• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2008

The effect of obesity on the drug-metabolizing enzymes remains an important issue for clinician since obesity is a world wide epidemic problem. However, little is known about the effects of obesity on flavincontaining monooxygenase (FMO) production and activity. We show here for the first time that in vivo FMO activity determined by urinary ranitidine (RA) metabolites ratio in human, was higher in subjects with a high body mass index (BMI, kg/$m^2$, 21.97-30.32) than in those with an intermediate BMI (range 19.38-21.83). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between FMO activity and BMI in 209 subjects. In high fat diet-induced obese mice, we also observed that the hepatic expression of FMO (225% of lean mice) and the activity measured by the RA Noxidation rate ($513{\pm}58.1$ vs. $349{\pm}66.0$ pmol/hr per mg protein) were significantly higher than in lean mice fed a control diet. Unknown factors rather than leptin or insulin appeared to regulate the hepatic FMO production. Thus, FMO activity may be increased in obese or overweight individuals. Moreover, the regulation of FMO activity in subjects with morbid obesity, with or without complications and its clinical implications, should be investigated further.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.17-30
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• 2013

Objectives This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of Mulberry leaves contained herbal mixture (MLHM) on body weight, serum lipid level and adipocyte differentiation in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Methods Four-week old mice (wild-type C57/BL6) were used for all experiments. Cells were incubated with MLHM at the indicated concentration (0.04-4mg/ml) for 24h, and growth rate was assessed by MTT ((3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were incubated in DMEM for 2 days with the indicated concentrations of MLHM, and on Day 6, the cells were fixed and the cellular lipid contents were assessed by Oil-Red-O staining. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) and cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymine (CCAAT)/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP ${\alpha}$) as adipocyte-specific proteins were determined by real time RT-PCR and western blotting. In addition, body weight gain and serum lipid levels were measured in the mice with obesity induced by the high fat-diet for four weeks. Results Though MLHM did not show toxicity even at the concentration of 4mg/ml, MLHM significantly inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocites in a dose-dependent manner. Also, MLHM significantly reduced the expressions of PPAR ${\gamma}$ and C/EBP ${\alpha}$ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MLHM significantly reduced body weight gain and LDL-cholesterol contents in high fat diet-fed obese mice. Conclusions These results demonstrate that MLHM exerts anti-obesity effect in 3T3-L1 cells and mice with obesity by high-fat diet.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.55-67
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was designed in order to determine the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris, Ponciri Fructus and Cartaegi Fructus so as to care the obesity and obesity-related diabetes. Methods : After induction of obesity by high fat-diet in rats, the each extracts of three medicinal stuffs were administrated with continuous high fat-diet for 4 weeks. And the changes of lipid metabolism, liver function and blood levels of glucose and insulin were examined. Results : Blood concentrations of triglyceride, free fatty acid and LDL-cholestrol were increased in obese group compared with standard dieted group. By treatment of Ponciri Fructus or Cartaegi Fructus with high fat-diet, their concentrations of glyceride and free fatty acid were significantly decreased. Blood level of LDL -cholesterol was decreased in all stuffs treated groups, however atherogenic index was significantly decreased in treatment of Cartaegi Fructus with high fat-dieted group. Conclusion : High fat-dieted with treatment of Ponciri Fructus or Cartaegi Fructus, fatty degeneration was remarkably diminished.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.15-25
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the anti-obesity effects in local area adipose tissue using by pharmacopuncture of Eriobotryae Folium on mice fed high fat diet. Methods : Male ICR mouse were divided into three groups. Normal diet group (N), High-fat diet(HFD) group, HFD+E(pharmacopuncture of the Eriobotryae Folium) group for 8 weeks. HFD+E group was injected in the concentration of 50 mg/kg once a day for 4 weeks and every other day during the next 4 weeks. We measured body weight, food intake, absolute weight and relative weight in the liver and adipose tissue. Also, we analyzed hematological levels and histopathological changes on adipose tissue. Results : 1. We observed no difference in food intake among three groups. 2. HFD+E group significantly decreased body weight gain and absolute weight and relative weight in the liver and adipose tissue compared with HFD group. 3. Blood AST and ALT were no differences among the experiment groups. However, HFD group was significantly increased higher TG, TC, HDL and LDL than in N group and HDL/LDL ratio was remarkably decreased. On the other hand, HFD+E group was significantly decreased in obesity markers and HDL/LDL ratio was remarkably increased. 4. Levels of adiponectin in serum of HFD+E group was remarkably increased compared with those of HFD group. 5. HFD group was significantly decreased compared with N group in adipocyte number. Compared with the HFD group, HFD+E group was displayed a significant increase by adipocyte number. Conclusions : We suggest that pharmacopuncture of the Leaves of Eriobotrya japonica can play the anti-obesity effects in local area adipose tissue.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.427-435
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• 2017

To investigate whether genistein regulates menopause-induced obesity, it was studied the effects of genistein on anti-obesity effects in female ovariectomized (OVX) mice, an animal model of postmenopausal women. 7-week-old female mice (C57BL/6J) were randomly divided into three groups. All the animals received a high fat diet or a high fat diet supplemented with genistein for 8 weeks and variables and determinants of obesity were measured. The OVX mice had significantly higher body weight and adipose tissue mass than sham mice. However, genistein supplementation reduced body weight, adipose tissue mass, and adipocyte size of OVX mice. The OVX mice treated with genistein had significantly lower levels of serum triglycerides and total cholesterol than the vehicle-treated OVX mice. Lipid accumulation in liver was also markedly decreased by genistein in OVX mice. The results suggest that genistein can effectively prevent adiposity, adipocyte phertrophy, and llipid disorders caused by ovariectomy. Moreover, this study may contribute to the alleviation of metabolic syndrome, including obesity and hyerlipidemia in postmenopausal women.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2019

The global obesity epidemic and associated metabolic diseases require alternative biological targets for new therapeutic strategies. In this study, we show that a phytochemical sulfuretin suppressed adipocyte differentiation of preadipocytes and administration of sulfuretin to high fat diet-fed obese mice prevented obesity and increased insulin sensitivity. These effects were associated with a suppressed expression of inflammatory markers, induced expression of adiponectin, and increased levels of phosphorylated ERK and AKT. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of sulfuretin in adipocytes, we performed microarray analysis and identified activating transcription factor 3 (Atf3) as a sulfuretin-responsive gene. Sulfuretin elevated Atf3 mRNA and protein levels in white adipose tissue and adipocytes. Consistently, deficiency of Atf3 promoted lipid accumulation and the expression of adipocyte markers. Sulfuretin's but not resveratrol's anti-adipogenic effects were diminished in Atf3 deficient cells, indicating that Atf3 is an essential factor in the effects of sulfuretin. These results highlight the usefulness of sulfuretin as a new anti-obesity intervention for the prevention of obesity and its associated metabolic diseases.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.298-306
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is a global health problem of significant importance which increases mortality. In place of anti-obesity drugs, natural products are being developed as alternative therapeutic materials. In this study, we investigated the effect of Brassica juncea L. leaf extract (BLE) on fat deposition and lipid profiles in high-fat, high-cholesterol diet (HFC)-induced obese rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 8 per group) according to diet: normal diet group (ND), high-fat/high-cholesterol diet group (HFC), HFC with 3% BLE diet group (HFC-A1), and HFC with 5% BLE diet group (HFC-A2). Each group was fed for 6 weeks. Rat body and adipose tissue weights, serum biochemical parameters, and tissue lipid contents were determined. The expression levels of mRNA and proteins involved in lipid and cholesterol metabolism were determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: The HFC-A2 group showed significantly lower body weight gain and food efficiency ratio than the HFC group. BLE supplementation caused mesenteric, epididymal, and total adipose tissue weights to decrease. The serum levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were significantly reduced, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly increased in rats fed BLE. These results were related to lower glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, acetyl-coA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase mRNA expression, and to higher expression of the cholesterol $7{\alpha}$-hydroxylase and low density lipoprotein-receptor, as well as increased protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\alpha}$. Histological analysis of the liver revealed decreased lipid droplets in HFC rats treated with BLE. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of HFC with 3% or 5% BLE inhibited body fat accumulation, improved lipid profiles, and modulated lipogenesis- and cholesterol metabolism-related gene and protein expression.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.37-47
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• 2011

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Choweseuncheung-tang (CWSCT, Tiaoweishengqing-tang) on body weight, serum lipid level, serum insulin level and serum leptin level in high-fat-diet-induced obese mice. Methods: Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups (7 mice in each group), including a normal group, control group, and CWSCT group. The normal group was fed a general diet, but the other groups were fed a high fat diet. The CWSCT group was administered CWSCT for 4 weeks. Animals were weighted weekly and blood lipids, insulin and leptin levels were measured after 4 weeks. Results: The results were as follows. 1. In the CWSCT group, compared with the control, body weight gain was significantly inhibited. 2. In the CWSCT group, compared with the control, the level of HDL cholesterol in serum increased significantly. 3. In the CWSCT group, compared with the control, the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol decreased significantly. 4. In the CWSCT group, compared with the control, the elevation of serum leptin level was significantly inhibited. Conclusions: Choweseuncheung-tang treatment has inhibitory effects on obesity and hyperlipidemia in high-fat-dietinduced obese mice.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.562-570
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• 1996

A weight control program has been prescribed to investigate its effects on weight reduction of obese adults. The prescribed weight control program has been followed by 4 overweight adults and fad diets has been followed by 6 ovenveight adults for 3 to 7 months. The prescribed weight control program was basically the low calorie diet (1,500-1,800 kcal per day) and nutrition education was applied to enhance its effects. Fad diets were chosen among the fashionable diets and they were "apple diet" , "yogurt diet" and "Lee Hijae diet" Anthropometric measurements, biochemical parameters, and percent of body fat were measured after the respective period of weight control program. Body weight was significantly (p<0.01) reduced and the rate of obesity was also significantly lowered with the prescribed weight control program while the body weight and rate of obesity were not changed with the fad diets. Weight loss from the prescribed weight control program also led to the change of total cholesterol levels while LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride were not significantly changed. Nutrition education and counseling of the weight control subjects induced more weight loss and better food behavior. It is suggested that a weight loss program should be based on the low calorie diet with the well-planned nutrition education The fashionable diets were attractive for a short time period in weight reduction but the rapid weight gain was noticed right after the diets ceased.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.1012-1021
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• 2016

This study investigated the effects of Wolbiga-banha-tang (WBBT) on high fat diet-induced rats. We divided the rats into 4 groups: normal (fed a general-fat diet), control (fed a high-fat diet and no treatment), $WBBT{\times}1$ (fed a high-fat diet and 250 mg/kg of Wolbiga-banha-tang extracts), and $WBBT{\times}2$ (fed a high-fat diet and 500 mg/kg of Wolbiga-banha-tang extracts). We measured the body weight, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, total lipids, AST, ALT, and CBC in the serum of the obese rats for 7 weeks. There was a significant decrease in the control group, $WBBT{\times}1$, and $WBBT{\times}2$ in triglycerides and free fatty acids. The results suggest that WBBT is effective for lowering triglycerides and free fatty acids. Therefore, WBBT may be applied to the treatment of lipid metabolism in obesity and further clinical studies are needed.