• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2023

The underlying action of policosanol in lowering cholesterol level has not yet been clearly elucidated. Several recent studies have suggested that sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBP)-1c play a role in the regulation of cholesterol synthesis via the fatty acid synthesis pathway. To date, no study has evaluated the effects of policosanol on SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid synthesis. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate whether the SREBP-1c-mediated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway is associated with the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol. Seven-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into 7 groups (n=7 per group) and treated for 8 weeks as follows: 1) normal diet (normal control), 2) high-fat diet (HFD), 3) HFD+ethanol (Pol-0), 4) HFD+policosanol 1 mg/kg (Pol-1), 5) HFD+policosanol 2 mg/kg (Pol-2), 6) HFD+policosanol 4 mg/kg (Pol-4), and 7) HFD+simvastatin 50 ㎍/kg (positive control). Policosanol and simvastatin were administered at the same time every day while maintaining the HFD. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, serum cholesterol levels were measured, histological analysis was carried out, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and fatty acid synthase (FAS) in the liver tissues were examined. Policosanol reduced body weight and the amount of food intake in a dose-dependent manner. Serum cholesterol levels were significantly lowered in the Pol-1 and Pol-4 groups. The expression of SREBP-1c and FAS was also significantly decreased in the Pol-4 group. These results suggest that the cholesterol-lowering effects of policosanol can occur due to the inhibition of the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.285-297
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Korean pine nut oil (PNO) has been reported to suppress appetite by increasing satiety hormone release. However, previous studies have rendered inconsistent results and there is lack of information on whether dietary Korean PNO affects the expression of satiety hormone receptors and hypothalamic neuropeptides. Therefore, our study sought to evaluate the chronic effects of Korean PNO on the long-term regulation of energy balance. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed with control diets containing 10% kcal fat from Korean PNO or soybean oil (SBO) (PC or SC) or high-fat diets (HFDs) containing 35% kcal fat from lard and 10% kcal fat from Korean PNO or SBO (PHFD or SHFD) for 12 weeks. The expression of gastrointestinal satiety hormone receptors, hypothalamic neuropeptides, and genes related to intestinal lipid absorption and adipose lipid metabolism was then measured. RESULTS: There was no difference in the daily food intake between PNO- and SBO-fed mice; however, the PC and PHFD groups accumulated 30% and 18% less fat compared to SC and SHFD, respectively. Korean PNO-fed mice exhibited higher messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of Ghsr (ghrelin receptor) and Agrp (agouti-related peptide) (P < 0.05), which are expressed when energy consumption is low to induce appetite as well as the appetitesuppressing neuropeptides Pomc and Cartpt (P = 0.079 and 0.056, respectively). Korean PNO downregulated jejunal Cd36 and epididymal Lpl mRNA expressions, which could suppress intestinal fatty acid absorption and fat storage in white adipose tissue. Consistent with these findings, Korean PNO-fed mice had higher levels of fecal non-esterified fatty acid excretion. Korean PNO also tended to downregulate jejunal Apoa4 and upregulate epididymal Adrb3 mRNA levels, suggesting that PNO may decrease chylomicron synthesis and induce lipolysis. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, Korean PNO attenuated body fat accumulation, and appeared to prevent HFD-induced dysregulation of the hypothalamic appetite-suppressing pathway.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.21 no.11
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• pp.201-208
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• 2020

This study examined the anti-obesity effect of krill oil (KO) by regulating adipokines in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. The mice were fed a 60 kcal% HFD for 16 weeks, and KO was then administered at an oral dose of 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day for four weeks before the end of the experiment. The administration of KO at concentrations of 200 and 500 mg/kg/day decreased body weight gain significantly compared with the HFD-fed control group. In addition, the HFD-fed control group showed the abnormal release of adipokines by an increase in leptin and decrease in adiponectin, compared to the normal diet-fed normal group. On the other hand, KO (500 mg/kg/day)-administered group attenuated the abnormal release of adipokines by the down-regulation of leptin and the up-regulation of adiponectin. Therefore, KO could be a promising therapeutic agent for obesity by the regulation of adipokines.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.354-361
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• 2019

The red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in traditional Korean food, containing vitamins A, C, and E, polyphenol, and flavonoids. In addition, red peppers have high anti-oxidant ability and are known to be effective in preventing obesity, diabetes, hypertension, digestive disorders, stress, and aging. In this study, we investigated the effects against obesity and diabetes of both fermented and non-fermented red pepper. C57BL/6N mice with induced obesity from an eight-week 45% high fat diet (HFD) were then fed either an HFD or diets containing 2.5% non-fermented red pepper marc (NRM), 1.25% fermented red pepper marc (FRM), or 2.5% FRM for a further eight weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed seven weeks after dietary intake, and body weight, liver, epididymal fat weight, serum insulin level, and HOMA-IR were measured and a lipid content test performed at eight weeks. The results show that the 2.5% FRM diet reduced body and tissue weight, lipid content, serum insulin levels, and HOMA-IR compared to the 2.5% NRM and HFD diets. These results suggest that fermented red pepper is effective against obesity and diabetes. We will use this information as the basic data for the development of health food materials using red pepper.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2013

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of a rice-based diet on body weight and serum lipid levels. Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups and fed a high-fat diet (HFD), rice-based diet (RD), or bread-based diet (BD) for five weeks. Our results showed that the RD group had a significantly lower final body weight, although there was no significant difference in daily food intake among the groups. There was a reduction in body weight gains, adipose tissues weight, and adipocyte size of epididymal adipose tissue in the RD group (p<0.05). Also, serum triglycerides and total cholesterol in the RD group were significantly decreased compared to the BD group. RD also reduced fasting glucose and insulin levels. These results indicate that the intake of RD attenuates increases in body weight and serum lipid concentrations in mice, suggesting its benefits for the dietary control of obesity and hyperlipidemia.

• 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.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2016

The study was carried out to examine the anti-obesity effects of 40% ethanol extract from green tea seed (GS) and quantitative determination of caffeine as its major compound. The specificity was satisfied with retention time and UV spectrum by analysis of caffeine using HPLC and comparison with standard compound. It showed a high linearity in the calibration curve with a coefficient of correlation (R²) of 0.9974. The amount of caffeine in GS was about 4.649 mg/g (0.465%) in the three times analysis, and relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 0.452% by the validated method. The anti-obesity effects of GS were evaluated by using Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and body weight, visceral fat and lipid profiles in high fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6 obese mice. Our results indicated that treatment with GS dose-dependently decreased lipid accumulation contents (p<0.001). Moreover, after oral administration for 30 days feeding with HFD-induced obses mice, GS (100 and 300 mg/kg/day) produced a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol (TC), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and visceral fat. Thus, the result of this study indicate that the GS may be a useful resource for the management of obesity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2011

Background: Metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes and obesity, present major health risks in industrialized countries. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has become the focus of a great deal of attention as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated whether dietary aloe could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results: Aloe QDM complex downregulated fat size through suppressed expression of scavenger receptors on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) compared with HFD. Both white adipose tissue (WATs) and muscle exhibited increased AMPK activation through aloe supplementation, and in particular, the Aloe QDM complex. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$ and -6) and $HIF1{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration by the Aloe QDM complex. Further, the Aloe QDM complex decreased the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 from the cytosol in the WAT. Conclusion: Dietary aloe formula reduced obesity-induced inflammatory responses by activation of AMPK in muscle and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in the WAT. Additionally, the expression of scavenger receptors in the ATM and activation of AMPK in WAT led to reduction in the percent of body fat. Thus, we suggest that the effect of the Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and muscle are related to activation of AMPK and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.96-103
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• 2012

Obesity-induced disorders contribute to the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance, fatty liver diseases, and type 2 diabetes (T2D). In this study, we evaluated whether the Aloe QDM complex could improve metabolic disorders related to blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of Aloe QDM complex or pioglitazone (PGZ) or metformin (Met) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Dietary Aloe QDM complex lowered body weight, fasting blood glucose, plasma insulin, and leptin levels, and markedly reduced the impairment of glucose tolerance in obese mice. Also, Aloe QDM complex significantly enhanced plasma adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity via AMPK activity in muscles. At the same time, Aloe QDM decreased the mRNA and protein of $PPAR{\gamma}/LXR{\alpha}$ and scavenger receptors in white adipose tissue (WAT). Dietary Aloe QDM complex reduces obesity-induced glucose tolerance not only by suppressing $PPAR{\gamma}/LXR{\alpha}$ but also by enhancing AMPK activity in the WAT and muscles, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance. The Aloe QDM complex could be used as a nutritional intervention against T2D.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.876-884
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• 2019

We investigated the effect of moderate- and high-intensity resistance training on hippocampal neurotrophic factors and peripheral CCL11 levels in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57/black male mice received a 4 weeks diet of normal (control, CON; n = 9) or a high-fat diet (HF; n = 27) to induce obesity. Thereafter, the HF group was subdivided equally into the HF, HF + moderate-intensity exercise (HFME), and HF + high-intensity exercise (HFHE) groups (n = 9, respectively), and mice were subjected to ladder-climbing exercise for 8 weeks. The hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were significantly lower in the HF group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, in the HFME and HFHE groups were significantly higher than in the HF group (p < 0.05). The peripheral CCL11 levels were significantly higher in the HF group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). In addition, in the HFME and HFHE groups were significantly lower than in the HF group (p < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference according to the exercise intensity among the groups. Collectively, these results suggest that obesity can induce down-regulation of neurotrophic factors and inhibition of neurogenesis. In contrast, regardless of exercise intensity, resistance training may have a positive effect on improving brain function by inducing increased expression of neurotrophic factors.