• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.107-123
• /
• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba herbal-acupuncture (ACH-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia induced with alloxan injection and high fat diet in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results: 1. ACH-HA solution increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity in rat liver cells. 2. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, free cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in hyperlipidemic rats. 4. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that ACH-HA at GB34 may have therapeutic and preventive effects on hyperlipidemia.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.391-398
• /
• 2000

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, is a small peptide molecule synthesized by white adipocytes with an important role in the regulation of body fat and food intake. Based on the evidence that synthesis of leptin is regulated by female sex hormone, estrogen, this present study was investigated whether sex hormone precursor DHEA, can regulate obese gene expression in lean and genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Antiobesity activity of DHEA was evaluated by determining body weight, food consumption, epididymal fat weight and serum levels of cholesterol and triglyceride in ICR, C57BL/6J, and ob/ob mice. The treatment of C57BL/6J lean and obese mice with a diet containing 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA resulted in lowered rates of weight gain in comparison to non-treated mice, although much greater response was found in the obese mice. All other concentrations of DHEA (0.015%, 0.06%, 0.15%, 0.3%) except the highest one(0.6%) showed no significant effects on weight gain in ICR mice. Food consumption was significantly decreased in all mice treated with 0.6% DHEA, whereas it was not decreased in ICR mice at lower concentrations than 0.6% DHEA. DHEA decreased significantly epididymal adipose tissue weight and serum triglyceride levels dose dependently in lean and obese mice. However serum cholesterol levels were decreased at lower concentrations than 0.15% DHEA and increased at concentrations of 0.3% and 0.6% DHEA in lean and obese mice. These increases in serum cholestrol levels at high concentrations of DHEA might result from the fact that DHEA has a cholesterol moiety thereby interfered the assay system. As an approach to elucidate the mechanism for antiobesity activity of DHEA, we examined mRNA levels of obese gene in the adipocyte and obese gene product (leptin) in the serum. The results showed that DHEA did not affect obese gene expression in ICR and C57BL/6J mice. Therefore, we concluded that antiobesity activity of DHEA was not modulated by obese gene expression.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.1235-1243
• /
• 2011

In this study, we investigated the antioxidative activity (scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and superoxide anion radical) and anti-obesity effects of black bean chungkugjang extract (BBCE). DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$ value) of BBCE were $162.7{\pm}2.8$ ppm, and $205.62{\pm}3.6$ ppm, respectively. The anti-obesity effects of BBCE were investigated by measuring Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. BBCE reduced the content of Oil Red O dye in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We also examined the effects of BBCE on adiposity, serum lipid, and leptin levels in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were fed the BBCE experimental diets for 7 weeks, after which they were sacrificed. ICR male mice were randomly divided into three groups, one normal diet group (ND group) and two high fat diet groups with or without BBCE supplementation (HFD group and HFD-BBCE group). The results showed that weight gain and the food efficiency ratio significantly decreased upon addition of BBCE compared to those of the HFD group. Further, white adipose tissue weights of epididymal, mesenteric, and retroperitoneal areas in the HFD-BBCE group were reduced to 34.8%, 7.1%, and 40.6%, respectively, compared to that of the HFD group. The serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and leptin in the HFD-BBCE group were significantly lower than those of the HFD group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that BBCE may have beneficial effects on reducing fat mass and serum lipid content.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.327-335
• /
• 2017

Objective: The goal of this preclinical study was to compare the dyslipidemic effect of pravastatin with that of herbal medicine in rats. Methods: In total, 40 rats were divided into 4 groups: Normal (10 rats), Control (10 rats), Statin alone (10 rats), and the MO-PM-S group (10 rats), which was given the powder of the cortex of Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils., the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb, and pravastatin. The Control group, the Statin alone group, and the MO-PM-S group were all given a high-fat (45%) diet that made them obese. After 2 weeks of drug administration, the dyslipidemic effect of pravastatin was compared with that of herbal medicine in rats by analyzing the lipid profiles, measuring the body weights, and taking biopsies (liver, aorta). Results: The herbal medicine and the statin complex group got a much lower TG level and a slightly higher HDL-cholesterol level than the other groups. However, it got a higher total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level than the other groups. In biopsies, 30% of the Statin alone group and 10% of the MO-PM-S group showed mild histopathologic findings in the liver. Conclusion: The cortex of the Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. and the root of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb have dyslipidemic effects from the perspective of a TG level and HDL-cholesterol. However, the herbal mixture has a raising effect on both the LDL-cholesterol and the total cholesterol levels. Therefore, we cannot conclude that the herbal mixture helps to prevent dyslipidemia. In liver biopsies, the group administered with both the herbal mixture and the statin showed less histopathologic findings than the group administered with statin alone. This means that the herbal mixture helps to prevent fatty degeneration of the liver.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.17-29
• /
• 2022

Objective : The present study comparatively analyzed the anti-obesity effect of Arctium lappa L. roots with and without microwave processing. Methods : Four HFD groups except for the Normal group (n=8) were allocated: Control, microwave-processed dried Arctium lappa L. roots (MAL) extract 400 mg/kg/d (MAL400), MAL extract 800 mg/kg/d (MAL800), and the dried Arctium lappa L. roots (DAL) extract 800 mg/kg/d (DAL800). The efficacy of MAL and DAL was confirmed in terms of the serum biochemical index, protein expressions related to the synthesis of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) and 𝛽-oxidation, and histopathological staining. Results : Both MAL and DAL treatments significantly reduced final body weight and body weight gain. MAL800 treatment significantly reduced serum TG, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and leptin levels, but the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations were dramatically increased. In particular, leptin in the MAL800 group was reduced by 14.1% compared with the DAL800 group. Moreover, the MAL800 treatment showed an effect superior to the DAL800 treatment in the reduction of serum TC, the sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) activation, and the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) gene expression. In particular, unlike the DAL800 treatment, MAL treatment significantly led to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR𝛼). Subsequently, PPAR𝛼 meaningfully regulated downstream proteins associated with 𝛽-oxidation. Conclusion : These findings suggest that Arctium lappa L. roots with microwave processing effectively ameliorate obesity through the regulation of leptin and TC and the promotion of 𝛽-oxidation compared with Arctium lappa L. roots without microwave processing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.7
• /
• pp.1036-1042
• /
• 2013

The aim of the present study is to elucidate the anti-obesity effects of Doenjang with and without salt in C57BL/6J mice. For the analysis, a total of forty mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal diet group (ND), high-fat diet group (HD), high-fat diet supplemented with 20% Doenjang group (DJ), high-fat diet supplemented with 20% unsalted Doenjang group (NS). During the study period, food intake and body weight were measured daily and weekly, respectively. The animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. Body weight gain, epididymal fat pad weight and serum triglyceride levels of DJ group were found to be significantly lower than those of the HD and NS groups. Serum total-cholesterol levels of DJ and NS groups were significantly lower as compared to the HD group. There were significant decreases in plasma insulin and leptin levels in DJ group compared with the HD and NS groups. We did not observe any significant changes in the expression of hepatic lipogenic-related gene $PPAR{\gamma}$ among the HD, DJ and NS groups. However, ACC expression was found to be significantly decreased in DJ group. Lipolysis-related gene ($PPAR{\alpha}$ and CPT-1) expression was significantly higher in the DJ group as compared to HD and NS groups. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that Doenjang supplementation lowers body weight gain and improves obesity-related parameters.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.36 no.3 s.142
• /
• pp.229-234
• /
• 2005

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner leaf (NNL) has been known that is effective to lowering blood pressure and hyperlipidemic levels. But, its pharmacological actions have not been demonstrated. Therefore, the present research was performed to find the effect of NNL on hyperlipidemic actions in Bio F1B hamster as a model for hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis. The hyperlipidemic hamster were induced by basal diet containing 10% coconut oil and 0.05% cholesterol with high fat atherogenic diet(HFAD). A control group and treated groups NNL100, 200, 400 mg/kg/day were fed a HFAD, but a normal group was fed a basal diet only. In conclusion, the serum total cholesterol levels were significantly declined on day 40 in F1B hamster given the NNL extracts (200, 400 mh/kg/day) with p<0.05, when compared with a control value of HFAD fed hamsters. The hepatic TC level was significantly lower in NNL 200 and 400 mg/kg/day group than of control hamster on day 40. But, the HDL levels were not changed between control and treated NNL groups. The TG levels of NNL treated groups showed a decrease tendency compare to the control value. In addition, accumulation of fatty level showed a slight decline to NNL treated groups in aortic arch.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.260-268
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare food behaviors, nutrient intake, clinical symptoms, and hematological findings by smoking status. Among the third grade male students from a high school in Jinchun-kun, 31 smokers and 31 nonsmokers participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to investigate food behaviors and clinical symptoms. Nutrient intake data were collected by 24-hour recall method. Blood sample was drawn from each subject to determine the levels of hemoglobin, protein, triglyceride, cholesterol, etc. The major findings were as follows; First, smokers consumed every food group except fat & oil less frequently than nonsmokers, while they consumed instant food, coffee, alcoholic beverages more frequently than nonsmokers. Dietary habits of smokers such as regularity, balanced diet, skipping meals were worse than those of non-smokers. Second, intakes of energy, fat, carbohydrate, and β-carotene of smokers were lower than those of non-smokers. Third, smokers felt fatigue and other adverse symptoms more often than non-smokers. Fourth, the levels of hemoglobin, albumin and HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in smokers than non-smokers. Fifth, Smoking history was negatively correlated with food behaviors, energy intake and clinical symptoms. These results suggest that food behaviors, nutrient intakes, hematological findings and clinical symptoms of male high school students were affected by smoking. Therefore, in order to decrease smoking rate of the students, the effect of smoking on nutritional and health status should be informed and nutrition education should be offered to the students.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1414-1419
• /
• 2009

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of trivalent chromium from different sources on growth, carcass composition, and serum parameters in finishing pigs. Ninety-six crossbred pigs with an initial average body weight of 65.57${\pm}$1.05 kg were blocked by body weight and randomly assigned to four treatments with three replicates. Pigs were offered one of four diets including a control diet or the control diet supplemented with 200 ${\mu}g/kg$ chromium from either chromium chloride ($CrCl_{3}$), chromium picolinate (CrPic) or chromium nanocomposite (CrNano) for 40 days. After completion of the feeding trial, eight pigs from each treatment were selected to collect blood samples, and slaughtered to measure carcass composition. The results showed that supplemental chromium had no significant effect on growth performance, while CrNano increased carcass lean proportion and loin Longissimus muscle area (p<0.05), and decreased carcass fat proportion and 10th rib backfat depth (p<0.05). CrPic supplementation also resulted in lower fat proportion and larger Longissimus muscle area (p<0.05). The addition of Cr from CrNano or CrPic decreased serum glucose (p<0.05) and increased concentrations of total protein and free fat acid in serum (p<0.05). Serum urea nitrogen, triglyceride and cholesterol were decreased (p<0.05), and serum high density lipoprotein and lipase activity were increased (p<0.05) with the supplementation of CrNano. Serum insulin was decreased (p<0.05) by supplemental Cr from CrNano or CrPic, and serum insulin-like growth factor I was increased significantly in the CrNano treated group. These results suggest that chromium nanocomposite has higher efficacy on carcass composition in pigs compared to the traditional chromium sources.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.469-475
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of moderate caloric restriction on ${\beta}$-cell function and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese Korean women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty-seven obese pre-menopausal Korean women participated in a 12-week calorie restriction program. Data on total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, blood pressure, leptin and anthropometrics were collected. A dietary intake assessment was based on three days of food recording. Additionally, ${\beta}$-cell function [homeostasis model assessment of ${\beta}$-cell (HOMA-${\beta}$), insulinogenic index (ISI), C-peptide:glucose ratio, and area under curve insulin/glucose ($AUC_{ins/glu}$)] and insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and Matsuda index (MI)] were recorded. RESULTS: When calories were reduced by an average of 422 kcal/day for 12 weeks, BMI (-2.7%), body fat mass (-10.2%), and waist circumference (-5%) all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After calorie restriction, weight, body fat percentage, hip circumference, BP, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, plasma glucose at fasting, insulin at fasting and 120 min, $AUC_{glu}$ and the insulin area under the curve all decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), while insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, QUICKI and Matsuda index) measured by OGTT improved significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate weight loss due to caloric restriction with reduction in insulin resistance improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese women and thereby may help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.