• Food Science and Industry
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.390-396
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• 2020

We investigated the anti-obesity effect of Gelidium elegans extract (GE) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and a high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced mouse model. The results of the present study demonstrated that GE prevents weight gain induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) by modulating the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-PR domain-containing 16 (PRDM16)-uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) pathway in a mice model. Moreover, in vitro results show that GE suppressed adipocyte differentiation by modulating adipogenic regulators, stimulated lipolysis by activating ATGL, and inhibited adipogenesis by downregulating various enzymes associated with triglyceride synthesis. GE was also found to upregulate AMPK phosphorylation as well as the expression of UCP1 and PRDM16 proteins, leading to measurable changes in the beige-like phenotype differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Taken together, these findings suggest the role of GE as a functional food ingredient extracted from Gelidium elegans to increase energy expenditure and anti-obesity efficacy.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.135-146
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• 2022

Obesity is closely associated with profound dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. Recent reports have suggested that alterations in gut microbiota can be linked to diet-induced obesity. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of Weissella confusa WIKIM51 isolated from kimchi were investigated, as evidenced by: i) reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated adipogenesis-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; ii) suppressed gains in body weight and epididymal fat mass; iii) reduced serum lipid levels, for example, triglyceride and total cholesterol; iv) increased serum adiponectin levels and reduced serum leptin levels; v) downregulated lipogenesis and upregulated β-oxidation-related genes in the epididymal fat; and vi) altered microbial communities. The collective evidence indicate the potential value of W. confusa WIKIM51 as a functional food supplement for the prevention and amelioration of obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.12
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• pp.1348-1357
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• 2009

Purpose:The aims of this study were to identify the clinical characteristics and determine the changes in the expression of cytokines and apoptosis-related genes in children with infectious mononucleosis. Methods:Serological examinations of 15 pediatric patients diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis were performed prospectively. Peripheral blood from the patients was used to compare the composition of T cell subsets, cytokines, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA, and the expression of apoptosis-related genes with those in 10 healthy children. Results:Mean age of the patient group was $5.7{\pm}3.4$ (range, 3-9) years, and the male-to-female ratio was 1.5:1. Fever, sore throat, pharyngitis/tonsillitis, and cervical lymph node enlargement were the most common symptoms and signs. The proportions of CD3+ T cells, CD8+ suppressor cells, and CD56+ natural killer (NK) cells were higher in the patient group than in the control group (P<0.01). The IL-2, IL-6, and interferon $(INF)-{\gamma}$ levels were higher in the early symptomatic period (P<0.01). Mean amount of EBV DNA in the patients was $10^{2.38}copies/{\mu}g$, and the amount was the highest at the beginning of the symptomatic period and normalized during the convalescent phase. Bcl-2 expression increased during the initial phase, while Bax expression increased during the convalescent phase. Further, FasL expression increased 1 week after symptom presentation and decreased during the convalescent phase. There was no significant change in Fas expression. Conclusion:We analyzed the clinical characteristics and changes in the expression ofcytokines and apoptosis-related genes in the patients with infectious mononucleosis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2016

Obesity is a pro-inflammatory state that contributes to the development of metabolic disorders such as hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver, and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we evaluated the inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice by Peucedanum japonicum Thunberg L. water extract (PJT). Lipid accumulation measurement indicates that PJT markedly inhibited adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR results demonstrated that the mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) in 3T3-L1 cells were significantly down-regulated by PJT treatment. Oral administration of PJT (100, 300, and 500 ㎎/㎏, b.w/daily for 4 weeks) was conducted in high-fat diet induced obese mice and C57BL/6 mice. The PJT-administered group of HFD-induced mice had a lower body weight gain, along with decreased serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol compared with the control mice, however, the HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio was increased. Furthermore, the elevated mRNA expression levels of adipogenesis related genes in the white adipose tissue of obese mice were significantly suppressed by PJT. These results indicate that PJT exhibits anti-obesity effects in obese mice by decreasing in serum lipid levels and lipogenesis related gene.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

Anti-obese effects of mulberry (Morus alba L.) root bark was investigated in vitro by measuring its inhibitory effect against 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation and digestive enzymes such as ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Ethanol extract of mulberry root bark (MRE) showed the potent inhibitory activities on ${\alpha}$-amylase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase with $IC_{50}$ values of $7.86{\pm}0.36$, $0.12{\pm}0.03$ and $7.93{\pm}0.11mg/mL$, respectively. Furthermore, MRE significantly suppressed cellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism of MRE, we performed qRT-PCR and Western blotting for the expression of genes related with adipogenesis and lipogenesis. Treatment of MRE markedly suppressed the protein expression of $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and SREBP-1c, as well as FAS and ACC, which are the key transcription factors and metabolic enzymes in adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In addition, qRT-PCR analysis indicated that the anti-adipogenesis effect of MRE might be due to its inhibition at transcription levels. These results demonstrate that MRE can effectively suppress adipocyte differentiation and inhibit key enzymes related to obesity. Our findings suggest that mulberry root bark may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.179-188
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• 2000

The present study was carried out in order to investigate the effects of antler extract on hormone concentration, Ca, P and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in ovariectomized rats. Rats were ovariectomized bilaterally and were fed up with Ca- and P-free diet in order to induce osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was determined by the extent of density of bone mineral and lowering the concentrations of serum Ca and P. Male or female antler extract were administrated for 5 weeks to elucidate the protective and therapeutic effects for osteoporosis. The serum concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, calcitonin, osteocalcin, Ca and P, and the activities of ALP of ovariectomized rats were examined for 5 weeks. 1. After administration of female or male antler extract to osteoporosis-induced rats at the doses of 625 mg/kg and 1,250 mg/kg, respectively, the levels of the serum estradiol of the ovariectomized rat significantly decreased from 40.50$\pm$3.34 pg/$m\ell$ to 20.80$\pm$1.86 pg/$m\ell$ for 5 weeks, the levels of serum estradiol were a signigicant lower than those of control group (49.50$\pm$2.70~50.80$\pm$3.l3 pg/$m\ell$). 2. After administration of female or male antler extract to osteoporosis-induced rats at the doses of 625 mg/kg and 1,250 mg/kg, respectively, the levels of serum progesterone were didn't show significant differences. 3. After administration of female or male antler extract to osteoporosis-induced rats at the doses of 625 mg/kg and 1,250 mg/kg, respectively, the levels of serum calcitonin were a little higher than those of control group (0.64$\pm$0.03 ~0.68$\pm$0.04 pg/$m\ell$). 4. After administration of female or male antler extract to osteoporosis-induced rats at the doses of 625 mg/kg and 1,250 mg/kg, respectively, the levels of serum osteocalcin were little higher than those of control groups (0.28$\pm$0.02~0.31$\pm$0.02 ng/$m\ell$). In addition, the levels of serum osteocalcin of female antler extract administered group were little higher than those of male antler extract administered group. 5. The levels of serum Ca and P in osteoporosisinduced rats, administered with male or female antler extract, were little higher than those of control group. However, the levels of serum Ca and P in ovariectomized rats were significantly higher than those of control group (p＜0.05). 6. After administration of female or male antler extract to osteoporosis-induced rats, the activities of serum ALP increased compared with those of normal control group. There were significant differences between the serum ALP activities of FA 1,250 and 625 groups (p＜0.05). These findings suggest a possible protective and therapeutic effects of female or male antler extract against bone loss in ovariectomized rats, associated with a significant increase of serum estradiol level.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.355-372
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• 2004

In vitro experiments were conducted to determine the formation of fatty acid soaps (FAS) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) disappearance rate. The substrates were a basal alfalfa hay containing 1) no oil, 2) 10% soybean oil, 3) 10% com oil, on a weight basis. All the substrates were incubated in triplicate for 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48h in each experiment. After the incubation in the first experiment serum bottles (6oml) were analyzed for nonesterified, esterifed and fatty acid soaps contents. The serum bottles (120mI) from the second experiment were analyzed for pH, $NH_3-N$ and VFA concentration, and dry matter and NDF disappearance rate. pH decreased and the concentration of NH3-N increased significantly with longer incubation time (P<0.0001). The disappearance rates of dry matter and NDF significantly varied with feed, incubation time and oils (P<0.05). The molar concentration of total VFA increased and proportion of acetate significantly decreased with incubation time (P<0.0001), but the proportion of propionate significantly increased with longer incubation time (P<0.0001). Addition of oils to diet lowered the ratio of acetate:propionate (P<0.05). The esterified fatty acids (EFA) decreased with increasing incubation time (P<0.0001), and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) increased due to lipolysis of EFA, NEFA then reacted with cations to increase formation of FAS. The formation of FAS increased significantly at 48h of incubation time (P<0.0001). Especially, formation of stearic acid soaps was 27.5 and 32.5 folds with soybean oil and com oil supplements, respectively, by 48h of incubation time (P<0.0001). Alfalfa hay had higher cation contents, particularly Ca, which react with NEFA and FAS can be formed with longer incubation time. Saturated fatty acids had a higher proportion of FAS than did unsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that the former may react more extensively with cations. FAS contents increased with increasing chain length of the fatty acids. Since added vegetable oils fonned FAS, it might decrease negative effects on in vitro fermentation characteristics and NDF disappearance rate.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.184-189
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• 2007

Purpose: This study was to explore barriers to effective pain management in general population. Methods: Total 163 Participants completed the Barrier Questionnaire-II (BQ-II), a 27-item on a six point scale, from May to June in 2007. BQ-II consisted of four subscales which were 1) physical effects (PE) addressing beliefs that side effects of analgesics are inevitable and concerns about tolerance, fatalism (Fa) addressing fatalistic beliefs about cancer pain and its management, Communication (Co) addressing the beliefs of 'good patient' and concerns of distracting physician from underlying disease, and harmful effects (HE) addressing fear of addiction and harmful effect to immune system of pain medicine. Results: The BQ-II total had an internal consistency of 0.877 in this study. HE was the biggest barrier (3.03) followed by PE (2.73), Fa (2.15), and Co (1.71). Items appeared as great concerns were 'there is a danger of becoming addicted to pain medication'(3.58), 'using pain medicine blocks your ability to know if you have any new pain' (3.18), 'pain medicine is very addictive' (3.09), 'when you use pain medicine your body becomes used to its effects and pretty soon it won't work any more' (3.09), and 'drowsiness from pain medicine is difficult to control' (3.09). Only 12 respondents (7.4%) reported that they took any type of pain education, however, those who took pain education represented significantly lower barriers to pain management than who did not (P=.029). Conclusion: This result suggests the strategies for public education to surmount cancer pain.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2009

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of Acanthopanax (A) senticosus and Eucommiaceae on the expression of lipogenic, myogenic and oxidative stress genes in broiler chickens. Birds were subjected (assigned) to one of the following 5 dietary treatments: control (CON), A. senticosus 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), Eucommiaceae 0.5% (T3) and 1% (T4). Each treatment was replicated 8 times with 4 birds per replication, housed in 4 birds per cage. Birds were arranged according to randomized block design. Feeding trial was conducted from day 4 to 35th day of age. Liver and muscle tissues were collected for analysis. Broilers subjected to 1% A. senticosus had higher feed conversion ratio than the other treated birds whereas no significant differences were found in body weight, weight gain and feed intake. The gene expression levels of fatty acid synthase were not different among the treatments while the transcription factor $PPAR{\gamma}$ was highly expressed in Eucommiaceae but not in control and A. senticosus. The gene expression levels of myogenin were high in both A. senticosus and Eucommiaceae compared to control group. MyoD also showed high expression in treated groups furthermore, Eucommiaceae stimulated the expression of MyoD more than that of A. senticosus. The antioxidant gene expressions (SOD, CAT, SOD, GPX) generally were not much different among the treatments, however, SOD and GPX were stimulated in broilers consumed 1% Eucommiaceae diet. The result of this experiment showed that dietary supplementation of A. senticosus and Eucommiaceae in broiler may improve the antioxidant defence system through SOD and GPX without affect of growth performance in broilers.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2014

This study was performed in order to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Polygala tenuifolia on lipid mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The chemical composition of the P. tenuifolia was analyzed in order to assess its nutritional value. Total dietary fiber was the highest among the proximate component of the P. tenuifolia. These results showed that the P. tenuifolia may be used as a potential functional ingredient for anti-obesity effect. Intracellular lipid droplets in the adipocyte were stained with oil-red O dye and quantified. In comparison to the control, lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by 40.1% and 22.4% when treated with the water extract and 70% EtOH extract of the P. tenuifolia at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The anti-adipogenic effect of the water extract was stronger than that of the 70% EtOH extract. The gene expression levels were measured via Western blot and real-time PCR. As a result, the water extract was found to have decrease the gene expression of SREBP-1c, PPAR, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, FAS, ACC in a dose-dependent manner. These indicate that the water extract inhibits pre-adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis by blocking the SREBP-1c gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, P. tenuifolia can be used as an effective anti-obesity agent.