• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.235-241
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Doenjang, Korean traditional fermented soybean paste has been reported to have an anti-obesity effect. Because adipose tissue is considered a major source of inflammatory signals, we investigated the protective effects of Doenjang and steamed soybean on oxidative stress and inflammation in adipose tissue of diet-induced obese mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a low fat diet (LF), a high-fat diet (HF), or a high-fat containing Doenjang diet (DJ) or a high-fat containing steamed soybean diet (SS) for 11 weeks. RESULTS: Mice fed a DJ diet showed significantly lower body and adipose tissue weights than those in the HF group. Although no significant differences in adipocyte size and number were observed among the HF diet-fed groups, consumption of Doenjang alleviated the incidence of crown-like structures in adipose tissue. Consistently, we observed significantly reduced mRNA levels of oxidative stress markers (heme oxygenase-1 and $p40^{phox}$), pro-inflammatory adipokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and macrophage chemoattractant protein-1), macrophage markers (CD68 and CD11c), and a fibrosis marker (transforming growth factor beta 1) by Doenjang consumption. Gene expression of anti-inflammatory adipokine, adiponectin was significantly induced in the DJ group and the SS group compared to the HF group. The anti-oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects observed in mice fed an SS diet were not as effective as those in mice fed a DJ diet, suggesting that the bioactive compounds produced during fermentation and aging may be involved in the observed health-beneficial effects of Doenjang. CONCLUSIONS: Doenjang alleviated oxidative stress and restored the dysregulated expression of adipokine genes caused by excess adiposity. Therefore, Doenjang may ameliorate systemic inflammation and oxidative stress in obesity via inhibition of inflammatory signals of adipose tissue.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.17-24
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated whether Gelidium amansii extract (GAE) ameliorates obesity in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The mice were maintained on a high-fat diet (HD) for 5 weeks to generate the DIO mouse model. And then mice fed HD plus 0.5% (GAE1), 1% (GAE2) or 2% (GAE3) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: After the experimental period, GAE-supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in body weight gain and liver weight. GAE supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in both epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissue mass. The plasma leptin level was significantly higher in the HD group than in GAE-supplemented groups. The leptin level of HD+GAE3 group was significantly lower than that of the HD+conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) group. In contrast, plasma adiponectin level of the HD group was significantly lower than those of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups. The expression levels of adipogenic proteins such as fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ in the GAE supplemented groups were significantly decreased than those in HD group, respectively. In addition, the expression levels of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups are significantly decreased compared to those of HD+CLA group. On the contrary, the expression levels of hormone-sensitive lipase and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase, proteins associated with lipolysis, were significantly increased in the GAE supplemented groups compared to those in the HD group. HD+GAE3 group showed the highest level among the GAE supplemented groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that GAE supplementation stimulated the expressions of lipid metabolic factors and reduced weight gain in HD-fed C57BL/6J obese mice.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.429-439
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• 2023

Background: The incidence and clinical importance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged. However, effective therapeutic strategies for NAFLD have yet to be found. Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) is a traditional herb in Eastern Asia with therapeutic effects in many chronic disorders. However, the precise effects of ginseng extract on NAFLD are currently unknown. In present study, the therapeutic effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) on the progression of NAFLD were explored. Methods: Twelve-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were fed a chow or western diet supplemented with high sugar water solution with or without Rg3-RGE. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, serum biochemistry, western blot analysis, and quantitative RT-PCR were used for in vivo experiment. Conditionally immortalized human glomerular endothelial cell (CiGEnC) and primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) were used for in vitro experiments. Results: Eight weeks of Rg3-RGE treatment significantly attenuated the inflammatory lesions of NAFLD. Furthermore, Rg3-RGE inhibited the inflammatory infiltrate in liver parenchyma and the expression of adhesive molecules to LSECs. Moreover, the Rg3-RGE exhibited similar patterns on the in vitro assays. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that Rg3-RGE treatment ameliorates NAFLD progression by inhibiting chemotaxis activities in LSECs.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.225-230
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• 2008

흰양삼, 황기, 감초, 구기자, 뽕나무잎, 갈근, 하고초, 오갈피,오미자, 황금, 산약, 황정, 작약, 생지를 1 : 0.7 : 0.4 : 0.7 : 0.4 :0.7 : 1.1 : 0.9 : 0.4 : 0.4 : 0.7 : 0.7 : 0.9 : 0.9의 비율로 함유한 한약재 조성물의 혈당 및 지질대사 개선효과를 제2형 당뇨동물 모델인 db/db 마우스에 있어서 조사하였다. In vitro에서 한약 재조성물 메탄올 추출물의 ${\alpha}$-glucosidase 저해활성을 측정한 결과, 경구 혈당강하제로 사용중인 아카보스 (20.7%)에 비해 높은 저해활성 (25.2%)을 나타내었다. 4주령의 수컷 db/db 마우스 (C57BL/KsJ, n = 14)를 1주간의 적응기간이 지난 후 2군으로 나누어 대조군에게는 AIN-93G diet를 기본으로 한 basal diet를, 실험군에게는 동결건조된 한약재조성물 가루를 식이의 10% 수준으로 함유한 식이를 6주간 제공하였다. 한약 재조성물의 섭취는 실험동물의 체중 및 식이 섭취량에 유의적인 영향을 주지 않았으나 공복 혈당 (442.5 ${\pm}$ 36.0mg/dL)을 대조군 (489.8 ${\pm}$ 34.6mg/dL)에 비해 유의적으로 감소시켰다 (p < 0.05). 또한 한약재조성물 섭취군의 혈장 콜레스테롤 (159.2 ${\pm}$ 18.4mg/dL) 농도는 대조군 (185.4 ${\pm}$ 13.7mg/dL)에 비해 유의적으로 감소하였으며 (p < 0.05), 혈장 중성지방 농도는 한약재 조성물 섭취군 (99.4 ${\pm}$ 15.0mg/dL)이 대조군 (108.8 ${\pm}$11.0mg/dL)에 비해 낮아지는 경향을 나타내었다. 따라서 한약 재조성물의 섭취는 당뇨동물모델에 있어서 혈당 및 혈장 콜레스테롤 농도를 감소시켜, 당뇨병 개선 및 당뇨합병증 예방에 기여할 것으로 사료된다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제45권12호
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• pp.1701-1707
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 C57BL/6J 마우스에 고지방 식이를 통한 비만을 유도시키며 동시에 잣송이 초임계 추출물을 식이에 첨가하여 8주간 식이 투여하여 항비만 식품 소재로서의 기능성을 알아보고자 하였다. 잣송이 초임계 추출물 20 mg/kg b.w.(HFD+PC low), 잣송이 초임계 추출물 100 mg/kg b.w. (HFD+PC high) 섭취군의 체중증가량은 고지방식이 유도 비만 대조군(HFD)에 비해 각각 유의적으로 감소하였고, 간, 백색 지방, 총 지방 무게의 변화량 역시 잣송이 초임계 추출물 섭취군이 HFD군에 비해 유의적으로 감소하였다. 실험동물의 혈청 지질 함량은 총콜레스테롤, 중성지방, LDL/VLDL 콜레스테롤, HDL 콜레스테롤이 HFD군에 비해 잣송이 초임계 추출물 섭취군에서 유의적으로 감소하였으나, HDL/LDL 비율을 계산한 결과에서는 잣송이 초임계 추출물 섭취군이 HFD군에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였음을 확인하였다. 실험동물군의 지방 조직에서 adipogenic transcription factor ($PPAR-{\gamma}$, SREBP, C/EBP)의 발현을 측정한 결과, 잣송이 초임계 추출물 섭취군이 HFD군에 비해 유의적으로 감소하였다. 또한, adipogenic enzyme(FAS, LPL)의 발현을 측정한 결과, 잣송이 초임계 추출물 섭취군이 HFD군에 비해 유의적으로 감소하였다. 이러한 결과로부터 잣송이 초임계 추출물이 항비만 효과를 가진 천연 기능성 식품의 개발에 있어 기초 자료로 활용할 수 있을 것으로 기대할 수 있다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권12호
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• pp.2094-2103
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• 2017

Aging is associated with distinct changes in immune cells and a decline in immune function, leading to increased susceptibility to infection and reduced responses to vaccination. Certain strains of lactic acid bacteria exert beneficial effects on the immune system. Previously, we reported that Weissella cibaria JW15 isolated from kimchi possesses immune stimulatory activity in vitro. In the present study, we further investigated whether oral administration of JW15 improves immune function in aged mice. Eighteen-month-old female mice were administered JW15 daily at low (JW15-L; $1{\times}10^8CFU/mouse$) or high dosage (JW15-H; $1{\times}10^9CFU/mouse$), or with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) using oral gavage. Two-month-old female mice were included as healthy young mice. After 4 weeks, the mice were euthanized and immune profiles were analyzed using whole blood and spleen. In complete blood count analysis, the numbers of white and red blood cells were significantly increased in the JW15-L group compared with those in the old mouse (OM) control group. In addition, administration of either JW15 of LGG resulted in higher numbers of splenocytes in comparison with the OM group. Furthermore, proliferative potentials were higher in all probiotic groups than OM. Cytokines such as IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-6 were secreted at higher levels in splenocytes isolated from JW15-fed mice than in OM control mice. Similarly, mRNA expression of various cytokines was altered in the JW15 groups. Collectively, these results suggest that JW15 supplementation induces immunomodulatory effects in aged mice and indicate JW15 as a potential probiotic strain to improve immune function in aged animals.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.245-251
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• 2006

Nitric oxide(nitrogen monoxide, NO) plays important physiological roles, but excessive generation can be toxic. NO is present in cigarette smoke at up to 1,000 ppm, and probably represents one of the greatest exogenous sources of NO to which humans are exposed. We investigated whether cigarette smoking reduces the production of endogenous NO and whether it influences the action of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to induce nitric oxide synthase activity in mouse brain. Mice(C57BL6/J) were exposed to cigarette smoke for 8 weeks. LPS was injected intraperitoneally in single or combination with the exposure to cigarette smoke. Six hours after the injection of LPS, mice were sacrificed and sera and brains were collected. Serum concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were not charged by 4-week smoke exposure, but were significantly increased by 6 and 8 weeks of smoke exposure. Interestingly, cigarette smoke reduced the elevation in serum nitrate and nitrite concentrations produced by LPS after 4-week smoking exposure. NO synthase(NOS) activity in brain was upregulated by LPS-administration. However, cigarette smoke exposure remarkably and consistently decreased the LPS-induced activity in mouse brain. This result suggests that cigarette smoking may affect against overproduction of the endogenous NO by LPS through the inhibition of NOS activity induced by LPS in brain or by modulation of the LPS action for the induction of NOS activity. We also suggest the possibility that the exogenous NO evolved in cigarette smoke enables feedback inhibition of NOS activity or other possibility that it attenuates the toxicity of endotoxin LPS in vivo by unknown mechanisms, which should be further studied.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.109-115
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• 2005

Endothelial activation and subsequent recruitment of inflammatory cells are important steps in atherogenesis. The increased levels of cell adhesion molecules (CAM) have been identified in diabetic vasculatures, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. To determine the relationship among vascular production of superoxide, expression of CAM and diabetes, superoxide generation and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E- and P-selectin in the aorta from control (C57BL/6J) and diabetic mice (ob/ob) were measured. In situ staining for superoxide using dihydroethidium showed an increased superoxide production in diabetic aorta, accompanied with an enhanced NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the endothelial expression of ICAM-1 ($3.5{\pm}0.4$) and VCAM-1 ($3.8{\pm}0.3$) in diabetic aorta was significantly higher than those in control aorta ($0.9{\pm}0.5$ and $1.6{\pm}0.3$, respectively), accompanied with the enhanced expression of gp91phox, a membrane subunit of NAD(P)H oixdase. Furthermore, there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.89, P＜0.01 in ICAM-1 and r=0.88, P＜0.01 in VCAM-1) between ICAM-1/VCAM-1 expression and vascular production of superoxide. The present data indicate that the increased production of superoxide via NAD(P)H oxidase may explain the enhanced expression of CAM in diabetic vasculatures.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.49-55
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• 2017

The prevalence of obesity has noticeably increased worldwide over several decades with various complication. Even though anti-obesity drug treatments have been spotlighted by resulting in effective mean weight losses, its adverse effects cannot be overlooked. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of multi-frequency whole body vibration, one of the mechanical stimulus, as a countermeasure against obesity. Thirty-two-6-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were equally assigned to four groups: the Control group (CON, n = 8), the Sham group (Sham, n = 8), the sham with single frequency whole body vibration (S+V, n = 8), and the sham with multi frequency whole body vibration (S+MV, n = 8). After 4 weeks, morphologic changes in the adipose tissue were evaluated from three-dimensional images using in vivo micro-computed tomography. At 4 weeks, the volume of the abdominal adipose tissue, which had the highest value in Sham group, noticeably reduced in S+MV group compared to it in S+V group. These results implied that the accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue can be effectively reduced through applying multi-frequency whole body vibration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제39권8호
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• pp.733-741
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• 2006

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary calcium and soy isoflavone on body fat and lipid metabolism in high fat-induced obesity. Four week old female C57/BL6J mice, known as a good model of diet-induced obesity, were fed low Ca and high fat diet for 6 weeks. After induced obesity, mice were divided into six groups according to diets varying calcium contents (0.1 or 1.5%) and genistein contents (0 or 500 or 1,000 ppm). Body weight, fat pad (perirenal fat and parameterial fat), adipocyte size, serum total lipid and total cholesterol were significantly decreased by both high Ca intake and genistein supplementation. However, the effect of genistein supplementation showed in low Ca-fed groups. Serum LDL-cholesterol and TG were significantly decreased by high Ca intake and genistein supplementation, respectively. In liver, lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme) activity and TG were significantly decreased by both high Ca intake and genistein supplementation. This inhibitory effect of genistein on lipogenic enzymes showed in low Ca-fed groups. But liver total cholesterol and total lipid were significantly decreased by high Ca intake and genistein supplementation, respectively. Fecal excretion of total lipid, total cholesterol and TG were significantly increased by high Ca intake, not by genistein supplementation. In conclusion, high calcium intake and genistein supplement may be beneficial for suppression of obesity through direct anti-adipogenesis by decreasing fat weight and size and indirect anti-lipo-genesis by inhibiting lipogenic enzymes activity and improving lipid profile.