• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.51 no.4
• /
• pp.275-286
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Our previous study demonstrated that persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thumb.) at different stages of ripening provided different protective effects against high-fat/cholesterol diet (HFD)-induced dyslipidemia in rats. In this study, we compared the metabolites profile and gene expressions related to triglyceride (TG)/cholesterol metabolism in vitro and in vivo after treating with persimmon water extracts (PWE) or tannin-enriched persimmon concentrate (TEP). Methods: Primary and secondary metabolites in test materials were determined by GC-TOF/MS, UHPLC-LTQ-ESI-IT-MS/MS, and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The expression of genes related to TG and cholesterol metabolism were determined by RT-PCR both in HepG2 cells stimulated by oleic acid/palmitic acid and in liver tissues obtained from Wistar rats fed with HFD and PWE at 0, 150, 300, and 600 mg/d (experiment I) or TEP at 0, 7, 14, and 28 mg/d (experiment II) by oral gavage for 9 weeks. Results: PLS-DA analysis and heatmap analysis demonstrated significantly differential profiling of metabolites of PWE and TEP according to processing of persimmon powder. In vitro, TEP showed similar hypolipidemic effects as PWE, but significantly enhanced hypocholesterolemic effects compared to PWE in sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), cholesterol $7{\alpha}-hydroxylase$ (CYP7A1), and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene expression. Consistently, TEP and PWE showed similar hypolipidemic capacity in vivo, but significantly enhanced hypocholesterolemic capacity in terms of SREBP2, HMGCR, and bile salt export pump (BSEP) gene expression. Conclusion: These results suggest that column extraction after hot water extraction may be a good strategy to enhance tannins and long-chain fatty acid amides, which might cause stimulation of hypocholesterolemic actions through downregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis gene expression and upregulation of LDL receptor gene expression.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2000

In this study, we investigated the preventive and therapeutic effects of antler-extract for osteoporosis. Rats were ovariectomized bilaterally and were fed up with Ca- and P-free diet in order to induce osteoporosis. Body weight, organ weight, the weight of femur and bone ash quantity were examined for 5 weeks. We also performed histological and electronical microscopic examinations. 1. After adminstration of female and male antler extract to osteoporosis-induced rats at the doses of 625 and 1250 mg/kg, respectively, the body weights were significantly increased compared with those of normal control group's which was 230.2:t2.3-281.0:t2.5g (p＜0.05). 2. The weights of both right and left femur of osteoporosis-induced rats, administered with female or male antler-extract, little decreased compared with those of normal control group. 3. The bone ash quanties of femur of osteoporosis-induced rats, administered with female or male antler-extract, little decreased compared with those of normal control group. 4. The weights of liver, spleen, and kidney of osteoporosis-induced rats, administered with female or male antler-extract, decreased compared with those of normal control group. 5. Histological and electronic microscopical findings were (1) that in normal control rats the connectional of lacunae appeared well and were without loss of bone mineral, (2) that in ovariectomized rats the connections of lacunae were mostly broken and were with loss of bone mineral compared with those of normal control rats, (3) that in osteoporosis-induced rats, administrated with female or male antler-extract, the shape of lacunae and the connections of them were similar to those of normal control rats. These findings suggest a possible protective and therapeutic effects of female or male antler extract against bone loss in ovariectomized rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.36 no.8
• /
• pp.801-810
• /
• 2003

Chronic alcoholism is considered a common cause of malnutrition. Especially, micronutrient deficiency may playa critical role in the incidence of alcoholic liver diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of folate deficiency and ethanol consumption on cholesterol metabolism and the antioxidative system in rats. Plasma concentration of total cholesterol was increased by ethanol administration in folate-fed rats. HDL-cholesterol tended to be higher in the folate-fed group, but it was not significant. The plasma and hepatic levels of malondialdehyde were increased after chronic ethanol feeding, but dietary folate depressed the plasma malondialdehyde content of rats. Ethanol or folate feeding did not significantly change alcohol dehydrogenase activity. But folate feeding increased catalase activity in ethanol-fed rats. There was no significant change in superoxide dismutase activity among the experimental groups. Glutathione peroxidase activity tended to decrease by chronic ethanol feeding, but dietary folate did not affectthe glutathione peroxidase activity of chronic ethanol-fed rats. Glutathionine-S-transferase activity was not affected by ethanol feeding or folate deficiency. The plasma and hepatic levels of retinol decreased after chronic ethanol feeding. The hepatic level of retinol significantly decreased in ethanol-fed rats by folate deficiency. The plasma level of $\alpha$-tocopherol tended to be low in the folate deficient group with ethanol feeding, but there was no difference among the experimental groups in the hepatic level of $\alpha$-tocopherol. These results demonstrate that chronic ethanol consumption changes the plasma cholesterol metabolism and antioxidative system of rats, and optimal folate feeding in ethanol-fed rats exerts protective effects to some extent.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.657-663
• /
• 2015

Ionizing radiation induces cell damage through formation of reactive oxygen species. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of post-treatment with hesperetin against ${\gamma}$-irradiation-induced cellular damage and oxidative stress in BALB/c mice. Healthy female BALB/c mice were exposed to ${\gamma}$-irradiation and administered hesperetin (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg, b.w., orally) for 7 days after 6 Gy of ${\gamma}$-irradiation. Exposure to ${\gamma}$-irradiation resulted in hematopoietic system damage manifested as decreases in spleen indexes and WBC count. In addition, hepatocellular damage characterized by increased levels of aspartate aminoransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in plasma. However, post-irradiation treatment with hesperetin provided significant protection against hematopoietic system damage and decreased AST and ALT levels in plasma. The results indicate that ${\gamma}$-irradiation induced increases in lipid peroxidation and xanthine oxidase (XO) as well as decreases in antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and glutathione (GSH) in the liver. These effects were also attenuated by post-treatment with hesperetin, which decreased lipid peroxidation and XO as well as increased antioxidant enzymes and GSH. These results show that post-treatment with hesperetin offers protection against ${\gamma}$-irradiation-induced tissue damage and oxidative stress and can be developed as an effective radioprotector during radiotherapy.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.370-378
• /
• 2020

This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) leaf hot-water extract on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-treated HepG2 cells. Treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract increased the cell viability of CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) released by CCl₄-treated cells were 27.6 U/L and 52.4 U/L, respectively, and were significantly higher than those in untreated control cells (10.0 U/L and 15.2 U/L, respectively). Moreover, the level of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) was 5.4 times higher, while that of glutathione was 44.0% lower in CCl₄-treated cells than in control cells. However, treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the levels of ALT, AST, and GGT, and an increase in the level of glutathione. Moreover, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in CCl₄-treated HepG2 cells was effectively reduced after treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Additionally, overproduction of intracellular lipids induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively inhibited by D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract treatment. Furthermore, DCFDA staining showed that overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by CCl₄ treatment was effectively reduced by treatment with D. morbifera leaf hot-water extract. Our results indicate that owing to its beneficial effects, D. morbifera leaf extract has considerable potential as a functional food material for liver protection.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.32 no.8
• /
• pp.1310-1317
• /
• 2003

Effects of dietary cholesterol and/or taurine supplementation on plasma and hepatic lipid peroxidation status and antioxidant enzyme activities were evaluated in rats fed one of the following semisynthetic diets for 5 weeks: control diet (CD, cholesterol-free and taurine-free diet); high cholesterol diet (HCD, CD+1.5% cholesterol): high taurine diet (HTD, CD+1.5% taurine): high cholesterol and high taurine diet (HCHTD, HCD + 1.5% taurine). Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level was not influenced by dietary cholesterol or taurine supplementation, while hepatic MDA level was 70% higher in rats fed HCD compared to the value for CD rats (p<0.05). Our observation that taurine supplementation significantly decreased the hepatic MDA level of rats fed HCD, but failed to decrease lipid peroxidation of rats fed CD indicates that the protective effect of taurine in the liver against lipid peroxidation is manifested only under the hypercholesterolemic environment. Plasma and hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities were not affected by dietary supplementation of cholesterol or taurine. However, hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly reduced by dietary taurine supplementation (p <0.05), and thus significantly lower in rats fed HTD compared to the value for CD (p<0.05). Plasma total cholesterol concentration was positively correlated with hepatic cholesterol concentration as expected (r=0.712, p<0.001). Plasma (r=0.399, p<0.05) and hepatic cholesterol levels (r=0.429, p<0.05) showed a significantly positive correlation with hepatic MDA concentration, respectively. Plasma taurine concentration was negatively correlated with hepatic SOD activity (r=-0.481, p<0.01), and tended to be negatively correlated with hepatic GSH-Px activity without showing statistical significance (r=-0.188, p<0.05). These results indicate an antioxidative effect of taurine in rats with elevated level of lipid Peroxidation due to high intake of dietary cholesterol. Future application of taurine as a safe candidate for a hypolipidemic agent without adversely affecting body's antioxidant defense system is speculated.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.10
• /
• pp.1271-1278
• /
• 2007

In this study, the ability of Styela clava or Styela plicata to reduce ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity and hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was evaluated. Twenty four male SD rats were given 25% ethanol containing water (ad lib, p.o.) and divided into 3 groups; ethanol treated control group (EtOH), ethano1+3% S. clava (EtOH+SC), and ethano1+3% S. plicata (EtOH+SP). After 6 weeks, the supplementation of S. clava reduced the plasma ALT, ALP and LDH activities significantly (p<0.05), while S. plicata induced significant decrease in the plasma LDH activity only. The comet assay was employed to quantify the alcohol-induced DNA damage in rat hepatocytes and leucocytes. A significant protective effect on hepatic and leucocytic DNA damages was observed in S. clava or S. plicata supplemented groups compared to the EtOH control group. The hepatic DNA damage was correlated positively with plasma ALP and LDH activities. These results demonstrated that S. clava or S. plicata supplementation protected alcohol-induced hepatic and leucocytic DNA damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.43 no.8
• /
• pp.1166-1173
• /
• 2014

This study investigated the detoxification effects of enzymatic hydrolysate from oyster on acetaminophen-induced toxicity using HepG-2 cells. Oyster hydrolysate was made with 1% Protamex and 1% Neutrase after treatment with transglutaminase (TGPN) or without (PN). Two types of oyster hydrolysate were added to human-derived HepG-2 hepatocytes damaged by acetaminophen, after which the survival rate of HepG-2 cell was measured. In addition, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) activities in the culture media were evaluated. The survival rates of HepG-2 cells were $136.2{\pm}1.4%$ at $100{\mu}g/mL$ of TGPN and $179.6{\pm}3.8%$ at $200{\mu}g/mL$ of TGPN. These cell survival rates were higher compared to that of the negative control group ($60.7{\pm}3.2%$) treated only with acetaminophen. GOT activity was $38.3{\pm}0.2$ Karmen/mL in the negative control group, whereas it was $19.9{\pm}0.5$ for TGPN ($200{\mu}g/mL$) and $22.0{\pm}2.4$ Karmen/mL for PN ($200{\mu}g/mL$). GOT and GTP activities were shown to be dependent on TGPN concentration, and significant reduction in activities could be conformed. The detoxification efficacy of TGPN was higher compared to that of PN. These results suggest that oyster hydrolysate has potential as a healthy food or pro-drug for liver protection.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.213-217
• /
• 2006

The halophilic bacterium Vibrio vulnificus is known to be a foodborne pathogen that causes septicemia in human. V. vulnificus infection is characterized by the high fatality rates and the primary attack against a person who have underlying diseases such as liver cirrhosis. However, there is no effective treatment for V. vulnificus septicemia except for classical treatments such as antibiotics. Recently, it has been known that lipoprotein (LDL) plays a major role in the protection against infection and inflammation. Consequently in this paper we analyzed the effects of LDL on V. vulnificus septicemia. We purified V. vulnificus cytolysin, a major virulent factor of V. vulnificus infection and measured inhibitory effects of mouse serum, cholesterol, and LDL on its hemolytic activity. Next experiments were performed to investigate whether LDL has a protective role against septicemia induced by V. vulnificus in mice. Intraperitoneal injection of LDL (1mg as protein) into mice 3hr before V. vulnificus $(1\times10^6\;CFU)$ injection, and V. vulnificus -induced lethality was determined. For the determination the relationship between LDL or cholesterol and prognosis, we determined serum levels of cholesterol and lipoprotein from V. vulnificus septicemia patients (n=15) who had visited the Chonbuk National University Hospital in Chonju. V. vulnificus cytolysin -induced hemolysis of mice erythrocytes was completely inhibited by serum, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein. V. vulnificus- induced lethality of mice injected with LDL showed only 40% compared to 100% of control. In survival groups (n=4) of V. vulnificus septicemia patients (n=15), their serum LDL and cholesterol revealed normal levels ($153.3{\pm}40.7,\;LDL;\;190.8{\pm}16.3$, Total cholesterol). However, in death groups (n=11) showed very low levels ($35.6{\pm}13.9,\;LDL;\;59.2{\pm}15.1$, Total cholesterol). Our study indicates that cholesterol and LDL are a prognosis indicator of V. vulnificus septicemia as well as an inhibitor of virulent action of V. vulnificus cytolysin. We suggested that the serum levels of cholesterol or LDL would be major index in the treatment and prevention of V. vulnificus septicemia.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.555-563
• /
• 2019

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of an ethanol extract of Elaeagnus umbellata leaves (EUL-EE) on skin-related biological activities. Previously, we have reported that gallic acid was the major phenolic compound in EUL-EE through quantitative analysis and that EUL-EE had an inhibitory effect against the proliferation of liver cancer HepG2 cells. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of EUL-EE on melanin production and tyrosinase activity in ${\alpha}$-melanocyte-stimulated hormone-stimulated B16-F0 cells were determined to assess the effects of EUL-EE on skin whitening. The anti-wrinkle effect using UVB-irradiated CCD-986sk cells was examined by the expression of type I procollagen and metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 release. The EUL-EE significantly decreased intracellular melanin production (33.0% inhibition at $100{\mu}g/ml$) when compared with untreated B16-F0 cells. Tyrosinase activities in the stimulated B16-F0 cells were also decreased by EUL-EE (47.8% inhibition at $100{\mu}g/ml$). The EUL-EE also dose-dependently increased the production of type I procollagen (up to 1.74-fold at $250{\mu}g/ml$) in CCD-986sk cells when compared with UVB-irradiated controls. EUL-EE showed no cytotoxicity at concentrations up to $500{\mu}g/ml$. In addition, EUL-EE at $10-500{\mu}g/ml$ inhibited the release of MMP-1 to the medium from UVB-irradiated CCD-986sk cells. Taken together, these observations indicate that EUL-EE has high potential for use as inner beauty and cosmetic materials due to its whitening and anti-wrinkle effects.