• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.405-410
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• 2007

This study was to investigate the hypolipidemic effect of powdered mulberry leaves (PML) and water extract of powdered mulberry leaves (WML) on high-fat fed mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups; a normal group (N), a high-fat (HF) group, a high-fat group supplemented with PML (HF-PML) and a high-fat group supplemented with WML (HF-WML). The PML or WML was added to a standard diet based on 1% dried mulberry loaves (1g PML/100g diet and 0.22g WML/100g diet) for 6 weeks. Body weight and organ weights were not different among thle groups in high-fat fed mice, whereas food intake and daily energy intake were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in the HF-PML group. In plasma and liver, the supplementation of PML and WML significantly (p<0.05) lowered cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations compared to the HF group. The HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the HF-PML and HF-WML groups than in the B:.w group. The fecal triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) increased in the HF-PML and HF-WML groups compared to the HF group. Hepatic lipid regulating enzyme activities, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid ${\beta}-oxidation$ and carnitine palmitoyl transferase were significantly lower in the HF group than in the N group. However, the activities of these hepatic lipid regulating enzymes activities were significantly (p<0.05) elevated in the HF-PML and HF-WML groups compared to the HF group. Accordingly, these results suggest that PML and WML improve plasma and hepatic lipid levels partly by increasing fecal lipid excretion and enhancing hepatic lipid regulating enzymes activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1126-1135
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of genistein in BALB/c mice injected with lopopolysaccharide (LPS), called endotoxin. Mice (10 weeks of age) weighing approximately 20 g were divided into 4 groups. Endotoxin shock was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 mg/kg BW). LPS and genistein+LPS groups were injected with LPS 30 min after phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and genistein (200 mg/kg BW) injections, respectively. Genistein group was injected with genistein, followed by PBS, while PBS group received two injections of PBS. Superoxide anion generation of peritoneal macrophage cells was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the genistein+LPS group than in the LPS injection group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection, while SOD activity was significantly higher in genistien+LPS group than LPS group. Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ levels of plasma were significant lower (p<0.05) in the genistein+LPS injection group than LPS group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Plasma TBARS was lower in genistein+LPS group than LPS group, while hepatic TBARS were not different among groups. Hepatic glutathione concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities were ignificantly higher in the genistein+LPS group than in the LPS group at 1 h and 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) transactivation was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited in LPS group. These results demonstrate genistein may ameliorate inflammatory diseases through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ transactivation and oxidative stress, which may be mediated partially by anti-oxidative effect of genistein.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.133-141
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• 2010

The protective effect of a mixed powder from solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2:1, w/w) (designate LED) on the carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)- and ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat was investigated. In the $CCl_4$-induced rat hepatotoxicity experiment, rats of 4 groups (6 rats/group) were administere with Normal (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 200 mg/kg BW + 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/kg BW + 0.2 ml distilled water), p.o., daily for 2 weeks. Afterwards, all groups except for the Normal group were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1:1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). For the ethanol- induced rat hepatotoxicity experiment, rats were divided into 5 groups (5 rats/group): Normal; Pair-fed control (PFC); Control (ethanol); LED (ethanol + LED 200 mg/kg BW); and Silymarin (ethanol + silymarin 200 mg/kg BW). Rats of the Normal and PFC groups were fed a basal liquid diet, and rats of the Control, LED, and Silymarin groups were fed a liquid ethanol diet containing LED or Silymarin. Eight weeks later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. In $CCl_4$-induced SD rats, LED elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities and thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS) were reduced, resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. Similar results of these enzymes and biochemical markers in both liver tissues and plasma were seen in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity of SD rats. In addition, elevated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity and reduced expression of cytochrome p450 mixed monooxygenase enzyme (CYP2E1) were seen in liver tissues from ethanol-treated rats by LED treatment. These effects of LED were similar to those of Silymarin. In in vitro experiments, LED showed antioxidant activity in a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) system and mouse liver mitochondria system induced by NADPH/$Fe^{2+}$ and cumine hydroperoxide (CuOOH). These results indicate that LED protected SD rat hepatotoxicity, induced by $CCl_4$ and ethanol, through its antioxidative activity and might be useful as a material for protection from hepatoxicity in humans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.573-580
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• 2005

Cholesterol $7\alpha-hydroxylase$ (CYP7A1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and plays a central role in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. We previously showed that a fermentable $\beta-glucan$ ingestion decreased plasma cholesterol levels due to fecal bile acid excretion elevation involved inincrease of cholesterol $7\alpha-hydroxylase$ mRNA expression and activity. It is proposed that short chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by cecal and colonic fermentation of soluble fiber are associated with cholesterol-lowering effect of fiber. In the present study, we investigated whether CYP7A1 expression is up-regulated by short chain fatty acids or by hormones in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Confluent HepG2 cell were incubated with acetate, propionate, or butyrate at 1 mM concentration for 24 hrs. Acetate as well as propionate increased to 1.8-fold expression of CYP7A1 mRNA than the control. Butyrate also increased 1.5-fold expression of CYP7A1 mRNA. Our data show for the first time that SCFA increase expression of CYP7A1 mRNA. Adding insulin, dexamethasone and triiodothyronine $(1\;{\mu}M)$ to HepG2 cell increased the expression of CYP7A1 mRNA to $150\%,\;173\%,\;141\%$, respectively. These results suggest that SCFA produced by cecal fermentation stimulate enteric nervous system, in which secreted some neuropeptides may be responsible for change in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. These findings suggest that SCFA are involved in lowering plasma cholesterol levels due to the up-regulation of CYP7A1 and bile acid synthesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.154-161
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• 2008

Phellinus linteus (PL) has been known to exhibit potent biological activity. The present study was designed to investigate lipase-inhibitory and anti-oxidative activity of the methanol extract and the powder of PL fruiting body. The methanol extract of PL appeared to have the inhibitory activity against pancreatic lipase with an $IC_{50}$ value of $36.3\;{\mu}g/mL$, and the scavenging activity of DPPH radical with an $IC_{50}$ value of $20.1\;{\mu}g/mL$, which was similar to that of vitamin C ($IC_{50}\;18.3\;{\mu}g/mL$). To investigate the lipase-inhibitory and anti-oxidative effect of PL on animal, Sprague-Dawley rats were fed with high-fat diet supplemented with either 2% or 5% PL powder for 8 weeks. Total food intake was significantly increased, but body weight was not changed by PL powder supplementation. However, fecal fat excretion of the experimental groups fed with the PL powder were higher than that of the control group. PL powder showed a decrease in the plasma total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and the hepatic total cholesterol levels. The anti-oxidative enzyme activities were also affected by PL supplementation. Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the plasma and liver were significantly increased by 98% and 46% in the 2% PL group, and 99% and 32% in the 5% PL group, respectively. Total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity was not affected by PL supplementation. DNA damage was measured by the comet assay in the lymphocytes collected after 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks of feeding PL supplemented diet. Lymphocyte DNA damage was decreased in the PL supplemented group. Furthermore, PL feeding enhanced the resistance to lymphocyte DNA damage caused by an oxidant challenge with $H_2O_2$.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.227-250
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• 1999

The free radical theory of aging was introduced in 1956 by Denham Harman. This aging theory proposed that normal aging results from random deleterious damage to tissues by free radical and supplying antioxidant lead to decrease oxidative damage, inhibit aging process. In this study, we investigated antioxidantive effects of four Korean constitutional prescriptions for 'Soum' constitution - Palmulgunjatang(Y1), Sipyimiguanjungtang(Y2), Osuyubujayijungtang(Y3) and Seungyangyikkibujatang(Y4). Antioxidative activity of this prescriptions was examined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhyrdazyl radicals, superoxide anion radicals, peroxyl radical, hydroxyl radical scavenging effects and erythrocyte hemolysis inhibitory effects. Y2 and Y3 were shown to have relatively high antioxidative activity on this methods. In additions, result of the cytoprotective effects of Korean constitutional prescriptions agianst 2,2'-azobis(amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH), a free radical initiator, induced cytotoxcity in human hepatoblastoma cell line was similarly obtained. On the basis of this result, we assayed the antioxidative effects of Y2 and Y3 on experimental oxidative damage, induced in mouse by 100mg/kg AAPH. Male ICR mouse were given oral administration of 500mg/kg Y2 and Y3 for 4 weeks. Thiobarbuturic acid reactive substance (TBARS) and protein degradation level in liver, plasma and brain as index of oxidative damage were decreased and thiol compound, total antioxidant status in plasma were increased by Y2 administration. But, Y3 injected group was decreased only protein degradation level in brain. Also, glutathione, a potent water-soluble endogenous antioxidant, concentration was increased by Y2 and Y3 administration in liver and brain. However, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity as a major antioxidative enzyme in vivo were not shown change by Y2 and Y3 administration. On the basis of these result, Y2 have an antioxidative effects on both water-soluble fraction and lipid-solube fraction in cell and tissues. But, Y3 has a lower antioxidative effects on lipid-soluble fraction than Y2 in cell and tissues. These results suggest that Y2 has a antioxidative effects by protect the tissue against oxygen free radical mediated oxidative damage and Y3 has a limited antioxidaitve effects on water-soluble fraction in vivo. Therefore, we make report that Y2 is more effective prescriptions for anti-aging or therapeutics of diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.683-693
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the effect of dandelion juice supplementation on attenuation of oxidative stress and hangover after drinking alcohol in healthy college male students. This human trial was conducted by two phase cross over design with two weeks wash out period. The subjects (age $24{\sim}28$ years) were volunteers who had more than 72 g of ethanol drinking capacity. Dandelion group was given dandelion juice 220 mL daily for 7 days. Biochemical markers were determined in blood samples taken at 0 and 150 minutes after administration 72 g of alcohol. The levels of plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase and bilirubin, the indicators of liver cell damage, were not significantly different between groups. No significant differences in lymphocyte DNA damage level between groups was observed. However, plasma acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in dandelion supplemented group compared to that of control group. Furthermore, activities and protein expressions of glutathione-reductase and catalase of erythrocytes were significantly elevated in dandelion supplemented group compared to that of control group. From the above results, it is concluded that dandelion juice supplementation can reduce oxidative stress and hangover syndrome through the elevation of ALDH and antioxidative enzyme system in healthy male adults.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.138-144
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• 2010

Purpose: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), which mediates neovascularization of uterine endometrium may be involved in the neovascularization in the utero-placental circulation. Low numbers of endothelial progenitor colony-forming unit (CFU) in culture are predictive biomarker of vascular disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the number of CFU in preeclampsia differed from that in normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: Women with singleton normal (n=26) or preeclamptic (n=20) pregnancies were studied during the third trimester. The number of EPCs was quantified by CFU methodology. Plasma levels of angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and placental growth factor (PlGF) were determined by enzyme-linked immunoassay. Results: CFU numbers were significantly decreased in the preeclamptic patients compared with the controls (median, 3; range 1-12 vs. 31; 3-81 CFU/well, P<0.001). A majority of the cells comprising individual colonies were positive for endothelial characteristics (Ulex europaeus lectin staining and acetylated low-density lipoprotein uptake). Plasma levels of the sFlt-1 were highly elevated (P<0.001) in patient with preeclampsia compared to controls, whereas PlGF were highly reduced (P=0.004), but these factors did not associate with CFU numbers. Conclusion: Our results suggest that reduced numbers of CFU obtained from maternal peripheral blood may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1081-1090
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• 2015

Diabetes has been one of major health risks in industrialized countries. Allium hookeri is a wild herb distributed in India and Myanmar. The root of the plant has been used as food and medicine in Southeast Asia. We investigated Allium hookeri extract improves type 2 diabetes mellitus in C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse. C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse arise out of Type 2 diabetes and we treated Allium hookeri methanol extract 400 mg/kg (AH 400), 800 mg/kg (AH 800), positive control group (thiazolidinedine;TZDs) were administered orally for 8weeks. AH treated group normalized lipid enzyme system (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) and serum glucose, HbA1c and plasma insulin level. AH treated group recovered β-cell damage by hyperglycemia and fatty liver disease. AH treated group significantly up regulated expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase4 (PDK4), Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP 1) and fork head box O1 (FOX 01) proteins in C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse liver. And we found that AH treated group decreased hepatic malondialdehyde formation in C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse liver. These results indicate that Allium hookeri methanol extract might be a potential anti-diabetic agent and could be useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.677-683
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• 2010

This study investigated the effect of young Phragmites communis (Pc) leaves on lipid profiles, lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet fed mice. Three groups of mice were fed different diets for 8 weeks: normal diet (Normal), high-fat diet (High-fat; 37% calories from fat) and high-fat diet supplemented with 1% Pc (wt/wt, HF-Pc). Body weight, daily food intake and energy intake tended to decrease by Pc supplement in high-fat fed mice. Pc supplementation significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations compared to the high-fat control group. Pc also lowered hepatic and heart cholesterol contents, whereas it significantly increased fecal excretion of triglyceride and cholesterol compared to the high-fat control group. Pc significantly inhibited fatty acid synthase, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase and acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activities compared to the high-fat control group. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were also significantly higher in the high-fat group than in the normal group, however Pc supplementation reversed these changes. The Pc supplementation significantly lowered erythrocyte lipid peroxidation level compared to the high-fat control group. Accordingly, these results suggest that Pc improves lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet fed mice.