• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.109-114
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• 2013

We compared the preventive capacity of high intakes of vitamin C (VC) and vitamin E (VE) on oxidative stress and liver toxicity in rats fed a low-fat ethanol diet. Thirty-two Wistar rats received the low fat (10% of total calories) Lieber-DeCarli liquid diet as follows: either ethanol alone (Alc group, 36% of total calories) or ethanol in combination with VC (Alc + VC group, 40 mg VC/100 g body weight) or VE (Alc + VE group, 0.8 mg VE/100 g body weight). Control rats were pair-fed a liquid diet with the Alc group. Ethanol administration induced a modest increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), conjugated dienes (CD), and triglycerides but decreased total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP) in plasma. VE supplementation to alcohol-fed rats restored the plasma levels of AST, CD, and TRAP to control levels. However, VC supplementation did not significantly influence plasma ALT, AST, or CD. In addition, a significant increase in plasma aminothiols such as homocysteine and cysteine was observed in the Alc group, but cysteinylglycine and glutathione (GSH) did not change by ethanol feeding. Supplementing alcohol-fed rats with VC increased plasma GSH and hepatic S-adenosylmethionine, but plasma levels of aminothiols, except GSH, were not influenced by either VC or VE supplementation in ethanol-fed rats. These results indicate that a low-fat ethanol diet induces oxidative stress and consequent liver toxicity similar to a high-fat ethanol diet and that VE supplementation has a protective effect on ethanol-induced oxidative stress and liver toxicity.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.211-223
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• 2007

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effects of Rhizoma Arisaematis water extract on lipid and glucose metabolism and histochemical change of obese rats. Methods and materials : 10 rats were divided into normal, control and RA (Rhizoma Arisaematis) groups. We fed the control group a high-fat diet and administered normal saline for 8 weeks. We fed the experimental group of rats a high-fat diet and administered an extract of Rhizoma Arisaematis for 8 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. The groups were examined for effects on blood serum lipids, blood sugar, blood insulin concentration and epididymal fat cells. Results : 1. Serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and glucose of the RA group decreased compared with those of the control group. These decreased rates were significant(P<0.05). 2. Serum LDL-cholesterol, total lipid, free fatty acid and the average size of epididymal fat cells of the RA group decreased compared with those of the control group. These decreased rates were significant(p<0.01). Conclusions : These results suggest that RA may be used to prevent or cure the obesity iniduced by a high-fat diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.154-163
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• 1988

Effects of alchohol and fat content in a balanced diet on chemical composition and morphology of liver were investigated in growing rats. Fourth eight male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing about 160g were divided into 4 groups ; high fat diet group, alcohol-administered high fat diet group, low fat diet group and alcohol-administered high fat diet group, low fat diet group and alcohol-administered low fat diet group. High and low fat diets supplied 30% and 12%, respectively, of total calorie intake from fat, and alcohol was given by adding ethanol in drinking waster at 10%. Diets contained adequate amounts of all nutrients required for rats, including lipotrpoic agents(choline and methionine) to minimize effects of factors other than alcohol on liver damage. Ratios of liver weight to body weight were statistically different among groups. Liver/dody weight ratios alcohol-administered rats were significantly higher than those of non-alcohol groups after 6 weeks treatment. Although total lipid and triglyceride per gram liver were increased in alcohol-administered rats, especially low fat diet fed rats, the values were not significantly different. Opticmicroscopical observation revealed increase in cell size and no change in morphology of liver. Examination of hepatocytes by electron microscopy showed that fat droplets were observed in all groups but enlarged in the alcohol-administered low fat diet fed rat. Contents of protein, cholesterol and phospholipid were not affected by alcohol consumption. The level of lipid peroxide was significantly lower in the livers of alcohol-administered rats than in the livers of non-alcohol groups. The results of this study indicate that even moderate alcohol drinking and dietary fat content did not affect any significant change in composition and morphology of liver until 6 week treatment but that even moderate alcohol drinking caused some signs of steatosis of liver.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.137-140
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• 2003

Anti-obesity effect of a new dietary supplement (3D-relax) in high-fat fed rats. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of 3D-relax; a proprietary formulation containing hydroxycitrate (233 mg/g), carnitine (150 mg/g) and red pepper (150 mg/g); on body weight, body fat, and serum lipids levels in rats fed a high-fat diet. Male SD 7-wk-old rats (n=8) were fed a high fat diet [52% total dietary energy (E%) from fat, 15.4 E% protein, 32.6E% carbohydrate] with or without 3D-relax administration (1 g/kg body weight/day) for 3 weeks. Administration of 3D-relax significantly reduced the increase in body weight compared to the group fed high fat without 3D-relax. Food efficiency ratio (FER) tended to be decreased with administration of 3D-relax, but was not significant. The perirenal and epididymal fat pad weights of vats administered 3D-relax were significantly lower than those of the high fat group that did not ingest 3D-relax during the 3 weeks. The oral administration of 3D-relax significantly increased HDL-cholesterol level and lowered total cholesterol level compared to those of high fat alone group. These results suggest that 3D-relax reduced body weight and fat gains, and those effects are presumably linked to its inhibitory effects on lipogenesis.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2005

The effects of water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower on serum lipid concentrations were evaluated in rats. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing l00±l0 g were divided into six groups and fed high fat diets for six weeks. Experimental groups were administered with following diets; Control diet, animal, plant high fat diet and control and high fat diets with 2% water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower. Tissue weights of liver, lung, stomach, heart, kidney and spleen of high fat diet exposed rats were reduced by water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower groups. The concentrations of serum triglyceride in rats fed the water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower were lower than those in other groups. The concentrations of total cholesterol in water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower group were lower than those in high fat diet groups. The concentrations of HDL-cholesterol in serum of the water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower groups were significantly higher than those of other groups. The levels of LDL-cholesterol in serum of the water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower groups were tended to be lower than those of other groups. GPT and GOT activities were decreased in water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower groups and than in the high fat group. LDH activity was lower in the water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower groups than in the high fat group. These results suggest that water extracts of green tea scented with lotus Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower groups may reduce elevated levels of serum lipid concentrations in rats fed high fat diets.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.78-99
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• 2000

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of pine oil on the body weight and lipid levels of serum in rats fed high cholesterol diet and high fat diet, Body weight, weight of various organs, and feeding efficiency ratio were measured to study the effect of pine oil on obesty at 4 weeks after an oral administration, Total cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were also analysed to identify the ameliorating effect of pine oil on lipid metabolism in serum of same rats, The results were summerized as follows; 1. The increase in body weight and feeding efficiency ratio induced by choleserol diet was less in pine oil treated rats, Furthermore, decrease in weight of liver, kidney, spleen, testis, and epididymis were observed in pine oil treated rats. 2, Associated with the decrease in body weight, there was a concomitant reduction in serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and total lipid in rats fed high cholesterol diet and high fat diet. respectively, after an oral administration of pine oil. 3. Serum levels of LDL-cholesterol was significantly decrease after an oral administration of pine oil in rats fed high fat diet. These results suggest that pine oil can ameliorate obesity and lipid metabolism in serum.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.108-113
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the growth rate, hematological and serological changes of the rats when they were fed with the high fat diets supplemented with or without the tannic acid for five weeks. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley male rats(235.7\pm10.7g\;of\;body\;weight)$ were randomly divided into four groups, control group and three treatment groups(T1, T2 and T3). Rats in control group were fed with the high fat diet containing $15\%\;lard,\;1\%$ cholesterol and $0.5\%$ sodium cholate(wt/wt) which was modified from the formula of American Institute of Nutrition (AIN)-76 diet and rats in treatment groups were fed with above diet supplemented with $0.25\%(T1),\;0.5\%(T2)$ or $0.75\%(T3)$ of tannic acid(wt/wt), respectively. The supplementation of tannic acid(TA) did not affect the final body weight, gain of body weight and feed intake of rats in both control and treatment groups. The numbers of red blood cells, hemoglobin concentrations and hematocrit values in blood of rats showed no significant differences between control group and treatment groups. The glucose concentration and albumin/globulin(A/G) ratio of rats in treatment groups were slightly lower than that of control group without significance. The values of total protein, albumin and globulin showed no significant differences between control group and treatment groups. The values of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein­cholesterol and atherogenic index in sera of rats in treatment groups were much lower than that of control group without significance. The values of triglycerides in sera of rats in T3 group were significantly lower than that of control group (p<0.05). The values of AST and ALT in sera of rats in T3 group were significantly lower than that of control group (p<0.05). Thus supplementation of tannic acid to high fat diet could be effective to reduce the serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglycerides which were regarded as to cause the cardiovascular diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a global health problem of significant importance which increases mortality. In place of anti-obesity drugs, natural products are being developed as alternative therapeutic materials. In this study, we investigated the effect of Brassica juncea L. leaf extract (BLE) on fat deposition and lipid profiles in high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFC)-induced obese rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) according to diet: normal diet group (ND), high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group (HFC), HFC with 3% BLE diet group (HFC-A1), and HFC with 5% BLE diet group (HFC-A2). Each group was fed for 6 weeks. Rat body and adipose tissue weights, serum biochemical parameters, and tissue lipid contents were determined. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The HFC-A2 group showed significantly lower body weight gain and food efficiency ratio than the HFC group. BLE supplementation caused mesenteric, epididymal, and total adipose tissue weights to decrease. The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased in rats fed BLE. These results were related to lower glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, acetyl-coA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase mRNA expression, and to higher expression of the cholesterol $7{\alpha}$-hydroxylase and low density lipoprotein-receptor, as well as increased protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$. Histological analysis of the liver revealed decreased lipid droplets in HFC rats treated with BLE. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of HFC with 3% or 5% BLE inhibited body fat accumulation, improved lipid profiles, and modulated lipogenesis- and cholesterol metabolism-related gene and protein expression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2000

The purpose of the present study was to determine the preventive effects of combined interventional trial of fish oil treatment and exercise training on insulin resistance of skeletal muscle in high-fat fed rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into chow diet (CD), high-fat diet (HF), high-fat diet with fish oil (FO), high-fat diet with exercise training (EX), and FO+EX groups. The rats in control group were fed chow diet containing, as percents of calories, 58.9% carbohydrate, 12.4% fat, and 28.7% protein. High-fat diet provided 32% energy as lard, 18% as corn oil, 27% as carbohydrate and 23% as casein. The fish oil diet had the same composition as the high fat diet except that 100 g menhaden oil was substituted for corn oil. Insulin sensitivity was assessed by in vitro glucose transport in the soleus muscle after diet treatment and treadmill running for 4 weeks. While the FO or EX only partially prevented insulin resistance on glucose transport and visceral obesity induced by high-fat diet, these interventions completely corrected hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia from the high-fat diet. The rats in the FO+EX showed normalized insulin action on glucose transport, plasma chemicals and visceral fat mass. Insulin-mediated glucose transport was negatively associated with total visceral fat mass (r=－0.734; p＜0.000), plasma triglyceride (r=－0.403; p＜0.05) and lepin (r=－0.583; p＜0.001) concentrations with significance. Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that only total visceral fat mass was independently associated with insulin-mediated glucose transport (r=－0.668; p＜0.000). In conclusion, combined interventional trial of FO+EX recovered insulin resistance on glucose transport of skeletal muscle induced by high-fat diet. Visceral fat mass might be more important factor than plasma TG and leptin to induce insulin resistance on glucose transport of skeletal muscle in high-fat fed rats.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

This study was intended to examine whether dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dietary fat level or source could modulate glutathione utilizing detoxifying system activity and the cytosolic NADPH generation in rat liver. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed semipurifed diet containing either 2%(w/w) corn oil (low level of corn oil diet: 5 ca% of fat) 15% corn oil (high level of corn oil diet: 31 cal% of fat) or 13% sardine oil plus 2% corn oil(high level of fish oil diet: 31 cal% of fat) for 9 weeks. Half of the rats in each diet group were fed a diet supplemented with 0.2% DHEA (w/w). DHEA administration increased plasma total cholesterol level in low corn oil diet-fed rats. The high fish oil diet significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol level compared to the high corn oil diet. Plasma triglyceride level was not significantly changed by DHEA administration and dietary fat level and source. Fasting plasma glucose level was increased by DHEA administration and fish oil diet. Glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration and high fat diet, especially fish oil diet. Malic enzyme activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration and high fat diet, especially fish oil diet. Malic enzyme activity in liver tissue was significantly increased by DHEA administration. DHEA suppressed the glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-dependent enzymes compared to the low corn oil diet, while fish oil diet elevated the activity of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase compared to corn oil diet. These results suggest that DHEA administration and high level of corn oil diet may suppress the cellular detoxifying system activity through reduction of glutathione utilization, while the fish oil diet did not show these effects.