• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2016

Objectives: The prevalence of obesity continues rise and obesity and metabolic syndrome is a major problem in global health care. Animal models are used in the drug discovery of novel treatment for obesity. One of common models of obesity is a high fat diet induced obesity in a C5BL/6 mouse, and the development of obesity and glucose tolerance in mouse model is different according to period of diet. Therefore, this study was performed to observe the development of obesity and glucose tolerance during a high fat diet (HFD). Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice, 5 weeks of age, were fed on a standard chow diet as a normal diet (18 kcal% fat) or a HFD (60 kcal% fat) for up to 16 weeks. The various factors related with obesity and insulin resistance were measured at 8, 12, and 16 weeks. Results: The weights of body and epididymal fat were gradually increased for 8~16 weeks, however the change of hyperglycaemia and glucose tolerance have shown different with that of body weight. Blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance were increased more clearly at week 12 and 16 than week 8. Lipid accumulation of liver and body temperature were also significantly increased at week 16, compared with normal group. Conclusions: The developments of obesity and related factors were different by a HFD period in a C57BL/6 obese mice. This result suggests that the development of obesity with glucose tolerance and liver lipid may induce clearly by a HFD for 16 weeks.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.695-704
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The type of sweet snack incorporated into an energy-restricted diet (ERD) may produce differential effects on metabolic improvements associated with body weight (BW) loss. This study compared effects of incorporating either twice daily energy-controlled dark chocolate snacks plus once daily sugar-free cocoa beverage (DC) to non-chocolate snacks plus sugar-free non-cocoa beverage (NC) into an ERD on BW loss and metabolic outcomes. MATERIALS/METHODS: In an 18-week randomized comparative trial, 60 overweight/obese premenopausal women were assigned to DC (n = 30) or NC group (n = 30). Dietary intake was measured at baseline and week 18, and BW, anthropometrics, blood pressure (BP) and serum glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations were measured at baseline, and weeks 6, 12 and 18. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Using intention-to-treat analysis, women in DC and NC groups reduced energy intake (both P < 0.001) and lost $4.4{\pm}0.6kg$ and $5.0{\pm}0.9kg$ (both P < 0.001), respectively. Both groups lowered systolic and diastolic BP [DC = 2.7 (P < 0.05), 2.7 (P < 0.01); NC = 3.4 (P < 0.01), 4.2 (P < 0.01) mmHg, respectively]. Glucose and insulin concentrations decreased by 0.72 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 13.20 pmol/L (P < 0.01) in DC group and by 0.83 mmol/L (P < 0.001) and 13.20 pmol/L (P < 0.01), respectively, in NC group. Total cholesterol increased in NC group (P < 0.05), with no significant lipid changes in DC group. There were no significant differences in biomarker outcomes between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese premenopausal women following an 18-week ERD that included either DC or NC sweet snack and sugar-free beverage lost equivalent amounts of BW and improved BP measurements and glucose and insulin concentrations.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2012

Several studies revealed that low calcium intake is related to high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension is high in Koreans along with their low dietary calcium consumption. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the status of calcium intake between the hypertension and normotension groups and to investigate the correlation between dietary calcium intake and blood pressure, blood lipid parameters, and blood/urine oxidative stress indices. A total of 166 adult subjects participated in this study and were assigned to one of two study groups: a hypertension group (n = 83) who had 140 mmHg or higher in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or 90 mmHg or higher in diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and an age- and sex-matched normotension group (n = 83, 120 mmHg or less SBP and 80 mmHg or less DBP). The hypertension group consumed 360.5 mg calcium per day, which was lower than that of the normotension group (429.9 mg) but not showing significant difference. In the hypertension group, DBP had a significant negative correlation with plant calcium (P < 0.01) after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and energy intake. In the normotension group, total calcium and animal calcium intake were significantly and positively correlated with serum triglycerides. No significant relationship was found between calcium intake and blood/urine oxidative stress indices in both groups. Overall, these data suggest reconsideration of food sources for calcium consumption in management of the blood pressure or blood lipid profiles in both hypertensive and normotensive subjects.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 2008

In the last several years, studies on the association of oxidative stress damage with exposure in the work place have been conducted. Xenobiotics create an imbalance of the homeostasis between oxidant molecules and antioxidant defense. By monitoring oxidative stress biomarkers, information was obtained on damages induced by oxidative stress and the toxicity of xenobiotics. In the present study, a Job Exposure Matrix (JEM) was constructed using the data from the Working Environment Measurement (WEM) of painters in the shipyard industry from the past 3 years to assess the exposure status. Additionally, by measuring the concentration of urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), the effect of lipid peroxidation was examined. The subjects consisted of 68 workers who were exposed to mixed organic solvents in the painting process and 25 non-exposure controls. The exposure indices of the exposure groups were significantly different (sprayer: 0.83, touchup: 0.54, assistant: 0.13, P<0.05). The urinary MDA concentration of the exposure group was 48.60${\pm}$ 39.23 ${\mu}mol$/mol creatinine, which was significantly higher than 18.03${\pm}$16.33 ${\mu}mol$/mol creatinine of the control group (P<0.05). From the multiple regression analysis of urinary MDA, the regression coefficient for exposure grade was statistically significant. In future studies, evaluation of the antioxidant levels of subjects should be performed simultaneously with quantitative exposure measurements.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.290-299
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• 2016

This study was conducted to determine the association between dietary calcium intake and biomarkers related to lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammation in Korean patients with type 2 diabetes. Seventy-five subjects (41 males, 34 females) were recruited from a group of patients who had visited the department of endocrine medicine. Data on anthropometric characteristics, clinical indices such as hemoglobin A1c and C-reactive protein (CRP), and dietary nutrient intakes were collected. Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of their calcium intake [< EAR (below estimated average requirement), EAR-RNI (between EAR and recommended nutrient intake), > RNI (above RNI)]. Average calcium intake of < EAR, EAR-RNI, > RNI groups were $462.7{\pm}18.7$, $649.7{\pm}12.8$, and $895.7{\pm}21.7mg$, respectively. Energy intake was not different among groups but intakes of protein, total and saturated fatty acids were significantly higher in > RNI group than < EAR group. Analysis of covariance revealed that HDL cholesterol level was significantly higher in EAR-RNI group, as compared to < EAR group after adjustment with confounders such as age, sex, BMI and energy intake (p < 0.05). Levels of CRP and homeostasis model assessment 2-insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) were significantly lower in EAR-RNI group. Total cholesterol level was higher in EAR-RNI and > RNI groups, although within the normal range. Our results suggest that dietary calcium intake may influence the levels of HDL-cholesterol, CRP and HOMA2-IR and subsequently, help management/treatment of type 2 diabetes patients.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.335-350
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• 2014

Compared to the large numbers of studies on the diabetes, hyperlipidemia and cancer therpeutic effects of ginseng, the anti-obese effect and mechanisms of ginsengs have not been studied as much. To determine the effects of ginseng on obesity, 14 keywords (ginseng, ginsenoside, obesity, weight, fat, diet, overeat, appetite, lipid, 3T3-L1, adipocyte, food intake, adipogenesis and lipolysis) were combined in searching a database. Fifty-six articles published from 1983 to 2012 as well as 656 patents registered until Aug $17^{th}$, 2012, were screened for anti-obese effects of ginseng. In the classification of experimental methods, 16 papers on 3T3-L1 cells, 38 papers on animals and three papers on human were reviewed. In terms of obese mechanisms of action, the most commonly used biomarkers were in order of lipid profiles > weight change > blood glucose > adipocytokine. Most ginseng studies on obesity focused on AMPK, $PPAR{\gamma}$, GLUT-4, PI3K and SREBP-1. Korean white ginseng extracts and Re repressed the lipogenesis genes such as PPARc2, SREBP-1c, LPL, FAS and DGAT1. However, ginseng or ginsenosides, PD (Rb1) and PT (Re), showed different or contradictory results. Water and ethanol extraction of ginseng showed contradictory effects on the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, wheras IL-6 was repressed by ethanol extracts and TNF-${\alpha}$ repressed by Re in vitro. Based on the literature, further studies on anti-obese mechanisms of ginseng, such as the inflammation-related obesity or cross signals between the adipocytes and the environments, are needed, instead of more studies on its hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.344-352
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• 2012

Mercury is a toxic and non-essential metal in the human body. Mercury is ubiquitously distributed in the environment, present in natural products, and exists extensively in items encountered in daily life. There are three forms of mercury, i.e., elemental (or metallic) mercury, inorganic mercury compounds, and organic mercury compounds. This review examines the toxicity of elemental mercury and inorganic mercury compounds. Inorganic mercury compounds are water soluble with a bioavailability of 7% to 15% after ingestion; they are also irritants and cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Upon entering the body, inorganic mercury compounds are accumulated mainly in the kidneys and produce kidney damage. In contrast, human exposure to elemental mercury is mainly by inhalation, followed by rapid absorption and distribution in all major organs. Elemental mercury from ingestion is poorly absorbed with a bioavailability of less than 0.01%. The primary target organs of elemental mercury are the brain and kidney. Elemental mercury is lipid soluble and can cross the blood-brain barrier, while inorganic mercury compounds are not lipid soluble, rendering them unable to cross the blood-brain barrier. Elemental mercury may also enter the brain from the nasal cavity through the olfactory pathway. The blood mercury is a useful biomarker after short-term and high-level exposure, whereas the urine mercury is the ideal biomarker for long-term exposure to both elemental and inorganic mercury, and also as a good indicator of body burden. This review discusses the common sources of mercury exposure, skin lightening products containing mercury and mercury release from dental amalgam filling, two issues that happen in daily life, bear significant public health importance, and yet undergo extensive debate on their safety.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.193-207
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• 2017

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate anti-obesity effects of DF in a ob/ob mouse model. Methods : Fifteen-week-old ob/ob mice were divided into four groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an ob/ob control group given a standard diet, and DF(1) and DF(2) groups given a standard diet with DF(1) (300 mg/kg), and DF(2) (600 mg/kg), respectively. After 10 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio, blood lipid markers, fat weight and histology were examined. Results : Body weight gain and fat mass were significantly decreased in DF(1) and DF(2) groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF(2) group. Feeding efficiency ratio were significantly decreased in DF(2) group compared with control. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain and fat mass, circulating concentrations of LDL, total cholesterol, free fatty acid, and insulin were decreased in DF(2) group compared with control. The size of adipocytes were significantly decreased by DF(2) compared with control. Consistent with their effects on body weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation and liver weights were reduced in DF compared with control. Conclusions : In conclusion, these results suggest that DF not only decrease feeding efficiency ratio, and blood anti-obesity biomarkers, but also reduce fat mass, contributing to the improvement of obesity. DF also inhibits hepatic lipid accumulation.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.386-396
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• 2005

The effects of spirulina-added salad dressing on lipid profiles and antioxidant biomarkers such as total glutathionine, TBARS value, carbonyl value, GPx, GR, SOD and paraoxonase activity in plasma or liver of mice were evaluated Sixteen male ICR mice weighing 20$\pm$2 g were divided into two groups and fed low fat ($5\%$ fat) diet (low fat control: LFC) and low fat control plus dressing diet (LFD) for eight weeks. Body weight, tissue weights of liver, heart and kidney, and the distribution of body fat deposition were not significantly different between two groups. Also, the profile of TG, TC, LDL and HDL cholesterol were similar between two groups. The DNA damage was determined using the comet assay (single cell gel assay) with alkaline electrophoresis and quantified by measuring tail length (TL). Spirulina salad dressing consumption resulted in significant decrease in lymphocyte DNA damage expressed by TL (LFC: $28.8{\mu}m$, LFD: $20.3{\mu}m$). Additionally, salad dressing consumption for 8 wks decreased the lipid peroxidation assayed by TBARS to $12.6\%$ compared with the control. The levels of antioxidant vitamins such as $\beta$-carotene were significantly higher in plasma of LFD group than those in LFC group based on HPLC method This study shows that spirulina-added salad dressing exerts degenerative disease-protective effects on oxidative DNA damage and lipid peroxidation possibly via a free radical levels.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5701-5708
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• 2012

The aim of the study was to investigate the chemopreventive potential of andrographolide in 7,12-dimethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA)-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis. Oral tumors developed in the buccal pouch of golden Syrian hamsters at a 100% incidence on painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin three times a week for 14 weeks. Marked abnormalities in the status of detoxification enzymes, lipid perxodiation and antioxidants were noticed in hamsters treated with DMBA alone. Oral administration of andrographolide at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw to hamsters treated with DMBA not only completely prevented the tumor formation but also restored the status of the above mentioned biomarkers. The present study thus demonstrates the chemopreventive potential of andrographolide in DMBA-induced hamster buccal pouch carcinogenesis, which is probably due to its antioxidant potential as well as modulating effect on xenobiotic metabolising enzymes during DMBA-induced oral carcinogenesis.