• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.637-648
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• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of feeding garcinia cambogia extract (HCA) and/or L-carnitine and exercise (swimming) on body weight in rats. Forty-eight male rats (Charles River CD (SD) IGS) of eight weeks old and weighing $323.5\pm2.4g$ were raised for two months with high fat diet ($40\%$ fat as calorie) to induce obesity. After induction of obesity, rats weighing $552.8\pm5.8g$ were blocked into eight groups according to body weight and raised for six weeks with diet containing HCA and/or L-carnitine. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total protein and albumin levels were in normal ranges. Food and calorie intakes of H + C and H + C/H groups were highest among non-exercise (m) groups and exercise (I) groups. Food and calorie intakes of m groups were higher than those of I groups. E groups showed significantly lower body weight gain and calorie efficiency ratio than m groups and H/E group was the lowest among all groups. Perirenal fat pad weights of E groups were lower than m groups, and epididymal fat pad weights of H and H + C groups were lower than CO and C groups among m groups regardless of exercise treatment. Brown adipose tissue weights of I groups were higher than fn groups and highest in H/E group among all groups. Liver citrate lyase activities of H and C groups were lower than CO and H + C groups regardless of exercise treatment. The differences between NE groups and E groups were not found to be significantly. Liver carnitine acyltranferase activity was not significantly different among all groups. Fecal total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol excretions were found to be higher in H and H + C uoups compared to CO and C groups both in NE and E animals, those of lipid excretions of NE groups were higher than E groups. In conclusion, HCA was more effective in reduction of body weight and body fat than L-carnitine or HCA + L-carnitine. HCA ingestion with exercise was far more effective than without exercise treatment in reducing body weight and body fat.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.155-169
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• 1997

This study investigated the effect of weight control by using the commercial appetite suppressant ((-)-hydroxycitric acid(HCA) formula) and nutrition education on 72 obese women over a period of 8 weeks. During the study it conducted nutritional education for women to control their weight, thus analyzed their changes in anthropometric variables. All obese women were randomized in a double-blind method to consume either HCA(HCA group : experimental group) or placebo(placebo group : control group). Two groups were also divided randomly into 2 groups combined with commercial formula diet in 1 meal a day(HD group and PD group : HCA + gormula diet and placebo + formula diet) or not(HO group and conducted with 4 groups(HD, HO, PD, and PO group). All subjects were assigned to consume 800-1500kcal/d balanced diet which is 500kcal less than their usual energy requirement. To evaluate the effect of the weight control program, weight, percent of body fat, waist and hip circumferences, and 5 skinfold thickness were measured up to 5 times in all obese women. The mean weight of the subjects at the onset of the study was 76.5$\pm$10.6kg. The mean body mass index(BMI) wa 30.1$\pm$3.8 and it was in the upper 5 percentile of mean BMI of Korean women. At the end of the program, mean weight loss was 3.5kg after 2 weeks(p<0.001), and 5.8kg after 4 weeks(p<0.001). The waist, hip ratio(WHR) and skinfold thickness measurements of biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac and abdominum showed significant reduction over the entire study period(p<0.05). These outcome were evaluated by effect of nutritional education and counselling. The reduction of % of body fat was significantly different among the 4 groups. Women who administrated HCA demonstrated more change in weight, BMI than the placebo group. There was also significant reduction in body composition (% of body fat, WHR, and skinfold thickness) than the other groups. The HD group which was administrated HCA combined with formula diet was more decreased than other groups. It showed that this program using commercial HCA and formula diet induced not only a change in weight but also a change in body composition. The outcome of this study suggests that HCA has a more effctive change on weight control which is carried out with nutritional education and counselling.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.43-57
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• 2010

Objectives : To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture on parameters related to obesity in adults with abdominal obesity. Methods : A three arm randomized single blind pilot study was conducted from Jan 4 to March 25, 2010 in Kyung Hee Oriental Medical Hospital. The subjects were 39 adults with abdominal obesity and were randomly divided by computer generated random table into 3 groups; EA(electroacupuncture), sham EA(sham electroacupuncture) and waitlist groups. Acupuncture points located at abdomen($CV_{12}$, $CV_6$, $ST_{25}$, $SP_{15}$, $SP_{14}$) and extremities($LI_4$, $LI_{11}$, $ST_{36}$, $ST_{44}$) were inserted by disposable stainless steel needles and were stimulated 30 minutes with 24Hz, 0.27~1.3mA(tolerable strength), asymmetric biphasic continuous pulse wave form by STN-111 Stratek device in EA group. Two treatment sessions per week for 5 weeks(10 sessions in total) were done in EA and sham EA groups. The primary outcome measurement was WC(waist circumference), and the secondary outcome measurements included WHR(waist hip ratio), ASF(thickness of abdominal subcutaneous fat), and inbody measurements of BW(body weight), BMI(body mass index), BFR(body fat ratio) and VFA(visceral fat area), and also scores of BULIT-R(bulimia test revised), KoQoL(Korean obesity of QoL) and BSQ(body shape questionnaire). Results : All of 39 subjects were included in ITT(intention-to-treat) analysis. There were significant reductions in WC, WHR and ASF after 5-week electroacupuncture treatments and the percentage reductions were significantly greater than sham EA or waitlist group. There were no significant differences between groups in percentage reductions of other parameters(BW, BMI, BFR, VFA, BULIT-R, KoQoL and BSQ). But, there were continuous reductions in BW, BMI, BFR and VFA at 3 weeks after the end of treatment and there was significant reduction in BW compared with the baseline value in EA group. No seriously adverse effects were reported during the period. Conclusions : Electroacupuncture was more effective than sham electroacupuncture or no intervention on the reduction of WC, WHR and ASF in adults with abdominal obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2020

Objectives: Obesity is becoming more popular disease worldwide. Because of the side effects of conventional obesity treatment modality, herbal medicine treatment is becoming more preferred. Gambihwan which including Ephedra sinica Staph is widely used in traditional Korean Medicine practice for obesity treatment. Garcinia cambogia is a kind of health functional food that has body fat reducing effect. Nowadays, ephedra and Garcinia cambogia are often used simultaneously in clinical practice of Korean Medicine. However, the effectiveness and safety of combination therapy in obesity treatment is not well established. Methods: We conducted retrospective observational study to explore effectiveness and safety of combination therapy. We evaluated effect of combined treatment of Gambihwan and Garcinia cambogia on body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, and waist hip ratio reduction. We also assessed safety via liver function test and adverse event. Results: Finally, 23 patients were included. In paired t-test, body weight significantly decreased from 64.50±14.50 kg to 62.94±13.85 kg (P<0.001) and body mass index were also significantly decreased from 24.43±3.79 kg/㎡ to 23.83±3.59 kg/㎡ (P<0.001). Body fat mass was also reduced. Aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase were not significantly increased. There were no drug-induced liver injury and no severe adverse event. Conclusions: In our retrospective review, we found combination therapy of Gambihwan and Garcinia cambogia reduce body weight, body mass index and body fat mass. There were no severe adverse event and drug induced liver injury which indicated safety of combination therapy in obesity treatment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.647-651
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• 1992

Two experiments involving comparative slaughter procedures were conducted to see if the decrease in total energy retention (ER) resulted from the decreased food intake in growing chicks fed on a diet containing tryptophan less than the requirement. Ad libitum-feeding a diet containing 50% of tryptophan of a control diet (1.5 g/kg) decreased body weight gain, apparent metabolizable energy intake (AMEI), ER and ER : AMEI ratio. When both the control diet and the 0.75 g/kg tryptophan diet were tube-fed at the two levels of food intake, body weight gain was significantly lower in chicks on the low tryptophan diet than in the control chicks at each level of intake. AME : gross-energy ratio decreased only when the low tryptophan diet was tube-fed at the higher level of intake. Energy retained as protein was significantly decreased by the low tryptophan level and reduction of food intake. Energy retained as fat was affected by food intake. ER and ER : AMEI ratio were unaffected by dietary tryptophan level and were proportional to AMEI. Heat increment of feeding was affected by neither tryptophan nor food intake. These results indicate that the decreased ER in chicks fed on the low tryptophan diet was due mainly to the decreased food intake and not to the decreased efficiency of ME utilization.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.118-129
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• 2007

This study was performed to investigate the effect of lysine-limited diets containing different levels of L-carnitine on body weight and lipid metabolism in obesity-induced adult rats. Eight-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 90) were raised for one month with high fat diet (40% fat as calorie) to induce obesity. After induction of obesity, rats weighing 739.5 g were randomly blocked into three groups according to the body weight and raised for eight weeks with control diet (Co), 50% lysine-limited diet (-L), 50% lysine limitation with 0.3% pivalate diet (-L + P). Each of three groups was allotted to 0.0% L-carnitine (0.0% CT), 0.5% L-carnitine (0.5% CT) and 2.5% L-carnitine (2.5% CT) groups, respectively. The levels of AST, ALT, total protein and albumin in plasma were within the normal range. Daily food intake and calorie intake tended to be lower in 2.5% CT groups than those of other groups regardless lysine limitation or pivalate intake. And body weight gain and calorie efficiency ratio (weight gain (g) /calorie intake (100 kcal)) were significantly the lowest in 2.5% CT groups among all experimental groups regardless of lysine limitation or pivalate intake. The weights of perirenal, epididymal fat pads and brown adipose tissue in 2.5% CT groups were significantly lower than 0.0% CT groups. Plasma total lipid, triglyceride, total cholesterol concentrations in all groups were not significant by experimental compound. HDL-cholesterol concentrations in -L + P +2.5% CT group were highest in -L + P groups. Levels of hepatic total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol in 2.5% CT groups were tend to be lower those than in 0.0% CT groups regardless of dietary lysine limitation and pivalate intake. Fecal total lipid excretions of 2.5% CT groups were significantly lower than in 0.0% CT groups in all experimental groups. But fecal triglyceride excretions of 2.5% CT groups were significantly higher than 0.0% CT groups regardless of lysine limitation and pivalate. In conclusion, there was no difference on body weight and lipid metabolism by dietary lysine limitation and pivalate intake. And feeding of 2.5% L-carnitine was more effective than feeding of 0.5% L-carnitine and 0.0% L-carnitine in reduction of body weight, body fat and lipid metabolism.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.34-41
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• 1998

This study examined the proper roles of dietitian and nurse-teacher in the weight control program (WCP) in schools and the effect of the WCP on subjects with respect to anthropometric measurements, nutrition knowledge, dietary attiude, and behavior changes. The program consisted of six sessions of nutrition education and frequent face-to-face nutrition counseling. Subjects were 22 obese children in the 4th and 5th grade who underwent counseling and 18 obese children in another school who served as a control group. After two months of WCP, obesity index such as .elative body weight (RBW, from 135.7 to 132.5), tricep skinfold thickness (TSFT, from 34.9 to 32.8 mm), and body fat content (from 32.0 to 29.8%) had decreased significantly in the experimental group, while the control group showed no significant differences in these indices. The reductions in obesity indices were maintained in the experimental group except for fat content (32.6%), which returned to its original value within six months. The control group significantly increased fat content in the same period (from 31.2% to 36.2%). Both groups decreased RBW, TSFT, and fat content while midarm circumference and waist/hip ratio remained the same after one year. Subjects' nutrition knowledge was improved with average test scores from 15.1 to 16.7 while nutrition attitude and behavior test scores remained unchanged suggesting that behavior modification may require more time than knowledge acquirement. These results suggest that proper nutrition counseling can initiate weight reduction. However, the maintenance of controlled weight requires changes in attitude and behavior which have not been achieved by the present WCP. The role of school dietitian for WCP in this study was limited to assisting the nurse-teacher in nutrition education. Expansion of dietitian's role in nutrition education and counseling is needed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.260-272
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• 2010

This study examined how the participation rates contribute to subjects' outcomes after a nutrition education (once/week) and exercise (3 times/week) intervention program for 12 weeks in 44 obese female subjects. The subjects were divided into two groups: high-participator (HP) or low-participator (LP) groups according to their participation levels based on the median visit value (30 visits out of a total of 48 visits). Daily nutrient intakes assessed by a 24-hour recall, body composition, blood lipid profiles and physical fitness were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. After the intervention, weight, BMI, percent body fat, and the waist-hip ratio were significantly decreased in the HP group. In addition, the HP group had a greater rates of changes in weight (HP group: -6.6% and LP group: -3.1%, p < 0.01), BMI (-7.0% and -3.2%, p < 0.01), percent body fat (-7.8% and -4.2%, p < 0.05), and waist-hip ratio (-3.1% and -0.4%, p < 0.01) compared to the LP group. Energy-adjusted protein, fiber, potassium, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_6$, and vitamin C were significantly increased in the HP group. The HP group showed a significant increase in HDLcholesterol and a decrease in blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and atherogenic index (AI). While the muscle endurance, muscle strength, power, agility and flexibility were significantly increased in the HP group, agility and balance were improved in the LP group. In addition, dietary behavior score was significantly increased and stress score decreased in the HP group compared to the LP group. High participation rates were correlated with the improvement of the nutrient density (protein, fiber, potassium, Vitamin $B_1$, Vitamin $B_2$, Vitamin $B_6$ and folate), anthropometric parameters (body weight, BMI and percent body fat), serum lipid profiles (HDL-cholesterol, Triglyceride, and AI) and physical fitness (muscle endurance) adjusted for age, menopausal status, alcohol drinking, nutritional supplement use and baseline BMI. Our results suggest that high participation in nutrition education and exercise program was effective not only for weight reduction but also for the improvement of physical fitness in obese women.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2009

This study was conducted to assess the effects of diet food containing Jerusalem artichoke's inulin, lotus leaf, and herb on weight and body fat. Participants in this study were selected based on the following criteria: BMI over $25kg/m^2$, body fat percentage higher than 25%, abdominal obesity level of 0.85 measured by body composition measurement unit (ZEUS 9.9 PLUS, Korea) total 24 female and male university students over 20 of age were assigned to two different groups: control group and diet group and the study was carried out for 30 days. When we measured what the tester's body weight and height, we used an automatic measure machin which is called IMI-1000 from Immanuel company and when we measured what the hip and wist circumference, we used a tape measure. When we measured body mss index (BMI), body Int, body mass, lean mass, waist/hip ratio (WHB), obesity index, we used a ZEUS9.9 PLUS-Korea which is based on bioelectrical impedance analysis, The food intake was checked by means of diet record method to be input into CAN program in order to analyze nutrient intake. Our findings indicated that the diet group, as compared to the control group, lost weight of approximately 2.5 kg and showed statistically significant difference. In addition the level of body Int, muscle, abdominal obesity, obesity, waist and bottom measurement all showed significant decrease after study period. However, there was no big difference in body fat percentage because both body fat level and muscle level dropped together, Putting all these together, diet food in this study containing Jerusalem artichoke's inulin, lotus leaf powder, and herbs powder including nettle, eucalyptus was found to be effective in significant reduction of weight and body fat and obesity-related body indicators. Also, it is considered that this diet food has potential to prevent and improve effectively obesity from abnormal fat accumulation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.768-776
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• 2006

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is common in obesity. However, weight reduction alone does not prevent the progression of NAFLD to end-stage disease associated with the development of cirrhosis and liver disease. In a previous experiment, 50% ethanol extract of Acanthopanax senticosus stem bark (ASSB) was found to reduce body weight and insulin resistance in high fat diet-induced hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic ICR mice. To evaluate the anti-steatosis action of ASSB, insulin-resistant ob/ob mice with fatty livers were treated with ASSB ethanol extract for an 8 week-period. ASSB ethanol extract reversed the hepatomegaly, as evident in reduction of % liver weight/body weight ratio. ASSB ethanol extract also specifically lowered circulating glucose and lipids, and enhanced insulin action in the liver. These changes culminated in inhibition of triglyceride synthesis in non-adipose tissues including liver and skeletal muscle. Gene expression studies confirmed reductions in glucose 6-phosphatase and lipogenic enzymes in the liver. These results demonstrate that ASSB ethanol extract is an effective treatment for insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice by decreasing hepatic lipid synthesis.