• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-32
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Atherosclerosis is associated with increased inflammation in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT). Vitamin D has been reported to modulate the inflammatory responses of stromal vascular cells (SVCs) and adipocytes in adipose tissue, but the role of vitamin D in atherosclerosis biology is unclear. This study examined the effects of in vitro 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25[OH]₂D₃) treatment on the inflammatory responses of SVCs and adipocytes from atherosclerotic mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6J (B6) mice were divided randomly into 2 groups and fed a 10% kcal fat control diet (control group, CON) or 41% kcal fat, 0.21% cholesterol (high fat + cholesterol, HFC) diet (obese group, OB), and B6.129S7-Ldlr^tm1Her/J (Ldlr^-/-) mice were fed a HFC diet (obese with atherosclerosis group, OBA) for 16 weeks. SVCs and adipocytes isolated from VAT were pre-incubated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ for 24 h and stimulated with lipopolysaccarides for the next 24 h. Proinflammatory cytokine production by adipocytes and SVCs, the immune cell population in SVCs, and the expression of the genes involved in the inflammatory signaling pathway in SVCs were determined. RESULTS: The numbers of total macrophages and SVCs per mouse were higher in OB and OBA groups than the CON group. The in vitro 1,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment significantly reduced macrophages/SVCs (%) in the OBA group. Consistent with this change, the production of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) by SVCs from the OBA group was decreased by 1,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment. The 1,25(OH)₂D₃ treatment significantly reduced the toll-like receptor 4 and dual-specificity protein phosphatase 1 (also known as mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 1) mRNA levels in SVCs and MCP-1 production by adipocytes from all 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that vitamin D can attribute to the inhibition of the inflammatory response in VAT from atherosclerotic mice by reducing proinflammatory cytokine production.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.136-147
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• 2007

Objective : Recently there are a lot of attempts to treat obesity through energy expenditure. Especially UCP-1 and PPAR-${\delta}$ is known to play a key role for energy dissipation through the increasing thermogenesis. Gambi-hwan extract is a traditional medicine made of herbs containing the polyunsaturate fatty acids related to the energy expenditure. It is expected to reduce the weight by means of the expression of UCP-1 and PPAR-${\delta}$. Meterial and Method : We divided 21 rats into 3 groups and assigned 8 rats respectively. The normal group was administered normal diet, the control group was administered high-fat diet, and the G50 group was administered high-fat diet with Gambi-hwan extracts50 mg/kg. And then the weights of body, food intake, the changes of lipids in blood stream, and the expressions of UCP-1 and PPAR-${\delta}$ on adipose tissues were measured respectively. Result : The reduction of body weight and the increasing tendency of expression of UCP-1 and PPAR-${\delta}$ mRNA were shown in G50 group. In the G50 group the Triglyceride level is decreased and the HDL-cholesterol level and the expression of PPAR-${\delta}$ and UCP-1 protein on Visceral adipose tissue were significantly increased. Conclusion : This result indicates that Gambi-hwan Extract upregulate the expression of UCP-1 and PPAR-${\delta}$ in adipose tissue, which may contribute to reducing the weight of adipose tissue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.389-393
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• 2017

This study investigated the effects of Sinetrol-XPur (polyphenolic Citrus spp. and Paullinia cupana Kunth dry extract) on lipolysis using leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice. Obese mice were treated with two different doses, 100 mg/kg body weight (B.W.) and 300 mg/kg B.W. in each AIN93G supplement, for 7 weeks. Body weight gain in obese mice treated with both low and high doses of Sinetrol-XPur was reduced compared with control obese mice. Abdominal and visceral adipose tissue weight of mice were reduced in high dose supplemented groups. Epididymal adipose tissue weight was reduced in both low and high dose supplemented groups by 18.27% and 41.05%, respectively. Phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) mRNA levels decreased upon Sinetrol supplementation in adipose tissue of ob/ob mice, whereas A kinase anchor protein 1 (AKAP1), adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and perilipin (PLIN) mRNA levels increased. These results suggest that Sinetrol-XPur supplementation partially stimulates lipolysis through reduction of PDE3B and induction of AKAP1, ATGL, and/or PLIN gene expression, resulting in reduced body and white adipose tissue weight.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.153-167
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• 2007

Objetives This experimental study is designed to investigate the effects of kwakhyangjungkisangamibang extract on the changes of adipose tissues, serum insulin and leptin levels in rats induced by a high fat diet. The leptin has been proposed to be involved in the role of food intake and energy expenditure. Methods During the 8 weeks of experimental period, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on the 2 different diets: the normal diet AIN-76A and high fat(beef tallow) diet ad libitum, of which 40% of the calories intake was fat. 9 rats in the control and high fat diet group were killed for the baseline experiment at 4 weeks of age. The high fat diet group was divided into three groups: control group, experimental group I(high fat diet plus kwakhyangjungkisangamibang extract), and experimental group II(high fat diet plus mahuang). The body weight, hypodermal fat tissue, serum lipid profile, insulin and leptin levels were measured after the administration of the high fat diet and extract. Results 1. The body weight was decreased in experimental group II, but there was not a significance difference compared to the control group. 2. The peritoneal, visceral, and hypodermal adipose tissue was decreased in experimental group I, but there was not a significance difference compared to the control group. 3. The lipid profile was decreased in experimental group I, but not in group II. 4. The insulin concentration was increased in experimental group I and II, but there was not a significance difference compared to the control group. 5. The leptin level was increased significantly in experimental group I(p<0.05) and II(p<0.01) compared to the control group. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that kwakhyangjungkisangamibang has an effect on the regulation of obesity.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.91-95
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• 2009

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor $\alpha$ and estrogen are believed to be involved in metabolic changes leading to obesity. To test this relationship, we divided female wildtype and PPAR$\alpha$-deficient mice fed on a high fat diet into the following groups: mock-operated, ovariectomized (OVX), and $E_2$-treated. The visceral white adipose tissue and plasma cholesterol levels were increased significantly in wild type OVX and decreased in the $E_2$-treated group, but interestingly not in PPAR$\alpha$-deficient mice. The mRNA levels of lipoprotein lipase in adipose tissue were also increased in only wild type OVX and decreased significantly in $E_2$-treated mice. These novel results suggest the possibility of signaling crosstalk between PPAR$\alpha$ and $E_2$, causing obesity in vivo.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-22
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Wolbigachul-tang1(WBCEx1) on obesity using high fat diet-induced male mice and to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved. Methods : 8-week old C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; lean control, obese control, WBCEx1, 2, 3. After mice were treated with WBCEx1(water extract), 2(30% ethanol extract), 3(water extract; Ephedra sinica Stapf., Gypsum fibrosum) for 12 weeks, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, the messenger RNA(mRNA) expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor(PPAR)$\alpha$ target genes were measured. In addition, $PPAR{\alpha}$ target gene expression was examined in liver, white adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Results : 1. WBCEx1-treated mice had significantly lower body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio. 2. Consistent with the effects on body weight gain, WBCEx1 decreased the weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, inguinal subcutaneous adipose tissue, and brown adipose tissue. 3. WBCEx1 significantly decreased plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels. 4. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by WBCEx1, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased. Hepatic lipid accumulation was decreased by WBCEx1. 5. WBCEx1 did not affect the mRNA expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$ target genes in liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle. 6. Plasma asparate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) and creatine concentrations were in the physiological range. Liver and kidney weights were significantly lower following WBCEx treatment compared with obese controls, indicating that WBCEx does not show any toxic effects on liver and kidney. Conclusions : These results suggest that WBCEx1-induced body weight reduction is associated with appetite control and mediated by a mechanism other than the activation of $PPAR{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.81-88
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• 2008

Objectives To investigate the relationship between Heart Rate Variability and menopause among obese middle-aged women in Korea. Subjects and Methods Forty middle-aged women (age 49.05 $\pm$ 2.64 years) with BMI > $23kg/m^2$ were recruited by local advertisement. Blood profiles of estrogen, FSH, LH, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured. Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) was estimated by short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) were accessed using Computerized Tomography (CT), Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA), and anthropometry. To scrutinize the influence of ANS on obesity-related factors, we divided the subjects into pre- and post-menopausal women. Results The total cholesterol, FSH and LH were significantly higher in post-menopausal obese women group. The estradiol and standard deviation of all normal R-R intervals (SDNN), high-frequency components (HF) of the HRV were significantly lower in postmenopausal obese women group (P<0.05). Adipose tissue distribution and blood profiles were not significantly different between two groups. Conclusion Menopause induced a decrease in SDNN and HF values and increase in total cholesterol level in obese women although the VAT itself was not related with ANS in obese women.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.283-294
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) shares pathophysiological properties with other visceral fats and potentially triggers local inflammation. However, the association of EAT with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still debatable. The study aimed to observe the changes and associations in EAT and risk factors over time, as well as to investigate whether EAT was associated with CVD. Methods: A total of 762 participants from Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) and SNUH Gangnam Center were included in this study. EAT was measured using coronary computed tomography angiography. Results: Baseline EAT level was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), calcium score, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) 10-year risk score, glucose, triglycerides (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but not with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). At follow-up, EAT levels increased in all groups, with low EAT groups demonstrating a significant increase in EAT per year. Change in EAT was associated with a change in BMI, TG/HDL, and glucose, while changes in LDL, calcium score, and ASCVD 10-year risk score were not associated. Although calcium score and ASCVD 10-year risk score were associated with CVD events, baseline information of EAT, baseline EAT/body surface area, or EAT change was not available. Conclusions: Metabolic risks, e.g., BMI, TG/HDL, and glucose, were associated with EAT change per year, whereas classical CVD risks, e.g., LDL, calcium score, and ASCVD 10-year risk score, were not. The actual CVD event was not associated with EAT volume, warranting future studies combining qualitative assessments with quantitative ones.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2007

Objectives : In this study we investigated the antiobese effects of mixed pills of pickled black soybeans with herbs(herbal Chokong pill, hereafter HCKP) in rats fed high-fat diet. It was evaluated by measuring the changes of body weight, adipose tissues weight and lipid profiles in serum. Methods : Black soybeans were pickled in vinegar for 15 days to prepare Chokong, at room temperature. For treatment group, HCKP was prepared, which five kinds of medicinal herbs(Rhynchosia nulubilis, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Zizyphus vulgaris, Atractylodes macrocephala K, Astragalus membranaceus and Cornus officinalis) were added to dried Chokong. Four groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed different diets during 9 weeks: normal diet containing 5%(w/w) com oil, high-fat diet containing 10%(w/w) lard plus 5%(w/w) corn oil (HF), high-fat diet supplemented with 1%(T1) and 5%(T5) HCKP powder, respectively. Results : The T5 group had markedly lower body weight gain and weights of epididymal adipose tissue when compared with HF group. There were significant differences in visceral adipose tissue weights, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations between the HF and T5 group. Then, the efficacy of powered HCKP on body weight and lipid profiles change in rats fed high-fat diet were induced dose dependantly. Conclusion : These results suggest that the possibility of HCKP, as an antiobese functional formula, by suppression of body weight gain and improved lipid profiles.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.159-171
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• 2022

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the impact of baseline values and temporal changes in body composition parameters, including skeletal muscle index (SMI) and visceral adipose tissue area (VAT), measured using serial computed tomography (CT) imaging on the prognosis of operable breast cancers in Asian patients. Materials and Methods: This study retrospectively included 627 Asian female (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 53.6 ± 8.3 years) who underwent surgery for stage I-III breast cancer between January 2011 and September 2012. Body composition parameters, including SMI and VAT, were semi-automatically calculated on baseline abdominal CT at the time of diagnosis and follow-up CT for post-treatment surveillance. Serial changes in SMI and VAT were calculated as the delta values. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was used to evaluate the association of baseline and delta SMI and VAT values with disease-free survival. Results: Among 627 patients, 56 patients (9.2%) had breast cancer recurrence after a median of 40.5 months. The mean value ± SD of the baseline SMI and baseline VAT were 43.7 ± 5.8 cm²/m² and 72.0 ± 46.0 cm², respectively. The mean value of the delta SMI was -0.9 cm²/m² and the delta VAT was 0.5 cm². The baseline SMI and VAT were not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 0.983; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.937-1.031; p = 0.475 and adjusted HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.995-1.006; p = 0.751, respectively). The delta SMI and VAT were also not significantly associated with disease-free survival (adjusted HR, 0.894; 95% CI, 0.766-1.043; p = 0.155 and adjusted HR, 1.001; 95% CI, 0.989-1.014; p = 0.848, respectively). Conclusion: Our study revealed that baseline and early temporal changes in SMI and VAT were not independent prognostic factors regarding disease-free survival in Asian patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer.