• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2021

BACKGROUND: G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are widely distributed in various organisms. Insect GPCRs shown as in vertebrate GPCRs are membrane receptors that coordinate or involve in various physiological processes such as learning/memory, development, locomotion, circadian rhythm, reproduction, etc. This study aimed to identify GPCRs expressed in fat body and compare the expression pattern of GPCRs in different temperature conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: To identify GPCRs genes and compare their expression in different temperature conditions, total RNAs of fat body in Plutella xylostella larva were extracted and the transcriptomes have been analyzed via next generation sequencing method. From the fat body transcriptomes, genes that belong to GPCR Family A, B, and F were identified such as opsin, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, neuropeptide F (NPF) receptor, muthuselah (Mth), diuretic hormone receptor, frizzled, etc. Under low temperature, expressions of GPCRs such as C-C chemokine receptor (CCR), opsin, prolactin-releasing peptide receptor, substance K receptor, Mth-like receptor, diuretic hormone receptor, frizzled and stan were higher than those at 25℃. They are involved in immunity, feeding, movement, odorant recognition, diuresis, and development. In contrast to the control (25℃), at high temperature GPCRs including CCR, gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, moody, NPF receptor, neuropeptide B1 receptor, frizzled and stan revealed higher expression whose biological functions are related to immunity, blood-brain barrier formation, feeding, learning, and reproduction. CONCLUSION: Transcriptome of fat body can provide understanding the pools of GPCRs. Identifications of fat body GPCRs may contribute to develop new targets for the control of insect pests.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.70-84
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• 2004

This study was carried out to evaluate the body fat breakdown during topical seaweed extract treatment and in combination with the iontophoresis, phonophoresis method to enhance skin absorption of lipolytic compounds. Of 24 female obesity subjects, 7 treated a gel types of seaweed extract only(control group) and 10 treated in combination with the iontophoresis(experimental group I) and 7 treated in combination with the phonophoresis(experimental group II). Topical treatment of each sample was designed for 2 weeks, treated with 2 times a day about $10m{\ell}$ on the abdomen, triceps, thigh and superior ilium, respectively. Experimental group treat with the iontophoresis and phonophoresis during 5 minutes immediately after topical treatment. After one and two weeks of topical treatment, measured body weight, body fat, skinfolds thickness respectively. Then venous blood samples were taken and analyzed serum lipids. The results were as follows; 1) There were decrement of body weight, $\%$ of body fat, superior ilium, triceps and thigh thickness between pre and post treatment in all group. Especially, there were more decrement of body weight, $\%$ of body fat in the iontophoresis treated group. 2) There were decrement in total CHOL, LDL, TRIG and increment in HDL in all group. These phenomena were predominant in the iontophoresis treated group. CHOL decrement in the experimental group were significant after two weeks iontophoresis treatment.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.13-31
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• 2016

Objectives In this study, it was investigated whether Gami-Handayeolso-Tang (HDYST) medication has anti-obesity effects in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups-normal diet-fed (ND), high fat diet-fed control (HFD), HFD+HDYST 150, HFD+HDYST 300, and HFD+orlistat as a positive drug. The obese markers such as body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, lipid contents, leptin, adiponectin, and GOT/GPT were measured. Also, white adipose tissue, liver weight, abdominal fat mass, hepatic lipid contents, and mRNA expression of obese-associating genes were examined in obese mice. Results In high fat diet-fed mice, HDYST administration significantly decreased body weight, diet efficiency ratio, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, as well as leptin and GOT/GPT, compared to the HFD group in a dose-dependent manner. HDYST increased significantly the serum levels of HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin. It also reduced the accumulation of lipids, such as total lipid and triglycerides, in organs such as liver and abdominal adipose tissue. Moreover, HDYST administration significantly decreased the expression levels of fatty acid synthetic genes, such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), FAS and Stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase 1 (SCD-1), in the liver tissues, while it increased the messenger RAN (mRNA) levels of fatty acid catalytic genes, such as Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-${\alpha}$), acyl-COA oxidase (ACO), and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1a (CPT-1a). Conclusions Based on the results above, HDYST reveals anti-obesity effects declining body fat accumulation through the regulation of fatty acid metabolism and leptin/adiponectin serum levels. It therefore suggests that HDYST can be clinically useful for the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2022

We investigated the serum cholesterol and visceral fat lowering effects of Momordica charanatia (MC) and Withania somnifera (WS) extracts in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Combination of fermented MC and WS extracts (FMCWS) as well as that of non-fermented extracts (MCWS) were orally administered to HFD-induced obese mice along with the HFD supplementation for 8 weeks. During the experiment, body weight, food intake, and levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were analyzed. Body weight and the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased in the HFD-fed mice compared with the normal control (NC) group. However, supplementation of the extracts showed a tendency to reduce body weight gain and suppressed the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride with the increment of HDL-cholesterol levels. Abdominal fat weight was significantly increased in the HFD group, and the size of adipocytes within the epididymal adipose tissue was markedly expanded compared with the NC group. However, in the FMCWS and MCWS groups, the abdominal fat weight was significantly reduced and the sizes of the adipocytes were noticeably diminished compared with those of the HFD-fed mice. Moreover, the deposition of giant vesicular fat cells observed in the liver tissue of the HFD group was prominently reduced in these groups. These results indicate that the combination of extracts from MC and WS tends to have potent synergic effects in reducing body weight gain as well as significantly lowering the visceral fat and the serum lipid levels, and thus improving anti-obesity efficacy in HFD-induced obese mice.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2005

Menarche is a main indicator of sexual maturity which relates to a reproductive function. The onset of the menstrual cycle differs individually and is influenced by many variables such as socio-economic situation, race, genetics, climate, altitude, nutritional status, and physical growth. Among them physical growth has been known to be the most influencing factor, particularly when expressed as body fat designated by weight. This study intended to investigate the body composition of girls around the menarche period and to evaluate the minimal levels of weight and fat percentage needed for the onset of menarche. A total of 101 female subjects, aged 11 to 13 years, were recruited from the 5th and 6th grades of an elementary school, in Mokpo, Korea. The subjects were placed into one of two groups Pre-menarche and Post-menarche groups according to their experience with menarche. Thereafter, the subjects in the Post-group were placed into 4 subgroups based on the number of menstruations they experienced: Post-I (1-3 times), Post-II (4-6 times), Post-III (7-9 times), and Post-IV (> 10 times). The average age at the onset of menarche of the subjects in Post groups was $11.2 \pm 0.6$ years. There were significant differences in the data of anthropometry and body composition between the Pre and Post groups, although the mean ages of both Pre and Post groups were the same. Weight, waist, hip and thigh girths, fat percentage, and lean body mass of the Post groups were significantly higher than those of the Pre group. Height was not significantly different between the groups. Weight was highly correlated with body fat mass (r = 0.92. p < 0.001), fat percentage (r = 0.85, p < 0.001), and body mass index (r = 0.91, p < 0.001) These results indicate that weight, compared with height, reflects body composition well and influences the onset of the menstrual cycle. It could also be suggested that the minimal weight and fat percentage needed for the onset of menarche in Korean females are 41 kg and $17\%\;to\;19\%$, respectively.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.195-204
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• 2005

The current study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary conjugated linoleic acid(CLA) on growth performance and body fat metabolism in broiler chickens. A total of 48 male birds aged 3 days were randomly allotted into three dietary groups; CORN(com oil 1.5%), CLA I (com oil 0.75 %+ CLA 0.75 %) and CLA II(CLA 1.5%) groups. After feeding commercial diet ad libitum for 3 weeks, eight selected birds on the basis of body weight were housed, two birds in a cage, and continuously given ad libitum corresponding experimental diet for another 2 weeks. As a result, dietary addition of CLA did not influence on body weight, gain and feed conversion rote. The relative weights of the liver and deposited fats(abdominal and thigh fat' pads) were not also affected by the dietary treatments. Serum glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels markedly( P < 0.05) decreased in CLA II compared with those in CORN group. However, serum nonesterified fatty acid(NEFA) was not altered by dietary CLA. Serum leptin level was tended to be decreased by dietary CLA without statistical difference. The diet supplemented with CLA caused a significant(P< 0.05) decrease in hepatic total lipid and NEFA without changing triglyceride level. Also, feeding dietary CLA at the level of 1.5% reduced leptin mRNA expression in the liver and abdominal fats compared with feeding com oil, In conclusion, our results suggest that dietary 1.5% CLA may affect, at least in part, lipid metabolism in the liver of broiler chickens.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.533-546
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the effect of breakfast regularity on eating habits, nutritional and health status in adult men and women. Also, eating habites and nutritional status expressed as percentage of recommended energy intake in IB(Irregular Breakfast group) were studied. Proportions of IB in men and women was 23.7% and 31.1%, respectively. In men, IB had irregular mealtime, overeating tendency. Also, they consumed high-fat meat and alcohol more frequently than RB (Regular Breakfast group). Total energy intake showed no significant difference between which two groups. Energy intakes from dinner and alcohol were higher in IB than in RB. Nutrient and food intakes were lower in IB than in RB. Percent body fat of IB was higher than that of RB. Weight, triglyceride and prevalence of fatty liver were higher in IB than in RB. In women, IB had irregular mealtime, and overeating tendency. Also, they had more frequent eating out and alcohol consumption. Total energy intake was lower in IB than in RB. In men, nutrient and food intakes were lower in IB than in RB. But health status showed no significant differences between two groups. In men, energy intakes from alchol and dinner were higher in +RDA group(percentage to recommended energy > 125%) than in other groups of IB. But energy intake from carbohydrate was lower in +RDA group. -RDA group (percentage to recommended energy < 75%) had Ca and vitamin A intake less than RDA. In women, +RDA group had overeating tendency. Also, they had more frequent eating out, high-fat meat, and alcohol consumption than other groups of IB. Energy intakes from dinner, snack and fat were higher in +RDA group. But -RDA group had protein and vitamin A intake less than RDA. From our study, it seemed that breakfast irregularity led to undesirable eating habits and had relation with increase of percent body fat. Breakfast regularity seemed to be very important to maintain a nutritional balance.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.7
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• pp.292-297
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• 2011

Purpose: Our study aimed to evaluated sex differences in clinical features of obese high school students. Methods: One hundred three obese high school students (body mass index [BMI]${\geq}$85th percentile) and 51 control students (BMI<85th percentile) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were measured. Abdominal fat thickness, degree of fatty liver, and carotid intima-media thickness were measured by ultrasound. Results: In control and obese groups, waist circumference was significantly longer in boys but body fat mass was Significantly higher in girls. In the control group, total cholesterol and LDL-C were higher in girls. In the obese group, however, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and triglyceride were higher and HDL-C was lower in boys. Preperitoneal fat thickness was significantly higher in obese girls. In obese group, the degree of fatty liver was significantly higher in boys. Carotid intima-media thickness was not significantly different between boys and girls. Conclusion: Obese adolescents had distinguishable sex differences in body measurements, metabolic abnormalities, abdominal fat thickness and fatty liver. We can infer that these characteristics may extend into adult obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a global health problem of significant importance which increases mortality. In place of anti-obesity drugs, natural products are being developed as alternative therapeutic materials. In this study, we investigated the effect of Brassica juncea L. leaf extract (BLE) on fat deposition and lipid profiles in high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFC)-induced obese rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) according to diet: normal diet group (ND), high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group (HFC), HFC with 3% BLE diet group (HFC-A1), and HFC with 5% BLE diet group (HFC-A2). Each group was fed for 6 weeks. Rat body and adipose tissue weights, serum biochemical parameters, and tissue lipid contents were determined. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The HFC-A2 group showed significantly lower body weight gain and food efficiency ratio than the HFC group. BLE supplementation caused mesenteric, epididymal, and total adipose tissue weights to decrease. The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased in rats fed BLE. These results were related to lower glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, acetyl-coA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase mRNA expression, and to higher expression of the cholesterol $7{\alpha}$-hydroxylase and low density lipoprotein-receptor, as well as increased protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$. Histological analysis of the liver revealed decreased lipid droplets in HFC rats treated with BLE. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of HFC with 3% or 5% BLE inhibited body fat accumulation, improved lipid profiles, and modulated lipogenesis- and cholesterol metabolism-related gene and protein expression.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.328-337
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• 2023

We investigated the effects of single and combined administrations of Lactobacillus species (L. plantarum, LP; L. gasseri, LG; L. casei, LC) on blood lipid metabolism and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The mice were continuously supplemented with LP, LP/LG, or LP/LG/LC, along with HFD, for 12 weeks. The consumption of HFD led to significant increases in body weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to the normal control group. However, administration of LP, LP/LG, or LP/LG/LC to HFD-fed mice reduced body weight gain and showed a tendency to suppress the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol, while increasing HDL-cholesterol levels. The HFD group exhibited increased abdominal fat weight and larger adipocytes in the epididymal adipose tissue compared to the NC group. However, the administered probiotics led to a significant reduction in adipocyte size with decreasing tendency in abdominal fat weight compared with the HFD group. Additionally, the deposition of giant vesicular fat cells in the liver of the HFD group considerably decreased in the probiotic-administered group. Microbiome analysis revealed an imbalance in intestinal microbes in the HFD group, characterized by lower Bacteroidetes and higher Proteobacteria ratios. However, probiotic administration tended to restore the microbial distribution by controlling the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, resulting in decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria/Bacteroidetes ratios. These results suggest that single and combined administration of LP and other probiotics holds enormous potential in reducing obesity in HFD-fed mice as they regulate lipid metabolism, reduce adipocyte size, and restore the balance of intestinal microbes.