• Development and Reproduction
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.207-215
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• 2009

Numerous factors can affect the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) hormonal axis, resulting in alteration of reproductive capacity or status such as onset of puberty and menopause. Soon after the finding of leptin, a multifunctional hormone secreted from adipocytes, a close relationship between reproduction and body energy balance have been manifested. Ghrelin, another multifunctional hormone from gastrointestinal tract, is an endogenous ligand of growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), and is thought to be a counterpart of leptin in the regulation of energy homeostasis. As expected, ghrelin can also modulate the reproductive capacity through the modulation of activities of HPG axis. This paper summarizes the current knowledge on the discovery, gene structures, tissue distribution and roles of ghrelin and GHSRs in mammalian reproduction in particular modulation of reproductive hormone secretion in HPG axis. Like POMC gene expression in pituitary gland, preproghrelin gene can generate a complex repertoire of transcripts which further undergo alternative splicing and posttranslational modifications. Concerning the roles of preproghrelin gene products in the control of body physiology except energy homeostasis, limited knowledge is available so far. Several lines of evidence, however, show the interplay of ghrelin between metabolism and reproduction. In rat and human, the distribution of ghrelin receptor GHSRs (GHSR1a and GHSR1b) has been confirmed not only in the hypothalamus and pituitary which were originally postulated as target of ghrelin but also in the testis and ovary. Expression of the preproghrelin gene in the brain and gonads was also verified, suggesting the local role (s) of ghrelin in HPG axis. Ghrelin might play a negative modulator in the secretions of hypothalamic GnRH, pituitary gonadotropins and gonadal steroids though the action on pituitary is still questionable. Recent studies suggest the involvement of ghrelin in regulation of puberty onset and possibly of menopause entry. It is now evident that ghrelin is a crucial hormomal component in 'brain-gut' axis, and is a strong candidate links between metabolism and reproduction. Opposite to that for leptin, ghrelin signaling is likely representing the 'hunger' state of body energy balance and is necessary to avoid the energy investment into reproduction which has not a top priority in maintaining homeostasis. Further researches are needed to gain a deep insight into the more precise action mechanism and role of ghrelin in reproduction, and to guarantee the successful biomedical applications.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.261-269
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• 2015

This study was performed to verify the effects of corn husk powder on serum lipid levels of high-fat diet-induced mice from a nutritional viewpoint. Powder of corn husks has been used as a folk remedy from ancient times in Korea. In the case of corn husk measurement of TPC (p<0.05), ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of trolox (p<0.05), DPPH radical scavenging activity (p<0.05), and measured value of FRAP (p<0.0001) were higher in ethanol extract than water extract. Weight of livers was significantly higher in the control group and high-fat diet group compared to groups fed 10% and 20% corn husk powders with high-fat diet (p<0.0001). For blood HDL-cholesterol concentration, mice fed 10% corn husk powder with high-fat diet ($160.00{\pm}16.17mg/dL$) showed significantly higher levels compared with the other three groups (p<0.05). Mice fed 10% and 20% corn husk powders with high-fat diet showed high numerical values of $13.50{\pm}2.51$ and $11.25{\pm}2.87mg/dL$, respectively. For triglyceride concentration in blood, mice fed 10% ($83.50{\pm}19.30mg/dL$) and 20% ($88.50{\pm}22.25$) corn husk powder with high-fat diet showed very low levels compared to the control group and high-fat diet group. In the case of leptin, the high-fat diet group showed a significantly high level of $5.88{\pm}3.53ng/dL$. Groups fed 10% and 20% corn husks with high-fat diet showed low numerical values of $2.72{\pm}2.34ng/dL$ and $1.10{\pm}0.62ng/dL$, respectively (p<0.05). Corn husk powder increased high HDL-cholesterol concentration in blood while lowering triglyceride concentration and leptin secretion. Therefore, powder of corn husks has utility in the food industry and food processing.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.362-366
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• 2008

Anti-lipogenic effects of tannic acid on 3T3-L1 adipocytes as well as on rats fed high fat diet (HFD) were investigated. Tannic acid stimulated lipolysis through suppression of the leptin secretion and an increase of glycerol release in a dose dependent manner in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. For animal study, the rats were fed either HFD or HFD supplemented with 1%(w/w) tannic acid (HFDT) for 12 weeks, respectively. Body weight gain, liver weight, and visceral fat mass in rats fed HFDT were significantly decreased compared to those of rats fed HFD. The lipid profiles of HFDT group were significantly decreased compared with HFD group in the serum and liver, whereas fecal total cholesterol excretion was increased in HFDT group. These results suggest that anti-lipogenic effect of tannic acid in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in rats fed HFD may be due to the stimulation of lipolysis and the reduction of lipid levels.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.231-235
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• 2015

The beneficial effects of probiotics on human health have been extensively studied. Strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have gained considerable attention, as they are major groups of probiotic bacteria that improve gastrointestinal health. Recently, probiotics have been found to have positive effects on obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) that go beyond the improvement of gut health. Probiotics can alter the secretion of substances such as leptin and adiponectin from white adipose tissue via certain mechanisms. Additionally, probiotics can modulate the adaptive immune system against low-grade inflammation caused by obesity. The potential role of probiotics in the treatment of T2D has garnered interest because of increasing evidence of the anti-diabetic effect of probiotics. In this review, we discuss the results of in vivo studies that have examined the use of probiotics to prevent obesity and T2D, while primarily focusing on the studies that explore the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the activity of promising probiotic strains. The conclusions of this review could be of help to researchers who are investigating the effects of probiotics on obesity or T2D, and to patients with these diseases.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.80-80
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• 2018

Chlorogenic acid is a phenolic compound found in Cudrania tricuspidata fruits. In the present study, the effect of chlorogenic acid on the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was investigated. Cells were stained with Oil red O reagent to detect lipid droplets in adipocytes. The 3T3-L1 cells were lysed and measured for intracellular triglyceride and adipokine by ELISA kit. The protein expression of adipogenesis-related gene was evaluated by Western blot analysis. Chlorogenic suppressed lipid droplet and intracellular triglyceride accumulation in a concentration manner and also decreased secretion of adipokines such as leptin and adiponectin, compared with fully differentiated adipocytes. Treatment of 3T3-L1 cells with chlorogenic acid reduced the protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and, CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$). This indicates that chlrogenic acid was effective as an anti-obesity agent by repressing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 into adipocytes and inhibiting triglyceridef formation in adipocyte and that it exerts its role mainly through the significant down-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.35-37
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• 2016

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) often develops type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to severe obesity. The prevalence of T2DM in adults with PWS (7-20%) exceeds greatly the prevalence in the general population (5-7%). It is uncommon for pre-pubertal children with PWS to develop overt diabetes or glucose intolerance. GH therapy and genotype did not influence the development of altered glucose metabolism. It has been assumed that T2DM in PWS develops as a consequence of morbid obesity and concomitant insulin resistance. However recent studies suggest the relationship between morbid obesity and T2DM development is more complex and appears to differ in PWS subjects compared to non-PWS subjects. PWS patients had relatively lower fasting insulin levels and increased adiponectin levels compared with BMI-matched obese control despite of similar levels of leptin. So PWS children may be protected to some extent form of obesity-associated insulin resistance. Although there's no data, it seems logical to approach diabetes management including weight loss and increased exercise, using similar pharmacological agents as with non-PWS obesity-related diabetes such as metformin or thiazolidinedione, with the introduction of insulin as required. On the other hand, several recent T2DM in PWS case reports suggest favorable outcomes using Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog with regard to ghrelin reduction, control of glucose and appetite, weight loss and pre-prandial insulin secretion. The role of GLP-1 agonist therapy is promising, but has not yet been fully elucidated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.814-821
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• 2014

As a natural plant ingredients, glasswort (Salicornia herbacea L.) contains various physiological activities, mainly anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic activities. However, only a few studies have been carried out on its anti-adipogenic effect. This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Salicornia herbacea L. on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. As adipogenesis of preadipocytes to adipocytes involves proliferation and differentiation of cells, we treated three concentrations (125, 250, and $500{\mu}g/mL$) of Salicornia herbacea L. water extracts (SLW) in both pre-processing and post-processing stages. When 3T3-L1 adipocytes were differentiated and dyed with Oil Red O, adipocytes size and the value of relative Oil Red O staining were reduced by all concentrations of SLW in post-processing stage. Following adipogenic differentiation, the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) in the cell supernatant significantly increased upon treatment with $125{\mu}g/mL$ of SLW and further rose at concentrations of 250 and $500{\mu}g/mL$ during post-processing stage. There was no significant difference in glycerol production upon SLW treatment. Leptin production significantly decreased at all SLW concentrations during post-processing stage, whereas peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$) and adiponectin secretions were significantly enhanced. Overall results showed that SLW might have an anti-adipogenic effect via enhancement of TNF-${\alpha}$ production, which causes dedifferentiation and inhibits lipid accumulations in adipocyte. Furthermore, SLW might prevent diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as it reduces leptin secretion and enhances production of both PPAR-${\gamma}$ and adiponectin. However, further research is needed to elucidate the exact mechanism and bioactive compounds of glasswort.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.501-506
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• 2016

BACKGROUNG/OBJECTIVES: Corn silk (CS) extract contains large amounts of maysin, which is a major flavonoid in CS. However, studies regarding the effect of CS extract on cholesterol metabolism is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of CS extract on cholesterol metabolism in C57BL/6J mouse fed high-fat diets. MATERIALS/METHODS: Normal-fat group fed 7% fat diet, high-fat (HF) group fed 25% fat diet, and high-fat with corn silk (HFCS) group were orally administered CS extract (100 mg/kg body weight) daily. Serum and hepatic levels of total lipids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol as well as serum free fatty acid, glucose, and insulin levels were determined. The mRNA expression levels of acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT), cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1), farnesoid X receptor (FXR), lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), low-density lipoprotein receptor, 3-hyroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), adiponectin, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ were determined. RESULTS: Oral administration of CS extract with HF improved serum glucose and insulin levels as well as attenuated HF-induced fatty liver. CS extracts significantly elevated mRNA expression levels of adipocytokines and reduced mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and FXR. The mRNA expression levels of CYP7A1 and LCAT between the HF group and HFCS group were not statistically different. CONCLUSIONS: CS extract supplementation with a high-fat diet improves levels of adipocytokine secretion and glucose homeostasis. CS extract is also effective in decreasing the regulatory pool of hepatic cholesterol, in line with decreased blood and hepatic levels of cholesterol though modulation of mRNA expression levels of HMG-CoA reductase, ACAT, and FXR.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1879-1883
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• 2014

Background: The relationship between obesity and prostate cancer aggressiveness is controversial in recent studies, partly because BMI is the only generally applied marker of obesity. Our study aimed at evaluating the correlation of periprostatic fat (PF) on magnatic resonance imaging (MRI) and adipocytokines with prostate cancer aggressiveness. Patients and method: A total of 184 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) were analyzed retrospectively; different fat measurements on MRI slices and levels of adipocytokines were compared with the clinical and pathologic factors using SSPS ver.13.0. Result: The PF rates showed a statistically significant variation (p=0.019, 0.025) among groups, that is to say, more adipose tissue was distributed in periprostatic areas of high risk patients. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age revealed a statistically association between the PF, the ratio and the risk of having high-risk disease (p=0.031, 0.024). The levels of IL-6, leptin and c-reactive protein (CRP) significantly increased with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, and also with PF and its ratio. The strongest correlation was seen between IL-6 and PF (Pearson r coefficient=0.67, P<0.001). No association was observed between adipocytokines and BMI. Conclusion: Periprostatic adiposity not only affects prostate cancer aggressiveness, but also influences the secretion of adipocytokines. IL-6, PF and CRP have promoting effects on progression of prostate cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.776-783
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• 2005

To develop functional kimchi which had anti-obesity effect, garcinia cambogia extract containing $51.46\%$ hydroxy citric acid (HCA) was used as a sub-ingredient of American preferred kimchi (APK). The APK added to garcinia cambogia extracts of 0.5$\%,\;1.0\%,\;1.5\%\;and\;2.0\%$ were prepared, and fermentation characteristics and anti-obesity effect of those kimchi were investigated. The pH of APK added to garcinia cambogia extracts (APKH) was low as the amount of garcinia cambogia extract increased at initial stage of fermentation but the pH of those kimchi showed similar values after optimum ripened stage. The number of Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp. were small as the amount of garcinia cambogia extract increased while the period was delayed that the number of Lactobacillus sp. and Leuconostoc sp. attained to maximum. In Hunter's color values of APKH, lightness and redness decreased as the amount of garcinia cambogia extracts increased while yellowness increased. Sensory scores in overall acceptance, taste and texture of APKH evaluated by Americans as sensory panels were similar until the addition amount of garcinia cambogia extract was $1.5\%$, therefore the garcinia cambogia extract of $1.5\%$ was determined as tile amount adding to APK. The secretions of glycerol and leptin as a key signalling factor for anti-obesity effect were examined in APK and APKH added to garcinia cambogia extract of $1.5\%$. There were no significant differences in the glycerol secretion when adipocytes were treated with APK and APKH extracts. However, leptin secretion in the adipocytes treated with APKH extract was significantly decreased compared to that of control (p<0.05).