• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.298-302
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• 2009

We investigated the anti-obesity effect of berberine in mice fed a high fat diet and focused on the analysis of adipogenesis in epdidymal adipose tissue. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups, which were fed either a normal diet (Nor), a high fat diet (HFD), or a high fat diet plus orally administered berberine (0.2 g /kg body weight) (HFD+B) for 8 weeks. Relative to mice in the HFD group, mice in the HFD+B group showed significant reductions in weight gain and adipose tissue weight. Serum triglyceride levels in mice from the HFD+B group were significantly lower than those of the HFD mice, as were the levels of serum insulin and leptin. An effect of berberine to reduce epididymal adipose mass was revealed by H&E staining. Berberine inhibited the high fat diet-induced increase in levels of the proteins CD36 and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein $\alpha$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) observed in epididymal adipose tissues of mice from the HFD group. These results suggest that berberine has an anti-obesity effect in mice and that the effect is mediated by inhibition of adipogenesis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.11
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• pp.1532-1539
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• 2014

Although growth rate is one of the main economic traits of concern in pig production, there is limited knowledge on its epigenetic regulation, such as DNA methylation. In this study, we conducted methyl-CpG binding domain protein-enriched genome sequencing (MBD-seq) to compare genome-wide DNA methylation profile of small intestine and liver tissue between fast- and slow-growing weaning piglets. The genome-wide methylation pattern between the two different growing groups showed similar proportion of CpG (regions of DNA where a cytosine nucleotide occurs next to a guanine nucleotide in the linear sequence) coverage, genomic regions, and gene regions. Differentially methylated regions and genes were also identified for downstream analysis. In canonical pathway analysis using differentially methylated genes, pathways (triacylglycerol pathway, some cell cycle related pathways, and insulin receptor signaling pathway) expected to be related to growth rate were enriched in the two organ tissues. Differentially methylated genes were also organized in gene networks related to the cellular development, growth, and carbohydrate metabolism. Even though further study is required, the result of this study may contribute to the understanding of epigenetic regulation in pig growth.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1508-1514
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• 2016

A series of antagonists specifically targeting growth hormone receptors (GHR) in different species, such as humans, rats, bovines, and mice, have been designed; however, there are currently no antagonists that target the porcine growth hormone (GH). Therefore, in this study, we developed and characterized a porcine GHR (pGHR) antibody antagonist (denoted by AN98) via the hybridoma technique. The results from enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, fluorescence activated cell sorter, indirect immunoinfluscent assay, and competitive receptor binding analysis showed that AN98 could specifically recognize pGHR, and further experiments indicated that AN98 could effectively inhibit pGH-induced signalling in CHO-pGHR cells and porcine hepatocytes. In addition, AN98 also inhibited GH-induced insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion in porcine hepatocytes. In summary, these findings indicated that AN98, as a pGHR-specific antagonist, has potential applications in pGH-pGHR-related research on domestic pigs.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1109-1121
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• 2009

In an attempt to discover novel biomarker proteins in type 2 diabetes prognosis, we investigated the influence of hypoglycemic extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) obtained from the macrofungus Tremella fuciformis on the differential levels of plasma proteins in ob/ob mice using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The 2-DE analysis demonstrated that 92 spots from about 900 visualized spots were differentially regulated, of which 40 spots were identified as principal diabetes-associated proteins. By comparing control with EPS-fed mice, we found that at least six proteins were significantly altered in ob/ob mice, including Apo A-I, IV, C-III, E, retinol-binding protein 4, and transferrin, and their levels were interestingly normalized after EPS treatment. Western blot analysis revealed that the altered levels of the two regulatory molecules highlighted in diabetes and obesity (e.g., resistin and adiponectin) were also normalized in response to EPS. The Mouse Diabetes PCR Array profiles showed that the expression of 84 genes related to the onset, development, and progression of diabetes were significantly downregulated in liver, adipocyte, and muscle of ob/ob mice. EPS might act as a potent regulator of gene expression for a wide variety of genes in ob/ob mice, particularly in obesity, insulin resistance, and complications from diabetes mellitus.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5741-5745
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• 2014

Purpose: To study the expression of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) in paclitaxel-treated gastric cancer SGC-7901 cells, and to further investigate underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Real time PCR and Western blot assays were applied to detect the mRNA and protein expression of IGFBP-2, -3 and -5 after paclitaxel (10 nM) treatment of SGC-7901 cells. In addition IGFBP-3 expression was silenced by RNA interference to determine effects. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Cell cycling and apoptosis were assessed by flow cytometry. Results: Compared to the control group, only IGFBP-3 expression was elevated significantly after paclitaxel (10 nM) treatment (p<0.05). Paclitaxel treatment caused cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via downregulating Bcl-2 expression. However, the effect could be abrogated by IGFBP-3 silencing. Conclusions: IGFBP-3 exhibits anti-apoptotic effects on paclitaxel-treated SGC-7901 cells via elevating Bcl-2 expression.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.28-39
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• 2018

This study investigated the effect of snail extract on the growth parameters of old female rats (27 weeks). Rats were administered orally with snail extract at a dose of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, chondroitin sulfate 10 mg/kg and 0.9% saline (control) for 8 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and serum concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and insulinlike growth factor-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) were significantly higher in rats exposed to snail extract for 8 weeks. MG-63 cells (human osteoblast-like cells) were treated with snail extract for 48 h. Their differentiation and proliferation was investigated with Western blot and morphological changes observed via immunofluorescence staining of ${\beta}-catenin$. Treatment with snail extract significantly increased the levels of growth factors including ${\beta}-catenin$ and IGF-1. The snail extract affected osteoblast formation. Morphological changes in MG-63 cells were observed via immunofluorescence staining. Treatment with snail extract increased the expression of ${\beta}-catenin$ in MG-63 cells. Results suggest that the treatment of MG-63 cells with snail extract increased the longitudinal growth and growth factor levels. Snail extract may be pharmacologically effective in osteogenic differentiation in vitro and represents a potential therapeutic agent for bone formation.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.212-217
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• 2007

Fucoidan (fucan sulfate) is a fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharide from brown algae such as Fucus vesiculosus, Ecklonia kurome, and Cladosiphon okamuranus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fucoidan on the expression of diabetes-related genes in mouse cell line 3T3-L1. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured for 48 hr with or without fucoidan (10, 100, and 500 ppm) on a 60 mm dish. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for measurement of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor ${\gamma}\;(PPAR{\gamma})$, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}\;(C/EBP{\gamma})$, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) RT-PCR analysis revealed that expression level of GLUT4, $PPAR{\gamma}$, and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ mRNAs increased with fucoidan treatment from 10 to 500 ppm in a dose-dependent manner. Fucoidan appears to enhance insulin sensitivity by increasing the expression level of diabetes-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, fucoidan is potentially useful as a natural therapeutic material for hyperglycemia in type II diabetes patients.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.311-318
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• 2018

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplementation has been suggested to negatively correlate with obesity in humans and other animals. Previous studies, including ours, have demonstrated that a high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity and related diseases such as hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Here, we investigated the effects of vitamin C on visceral adipocyte hypertrophy and glucose intolerance in C57BL/6J mice. Mice received a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% kcal fat), HFD (45% kcal fat), or the same HFD supplemented with vitamin C (HFD-VC, 1% w/w) for 15 weeks. Visceral adiposity and glucose intolerance were examined using metabolic measurements, histology, and gene expression analyses. Mice in the HFD-VC supplementation group had reduced body weight, mesenteric fat mass, and mesenteric adipocyte size compared with HFD-fed mice. Vitamin C intake in obese mice also decreased the mRNA levels of lipogenesis-related genes (i.e., stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c) in mesenteric adipose tissues, inhibited hyperglycemia, and improved glucose tolerance. In addition, vitamin C attenuated the HFD-induced increase in the size of pancreatic islets. These results suggest that vitamin C suppresses HFD-induced visceral adipocyte hypertrophy and glucose intolerance in part by decreasing the visceral adipose expression of genes involved in lipogenesis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.138-148
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• 2018

Objective: Fusarium mycotoxins deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), common contaminants in the feed of farm animals, cause immune function impairment and organ inflammation. Consequently, the main objective of this study was to elucidate DON and ZEN effects on the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immune related genes in the kidneys of piglets. Methods: Fifteen 6-week-old piglets were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 4 weeks: control diet, and diets contaminated with either 8 mg DON/kg feed or 0.8 mg ZEN/kg feed. Kidney samples were collected after treatment, and RNA-seq was used to investigate the effects on immune-related genes and gene networks. Results: A total of 186 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened (120 upregulated and 66 downregulated). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the immune response, and cellular and metabolic processes were significantly controlled by these DEGs. The inflammatory stimulation might be an effect of the following enriched Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway analysis found related to immune and disease responses: cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), tuberculosis, Epstein-Barr virus infection, and chemical carcinogenesis. The effects of DON and ZEN on genome-wide expression were assessed, and it was found that the DEGs associated with inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10 receptor, beta, chemokine [C-X-C motif] ligand 9, CXCL10, chemokine [C-C motif] ligand 4), proliferation (insulin like growth factor binding protein 4, IgG heavy chain, receptor-type tyrosine-protein phosphatase C, cytochrome P450 1A1, ATP-binding cassette sub-family 8), and other immune response networks (lysozyme, complement component 4 binding protein alpha, oligoadenylate synthetase 2, signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-9, ${\alpha}$-aminoadipic semialdehyde dehydrogenase, Ig lambda chain c region, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isozyme 4, carboxylesterase 1), were suppressed by DON and ZEN. Conclusion: In summary, our results indicate that high concentrations of DON and ZEN suppress the inflammatory response in kidneys, leading to potential effects on immune homeostasis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2022

Objectives: Adipogenesis is the process by which pre-adipocytes are differentiated into adipocytes. It also plays an important role in adipocyte formation and lipid accumulation. Ranunculus sceleratus (R. sceleratus) extracts are used for the treatment of various diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, and tuberous lymphadenitis in oriental medicine. However, its effect on adipogenesis has not yet been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of R. sceleratus on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Methods: Cells were treated with 50, 100, and 200 ㎍/ml of R. sceleratus and cell viability was evaluated. To differentiate the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, a 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI) solution were used. The accumulation of lipid droplets was determined by Oil Red O staining. The expression levels of adipogenesis-related proteins were also determined. Results: MDI solution differentiated the preadipocytes into adipocytes and accumulation of lipids was observed in the differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Interestingly, the amount of lipid droplets was reduced after R. sceleratus treatment. In addition, the expression levels of key adipogenic transcription factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins-𝛼 (C/EBP-𝛼) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors-𝛾 (PPAR-𝛾) were also reduced after R. sceleratus treatment. Furthermore, R. sceleratus increased AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and decreased sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 expression. Conclusions: Our results showed that R. sceleratus reduced preadipocyte differentiation by inhibiting C/EBP-𝛼 and PPAR-𝛾 levels via the AMPK pathway. Therefore, we suggest that R. sceleratus may be potentially used as an anti-adipogenic agent.