• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.318-324
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• 2022

PPARγ and C/EBPα are master adipogenic transcription factors (TFs) required for adipose tissue development. They control the induction of many adipocyte genes and the early phase of adipogenesis in the embryonic development of adipose tissue. Adipose tissue continues to expand after birth, which, as a late phase of adipogenesis, requires the lipogenesis of adipocytes. In particular, the liver and adipose tissues are major sites for de novo lipogenesis (DNL), where carbohydrates are primarily converted to fatty acids. Furthermore, fatty acids are esterified with glycerol-3-phosphate to produce triglyceride, a major source of lipid droplets in adipocytes. Hepatic DNL has been actively studied, but the DNL of adipocytes in vivo remains not fully understood. Thus, an understanding of lipogenesis and adipose expansion may provide therapeutic opportunities for obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic diseases. In adipocytes, DNL gene expression is transcriptionally regulated by lipogenesis coactivators, as well as by lipogenic TFs such as ChREBP and SREBP1a. Recent in vivo studies have revealed new insights into the lipogenesis gene expression and adipose expansion. Future detailed molecular mechanism studies will determine how nutrients and metabolism regulate DNL and adipose expansion. This review will summarize recent updates of DNL in adipocytes and adipose expansion in terms of transcriptional regulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2023

Aristolochic acid (AA), extracted from Aristolochiaceae plants, plays an essential role in traditional herbal medicines and is used for different diseases. However, AA has been found to be nephrotoxic and is known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). AA-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is a syndrome in AAN with a high morbidity that manifests mitochondrial damage as a key part of its pathological progression. Melatonin primarily serves as a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. However, its mitochondrial protective role in AA-induced AKI is barely reported. In this study, mice were administrated 2.5 mg/kg AA to induce AKI. Melatonin reduced the increase in Upro and Scr and attenuated the necrosis and atrophy of renal proximal tubules in mice exposed to AA. Melatonin suppressed ROS generation, MDA levels and iNOS expression and increased SOD activities in vivo and in vitro. Intriguingly, the in vivo study revealed that melatonin decreased mitochondrial fragmentation in renal proximal tubular cells and increased ATP levels in kidney tissues in response to AA. In vitro, melatonin restored the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in NRK-52E and HK-2 cells and led to an elevation in ATP levels. Confocal immunofluorescence data showed that puncta containing Mito-tracker and GFP-LC3A/B were reduced, thereby impeding the mitophagy of tubular epithelial cells. Furthermore, melatonin decreased LC3A/B-II expression and increased p62 expression. The apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells induced by AA was decreased. Therefore, our findings revealed that melatonin could prevent AA-induced AKI by attenuating mitochondrial damage, which may provide a potential therapeutic method for renal AA toxicity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2023

Objectives : A persistent inflammatory response can cause diseases such as fibrosis, cancer, and allergies. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Curcumae longae Rhizoma and Cinnamomi Ramulus Mixture (CCM) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Methods : The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of CCM were confirmed through an in vitro experiment. Also, radical scavenging activities of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and Hydroxyl were confirmed. Moreover, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) activity were confirmed. After, CCM (50, 100, and 200 ㎍/mL) were applied to 0.1 ㎍/mL LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The levels of nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the supernatant fraction were determined. Also, the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pathways were detected using Western blot. Results : As a result of in vitro experiments, there was an excellent antioxidant activity in CCM-treated cells. In addition, in RAW264.7 cells stimulated with LPS, the increased NO level was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner by the treatment of CCM. In addition, inflammatory cytokines production were significantly inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner in CCM-treated group. CCM treatment significantly decreased the protein expressions of MAPKs. Moreover, the expressions of NF-κBp65 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were significantly decreased when 200 mg/kg of CCM was applied, and phospho-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B-α (p-IκBα) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were significantly decreased at all concentrations treated with CCM. Conclusion : Our findings show that CCM exhibited excellent antioxidant activity and exhibited superior anti-inflammatory effect through the MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.37-42
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• 2023

This study aimed to examine the safety of HemoHIM, a dietary supplement containing methoxsalen. HemoHIM is a dietary supplement marketed globally, and a competitor to ginseng. It has been reported to contain methoxsalen, a plant extract for treating psoriasis and vitiligo. Methoxsalen is known to cause hepatotoxicity, but most of the cases has been reported from ingestion as a drug, not a food. There are no reports of hepatotoxicity from the consumption derived from natural products such as Angelica gigas, Cnidium officinale, and Paeonia lactiflora, which are the main ingredients in the HemoHIM. However, a recent case of acute hepatitis was reported in Hong-Kong after ingestion of HemoHIM. It is difficult to conclude that hepatitis was caused by HemoHIM, because there was no check of co-occurring medications with a higher risk of hepatotoxicity, no description of the progress, no quantitative comparison of methoxsalen in HemoHIM to it in common foods such as carrots and celery, and no description of the patient's underlying diseases. On the other hand, there was a study that suggest hemoHIM is safe, and that study had adequate number of subjects even though more studies are needed to ensure safety.

• 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.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.239-250
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• 2023

Disease monitoring was conducted to investigate the recent disease occurrence in Japanese eels (Anguilla japonica). Between May 2021 and March 2022, an investigation was conducted on eels from seven farms experiencing mortality. JEECV (Japanese eel endothelial cells-infecting virus) was detected in all examined farms, each exhibiting co-infections with 1 or 2 bacteria, including Edwardsiella anguillarum, E. piscisida, Aeromonas sp., Citrobacter freundii, Lactococcus garviae, or Vibrio sp. From March 2022 to October 2023, monthly periodic inspections were carried out at a farm in Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, for a total of 22 times. JEECV was detected in 10 out of 22 times, even when mortality was not recorded. Bacteria such as E. anguillarum, C. freundii, Aeromonas sp., and Vibrio sp. were isolated, but consistent clinical signs of liver abscess and hemorrhagic lesions were only recognized in fish infected with E. anguillarum. Other bacteria were often isolated from apparently healthy fish. In conclusion, mortality in eel farms frequently occurs due to co-infections of JEECV with bacteria rather than JEECV alone. Therefore, to reduce eel mortality, it is crucial to decrease co-infections, with a particular emphasis of JEECV and E. anguillarum.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.227-248
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• 1990

The study was conceived in relation to a concern over the growing gap between the needs of chronic patients and the availability of care from the current health care system in Korea. Patients with agonizing chronic pain, discomfort, despair and disability are left with helplessly unprepared families with little help from the acute care oriented health care system after discharge from hospital. There is a great need for the development of an alternative means of quality care that is economically feasible and culturally adaptible to our society. Thus, the study was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of home heath care as an alternative to bridge the existing gap between the patients' needs and the current practice of health care. The study specifically purports to test the effects of home care on health expenditure, readmission, job retention, compliance to health care regime, general conditions, complications, and self-care knowledge and practices. The study was guided by the operations research method advocated by the Primary Health Care Operations Research Institute(PRICOR) which constitutes 3 stages of research : namely, problem analysis solution development, and solution validation. The first step in the operations research was field preparation to develop the necessary consensus and cooperation. This was done through the formation of a consulting body at the hospital and a steering committee among the researchers. For the stage of problem analysis, the Annual Report of Seoul National University Hospital and the patients records for last 5 years were reviewed and selective patient interviews were conducted to find out the magnitude of chronic health problems and areas of unmect health care needs to finally decide on the kinds of health problems to study. On the basis of problem analysis, the solution development stage was devoted to home care program development asa solution alternative. Assessment tools, teaching guidelines and care protocols were developed and tested for their validity. The final stage was the stage of experimentation and evaluation. Patients with liver diseases, hemiplegic and diabetic conditions were selected as study samples. Discharge evaluation, follow up home care, measurement and evaluation were carried out according to the protocols of care and measurement plan for each patient for the period of 6 months after discharge. The study was carried out for the period from Jan. 1987 to Dec. 1989. The following are the results of the study presented according to the hypotheses set forth for the study ; 1. Total expenditures for the period of study were not reduced for the experimental group, however, since the cost per hospital visit is about 4 times as great as the cost per home visit, the effect of cost saving by home care will become a reality as home care replaces part of the hospital visits. 2. The effect on the rate of readmission and job retention was found to be statistically nonsignificant though the number of readmission was less among the experimental group receiving home care. 3. The effect on compliance to the health care regime was found to be statistically significant at the 5% level for hepatopathic and diabetic patients. 4. Education on diet, rest and excise, and medication through home care had an effect on improved liver function test scores, prevention of complications and self - care knowledge in hepatopathic patients at a statistically significant level. 5. In hemiplegic patient, home care had an effect on increased grasping power at a significant level. However. there was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in the level of compliane, prevention of complications or in self-care practices. 6. In diabetic patients, there was no difference between the experimental and control groups in scores of laboratory tests, appearance of complications, and self-care knowledge or self -care practices. The above findings indicate that a home care program instituted for such short term as 6 months period could not totally demonstrate its effectiveness at a statistically significant level by quantitative analysis however, what was shown in part in this analysis, and in the continuous consultation sought by those who had been in the experimental group, is that home health care has a great potential in retarding or preventing pathological progress, facilitating rehabilitative and productive life, and improving quality of life by adding comfort, confidence and strength to patients and their families. For the further studies of this kind with chronic patients it is recommended that a sample of newly diagnosed patients be followed up for a longer period of time with more frequent observations to demonstrate a more dear- cut picture of the effectiveness of home care.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 1998

Purpose : Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has been involved in several forms of immune-related glomerulopathy but the pathogenic role of HBV infection is not clear. To evaluate the clinicopathological features of HBV-associated glomerulopathy, a clinicopathological analysis and immunohistochemical stain for HBs Ag and HBe Ag were done. Methods : Clinicopathological features of HBV-associated glomerulopathy were analyzed with renal biopsies in 28 HBsAg seropositive patients from April 1990 to February 1997 at Pusan Paik Hospital, and immunohistochemical evaluation for HBsAg and HBeAg was done in renal tissues. Light microscopic, immunofluorescent and electron microscopic examination and immunohistochemical staining for HBsAg (DAKO) and HBeAg (BIONIKE) of renal tissue were performed. Result ; 1. The age distribution was 6 to 73 years old, and eight were children and 20 were adults. Male : female ratio was 3:1. Nineteen (67.9%) and 21 (75.0%) of 28 cases showed hematuria and proteinuria, respectively at the time of biopsy. Sixteen (57.2%) of them had nephrotic syndrome. 2. Liver function test was performed in 11 patients and seven (63.6%) of them showed increased AST and ALT levels. Liver biopsy was done in three patients and revealed findings of chronic active hepatitis. 3. HBV-associated glomerulopathy was membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) in 10 (35.7%), mesangiopathy in 8 (28.6%), membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) in 7 (25.0%) and minimal change disease in 3 (10.7%) out of 28 cases. 4. Ultrastructurally HBV-associated MGN showed conspicuous subepithelial deposits with intramembranous, mesangial and subendothelial deposits and proliferation of mesangial cells and matrix, which were suggestive of MPGN. In HBV-associated MPGN, intramembranous and subepithelial deposits were scattered. 5. Immunohistochemical staining revealed no expression for HBsAg, but positive reaction for HBeAg along capillary wall in 8 cases (28.6%), of which 3 cases were checked for serum HBeAg, all showed positivity. Conclusion : HBV-associated glomerulopathy showed a wide morphologic spectrum and overlapping ultrastructural features in MGN and MPGN, and the activity of hepatitis B virus may be related to the development of HBV-associated glomerulopathy but further studies are recommended to confirm this relationship.

• The Journal of Dong Guk Oriental Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-34
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• 1997

The present writer studied the medical thought of 'You-Yi(尤怡)', the medical expert of the early 'Qing(淸)' Dynasty, which can be summarized as following. 1. 'You-Yi' writed many essays and treaties about 'Shang-Han-Lun(傷寒論)' and 'Jin-Gui-Yao-Lue(金?要略)', both of which are the writings of 'Zhang-Zhong-Jing(張仲景)', the medical saint of 'Han(漢)' Dynasty, and those writings include 'Shang-Han-Guan-Zhu-Ji(傷寒貫珠集)', 'Jin-Gui-Yao-Lue-Xin-Dian(金?要略心典)', 'Yi-Xue-Dou-Shu-Ji(醫學讀書記)', 'Jin-Gui-Yi(金?翼)', and 'Jing-Xiang-Lou-Yi-An(靜香樓醫案)'. 2. A theory of 'Tai-Yang(太陽)' syndrome, including 'San-Gang-Ding-Li(三綱鼎立)', was proposed by 'Fang-You-Zhi'(方有執)' and 'Yu-Chang(喩昌)' and it came to be one of the leading theory of the 'Shang-Han-Lun', 'You-Yi' rejected their opinions in which they insisted that the 'Feng(風)' hurts the 'Wei'(衛)' and the 'Han(寒)' hurts the 'Ying(營)', and he advocated his particular idea that the 'Xie-Qi'(邪氣)' can directly hit skin, flesh, 'Ying-Wei(營衛)', the Five Organs and the Six Viscera(五臟六腑), regardless of 'Zhong-Feng(中風)' or 'Shang-Han(傷寒)', and he insisted that there is need to be anxious about Whether the 'Ying-Wei' is strong or weak. 3. In 'Shang-Han-Guan-Zhu-Ji', 'You-Yi' invented the eight classifications in treating the 'Shang-Han' and he did not follow the old theories hitherto. He divided the book into six parts via the clinical experiences, and the Classification and Logics in Treatment(辨證論治), and he put several titles on 'Jin-Gui-Yao-Lue. And he newly edited the original text of 'Shang-Han-Lun' and arranged 'Zhong-Jing(仲景)'s Six Meridian(六經) categories. Each syndrome in 'Tai-Yang' 'Yang-Ming(陽明)', 'Shao-Yang(少陽)', 'Tai-Yin'(太陰)', 'Shao-Yin(少陰)' and 'Jue-Yin(厥陰)' has its own categories in treatment. 4. In explaining the Six Meridian(六經) and the Organs and Viscera(臟腑), 'You-Yi' legislated the syndrome in 'Three Yang(三陽)' into Meridian(經) and Viscera(腑) ; the syndrome in 'Three Yin(三陰)'into Meridian(經) and Organs(腑). He also concluded that 'Shang-Han-Lun' not only discussed 'Wai-Gan(外感)' but also included the Internal Hurt(內傷) and Miscellaneous Diseases(雜病). 5. In his academic research, 'You-Yi' followed 'Zhong-Jing' in classifications and prescriptions and succeeded the theory of 'Ma-Chu(마숙)' and 'Li-Zhong-Zi(李中梓)', but was not tied to any stereotyped former practices. He put emphasis on the Spleen(脾) and the Kidney(腎) as he harmonized the Middle Energizer(中焦焦) with the taste of 'Gan(甘)' and 'Wen(溫)' and enjoyed strengthening 'Yang' by benefitting the 'Qi(氣)'. 6. He discussed in detail the causes, mechanism and symptoms on 'Tan-Yin(痰飮)' and proposed the seven categorizes in treatment. 7. He sorted the causes of 'Zhong-Feng' into two kinds of the 'Feng' via 'Wai-Gan' and Internal Hurt, and recognized these two 'Feng's correlate as mutual sources of diseases. He insisted that the origin of the 'Feng' exists in the 'Liver(肝). He also established the eight categories in treating the 'Feng'. 8. 'You-Yi' belong to the classifications and Logical Treatment School. And he, considering he respected and followed 'Zhong-Jing' and 'Li-Zhong-Zi', belongs to the successor to the 'Wen-Bu(溫補)' School. 9. His writings, especially the 'Shang-Han-Guan-Zhu-Ji' and the 'Jin-Gui-Yao-Lue-Xin-Dian', are excellent commentary works on the originals, so they served as significant guide books for many junior scholars. For penetrating the 'Shang-Han-Lun' with his unique way of classification of treatment, he has been highly appreciated by later generations including scholars like 'Tang-Li-San(唐立三)' in the 'Qing' Dynasty, and so many more ones thenceforth. In conclusion, on the base of this study, it is hopefully proposed that the still more profound research on the medical thought of 'You-Yi', as one of the most distinguished scholars, an expert clinician and an earnest writer as well.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.95-95
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• 2002

This study was conducted to examine housewives' knowledge level of herb medicine and its related factors in Korea. Data were collected from 667 housewives from April 1, 1999 to June 30, 1999. The results of this study are summarized as follows. 1. According to general characteristics of the subjects, 29.1$\%$ of the subjects was over fifties. 28.6$\%$ was primary school graduate. while 25.5$\%$ was high school graduate. In case of job, the unemployed was 67.0$\%$ and professional／clerical worker was 19.6$\%$. 82.0$\%$ had spouses and 45.7$\%$ believed in Buddha. 50.8$\%$ of the subjects lived in big cities and 76.7$\%$ was the middle class. In case of their health condition, 33.4$\%$ was in good health, while 5 1.1$\%$ suffered from certain diseases and 43.9$\%$ was not satisfied with health conditions. 2. The proportion of experience in taking herb medicine was 86.4$\%$. The marital status and health condition were significantly related to the experience in taking herb medicine. When the respondents took diseases, 68.0$\%$ of them were experienced in folk remedy. The variables of age and religion were significantly related to experience in folk remedy. 3. According to the respondents opinions of the effect of the folk remedy, 'effective' was 78.5$\%$ and 'common' was 17.6$\%$, while 'not effective' was 3.9$\%$. 59.3$\%$ of the respondents thought that the folk remedy had scientific basis. 4. In case of information sources on herb medicine, 59.7$\%$ of the respondents obtained the information from TV or Radio. 13.7$\%$ of them got it from magazines related to Oriental medicine and 13.3$\%$ of them obtained it from newspapers or related books. The information sources were significantly related to age and health condition. The knowledge level of herb medicine was 20.76${\pm}$2.66 point on the basis of 30 points. The knowledge level was significantly related to age, occupation, health condition, information sources, experience in taking herb medicine, and opinions of scientific basis of the folk remedy. 5. The respondents marked 2.23${\pm}$0.64 points on the basis of 3.0 points in the question of the effect of taking herb medicine in summer, 2.30${\pm}$0.61 points in the question of the relationship between taking deer antlers and becoming clear-headed, 2.72${\pm}$0.56 points in the question of ginseng, 2.51${\pm}$0.56 points in the question of the relationship between taking herb medicine and being harmful to the liver, 1.94${\pm}$0.74 points in the question of taking herb medicine during the period of pregnancy, 1.84${\pm}$0.78 points in the question of the relationship between menstrual irregularity and motherwort, 2.00${\pm}$0.83 points in the question of the relationship between taking herb medicine and getting fat, 1.76${\pm}$0.89 points in the question of the relationship between Ssanghwatang and cold, 2.15${\pm}$0.76 points in the question of taking honey, and 1.45${\pm}$0.77 points in the question of selecting foods during the period of taking herb medicine. 6. The factors influencing decision of taking herb medicine were experience of taking herb medicine, intention of receiving treatment by folk remedy, occupation, health condition, and age. As seen in the above results, the knowledge level of taking herb medicine during the period of pregnancy, the relationship between menstrual irregularity and motherwort, Ssanghwatang, honey, and selecting foods during the period of taking herb medicine was very low. Therefore, it is necessary to develop education programs in order to provide community residents with basic knowledge of herb medicine. In doing so, the government, Oriental medical doctors, and associations related to herb medicine must make great efforts.