• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated whether Gelidium amansii extract (GAE) ameliorates obesity in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The mice were maintained on a high-fat diet (HD) for 5 weeks to generate the DIO mouse model. And then mice fed HD plus 0.5% (GAE1), 1% (GAE2) or 2% (GAE3) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: After the experimental period, GAE-supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in body weight gain and liver weight. GAE supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in both epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissue mass. The plasma leptin level was significantly higher in the HD group than in GAE-supplemented groups. The leptin level of HD+GAE3 group was significantly lower than that of the HD+conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) group. In contrast, plasma adiponectin level of the HD group was significantly lower than those of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups. The expression levels of adipogenic proteins such as fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ in the GAE supplemented groups were significantly decreased than those in HD group, respectively. In addition, the expression levels of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups are significantly decreased compared to those of HD+CLA group. On the contrary, the expression levels of hormone-sensitive lipase and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase, proteins associated with lipolysis, were significantly increased in the GAE supplemented groups compared to those in the HD group. HD+GAE3 group showed the highest level among the GAE supplemented groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that GAE supplementation stimulated the expressions of lipid metabolic factors and reduced weight gain in HD-fed C57BL/6J obese mice.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2012

This study was to investigate the effects of high-fat diet feeding for a very long period of time on gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in mouse adipose tissue and to determine whether caloric restriction (CR) or insulin sensitizer treatment changes the cytokine gene expressions even in obese mice fed a high-fat diet for a very long term-period. Gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were examined by real-time PCR in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SubQ) from obese and non-obese male C57BL/6 mice at 16, 26, 36, 47, and 77 weeks of age on either normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HFD) after starting at 6 weeks of age. In addition, gene expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 were determined in SubQ before and after rosiglitazone treatment or CR on 47-week-old obese mice. The results demonstrated that gene expression levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 and MCP-1 were significantly increased with aging in SubQ of mice in both groups of diet. MCP-1 gene expression of SubQ in all ages tested was significantly or marginally increased in mice on HFD compared with ND. While TNF-${\alpha}$ expression was significantly reduced by rosiglitazone, IL-6 and MCP-1 were significantly decreased by CR. The basic data in this study will be useful for characterizing the C57BL/6 mouse as an animal model of obesity induced by high-fat diet feeding for a very long period of time, and a better understanding of inflammatory cytokine regulation in diet induced obesity which may facilitate the development of new therapeutic strategies to prevent the complications of obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2016

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-obesity effect of Galgeuntang (gegentang) and elucidate the effect of it on gene expression related to obesity. Methods The experiments were performed with the use of Diet-Induced Obese mice. They were grouped NC (normal control), HFD (high fat diet control), GGT (Galgeun-tang (gegentang), 700 mg/kg), ORL (Orlistat, 10 mg/kg). GGT was orally administered for 12 weeks. Body weight was measured every week. Real-time PCR was performed to investigate the effect of GGT on gene expression in liver tissue. Results GGT group and ORL group were reduced in body weight compared with HFD. HFD increased $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1, Leptin, aP2, FATP1, FAS gene expression compared with NC. GGT increased FATP1 gene expression. But GGT reduced $PPAR{\gamma}$ & FAS gene expression in liver tissue of diet-induced obese mice compared with HFD. Conclusions These results suggest that GGT is supposed to have a certain impact on the treatment of obesity. But more study is needed in the future.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2017

This study was performed to investigate the ameliorating effects of steamed soybeans (SS) and fermented SS (FSS) on lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. ICR mice were divided into four groups and given the following different diets: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD with 1% SS (HFD + SS), and HFD with 1% FSS (HFD + FSS). After 14 weeks, the body weight gain was higher in the HFD group compared with the ND group but lower in the HFD + FSS group compared with the HFD group. Plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were significantly higher in the HFD group compared to the ND group, but lower in the HFD + SS and HFD + FSS groups compared with the HFD group. In addition, leptin concentration in plasma was lower in the groups fed HFD + SS and HFD + FSS compared with the HFD group. The accumulation of hepatic TG and TC was significantly inhibited in the HFD + SS and HFD + FSS groups. Furthermore, SS and FSS attenuated lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide formation in the liver induced by the high-fat diet. These results suggest that soybeans, especially FSS, may be useful in preventing obesity-induced abnormalities in lipid metabolism.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2014

Obesity is an epidemic disease characterized by an increased inflammatory state and chronic oxidative stress with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, obesity alters cholesterol metabolism with increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols and triglycerides and decreases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols. It has been shown that mulberry leaf and fruit ameliorated hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic conditions in obese and diabetic subjects. We hypothesized that supplementation with mulberry leaf combined with mulberry fruit (MLFE) ameliorate cholesterol transfer proteins accompanied by reduction of oxidative stress in the high fat diet induced obesity. Mice were fed control diet (CON) or high fat diet (HF) for 9 weeks. After obesity was induced, the mice were administered either the HF or the HF with combination of equal amount of mulberry leaf and fruit extract (MLFE) at 500mg/kg/day by gavage for 12 weeks. MLFE treatment ameliorated HF induced oxidative stress demonstrated by 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and modulated the expression of 2 key proteins involved in cholesterol transfer such as scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in the HF treated animals. This effect was mainly noted in liver tissue rather than in cutaneous tissue. Collectively, this study demonstrated that MLFE treatment has beneficial effects on the modulation of high fat diet-induced oxidative stress and on the regulation of cholesterol transporters. These results suggest that MLFE might be a beneficial substance for conventional therapies to treat obesity and its complications.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.342-354
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• 2021

Purpose: Obesity is a serious public health issue for the modern society and is considered a chronic health hazard. There are many surgical and pharmacological approaches to treat obesity. However, various potentially hazardous side effects remain the biggest challenge. Therefore, diets based on foods derived from natural products have gained increasing attention compared to anti-obesity drugs. Recently, research on edible insects as a food source has been a topic of considerable interest in the scientific communities. This study examined the anti-obesity effects of ingesting an edible insect by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse models with a diet containing Tenebrio molitor larvae powder (TMLP). Methods: Six-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were divided into 4 groups according to treatment: 100% normal diet (ND), 100% HFD (HFD), HFD 99% + TMLP 1% (TMLP), and HFD 97% + TMLP 3% (TMLP 3%). TMLP was added to the HFD for 6 weeks for the latter two groups. Results: Compared to the HFD group, mice in the TMLP group showed weight loss, and micro-computed tomographic imaging revealed that the volume of the adipose tissue in the abdominal area also showed significant reduction. After an autopsy, the fat weight was found to be significantly reduced in the TMLP group compared to the HFD group. In addition, the degree of fat cell deposition in the liver tissue and the size of the adipocytes significantly decreased in the TMLP group. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis for the mRNA expression of adipogenesis-related genes namely CCAAT-enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBP-β, C/EBP-δ), and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) showed that the expression levels of these genes were significantly reduced in the TMLP group compared to the HFD group. Serum leptin level also decreased significantly in the TMLP group in the comparison with the HFD group. In addition, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and glucose levels in mouse serum also decreased in the TMLP group. Conclusion: Taken together, our results showed that TMLP effectively inhibited adipocyte growth and reduced body weight in obese mice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of a combination of grape pomace (Vitis labrusca, Campbell Early) and Omija fruit (Schizandra chinensis, Baillon) ethanol extracts on lipid metabolism and antioxidant defense system in diet-induced obese mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups and fed high-fat diet (control group, CON) or high-fat diet added 0.5% grape pomace extract (GPE), 0.05% Omija fruit extract (OFE) or 0.5% GPE plus 0.05% OFE (GPE+OFE) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: In contrast to the GPE- or OFE-supplemented groups, the GPE+OFE group showed significantly lower body weight and white adipose tissue weights than the CON group. Moreover, GPE+OFE supplementation significantly decreased plasma total cholesterol and increased the plasma HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio (HTR) compared to the control diet. The hepatic triglyceride level was significantly lower in the GPE+OFE and GPE groups by increasing ${\beta}$-oxidation and decreasing lipogenic enzyme compared to the CON group. Furthermore, GPE+OFE supplementation significantly increased antioxidant enzyme activities with a simultaneous decrease in liver $H_2O_2$ content compared to the control diet. CONCLUSIONS: Together our results suggest that supplementation with the GPE+OFE mixture may be more effective in improving adiposity, lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice than those with GPE and OFE alone.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.52-59
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRG, Panax ginseng Meyer) and its constituents have been used for treating diabetes. However, in diet-induced obese mice, it is unclear whether KRG can enhance the glucose-lowering action of rosiglitazone (ROSI), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma synthetic activator. Methods: Oral glucose tolerance tests (oGTTs) were performed after 4 days of treatment with a vehicle (CON), KRG [500 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)], ROSI (3.75 mg/kg b.w, 7.5 mg/kg b.w, and 15 mg/kg b.w.), or ROSI and KRG (RK) in obese mice on a high-fat diet. Adipose tissue morphology, crown-like structures (CLSs), and inflammation were compared by hematoxylin-eosin staining or quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: The area under the glucose curve (AUC) was significantly lower in the RK group (15 mg/kg b.w. and 500 mg/kg b.w. for ROSI and KRG, respectively) than in the CON group. There was no significant difference in the AUC between the CON and the other groups. Furthermore, the AUC was significantly lower in the RK group than in the ROSI group. The expression of the Ccl2 gene and the number of CLSs were significantly reduced in the RK group than in the CON group. Conclusion: Our results show a potential enhancement of ROSI-induced improvement of glucose regulation by the combined treatment with KRG.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate anti-glycemic and anti-lipid effects of Supungsunkihwan-gagambang, which is composed of Cornus officinalis, Dioscorea Batatas Decaisne, Auantii fructus and Platicodon grandiflorum. Methods: Diabetes was induced in ICR male mice ($24{\pm}1g$) with Surwit's high fat and high sucrose diet. Mice were divided into 3 groups (n=10) of normal, control and Supungsunkihwan-gagambang. The Supungsunkihwan-gagambang group was given 5% herbal medicine in their diet. The animals were fed on each experimental diet for 8 weeks. Body weight was assessed every week. At the 7th week, the fasting blood sugar (FBS) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were conducted in all experimental groups. After 8 weeks, fructosamine, lipid profile, epididymal fat weight, liver weight and white adipose tissue (WAT) size were measured. Results: Supungsunkihwan-gagambang significantly reduced FBS, OGTT and fructosamine. It also increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and significantly reduced triglyceride/HDL cholesterol ratio, total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol ratio and WAT size. Conclusions: These results show that Supungsunkihwan-gagambang improves anti-glycemic and anti-lipid effect in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Therefore we suggest that Supungsunkihwan-gagambang could be an effective treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2011

In this study, we investigated the effects of silybin on body weight and glucose tolerance in mice fed high fat diet mice. We found that body weight, plasma TG contents, fat size, glycerol, 3-hydroxybutyrate and total cholesterol were significantly decreased in silybin (500 mg/kg) supplemented groups compared to high fat diet group. Whereas, total food intake was not changed between high fat diet group and high fat diet plus silybin group. Futhermore, supplement of high fat elevated the glucose intolerance and was improved in silybin supplement group. Finally, we examined the effect of silybin on circulating adipocytokine level to explore the possible mechanism by which silybin improves high fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes. The silybin supplement significantly reduced the level of adipocytokine, such as leptin, resistin, IL-6, and MCP-1 induced by high fat diet. These results suggest that silybin can be used to improve obesity and diabetes.