• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.279-284
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• 2005

Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) plays a major role in thermogenesis, and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to estimate the effects of A-3826G polymorphism of UCP-1 gene on body fat distribution. Two hundred forty eight Korean female overweight subjects with BMI more than 25 kgfm2 participated in this study. The areas of abdominal subcutaneous and visceral fat of all subjects were measured from computed tomography cross sectional pictures of the umbilical region. Subcutaneous fat areas of upper and lower thigh were also measured. Body composition was measured by bio-impedance analysis, and serum concentrations of biochemical parameters, such as glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol etc, were also measured. Genotype of UCP-1 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) method. The frequencies of UCP-1 genotypes were AA type; $27.8\%,\;AG\;type;\;51.2\%\;and\;GG\;type;\;21.0\%,$ and the frequency of G allele was 0.47. Body weight, BMI, WHR, SBP, DBP and body compositions were not significantly different by UCP-1 genotype. Abdominal visceral fat area was significantly higher in AG and GG type compared with AA type (p=0.009), but subcutaneous fat areas were not significantly different by UCP-1 genotype. Among biochemical parameters, LDL cholesterol level was significantly higher in GG type compared with AA and AG types (p=0.033). Among all subjects, 121 subjects finished 1 month weight loss program containing hypocaloric diet and exercise. The reduction of body weight and BMI were lower in GG type compared with AA/AG type even though statistical significances were not found (p > 0.05). These results suggest that UCP-1 genotype has a significant effect on visceral fat accumulation among Korean female overweight subjects with BMI more than $25\;kg/m^2$.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.1065-1070
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• 2006

The avian uncoupling protein (avUCP) is a member of the mitochondrial transporter superfamily that uncouples proton entry in the mitochondrial matrix from ATP synthesis. The sequencing analysis method was used to identify nucleotide polymorphisms within the avUCP gene in Korean native chicken (KNC). This study identified ten single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the avUCP gene. We analyzed the SNPs of the avUCP gene to investigate whether polymorphism in the gene might be responsible for quantitative variations in economic traits in KNC. Three significant polymorphic sites for economic traits were avUCP C+282T (mean body weight, p<0.05), avUCP C+433T (daily percent lay, p<0.05), and avUCP T+1316C (daily percent lay, p<0.05). The frequency of each SNP was 0.125 (C+282T in avUCP gene exon 1 region), 0.150 (C+433T in avUCP gene intron 1 region), and 0.15 (T+1316C in avUCP gene exon 3 region), respectively. Among the identified SNPs, one pair of SNPs (genotype CC, C+282T and TT, avUCP C+433T) showed the highest daily percent lay (p<0.05) and mean body weight (p<0.05) and the frequency was 0.067. This study of the avUCP gene could be useful for genetic studies of this gene and selection on economic traits for KNC.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.419-424
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• 2021

Cold-induced norepinephrine activates β3-adrenergic receptors (β3-AR) to stimulate the kinase cascade and cAMP-response element-binding protein, leading to the induction of thermogenic gene expression including uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1). Here, we showed that stimulation of the β3-AR by its agonists isoproterenol and CL316,243 in adipocytes increased the expression of Ucp1 and Heme Oxygenase 1 (Hmox1), the principal Nrf2 target gene, suggesting the functional interaction of Nrf2 with β3-AR signaling. The activation of Nrf2 by tert-butylhydroquinone and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by glucose oxidase induced both Ucp1 and Hmox1 expression. The increased expression of Ucp1 and Hmox1 was significantly reduced in the presence of a Nrf2 chemical inhibitor or in Nrf2-deleted (knockout) adipocytes. Furthermore, Nrf2 directly activated the Ucp1 promoter, and this required DNA regions located at -3.7 and -2.0 kb of the transcription start site. The CL316,243-induced Ucp1 expression in adipocytes and oxygen consumption in obese mice were partly compromised in the absence of Nrf2 expression. These data provide additional insight into the role of Nrf2 in β3-AR-mediated Ucp1 expression and energy expenditure, further highlighting the utility of Nrf2-mediated thermogenic stimulation as a therapeutic approach to diet-induced obesity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.1401-1406
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• 2018

Objective: The uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) is a member of the mitochondrial anion carrier superfamily and has crucial effects on growth and feed efficiency in many species. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine the association of polymorphisms in the UCP3 gene with feed efficiency in meat-type chickens. Methods: Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the UCP3 gene were chosen to be genotyped using matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry in meat-type chicken populations with 724 birds in total. Body weight at 49 (BW49) and 70 days of age (BW70) and feed intake (FI) in the interval were collected, then body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated individually. Results: One SNP with a low minor allele frequency (<1%) was removed by quality control and data filtering. The results showed that rs13997809 of UCP3 was significantly associated with BWG and FCR (p<0.05), and that rs13997811 had significant effects on BW70 and BWG (p<0.05). Rs13997812 of UCP3 was strongly associated with BW70, FI, and FCR (p<0.05). Furthermore, individuals with AA genotype of rs13997809 had significantly higher BWG and lower FCR (p<0.05) than those with AT genotype. The GG individuals showed strongly higher BW70 and BWG than AA birds in rs13997811 (p<0.05). Birds with the TT genotype of rs13997812 had significantly greater BW70 and lower FCR compared with the CT birds (p<0.05). In addition, the TAC haplotype based on rs13997809, rs13997811, and rs13997812 showed significant effects on BW70, FI, and FCR (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results therefore demonstrate important roles for UCP3 polymorphisms in growth and feed efficiency that might be used in meat-type chicken breeding programs.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.186-196
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• 2023

Dyglomera^® is an aqueous ethanol extract derived from the fruit and pods of Dichrostachys glomerata. A previous study has revealed that Dyglomera regulates adipogenesis and lipolysis by modulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and increased expression levels of lipolysis-related proteins in white adipose tissue of high fat diet-induced mice and 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. To further investigate mechanisms of Dyglomera, additional studies were performed using 3T3-L1 cells. Results revealed that Dyglomera downregulated adipogenesis by inhibiting the protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway and reconfirmed that it downregulated gene expression levels of proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein α, sterol-regulation element-binding protein-1c. Dyglomera also reduced adipokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β, and interleukin 6 by regulating leptin expression. Moreover, Dyglomera promoted beige-and-brown adipocyte-related phenotypes and regulated metabolism by increasing mitochondrial number and expression levels of genes such as T-box protein 1, transmembrane protein 26, PR domain 16, and cluster of differentiation 40 as well as thermogenic factors such as uncoupling protein 1, proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1α, Sirtuin 1, and PPARα through AMPK activation. Thus, Dyglomera not only can inhibit adipogenesis, but also can promote lipolysis and thermogenesis and regulate metabolism by affecting adipokine secretion from 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2003

Although various raw plant materials have been demonstrated to exert anti-obesity effects to a greater or lesser extent in both humans and animals when they are used to supplement the diet, it has not been shown extensively that they influence adipocyte cell differentiation involving lipid metabolic gene expressions. Using a well-established 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation system, we decided to look into molecular and cellular event occurring during adipocyte differentiation when raw plant materials aye included in the process, in an effort to demonstrate the potential use of a screening system to define the functions of traditionally well-known materials. To these ends, the effects of ethanol (EtOH) or EtOH/distilled water (DW) extracts of Wax Gourd were examined using cytochemical and molecular analyses to determine whether components of the extracts modulate adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-Ll preadipocytes in vitro. The cytochemical results demonstrated that EtOH or EtOH/DW extracts did not affect lipid accumulation and cell proliferation, although the degree of lipid accumulation was influenced slightly depending on the extract. EtOH extract was highly effective in apoptotic induction during differentiation of 3T3-Ll preadipocytes (p<0.05). Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), Uncoupling protein (Ucp) 2, 3 and 4 also showed that while LPL expression was not influenced, Ucp2, 3 and 4 were up regulated in the EtOH extract-treated group and down regulated in the EtOH/DW extract-treated group. These changes in gene expressions suggest that the components in different fractions of Wax Gourd extracts may modulate lipid metabolism by either direct or indirect action. Taking these results together, it was concluded that molecular and cellular analyses of adipocyte differentiation involving lipid metabolic genes should facilitate understanding of cellular events occurring during adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, the experimental scheme and analytical methods used in this study should provide a screening system for the functional study of raw plant materials in obesity research.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2011

Capsaicin is a pungent component of red pepper, which is widely consumed as food adjuncts. The present study was performed to investigate anti-obesity effects of capsaicin in diet-induced obese rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=14) were fed with a high-fat diet (Control) or high-fat diet containing 0.016% capsaicin (w/w) (Capsaicin) for 8 weeks. The final body weight and the mass of white adipose tissue were significantly lower in capsaicin supplemented group compared to control. Dietary capsaicin ameliorated lipid profiles with decrease in the plasma concentrations of triglycerides and total cholesterol, and decrease in the levels of total lipids and triglycerides in the liver. Activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), an indicator of triglyceride biosynthesis in white adipose tissue, decreased by 35% in the group supplemented with capsaicin. However, consumption of capsaicin increased the expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in white adipose tissue, which is related to energy consumption. Our data suggests that capsaicin may reduce body weight and fat accumulation in high fat diet-induced obese rats. These effects may be mediated, at least partially, by the upregulation of UCP2 gene expression and its ability to inhibit GPDH activity.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2004

A rainbow trout uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) cDNA clone, encoding a 310 amino acid protein, was cloned and sequenced from a liver cDNA library. Two different splice variants designated UCP3-vl and UCP3-v2, were identified through liver cDNA library screening using rainbow trout UCP3 cDNA clone as a probe. UCP3-vl has 3 insertions in the UCP3 cDNA: the first insertion (133 bp), the second (141 bp), and the third (370 bp) were located 126 bp, 334 bp and 532 bp downstream from the start codon, respectively. UCP3-v2 contained a single insertion, identical in sequence and location to the second insertion of UCP3-vl. UCP3, a mitochondrial protein, functions to modulate the efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. UCP3 has been detected from heart, testis, spinal cord, eye, retina, colon, muscle, brown adipose tissue and white adipose tissue in mammalian animals. Human and rodent UCP3s are highly expressed in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue, while they show weak expression of UCP3 in heart and white adipose tissue. In contrast to mammalian studies, RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis of the rainbow trout demonstrated that UCP3 is strongly expressed in liver and heart. UCP3, UCP3-vl, and UCP3-v2 all contain an Ava III short interspersed element (SINE), located in the 3'untraslated region (UTR). PCR using primers from the Ava III SINE and the UCP3 3'UTR region indicates that the UCP3 cDNA is structurally conserved among salmonids and that these primers may be useful for salmonid species genotyping.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.346-354
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• 2006

The full-length cDNA of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) and silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was obtained from liver. The grass carp UCP2 cDNA was determined to be 1152 bp in length with an open reading frame that encodes 310 amino acids. Five introns (Intron 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) in the translated region, and partial sequence of Intron 2 in the untranslated region of grass carp UCP2 gene were also obtained. Gene structure comparison between grass carp and mammalian (human and mouse) UCP2 gene shows that, the UCP2 gene structure of grass carp is much similar to that of human and mouse. Partial UCP2 cDNA sequences of bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis) and mud carp (Cirrhinus molitorella), were further determined. Together with the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) UCP2 sequence from GenBank (AJ243486), multiple alignment result shows that the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the UCP2 gene, were highly conserved among the five major Chinese carps that belong to four subfamilies. Using beta-actin as control, the ratio UCP2/beta-actin mRNA (%) was determined to be $149.4{\pm}15.6$ (common carp), $127.4{\pm}22.1$ (mud carp), $96.7{\pm}12.7$ (silver carp), $94.1{\pm}26.8$ (bighead carp) and $63.7{\pm}16.2$ (grass carp). The relative liver UCP2 expression of the five major Chinese carps, shows a close relationship with their food habit: benthos and detrituseating fish (common carp and mud carp) > planktivorious fish (silver carp and bighead carp) > herbivorious fish (grass carp). We suggest that liver UCP2 might be important for Chinese carps to detoxify cyanotoxins and bacteria in debris and plankton food.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.531-538
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• 2017

This study was performed to investigate the effects of garlic on uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) transcriptional regulation of UCP2-luciferase transgenic mice fed on a high fat diet to induce obesity. To examine the transcriptional regulation of UCP2, we generated transgenic mice with a UCP2 promoter (-1,830/+30 bp) containing luciferase as a reporter gene. UCP2-luciferase transgenic mice were fed a 45% high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. Subsequently, mice were maintained on either a high-fat control diet (TG-CON), or high-fat diets supplemented with 2% (TG-GL2) or 5% (TG-GL5) garlic for a further 8 weeks. Dietary garlic reduced body weight and energy efficiency ratio in the TG-GL5 group, compared to the TG-CON group. Furthermore, garlic supplementation significantly decreased white adipose tissue fat mass and plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and leptin in the TG-GL2 and TG-GL5 groups, compared to the TG-CON group. Specifically, UCP2 promoter activity in metabolic tissues such as liver, white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle was increased by garlic supplementation. These results suggest that dietary garlic was partially associated with an increase of UCP2 transcriptional activity in metabolic tissues for decreasing obesity.