• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.432-441
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• 1987

This study was undertaken to investigate effects of alcohol and fat content in a balanced diet on growth, hepatic function and some biochemical indices of blood in growing rats. Fourty eight male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing about 160g were divided into 4 groups ; high fat diet group, alcohol-adminstered high fat diet group, low fat diet group and alcohol-administered low fat diet group. High and low fat diet supplied 30% and 12%, respectively, of total calorie intake from fat and alcohol-treated groups received water containing 10% ethanol. Diets contained adequate amounts of all nutrients required for rats, including lipotropic agents(choline and methionine) to minimize effects of factors other than alcohol on liver function. Growth rate was lowest in alcohol-administered low-fat diet group, despite that their energy intake was equivalent to the others. For a 3-week study period, 21.86% and 23.61% of total calorie intake were derived from alcohol in alcohol-adminitered high fat diet group and low fat diet group, respectively. There was no influenced on vitamin B$_1$ status by alcohol consumption. Concentration of triglyceride in plasma increased with alcohol comsumption, and the effect was greater after 6 weeks than after 3 weeks of alcohol consumption . Difference of dietary fat content did not affect the level of triglyceride . The levels of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol in plasma were not influenced by alcohol consumption. Serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase activity and hepatic mitochondrial respiration rate did not differ between groups. The results indicate that neither moderate alcohol drinking for 6 weeks nor fat content with a balanced diet caused any dramatic change of metabolism and liver function in rats. However they suggest that even moderate alcohol consumption can affect growth of animals dramatically and the effect may be lessened with relatively high fat content in diet.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2018

This study aimed to identify the effects of extracts of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) with a Monascus purpureus strain on anti-obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven dietary groups (n=8 per group), as follows: a normal diet group (N) and six HFD groups (C: control, HFD and no treatment; AG: HFD +10% A. gigas extracts; FAG2.5: HFD +2.5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG5: HFD +5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG10: HFD +10% fermented A. gigas extracts; GC: HFD + Garcinia cambogia extracts). FAG-fed rats exhibited effectively lowered rates of increasing body weight and visceral fat accumulation in the HFD-induced obesity model. The activities of several hepatic marker enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were increased with HFD-induced obesity, but levels of these marker enzymes were significantly decreased in FAG-fed rats. The consumption of FAG reduced triglyceride concentrations in serum to normal levels. FAG-fed rats showed effectively increased leptin concentrations in the HFD-induced obesity model. HFD ingestion induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was decreased in FAG-fed rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining of the liver showed that the lipid deposits were decreased via FAG feeding. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin staining of epididymal adipose adipose tissue showed that the adipocyte were decreased by feeding FAG.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1176-1182
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• 2011

The present research was conducted to investigate the effect of moderate exercise training on splenocyte inflammatory cytokines production in high fat diet-induced obese mice. To determine the effects of exercise training and low fat diet on splenocyte, C57BL/6 male mice (4 weeks aged, n=20) were fed a high fat diet (45% fat diet) for 5 weeks so that obesity was achieved intentionally. These obese mice were then divided into 2 groups; HLC (low fat diet and control n=10), and HLE (low fat diet and exercise n=10). HLE mice performed 8 weeks of exercise training on a motorized treadmill by running for 30-60 min/day at 10-22 m/min, 0% grade, five times per week. After exercise training, all the splenocyte was collected and Con A (concanvalin A, 10${\mu}g/ml$) was used to stimulate the cells, after which IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by bio plex. Independent t-test was used and p value under 0.05 was considered a statistical significance. Splenocyte IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ production of HLE stimulated by Con A was significantly lower than that of HLC (p<0.01). These findings suggest that moderate exercise has beneficial effects on splenocyte inflammatory cytokines in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.884-892
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• 2011

This study was performed to investigate the increase of S-allylcysteine content, a biomarker of black garlic, during its aging period, as well as the serum lipid-lowering effects of black garlic extract in high fat diet fed rats. The highest content of S-allylcysteine was observed on the 15th day of the aging period. Sensory evaluation was also estimated to be extremely good on the 15th day of the aging period. High fat diet rats with induced hyperlipidemia were fed diets containing black garlic extract of low, medium, and high doses for 6 weeks. No significant difference in body weight gain and food efficiency was observed between normal, placebo and black garlic fed groups. Liver weight was significantly higher in black garlic fed groups than in the normal group. Total serum cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly lower in low, medium, and high dose groups than in the normal group. Also, HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher and LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in black garlic diet fed groups than in the normal group. Hepatic levels including total lipid and cholesterol were especially decreased in the black garlic diet fed group than in the placebo group. These results suggest that black garlic intake reduces the levels of serum and hepatic cholesterol in high fat diet fed rats. In conclusion, black garlic has a potential to be used as a functional health food ingredient with beneficial effects on lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.997-1003
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• 2011

Menopause and obesity are associated with metabolism. The purpose of this study was to examine the changes of PPAR${\gamma}$, PGC-1(${\alpha},\;{\beta}$), NRf-1 and TFAM mRNA and mitochondria biogenesis in adipocytes and investigate the effect of swimming exercise for 6weeks on ovariectomized rats. Rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (1) ovariectomized rats fed with a control diet (C, n=4), (2) ovariectomized rats fed with high fat diet (H, n=4), and (3) ovariectomized rats trained to exercise and fed with high fat diet (H+EX, n=4). Exercise was performed by swimming for 5 days/wk, with a progressive increase in exercise over the course of 6 weeks. Results showed that the fat tissue weight in the H group was markedly increased (p<0.01) compared to other groups, however, regular exercise significantly decreased fat weight. The PPAR-${\gamma}$ (p<0.05), PGC-$1{\alpha}$ (p<0.01), -$1{\beta}$ (p<0.05), NRf-1 (p<0.01) and TFAM (p<0.05) mRNA expression in the adipocytes of H+EX were higher than in the H group. These results suggest that regular exercise for 6 weeks might exert positive effects by increasing PPAR-${\gamma}$, PGC-1 (${\alpha},\;{\beta}$), NRf-1 and TFAM mRNA expression and mitochondria in adipocytes. Thus, regular exercise may be helpful in the improvement of mitochondria biogenesis function in obese, ovariectomized rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of supplementation with Opuntia humifusa on the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-delta (PPAR-${\delta}$), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-${\gamma}$) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-$1{\alpha}$) in the skeletal muscle of rats fed a high-fat diet. Sixteen Sprague-Dawley male rats at 6 weeks of age were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control diet group (CG, n=8) and an experimental diet group (EG, n=8). The rats were fed a high-fat diet (CG) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% O. humifusa (EG) for 8 weeks. The results showed that the abdominal fat pad and epididymal fat pad weights were significantly lower in the EG than in the CG (p<0.01). In the blood, serum glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol in the EG group were lower than in the CG (p<0.01). The expression of PPAR-${\gamma}$ and PGC-$1{\alpha}$ protein in the skeletal muscle of the EG was increased compared with that of the CG (p<0.05). These results indicate that 8 weeks of O. humifusa supplementation lowers serum glucose and triglyceride levels and suppresses weight gain by reducing fat weight through an increase in the expression of PPAR-${\gamma}$ and PGC-$1{\alpha}$ in the muscle tissue of rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 2017

Previously, we have shown that Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) has a protective effect against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced hepatic steatosis. Gomisin A is a bioactive phytoestrogen derived from S. chinensis. In the present study, the in vitro and in vivo effects of gomisin A on ER stress and hepatic steatosis were investigated. We quantified the expression of markers of ER stress, including glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homolog protein (CHOP), and X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), in HepG2 cells treated with tunicamycin or palmitate. Tunicamycin treatment in HepG2 cells induced the expression of markers of ER stress, including GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1c. However, treatment with gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress. These inhibitory effects were also observed in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells. The in vivo inhibitory effects of gomisin A were assessed in mice injected with tunicamycin or fed with a high fat diet (HFD). Gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress and decreased triglyceride levels in the livers of mice after tunicamycin injection or HFD feeding. Furthermore, gomisin A decreased the expression of inflammatory genes in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells and the liver of HFD-fed obese mice. These results suggest that gomisin A inhibits ER stress and ameliorates hepatic steatosis induced by ER stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.790-795
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-oxidative effects of fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract on obese mice. The antioxidant experiments were conducted both in vivo and in vitro. The in vitro experiment was measured through the use of nitric oxide (NO) free radical scavenging activity. The results showed that the scavenging activity of the NO free radical in fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract had higher activity than unfermented Hibiscus syriacus extract. The in vivo experiments were divided into a normal dietary group, a high fat dietary group (CON), a high fat dietary + fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract group (FH), and a high fat dietary + unfermented Hibiscus syriacus extract group. These four groups received intraperitoneal administrations for four weeks. Next, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in a liver homogenate were measured. The results showed that the levels of SOD and CAT in FH were higher than the CON and MDA levels, which were significantly decreased in FH. Consequently, fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract had an inhibitive effect on oxidative stress and a heightening effect on antioxidant enzyme activity in obese mice, suggesting that fermented Hibiscus syriacus extract could be utilized as a useful, natural antioxidant.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1387-1393
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• 2007

Hambag mushroom is edible mushroom, and one of new strains in Grifola frondosa. It was developed from Korean wild Grifola frondosa by National Institute Science & Technology. In this study, we investigated the effects of the powder extracted from fruit-body of hambag mushroom on hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia and pancreatic cells in rats with streptozotocin (STZ) and high fat diet-induced diabetes. The diabetic rats were fed with hambag mushroom-powder (1 and 2% of diet weight) for 6 weeks. And then the levels of blood glucose and lipid and the pancreatic tissue were analyzed and compared. The diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder lost less body weight than those fed with the powder-free normal diet. flood glucose levels in the diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder at all concentrations was lower by 50% than in the diabetic rats fed with normal diet. The levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol in the diabetic rats fed with hambag mushroom-powder were increased compared to those in the diabetic rats fed with normal diet. There were the blood levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol by hambag mushroom-powder concentrations in a dose-dependent response. The decreased damage of pancreatic tissue in the group treated with hambag mushroom-powder could be suggested possibly as one of mechanisms for the effects of hambag mushroom-powder on hyperglycemia and hyperlipemia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2018

Purpose: Colorectal cancer, which is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in developing and developed countries, is highly associated with obesity. The association is largely attributed to changes to western style diets in those countries containing high-fat and high-energy. Luteolin (LUT) is a known potent inhibitor of inflammation, obesity, and cancer. In this study, we investigated the effects of LUT on chemical-induced colon carcinogenesis in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of azoxymethane (AOM) at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg body weight. Mice were then divided into four groups (n = 10) that received one of the following diets for 11 weeks after the AOM injection: normal diet (ND); HFD; HFD with 0.0025% LUT (HFD LL); HFD with 0.005% LUT (HFD HL). One week after AOM injection, animals received 1~2% dextran sodium sulfate in their drinking water over three cycles consisting of five consecutive days each that were separated by 16 days. Results: Body weight, ratio of colon weight/length, and tumor multiplicity increased significantly in the HFD group compared to the ND group. Luteolin supplementation of the HFD significantly reduced the ratio of colon weight/length and colon tumors, but not body weight. The levels of plasma $TNF-{\alpha}$ and colonic expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 protein increased in response to HFD, but were suppressed by LUT supplementation. Immunohistochemistry analysis also showed that iNOS expression was decreased by LUT. Conclusion: Consumption of LUT may reduce the risk of obesity-associated colorectal cancer by suppression of colonic inflammation.