• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2023

Background: Excessive alcohol consumption is at the root of serious social problems such as hangovers, liver dysfunction, and alcoholism. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the hangover ameliorating effect of fermented rice extract and a combination of yeast-fermented powder and lysate containing aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) (improved new ingredients) in an ethanol-induced rat study. Methods: The concentrations of alcohol, acetaldehyde, and malondialdehye in serum were evaluated to assess the anti-alcohol and anti-aldehyde hangover effect in two experiments, one with fermented rice extract) and a second with yeast-fermented powder and lysate, using animal studies. Results: Experiment 2 with yeast-fermented powder and lysate containing ALDH showed similar and higher activity, respectively, in reducing ethanol and acetaldehyde concentration compared with Experiment 1 with fermented rice extract. Experiment 2 also significantly reduced malondialdehyde, a type of lipid peroxide. The ALDH-related compound (ARC) lysate showed better hangover relief effect than ARC powder. Conclusions: These results indicate that ALDH-related compounds exhibit a hangover relief effect, and fermented lysate is considered to be a better candidate for hangover relief.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2023

The liver, a multifunctional organ, plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being by regulating metabolism, detoxification, nutrient storage, hormone balance, and immune function. Liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer, have significant clinical implications and remain a global health concern. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) and explores their underlying molecular mechanisms in protecting against liver diseases. Silkworm larvae are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and n-3 fatty acids, making them a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of silkworm larvae involve modulating the production of cytokine such as TNF-α and interleukins, inflammatory enzymes including cyclooxygenase-2 and macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating liver inflammation. Silkworm larvae also exhibit anti-oxidative effects by scavenging free radicals, reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhancing the liver's antioxidant defense system. Moreover, silkworms have been reported to decrease the serum alcohol concentration and lipid accumulation. Understanding the therapeutic properties of silkworm larvae contributes to the development of innovative strategies for liver injury prevention and treatment. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise signaling pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of silkworm larvae, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions in liver diseases.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.26 no.9
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• pp.525-534
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• 2023

Vitamin C plays an important role for fish survival, growth and disease resistance. However, the optimal vitamin C for rearing red drum Sciaenops ocellatus juveniles in Vietnam is not known. To address this issue, a 70-day feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements for red drum juveniles. Seven isonitrogenous (55.35% protein) and isolipidic (9.07% lipid) diets were formulated to include graded vitamin C concentrations of 23.2, 124.5, 235.2, 423.8, 626.7, 824.6, and 1,027.3 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that fish fed on 423.8 mg/kg vitamin C diet had the highest growth rate, which can be linked to the increased feed utilization. Broken-line analysis indicated that the optimal dietary vitamin C requirements of red drum juveniles were 342.92 and 405.80 mg/kg for growth parameters, feed utilization, body composition and biochemical parameters of serum. Based on these parameters the optimal vitamin C supplementation level for red drum juveniles was estimated in the range of 342.92-405.80 mg/kg vitamin C in the diets with direct applications in producing artificial feed for rearing juveniles of this species in Vietnam.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.11-27
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• 2014

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract on obesity by using 3T3-L1 cells and high fat diet rats. Methods In vitro, Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract (50, 100, 200, $500{\mu}g/ml$) were added in 3T3-L1 cells. Cytotoxicity was measured by MTT assasy. Adipocyte differentiation was measured by Oil Red O staining, GPDH activity and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ protein expression. In vivo, Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups : Normal diet group (Normal group), taken high fat diet and no treatment group (Control group), taken high fat diet and orally administered Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract daily (Group I: 50 mg/kg, Group II: 100 mg/kg, Group III : 200 mg/kg, oral). For 6 weeks of administration, body weight and the amount of food intake were measured once a week. After administration, blood analysis (AST, ALT, T-Bilirubin, BUN, RBC, Hb, HCT), serum lipid level (triglyceride, Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL), serum leptin level, epididymal adipose tissue weight and histological finding of liver were estimated. Results In vitro, The cytotoxicity was not significant. 3T3-L1 cell's differentiation was significantly decreased in Oil Red O staining, GPDH activity and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ protein expression. In vivo, Body weight and the amount of food intake, AST, ALT, Total cholesterol, TG, LDL, serum leptin, epididymal adipose tissue weight showed significant decrease in group I, group II and group III. There were no significant difference in T-bilirubin, BUN, RBC, Hb and HCT between all groups. HDL showed significant increase in group I, group II and group III. In histological finding of liver tissue, there were decreased adiposity and cytopathic effect in group I, group II and group III. Conclusions It is suggested that Ephedra Sinica and Fibrosum Gypsum extract can be used in the treatment of obesity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.173-181
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• 2015

This study investigated the effects of scopoletin (6-methoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin) supplementation on insulin resistance and the antioxidant defense system in chronic alcohol-fed rats. Rats were fed a Lieber-Decarli liquid diet containing 5% ethanol with or without two doses of scopoletin (0.01 and 0.05 g/L) for 8 weeks. Pair-fed rats received an isocaloric carbohydrate liquid diet. Chronic alcohol did not affect fasting serum glucose levels, although it induced glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia compared with the pair-fed group and led to insulin resistance. Both doses of scopoletin similarly improved glucose intolerance, serum insulin level, and insulin resistance. Scopoletin supplementation significantly activated phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase, which was inhibited by chronic alcohol. Two doses of scopoletin up-regulated hepatic mRNA expression and activity of glucokinase as well as down-regulated mRNA expression and activity of glucose-6-phosphatase compared with the alcohol control group. Both doses of scopoletin significantly reduced cytochrome P450 2E1 activity and elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 activity, resulting in a lower serum acetaldehyde level compared with the alcohol control group. Chronic alcohol suppressed hepatic mRNA expression and activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; however, they were reversed by scopoletin supplementation, which reduced hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxide levels in the liver. These results indicate that dietary scopoletin attenuated chronic alcohol-induced insulin resistance and activated the antioxidant defense system through regulation of hepatic gene expression in glucose and antioxidant metabolism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.697-707
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• 2018

The aim of this study was to investigate the potential effects of extracts from silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) that was fermented with Bacillus subtilis KACC 91157 at the levels of 1%(v/w), 2.5%(v/w), and 5%(v/w) in alcohol-fed rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups: normal group (N), alcohol treated group (C), silymarin treated group (PC, positive control), 5% silkworm powder treated group (SP5), 1% Bacillus subtilis-fermented silkworm powder treated group (BSP1), 2.5% BSP treated group (BSP2.5), and 5% BSP treated group (BSP5). The activities of AST, ALT, ALP, and LDH in the serum and the triglyceride concentrations in the liver and serum were increased by alcohol feeding but were reduced in the BSP5 group. In addition, the contents of total lipids, free fatty acids, and total cholesterol were increased in the alcohol-fed group but were reduced in the BSP5 group. The activities of ADH, ALDH and ADH, ALDH protein levels in the liver were increased in the BSP5 group. The TBARS contents in the liver, serum, liver mitochondria, and liver microsomes were slightly decreased in the BSP5 group compared to the C group. The hepatocytes in alcohol-fed rats contained numerous large droplets; however, BSP5 treatment prevented alcohol-induced lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes. Based on these results, extracts from Bacillus subtilis-fermented silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) have significant potential for development into a functional health food that can improve alcoholic fatty liver conditions.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.127-142
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• 1991

This study was carried out to investigate fatty liver in Korean black goats. Adult female goats were divided into 3 test groups(A, B and C). Group A and B of goats each received 3 test consecutive daily doses of DL-ethionine at 75mg/kg and 150mg/kg body weight, respectively. Group C of goats was given 3 consecutive doses of the compound every 48 hours at 150mg/kg body weight. The clinical symptoms, hematological values, serum chemical values and histopathological study of the liver were investigated in the test animals. The results obtained are as follows ; 1. Fatty liver were observed in every test animal. 2. Some clinical symptoms( anorexia, depression) were appeared from 1st day to 7th day after administration of the compound in every test animal. In addition to these symptoms, diarrhea and salivation were generally observed in test animals which were given the compound at 150mg/kg body weight. The degree of these symptoms was dose dependent. 3. There was no significant variations in total WBC counts and fibrinogen values in the blood of test goats. The PCV values were significantly increased on 5th day of dosing in group A and B of goats. 4. The total lipid value was not changed but the concentration of NEFA was significantly increased on 3rd day of dosing with the compound and returned to normal value after 10 days hereafter. The value of triglycerides was significantly increased on 1st day and returned to normal value on 3rd day of dosing. The value of cholesterol was significantly decreased on 3rd day and returned to normal value on 10th day after treatment. 5. Total protein level was decreased on 10th day of dosing in the groups of B and C, and billirubin level was significantly increased on 7th day of dosing in every test group and returned to normal level after 13th day of administration. 6. The activity of GGT in serum was not changed while the activities of SDH and AST were significantly increased in every test goat and those values were returned to normal after 10~13th day of trestment. 7 The 35K-protein fraction in serum was not detected by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, but this protein fraction was detected by the same method after treating the 21st and 22nd fraction which were obtained by column chromatography with Sephadex G-100. 8. The affected liver was congested and swollen on 3rd day, and yellowish brown in color and mottled appearance on 7th day of treatment. Histopathologically, fat droplets were common in the hepatocytes, this change was intensive on 7th day after treatment in group B and C. Hepatic cell necrosis was observed in some livers but this pathological change was disappeared and returned to normal after 13 days of treatment.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.414-420
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• 1998

We studied the difference effects of dietary ${\alpha}-linolenic\;acid\;({\alpha}-LA,\;18:3\;n-3)$, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3) on the lowering of triacylglycerol in the liver and serum on lipid metabolism in rats. Rats were fed semipurified diets containing 10% fat with constant polyunsaturated/monounsaturated/saturated fatty acids (1:1:1) and n-6/n-3 ratio (1:2). EPA (98%) and DHA (98%) were added in diets as the ethyl esters. The concentration of liver triacylglycerol was significantly lower in rats fed both EPA and DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$. The concentration of liver phospholipid was significantly higher in rats fed DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$ and EPA. Both EPA and DHA reduced serum triacylglycerol concentration compared with ${\alpha}-LA$, but this effect was more pronounced in the EPA diet. The activity of phophatidate phosphohydrolase in the liver microsome was significantly lower in rats fed both EPA and DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$. but, there was no significant difference on the activities of diacylglycerol acyltransferase among the three groups. The concentration of liver triacylglycerol were correlated with changes in the microsomal phosphatidate phosphohydrolase activity (r=0.84). Hepatic NADPH generating enzyme, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was more effective to reduce the activity in rats fed both EPA and DHA than in those fed ${\alpha}-LA$. In conclusion, EPA or DHA reduced the hepatic triacylglycerol concentration by inhibiting microsomal phosphatidate phosphohydrolase, thereby inhibiting synthesis of triacylglycerol in the liver.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2014

BACKGROUND: Groundwater is believed to possess many beneficial effects due to its natural source of various minerals. In this study, we examined the effects of natural Jeju groundwater S1 (Samdasoo$^{TM}$), S2 and S3 pumped up from different locations of Jeju Island, Korea, along with local tap water, on body weight gain, serum lipids and lipoproteins, and liver histopathology in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats were randomly and equally divided into 6 groups. Different water samples were supplied to the hyperlipidemic rats as their daily drinking water and the widely-used anti-hyperlipidemic drug simvastatin was used as a positive control. Body weight, serum lipids and lipoproteins were measured weekly. Liver weight, liver index and liver histopathology were examined after the execution of the rats. RESULTS: After drinking Jeju groundwaters for two months, S2 but not S3 significantly reduced weight growth and serum triglycerides levels and increased high density lipoprotein-C (HDL-C) without affecting total cholesterol or LDL-C. S1 and particularly S2 significantly reduced the severity of liver hypertrophy and steatosis. All Groundwaters had much higher contents of vanadium (S3>S2>S1>>tap water) whereas S1 and S2 but not S3 markedly blocked autoxidation of ferrous ions. CONCLUSION: Jeju Groundwater S1 and particularly S2 exhibit protective effects against hyperlipidemia and fatty liver and hypothesize that the beneficial effect of Jeju Groundwaters may be contributed from blockade of autoxidation of ferrous ions rather than their high contents of vanadium.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.108-123
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• 2016

Objectives : This comparative study was to investigate on anti-obesity effects of Ephedrae Herba and Cyperi rhizoma in high fat diet(HFD) fed mice. Methods : Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet(normal group, N), high fat 45 cal% diet[HFD, control group, C), HFD with Ephedrae Herba(EH group) and Cyperi rhizoma(CR group) extracts fed for 5 weeks. We were observed as follows : changes of body weight, amount of diet intake, weight of total visceral fats, levels of obesity-related hormones and blood lipids. Results : The change of body weight after EH and CR oral administration significantly more decreased in EH group than that of control group. The FFR(Food Efficiency Ratio) was decreased in EH group, but more increased in CR group than that of control group. The weight of periepididymal and perirenal fats were significantly decreased in EH and CR groups compared to the control group. The levels of serum leptin and insulin were significantly decreased in EH group, and the level of serum adiponectin was increased in EH group compared to control group. The levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol were significantly decreased in EH and CR groups, and HDL-cholesterol levels was significantly increased in EH group compared to control group. Conversely in CR group, its values showed the opposite effect. The staining density of lipid droplets within the hepatocytes was widely distributed in CR and control groups, but in EH group, its density was weakly stained. Conclusions : These experimental results suggest that Ephedrae Herba shows conspicuous anti-obesity effect, and Cyperi rhizoma shows weak anti-obesity effect.