• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1337-1345
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• 2006

Hypercholesterolemia is a pivotal pathogenic factor for the development and maintenance of atherosclerosis. The present study was designed to evaluate whether the methanol extract of Sorbus commixta cortex (MSC) restores vascular dysfunction in association with the aortic expressions of proinflarnmatory and adhesion molecules in high cholesterol (HC) diet-rats. Chronic treatment with low (100 mg/kg/day) or high doses (200 mg/kg/day) of MSC lowered the increase in plasma levels of triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol induced by a cholesterol-enriched diet without affecting on the plasma level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. Vascular tone attenuated in the HC-diet rats was restored by administration with MSC. Treatment with MSC also suppressed the HC-induced increase in the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and nuclear factor-$_K$B (NF-$_K$B) p65 expressions as well as expressions levels of adhesion molecules including intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin in aorta. The present study also showed that MSC inhibited the HC-mediated induction of ET-1 and ACE expression. In histopathological examination, aortic segments in the HC-diet rat revealed thickening intima and media, which were blocked by administration with MSC. Taken together, MSC could suppress the development of atherosclerosis in the HC-diet rat model through the inhibition of the aortic expression levels of pro-inflammatory and adhesion molecules.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.432-444
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of medical nutrition therapy (MNT) on anthropometric measurements, quality of diets, and blood parameters through the weight loss program in over weight or obese women. The subjects (n=76, $age\;31.1{\pm}8.4y,\;weight\;70.3{\pm}7.9kg,\;BMI\;27.2{\pm}2.4kg/m^2$) without medical disease were treated with MNT 5 times for 12 weeks by dietitian. Anthropometric measurements included height, weight, fat mass, lean body mass, triceps and thigh skin-fold thickness, mid-arm, waist, hip and thigh circumference. Dietary assessments were accomplished using 3-days food records, diet quality index (DQI), and dietary pattern. The dietary pattern was assessed by daily energy intakes from breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks of calorie density, and numbers of eating. Blood levels of leptin, lipid profiles (total lipids, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol), and insulin were analyzed. Anthropometric measurements decreased significantly after MNT (p<0.001). Waist circumference was reduced most rapidly and tricep skin-fold thickness was reduced most effectively after 12 weeks of MNT. Daily energy intake, calorie density and numbers of eating incidence decreased significantly $0796.4{\pm}395.5\;vs\;1402.9{\pm}217.8\;kcal/day,\;162.3{\pm}56.5\;vs\;113.4{\pm}30.1,\;5.0{\pm}1.4\;vs\;3.8{\pm}0.4$, respectively, p<0.05). The daily energy intake from breakfast and snacks significantly decreased (p<0.001). Calories from snack, calorie density of snack and numbers of snacking also decreased (p<0.05). The mean scores of DQI significantly increased ($7.6{\pm}2.1\;vs\;6.5{\pm}1.6$, p<0.05). The plasma levels of total lipid, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and leptin decreased significantly after MNT ($489.8{\pm}100.4\;vs\;447.0{\pm}87.3mg/dL,\;187.7{\pm}34.0\;vs\;175.9{\pm}31.5mg/dL,\;115.2{\pm}29.2\;vs\;109.2{\pm}26.7mg/dL,\;15.7{\pm}7.6\;vs\;12.4{\pm}5.9ng/mL$, respectively, p<0.05). These results indicate that MNT efficiently reduced the body weight through the changes in dietary intake, dietary patterns and dietary quality. MNT also changed body composition and reduced the levels of plasma lipid, cholesterol and leptin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.384-395
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a novel formulation of an herbal extracts has an inhibitory effect on obesity. To determine its anti-obesity effects, we performed anti-obesity-related experiments in vitro and in vivo. Thus, our present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of herbal extracts using a high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model and 3T3-L1 adipose cells. The effects of each herbal extracts on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells were examined using Oil Red O staining. Results showed that treatment with each herbal extracts at $10{\sim}100{\mu}g/ml$ had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evidence of toxicity, herbal extracts treatment decreased lipid accumulation compared with the untreated adipocytes controls as shown by the lower absorbance of Oil Red O stain. Futhermore, compared with control-differentiated mature adipocytes, each herbal extracts significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In the HFD-fed obese mice, body weight, liver weight and white adipose tissue weights were significantly reduced by mixture of herbal extracts administration in mouse skin. Futhermore, we found that mixture of herbal extracts administration suppressed serum triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TCHO) in HFD-induced obese mouse model. The mixture of herbal extracts of permeability was estimated by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) value in pig skin. The optimized formulations of herbal extracts (Test 3 formulation) showed skin permeation. However, test 1 formulation containing essential oil as enhancer showed maximum skin permeation. After confirming the enhanced skin permeability, in vivo studies were performed to assess whether skin irritation potential on the basis of a primary irritation index (PII) in rabbit skin. Reactions were scored for erythema/edema reactions at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-application. It was concluded that the test 1 formulation was not irritation (PII = 0). The present study suggests that the test 1 formulation might be of therapeutic interest with respect to the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.47-58
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• 2019

This study aimed to investigate the improvement effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) on the lipid component, protein and electrolyte concentration in dyslipidemic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (24 male) were divided into four groups, namely the ND (normal-nondyslipidemic diet), NT (normal-nondyslipidemic diet+5% turmeric), DD (control-dyslipidemic diet), and DT groups (dyslipidemic diet+5% turmeric). Rats were sacrificed at the end of 5 weeks after experiment diet. In this study, turmeric diet (NT, DT) groups in lipid composition as evidenced from the significantly reduction of serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol), atherosclerotic index (AI), cardiac risk factor (CRF), triglyceride (TG), phospholipid (PL), free cholesterol, cholesteryl ester, blood glucose and non esterified fatty acid (NEFA), and elevation of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) (p<0.05). The serum globulin concentration was significantly decreased (p<0.05), and the albumin concentrations were increased in turmeric diet than dyslipidemic rats. Concentrations of sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) in sera were lower in the DT group than DD group. Concentrations of total calcium (T-Ca), phosphorus (Pi) and potassium (K) in sera were higher in the ND, NT and DT groups than DD group. Therefore, it was concluded that the 5% turmeric diet used in the condition of this study had a beneficial effect on dyslipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2019

Women who undergo natural menopause transition have increased numbers of risk factors relating to metabolic syndrome due to estrogen deficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Superhongmi bran extract on metabolic syndrome improvement in menopausal women. Thirty women, who participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, were assigned to placebo-control (n=15) or Superhongmi bran extract (n=15) groups and were asked to consume two tablets (350 mg per extract per tablet) per day. After 12 weeks, weight, body mass index (BMI), plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly decreased, whereas HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), adiponectin, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and GSH (glutathione) concentrations were significantly increased in the Superhongmi bran extract group. Moreover, $17{\beta}-estradiol$, and progesterone levels in the Superhongmi group were significantly higher than those in the placebo-control group. These results suggest that Superhongmi bran extract alleviates metabolic symptom in menopausal women.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.135-146
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• 2022

Obesity is closely associated with profound dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. Recent reports have suggested that alterations in gut microbiota can be linked to diet-induced obesity. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of Weissella confusa WIKIM51 isolated from kimchi were investigated, as evidenced by: i) reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated adipogenesis-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; ii) suppressed gains in body weight and epididymal fat mass; iii) reduced serum lipid levels, for example, triglyceride and total cholesterol; iv) increased serum adiponectin levels and reduced serum leptin levels; v) downregulated lipogenesis and upregulated β-oxidation-related genes in the epididymal fat; and vi) altered microbial communities. The collective evidence indicate the potential value of W. confusa WIKIM51 as a functional food supplement for the prevention and amelioration of obesity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.246-256
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• 2022

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 µM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7r-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and nutrient intakes in three groups: a group with an impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG) condition (62 males and 30 females); a group with normal blood glucose (73 males and 50 females); and a group with diabetes mellitus (DM) (79 males and 49 females). In male subjects, body mass index (BMI) and obesity index values were significantly higher in the IFG group than in normal and DM groups, but waist/hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different from those of the DM group. In female subjects, there was no difference in body weight, BMI, obesity index and WHR values between the IFG and the DM groups. The prevalence of obesity in the IFG group (males 43.6%, females 76.7%) was the highest among the three groups. The percentage of high SBP (40.0%) and high DBP (52.0%) in male subjects of the IFG group was significantly greater than in the DM group or the normal group. In the male subjects, the serum triglyceride concentration was significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal and IFG groups. There was no difference in various nutrient intakes(energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin A and cholesterol) among the three groups. In male subjects, the percentage of energy intake from alcohol was higher in the IFG group (7.0%) than that of the normal (4.5%) and the DM (5.6%) groups. The fasting blood glucose level had a positive correlation with WHR, TG, the athrogenic index and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol. This study suggested that the IFG group had a higher obesity index, BMI, blood pressure and serum lipid levels (TG, cholesterol) than the normal or the DM group; furthermore, the IFG group had higher levels of alcohol intake and habits of taking unbalanced diets. Therefore, guidelines for IFG group should emphasize weight control, diet therapy, physical activities and regular balanced diets, in order to prevent diabetes in this group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.852-861
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• 2009

This study was performed to assess the risk factors associated with hypertension from Jan/2003 to Feb/2003. The subjects were 1,296 people (496 males, 800 females) aged 40 years and over living in Andong rural area. The hypertensive group was composed of 602 people (272 males, 330 females), who were diagnosed as hypertension ($SBP{\geq}140\;mmHg$ or $DBP{\geq}90\;mmHg$) for the first time at this health examination. The mean anthropometric values of body weight, body fat (%), body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were significantly higher in hypertensive group than those in normal group. However, the biochemical measurements such as total-cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-C, LDL-C and fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels did not show any difference between two groups except TG in female. The risk factors of interest in the development of hypertension were analyzed using the multiple logistic regression and expressed as odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidential interval (CI). The results showed that age, sex, obesity, waist circumference, alcohol drinking and meat intakes were risk factors for hypertension. In contrast, cigarette smoking, exercise and the increased fish, fruit and vegetable (except Kimchi) consumption, blood lipid levels and FBG were not linked with the development of hypertension. Nutrient intakes were not associated with hypertension, either. In conclusion, we cannot assert that this study established the existence of the cause-and-effect relationship between nutrient intakes and risk of hypertension in the subjects, but it does suggest that this is a question worth investigating further using a larger scale of case-control study to determine how the past exposure to some nutrient or dietary component relates to the development of the disease.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2001

Obesity and lipid metabolism of SD rats were studied with an edible Nigerian mushroom, namely, Lentinus tuber-regium (Fries) Singer. Experimental diets prepared with Lentinus tuber-regium (LTR) instead of carbohydrates were fed to SD rats for 6 weeks. Body weights gain were decreased (3.2% and 29.3%, respectively) In LTR-50 and LTR-100 groups, whereas food intakes were significantly increased (24.5% and 40.7%, respectively) compared with control group. Feed efficiencies were significantly decreased (22.2% and 49.8%, respectively) in these two LTR groups, whereas gross efficiencies (GE) were increased (9.9% and 10.4%, respectively) compared with control group. The ratios of diet intake (DI)/metabolic body size (MBS) were remarkably increased (50.3% and 136.1%, respectively) in these groups. Triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly decreased (22.4% and 32.6%, 8.3% and 12.7%, respectively) in these two groups, but HDL-cholesterol levels were desirably increased by $3{\sim}10%$ in LTR-added groups. Atherogenic indices (Als) were significantly decreased about $8{\sim}13%$ in LTR-added groups compared with control group. These results suggest that an edible mushroom, Lentinus tuber-regium may inhibit obesity in above 50%-LTR by increasing a diet intake, GE and DI/MBS ratio, but may also effectively modulate a chronic degenerative diseases by improving a lipid metabolism.