• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.342-350
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• 2010

This study was aimed to investigate whether soy protein hydrolysates had beneficial effects on serum and tissue lipid contents and appetite-related hormones as compared with intact soy protein. Four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93M diet containing high fat (18% w/w) with low protein (10% w/w). After four weeks, the rats were divided into four groups (n = 8/group) and fed experimental diets with different nitrogen sources and levels, respectively; 10% soy protein isolate (10SPI), 25% soy protein isolate (25SPI), 25% soy protein hydrolysates (25SPH) and 25% soy macro-peptide fractions (25SPP, MW $\geq$ 10,000) for six weeks. Weight gain was significantly higher in 25% nitrogen sources-fed groups than in 10% group (10SPI). In 25SPP, perirenal fat mass and serum total lipid were significantly lower than in other groups. As for appetite-related hormones, serum ghrelin concentration was not shown to be different among groups but leptin concentration was significantly decreased in 25SPP. It can be concluded that soy macro-peptide fractions as compared with intact soy protein may have beneficial effects on reducing fat mass and serum lipid.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.333-341
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to investigate the hypolgycemic activity of water extract of fermented yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) leaves tea (Yacon LWE) in high-fat diet (HFD)/streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Male ICR mice were fed with a HFD (37% calories from fat) for 4 weeks prior to intraperitoneal injection with STZ (100 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic mice were supplemented with two doses of Yacon LWE (0.16% and 0.8%, wt/wt) for 6 weeks. The supplementation of high-dose Yacon LWE significantly lowered blood glucose levels and plasma ALT and AST activities compared with the control group. High-dose Yacon LWE also improved the insulin tolerance without any changes in plasma and pancreatic insulin concentrations in HFD/STZ-induced diabetic mice. Yacon LWE supplementation increased the insulin staining of pancreatic $\beta$-cells in a dose-dependent manner. Both 0.16% and 0.8% of Yacon LWE significantly elevated plasma leptin concentration, hepatic glucokinase activity and glucokinase/glucose-6-phosphatase ratio compared with the control group. However, glycosylated hemoglobin concentration was not different among the groups. These results suggest that high-dose Yacon LWE lowers the blood glucose level partly by enhancing insulin sensitivity and hepatic glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.829-837
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds on cholesterol adsorption capacity and UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity. In vitro cholesterol adsorption capacity of 2%, 5% and 10% ethanol extracts from red pepper seed groups were significantly higher than that of the control group. Sprague-Dawley strain male rats weighing $100{\pm}10$ g were randomly assigned to one normal diet N group and experimental groups fed high fat and high cholesterol diet, which were divided into HF (0.0%), HEA (0.1%), HEB (0.2%), and HEC (0.5%) groups according to the amount of ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds added to their basal diet. The body weight gain in the HF group was higher than that in the N group, and those in the HEA, HEB and HEC groups were lower than that in the HF group However, there were no statistically significant differences among the all the groups. The hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol contents in the N group was significantly lower than that in the HF group, and those in the HEA, HEB and HEC groups were lower than that in the HF group. The hepatic UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity in the N group was lower than that of the HF group and those in the HEA, HEB and HEC groups were lower than that of the HF group. The serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of the HF group were significantly higher than that of the N group, and those of the HEA, HEB and HEC groups were lower than that of the HF group. The serum HDL-cholesterol contents in all groups supplemented with the ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds were significantly higher than that of the HF group. The serum LDL-cholesterol contents of the HF group were significantly higher than that of the N group, and those of the HEA, HEB and HEC groups were lower than that of the HF group. The fecal total cholesterol contents were significantly higher in the HF group compared to the N group, and those of the HEB and HEC groups were lower than that of the HF group. The fecal triglyceride contents in the N group was higher than that of the HF group, and those of the HEA, HEB and HEC groups were lower than that of the HF group. This study suggested that the ethanol extracts from red pepper seeds have powerful health benefits by the UDP-glucuronyl transferase activity and lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1421-1429
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• 2017

The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of dietary provision of lactic acid bacteria (LB) and sea tangle (ST) on the obesity-associated intestinal microbiota in rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet. Forty-eight 8-wk-old Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a basal diet (CON), a high fat diet (HFD; CON supplemented with 10% lard), HF supplemented with LB [HFL; $5{\times}10^8cfu$ of each of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium lactis], or HFL containing 10% ST (HFLS), with 4 replicates (cages) of 3 rats per dietary treatment, for 6 wk, and the intestinal microbiota were determined by pyrosequencing. The HFL and HFLS groups exhibited reduced rates of weight gain than the HF group, and the former groups had smaller ratios of Firmicutes and greater ratios of Bacteriodetes, with decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratios, than the latter at the level of the phylum. Compared with the results for the HF group, HFL and HFLS had reduced ratios of the families of Roseburia, Mollicute, Erysipelotrichi, and Oscillibacter within Firmicutes associated with obesity and increased ratios of the families of Prevotella, Alistipes and Bacteroides within the Bacterioidetes phylum known to have an anti-obesity effect. The content of butyric acid in feces was greater in the HFLS group vs. HF and HFL. In conclusion, the present results suggest that dietary provision of LB plus ST has an anti-obesity effect and induced changes in intestinal microorganisms, and enhanced the content of butyric acid, which is an intestinal metabolite.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.126-136
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• 1984

The long-term effects of vegetable and animal high fat diet on the lipid metabolism were investigated in male weaning rats. The rats were fed one of four semipurified diet ad libitum : control diet supplied 12% of calories as fat(control group), low fat diet supplied 3% of calories as fat (3% F group), 45% corn oil diet supplied 45% calories from corn oil (45% C group) and 45% butte. fat diet supplied 45% calories from butter fat (45 % B group). Incorporation of $acetate-1-^{14}C$ into lipid of liver, serum and adipose tissue as well as exhalation of $^{14}CO_{2}$ from $acetate-1-^{14}C$ were observed in rats fed for 4,8 and 12 weeks. The weigh of epididymal adipose tissue of rats, fed 45% corn oil and 45% butter fat . from 4 weeks to 8 weeks were higher, but not different at 12 weeks, compared with those of control group. The weight of abdominal adipose tissue appeared to be similar to those of epididymal adipose tissue. Incorporations of $acetate-1-^{14}C$ into lipid of liver were remarkably decreased in high fat diet groups, especially in 45% C group, but in 3% F group were increased more than those of control group. Incorporations of $acetate-1-^{14}C$ into epididymal adipose tissue in 3% F, 45% C and 45% B group at 8 weeks were remarkably increased but not different at 12 weeks, compared with those of control group. The incorporation of {acetate-1-}^{14}C into abdominal adipose tissue appeared to be similar to those of epididymal adipose tissue. Incorporations of $acetate-1-^{14}C$ into lipid of serum in 45% C and 45% B group were reduced reasonably at 4 and 8 weeks of diet as compared with those of control group. Exhalation of $^{14}CO_{2}$ was increased to maximum level at 10 minutes after injection of $acetate-1-^{14}C$. Expiration of $^{14}CO_{2}$ in 45% C and 45% B group were higher than those in 3% F and control group for initial 5 minutes after injection, but expirations of $^{14}CO_{2}$ did not have significant difference among groups of diet since 10 minutes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.113-125
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• 1984

The long-term effects of vegetable and animal high fat diet on the lipid metabolism were investigated in male weaning rats. The rats were fed one of four semipurified diet ad libitum : control diet supplied 12% of calories as fat(control group), low fat diet supplied 3% of calories as fat(3% F group), 45% corn oil diet supplied 45% calories from corn oil(45% C group) and 45% butter fat diet supplied 45% calories from butte. fat(45% B group). The weights of liver, content of triacylglycerol(TG), total cholesterol and phospholipid(PL) in liver were investigated. The weight of liver of rats, fed 45% corn oil at 12 weeks and fed 45% butter fat for all period of diet were higher than that of control group. The contents of TG in liver of rats, fed 45% corn oil from 8 weeks and fed 45% butter fat for all period of diet were higher than that of control group. The levels of TG in liver of rats fed 45% butter fat were higher than those of rats fed 45% corn oil. The contents of total lipid and cholesterol in liver of rats were increased with similar trend of TG level, but contents of PL in liver had no relation with the levels and types of dietary fat and feeding periods. The liver of rats were observed histochemically by light microscope. Mild to severe level of fatty changes in liver of 45% C and 45% B group were observed at 8 and 12 weeks of diet. The liver of rats in control group appeared to be healthy and normal electron-microscopically, but in fatty degenerated hepatocytes of 45% C and 45% B group, nuclear membranes were irregular and a great number of intracytoplasmic fat vacuoles in cells were variable in size and low in electon density. The numbers of lysosome were increased and secondary lysosomes among them were observed on electron microscope.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.489-497
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity is often associated with disturbances in the mineral metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of high-fat diet-induced obesity on tissue zinc concentrations and zinc transporter expressions in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were fed either a control diet (10% energy from fat, control group) or a high-fat diet (45% energy from fat, obese group) for 15 weeks. The zinc concentrations in the serum, stool, and various tissues were measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-atomic emission spectrophotometry or ICP-mass spectrophotometry. The levels of zinc transporter mRNAs in the liver, duodenum, and pancreas were measured by real-time RT-PCR. The levels of serum adipokines, such as leptin and IL-6, were determined. Results: The total body weight, adipose tissue weight, and hepatic TG and cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group, as compared to the control group. The obese group had significantly higher levels of serum leptin and pro-inflammatory IL-6 concentrations, and had significantly lower levels of serum alkaline phosphatase activity. The zinc concentrations of the liver, kidney, duodenum, and pancreas were all significantly lower in the obese group than in the control group. On the other hand, the fecal zinc concentrations were significantly higher in the obese group than in the control group. The serum zinc concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. The ZnT1 mRNA levels of the liver and the pancreas were significantly higher in the obese group, as compared to the control group. Hepatic Zip10 mRNA was also increased in the obese group. Conclusion: Our study findings suggest that obesity increases fecal zinc excretion and lowers the tissue zinc concentrations, which may be associated with alterations in the zinc transporter expressions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2021

The effects of freeze-dried powder from fresh and black garlic hot water extracts on the lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a high-cholesterol diet were analyzed. The experimental group was classified into the normal group (NG), the high-fat (HF) and high-cholesterol diet group (CG), the HFC and 1% fresh garlic hot water extract powder-added diet group (FGEG), and the HFC and 1% black garlic hot water extract powder-added diet group (BGEG), respectively. The serum total lipid content was 381.52±7.30 mg/ml and 368.80±4.40 mg/ml in the FGEG and the BGEG, respectively, and was significantly lower than that of the CG. The total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of the FGEG and BGEG were also significantly lower than that of the CG. The high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol was significantly higher, and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol content was lower in the FGEG and BGEG than in the CG. The serum ALT and AST activities were significantly lower than those of the CG, and especially the BGEG was lower. The total cholesterol content and the triglyceride levels of the liver tissue were 36.0% and 14.3% lower in the BGEG than in the CG, respectively. The thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) concentrations in the serum and the liver tissue were higher in the CG than in the FGEG and BGEG, but there was no difference between them. Based on these results, garlic extract powders significantly reduced the lipid profile and increased the antioxidant activity in rats in vivo. The black garlic hot water extract powder was more effective than raw garlic because of the total number of phenolic compounds and browning substances in the black garlic.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 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 Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.462-475
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• 2022

Purpose: Allomyrina dichotoma larvae are one of the approved edible insects with nutritional value and various functional and medicinal properties. Previously we have demonstrated that the Allomyrina dichotoma larval extract (ADLE) ameliorates hepatic insulin resistance in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice through the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). This study investigated the effects of ADLE on insulin resistance in the skeletal muscle and explored mechanisms for enhancing the glucose uptake in palmitate (PAL)-treated C2C12 myotubes. Methods: To induce insulin resistance, the differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with PAL (0.5 mM) for 24 hours, and then treated with a 0.5 mg/ml concentration of ADLE, and the resultant effects were measured. The expression levels of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4), AMPK, and the mitochondrial metabolism-related proteins were analyzed by western blotting. The mRNA expression levels of lipogenesis- related genes were determined by quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. Results: The exposure of C2C12 myotubes to 0.5 mg/ml of ADLE increased cell viability significantly compared to PAL-treated cells. ADLE upregulated the protein expression of GLUT4 and enhanced glucose uptake in the PAL-treated cells. ADLE increased the phosphorylated AMPK in both the PAL-treated C2C12 myotubes and HFD-treated skeletal muscle. The reduced expression levels of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC1α) and uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3) due to the PAL and HFD treatment were reversed by the ADLE treatment. The citrate synthase activity was also significantly increased with the PAL and ADLE co-treatment. Moreover, the mRNA and protein expressions of fatty acid synthesis-related factors were reduced in the PAL and HFD-treated muscle cells, and this effect was significantly attenuated by the ADLE treatment. Conclusion: ADLE activates AMPK, which in turn induces mitochondrial metabolism and reduces fatty acid synthesis in C2C12 myotubes. Therefore, ADLE could be useful for preventing or treating insulin resistance of skeletal muscles in diabetes.