• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.276-284
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• 2015

This study was designed to investigate the effect of garlic shoot extract administration on serum and liver tissue lipid levels in hyperlipidemic rats. The rats were fed a 45% high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia. They were then administered garlic shoot extract (50%) and ethanol extract (75%) at 200 mg/kg B.W./day (GSA-1, GSB-1) and 400 mg/kg B.W./day (GSA-2, GSB-2) for 5 weeks. The total lipid and triglyceride contents in serum were lowest in the GSB-2 group, and the total cholesterol content was significantly lower in the GSA-2 and GSB-2 groups than in the control group. The high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol content of the GSB-2 group was similar to that of the normal group. The low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-cholesterol contents were significantly lower in the GSB-1 and GSB-2 group than in the control group. atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factor (CRF) were lowest in the GSB-2 group (0.58 and 1.57, respectively). Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were significantly higher in the control group than in the normal group, and the levels of AST, ALT, and ALP were significantly lower in the GSA-2 and GSB-2 groups than in the control group. The total lipid content in liver tissue was significantly lower in all the experimental groups compared to that of the control group, but it was not significantly different among the experimental groups. The total cholesterol and triglyceride content in liver tissue was lowest in the GSB-2 group. Antioxidant activity in serum and liver tissue was highest in the GSB-2 group (40.16% and 47.41%, respectively).The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content in serum and liver tissue was lowest in the GSB-2 group, with the significant difference. Our results suggest that garlic shoot extracts may improve lipid metabolism in serum and liver tissue and potentially reduce hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.116-126
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• 1993

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of seleniumc (Se) and vitamin E on activity of enzyme relevant to lipid peroxidation in alcohol administrated rats. Seventy two male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing about 58~62g were divided into 12groups. The dietary Se levels were 0, 0.4 and 10mg and the dietary vitamin E levels were 0 and 150mg per kg diet, respectively. Alcohol-administrated groups received drinking water solution containing 10% of ethanol from the 3-weeks of experimental periods. The obtained experimental results are summarized as follow: The ${\gamma}$-GTP activity in plasma was higher in alcohol administrated groups and high selenium group (HSe) and low selenium group (LSe) than in control groups (CSe). The ${\gamma}$-GOT and GPT activities were higher in alcohol groups. The ${\gamma}$-GTP activity was significantly influenced by alcohol in LSe groups than in other groups. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of plasma was significantly lower in LSe groups than HSe and CSe groups. The GSH-Px activity of microsomal and cytosolic fraction was slightly lower in alcohol groups and was about a half value lower in HSe and LSe groups than CSe groups. There was negative correlation between plasma Se level and GSH-Px activity of cytosolic fraction in HSe groups (r=- 0.662, p<0.001) and positive correlation in LSe groups (r=0.640, p<0.001). The GSH S-transferase activity in microsomal and cytosolic fraction was slightly higher in alcohol administrated but vitamin E nonadministrated groups, and significantly higher in LSe groups than in other groups. The catalase activity in mitochondria was lower in HSe than CSe groups, but rather higher in LSe groups. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in cytosolic fraction of liver was not found any effect in all groups. The cytochrome P-450 was higher in alcohol groups, but significantly lower in HSe groups. In conclusion, the deficiency of Se and vitamin E develops the hyperoxidation of liver lipid through the increase of activity of enzyme related to the lipid peroxidation and alcohol administration appears to further increase of hyperoxidation of liver lipid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.390-397
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• 2015

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the effects of chronic alcohol and excessive iron intake on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage and the progression of alcoholic liver injury in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into four groups (Control, EtOH, Fe, and EtOH + Fe), and fed either control or ethanol (36% of total calories) liquid diet with or without 0.6% carbonyl iron for eight weeks. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities, liver malondialdehyde concentrations were measured by colorimetric assays. Liver histopathology was examined by Hematoxylin-eosin staining of the fixed liver tissues. The integrity of the hepatic mtDNA and nuclear DNA was measured by long-range PCR. The gene expression levels of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (Cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 (Nd4) were examined by real-time PCR. Results: Serum ALT and AST activities were significantly higher in the EtOH+Fe group, as compared to the Control group. Similarly, among four groups, liver histology showed the most severe lipid accumulation, inflammation, and necrosis in the EtOH + Fe group. PCR amplification of near-full-length (15.9 kb) mtDNA showed more than 50% loss of full-length product in the liver of the EtOH + Fe group, whereas amounts of PCR products of a nuclear DNA were unaffected. In addition, the changes in the mtDNA integrity showed correlation with reductions in the mRNA levels of mitochondrial gene Cox1 and Nd4. Conclusion: Our data suggested that the liver injury associated with excessive iron and alcohol intake involved mtDNA damage and corresponding mitochondrial dysfunction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1827-1834
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• 2014

Colon cancer is the third highest cause of death in Korea. Known dietary causes of colon cancer include a diet rich in fat and red meat as well as inadequate intake of dietary fiber, fruits, and vegetables. Therefore, recent research has focused on the anticancer effects of natural products. Opuntia humifusa is a type of prickly pear that is known to contain biologically active compounds that can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, arteriosclerosis, and hyperglycemia. The aim of this study was to determine whether or not O. humifusa extract affects proliferation, cell death, and DNA fragmentation in human carcinoma HT-29 cells. O. humifusa is rich in carbohydrates, minerals (Mg, K, and Ca), and total phenolics. HT-29 cells were treated with extracts of O. humifusa at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/mL for 24 or 48 hours. O. humifusa extracts inhibited HT-29 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Hoechst 33342/PI double staining and Comet assay were performed to observe changes in nuclei of cancer cells undergoing cell death. The results of both tests showed that O. humifusa extract induced cell shrinkage, DNA fragmentation, and chromatin condensation dose-dependently in HT-29 cells. The results of this study suggest that O. humifusa extract inhibits the growth of HT-29 via induction of DNA fragmentation and chromatin condensation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.422-427
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• 2008

The effect of plum wine on lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation in rats with chronic ethanol consumption was evaluated. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following 4 groups; water (NC), alcohol control (AC), low concentration plum wine (LP) and plum wine (P). The alcohol content of experimental drinking water of AC, LP and P were 6%, 6% and 12%, respectively. Animals were fed AIN-76 diet and experimental drinking water for 4 weeks. LP group showed significantly decreased liver weight per 100 g body weight, the levels of total cholesterol and atherogenic index in plasma whereas the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol was significantly increased in comparison to that of AC group. LP and P groups showed significantly decreased total lipid, total cholesterol in liver tissue, AST and ALT activities of plasma as compared with that of AC group. LP and P groups showed a significant decrease in the level of plasma lipid peroxidation products and LP group showed a significant decrease in the level of liver lipid peroxidation products as compared with that of AC group. These results suggest that supplementation of low concentration plum wine may exert more beneficial effects than pure alcohol beverage on lipid metabolism and lipid peroxidation products in chronically alcohol-treated animals by improving lipid profiles in plasma and liver tissues and decreasing plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation product.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.117-127
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• 2021

Objectives Previously, we demonstrated that a 5% ethanol extract of unripe Rubus coreanus (5-uRCK) and ellagic acid has hypocholesterolemic and antiobesity activity in high-fat diet-fed animals. Therefore, we conducted a clinical study on the anti-obesity effect of 5-uRCK in 140 Korean adults (aged 19-70 years, body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m²). Methods The participants were randomly assigned to two groups and were administered the placebo (n=70) or 5-uRCK extract (800 mg, n=70) daily for 12 weeks. The subjects were instructed to maintain their usual dietary intake and normal physical activity. Anthropometrics, body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and blood parameters were compared between the two groups. Results Average body weight and BMI did not show any significant changes; however, changes in upper body fat mass between the two groups was significantly different, as determined using analysis of covariance adjusted for baseline of percent body fat and drinking units. Moreover, Although not significant, the trunk fat mass and percent trunk fat tended to decrease after 5-uRCK supplementation. There was no significant difference in other laboratory biomarkers between the two groups. All safety parameters were within normal ranges in the both group. Conclusions In the present study, 5-uRCK significantly reduced upper body fat in obese subjects after 12 weeks, which indicates that it may help improve android-type obesity. Furthermore, the supplement is safe and well tolerated.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.391-397
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• 2022

This study aimed to verify the antidiabetic effects of the unripe black raspberry extract (UBRE) in obese diabetic mice. For the experiment, animal model mice were divided into six groups: normal control, diabetic control, three experimental groups (treated with 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg single dose of UBRE), and a positive control (200 mg/kg metformin). The groups treated with 300 mg/kg UBRE and metformin had significantly reduced blood glucose and triglyceride levels in the diabetic mice compared to those in the vehicle control group. In addition, histopathological evaluation showed that UBRE increased the Langerhans area, cell number, and insulin concentration in the pancreatic islets of db/db mice. Therefore, UBRE exerts significant antidiabetic effects by decreasing the blood glucose and lipid levels, suggesting that it can be consumed as a functional diet for diabetic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2013

This study investigated the ability of extracts from Lentinus edodes (LE) and rice with Lentinus edodes mycelium (LEM) to inhibit diabetes and obesity. Lipid accumulation significantly decreased by 78% and 74% upon treatment with 300 ${\mu}g/mL$ of LE and LEM, respectively (p<0.01). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibition activity increased by 94% and 99% upon treatment with 300 ${\mu}g/mL$ of LE and LEM, respectively. In order to investigate the effect of LE and LEM on diabetes, the inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphate 1B (PTP1B) activity from the LE and LEM extracts at various concentrations (1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300 ${\mu}g/mL$) was assessed. PTP1B activity by treatment with 10, 30, and 100 ${\mu}g/mL$ of LE, was inhibited at a rate of 7, 9, and 7% respectively. Also, PTP1B activity from treatment with increasing concentration of LEM led to a significant concentration-dependent inhibition of PTP1B activity (p<0.01). LE and LEM were orally administered for 28 days after a high fat diet (HFD). LE and LEM significantly reduced triglyceride, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. GOT and GPT were not significantly effected. These results indicate that extracts of LE and rice with LEM have potent activities useful in the treatment of obesity and diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.283-291
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• 2017

Rice that the half of population in the world eats as a staple food is mostly produced and consumed in Asia. However, its consumption is nowadays decreasing mainly due to diet diversity. Accordingly, some attempts are in demand to enhance the utilization of rice. In this study, profiling of volatile and non-volatile flavor components in rice pastes obtained by ${\alpha}$-amylase was performed and compared according to nine different rice cultivars domestically cultivated in Korea using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry combined by solid phase microextraction and gas chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry after a derivatization, respectively. In total, 46 volatile compounds identified included 6 alcohols, 6 aldehydes, 4 esters, 4 furan derivatives, 4 ketones, 1 acid, 1 sulfur-containing compound, 7 hydrocarbons, 5 aromatics and 8 terpenes. The non-volatile flavor components found were composed of 12 amino acids, 6 sugars and 4 sugar alcohols. In principal component analysis, rice paste samples could be discriminated according to cultivars on the score plots of volatile and non-volatile flavor compounds. In particular, some volatile compounds such as pentanal and 4,7-dimethylundecane could contribute to distinguish Senong 17 white and Senong 17 brown, whereas ethanol, 6-methylhep-5-en-2-one, and tridecane could be highly related to the discrimination of Iipum from other cultivars. Among non-volatile compounds, some amino acids such as glycine, serine and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid and some sugars such as sucrose and fructose were mainly responsible for the discrimination of Danmi from the other cultivars. On the other hand, galactose, arabitol and mannose were more closely related to Senong 17 white than Senong 17 brown.