• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2022

Cordyceps militaris, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, has multiple health-promoting effects. It is used as a herbal remedy and health food in Asian countries. Cultured mycelia are often used as a substitute for natural C. militaris. In the present study, the mycelia and fruiting bodies of artificially cultured C. militaris were analyzed using a metabolomics approach. The protein and crude fat contents of the mycelia were substantially higher than those of the fruiting bodies. The top three abundant amino acids in the mycelia were proline (3.9 g/100 g), aspartic acid (2.9 g/100 g), and glutamic acid (2.7 g/100 g). The carbohydrate content was similar in the fruiting bodies and mycelia. Analysis revealed that both the fruiting bodies and mycelia are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit antioxidant activity. Further, six metabolites were significantly different between the mycelia and fruiting bodies. The levels of Ca, glucose, Mg, and Se were higher in the mycelia than in the fruiting bodies. In contrast, mannitol and Zn were more abundant in the fruiting bodies. The current study provides a comprehensive metabolic profile of the mycelia and fruiting bodies of artificially cultured C. militaris. Such an exercise is potentially important for understanding the metabolism of C. militaris and facilitating the use of cultured mycelia as a supplement to C. militaris fruiting bodies in traditional Chinese medicine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.463-470
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• 2023

This study confirmed the change in functional composition and alcohol-induced acute liver injury in Aloe arborescens after fermentation. An acute liver injury was induced by administration of ethanol (3 g/kg/day) to C57BL/6J mice for 5 days. A fermented A. arborescens Miller leaf (FAAL) extract was orally administered 30 minutes before ethanol treatment. After fermentation, the emodin content was approximately 13 times higher than that of the raw material. FAAL extract significantly attenuated ethanol-induced aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and triglyceride increases in serum and liver tissue. Histological analysis revealed that FAAL extract inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration and fat accumulation in liver tissues. The cytochrome P450 2E1, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione (GSH), which involved in alcohol-induced oxidative stress, were effectively regulated by FAAL extract in serum and liver tissues, except for GSH. FAAL also maintained the antioxidant defense system by upregulating heme oxygenase 1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 protein expression. In addition, FAAL extract inhibited the decrease in alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, which promoted alcohol metabolism and prevented the activation of inflammatory response. Our results suggest that FAAL could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for ethanol-induced acute liver injury.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.10
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• pp.1556-1565
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• 2022

Objective: Tan lambs (n = 36, 3 mo old, 19.1±0.53 kg) were used to assess effects of dietary guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected methionine (RPM) on growth performance, carcass traits, meat quality, and serum parameters. Methods: Lambs were randomly assigned to three treatment groups, with 6 pens per group and 2 lambs per pen. Dietary treatments were: basal diet alone (I); basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM (II); and basal diet supplemented with 0.08% GAA+0.08% RPM (III). Diets were provided three times a day for 90 d. Intake per pen was recorded daily and individual lamb body weight (BW) was measured monthly. Carcass traits were measured after slaughter and meat quality at the end of the experiment, blood samples were taken on a subgroup of lambs for analysis of indicators mostly related to protein metabolism. Results: Final BW and average daily gain for the first and second month, and for the entire experiment were greater in Treatment II compared to Treatment I (p<0.05), whereas feed to gain ratio was lower (p<0.05). Treatment II had the optimal dressing percentage and net meat weight proportion, as well as crude protein and intramuscular fat concentrations in muscles. Treatment II improved meat quality, as indicated by the greater water holding capacity, pH after 45 min and 48 h, and lower shear force and cooking loss. Dietary supplementation of GAA and RPM also increased the meat color a^* and b^* values at 24 h. Finally, Treatment II increased total protein, and serum concentrations of albumin and creatinine, but decreased serum urea nitrogen concentrations, indicating improved protein efficiency. Conclusion: In this study, 0.08% GAA+0.06% RPM supplementation improved growth performance and meat quality of Tan lambs.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.1317-1332
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• 2024

Objective: Rare study of the non-coding and regulatory regions of the genome limits our ability to decode the mechanisms of fatty liver hemorrhage syndrome (FLHS) in chickens. Methods: Herein, we constructed the high-fat diet-induced FLHS chicken model to investigate the genome-wide active enhancers and transcriptome by H3K27ac target chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) profiles of normal and FLHS liver tissues. Concurrently, an integrative analysis combining ChIP-seq with RNA-Seq and a comparative analysis with chicken FLHS, rat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and human NAFLD at the transcriptome level revealed the enhancer and super enhancer target genes and conservative genes involved in metabolic processes. Results: In total, 56 and 199 peak-genes were identified in upregulated peak-genes positively regulated by H3K27ac (Cor (peak-gene correlation) ≥0.5 and log2(FoldChange) ≥1) (PP) and downregulated peak-genes positively regulated by H3K27ac (Cor (peak-gene correlation) ≥0.5 and log2(FoldChange)≤-1) (PN), respectively; then we screened key regulatory targets mainly distributing in lipid metabolism (PCK1, APOA4, APOA1, INHBE) and apoptosis (KIT, NTRK2) together with MAPK and PPAR signaling pathway in FLHS. Intriguingly, PCK1 was also significantly covered in up-regulated super-enhancers (SEs), which further implied the vital role of PCK1 during the development of FLHS. Conclusion: Together, our studies have identified potential therapeutic biomarkers of PCK1 and elucidated novel insights into the pathogenesis of FLHS, especially for the epigenetic perspective.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.282-291
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• 2024

Purpose: Korean patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and obesity are at a high risk of developing severe non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study examined the dietary intakes and compared the risks of NAFLD-related complications in Korean patients with T2DM and obesity. Methods: Data from the Korean National Diabetes Program cohort were used to study patients with T2DM. Two hundred and sixty-five obese patients with T2DM (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m²) were classified into NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. The nutrient intake was analyzed using a 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire. Anthropometric and biochemical data were also obtained. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significant differences between the 2 groups. Results: The serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels in obese patients with T2DM and NAFLD were significantly higher than in obese T2DM patients without NAFLD (p < 0.05). The serum glucose and lipid profiles showed no significant differences between the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups. The carbohydrate, protein, and fat levels also did not differ significantly. The results showed that the fiber intake of the NAFLD and non-NAFLD groups was 14.11 ± 3.86 g/100 kcal and 15.70 ± 4.56 g/1,000 kcal, respectively, showing that the dietary fiber intake of the non-NAFLD group was significantly higher (p < 0.05). A correlation was observed between total fiber intake and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in either patient group. In addition, the odds ratio of developing NAFLD was 0.29× lower when the fiber was consumed at 125% of adequate intake. Conclusions: A higher dietary fiber intake may reduce the risk of NAFLD in obese patients with T2DM. The dietary intake of Korean obese patients with T2DM should include and be enriched in dietary fiber to aid in preventing and treating NAFLD.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.184-198
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• 2023

Early prevention of sarcopenia can be an important strategy for muscle maintenance, but most studies target subjects at slightly pre-sarcopenic state. Our previous paper describes the effect of protein supplements rich in leucine and vitamin D on muscle condition, and in this paper, we performed a sub-analysis to evaluate who benefitted the most in terms of improvement in muscle health. A 12-week randomized clinical trial of 120 healthy adults (aged 50 to 80) assigned to an intervention group (n = 60) or control group (n = 60) were analyzed. Subjects in the intervention group received, twice per day, a protein supplement containing (per serving) 800 IU of vitamin D, 20 g of protein (3 g of total leucine), 300 mg of calcium, 1.1 g of fat, and 2.5 g of carbohydrate. The subjects were classified into 'insufficient' and 'sufficient' groups at 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) value of 30 ng/mL. The skeletal muscle mass index normalized to the square of the skeletal muscle mass (SMM) height (kg/m²) increased significantly in the 'insufficient group' difference value of change between weeks 0 and 12 (Δ1.07 ± 2.20; p = 0.037). The SMM normalized by body weight (kg/kg, %) was higher, but not significantly, in the insufficient group (Δ0.38 ± 0.69; p = 0.050). For people with insufficient (serum 25[OH]D), supplemental intake of protein and vitamin D, calcium, and leucine and adequate energy intake increases muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults and would be likely to exert a beneficial effect on muscle health.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.301-312
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• 1982

A series of growing and digestion trials was conducted using Sprague- Dawley weanling male rats in order to determine the effects of two protein sources (casein and ISP (isolated soyprotein) ), three protein levels (10, 20 and 30%), and two feeding patterns (ad libitum and meal feeding) on the growth, protein and energy metabolism, and body composition of rats. The total energy level of experimental diets was kept constant in 3,600 kcal ME /kg diet. The results were as follows : 1) The amount of food intake and the weight gain of meal-fed group were lower than those of ad libitum group. Though the intake of meal-fed group on 20 and 30% casein diet was only 85% of ad libitum group, it was able to gain as much as ad libitum group. 2) There were no significant differences in the food efficiency ratio (FER) and the energy efficiency (weight gain per 100 kcal GE intake) between ad libitum and meal feeding group. The FER and the energy efficiency of 20 and 30% casein diets of meal-fed group were greater than those of ad libitum group. 3) Though the gross energy intake (GE ), the digestible energy (DE) and the metabolizable energy (ME) tended to be lower at meal-fed group, the DE/GE and the ME/GE ratios for meal-fed group were the same as those for ad libitum. 4) Though meal- fed group fed less amount of nitrogen than ad libitum group, there were no differences in nitrogen balance and the retention of rats among the treatments. Actually meal-fed group retained more nitrogen than ad libitum group at the levels of 20 and 30% dietary protein. 5) After growing and digestion trials, the body composition of rats was constant among all treatments. Significantly high negative correlation coefficient (r = -0.77) was found between the body fat content and the body moisture content. Consequently, this study suggests that meal- fed group on 20 and 30% casein diets has shown more effective utilization of the ingested food and energy than ad libitum group, and increasing tendency of weight gain and the body fat deposition. Those influences of meal feeding pattern in rats were more effective on the casein diet than on the ISP diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.131-144
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of different sources and level of dietary lipid on lecithin : cholesterol acyltrasferase activity and cholesterol metabolism in male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain. The effects of different lipid sources was compared with sardine oil($\omega$3 EPA and DHA), beef tallow(SFA), perilla oil($\omega$3 linolenic acid) and corn oil($\omega$6 linoleic acid). Diets were formulated in such a way that 10%, 20% and 40% dietary energy were supplied with each of four experimental lipid sources. Control diet contained only non-lipid energy. A total number of 78 rats, equally divided into 13 groups, were fed the experimental diets for a period of 6 weeks. In vitro cultures were also carried out to study the cholesterol synthetic activity in the liver prepared from rats used in feeding trials. The concentration of plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-C/T/C(total cholesterol) ratio were significantly (p<0.001) influenced by dietary lipid sources. Higher HDL-cholesterol and lower LDL-cholesterol concentration in plasma were obtained in rats fed $\omega$3 fatty acid supplemented diets(sardine oil and perilla oil group) compared to diets containing $\omega$6 and saturated fatty acid(corn oil and beef tallow group). In total cholesterol concentration of plasma, beef tallow group was significantly (p<0.001) higher than other lipid groups, and non-lipid group was significantly(p<0.05) higher than the lipid supplemented groups. The activity of lecithin : cholesterol acyltransferase(LCAT) in plasma was greatly(p<0.001) affected by dietary lipid sources and levels. In LCAT acivity of plasma, lipid supplemented groups were significantly(p<0.05) higher than non-lipid group, vegetable oil groups were significantly (p<0.001) higher than animal fat groups, and sardine oil group were significalylty (p<0.001) higher than beef tallow group. Also perilla oil group was significanlty (p<0.05) higher than corn oil group, and sardine oil group was significantly (p<0.05) higher than perilla oil group. Low lipid group, compared with medium or high lipid group, showed higher activity of LCAT in plasma. In cholesterol synthetic activity of liver tissues culture, sardine oil group($\omega$3 EPA and DHA) was significantly(p<0.001) higher than other lipid groups, non-lipid group was significantly(p<0.001) higher than the lipid supplemented groups, and amimal fat group were significantly(p<0.001) higher than vegetable oil groups, but the synthetic activity was not affected by dietary lipid levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

Background: Heat-processed ginseng, sun ginseng (SG), has been reported to have improved therapeutic properties compared with raw forms, such as increased antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity effects of SG through the suppression of cell differentiation and proliferation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells and the lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: To investigate the effect of SG on adipocyte differentiation, levels of stained intracellular lipid droplets were quantified by measuring the oil red O signal in the lipid extracts of cells on differentiation Day 7. To study the effect of SG on fat accumulation in C. elegans, L4 stage worms were cultured on an Escherichia coli OP50 diet supplemented with $10{\mu}g/mL$ of SG, followed by Nile red staining. To determine the effect of SG on gene expression of lipid and glucose metabolism-regulation molecules, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of genes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, the phosphorylation of Akt was examined by Western blotting. Results: SG suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells stimulated by a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI), and inhibited the proliferation of adipocytes during differentiation. Treatment of C. elegans with SG showed reductions in lipid accumulation by Nile red staining, thus directly demonstrating an antiobesity effect for SG. Furthermore, SG treatment down-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor subtype ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and decreased the mRNA level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c in MDI-treated adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-regulating factors, such as amplifying mouse fatty acid-binding protein 2, leptin, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter protein 1, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, were increased, whereas that of the lipolytic enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 was decreased. Our data demonstrate that SG inversely regulated the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG induced increases in the mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes such as glucokinase and pyruvate kinase, and a decrease in the mRNA level of the glycogenic enzyme phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase. In addition, mRNA levels of the glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 were elevated by MDI stimulation, whereas SG dose-dependently inhibited the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) at an early phase of MDI stimulation. Intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels were markedly decreased by MDI stimulation and recovered by SG treatment of adipocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SG effectively inhibits adipocyte proliferation and differentiation through the downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$, by suppressing Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation and enhancing NO production. These results provide strong evidence to support the development of SG for antiobesity treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2007

This study was to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf water extract on lipid metabolism of rats fed high cholesterol diets. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to two normal groups; mulberry extract-free (N), 0.16% mulberry leaf extract (NM) groups and high cholesterol groups with four different levels of mulberry leaf extract; 0% (HC), 0.08% (HCL), 0.16% (HCM), and 0.32% mulberry leaf extract (HCH) groups. Serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and AI index in mulberry leaf extract supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HC group (p<0.05). The level of HDL-cholesterol in the HC group was significantly (p<0.05) reduced, compared with N group, but it was increased by mulberry leaf extract supplementation. Mulberry leaf extract had no effect on the UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity. Also, there was no significant difference in the level of liver cholesterol between the HC and mulberry leaf extract supplemented groups, while there was significant difference in the levels of liver total lipid and triglyceride. The HCM and HCH groups had more significant reduction in the activity of lipoprotein lipase in epididymal fat tissue than the HC group. The levels of total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol in epididymal fat tissue of HCL, HCM and HCH groups were decreased compared to HC group. The levels of total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol in feces from HCL, HCM and HCH groups were higher than those of HC group.