• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1687-1696
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• 2015

Supplementation with probiotics can protect against the development of food allergies by modulating the host immune response; however, the mechanisms are not fully understood. The objective of this study was to investigate the allergy-reducing effects of regulatory dendritic cells (regDCs) induced by Lactobacillus paracasei L9 (L9) in β-lactoglobulin (BLG)-sensitized mice. The L9 supplement suppressed the aberrant balance of Th1/Th2 responses to BLG in mice, via upregulation of the CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cell responses. The amount of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+Treg cells in mesenteric lymph nodes increased by 51.85%. Furthermore, administration of L9 significantly induced the expression of CD103 and reduced the maturation status of DCs in mesenteric lymph nodes, Peyer's patches, and spleen. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BM-DCs) were activated by L9 in vitro, with an approximate 1.31-fold and 19.57-fold increase in expression of CD103 in CD11c+DCs and the level of IL-10 production, respectively, while the expression of CD86 did not change significantly. These data demonstrate that L9 reduced the BLG allergic sensitization, likely through regDCs mediated active suppression.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.856-867
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• 2017

Supplement of dietary fibers (DF) is regarded as one of the most effective way to prevent and relieve chronic diseases caused by long-term intake of a high-fat diet in the current society. The health benefits of soluble dietary fibers (SDF) have been widely researched and applied, whereas the insoluble dietary fibers (IDF), which represent a higher proportion in plant food, were mistakenly thought to have effects only in fecal bulking. In this article, we proved the anti-obesity and glucose homeostasis improvement effects of IDF from pear pomace at first, and then the mechanisms responsible for these effects were analyzed. The preliminary study by real-time PCR and ELISA showed that this kind of IDF caused more changes in the gut microbiota compared with in satiety hormone or in hepatic metabolism. Further analysis of the gut microbiota by high-throughput amplicon sequencing showed IDF from pear pomace obviously improved the structure of the gut microbiota. Specifically, it promoted the growth of Bacteroidetes and inhibited the growth of Firmicutes. These results are coincident with previous hypothesis that the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes is negatively related with obesity. In conclusion, our results demonstrated IDF from pear pomace could prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats mainly by improving the structure of the gut microbiota.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8571-8576
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• 2014

Phytomedicines are believed to have benefits over conventional drugs and are regaining interest in current research. Moringa oleifera is a multi-purpose herbal plant used as human food and an alternative for medicinal purposes worldwide. It has been identified by researchers as a plant with numerous health benefits including nutritional and medicinal advantages. Moringa oleifera contains essential amino acids, carotenoids in leaves, and components with nutraceutical properties, supporting the idea of using this plant as a nutritional supplement or constituent in food preparation. Some nutritional evaluation has been carried out in leaves and stems. An important factor that accounts for the medicinal uses of Moringa oleifera is its very wide range of vital antioxidants, antibiotics and nutrients including vitamins and minerals. Almost all parts from Moringa can be used ad a source for nutrition with other useful values. This mini-review elaborates on details of its health benefits.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.173-178
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of wax gourd on body weight, body fat, triglyceride, leptin and fat cell size in rats fed medium fat Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed with experimental diet containing total dietary fat at 20% of calorie with wax gourd (WG) for 4 weeks. Forty rats were divided into 4 groups including control, 5, 10, and 15% (w/w) WG supplement The results showed that weight gain was significantly higher in 5% WG than that in control (p<0.05), but was not different among the WG supplement groups. Total fat weight was significantly decreased in both 10 and 15% WG supplement groups than that of control. The levels of triglycerides and free fatty acids in the plasma were significantly decreased, particularly in 15% WG supplement group (p<0.05). The levels of leptin was not significantly different among the experimental groups. Fat cell size was significantly decreased in WG supplement groups compared to that of control group (p<0.05). Correlation among the parameters demonstrated that weight gain correlated positively with total fat weight, the levels of leptin and triglycerides. Taken these results together, 15% WG supplement diet substantially reduces total fat weight, triglycerides and free fatty acids levels and fat cell size in the rat fed midium fat.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.450-461
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• 2022

Purpose: DNA damage and repair responses are induced by metabolic diseases and environmental stress. The balance of DNA repair response and the antioxidant system play a role in modulating the entire body's health. This study uses a high-fat and high-calorie (HFC) drink to examine the new roles of a plant-based multivitamin/mineral supplement with phytonutrients (PMP) for regulating the antioxidant system and cellular DNA repair signaling in the body resulting from metabolic stress. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, parallel-arm, and placebo-controlled trial, healthy adults received a capsule containing either a PMP supplement (n = 12) or a placebo control (n = 12) for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were collected at 0, 1, and 3 hours after consuming a HFC drink (900 kcal). The blood samples were analyzed for the following oxidative stress makers: areas under the curve reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocytes MDA, urinary MDA, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and the glutathione:oxidized glutathione ratio at the time points. We further examined the related protein levels of DNA repair signaling (pCHK1 (Serine 345), p-P53 (Serine 15), and 𝛄H2AX expression) in the plasma of subjects to evaluate the time-dependent effects of a HFC drink. Results: In a previous study, we showed that PMP supplementation for eight weeks reduces the ROS and endogenous DNA damage in human blood plasma. Results of the current study further show that PMP supplementation is significantly correlated with antioxidant defense. Compared to the placebo samples, the blood plasma obtained after PMP supplementation showed enhanced DNA damage response genes such as pCHK1(Serine 345) (a transducer of DNA response) and 𝛄H2AX (a hallmark of DNA damage) during the 8 weeks trial on metabolic challenges. Conclusion: Our results indicate that PMP supplementation for 8 weeks enhances the antioxidant system against oxidative stress and prevents DNA damage signaling in humans.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.42-51
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• 2002

Questionnaire survey was performed in order to set an adequate meal table for athletes taking their food preferences into consideration. The survey was conducted against 32 athletes of a professional soccer team. Statistical data analysis was performed utilizing SAS package program. The results of this study can be summarized as follows; 18.8% of the answerers were found out to consider their autotrophic nutritional status as above average, 75.0% considered theirs as up to the average and 6.2%, below average. Among answers to the question what they consider as the most critical factor in their staying healthy; sound sleep won the most votes followed by enough rest, tranquillity and balanced eating habit. Yet, 68.8% replied their meal sizes were not settled. And 46.9% thought nutritive supplement helpful and 96.9% of the answerers said a dietitian is required as their health manager. 62.5% of them preferred Korean cuisine. Chigye and Chongol were the most preferred menus(55.6%) and Namul (28.1%), Muchim(26.3%) and Cheok.cheon(23.9%) enjoyed relatively low preference.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.146-154
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• 2004

This study compared intake of vitamins and antioxidant nutritional status of smokers and nonsmokers, and the effect of supplementation of vitamin C and vitamin E on antioxidant system of smokers and nonsmokers. Subjects were 30 smokers and 30 non-smokers of male university students. They were divided into groups of 10 subjects each one with supplementation for 4 weeks, to investigate the effects of supplementation. Smokers were divided into vitamin C supplement group, vitamin E supplement group and vitamin C and vitamin E combination supplement group, and so were nonsmokers. The supplementation of vitamin C was 500mg and vitamin E was 400IU. There was no significant difference of antioxidant vitamin intakes between smokers and non-smokers, and plasma concentration of vitamin C in smokers was lower than non-smokers (p<0.05). Blood pressure was higher in smokers (p<0.05), with no difference in blood glucose levels, methemoglobin and TBARS, but SOD activity was significantly higher in non-smokers (p<0.001). Vitamin C supplementation resulted in a significant decrease of diastolic blood pressure (p<0.01), systolic blood pressure (p<0.001) and methemoglobin (p<0.001) in smokers. Also a significant decrease of diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05), systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), blood glucose (p<0.05), methemoglobin (p<0.001) and TBARS (p<0.05), with significant increase of SOD activity (p<0.001) were found in vitamin E supplement group. In vitamin C and vitamin E combination supplement group, there was a significant decrease of diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05), methemoglobin (p<0.01) and TBARS (p<0.05). In non-smokers, methemoglobins (p<0.001) of vitamin C supplement group and vitamin E supplement group decreased, and diastolic pressure (p<0.05), methemoglobin (p<0.01) and TBARS (p<0.05) significantly decreased in vitamin C and vitamin E combination supplement group. These results indicated better efficacy of antioxidant supplementation in smokers than in nonsmokers, suggesting that the supplementation of vitamin C and vitamin E might decrease the oxidative stress and various risk factors of smoking-related diseases.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2003

Fruits and vegetables reportedly have a protective effect against hyperlipidemia and oxidative disease. Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering effect and antioxidative capacity of persimmon leaf extract (PLE) in rats fed a high-cholesterol diet. Male rats were fed a high-cholesterol (1% wt/wt) or high-cholesterol diet supplemented with Lovastatin (0.02% wt/wt) or PLE (0.2% wt/wt) for 5 weeks. The concentration of plasma total cholesterol was significantly lower in the PLE group than in the lovastatin group. However, the concentration of plasma HDL-cholesterol and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol (%) were significantly higher in the PLE group than in the control group. The PLE supplement also significantly lowered the contents of hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride. In comparing fecal sterol contents, the PLE group saw a significant increase of both neutral and acidic sterol compared to the other groups. The PLE supplement significantly lowered plasma GOT and GPT activity, which ave indices of hepatic toxicity. Plasma TBARS concentration was significantly lower in the PLE group than in the control group, while hepatic TBARS level was not significantly different between the groups. In a comparison of hepatic antioxidant parameters, SOD, catalase and GSH-Px activity were significantly higher in the PLE group than in the control group. However, the PLE supplement significantly towered antioxidant enzyme activity in the erythrocyte. Furthermore, these results suggest that supplementation of PLE promoted the excretion of fecal sterols, thereby leading to decreased absorption of dietary cholesterol. In addition, PLE may play an important role in regulating antioxidative capacities by altering SOD and ChT activity.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.32-38
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• 2014

Food consumption and conversion efficiency of eri silkworm Samia ricini Donovan were studied during $4^{th}$ and $5^{th}$ larval instars by feeding castor leaves fortified with 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm concentrations of aqueous extracts of cyanobacteria Anabaena variabilis. The nutritional indices viz., ingesta, digesta, approximate digestibility (%), reference ratio and efficiency parameters like ECI and ECD were recorded which were significantly high at 400 ppm concentration treated batches of $4^{th}$ instar larvae over control batches. The decline in nutritional efficiency parameters of $5^{th}$ instar treated larvae might be due to higher utilization of the digested food for metabolic activities. Significant difference of ECI to cocoon % and non-significant difference of ECD to cocoon% and shell were observed between the treatments and control. Cyanabacteria feed supplement contains antibiotic and nutritions factors which has reflective effect on the biological parameters in eri silkworm and therefore has greater application in commercial eri silkworm rearing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-202
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the pattern of health food usage of the adults by food lifestyles pattern in contemporary Seoul. This study views health food consumption as a cultural practice in which people produce (and reproduce) diverse social relationships and cultural meanings. It also identifies food lifestyles and health food usage pattern of Korean adult in Seoul. This topics were discussed based on field research data collected by nutritional survey with questionnaire. To identify the relationships between pattern of health food and food lifestyles, 503 men and 437 women aged 18 to 65 years were divided into 5 groups of food lifestyles : Health Eaters, In-a-Dither, Traditional Eaters, Conscientious and People on the Go. As a substantial percentage of the subjects were used some kinds of nutrients supplement. The higher the age and family income were, the higher the percentage of health food usage was. There was the significant difference between sexes in usuage of health food. Health food usage was higher in the food lifestyle pattern of Health Eater than other food lifestyles.