• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.134-140
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• 2000

This study was performed to investigate the effects of n-3 fatty acids on renal function in male Sprague-Dawley rats of different ages 5-, 15- and 19-months old. The rats were fed a 20%(w/w) lipid diet containing 10% fish oil, compared with control animals fed a 20% lipid diet without fish oil for 4 weeks. The results were as follows: kidney weights were significantly higher in fish oil-fed rats compared to control rats. Plasma levels of total lipid, total cholesterol, and triglyceride markedly increased, with aging and LDL-cholesterol showing a significantly lower level in fish oil-fed rats than control rats. The urinary protein and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased with aging. GFR was higher in fish oil-fed rats. However, urinary protein was the same in the two groups. Renal medulla thromboxane B$_2$(TXB$_2$)tended to be lower in fish oil-fed 19-month-old rats. Urinary TXB$_2$and PGE$_2$were found to be higher proteinuria. Light microscopic examination showed interstitial inflammation, tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and glomerular mesangium increase. Although glomerular sclerosis increased with aging, fish oil in the diet had no effect on histological changes. In conclusion, plasma lipid, urinary protein excretion and renal histological change showed a significant increase with aging. The reduction of TXB$_2$in the medulla and increase of GFR caused by fish oil indicated n-3 fatty acid could affect renal function in line with the hypolipidemic effect.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.191-195
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• 2010

There is an increasing interest in curcumin (Curcuma longa L.) as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) protective agent via decreased blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) level. The aim of this study was to investigate further the potential mechanism in the hypocholesterolemic effect of curcumin by measuring cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), a rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of bile acid from cholesterol, at the mRNA level. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a 45% high fat diet or same diet supplemented with curcumin (0.1% wt/wt) for 8 weeks. The curcumin diet significantly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) by 27%, total cholesterol (TC) by 33.8%, and LDL-cholesterol by 56%, respectively as compared to control group. The curcumin-supplemented diet also significantly lowered the atherogenic index (AI) by 48% as compared to control group. Hepatic TG level was significantly reduced by 41% in rats fed with curcumin-supplemented diet in comparison with control group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the curcumin diet significantly increased fecal TG and TC. The curcumin diet up-regulated hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA level by 2.16-fold, compared to control group p (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that the increases in the CYP7A1 gene expression may partially account for the hypocholesterolemic effect of curcumin.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2003

In experiment 1, rats (n＝6) fed diet containing 10 g/kg cholesterol for 4 wk (control) with either no amaranth (control), amaranth grain (300 g/kg, AG) or amaranth oil (90 g/kg, AO). Both the AG and AO groups had lower concentration of serum and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride than the controls (p < 0.05). Fecal excretions of cholesterol and bile acid in AO group increased about 4 fold and 2 fold, respectively, while AG affected only bile acid excretion (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, rats (n＝6) were fed the cholesterol diet for 4 wk and injected intraperitoneally with saline (control) or amaranth squalene (AS) for 7d. The hypolipidemic effect of AS was evident in both serum and liver. Fecal excretions of cholesterol and bile acid were greater (p < 0.05) in AS than control. HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase activity was reduced in AS group (11.6%, p=0.13). This study suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effect of AS is mediated by greater fecal elimination of steroids through interference with cholesterol absorption.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.214-218
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential hypolipidemic effect of job's tears diet with the controlled intake of fiber in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Forty eight rats were fed either control diet or experimental diets (Raw, milled job's tears(RMJ); Raw, whole grain job's tears(RWJ);Steamed, milled job's tears(SMJ);Roasted, milled job's tears(OMJ)) for 3 weeks. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), free fatty acid(FFA) and triglyceride (TG) in plasma, liver and skeletal muscle were compared. Compared to diabetic control group, the level of plasma TC was lower in OMJ an SMJ fed rats, and was not different from that in RMJ and RWJ fed rats. The level of LDL-C was significantly lower in RMJ, OMJ and SMJ fed rats. For plasma HDL-C levels, no difference was observed among all group. Plasma FFA level significantly lower in RMJ, SMJ and RWJ fed rats, Plasma TG a levels of all job's ears fed groups were 50∼70% lower and liver TG levels of all job's tears fed groups were 70∼80% lower than those fo diabetic control group. For muscle TG, no differences were seen among all groups. These results suggest that steamed job's tears and roasted job's tears could have the potentaila on improving lipid profile fo diabetes in clinical setting and the different cooking methods of job's tears might affect the lipid profile of the diabetic rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.850-857
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• 2001

The study was designed to observe whether the conjugated linoleic acid supplemented to diet could reduce plasma levels of glucose and lipids which were increased in 27-weeks old Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty(OLETF) rats. Twenty male OLETF rats of 7 weeks old were fed an experimental diet containing 4.5%(w/w) total fat including 1% CLA and six of twenty rats were sacrified at 6 weeks feeding. The rest of OLETF rats was divided into 2 groups, one group was continuously fed for 14 weeks more the same experimental diet containing 1% CLA and the other group was fed control diet which eliminated CLA. CLA did not significantly reduce food intake and body weight gain in OLETF obese rats. Plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol level were significantly increased at older age of OLETF obese rats, but CLA could significantly reduce plasma cholesterol and triglyceride increased in obese rats. However, CLA was not strong enough to reduce the increased plasma glucose level and hepatic lipogenic enzyme acitivies. CLA was mostly deposited in epididymal fat pad and could be incorporated into hepatic microsomal membrane and did interfere the conversion of C18 : 0 into C18 : 1 in liver. In conclusion, CLA could have anti-atherogenic effect by reducing plasma cholesterol and triglyceride which was increased in genetically obese rats, but CLA(1%) was not good source of dietary fatty acid to reduce body fatness and plasma glucose which was increased by obese gene in older rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.530-535
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Mesangi (Capsosiphon fulvescens, CF, a green alga) on lipid metabolism in rats, which was examined by analyzing the lipid composition in serum. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of three groups: the basal diet, high cholesterol, and high cholesterol supplemented with 5% dry Mesangi powder (CF-supplemented group). The body weight gains and food efficiency ratios of the rats fed the CF-supplemented diet were lower than those of the rats fed the basal diet. The levels of total lipid, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in serum were reduced in the CF-supplemented group as compared to the cholesterol group. However, the level of HDL-cholesterol in blood increased with the addition of CF to the diet. Furthermore, levels of total lipid and cholesterol of liver in experimental group fed CF were significantly lower than the cholesterol group. A decrease in leptin expression levels was observed in the CF-supplemented group as compared to the cholesterol group. These results suggest that the addition of CF in hypercholesterolemic rats has an effect on the improvement of serum and liver levels of cholesterol, which may be related to the regulation of the atherogenic index and lipid metabolism in rats fed CF.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.202-209
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• 2011

This study was initiated to investigate the effects of lyophilized purslane (Portulaca oleracea) powder (5% and 10%) on lipid levels in rats fed a hypercholesterolemia-inducing diet (1% cholesterol). During the four week study, there were no significant differences in either weight change or the food efficiency ratio between the group fed the hypercholesterol diet alone (HC) and the groups fed the purslane powder (HCPO-I and HCPO-II, 5% and 10% purslane, respectively). In serum, the levels of total lipid, total cholesterol and LDL-C decreased significantly for the group fed the 10% purslane powder (HCPO-II) in comparison with the group fed the 5% purslane powder (HCPO-I). The atherogenic index (AI) was reduced by about 51% for the group fed the 10% purslane powder (1.47) in comparison with the HC group (3.03). The activities of GOT, GPT, ALP and LDH decreased significantly for the groups fed the purslane powder in comparison with the HC group. Regarding liver tissue, the levels of total lipid, total cholesterol and triglyceride decreased significantly for the purslane powder-fed rats compared to the HC group. The fecal lipid profiles increased significantly as the amount of purslane powder was increased. Compared to the HC group, the fecal total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were higher in the group fed the 10% purslane powder by about 2.8 times and 2.3 times, respectively. For the serum and liver tissue, the content of lipid peroxide decreased significantly in the groups fed purslane powder compared to the HC group. The data from this experiment show an increase in the lipid levels discharged in feces, suggesting that the supplementation of purslane powder to a hypercholesterolemia-inducing diet reduces lipid levels.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1387-1393
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• 2007

Hambag mushroom is edible mushroom, and one of new strains in Grifola frondosa. It was developed from Korean wild Grifola frondosa by National Institute Science & Technology. In this study, we investigated the effects of the powder extracted from fruit-body of hambag mushroom on hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia and pancreatic cells in rats with streptozotocin (STZ) and high fat diet-induced diabetes. The diabetic rats were fed with hambag mushroom-powder (1 and 2% of diet weight) for 6 weeks. And then the levels of blood glucose and lipid and the pancreatic tissue were analyzed and compared. The diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder lost less body weight than those fed with the powder-free normal diet. flood glucose levels in the diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder at all concentrations was lower by 50% than in the diabetic rats fed with normal diet. The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol in the diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder were increased compared to those in the diabetic rats fed with normal diet. There were the blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol by hambag mushroom-powder concentrations in a dose-dependent response. The decreased damage of pancreatic tissue in the group treated with hambag mushroom-powder could be suggested possibly as one of mechanisms for the effects of hambag mushroom-powder on hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2009

Recently, Korean people are consuming seaweeds almost 3.5 times more now than three decades ago. It is well known that seaweeds contain lots of soluble dietary fiber in addition to micronutrients such as ${\beta}$-carotene, iodine and some bioactive components. Seaweeds are considered to be effective for preventing chronic diseases including obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, cancer or constipation. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of seamustard intake on body weight gain, blood glucose level and lipid profiles in rats fed diets with different energy nutrient composition. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (average initial weight 103.7g) were divided into groups for two experiments as follows; Control, M2.5 & M5 groups (Exp. I) and M5, M10, HCM5, HCM10, HFM5 & HFM10 groups (Exp. II). The rats were fed diet and water ad libitum for 4 weeks. In general, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and triglyceride concentration among groups. In Exp. I, serum LDL-cholesterol level of rats fed diet with 5% seamustard powder (M5) was significantly lower than that of control group, while HDL-cholesterol level, TC/LDL ratio and weight of adrenal gland were higher. In Exp. II, food intake, body weight gain and EER of high fat diet with 10% seamustard group (HFM10) were the lowest among groups. Except gastrocnemius muscle, all organ weights of HFM10 group were the lowest. Fecal cholesterol excretion and serum LDL-cholesterol concentration of HFM10 group were the highest, while serum HDL-cholesterol level was the lowest among groups. Interestingly, HDL-cholesterol concentration was the highest in HCM5 group among groups. From these results, it was suggested that seamustard intake might be more effective for body weight control, but not for improving blood lipid profiles in high fat diet than in high carbohydrate diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.914-920
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• 1998

The effect of dietary pectin, tangerine pulp meal, propionate, lactate or fumarate on cholesterol (C) and triacylglycerol(TG) levels in the serum and liver, and the effect of pectin on dietary C absorption were studied in a series of three experiments. Mature female Sprague Dawley rats were fed a control diet or diets containing 5% pectin, 5% tangerine pulp meal, 3% propionate, 3% lactate 3% fumarate, or 10% pectin. Serum total C levels were lower(p<0.05) in rats fed the diet containing 5% pectin than in control rats after a 4-week feeding period(93.8 vs 119.2mg/100mL). Serum HDL, LDL+VLDL C levels were not different among diet groups. Liver total C level was also lower(p<0.05) in rats fed the diet containing 5% pectin than in control rats, but liver TG level was not influenced by diet. Dietary propionate, lactate or fumarate did not reduce serum C, indicating that propionate is not a regulator of serum C. However, dietary pectin(10%) increased fecal excretion of dietary C(or its metabolites) more than 70% over a control value. Our data indicate that dietary pectin reduces serum and liver C levels by increased fecal secretion of dietary C, but not by its fermentation product propionate or other gluconeogenic substrates. (Korean J Nutrition 31(5) : 914∼920, 1998)