• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.123-139
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• 2023

Purpose: This study was conducted to establish whether an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves (LLE) and an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves from which chlorophyll has been removed, denoted as LLE(Ch^-), have a protective effect against hepatic fat accumulation. Methods: The inhibitory effects of LLE and LLE(Ch^-) on liver fat accumulation were examined in C57BL/6 mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by an methionine and choline deficient diet and in HepG2 cells with palmitic acid-induced fat accumulation. Results: The plasma triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in the LLE(Ch^-) group, whereas the plasma ALT activity decreased significantly in the LLE group. In both the LLE and the LLE(Ch^-) groups, the triglyceride and cholesterol contents in the hepatic tissue were significantly reduced. A greater inhibitory effect on tissue fat accumulation was observed in the LLE(Ch^-) group than in the LLE group. In HepG2 cells, LLE and LLE(Ch^-) were non-toxic up to a concentration of 1,000 ㎍/mL. Compared to the control group, intracellular fat accumulation in the LLE and LLE(Ch^-) groups were significantly reduced at concentrations of 200 ㎍/mL and 500 ㎍/mL, respectively. The expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase in both LLE groups increased at the concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL and 500 ㎍/mL. The fatty acid synthase expression was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner at 10 ㎍/mL. Conclusion: The examined two ethanol extracts of LLE inhibit hepatic fat accumulation in NAFLD. This effect was more pronounced in the LLE(Ch^-) group. Therefore, these 2 extracts have an anti-steatosis effect and can be used for NAFLD treatment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.314-323
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• 2015

Black ginseng was made by steaming raw white ginseng nine times at $100^{\circ}C$ for 2 h and drying. We then performed pilot experiments using the nine black ginseng extracts for different steaming and drying times to determine their anti-obesity effects. Two ginseng extracts, steaming and drying five times (FSFD) and steaming and drying nine times (NSND), prepared in water or ethanol solution decreased lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells. FSFD in water and ethanol extracts showed higher levels of ginsenosides, in particular, Rh1, Rg2, and Rb1 than NSND, and levels of the three ginsenosides were higher in ethanol extracts than in water extracts. Treatment with FSFD and/or NSND in ethanol extracts significantly regulated $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and AMPK phosphorylation in 3T3-L1 cells. We verified doubling time of stem cells from both abdominal fat and subcutaneous fat after FSFD and NSND in ethanol and water extracts were added. Although addition of FSFD and NSFD in water extracts had no effects on proliferation, ethanol extracts with FSFD and NSND increased doubling time of stem cells in subcutaneous fat. FSFD and NSND in ethanol extracts more effectively reduced adipogenesis compared to those in water extracts. FSFD in ethanol extracts promoted secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokine such as IL-10 and depressed MCP-1 infiltration in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells. We concluded that FSFD and NSND ethanol extracts may be developed as a functional food for its anti-obesity effect, but anti-inflammatory effect was shown in ethanol extracted FSFD rather than in NSND.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.1391-1400
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• 2018

Angelica tenuissima root has historically been used as a traditional medicine in Korea. Previous studies have identified the anti-melanogenic effects of the extract of A. tenuissima root fermented by Aspergillus oryzae (FAT). This study investigated the protective effects of FAT against ultraviolet light B exposure (UVB; $30mJ/cm^2$) in HaCaT (human keratinocyte) or Hs68 (human foreskin fibroblast) skin cells. FAT treatment was able to stimulate wound healing rate at the basal condition. FAT also favored the maintenance and/or improvement of extracellular matrix impairment caused by UVB irradiation through: 1) upregulation of procollagen Type-1 synthesis and secretion; 2) suppression of MMP-1 and elastase expression. FAT was able to play a role in the attenuation of inflammatory responses caused by UVB irradiation via upregulation of photo-protective hemeoxygease-1 and suppression of proinflammatory cyclooxygenase-2 expression. After further verification of the anti-photoaging potential of FAT, it could be utilized as an effective ingredient in anti-aging and anti-wrinkle cosmetics.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-57
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• 2014

NOG1 is a nucleolar GTPase that is critical for 60S ribosome biogenesis. Recently, NOG1 was identified as one of the downstream regulators of target of rapamycin (TOR) in yeast. It is reported that TOR is involved in regulating lifespan and fat storage in Caenorhabditis elegans. Here, we show that the nog1 ortholog (T07A9.9: nog-1) in C. elegans regulates growth, development, lifespan, and fat metabolism. A green fluorescence protein (GFP) promoter assay revealed ubiquitous expression of C. elegans nog-1 from the early embryonic to the adult stage. Furthermore, the GFP-tagged NOG-1 protein is localized to the nucleus, whereas the aberrant NOG-1 protein is concentrated in the nucleolus. Functional studies of NOG-1 in C. elegans further revealed that nog-1 knockdown resulted in smaller broodsize, slower growth, increased life span, and more fat storage. Moreover, nog-1 over-expression resulted in decreased life span. Taken together, our data suggest that nog-1 in C. elegans may be an important player in regulating life span and fat storage via the insulin/IGF pathway.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.328-337
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• 2023

We investigated the effects of single and combined administrations of Lactobacillus species (L. plantarum, LP; L. gasseri, LG; L. casei, LC) on blood lipid metabolism and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The mice were continuously supplemented with LP, LP/LG, or LP/LG/LC, along with HFD, for 12 weeks. The consumption of HFD led to significant increases in body weight, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to the normal control group. However, administration of LP, LP/LG, or LP/LG/LC to HFD-fed mice reduced body weight gain and showed a tendency to suppress the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol, while increasing HDL-cholesterol levels. The HFD group exhibited increased abdominal fat weight and larger adipocytes in the epididymal adipose tissue compared to the NC group. However, the administered probiotics led to a significant reduction in adipocyte size with decreasing tendency in abdominal fat weight compared with the HFD group. Additionally, the deposition of giant vesicular fat cells in the liver of the HFD group considerably decreased in the probiotic-administered group. Microbiome analysis revealed an imbalance in intestinal microbes in the HFD group, characterized by lower Bacteroidetes and higher Proteobacteria ratios. However, probiotic administration tended to restore the microbial distribution by controlling the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria, resulting in decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria/Bacteroidetes ratios. These results suggest that single and combined administration of LP and other probiotics holds enormous potential in reducing obesity in HFD-fed mice as they regulate lipid metabolism, reduce adipocyte size, and restore the balance of intestinal microbes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.369-380
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• 2020

Purpose: It has been previously reported that breast tumor incidence, growth, and metastasis are stimulated by high-fat diet but reduced by caloric restriction. However, few studies have elucidated the effects of dietary change from a high-fat diet after breast cancer initiation. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to provide practical assistance to breast cancer prevention and management by investigating the effects of dietary change from a high-fat diet to normal diet on breast cancer growth and metastasis. Methods: The experimental animals were divided into 2 groups (high-fat diet control [HFC] group and diet restriction [DR] group) and consumed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. 4T1 cells were transplanted into subcutaneous fat or tail vein to measure the growth and metastasis of breast cancer. The HFC and DR groups continuously ingested either high-fat diet or AIG-93G diet for 5 weeks or 3 weeks, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis markers from tumor tissues were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 25.0 package program. Results: The results show that the DR group significantly reduced breast tumor initiation, growth, and tumor tissue weight compared to the HFC group. The DR group suppressed tumor growth by decreasing proliferation and inducing apoptosis through down-regulation of Bcl-xL and up-regulation of caspase-3 activity. Furthermore, the DR group significantly reduced numbers of metastasized tumors in lung tissues. Conclusion: These results suggest that dietary change from a high-fat diet to normal diet decreased breast growth by reducing cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis and metastasis. Taken together, these results indicate that dietary change to a low-fat and balanced diet might suppress breast tumor growth and metastasis even after tumor diagnosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1176-1182
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• 2011

The present research was conducted to investigate the effect of moderate exercise training on splenocyte inflammatory cytokines production in high fat diet-induced obese mice. To determine the effects of exercise training and low fat diet on splenocyte, C57BL/6 male mice (4 weeks aged, n=20) were fed a high fat diet (45% fat diet) for 5 weeks so that obesity was achieved intentionally. These obese mice were then divided into 2 groups; HLC (low fat diet and control n=10), and HLE (low fat diet and exercise n=10). HLE mice performed 8 weeks of exercise training on a motorized treadmill by running for 30-60 min/day at 10-22 m/min, 0% grade, five times per week. After exercise training, all the splenocyte was collected and Con A (concanvalin A, 10${\mu}g/ml$) was used to stimulate the cells, after which IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured by bio plex. Independent t-test was used and p value under 0.05 was considered a statistical significance. Splenocyte IL-1${\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ production of HLE stimulated by Con A was significantly lower than that of HLC (p<0.01). These findings suggest that moderate exercise has beneficial effects on splenocyte inflammatory cytokines in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.221-228
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• 2007

We determined the effects of dietary manipulations on messenger RNA of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor isoforms (i.e., PPAR ${\alpha},\;{\beta}/{\delta},\;{\gamma}$) in red vastus lateralis muscle of rats. Total 16 male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, and animals were divided into one of two dietary conditions: either chow diet group (CHOW; n=8) in which animals were 134 with standard rodent chow (61.8% carbohydrate, 15.7% fat, 22.5% protein) or high fat diet group (FAT n=8) in which animals were fed 24.3% carbohydrate, 52.8% fat, 22.9% protein. At the end of the 8 weeks of experimental period, red vastus lateralis muscle was dissected out from all animals, and PPAR ${\alpha},\;{\beta}/{\delta},\;{\gamma}$ mRNA expression was determined. There was no significant difference in body mass (BM) between CHOW and FAT. As expected, blood glucose and free fatty acid (FFA) concentration was higher in FAT than CHOW (p<0.05), and lactate concentration was significantly lower in FAT compared to CHOW (p<0.05). Insulin concentration tended to higher in FAT than CHOW ($67.2{\pm}21.9\;vs.\;27.0{\pm}5.2$ pmol/L), but it did not reach to the statistical significance. Gene expression of PPAR ${\alpha}$ was not significantly different between CHOW and FAT. It was not also significantly different in PPAR ${\beta}/{\delta}$. Interestingly, expression of mRNA in PPAR ${\gamma}$ however, was markedly depressed in FAT compared to CHOW (approximately 3 fold higher in CHOW; p<0.05). Results obtained from present study implies that PPAR ${\gamma}$ (as compensatory function of PPAR ${\alpha}$ is expressed) possibly exerts another major tuning roles in fatty acid transport, utilization, as well as biosynthesis in skeletal muscle cells. The situations and conditions that can be postulated for this implication need to be further examined.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.47-51
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• 2011

The present study demonstrated lymphocystis disease virus (LCDV) propagation through cytopathic effects (CPE) formation and LCDV detection in olive flounder fin (FFN) cells by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fluorescent antibody technique (FAT) methods. Tissue filtrates from the cluster cells produced CPE in FFN cells, which initially cells became enlarged and gradually underwent fusion en masse. Infectivity of culture grown LCDV using the FFN cells reached $10^{2.3}$ $TCID_{50}$/ml at 4 days post infection and the highest titer was measured $10^{6.5}$ $TCID_{50}$/ml at 12 days. The viral DNA was detected in the cell culture supernatants showing CPE and the CPE cells by PCR. Antigen specific strong fluorescence reacting with monoclonal antibody against the virus revealed the presence of viral antigen in the cytoplasm of infected FFN cells. These results suggest that the FFN cell line originated from the olive flounder has a susceptibility of the LCDV.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2018

Ethanol-induced fat accumulation, the earliest and most common response of the liver to ethanol exposure, may be involved in the pathogenesis of liver diseases. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), an important constituent of Glycyrrhizae Radix, is a chalcone derivative that exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and phytoestrogenic activities. However, the effect of ISL treatment on lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and alcoholic hepatitis remains unclear. Therefore, we evaluated the effect and underlying mechanism of ISL on ethanol-induced hepatic steatosis by treating AML-12 cells with 200 mM ethanol and/or ISL ($0{\sim}50{\mu}M$) for 72 hr. Lipid accumulation was assayed by oil red O staining, and the expression of sirtuin1 (SIRT1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha ($PPAR{\alpha}$) was studied by western blotting. Our results indicated that ISL treatment upregulated SIRT1 expression and downregulated SREBP-1c expression in ethanol-treated cells. Similarly, oil red O staining revealed a decrease in ethanol-induced fat accumulation upon co-treatment of ethanol-treated cells with 10, 20, and $50{\mu}M$ of ISL. These findings suggest that ISL can reduce ethanol induced-hepatic lipogenesis by activating the SIRT1-AMPK pathway and thus improve lipid metabolism in alcoholic fatty livers.