• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4609-4614
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• 2016

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of copper reduction on angiogenesis-related factors in patients with glioblastoma multiforme treated by gamma knife radiosurgery. Materials and Methods: In the present block randomized, placebo-controlled trial, fifty eligible patients with a diagnosis of glioblastoma multiforme who were candidates for gamma knife radiosurgery were randomly assigned into two groups to receive daily either 1gr penicillamine and a low copper diet or placebo for three months. The intervention started on the same day as gamma knife radiosurgery. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and copper levels were measured at baseline and after the intervention. The serum copper level was used as the final index of compliance with the diet. In order to control probable side effects of intervention, laboratory tests were conducted at the beginning, middle and end of the study. Results: The patients had a mean age and Karnofsky Performance Scale of 43.7 years and 75 respectively. Mean serum copper levels were significantly reduced in intervention group. Mean survival time was 18.5 months in intervention group vs. 14.9 in placebo group. VEGF and IL-6 levels in the intervention group were also significantly reduced compared to the placebo group and $TNF-{\alpha}$ increased less. Conclusions: It seems that reducing the level of copper in the diet and dosing with penicillamine leads to decline of angiogenesis-related factors such as VEGF, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$. Approaches targeting angiogenesis may improve survival and can be used as a future therapeutic strategy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2017

Malnutrition is common and the major risk factor of mortality of end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this study is to assess nutritional status of malnutrition patients on dialysis by various methods and compare nutritional parameters of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients with hemodialysis patients. 137 patients on dialysis from April 2009 to July 2013 were enrolled. Nutritional parameters of 66 CAPD and 71 hemodialysis patients were investigated by anthropometry, biochemical study, diet analysis and questionnaires. Malnutrition patients were selected by body mass index (BMI), serum albumin and pre-albumin based on International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) diagnostic criteria for protein-energy wasting and compared with non-malnutrition patients. In comparison of CAPD and hemodialysis patients, most anthropometric values showed no significant difference except total body water (TBW). TBW was lower in CAPD patients (P=0.024). Although serum albumin was slightly higher in hemodialysis patients (P=0.047), pre-albumin were significantly higher in CAPD patients (P=0.000). Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was higher in hemodialysis patients (P=0.000). In diet analysis, Total calorie (P=0.000) and total cholesterol (P=0.012) intakes were higher in CAPD patients. Mean subjective global assessment (SGA) grade was higher in CAPD patients (P=0.003). Several nutritional parameters of CAPD patients were better than hemodialysis patients implying more intensive therapeutic approach may be needed for hemodialysis patients. We have to understand multiple factors contributing malnutrition of ESRD patients and individualized therapeutic approach is needed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.238-246
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• 2020

Background: Dietary fat has been suggested to be the cause of various health issues. Obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and kidney disease are known to be associated with a high-fat diet (HFD). Obesity and associated conditions, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), are currently a worldwide health problem. Few prospective pharmaceutical therapies that directly target NAFLD are available at present. A Traditional Chinese Medicine, ginseng-plus-Bai-Hu-Tang (GBHT), is widely used by diabetic patients to control glucose level or thirst. However, whether it has therapeutic effects on fat-induced hepatic steatosis and metabolic syndrome remains unclear. Methods: This study was conducted to examine the therapeutic effect of GBHT on fat-induced obesity, hepatic steatosis, and insulin resistance in mice. Results: GBHT protected mice against HFD-induced body weight gain, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia compared with mice that were not treated. GBHT inhibited the expansion of adipose tissue and adipocyte hypertrophy. No ectopic fat deposition was found in the livers of HFD mice treated with GBHT. In addition, glucose intolerance and insulin sensitivity in HFD mice was also improved by GBHT. Conclusion: GBHT prevents changes in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in a HFD mouse model. Our findings provide evidence for the traditional use of GBHT as therapy for the management of metabolic syndrome.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.140-148
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• 2017

Hyperlipidemia, which is closely associated with a fatty diet and aging, is commonly observed in the western and aged society. Therefore, a novel therapeutic approach for this disease is critical, and an immunological view has been suggested as a novel strategy, because hyperlipidemia is closely associated with inflammation and immune dysfunction. In this study, the effects of an aqueous extract of Rubus occidentalis (RO) in obese mice were investigated using immunological indexes. The mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce hyperlipidemia, which was confirmed by biochemical analysis and examination of the mouse physiology. Two different doses of RO and rosuvastatin, a cholesterol synthesis inhibitor used as a control, were orally administered. Disturbances in immune cellularity as well as lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production were significantly normalized by oral administration of RO, which also decreased the elevated serum tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ level and total cholesterol. The specific immune-related actions of RO comprised considerable improvement in cytotoxic T cell killing functions and regulation of antibody production to within the normal range. The immunological evidence confirms the significant cholesterol-lowering effect of RO, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic agent for hyperlipidemia and associated immune decline.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.255-262
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• 2020

Obesity is a critical health issue in Korea, where half of all adults are overweight and a third obese. Aronia melanocarpa -rich in flavonoids and phenolics- with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, could have anti-obesity activity and reduce body fat mass by upregulating lipolysis and β-oxidation in obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice (n=12) were assigned into four groups: normal chow (18% kcal from fat); high-fat diet control (HFD, 45% kcal from fat); HFD+A. melanocarpa (200 mg/kg diet); HFD+Xenical (500 mg/kg diet, positive control). Antioxidant capacity of A. melanocarpa was established in vitro and in vivo. Weight loss was induced as decreased adiposity and lowered respiratory quotient at rest suggested oxidation of stored fat. Adiposity reduction, accompanied with elevated fat utilization, was owing to enhanced activity of hormone-sensitive lipase. Thus, A. melanocarpa lowered adiposity by enhancing lipolysis and utilization of fatty acids in visceral fat.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.246-251
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• 2023

Obesity increases the risk of mortality and morbidity because it results in hypertension, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for pharmacotherapeutic drugs to treat obesity. We performed a screening assay using natural products with anti-adipogenic properties in 3T3-L1 cells and determined that tschimganidine, a terpenoid from the Umbelliferae family, inhibited adipogenesis. To evaluate the anti-obesity effects of tschimganidine in vivo. Mice were fed either a normal chow diet (NFD) or a high-fat chow diet (HFD) with or without tschimganidine for 12 weeks. Treatment with tschimganidine decreased lipid accumulation and adipogenesis, accompanied by reduced expression of adipogenesis and lipid accumulation-related factors. Tschimganidine significantly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and decreased that of AKT. Depletion of AMPK relieved the reduction in lipid accumulation resulting from tschimganidine treatment. Moreover, tschimganidine administration drastically reduced the weight and size of both gonadal white adipose tissue (WAT) and blood glucose levels in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. We suggest that tschimganidine is a potent anti-obesity agent, which impedes adipogenesis and improves glucose homeostasis. Tschimganidine can then be evaluated for clinical application as a therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.126-130
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• 2023

Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have become increasingly prescribed because of their proven protective effects on the heart and kidneys, and carbohydrate-restricted diets are popular therapeutic approaches for patients with obesity and diabetes. A 28-year-old obese woman with recently diagnosed diabetes developed euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) while on dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and following a carbohydrate-restricted diet. She presented with nausea, vomiting, and epigastric pain. Hospital tests showed a blood glucose of 172 mg/dL, metabolic acidosis, and increased ketone levels, confirming euglycemic DKA. Treatment involved discontinuing dapagliflozin and administering fluids, glucose, and insulin. She recovered and was discharged on the fourth day. This is considered a case of euglycemic DKA induced by SGLT2 inhibitors and triggered by a carbohydrate-restricted diet. This case highlights the importance of physicians in confirming the symptoms and laboratory results of DKA, even in patients with normal blood glucose levels taking SGLT2 inhibitors and following carbohydrate-restricted diets. It is also crucial to advise patients to maintain an adequate carbohydrate intake.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.104-110
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• 2007

Aralia contientalis show several beneficial effects including anti-oxidant effects. Aralia contientalis is used as a therapeutic agent to stop haemorrhages and a tonic to promoted health in Korean and Chinese medicine. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main Aralia contientalis is still not accurately investigated. In present study, I examined the effects of water extracts of Aralia contientalis on high cholesterol diet atherosclerosis-induced rats in serum and abdominal aorta. A total of 3-week old 9 male rats of Sprague-Dawley were divided into 3 groups and fed with the basal diet (normal group), high cholesterol diet (atherosclerosis induced group) for 8 weeks, high cholesterol diet supplemented with water extracts of Aralia contientalis (Aralia contientalis group) for 2 weeks. And rats were sacrificed, serum lipid level, abodominal aortic anti-oxidant activities and lipid peroxide were measured. These results indicated that serum total cholesterl, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides concentration significently lowered in Aralia contientalis group than high cholesterol diet group. But HDL-cholesterol concentraion significently higher in Aralia contientalis group than high cholesterol diet group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.2061-2068
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• 2015

Background: Tumors are largely unable to metabolize ketone bodies for energy due to various deficiencies in one or both of the key mitochondrial enzymes, which may provide a rationale for therapeutic strategies that inhibit tumor growth by administration of a ketogenic diet with average protein but low in carbohydrates and high in fat. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male BALB/C nude mice were injected subcutaneously with tumor cells of the colon cancer cell line HCT116. The animals were then randomly split into three feeding groups and fed either a ketogenic diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and MCT (MKD group; n=12) or lard only (LKD group; n=12) or a standard diet (SD group; n=12) ad libitum. Experiments were ended upon attainment of the target tumor volume of $600mm^3$ to $700mm^3$. The three diets were compared for tumor growth and survival time (interval between tumor cell injection and attainment of target tumor volume). Results: The tumor growth in the MKD and LKD groups was significantly delayed compared to that in the SD group. Conclusions: Application of an unrestricted ketogenic diet delayed tumor growth in a mouse xenograft model. Further studies are needed to address the mechanism of this diet intervention and the impact on other tumor-relevant parameters such as invasion and metastasis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.15-27
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• 2019

Objectives This study was performed to evaluate anti-obesity effects of Crataegus pinnatifida (CP) on high-fat-diet induced obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into four groups: normal diet (NOR) group, high fat diet (HFD) group, HFD+Xenical (XEN) group, and HFD+CP (CP) group. NOR group was fed a normal diet and the other three groups were fed high fat diet during the experiment. After the first two weeks of diet, XEN group and CP group were administered with XEN or CP for seven weeks, respectively. After that, we measured body weight, liver weight, fat weight, food intake, and serum concentrations of lipids and liver enzymes. Also the liver, intestine, fat tissue was removed to estimate the obesity-related mRNA expressions and the stool sample was collected to analyze the gut microbiota. Results We found that body weight, fat weight, and triglyceride level were decreased significantly in CP group compared to HFD group. Also CP significantly suppressed gene expressions associated with lipogenesis and inflammation, and increased gene expressions of browning of white adipose tissue and mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, it shifted the microbial diversity closer to that of NOR group and increased Firmicutes/Bacteriodetes ratio. Conclusions These results suggest that CP decrease body weight, fat weight and serum triglyceride. Also it inhibit inflammation and adipogenesis, altering gut microbial diversity and abundance. In conclusion, CP could be used as a therapeutic drug for obesity via gut microbiota modulation.