• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.93-106
• /
• 1998

This study was designed to find out the effects on the lipid metabolism of two herbs used in folk treatment in Korea The two herbs were A: Equisetum arvense L. (Seddugi), B: Eunymus alatus Siebold (Hwasalnamoo). The experiment was performed with the male rats of Sprague-Dawley which fed on high calorie and animal fat supplemented diets from which 30% of the total calories can from lard. Experimental groups were divided into standard (ST) and two other(A, B) groups for the each herb. Each of the two experimental groups consisted of three subgroups (I, II, III) according to the three different doses of the folk remedy used, which were five times and ten times the dose commonly used in a folk remedy. During the experimental period, total food intake and body weight gains were measured, and FER, CER, PER were calculated at the same times. Serum levels of triglyceride, total lipid, ttal cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and total lipid as well as cholesterol contents of the liver were measured at the time of sacrifice. Epididymal fat pads were weighted and an indes was calculated. The results of the effects on the lipid metabolism were as follows : 1.Total food intake and body weight gains increased in group A & B. 2. The serum levels of the total lipid and triglyceride decreased in AIII, BI and BIII.3. The serum level of cholesterol decreased in group B, while level of HDL-Cholesterol were increased in all groups and most effectively in group B. 4. The contents of total liver lipid increased in groups A&B. cholesterol decreased in groups A&B. In conclusion, effects on the lipid metabolism associated with the kinds of herbs a diet were the increase of body weighta and the decrease of total lipid and cholesterol levels in serum and liver.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.489-495
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of dried Momordica charantia aqueous extracts (MCA) and ethanol extracts (MCE) on obesity and lipid profiles in mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIALS/METHODS: Forty two ICR mice were randomly divided into six groups. The normal group was fed a basal diet, and other groups were fed a 45% high-fat diet (HFD) for 7 weeks. The normal and HFD groups were also orally administered distilled water each day for 7 weeks. The remaining groups received Momordica charantia extract (0.5 or 1.0 g/kg/day MCA, and 0.5 or 1.0 g/kg/day MCE). In order to measure the anti-obesity and lipid profile improvement effects, body and visceral tissue weight, lipid profiles, plasma insulin levels, hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured. RESULTS: Both MCA and MCE significantly decreased body and visceral tissue weight relative to those of the HFD group (P < 0.05). Additionally high doses of MCE and MCA significantly reduced the plasmatic insulin levels compared to the HFD groups (P < 0.05) to concentrations comparable to those found in the normal group. MCA and MCE supplementation also significantly modulated the lipid profiles in plasma, liver, and feces compared to mice fed the HFD (P < 0.05). Furthermore MCA and MCE significantly increased hepatic SOD activity, and reduced MDA generation in the liver of the HFD mice (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the present study suggest that Momordica charantia extracts have anti-obesity effects and the ability to modulate lipid prolife of mice fed a HFD by suppressing body weight gain, visceral tissue weight, plasma and hepatic lipid concentrations, and lipid peroxidation along with increasing lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.62-68
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to confirm that regular physical exercise habit and calcium intake play a role reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseae, particularly to confrim that regular exercise is important in reducing serum lipid levels. Subjects were classified into regular exercise group(more than 3 times/wk, more than 30 min per exercise) and non-regular exercise group. A convenient frequency method was used to assess the nutritional intake of subjects. Anthropometric measurement such as bodyweight and hight, and blood pressure were measured. There was no significant difference between nonexercisers and exerciser in energy intake, calcium intake and blood lipid levels. The strength of frequency of exercise may not by adequate to modify lipid profiles in premenopausal woman with normal lipid level, Although we found no significant difference in blood lipid levels, this result does not imply there are no benefits of exercise subjects. There were no signigicant correlations between age or weight with blood lipids in regular exercise group, while there were significant positive correlations between age of weight with blood lipids in non-regular exercise group. The levels of serum cholesterol, and triglyceride, blood pressure and atherogenic index increased with age in nonexercise women, Especially, atherogenic index was lower in regular exercise group. The blood pressure in nonexercise group was significantly higher than that in regular exercise group There was a highly significant negative correlation between calcium intake and blood pressure in nonexercise women, There was a highly significant negative correlation between calcium intake and blood pressure in nonexercise women. The results suggest that increased habitual physical activity and calcium intake may have desirable effects on serum lipid levels and blood pressure in premenopausal women.(Korean J Nutrition 34(1):62-68, 2001)

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.37-42
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Red grape seeds as functional food are a good source of important bioactive components such as phenolics and antioxidants, which decrease oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity. The current study was conducted in order to evaluate the protective effect of red grape dried seeds (RGDS) on antioxidant properties, lipid metabolism, and liver and kidney functions of rats with paracetamol (750 mg/kg) induced hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS/METHODS: RGDS was added to the basal diet at 5, 10, and 20%. Thirty five adult male rats were assigned to five groups (n = 7) for a six-week feeding period; group (1) normal control, group (2) induced control, groups (3, 4, and 5) fed a diet with RGPS at different levels, 5, 10, and 20%, respectively. At the end of the feeding period, animals' blood and tissues were collected for estimation of serum lipid profile, serum liver, and kidney biomarkers. The protection was measured by detecting lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) (in liver tissues), and liver histological examination. RESULTS: The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), with a significant increase in level of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) for RGDS groups compared to induced control. Rats administered a diet containing RGDS levels produced significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of liver enzymes, kidney parameters, and lipid peroxidation, while levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT were increased significantly to near the normal levels. CONCLUSION: The RGDS 20% group was more effective than others against hepatotoxicity of paracetamol, which may be attributed to RGDS total phenols and antioxidant contents, which were 1.438 mg and 1.231 mg, respectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.34 no.8
• /
• pp.843-849
• /
• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the effect of n-3 fatty acids and dietary protein levels on renal function. Fifteen-month old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 diet groups. Two-month old rats were used as a control group. The experimental diets contained either a% or 25% casein and lipid levels of the diets were 20% by weight. For the control group, the lipid was composed of beef tallow and corn oil on a 1:1 basis, and fish oil was comprised 75% of the fat mixture for the fish oil group. Rats were fed the diets ad libitum for 8 weeks. GFR and urinary protein excretion were higher in high protein groups, while fish oil exhibited no effects. Renal medulla TXB$_2$and PGE$_2$ concentrations tended to be higher in high protein groups and lower in fish oil groups. Light microscopic examinations showed that glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, tubular cast, interstitial inflammation and interstitial fibrosis fended to be higher in aged rats and in high protein groups and lower in fish oil groups. Serum levels of total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol were higher in aged rats and lower in fish oil groups while serum HDL-cholesterol level was higher in young rats and in fish oil groups. However, dietary protein level had no effect on serum lipid levels. Serum TBARS concentration was higher in aged rats and in fish oil groups. In conclusion, fish oil caused changes in serum lipid concentrations and eicosanoids metabolism. The effect of fish oil on renal function was less obvious than dietary protein. However, fish oil seemed to be effective in lessening deterioration of renal function due to aging and/or high protein diets through changes in lipid and eicosanoids metabolism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.34 no.7
• /
• pp.778-785
• /
• 2001

In Korea, the concerns about the consumption of soy-based infant formulas have received considerable public attention. In has been known that the n-3/n-6 ratio of soy has a beneficial effect on the health. This study was conducted to investigate whether the soy-based infant formula has an effect on the composition of fatty acids in erythrocytes with regard to the plasma lipid levels in full-term infants. The infants who were delivered at Kyung Hee Medical Center were recruited. Experimental groups were the breast milk group(n=17), soy-based infant formula group(n=12) and casein-based infant formula group(n=19). Anthrophometic and dietary assessments were performed and the composition of RBC fatty acids and blood lipid levels were measured. The body weight, length, chest circumference and head circumference of the subjects were normal growth range showing no significant difference among the experimental groups. The ratio of n-3/n-6 ratio in breast milk, soy-based infant formula and casein-based infant formula were 0.11, 0.14 and 0.13, respectively. N-3/n-6 ratio of the subjects erythrocyte fatty acids for each groups were 0.18, 0.21 and 0.17, respectively. Most of the fatty acids of erythrocyte were not significantly different among the three experimental groups. The blood lipid levels of each experimental group were normal range. The total lipid level of casein-based formula group was higher than that of other experimental groups and LDL-cholesterol level of soy-based formula group was the lowest among the three groups.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.30 no.10
• /
• pp.1140-1152
• /
• 1997

Serum and liver lipid levels and fatty acid composition of liver phospolipids (PL) were investigated in 36 rats which consumed either one of five different dietary fats or a high carbohydrate diet for 4 weeks. As the sources of five dietary fats, concentrated cicosapentaenoic acid(EPA), fish oil (FO), perilla oil(PO), corn oil(CO) and beef tallow (BT) were provided to the rats. As a control group, cron starch (CS) replaced dietary fat. The FO group showed lower serum total cholesterol (TC), high density lipiprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and serum PL levels than those of the CO group(p<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum TC and serum HDL-C levels between the polyunsatured fatty acid(PUFA) groups and the EPA, FO and PO groups. The CS group showed the highest level serum TC. Compared with the CS group, both the EPA and CO groups showed significantly lower atherogenic indices(AI). However, there were no significant differences in AI among different dietary fat groups. No significant differences in liver triglyceride (TG) , TC and PL levels were detected among the six experimental groups. Phosphatidylcholine(PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine(PE) composed 30-40% and 15-20% of total liver PL, respectively. The fatty acid composition of liver PC and PE reflected dietary fatty acid composition . Compared to the different dietary fat based diets used in our study, the high carbohydrate diet had the most adverse effects on serum lipid profiles. However, we can not conclude from this result that long chain n-3 PUFA diets such as the EPA and FO based diets have more beneficial effects on serum lipid profiles than n-6 PUFA diet such as the CO based diet or shorter chain n-3 PUFA diets like the PO based diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.312-319
• /
• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of lecithin on lipid metabolism and antixidative capacity in 9-week-old rats. Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 249.8 g were blocked into three groups according to their body weight and raised for 8 weeks with experimental diets containing 1% (LM) or 5% lecithin (LH) and control (C) diet. Plasma and liver total lipids, triglyceride, total cholesterol and plasma HDL-cholesterol concenterations, and fecal total lipids, triglyceride, total cholesterol and bile acid excretions were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma, liver, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in red blood cell and liver, xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in plasma and liver, and total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma were also measured. Effect of lecithin intake on antioxidative capacity was not significantly different among all the groups. Plasma total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were lower in lecithin groups compared to control group, and these three lipid levels of lecithin groups were lowered dose-dependently as dietary lecithin level increased. But liver total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were not different among all the groups. Also fecal total lipids, triglyceride and total cholesterol excretions were highest in high lecithin groups compared to two other groups. Thus it is plausible that lecithin intake decreases plasma lipid levels through increasing fecal lipid excretions, and may be beneficial for treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia, but has no effect on antioxidative capacity.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.44-51
• /
• 1997

Secrum lipid and vitamin E levels were determined and smoking, alcohol drinking and exercise habits were asked in 357 healthy male subjects aged 49.4$\pm$6.7 years in Taegu. Average serum levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride(TG) were 189$\pm$43mg/이, 42$\pm$13mg/dl and 136$\pm$73mg/이, respectively. Serum level of lipid peroxide measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) of the subjects was 2.01$\pm$0.73MDA nmoles/ml and that of $\alpha$-tocopherol was 9.53$\pm$3.14ug/ml. The correlation coefficients between $\alpha$-tocopherol and serum lipids were 0.3631 for triglyceride, 0.2993 for cholesterol, and 0.3025 for total lipid. Heavy smokers who smoked more than 20 cigarettes a day had higher levels of TG and TBARS than those who smoke less. Alcohol drinkers had higher levels of TG and TBARS than nondrinkers. Vitamin E level(per ml serum)was significantly higher in the heavy smokers and drinkers, which was reflected by the higher level of serum lipid. When the level of $\alpha$-tocopherol was expressed as $\alpha$-tocopherol/triglyceride, it was negatively correlated with serum TBARS level and was lower in the heavy smokers than in the moderate smokers. It is concluded that vitamin E level as $\alpha$-tocopherol/triglyceride would be better compared to $\alpha$-tocopherol/total cholesterol or $\alpha$-tocopherol/total lipid for the evaluation of vitamin E status in Korean men.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.641-654
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) contains abounding phytochemicals, such as polyphenols and anthocyanins, and has antioxidative effects. Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a crucial regulator in enhancing the lipid metabolism. This study hypothesized that the intake of sour cherry affects AMPK signaling. Therefore, this study examined whether sour cherry regulates AMPK to balance the hepatic lipid metabolism and exert ameliorating effects. Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice had obesity induced with a 45% fat diet. The mice were divided into four groups: control (CON), high-fat diet (HFD), low percentage sour cherry powder (LSC), and high percentage sour cherry powder (HSC). The mice in the sour cherry groups were fed 1% sour cherry or 5% sour cherry in their respective diets for 12 weeks. Results: The body weight, visceral fat weight, and lipid droplet size significantly decreased in the treatment groups. The serum and hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels improved significantly in the HSC group. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were also reduced significantly, whereas the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased significantly in both treatment groups. The sterol regulator binding protein-1c and fatty acid synthase expression levels as fatty acid synthesis-related enzymes were significantly lower in the treatment groups than in the high-fat diet group. Furthermore, the adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase expression levels as lipolytic enzyme activity and AMPK/acetyl-CoA carboxylase/carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 as fatty acid β-oxidation-related pathway were upregulated significantly in both sour cherry groups. Conclusions: These results show that sour cherry intake improves hepatic lipid synthesis and chronic diseases by activating AMPK signaling. Therefore, this study suggests that phytochemical-rich sour cherry can be developed as a healthy functional food.