• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.785-793
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• 2013

We studied the effects of 2 different dosages of high-molecular-weight poly-${\gamma}$-glutamic acid (hm ${\gamma}$-PGA) derived from Bacillus subtilis chungkookjang on lipid metabolism in a high-fructose diet-induced hypertriglyceridemic animal model. For 4 weeks, rats were fed either AIN-93 diet (normal control, NC; n = 10) or modified AIN-93 diet in which cornstarch was substituted with 63% fructose (n = 30) to induce hypertriglyceridemia. After 4 weeks, the hypertriglyceridemic rats were treated with daily oral doses of 0 mg (hypertriglyceridemic control, HC), 2.5 mg (hypertriglyceridemic, low hm ${\gamma}$-PGA, HL), or 5 $mg{\cdot}kg{\cdot}bw^{-1}{\cdot}d^{-1}$ (hypertriglyceridemic, high hm ${\gamma}$-PGA, HH) hm ${\gamma}$-PGA for 4 weeks. The HL and HH groups exhibited significantly lower levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and free fatty acids than the HC group. The administration of hm ${\gamma}$-PGA reduced serum ALT and AST levels. The activities of lipogenic enzymes such as hepatic malic enzyme and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA expression were significantly decreased by hm ${\gamma}$-PGA administration (p < 0.05). These results indicate that hm ${\gamma}$-PGA has an anti-hypertriglyceridemic effect in high-fructose diet-induced hypertriglyceridemic rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.350-361
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• 2020

Background: Black ginseng (BG) is a type of Korean ginseng prepared by steaming and drying raw ginseng to improve the saponin content. This study examined the effects of BG on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acids to induce lipid accumulation before supplementation with BG. NAFLD-induced mice were fed different doses (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) of BG for 8 weeks. Results: BG significantly reduced lipid accumulation and expression of lipogenic genes, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and fatty acid synthase in HepG2 cells, and the livers of mice fed a 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water (HFHF diet). BG supplementation caused a significant reduction in levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, while antioxidant enzymes activities were significantly increased in 45% high-fat diet with 10% fructose in the drinking water diet-fed mice. Expression of proliferator-activated receptor alpha and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I were upregulated at the transcription and translation levels in both HepG2 cells and diet-induced obese mice. Furthermore, BG-induced phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl CoA carboxylase in both models, suggesting its role in AMP-activated protein kinase activation and the acetyl CoA carboxylase signaling pathway. Conclusion: Our results indicate that BG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of NAFLD.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2013

This study determined the effects of fucoxanthin on gene expressions related to lipid metabolism in rats with a high-fat diet. Rats were fed with normal fat diet (NF, 7% fat) group, high fat diet group (HF, 20% fat), and high fat with 0.2% fucoxanthin diet group (HF+Fxn) for 4 weeks. Body weight changes and lipid profiles in plasma, liver, and feces were determined. The mRNA expressions of transcriptional factors such as sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c, Carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1), Cholesterol $7{\alpha}$-hydroxylase1 (CYP7A1) as well as mRNA expression of several lipogenic enzymes were determined. Fucoxanthin supplements significantly increased plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentration (P < 0.05). The hepatic total lipids, total cholesterols, and triglycerides were significantly decreased while the fecal excretions of total lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides were significantly increased in HF+Fxn group (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of hepatic Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), Fatty acid synthase (FAS), and Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) as well as SREBP-1C were significantly lower in HF+Fxn group compared to the HF group (P < 0.05). The hepatic mRNA expression of Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) and Acyl-CoA cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) were significantly low while lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) was significantly high in the HF+Fxn group (P < 0.05). There was significant increase in mRNA expression of CPT1 and CYP7A1 in the HF+Fxn group, compared to the HF group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, consumption of fucoxanthin is thought to be effective in improving lipid and cholesterol metabolism in rats with a high fat diet.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.17-26
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• 2022

Objective : The aim of the present study is to examine hepatic lipid-lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin combined with Jakyakgamcho-tang on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a high fat diet-induced obese mice model. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were divided into four dietary groups: (1) Normal, (2) Control (60% high-fat diet), (3) Control + silymarin 50 mg/kg/day (Silymarin), (4) Control + Silymarin 50 mg/kg/day + Jakyakgamcho-tang 100 mg/kg/day (SPG). After 12 weeks administration, mice were sacrificed and lipids and inflammation-related biomarkers were analyzed liver and plasma. Results : Silymarin and SPG treatments significantly lowered body and liver weights compared to the Control. Serumlipids (triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 1𝛽, and IL-6) concentrations were significantly lowered in the Silymarin and SPG groups than the Control group. Silymarin and SPG treatments suppressed hepatic TG level and hepatic lipid droplets compared to the Control. Theses two treatments significantly increased hepatic kinase B1 and AMP-activated protein kinase protein levels, and significantly decreased hepatic key lipogenic enzymes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase and stearyl coenzyme A desaturase 1) protein levels than the Control. SPG also significantly increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation-related protein (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and uncoupling protein 2) levels than the Control. Conclusions: Silymarin and SPG suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating hepatic protein expression, and lowered blood pro-inflammatory cytokines concentrations though the synergic effect of silymarin and Jakyakgamchotang was not clear.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.714-722
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• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to determine the effects of leucine on body weight reduction in high fat diet-induced overweight rats. To induce overweight, six-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 80) were divided into 8 groups; one group of 10 rats was fed on a normal fat diet and the remaining 70 rats were fed on a high-fat diet (40% of energy as fat) for 14 weeks. Then, 10 rats fed on the normal fat diet and another 10 rats fed on the high fat diet were sacrificed to identify overweight induction. The remaining 60 rats were divided randomly into 6 groups according to body weight and fed on one of the diets with different dietary fat levels (9.6% or 40% of energy as fat) and leucine levels (0, 0.6 or 1.2 g/kg BW) for the following 5 weeks of experiments. The body weight loss in the Leu-administered groups (0.6 g, 1.2 g/kg BW) was significantly higher than those of Leu non-administered groups. The perirenal fat pad weights in the Leu-administered groups were significantly lower than those of the Leu non-administered groups. Of the hepatic enzymes, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) activities were reduced significantly in the Leu-administered groups than in the Leu non-administered groups. With the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), the incremental areas under the curve of the glucose response (IAUC) of the Leu-administered groups were significantly lower than those of the Leu non-administered groups. The fasting glucose concentration and HOMA-IR of the Leu-administered groups were significantly lower than those of the Leu non-administered groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that one of the possible mechanisms of leucine in the observed body weight reduction might involve the inhibition of lipogenic enzyme activities such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, rather than the activation of lipolysis enzymes. Additionally, leucine adminstration resulted in improved glucose metabolism.

• BMB Reports
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.232-237
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• 2009

Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c plays a crucial role in the regulation of lipogenic enzymes in the liver. We previously reported that an X-chromosome-linked RNA binding motif (RBMX) regulates the promoter activity of Srebp-1c. However, still unknown was how it regulates the gene expression. To elucidate this mechanism, we screened the cDNA library from mouse liver by yeast two-hybrid assay using RBMX as bait and identified scaffold attachment factor B1 (SAFB1). Immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated binding of SAFB1 to RBMX. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed binding of both SAFB1 and RBMX to the upstream region of Srebp-1c gene. RNA interference of Safb1 reduced the basal and RBMX-induced Srebp-1c promoter activities, resulting in reduced Srebp-1c gene expression. The effect of SAFB1 overexpression on Srebp-1c promoter was found only in the presence of RBMX. These results indicate a major role for SAFB1 in the activation of Srebp-1c through its interaction with RBMX.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the effect of desalinated underground seawater (named as 'magma seawater', MSW) of Jeju Island in Korea on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity. MSW was collected from underground of Han-Dong in Jeju Island, and freely given to high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice for 10 weeks. Although there were no significant differences in the body weight changes and plasma lipid levels, hepatic triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the MSW group than in the normal tap water (TW)-drunken control group. Furthermore, the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS) was significantly decreased and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity was increased in MSW group compared to TW group. Similarly, real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA expressions of lipogenic genes were lowered in MSW groups compared to the control group. In a morphometric observation on the liver tissue, accumulation of fats was remarkably reduced in MSW group. Meanwhile, in vitro assay, tree radical scavenging activity measured by using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was increased in MSW group. The 2'-7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) staining followed with fluorescent microscopy showed a low intensity of fluorescence in MSW-treated HepG2 cells, compared to TW-treated HepG2 cells, which indicated that the production of reactive oxygen species by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells was decreased by MSW treatment. The antioxidant effect of MSW on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells was supported by the increased activities of intracellular antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione reductase. From these results, we speculate that MSW has an inhibitory effect on lipogenesis in liver and might play a protective role against cell damage by t-BHP-induced oxidative stress.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1417-1423
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• 2007

The present study was conducted to investigate the supplementation effects of $C_{18:2}$ rich-soybean oil or $C_{18:3}$ rich-perilla oil (7% of total diet, DM basis) for 12 weeks on plasma metabolites, fatty acid profile, in vitro lipogenesis, and activities of LPL and FAS in adipose tissue of sheep. The treatments were basal diet (Control), $C_{18:2}$ rich-soybean oil supplemented diet (SO-D) and $C_{18:3}$ rich-perilla oil supplemented diet (PO-D). All the sheep were fed the diets consisting of roughage to concentrate in the ratio of 40:60 (DM basis). Oil supplemented diets (SO-D and PO-D) slightly increased contents of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), proportions of both cis-9 trans-11 and trans-10 cis-12 CLA and TVA, but lowered (p<0.01) those of $C_{18:0}$ compared to the control diet. No differences were observed in the contents of TG and TC and proportions of fatty acids in plasma between supplemented oils. Oil supplemented diets slightly increased the proportions of cis-9 trans-11 and trans-10 cis-12 types of CLA in subcutaneous adipose tissue of sheep compared to the control diet. The rate of lipogenesis with acetate was higher (p<0.01) for intermuscular- and subcutaneous adipose tissues than that for intramuscular adipose tissue, while that with glucose did not differ among fat locations in sheep fed SO-D. No differences were observed in the rate of lipogenesis between substrates in all fat locations. The rates of lipogenesis with glucose increased only in the intermuscular- (p<0.01) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (p<0.005) compared to those with acetate. The rates of lipogenesis with acetate were the highest in the intermuscular and intramuscular adipose tissue of the sheep fed PO-D. Oil supplemented diets slightly increased the rate of lipogenesis with glucose for all fat locations. Supplementation of oils to the diet numerically increased the fatty acid synthase activity but did not affect the lipoprotein lipase activity in subcutaneous adipose tissue.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.555-568
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• 1992

This study was to compare the effects of dietary n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and fat unsaturation on plasma lipids and chemical composition of VLDL and LDL fraction and lipogenic enzymes activity in rat liver under the conditions providing 1) a similar amount of n-6, n-3 fatty acids(LA, ALA, EPA+DHA) in diets and 2) the various degree of fat unsaturation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 420g were treated for 6-n with six experimental diets providing 25% of energy as fat and which were different only in fatty acid composition. The fats used for a source of each fatty acid were beet tallow for saturated fatty acid corn oil for n-6 linoleic acid(LA) perilla oil for n-3 $\alpha$-linolenic acid(ALA) and fish oil n-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and n-3 docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). Plasma cholesterol level was increased by corn oil to compare with beef tallow but was decreased by perilla oil or fish oil. Plasma TG level was significantly decreased by perilla oil or fish oil. Fish oil significantly reduced the level of HDL-Chol and the proportion of Chol in LDL fraction and that of TG in vVLDL fraction. Overall there was a singificant negative correlation between the level of each plasma lipid(Chol TG, VLDL-TG, LDL-C) and the degree of fat unsaturation. However this rerlationship is not always true when compared the hypolipidemic effect of each fatty acid at a similar level of fat unsaturation. There was a trend such taht glucose 6-P dehydrogenase 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme activites were reduced by n-3 fatty acids. Perilla oil significantly increased the incorporation of c20:5 and c22:5 into liver tissue and fish oil suignificantly increased the incorporation of c20:5, c22:6 into liver tissue and the effect of long chain n-3 fatty acid incorporation was greater by fish oil. therefore the hypotriglyceridemic effect of n-3 fatty acid could be resulted from the interference of hepatic lipogenesis by long-chain n-3 fatty acids and the reduced proportion of TG in VLDL fraction and its effect was greater by n-3 EPA+DHA than n-3 ALA even though plasma Chol and TG levels were also influenced by the degree of dietary fat unsaturation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2013

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cholesterol-lowering effect of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) derived from aged garlic. Rat hepotocytes and HepG2 cells were used to determine the short-term effects of SAMC on [$^{14}C$] acetate incorporation into cholesterol, and several enzymatic steps. The cells were grown in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum and treated with 20, 40, 60 and 80 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SAMC. At concentration of 20~40 ${\mu}g/ml$, no significant cells viability effect was noted during those incubation periods. However, at a concentration 60 ${\mu}g/ml$, cell viability decreased approximately 50% compared with the control. The treatment of cells with 5, 10, 15, and 20 ${\mu}g/ml$ of SAMC resulted in a marked of [$^{14}C$]-acetate incorporation into cholesterol. At concentration of 15 ${\mu}g/ml$, the cholesterol synthesis was inhibited 79% in cells. The activities of lipogenic enzymes, fatty acid synthase (FAS), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) were measured in culture hepatocytes treated with the inhibitors. The activity of FAS in cells treated with 0.95 nmol SAMC was 19% lower than that of nontreated cells, and no affected G6PDH activity, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Co A activity was decreased at concentration dependant manner. The present study demonstrates that SAMC is effective in inhibiting cholesterol biosynthesis.