• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.647-655
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• 2014

Obesity is strongly associated with several metabolic and chronic diseases and has become a major public health problem of worldwide concern. This study aimed to investigate the physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects of Lactobacillus plantarum Q180. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 was isolated from the faces of healthy adults and found to have a lipase inhibitory activity of $83.61{\pm}2.32%$ and inhibited adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells ($14.63{\pm}1.37%$) at a concentration of $100{\mu}g/mL$. The strain was investigated for its physiological characteristics. The optimum growth temperature of L. plantarum Q180 was $37^{\circ}C$. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 showed higher sensitivity to novobiocin in a comparison of fifteen different antibiotics and showed the highest resistance to rifampicin, polymyxin B and vancomycin. The strain showed higher ${\beta}$-galactosidase and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-glucosaminidase activities. It also did not produce carcinogenic enzymes such as ${\beta}$-glucuronidase. The survival rate of L. plantarum Q180 in MRS broth containing 0.3% bile was 97.8%. Moreover, the strain showed a 97.2% survival rate after incubation for 3 h in pH 2.0. Lactobacillus plantarum Q180 was displayed resistance to Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus with rates of 55.6%, 38.0% and 47.6%, respectively. These results demonstrate that L. plantarum Q180 has potential as a probiotic with anti-obesity effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1243-1251
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• 2007

This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using L. reuteri Pg4, a strain isolated from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of healthy broilers, as a probiotic. In preliminary in vitro studies the Pg4 strain was proven capable of tolerating acid and bile salts, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria and can adhere to intestinal epithelial cells. The probiotic properties were then evaluated on the basis of the broiler's growth performance, intestinal microbial population and cecal volatile fatty acid and lactic acid concentrations under conventional feeding. Dietary supplementation of dried L. reuteri Pg4 decreased significantly feed intake in grower chickens and improved significantly the feed conversion by 5% in a 0-6 weeks feeding period compared with the control group. The Lactobacillus counts in the crop, ileum, and cecum of the probiotic group were higher than in the control group. The L. reuteri Pg4 strain was traceable in the GI tract of probiotic supplemented chicks and showed capability of survival in the intestine for a protracted period. The probiotic group had a higher lactic acid concentration and lower pH value in the cecum than the control chicks. Probiotic supplement also affected the histology of the intestinal mucosa of chicks. The present findings demonstrated that L. reuteri Pg4 possesses probiotic characteristics and it is suggested, therefore, that the organism could be a candidate for a new probiotic strain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.126-131
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• 2008

Immunosuppressive therapy after organ transplantation is routinely used to prevent rejection of the organ, because this decreases the risk of adverse events, infection, and malignancies. Recently, ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which is isolated from the dried bile of adult Chinese bears, has been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of acute rejection of liver allograft during early phase of liver transplantation. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect of UDCA on the proliferation of splenocytes exposed to PMA plus ionomycin. Our results demonstrated that UDCA decreased the splenocytes' proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The decreased cell proliferation was accompanied with the decreased secretion of cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$. In addition, the pretreatment of UDCA on splenocytes stimulated with PMA plus ionomycin decreased the mRNA levels of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$) and costimulatory molecules (B7.2 and PD-L1). These results suggest the beneficial effect of UDCA on organ transplantation by decreasing lymphocyte proliferation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.593-596
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate normal hepatobiliary functions in healthy miniature pigs. $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ hepatobiliary scintigraphy(HBS) was used for it. Five mCi dose of $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ was injected intravenously into 3 healthy adult miniature pigs, and dynamic images were obtained during 1 hour. $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ HBS in a miniature pig was evaluated for 6 variables. A cardiac washout occurred within 1 min in all miniature pigs and radioactivities in the gallbladder were not detected in two miniature pigs. Thus, the initial radioactivity and Tmax of the gallbladder were non-available to identify. Mean Tmax of liver was $8.67{\pm}2.08$ min and initial small intestinal radioactivity was seen at $9.67{\pm}2.52$ min after $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ injection. Mean hepatic washout time was not detected in 60 min dynamic images. Therefore, $^{99m}Tc-DISIDA$ HBS is the effective diagnostic method to evaluate the function of hepatocyte and bile flow rate. However, it was not a proper method to evaluate the function of gallbladder, which indicates that an additional study is needed to further specify the reasons for the absence of radioactivities in gallbladder of two miniature pigs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2012

Fascioliasis is one of the public health problems in the world. Cysteine proteinases (CP) released by $Fasciola$ $gigantica$ play a key role in parasite feeding, migration through host tissues, and in immune evasion. There has been some evidence from several parasite systems that proteinases might have potential as protective antigens against parasitic infections. Cysteine proteinases were purified and tested in vaccine trials of sheep infected with the liver fluke. Multiple doses (2 mg of CP in Freund's adjuvant followed by 3 booster doses 1 mg each at 4 week intervals) were injected intramuscularly into sheep 1 week prior to infect orally with 300 $F.$ $gigantica$ metacercariae. All the sheep were humanely slaughtered 12 weeks after the first immunization. Changes in the worm burden, ova count, and humoral and cellular responses were evaluated. Significant reduction was observed in the worm burden (56.9%), bile egg count (70.7%), and fecel egg count (75.2%). Immunization with CP was also found to be associated with increases of total IgG, $IgG_1$, and $IgG_2$ ($P$<0.05). Data showed that the serum cytokine levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$, and TNF-${\alpha}$, revealed significant decreases ($P$<0.05). However, the anti-inflammatory cytokine levels, IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$, and IL-6, showed significant increases ($P$<0.05). In conclusion, it has been found that CP released by $F.$ $gigantica$ are highly important candidates for a vaccine antigen because of their role in the fluke biology and host-parasite relationships.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1737-1742
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• 2015

Background: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been shown to be associated with cancer. This study explored whether mtDNA mutations enhance cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development in individuals. Materials and Methods: The whole mitochondrial genome sequences of 25 CCA patient tissues were determined and compared to those of white blood cells from the corresponding individuals and 12 healthy controls. The mitochondrial genome was amplified using primers from Mitoseq and compared with the Cambridge Reference Sequence. Results: A total of 161 mutations were identified in CCA tissues and the corresponding white blood cells, indicating germline origins. Sixty-five (40%) were new. Nine mutations, representing those most frequently observed in CCA were tested on the larger cohort of 60 CCA patients and 55 controls. Similar occurrence frequencies were observed in both groups. Conclusions: While the correspondence between the cancer and mitochondrial genome mutation was low, it is of interest to explore the functions of the missense mutations in a larger cohort, given the possibility of targeting mitochondria for cancer markers and therapy in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.404-414
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• 2015

Taurine is one of the most abundant free ${\beta}$-amino acids in the human body that accounts for 0.1% of the human body weight. It has a sulfonic acid group in place of the more common carboxylic acid group. Mollusks and meat are the major dietary source of taurine, and mother's milks also include high levels of this amino acid. The leukocytes, heart, muscle, retina, kidney, bone, and brain contain more taurine than other organs. Furthermore, taurine can be synthesized in the brain and liver from cysteine. There are no side effects of excessive taurine intake in humans; however, in case of taurine deficiency, retinal abnormalities, reduced plasma taurine concentration, and other abnormalities may occur. Taurine enters the cell via a cell membrane receptor. It is excreted in the urine (approximately 95%) and feces (approximately 5%). Taurine has a number of features and functions, including conjugation with bile acid, reduction of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, promotion of neuron cell differentiation and growth, antioxidant effects, maintenance of cell membrane stability, retinal development, energy generation, depressant effects, regulation of calcium level, muscle contraction and relaxation, bone formation, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-cancer and anti-atherogenic effects, and osmotic pressure control. However, the properties, functions, and effects of taurine require further studies in future.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.764-768
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• 2010

Three different isolation media for Cronobacter sakazakii have been recommended by Korea Food and Drug Administration from 2007. Performance comparison test was carried out between recommended Cronobacter sakazakii isolation medium. Chromogenic Enterobacter sakazakii agar (CESA) and Enterobacter sakazakii agar (ESA) produce more distinctive colonies having characteristic colors and appearance than Violet red bile glucose agar (VRBGA). The sensitivity and specificity of 3 different isolation media was checked. All 3 tested media showed 100% sensitivity when tested with 30 different Cronobacter sakazakii. The CESA and ESA showed 100% specificity when tested with Enterobacteriaceae except Cronobacter sakazakii, However, VRBGA did not show any specificity, showing inadequate selectivity compared to applicable Cronobacter sakazakii isolation medium. Artificially inoculated Cronobacter sakazakii to milk powder was easily recovered with 3 different isolation media and they all showed almost the same recovery activity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2005

Background: Inflammation in the brain has known to be associated with the development of a various neurological diseases. The hallmark of neuro-inflammation is the activation of microglia, brain macrophage. Pro-inflammatory compounds including nitric oxide (NO) are the main cause of neuro-degenerative disease such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) which is resulted in cell death. Among those pro-inflammatory compounds, NO contributes to the cell death by directly or indirectly. Methods: In the study, we examined whether ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a non-toxic hydrophilic bile acid, inhibits the NO production by a direct method using Griess reagent and by RT-PCR in the gene expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In signal transduction, we also examined the NF-${\kappa}B$ (p65/p50), IKK, and I ${\kappa}B$, which are associated with the expression of iNOS gene using western blots. Results: In the present study, we found that UDCA effectively inhibited NO production in BV-2 microglial cell, and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation was reduced by suppressing IKK gene expression and by increasing the I${\kappa}B$ in cytosol comparing those to the positive control LPS. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggested that UDCA may playa crucial role in inhibiting the NO production and the results imply that UDCA suppresses a cue signal of the microglial activation via stimulators, such as ${\beta}$-amyloid peptides which are known to stimulate microglia in AD pathogenesis.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition Conference
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.65-70
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• 2004

Modulation of biotransformation enzymes is one mechanism by which a diet high in fruits and vegetable may influence cancer risk. Inhibition of cytochrome P450s (CYP) and concomitant induction of conjugating enzymes are hypothesized to reduce the impact of carcinogens in humans. Thus, exposure to types and amounts of phytochemicals may influence disease risk. Like other xenobiotics, many classes of phytochemicals are rapodly conjugated with glutathione, glucuronide, and sulfate moieties and excreted in urine and bile. In humans, circulating phytochemical levels very widely among individuals even in response to controlled dietary interventions. Polymorphisms in biotransformation enzymes, such as the glutathione S-transferases (GST), UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGT), and sulfotransferases (SULT), may ocntribute to the variability in phytochemical clearance and efficacy; polymorphic enzymes with lower enzyme activity prolong the half-lives of phytochmicals in vivo. Isothiocyanates (ITC) in cruciferous vegetables are catalyzed by the four major human GSTs: however reaction velocities of the enzymes differ greatly. In some observational studies of cancer, polymorphisms in the GSTMI and GSTTI genes that result in complete lack of GSTM1-1 protein, respectively, confer greater protection from cruciferous vegetable in individuals with these genotypes. Similarly, we have shown in a controlled dietary trial that levels of GST-alpha-induced by ITC-are higher in GSTMI-null individuals exposed to cruciferous vegetablse. The selectivity of glucuronosyl conjugation of flavonoids is dependent both on flavonoid structure as well as on the UGI isozyme involved in its conjuagtion. The effects of UGI polymorphisms on flavonoid clearnace have not been examind; but polymorphisms affect glucuronidation of several drugs. Given the strong interest in the chemopreventive effects of flavonoids, systematic evaluation of these polymorphic UGTs and flavonoid pharmacokinetics are warranted. Overall, these studies suggest that for phytochemicals that are metabolized by, and affect activity of, biotransformation enzymes, interactions between genetic polymorphisms in the enzymes and intake of the compounds should be considered in studies of cancer risk. Genetic polymorphisms in biotransformation enzymes may account in prat for individual variation in metabolism of a wide range of phytochemicals and their ultimate impact on health.