• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1233-1243
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• 2018

Sterol regulatory-element binding proteins (SREBPs) are a family of transcription factors that regulate lipid homeostasis and metabolism by controlling the expression of enzymes required for endogenous cholesterol, fatty acid (FA), triacylglycerol, and phospholipid synthesis. The three SREBPs are encoded by two different genes. The SREBP1 gene gives rise to SREBP-1a and SREBP-1c, which are derived from utilization of alternate promoters that yield transcripts in which distinct first exons are spliced to a common second exon. SREBP-2 is derived from a separate gene. Additionally, SREBPs are implicated in numerous pathogenic processes, such as endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis. They also contribute to obesity, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases. Genome-wide analyses have revealed that these versatile transcription factors act as important nodes of biological signaling networks. Changes in cell metabolism and growth are reciprocally linked through SREBPs. Anabolic and growth signaling pathways branch off and connect to multiple steps of SREBP activation and form complex regulatory networks. SREBPs are activated through the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway in these processes, but the molecular mechanism remains to be understood. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of SREBPs in physiology and pathophysiology at the cell, organ, and organism levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.429-449
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• 1992

The consumption of foods rich in TDF should not be associated with impaired mineral absorp-tion and long-term mineral status. In surveys of populations consuming high amounts of TDF e.g Third World populations and vegetarinas gross deficiencies in mineral nutrition have not been noted. If mineral status is low among these groups it is most likely caused by the inadequacy or imbalance of the diet and not by the TDF. The key word is interaction which should be inte-rpreted in dietary imbalances that produce nut-rient deficiencies. There are no strong data to support the concept that TDF inhibits mineral absorption through a binding chelation mechanism. Limited data sug-gest that positively charged groups on polymers such as chitosan and cholestyramine will decrease iron absorption in humans and animals. Because TDF does not contain positively charged groups future research should be directed at the possible role of protein consumed along with TDF and the combination of effects on mineral nutrition Phytic acid is acknowledged as a potent chela-tor of zinc. However its association with zinc and its propensity to lower Zn bioavaiability may enhance the absorption of other elements notably copper and iron. The importance of interactions among nutrients including TDF will gain addi-tional attention in the scientific community. Soluble and insoluble dietary fiber function di-fferently in the intestine. Insoluble fibers accele-rate movement through the intestine. Soluble die-tary fibers appear to regulated blood concentra-tions of glucose and cholesterol albeit by some unknown mechanism. In creased viscosity produ-ced by the SDF in the intestine may provide an explanation of how this class of polymers affects plasma glucose cholesterol and other nutrients. Employing a double-perfusion technique in the rat we demonstrated that viscosity produced by SDF will delay transfer of zinc into the circulatory system. This delayed absorption should not be interpreted as decreased utilization. A great deal of additional research is required to prove the importance of luminaly viscosity produced by SDF on slowing nutrient absorption or regulating bllod nutrient homeostasis. Increased intake of TDF in the total human diet appears desirable. A dietary intake of 35g/day should not be considered to have a negative effect on mineral absorption. It is important to educate people that an intake of more than 35g TDF/day may cause an imbalance in the diet that can adve-rsely affect mineral utilization. Acknowledgments. Appreciation is given to Dr. George V. Vahouny(deceased) who was intense a great competitor in and out of science and who gave the author inspiration Portions of this work were supported by the University of Missouri Ag-ricultural Station and by a grant from the Univer-rch Support Grant RR 07053 from the National Institutes of Health. Contribution of the Missouri Agriculatural Experiments Station Journal Series No. 10747.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.765-779
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• 2003

Physiological lipid mixtures comprised of cholesterol, ceramide and free fatty acid better maintain epidermal homeostasis and have been recently used for dermatoses induced by skin barrier damage, for example for atopic dermatitis and xerotic skin. Itching and dry atopic dermatitis of the skin may be related to altered skin barrier function. In a previous study, the use of multi-lamellar emulsion (MLE), which is a lipid mixtures containing cholesterol, pseudoceramide and free fatty acid, has been shown to accelerate the recovery of the epidermal permeability barrier. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of MLE compared with a currently used anti-itch moisturizer (AIM), the active ingredients of which are menthol and camphor, on barrier recovery after barrier disruption. To clarify the effect of MLE and AIM after acute barrier perturbation, we measured the relation between transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and the barrier recovery rate at 3, 6, 24, and 48 hours after tape stripping hairless mice and then observed changes in the stratum corneum (SC), including the intercellular lipid structure and secretion of lamellar bodies, by electron microscopy. MLE treated skin recover skin barrier function more rapidly, and AIM treated skin delayed barrier repair. Morphological changes in the epidermis, of MLE treated skin revealed well-conserved lipid multi-lamellar structures at 24 h after tape stripping, whereas AIM treated skin showed altered lamellar bilayers within the SC interstices at 48 h. In addition, MLE treated skin showed an increase in the number of LBs and in their secretions and a decrease in the number of SC layers versus AIM treated skin. These results suggest that MLE may accelerate the production of an epidermal permeability barrier in hairless mice by increasing the number and secretion of LB and improve the dryness and itch associated with an altered epidermal permeability barrier.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.370-375
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• 2009

Purpose : The risk of metabolic syndrome (MS) and cardiovascular disease in Turner syndrome (TS) patients is high. We analyzed metabolic factors in adults with TS and evaluated the metabolic risk of insulin resistance. Methods : Forty-three adults with TS were enrolled. The frequency of MS and the values of the metabolic factors were analyzed. Patients were divided into insulin resistant and non-resistant groups according to values of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The correlations of HOMA-IR with metabolic parameters were analyzed. Results : The frequency of MS was 7% and those of each metabolic parameter were as follows: insulin resistance, 16.3%; central obesity, 15.4%; hypertriglyceridemia, 2.3%; low HDL cholesterol, 9.3%; hypertension, 36.8%. The insulin-resistant group had significantly higher values of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), HOMA-IR, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) than the non-resistant group (P<0.05). HOMA-IR showed a significantly positive correlation with BMI, WC, FPG, and SBP and showed a negative correlation with HDL cholesterol. Conclusion : This study suggests that adults with TS have a high risk of metabolic syndrome, and insulin resistance is correlated with metabolic factors. Therefore, TS patients should have their metabolic parameters monitored regularly to minimize metabolic complications and prevent cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.411-419
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• 2016

Purpose: Dysregulation of adipokines caused by excess adipose tissue has been implicated in the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) ethanol extract on lipid metabolic changes, insulin resistance, adipokine balance, and body fat reduction in obese rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF, 40% kcal from fat), or high-fat diet with 1% mugwort extract (HFM) for 6 weeks. Results: Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat mass increased in the HF group compared with the NC group, and epididymal fat mass was reduced in the HFM group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the groups. However, triglyceride (TG), TG/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio increased in the HF group and significantly decreased in the HFM group. TG and TC levels in the liver were significantly higher in the HF group, whereas these levels were significantly reduced in the HFM group. HF rats had lower insulin sensitivity as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value. HOMA-IR values significantly decreased in the HFM group. Adiponectin levels were higher in NC rats, and their leptin and PAI-1 levels were lower. Relative balance of adipokines was reversed in the HF group, with lower adiponectin levels but higher leptin and PAI-1 levels. In contrast, the HFM group maintained balance of adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/PAI-1 levels similar to NC by reducing leptin and PAI-1 levels. Conclusion: Overall data indicated that mugwort extract can be effective in alleviating metabolic dislipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a natural, hydrophilic nontoxic bile acid, is clinically effective for treating cholestatic and chronic liver diseases. We investigated the chronic effects of UDCA on age-related lipid homeostasis and underlying molecular mechanisms. Twenty-week-old C57BL/6 male and female mice were fed a diet with or without 0.3% UDCA supplementation for 25 weeks. UDCA significantly reduced weight gain, adiposity, hepatic triglyceride, and hepatic cholesterol without incidental hepatic injury. UDCA-mediated hepatic triglyceride reduction was associated with downregulated hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and of other genes involved in lipogenesis (Chrebp, Acaca, Fasn, Scd1, and Me1) and fatty acid uptake (Ldlr, Cd36). The inflammatory cytokines Tnfa, Ccl2, and Il6 were significantly decreased in liver and/or white adipose tissues of UDCA-fed mice. These data suggest that UDCA exerts beneficial effects on age-related metabolic disorders by lowering the hepatic lipid accumulation, while concurrently reducing hepatocyte and adipocyte susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The anti-diabetic activity of pear through inhibition of ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ has been demonstrated. However, little has been reported about the effect of pear on insulin signaling pathway in obesity. The aims of this study are to establish pear pomace 50% ethanol extract (PPE)-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity and characterize its action mechanism in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Lipid accumulation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and glucose uptake were measure in 3T3-L1 cells. Mice were fed HFD (60% kcal from fat) and orally ingested PPE once daily for 8 weeks and body weight, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum lipids were measured. The expression of proteins involved in insulin signaling pathway was evaluated by western blot assay in 3T3-L1 cells and adipose tissue of mice. RESULTS: In 3T3-L1 cells, without affecting cell viability and lipid accumulation, PPE inhibited MCP-1 secretion, improved glucose uptake, and increased protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 [p-IRS-1, ($Tyr^{632})$)], p-Akt, and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Additionally, in HFD-fed mice, PPE reduced body weight, HOMA-IR, and serum lipids including triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol. Furthermore, in adipose tissue, PPE up-regulated GLUT4 expression and expression ratio of p-IRS-1 ($Tyr^{632})/IRS$, whereas, down-regulated p-IRS-1 ($Ser^{307})/IRS$. CONCLUSIONS: Our results collectively show that PPE improves glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells and insulin sensitivity in mice fed a HFD through stimulation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, PPE-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity was not accompanied with lipid accumulation.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.10a
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• pp.127-127
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• 2018

Probiotics are microorganisms that have beneficial effects on the health of the host. The health promoting effect by probiotics influences suppressing harmful bacteria, prevention of constipation, blood cholesterol reduction and regulation of blood pressure. Prebiotics are used to promote the growth or activity of microorganisms. Synbiotics, which are a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics, synergize in the intestines by complementing each other. Synbiotics not only improves the viability of the probiotics while passing through the gastrointestinal tract, maintain intestinal homeostasis, but also regulate balance of harmful and useful bacterial growth. Glycine max Merr (GMM) has been widely used in Asian countries to treat cancer, obesity, oxidative stress and imbalanced immune diseases. In addition, it has been reported that dietary fiber-rich grains promote bowel movements and prevent constipation. In this study, we investigated the viability of LactobacillIus buchneri (L.buchneri) strains, known as lactic acid bacteria under conditions of gastric fluid and intestinal fluid to determine the suitability of L.buchneri as probiotics. The adhesion ability of L.buchneri to caco-2 cells was also confirmed. The present studies showed that GMM extract promoted the growth and activity of L.buchneri strains as prebiotics. Also, this results suggested that the mixture of L.buchneri and GMM extract can helps maintain intestinal health and healthy body as synbiotics and health functional food material.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.646-652
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• 2010

Gambejaeseup-tang (GBJST) have recently been used as an anti-obesity herbal medicine but their effect and mechanism of action have not been studied. We modified ingredients of GBJST based on the previous experiments about exploring herbs to suppress triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We investigated the effects of modified GBJST on energy, glucose and lipid homeostasis using female rats with diet-induced obesity and their action mechanism was also determined. Rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) were divided into 3 groups: rats in each group received 0.2 or 2 g water extracts of modified GBJST (L-GBJST or H-GBJST) or 2 g cellulose per kg body weight (a negative control) on a daily basis. A further group was fed a low-fat diet (LFD) as a positive control. We found that modified GBJST dose-dependently decreased body weight and mesenteric and retroperitoneal fat more than the control. This decrease was due to the reduction in energy intake and the increase of energy expenditure. HFD increased fat oxidation more than LFD and modified GBJST further increased fat oxidation as a major energy source more than the control in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, H-GBJST improved glucose tolerance without changing serum insulin levels during an oral glucose tolerance test. H-GBJST also suppressed the increase of serum total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels by HFD. In conclusion, modified GBJST have a good anti-obesity effect by decreasing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure mainly as fat in female rats with diet-induced obesity. It also improves glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2008

Purpose: Advanced techniques now make it possible to remove considerable amounts of subcutaneous adipose tissue more safely with minimum blood loss. However, few have analyzed the metabolic consequences of liposuction. The purpose of this study was to identify the early effects of the surgical removal of subcutaneous fat on metabolic changes in patients who have undergone liposuction. Methods: Nineteen patients were evaluated from June 2005 to December 2005. Preoperative body weight, serums levels of lipids, apolipoprotein A1, dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA), uric acid, insulin, and glucose were evaluated. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), which is based on fasting glucose and insulin concentrations. All of these data were remeasured in 1 and 4 weeks postoperatively. Tumescent fluid was infiltrated using the superwet technique. The liposuction device used was a $Liposlim^{(R)}$ power-assisted unit. Results: Average volumes of infiltrate and aspirate were 3,268mL and 2,892mL, respectively. Results in 1 week postoperatively demonstrated a significant difference in high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, apolipoprotein A1, insulin, and HOMA-IR levels. However, all values were within normal limits and returned to baseline in 4 weeks postoperatively.Conclusion: This study provides little to support the presumed therapeutic effect of liposuction. And, it is unclear whether liposuction can prevent or be used to treat the metabolic complications of obesity. However, the results of the present study lead us to believe that liposuction is a metabolically safe procedure.