• 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.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.9
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• pp.1569-1578
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• 2021

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of prolonged photoperiod on the serum lipids, carcass traits, and meat quality of Jinjiang cattle during winter. Methods: Thirty-four Jinjiang bulls aged between 14 and 16 months were randomly assigned to two groups that were alternatively subjected to either natural daylight +4 h supplemental light (long photoperiod, LP) or natural daylight (natural photoperiod, NP) for 96 days. The potential effects on the levels of serum lipids, carcass traits, meat quality, and genes regulating lipid metabolism in the intramuscular fat (IMF) of the cattle were evaluated. Results: Jinjiang cattle kept under LP showed significant increase in both dry matter intake and backfat thickness. the serum glucose and the plasma leptin levels were significantly reduced, while that of melatonin and insulin were observed to be increased. The crude fat contents of biceps femoris muscle and longissimus dorsi muscle were higher in LP than in NP group. In longissimus dorsi muscle, the proportions of C17:0 and C18:0 were significantly higher but that of the C16:1 was found to be significantly lower in LP group. The relative mRNA expressions in IMF of longissimus dorsi muscle, the lipid synthesis genes (proliferator-activated receptor gamma, fatty acid-binding protein) and the fatty acid synthesis genes (acetyl-coa carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase, 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase) were significantly up-regulated in LP group (p<0.05); whereas the hormone-sensitive lipase and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 were significantly down-regulated in LP than in NP group. Conclusion: Prolonged photoperiod significantly altered the growth performance, hormonal levels, gene expression and fat deposition in Jinjiang cattle. It suggested that the LP improved the fat deposition by regulating the levels of different hormones and genes related to lipid metabolism, thereby improving the fattening of Jinjiang cattle during winter.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.1397-1410
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• 2021

The present study was designed to determine the influence of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on adipogenesis-related gene regulation in bovine intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose cells during differentiation. Bovine IM and SC adipocytes were isolated from three 19-mo-old, crossbred steers. Adipogenic differentiation was induced upon cultured IM and SC preadipocytes with various doses (0, 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1 µM) of ATRA. After 96 h of incubation, cells were harvested and used to measure the gene expression of CCAAT/Enhancer binding protein β (C/EBPβ), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4), stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD), and Smad transcription factor 3 (Smad3) relative to the quantity of ribosomal protein subunit 9 (RPS 9). Retinoic acid receptor (RAR) antagonist also tested to identify the effect of ATRA on PPARγ -RAR related gene expression in IM cells. The addition of ATRA to bovine IM decreased (p < 0.05) expression of PPARγ. The expression of PPARγ was also tended to be downregulated (p < 0.1) in high levels (10 µM) of ATRA treatment in SC cells. The treatment of RAR antagonist increased the expression of PPARγ in IM cells. Expression of C/EBPβ decreased (p < 0.05) in SC, but no change was observed in IM (p > 0.05). Increasing levels of ATRA may block adipogenic differentiation via transcriptional regulation of PPARγ. The efficacy of ATRA treatment in adipose cells may vary depending on the location.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.660-667
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• 2017

PineXol, extracted from Korean red pine bark, has beneficial effects, such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antilipogenic activities in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that PineXol supplementation could have anti-obesity effects on mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed normal chow (18% kcal from fat) or a HFD (60% kcal from fat). HFD-fed animals were also subjected to PineXol treatment at a dose of 10 or 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) (PX10 or PX50, respectively) body weight. The body weight and body fat mass in the PX50 group were statistically lower than those in the HFD group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The concentration of hepatic triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were reduced in the PX50 group compared with the HFD group (p < 0.01). Acetyl CoA carboxylase (p < 0.01), elongase of very long chain fatty acids 6 (p < 0.01), stearoyl CoA desaturase 1 (p < 0.05), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (p < 0.01), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the PX50 group compared with that in the HFD group. In white adipose tissue, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (p < 0.05), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (p < 0.001), and perilipin (p < 0.01) were decreased in the PX50 group compared with those in the HFD group. Therefore, the current study implies the potential of PineXol for the prevention and/or amelioration of obesity, in part by inhibition of both hepatic lipid synthesis and adipogenesis in white adipose tissue.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.314-323
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• 2016

A transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing system based on Agrobacterium-mediated injection infiltration has been established to evaluate candidate genes involved in proanthocyanidin (PAs) biosynthesis in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.). We chose DkPDS (phytoene desaturase) as a gene-silencing target to evaluate the newly developed transient gene silencing system. Our qRT-PCR analysis indicated that two ihpRNA constructs (pHG-PDS5' and pHG-PDS3') targeted DkPDS, which also led to significantly reduce expression of DkPDS in 'Mopanshi' persimmon leaves. To further confirm the reliability of the system, we successfully utilized it for DkLAR (leucoanthocyanidin reductase) gene silencing. The expression levels of DkLAR in 'Mopanshi' and 'Eshi 1' leaves were ca. 6-fold and ca. 5-fold lower than those in leaves harboring empty vector (pHG-GFP), respectively. DMACA (4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde) staining and the Folin-Ciocalteau assay showed that the accumulation of PAs was markedly inhibited in 'Mopanshi', 'Eshi 1' and 'Youhou' leaves. These results indicate that DkLAR plays an important role in the accumulation of PAs in persimmon. The transient ihpRNA-induced gene silencing method developed in this study is a highly efficient and useful tool for functional analysis of persimmon genes involved in PA biosynthesis.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.292-297
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• 2007

The unicellular green alga, Haematococcus pluvialis used as a biological production system for astaxanthin. It accumulates large amounts of the red ketocarotenoid astaxanthin when exposed to various environmental stress such as active oxygen species and high light intensities. To induce astaxanthin biosynthesis of H. pluvialis, cells were incubated in either nitrate free at $25^{\circ}C$ under continuous high light intensity ($1,000\;{\mu}mol$ photons $m^{-2}s^{-1}$) for 2 days or high light stress only. Expressions of astaxanthin biosynthetic genes such as carotenoid hydroxylase, IPP isomerase and ${\beta}$-carotene ketolase were monitored under different culture conditions by using real time RT-PCR. All the subjected genes increased their expression under highlight and N-deprivation condition where a large amount of astaxanthin was accumulated.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1783-1793
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• 2014

Capsaicin is a major constituent of hot chili peppers that influences lipid metabolism in animals. In this study, we explored the effects of capsaicin on adipogenic differentiation of bovine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The BMSCs were treated with various concentrations of capsaicin (0, 0.1, 1, 5, and $10{\mu}M$) for 2, 4, and 6 days. Capsaicin suppressed fat deposition significantly during adipogenic differentiation. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine/enhancer binding protein alpha, fatty acid binding protein 4, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase expression decreased after capsaicin treatment. We showed that the number of apoptotic cells increased in dose- and time-dependent manners. Furthermore, we found that capsaicin increased the expression levels of apoptotic genes, such as B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein and caspase 3. Overall, capsaicin inhibits fat deposition by triggering apoptosis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.651-661
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• 2020

Objective: We hypothesized that Cr source can alter adipogenic-related transcriptional regulations and cell signaling. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the biological effects of chromium acetate (CrAc) on bovine intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) adipose cells. Methods: Bovine preadipocytes isolated from two different adipose tissue depots; IM and SC were used to evaluate the effect of CrAc treatment during differentiation on adipogenic gene expression. Adipocytes were incubated with various doses of CrAc: 0 (differentiation media only, control), 0.1, 1, and 10 μM. Cells were harvested and then analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in order to measure the quantity of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase-α (AMPK-α), CCAAT enhancer binding protein-β (C/EBPβ), G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41), GPR43, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), and stearoyl CoA desaturase (SCD) mRNA relative to ribosomal protein subunit 9 (RPS9). The ratio of phosphorylated-AMPK (pAMPK) to AMPK was determined using a western blot technique in order to determine changing concentration. Results: The high dose (10 μM) of CrAc increased C/EBPβ, in both IM (p = 0.02) and SC (p = 0.02). Expression of PPARγ was upregulated by 10 μM of CrAc in IM but not in SC. Expression of SCD was also increased in both IM and SC with 10 μM of CrAc treatment. Addition of CrAc did not alter gene expression of glucose transporter 4, GPR41, or GPR43 in both IM and SC adipocytes. Addition of CrAc, resulted in a decreased pAMPKα to AMPKα ration (p<0.01) in IM. Conclusion: These data may indicate that Cr source may influence lipid filling in IM adipocytes via inhibitory action of AMPK phosphorylation and upregulating expression of adipogenic genes.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2013

Fatty acids (FAs) were considered in activating nuclear hormone receptors that play significant roles in the cellular lipid metabolism by the regulation of several genes. Previously, fatty acid synthase (FASN) and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) genes have been known to regulating the FA metabolism. In this study, associations of FASN and SCD genes with fatty acid (FA) composition in broilers were investigated. Tissue samples from 95 Cobb 500 broilers were used for DNA extraction. The g.1222 A>G SNP located in intron 42 of FASN gene and 2 SNPs in SCD gene, one in exon 2 (g.3728A>G) and the other in exon 4 (g.12903G>A), were subjected for genotyping using PCR-RFLP method. One of the SNPs in SCD gene, SNP g.3728A>G had significant association with myristoleic acid (C14:1; P<0.05), palmitic acid (C16:0; P<0.05), palmitoleic acid (C16:1; P<0.05) and saturated FA (SFA; P<0.05). However, the SNP g.1222A>G in FASN gene had only suggestive association with arachidic acid (C20:0; P=0.08). The findings in this study suggest that the SNP in exon 2 of SCD gene can be used as a molecular marker for selecting birds having desirable FA composition in broilers.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2010

This study evaluated the protective effects of ginseng leaf extract (GLE) against high fat-diet-induced hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and explored the potential mechanism underlying these effects in C57BL/6J mice. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal control, high fat diet control (HFD), GLE-treated at 250 mg/kg, and GLE-treated at 500 mg/kg. To induce hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic states, mice were fed a high fat diet for 6 weeks and then administered GLE once daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the treatment, we examined the effects of GLE on plasma glucose, lipid levels, and the expression of genes related to lipogenesis, lipolysis, and gluconeogenesis. Both GLE groups lowered levels of plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and non-esterified fatty acids when compared to those in HFD group. Histological analysis revealed significantly fewer lipid droplets in the livers of GLE-treated mice compared with HFD mice. To elucidate the mechanism, Western blots and RT-PCR were performed using liver tissue. Compared with HFD mice, GLE-treated mice showed higher levels of phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its substrate, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, but no differences in the expression of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1a, fatty acid synthase, sterol-CoA desaturase 1 and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase. However, the expression levels of lipolysis and fatty acid uptake genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-$\alpha$ and CD36 were increased. In addition, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene expression was decreased. These results suggest that GLE ameliorates hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia by inhibiting gluconeogenesis and stimulating lipolysis, respectively, via AMPK activation.