• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.201-209
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• 2018

G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119) is expressed in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract, and its activation promotes insulin secretion in the beta cells of the pancreatic islets as well as the secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in intestinal L cells, consequently improving glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Due to this dual mechanism of action, the development of small-molecule GPR119 agonists has received significant interest for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. We newly synthesized 1,2,4-triazolone derivatives of GPR119 agonists, which demonstrated excellent outcomes in a cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) assay. Among the synthesized derivatives, YH18968 showed cAMP=2.8 nM; in GLUTag cell, GLP-1secretion=2.3 fold; in the HIT-T15 cell, and insulin secretion=1.9 fold. Single oral administration of YH18968 improved glucose tolerance and combined treatment with a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor augmented the glucose lowering effect as well as the plasma level of active GLP-1 in normal mice. Single oral administration of YH18968 improved glucose tolerance in a diet induced obese mice model. This effect was maintained after repeated dosing for 4 weeks. The results indicate that YH18968 combined with a DPP-4 inhibitor may be an effective therapeutic candidate for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2016

Colostrum, a nutrient-rich fluid produced by female mammals after giving birth, is the specific initial diet of mammalian neonates. Colostrum is important for the nutrition, growth, and development of newborn infants and contributes to the immunologic defense of neonates. It contains immunoglobulins, antimicrobial peptides, such as lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, and other bioactive molecules, including growth factors, such as IGF (insulin-like growth factor), EGF (epithermal growth factor), $TGF-{\beta}$ (transforming growth factor), and FGF (fibroblast growth factor). Bovine colostrum is a rich source of growth factors, which play a central role in wound healing. The biological activities of colostrum emphasize the relevance of the synergistic activity of growth factors to stimulate keratinocyte proliferation and migration, which are essential for tissue repair. Colostrum increases the expression of early differentiation markers, such as keratin 1 and 10 and involucrin, and late differentiation markers, including loricrin and filaggrin. Additionally, colostrum increases granulation tissue volume in the dermis, suggesting that it has a beneficial effect on wound healing. The therapeutic use of colostrum or individual peptides present in colostrum has a positive and curative influence on various gastrointestinal diseases.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.563-572
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• 2006

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate community health practitioners' knowledge of, use patterns of, and attitudes toward CAM. Method: The subjects of this study were 817 community health practitioners (CHPs) from 9 Provinces in Korea selected through convenient sampling. They completed and submitted self-report questionnaires at the annual meeting of CHPs or sent completed questionnaires to us by mail. Result: Of the CHPs, 8.1% had a certificate of CAM-related education program, and 39.9% worried about the efficacy of CAM. They knew about massage (74.0%), finger pressure (68.1%), hand acupuncture (67.8%), diet (65.5%) and herb (64.7%). They had used herb (43.3%), massage (36.8%), hand acupuncture (32.7%) and vacuum (31.2%) with positive effects and recommended residents to use them. Attitude toward CAM tended to be positive in those with certificates of CAM, those with high academic qualification, those aged 40 or below, and those working in Chungcheong-do. Conclusion: This study showed that CHPs were interested in CAM while they worried about the therapeutic effects of it. Further studies to draw cross-sectional and national data on the use patterns of CAM from the various population and standardized instruments to investigate the types of CAM were suggested.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.317-322
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• 2020

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common liver diseases. NAFLD can further progress to irreversible liver failure such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) fibrosis and cirrhosis. However, specific regulator of NASH-fibrosis has yet to be established. Here, we found that glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPx7) was markedly expressed in NASH fibrosis. Although GPx7 is an antioxidant enzyme protecting other organs, whether GPx7 plays a role in NASH fibrosis has yet to be studied. We found that knockdown of GPx7 in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and free fatty acids (FFA)-treated LX-2 cells elevated the expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes and collagen synthesis. Consistently, GPx7 overexpression in LX-2 cells led to the suppression of ROS production and reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-inflammatory genes. Further, NASH fibrosis induced by choline-deficient amino acid defined, high fat diet (CDAHFD) feeding was significantly accelerated by knockdown of GPx7, as evidenced by up-regulated liver fibrosis and inflammation compared with CDAHFD control mice. Collectively, these results suggest that GPx7 might be a novel therapeutic target to prevent the progression and development of NAFLD.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.481-490
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• 2016

This study was designed to examine the effects of Allium hookeri (AH) on plasma blood glucose and fat profile levels in diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats through injection of streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in citrate buffer into tail veins at a dose of 45 mg/kg of body weight. Sprague-Dawley rats were then fed for 4weeks, with the experimental groups receiving a modified diet containing 5% or 10% powder derived from AH roots. The experimental groups were divided into four groups, consisting of a control group, STZ-control group, and diabetic fed with AH 5% & 10% treated groups. Rats' body weights, blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) values in plasma were measured along with hematocrit (Hct) values and aminotransferase activities. Body weight losses were observed in the STZ-control group, whereas the STZ-AH group of diabetic rats gained weight. There was a significantly decrease in brain weight of the STZ-AH group but no significant differences in kidney and liver weights of the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% groups compared to the STZ-control group. Blood glucose was significantly reduced in the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% diabetic groups. There were no significant differences in total cholesterol and TG levels among the diabetic groups. HDL-cholesterol significantly increased while FFA significantly decreased in the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% diabetic groups. The Hct level of the STZ-AH group was lower than that of the STZ-control group. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly reduced in the STZ-AH 5% & STZ-AH 10% diabetic groups. These results indicate that supplementation with Allium hookeri root may have beneficial effects on diabetic complications as a potential therapeutic candidate.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.186-194
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• 2017

A brain-enriched secreting signal peptide, NELL2, has been suggested to play multiple roles in the development, survival, and activity of neurons in mammal. We investigated here a possible involvement of central NELL2 in regulating feeding behavior and metabolism. In situ hybridization and an immunohistochemical approach were used to determine expression of NELL2 as well as its colocalization with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat hypothalamus. To investigate the effect of NELL2 on feeding behavior, 2 nmole of antisense NELL2 oligodeoxynucleotide was administered into the lateral ventricle of adult male rat brains for 6 consecutive days, and changes in daily body weight, food, and water intake were monitored. Metabolic state-dependent NELL2 expression in the hypothalamus was tested in vivo using a fasting model. NELL2 was noticeably expressed in the hypothalamic nuclei controlling feeding behavior. Furthermore, all arcuatic POMC and NPY positive neurons produced NELL2. The NELL2 gene expression in the hypothalamus was up-regulated by fasting. However, NELL2 did not affect POMC and NPY gene expression in the hypothalamus. A blockade of NELL2 production in the hypothalamus led to a reduction in daily food intake, followed by a loss in body weight without a change in daily water intake in normal diet condition. NELL2 did not affect short-term hunger dependent appetite behavior. Our data suggests that hypothalamic NELL2 is associated with appetite behavior, and thus central NELL2 could be a new therapeutic target for obesity.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.672-682
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of job characteristics, job performance and organizational commitment on job satisfaction of hospital dietitians. The first survey was carried out on 74 hospital dietitians to determine their demographic characteristics, job characteristics, organizational commitment, and job satisfaction. The second survey was carried out on 47 hospital foodservice dietitians to determine their job performance. Thirty-two percent of the subjects were aged between 26 and 30, and 62.2% had Bachelor's degrees. The dietitians felt most satisfied by their co-workers, followed by the work-itself, supervision, pay, and promotion possibilities. Dietitians who had a higher education were satisfied with pay and supervision. The longer the length of employment, the more the satisfaction with the work-itself and pay, plus the higher the monthly wage the more the satisfaction with the work-itself, pay, supervision, and co-workers. lob satisfaction was high in the group that scored high on autonomy, feedback, task identity, and friendship of in the job characteristic inventory. The job performances of nutrition counseling(r= 0.469, p < 0.01), nutrition education(r= 0.446, p < 0.01) and management of therapeutic diet(r= 0.394, p < 0.01) were positively correlated with job satisfaction. The $R^2$for the multiple regression model was 0.677, indicating that 67.7% of the variance in job satisfaction could be accounted for by feedback, organizational commitment, nutrition counseling performance, and nutrition education performance. In conclusion, the level of job satisfaction for hospital dietitians would appear to improve with increased feedback, organizational commitment, and opportunity for nutrition counseling and nutrition education.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.107-123
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• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba herbal-acupuncture (ACH-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia induced with alloxan injection and high fat diet in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results: 1. ACH-HA solution increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity in rat liver cells. 2. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, free cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in hyperlipidemic rats. 4. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that ACH-HA at GB34 may have therapeutic and preventive effects on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.135-142
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• 2019

Background: Panax ginseng Meyer, known as Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), is one of the important age-old traditional herbs used in boosting libido and improving male fertility. In this study, the effects of Rg3-enriched KRG extract (KGC04P) on heat stress-induced testicular damage in experimental rats was evaluated. Methods: Male rats (Sprague-Dawley) were divided into four groups (n = 10): normal control (NC), heat-stressed control (HC), heat-stressed plus KGC04P-100 mg/kg (HK100), and heat-stressed plus KGC04P-200 mg/kg (HK200) groups. Starting 1 week prior to heat stress, animals were administered orally with KGC04P (100 and 200 mg/kg) mixed with a regular pellet diet and continued for 25 weeks. Heat stress was induced to HC, HK100, and HK200 groups by intermittently exposing the animals to high temperatures ($32{\pm}1^{\circ}C$, 2 h/day). After 6 months, animals were euthanized under general anesthesia with carbon dioxide and evaluated for various parameters in serum and testicular tissue by using Western blotting, biochemical kits, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Significant (p < 0.05) alterations in several parameters, such as body/organ weight, sperm kinematics, and lipid metabolism marker levels, in the serum and testis of rats were observed. Further, the expression of testicular antioxidant enzymes, inflammatory cytokines, sex hormonal receptors, and spermatogenesis-related genes were also affected significantly (p < 0.05) in the heat-stressed group. However, KGC04P prevented the heat stress-induced changes in rats significantly (p < 0.05) at both concentrations. Conclusion: KGC04P attenuated heat stress-induced testicular damage by a multifunctional approach and can be developed as an excellent therapeutic agent for hyperthermia-mediated male infertility.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.444-453
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• 2022

Background: Compound K (CK) is among the protopanaxadiol (PPD)-type ginsenoside group, which produces multiple pharmacological effects. Herein, we examined the effects of CK on muscle atrophy under hyperlipidemic conditions along with its pro-myogenic effects. Further, the molecular pathways underlying the effects of CK on skeletal muscle have been justified. Methods: C2C12 myotubes were treated with palmitate and CK. C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated using CK for 4-5 days. For the in vivo experiments, CK was administered to mice fed on a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. The protein expression levels were analyzed using western blotting analysis. Target protein suppression was performed using small interfering (si) RNA transfection. Histological examination was performed using Jenner-Giemsa and H&E staining techniques. Results: CK treatment attenuated ER stress markers, such as eIF2a phosphorylation and CHOP expression and impaired myotube formation in palmitate-treated C2C12 myotubes and skeletal muscle of mice fed on HFD. CK treatment augmented AMPK along with autophagy markers in skeletal muscle cells in vitro and in vivo experiments. AMPK siRNA or 3-MA, an autophagy inhibitor, abrogated the impacts of CK in C2C12 myotubes. CK treatment augmented p38 and Akt phosphorylation, leading to an enhancement of C2C12 myogenesis. However, AMPK siRNA abolished the effects of CK in C2C12 myoblasts. Conclusion: These findings denote that CK prevents lipid-induced skeletal muscle apoptosis via AMPK/autophagy-mediated attenuation of ER stress and induction of myoblast differentiation. Therefore, we may suggest the use of CK as a potential therapeutic approach for treating muscle-wasting conditions associated with obesity.