• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.311-317
• /
• 2009

This study was performed using animals to confirm the effect of tourmaline-ionized water (TIW) the properties of which were changed by tourmaline energy and electric discharge. In the ICR mice fed high-fat diet, body weight increasing rate of the TIW-treated group (Exp) was generally decreased and moreover exhibited significance at 11th week (P<0.05) compared with the control (Con) group fed distilled water, although water intake of the Exp group was lower than that of the Con group. In the ICR mice with $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity, AST and ALT activities of the Exp group were not significant but showed some decreasing trend, and histological damage of liver was less compared with thatof the Con group. On the study of ethanol-induced hangovers in Sprague-Dawley rat, blood alcohol concentration was significantly decreased (P<0.01), activity of GST, antioxidant enzyme related to the alcohol metabolism, was increased in liver tissue (P<0.05), and AST and ALT show a tendency to be decreasedin the Exp group. These results suggest that drinking TIWhas not only some obesity preventing effect but also an alcohol detoxification effect and liver protecting effect in vivo. It is supposed due to a structural change of water cluster and a property which maintains the changed structure through tourmaline energy and electric discharge. Therefore, TIW has a potentiality to be developed as functional water with several beneficial effects as well as for daily drinking, but further study on the mechanism related with efficacy will be necessary.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.259-265
• /
• 2009

To develop an effective anti-hangover product, hot-water extracts of 25 medicinal herbs were screened for inhibition or activation of alcohol dehydrogenase(ADH) and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase(ALDH), and 12 herbs were selected for further study. Chosen medicinal herb extracts(CMHEs) were fermented by Lactobacillus delbruechii subspecies lactis for 10 days at $35^{\circ}C$ after saccharification with nuruk(malt inoculated by 5 types of microbs) for 72 hours at $35^{\circ}C$ and both CMHEs and fermented CMHEs(FCMHEs) were explored for anti-hangover effects in vitro. We found significant ADH inhibition by hot-water extracts of Pueraria thunbergiana, Hovenia dulcis Thunb, Lycium chinense, Glycyrrhiza uralensis, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Liriope platyphylla, and Ixeris dentata, and significant ALDH activation by extracts of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus, Lycium chinense, Ixeris dentata, and Polypori umbellati of the Polyporaceae. The ADH effects on CMHE and FCMHE were -20.22% and -62.63% of control values, and the ALDH effects 173.20% and 280.17%, respectively. In rats given 20%(v/v) alcohol(15 mL/kg), FCMHEs significantly decreased blood acetaldehyde concentrations on 3 hours after ethanol administration, in a dose-dependent manner(p<0.05). Notably, blood acetaldehyde concentrations were markedly reduced in animals given FCMHEs(400 mg/kg) compared to levels seen in rats receiving CADB(commercial alcohol detoxification beverage). Thus, anti-hangover effects were promoted by fermentation of certain medicinal herb extracts.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.34-45
• /
• 1998

We provide the reader with a brief introduction to the neurobiology of neuropeptides. Several comprehensive reviews of the distribution and neurochemical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of the major neuropeptides have recently appeared. In reviews of the large number of neuropeptides in brain and their occurance in brain regions thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders, investigators have sought to determine whether alternations in neuropeptide systems are associated with schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcoholism and neurodegenerative disease. There is no longer any doubt that neuropeptide-containing neurons are altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. One of the factors that has hindered neuropeptide research to a considerable extent is the lack of pharmacological agents that specifically alter the synaptic availability of neuropeptides. With the exception of naloxone and naltrexone, the opiate-receptor antagonists, there are few available neuropeptide- receptor antagonists. Two independent classes of neuropeptide-receptor antagonists has been expected to be clinically useful. Naltrexone, a potent ${\mu}$-receptor antagonist, has been used successfully to reduce the need for alcohol consumption. And cholecycstokinin antagonists are now in development as a new class of anxiolytics, which would be expected to be free from tolerance and physical dependence and lack of sedation. In this review, we deal with these two kinds of neuropeptide system, the opioid system and cholesystokinins in the brain. The role of opioid systems in the reinforcement after alcohol consumtion and that of cholesystokinins in the pathogenesis of anxiety will be discussed briefly. As we know, the future for neuropeptides in psychiatry remains bright indeed.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.52 no.11
• /
• pp.1279-1282
• /
• 2009

Hepatomegaly and liver dysfunction might develop in patients with diabetes mellitus due to glycogen deposition or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. We experienced a case of hepatic glycogenosis in a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus who presented with recurrent hypoglycemia, suggesting impairment of glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis. A 10-year-old girl with a 4-year history of type 1 diabetes mellitus was admitted because of recurrent hypoglycemia and abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. She had Cushingoid features and hepatomegaly that extended 6 cm below the right costal margin. Laboratory data and radiologic examination revealed elevated liver enzyme levels due to fatty liver. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining revealed intense glycogen deposition in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes and PAS reactivity was lost with diastase treatment. At 2 months after administration of glucagon injection and uncooked cornstarch between meals and at bedtime, the hypoglycemic episodes and liver dysfunction improved. It is important to distinguish hepatic glycogenosis from steatohepatitis, because it is possible to prevent excessive hepatic glycogen storage in hepatic glycogenosis cases by strictly controlling blood glucose level and by glucagon administration. To prevent severe hypoglycemic symptoms accompanied by hepatic glycogenosis, we suggest that uncooked cornstarch, which is effective in maintaining blood glucose level, can also be administered.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.52 no.5
• /
• pp.524-528
• /
• 2020

The aim of this study was to enhance the use of wheat bran in lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation. LAB fermentation of wheat bran and the flavor components and amino acids of fermentation products were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that total flavor components increased by 93% and 73% in the animal-based LAB mixture (T2) and plant-based LAB mixture (T3), respectively, after fermentation. Among these components, 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl), known for its buttery flavor, was detected at concentrations of 18.44 ng/g (T2) and 16.95 ng/g (T3). Levels of hexanal and nonanal, which causes off-flavor components in wheat bran, dramatically decreased after T2 fermentation; similarly, levels of total free amino acids decreased by 37.6% (T2) and 36.7% (T3) after fermentation. This may explain why some components were bound to volatile compounds during LAB fermentation. These results suggest that LAB-fermented wheat bran is a potential value-added food material.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.111-120
• /
• 2008

Purpose : To investigate the actual conditions of diagnosis and treatment of oral disease of inpatient with systemic disease. Methods : A total of 110 subjects, inpatient due to systemic disease for diagnosis and treatment of oral disease was requested to answer the medical history and dental treatment record. Results : In the main systemic disease, Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases is composed of Gingivitis and periodontal diseases 44.9%, Diseases of salivary glands 22.4%, Within Normal Limit, Dental caries 12.2%, Diseases of pulp and periapical tissues 4.1%, Embedded and impacted teeth, Other diseases of hard tissues of teeth 2%. In the main oral disease, Gingivitis and periodontal diseases is composed of Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus 39.2%, Cerebral infarction 29.4%, Nerve root and plexus disorders 5.6%, Intracerebral hemorrhage 3.9%, Malignant neoplasm of stomach, Thyrotoxicosis, Schizophrenia, Alcoholic liver disease, Nephrotic syndrome 2%. Conclusion : These findings indicate that inpatient due to the systemic disease is significantly correlated to the oral disease. The patients of oral disease interrelationship between inpatient and outpatient of systemic disease should be validated by future research.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.198-205
• /
• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

• Journal of Mushroom
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.216-223
• /
• 2012

Oyster mushroom is one of the popular mushrooms for Korean people and it is thus one of the mushrooms that were mostly cultivated in Korea in addition to winter and king oyster mushrooms. To promote the consumption in terms of its nutritional value and determine the absorption mechanism in its physiological and metabolic aspects, we investigated the sugar composition of its fruit bodies according to the amount of sugar component in the medium. As a result from the treatment of 4 different sugar components to the sawdust medium of oyster mushroom varieties (i.g., Suhan 1 ho, Yeorum, Chunchu 2 ho), we detected fructose, glucose, ribose, xylose as a monosaccharide with ${\alpha}$-lactose and trehalose as a disaccharide. The sugar alcohols were also detected including glycerol, mannitol, myo-inositol, and sorbitol. The sugar components that were detected in all treatments were trehalose, mannitol, ${\alpha}$-lactose, fructose, glucose, ribose, and myo-inositol and the rest of the components were found in some treatments with their different quantity included in the fruit bodies. The amount of monosaccharides included in fruit bodies is comparatively low and Suhan 1 ho contained them more than other varieties. There was no remarkable difference in the amount of sugar components in fruit bodies depending on treated sugars and their amounts in the treatment. With the increase of lactose treatment, the sugar components were markedly increased and the amount of trehalose in the fruit bodies was different according to the varieties. Therefore, it is not possible to detect the trend of sugar components according to the medium used in the cultivation. The sugar alcohols in the fruit bodies were comparatively contained more in Suhan 1 ho and Chunchu 1 ho. The amount of mannitol in the fruit bodies was not possible to be detected in terms of its trend according to the treatment. For myo-inositol, its quantity is gradually increasing in Suhan 1 ho and Chunchu 1 ho and it is not possible to detent the trend in Yeorum. In conclusion, we only detected ${\alpha}$-lactose as a sugar component that showed a correlation between the amount of treatment and the amount of the fruit bodies. Therefore, the sugar components detected in the fruit bodies were transformed rather than direct absorption into fruit bodies and further studies are needed to address this question.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.2
• /
• pp.227-239
• /
• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of water-soluble mulberry leaf extract (ME) on hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via the regulation of hepatic microRNA (miR)-221/222 and inflammation. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7 each) and fed with 10 kcal% low-fat diet (LF), 45 kcal% high-fat diet (HF), or HF + 0.8% ME for 14 weeks. Lipid profiles and cytokine levels of the liver and serum were measured using commercial enzymatic colorimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and miR levels in liver tissue were assayed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: Supplementation of ME reduces body weight and improves the liver and serum lipid profiles as compared to the HF group. The mRNA levels of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, fatty acid synthase, and fatty acid translocase, which are genes involved in lipid metabolism, were significantly downregulated in the ME group compared to the HF group. In contrast, the mRNA level of hepatic carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 (involved in fatty acid oxidation) was upregulated by ME supplementation. Furthermore, administration of ME significantly downregulated the mRNA levels of inflammatory mediators such as hepatic tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The serum levels of TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide were also significantly reduced in ME group compared to the HF group. Expression of hepatic miR-221 and miR-222, which increase in the inflammatory state of the liver, were also significantly inhibited in the ME group compared to the HF group. Conclusion: These results indicate that ME has the potential to improve hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat diet-fed rats via modulation of inflammatory mediators and hepatic miR-221/222 expressions.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.87-95
• /
• 2003

Although extensive studies were conduced on hydrogen fermentation of organic wastewaters, little is known about biohydrogen production from organic solid wastes. The leaching-bed reactor treating food waste by heat-shocked anaerobic sludge was, therefore, operated at D of 2.1, 3.6, 4.5 and $5.5d^{-1}$ to find optimal D for hydrogen production. Successful operation of a reactor can be accomplished when it is operated at proper dilution rate (D). Operation at high D leads to the washout of biomass in the reactor while operation at low D leads to product inhibition due to the accumulation of excess VFA. These appear to limit the production of hydrogen to reach a higher level. All the reactors showed that, on day 1-3, hydrogen production was dominant and VFA concentration was higher than ethanol. Butyrate and acetate were major components of VFAs over the whole operation, though lactate was very high on day 1-2. Compared with other D values, D of $4.5d^{-1}$, resulted in higher butyrate/acetae (B/A) ratios during the fermentation. The trend of B/A ratios was similar to the hydrogen production, suggesting that butyrate formation favored hydrogen production. Ethanol increased significantly from day 4 when hydrogen Production stopped. It indicated that heat-shocked sludge was able to induce a metabolic flow from hydrogen-and acid-producing pathway to solvent-producing pathway. Operation at D of $4.5d^{-1}$ led to higher fermentation efficiency (58%) than those (51.5, 55.3 and 53.7%) at 2.1, 3.6 and $5.5d^{-1}$. The COD removed was convened to hydrogen (10.1%), VFA (30.9%), and ethanol (17.0%).