c (SREBP-1c) expression, transcription level of lipogenic genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation in HepG2 cells. Results : LJ markedly attenuated palmitate-induced intracellular lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells. LJ suppressed $LXR{\alpha}$-dependent SREBP-1c activation, and SREBP-1c mediated induction of ACC, FAS, and SCD-1. Furthermore, LJ activated Nrf2, which plays an important cytoprotective role in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions : Our study suggests that LJ has the potential to alleviate hepatic lipid accumulation, and this effect was mediated by inhibiting the $LXR{\alpha}$-SREBP-1c pathway that leads to hepatic steatosis. In addition, the anti-lipogenic potential may, at least in part, be associated with activation of Nrf2.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.172-176
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an important public health problem as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have become epidemic. In this study we investigated the protective effect of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) against NAFLD in an obese mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four-week-old male ob/ob mice were fed an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 1% C. militaris water extract for 10 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Serum glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), alanine transaminase (ALT), and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. Hepatic levels of lipids, glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide were determined. RESULTS: Consumption of C. militaris significantly decreased serum glucose, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), in ob/ob mice. In addition to lowering serum FFA levels, C. militaris also significantly decreased hepatic total lipids and triglyceride contents. Serum ALT activities and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were reduced by C. militaris. Consumption of C. militaris increased hepatic GSH and reduced lipid peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that C. militaris can exert protective effects against development of NAFLD, partly by reducing inflammatory cytokines and improving hepatic antioxidant status in ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2009

Although alcohol drinking may cause fatty liver to induce hepatocytic injury, other factors lead to it. We designed this study to investigate the differences in serum iron, cardiac, and biochemical indices in men with fatty liver and the difference between alcohol drinkers (Alcohol group) and non-drinkers (Non-alcohol group). The alcohol group had higher body indices than the non-alcohol group. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), and right and left intraocular pressure in the alcohol group were higher than those in the non-alcohol group. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and monocyte counts were higher in the alcohol group than in the non-alcohol group. Alanine aminotransferase, ${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, creatinine, uric acid, iron, total iron binding capacity, and ferritin levels in the alcohol group were greater than those in the non-alcohol group. The present data reveals that alcohol-induced fatty liver has more elevated level of iron indices than in non-alcohol fatty liver as well as biochemical and cardiac indices, indicating that alcohol- induced fatty liver may cause possibility of adult diseases including cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.