• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.928-933
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• 2005

This study was carried out to understand the effects of Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen manufactured by different production process and Rosa rugosa on blood sugar in the db/db mice. Bambusae Caulis in Liquamen(L-BCL, H-BCL) manufactured by low or high temperature production process and Rosa rugosa were used. The effects of L-BCL, L-BCL+Rosa rugosa, H-BCL and H-BCL+Rosa rugosa were observed in terms of blood sugar, creatinine, BUN, ALT in db/db mice. The results were as follows : The amount of glucose was significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the experimental groups compared with the control. The amount of Creatinine ovserved decrease in the case of L-BCL group. The amount of blood urea nitrogen observed significant decrease in the case of H-BCL and H-BCL+Rosa rugosa groups. The amount of ALT did not show any differences among five groups.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.666-676
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• 2006

Gangliosides are widely distributed in mammalian cells and play important roles in various functions such as cell differentiation and growth control. In addition, diabetes and obesity cause abnormal development of reproductive processes in a variety of species. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects, and how they are related, are not fully understood. This study examined whether the differential expression of gangliosides is implicated in the abnormal follicular development and uterine architecture of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced and db/db diabetic mice. Based upon the mobility on high-performance thin-layer chromatography, mouse ovary consisted of at least five different ganglioside components, mainly gangliosides GM3, GM1, GD1a and GT1b, and diabetic ovary exhibited a significant reduction in ganglioside expression with apparent changes in the major gangliosides. A prominent immunofluorescence microscopy showed a dramatic loss of ganglioside GD1a expression in the primary, secondary and Graafian follicles of STZ-induced and db/db diabetic mice. A significant decrease in ganglioside GD3 expression was also observed in the ovary of db/db mice. In the uterus of STZ-induced diabetic mice, expression of gangliosides GD1a and GT1b was obviously reduced, but gangliosides GM1, GM2 and GD3 expression was increased. In contrast, the uterus of db/db mice showed a significant increase in gangliosides GM1, GD1a and GD3 expression. Taken together, a complex pattern of ganglioside expression was seen in the ovary and uterus of normoglycemic ICR and $db/^+$ mice, and the correspoding tissues in diabetic mice are characterized by appreciable changes of the major ganglioside expression. These results suggest that alterations in ganglioside expression caused by diabetes mellitus may be implicated in abnormal ovarian development and uterine structure.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.199-205
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• 2015

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), the major active constituent of ginseng, improves insulin sensitivity and exerts antidiabetic effects. We tested whether the insulin-sensitizing and antidiabetic effects of G-Rb1 results from a reduction in ectopic fat accumulation, mediated by inhibition of lipolysis in adipocytes. Methods: Obese and diabetic db/db mice were treated with daily doses of 20 mg/kg G-Rb1 for 14 days. Hepatic fat accumulation was evaluated by measuring liver weight and triglyceride content. Levels of blood glucose and serum insulin were used to evaluate insulin sensitivity in db/db mice. Lipolysis in adipocytes was evaluated by measuring plasma-free fatty acids and glycerol release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with G-Rb1. The expression of relevant genes was analyzed by western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Results: G-Rb1 increased insulin sensitivity and alleviated hepatic fat accumulation in obese diabetic db/db mice, and these effects were accompanied by reduced liver weight and hepatic triglyceride content. Furthermore, G-Rb1 lowered the levels of free fatty acids in obese mice, which may contribute to a decline in hepatic lipid accumulation. Corresponding to these results, G-Rb1 significantly suppressed lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and upregulated the perilipin expression in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and mouse epididymal fat pads. Moreover, G-Rb1 increased the level of adiponectin and reduced that of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in obese mice, and these effects were confirmed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusion: G-Rb1 may improve insulin sensitivity in obese and diabetic db/db mice by reducing hepatic fat accumulation and suppressing adipocyte lipolysis; these effects may be mediated via the upregulation of perilipin expression in adipocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.425-429
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• 2008

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile-onset diabetes, results from a cellular-mediated autoimmune destruction of the ${\beta}$-cells of the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes, or adult-onset diabetes, is a term used for individuals who have insulin resistance, a condition that makes it harder for the cells to properly use insulin, and usually have relative insulin deficiency. The diabetes causes the onset of chronic complications and diabetic neuropathy is one of the most debilitating complications. In this study, the hypoglycemic effect and the preventive effect of diabetic complications of Dioscorea rhizoma extract(DRE) were examined in rodent model. We investigated the glucose tolerance test and long term hypoglycemic effect of DRE in Type 1 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and Type 2 diabetic db/db mice. DRE showed a hypoglycemic effect on blood glucose levels than that of control group in Type 1 streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and Type 2 diabetic db/db mice. On the basis of our results, we conclude that long-term use of DRE might help decrease blood glucose level and prevention of diabetes-associated complication.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.107-111
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of quercetin (QE) in animal models of diabetes mellitus (DM). A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without QE (100 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) was orally administered to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats after an overnight fast. Postprandial plasma glucose levels were measured and incremental areas under the response curve were calculated. To study the effects of chronic feeding of QE, five-week-old db/db mice were fed an AIN-93G diet, a diet containing QE at 0.08%, or a diet containing acarbose at 0.03% for 7 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Plasma glucose and insulin, blood glycated hemoglobin, and maltase activity of the small intestine were measured. Oral administration of QE (100 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) to STZ-treated rats significantly decreased incremental plasma glucose levels 30-180 min after a single oral dose of starch and the area under the postprandial glucose response, compared with the control group. QE (0.08% of diet) or acarbose (0.03% of diet) offered to db/db mice significantly reduced both plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin compared to controls without significant influence on plasma insulin. Small intestine maltase activities were significantly reduced by consumption of QE or acarbose. Thus, QE could be effective in controlling fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in animal models of DM.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.201-207
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• 2012

This study investigated the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects of dietary quercetin in an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Four-week-old C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice (n = 18) were offered an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing quercetin at 0.04% (low quercetin, LQE) or 0.08% of the diet (high quercetin, HQE) for 6 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Plasma glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profiles, and lipid peroxidation of the liver were determined. Plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in the LQE group than in the control group, and those in the HQE group were even further reduced compared with the LQE group. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) showed lower values for LQE and HQE than for the control group without significant influence on insulin levels. High quercetin increased plasma adiponectin compared with the control group. Plasma triglycerides in the LQE and HQE groups were lower than those in the control group. Supplementation with high quercetin decreased plasma total cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol compared with the control group. Consumption of low and high quercetin reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver. Thus, quercetin could be effective in improving hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetes.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.9.1-9.10
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• 2019

Mesangial cell proliferation has been identified as a major factor contributing to glomerulosclerosis, which is a typical symptom of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) levels are increased in the glomerulus of the kidney in diabetic mice. LPA is a critical regulator that induces mesangial cell proliferation; however, its effect and molecular mechanisms remain unknown. The proportion of ${\alpha}-SMA^+/PCNA^+$ cells was increased in the kidney cortex of db/db mice compared with control mice. Treatment with LPA concomitantly increased the proliferation of mouse mesangial cells (SV40 MES13) and the expression of cyclin D1 and CDK4. On the other hand, the expression of $p27^{Kip1}$ was decreased. The expression of $Kr{\ddot{u}}ppel$-like factor 5 (KLF5) was upregulated in the kidney cortex of db/db mice and LPA-treated SV40 MES13 cells. RNAi-mediated silencing of KLF5 reversed these effects and inhibited the proliferation of LPA-treated cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were activated, and the expression of early growth response 1 (Egr1) was subsequently increased in LPA-treated SV40 MES13 cells and the kidney cortex of db/db mice. Moreover, LPA significantly increased the activity of the Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (Rac1) GTPase in SV40 MES13 cells, and the dominant-negative form of Rac1 partially inhibited the phosphorylation of p38 and upregulation of Egr1 and KLF5 induced by LPA. LPA-induced hyperproliferation was attenuated by the inhibition of Rac1 activity. Based on these results, the Rac1/MAPK/KLF5 signaling pathway was one of the mechanisms by which LPA induced mesangial cell proliferation in DN models.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.172-178
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• 2009

Fermented ginseng (FG) is an ethanol extract of ginseng radix processed with $\beta$-galactosidase. It was hypothesized that FG may exert anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-diabetic activities through modulating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in HepG2 human hepatoma cells. In this study, we showed that AMPK phosphorylation was stimulated by FG. These effects were abolished by pretreatment with an AMPK inhibitor, compound C. In addition, FG regulated the expression of genes associated with lipogenesis and lipolysis, thus causing suppression of hepatic triglyceride accumulation. In vivo study using db/db mice, FG reduced fasting plasma glucose, HbAlc, and insulin resistance index, when compared to diabetic control. FG also increased the phospho-AMPK and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expressions in liver and skeletal muscle, respectively. In liver, expressions of lipogenic gene were decreased whereas expressions of lipolytic genes were induced, when compared to diabetic control. Taken together, we may suggest that FG ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia through activation of AMPK and could be developed as a health functional food or therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1343-1348
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate the effects of silk protein enzyme hydrolysates on blood glucose and serum lipid in db/db diabetic mice. Twelve week-old-male C57BL/KsJ db/db mice were divided into two groups: diabetic control group and 0.25% silk protein hydrolysates solution group, which were fed for 8 weeks. Body weight increased in the silk protein hydrolysates group compared with the diabetic control group. There were no differences in food and water intake between the diabetic control and the silk protein hydrolysates groups. The weight of liver increased in the silk protein hydrolysates group while that of kidney increased in the diabetic control group. The blood glucose level increased about 18.0% in the diabetic control group after 8 weeks while that in the silk protein hydrolysates group increased about 5.8%. Also, silk protein hydrolysates improved the glucose tolerance in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. There was no difference in total cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol concentration between the diabetic control and the silk protein hydrolysates group. Triglyceride concentration were lower in the silk protein hydrolysates group than in the diabetic control group (p<0.05) while HDL-cholesterol concentration were higher in the silk protein hydrolysates group than in the diabetic control group (p<0.05). This results suggest that administration of silk protein enzyme hydrolysates reduces significantly an increasing rate of 1]food glucose, decreases triglyceride, and increases HDL-cholesterol in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.134-144
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• 2015

The anti-diabetic effects of Allium tuberosum Rottler extracts (ATE) and ATE fermented with lactic acid bacteria in db/db mice were evaluated. The electron donating activity of ATE fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus casei, respectively, increased compared to that of ATE, but the superoxide radical scavenging activity of the ATE incubated with L. plantarum decreased. The superoxide radical scavenging activity of the ATE fermented with both L. plantarum and L. casei was similar to that of the ATE. Therefore, fermented ATE (FATE) was prepared for in vivo testing by incubating it with both L. plantarum and L. casei. The db/db mice were divided into six groups: normal (non-diabetic mice), diabetic control (DM), and four experimental groups administered 200 or 400 mg/kg/day ATE (ATE200 and ATE400) and 200 or 400 mg/kg/day FATE (FATE200 and FATE400). Weight gain was significantly inhibited in the FATE200 group compared with that in the other db/db mice groups (p<0.05). The areas under the curve of the ATE400 and FATE400 groups were significantly smaller than that of the DM group in the glucose tolerance evaluation. The serum glucagon-like peptide-1 levels in the ATE400 and FATE400 groups increased. These results indicate that administering ATE and FATE may be effective against anti-hyperglycemia by regulating insulin resistance. In particular, FATE may be beneficial for controlling obesity in type 2 diabetes.