• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2006

Objective: We investigated the efficacy of a 12-week supplementation of soy isoflavone with L-carnitine on the development of obesity in high fat-induced obese C57BL/6J mice, which are known as a good model of diet-induced obesity. Methods: We measured body weights, adipose tissue mass, serum/liver lipid profiles and fat cell size/number in C57BL/6J mice fed diets containing either low fat (4%) or high fat (35%), or high fat supplemented with soy isoflavone powder containing 10% isoflavone and L-camitine for 12 weeks. Results: Body weight gain, abdominal adipose tissue and liver weight were lower by 31% 78% and 31.4% respectively, in mice on high fat diet containing soy isoflavone+L-carnitine (SC mixture) compared with high fat diet group. Also, SC mixture improved serum lipid profiles such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and liver lipid profiles such as total lipids and TG. As subsequent results, this SC mixture prevented high-fat diet from accumulating TG in the liver. The size of fat cell was also significantly decreased in SC mixture fed mice. At the end point of this experiment, our results showed that feeding with soy isoflavone for 12 weeks finally increased camitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT 1) activity through elevating the level of CPT1 expression. Conclusions: This study suggests that long-tenn supplementation with dietary soy isoflavone and L-carnitine is more synergistically beneficial for the suppression of high-fat diet induced obesity by inhibiting liver TG accumulation and the gain in abdominal adipose tissue weight than that with soy isoflavone. The antiobesity effects of SC mixture might be attributed, at least in part, to the induction of fatty acid catabolism by soy isoflavone, genistein.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.61-66
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• 2016

The frequency of obesity has risen dramatically in recent years but only few safe and effective drugs are currently available. In addition, obesity can induce type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hyperlipidemia and fatty liver disease. Recently, protective effect of purslane extract (PE) on obesity has been reported, but little is known about the role and mechanism of PE in obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of PE on obesity and diabetes in obese mice. In addition, the effect of PE was compared with anti-obesity and diabetes drugs. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice were treated for 8 weeks with drugs as follows: PE, orlistat, metformin, voglibose or pioglitazone. While PE mixed with normal diet did not have any effects on BW in non-obese mice, PE mixed with HFD significantly reduced BW gain, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance, without affecting food intake and appetite in obese mice. The effect was comparable to the effects of anti-obesity and diabetes drugs. Furthermore, PE significantly increased the activity of hepatocellular anti-oxidant enzymes, leading to protection of liver from oxidative stress in obese mice. These results suggest that PE treatment may be a useful tool for preventing obesity and complication of obesity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.69-74
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• 2014

The present study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii (MA) in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Two groups were fed either a normal control diet or an HF (45% kcal fat) diet for 12 weeks and three groups were fed an HF diet supplemented with powdered MA (MAP, 1%, 3%, and 5%) for 12 weeks. The anti-obesity effects of MAP supplementation on body weight, fat mass development, and lipid-related markers were assessed. Consumption of an HF diet resulted in increased body weight, serum lipids, relative adipose tissues weight, and liver fat accumulation. However, administration of MAP significantly decreased body weight gain, food intake, food efficiency ratio, hepatic cholesterol level, and adipose tissue weight in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with MAP significantly reduced the occurrence of fatty liver deposits and steatosis, and inhibited an HF diet-induced increase in adipocyte size. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with MAP exerts anti-obesity effects and indicate that MAP could be used as a functional food to control obesity.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.14-23
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• 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is caused by fat accumulation and is associated with oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the potential protective effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) peel extract (PPE) against oxidative stress in the liver of rats with NAFLD. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD), 20% corn oil, or palm oil for 8 weeks in the presence or absence of PPE. The control group was fed a basal diet. The progression of NAFLD was evaluated histologically and by measuring liver enzymes (alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase), serum lipids (triglycerides and total cholesterol), and oxidative stress markers. The HFD feeding increased the body weight and caused NAFLD, liver steatosis, hyperlipidemia, oxidative stress, and elevated liver enzymes. Administration of PPE ameliorated the hepatic morphology, reduced body weight, improved liver enzymes, and inhibited lipogenesis. Furthermore, PPE enhanced the cellular redox status in the liver tissue of rats with NAFLD. Our findings suggest that PPE could improve HFD-induced NAFLD via abolishment of hepatic oxidative damage and hyperlipidemia. PPE might be considered as a potential lead material in the treatment of NAFLD and obesity through the modulation of lipid metabolism.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.403-414
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• 2023

This study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effect of adding Wolfiporia extensa Ginns (W) to fermented pollack skin products in an obesity-induced animal model. The experimental groups were the normal diet group (C), high-fat diet group (HF), dried pollack skin (H1), fermented pollack skin (H2), and W of 0.1 (F2-WL), 0.3 (F2-WM), and 0.5 (F2), respectively. It was confirmed that adding W to fermented pollack skin reduced blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL levels, while increasing HDL levels. Wolfiporia extensa Ginns was effective in controlling weight and improving blood lipids in a dose-dependent manner. In histological analysis, findings of fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet were improved by the addition of H2 and W. Size and density of fat globules in the epididymis were decreased. In addition, the concentration of TNF-α was increased in the high-fat diet group, but decreased by the addition of fermented pollack skin and W. In conclusion, adding fermented dried pollack skin and Wolfiporia extensa Ginns was effective for weight control and blood lipid improvement. Thus, the use of by-products in functional foods is expected to have a high value in the future.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2010

Obesity-induced disorders contribute to the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, fatty liver diseases, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we evaluated the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of aloe formula in high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6N mice. Male mice fed HFD for 28 weeks received a supplement of aloe formula, PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and an Aloe QDM complex for a further 8 weeks and were then compared with regular diet fed mice. After the experimental period, the blood glucose levels of the Aloe QDM complex-and PGZ-supplemented mice were significantly lower than those of the HFD-fed mice. Aloe formula, especially the Aloe QDM complex, and the PGZ treatment group profoundly affected the IPGTT and HOMA-IR. Immunochemistry was done for the morphological observation and the resulting sizes of adipocytes around the epididymis were significantly decreased when comparing the aloe formula-treated and HFD-fed groups. Further, aloe formula decreased mRNA expression of fatty acid synthesis enzymes and led to reduced hepatic steatosis in both liver and WAT. These results suggest that supplementation of Aloe QDM complex in the HFD-fed mice improved insulin resistance by lowering blood glucose levels and reducing adipocytes. Our data suggest that dietary aloe formula reduces obesity-induced glucose tolerance by suppressing fatty acid synthesis in the WAT and liver, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance. The Aloe QDM complex could be used as a nutritional intervention against T2D.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.264-269
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• 2013

Silymarin has been introduced fairly recently as a hepatoprotective agent. But its mechanisms of action still have not been well established. The aim of this study was to make alcoholic fatty liver model of rats in a short time and investigate silymarin's protective effects and possible mechanisms on alcoholic fatty liver for rats. The model of rat's alcoholic fatty liver was induced by intragastric infusion of ethanol and high-fat diet for six weeks. Histopathological changes were assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE). The activities of alanine transarninase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), the levels of total bilirubin (TBIL), total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) in serum were detected with routine laboratory methods using an autoanalyzer. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver homogenates were measured by spectrophotometry. The TG content in liver tissue was determined by spectrophotometry. The expression of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the liver were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Silymarin effectively protected liver from alcohol-induced injury as evidenced by improving histological damage situation, reducing ALT and AST activities and TBIL level in serum, increasing SOD and GPx activities and decreasing MDA content in liver homogenates and reducing TG content in liver tissue. Additionally, silymarin markedly downregulated the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, ICAM-1 and IL-6 in liver tissue. In conclusion, Silymarin could protect against the liver injury caused by ethanol administration. The effect may be related to alleviating lipid peroxidation and inhibiting the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2019

Objectives : Obesity is a public health concern associated with chronic diseases including hyperlipidemia, diabetes, fatty liver, atherosclerosis and cancer. As several anti-obesity drugs have been limited owing to their side effects, the development of new anti-obesity drugs through herbal medicines has been increasing. Cynanchum Wilfordii Radix (CW) traditionally is consumed for various health benefits including immune enhancing, anti-inflammation and anti-tumor activities. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of CW on High fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods : The mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=7). The mice were respectively fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus CW (50 mg/kg/day), HFD plus CW (100 mg/kg/day). All groups were assayed for body weights, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters, and organic tissue weights. Results : HFD-fed mice showed an increase in the body weight and serum biochemistry parameters levels (total cholesterol and triglycerides) as well as organic tissue weights. However, the administration of CW to obese mice induced a reduction in their body weight, food efficiency ratio, blood biochemistry parameters and weight of liver and fat compared with the HFD fed mice. Additionally, we observed that CW inhibited the lipid accumulation in liver and serum lipid parameter induced by HFD. Conclusions : Taken together, the findings of this study suggest that CW may be a potential agent for use in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.768-776
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• 2006

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in obesity. However, weight reduction alone does not prevent the progression of NAFLD to end-stage disease associated with the development of cirrhosis and liver disease. In a previous experiment, 50% ethanol extract of Acanthopanax senticosus stem bark (ASSB) was found to reduce body weight and insulin resistance in high fat diet-induced hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic ICR mice. To evaluate the anti-steatosis action of ASSB, insulin-resistant ob/ob mice with fatty livers were treated with ASSB ethanol extract for an 8 week-period. ASSB ethanol extract reversed the hepatomegaly, as evident in reduction of % liver weight/body weight ratio. ASSB ethanol extract also specifically lowered circulating glucose and lipids, and enhanced insulin action in the liver. These changes culminated in inhibition of triglyceride synthesis in non-adipose tissues including liver and skeletal muscle. Gene expression studies confirmed reductions in glucose 6-phosphatase and lipogenic enzymes in the liver. These results demonstrate that ASSB ethanol extract is an effective treatment for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice by decreasing hepatic lipid synthesis.