• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 2014

Purpose: Anorexia is a common symptom in terminal cancer patients. Some data have suggested a role of visfatin in regulating feeding behavior. We studied the relationship of a serum visfatin level and anorexia in cancer patients provided with hospice care. Methods: After informed consent was obtained, 69 cancer patients over 20 years old at a hospice center were enrolled in the study from July 2009 to July 2010. We characterized patients by age, sex, body mass index, primary cancer site, and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status, etc. Also, blood tests were performed to measure the level of hemoglobin, white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), total cholesterol, albumin, lymphocyte count, glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interukin-6, leptin and visfatin. Results: The mean age of subjects was 65.5 years old, According to univariate analysis, pulse, ECOG performance scale, opioid use and visfatin level were different between the anorexia and non-anorexic group (P<0.05). The median visfatin level was higher in the anorexia group than the good appetite group (P=0.0323). Serum visfatin concentrations were not related with either body mass index or serum leptin or total cholesterol levels, but it was negatively correlated with serum albumin levels (P=0.0198) and lymphocyte counts (P=0.0013). Conclusion: This study did not identify a novel link between visfatin levels and anorexia in cancer patients at a hospice.

• Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.628-647
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity is associated with metabolic dysregulation, but the underlying metabolic signatures involving clinical and inflammatory profiles of obese asthma are largely unexplored. We aimed at identifying the metabolic signatures of obese asthma. Methods: Eligible subjects with obese (n = 11) and lean (n = 22) asthma underwent body composition and clinical assessment, sputum induction, and blood sampling. Sputum supernatant was assessed for interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, -4, -5, -6, -13, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and serum was detected for leptin, adiponectin and C-reactive protein. Untargeted gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF-MS)-based metabolic profiles in sputum, serum and peripheral blood monocular cells (PBMCs) were analyzed by orthogonal projections to latent structures-discriminate analysis (OPLS-DA) and pathway topology enrichment analysis. The differential metabolites were further validated by correlation analysis with body composition, and clinical and inflammatory profiles. Results: Body composition, asthma control, and the levels of $IL-1{\beta}$, -4, -13, leptin and adiponectin in obese asthmatics were significantly different from those in lean asthmatics. OPLS-DA analysis revealed 28 differential metabolites that distinguished obese from lean asthmatic subjects. The validation analysis identified 18 potential metabolic signatures (11 in sputum, 4 in serum and 2 in PBMCs) of obese asthmatics. Pathway topology enrichment analysis revealed that cyanoamino acid metabolism, caffeine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, pentose phosphate pathway in sputum, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism and pentose phosphate pathway in serum are suggested to be significant pathways related to obese asthma. Conclusions: GC-TOF-MS-based metabolomics indicates obese asthma is characterized by a metabolic profile different from lean asthma. The potential metabolic signatures indicated novel immune-metabolic mechanisms in obese asthma with providing more phenotypic and therapeutic implications, which needs further replication and validation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.8
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• pp.1202-1207
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• 2016

This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Eriobotrya japonica leaves extract (EJE) in a high-fat diet-induced obese mice model. For the analysis, 40 mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal diet (ND), high-fat diet group (HD), high-fat diet containing EJE 100 mg/kg b.w. (EJE-L), 500 mg/kg b.w. (EJE-H), and Garcinia cambogia extract 100 mg/kg b.w. in each AIN 93G supplement for 8 weeks as positive control. During the study period, food intake and body weight were measured separately. Body weight, serum triglyceride level, and total cholesterol levels of the EJE group were significantly lower than those of the HD and ND. Moreover, mice fed an EJE-containing high-fat diet showed decreased leptin levels compared with high-fat diet-induced obese mice. These results suggest that EJE has potential as an anti-obesity agent by reducing body weight and improving levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and leptin in serum.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.269-284
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• 2019

This study was to investigate whether cultivated ginseng (CG), cultivated wild simulated ginseng (CWG) and cultivated red ginseng (CRG) extracts influences on the obesity. The saponin contents of 3 kinds of ginsengs were analysed by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. Total saponin contents were determined in CG on the most contents and since red ginseng has the highest PD (protopanaxadiol type) / PT (protopanaxatriol type) ratio, there may be differences between ginseng, wild ginseng, and red ginseng with respect to their pharmacological effects. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet(N), HFD (60% Kcal fat, C), HFD with CG, CWG and CRG extracts (800 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. We observed change of total body weight, degree of hepatic lipid accumulation and immunohistochemical change of GLP-1 and insulin-secreting cells. Also this study attempts to use the physiological analysis method to analyze the changes of blood lipids, insulin and leptin concentration. The change of body weight and size of accumulated lipid droplets in liver lobules decreased in all of the experimental groups than the control(C) group. In the pancreas, the immunohistochemical density of insulin-secreting cells were significantly stronger in the CWG and CRG than C group. The levels of serum insulin and leptin significantly decreased 55.6%, 54.3% respectively in CWG and CRG. The changes of triglyceride, total cholesterol in serum decreased in CRG than the C group. Obesity related CG, CWG and CRG extracts might have contribute to improvement of obesity by regulating the levels of blood lipids and biochemical indicator of fat accumulation.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.261-269
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• 2015

This study was performed to verify the effects of corn husk powder on serum lipid levels of high-fat diet-induced mice from a nutritional viewpoint. Powder of corn husks has been used as a folk remedy from ancient times in Korea. In the case of corn husk measurement of TPC (p<0.05), ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of trolox (p<0.05), DPPH radical scavenging activity (p<0.05), and measured value of FRAP (p<0.0001) were higher in ethanol extract than water extract. Weight of livers was significantly higher in the control group and high-fat diet group compared to groups fed 10% and 20% corn husk powders with high-fat diet (p<0.0001). For blood HDL-cholesterol concentration, mice fed 10% corn husk powder with high-fat diet ($160.00{\pm}16.17mg/dL$) showed significantly higher levels compared with the other three groups (p<0.05). Mice fed 10% and 20% corn husk powders with high-fat diet showed high numerical values of $13.50{\pm}2.51$ and $11.25{\pm}2.87mg/dL$, respectively. For triglyceride concentration in blood, mice fed 10% ($83.50{\pm}19.30mg/dL$) and 20% ($88.50{\pm}22.25$) corn husk powder with high-fat diet showed very low levels compared to the control group and high-fat diet group. In the case of leptin, the high-fat diet group showed a significantly high level of $5.88{\pm}3.53ng/dL$. Groups fed 10% and 20% corn husks with high-fat diet showed low numerical values of $2.72{\pm}2.34ng/dL$ and $1.10{\pm}0.62ng/dL$, respectively (p<0.05). Corn husk powder increased high HDL-cholesterol concentration in blood while lowering triglyceride concentration and leptin secretion. Therefore, powder of corn husks has utility in the food industry and food processing.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.196-210
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of a combination of Syzygium aromaticum L. and Sorbus commixta Hedl. (SS) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: The extracts of Syzygium aromaticum extract (SA) and Sorbus commixta extract (SC) were prepared individually using distilled water. They were mixed in a 1:2 ratio for use in the experiment. To assess the anti-obesity potential of SS in vitro, we examined cell proliferation, cellular triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels, as well as lipogenesis and β-oxidation in 3T3-L1 cells. To confirm its anti-obesity potential in vivo, C57BL/6J mice were fed a 60% high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. SA alone, SC alone, and their combination compound, SS (at a dosage of 200 mg/kg) were orally administered for 6 weeks. Thereafter, to conduct a comparative evaluation, serum analysis, western blotting of liver tissues, and histopathological analysis were performed. Results: Both SS200 and SS400 significantly inhibited the cellular TG and TC contents in the 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, treatment of the cells with SS (at a dose 200 and 400 ㎍/mL) also led to a noticeable regulation of key lipogenic and β-oxidation factors. Treatment of obese mice with SS resulted in a greater reduction in serum leptin and TG levels compared to treatment with the individual compounds (SA and SC). Furthermore, activation of AMP-activated protein kinase α by SS treatment resulted in the suppression of sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1, leading to the inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) expression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SS may have the potential to prevent obesity through a reduction in the TG and TC levels and regulation of lipogenesis and β-oxidation.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.231-238
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• 2012

$Dioscorea$ $batatas$ Decne is a type of yam that eaten raw and used as a traditional oriental medicine in Asian countries. In this study, we evaluated the functional effects of yam water extracts on body weight levels and serum lipid concentrations in mice fed high fat diet. Mice were divided into four groups: normal diet control (ND), high fat diet control (HFD), HFD+yam extract 100 mg/kg (HFD-Y100), and HFD+yam extract 200 mg/kg (HFD-Y200). Yam extract was administrated orally to mice fed a high fat diet for 5 weeks. Treatment with yam extract significantly reduced body weight levels and energy efficiency in a dose-dependent manner in HFD-fed mice. Yam extract also attenuated serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol, as well as organ weights of liver and abdominal adipose tissue in mice fed a high fat diet. Moreover, blood levels of glucose, insulin, and leptin significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner upon administration of yam extract. Blood activities of GPT, GOT, and LDH were lower in the yam extract-treated groups compared to the HFD group. These results indicate that yam water extract may reduce elevated body weight and serum lipid concentrations in mice fed a high fat diet, suggesting its usefulness as a functional food for reducing body fat and hyperlipidemia.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.58-72
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of fermented soybean on body weight, body fat, serum lipid profiles in obese women, especially specific to menopausal woman. Methods: Sixty healthy obese volunteers who visited ${\bigcirc}{\bigcirc}$ University Oriental Hospital from May 20th, 2014 to September 25th, 2014 took part in clinical trial. They divided into 2 groups, 30 volunteers allocated to fermented soybean and other 30 to placebo group. Body weight, BMI, waist and hip ratio, serum lipid were measured 3 times, and fat percentage, leptin, adiponectin were evaluated 2 times. Results: All 60 volunteers completed 12-week trial. 5 men were excluded, and 2 women against the clinical decision rule were excluded. In the end, 53 women were studied as clinical subjects. After 12 weeks intervention, there was no effects in comparison of group by time interaction. Without considering time interaction, there was a significant difference in triglyceride level between soybean group and placebo group (p=0.044). Treatment group were dividing by age 40, a group in age 40 or over 40, and other group aged below 40. There was a significant difference in group by time interaction of total cholesterol level, and without considering time interaction, there was a significant change in waist-hip ratio between groups. Conclusions: There were no effects on weight and body fat decrease in 12-week trial using fermented soybean as a supplement. But there were significant differences in triglyceride change between the treatment and placebo groups, also cholesterol and waist and hip ratio in soybean group divided by age 40. It seems that fermented soybean is effected on improving serum lipid profiles.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1569-1578
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of prolonged photoperiod on the serum lipids, carcass traits, and meat quality of Jinjiang cattle during winter. Methods: Thirty-four Jinjiang bulls aged between 14 and 16 months were randomly assigned to two groups that were alternatively subjected to either natural daylight +4 h supplemental light (long photoperiod, LP) or natural daylight (natural photoperiod, NP) for 96 days. The potential effects on the levels of serum lipids, carcass traits, meat quality, and genes regulating lipid metabolism in the intramuscular fat (IMF) of the cattle were evaluated. Results: Jinjiang cattle kept under LP showed significant increase in both dry matter intake and backfat thickness. the serum glucose and the plasma leptin levels were significantly reduced, while that of melatonin and insulin were observed to be increased. The crude fat contents of biceps femoris muscle and longissimus dorsi muscle were higher in LP than in NP group. In longissimus dorsi muscle, the proportions of C17:0 and C18:0 were significantly higher but that of the C16:1 was found to be significantly lower in LP group. The relative mRNA expressions in IMF of longissimus dorsi muscle, the lipid synthesis genes (proliferator-activated receptor gamma, fatty acid-binding protein) and the fatty acid synthesis genes (acetyl-coa carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase, 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase) were significantly up-regulated in LP group (p<0.05); whereas the hormone-sensitive lipase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 were significantly down-regulated in LP than in NP group. Conclusion: Prolonged photoperiod significantly altered the growth performance, hormonal levels, gene expression and fat deposition in Jinjiang cattle. It suggested that the LP improved the fat deposition by regulating the levels of different hormones and genes related to lipid metabolism, thereby improving the fattening of Jinjiang cattle during winter.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.411-419
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• 2016

Purpose: Dysregulation of adipokines caused by excess adipose tissue has been implicated in the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) ethanol extract on lipid metabolic changes, insulin resistance, adipokine balance, and body fat reduction in obese rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF, 40% kcal from fat), or high-fat diet with 1% mugwort extract (HFM) for 6 weeks. Results: Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat mass increased in the HF group compared with the NC group, and epididymal fat mass was reduced in the HFM group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the groups. However, triglyceride (TG), TG/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio increased in the HF group and significantly decreased in the HFM group. TG and TC levels in the liver were significantly higher in the HF group, whereas these levels were significantly reduced in the HFM group. HF rats had lower insulin sensitivity as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value. HOMA-IR values significantly decreased in the HFM group. Adiponectin levels were higher in NC rats, and their leptin and PAI-1 levels were lower. Relative balance of adipokines was reversed in the HF group, with lower adiponectin levels but higher leptin and PAI-1 levels. In contrast, the HFM group maintained balance of adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/PAI-1 levels similar to NC by reducing leptin and PAI-1 levels. Conclusion: Overall data indicated that mugwort extract can be effective in alleviating metabolic dislipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet.