• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.584-589
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• 2007

The effect of water extract of adzuki beans on acetaminophen-altered lipid metabolism was examined in rats. Control group of rats was fed a basal diet, another group of rats was fed 0.5% acetaminophen (APAP group), and a third group of rats was fed 0.5% acetaminophen plus 5% adzuki bean extract (ABE group) for 4 weeks. Serum total and HDL cholesterol levels in the APAP group were significantly lower than those in the control and ABE groups. Hepatic cholesterol $7{\alpha}-hydroxylase$ and fatty acid synthase mRNA levels in the APAP and ABE groups were significantly higher and lower than in the control group, respectively. Hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase mRNA level in the APAP group was significantly lower than in the control group, whereas that in the ABE group was significantly higher than in the APAP group. These results indicate that adzuki bean extract may improve the acetaminophen-altered serum lipid metabolism in rats.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.388-393
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• 2013

Previously, we have reported that lovastatin, an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, increased melanin synthesis through intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release in B16 cells. In this study we investigated the possible involvement of nitric oxide (NO) in the mechanism of lovastatin-induced melanogenesis. Lovastatin elevated NO formation in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), precursors of cholesterol, did not significantly alter the lovastatin-induced NO production, suggesting that inhibition of cholesterol metabolism may not be involved in the mechanism of this action of lovastatin. Both NO formation and melanogenesis induced by lovastatin was significantly suppressed by treatment with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and 2-(4-carboxy-2-phenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylinidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (cPTIO), an inhibitor of NO synthase and a NO scavenger, respectively. The lovastatin-induced NO production was significantly affected not by EGTA, an extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, but by an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator (BAPTA/AM) and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release blockers (dantrolene and TMB-8). Taken together, these results suggest that lovastatin may induce melanogenesis through NO formation mediated by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ release in B16 cells. These results further suggest that lovastatin may be a good candidate for the therapeutic application of various hypopigmentation disorders.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.79-90
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• 2009

Objectives & Methods : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Puerariae Radix Herbal-acupuncture at $GB_{34}$(Yangleungcheon) on hyperlipidemia in rats. The author made several items to compare body-weight of the rats, weight of its liver, serum, enzymes in liver as well as the histological changes in each group. Results : 1. In the Puerariae Radix herbal-acupuncture group, there was a significant improvement of the levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, atherosclerosis index and phospholipid in serum as compared with the control group but there was no significant difference as compared with the NP or saline group. 2. There was a significant improvement of HMG-CoA reductase activity and catalase level in Puerariae Radix herbal-acupuncture group as compare with the control group, the NP group and the saline group. 3. The pathohistological changes of liver and aorta was suppressed in the Puerariae Radix herbalacupuncture group than the control group. Conclusions : From the above results, it is suggested that Puerariae Radix herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.243-258
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• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated the hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Curcuma radix using a rat model induced by poloxamer 407 injection. Methods : Serum lipid parameters and oxidative stress-associated biomarkers were determined. Additionally, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride as well as lipid metabolism-associated gene expressions were observed in hepatic tissue. Results : 1. Curcuma radix ameliorated elevation of serum cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, MDA, hepatic cholesterol level, and reduction of serum TAC, SOD, GSH, GSH-reductase level. 2. Curcuma radix augmented up-regulated ACAT gene expression. 3. Curcuma radix almost completely ameliorated down-regulated CYP-7A1 but up-regulated HMG-CoA gene expression. Conclusions : The hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of Curcuma radix were evidenced. This study provides a scientific basis for the clinical application of Curcuma radix and development of hypolipidemics using this herb in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.403-408
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• 2011

Objective : Contrary to some clinical belief, there were quite a few studies regarding animal models of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) $in$ $vivo$ suggesting that prior use of statins may improve outcome after ICH. This study reports the effect of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG CoA) reductase inhibitor, simvastatin given before experimental ICH. Methods : Fifty-one rats were subjected to collagenase-induced ICH, subdivided in 3 groups according to simvastatin treatment modality, and behavioral tests were done. Hematoma volume, brain water content and hemispheric atrophy were analyzed. Immunohistochemical staining for microglia (OX-42) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was performed and caspase-3 activity was also measured. Results : Pre-simvastatin therapy decreased inflammatory reaction and perihematomal cell death, but resulted in no significant reduction of brain edema and no eNOS expression in the perihematomal region. Finally, prior use of simvastatin showed less significant improvement of neurological outcome after experimental ICH when compared to post-simvastatin therapy. Conclusion : The present study suggests that statins therapy after ICH improves neurological outcome, but prior use of statins before ICH might provide only histological improvement, providing no significant impact on neurological outcome against ICH.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.772-777
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• 2005

The goal of this study was to screen and characterize the physiological functions of Korean traditional wines (TW) and liquors (TL). Forty-two TW and TL were collected and evaluated for quality and cardiovascular activities. Ethanol content ranged from $9.0%{\sim}41%$, and pH ranged from $3.0{\sim}7.8$, and they also contained 0.01% to 0.67% of total acid. Samples contained a maximum of 2.0% of crude protein and $0.1%{\sim}14.0%$ of reducing sugar. Commercial CM-wine showed the highest antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, 85.9%. The greatest fibrinolytic activity and platelet aggregation inhibitory activity were also found in commercial CM-wine (31.8U) and commercial SS2-wine (38.6 %), respectively. Commercial SHBI-liquor showed the highest HMG-CoA reductase inhibitory activity, 78%. The ACE inhibitor from commercial CM-wine was a peptide compound and also showed an antihypertensive effect in spontaneous hypertensive rats at a dosage of 1.5 mg/kg.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.55-66
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• 2008

Objective&Methods: The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of HK-1000 Herbal-acupuncture solution at GB34(Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis in rats. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, urine and liver, as well as the histological change of liver and aorta. Results: 1. HK-1000 herbal-acupuncture infusion increased the cell viability rate, DPPH radical scavenging activity and HMG-CoA reductase inhibition rate in rat liver cells. 2. The levels of total cholesterol, free cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, phospholipid in serum and AI(atherogenic index) were decreased, and the ratio of HDL to TCL(HDL/TCL) and the level of TG in serum were increased as compared with those of the control group. 3. In the HK-1000 group, serum AST and ALT were significantly lower than those of the HG group and saline group. 4. Hepatic GSH and catalase activities were significantly increased as compared with those of the saline group. Conclusions: From the above results, it is suggested that HK-1000 herbal-acupuncture at GB34 has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia and arteriosclerosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.813-828
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• 2010

Objective : Yegangji-tang (YJT) is noted in China as effective medicine for hyperlipidemia. This experiment was performed to determine the effects of Yegangji-tang (銳降脂湯: YJT) on antioxidant activity and hyperlipidemia induced by hypercholesterolemic diet in mice. Methods : We observed three experimental groups: normal, control, and treatment. Rats were provided a normal diet in the normal group, and the other groups were provided a hypercholesterolemic diet to induce hyperlipidemia. After 2 weeks, YJT was treated to the treatment group. We observed the change of body and liver weight, change of serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant activity of liver tissue, cholesterol gene revelation control efficiency, and histologic change of liver and abdominal aorta. Results : Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides decreased significantly with YJT, whereas HDL cholesterol increased significantly. Lipid peroxidation decreased and antioxidant activity of the liver increased significantly. Gene revelation of ACAT and HMG-CoA reductase in hepatic tissue decreased significantly with YJT. We also found that tissue defects of the liver and abdominal aorta were controlled by YJT on histologic study. Conclusion : These results suggest that YJT might be effective in treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.143-153
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of herbal acupuncture with Schizandrae Fructus solution at $GB_{34}$(Yangneungcheon) on hyperlipidemia in rats. Methods : In the present study, herbal acupuncture with Schizandrae Fructus solution was administered into hyperlipidemic mice. The author performed several experimental items to analyze the levels of various components and enzymes in serum, liver, as well as the histological changes of liver and aorta. Results : 1. In the Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture group, serum total cholesterol and Atherogenic index were significantly decreased, and the ratios of HDL to total cholesterol, and phospholipid to total cholesterol in serum were significantly increased as compared with those of the control group. 2. In the Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture group, HMG-CoA reductase activity was significantly decreased as compared with those of the control group. 3. Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture reduced deposit of lipid in the liver tissue. Conclusions : From the above results, it is suggested that Schizandrae Fructus herbal-acupuncture at $GB_{34}$ has a therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2003

In experiment 1, rats (n＝6) fed diet containing 10 g/kg cholesterol for 4 wk (control) with either no amaranth (control), amaranth grain (300 g/kg, AG) or amaranth oil (90 g/kg, AO). Both the AG and AO groups had lower concentration of serum and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride than the controls (p < 0.05). Fecal excretions of cholesterol and bile acid in AO group increased about 4 fold and 2 fold, respectively, while AG affected only bile acid excretion (p < 0.05). In experiment 2, rats (n＝6) were fed the cholesterol diet for 4 wk and injected intraperitoneally with saline (control) or amaranth squalene (AS) for 7d. The hypolipidemic effect of AS was evident in both serum and liver. Fecal excretions of cholesterol and bile acid were greater (p < 0.05) in AS than control. HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase activity was reduced in AS group (11.6%, p=0.13). This study suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effect of AS is mediated by greater fecal elimination of steroids through interference with cholesterol absorption.