• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of an herb distillate, ie., a mixture of 28 traditional Korean herbs, germanium, tormarine and Gijangsoo (Gijang water), $CCl_4$ was intraperitoneally administered to rats before or after supplementation of the diluted herb distillate (HD) for 2 weeks. Then hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and serum lipid profiles were determined. The experimental groups had higher feed intake than the normal control (NC), but had lower weight gain. Water intake and the amount of feces were not significantly different, but urine was excreted in lower amounts in all the experimental groups compared to the NC. Liver weights in the HD-supplemented groups were lower than that of the distilled water-supplemented groups (DW-groups) after $CCl_4$-administration. Serum ALT activities in all the experimental groups were higher than that of the NC-group. However, the increasing activity of serum ALT in the HD-supplemented groups (HD-groups) was lower than that of the DW-groups. Total serum and LDL-cholesterol levels were higher in all the $CCl_4$-administered groups than in the NC-groups, and serum HDL-cholesterol levels were lower in all the experimental groups compared with the NC-groups. Meanwhile, the increasing rate of total serum and LDL-cholesterol levels and the decreasing rate of HDL-cholesterol in the HD-groups were lower than that of the DW-groups. But, levels of serum TG were similar among all the experimental groups. The activities of hepatic xanthine oxidase (XOD) type O of the $CCl_4$-administered rats showed a significant increase in and an increasing rate of XOD in the HD-groups, which was lower than that of the DW-groups. On the other hand, GST activities in all the experimental groups were significantly decreased, and the decreasing rate was lower in the HD-groups than in the DW-groups. The hepatic contents of GSH and LPO in all the rats were not changed by $CCl_4$ administration. These results suggest that the decreased liver damage in the HD-supplemented groups was due to the inhibition of XOD-type O activity by constituents of HD, as well as by a prevention/inhibition of serum lipid profile changes in $CCl_4$-treated rats. However, further detailed studies are needed to support this hypothesis.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Objective: To determine whether the serum ${\beta}$-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) profile following preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is lower than that of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. Methods: A total of 129 PGD cycles and 1,161 age-matched ICSI cycles, which resulted in pregnancy (serum ${\beta}-hCG{\geq}5$ mIU/mL) on post-ovulation day (POD) 12 were included. We compared the mean serum ${\beta}$-hCG levels on POD 12, 14, 21, and 28, doubling time of serum hCG, and created a cut-off value for predicting a singleton pregnancy in each group. Results: The mean serum ${\beta}$-hCG concentration of the PGD group was significantly lower than that of the control group on POD 12, 14, and 21. The doubling time of serum ${\beta}$-hCG at each time interval showed no significant difference. The cut-off-value of serum ${\beta}$-hCG for predicting a single viable pregnancy was 32.5 mIU/mL on POD 12 and 113.5 mIU/mL on POD 14 for the PGD group, which was lower than that for the control group. Conclusion: Blastomere biopsy may decrease the ${\beta}$-hCG-producing activity of the trophoblasts, especially in early pregnancy. Setting a lower cut-off value of serum ${\beta}$-hCG for predicting pregnancy outcomes in PGD may be needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 1993

To evaluate an effect of dietary protein on lipoprotein profile serum of carbon tetrachloride-treated rats, carbon tetrachloride (50% in olive oil) was twice given at 0.1ml/100g body weight at intervals of 24hours to the male rats and then the degree of liver damage in carbon tetrachloride-treated animals fed a low protein diet was compared with that fed a high protein diet. The increasing rate of liver weight/body weight and the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats to the control group were higher in rats fed high protein diet than those fed low protein diet. In the serum levels of lipid (total lipid, total cholesterol and triglyceride) remarkable differences were not found between low protein diet group and high protein diet group. But these serum lipids in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats were decreased and the decreasing rate of serum lipids to control group were higher in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats fed high protein diet than those fed low protein diet. Under the animal model as identified by the present data herein, serum pre $\beta$-lipoprotein and $\alpha$-lipoprotein fractions were decreased in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats, but the serum levels of $\beta$-lipoprotein were rather increased in the both group by the injection of carbon tetrachloride. Especially, the decreasing rate of $\alpha$-lipoprotein fraction was higher in $CCl_4$-treated rats fed a high protein diet than those fed a low protein diet to its control group and the increasing rate of serum $\beta$-lipoprotein fraction was also higher in $CCl_4$-treated rats fed high protein diet than those fed low protein diet.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.728-734
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• 1999

Thirty new born crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) calves, divided randomly in a $3{\times}2$ factorial design, were fed calf starters containing one of three protein sources i.e., groundnut cake (GN), cottonseed meal (CS) and meat and bone meal (MB) along with either raw (M) or gelatinized maize (MG) for 90d. Milk was fed upto 56d of age. Green oats and respective calf starters were offered from 14d of age onwards ad lib. Clinical profile of serum suggested significantly (p<0.05) higher albumin and lower alanine aminotransferase activity due to CS feeding. Alklaine phosphatase activity varied significantly (p<0.05) among dietary treatments showing interaction between protein and starch sources. Inclusion of gelatinized maize resulted in significantly higher concentration of serum globulin (p<0.05) and alkaline phosphatase activity (p<0.01). reduced (p<0.05) ruminal pH was accompanied by a significant decrease (p<0.01) in $NH_3-N$ concentration in the strained rumen liquor (SRL) of MG fed calves. Ruminal amylase activity was lower (p<0.05) on MG diets. Alanine aminotransferase activity in the rumen exhibited a significant (p<0.01) interaction between protein and starch sources. While feeding of CS significantly (p<0.01) reduced alanine aminotransferase activity, inclusion of thermally processed maize reduced (p<0.01) both aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities in the rumen. The overall blood picture was similar among treatments, whereas rumen metabolites especially enzyme activities, seems to be altered with source of degradable protein an starch.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.153-167
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• 2007

Objetives This experimental study is designed to investigate the effects of kwakhyangjungkisangamibang extract on the changes of adipose tissues, serum insulin and leptin levels in rats induced by a high fat diet. The leptin has been proposed to be involved in the role of food intake and energy expenditure. Methods During the 8 weeks of experimental period, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on the 2 different diets: the normal diet AIN-76A and high fat(beef tallow) diet ad libitum, of which 40% of the calories intake was fat. 9 rats in the control and high fat diet group were killed for the baseline experiment at 4 weeks of age. The high fat diet group was divided into three groups: control group, experimental group I(high fat diet plus kwakhyangjungkisangamibang extract), and experimental group II(high fat diet plus mahuang). The body weight, hypodermal fat tissue, serum lipid profile, insulin and leptin levels were measured after the administration of the high fat diet and extract. Results 1. The body weight was decreased in experimental group II, but there was not a significance difference compared to the control group. 2. The peritoneal, visceral, and hypodermal adipose tissue was decreased in experimental group I, but there was not a significance difference compared to the control group. 3. The lipid profile was decreased in experimental group I, but not in group II. 4. The insulin concentration was increased in experimental group I and II, but there was not a significance difference compared to the control group. 5. The leptin level was increased significantly in experimental group I(p<0.05) and II(p<0.01) compared to the control group. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that kwakhyangjungkisangamibang has an effect on the regulation of obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.733-741
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• 2006

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary calcium and soy isoflavone on body fat and lipid metabolism in high fat-induced obesity. Four week old female C57/BL6J mice, known as a good model of diet-induced obesity, were fed low Ca and high fat diet for 6 weeks. After induced obesity, mice were divided into six groups according to diets varying calcium contents (0.1 or 1.5%) and genistein contents (0 or 500 or 1,000 ppm). Body weight, fat pad (perirenal fat and parameterial fat), adipocyte size, serum total lipid and total cholesterol were significantly decreased by both high Ca intake and genistein supplementation. However, the effect of genistein supplementation showed in low Ca-fed groups. Serum LDL-cholesterol and TG were significantly decreased by high Ca intake and genistein supplementation, respectively. In liver, lipogenic enzymes (fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme) activity and TG were significantly decreased by both high Ca intake and genistein supplementation. This inhibitory effect of genistein on lipogenic enzymes showed in low Ca-fed groups. But liver total cholesterol and total lipid were significantly decreased by high Ca intake and genistein supplementation, respectively. Fecal excretion of total lipid, total cholesterol and TG were significantly increased by high Ca intake, not by genistein supplementation. In conclusion, high calcium intake and genistein supplement may be beneficial for suppression of obesity through direct anti-adipogenesis by decreasing fat weight and size and indirect anti-lipo-genesis by inhibiting lipogenic enzymes activity and improving lipid profile.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1725-1731
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• 2003

Effect of strategically supplemented pregnancy allowance was ascertained during different phases of gestation on the reproductive performance of does. Gravid does (18) were allotted to 3 dietary treatments HH, HL and LH in a completely randomized block design. All does were provided wheat straw ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate mixture at the rate of $20g/kgW^{0.75}$ from 0-60 days post-mating. Subsequently, HH group was given concentrate at the rate of $40g/kgW^{0.75}$ from 61 d post-mating to term. HL group was offered concentrate from 61-90 d post-mating and 121d post mating to term at the rate of $20g/kgW^{0.75}$ and from 91-120 d post-mating at the rate of $40g/kgW^{0.75}$. LH group was provided with concentrate from 61 to 120 d post-mating and 121 to term at the rate of 20 g and $40g/kgW^{0.75}$, respectively. Mean total dry matter and concentrate intake ($g/kgW^{0.75}$) was significantly higher on HH in comparison to comparable intake of HL and LH treatments, however, wheat straw followed the reverse trend. Haematological and biochemical parameters except serum glucose, total serum protein and A:G ratio did not differ significantly among dietary treatments. The gross gain in weight, products of pregnancy at 21 weeks of gestation, pregnant does average daily gain, birth weight of kids and survivability of kids were significantly lower in treatment HL in comparison to comparable values for HH and LH treatments. The net gain in gravid does was significantly higher in treatment HH than the comparable values obtained in HL and LH treatments. The last month of pregnancy was found to be nutritionally most sensitive period of gestation for native goats.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7659-7661
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• 2015

Background: Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a Philadelphia chromosome-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by sustained thrombocytosis and megakaryocytic hyperplasia. It is an uncommon hematological malignancy which primarily affects elderly individuals. The rational of this study was to determine its clinico-hematological profile along with risk stratification in Pakistan patients. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cross sectional study, 21 patients with ET were enrolled from January 2011 to December 2014. Data was analyzed with SPSS version 21. Results: The mean age was $56.7{\pm}19.0years$ (range 18-87) and the male to female ratio was 1:1.1. Of the total, 62% of patients were above 50 years of age. Overall 61.9% were diagnosed incidentally and were asymptomatic. In symptomatic patients, major complaints were weakness (19%); erythromelalgia (14.2%), transit ischemic attack (9.5%) and gastrointestinal bleed (4.7%). The mean hemoglobin count was $11.7{\pm}2.4g/dl$ with a total leukocyte count of $13.3{\pm}8.1{\times}10^9/l$ and platelets count of $1188.8{\pm}522.2{\times}10^9/l$. Serum lactate dehydrogenase, serum creatinine and uric acid were $454.3{\pm}127.8$, $1.2{\pm}0.5$ and $7.4{\pm}3.4$ respectively. According to risk stratification, 57.1% were in high risk; 23.8% in intermediate risk while 19.1% in low risk group. Conclusions: ET in our patients in Pakistan, unlike in the West, is seen in a relatively young population. Primarily patients were asymptomatic and risk stratification revealed predominance of high risk disease in our setting.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.556-563
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• 2018

Objective: Spirulina has been recognized formerly as a filamentous spiral-shaped blue- green algae but more recently as a genus of photosynthetic bacteria (Arthrospira). This microorganism is considered as a rich source of essential nutrients for human and animals. The present study was conducted to determine potential application of Spirulina for heat- exposed broilers. Methods: Two hundred and fifty Cobb 500 chicks with male to female in equal ratio with average initial weight of 615.6 g at 17 days of age were divided into 5 treatments with 5 replicates of 10 chicks. Treatment groups were as follows: positive and negative controls with 0% Spirulina supplement and three Spirulina receiving groups with 5 g/kg (0.5%), 10 g/kg (1%), and 20 g/kg (2%) supplementation. Spirulina receiving groups as well as positive control were exposed to high ambient temperature at $36^{\circ}C$ for 6 h/d from 38 to 44 days of age. Biochemical variables were measured in serum samples at 35, 38, 42, and 45 days of broiler chickens age. Results: The results showed that supplementation of the diet with Spirulina decreased concentration of stress hormone and some serum lipid parameters while enhanced humoral immunity response and elevated antioxidant status whereas it didn't meaningfully affect performance characteristics. Nevertheless, feed conversion ratio was improved numerically but not statistically in broilers fed with 1% Spirulina under high ambient temperature. Conclusion: Overall, the present study suggests that alleviation of adverse impacts due to high ambient temperature at biochemical level including impaired enzymatic antioxidant system, elevated stress hormone and lipid profile can be approached in broiler chickens through supplementation of the diet with Spirulina platensis.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2010

The present study investigated the effect of silymarin, a flavonoid, on streptozotocin (STZ) - induced diabetic dyslipidaemia in rats. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Silymarin (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) was orally administered to diabetic rats for a period of 15 days. Blood glucose levels, serum lipid profile and liver glycogen levels were estimated following the established procedures. Biochemical observations were supplemented with histological examination of liver sections. Oral administration of silymarin to diabetic rats significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the blood glucose levels ($259.99{\pm}23.64$ vs. $99.90{\pm}2.62$ [25 mg] & $89.17{\pm}3.32$ [50 mg]). The most interesting finding was the significant (p < 0.001) increase in HDL-cholesterol levels ($26.99{\pm}0.61$ vs. $40.55{\pm}0.52$ [25 mg] & $41.12{\pm}0.37$ [50 mg]) whereas, there was a significant decrease in serum total cholesterol (TCh), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels observed in silymarin treated diabetic rats. STZ treatment caused significant degeneration of liver parenchyma, which was normalized to near normal morphology by administration of silymarin. The findings indicate that silymarin effectively improved the overall lipid profile and restored the glycogen stores in the liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats, in a dose dependent manner. The results indicate existence of abnormalities in lipid metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats and suggest a protective effect of silymarin in this animal model.