• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.314-329
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oocyte lipid droplets play a crucial role in meiosis and embryo development. Biotin is associated with fatty acid synthesis and is the coenzyme for acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). The effects of a biotin deficiency on the oocyte lipid metabolism remain unknown. This study examined the effects of a biotin deficiency and its replenishment on murine 1) oocyte lipid droplet levels, 2) ovary lipid metabolism, and 3) oocyte meiosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mice were divided into 3 groups: control, biotin deficient (BD), and recovery groups. The control and BD groups were fed a control diet or BD diet (0.004 or 0 g biotin/kg), respectively. The recovery group mice were fed a BD diet until day 21, and were then fed the control diet from days 22 to 64. This study then quantified the oocyte lipid droplet levels, assessed the oocyte mitochondrial function, and examined the ability of oocytes to undergo meiosis. Ovarian phosphorylated ACC (p-ACC), lipogenesis, β-oxidation, and ATP production-related genes were evaluated. RESULTS: The BD group showed a decrease in lipid droplets and mitochondrial membrane potential and increased p-ACC levels. In the recovery group, the hepatic biotin concentration, ovarian p-ACC levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential were restored to the control group levels. On the other hand, the quantity of lipid droplets in the recovery group was not restored to the control levels. Furthermore, the percentage of oocytes with meiotic abnormalities was higher in the recovery group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: A biotin deficiency reduced the oocyte lipid droplet levels by downregulating lipogenesis. The decreased lipid droplets and increased oocyte meiosis failure were not fully restored, even though the biotin nutrition status and gene expression of lipid metabolism was resumed. These results suggest that a biotin deficiency remains robust and can be long-lasting. Biotin might play a crucial role in maintaining the oocyte quality.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2022

This study will evaluate the effect of fermented Morinda citrifolia L. extracts and its marker compounds to provide baseline data for utilizing Morinda citrifolia L. as functional health products. Morinda citrifolia L. and six marker compounds were processed on RAW 246.7 macrophage to test for XTT Cytotoxicity, measure Nitric Oxide and Cyokine formation, and analyze the expression of immune marker genes. Furthermore, LPS and fermented red ginseng extract, a common functional ingredient, are used as positive controls. Our results showed that fermented Morinda citrifolia L and six bioactive compounds did not have any cytotoxic effect in all treatment concentrations and groups. Among six bioactive compounds, SCP and ASE confirmed the formation of NO. In addition, the ASE treatment group showed increased formation of IL-6 and IL-1β and the expression of iNOS and TNF-α. Also, fermented Morinda citrifolia L extract activated the macrophage by enhancing the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β, and the expression of COX2 compared to Morinda citrifolia L. extracts. The result of the study showed that Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) and marker compound enhance the innate immunity activity and suggested that the bioactive compound could be applied as a marker compound. Thus, Fermented Morinda citrifolia L. (Noni) could be used as functional food material to develop immunity-enhancing products, and highly functional marker compounds can be utilized as the effective components.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.7-16
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• 2013

Objectives : Brassica campestris var narinosa (BCN), Canavalia gladiata DC semen (CGD) and their combinational prescription (BCN+CGD) have been use to demonstrate to regulate hematopoiesis. In the current study, we investigated whether Brassica campestris var narinosa, Canavalia gladiata DC semen and their combinational prescription is related to hemato-potentiating function using Sca-$1^+$ hematopoietic stem cells (Sca-$1^+HSCs$) as a testing system. Methods : Sca-$1^+HSCs$ isolated from femur in C57bl/6 mice with leukopenia and thrombocytopenia induced by cyclophosphamide (CTX). Then, Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA expression, ELISA and haematopoiesis-related gene (EPO, TPO, IL-3, SCF, c-kit, GM-CSF), the phosphorylation of JAK2, GATA-1 and STAT-5a/b were observed by western blot, and the numbers of $CD117^+/Sca-1^+$ cell and the number of granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and erythroid burst forming units (BFU-E), semisolid clonogenic assay was performed. Result : When Sca-$1^+HSCs$ were treated with Brassica campestris var narinosa, Canavalia gladiata DC semen and their combinational prescription with rIL-3/rSCF, the expression of haematopoiesis-related (EPO, TPO, IL-3, SCF, c-kit, and GM-CSF) were significantly increased at the levels of mRNA as well as production in Sca-$1^+HSCs$. Additionally, CGS enhanced phosphorylation of JAK2, GATA-1, and signal transducer and activator of transcription-5a/b (STAT-5a/b) in Sca-$1^+HSCs$. Furthermore, their combinational prescription (BCN+CGD) significantly enhanced the growth rate of granulocyte erythrocyte monocyte macrophage colony-forming units (CFU-GEMM) and erythroid burst forming units (BFU-E) in vitro. Conclusion : These result suggest that Brassica campestris var narinosa (BCN) and Canavalia gladiata DC have hematopoietic enhancement via hematopoietic cytokine-mediated JAK2/GATA-1/STAT-5a/b pathway, and their combinational prescription (BCN+CGD) has superior hematopoietic enhancement to those of individual extracts.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.19-26
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• 2018

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the immunopotentiating activity of combine extract that Silkworm and Cinnamomum cassia. Recently, acute epidemic diseases such as cold and viral respiratory diseases have been emerging. So, interested in immunity enhancement has been increasing, and research on natural products to promote immunity activity has been actively conducted. Methods : To confirm the immunopotentiating activity effect, Silkworm (SW), Cinnamomum cassia (CC), and SWCC combined extracts were treated 14 days at 300 mg/kg/day. The changes of glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in serum were analyzed after experiment. The changes in the total spleen cell number were measured. Immune cells in spleen were analyzed using fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS). also, analyzed the expression of cytokines in spleen. Results : Total number of cells in the spleen and FACS analysis of T lymphocytes activated in the spleen showed that the SWCC combined treated group had much higher frequency of active cells than both single groups. The ratio of CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD69+ and CD4+CD25+ T cells in spleen, SWCC is higher than other groups except Nor in CD4+, CD4+CD69+, CD4+CD25+ T cells. The results of this study suggest that SWCC can help immune function via IL-2, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ cytokine production, increased T lymphocytes and splenocyte proliferation. Conclusion : Therefore, these results suggested that the SWCC combined extracts administration increase stronger immunity enhancement than when SW and CC adminstration.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.484-493
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• 2022

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of diets of broiler chickens with hot-melt extruded CuSO₄ (HME-Cu) on their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota, small intestinal morphology, meat quality, and copper (Cu) bioavailability. Methods: A total of 225 broilers (Ross 308), one-day old and initial weight 39.14 g, were weighed and distributed between 15 cages (15 birds per cage) in a completely randomized experimental design with 3 treatments (diets) and 5 replicates per treatment. Cages were allotted to three treatments including control (without supplemental Cu), IN-Cu (16 mg/kg of CuSO₄), and HME-Cu (16 mg/kg of HME processed CuSO₄). Results: The HME-Cu treatment tended to increase the overall body weight gain (p<0.10). The apparent digestibility of Cu was increased by supplementation of HME-Cu at phase 2 (p<0.05). The Escherichia coli count in cecum tended to decrease with the supplementation with Cu (p<0.10). In addition, the HME-Cu treatment had a higher pH of breast meat than the control and IN-Cu treatments (p<0.05). Significant increases in the cooking loss, water-holding capacity, and lightness in the breast were observed in the HME-Cu treatment compared to the control (p<0.05). The Cu content of excreta increased with the Cu supplementation (p<0.05). The concentration of excreta Cu in broilers was decreased in the HME-Cu compared to the IN-Cu in phase 2 (p<0.05). The Cu concentration in the liver was increased with the HME-Cu supplementation, compared with the control diets (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that HME-Cu supplementation at the requirement level (16 mg/kg diets) in broiler diets did not affect the growth performance and the physiological function of Cu in broilers. However, supplementation of Cu in HME form improved the meat quality and the bioavailability of Cu.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.12
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• pp.1827-1838
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• 2022

Objective: The semen quality of stallions including sperm motility is an important target of selection as it has a high level of individual variability. However, effects of the molecular architecture of the genome on the mechanisms of sperm formation and their preservation after thawing have been poorly investigated. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for the sperm motility of cryopreserved semen in stallions of various breeds. Methods: Semen samples were collected from the stallions of 23 horse breeds. The following semen characteristics were examined: progressive motility (PM), progressive motility after freezing (FPM), and the difference between PM and FPM. The respective DNA samples from these stallions were genotyped using Axiom Equine Genotyping Array. Results: We performed a GWAS search for single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and potential genes related to motility properties of frozen-thawed semen in the stallions of various breeds. As a result of the GWAS analysis, two SNP markers, rs1141327473 and rs1149048772, were identified that were associated with preservation of the frozen-thawed stallion sperm motility, the relevant putative candidate genes being NME/NM23 family member 8 (NME8), olfactory receptor family 2 subfamily AP member 1 (OR2AP1), and olfactory receptor family 6 subfamily C member 4 (OR6C4). Potential implications of effects of these genes on sperm motility are herein discussed. Conclusion: The GWAS results enabled us to localize novel SNPs and candidate genes for sperm motility in stallions. Implications of the study for horse breeding and genetics are a better understanding of genomic regions and candidate genes underlying stallion sperm quality, and improvement in horse reproduction and breeding techniques. The identified markers and genes for sperm cryotolerance and the respective genomic regions are promising candidates for further studying the biological processes in the formation and function of the stallion reproductive system.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.252-259
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• 2023

A decrease in ovarian function and sex hormone production with aging results in hormone deficiency, which causes menopause in women. Natural products have been investigated to develop estrogen-like substances to improve menopausal status in women. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of Gastrodia elata Blume extract (TVB-1000) in ovariectomized rats. After a recovery period of 7 days, the TVB-1000 treatment group was orally administered at 16, 40, and 100 mg/kg for 12 weeks. In the OVX-positive control group, 17β-estradiol was injected subcutaneously into the dorsal region of rats at a dose of 10 ㎍/kg. Results show that TG and LDL-C, which are cardiovascular disease markers, were significantly decreased in all concentrations of TVB-1000 administration in the treatment group, and the LDL-C/HDL-C ratio significantly decreased in the medium and high TVB-1000 concentrations of the treatment group. In addition, in the high concentration TVB-1000 treatment group, the weight of abdominal fat decreased with statistical significance. The low-dose and medium-dose administration groups showed statistical significance and the expression level of their ER-α increased, but ER-β did not show a significant change. The above experiment shows that owing to the estrogen-like effect of TVB-1000, it can be useful as a functional food material to prevent cardiovascular disease, which is one of the menopausal symptoms.

• KIPS Transactions on Software and Data Engineering
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.125-132
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• 2023

In this study, we compared the performance of machine learning models for predicting Vapor Pressure Deficits (VPD) in greenhouses that affect pore function and photosynthesis as well as plant growth due to nutrient absorption of plants. For VPD prediction, the correlation between the environmental elements in and outside the greenhouse and the temporal elements of the time series data was confirmed, and how the highly correlated elements affect VPD was confirmed. Before analyzing the performance of the prediction model, the amount and interval of analysis time series data (1 day, 3 days, 7 days) and interval (20 minutes, 1 hour) were checked to adjust the amount and interval of data. Finally, four machine learning prediction models (XGB Regressor, LGBM Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, etc.) were applied to compare the prediction performance by model. As a result of the prediction of the model, when data of 1 day at 20 minute intervals were used, the highest prediction performance was 0.008 for MAE and 0.011 for RMSE in LGBM. In addition, it was confirmed that the factor that most influences VPD prediction after 20 minutes was VPD (VPD_y__71) from the past 20 minutes rather than environmental factors. Using the results of this study, it is possible to increase crop productivity through VPD prediction, condensation of greenhouses, and prevention of disease occurrence. In the future, it can be used not only in predicting environmental data of greenhouses, but also in various fields such as production prediction and smart farm control models.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.753-760
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• 2023

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of essential oil coated with glycerol monolaurate (GML) on the growth performance, intestinal morphology, and serum profiles of weaned piglets. Methods: A total of 144 weaned piglets (Duroc×[Landrace×Yorkshire], average weight 8.07±3.33 kg) were randomly assigned to three groups with six replicate pens and eight piglets per pen: i) CON: a corn-soybean basal diet; ii) LEG: with 1,000 mg/kg essential oil coated with GML; and iii) HEG: with 2,000 mg/kg essential oil coated with GML. Results: Results showed that average daily gain was increased (p<0.05) linearly by essential oil coated with GML supplementation on day 14 to 28 and day 0 to 28 compared with the CON group. Dietary supplementation with HEG increased (p<0.05) total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity on day 14, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgM concentration on day 28 and tended to increase IgG on day 28. In addition, the crypt depth in the jejunum was reduced (p<0.05), and villus height and villus height/crypt depth in the ileum were increased (p<0.05) in the HEG group compared with the CON group. Moreover, lower (p<0.05) concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-8, and IL-10 were observed in the jejunum of piglets supplemented with HEG compared with the CON group. In addition, dietary HEG tended to decrease IL-6 level in the jejunum of piglets compared with the CON group. Conclusion: Dietary essential oil coated with GML can improve growth performance of weaned piglets. Moreover, supplementing 2,000 mg/kg essential oil coated with GML was demonstrated to improve antioxidant ability, and intestinal morphology, and reduce jejunal inflammatory factor levels.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.258-267
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• 2023

In this study, to investigate the possibility of using ethanol extract of Petasites japonicus (PJE) as a functional material, we investigated the activity of improving skin barrier and inflammation through UVB-induced human keratinocyte (HaCaT cell). As a result of confirming the antioxidant effect through DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS⁺ radical scavenging activity, and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, it was confirmed that it had an antioxidant effect similar to that of ascorbic acid, a control, at a concentration of 1 mg/ml. As a result of confirming the mRNA expression of the production ability of filaggrin and aquaporin-3 in HaCaT cells induced by UVB, it was confirmed that the reduced expression level by UVB stimulation increased in a concentration-dependent manner when the PJE was treated. It was confirmed that the mRNA expression of TNF-𝛼 and IL-1𝛽 were increased by UVB stimulation and decreased when the PJE was treated. As a result of the migration assay, it was confirmed that the proliferation of skin keratinocytes and the recovery rate of wounds were increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Based on the experimental results, it suggests that Petasites japonicus can be used as a functional cosmetic product that can improve skin moisturizing and skin barrier function.