• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1371-1380
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• 2013

The effect of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (AFAG) on the contents of serum lipids and tissue lipid peroxidation was investigated in alcohol feeding rats (Alc group). The serum contents of total lipid and free fatty acid in the alcohol feeding rats were significantly increased, but these increases tended to decrease in the AFAG group. The content of serum triglyceride was also significantly decreased in the AFAG group compared to the other groups. The serum content of total-cholesterol was not significantly different between the normal group and the AFAG group. The content of HDL-cholesterol in serum was slightly increased in the AFAG group compared to the Alc group. The content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, heart, spleen, and testis were significantly increased in the Alc group compared to the normal group, but these increases were significantly decreased in the AFAG group. The content of liver zinc was decreased in the Alc group and it was significantly increased in the AFAG group, which suggested that the lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with the liver zinc content. The hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the Alc group, but this content was significantly increased in the AFAG group, and it showed the antioxidant ability of glutathione. These activities were also compared to the standard silymarin drug treatment. Thus, the findings of the present study indicated the significant antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai against ethanol-induced toxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1627-1634
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• 2014

The recipe for sujeonggwa, a Korean traditional sweet drink containing cinnamon, ginger, sugar, or honey, was modified by replacing sugar with alternative sweeteners [stevia or short-chain frutooligosaccharide (scFOS)] in order to improve the health functionality of sujeonggwa. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of modified sujeonggwa on lipid peroxidation and oxidized DNA damage in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic ApoE knockout mice. Hypercholesterolemia was induced in 6-week-old male mice by administration of a high cholesterol diet (1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid, and 10% coconut oil) for 4 weeks, after which mice were divided into five groups: sucrose solution-fed control group, sujeonggwa containing sucrose group, sucrose+stevia group, sucrose+stevia+scFOS group, and commercially available sujeonggwa group as a positive control. After 6 weeks, sujeonggwa supplementation resulted in reduced hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), regardless of sweetener type. However, reduction of hepatic TBARS by commercially available sujeonggwa was insignificant. Both endogenous and $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage in hepatocytes and splenocytes were significantly reduced only in the sujeonggwa containing stevia group compared to the sucrose-fed control group. There were no significant effects of sujeonggwa supplementation on total radical trapping potential, lipid peroxidation, or DNA damage in blood. These results suggest that sujeonggwa has protective effects against hepatic lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in hepatocytes or splenocytes from diet-induced hypercholesterolemic ApoE knockout mice, and the type of sweetener should be modified to improve the health benefits of sujeonggwa.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.12
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• pp.1537-1543
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• 2007

This study was investigate the effect of grape seed water extract (GSW) on lipid profiles, lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Three groups of male C57BL/6 mice were fed different diets for 6 weeks: normal diet (Normal), high-fat diet (HF control; 37% calorie from fat) and high-fat diet supplemented with GSW (HF-GSW; 1% wt/wt). Supplementation of GSW did not affect the body weight, food intake, daily energy intake, white adipose tissue weights and plasma leptin level in high-fat fed mice. Plasma and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents were significantly higher in the HF control group than in the Normal group; however, GSW supplement significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and hepatic cholesterol concentrations compared to the HF control group. GSW supplement significantly increased fecal excretion of triglyceride in high-fat fed mice. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity was significantly higher in the HF-GSW group than in the HF control group, while fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation tended to be lowered by GSW supplement. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was also significantly higher in the HF-GSW group than in the HF control group and glutathione peroxidase activity tended to be lowered in HF-GSW group. The GSW supplement significantly lowered erythrocyte lipid peroxidation level compared to the HF control group. Accordingly, these results suggest that GSW can be considered as a lipid-lowering agent and as being effective for enhancing erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.1153-1160
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• 2009

Monascus-fermented Korean red ginseng (MFRG), fermented by Monascus purpureus KCCM 12002, may be an ideal candidate for the hepatoprotectic, hypolipidemic and antioxidative activities. Effect of MFRG powder on these parameters in rats was investigated. Body weight gain, food intake, and water consumption were not significantly different among the groups. Total and relative weights of liver were significantly higher in MFRG group than that in other groups. The activities of AST and $\gamma$-GTP were highly lowered in MFRG group compared to control group. Contents of serum total lipid and triglyceride were significantly lowered in silymarin group and were significantly increased in MFRG group compared to control group, but tended to be lowered in RG group. Serum content of total cholesterol tended to be lowered in silymarin, RG, and MFRG groups compared to control group. HDL-cholesterol contents was only significantly increased in MFRG group compared to control group. At the same time, atherogenic index (AI) was also significantly lowered in silymarin, RG and MFRG groups compared to control group, and this effect was more pronounced in MFRG group. Content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver was significantly lowered in MFRG group and tended to lowered in silymarin and RG groups compared to control group. The hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly higher in silymarin and MFRG groups. Hepatic morphology in all experimental groups revealed clear-cut hepatic lobules with the uniform pattern of the polyhedral hepatocytes radiating towards the periphery from the central vein. These results suggested that MFRG may have anti-atherogenic index (AI) and antioxidative activity in normal dietary feeding rats.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.166-175
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of fermented Smilax china leaf ethylacetate extracts by Aspergillus oryzae on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in mice. Experimental mice were divided into four groups (five mice/group) (NC; normal control group, CB; basic diet supplemented before $CCl_4$ treatment group, NS ; basic diet mixed with 0.5% Smilax china leaf ethyl acetate extract supplemented before $CCl_4$ treatment group, FS; basic diet mixed with 0.5% fermented Smilax china leaf ethyl acetate extract supplemented before $CCl_4$ treatment group) fed for 4 weeks each. In the $CCl_4$-treated groups (CB, NS and FS) compared with the NC group, liver weights, activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase, contents of triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in serum, and hepatic lipid peroxide levels increased, whereas body weight gain and contents of glutathione and HDL-cholesterol decreased. Furthermore, in the FS groups compared with the NS and CB groups, increased or decreased indicators by $CCl_4$ treatment significantly decreased or increased, respectively. This study suggests that fermented Smilax china L. leaf extracts may regulate xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase inhibitory activities and hepatoprotective effects due to flavonoid aglycone derived from its glycoside in leaves of Smilax china by fermentation of A. oryzae.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.305-310
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• 2004

The present study was aimed at investigating effects of chicory inulin and three kinds of oligosaccharides on lipid metabolism in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Nine Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing, about 190g were given one of five experimental diets, which were basal cholesterol diet (Control) isomaltooligosaccharide diet (IMO), Iructooligosaccharide diet (FO), chicory inulooligosaccharide diet (CIO) and chicory inulin diet (CI) for 5 weeks. In the oligosaccharide and inulin diets, 6% was added at the expense of sucrose. Rats were pair-fed to the intake of FO group which consumed the least amount, and their feces were collected during the last 4 days. Body weight gain was lower in Fo and CI groups compared with the Control group. Plasma glucose levels of FO and CIO groups were lower and plasma triglyceride concentrations of FO, CIO, and CI groups were lower than those of IMO group. Plasma cholesterol concentration did not differ among groups. Relative liver weight was lower in CIO group. Hepatic triglyceride and cholesterol did not differ among. groups. Fecal excretion of neutral steroid and bile acid were not different among groups, but fecal triglyceride excretion was significantly increased in FO and CI groups compared with the Control group. In conclusion, supplementation of oligosaccharides and chicory inulin at 6% of diets showed no significant hypolipidemic effect in rats fed a high cholesterol diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.65-72
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of unripened cheese supplements on lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in hypercholesterolemic SD rats. Rats were induced to have hypercholesterolemia by feeding them high cholesterol diet (0.5% cholesterol and 0.2% sodium cholate) for 4 weeks and then divided into 2 groups. One group was fed a high cholesterol diet with 5% unripened cheese (URC) daily for 6 weeks, and the other one was fed a high cholesterol diet without 5% unripened cheese (URC) daily for 6 weeks. Significantly-increased plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and AST activity because of the high-cholesterol diet were reduced 18.8%, 40.5%, and 33%, respectively, by URC supplementation. Also, URC lowered hepatic total lipids, TCs, and TGs, whereas fecal lipid profiles were not changed by URC. The supplementation of URC resulted in an increase of plasma retinol and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol by 40.5% and 39.2% and leukoytic DNA resistance to oxidative stress by 52.3% compared to hypercholesterolemic control. These results suggest that unripened cheese supplements could exert significant health benefits to those with hypercholesterolemia through ameliorating lipid profiles and antioxidant effects.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.9
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• pp.1075-1082
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• 2002

Purpose : Obesity is known to be associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver and is thought to be associated with increased levels of free fatty acids. One of the strategies for decreasing free fatty acid levels is stimulation of hepatic lipid oxidation with L-carnitine. Carnitine is an essential cofactor for transport of long-chain fatty acid into mitochondria for oxidation. This study was designed to evaluate the changes of serum fatty acids and carnitine levels after exogenous injection of L-carnitine. Methods : Sprague Dawley rats were divided into two groups. Group A was control. Group B was given intraperitoneal injection with L-carnitine(200 mg/kg) daily for two weeks. Serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol) and fatty acid levels were analyzed on the first day of the first and second weeks after injection of L-carnitine. Total, free, and acyl carnitine levels also were performed by a enzymatic cycling techniques at the same day intervals. Results : There was no significant difference between the two groups in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol levels before and after the administration of L-carnitine. But triglyceride levels were significantly decreased at the first week in group B compared with group A. Among free fatty acids, linoleic acid showed significant decrement(A group : $131.3{\pm}31.3mg/dL$ vs B group : $90.0{\pm}7.0mg/dL$) at the first week. Total, free, and acyl carnitine levels showed significant increments at all days intervals, but only free carnitine showed significant increments according to cumulative doses of carnitine. Conclusion : Plasma linoleic acid, a long-chain fatty acid, showed significant decrement after administration of L-carnitine in the first week. This may suggest that L-carnitine can be used as an antilipidemic agent for obese patients. A prospective study will investigate obese children in the future.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.939-948
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• 2008

The effects of goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus var ramtschaticus Hara) ethanol extracts (AD) on the streptozotocin-induced diabetic symptoms and oxidative stress in rats were assessed. Experimental plots were divided into normal controls (NC), diabetes controls (DM), diet with 0.3% AD after diabetes induction (SA), and diet with 0.6% AD after diabetes induction (SB), then fed for 5 weeks. In the SA and SB groups as compared with the DM group, diabetic symptoms including weight loss, increase in feed and water intake, and enlargement of the liver and kidney were improved. The levels of blood glucose and serum fructosamine were reduced by $17.9{\sim}27.2%$ and $25.6{\sim}32.6%$, respectively. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol in the serum were reduced by $25.6{\sim}30.3$, $42.37{\sim}55.51$, $26.85{\sim}30.44$ and $37.29{\sim}39.11%$, respectively, whereas the level of HDL-cholesterol was increased by $37.29{\sim}39.11%$. Hepatic total (T) and O type (O) activities of xanthine oxidoreductase, O/T ratio(%) and level of lipid peroxide were significantly decreased, while the level of glutathione was increased, and also the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase were increased by $56.84{\sim}94.90%$ and $57.14{\sim}68.92%$, respectively. In the above results, it was noted that AD has an antidiabetic effect which alleviated hyperglycemia and the AD reduced and/or prevented the tissue damage caused by diabetes yia the inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generating systems concurrent with an increase in ROS scavenging.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2007

Lipid peroxidation is one of the main manifestations of oxidative damage and has been found to play an important role in the toxicity and carcinogenesis of many carcinogens. This study was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin C on lipid contents and fatty acid compositions of serum and liver in male rats treated with radiation or aflatoxin $B_1\;(AFB_1)$. Six week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups; control group, radiation exposed group, $AFB_1$ treated group, X-ray and $AFB_1$ co-treated group. Three groups, except control group, were each further divided into vitamin C administered group and not administered groups. For this study, vitamin C was injected with 10 mg/kg of body weight by intraperitoneal injection and 1 hr later, 0.4 mg/kg of $AFB_1$ was injected by the same method. These administrations were repeated every 3 days over a period of 15 days. Only one time, X-ray was irradiated on whole liver with 1,500 cGy. Then vitamin C and AFB1 were administered by the same level and same method described above. On the 16th day of treatments, the animals were sacrificed. From the analysis of the serum lipid patterns, significant decrease (p<0.01) in triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels were observed in X-ray and $AFB_1$ co treated group administered with vitamin C (group 7). In liver lipids, the levels of free cholesterol and total cholesterol were also decreased in X-ray and $AFB_1$ co treated group administered with vitamin C (group 7). The levels of serum free cholesterol and hepatic TG were not significantly different among all groups according to vitamin C administrations. The high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level of serum was significantly (p<0.01) increased while the low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level was decreased in X-ray and $AFB_1$ co treated group administered with vitamin C (group 7). In the phospholipid fatty-acid compositions of serum and liver tissue, group 3, 5 and 7 showed an increase in polyunsaturated fatty-acid (PUFA) but a decrease in saturated fatty acid (SFA) when compared to the control group. The composition ratio of fatty acid varied according to vitamin C administration. These results suggested that vitamin C has partly suppressive effects on lipid contents and fatty acid composition of serum and liver in rats treated by radiation and $AFB_1$.