• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.599-605
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Citrus flavonoids have a variety of physiological properties such as anti-oxidant, anti-inflammation, anti-cancer, and anti-obesity. We investigated whether bioconversion of Citrus unshiu with cytolase (CU-C) ameliorates the anti-adipogenic effects by modulation of adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Glycoside forms of Citrus unshiu (CU) were converted into aglycoside forms with cytolase treatment. Cell viability of CU and CU-C was measured at various concentrations in 3T3L-1 cells. The anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects were examined using Oil red O staining and free glycerol assay, respectively. We performed real time-polymerase chain reaction and western immunoblotting assay to detect mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic transcription factors, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with cytolase decreased flavanone rutinoside forms (narirutin and hesperidin) and instead, increased flavanone aglycoside forms (naringenin and hesperetin). During adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with CU or CU-C at a dose of 0.5 mg/ml. Adipocyte differentiation was inhibited in CU-C group, but not in CU group. CU-C markedly suppressed the insulin-induced protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) as well as the mRNA levels of $CEBP{\alpha}$, $PPAR{\gamma}$, and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c). Both CU and CU-C groups significantly increased the adipolytic activity with the higher release of free glycerol than those of control group in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CU-C is particularly superior in suppression of adipogenesis, whereas CU-C has similar effect to CU on stimulation of lipolysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bioconversion of Citrus unshiu peel extracts with cytolase enhances aglycoside flavonoids and improves the anti-adipogenic metabolism via both inhibition of key adipogenic transcription factors and induction of adipolytic activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.373-380
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a corn silk extract on improving benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS/METHODS: The experimental animals, 6-week-old male Wistar rats, were divided into sham-operated control (Sham) and experimental groups. The experimental group, which underwent orchiectomy and received subcutaneous injection of 10 mg/kg of testosterone propionate to induce BPH, was divided into a Testo Only group that received only testosterone, a Testo+Fina group that received testosterone and 5 mg/kg finasteride, a Testo+CSE10 group that received testosterone and 10 mg/kg of corn silk extract, and a Testo+CSE100 group that received testosterone and 100 mg/kg of corn silk extract. Prostate weight and concentrations of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), $5{\alpha}$- reductase $2(5{\alpha}-R2)$, and prostate specific antigen (PSA) in serum or prostate tissue were determined. The mRNA expressions of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in prostate tissue were also measured. RESULTS: Compared to the Sham group, prostate weight was significantly higher in the Testo Only group and decreased significantly in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05), results that were consistent with those for serum DHT concentrations. The concentrations of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ in serum and prostate as well as the mRNA expression of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ in prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups than that in the Testo Only group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the concentrations of PSA in serum and prostate were significantly lower in the Testo+Fina, Testo+CSE10, and Testo+CSE100 groups (P < 0.05) than in the Testo Only group. The mRNA expression of PCNA in prostate dose-independently decreased in the Testo+CSE-treated groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: BPH was induced through injection of testosterone, and corn silk extract treatment improved BPH symptoms by inhibiting the mRNA expression of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$ and decreasing the amount of $(5{\alpha}-R2)$, DHT, and PSA in serum and prostate tissue.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.15-22
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• 1973

Sodium chloride plays an important role as the main condiment at daily meal. It is well known that humans require sodium chloride as an essential nutrient to keep the homeostasis of electrolytes. The amounts of salt intake may be a reflection of geography, culture and food habit rather than necessity. Lee has reported (1962) that Koreans ingest high amounts of sodium chloride in their meals, with an intake of excess carbohydrate (80-90% of total Calories) and low protein in their diet. This includes large amounts of rice, Kimchi and other fermented soybean products common in the Korean diet. This investigation was designed to study the dietary relations of sodium chloride to other nutrients in the Korean diet. Twenty four albino male rats, weighing from 290-300g, were divided into four dietary groups according to the amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the basal diet. Each diet contained a rice powder as a carbohydrate source. Diet I was a control diet, Diet II, low protein, Diet III, low protein and low fat diet and Diet IV, low fat diet. All rats were provided with 3% sodium chloride solution. Diet and salt solution were given ad libitum. The experiment was carried out for 9 weeks during which time the body weight, the food intake, and 3% sodium chloride solution consumption were determined. At the 9th week, the urine was collected the blood sample from the artery of each rat for the analysis of sodium and potassium and other chemical studies. The rats were sacrificed and the kidney, adrenal, liver and spleen were measured, and observed changes of the pathological tissue in the kidney and adrenal. The results were summarized as follows: 1) The growth rate was higher in Diet I than in the other experimental diets (II, III and IV) after 4 weeks. There was no significant difference found between the experimental Diets II, III and IV. 2) The daily food intake was greater in the experimental diets II, III and IV than in the control diet. However, there was no difference among the high carbohydrate diets Diet II, III and IV. 3) The daily water (3% sodium chloride solution) intake was also greater in the Diets II, III and IV, than in the control diet. However, there was no difference between Diets II, III and IV. 4) The concentration of sodium and potassium in the blood were within the normal range in all diets. 5) The amount of sodium chloride in the urine was significantly greater in Diets II, III and IV than in the control diet. Diets II, III, IV had a larger amount of sodium solution consumption. 6) Observation of pathological tissue in the experimental diets found a cell proliferation in the glomerlulus of the kidney, while such change was not found in the control diet.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1259-1267
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• 2019

Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities were examined on the extract of Dendranthema indicum (D. indicum) flowers. The flowers were extracted two times for 24 h each with 70% ethanol. Upon the biological activities screening, the ethanol extract exhibited potent free radical scavenging activities and inhibited the production of nitric oxide on LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages effectively without causing cell toxicity. Further purification by medium pressure liquid hromatography (MPLC) and identification of the isolates led to identification of cynaroside (1) and apigetrin (2). The chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on spectroscopic data including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra, as well as comparison of the data to the literature values. Also, the quantitative analysis of the compounds was perfromed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The isolates 1 and 2 were determined to inhibite the nitric oxide (NO) production dose-dependently. Based on these results, it was suggested that D. indicum extract could be useful as anti-inflammatory agents in cosmetics applications.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2013

Methyl alcohol is one of the basic intermediates in the chemical industry and is also being used as a fuel additive and as a clean burning fuel. In this study, conversion of carbon dioxide to methyl alcohol was investigated using catalytic chemical methods. Ceramic monoliths (M) with $400cell/in^2$ were used as catalyst supports. Monolith-supported CuO-ZnO catalysts were prepared by wash-coat method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by using ICP analysis, TEM images and XRD patterns. The catalytic activity for carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methyl alcohol was investigated using a flow-type reactor under various reaction temperature, pressure and contact time. In the preparation of monolith-supported CuO-ZnO catalysts by wash-coat method, proper concentration of precursors solution was 25.7% (w/v). The mixed crystal of CuO and ZnO was well supported on monolith. And it was known that more CuO component may be supported than ZnO component. Conversion of carbon dioxide was increased with increasing reaction temperature, but methyl alcohol selectivity was decreased. Optimum reaction temperature was about $250^{\circ}C$ under 20 atm because of the reverse water gas shift reaction. Maximum yield of methyl alcohol over CuO-ZnO/M catalyst was 5.1 mol% at $250^{\circ}C$ and 20 atm.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.323-328
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• 2006

A bacterium producing the extracellular protease was isolated from insect-eating plant and has been identified as a member of the genus Bacillus based on partial 165 rRNA sequences. In order to develop the medium composition, effects of ingredients including nitrogen sources, carbon source, metal ions and phosphate were examined for protease production of the isolate, SH-8. Soluble starch increased the protease productivity, while glucose repressed it. Yeast extract was effective nitrogen source for enzyme production, but the pretense production of Bacillus sp. SH-8 was reduced by large amount of yeast extract. The calcium was found to induce pretense activity as well as protease productivity. However, cell growth and enzyme production was completely inhibited by divalent ions such as $Zn^{2+}$, $Cu^{2+}$, $Co^{2+}$ and $Mn^{2+}$. The maximum protease productivity was reached 435 unit/ml in the optimized medium consisting of soluble starch (2%), yeast extract (0.3%), $CaCl_2$ (0.3%), $K_2HPO_4$ (0.01%) and $KH_2PO_4$ (0.01%). The pretense activity of culture filtrate was dramatically decreased after incubation for 26 h.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.1152-1161
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• 2007

An immunochromatography (ICG) strip test based on a monoclonal antibody for the rapid detection of L. monocytogenes in meat and processed-meat samples was developed in this study. A monoclonal antibody (MAb) specific to L. monocytogenes was produced from cloned hybridoma cells (FKLM-3B12-37) and used to develop an ICG strip test. The antibody showed a stronger binding to L. monocytogenes than other Listeria species, and a weak cross-reaction to S. aureus based on an ELISA. The detection limit of the ICG strip test was $10^5\;cell/ml$. In total, 116 meat and processed-meat samples were collected and analyzed using both the ICG strip test and a PCR. The ICG strip test and PCR indicated L. monocytogenes contamination in 34 and 27 meat samples, respectively. The 7 meat samples not identified as L. monocytogenes positive by the PCR were also tested using an API kit and found to be contaminated by Listeria species. In conclusion, the ICG strip test results agreed well with those obtained using the PCR and API kit. Thus, the developed ICG has potential use as a primary screening tool for L. monocytogenes in various foods and agricultural products, generating results within 20 min without complicated steps.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.310-315
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• 2007

To investigate the effect of lactic acid bacteria in Andong-Soju fermentation and traditional nuruk maturation, several lactic acid bacteria were isolated from the Andong-Soju fermentation broth and traditionally matured nuruks using Lactobacilli MRS agar containing bromocresol purple. Among the isolated bacteria, ADS-L1 showed the highest lactic acid production and was dominant species in fermentation broth. Based on physiological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing results, the ADS-L1 was identified as Pediococcus acidilactici. The ADS-L1 grew well at $50^{\circ}C$, and under the acidic conditions at pH 4, whereas the ADS-L1 failed to grew by treatments of 12% (w/v) ethanol or 0.01N HCl. Considering the high temperature of nuruk above $50^{\circ}C$ during nuruk maturation and the high ethanol concentration of broth above 12% at the end-stage of Andong-Soju fermentation, these results suggested that the ADS-L1 is popular in matured nuruks and plays role in the early-stage of fermentation. Analysis of pH, brix, reducing sugar content, lactic acid production, and cell growth during the cultivation of ADS-L1 further suggested that the ADS-L1 may contribute the prevention of contamination by rapid and steady acidification of broth, and do not cause problems by rapid death at the end-stage of fermentation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1693-1706
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• 2019

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease of mainly infants and children. Currently, the development of safe and effective treatments for AD is urgently required. The present study was conducted to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of yeast-extracted β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) LM1004 against AD-like symptoms. To purpose, β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 were orally administered to AD-induced animal models of rat (histamine-induced vasodilation) and mouse (pruritus and contact dermatitis) exhibiting different symptoms of AD. We then investigated the treatment effects on AD-like symptoms, gene expression of immune-related factors, and gut microbiomes. Oral administration of β-1,3/1,6-glucan (0.01 g/kg initial body weight) and/or 2 × 10¹² cells/g L. plantarum LM1004 (0.01 g/kg initial body weight) to AD-induced animal models showed significantly reduced vasodilation in the rat model, and pruritus, edema, and serum histamine in the mouse models (p < 0.05). Interestingly, β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 significantly decreased the mRNA levels of Th2 and Th17 cell transcription factors, while the transcription factors of Th1 and Treg cells, galactin-9, filaggrin increased, which are indicative of enhanced immunomodulation (p < 0.05). Moreover, in rats with no AD induction, the same treatments significantly increased the relative abundance of phylum Bacteroidetes and the genus Bacteroides. Furthermore, bacterial taxa associated with butyrate production such as, Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae at family, and Roseburia at genus level were increased in the treated groups. These findings suggest that the dietary supplementation of β-1,3/1,6-glucan and/or L. plantarum LM1004 has a great potential for treatment of AD as well as obesity in humans through mechanisms that might involve modulation of host immune systems and gut microbiota.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1458-1466
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• 2020

Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), classified as condensed tannins, have significant antioxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects. This study was performed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of OPCs and the mechanism underlying these effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bovine mammary epithelial cells (MAC-T). Real-time PCR and ELISA assays indicated that OPC treatment at 1, 3 and 5 ㎍/ml significantly reduced the mRNA and protein, respectively, of oxidant indicators cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) (p < 0.05) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) (p < 0.01) as well as inflammation cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 (p < 0.01), IL-1β (p < 0.01) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) (p < 0.05) in LPS-induced MAC-T cells. Moreover, OPCs downregulated LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) (IκB) in the NF-κB signaling pathway (p < 0.01), and they inhibited p65 translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus as revealed by immunofluorescence test and western blot. Additionally, OPCs decreased phosphorylation of p38, extracellular signal regulated kinase and c-jun NH₂-terminal kinase in the MAPK signaling pathway (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of OPCs involve NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, thus inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory factors and oxidation indicators. These findings provide novel experimental evidence for the further practical application of OPCs in prevention and treatment of bovine mastitis.