• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2011

Opuntia humifusa contains high levels of antioxidants including vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenols, which may provide beneficial effects such as hypolipidemic activity and the reduction of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. This study was conducted to determine if the intake of O. humifusa seeds powder (OHS) regulates lipid concentrations, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the serum of ovariectomized rats. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to either a sham-operated group (Sham) or one of the following four ovariectomy (OVX) subgroups: OVX with vehicle (OVX), OVX with 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day OHS (OHS100, OHS200, OHS500). Daily oral administration of OHS was initiated one week after ovariectomy and continued for seven weeks. Upon completion of treatments, organs were weighed and GOT, GPT, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were determined enzymatically. No significant differences in feed intake and organ index were observed among the groups. Significant decreases in GPT, TC and LDL-C (p<0.05) were observed in all of the OHS groups (OHS100, 200 and 500), while no significant changes in HDL-C were observed. In addition, the OHS200 and OHS500 treatment groups exhibited a lower level of serum GOT compared to the OVX group. These results indicate that supplementation with O. humifusa seeds could induce favorable changes in serum lipoprotein and lipid profiles, which frequently worsen with inadequate estrogen availability.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2012

Interruption or prolonged reduction and subsequent restoration of blood flow into the kidney triggers the generation of a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to injury in the tubular epithelial cells. In this study, we determined whether methanol extract of goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) (extract) could prevent this ischemia/reperfusion injury. When in vitro radical scavenging activity of the extract was measured using a DPPH radical quenching assay, the extract displayed slightly lower activity than ascorbic acid. One hour after administration of the extract (400 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection in rats, renal ischemia/reperfusion injury was generated by clamping the left renal artery for forty minutes, followed by 24 hr restoration of blood circulation. Prior to clamping the left renal artery, the right renal artery was removed. Compared with the vehicle-treated group, pretreatment with the extract significantly reduced the tubular epithelial cell injury by 37% in the outer medulla region, and consequently reduced serum creatinine concentration by 39%. Reduction in the cell injury was mediated by attenuation of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, inhibition of caspase-3 activation from procaspase-3, and subsequent reduction in the number of apoptotic cells. Thus, goat's-beard (Aruncus dioicus) might be developed as a prophylactic agent to prevent acute kidney injury.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1146-1150
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• 2008

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma ($PPAR_{\gamma}$), a member of the nuclear receptor of ligand-activated transcription factors, plays a key role in lipid and glucose metabolism or adipocytes differentiation. A lignan compound was isolated from mace (the aril of Myristica fragrans Houtt.) as a $PPAR_{\gamma}$ ligand, which was identified as fragrin A or 2-(4-allyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-propane. To ascertain whether fragrin A has $PPAR_{\gamma}$ ligand-binding activity, it was performed that GAL-4/$PPAR_{\gamma}$ transactivation assay. $PPAR_{\gamma}$ ligand-binding activity of fragrin A increased 4.7, 6.6, and 7.3-fold at 3, 5, and $10{\mu}M$, respectively, when compared with a vehicle control. Fragrin A also enhanced adipocytes differentiation and increased the expression of $PPAR_{\gamma}$ target genes such as adipocytes fatty acid-binding protein (aP2), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Furthermore, it significantly increased the expression level of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). These results indicate that fragrin A can be developed as a $PPAR_{\gamma}$ agonist for the improvement of insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes.

• The Journal of Bigdata
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2020

This study was conducted with funding from the government (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs) in 2018 with support from the Agricultural, Food, and Rural Affairs Agency, 318069-03-HD040, and is based on artificial intelligence-based HPAI spread analysis and patterning. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is coming from abroad through migratory birds, but it is not clear exactly how it spreads to farms. In addition, it is assumed that the main cause of the spread is the vehicle, but the main cause of the spread is not exactly known. However, it is necessary to analyze the relationship between the vehicles and the facilities at the farms where they occur, as the type of vehicles that visit the farms most frequently is between farms and facilities, such as livestock transportation and feed transportation. In this paper, based on the Korea Animal Health Integrated System (KAHIS) data provided by Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, the main cause of HPAI virus transfer is to be confirmed between vehicles and facilities.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.589-601
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• 2023

Purpose: Baicalein, a natural flavone found in herbs, exhibits diverse biological activities. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an irreversible condition often associated with a poor prognosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of baicalein on the development of NASH in mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups. Three groups were fed a methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH and were simultaneously treated with baicalein (at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg) or vehicle only (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) through oral gavage for 4 weeks. The control group was fed a methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS) diet without the administration of baicalein. Results: The baicalein treatment significantly reduced serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, suggestive of reduced liver damage. Histological analysis revealed a marked decrease in nonalcoholic fatty liver activity scores induced by the MCD diet in the mice. Similarly, baicalein treatment at both doses significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, as examined by Sirius red staining, and hepatocellular death, as examined by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Baicalein treatment attenuated MCD-diet-induced lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by lower levels of hepatic malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal, demonstrating a reduction in oxidative stress resulting from lipid peroxidation. Moreover, baicalein treatment suppressed hepatic protein levels of 12-lipoxygenase (12-Lox) induced by the MCD diet. In contrast, baicalein enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Additionally, baicalein treatment significantly reduced hepatic non-heme iron concentrations and hepatic ferritin protein levels in mice fed an MCD diet. Conclusion: To summarize, baicalein treatment suppresses hepatic lipid peroxidation, 12-Lox expression, and iron accumulation, all of which are associated with the attenuation of NASH progression.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.159-173
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• 2016

Crickets have been attracting considerable interest in the field of nutrition and toxicology due to the global exhaustion of food resulting from a growing population. The cricket is normally eaten in several countries after roasting, similar to the grasshopper; however, safety evaluation data on cricket powder is limited. Here, we performed general toxicity studies of cricket powder including a single, 2-week repeated dose range evaluation test, a 13-week repeated oral dose toxicity test in Sprague-Dawley rats, a single oral dose toxicity test in Beagle dogs, and a skin sensitization test in guinea pigs following the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development test guidelines 406 and 408 in addition to Good Laboratory Practice. To investigate the NOAEL and target organs of cricket powder, Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to 4 groups: vehicle control, 1,250 mg/kg, 2,500 mg/kg, 5,000 mg/kg dose test groups and cricket powder was administered over 13 weeks after single dose and dose range finding studies in rats based on the results of the single oral administration toxicity study in rats and Beagle dogs. The results of the study showed that the NOAEL of cricket powder was over 5,000 mg/kg for both sexes of rats without adverse effects in a 13-week repeated oral toxicity study and there was no skin hypersensitivity reaction. Therefore, our results reveal that crickets can be widely used as a new substitute food or nutrient resource.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.261-266
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• 2011

As recent reports suggest that nanoparticles may penetrate into cell membrane and effect DNA condition, it is necessary to assay possible cytotoxic and genotoxic risk. Three different sizes of magnetic nanoparticle silica (MNP@$SiO_2$) (50, 100 and 200 nm diameter) were tested for cytotoxicity and DNA damage using L5178Y cell. MNP@$SiO_2$ had constant physicochemical characteristics confirmed by transmission electron microscope, electron spin resonance spectrometer and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer for 48 h. Treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$ induced dose and time dependent cytotoxicity. At 6 h, 50, 100 or 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability over the concentration of 125 ${\mu}g/ml$ compared to vehicle control (p<0.05 or p<0.01). Moreover, at 24 h, 50 or 100 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability over the concentration of 125 ${\mu}g/ml$(p<0.01). And treatment of 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability at the concentration of 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05) and of 125, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.01, respectively). Furthermore, at 48 h, 50, 100 or 200 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ decreased significantly cell viability at the concentration of 62.5 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.05) and of 125, 250, 500 ${\mu}g/ml$ (p<0.01, respectively). Cellular location detected by confocal microscope represented they were existed in cytoplasm, mainly around cell membrane at 2 h after treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$. Treatment of 50 nm MNP@$SiO_2$ significantly increased DNA damage at middle and high dose (p<0.01), and treatment of 100 nm or 200 nm significantly increased DNA damage in all dose compared to control (p<0.01). Taken together, treatment of MNP@$SiO_2$ induced cytotoxicity and enhanced DNA damage in L5178Y cell.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.617-629
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• 2007

To ensure the microbiological safety of food items prepared after cooking process, this study was aimed to identify the hazards related with cooked foods donated to foodbanks through quantitative microbial analysis. Five foodbanks located in Incheon and Gyeonggi area among government-dominant foodbanks were surveyed from February to June, 2007. Manager, recipient, donator, type and quantity of donated foot and facility and equipment were examined for the general characteristics of foodbank. The time and temperature of food md environment were measured at steps from after-production to before-distribution, and the microbial analysis was performed mainly with indicator organism and major pathogens. The amount of cooked foods donated to each foodbank was about 20 to 30 servings and consisted of 80% of total donated foods. Only three foodbanks had separate offices for foodbank operation and four institutions had at least one temperature-controlled vehicle. The flow of donated foods was gone through the steps; production, meal service and holding at donator, collection by foodbank, transport (or holding after transport) and distribution to recipients. It took about 3.8 to 6.5 hours at room temperature from after-production to before-distribution. Only aerobic plate counts (APC) and coliforms were found in microbial analysis. The APC after production were relatively high in $8.2{\times}10^5,\;7.4{\times}10^5,\;6.9{\times}10^5$ and $4.2{\times}10^5 CFU/g$ while $2.8{\times}10^6, \;9.4{\times}10^5,\;1.0{\times}10^6$ and $5.4{\times}10^5CFU/g$ before distribution in mixed Pimpinella brachycarpa, mixed chard mixed amaranth and mixed spinach, respectively. The levels of coliforms in mixed chard and mixed spinach were complied with the standards of the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Management The level of APC in boiled pork was increased from $< 1.0{\times}10 CFU/g$ to $4.0{\times}10^2 CFU/g$. One of delivery vessels was shown $6.2{\times}10^3 CFU/100 cm^2$ in APC, which was over the standards for environment. One of serving tables also showed the high level of $1.2{\times}10^3 CFU/100 cm^2$ in APC and $6.6{\times}10^2 CFU/100 cm^2$ in coliforms. These results suggest the sanitary management of holding at donator and the time-temperature control are key factors to ensure the safety of cooked foods donated to foodbank.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.331-342
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• 2020

The suppression of neuroinflammatory responses in microglial cells can be considered a key target for improving the progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Asparagus cochinchinensis has traditionally been used as a medicine to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory diseases, and brain diseases. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective mechanism of an aqueous extract from A. cochinchinensis root (AEAC), particularly its anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated BV-2 microglial cells. BV-2 cells were treated with four different concentrations of AEAC. No significant toxicity was detected in BV-2 cells treated with AEAC. Nitric oxide (NO), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mRNA, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA levels were 21% lower in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. Lower proinflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) levels were also detected in the AEAC+LPS group than in the Vehicle+LPS group, albeit at varying rates. Moreover, the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group compared to the Vehicle+LPS group, enhancement of the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members after LPS treatment was significantly recovered in the AEAC-pretreated group, while cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase caused by LPS treatment was less severe in the AEAC+LPS group. The increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by LPS treatment was also lower in the AEAC-pretreated group than in the Vehicle+LPS group. This is the first study to show that AEAC exerts anti-neuroinflammatory activity against LPS stimulation by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway, the cell cycle, and ROS production.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2001

Animal and clinical studies as well as epidemiological data have provided convincing evidence that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can protect against atherosclerosis. However, the effects of the fatty acids on atherogenesis are contradictory. This discrepancy could derive from great susceptibility of the fatty acids to oxidation. We investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic aced(EPA) on cellular atherogenesis via the scavenger receptor of THP-1 derived macrophages. THP-1 cells were fully differentiated into macrophages by incubating with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for seven days. Atherogenic features of EPA were compared by subsitituting for linoleic acid (LA). Macrophages were also incubated without treatment of the fatty acids as controls. EPA (5-50 nmol/mL) was not cytotoxic and did not measurably induce cellular oxidation compared to bovine serum albumin (BSA) vehicle or identical doses of LA. EPA increased macrophage uptake and degradation of acetylated LDL(AcLDL) up to 14% and 88%, respectively. EPA increased markedly total cellular sterol synthesis and heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity of macrophages, indicating that EPA may enhance accumulation of cellular cholesteryl ester and possibly facilitate formation of foam cells. These results demonstrate that EPA promotes the modified LDL-triggered atherosclerotic process by the modulation of the scavenger receptor and the activation of LPL in macrophages.