• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2011

Hepatoprotective effects of Monascus pilosus mycelial ethanol extract (MPME) were examined in high-fat diet induced-obese rats. The rats were randomly divided into 2 groups; normal control (NC) and a high-fat and high cholesterol diet group (HFC). The HFC diet group was fed a 5L79 diet supplemented with 15% lard and 1% cholesterol for 3 weeks for induction of obesity. And then, the rats were divided into 4 groups (n=5); the NC, a HFC diet obesity control group (HF), 0.5% MPME supplemented HFC diet group (MPM), and 2% conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) supplemented HFC diet group for 7 weeks. Whereas the daily weight gain of NC and HFC groups were 3.48 g and 4.48 g, respectively, those of MPM and CLA were 3.09 g and 4.38 g, respectively. Furthermore, activity of serum alanine and aspartic aminotransferase in HF was markedly higher than those of NC group, but, the activity in MPM and CLA was significantly lower than HF. Hepatic reduced glutathione content in MPM and CLA was higher than HF. On the contrary, hepatic lipid peroxide content in MPM and CLA was significantly lower than HF. In conclusion, although the precise mechanisms of the hepatoprotective effects of the MPME in this study are unknown, our study provides experimental evidence that MPME may prevent obesity and hepatic damage by high-fat and high cholesterol diet via inhibition of lipid absorption and induction of reactive oxygen spices scavenging enzyme such as superoxide dismutase.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a 12 week weight control program, which included nutrition education and regular physical fitness, on body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and lowering of blood lipids in 16 obese male elementary school students. Changes in waist and hip circumferences and their ratios were measured at the conclusion of the 12 week program conducted from September 9 to November 25, 2005. Body weight after 12 weeks on the program slightly reduced from 55.4${\pm}$10.9 kg to 54.4${\pm}$9.7 kg. Degree of obesity and BMI decreased from 121.3${\pm}$8.1%, and 25.9${\pm}$3.3 to 120.0${\pm}$8.2% and, 25.6${\pm}$2.7, respectively. Body fat percentage decreased slightly from 38.3${\pm}$4.7% to 37.9${\pm}$5.2%. Waist to hip ratio did not change after 12 weeks. There were slight changes in weight of body fat and lean body mass from 22.12${\pm}$6.53 kg and 34.56${\pm}$4.75 kg to 21.68${\pm}$6.05 kg and 34.70${\pm}$4.54 kg, respectively. Also, after 12 weeks on the weight control program, body, waist, and hip circumferences decreased. However, there were no significant differences among the blood lipid components, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol. Finally, body weight, degree of obesity, BMI, and body fat showed more significant correlations to waist, hip circumference and their ratio than to blood lipid levels.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1344-1350
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the antioxidative effect as the inhibition of malondialdehyde (MDA) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugation reaction, inhibition of lipid peroxidation and the scavenging effect on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and antimutagenic capacities as the Ames test in 7 common vegetables taken by Korean for suggestion of prevention and dietetic treatment of chronic diseases and development of antioxidative and antimutagenic functional food. The water fractions of perilla leaves and sedum were most effective in the inhibition of MDA and BSA conjugation reaction showing 62.5% of inhibition rate among 7 vegetables. The inhibition rates of ethanol fractions of sedum and wild water dropwort on the lipid peroxidation were 67.1% and 61.5%, respectively. The ethanol fractions of crown daisy and wild water dropwort showed the most effective results among 7 vegetables in the DPPH radical scavenging capacities showing inhibition rate of 78.8% and 73.6%, respectively. The indirect and direct antimutagenic effects of ethanol extract of 7 vegetables were examined by Ames test using Salmonella typimurium TA98 and TA100. Inhibitory effects of wild water dropwort was superior to the other vegetables on the Ames test. These results suggest that common 7 vegetables taken by Korean are believed to be a possible antioxidative and antimutagenic capacities, although the results were different, more or less, according to the assay method and vegetables used.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.474-479
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• 2010

The content levels of taurine, DHA, and EPA of dried cuttlefish powder were $11.67{\pm}6.62\;g/kg$, $3001.11{\pm}11.42\;mg/100\;g$ and $688.13{\pm}10.51\;mg/100\;g$, respectively, which were 10~20% higher than those of the salt processed cuttlefish. After feeding dried and salt processed cuttlefish for 4 weeks, total cholesterol concentrations in mice blood were 81.3 mg/dL and 88.1 mg/dL, respectively, which was higher than 78.9 mg/dL of the control. It was also found that dried cuttlefish increased HDL-cholesterol concentrations to 71.6 mg/dL, compared to 63.1 mg/dL of salt processed cuttlefish. The triglyceride contents of dried sample was higher than that of processed sample. Blood glucose concentrations in mice fed dried or salt processed cuttlefish were 77.7 mg/dL and 90.3 mg/dL, respectively. IgG levels increased to 48.1 ng/mL by feeding the processed cuttlefish, compared to 40.3 ng/mL of the dried cuttlefish. Therefore, by analysis of serum lipid, it can be suggested that processed cuttlefish can improve immune activities through adding taurine and polyunsaturated fatty acids.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.1099-1106
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• 2011

Cucumber fermentation has been used as a means of preservation. This study was performed to investigate the effects of fermented cucumber beverage (CF) containing beneficial materials for an ethanol hangover based on Hovenia dulcis (SKM) on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: ethanol control, ethanol plus SKM, and ethanol plus CF+SKM. SKM or CF+SKM was orally administered at a dose of 7 mL/kg body weight once per day for 5 weeks. Control rats were given an equal amount of water. CF+SKM significantly lowered plasma ethanol levels, whereas SKM tended to decrease the levels compared to the control. Both SKM and CF+SKM significantly lowered the plasma acetaldehyde levels and serum transaminase activities compared to those in the control. SKM and CF+SKM did not affect hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity; however, it significantly inhibited cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) activity. Hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity was significantly higher in the SKM and CF+SKM groups than that in the control group. Plasma acetaldehyde concentration was significantly correlated with hepatic CYP2E1 (r=0.566, p<0.01) activity and ALDH (r=-0.564, p<0.01) activity. Hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities as well as glutathione content increased with the SKM and CF+SKM administration, whereas lipid peroxide content decreased significantly. Furthermore, SKM and CF+SKM lowered plasma and hepatic lipid content and lipid droplets compared to those in the control group. These results indicate that SKM and CF+SKM exhibit hepatoprotective properties partly by inhibiting CYP2E1 activity, enhancing ALDH activity and stimulating the antioxidant defense systems in ethanol-treated rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.1274-1280
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• 2011

The concentration of cordycepin produced by crossbred Cordyceps militaris JLM 0636 (CM${\alpha}$) was 7.42 mg/g dry weight, which was 7-fold higher than that of C. militaris (CM). However, cordycepin was not detected in Paecilomyces japonica (PJ). The improvement effects of CM${\alpha}$, CM and PJ on orotic acid (OA)-induced fatty liver in male Sprague-Dawley rats was investigated. Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on five dietary categories: normal (N), OA control (C), OA plus 3% (w/w) PJ (PJ), OA plus 3% CM (CM), and OA plus 3% CM${\alpha}$ (CM${\alpha}$). OA treatment induced the retardation of body weight gain and enlargement of the liver. The concentration of hepatic triglyceride was markedly increased by OA-feeding, whereas this rise was significantly reduced by simultaneous feeding of OA, PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$, and this phenomenon was more pronounced by cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$. The contents of total lipid, triglyceride, and free fatty acid in the serum were significantly or slightly lower in the OA control group than those of the N group, but there were no significant differences among the OA treatment groups. The hepatocytes in the OA-induced fatty liver contained numerous large lipid droplets, but PJ, CM, and CM${\alpha}$ feeding prevented the OA-induced lipid droplet accumulation in the hepatocytes. This effect was more pronounced in cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ than in PJ or CM in OA treatment rats. Accordingly, cordycepin-enriched CM${\alpha}$ could be an ideal candidate material as a dietary supplement in healthy functional foods to improve the effects of fatty liver.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.281-289
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• 2015

This study was conducted to examine the effects of a supplemented Chungkukjang diet on oxidative stress and antioxidant nutrients in Streptozotocin (STZ, 45 mg/kg of BW, IP injection)-induced diabetic rats. Diets that contained soybean Chungkukjang powder (SC), Yakkong Chungkukjang powder (YC), and Yakkong Chungkukjang powder with black food added (YCB) were administered to the STZ-induced diabetic rats for seven weeks. The increased lipid peroxide contents of their serum and liver were slightly controlled by providing them three types of Chungkukjang. The retinol level in the serum was 7.5 times higher in the STZ-induced diabetic group after the provision of YC. The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level in the serum was higher in the STZ-induced diabetic group after the provision of YCB. Also, the retinol and tocopherol levels in the liver of the STZ-induced diabetic rats increased after they were provided YCB, and the decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) /oxidized glutathione (GSSG) level in their liver improved after they were fed a diet that contained YC. Moreover, the decreased anthocyanin level in the liver of the STZ-induced diabetic group improved after the provision of three types of Chungkukjang powder. These findings suggest that the Chungkukjang diet is a valuable food for the management of the health of diabetic patients and for the prevention of diabetic complications.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.671-680
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• 2018

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Jerusalem artichoke composites (JAP) with extracts of G. procumbens (12.5%), M. charantia (12.5%), and C. longa (12.5%) to H. tuberosus concentrate (JA, 50%) were evaluated in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Rats were divided into seven groups: normal (Normal), diabetic control (Diabetic), group fed G. procumbens extract (0.5 g/kg bw, D-GPE), group fed JAP (0.5 g/kg bw, D-JAP1; 1.5 g/kg bw, D-JAP2), group fed JA (0.5 g/kg bw, D-JA), and group fed Metformin (0.2 g/kg bw, D-MET) as a positive control. The blood glucose levels over 4 weeks were significantly decreased in the D-JAP2 and D-MET groups compared to the other groups after 3 weeks. The serum insulin level was not significant among the groups fed an experimental diet, but the HOMA-IR value was significantly decreased compared to the diabetic control group. AST and ALT activities in the serum were lowest in D-JAP1. Total lipid and triglyceride contents in the serum decreased in the groups fed an experimental diet, and the HDL-C contents of D-GPE, D-JAP1, and D-JAP2 were significantly increased compared to the diabetic control group. Triglyceride contents in the liver tissue were significantly lower in the D-GPE, D-JAP1, and D-JAP2 groups, and hepatic TBARS content was significantly decreased in the D-JAP1 and D-JAP2 groups compared to the diabetic control group. Hepatic antioxidative enzyme levels, such as SOD, catalase, and GSH-Px, were significantly elevated in groups fed an experimental diet compared to the diabetic control group. Therefore, JAP may be more effective than JA in the human body due to its hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1783-1789
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 10 week onion extract supplementation on blood lipid profiles in borderline hypercholesterolemic participants. The study consisted of 10 males and 17 females aged $45.9{\pm}10.0$ years. At baseline, serum total cholesterol level was $228.6{\pm}4.1$ mg/dL (201~239 mg/dL). This study was designed as randomized single blind placebo controlled cross-over study. After 1 week wash-out period, subjects were randomized into two groups; they took onion extract (150 mL/1 pack, containing 30 mg quercetin) or placebo for 10 weeks. After 1 week wash-out period again, subjects took exchanged samples for another 10 weeks. The total-cholesterol ($226.7{\pm}4.6{\rightarrow}206.8{\pm}3.6$ mg/dL; p<0.01), LDL-cholesterol ($151.6{\pm}5.0{\rightarrow}127.1{\pm}4.1$ mg/dL; p<0.01) and atherogenic index (AI: $4.0{\pm}0.3{\rightarrow}3.4{\pm}0.2$; p<0.05) decreased significantly after 10 weeks of onion extracts supplementation, while there were no significant changes during placebo periods. The levels of HDL-cholesterol (onion extract: $46.5{\pm}2.0{\rightarrow}50.2{\pm}2.1$ mg/dL, placebo: $47.8{\pm}2.1{\rightarrow}50.1{\pm}2.4$ mg/dL), GOT (onion extract: $36.8{\pm}1.8{\rightarrow}32.3{\pm}1.8$ IU/L, placebo: $35.1{\pm}2.1{\rightarrow}32.8{\pm}2.0$ IU/L), and GPT (onion extract: $36.5{\pm}3.2{\rightarrow}32.9{\pm}1.8$ IU/L, placebo: $36.6{\pm}3.8{\rightarrow}33.8{\pm}2.8$ IU/L) showed no significant changes in both periods. These results indicate that the consumption of onion concentrated extracts exerts beneficial effects on dyslipidemia through the decrease of serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in borderline hypercholestrolemic subjects. In conclusion, onion was useful as dietary therapy for hypercholestrolemia and adequate onion intake may help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.745-752
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• 2005

Purpose : Adolescent obesity is known to be associated with complications such as hypertension, coronary artery disease and insulin resistance. We measured the common carotid artery by ultrasound as a predictor of atherosclerosis, and investigated the relationship between carotid artery parameters and serum cytokines in obese adolescents. Methods : Twenty-nine obese adolescents(16-17 years old, obesity index>130 percent) and twentyseven normal controls were included. Obesity index and body mass index were calculated from their height and weight. Skin fold thickness was measured at the triceps, and fat mass and fat distribution by bioelectrical impedence analysis. Blood pressure was measured at resting state and serum lipid, insulin, and homocysteine levels after a 12-hour fasting period. Intimal wall thickness, systolic and diastolic diameters of the common carotid artery were measured by ultrasound, and compliance and distensibility calculated by equation. Results : Systolic and diastolic diameters of the carotid artery significantly correlated with arm circumference, body mass index, fat distribution and fat mass. The higher systolic blood pressure was, the larger systolic and diastolic diameter. The higher diastolic blood pressure was, the larger carotid intimal thickness. Insulin levels had positive correlations with systolic, diastolic diameters and serum homocysteine level with intimal thickness. Conclusion : The carotid artery diameter significantly increased with the degree of obesity and blood pressure. The carotid intimal wall thickness significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure. Measurement of carotid artery thickness, insulin and homocysteine levels might be useful to predict the development of coronary artery disease.