• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.397-403
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• 2001

Objectives; This study was carried out to investigate the motor activity, glucose transport and metabolism of Jiaweizhengqi-tang(JKT) in rat small intestine. Methods ; The motor activity of the rat small intestine has been investigated by means of measuring barium sulfate passage degrees. Transport and metabolism of glucose were studied in everted sac of rat small intestine with incubation under several conditions. Results; Atropine treatment significantly delayed barium sulfate transit, and JKT pretreatment increased intestinal motor activity, but not significant. JKT administration showed renal toxicity in animal experiment, so clinical safety should settled to use commonly. The transport and metabolism of glucose were greater at jejunum than ileum. So, everted jejunum of rat were used to study the effect of JKT. When JKT were treated, the concentration of glucose were higher than untreated group. This result was thought to be influenced by the glucose in JKT. When 2, 4 dinitrophenol was treated, the transport and metabolism of glucose were decreased, but JKT treated together, the concentration of glucose in serosal solution increased. Conclusions; The transport and metabolism of glucose were influenced by the glucose in JKT. And the effects of JKT were still unidentified, but through continuous investigation, these effects of JKT should be identified.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.203-216
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• 2017

Purpose: This literature review was performed to assess the effect of raisins on human health. Methods: A review of Medline was conducted using the keywords: 'raisins, raisins and health, raisins and cardiovascular disease (CVD), raisins and cancer, raisins and diabetes, raisins and fiber, raisins and colon health, raisins and antioxidants, raisins and inflammation, raisins and dental caries'. The reference lists from previous review articles on raisins and human health and the California Raisin Marketing Board files were reviewed for additional studies. Results: Raisins have one of the highest polyphenolic content and antioxidant ORAC levels compared to other traditional dried fruits. Many of the polyphenols in raisins are well assimilated and bioavailable. Raisin consumption reduces low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar, when compared to equal caloric carbohydrate snacks and is associated with a reduced risk of CVD. The anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive effects of raisins are mixed. Raisin consumption reduces intestinal transit time and positively affects gut microbiota. Raisins produce sustained energy during long term athletic competitions equal to traditional sports energy gels, shots and jelly beans. Raisins produce a non-cariogenic oral environment and do not fit the American Academy of Pediatrics criteria to be considered a choking hazard. Conclusions: Based on the review of literature, consumption of raisins provide numerous health benefits for promoting general wellness and in the prevention of many chronic diseases including: CVD, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) gastrointestinal diseases, and dental caries.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.149-155
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• 2017

Background: Naringenin (NRG) is a common dietary polyphenolic constituent of fruits. NRG has diverse pharmacological activities, and is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are pacemaker cells of the GI tract. In this study, the authors investigated the effects of NRG on ICCs and on GI motility in vitro and in vivo. Methods: ICCs were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICC clusters. The effects of NRG on GI motility were investigated by calculating percent intestinal transit rates (ITR) using Evans blue in normal mice. Results: NRG inhibited ICC pacemaker potentials in a dose-dependent manner. In the presence of tetraethylammonium chloride or iberiotoxin, NRG had no effect on pacemaker potentials, but it continued to block pacemaker potentials in the presence of glibenclamide. Preincubation with SQ-22536 had no effect on pacemaker potentials or on their inhibition by NRG. However, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one blocked pacemaker potential inhibition by NRG. In addition, L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester blocked pacemaker potential inhibition by NRG. Furthermore, NRG significantly suppressed murine ITR enhancement by neostigmine in vivo. Conclusion: This study shows NRG dose-dependently inhibits ICC pacemaker potentials via a cyclic guanosine monophosphate/nitric oxide-dependent pathway and $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+$ channels in vitro. In addition, NRG suppressed neostigmine enhancement of ITR in vivo.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.119-125
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• 2021

Obejectives : The purpose of this study is to find out the efficacy of pacemaker potentials of interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) by Fermented Lotus Root (FLR) in small intestine. Methods : Enzyme digestions were used to separate the ICC. Using electrophysiological methods, pacemaker potentials were measured and intestinal transit rates (ITR) experiments were conducted to identify in vivo gastrointestinal motility. Results : 1. FLR (0.5-10 mg/ml) caused membrane depolarization by electrophysiological methods. 2. In the case of pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution and thapsigargin, the pacemaker potential disappeared and in this case, FLR did not have a membrane depolarization reaction. 3. Lowering the concentration of extracellular Na⁺ concentration stoped the pacemaker potentials and inhibited the reaction caused by FLR. Flufenamic acid also inhibited the reaction by FLR. 4. In mice, ITR was increased by FLR. Conclusions : This study shows that FLR can control ICC by an internal/external Ca²⁺ and Na⁺. It also shows that FLR can be a good candidate for gastrointestinal motility medication development.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.92-103
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• 2021

Lactobacillus casei, one of the most widely used probiotics, has been reported to alleviate multiple diseases. However, the effects of this species on intestinal diseases are strain-specific. Here, we aimed to screen L. casei strains with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-alleviating effects based on in vitro physiological characteristics. Therefore, the physiological characteristics of 29 L. casei strains were determined, including gastrointestinal transit tolerance, oligosaccharide fermentation, HT-29 cell adhesion, generation time, exopolysaccharide production, acetic acid production, and conjugated linoleic acid synthesis. The effects of five candidate strains on mice with induced colitis were also evaluated. The results showed that among all tested L. casei strains, only Lactobacillus casei M2S01 effectively relieved colitis. This strain recovered body weight, restored disease activity index score, and promoted anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. Gut microbiota sequencing showed that L. casei M2S01 restored a healthy gut microbiome composition. The western blotting showed that the alleviating effects of L. casei M2S01 on IBD were related to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. A good gastrointestinal tolerance ability may be one of the prerequisites for the IBD-alleviating effects of L. casei. Our results verified the efficacy of L. casei in alleviating IBD and lay the foundation for the rapid screening of L. casei strain with IBD-alleviating effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.367-378
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• 2024

In this study we sought to elucidate the therapeutic effects of fenchone on constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C) and the underlying mechanisms. An IBS-C model was established in rats by administration of ice water by gavage for 14 days. Fenchone increased the reduced body weight, number of fecal pellets, fecal moisture, and intestinal transit rate, and decreased the enhanced visceral hypersensitivity in the rat model of IBS-C. In addition, fenchone increased the serum content of excitatory neurotransmitters and decreased the serum content of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the IBS-C rat model. Meanwhile, western blot and immunofluorescence experiments indicated that fenchone increased the expressions of SCF and c-Kit. Furthermore, compared with the IBS-C model group, fenchone increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Blautia, Allobaculum, Subdoligranulum, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-008, and reduced the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Alistipes, and Escherichia-Shigella on the genus level. Overall, fenchone ameliorates IBS-C via modulation of the SCF/c-Kit pathway and gut microbiota, and could therefore serve as a novel drug candidate against IBS-C.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2009

Background : Constipation is one of the most common disorders in Korea and Western countries. It may be related with life style, diet, physical activity, age, stress and gender, and particularly premenopausal women experience constipation more often than men due to the significant prolongation of the mean colonic transit in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a probiotic on constipation in loperamide-induced constipated rats. Materials and Methods : The rats were divided into 3 groups. Constipation was induced by administration of loperamide for 5 days, and the excreted amount as well as the number of feces was observed. Lactic acid bacteria as a probiotic were administered orally every day for 5 days. Results : The results showed that loperamide administration induced severe experimental constipation in rats. The amount of feces was decreased and the number of pellets was increased by loperamide. The water content in the feces as a parameter of constipation was also decreased by loperamide. On the other hand, the dry weights of feces were not significantly different among the groups. It represents that the amount of food consumption might have been similar among the groups, and constipation was caused by delayed intestinal movement. Conclusion : Probiotic administration for 5 days in rats partly alleviated or prevented the constipation induced by loperamide.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.649-661
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• 2020

This study examined the laxative effects of hot-water extracts of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (HD), Phyllostachys pubescens Mazel (PM), and a 2:8 mixture of both (HP) in two chronic constipation models. For the loperamide-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group, negative control group (loperamide 4 mg/kg), positive control group (bisacodyl 4 mg/kg) group, and six treatment groups (HP 100 or 400, HD 50 or 100, and PM 100 or 400 mg/kg). For the low-fiber diet-induced constipation model, animals were divided into an untreated group (normal diet), negative control group (low-fiber diet), positive control group (Agio granule, 620 mg/kg), and the same treatment groups. Fecal number, weight, fecal water content, and intestinal transit ratio were higher in the groups treated with HP, HD, and PM than in the groups treated with loperamide or low-fiber diet. Thickness of colon mucosa and muscle layers were increased in the treated groups. Colon tension increased in the HP groups, and [Ca²⁺]i measurements using fura-2 as an indicator showed that HP inhibits ATP-mediated Ca²⁺ influx in IEC-18 cells. These results showed that the HP mixture has laxative activity by increased mucin secretion and inducing contractile activity and relaxation. It may be a useful therapeutic strategy for ameliorating in chronic constipation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.841-846
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of laminaran from Eisenia bicyclis on serum lipid composition of rats fed high fat and cholesterol diets. Fourty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $70{\pm}2.5g$ of 4 weeks old were fed experimental diets for 6 weeks with high fat diet consisting of basal diet plus cholesterol (1%) and lard (10%) for the inducement of hyperlipidemia. The effect of laminaran supplements via drinking waters on serum lipid composition of rat were investigated for 5 weeks by administration of experimental diet group fed basal diet only as normal group, control group fed high fat diet, LL group fed high fat diet plus 0.25% laminaran containing water, and LH group fed high fat diet plus 0.5% laminaran containing water, respectively. As a results of experiments, it was found that LL and LH groups showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in body weight gain and liver weight as compared with control and it may caused by decreased FER. The weight of cecum and adipose tissue (EFP) of LL group showed a significantly (p<0.05) decreased patterns compared with control. It was also found that LL and LH diet groups affects the intestinal length and transit time of rat as significantly (p<0.05) increased in length of intestine and decreased in transit time. In addition, LL and LH diet groups showed a dramatic decrease in triglyceride, total and LDL-cholesterol, and significant increase in HDL-cholesterol compared with control diet group, by which results in decreased in AI. These results indicate that crude laminaran from Eisenia bicyclis has a strong hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic activities in rat fed high fat and cholesterol diet.