• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.333-339
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• 2014

Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, has been known to reverse hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. Although many studies have evaluated molecular targets of Ex-4, its mechanism of action on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis has not fully been determined. In the liver, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) is mainly expressed in hepatocytes, endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, the effects of Ex-4 on GLUT4 expression were determined in the liver of ob/ob mice. Ob/ob mice were treated with Ex-4 for 10 weeks. Serum metabolic parameters, hepatic triglyceride levels, and liver tissues were evaluated for hepatic steatosis. The weights of the whole body and liver in ob/ob mice were reduced by long-term Ex-4 treatment. Serum metabolic parameters, hepatic steatosis, and hepatic fibrosis in ob/ob mice were reduced by Ex-4. Particularly, Ex-4 improved hepatic steatosis by enhancing GLUT4 via GLP-1R activation in ob/ob mice. Ex-4 treatment also inhibited hepatic fibrosis by decreasing expression of connective tissue growth factor in HSCs of ob/ob mice. Our data suggest that GLP-1 agonists exert a protective effect on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2017

Salvia plebeia R. Br. (Lamiaceae) has been used in folk medicines in Asian countries, including Korea and China, to treat inflammatory diseases. The focus of our research was on the anti-adipogenic activity of ethanol extract from Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SPE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study investigated inhibition of differentiation and lipogenesis upon SPE treatment in 3T3-L1 cells. The results reveal that SPE at non-cytotoxic concentration significantly suppressed triglyceride accumulation and reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein as adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to non-treated control cells. Inducible phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and hormone-sensitive lipase as well as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 mRNA expression increased upon SPE treatment, which suppressed expression of fatty acid synthase. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SPE can inhibit expression of adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggests that SPE has potential anti-obesity effects and is a novel therapeutic functional agent with anti-adipogenic activity via reduction of lipogenesis.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-26
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• 2018

The objective of this study is to verify the effects of Moosim-Gi-Gong Doinbeop on low back pain targeting low back pain patients hospitalized in Korean medicine hospitals. For the study, 44 adult female and male patients hospitalized with low back pain at M Korean Medicine Hospital and H Korean Medicine Hospital located in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province were recruited. The subjects had a temperature difference between left and right 湧泉(KI1) of over 0.5℃ through infrared thermographic imaging, and 23 of them were classified in the control group for retrospective analysis based on the test records. Infrared thermographic imaging, X-ray pelvic AP view - standing position, a sit-and-reach test and a VAS survey were employed for detection, and IBM SPSS Statistics 24 for the statistical process. The results were rounded down to three decimal places as in an average±standard deviation, and the significance level was 0.05 to be evaluated significant if p<0.05. The result of the study is as follows: 1. In the comparison between before and after conducting Moosim-Gi-Gong Doinbeop, the meaningful difference was shown in the experimental group in all indicators. But Indicators except for the temperature difference between right and left 湧泉(KI1)(difference between before and after) and In displaced pelvic correction indicators on the X-ray showed a significant difference in the control group. 2. As for the variation widths of the experimental group and the control group, the former showed significant temperature differences between 印堂(EX-HN3) and 關元(CV4) and right and left 湧泉(KI1); difference variations of anteflexion; and changes in PI and In displacement on the X-ray. 3. As for changes in the experimental group according to demographic characteristics, gender, age and degree of obesity did not show significant differences in all indicators. However, those who experienced back pain for more than six months in the experimental group showed the biggest body temperature differences between 印堂(EX-HN3) and 關元(CV4), while other indicators had no significant difference. As a result, patients who received Korean medicine treatment showed relieved back pain and improvement in pelvic correction and sports activity; however, those who got Moosim-Gi-Gong Doinbeop together showed more clearer improvement effects in pelvic correction and sports activity.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.277-288
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• 2015

This study aims to identify determinants affecting on geographic variations in the prevalence of arthritis in Korean women using data mining. Data from Korean Community Health Survey 2012 with 249 small districts were analyzed. Socio-demographic, health behavior and status, and morbidity status measures were analyzed using conventional regression model and convergence analysis method such as decision tree for convergence analysis. Rate of workers in agriculture, forestry, and fishing, salaried workers, persons higher than high school graduates, non-treatment of needing care, non-treatment of care because of economic reason, obesity, heavy drunkers, complaining persons of chewing difficulty, persons with experiencing depression, persons with perceiving stress, and persons with diagnosing hypertension and angina pectoris were variation determinants of prevalence of arthritis in 249 small districts and these districts were classified 10 area groups by decision tree model. Our finding suggest that the approach based characteristics by small area groups rather than national wide or individual level would be effective to reduce in variations of prevalence of arthritis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2020

Background: The biological and pharmacological effects of BST204, a fermented ginseng extract, have been reported in various disease conditions. However, its molecular action in metabolic disease remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified the antiadipogenic activity of BST204 resulting from its inhibition of the S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) signaling pathway. Methods: The inhibitory effects of BST204 on S6K1 signaling were investigated by immunoblot, nuclear fractionation, immunoprecipitation analyses. The antiadipogenic effect of BST204 was evaluated by measuring mRNA levels of adipogenic genes and by chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Results: Treatment with BST204 inhibited activation and nuclear translocation of S6K1, further decreasing the interaction between S6K1 and histone H2B in 10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells. Subsequently, phosphorylation of H2B at serine 36 (H2BS36p) by S6K1 was reduced by BST204, inducing an increase in the mRNA expression of Wnt6, Wnt10a, and Wnt10b, which disturbed adipogenic differentiation and promoted myogenic and early osteogenic gene expression. Consistently, BST204 treatment during adipogenic commitment suppressed the expression of adipogenic marker genes and lipid drop formation. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BST204 blocks adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells through the inhibition of S6K1-mediated histone phosphorylation. This study suggests the potential therapeutic strategy using BST204 to combat obesity and musculoskeletal diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.1145-1155
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary restriction(DG), aerobic exercise(EG), dietary restriction with aerobic exercise(DEG) on weight, improvement of obesity, blood lipid profiles and metabolic risk factors of obese female college students. Experiments was conducted 5 times a week for 8 weeks. DG spent 300kcal/day, and EG used 300kcal/day to run, DEG each consumed 150kcal/day limits. As s result, in case of body composition, weight(p<.011) and BMI(p<.008) were decreased in DG group, and weight(p<.044, p<.017), body fat(p<.047, p<.018), BMI(p<.03, p<.008), body fat%(p<.036, p<.015) and WHR(p<.049, p<.027) were decreased in EG and DEG groups. In case of blood lipid profiles's change, there are some differences on TC(p<.006), TG(p<.047) according to the time. In DG:HDL-C(p<.028), in EG:TG(p<.038), in DEG:TC(p<.014), LDL-C(p<.007) have decreased. In case of metabolic risk factor's change, there are some differences on FBG(p<.001), insulin(p<.004), HOMA-IR(p<.001), leptin(p<.000), adiponectin(p<.038), resistin(p<.010) according to time. In DG:HOMA-IR(p<.035) and leptin(p<.007), EG:FBG(p<.043) and leptin(p<.003), DEG:FBG(p<.014), insulin(p<.005), HOMA-IR(p<.005), leptin(p<.016), and resistin(p<.040) have decreased. In conclusion, combined treatment of eating restriction with aerobic exercise was the most effective way to improvement of weight, blood lipid profiles and metabolic risk factors in obese female college students rather than respectively alone treatment.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

According to a survey on the frequency of access to medical ads by the Korea Press Foundation in 2017, the most commonly exposed ads among adult men and women are advertising about beauty, plasticity and obesity. As of 2011, South Korea had the largest number of cosmetic surgeries in the world, with 131 cosmetic surgeries per 10,000 people. As a result, as many as 1,414 plastic surgery clinics are operating in South Korea, and the number is also on the rise. Although there are various standards for evaluating people's appearance, the desire to pursue a better look is growing day by day. Then, one might wonder what factors influence consumers' choices among the numerous advertisements for plastic surgery clinics. Based on these questions, this study identified the examples of plastic surgery advertisements, analyzed their type, and identified the types of advertisements with the high visual appeal of the advertising consumer through eye tracking experiment. In total, seven eye-tracking tests of plastic surgery social media advertisements were conducted on 10 subjects. The results showed that the commercial model was the biggest factor that caught the attraction and attention of the ad recipient first and that the most focused and long-standing factor was the treatment contents. Therefore, it is important to select proper commercial models for hospital and clinic contents and to specify factual treatment contents when producing social media advertisements for plastic surgeons. We hope these findings will help create online advertising for plastic surgery clinics effectively.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.421-427
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• 2020

Morus alba, Anti-obesity, C57BL/6 Mice, Expression, Flavonoid, Gene, Mulberry Background: The seed oil of Zanthoxylum schinifolium S. et Z. (sancho) is a traditional cooking oil that has long been sold at a very high price however, depending on the method of extraction and storage, this oil becomes rancid occurs very quickly. Therefore, this study aimed to find a material that prevents rancidity and improves the storage properties of sancho oil. Methods and Results: Sancho oil was extracted using an extraction press, and acid values were compared with commercially available vegetable oils, sancho oil had a higher acid value than other vegetable oils. A very high acid value was observed in sancho oil stored for 6 months, regardless of temperature, requiring an effective storage method. The high acid value and the decrease in turbidity of sancho oil are dependent on the days of sedimentation. Treatment with sodium bicarbonate by concentration resulted in minimal changes in acid value over time. However, minor differences were detected among the treatment concentrations. Ascorbic acid was added to maximize the effect of sodium bicarbonate, and it was observed that ascorbic acid did not improve the antioxidant effect. The sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid mixture resulted in minimal change in acid value at temperature up to 25℃. Conclusions: Sancho oil becomes rancid very quicky and requires efficient storage techniques. Sodium bicarbonate and ascorbic acid have been proven to be useful as safe anti-racidity agents without causing harm to humans.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2020

Bee (Apis mellifera L.) venom is used for the treatment of various human diseases due to its known anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. This study investigated the effect of purified bee venom (PBV) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. There was no cytotoxicity while cells were treated with PBV by various concentrations. In the PBV treated cells increases in fat storage were inhibited and also confirmed by oil red o staining. To understand the underlying mechanism at the molecular level were examined on the expression of the genes involved in adipogenesis by using real-time PCR. In this cell model, the mRNA level of adipogenic genes such as peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptors gamma (PPARγ) and CAAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha(C/EBPα) were decreased by PAE treatment, comparing with those of control group. Theses results suggest that PBV inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and can be used as an efficient natural substance to manage anti-obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.561-571
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is capable of regulating lipid and glucose metabolism through its action on adipocytes. However, the beneficial role of GRb1-induced up-regulation of adiponectin in liver steatosis remains unelucidated. Thus, we tested whether GRb1 ameliorates liver steatosis and insulin resistance by promoting the expression of adiponectin. Methods: 3T3-L1 adipocytes and hepatocytes were used to investigate GRb1's action on adiponectin expression and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Wild type (WT) mice and adiponectin knockout (KO) mice fed high fat diet were treated with GRb1 for 2 weeks. Hepatic fat accumulation and function as well as insulin sensitivity was measured. The activation of AMPK was also detected in the liver and hepatocytes. Results: GRb1 reversed the reduction of adiponectin secretion in adipocytes. The conditioned medium (CM) from adipocytes treated with GRb1 reduced TG accumulation in hepatocytes, which was partly attenuated by the adiponectin antibody. In the KO mice, the GRb1-induced significant decrease of TG content, ALT and AST was blocked by the deletion of adiponectin. The elevations of GRb1-induced insulin sensitivity indicated by OGTT, ITT and HOMA-IR were also weakened in the KO mice. The CM treatment significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK in hepatocytes, but not GRb1 treatment. Likewise, the phosphorylation of AMPK in liver of the WT mice was increased by GRb1, but not in the KO mice. Conclusions: The up-regulation of adiponectin by GRb1 contributes to the amelioration of liver steatosis and insulin resistance, which further elucidates a new mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of GRb1 on obesity.