• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.67-78
• /
• 2007

Background : Interleukin-18 (IL-18) is one of the principal inducers of interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) in lymphocytes. Materials and Methods : The effect of IL-18 on the expression of chemokine IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA in C57BL/6 mouse peritoneal macrophages was studied by using Northern blot analysis, enzyme linked immunosobent assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results : IL-18 was determined to exert no direct effect on the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. However, IL-18 pretreatment was determined to play a cooperative role in the synergistic induction of LPS-induced IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA expression. The effect associated with IL-18 pretreatment with regard to the synergistic induction of LPS-induced IP-10 (CXCL10) mRNA expression was detected after 16 hr of IL-18 pretreatment, administered prior to LPS stimulation. The pattern of NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity during IL-18 pretreatment with LPS stimulation was found to coincide with the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. Conclusion : Although IL-18 alone exerts no direct effect on the expression of chemokine IP-10(CXCL10), a definite period of IL-18 pretreatment induces the synergistic expression of LPS-induced IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA. NF-${\kappa}B$ activation is a component of this synergistic effect of IL-18 pretreatment. These results provide useful information, which may facilitate the elucidation of the action mechanisms underlying IL-18 effect on the expression of IP-10(CXCL10) mRNA.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.205-217
• /
• 2008

Objectives : We investigated the effects of Herba Ephedrae and Rhizoma Amorphophalli on high fat diet induced obese male mice. Methods : 8 weeks old, high fat diet induced obese male mice were divided into 5 groups: C57BL/6 normal control, obese vehicle control, GGEx55 (Herba Ephedrae), GGEx61 (Rhizoma Amorphophalli), GGEx62 (Herba Ephedrae + Rhizoma Amorphophalli). After mice were treated with GGEx for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, food intake, feeding efficiency ratio, rectal temperature, fat weight, plasma leptin and lipid levels. We also took micro-computerized axial tomography (micro-CT) on the mice. Results : 1. GGEx55 and GGEx62 groups significantly decreased body weight gain and feeding efficiency ratio compared with vehicle control. But they significantly increased rectal temperature. 2. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased by GGEx55 groups, whereas were significantly decreased by GGEx62 groups compared with vehicle control. 3. GGEx55 and GGEx62 groups significantly decreased total, subcutaneous and visceral fat as well as fat areas in micro-CT analysis of abdomen compared with vehicle control. 4. Plasma GOT and GPT concentrations were significantly increased by GGEx55 groups compared with vehicle control. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that GGEx55 and GGEx62 effectively reduces body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio in high fat diet induced obese mice, leading to the modulation of obesity. In addition, GGEx55 and GGEx62 decreases visceral adipose tissue mass and improves plasma lipids, suggesting that GGEx55 and GGEx62 may act as a therapeutic agent for obesity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.320-327
• /
• 2020

In current study, we aimed to investigate whether the gentiopicroside (GPS) derived from Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa could block the progression of alcoholic hepatic steatosis to fibrosis induced by chronic ethanol intake. C57BL/6 mice were fed an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet for 4 weeks. LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells were treated with GPS 1 h prior to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) stimulation, and murine hepatocyte AML12 cells were pretreated by GPS 1 h prior to ethanol treatment. GPS inhibited the expression of type I collagen (collagen I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and tissue inhibitor of metal protease 1 in ethanol-fed mouse livers with mild fibrosis. In addition, the imbalanced lipid metabolism induced by chronic ethanol-feeding was ameliorated by GPS pretreatment, characterized by the modulation of lipid accumulation. Consistently, GPS inhibited the expression of collagen I and α-SMA in LX-2 cells stimulated by TGF-β. Inhibition of lipid synthesis and promotion of oxidation by GPS were also confirmed in ethanol-treated AML12 cells. GPS could prevent hepatic steatosis advancing to the inception of a mild fibrosis caused by chronic alcohol exposure, suggesting GPS might be a promising therapy for targeting the early stage of alcoholic liver disease.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.21 no.11
• /
• pp.1636-1640
• /
• 2011

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, resulting in the loss of cognitive function. Mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) has been proposed to be a risk factor for the development of AD, but there is still controversy about that. In this study, we demonstrated the role of ALDH2 enzyme activity on amyloid-beta (A${\beta}$) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) expression in mice brain following ethanol exposure for 8 weeks. Five male Aldh2 (+/+) and Aldh2 (-/-) mice, 8 weeks-old of age (C57BL/6J strain), in each group were exposed to ethanol for 8 weeks (2 g/kg wt./day) using gavage. Those in the control groups received 0.9% saline alone. Results showed a difference in expression level of A${\beta}$ in the hippocampus after ethanol exposure according to the ALDH2 enzyme activity (p<0.05), but not in the level of NF-${\kappa}B$). Our results suggest a possibility that ALDH2 enzyme activity may be an important role in the development of AD.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2014

Background: Roles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Methods: We evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a LiebereDeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared. Results: No between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group ($0.37{\pm}0.06ng/mL$, $0.39{\pm}0.12ng/mL$, and $0.33{\pm}0.07ng/mL$, respectively, vs. $0.88{\pm}0.31ng/mL$; p < 0.05). Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group. Conclusion: The pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.9-23
• /
• 2015

Objectives: This study was investigated the improvement effects of Pakistani Ephedra herba-containing Gangji-hwan-1, 2, 3 (Di-fatty; DF-1, 2, 3), Chinese Ephedra herba-containing Gangjihwan-4 (DF-4) and combination of DF-1 and Gamisoche-hwan (GSH) on obesity in a high fat diet-fed obese mouse model. Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6N mice were divided into seven groups: a normal lean group given a standard diet, an obese control group given a high fat diet, and DF-1, 2, 3, 4, and DF-1+GSH groups given a high fat diet with DF-1, 2, 3, 4 (40, 80, 160, 80 mg/kg), and DF-1+ GSH (80 mg/kg), respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight gain, feeding efficiency ratio (FER), blood lipid markers, liver histology, and fat weight and histology were examined. Results: Body weight gain was significantly decreased in DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control. The extent of decreases was eminent in DF-1+GSH group. FER and circulating concentration of leptin were decreased in DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control. Circulating concentrations of triglyceride, glucose and insulin were decreased in DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control. The size of adipocytes were decreased by DF and DF-1+GSH groups compared with control, whereas the adipocyte number per unit area was increased by them, suggesting that DF and DF-1+GSH groups decreased the number of large adipocytes. Conclusions: In conclusion, these results suggest that DF and DF-1+GSH groups decrease FER, plasma leptin concentration, blood anti-obesity biomarkers and fat mass, improves body weight gain. In addition, these effects were more effective in DF-1+GSH combination group than in DF-1, 2, 3, 4 groups.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.470-477
• /
• 2019

White jelly fungus (Tremella fuciformis Berk) is effective for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, lung disease, beauty, and has been known as an elixir of life in ancient Chinese dynasty. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity and diabetic effects of the fermented white jelly fungus extract by the bioconversion process. We fed an obesity-inducing mouse with 5% non-fermented Tremella fuciformis (TF), 2.5% fermented Tremella fuciformis (FTF), and 5% FTF containing High Fats Diet (HFD) and HFD for 8 weeks, respectively. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed analysis after 7 weeks of feeding and the dietary intake, food efficiency ratio, body weight, liver, epididymal fat weight, and serum insulin level were measured after 8 weeks of feeding. Also, HOMA-IR was analyzed. The concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides test was analyzed. The FTF compare with 5% TF and HFD confirmed that 5% FTF reduced body weight, tissue weight, triglycerides concentration, HOMA-IR, respectively. As a result, we confirmed that the fermented white jelly fungus has the anti-obesity effect. Finally, this study can be used a basic data for obesity treatment using fermented white jelly fungus.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.23-31
• /
• 2014

Objectives : This study was undertaken to verify the effects of Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) using high fat diet-fed male mice. Methods : Fifty four male C57BL/6N mice (age matched) were used for all experiments. Nine standard chow diet-fed mice were used as normal group and forty five high fat diet-fed obese mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: control, atorvastatin-10mg/kg, MMF(1)-62.5mg/kg, MMF(2)-125mg/kg and MMF(3)-250mg/kg. After all groups were treated with several kinds of diets for 8 weeks, we measured body weight gain, adipose tissue weights, plasma lipid and glucose metabolism, visceral organ weights, histological analysis for liver on the mice. Results : MMF-treated mice had lower body weight gain compared with controls. Among MMF-treated mice, the effect was magnified in MMF(2). MMF(3)-treated mice had lower blood plasma total cholesterol (TC) and glucose level compared with controls. MMF decreased hepatic lipid accumulation, liver fibrosis and liver inflammation of mice compared with controls. The effects was maximized in MMF(2) and atorvastatin. Blood plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT) concentrations tends to be decreased by MMF compared with controls. Blood plasma AST, ALT, ${\gamma}$-GT concentrations and organ weights were not changed by MMF, indicating that all three kinds of MMF do not show any hepatotoxicity. Conclusions : These results suggest that MMF improves NAFLD by reducing body weight gain, hepatic lipid accumulation, liver fibrosis, liver inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.163-169
• /
• 2001

OSBA(oocytes-sperm binding assay) is a tool developed for rapid test of optimal condition of IVF medium and protein source by binding ability of mouse sperm and egg. Mouse oocyte-cumulus complexes were prepared by removing of the cumulus cells with 0.1% hyaluronidase. 10$\pm$2 oocytes per 30 ${mu}ell$ medium drop were inseminated with 3 ${mu}ell$ sperm suspension and were cultured f3r 3 hours and 24 hours, respectively. And the oocytes were recovered gently and the No. of sperm bound on oocytes were counted. In the Exp. 1, the ratio of oocytes bound with one sperm at least were 60.2%(50/83), 2%(2/77) and 100%(79/79) in the medium with no protein, FBS(15%, v/v) and BSA(0.4%. w/v), respectively, Fetal bovine serum(FBS) seriously inhibited sperm binding on oocyte, although bovine serum albumin(BSA) promoted the binding ability. The inhibiting effect of FBS was dependent on the concentration of FBS. The sperm binding ability according to oocyte maturity was tested in the Exp. 2. There was no significant difference between Met. II (mature) and Met. I (intermediate mature) oocytes in the number of oocytes bound with sperm and the number of sperm bound on oocytes. Finally, in Exp. 3, two batches of Ham's F10 medium with good and poor quality by OSBA were tested (The ratios of embryos developed from PN 1-cell stage to hatched blastocyst; 25% vs. 70%). In the medium with good quality, sperm binding ability was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). The ratio of oocytes bound with one sperm at least was 66% and 90% in the medium with poor and good quality, respectively. Conclusively, It was possible to test IVF medium condition rapidly and easily by OSBA.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.227-234
• /
• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the effects according to the time course of glucose exposure on the development of one-cell embryos beyond morula in CR$_laa$ medium. One-cell zygotes from B6CBA F$_1$ mice were recovered at 24 ~ 25h after hCG and cumulus cells were removed with 0.1% hyaluronidase. The embryos were pooled and subsequently divided into each groups and cultured in CR$_laa$ at 37$^{\circ}C$ in 5% CO$_2$ in aIr. The embryos were either, placed in CR$_laa$ containing various concentration (5.5, 16.5, 27.5 and 38.5 mM) of glucose for 1 min. and subsequently returned to the fresh culture medium (without glucose), or were transferred to the same media containing glucose at 72 h post hCG. The results obtained in these experiments were summarized as follows: 1. The development rates of zygotes, recovered from the oviducts in M2 and cultured in CR$_laa$ with 3mg/Im FAF-BSA, to expanded blastocysts (25.7%) and hatching bIastocysts (17.6%) were significantly higher than those of zygotes recovered in TL Hepes (0% and 0%, respectively). 2. The development rates of one-cell embryos exposed to 27.5 mM glucose at 72 h post hCG for 1 min, were 68.8% (CR$_1$+BSA) a and 77.1% (CR$_1$+FBS) of expanded blastocyst stage, but there were no significant differences between the embryos exposed for 1 min. or transferred at 72 h. 3. Regardless of glucose concentration (5.5, 16.5, 27.5 & 38.5mM), 45.7~61.5% of embryos developed to the blastocyst stage. There were no significant differences between any of the treatments on the devel-opment of one-cell embryos. Therefore, the detrimental effect of highly concentration was not appeared.