• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.59-68
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• 2014

The extracts and pure saponins from the roots of Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) are reported to have a wide range of health benefits. Platycosides (saponins) from the roots of PG are characterized by a structure containing a triterpenoid aglycone and two sugar chains. Saponins are of commercial significance, and their applications are increasing with increasing evidence of their health benefits. The biological effects of saponins include cytotoxic effects against cancer cells, neuroprotective activity, antiviral activity, and cholesterol lowering effects. Saponins with commercial value range from crude plant extracts, which can be used for their foaming properties, to high purity saponins such as platycodin D, which can be used for its health applications (e.g., as a vaccine adjuvant). This review reveals that platycosides have many health benefits and have the potential to be used as a remedy against many of the major health hazards (e.g., cancer, obesity, alzheimer's) faced by populations around the world. Methods of platycoside purification and analysis are also covered in this review.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.910-918
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• 2017

Hyperlipidemia is known as a glucose and lipid metabolism-related disorder that is increasing in incidence in modern society. Red ginseng (RG) is a natural herb candidate with a positive effect on regulation of cholesterol and lipids. To observe the effects of RG on regulation of lipids, cholesterol, glucose, and oxidative stress, we examined the in vitro and in vivo effects of Chamdahan RG on differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-fed mice. RG ($50{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited lipid synthesis in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, a low concentration of RG (880 mg/kg/d) resulted in the lowest total blood cholesterol level. Moreover, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol quantity increased in RG-treated groups, consequently lowering the cardiovascular risk factor and atherosclerosis index. Moreover, RG increased activity of AMP-activated protein kinase, as a regulator of lipid and cholesterol synthesis, in adipose and liver tissues. Cumulatively, this paper suggests that RG has a positive effect on reducing the amounts of cholesterol and lipids and may be a good candidate for treating hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.573-580
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• 2005

Cholesterol $7\alpha-hydroxylase$ (CYP7A1) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids and plays a central role in regulating cholesterol homeostasis. We previously showed that a fermentable $\beta-glucan$ ingestion decreased plasma cholesterol levels due to fecal bile acid excretion elevation involved inincrease of cholesterol $7\alpha-hydroxylase$ mRNA expression and activity. It is proposed that short chain fatty acids (SCFA) produced by cecal and colonic fermentation of soluble fiber are associated with cholesterol-lowering effect of fiber. In the present study, we investigated whether CYP7A1 expression is up-regulated by short chain fatty acids or by hormones in cultured human hepatoma (HepG2) cells. Confluent HepG2 cell were incubated with acetate, propionate, or butyrate at 1 mM concentration for 24 hrs. Acetate as well as propionate increased to 1.8-fold expression of CYP7A1 mRNA than the control. Butyrate also increased 1.5-fold expression of CYP7A1 mRNA. Our data show for the first time that SCFA increase expression of CYP7A1 mRNA. Adding insulin, dexamethasone and triiodothyronine $(1\;{\mu}M)$ to HepG2 cell increased the expression of CYP7A1 mRNA to $150\%,\;173\%,\;141\%$, respectively. These results suggest that SCFA produced by cecal fermentation stimulate enteric nervous system, in which secreted some neuropeptides may be responsible for change in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism. These findings suggest that SCFA are involved in lowering plasma cholesterol levels due to the up-regulation of CYP7A1 and bile acid synthesis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.246-259
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• 2010

The incidence of chronic disease is continuously increasing in Korea. Especially, office workers have higher risk of chronic disease because of their dietary habit and lifestyle. The study aimed to investigate the effect of tailored nutrition counseling on improving chronic disease risk factors. Ninety-nine male workers (age $46.9{\pm}7.0$ yrs) volunteered for 12 weeks of nutrition program containing dietary intake and physical activity adjustment. Five individualized programs were performed with the main theme of weight loss (WL, n = 16), blood pressure lowering (BL, n = 34), normalizing blood glucose (GL, n = 21), lipid lowering (LL, n = 13) and reducing MS risk factors (ML, n = 15). Anthropometric data, blood-pressure, self-reported questionnaire, blood profiles were measured before and after 12weeks of nutrition education. The education program included 5 times of 1：1 interview. Compared to 0 week, anthropometric data (weight, BMI, fat, visceral fat, waist, SBP, DBP) were significantly decreased after 12 weeks (p < 0.001). Fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol were decreased (p < 0.05). The primary outcomes with individually tailored programs showed to be more effective than one general nutrition program.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.515-524
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate effect of dried powders and ethanol extracts of garlic flesh and peel on lipid metabolism and antithrombogenic capacity in 16-month-old rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 618.1$\pm$6.5 g were blocked into five groups according to body weight and raised for 3 months with control and experimental diets containing 5% (w/w) of dried powders of garlic flesh or peel, or ethanol extracts from equal amount of each dried powder and control diet. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol, and plasma HDL-cholesterol, throm-boxane $B_2$ (TX $B_2$), 6-keto-prostaglandin $F_{1a}$ (6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$) concentrations were measured. Total, insoluble and soluble dietary fibers contents were highest in peel powder followed by fresh powder, and those in ethanol extracts of flesh and peel, especially soluble, very low. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride, and total cholesterol concentrations were lower in all the garlic experimental groups compared to Especially, flesh and peel powder lowered plasma total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations markedly, and flesh powder and flesh ethanol extract lowered liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol concentration remarkably. Plasma TX $B_2$ concentrations in garlic experimental groups were lower than that of control group, and 6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ concentrations. In garlic experimental groups were higher than that of control group. Flesh ethanol extract group showed the lowest TX $B_2$ and the highest 6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ concentrations among experimental groups, so TX $B_2$/6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ ratio in flesh ethanol extract group was significantly lower than that of control group. Moreover, clotting time was significantly increased in flesh ethanol extract group as compared to control group. In conclusion, intakes of dried powders and ethanol extracts of garlic flesh and peel were effective in lowering lipid levels of liver and plasma. And also flesh ethanol extract diet was most effective in antithrombogenic activity among garlic experimental groups as TX $B_2$/6-keto-PG $F_{1a}$ ratio in flesh ethanol extract group was significantly lower and clotting time was significantly increased in this group as compared to control group.ntrol group.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.56-69
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of laser acupuncture to the 532 nm on the five transport points with the heart meridian for treatment to hypertensive disease in rats with L-NAME induced hypertensive. Methods : Hypertensive was induced by L-NAME for 3 weeks. The laser acupuncture therapy on the five transport points of heart meridian(Laser Well Point-HT9, Laser Brook Point-HT8. Laser Stream Point-HT7, Laser River Point-HT4 and Laser Sea Point-HT3) was treated twice a week for 5 times. The hypertensive was measured using a cardiac hypertrophy, atherogenic index, TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio, TCHO, HDLC, TG, AST, ALT, antioxidative effectiveness and glutathione peroxidase quality of hypertensive rats induced by L-NAME. Results : Blood pressure were decreased significantly after the laser acupuncture of Well, Brook and Sea Point groups. Cardiac hypertrophy were decreased at the laser acupuncture of Brook and Stream Point groups. Athrogenic index was decreased at the laser acupuncture of Well, Stream, River and Sea Point groups. TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio was decreased at the laser acupuncture of all groups. Total cholesterol was decreased significantly at the laser acupuncture of Well Point group. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were decreased significantly at the laser acupuncture of Well, Stream and River Point groups. Triglyceride was decreased significantly at the laser acupuncture of Stream Point group. Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GPX) were increased significantly at the laser acupuncture of Well Point group. Conclusions : The laser acupuncture treatment in five transport points of the Heart Meridian was effective for lowering blood pressure, cardiac hypertrophy, Atherogenic index and HTR, and for enhancing antioxidant activity.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.669-675
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• 2007

Quality characteristics of Kwamaegi (semi-dried saury) prepared by treatment of chitosan-ascorbate (CA) and vacuum drying at $40{\sim}60^{\circ}C$(VDK), and the effect of the Kwamaegi on serum lipid profiles and anti-oxidation-related enzyme activity in rats fed high fat diets were investigated. The preparation periods were $4.5{\sim}8.3$ hr in VDK, while naturally dried Kwamaegi (NDK) took 360480 hr. Total microbe contents of VDK and NDK were $0.2{\sim}0.5$ and 8.2 log CFU/g, respectively. There was no significant difference in amino-nitrogen content. Compared with NDK, the acid and peroxide value, and fishy flavor of VDK40 (dried at $40^{\circ}C$) were significantly lower, and the texture, color and overall acceptability were higher. In animal experiments, weight gain, content of LDL-cholesterol and lipid peroxide, activities of total (T) and O type (O) xanthine oxidase, and the O/T ratio (%) were significantly lower in the VDK40 diet group than in the NDK diet group. The content of HDL-cholesterol in the VDK40 diet group was higher than in the NDK diet group. These results suggest that preparing CA-treated Kwamaegi with vacuum-drying at $40^{\circ}C$ can be applied throughout the year, and may shorten preparation time and improve its microbiological safety and nutritional values.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.862-870
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation between vegetarian diet and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The subjects of the study were 127 Buddhist nuns (age:23～79y) from Oonmoon Temple in Choungdo District Gyeongsang Bookdoo Province and 118 Buddhist nuns practicing Zen meditation at Soodeok Temple in Yeosan District Chongcheong namdoo Province. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age:23～79y) were selected. They were the teachers, the nurses of the hospital of Gyeongsang National university and the housekeepers living in chinju Gyeongsang Namdoo Province. The period of this study was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents were consisted of food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, estimating amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. Results were summarized as follows: The mean ages of the subjects were 44.2y for vegetarians and 40.5y for non-vegetarians, respectively. average body mass index (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.47 adn 21.08, WHR 0.85 and 0.84, percentage of body fat 28.79 and 26.55 respectively. The average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.16 years. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index (AI), diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar and HDL-cholesterol of non-vegetarians were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of vegetarians, but ration of HDLcholesterol/total-cholesterol was lower in non-vegetarians. In both of subjects, BMI, WHR, RBW, %BF had sig-nificant positive correlations with triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and AI. BMI, WHR had sig-nificant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure. BMI, WHR had significant negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol. In summary, vegetable diet can contribute to lowering serum lipid level, atherogenic index (AI),systolic blood pressure, blood sugar.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.244-249
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• 2003

To investigate the hepatic oxygen free radical metabolizing system and changes of serum cholesterol levels in rats fed a diet supplemented with Monascus pigment (MP), Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 300 g have been fed a diet supplemented with 2% or 4% MP for a month. The rats fed 2% MP supplemented diet gained less body weight than the control rats and those fed 4% W supplemented diet. Those fed 2% or 4% MP supplemented diet had no remarkable changes in liver function on basis of liver weight/body weight, serum levels of xanthine oxidase, alanine amino transferase activity In rats fed 2% and 4% MP supplemented diet, hepatic cytochrome P45O dependent aniline hydroxylase activity significantly (p<0.05) declined about 32%, 37% respectively and showed no significant differences between rats fed 2% and 4% MP supplemented diet whereas those fed 2% MP supplemented diet showed about 29% increased hepatic xanthine oxidase activity. And hepatic glutathione S-transferase and glutathione peroxidase activites in rats fed 2% MP supplemented were more increased by about 17%, 28% respectively than the control rats. There were no significant differences both in between those fed 2% and 4% MP supplemented diet. Especially rats fed 2% or 4% MP supplemented diet showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in hepatic catalase activity by 41%, 25% compared with control rats and those fed 4% MP supplemented diet showed more decrease in tendency of catalase activity than those 2% MP supplemented diet. But hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content were appeared to be similar value among three groups. On the other hand, rats fed 2% MP supplement diet showed 17% increased levels of serum HDL-choresterol and 26% decreased value of LDL-cholesterol and serum level of triglyceride. But no different value were appeared between those fed 2% and 4% MP supplemented diet. Especially in those fed 2% and 4% MP supplemented diet, artherogenic index were significantly (p<0.05) declined by 37%, 29% respectively compared with control. In conclusion, it is likely that rats fed a diet supplemented with a proper quantity of MP may have the potential of oxygen free radical detoxication and lowering of artherogenic index.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.260-266
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• 2009

The effects of ${\beta}$-glucosidase on the overall growth performance and a set of physiological parameters of broilers were investigated. 240 male, one-day old Avine broiler chickswere randomly allocated to four treatment groups and fed with a corn-soybean meal supplemented with 0% (control), 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% ${\beta}$-glucosidase. The 0.2% ${\beta}$-glucosidase group, but not the 0.4% and 0.6% ${\beta}$-glucosidase groups, showed a significantly increased average daily weight gain (p<0.05) over that of the control. All three ${\beta}$-glucosidase feed groups showed significantly higher feed conversion ratios than the control group (p<0.05). Feed supplementation of 0.2% ${\beta}$-glucosidase significantly raised the contents of serum isoflavone aglycones as shown by decreases of genistin and daizin (p<0.01) and an increase of daidzein (p<0.01). The 0.2% ${\beta}$-glucosidase feeding significantly increased the intestinal amylase activity while it had little effect on lipase and trypsin activities (p>0.05). 0.2% ${\beta}$-glucosidase feeding also significant elevated the levels of highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol and malate dehydrogenase while lowering the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Finally, ${\beta}$-glucosidase improved the anti-oxidative activities of the animals; the 0.2% ${\beta}$-glucosidase feed group had higher activities of superoxide dismutase (p<0.05), glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the liver (p<0.05), and malondialdehyde level in the serum (p<0.05).