• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.589-605
• /
• 2023

Soy isoflavones are attracting attention from postmenopausal women because of their beneficial effects on menopausal symptoms. This study was investigated whether a combination of soy isoflavone genistein and swimming exercise (Gen+SE) would have a beneficial synergistic effect on obesity and improvement of liver function compared to the genistein only (Gen) and swimming exercise only (SE) in ovariectomized mice. Ovariectomized mice were randomly divided into control group (Con), Gen, SE, and Gen+SE, and were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. As a result of examining the body weight, weight of white adipose tissue, lipid accumulation of liver, and serum ALT and AST levels, both Gen and SE decreased compared to Con, and Gen+SE decreased more than compared to Gen and SE. The expression of inflammatory cytokines MCP-1, IL-6 and TNF-𝛼 genes in liver decreased in both Gen and SE compared to Con, and were further decreased in Gen+SE compared to Gen and SE. But The expression of adiponectin showed opposite results. The expression of fatty acid oxidation related genes in liver increased in both Gen and SE compared to Con, and were more effectively than increased in Gen+SE compared to Gen and SE. Therefore this study suggests that the interaction between soy isoflavone and swimming exercise is very effective controlling obesity and recovering decreased liver function, and this is caused by promoting fatty acid oxidation in the liver in ovariectomized mice.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
• /
• 2007.12a
• /
• pp.57-58
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Ginseng is a well-known medical plant used in traditional Oriental medicine. Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been known to have potent biological activities such as radical scavenging, vasodilating, anti-tumor and anti-diabetic activities. However, the mechanism of the beneficial effects of KRG on diabetes is yet to be elucidated. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of KRG extract in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. Methods: The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. During the experiment, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured once every week. At the end of treatment, we measured Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), blood glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and white adipose tissue were done by histological observation through hematoxylin-eosin staining. Pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. To elucidate an action of mechanism of KRG, DNA microarray analyses were performed, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted for validation. Results: Compared to the DC group mice, body weight gain of PIO treated group mice showed 15.2% increase, but the other group mice did not showed significant differences. Compared to the DC group, fasting blood glucose levels were decreased by 19.8% in RGL, 18.3% in RGH, 67.7% in MET, 52.3% in GPZ, 56.9% in PIO-treated group. With decreased plasma glucose levels, the insulin resistance index of the RGL-treated group was reduced by 27.7% compared to the DC group. Insulin resistance values for positive drugs were all markedly decreased by 80.8%, 41.1% and 68.9%, compared to that of DC group. HbA1c levels in RGL, RGH, MET, GPZ and PIO-treated groups were also decreased by 11.0%, 6.4%, 18.9%, 16.1% and 27.9% compared to that of DC group, and these figure revealed a similar trend shown in plasma glucose levels. Plasma TG and NEFA levels were decreased by 18.8% and 16.8%, respectively, and plasma adiponectin and leptin levels were increased by 20.6% and 12.1%, respectively, in the RGL-treated group compared to those in DC group. Histological analysis of the liver of mice treated with KRG revealed a significantly decreased number of lipid droplets compared to the DC group. The control mice exhibited definitive loss and degeneration of islet, whereas mice treated with KRG preserved islet architecture. Compared to the DC group mice, KRG resulted in significant reduction of adipocytes. From the pancreatic islet double-immunofluorescence staining, we observed KRG has increased insulin production, but decreased glucagon production. KRG treatment resulted in stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation in the db/db mice liver. To elucidate mechanism of action of KRG extract, microarray analysis was conducted in the liver tissue of mice treated with KRG extract, and results suggest that red ginseng affects on hepatic expression of genes responsible for glycolysis, gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. In summary, multiple administration of KRG showed the hypoglycemic activity and improved glucose tolerance. In addition, KRG increased glucose utilization and improved insulin sensitivity through inhibition of lipogenesis and activation of fatty acid $\beta$-oxidation in the liver tissue. In view of our present data, we may suggest that KRG could provide a solid basis for the development of new anti-diabetic drug.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.484-491
• /
• 2016

The present study investigated the effect of Sinetrol-XPur (polyphenolic Citrus spp. and Paullinia cupana Kunth dry extract) and defined the action mode for cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-dependent uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 activation. Leptin-deficient obese mice were treated with two different doses, 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) and 300 mg/kg BW of each AIN93G supplement, for 7 weeks. Treatment of obese mice with both low and high doses of Sinetrol-XPur significantly reduced body weight gain compared to control obese mice. White adipose tissue weight of mice was reduced by 30.96% in high dose-supplemented groups. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced by a high dose of Sinetrol-XPur by 20.02% and 30.96%, respectively. Serum level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly increased by treatment with both doses, as the ratio of HDL to low density lipoprotein increased by 138.78% and 171.49%, respectively. Regarding expression of biochemical factors related to lipid metabolism, fatty acid synthase significantly decreased and UCP-2 increased upon treatment with a high dose of Sinetrol-XPur, but there was no significant difference in lipoprotein lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. To define cellular mechanism, intracellular cAMP levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner over the range of $50{\sim}250{\mu}m/mL$. The phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine clearly blocked cAMP, suggesting that Sinetrol-XPur promotes lipolysis of adipocytes through inhibition of cAMP-dependent PDE, resulting in induction of cAMP response element binding protein and UCP-2. These results suggest that Sinetrol-XPur supplementation is a viable option for reducing body weight and fat by improving serum lipid profiles and genetic expression of lipid metabolic factors, especially activation of cAMP-dependent UCP-2.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.20-29
• /
• 2010

Naringin has antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic properties, however, phenolic compounds including naringin are unstable in the presence of light, heat and oxygen. Beta-cyclodextrin ($\beta$-CD) is a cyclic heptamer composed of seven glucose units that enhances the stability and solubility of molecules through the formation of inclusion complexes. This study was conducted out to compare the effects of CD-naringin (CD-N) inclusion complexes with naringin on lipid metabolism in high fat-fed animals. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either CD-N (0.048%, w/w) or naringin (N, 0.02%, w/w) in a 20% high-fat (HFC, 15% lard, 5% corn oil, w/w) diet for 10 weeks. Orlistat (Xenical, 0.01%, w/w) was used as a positive control (PC). There were no differences in body weight, food intake, liver and heart weights, plasma triglyceride(TG), leptin, adiponectin, resistin, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 concentrations, and hepatic $\beta$-oxidation, carnitine palmitoyl transferase(CPT), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and malic enzyme activities between the HFC and CD-N groups or between the HFC and N groups. However, both CD-naringin and naringin supplementation les to a significant reduction in the epididymal and perirenal white adipose tissue weights, plasma free fatty acid, insulin and blood glucose concentrations, hepatic cholesterol and TG contents and hepatic fatty acid synthase (FAS), phosphatidate phosphohydrolase (PAP) and HMG-CoA reductase activities compared to the HFC group. The plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in CD-N and N groups than in HF and PC groups. These results indicate that both CD-naringin and naringin supplementation effectively improved plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism without differences between CD-N and naringin groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.10
• /
• pp.1409-1416
• /
• 2012

This study examined the effects of four herbal sports drinks containing Prunus mume, Liriope platyphylla, and Acanthopanax senticosus fruit extracts on body fat and endurance of rats trained by a progressive loaded exercise program. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (6 weeks old) were divided into five groups and fed experimental diets for 6 weeks according to the following protocol: C, exercise-trained control group (n=8); A, exercise group with Acanthopanax senticosus extract (n=8); L, exercise group with Liriope platyphylla extract (n=8); PA, exercise group with Prunus mune fruit extract plus Acanthopanax senticosus extract (n=8); PL, exercise group with Prunus mune fruit extract plus Liriope platyphylla extract (n=8). Endurance was measured by a progressive loaded exercise test using a treadmill. PA and PL supplementation significantly extended time to exhaustion compared to the control group (p<0.05). Further, the four herbal sports drinks all significantly reduced epididymal and interscapular white adipose tissue weights compared to the control group (p<0.05). Plasma triglyceride concentration was significantly lower in the A group compared to the control group. Plasma free fatty acid concentration was higher in the A group compared to the control group. On the other hand, Acanthopanax senticosus fruit extract supplementation tended to reduce the plasma glucose concentration compared to the control group. PA and PL supplementation significantly increased gastrocnemius muscle LDH activities compared to the control group (p<0.05). These results show that sports drink containing Acanthopanax senticosus improved endurance capacity, plasma lipids, and glucose concentrations. Sports drink with Prunus mume and Liriope platyphylla or Acanthopanax senticosus was synergistically improved endurance.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.12
• /
• pp.1537-1543
• /
• 2007

This study was investigate the effect of grape seed water extract (GSW) on lipid profiles, lipid metabolism and erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Three groups of male C57BL/6 mice were fed different diets for 6 weeks: normal diet (Normal), high-fat diet (HF control; 37% calorie from fat) and high-fat diet supplemented with GSW (HF-GSW; 1% wt/wt). Supplementation of GSW did not affect the body weight, food intake, daily energy intake, white adipose tissue weights and plasma leptin level in high-fat fed mice. Plasma and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents were significantly higher in the HF control group than in the Normal group; however, GSW supplement significantly lowered plasma triglyceride and hepatic cholesterol concentrations compared to the HF control group. GSW supplement significantly increased fecal excretion of triglyceride in high-fat fed mice. Hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase activity was significantly higher in the HF-GSW group than in the HF control group, while fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation tended to be lowered by GSW supplement. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was also significantly higher in the HF-GSW group than in the HF control group and glutathione peroxidase activity tended to be lowered in HF-GSW group. The GSW supplement significantly lowered erythrocyte lipid peroxidation level compared to the HF control group. Accordingly, these results suggest that GSW can be considered as a lipid-lowering agent and as being effective for enhancing erythrocyte antioxidant defense system in high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

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

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.1235-1243
• /
• 2011

In this study, we investigated the antioxidative activity (scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and superoxide anion radical) and anti-obesity effects of black bean chungkugjang extract (BBCE). DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$ value) of BBCE were $162.7{\pm}2.8$ ppm, and $205.62{\pm}3.6$ ppm, respectively. The anti-obesity effects of BBCE were investigated by measuring Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. BBCE reduced the content of Oil Red O dye in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We also examined the effects of BBCE on adiposity, serum lipid, and leptin levels in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were fed the BBCE experimental diets for 7 weeks, after which they were sacrificed. ICR male mice were randomly divided into three groups, one normal diet group (ND group) and two high fat diet groups with or without BBCE supplementation (HFD group and HFD-BBCE group). The results showed that weight gain and the food efficiency ratio significantly decreased upon addition of BBCE compared to those of the HFD group. Further, white adipose tissue weights of epididymal, mesenteric, and retroperitoneal areas in the HFD-BBCE group were reduced to 34.8%, 7.1%, and 40.6%, respectively, compared to that of the HFD group. The serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and leptin in the HFD-BBCE group were significantly lower than those of the HFD group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that BBCE may have beneficial effects on reducing fat mass and serum lipid content.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.9
• /
• pp.1215-1226
• /
• 2011

The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effects of extracts of persimmon leaf (PWE), buckwheat leaf (BWE), and chinese matrimony vine leaf (LWE) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) were divided into four groups: HFD (35% fat, w/w), HFD (38.5% fat, w/w) supplemented with PWE (10%, w/w), BWE (10%, w/w), and LWE (10%, w/w) groups. The epididymal, perirenal, and interscapular white adipose tissue (WAT) weights as well as plasma leptin level were lowest in the LWE group. Supplementation with PWE and BWE also tended to lower the perirenal and retroperitonal WAT weights compared to the HFD control group, and there was a significant decrease in plasma leptin concentration. Furthermore, plasma triglyceride concentration, hepatic cholesterol content, and hepatic lipid droplet accumulation were significantly lower in the PWE, BWE, and LWE groups than in the HFD group. BWE supplementation markedly lowered plasma total cholesterol concentration, although there were no significant differences in plasma HDL-cholesterol concentration and ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol among the groups. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity was significantly higher in the PWE and LWE groups than in the HFD group, and hepatic ACAT was not changed by extract supplementation. However, supplementation with PWE, BWE, and LWE significantly increased fecal acidic sterol content in rats fed a HFD. These results suggest that supplementation with PWE, BWE, and LWE may be an effective anti-obesity strategy by lowering body fat weight and improving plasma and hepatic lipid profiles in HFD-fed rats.