• Current Research on Agriculture and Life Sciences
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• v.3
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• pp.190-196
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• 1985

In order to know the effects of ginseng on the stress, histochemical and electron microsbopic observations were carried out of the adrenal cortex on the stressed rats. The experiments were carried out as follow : non-stressed after saline injection (S-NS-AD), stressed after saline injection (S-S-AD), non-stressed after ginseng injection (G-NS-AD), stressed after ginseng injection (G-S-AD). Saline and ginseng extract were treated by peritoneal injection for 30 days. The results obtained are summarized as follows : Histologically a number of small lipid droplets are found more in S-S-AD group than in S-NS-AD group, whereas in ginseng treated groups numerous large lipid droplets are found. Histochemically cholesterol and its ester, glycolipid, phospholipid and glycogen are highly found in ginseng-treated groups. On the other hand, glycogen and cholesterol are also observed in S-S-AD group. Electron microscopically a numbers of lipid droplets are observed in S-S-AD, G-NS-AD and G-S-AD group, especially large lipid droplets and moderate glycogen are found in G-NS-AD and G-S-AD group. In ginseng-treated groups and S-S-AD group, dilated SER, extended intercellular space and dense bodies are observed, and the filopodiae are found in G-S-AD group. These data suggest that ginseng was activate the metabolism and synthesis of the adrenal cortical cells on the stress.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.43-51
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• 2019

The effects on the radical scavenging activities and hepatic lipid levels in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) in the 70% ethanolic extract from Acer tegmentosum Maxim (ATM) were evaluated. Total phenol content of ATM was 168.60 mg catechin/g in the 70% ethanolic extract of Acer tegmentosum. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 18.32 mM TE/g and 32.25 mM TE/g, respectively. Food efficiency ratio was lower significantly in supplemented group with 150 mg/kg BW/day during 5 weeks (HFD+ATM) compared to HFD. Total cholesterol and triglyceride contents in liver tissue of HFD+ATM were lower significantly compared to those of the HFD. Supplementation of ATM significantly decreased lipid peroxide contents and increased radical scavenging activity in the liver tissue compared with that of HFD group. Moreover, the hepatocytes of HFD rats showed a typical fatty liver morphology showing the presence of cytoplasmic lipid droplets, whereas administration of ATM attenuated the number and the size of lipid droplets. In the liver tissue of ATM administrated HFD group, the mRNA levels of SREBP-1c, $PPAR{\gamma}$, and FAS were decreased. Therefore, these results suggest that Acer tegmentosum extracts could have antioxidant activities and the hypolipidemic effects in liver tissue by its phenolic compounds.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.27-45
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• 1991

To study the effects of dietry methionine level on lipid peroxidation of rats, rats were fed vitamin E, selenium and methionine - deficient diet or the same diet supplemented with various levels(0.3%, 0.6%, 0.9%) of methionine for 6 weeks. The biochemincal and mophological changes in the rat liver were investigated. Lipid peroxide levels in plasma and hepatic mitochondrial fraction of MF rats were more increased than those of control rats. However, supplementation with 0.6% methionine modified this increment. Catalase activity was decreased in hepatic mitochondrial fraction from rats fed MF diet. Methionine supplementation did not induce this enzyme. The ultrastructural evidence for lipid peroxidation was found in plasma membranes facing sinusoids. The most striking changes in including disruption and loss of microvilli and development of numerous lipid droplets occurred in rats fed MF diet. These changes were not effectively prevented by the same diet supplemented with 0.3% or 0.9% methionine, but supplementation with 0.6% methionine modulated more or less the changes.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.22.1-22.21
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• 2020

In the progression of atherosclerosis, macrophages are the key immune cells for foam cell formation. During hyperlipidemic condition, phagocytic cells such as monocytes and macrophages uptake oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDLs) accumulated in subintimal space, and lipid droplets are accumulated in their cytosols. In this review, we discussed the characteristics and phenotypic changes of macrophages in atherosclerosis and the effect of cytosolic lipid accumulation on macrophage phenotype. Due to macrophage plasticity, the inflammatory phenotypes triggered by oxLDL can be re-programmed by cytosolic lipid accumulation, showing downregulation of NF-κB activation followed by activation of anti-inflammatory genes, leading to tissue repair and homeostasis. We also discuss about various in vivo and in vitro models for atherosclerosis research and next generation sequencing technologies for foam cell gene expression profiling. Analysis of the phenotypic changes of macrophages during the progression of atherosclerosis with adequate approach may lead to exact understandings of the cellular mechanisms and hint therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.97-105
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• 2023

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammation and mucin overproduction. Methods: NCI-H292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucin overproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin protein MUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis of PMA-treated NCI-H292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression was confirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipid droplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. A systematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipid metabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), and modulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways to regulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellular ROS levels, and N-acetyl-ⳑ-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore, Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affecting the NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipid droplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviate respiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.102-107
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• 2005

In this study, the ameliorating effect of soybean embryos on the impact of alcohol consumption was investigated on rat hepatocytes and in reducing total serum cholesterol levels and total serum lipid levels. Liver histology and two clinically important enzyme markers, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), of rats administered with both alcohol and soybean embryo were compared with a control group. The treatment regimen of soybean embryo significantly reduced the serum ALT and AST levels of the subjects, demonstrating the hepato-protective effects of soybean embryo. Electron microscopy indicated that the administration of soybean embryo preserved the important hepatocyte structures and prevented the presence of lipid droplets and secondary lysosomes. Furthermore, total cholesterol and total lipid levels were significantly reduced. These results indicate that treatment with soybean embryo can positively mediate the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and general liver functions.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.79-88
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• 2011

The sea tangle, Laminaria japonica has long been used in Korea as a folk remedy to promote health. Gamma-amino butyric acid-enriched (5.56% of dry weight) sea tangle was obtained by fermentation with Lactobacillus brevis BJ-20 (FLJ). A suppressive effect of FLJ on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity has been shown previously. Alcohol administration to Sprague-Dawley rats leads to hepatotoxicity, as demonstrated by heightened levels of hepatic marker enzymes as well as increases in both the number and volume of lipid droplets as fatty liver progresses. However, FLJ attenuated alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity and the accumulation of lipid droplets following ethanol administration. Additionally, FLJ increased the activities and transcript levels of major alcoholmetabolizing enzymes, such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, and reduced blood concentrations of alcohol and acetaldehyde. These data suggest that FLJ protects against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity and that FLJ could be used as an ingredient in functional foods to ameliorate the effects of excessive alcohol consumption.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1207-1213
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• 2008

The possible protective effects of highly zinc-containing yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, FF-10 strain, isolated from tropical fruit rambutan on acute alcoholic liver injury in rats were evaluated. Zinc concentration in this strain was 30.6mg%. The activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and $\gamma$-glutamyl transpeptidase ($\gamma$-GTP) were highly increased when alcohol was treated, relative to the normal rats. Also, a highly significant increase in the blood alcohol and acetaldehyde levels by alcohol treatment was observed. Administration of FF-10 strain markedly prevented alcohol-induced elevation of the activities of serum ALT, AST, and $\gamma$-GTP, and the levels of blood alcohol and acetaldehyde, and these reduced levels reached to that of normal rats. As compared with alcohol treated control rats, the FF-10 strain supplementation showed highly decreased the triglyceride concentration in serum. Alcohol treatment induced the marked accumulation of small lipid droplets, hepatocytes necrosis, and inflammation, but FF-10 strain administration attenuated to alcohol-induced accumulation of small lipid droplets and hepatocyte necrosis in the liver. Therefore, the current finding suggests that zinc-enriched yeast FF-10 strain isolated from tropical fruit rambutan may have protective effect against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.73-79
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• 1981

In order to know the morphology and the function of the fat-storing cells (FSC) of the squirrels which were captured at the Pal-Gong mountain near Taegu in December, 1980 (Group A) and May, 1981 (Group B), respectively, the light and electron microscopic observations were conducted on the liver of the squirrels. The results obtained are as follows: 1. Light microscopically, the size of the lipid droplets in the FSC of group A was uniformly larger than those in the cells of group B, and number of the droplets in the FSC of group A was less than those in the cells of group B, The distribution of the FSC of group A was mainly perilobular area while those of group B was centrolobular and midzonal areas. In this point of view, the FSC of the squirrels was similar to those cells of the hamsters. 2. Electron microscopically, general morphology of the sqirrel's FSC was accorded with those of the other mammals. However, the rouph surfaced endoplasmic reticulum in the FSC of group B was more dilated than those in the cells of group A, and more lipid droplets and pinocytopic vesicles were observed in the FSC of group B than those in the cells of group A. 3. From the above evidences, it could be suggested that the metabolic rates in the FSC of the squirrels collected in the spring were higher than those in the cells of the animals collected in the winter.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.854-863
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• 2020

This study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Porphyra dentata (P. dentata) extract on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells and evaluate its anti-obesity effect. The proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells and differentiation of adipocytes under treatment of P. dentata extract was examined by measuring the cell viability using alamarBlue assay and lipid droplets by Oil Red O staining. Results showed that P. dentata extract has no cytotoxicity effect and lipid droplets formation decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells. It has been confirmed that transcription factors affecting lipid accumulation and anti-adipogenic effects during cell differentiation are linked to P. dentata extract. We observed that P. dentata shows lowering the mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) that adipogenesis-associated key transcription factors and inhibiting adipogenesis in the early stages of differentiation. Treating the cells with P. dentata did not only suppressed PPARγ2 and C/EBPα but also significantly decreased the mRNA expression of adiponectin, Leptin, fatty acid synthase, adipocyte protein 2, and Acetyl-coA carboxylase 1. Overall, the P. dentata extract demonstrated inhibitory property in adipogenesis, which has a potential effect in anti-obesity in 3T3-L1 cells.