• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.666-672
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of long-term endurance exercise and salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar on body composition and insulin resistance of high-fat diet (30% carbohydrate, 50% fat and 20% protein) induced obese rats. After 8 weeks of high fat diet (50% of total calories), rats were divided into 4 groups (sedentary group, n=10; exercise group, n=10; Salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar group, n=10; exercise+Salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar group, n=10) for 8 weeks. Body weight, body composition, diet intake volume, oral glucose tolerance test, plasma total cholesterol were measured. The results showed that Salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar plus endurance exercise training for 8 weeks significantly improved body weight control, visceral fat weight, and insulin resistance. However, only Salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar treatment did not significantly improve body composition and insulin resistance. In addition, there was no additive by the combination of Salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar and endurance exercise in insulin, body fat, and total cholesterol. The reduction of body fat, glucose, insulin and cholesterol by combination was resulted from the exercise. These results suggest that Salvia miltiorrhiza vinegar has slight effect on anti-hyperglycemia and anti-obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1235-1243
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• 2011

In this study, we investigated the antioxidative activity (scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical and superoxide anion radical) and anti-obesity effects of black bean chungkugjang extract (BBCE). DPPH free radical-scavenging activity and superoxide anion radical-scavenging activity ($SC_{50}$ value) of BBCE were $162.7{\pm}2.8$ ppm, and $205.62{\pm}3.6$ ppm, respectively. The anti-obesity effects of BBCE were investigated by measuring Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. BBCE reduced the content of Oil Red O dye in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We also examined the effects of BBCE on adiposity, serum lipid, and leptin levels in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Mice were fed the BBCE experimental diets for 7 weeks, after which they were sacrificed. ICR male mice were randomly divided into three groups, one normal diet group (ND group) and two high fat diet groups with or without BBCE supplementation (HFD group and HFD-BBCE group). The results showed that weight gain and the food efficiency ratio significantly decreased upon addition of BBCE compared to those of the HFD group. Further, white adipose tissue weights of epididymal, mesenteric, and retroperitoneal areas in the HFD-BBCE group were reduced to 34.8%, 7.1%, and 40.6%, respectively, compared to that of the HFD group. The serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and leptin in the HFD-BBCE group were significantly lower than those of the HFD group. Based on these results, it can be concluded that BBCE may have beneficial effects on reducing fat mass and serum lipid content.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2011

Target herbal ingredient (THI) is an extract made from two herbs, Scutellariae Radix and Platycodi Radix. It has been developed as a treatment for metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. One component of these two herbs has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity activities. However, there have been no reports about the effects of the mixed extract of these two herbs on metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the metabolic effects of THI using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. High-fat diet (HFD) mice were orally administered daily with 250 mg/kg of THI. After 10 weeks of treatment, the THI-administered HFD mice showed reduction of body weights and epididymal white adipose tissue weights as well as improved glucose tolerance. In addition, the level of total cholesterol in the serum was markedly reduced. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the metabolic effects of THI in vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with THI, after which the mRNA levels of adipogenic transcription factors, including C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, were measured. The results show that the expression of these two transcription factors was down regulated by THI in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the combinatorial effects of THI and swimming exercise on metabolic status. THI administration simultaneously accompanied by swimming exercise had a synergistic effect on serum cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that THI could be developed as a supplement for improving metabolic status.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.48-53
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• 2006

Although garlic has been reported to have impressive effects in lowering serum lipids, there have been controversial evaluations on these effects. To find the potential fator causing the inconsistency in the previous studies, we examined the effects of two types of garlic according to the producing-area (hangihyung garlic, nangihyung garlic) on serum lipid profiles and leptin level. Thirthy six of 4 wk old Sprague Dawley male rats fed high fat diet (40% of calories as fat) for 6 wks to induce obesity, and subsequently fed 5% garlic powder supplemented (HF+H: hangihyung garlic powder, HF+N: nangihyung garlic powder) high fat diets (w/w) for further 5 wk. For the comparison, normal control group fed AIN-76A diet (11.7% of calories as fat). Supplementation with hangihyung and nangihyung garlic resulted in a significant reduction of high fat induced body weight gain, white fat (i.e., epididymal, visceral and peritoneal fat) development, adipocyte hypertrophy and the development of hyperinsulinemia and hyperliptinemia. Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol level was greatly reduced by hangihyung garlic supplementation (p<0.05). The HDL-cholesterol level was increased by dietary hangihyung and nangihyung garlic. There were slight non-significant decreases in triglyceride and total cholesterol of HF+N group as compared to those of HF group. Leptin level of HF+H group was found to be significantly lower than HF group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference among N group and HF+N group. These results suggest that hangihyung garlic may lead to the higher activity in improving lipid profiles than nangihyung garlic. Whether the hypolipidemic effect of garlic increases in a species-dependent has yet to be determined and awaits further research.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.356-367
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• 2021

This study investigated the effect of swimming exercise on inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver using animal models of postmenopausal obese women. Experimental animals were divided into a sham-operate + non-swimming trained group (S/N), an ovariectomize + non-swimming trained group (O/N) and an ovariectomize + swimming trained group (O/S), and were bred while eating a high fat diet for 8 weeks. Fat accumulation in liver tissue, liver weight, and serum AST and ALT increased in O/N compared to S/N, but decreased in O/S compared to O/N. Compared to S/N, O/N decreased the gene expression of IκBα in liver tissue and increased gene expression of MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. But compared to O/N, O/S increased the gene expression of IκBα in liver tissue and decreased gene expression of MCP-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. In conclusion, this study suggested that swimming exercise was effective in improving physical health by improving inflammation in non-alcoholic fatty liver in obese mice induced obesity by high fat diet after ovariectomy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1708-1715
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether water extracts of Sparassis crispa (SC) have anti-obesity effects. Treatment of mature adipocytes with SC caused a decrease in lipid accumulation (assessed by Oil Red O staining) and an increase in glycerol release. Mice were induced to obesity by a high fat diet (45% fat in total kcal) and experimental groups were treated with two different dosages of SC extracts, a low SC (LSC, 100 mg/kg/day) or high SC (HSC, 300 mg/kg/day). SC extracts were administered by gavages for 10 weeks in the experimental groups, while the control group was fed with distilled water. The body weight gain of mice fed SC was significantly reduced (11.88% lower in LSC, 14.54% lower in HSC) compared to the control group. Additionally, there were significantly reduced serum levels of triglycerides (13.57% lower in LSC, 19.46% lower in HSC), total cholesterol (32.22% lower in LSC, 24.67% lower in HSC) and glucose (28.85% lower in LSC, 25.82% lower in HSC) in mice fed SC compared to the control group. Hepatic triglycerides in mice fed SC were lower (9.68% lower in LSC, 14.24% lower in HSC) than the control group and total cholesterol levels were also lower in mice fed SC (38.72% lower in LSC, 35.20% in HSC). These results demonstrate that the water extract of SC may enhance lipolysis and up-regulate the expression of lipolytic enzymes in vitro and reduce body weight in vivo. These significant effects were found for both low and high doses of SC treatment, and suggest SC can be used as potential therapeutic substances for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.244-255
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• 2018

Low-grade pro-inflammatory state and leptin resistance are important underlying mechanisms that contribute to obesity-associated hypertension. We tested the hypothesis that Astragaloside IV (As IV), known to counteract obesity and hypertension, could prevent obesity-associated hypertension by inhibiting pro-inflammatory reaction and leptin resistance. High-fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the HFD control group (HF con group), As IV group, and the As IV + ${\alpha}$-bungaratoxin (${\alpha}-BGT$) group (As IV+${\alpha}-BGT$ group). As IV ($20mg{\cdot}Kg^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$) was administrated to rats for 6 weeks via daily oral gavage. Body weight and blood pressure were continuously measured, and NE levels in the plasma and renal cortex was evaluated to reflect the sympathetic activity. The expressions of leptin receptor (LepRb) mRNA, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (p-STAT3), phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (p-PI3K), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) mRNA, and protein-tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) mRNA, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA and neuropeptide Y (NPY) mRNA were measured by Western blot or qRT-PCR to evaluate the hypothalamic leptin sensitivity. Additionally, we measured the protein or mRNA levels of ${\alpha}7nAChR$, inhibitor of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ kinase subunit ${\beta}/nuclear$ factor ${\kappa}B$ ($IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$) in hypothalamus and adipose tissue to reflect the anti-inflammatory effects of As IV through upregulating expression of ${\alpha}7nAChR$. We found that As IV prevented body weight gain and adipose accumulation, and also improved metabolic disorders in HFD rats. Furthermore, As IV decreased BP and HR, as well as NE levels in blood and renal tissue. In the hypothalamus, As IV alleviated leptin resistance as evidenced by the increased p-STAT3, LepRb mRNA and POMC mRNA, and decreased p-PI3K, SOCS3 mRNA, and PTP1B mRNA. The effects of As IV on leptin sensitivity were related in part to the up-regulated ${\alpha}7nAchR$ and suppressed $IKK{\beta}/NF-KB$ signaling and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, since co-administration of ${\alpha}7nAChR$ selective antagonist ${\alpha}-BGT$ could weaken the improved effect of As IV on central leptin resistance. Our study suggested that As IV could efficiently prevent obesityassociated hypertension through inhibiting inflammatory reaction and improving leptin resistance; furthermore, these effects of As IV was partly related to the increased ${\alpha}7nAchR$ expression.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2016

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Scutellariae Radix extract (SRE) on lipids metabolism, oxidation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats fed highly oxidized fat. Methods: To induce obesity, male Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed a highly oxidized fat diet for 10 weeks. SRE at 100 mg/kg were administered orally to obesity-induced rats for 6 weeks, and their lipid metabolism, oxidation and production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were examined. Results: The concentrations of free fatty acid, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol in plasma decreased in SRE-treated groups, although the difference was not significant between control and SRE-treated groups, while that of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol significantly increased in SRE group. The concentrations of total cholesterol and triglyceride in the liver were tended to decrease in SRE-treated group. The concentrations of thiobarbituric acid in plasma and liver were lower in SRE group than in control group. The levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase in plasma were decreased in SRE group. Activities of glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase in liver were tended to increase in the SRE group. The plasma concentrations of interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 were lower in SRE group than in control group, while that of IL-10 was higher. The liver concentrations of $IL-1{\beta}$, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and IL-6 were tended to decrease while that of IL-10 tended to increase in SRE group. Conclusions: Finally SRE could be used in the production of nutraceuticals for lowering lipids and exerting anti-oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects in obesity rats fed highly oxidized rat.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.476-481
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• 2022

Ubiquitin signaling regulates virtually all aspects of eukaryotic biology and dynamic processes in which protein substrates are modified by ubiquitin. To regulate these processes, deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) cleave ubiquitin or ubiquitin-like proteins from these substrates. DUBs have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer, leading to the development of increasing numbers of small-molecule DUB inhibitors. On the other hand, recent studies have focused on the function of DUBs in metabolic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver diseases. DUBs play a positive or negative role in the progression and development of metabolic diseases. Their involvement in cell pathology and regulation of major transcription factors in metabolic syndrome has been examined in vitro and in animal and human biopsies. UCH, USP7, and USP19 were linked to adipocyte differentiation, body weight gain, and insulin resistance in genetic or diet-induced obesity. CYLD, USP4, and USP18 were found to be closely associated with fatty liver diseases. In addition, these liver diseases were accompanied by body weight change in certain cases. Collectively, in this review, we discuss the current understanding of DUBs in metabolic diseases with a particular focus on obesity. We also provide basic knowledge and regulatory mechanisms of DUBs and suggest these enzymes as therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2009

This study investigated the beneficial effects of crude saponins from soybean cake on body weight and glucose tolerance in high-fat (37% calories from fat) diet fed C57BL/6 mice. The mice were supplemented with three doses of saponins (0.5%, 1.0%, and 1.5%, wt/wt) and 1.0% Garcinia cambogia (wt/wt), positive control for 9 weeks. The body weight, visceral fat weight and epididymal adipocyte area were significantly reduced in the saponin supplemented groups in a dose dependent manner compared to the high-fat group. Saponins did not significantly affect food intake; however, cambogia significantly lowered food intake compared to the high-fat fed control group. The crude saponins from soybean cake supplement significantly lowered plasma leptin, triglyceride and total cholesterol levels, whereas they significantly elevated the fecal excretion of triglyceide in a dose dependent manner compared to the high-fat group. Cambogia did not affect the fecal excretion of lipid in the diet-induced obese mice. Supplementation of 1.5% saponin reduced the hepatic triglyceride content compared to the high-fat group. High-fat induced glucose intolerance with the elevation of blood glucose levels compared to the normal group; however, the saponins supplement significantly improved postprandial glucose levels. After 9 weeks of being fed a high-fat diet, the mice presented with significantly increased activities of hepatic fatty acid synthase and fatty acid ${\beta}$-oxidation; however, saponins and cambogia normalized these activities. These results indicate that saponins from soybean cake exhibit a potential anti-obesity effect and may prevent glucose intolerance by reducing body weight and plasma lipids, increasing fecal lipid excretion and regulating hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat fed mice.