• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.267-278
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• 2005

Postmenopausal women or ovariectomized rats are associated with increased cholesterol levels, which are risk factors of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome after menopause might be associated with estradiol deficiency. Harmful effect of estradiol hampers the casual usage of hormone to prevent the metabolic syndrome. Soy protein has been reported to show several beneficial effects on health, however it is unclear which components of soy protein is responsible for anti-obesity and hypocholesterolemic effects. Soy isoflavones, gem-stein and daizein, are suggested to have anti-obesity and hypocholesterolemic effects but with inconsistency. The present study investigated the effect of supplementation of genistein (experiment I) and soy protein containing isoflavones (experiment II) to high fat diet on body weight gain, food intake, liver and fat tissue weight and the lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. Plasma and hepatic lipid contents and the mRNA levels of genes encoding lipid metabolism related proteins, such as CPT1 and HMGR were measured. Ovariectomy increased body weight, fat tissue weight and plasma and hepatic lipid levels which increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Soy protein could improve plasma and hepatic lipids levels. Soy protein also increased hepatic CPT1 and HMGR mRNA levels. Plasma and hepatic lipids levels could not be decreased by dietary genistein alone. In contrast, lipids levels could be decreased by isoflavone-fortified soy protein, suggesting that the ingestion of soy protein enriched with isoflavone gives more benefit for protecting postmenopausal women from metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.357-366
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• 2022

Background: Withania somnifera (Solanaceae), generally known as Indian ginseng, is a medicinal plant that is used in Ayurvedic practice for promoting health and longevity. This study aims to identify the bioactive metabolites from Indian ginseng and elucidate their structures. Methods: Withanolides were purified by chromatographic techniques, including HPLC coupled with LC/MS. Chemical structures of isolated withanolides were clarified by analyzing the spectroscopic data from 1D and 2D NMR, and HR-ESIMS experiment. Absolute configurations of the withanolides were established by the application of NMR chemical shifts and ECD calculations. Anti-adipogenic activities of isolates were evaluated using 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with Oil Red O staining and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Results: Phytochemical examination of the roots of Indian ginseng afforded to the isolation of six withanolides (1-6), including three novel withanolides, withasilolides GeI (1-3). All the six compounds inhibited adipogenesis and suppressed the enlargement of lipid droplets, compared to those of the control. Additionally, the mRNA expression levels of Fabp4 and Adipsin, the adipocyte markers decreased noticeably following treatment with 25 µM of 1-6. The active compounds (1-6) also promoted lipid metabolism by upregulating the expression of the lipolytic genes HSL and ATGL and downregulating the expression of the lipogenic gene SREBP1. Conclusion: The results of our experimental studies suggest that the withasilolides identified herein have anti-adipogenic potential and can be considered for the development of therapeutic strategies against adipogenesis in obesity. Our study also provides a mechanistic rationale for using Indian ginseng as a potential therapeutic agent against obesity and related metabolic diseases.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.54-60
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• 2016

Amomum cadamomum Linne (ACL) has long been utilized against the inhibited qi movement related diseases such as dyspepsia, acute gastroenteritis, vomiting and diarrhea in Korean medicine. We speculated that ACL could improve the metabolic disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes through removing the phlegm-dampness and promoting the qi movement or stagnation. This study was designed to investigate effects and molecular mechanisms of ACL extract on the improvement of adipocyte dysfunction induced by TNF-α in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Potential roles of ACL extract in the lipogenesis, inhibition of inflammatory cytokines and insulin resistance, were investigated in this study. Also, we examined the adipose genes and signaling molecules related to insulin resistance and glucose uptake to elucidate its mechanism. Our data demonstrated that TNF-α significantly incresed the release of lipid droplets and the production of MCP-1 and IL-6 from adipocytes. In gene expression, TNF-α reduced the expression of aP2, PPARγ, C/EBPα, GLUT4, and IRS-1 related to lipogenesis and insulin sesitivity, while TNF-α increased the expression of MCP-1 related to inflammation. In addition, TNF-α down-regulated the PPARγ and IRS-1 protein and up-regulated the IRS-1 Ser307 phosphorylation. These alterations induced by TNF-α were prevented by the treatment of ACL extract. Thus, our results indicate that ACL extract can be used to prevent from the TNF-α-induced adipocyte dysfunction through insulin and PPARγ pathways.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.499-503
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• 2015

본 연구에서는 P. sibiricum rhizome (황정)의 80% 알코올 추출물인 ID1216의 비만예방모델과 치료동물모델에서 비만 억제 효과를 입증하고 ID1216의 비만 억제 관련 조절인자를 밝히고자 하였다. ID1216은 비만예방동물모델에서 사료섭취량 감소 없이 유의적인 체중 증가 억제 효과를 보였으며, 비만치료동물모델에서도 대조약물인 지방흡수억제제인 orlistat과 동등한 복부 지방감소를 동반한 항비만 효과를 나타내었다. ID1216의 체중 증가 억제를 유도하는 조절인자를 확인하기 위해서 비만예방모델과 단회 투여 시험 후 부고환지방조직과 분화된 3T3-L1 지방세포주에서 관련 유전자 및 단백질의 발현 변화를 조사하였다. 이를 통해 ID1216의 항비만 효과가 SIRT1, $PGC1{\alpha}$와 $PPAR{\alpha}$의 발현 증가와 관련됨을 확인하였다. 또한 단회 투여만으로도 지방조직에서 SIRT1과 $PGC1{\alpha}$의 발현을 유도하는 것을 확인함으로써 ID1216이 이들 유전자 발현을 직접적으로 조절할 가능성을 제시하였다. ID1216은 P. sibiricum rhizome 추출물로 다양한 성분을 포함하고 있어 $PGC1{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\alpha}$와 SIRT1의 발현을 독립적으로 조절하거나 또는 주 조절 인자인 SIRT1의 발현 또는 활성을 증가시켜 순차적인 반응을 유도할 수 있을 것으로 예상되며, 이를 규명하기 위해서는 더욱 체계적인 연구가 필요할 것으로 판단된다. 본 연구는 ID1216에 의해 지방조직에서 지방산 산화 및 발열과 관련된 유전자 발현 증가를 통해 체중 및 지방 감소 효과가 있음을 보여줌으로써, ID1216이 향후 유용한 항비만 소재로 활용될 가능성을 제시하였다.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.171-184
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• 2024

Purpose: Although activating thermogenic adipocytes is a promising strategy to reduce the risk of obesity and related metabolic disorders, emerging evidence suggests that it is difficult to induce adipocyte thermogenesis in obesity. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the regulation of adipocyte thermogenesis in diet-induced obesity. Methods: Adipose progenitor cells were isolated from the white and brown adipose tissues of control diet (CD) or high-fat diet (HFD) fed mice, and fully differentiated white and brown adipocytes were treated with β-agonists or 18-carbon fatty acids for β-adrenergic activation or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) activation. Results: Compared to the CD-fed mice, the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) was lower in the white adipose tissue of the HFD-fed mice; however, this was not observed in the brown adipose tissue. The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg) was lower in the brown adipose progenitor cells isolated from HFD-fed mice than in those isolated from the CD-fed mice. Norepinephrine (NE) treatment exerted lesser effect on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator (Pgc1a) upregulation in white adipocytes derived from HFD-fed mice than those derived from CD-fed mice. Regardless which 18-carbon fatty acids were treated, the expression levels of thermogenic genes including Ucp1, Pgc1a, and positive regulatory domain zinc finger region protein 16 (Prdm16) were higher in the white adipocytes derived from HFD-fed mice. Oleic acid (OLA) and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) upregulated Pgc1a expression in white adipocytes derived from HFD-fed mice. Brown adipocytes derived from HFD-fed mice had higher expression levels of Pgc1a and Prdm16 compared to their counterparts. Conclusion: These results indicate that diet-induced obesity may downregulate brown adipogenesis and NE-induced thermogenesis in white adipocytes. Also, HFD feeding may induce thermogenic gene expression in white and brown primary adipocytes, and OLA and GLA could augment the expression levels.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.192-197
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• 2011

The dietary intake of whole grains is known to reduce the incidence of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. To investigate whether there are anti-adipogenic activities in various Korean cereals, we assessed water extracts of nine cereals. The results showed that treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with Sorghum bicolor L. Moench, Setaria italica Beauvois, or Panicum miliaceum L. extract significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation, as determined by measuring oil red-O staining, triglyceride accumulation, and glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Among the nine cereals, P. miliaceum L. showed the highest anti-adipogenic activity. The effects of P. miliaceum L. on mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, and the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-${\alpha}$ were evaluated revealing that the extract significantly decreased the expression of these genes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, P. miliaceum L. extract changed the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in adipocytes, which is related to biological activity and cell characteristics. These results suggest that some cereals efficiently suppress adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In particular, the effect of P. miliaceum L. on adipocyte differentiation is associated with the downregulation of adipogenic genes and fatty acid accumulation in adipocytes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.386-392
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Changes in nutritional status during gestation and lactation have detrimental effects on offspring metabolism. Several animal studies have shown that maternal high-fat diet (HFD) can predispose the offspring to development of obesity and metabolic diseases, however the mechanisms underlying these transgenerational effects are poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the effect of maternal HFD consumption on metabolic phenotype and hepatic expression of involved genes in dams to determine whether any of these parameters were associated with the metabolic outcomes in the offspring. MATERIALS/METHODS: Female C57BL/6 mice were fed a low-fat diet (LFD: 10% calories from fat) or a high-fat diet (HFD: 45% calories from fat) for three weeks before mating, and during pregnancy and lactation. Dams and their male offspring were studied at weaning. RESULTS: Dams fed an HFD had significantly higher body and adipose tissue weights and higher serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels than dams fed an LFD. Hepatic lipid levels and mRNA levels of genes involved in lipid metabolism, including $LXR{\alpha}$, SREBP-2, FXR, LDLR, and ABCG8 were significantly changed by maternal HFD intake. Significantly lower total liver DNA and protein contents were observed in dams fed an HFD, implicating the disturbed liver adaptation in the pregnancy-related metabolic demand. HFD feeding also induced significant oxidative stress in serum and liver of dams. Offspring of dams fed an HFD had significantly higher serum cholesterol levels, which were negatively correlated with liver weights of dams and positively correlated with hepatic lipid peroxide levels in dams. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal HFD consumption induced metabolic dysfunction, including altered liver growth and oxidative stress in dams, which may contribute to the disturbed cholesterol homeostasis in the early life of male mice offspring.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.256-262
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• 2012

Most common complex traits, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancers, are known to be associated with multiple genes, environmental factors, and their epistasis. Recently, the development of advanced genotyping technologies has allowed us to perform genome-wide association studies (GWASs). For detecting the effects of multiple genes on complex traits, many approaches have been proposed for GWASs. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) is one of the powerful and efficient methods for detecting high-order gene-gene ($G{\times}G$) interactions. However, the biological interpretation of $G{\times}G$ interactions identified by MDR analysis is not easy. In order to aid the interpretation of MDR results, we propose a network graph analysis to elucidate the meaning of identified $G{\times}G$ interactions. The proposed network graph analysis consists of three steps. The first step is for performing $G{\times}G$ interaction analysis using MDR analysis. The second step is to draw the network graph using the MDR result. The third step is to provide biological evidence of the identified $G{\times}G$ interaction using external biological databases. The proposed method was applied to Korean Association Resource (KARE) data, containing 8838 individuals with 327,632 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, in order to perform $G{\times}G$ interaction analysis of body mass index (BMI). Our network graph analysis successfully showed that many identified $G{\times}G$ interactions have known biological evidence related to BMI. We expect that our network graph analysis will be helpful to interpret the biological meaning of $G{\times}G$ interactions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제43권4호
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• pp.357-366
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• 2010

There has been no genome-wide association study (GWAS) for macronutrient intake as a quantitative trait. To explore genetic loci associated with total calorie and macronutrient intake, genome-wide association data of autosomal single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from Korean adults were analyzed. We conducted a GWAS in 3,690 men and women aged 40 to 60 years from an urban population-based cohort. At the baseline examination (June 18, 2001 through January 29, 2003), DNA samples of the study subjects were collected and analyzed for genotyping. The information of average daily consumption of total calorie, carbohydrate, protein, and fat was obtained from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and transformed by natural logarithm for analyses after adjustment of calorie intake. Using multivariate linear regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, and height, we tested for 352,021 SNPs and found weak associations, which do not reach genome-wide association significance, with calorie and macronutrient intake. However, a number of SNPs were found to have potential associations with macronutrient intake; in particular, signals in SORBS1 and those in PRKCB1 were likely associated with carbohydrate and fat intake, respectively. We observed an inverse association between the minor allele of the SNPs in these genes and the amount of consumption of carbohydrate or fat. Our GWAS identified loci and minor alleles weakly associated with macronutrient intake. Because SORBS1 and PRKCB1 are reportedly associated with the metabolism of glucose and lipid as well as with obesity-related diseases, further investigations on biological and functional roles of polymorphism of these genes in the relation to macronutrient intake are warranted.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제47권1호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

널리 음용되고 있는 녹차의 EGCG과 우리나라 국민의 상당수가 복용하고 있는 건강기능성 식품 성분인 글루코사민은 이전의 연구들을 통해서 지방세포의 분화를 억제하는데 효과가 있다고 보고되어왔다. 이 두 물질의 병합처리로 기대되어지는 지방세포에서의 adipogenesis 및 지방축적감소에 대한 상승효과는 검증된 바 없으며, 효과에 대한 cell cycle 차원에서의 접근은 없었다. 본 연구 결과에서 EGCG와 Glucosamine 6-phosphate는 adipogenesis 전사인자인 $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP1에 대한 직접적인 발현 억제 뿐아니라, $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP1와 매개된 FAS, ACSL1, LPL과 같은 adipogenic target 유전자의 발현 감소를 통하여 지방세포의 분화와 지방세포 내 지방축적을 감소시키는 효과를 나타냈다. 그리고 HSL과 perilipin의 발현조절을 통해 부분적인 lipolytic effet도 나타냈다. 또한 지방세포의 분화가 개시되는데 있어 중요한 DNA의 remodeling 과정인 mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) 과정 중 G0/G1 phase 단계에서 cell cycle 정지 유도와 그로인한 S phase 및 G2/M phase로 세포주기이행의 방해를 통해 지방세포가 분화되는 것은 억제하였다. 이러한 효과들은 EGCG 농도가 높아질수록, 그리고 EGCG를 단독으로 처리한경우보다 Glucosamine 6-phosphate와 병합하였을 때 효과적이었다. 따라서 EGCG 단독처리 및 glucosamine 6-phosphate와의 병합처리는 지방세포에서 adipogenesis와 adipogenic관련 유전자들의 발현 억제 및 MCE 단계의 cell cycle arrest를 통해 지방세포의 분화를 억제하고 지방축적을 감소시켜 항비만 효과를 나타냈으며, 이러한 효과는 두 성분의 병합처리에서 조금 더 효과적이었다고 할 수 있다. 비록 두 성분의 병합처리가 기대했던 만큼은 아니었으나 항비만 효과에 대한 상승효과가 있다고 볼 수 있다.