• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.228-233
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• 2007

This study evaluated the effects of carnitine supplementation on obesity caused by a high-fat diet in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were fed a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HD), or carnitine-supplemented (0.5% of diet) high-fat diet (HDC) for 12 weeks. The results showed that body weight, energy intake, and feed intake were lower in the HDC group than the control groups. Acid-soluble acylcarnitine (A SAC), acid-insoluble acylcarnitine (AIAC), and total carnitine (TCNE) in the serum and liver were significantly higher in the HDC group. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I activity was significantly higher in the HDC group than the control groups. Acyl-coA synthetase (ACS) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-I (CPT-I) mRNA expression in the liver was highest in the HDC group, however hepatic acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC) mRNA expression in this group was lowest. Serum leptin levels and abdominal fat weight were lowest in the HDC group. We concluded that L-carnitine supplementation diminished the risk of obesity caused by a high-fat diet.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.49-56
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• 2001

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), an endogenous component of the L-carnitine family, is a naturally existing molecule synthesized from L-carnitine (LC) by carnitine acetyl transferase. ALC has been shown to improve the cognitive performance of patients suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer's type and proposed for treating Alzheimer's disease in pharmacological doses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioefuivalence of two ALC tablets, $Nicetile^{TM} (Dong-A Pharmaceutical Co.) and $L-Cartin^{TM}$ (Kuhn Il Pharmaceutical Co.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The ALC release from the two ALC tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method in various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 6.0 and 6.8). Twenty six normal male volunteers, $24.46\pm3.67$ years in age and $64.45\pm5.54$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2\times2$cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 500 mg of ALC was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of ALC in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. Because of the presence of endogenous ALC, the calibration was performed using dialyzed serum. The dissolution profiles of the two ALC tablets were similar in all the dissolution media. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets were $0.35\%,\;0.93\%\;and\;2.34\%$ respectively, when calculated against the $Nicetile^{TM} tablet. The powers $(1-\beta)\;for\;AUC_t$ , and Cmax were $98.72\%\;and\;85.48\%$, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $(\Delta)\;at\;\alpha=0.05\;and\;1-\beta=0.8$ were less than $20\%,\;(e.g.,\;13.21\%\;and\;18.42\%\;for\;AUC_t,\;and\;C_{max}$ respectively). The $90\%$ confidence intervals were within $\pm20\%\;(e.g.,\;-7.38\sim8.09\;and\;-9.86\sim11.72\;for\;AUC_t,\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). These two parameters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $L-Cartin^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Nicetile^{TM} tablet.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.49-55
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• 2001

Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC), an endogenous component of the L-carnitine family, is naturally occurring molecule synthesized from L-carnitine (LC) by carnitine acetyl transferase. ALC has been shown to improve the cognitive performance of patients suffering from dementia of the Alzheimer's type and proposed for treating Alzheimer's disease in pharmacological doses. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two ALC tablets, $Nicetile^{TM}$ (Dong-A pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) and $Neurocetil^{TM}$ (Kyung-Dong Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration. Twenty six normal male volunteers, $22.80{\pm}2.76$ year in age and $63.07{\pm}7.98\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After one tablet containing 500 mg of ALC was orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of ALC in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. Because of the presence of endogenous ALC, the calibration was performed using dialyzed serum. Pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets were 2.72%, -0.65% and -8.42%, respectively, when calculated against the $Nicetile^{TM}$ tablet. The powers $(1-{\beta})$ for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ were 94.87% and 87.17%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta})$ at ${\alpha}=0.05$ and $1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 15.58% and 19.16% $AUC_t\;C_{max}$, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals were within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g., $-11.84{\sim}6.41$ and $-10.57{\sim}11.88$for $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). Two parameters met the criteria of KFDA for bioequivalence, indicating that $Neurocetil^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Nicetile^{TM}$ tablet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.12
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• pp.1748-1755
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• 2016

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of niacin supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism in rabbits. Rex Rabbits (90 d, n = 32) were allocated to two equal treatment groups: Fed basal diet (control) or fed basal diet with additional 200 mg/kg niacin supplementation (niacin). The results show that niacin significantly increased the levels of plasma adiponectin, hepatic apoprotein B and hepatic leptin receptors mRNA (p<0.05), but significantly decreased the hepatic fatty acid synthase activity and adiponectin receptor 2, insulin receptor and acetyl-CoA carboxylase mRNA levels (p<0.05). Plasma insulin had a decreasing tendency in the niacin treatment group compared with control (p = 0.067). Plasma very low density lipoproteins, leptin levels and the hepatic adiponectin receptor 1 and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 genes expression were not significantly altered with niacin addition to the diet (p>0.05). However, niacin treatment significantly inhibited the hepatocytes lipid accumulation compared with the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, niacin treatment can decrease hepatic fatty acids synthesis, but does not alter fatty acids oxidation and triacylglycerol export. And this whole process attenuates lipid accumulation in liver. Besides, the hormones of insulin, leptin and adiponectin are associated with the regulation of niacin in hepatic lipid metabolism in rabbits.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1516-1521
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• 2009

This study was carried out to estimate beneficial effects of medicinal plant [Oenanthe javanica (MNR), Coicis lachryma-jobi L. var. (YM), Plantaginis asiatica L. (CJJ)] water extracts on activities of key enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) and carnitine acetyltransferase (CAT) on lipid metabolism. LPL and ACS were extracted from the epididymal adipose tissue and liver of Zucker lean rats (lean) and Zucker fatty rats (fa/fa). MNR or YM water extract treatment significantly reduced the activity of lean and fa/fa LPL. When 10000 ppm of MNR, YM, and CJJ water extracts were tested, they decreased fa/fa LPL activity by 32.5%, 30.1% and 22.8%, respectively. The lean ACS activity was significantly higher in YM water extract treatment compared to the control and the MNR water extract treatment significantly increased the activity of fa/fa ACS, compared to the activity in the control (p<0.05). MNR water extract activated fa/fa ACS activity by 12-fold compared with control at 10000 ppm concentration. CAT activity was significantly higher in 10000 ppm and 20000 ppm CJJ water extract treatment than in the control. Thus, the MNR, YM and CJJ water extracts may have beneficial effects due to activities of enzymes related with fat metabolism in obese humans.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.522-535
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• 2024

Objective: Transition period is considered from 3 weeks prepartum to 3 weeks postpartum, characterized with dramatic events (endocrine, metabolic, and physiological) leading to occurrence of production diseases (negative energy balance/ketosis, milk fever etc). The objectives of our study were to analyze the periodic concentration of serum beta-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), glucose and oxidative markers along with identification, and validation of the putative markers of negative energy balance in buffaloes using in-silico and quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay. Methods: Out of 20 potential markers of ketosis identified by in-silico analysis, two were selected and analyzed by qRT-PCR technique (upregulated; acetyl serotonin o-methyl transferase like and down regulated; guanylate cyclase activator 1B). Additional two sets of genes (carnitine palmotyl transferase A; upregulated and Insulin growth factor; downregulated) that have a role of hepatic fatty acid oxidation to maintain energy demands via gluconeogenesis were also validated. Extracted cDNA (complementary deoxyribonucleic acid) from the blood of the buffaloes were used for validation of selected genes via qRTPCR. Concentrations of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers were identified with their respective optimized protocols. Results: The analysis of qRT-PCR gave similar trends as shown by in-silico analysis throughout the transition period. Significant changes (p<0.05) in the levels of BHBA, glucose and oxidative stress markers throughout this period were observed. This study provides validation from in-silico and qRT-PCR assays for potential markers to be used for earliest diagnosis of negative energy balance in buffaloes. Conclusion: Apart from conventional diagnostic methods, this study improves the understanding of putative biomarkers at the molecular level which helps to unfold their role in normal immune function, fat synthesis/metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. Therefore, provides an opportunity to discover more accurate and sensitive diagnostic aids.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.686-695
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary choline supplementation on hepatic lipid metabolism and gene expression in finishing pigs with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). Methods: Using a $2{\times}2$ factorial design, eight normal birth weight (NBW) and eight IUGR weaned pigs were fed either a basal diet (NBW pigs fed a basal diet, NC; IUGR pigs fed a basal diet, IC) or a diet supplemented with two times more choline than the basal diet (NBW pigs fed a high-choline diet, NH; IUGR pigs fed a high-choline diet, IH) until 200 d of age. Results: The results showed that the IUGR pigs had reduced body weight compared with the NBW pigs (p<0.05 from birth to d 120; p = 0.07 from d 120 to 200). Increased (p<0.05) free fatty acid (FFA) and triglyceride levels were observed in the IUGR pigs compared with the NBW pigs. Choline supplementation decreased (p<0.05) the levels of FFAs and triglycerides in the serum of the pigs. The activities of malate dehydrogenase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase were both increased (p<0.05) in the livers of the IUGR pigs. Choline supplementation decreased (p<0.05) malate dehydrogenase activity in the liver of the pigs. Gene expression of fatty acid synthase (FAS) was higher (p<0.05) in the IC group than in the other groups, and choline supplementation decreased (p<0.05) FAS and acetyl-CoA carboxylase ${\alpha}$ expression in the livers of the IUGR pigs. The expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) was lower (p<0.05) in the IC group than in the other groups, and choline supplementation increased (p<0.05) the expression of CPT1A in the liver of the IUGR pigs and decreased (p<0.01) the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase in both types of pigs. The gene expression of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) was higher (p<0.05) in the IC group than in the other groups, and choline supplementation significantly reduced (p<0.05) PEMT expression in the liver of the IUGR pigs. Conclusion: In conclusion, the lipid metabolism was abnormal in IUGR pigs, but the IUGR pigs consuming twice the normal level of choline had improved circulating lipid parameters, which could be related to the decreased activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating enzymes or the altered expressions of lipid metabolism-related genes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.1169-1177
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• 2012

An experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different amounts of dietary linoleic acid (LA) on growth performance, serum biochemical traits, meat quality, fatty acids composition of muscle and liver, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 (CPT 1) mRNA expression in the liver of 9 wks old to 13 wks old growing meat rabbits. One hundred and fifty 9 wks old meat rabbits were allocated to individual cages and randomly divided into five groups. Animals in each group were fed with a diet with the following LA addition concentrations: 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 g/kg diet (as-fed basis) and LA concentrations were 0.84, 1.21, 1.34, 1.61 and 1.80% in the diet, respectively. The results showed as follows: the dietary LA levels significantly affected muscle color of LL included $a^*$ and $b^*$ of experimental rabbits (p<0.05). The linear effect of LA on serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol was obtained (p = 0.0119). The saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) contents of LL decreased and the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content of LL increased with dietary LA increase (p<0.0001). The PUFA n-6 content and PUFA n-3 content in the LL was significantly affected by the dietary LA levels (p<0.01, p<0.05). The MUFAs content in the liver decreased and the PUFAs contents in the liver increased with dietary LA increase (p<0.0001). The PUFA n-6 content and the PUFA n-6/n-3 ratio in the liver increased and PUFA n-3 content in the liver decreased with dietary LA increase (p<0.01). The linear effect of LA on CPT 1 mRNA expression in the liver was obtained (p = 0.0081). In summary, dietary LA addition had significant effects on liver and muscle fatty acid composition (increased PUFAs) of 9 wks old to 13 wks old growing meat rabbits, but had little effects on growth performance, meat physical traits and mRNA expression of liver relative enzyme of experimental rabbits.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.964-971
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• 2019

Hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance increases in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Piperine is a major compound found in black pepper (Piper nigrum) and long pepper (P. longum). Piperine has been used in fine chemical for its anti-cancer, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. However, the signaling-based mechanism of piperine and its role as an inhibitor of lipogenesis and insulin resistance in human hepatocyte cells remains ill-defined. In the present study, we explored the effects of piperine on lipid accumulation and insulin resistance, and explored the potential underlying molecular mechanisms in palmitate-treated HepG2 cells. Piperine treatment resulted in a significant reduction of triglyceride content. Furthermore, piperine treatment decreased palmitate-treated intracellular lipid deposition by inhibiting the lipogenic target genes, sterol-regulatory-element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS); whereas the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase (CPT-1) and phosphorylation of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) gene involved in fatty acid oxidation was increased. Moreover, piperine also inhibited the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 (Ser307). Piperine treatment modulated palmitate-treated lipid accumulation and insulin resistance in HepG2 cells with concomitant reduction of lipogenic target genes, such as SREBP-1 and FAS, and induction of CPT-1-ACC and phosphorylation of IRS-1 (Tyr632)-Akt pathways. Therefore, piperine represents a promising treatment for the prevention of lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.789-796
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• 2016

The anti-lipogenic effect of cereal samples on high sucrose diet (HSD)-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice was studied. We divided C57BL/6 mice into various groups based on 8 weeks of treatment with three types of cereal samples (HSD+WR, HSD diet containing 40% white rice; HSD+MCG, HSD diet containing 40% mixed cereal grain; HSD+AO-MCG, HSD diet containing 40% mixed antiobesity-cereal grain). After the experimental period, body weight changes, liver weights, serum lipid profiles, and hepatic fatty acid metabolism-related gene expression levels were determined. We found that HSD+WR, HSD+MCG, and HSD+AO-MCG treatments reduced body weight and liver weight, especially HSD+MCG and HSD+AO-MCG effectively reduced levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. However, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increased compared to the control group. Furthermore, expression of hepatic lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase-1, cluster of differentiation, and $PPAR-{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ${\gamma}$) decreased, whereas expression of ${\beta}-oxidation$ genes such as $PPAR-{\alpha}$ and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 increased following HSD+MCG and HSD+AO-MCG treatment compared with levels in HSD+WR and control groups. These results suggest that the functional cereal samples, especially HSD+AO-MCG treatment, improved hepatic steatosis triggered by an HSD-induced imbalance in hepatic lipid metabolism.