• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.11
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• pp.1265-1272
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• 2015

Barnyard millet Miryang 3 [Echinochloa esculenta (A. Braun)] grains have recently been acknowledged for beneficial health properties due to phenolic ingredients and dietary fiber. This study has been conducted on the anti-diabetic activity of barnyard millet Miryang 3 which shows the strongest anti-inflammatory activity among barnyard millet inhabiting in South Korea. When 80% ethanol (EtOH) extract of barnyard millet Miryang 3 grains were orally administered into db/db diabetic mice for 8 weeks (600 mg/kg/day), the glucose level in blood following fasting appeared to be improved compared to the control group. The results of glucose tolerance test and blood lipid profile assay were similar to those of the metformin-administered positive control group. In addition, the level of body weight increase (8.54±2.24) was lower than the level of metformin-administered group (10.36±3.15); however, there was no subtle difference with negative and positive control groups in terms of food efficiency rates. In addition, total cholesterol levels of the 80% EtOH extract-administered group (160.7±7.6) were significantly reduced compared to the diabetic control group (229.3±47.8) and metformin-administered group (176.0±25.6). Consequently, these results show that barnyard millet grains alleviates many of the diabetic symptoms in vivo non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, and suggest that barnyard millet grains can be applicable in developing new functional food materials.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2002

Embryonic stem cells(ES cells) are derived from the inner cell mass(ICM) of blastocysts, which have the potentials to remain undifferentiated, to proliferate indefinitely in vitro, to differentiate into the derivates of three embryonic germ layers. ES cells are an attractive model system for studying the initial developmental decisions and their molecular mechanisms during embryogenesis. Additionally, ES cells of significant interest to those characterizing the various gene functions utilizing transgenic and gene targeting techniques. We investigated the effects of reproductive hormones, gonadotropins(GTH) and steroids on the induction of differentiation and expressions of their receptor genes using the newly established mouse ES cells. We collected the matured blastocysts of inbred mice C57BL/6J after superovulation and co-cultured with mitotically inactivated STO feeder cells. After 5 passages, we confirmed the expression alkaline phosphatase(Alk P) activity and SSEA-1, 3, 4 expressions. The protocol devised for inducing ES differentiation consisted of an aggregation steps, after 5 days as EBs in hormone treatments(FSH, LH, E$_2$, P$_4$, T) that allows complex signaling to occur between the cells and a dissociation step, induced differentiation through attachment culture during 7 days in hormone treatments. Hormone receptors were not increased in dose-dependent manner. All hormone receptors in ES cells treated reproductive hormones were expressed lower than those of undifferentiated ES cell except for LHR expression in E$_2$-treated ES cells group. After hormone induced differentiation, at least some of the cells are not terminally differentiated, as is evident from the expression of Oct-4, a marker of undifferentiated. To assess their differentiation by gene expression, we analyzed the expression of 7 tissue-specific markers from all three germ layers. Most of hormone-treated group increased in the expression of gata-4 and $\alpha$ -fetoprotein, suggesting reproductive hormone allowed or induced differentiation of endoderm.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.655-661
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects and associated mechanisms of arctiin, a lignan compound found in burdock, on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Also, the effects of arctiin supplementation in obese mice fed a high-fat diet on adiposity were examined. MATERIALS/METHODS: 3T3-L1 cells were treated with arctiin (12.5 to $100{\mu}M$) during differentiation for 8 days. The accumulation of lipid droplets was determined by Oil Red O staining and intracellular triglyceride contents. The expressions of genes related to adipogenesis were measured by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analyses. For in vivo study, C57BL/6J mice were first fed either a control diet (CON) or high-fat diet (HF) to induce obesity, and then fed CON, HF, or HF with 500 mg/kg BW arctiin (HF + AC) for four weeks. RESULTS: Arctiin treatment to 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes markedly decreased adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. The arctiin treatment significantly decreased the protein levels of the key adipogenic regulators $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and also significantly inhibited the expression of SREBP-1c, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid-binding protein and lipoprotein lipase. Also, arctiin greatly increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream target phosphorylated-acetyl CoA carboxylase. Furthermore, administration of arctiin significantly decreased the body weight in obese mice fed with the high-fat diet. The epididymal, perirenal or total visceral adipose tissue weights of mice were all significantly lower in the HF + AC than in the HF. Arctiin administration also decreased the sizes of lipid droplets in the epididymal adipose tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Arctiin inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through the inhibition of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and the activation of AMPK signaling pathways. These findings suggest that arctiin has a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.185-189
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• 1987

The number of splenic lymphocyte, serum prostaglandin $E_2$ level and natural killer cell activity were assayed after single whole body irradiation of a sublethal dose of $^{60}Co-{\gamma}$ ray to C57BL/6J mice. With a view to knowing the relationships between radiation induced prostaglandin $E_2$ level and the normal natural killer cell activity after natural killer cell-target cell conjugation, The change of normal natural killer cell activity were measured by administration of prostaglandin $E_2$ containing serum from irradiated mice. The results were summarized as follows; 1. The total number of splenic lymphocyte was significantly decreased by irradiation and the number was not affected by indometacin, prostaglandin synthesis inhibitor, treatment. 2. Serum prostaglandin $E_2$ level was increased in irradiated mice, but indometacin treated mice group showed low level of prostaglandin $E_2$. 3. In the case of irradiated mice, natural killer cell activity was not shown any difference between irradiated group and indometacin combined group. But when natural killer cell-target cell conjugations were exposed to the serum of each group during cytotoxic activity assay, whereas the normal natural killer cell activity was significantly decreased by treatment of serum from irradiated mice, the activity was not changed by treatment of indometacin pretreated mice serum. This result indicated that the prostaglandin $E_2$ induced by the radiation inhibited the post-target binding cytolytic process of natural killer activity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2020

Background: Zhongyi paste is a traditional Chinese medicine herbal paste that is externally applied to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Methods: An acute foot swelling inflammation model in C57BL/6J mice was established by carrageenan-induced pathogenesis. Zhongyi paste raised the pain threshold and also reduced the degree of swelling in mice with carrageenan-induced foot swelling. Results: Analysis indicated that serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1 beta, and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) cytokine levels and PGE₂ levels in the paw tissue of the mice were decreased by Zhongyi paste treatment. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot results showed that Zhongyi paste downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and also downregulated the mRNA expression of PGE₂. At the same time, the Zhongyi paste exerted a stronger effect as an external drug than that of indomethacin, which is an oral drug, and voltaren, which is an externally applied drug. Conclusions: Our results indicated that Zhongyi paste is a very effective drug to reduce inflammatory swelling of the foot, and its mechanism of action is related to regulation of the ERK1/2-COX-2-PGE₂ pathway.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.144-153
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• 2017

It was demonstrated that Gangjihwan (DF), which is the herbal composition composed of Ephedra intermedia, Lithospermum erythrorhizon, and Rheum palmatum, inhibits obesity and hepatic steatosis in high fat diet (HFD)-fed obese mice. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of DF on visceral obesity, hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and the mechanism of actions involved in this process using in vivo and in vitro approaches. DF was extracted with water (DF-FW), 30% grain alcohol (DF-GA30), and 70% grain alcohol (DF-GA70). Administration of DF to HFD-fed control mice decreased visceral tissue mass and visceral adipocyte size without adverse effects. Visceral fat mass was decreased by DF-GA30 and DF-GA70, and visceral adipocyte size by all three DF extracts compared with obese control mice. Histological analysis revealed that three kinds of DF extracts reduced toluidine blue-stained mast cells and collagen accumulation in the liver, the extents of which were most eminent in DF-GA70-treated mice. DF-GA70 decreased the mRNA levels of the inflammation ($TNF{\alpha}$ and VCAM-1), fibrosis (${\alpha}-SMA$), and apoptosis (caspase 3) genes, but increasing the anti-apoptosis gene (Bcl-2) mRNA levels in the liver of obese control mice. Consistent with the in vivo data, GA-70 also altered the expression of inflammation genes ($TNF{\alpha}$ and MCP-1) in HepG2 cells. These results indicate that DF not only inhibits visceral obesity, but also ameliorates visceral obesity-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis and that this process may be mediated by regulating the hepatic expression of inflammatory and fibrogenic genes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.154-160
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: We examined the hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effect of yeast hydrolysate (YH) enriched with Cyclo-His-Pro (CHP) in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mice were separated into 4 groups (8 mice/group) on the basis of blood glucose and body weight: WT control, lean mice given vehicle; ob/ob control, ob/ob mice given vehicle; YH-1, ob/ob mice given 0.5 g/kg of YH; YH-2, ob/ob mice given 1 g/kg of YH. YH in saline or vehicle was administered orally in the same volume every day for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Mice treated with YH (0.5 and 1 g/kg) for 3 weeks displayed a significant reduction in overall body weight gain and perirenal and epididymal adipose tissue weight compared to the ob/ob control group. Additionally, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, glucose, and atherogenic indexes were significantly decreased in the blood of YH-1 and YH-2 groups compared to the ob/ob control. In ob/ob mice, YH administration significantly improved glucose tolerance and blood insulin levels. These data indicate that YH treatment produces potent hypoglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic effects by controlling body weight, fat mass, blood lipid, insulin levels, and glucose tolerance. CONCLUSION: YH could potentially be used as a treatment option for diabetes and hyperlipidemia. The CHP-enriched YH may be a promising strategy in the development of hypoglycemic peptide nutraceuticals.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.106-116
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• 2008

Objectives : Peroxynitrite $(ONOO^-)$, superoxide anion radical $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and nitric oxide (NO) are cytotoxic because they can oxidize several cellular components such as proteins, lipids and DNA. They have been implicated in the aging processes, and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer and atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the $ONOO^-$, NO, and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ scavenging and anti-inflammatory activities of Mori Fructus in ob/ob mice. Methods : Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the normal lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and control obese (ob/ob mice) groups received the standard chow. The experimental groups were fed a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Mori Fructus per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. For this study, the fluorescent probes, namely 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA), 4,5-diaminofluorescein (DAF-2) and dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR 123) were used. Western blotting was performed using anti-phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, anti-IKK-$\alpha$, anti-NF-${\kappa}B$ (p50, p65), anti-COX-2 and anti-iNOS respectively. Results : Mori Fructus inhibited the generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mouse kidney postmitochondria in vitro. The generation of $ONOO^-$, NO and $({\cdot}O2^-)$ were inhibited in the Mori Fructus-administered ob/ob mice groups. The GSH/GSSG ratio decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas they improved in the Mori Fructus-administered groups. Mori Fructus inhibited the expression of phospho $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$, IKK-$\alpha$, COX-2, iNOS genes, and thereby the activation of NF-$I{\kappa}B$. Conclusions : These results suggest that Mori Fructus is an effective $ONOO^-$, $({\cdot}O_2^-)$ and NO scavenger, and therefore it might be a potential therapeutic drug against the inflammation process and inflammation-related diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.298-306
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• 2004

Objective : The main purpose of this study was to determine if Rehmanniae Radix has significant effects on lung fibrosis. Materials and Methods : C57BL/6J mice were devided into three groups. These were the normal group, which were not treated, the control group, given Intratracheal instillation(IT) of Bleomycin, the sample group, given IT of bleomycin and water-extracted Rehmanniae Radix. Animals were sacrificed 14 days after IT treatment. Lung fibrosis was evaluated by analysis of bronchoalveolar larvage(BAL) total WBC, percentage of macrophage, lymphocyte and neutrophil. This was done histologically by semiquantitative histological index(SHT) of lung tissue. Results : The sample group in coparison with control group showed a decrease in the BAL, total WBC, lower percentage of lymphocyte and neutrophil(p<0.05) and correspondingly a lower percentage of macrophage(p<0.01). The Sample group showed a significant decrease of collagen accumulation with respect to the control group in SHI of lung tissue(p<0.01). INF-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 levels in BALF of mice significantly decreased in the control group(p<0.05). Conclusions : Results suggest that Rehmanniae Radix has an anti-imflamatory effect and anti-fibrotic effect on the lungs through decrease of IL-4 and total WBC count for not only macrophage, but also lymphocyte and neutrophil. The degradation of INF-${\gamma}$ calls for research beyond the scope of this study.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.317-325
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• 2017

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent liver disease in parallel with worldwide epidemic of obesity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to the development and progression of NAFLD. Peroxisomes play an important role in fatty acid oxidation and ROS homeostasis, and catalase is an antioxidant exclusively expressed in peroxisome. The present study examined the role of endogenous catalase in early stage of NAFLD. 8-week-old male catalase knock-out (CKO) and age-matched C57BL/6J wild type (WT) mice were fed either a normal diet (ND: 18% of total calories from fat) or a high fat diet (HFD: 60% of total calories from fat) for 2 weeks. CKO mice gained body weight faster than WT mice at early period of HFD feeding. Plasma triglyceride and ALT, fasting plasma insulin, as well as liver lipid accumulation, inflammation (F4/80 staining), and oxidative stress (8-oxo-dG staining and nitrotyrosine level) were significantly increased in CKO but not in WT mice at 2 weeks of HFD feeding. While phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and $PGC1{\alpha}$ mRNA expression were decreased in both CKO and WT mice at HFD feeding, $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation and Cox4-il mRNA expression in the liver were decreased only in CKO-HF mice. Taken together, the present data demonstrated that endogenous catalase exerted beneficial effects in protecting liver injury including lipid accumulation and inflammation through maintaining liver redox balance from the early stage of HFD-induced metabolic stress.