• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.241-250
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• 2011

The most part of vegetable oils is accumulated as storage lipid, triacylglycerol (TAG) in seed and used as energy source when seed is germinated. It is also used as essential fatty acids and energy source for human and animal. Recently, vegetable oils have been more and more an important resource because of the increasing demand of vegetable oils for cooking and industrial uses for bio-diesel and industrial feedstock. In order to increase vegetable oils using biotechnology, over-expressing or repressing the regulatory genes involved in the flow of carbon into lipid biosynthesis is critical during seed development. In this review, we described candidate genes may influence oil amount and investigate their potential for oil increase. Genes involved in the regulation from biosynthesis of fatty acids to the accumulation oils in seed can be classified as follows: First, genes play a role for synthesis precursor molecules for TAG. Second, genes participate in fatty acid biosynthesis and TAG assembly. Lastly, genes encodes transcription factors involved in seed maturation and accumulation of seed oil. Because factors/genes determining oil quantity in seed is complex as mentioned, recently regulation of transcription factors is being considered more favorable approach than manipulate multiple genes for increasing oil in transgenic plants. However, it should be figured out the problem that bad agricultural traits induced by the overexpression of transcription factor gene.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2003

Purpose : Several studies have suggested that hyperlipidemia might be a causative factor contributing to the progression of initial glomerular injury through the development of glomerulosclerosis. We examined the potential beneficial effect of atorvastatin - which blocks the rate limiting step of cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase - in PAN-induced nephrosis. Materials and Methods : Glomerulosclerosis was induced in Sprague-Dawley male rats by repeated administration of PAN. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 3 groups : group I(control), group II(PAN 20 mg/kg, subcutaneous injection), group III(PAN 20 mg/kg subcutaneous injection and atorvastatin 50 mg/kg/day per oral). On the 11th week, upon sacrifice of the experimental animals, blood sampling, 24-hr urine collection and nephrectomy were performed. Results : Group III had significantly lower BUN and higher serum albumin($30.9{\pm}17.2\;vs.\;17.3{\pm}2.5\;mg/dL;\;2.3{\pm}0.1\;vs.\;2.5{\pm}0.2\;g/dL$, P<0.05) compared with group II. In the lipid profiles, group III was associated with a reduction in total cholesterol and LDL($291{\pm}173\;vs.\;167{\pm}72\;mg/dL:\;57{\pm}53\;vs.\;27{\pm}12\;mg/dL$, P>0.05) compared with group II. Atorvastatin administration lowered the glomerular sclerosing index significantly(26.2% vs. 13.3%, P<0.05). Conclusion : Puromycin-induced glomerulosclerosis could be ameliorated by the reduction of hyperlipidemia with atorvastatin. This suggests that hyperlipidemia contributes to the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.90-108
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• 2003

Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) has been developed as prescriptions for the Soyeumin constitution. The hepatoprotective effect of the water extract of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) was investigated against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage. A single intra-peritoneal injection of CCl4 produced liver damage in rats as manifested by the significant rise of aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) in serum as compared to those of untreated normal group. Pretreatments of rats with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) 500 mg/kg for 7 days) were significantly reduced AST, ALT, and ALP levels compared with CCl4-treated control group. Treatment of rats with CCl4 led to significantly increase in lipid peroxidation and significantly decrease in cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase. The oral administration of Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract significantly inhibited the accumulation of microsomal thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and increased the cytochrome P450 and P450 reductase activity. All these biochemical alterations resulting from CCl4 administration were inhibited by the pretreatment with Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SG1) extract. These results suggest that Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract can be useful as a hepatoprotective agent. And the effect of NO modulation by NO synthesis or precursors, and Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang (SGT) water extract was researched on chronic liver damage induced by CCl4 administration. It was observed that endogenous NO protected the liver from lipid peroxidation, fibrosis, and damage. Osuyubujaijung-tang(OBT) and Sipyimiguanjung-tang(SGT) water extract showed the hepatoprotective effect on the chronic liver cirrhosis model and relationship with NO modulation.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.206-211
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• 1996

It was generally known that over-ingestion of dietary orotic acid caused hepatic disorder by the lesion of fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis in rats. The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary orotic acid on the lipid composition of serum, liver and kidney of rats. For the experiments, rats were fed with commercialized chow powder diet in the presence or absence of 1% orotic acid. The prepared diets were fed to male rats (Sprague-Dawley strain, $90{\sim}100$ g of body weight for 21 days. According to the results, orotic acid treated group showed that each concentration of serum cholesterol, triglyceride and phospholipid was significantly decreased (p<0.05). The centration of liver triglyceride was significantly decreased (p<0.05). In the presence of 1% orotic acid, the weight of liver inclosed while that of kidney decreased. The treatment of orotic acid seemed to have no effects on the phospholipid composition in liver and kidney, except the kidney lysophosphatidylcholine. In the comparison of the phospholipid composition between liver and kidney, the levels of sphingomyeline and phosphtidylethanolamine in the kidney were higher than those in the liver. Among the composition of fatty acid in kidney, the concentration of linoleic acid (18 : 2) was increased, and the concentration of arachidonic acid (20 : 4) was decreased with the addition of the orotic acid.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.469-482
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• 2023

Purpose: Obesity has emerged as a critical global public health concern as it is associated with and increases susceptibility to various diseases. This condition is characterized by the excessive enlargement of adipose tissue, primarily stemming from an inequity between energy intake and expenditure. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder in mitigating obesity and metabolic disorders in leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice and to compare the effects of raw sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP01) and heat-treated sweet pumpkin powder (HNSP02). Methods: Leptin-deficient obese mice were fed a diet containing 10% HNSP01 and another containing 10% HNSP02 for 6 weeks. Results: The supplementation of ob/ob mice with HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in decreased body weight gain, reduced adipose tissue weight, and a smaller size of lipid droplets in the adipose tissue and liver. Furthermore, the ob/ob-HNSP01 and ob/ob-HNSP02 supplemented groups exhibited lower levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin, as well as a reduced atherogenic index in comparison with the control group. Molecular analysis also demonstrated that the intake of HNSP01 and HNSP02 resulted in a diminished activation of factors associated with fatty acid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase, while concurrently enhancing factors associated with lipolysis, including adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase, in the adipose tissue. Conclusion: Taken together, these findings collectively demonstrate the potential of sweet pumpkin powder as a functional food ingredient with therapeutic properties against obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.283-291
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• 2023

Long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) are vital in cellular compartments, primarily regulating lipid metabolism. Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins (FABPs) facilitate LCFA transport, lipid synthesis, storage, and act as signaling molecules influencing various pathways, including inflammation. FABP4, in particular, is linked to vascular and cardio-related diseases, and it plays a role in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses. Previous studies have identified FABP4 as not only a representative biomarker for lipogenesis but also as having correlations with immune responses. This study aims to investigate the regulation of the chicken FABP4 (chFABP4) gene by toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) activation and determine the signaling pathways that are involved in chFABP4 transcriptional regulation. We analyzed the transcriptional regulation of chFABP4 in TLR3-stimulated DF-1 cells. The results showed that chFABP4 was up-regulated upon stimulation with polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC), a TLR3 ligand. Notably, chFABP4 transcription was independently regulated in the NF-κB signaling pathway. It was up-regulated in p38 inhibition, demonstrating that the p38 signaling pathway might suppress the transcription of chFABP4 within TLR3-activated DF-1 cells. In contrast, chFABP4 expression was down-regulated in JNK signaling pathway inhibition, suggesting the positive regulation of JNK signaling pathway for chFABP4 transcription in DF-1 cells in response to TLR3 activation, consistent with findings in macrophages. MEK pathway inhibition resulted in a similar regulation to NF-κB signaling. These results suggest that each MAPK contributes differentially to the transcriptional regulation of chFABP4 by in DF-1 cells in response to TLR3 activation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.29-35
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• 2024

Objectives : Obesity is an imbalance between energy intake and consumption due to overeating and lack of exercise, and if it persists, it increases non-infectious diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we tried to investigate the possibility of using Chamaeneron angustifolia (CA) as a material for anti-obesity by confirming the effect of inhibiting lipid differentiation. Methods : We measured the effects of CA extract on oil-red-o staining, cell cytotoxicity evaluation activity using 3T3-L1 cells. Additionally, we assessed fat decomposition and metabolism-related protein expression through Western blot analysis. Results : In this study, the anti-obesity effects of CA extract were experimentally assessed. Results showed significant inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and accumulation at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2 mg/ml of oil-red-o staining, with reductions of 80% or more. CA notably increased the phosphorylation of AMPK protein expression compared to the control group across all concentrations. Additionally, phosphorylation of ACC significantly increased at a concentration of 0.2 mg/ml compared to the control. PPAR-γ, which regulates adipogenesis, exhibited a significant decrease compared to the control, while protein expression of CPT-1, involved in fatty acid oxidation, showed a concentration-dependent increase across all groups. Therefore, CA extract demonstrates potential as a functional material for anti-obesity by increasing the expression of proteins related to fat decomposition and synthesis while decreasing others. Conclusions : These results suggest that CA may also be useful as an anti-obesity functional substance.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2018

Korean Red Ginseng (RG) are used as a traditional treatment for improve blood circulation. This experimental study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effects of Korean red ginseng on lipid metabolism in high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD)-induced hypertriglyceridemia. Sprague Dawley rats were fed the HFCD diet with/without fluvastatin (Flu, positive control) 3 mg/kg/day, and RG 125 or 250 mg/kg/day, respectively. All groups received regular diet or HFCD diet, respectively, for 13 weeks. The last three groups treatment of Flu and RG 125, and RG 250 orally for a period of 9 weeks. Group 1, reular diet; group 2, HFCD diet; group 3, Flu + HFCD diet; group 4, RG 125 + HFCD diet; group 5, RG 250 + HFCD diet. As a result, treatment with low or high doses of RG markedly attenuated plasma levels of triglycerides and augmented plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in HFCD-fed rats. RG and Flu also led to an increase in lipoprotein lipase activity in the HFCD group. On the other hand, RG and Flu led to an decrease in fatty acid synthase and free fatty acid activity in the HFCD group. Treatment with RG suppressed increased expressions of $PPAR-{\alpha}$ and AMPK in HFCD rat liver or muscle. In addition, the RG attenuated triglyceridemia by inhibition of $PPAR-{\gamma}$ and FABP protein expression levels and LXR and SREBP-1 gene expression in liver or muscle. The RG significantly prevented the development of the metabolic disturbances such as hypertriglyceridemia and hyperlipidemia. Taken together, the administration of RG improves hypertriglyceridemia through the alteration in suppression of triglyceride synthesis and accentuated of triglyceride decomposition. These results suggested that RG is useful in the prevention or treatment of hypertriglyceridemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.946-951
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• 2014

Melanin plays a key role in the protection of skin from ultraviolet light that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide, hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. However, the ROS leading to the oxidation of lipids, proteins and DNA are involved in the overproduction of melanin that is known to cause melasma, age spots and freckles. Among the herb medicines, Ulmus macrocarpa used in this study was reported to contain flavonoids as a main component. The aim of this study is to investigate the whitening and anti-oxidant effects of Ulmus macrocarpa ethanolic extracts (UMEE) in B16F1 cells. UMEE below $3.12{\mu}g/ml$ did not show cytotoxicity. In an anti-oxidant experiment, UMEE showed not only high reducing power and scavenging activity on DPPH, but it was also observed that UMEE exhibit an inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. UMEE did not display an inhibitory effect on tyrosinase activity in vitro. However, UMEE inhibited melanin synthesis in B16F1 cells. In addition, UMEE reduced the expression levels of tyrosinase and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), which are key enzymes in melanogenesis. These results indicate that UMEE exert a whitening effect through the inhibition of both tyrosinase and TRP-2 expressions as well as anti-oxidant activity, suggesting that UMEE could have the functional potential for a whitening effect on the skin.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.65-73
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• 2021

It is very important to control the inflammation of the skin because it can develop into diseases such as atopy as well as scarring and aging. In this work, we recently identified the in vitro synthesis of specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) known to control inflammation in the human body and the applicability of cosmetics. Using recombinant protein of lipoxygenase from Glycine max, we succeeded to prepare mixtures of mono- or di-hydroxy DHA named as S-SPMs and used them for in vitro efficacy test. To investigate anti-inflammatory effect of S-SPMs, mRNA level of TNF-α and IL-6 were analyzed. Under UVB exposed condition, expression of both were decreased by S-SPMs treatment. And we observed reduced production of nitric oxide (NO) by S-SPMs application under the condition with diesel particulate matter (DPM). At the same experimental condition, malondialdehyde (MDA) production was decreased by S-SPMs, indicating the inhibitory effect of S-SPMs in lipid peroxidation. In addition, S-SPMs treatment resulted in reduction of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (MMP-1) expression and elevation of procollagen type I synthesis. Together with this, mRNA level of filaggrin and loricrin were increased by S-SPMs, indicating enhancement of skin barrier function. These results demonstrate that S-SPMs is a good candidate to develop as a cosmetic ingredient for anti-inflammation, anti-wrinkle, and improvement of skin barrier function.