• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.345-354
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• 2008

This study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of Korean red ginseng extract through transcriptomics in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. The db/db mice were randomly divided into six groups: diabetic control group (DC), red ginseng extract low dose group (RGL, 100 mg/kg), red ginseng extract high dose group (RGH, 200 mg/kg), metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), glipizide group (GPZ, 15 mg/kg) and pioglitazone group (PIO, 30 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. At the end of treatment, we measured blood glucose, insulin, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), adiponectin, leptin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA). RGL-treated group lowered the blood glucose and HbA1c levels by 19.6% and 11.4% compared to those in diabetic control group. In addition, plasma adiponectin and leptin levels in RGL-treated groups were increased by 20% and 12%, respectively, compared to those in diabetic control. Morphological analyses of liver, pancreas and epidydimal adipose tissue were done by hematoxylin-eosin staining, and pancreatic islet insulin and glucagon levels were detected by double-immunofluorescence staining. RGL-treated group revealed higher insulin contents and lower glucagon contents compared to diabetic control. To elucidate an action mechanism of Korean red ginseng, DNA microarray analyses were performed in liver and fat tissues, and western blot and RT-PCR were conducted in liver for validation. According to hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis of gene expression Korean red ginseng treated groups were close to metformin treated group. In summary, Korean red ginseng lowered the blood glucose level through protecting destruction of islet cells and shifting glucose metabolism from hepatic glucose production to glucose utilization and improving insulin sensitivity through enhancing plasma adiponectin and leptin levels.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.267-273
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• 2020

Background: Continuous exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stress. This stress response alters the expression of multiple genes and can contribute to the onset of various diseases. In particular, heat stress induces oxidative stress by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species. The liver is an essential organ that plays a variety of roles, such as detoxification and protein synthesis. Therefore, it is important to protect the liver from oxidative stress caused by heat stress. Korean ginseng has a variety of beneficial biological properties, and our previous studies showed that it provides an effective defense against heat stress. Methods: We investigated the ability of Korean Red Ginseng and Korean black ginseng extracts (JP5 and BG1) to protect against heat stress using a rat model. We then confirmed the active ingredients and mechanism of action using a cell-based model. Results: Heat stress significantly increased gene and protein expression of oxidative stress-related factors such as catalase and SOD2, but treatment with JP5 (Korean Red Ginseng extract) and BG1 (Korean black ginseng extract) abolished this response in both liver tissue and HepG2 cells. In addition, JP5 and BG1 inhibited the expression of inflammatory proteins such as p-NF-κB and tumor necrosis factor alpha-α. In particular, JP5 and BG1 decreased the expression of components of the NLRP3 inflammasome, a key inflammatory signaling factor. Thus, JP5 and BG1 inhibited both oxidative stress and inflammation. Conclusions: JP5 and BG1 protect against oxidative stress and inflammation induced by heat stress and help maintain liver function by preventing liver damage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.843-850
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• 2015

The1hepatic cell death induced by acetaminophen (APAP) is closely related to cellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion, which is mainly caused by mitochondrial dysfunction. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor of low energy status. AMPK regulates metabolic homeostasis by stimulating catabolic metabolism and suppressing anabolic pathways to increase cellular energy levels. We found that the decrease in active phosphorylation of AMPK in response to APAP correlates with decreased ATP levels, in vivo. Therefore, we hypothesized that the enhanced production of ATP via AMPK stimulation can lead to amelioration of APAP-induced liver failure. A769662, an allosteric activator of AMPK, produced a strong synergistic effect on AMPK Thr172 phosphorylation with APAP in primary hepatocytes and liver tissue. Interestingly, activation of AMPK by A769662 ameliorated the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6N mice treated with APAP at a dose of 400 mg/kg intraperitoneally. However, mice treated with APAP alone developed massive centrilobular necrosis, and APAP increased their serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels. Furthermore, A769662 administration prevented the loss of intracellular ATP without interfering with the APAP-mediated reduction of mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, inhibition of glycolysis by 2-deoxy-glucose eliminated the beneficial effects of A769662 on APAP-mediated liver injury. In conclusion, A769662 can effectively protect mice against APAP-induced liver injury through ATP synthesis by anaerobic glycolysis. Furthermore, stimulation of AMPK may have potential therapeutic application for APAP overdose.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.12
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• pp.1044-1053
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• 2015

This study first investigated the effects of corn gluten hydrolysate (CGH) (1.5 g/day) administration for 7 days on appetite-responsive genes in lean Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. In a second set of experiments, the metabolic changes occurring at multiple time points over 8 weeks in response to CGH (35.33% wt/wt) were observed in high-fat (HF, 60% of energy as fat) diet-fed SD rats. In lean rats, the hypothalamus neuropeptide-Y and proopiomelanocortin mRNA levels of the CGH group were significantly changed in response to CGH administration. In the second part of the study, CGH treatment was found to reduce body weight and perirenal and epididymal fat weight. CGH also prevented an increase in food intake at 2 weeks and lowered plasma leptin and insulin levels in comparison with the HF group. This reduction in the plasma and hepatic lipid levels was followed by improved insulin resistance, and the beneficial metabolic effects of CGH were also partly related to increases in plasma adiponectin levels. The Homeostasis Model of Assessment - Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), an index of insulin resistance, was markedly improved in the HF-CGH group compared with the HF group at 6 weeks. According to the microarray results, adipose tissue mRNA expression related to G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway and sensory perception was significantly improved after 8 weeks of CGH administration. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that dietary CGH may be effective for improving hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance in diet-induced obese rats as well as appetite control in lean rats.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.235-242
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• 2017

Irisin is a novel hormone like polypeptide that is cleaved and secreted by an unknown protease from fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 (FNDC5), a membrane-spanning protein and which is highly expressed in skeletal muscle, heart, adipose tissue, and liver. Since its discovery in 2012, it has been the subject of many researches due to its potent physiological role. It is believed that understanding irisin's function may be the key to comprehend many diseases and their development. Irisin is a myokine that leads to increased energy expenditure by stimulating the 'browning' of white adipose tissue. In the first description of this hormone, increased levels of circulating irisin, which is cleaved from its precursor fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5, were associated with improved glucose homeostasis by reducing insulin resistance. Irisin is a powerful messenger, sending the signal to determine the function of specific cells, like skeletal muscle, liver, pancreas, heart, fat and the brain. The action of irisin on different targeted tissues or organs in human being has revealed its physiological functions for promoting health or executing the regulation of variety of metabolic diseases. Numerous studies focus on the association of irisin with metabolic diseases which has gained great interest as a potential new target to combat type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance. Irisin is found to improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by increasing sensitization of the insulin receptor in skeletal muscle and heart by improving hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism, promoting pancreatic ${\beta}$ cell functions, and transforming white adipose tissue to brown adipose tissue. This review is a thoughtful attempt to summarize the current knowledge of irisin and its effective role in mediating metabolic dysfunctions in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.642-646
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• 2007

It was examined that the effect of fermented traditional wine made by using mycelium of Phellinus linteus (TWPL) on the expression of inflammation-related proteins in rat liver. Levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was significantly increased in the serum of ethanol-treated rats compared to normal. However, the level of AST showed no significant changes in the TWPL-treated rat compared normal. Slight histopathological changes of liver such as cloudy swelling, inflammatory cells infiltration, Kupffer cell reaction were demonstrated in the rats challenged with ethanol compared with normal. Fewer scores of these changes were observed in TWPL-treated rat with recovered glycogen in hepatocytes of whole hepatic lobule. The RT-PCR and Western analysis showed that the expression of inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were decreased in the TWPL-treated rat compared with ethanol-treated ones. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the expression of interleukin-lf and TNF-${\alpha}$ tended to decrease in TWPL-treated rat compared with ethanol-treated ones. These results suggest that TWPL may contains some protective agent for alcohol-induced liver injury through a regulating inflammation-related proteins.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.107-123
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• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba herbal-acupuncture (ACH-HA) at GB34 (Yangleungchean) on hyperlipidemia induced with alloxan injection and high fat diet in rats. 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. ACH-HA solution increased the DPPH radical scavenging activity in rat liver cells. 2. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, free cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI), while significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)/total cholesterol and phospholipid/total cholesterol in hyperlipidemic rats. 3. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly decreased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level in hyperlipidemic rats. 4. ACH-HA at GB34 significantly increased hepatic glutathione (GSH) activity in hyperlipidemic rats. Conclusion: From the above results, it is suggested that ACH-HA at GB34 may have therapeutic and preventive effects on hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 1993

In this study the onion juice (2%) in diet fed rats simultaneously ingested lead acetate 100mg/ kg (OP group) showed more increased weight gain than single lead treated rats (P group). The OP group had also improved in the hemoglobin contents and biochemical analyzed values of blood including GPT, blood urea nitrogen and alkaline phosphatase, which were elevated in case of P group rats. The Pb content in the rats liver of OP group was lower than in the rats liver of P group. In the histopathological findings of liver cell OP group rats did not show any signs of liver damage as observed in P group rats that had degenerated hepatocytes, followed sinusoidal dilatation, perivascular hemorrhage and some necrosis of hepatic cells accompanied by increased Kuffer cell bearing dark brown pigment. In conclusion 2% onion juice diet in rat have somewhat antidotic effects on the lead intoxicated rats.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.400-404
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• 1995

Focal nodular hyperplasia is a benign hepatic tumor mainly composed of nodules of hepatocytes and Kupffer cells separated by fibrous septa. In general, it is difficult to differentiate focal nodular hyperplasia and hepatocellular carcinoma on ultrasonography, conventional CT(computerized tomography), and angiography. But IV bolus CT is of particular value in the diagnosis of focal nodular hyperplasia because it can divide enhanced CT into early and late phase and can characterize tumor vascularity and analyze any intratumoral elements. In our case, it was seen as a hypoechoic mass lesion on ultrasonography and hyperdense mass lesion on early-phase IV bolus CT and isodense mass lesion on late-phase IV bolus CT. On angiography, hypertrophy of the feeding artery and tumor staining were well visualized. The patient underwent operation and the mass was pathologically confirmed to a focal nodular hyperplasia. We report the first case of focal nodular hyperplasia on IV bolus CT in Korea.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.367-376
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The blue honeysuckle berry (Lonicera caerulea var. edulis L.) is a small deciduous shrub belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family that is native to Russia, China, Japan, and Korea. The berry of this shrub is edible, sweet and juicy and is commonly known as the blue honeyberry (BHB). This study examined the anti-diabetic potential of BHB on high-fat-diet-induced mild diabetic mice. The hypoglycemic, and nephroprotective effects of the 12-week oral administration of blue honeyberry extract were analyzed. MATERIALS/METHODS: The hypoglycemic effects were based on the observed changes in insulin, blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Furthermore, the changes in the weight of the pancreas, including its histopathology and immunohistochemical investigation were also performed. Moreover, the nephroprotective effects were analyzed by observing the changes in kidney weight, its histopathology, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine levels. RESULTS: The results showed that the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced control mice showed a noticeable increase in blood glucose, insulin, HbA1c, BUN, and creatinine levels. Furthermore, growth was observed in lipid droplet deposition related to the degenerative lesions in the vacuolated renal tubules with the evident enlargement and hyperplasia of the pancreatic islets. In addition, in the endocrine pancreas, there was an increase in the insulin-and glucagon-producing cells, as well as in the insulin/glucagon cell ratios. On the other hand, compared to the HFD-treated mice group, all these diabetic and related complications were ameliorated significantly in a dose-dependent manner after 84 days of the continuous oral administration of BHBe at 400, 200 and 100 mg/kg, and a dramatic resettlement in the hepatic glucose-regulating enzyme activities was observed. CONCLUSIONS: By assessing the key parameters for T2DM, the present study showed that the BHBe could act as a potential herbal agent to cure diabetes (type II) and associated ailments in HFD-induced mice.