• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.168-174
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• 2015

Purpose: Recent studies have suggested that decreased serum potassium level may contribute to various metabolic disorders in adult patients including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to study the correlation between serum potassium levels and the histologic severity of NAFLD in children. Methods: Pediatric patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD were included in this study. Demographic, clinical, and histopathological data were obtained. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether potassium levels are associated with the presence of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or fibrosis after adjusting for possible confounders. A p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Among 125 biopsies, 49.6% (62) had evidence of NASH while 66.4% (83) had some degree of fibrosis (stage 1-3). Mean serum potassium was significantly lower in NASH group as compared to non-NASH group ($4.4{\pm}0.42mmoL/L$ vs. $4.8{\pm}0.21$, p<0.001). Higher potassium level had negative correlation with presence of steatosis, ballooning, lobular inflammation, fibrosis and NAFLD activity score (p<0.05). On multivariable analysis and after adjusting for the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance, higher potassium level was significantly associated with lower likelihood of having a histological diagnosis of NASH on biopsy (odds ratio [OR], 0.12; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.05-0.28; p<0.001). Similarly, the likelihood of having fibrosis decreases by 76% for every 0.5 mmoL/L increase in potassium (OR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11-0.54; p<0.001). Conclusion: Our study shows an inverse relationship between serum potassium levels and the presence of aggressive disease (NASH and fibrosis) in children with NAFLD.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1249-1255
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• 2011

This study examined the effect of CLA, flaxseed oil and fish oil and their combination forms on crude fat of liver and fatty acid profiles of liver, breast and thigh meat in broiler chicks. A total of 72, 1-day-old Cobb broilers were assigned to 6 groups, and fed an experimental diet supplemented with 5 different fat sources; conjugated linoleic acid (2% CLA), flaxseed oil (2% FXO), fish oil (2% FHO), CLA and flaxseed oil combination (1:1; 2% CXO), and CLA and fish oil combination (1:1; 2% CHO). Eight birds per treatment were processed, and liver, breast and thigh samples were investigated at 21 d of age. As a result of this study, most fatty acids of liver, breast and thigh meat were influenced by fat sources supplemented in the diet (p<0.05). CLA addition resulted in an increase of crude fat and saturated fatty acid (SFA) content but a concomitant decrease in n-3 to n-6 fatty acid ratio was observed in liver (p<0.05). Moreover, the same trends of SFA and n-3 to n-6 fatty acid ratio were also observed in breast and thigh meats of birds fed CLA alone. In the CXO-fed group or CHO-fed group, n-3 and n-3 to n-6 fatty acid ratio in both breast and thigh meat increased compared with CLA group, while SFA content decreased (p<0.05). FHO fed-groups had the lowest proportion of n-6 fatty acid in both breast and thigh meats compared to other fat source treatments (p<0.05). In conclusion, the increased levels of crude fat and SFA in liver and meats obtained by feeding CLA could be reduced by its combination with FXO or FHO. In addition, the combination of CLA and FXO or FHO fed to broiler chicks could increase the n-3 to n-6 fatty acid ratio of their meat along with the deposition of CLA.

• Clinical and Molecular Hepatology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.392-401
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Leptin is associated with metabolic disorders, which predispose one to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The role of leptin in NAFLD pathogenesis is not fully understood. We aim to investigate the association between serum leptin level and severity of NAFLD using U.S. nationally representative data. Methods: Data were obtained from the United States Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. NAFLD was defined by ultrasound detection and severity of hepatic steatosis in the absence of other liver diseases. The severity of hepatic fibrosis was determined by NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS). We used multivariate survey-weighted generalized logistic regression to evaluate the association between leptin level and the degree of NAFLD. We also performed subgroup analyses by body mass index (lean vs. classic NAFLD). Results: Among 4,571 people, 1,610 (35%) had NAFLD. By ultrasound findings, there were 621 people with mild, 664 with moderate, and 325 with severe steatosis. There were 885 people with low NFS (<-1.455, no significant fibrosis), 596 with intermediate NFS, and 129 with high NFS (>0.676, advanced fibrosis). Leptin levels for normal, mild, moderate and severe steatosis were $10.7{\pm}0.3ng/mL$, $12.1{\pm}0.7ng/mL$, $15.6{\pm}0.8ng/mL$, $16{\pm}1.0ng/mL$, respectively (trend P-value<0.001). Leptin levels for low, intermediate, and high NFS were $11.8{\pm}0.5ng/mL$, $15.6{\pm}0.8ng/mL$, $28.5{\pm}3.5ng/mL$, respectively (trend P-value<0.001). This association remained significant even after adjusting for known demographic and metabolic risk factors. In the subgroup analysis, this association was only prominent in classic NAFLD, but not in lean NAFLD. Conclusions: Serum leptin level is associated with the severity of NAFLD, especially in classic NAFLD patients.

• Journal of Aquaculture
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.89-105
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• 1993

In order to investigate the effects of dietary n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids (n-3HUF A) levels on growth and body composition of the Korean rockfish, six experimental diets with various levels of n-3HUFA, which were adjusted by adding squid liver oil and/or soybean oil at $8\%$ dietary lipid level, were fed to the Korean rockfish (6.2g in mean body weight) for 10 weeks. Daily weight gain, feed efficiency and nutrient retention efficiency were the lowest in the fish fed a diet containing 0% n-3HUFA. These parameters were effectively improved by supplementation with n-3HUFA, and showed linear increase up to $1.2\%$ dietary n-3HUFA level (P<0.01). There was no additional response above this level. A higher concentration of nonpolar lipids in the liver was observed for the fish fed insufficient levels of n-3HUFA in the diets. However the liver glycogen content and hepatosomatic index were slightly deareased. The lipid contents of the whole body and vicera showed significantly higher in the fish fed sufficient levels of n-3HUFA in the diets (P<0.05). The fatty acid compositions of polar lipids in the whole body and liver were affected by dietary fatty acid compositions. The contents of n-3HUFA and 18:1 in the liver increased with increasing the n-3HUFA level in the diets, while the 18:2n-6 and 18: 3n-3 decreased. These results suggest that n-3HUFA plays an essential role for normal growth of the Korean rockfish, and the requirement of n-3HUF A is around $1.2\%$ of the diet.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.395-403
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• 2017

Background: Gamisoyosan (GSS) is an herbal formula which has been used to treat women's diseases for several hundred years in Korea. GSS is one of the three most common prescriptions among women and is used to treat menopausal symptoms. Fatty liver disease is also common in postmenopausal women and can precede more severe diseases, such as steatohepatitis. The present study compared the effects of GSS on fatty liver using three different formulae, Dongui-Bogam (KIOM A), Korean Pharmacopeia (KIOM B) and Korean National Health Insurance (KIOM C). Methods: In oleic acid-induced HepG2 fatty liver cells, cellular lipid accumulation, triglycerides and total cholesterol were measured after treatment with three GSS formulae and simvastatin as a positive control. To investigate the phytoestrogen activity of GSS, MCF-7 cells were treated with GSS, and hormone levels were quantified. Also, qualitative analysis was performed with UPLC. Results: All types of GSS decreased cellular lipid accumulation. KIOM A was slightly less effective than the other two GSS formulae. KIOM B and KIOM C decreased cellular triglycerides more effective than simvastatin, but KIOM A did not affect cellular triglycerides. Cellular total cholesterol was decreased by all GSS and simvastatin. GSS showed phytoestrogen activity in MCF-7 cells. From the UPLC analysis data, geniposide, paeoniflorin and glycyrrhizin were detected form three GSS formulae. Conclusion: These results suggest that all GSS formulae have a beneficial effect on fatty liver disease during menopause and that differences of formula have no effect on the efficacy of the prescription.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.7
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• pp.1003-1010
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• 2008

The objective of the present study was to identify differences in the expression levels of liver proteins between healthy and ketotic cows, establish a liver metabolic interrelationship of ketosis and elucidate the metabolic characteristics of the liver during ketosis. Liver samples from 8 healthy multiparous Hostein cows and 8 ketotic cows were pooled by health status and the proteins were separated by two-dimensional-electrophoresis (2D-E). Statistical analysis of gels was performed using PDQuest software 8.0. The differences in the expression levels of liver proteins (p<0.05) between ketotic and healthy cows were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF-TOF) tandem mass spectrometry. Five enzymes/proteins were identified as being differentially expressed in the livers of ketotic cows: expression of 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase type-2 (HCDH), acetyl-coenzyme A acetyltransferase 2 (ACAT) and elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) were down-regulated, whereas that of alpha-enolase and creatine kinase were up-regulated. On the basis of this evidence, it could be presumed that the decreased expression of HCDH, which is caused by high concentrations of acetyl-CoA in hepatic cells, in the livers of ketotic cows, implies reduced fatty acid ??oxidation. The resultant high concentrations of acetyl-CoA and acetoacetyl CoA would depress the level of ACAT and generate more ??hydroxybutyric acid; high concentrations of acetyl-CoA would also accelerate the Krebs Cycle and produce more ATP, which is stored as phosphocreatine, as a consequence of increased expression of creatine kinase. The low expression level of elongation factor Tu in the livers of ketotic cows indicates decreased levels of protein synthesis due to the limited availability of amino acids, because the most glucogenic amino acids sustain the glyconeogenesis pathway; thus increasing the level of alpha-enolase. Decreased protein synthesis also promotes the conversion of amino acids to oxaloacetate, which drives the Krebs Cycle under conditions of high levels of acetyl-CoA. It is concluded that the livers of ketotic cows possess high concentrations of acetyl-CoA, which through negative feedback inhibited fatty acid oxidation; show decreased fatty acid oxidation, ketogenesis and protein synthesis; and increased gluconeogenesis and energy production.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.330-340
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• 1987

Young mae rats were fed fro 4 weeks on different experimental diets containing 8%(w/w) fat ; sardine oil, soybean oil and lard. In the sarine oil group, total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations inplasma were significantly lower than in the soybean oil and lard group. The proportion of $\omega$-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in erythrocyte membrane phospholipids were significantly higher in the sarine oil-fed animals. by sardine oil ingestion, lipid peroxide levels inthe plasma and liver were elevated while $\alpha$tocopherol concentrations were lowered, compared to the other groups. However, erythrocyte osmotic fragility was unaffected by the different fat diets.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 1994

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin B6 deficiency on the concentration of energy metabolite in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty rats were fed a vitamin B6 deficient diet(-B6) or a control diet(+B6) for 5 weeks and then subdivided into 3 groups respectively ; base group, one day diabetic group and three day diabetic group. Diabetes of rats were induced by streptozotocin injection into the tail vein. Glucose, glycogen, protein, alanine, triglyceride and free fatty acids were compared in plasma, liver skeletal muscle of rats. Also, the total urinary nitrogen and glucose excretion were compared. Compared with +B6 rats, the increase of plasma glucose in -B6 rats due to the diabetes was smaller. After diabetes was induced, the level of plasma alamine was not changed in -B6 rats while increased significantly(p<0.05) in +B6 rats. The increase of urinary nitrogen excretion was smaller and the increase of muscle protein was larger in -B6 rats at the first day diabetes was induced. The levels of plasma free fatty acid and liver triglyceride were significantly (p<0.05) higher in -B6 rats after diabetes was induced. These results suggest that vitamin B6 deficiency may impair the adaptation of animals to the energy metabolism related due to a decrease of the body protein catabolism of fatty acid oxidation in diabetes and aggravate fatty liver which is one of the chronic complications of diabetes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.558-565
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• 1993

This study was carried out to observe the effects of dietary n-6, n-3 fatty acids and vitamin A levels on serum lipid contents and hepatic tissues in rats. Sixty eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed 6 different experimental diets for 6 weeks. The diets were composed of 10% of either corn oil or fish oil with three levels of vitamin A ; defient (1240IU/kg diet), adequate (4000IU/kg diet), excess(400,000IU/kg diet). It was observed that triglyceride content and lipoprotein ratio in serum were not affected by dietary fat types and vitamin A levels. However, total serum cholesterol contents were significantly lower in fish oil groups than in corn oil groups, which were not affected by vitamin A levels. Under light microscope, vitamin A excess groups showed pathological abnormalites, such as fatty change and inflammation of the hepatic tissues. There abnormalities were less severe in fish oil groups. These results suggested that fish oil could be a dietary factor lowering the serum lipid contents, and it seems to relieve the abnormal changes in liver induced by excess vitamin A.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2022

High-fat diet (HFD)-fed ovariectomized (OVX) female mice were used as an animal model of obese postmenopausal women. We investigated the effects of ascorbic acid on the histological changes induced in the liver. Plasma alanine aminotransferase levels and liver weights were higher in mice fed an HFD for 18 weeks than in mice fed a low-fat diet, effects that were inhibited by ascorbic acid. Similarly, mice fed an ascorbic acid-supplemented HFD had less hepatic lipid accumulation than did mice fed an HFD alone. Moreover, administration of ascorbic acid reduced inflammatory cells, including mast cells and CD68-positive cells, and inflammatory foci in the liver and inhibited hepatocyte ballooning. Hepatic collagen levels were lower in ascorbic acid-treated versus non-treated mice. These results suggest that ascorbic acid inhibits hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis in obese OVX mice. Thus, ascorbic acid intake may be useful for postmenopausal women with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.