• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1137-1142
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• 2017

This study examined the effects of apios (Apios americana Medikus) supplementation on visceral obesity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet (40% calories from fat) with or without apios powder (10%, w/w) for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, apios supplementation reduced visceral fat mass significantly by 14.3% compared to the control group. Apios decreased significantly the atherogenic index, serum leptin level, hepatic lipid (free fatty acid and triglyceride) content, and lipid droplets, whereas it increased the serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio. Hepatic lipogenic gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, fatty acid synthase, and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 was down-regulated by apios supplementation. These results suggest that apios is a healthy food for preventing high-fat diet-induced visceral obesity and fatty liver.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.241-248
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• 2021

The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and pulse pressure in Korean adults with hypertension. Data from 1,515 adults from the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3, 2015) were analyzed. There were several key findings in the present study. First, aspartate aminotransferase (odds ratio [OR], 1.018; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002 to 1.033), alanine aminotransferase (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.969 to 0.996), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (OR, 1.367; 95% CI, 1.027 to 1.819) were the independent factors determining high pulse pressure. Second, after adjusting for related variables [age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC)], the ORs of high pulse pressure with the 1st quartile as a reference were significantly higher in the 4th quartile of aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio [1.632 (95% CI, 1.113~2.393)]. The high pulse pressure was positively associated with aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in Korean adults with hypertension, but was inversely associated with alanine aminotransferase.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.570-582
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• 2020

Purpose: Obesity is a risk factor for various adult diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardio-cerebrovascular disease, and cancer. With an increasing obesity population worldwide, the prevention of obesity with natural components has emerged as an alternative health care strategy. Ramulus mori (Sangzhi, RM) is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine in East Asia. It contains various phytochemicals, including stilbenes and 2-arylbenzofurans. In this study, we compared the anti-obesity effects of RM extracts and its major stilbene components (mulberroside A [MSA] and oxyresveratrol [ORT]) in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five week-old, male C57BL/6J mice were grouped into 7 experimental groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD + 1% RM water extracts (MW), HFD + 0.1% MSA, HFD + 1% RM ethanol extracts (ME), HFD + 0.1% ORT, and HFD + 1% Garcinia cambogia extracts (GC) as a positive control. All mice were fed experimental diet for 13 weeks. Results: Compared to the HFD group, total body weight and weekly body weight gain were significantly decreased in the ME, ORT, and GC groups. Glucose tolerance level was significantly decreased in all experimental groups, whereas plasma insulin level was decreased in MSA, ME, ORT and GC groups. Plasma glucose, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol levels were significantly decreased, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased in the MSA, ORT, and GC groups. Hepatic TG accumulation was also significantly decreased in the MSA, ME, ORT, and GC groups. Adipose tissue weight and size of adipocytes were significantly decreased in the MSA, ME and ORT groups, and were comparable to values obtained in the GC group. The levels of adiponectin and SREBP1c mRNA expressions were increased in the ORT and GC groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME, ORT and MSA exert significant anti-obesity effect, and have the potential to be developed as a weight control ingredient of functional foods.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.69-77
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the antiobesity and antidiabetic effects of polyherbal extract, DM2 consisting of Atractylodis Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma, Cinnamomi Cortex, and Moutan Radicles Cortex in high fat diet-induced obesity mice. Methods: DM2 extract was prepared with a hot water. Six-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and then administrated with DM2 extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.) for 4 weeks. The changes of physiological markers, body weight (BW), food and water intakes, and the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) were measured once a week for 4 weeks in mice. The the serum levels of glucose, insulin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in sera were measured in mice using autometic chemical analyzer and enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. We also observed the histological changes of liver and pancreatic tissues with Hematoxylin & Eosin staining. Results: In physiological change, the increases of BW, calorie intake, and FBG in HFD-induced obese mice were significantly decreased after administration of DM2 extract for 4 weeks. The decrease of water intake was significantly increased in DM2 extract-administrated mice. In serological change, the administration of DM2 extract in obesity mice was significantly decreased the serum levels of glucose, insulin, T-CHO, AST, and ALT levels. We also found that DM2 extract inhibited the increase of lipid droplets in liver and the structural destruction of pancreatic tissues in obesity mice. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that DM2 extract has antiobesity antidiabetic effects with body weight loss, decrease of glucose and insulin levels, and lipid accumulation on liver tissue.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted. Twenty-two participants were randomized into one of the two groups: an acupuncture group (n=11) and wait-list group (n=11). The treatment group received 8 sessions of electroacupuncture over 8 weeks. Twenty points (CV4, CV12, both LR14, GB26, ST25, ST34, ST40, ST36, SP4, SP6, LR3) were selected for needling. The control group did not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and followup were done in the 4th and 8th weeks after randomization in both groups. The primary outcome was body fat computed tomography and the secondary outcomes included blood test (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteincholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood sugar test, ${\gamma}$-guanosine triphosphate) and body composition test (body mass index, weight, body fat mass, body fat rate, waist hip ratio). Safety was assessed at every visit. Results: There was no significant differences in between the experimental group and control group. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: The results suggest that In patients with NAFLD, electroacupuncture treatment did not induce worsening of liver disease and liver function, but it was no improvement symptoms of fatty liver. Study of herb medicine treatments and other acupuncture therapy of NAFLD are required later.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1172-1178
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• 2005

Purpose : Childhood Obesity is increasing throughout the world, and it is known to incur many diseases especially in later life such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) and know if these factors are useful in predicting cardiovascular diseases. Methods : The study group consisted of 64 moderate and severe obese adolescents and the controls were normal adolescents of the same age. body mass index(BMI) was calculated by height and weight; systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured at resting state. After 10-hour fasting period, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured. Results : Insulin was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $15.6{\pm}7.0{\mu}IU/mL$, P<0.01). IGF-I was also significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $498.1{\pm}122.2ng/mL$, P<0.05). In addition, IGFBP-3 was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $3,777{\pm}4,721ng/mL$, P<0.05). Insulin showed significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.3944) and obesity index(r=0.34). IGFBP-3 were significantly correlated with obesity index(r=0.419), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.264) and BMI(r=0.247). Insulin resistance index significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.595), blood triglycerid level(r=0.515) and obesity index(r=0.469). Conclusion : Serum insulin, insulin resistance index, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels may be useful to predict cardiovascular diseases in adolescent obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.987-994
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary seaweed in diabetic rats treated with streptozotocin (STZ) for 7 weeks. The rats (Sprague-Dawley male rats, 180∼200 g) were divided into 4 groups : normal rats fed control diet (C), diabetic rats fed control diet (CD), normal rats fed seaweed diet (M), and diabetic rats fed seaweed diet (MD). Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.). Urinary levels of calcium and uric acid, and blood levels of hemoglobin, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol were not significantly different among groups. But high density lipoprotein (HDL)- cholesterol of M and MD groups were higher than that of C and CD groups. Activity of hepatic microsomal G6Pase was significantly (p<0.05) lower in C and M groups than that of CD and MD groups. Hepatic glutathione S-transferase (GST) of M, CD and MD groups were significantly lower than C group (p<0.05), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) of C, M and MD groups were higher than CD group. In conclusion, dietary seaweed may improve blood lipid profiles and GSH-related enzymes in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of red ginseng product and combined exercise on the changes of blood lipids(total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride) and body composition (weight, % body fat) of obese women in their twenties. The experiments were performed with 21 women who had up to 30% body fat. They were randomly assigned into three groups [CON : control group (n=7), EXPI : red ginseng product group (n=7), EXP2 red ginseng product + exercise group (n=7)]. EXPI group and EXP2 group took red ginseng product for 12 weeks, and especially EXP2 group performed combined three-times-a-week exercise during the experiments period, too. The blood of each group was also sampled for three times (before experiments, after 8 weeks, after 12 weeks) to know the changes of blood lipid profile. Weight and %body fat were measured by body composition analyser. After 12 weeks, weight increased in CON group, but decreased in EXP1 and EXP2 group significantly. %body fat significantly decreased in EXP1 and EXP2 group, but not in CON group. When other two groups steadily increased in TC, EXP2 group constantly decreased, although there was no significant difference. After 12 weeks, while CON group and EXP2 group decreased within narrow limits in HDL-C, EXPI group was showing a rising tendency. But couldn't find any significant difference. Between the 8th and the 12th week, CON group and EXPI group were showing a rising tendency in LDL-C. But there was little change in EXP2 group. The results of ANOVA didn't show any significant difference. In TG, CON group and EXP2 group had little change. On the other hand, EXPI group steadily decreased. But there was no significant difference. In conclusion, with the 12-week experiments, weight and %body tat significantly decreased by red ginseng product and combined exercise which could derive profitable changes from blood lipids-especially total cholesterol, HDL-C, TG.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2012

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a global epidemic. In particular, it is known that there is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of MetS among women during the postmenopausal period. Recently, accumulating studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be inversely associated with the risk factors regarding MetS. However, evidence from postmenopausal women is limited. In this study, we examined the association between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the MetS in Korean adult women aged 20-69 years (n = 2,618) by using the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The geometric mean of plasma 25(OH)D were $17.16{\pm}6.28\;ng$/mL and $20.20{\pm}7.69\;ng$/mL for premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. The percentages of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 12 ng/mL] were 22.5% and 14.4%, respectively. MetS was more prevalent in postmenopausal women (43.0%) compared with premenopausal women (11.2%). When serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were categorized in quintiles, there was no relationship in the prevalence of MetS in both premonopausal and postmenopausal women. However, in premenopausal women, compared with the lowest 25(OH)D quintile, the odds ratio for hypertriglyceridemia in the highest quintile was 0.57 (95% CI 0.34-0.95, $P_{trend}$ = 0.041) and for low serum HDL cholesterol 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.85, $P_{trend}$ = 0.014) after adjusting for all potential confounders. On the other hand, we observed the tendency of an inverse relationship for 25(OH)D regarding low serum HDL cholesterol (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.50-1.22, $P_{trend}$ = 0.029) and a direct relationship with abdominal obesity (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01, 3.74, $P_{trend}$ = 0.049) in postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other research settings.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2004

This study was conducted for a period for 5 weeks in order to evaluate effects of brewer's yeast slurry(BYS) on the growth performance, organ development and blood composition of broiler chicks. A total number of 84 one day old broiler chicks were allocated to one of three supplemented diets: 0%(control), 2% and 4% BYS. Body weight gain and feed efficiency of chicks fed the diet supplemented with 4% BYS significantly was increased by 9% and 8%, respectively, compared to the control diet(P<0.05). The BYS supplements did not affect weights of liver, heart and abdominal fat, and their ratios per body weight. However, in 4% BYS supplement group, ratio of liver to body weight significantly decreased(P<0.05) by 12%, compared to the control. The supplement of 4% BYS decreased the concentration of triglyceride by 31%, and increased the concentration of high density lipoprotein(HDL) by 26%, compared to the control(P<0.05). These results indicated that the supplementation of 4% BYS in diet can improve body weight gain as well as feed efficiency, and increased the concentration of blood HDL, and ratio of HDL to total-cholesterol of broiler chicks.