• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effect of invasive laser acupuncture treatment at Liver Brook (LR2) acupoint and Liver Sea (LR8) acupoint on liver damage induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats Methods : Liver damage was induced by D-GalN. The experimental rats were divided into two groups (control group, Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) group). Control groups were classified into small groups. Intact group had no liver damage and no treatment. D-GalN group was induced liver damage induced by D-GalN and not treated. LLLT group were induced liver damage induced by D-GalN and then treated at the LR2 or LR8 acupoint with 532, 658, 904 nm invasive laser acupuncture. The treatment was carried out three days at a time for 15days at both acupoints. To examine mechanism of the effect of invasive laser acupuncture, we measured the contents of ASP, ALT, ALP, TBIL in serum, CBC in blood and SOD in liver tissue. Results : The change of body weight increased in all groups. That change was AST and ALP, the AST activity decreased significantly compared with the control groups and decreased by 532 nm and 904 nm both LLLT groups. But ALP increased at LR8 acupoint by 658 nm. TBIL level significantly decreased in all LLLT groups. The SOD of LLLT groups increased in the liver tissue of rats compared to the control groups. SOD activity indicated that LLLT can help cellular defense mechanism by preventing scavenging hydrogen peroxide. In the change of WBC, it was increased in D-GalN Control group compared to intact group and LLLT groups. Conclusions : These results suggested that invasive laser acupuncture treatment at LR2 or LR8 acupoint reduced activation of hepatic enzyme and damage of liver tissue. Thus, the effect of invasive laser acupuncture was nearly identical to the way of the traditional acupuncture for the treatment of hepatocytotoxicity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.11
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• pp.1371-1380
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• 2013

The effect of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (AFAG) on the contents of serum lipids and tissue lipid peroxidation was investigated in alcohol feeding rats (Alc group). The serum contents of total lipid and free fatty acid in the alcohol feeding rats were significantly increased, but these increases tended to decrease in the AFAG group. The content of serum triglyceride was also significantly decreased in the AFAG group compared to the other groups. The serum content of total-cholesterol was not significantly different between the normal group and the AFAG group. The content of HDL-cholesterol in serum was slightly increased in the AFAG group compared to the Alc group. The content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, heart, spleen, and testis were significantly increased in the Alc group compared to the normal group, but these increases were significantly decreased in the AFAG group. The content of liver zinc was decreased in the Alc group and it was significantly increased in the AFAG group, which suggested that the lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with the liver zinc content. The hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the Alc group, but this content was significantly increased in the AFAG group, and it showed the antioxidant ability of glutathione. These activities were also compared to the standard silymarin drug treatment. Thus, the findings of the present study indicated the significant antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai against ethanol-induced toxicity.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2014

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play an important role in impairing the function of T cells. We characterized MDSCs in two chronic hepatitis C (CHC) cohorts: a cross-sectional group that included 61 treatment-naive patients with CHC, 14 rapid virologic response (RVR) cases and 22 early virologic response (EVR) cases; and a longitudinal group of 13 cases of RVR and 10 cases of EVR after pegylated-interferon-${\alpha}$/ribavirin treatment for genotype 1b HCV infection. Liver samples from 32 CHC patients and six healthy controls were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. MDSCs frequency in treatment-naive CHC was significantly higher than in RVR, EVR, or healthy subjects and was positively correlated with HCV RNA. Patients infected with HCV genotype 2a had a significantly higher frequency of MDSCs than those infected with genotype 1b. Decreased T cell receptor (TCR) ${\zeta}$ expression on $CD8^+$ T cells was significantly associated with an increased frequency of MDSCs in treatment-naive CHC patients and was restored by L-arginine treatment in vitro. Increased numbers of liver arginase-$1^+$ cells were closely associated with the histological activity index in CHC. The TCR ${\zeta}$ chain was significantly downregulated on hepatic $CD8^+$ T cells in CHC. During antiviral follow up, MDSCs frequency in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was directly correlated with the HCV RNA load in the plasma and inversely correlated with TCR ${\zeta}$ chain expression in $CD8^+$ T cells in both RVR and EVR cases. Notably, the RVR group had a higher frequency of MDSCs at baseline than the EVR group. Collectively, this study provides evidence that MDSCs might be associated with HCV persistence and downregulation of CD8 ${\zeta}$ chain expression.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.616-621
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the detoxification effect of extract from soy-sprout grown using high concentrated oxygen water extract (SE) against alcohol-induced hangover in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The rats were orally administered with different concentrations of SE beverage [26, 260 and 2,000 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)] and, after 30 min, with alcohol at a dose of 3 g/kg b.w. After 1 and 3 h of alcohol administration, blood was collected from the retro-orbital plexus, while after 5 h, blood was collected from the heart. In the 2,000 mg/kg b.w. SE group, the concentration of blood alcohol was significantly reduced after 1-5 h of alcohol loading as compared with that in the other groups. In addition, the blood acetaldehyde concentration was reduced by SE (2,000 mg/kg b.w.). These results suggest that SE beverage can alleviate alcohol hangover symptoms by stimulating the activities related to hepatic alcohol-metabolizing enzymes.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.99-103
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• 2006

Hepatoprotective effects of Bulro Kugi (Lycium chinense Mill) fruit extracts on $CCl_4-administered$ rats were investigated in vivo. Administration of $CCl_4$ increased plasma glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities, induced lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) content of rat liver, and significantly increased liver weight. Feeding of B. Kugi (Lycium chinense Mill) slightly increased body weight gain, although not significantly different from normal group. B. Kugi (Lycium chinense Mill) fruit extracts reduced blood cholesterol level and inhibited $CCl_4-induced$ increases of plasma GPT, GOT, and LDH activities, whereas increased contents of MDA and cytochrome P-450, and GST activity in liver tissue of $CCl_4-administered$ rats. Roasted B. Kugi (Lycium chinense Mill) fruit extract showed highest hepatoprotective effect among samples tested. These results suggest water extracts of B. Kugi (Lycium chinense Mill) fruit possess promising hepatoprotective activity against $CCl_4-induced$ hepatic damage in rats.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.633-640
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• 2001

This study investigated the effects of lipid metabolism on male Sprague Dawley rats given porphyran diet extracted from Porphyra yezoensis for 4 weeks. We divided into 5 diet groups which were normal diet, control diet fed high fat, cholesterol and sodium cholate, control and 1% porphyran diet (1% PD), control and 5% porphyran diet (5% PD), control and 10% of porphyran diet (10% PD). Feed intake and weight gain were not significantly different between control and porphyran diet. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol contents were significantly (p<0.05) lower in porphyran diet groups than control group. However, serum HDL-cholesterol contents increased by the addition of porphyran in experimental diet. Hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol concentrations were proportionally decreased by the addition of porphyran in control diet compared to control diet. A number of lipid particles were shown in liver tissue of control group and the same appearance was shown in the group fed with 1% porphyran diet, whereas lipid particles was reduced in the group fed with 5% and 10% porphyran diet compared to control group. Especially, liver tissue of 10% porphyran diet group was shown similar appearance to normal diet group. These results indicated that supplementation of porphyran in hyperlipidemic rats has an effect on the improvement of serum lipids.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1100-1111
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• 1998

The incorporation of docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) and arachidonic acid(AA) into brain and liver lipid has been compared in male pups from binth to 10 weeks old by feeding DHA-rich experimental diets or chow diets to dams from pregnancy in rats. The experimental DHA-rich diets contained 7g fish oil and 3g corn oil per 100g diet. There were three experimental groups, FO-I : Dams were fed DHA-rich diet during pregnancy and lactation, and their it pups fed the same diet until 10 weeks old. FO-II Dams fed chow diet during pregnancy and DHA-diet during lactation, and their pups fed the same DHA-diet until 10 weeks. FO-III : Dams fed chow diet during gestation and lactation, and then the pups fed DHA-diet after weaning. The relative % of DHA in hepatic lipid was about 12% with chow diets, but increased rapidly to 20-25% level when DHA-rich diets were supplied after weaning. The AA(%) of FO-III group was relatively high when a chow diet containing higher amount of linoleic acid was given, but there was no significant difference between the groups after feeding on a DHA-rich diet. When the DHA-rich diet was supplied from pregnancy(FO-I), the relative % of DHA in brain lipid was 13.7% at birth and continuously increased to a maximum level(17.2%) at 3-weeks and then was sustained until 5 weeks old. Similar levels of DHA incorporation were observed when DHA-rich diet was supplied from lactation(FO-II). However, the pups of FO-III group showed significantly lower levels of DHA incorporation(72%) at birth. These livels slowly increased and reached an 87% level of FO-I at 10 weeks when the pups ate DHA-rich diets after weaning. The relative % of AA in brain lipid was 10.4% in the FO-I group at birth, which was significantly lower than those of other groups, but there was no significant difference between groups after feeding DHA-rich diets in all groups. The Ah(%) level increased to maximum(11-12%) at 3-weeks and then was slightly reduced and was sustained at about 10% after S-weeks. Total amounts of DNA in the whole brain rapidly reached maximum level at 3-weeks and then was sustained at a constant level after S-weeks. DNA content was not significantly different between groups at birth, but it was significantly higher in FO-I and FO-II groups than in FO-III group at 3-weeks. However, DNA content in FO-III group was continuously increased to 80% level of FO-I at 10-weeks after feeding DHA-rich diet since weaning. In conclusion, the DHA(%) in whole brain was most effectively deposited when DHA-rich diet had been supplied during pregnancy and lactation in rats. However, DHA supplementation after weaning also improved the incorporaton of DHA into brain and content of DNA even though brain development was almost completed, which suggests that DHA supplementation might be necessary to improve brain development in humans during infancy as well as pregnancy and lactation. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) 1100-1111, 1998)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.626-636
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• 2005

This study was undertaken to examine effects of dietary intake of garcinia cambogia extract, soy peptide and L-carnitine mixture on body weight gain and obesity-related bio-markers in rats fed high-fat diet for 9 weeks with or without regular treadmill exercise. Forty 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups; sedentary control group (SC), exercised control group (EC), sedentary formula-fed group (SF), and exercised formula-fed group (EF). The SC and EC rats were fed high-fat control diet (fat comprises$40\%$ of total caloris), and SF and EF rats were fed high-fat formula (composed of garcinia cambogia, soy peptide and L-carnitine) supplemented diet. Statistical analyses by two-way ANOVA indicated that the regular treadmill exercise significantly lowered cumulative body weight gain, total visceral fat mass, and epididymal, perirenal and retroperitoneal fat pad weights, and serum concentrations of total cholesterol and LDL + VLDL cholesterol, insulin, c-peptide and leptin. Feeding the formula also resulted in significant reductions in cumulative body weight gain and visceral fat pad weights, along with other related parameters including serum total and LDL + VLDL cholesterol levels, and hepatic enzyme activities involved in fatty acid synthesis. Statistical analyses by one-way ANOVA revealed that the formula consumption significantly improved body weight gain ($18\%$ reduction), total visceral fat weight ($20\%$ reductions), and serum total ($43\%$ reduction) and LDL + VLDL cholesterol ($54\%$ reduction) levels, as well as serum levels of insulin ($49\%$ reduction), and c-peptide ($41\%$ reduction) in sedentary rats, but failed to exhibit significant reductions in these indices in animals under treadmill exercise program. Taken together, these results suggest that the treadmill exercise per n exhibited significant improvements in body fat reduction and other related bio-markers, and so the formula consumption did not achieve a further significant reductions in these bio-markers in exercised rats. Nevertheless, animals fed the formula with regular exercise showed the most efficient weight reduction compared to other groups either fed formula without exercise or received regular exercise without dietary supplementation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.675-681
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• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary protein and fiber levels on the activities of ethanol metabolizing enzymes of liver in ethanol-treated rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed on diets containing two levels of protein(7, 20%/kg diet) and pectin(5, 10%/kg diet). In ethanol experiments, ethanol(25% v/v) was administered by oral intubation(5g/kg body weight) at the same time once a day Control animals received an isocaloric dose of sucrose. The rats were sacrificed after 5 weeks of feeding periods. Alcohol dehydrogenase and microsomal ethanol oxidizing system activities of hepatic tissue were increased more in ethanol-treated groups than in control groups. Increment of activities predominated in normal protein normal fiber group. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity was decreased in ethanol-treated groups and significantly decreased in normal Protein normal fiber group. Cytochrome P-450 content was significantly increased in ethanol-treated groups and Predominated in normal protein groups. Xanthine oxidase activity was increased in ethanol-treated groups, but not significantly except normal protein normal fiber group. Glutathione content tended to increase in proportion to level of dietary protein and was higher in normal fiber groups than in high fiber groups, whereas it was decreased by ethanol treatment. Lipid Peroxide content was significantly increased in low Protein normal fiber groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mycelia of Lentinus edoes mushroom-cultured Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (LAM) on proliferation of cancer cell lines (Hep3B, MCF-7 and HeLa), sarcoma 180 (S-180), and anti-allergy. In an anti-cancer test using Hep3B (hepatic cancer cell), MCF-7 (breast cancer cell) and HeLa (uterine cancer cell), LAM extract showed higher antiproliferating effect than that of Astragalus membranaceus Bunge (AM) extract. In an anti-cancer testing using Hep3B cells and MCF-7 cells, LAM extract showed growth-inhibitory effect of 65.23% at 3 mg/mL and 69.23% at 5 mg/mL, respectively. In an anti-cancer testing using HeLa cells, LAM extract showed growth-inhibitory effect of 42.01% at 5 mg/mL. In addition, LAM showed the tumor suppressive effect in mice injected with S-180 cells. The growth-inhibitory rates against tumor cells were 47% for LAM and 37% for AM. LAM inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80. These results suggest that Lentinus edodes mushroom-cultured herb has an antiproliferating effect against cancer cell lines (Hep3B, MCF-7 and HeLa), S-180 tumor and will be beneficial in the treatment of allergic reaction.