• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.111-118
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• 2015

In the present study, the phenolic compound level, antioxidant activity, and inhibition of lipid accumulation in Aspergillus oryzae-fermented water extracts of the Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) root and the Curcuma longa (CL) root were determined. Total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were decreased after fermentation. However, the flavonoid content of the fermented PG (FPG) was increased by 2.9-fold that of the PG before fermentation. In addition, the antioxidant activities were significantly decreased following fermentation. The potential anti-obesity activity was assessed by determining lipid accumulation and mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) in 3T3-L1 cells. Aspergillus-fermented extracts of PG and CL roots decreased lipid accumulation, and mRNA expression of SREBP-1c and $PPAR{\gamma}$ in 3T3-L1 cells. These results indicate that Aspergillus fermentation augments the anti-obesity activity of PG and CL by regulating the expression of the genes involved in lipid accumulation and cell differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.999-1006
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• 2018

Obesity is epidemic worldwide and has reportedly been linked to the progression of several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. The natural products are decreasing the side effects of medicines used for obesity and also have health benefits dut to their numerous bioactive compounds. In this context, Artemisia scoparia is a widespread plant that has been suggested as possessing various types of bioactivity. In this study, the crude extract from A. scoparia (ASE) was tested for its ability to suppress adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The molecular pathway by which ASE affects differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was also investigated. The introduction of ASE to differentiating 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes resulted in suppressed adipogenesis, as confirmed by decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. The differentiating cells treated with 10 and $100{\mu}g/ml$ of ASE showed 21.9 and 29.0% less lipid accumulation, respectively, than untreated adipocytes. In addition, the results indicated that ASE treatment lowered the expression of the adipogenesis-related factors $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and SREBP-1c. Furthermore, treating with ASE notably decreased levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that ASE exhibits significant anti-adipogenesis activity by downregulating the MAPK and $PPAR{\gamma}$ pathways during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. Therefore, A. scoparia may be a potential source of natural products against obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.765-771
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• 2018

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) is a key transcription factor that regulates adipogenesis, and epigenetic control of $PPAR{\gamma}$ is of great interest in obesity-inhibition research. Our previous study showed that CACUL1 (CDK2-associated cullin domain 1) acts as a corepressor that inhibits $PPAR{\gamma}$ transcriptional activity and adipocyte differentiation. Here, we investigated the roles of protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), a novel binding partner of CACUL1, in regulating $PPAR{\gamma}$. The interaction between PRMT5 and CACUL1 was shown by immunoprecipitation assay in vivo and GST pulldown assay in vitro. As shown by luciferase reporter assay, PRMT5 and CACUL1 cooperated to inhibit the transcriptional activity of $PPAR{\gamma}$. The suppressive role of PRMT5 in adipogenesis was examined by Oil Red O staining using 3T3-L1 cells, which stably overexpress or deplete PRMT5. Overexpression of PRMT5 suppresses $PPAR{\gamma}$-mediated adipogenesis, whereas PRMT5 knockdown increases lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Consistently, PRMT5 attenuates the expression of Lpl and aP2, the target genes of $PPAR{\gamma}$, as demonstrated by RT-qPCR analysis. Overall, these results suggest that PRMT5 interacts with CACUL1 to impair the transcriptional activity of $PPAR{\gamma}$, leading to the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, the regulation of PRMT5 enzymatic activity may provide a clue to develop an anti-obesity drug.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.1264-1269
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• 2015

To evaluate the functional effect of ornithine produced by isolated lactic acid bacteria, we examined the anti-lipid accumulation effect of ornithine produced by isolate lactic acid bacteria on 3T3-L1 cells. Lactic acid bacteria (Pediococcus strain) were isolated from nuruk, which is made from wheat, rice, and barley (whole grain, grits, or flour) by fermenting microorganisms (Aspergillus, Rhizopus, and yeasts). Pediococcus strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing analyses, and cells were collected by centrifugation and developed as an ornithine starter. makgeolli, an ornithine-containing Korean traditional alcoholic beverage, was made with isolated lactic acid bacteria and arginine. makgeolli was made with the help of ornithine starter using a makgeolli making kit. We evaluated the anti-proliferation effect of ornithine makgeolli on 3T3-L1 cells. To determine the anti-proliferation effect of ornithine makgeolli on preadipocytes, lipid droplets were quantified and stained with Oil Red O. makgeolli made with ornithine starter and arginine showed a 3-fold higher concentration of ornithine compared to makgeolli without starter and arginine. In the results of 3T3-L1 cell line experiment, lipid accumulation was significantly reduced by adding 0.05 mg/mL of ornithine makgeolli compare to the control (adipocyte without sample). In conclusion, ornithine makgeolli containing ornithine starter isolated from nuruk showed an anti-lipid accumulation effect with increased ornithine content without toxicity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.476-484
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• 2014

Obesity, which is characterized by a state of mild chronic inflammation, is known to cause metabolic diseases. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of lyophilized dropwort vinegar powder (DVP) on adipocyte differentiation and inflammation in T3-L1 preadipocyte and RAW 264.7 macrophage cell lines. DVP inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes induced by a mixture of IBMX, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI). Western blot analysis of cell lysates showed that DVP decreased the levels of two major transcription factors involved in adipogenesis, peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$) and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$). DVP also significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of nitric oxide (NO), and this was accompanied by a decrease in inducible NO synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein expression. These results demonstrate that DVP inhibits MDI-induced adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and LPS-induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. The findings indicate that this natural product may be a good candidate as to prevent metabolic diseases.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.206-212
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• 2011

Makgeolli is Korean traditional alcoholic beverage that has historically been brewed. In this study, we analyzed the profile of organic acids in makgeolli and also evaluated its physiological characteristics. Makgeolli contained excess lactic acid, which is produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Anti-obesity effects of makgeolli were investigated in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Compared to the negative control, makgeolli inhibited the differentiation of preadipocyte as quantified by Oil red O dye. In particular, $100{\mu}g/mL$ makgeolli reduced 40 to 70% of differentiation. To evaluate the anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of makgeolli, we performed chorioallantoic membrane assay and measured nitric oxide production from lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells. Most makgeolli interrupted the formation of neo-vasculature and significantly inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these findings suggest that commercial makgeolli has inhibitory activities against adipogenesis, neo-vascularization, and inflammation, and also they are influenced by second metabolites from nuruk microflora containing fungi and LAB.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.533-539
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• 2004

It has been reported that CLA decreases fat deposition in vivo and in vitro experiments. Among CLA isomers, c9t11 and t10c12 have been shown to exert active biological activities. For example, t10c12 reduces body weight and increases lean body mass, whereas, c9t11 has little effect on body fattness. However, the underlying molecular mechanism for the anti-obesity action of CLA isomers are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of t10c12 and c9t11 on lipid accumulation, cell proliferation, cell death and the expression levels of Ucp genes which are proposed as targets for anti-obesity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Isomers of CLA at 50$\mu$M were added into preadipocyte differentiation medium for 3, 6 and 9days. Control cells received only the vehicle in the differentiation medium. Cytochemical analyses for lipid accumulation, cell proliferation and apotosis were carried out to compare lipidogenesis and cellular activity. RT-PCR analysis of GAPDH, Ucp 2,3 and 4 were also performed to find any modulatory effects of CLA isomers on the metabolic genes. Lipid accumulation indicated by Oil Red-O staining was inhibited in CLA isomers as compared to the control. T10c12 isomer showed less lipidogenesis than c9t11 did. A decrease occurred in CLA isomers as shown by BrdU incorporation. Apotosis has occured at higher level in t10c12 when compared to that of t9c11. Ucp 2, 3 and 4 genes were also upregulated in CLA isomers. T10c12 showed higher level of Ucp gene expressions than the c9t11 did. The biological activities of CLA isomers were also found to be different during differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, suggesting that different isomers may be active in certain stage of lipidogenesis. The results indicate that both c9t11 and t10c12 CLA isomers decrease lipidogenesis, inhibit cell proliferation, increase cell death and upregulate in Ucp gene expressions during 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation. T10c12 isomer was more effective than c9t11 in overall anti-obesity activity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.908-917
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• 2003

It has been proposed that oxidative modification of LDL (oxLDL) plays a significant role in the pathogenicity of atherogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that chitin and chitosan may function as antioxidants with respect to 0.1 mg cholesterol/ml LDL incubated with 5 $\mu$ M Cu$^2$$^{+}$alone or in the P338Dl mouse macrophage system using L-ascorbic acid as a standard classical antioxidant. The degree of oxLDL formation was ascertained by the relative electrophoretic mobility (rEM) in the combination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and the cytotoxicity of oxLDL was detected by macrophage viability. The oxLDL uptake and foam cell formation of macrophages were measured by Oil Red O staining. Incubation with Cu$^2$$^{+}$and macrophages increased rEM of LDL and stimulated TBARS formation. Culture of macrophages with LDL in the presence 5 $\mu$ M Cu$^2$$^{+}$induced macrophage death. In cell-free system 200 $\mu$g/ml water-soluble chitosan and chitosan-oligosaccharide blocked oxLDL formation. Water-soluble chitosan and chitosan-oligosaccharide blocked oxLDL formation near-completely relative to L-ascorbic acid, whereas water-soluble chitin and chitin-oligosaccharide had no measurable antioxidant effect. In macrophage system water-soluble chitosan and chitosan-oligosaccharide blocked oxidation of LDL with a significant increase in cell viability, and decreased TBARS in medium. As for the inhibitory effect on macrophage foam cell formation, chitosan and its oligosaccharide, but not watersoluble chitin, revealed the effectiveness. The endothelial expression of lectin-like oxLDL receptor-1 (LOX-1) was tested by Western blot analysis, and chitosan, chitosan-oligosaccharide and chitin-oligosaccharide blocked LOX-1 expression. These results indicate that water-soluble chitosan and its oligosaccharide showed the inhibitory effect on Cu$^2$$^{+}$-induced LDL oxidation of macrophages, and chitosan, chitosan-oligosaccharide and chitin-oligosaccharide had blocking effect on oxLDL receptor expression in the human umbilical vein endothelial system. Thus, water-soluble chitosan and its oligosaccharides possess anti-atherogenic potentials possibly through the inhibition of macrophage LDL oxidation or endothelial oxLDL receptor expression depending on chemical types.l types.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.253-261
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• 1984

The effect of fiber sources on lipid metabolism was investigated in relation to the level of dietary fat. After rats were fed each diet for 4 weeks, all animals were sacrificed to collect the liver, and blood samples by heart puncture. Total lipid, total cholesterol, phospholipid and HDL- cholesterol were determined in serum. Total lipid and total cholesterol were also determined in liver. These results were compared with the histochemical appearances by the method of Oil red-O staining. Higher level of fat in the diet appeared to increase the total lipid levels in serum and more fat in the liver cells were shown from the high fat diet judging from the E.M. pictures. Phospholipid concentration in serum was greater in the rats of high fat groups than those of the control or non-fat groups. High fat level caused to decrease the HDL- cholesterol concentration in serum. Pectin decreased serum and liver lipids and the deposit of fat in the liver cells. HDL-cholesterol levels in serum was increased by pectin. Whereas the cellulose supplementation had no effect to reduce serum and liver total lipid levels, and cellulose did not decreased the deposit of fat in the liver cells. From these results, it is concluded that dietary fat levels led to changes in the lipid metabolism of rats and pectin may exhibit a lowering total lipid contents in serum and liver. Cellulose may slightly elevate serum and liver levels, or have no lowering effect.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2017

Amomum tsao-ko used as a traditional oriental herbal medicine, is indigenous to several Asia countries. In this study, we investigated anti-obesity activity of the ethanol extract of Amomum Taso-ko (A. tsao-ko). The ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko inhibited adipocyte differentiation using Oil Red O assay in 3T3-L1 cells. Inhibitory effect of the ethanol extract of A. tsao-ko on adipogenesis was modulated by down-regulation adipogenic transcriptional factor such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and suppressed expression of fatty acid synthase, aP2, and resistin. We demonstrated that A. tsao-ko significantly inhibited adipogenesis and reduced $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ expression in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that A. tsao-ko has an anti-obesity effect by inhibition of adipogenic transcription factor and adipocyte-specific genes in 3T3-L1 cells.