• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2021

Atherosclerosis arising from the pro-inflammatory conditions associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) increases major cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Rapamycin (RAPA) is known to inhibit atherosclerosis under CKD and non-CKD conditions, but it can cause dyslipidemia; thus, the co-application of lipid-lowering agents is recommended. Atorvastatin (ATV) has been widely used to reduce serum lipids levels, but its synergistic effect with RAPA in CKD remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the effect of their combined treatment on atherosclerosis stimulated by CKD in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE-/-) mice. Oil Red O staining revealed that treatment with RAPA and RAPA＋ ATV, but not ATV alone, significantly decreased the atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta and aortic sinus, compared to those seen in the control (CKD) group. The co-administration of RAPA and ATV improved the serum lipid profile and raised the expression levels of proteins involved in reverse cholesterol transport (LXRα, CYP7A1, ABCG1, PPARγ, ApoA1) in the liver. The CKD group showed increased levels of various genes encoding atherosclerosispromoting cytokines in the spleen (Tnf-α, Il-6 and Il-1β) and aorta (Tnf-α and Il-4), and these increases were attenuated by RAPA treatment. ATV and RAPA＋ATV decreased the levels of Tnf-α and Il-1β in the spleen, but not in the aorta. Together, these results indicate that, in CKD-induced ApoE-/- mice, RAPA significantly reduces the development of atherosclerosis by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the co-application of ATV improves lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.575-581
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• 2022

A Gram-stain-negative, white-coloured, and rod-shaped bacterium, strain DR4-4^T, was isolated from Daechung Reservoir, Republic of Korea, during Microcystis bloom. Strain DR4-4^T was most closely related to Caenimonas terrae SGM1-15^T and Caenimonas koreensis EMB320^T with 98.1% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between strain DR4-4^T and closely related type strains were below 79.46% and 22.30%, respectively. The genomic DNA G+C content was 67.5%. The major cellular fatty acids (≥10% of the total) were identified as C_16:0, cyclo C_17:0, summed feature 3 (C_16:1ω7c and/or C_16:1ω6c), and summed feature 8 (C_18:1ω7c and/or C_18:1ω6c). Strain DR4-4^T possessed phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylglycerol as the main polar lipids and Q-8 as the respiratory quinone. The polyamine profile was composed of putrescine, cadaverine, and spermidine. The results of polyphasic characterization indicated that the isolated strain DR4-4^T represents a novel species within the genus Caenimonas, for which the name Caenimonas aquaedulcis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DR4-4^T (=KCTC 82470^T =JCM 34453^T).

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.884-891
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• 2022

Objective: Free-range systems have been increasingly available to the consumer due to increased demand for more sustainable meat-products. In the current study, the effect of free-range (FR) and cage system (CS) was explored on growth performance, meat quality and oxidation products in Italian White breed rabbits during the growing-fattening phase (5 to 13 weeks of age). Methods: Forty rabbits were randomly allotted to two treatment groups according to the rearing system, and each treatment group was replicated five times with four subjects in each replicate (20 rabbits per treatment-group). All rabbits fed the same diet as pelleted, and under FR system, no additional feeds were available to animals. Results: Rearing system had significant effect on rabbit growth performance, where CS group resulted in higher final body weight (p<0.045) and gain (p<0.029) and better feed efficiency (p<0.025) compared to FR rabbits. Most carcass traits were not affected by rearing system; however, a reduction of abdominal fat content (p<0.015) and meat lipids (p<0.034) was observed in FR rabbits. Rearing system had no effects on meat fatty acid profile, whereas meat from FR rabbits resulted less susceptible to lipid and protein oxidation compared to caged animals. Conclusion: In overall, FR system could be suggested as a substitute for conventional caged system because of FR system preserved rabbit meat from oxidation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.216-224
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• 2006

This study was conducted to examine the correlation among meals variety, obesity index, blood pressure, and lipid profiles of Korean adults. A total of 308 adults(men 124, women 184) measured the anthropometric characteristics, blood pressure, dietary intake using 24-hour recall method, and serum lipid profile. The average ages of the study subjects were 50.9 yrs in men and 51.4 yrs in women. The average height, weight and BMI were 166.3 cm, 68.4 kg, $24.7\;kg/cm^2$ in men and 154.3 cm, 59.8 kg, $25.0\;kg/cm^2$ in women, respectively. The numbers of food items in meal of men and women were 14.1, 15.9 for breakfast, 15.7, 15.9 for lunch, 14.7, 14.1 for dinner, respectively. The numbers of dish items in meal of men and women were 4.0, 4.3 for breakfast, 4.3, 4.3 for lunch, 4.2, 3.9 for dinner, respectively. The average blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index were 126.6/76.0 mmHg, 181.0 mg/dL, 157.7 mg/dL, 40.9 mg/dL, 108.6 mg/dL, 3.5 in men and 123.2/73.6 mmHg, 185.0 mg/dL, 137.3 mg/dL, 44.8 mg/dL, 112.7 mg/dL, 3.2 in women, respectively. The total cholesterol was negatively correlated to the number of food item for lunch(p<0.05). Therefore, more systematic studies to investigate the meal variety roles of blood lipids in meals of adults were required.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.36 no.11
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• pp.1632-1646
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• 2023

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary betaine (BT) supplementation on the hepatic transcriptome profiles in broiler chickens raised under heat stress (HS) conditions. Methods: A total of 180 (21-d-old) Ross 308 male broiler chicks were allotted to 1 of 3 treatment groups with 6 replicated cages in a completely randomized design. One group was kept under thermoneutral conditions at all times and was fed a basal diet (PC). Other 2 groups were exposed to a cyclic heat stress condition. One of the 2 groups under heat stress conditions was fed the basal diet as a negative control (NC), whereas the other group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.2% BT. All chickens were provided with diets and water ad libitum for 21 d. Following the experiment, the liver samples were collected for RNA sequencing analysis. Results: Broiler chickens in NC and BT group had decreased (p<0.05) growth performance. In the transcriptome analysis, the number of differentially expressed genes were identified in the liver by HS conditions and dietary BT supplementation. In the comparison between NC and PC treatments, genes related to energy and nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and immune system were altered by HS, which support the reason why heat-stressed poultry had decreased growth performance. In the comparison between NC and BT treatments, genes related to lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and immune system were differently expressed under HS conditions. Conclusion: HS negatively impacts various physiological processes, including DNA replication, metabolism of amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates, and cell cycle progression in broiler chickens. Dietary BT supplementation, however, offers potential counteractive effects by modulating liver function, facilitating gluconeogenesis, and enhancing immune systems. These findings provide a basis for understanding molecular responses by HS and the possible benefits of dietary BT supplementation in broiler chickens exposed to HS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.103-111
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• 2024

Background: Ginseng (Panax ginseng Mayer) is an important natural medicine. However, a long culture period and challenging quality control requirements limit its further use. Although artificial cultivation can yield a sustainable medicinal supply, research on the association between the transplantation and chaining of metabolic networks, especially the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthetic pathways, is limited. Methods: Herein, we performed Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry based metabolomic measurements to evaluate ginsenoside accumulation and categorise differentially abundant metabolites (DAMs). Transcriptome measurements using an Illumina Platform were then conducted to probe the landscape of genetic alterations in ginseng at various ages in transplantation mode. Using pathway data and crosstalk DAMs obtained by MapMan, we constructed a metabolic profile of transplantation Ginseng. Results: Accumulation of active ingredients was not obvious during the first 4 years (in the field), but following transplantation, the ginsenoside content increased significantly from 6-8 years (in the wild). Glycerolipid metabolism and Glycerophospholipid metabolism were the most significant metabolic pathways, as Lipids and lipid-like molecule affected the yield of ginsenosides. Starch and sucrose were the most active metabolic pathways during transplantation Ginseng growth. Conclusion: This study expands our understanding of metabolic network features and the accumulation of specific compounds during different growth stages of this perennial herbaceous plant when growing in transplantation mode. The findings provide a basis for selecting the optimal transplanting time.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.516-523
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• 2008

The effects of pan-fired (PM) and fermented (FM) Cudrania tricupidata tea leaves on $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity, oral glucose tolerance, blood glucose levels and serum lipids profiles in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced hyperglycemic rats were investigated. The $\alpha$-glucosidase inhibitory activity of FM ethanol extracts (20 mg/mL) was higher (92.5%) than that of raw dried leaves (RM) (69.1%) and PM (54.6%). In addition, the results of a glucose tolerance test revealed that the glucose levels of hyperglycemic rats that were fed PM and FM ethanol extracts and then orally administered glucose began to decrease after 60 minutes, but recovered after 120 minutes. However, the blood glucose levels in the hyperglycemic control group did not begin to decrease for 360 minutes. Additionally, the results of animal experiments that were conducted over five weeks to compare the dietary effects of PM and FM following hyperglycemic induction to the effects on the hyperglycemic control group (DM) were as follows: The body weight gain and FER of the treated rats were $12.9{\sim}16.9%$ higher than those of the DM group, whereas the amounts of feed and water intake by the treated rats were $6.8{\sim}10.1%$ lower. Additionally, the levels of blood glucose and serum fructosamine decreased by $27.3{\sim}39.8%$ and $6.7{\sim}20.0%$, respectively, in the treated rats. Moreover, the serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations in the treated rats were $24.9{\sim}27.1%$, $15.9{\sim}17.4%$ and $33.8{\sim}38.4%$ lower, respectively. Finally, the HDL-cholesterol contents were $20.5{\sim}24.8%$ higher in the treated rats than in the control group. The above results suggest that PM and FM exerts an anti-hyperglycemic effect that occurs due to the inhibition of $\alpha$-glucosidase activity as well as via prevention and/or inhibition of changes in the serum lipid profile. In addition, the results of this study revealed that the synthetic anti-hyperglycemic effect of FM was greater than that of PM. However, further detailed studies are needed to confirm these results.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.577-586
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• 2013

This study investigated black garlic and mugwort extracts have anti-stress activity. The antioxidant activities of extracts from black garlic (BEP), mugwort (MEP), and three mixtures (MPA, 95:5; MPB, 90:10; MPC, 85:15, w/w% for BEP and MEP, respectively) were tested in vitro. DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities for the mixtures (MPA, MPB and MPC) were significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner by the amount of mugwort extract. A restraint stress was imposed on six groups of Sprague-Dawley rats supplemented with an AIN-93 diet (RSC) or one of five kinds of hot water extract drinks containing (black garlic, RS1; mugwort, RS2; and mixtures of black garlic : mugwort at 95:5, RS3; 90:10, RS4, and a mixture of black garlic : mugwort : apple extract : xylitol=90.25:4.75:2:3, RS5; v/v%) for 4 weeks. The normal group was fed with the AIN-93 diet and not exposed to restraint stress. Food intake was higher in the group fed with garlic extract (RS1), while the body weight gain and food efficiency ratio did not significantly change. The total serum cholesterol content in the RS1 and RS2 groups was significantly lower than the RSC group (control), and the RS5 group was not significantly different compared to the RS3 group. The serum triglyceride content was significantly higher RS3~RS5 groups than RS1 and RS2 groups. In terms of HDL-C and LDL-C contents, AI and CRF in the serum were not significantly different between RS3 and RS5 groups. AST and ALP activities of RS1~RS5 groups were significantly lower than the RSC group. The liver total lipid and cholesterol contents of RS1~RS5 groups were significantly lower than RSC group, and triglyceride content was significantly lower in the RS1 group. Glycogen in the liver tissue was significantly higher in the RS2 and RS3 group compared to the RSC group. These results show that the intake of a mixture of black garlic and mugwort extracts may be effective in the alleviation of hyperlipidemia caused by restraint stress.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.953-960
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• 2015

This study evaluated the effects of Rubus coreanus Miq. oil on the plasma lipid profile of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10). After completion of the 5-week experimental period, we measured bodyweight gain, food intake, adipose tissue mass, and plasma lipid profile. We also analyzed the activities of carnitine and superoxide dismutase (SOD) involved in ${\beta}$-oxidation and antioxidation, respectively. Our results show that HFD-induced weight gain in animals in the R. coreanus Miq. oil diet group (RCO) and corn oil diet group (CO) was significantly lower compared to animals in the HFD group; RCO supplementation had a more noticeable effect than CO. Visceral and back fat weights were lower in the RCO and CO groups while plasma HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and HDL-C per total cholesterol [HDL-C/TC (%)] ratio were significantly higher in the RCO group. The contents of acid-soluble acylcarnitine and total carnitine as well as SOD activation were significantly higher in the RCO group, but no significant difference was observed between the RCO and CO groups. In conclusion, RCO effectively averted elevation of total body weight and fat weight in HFD-induced obese mice and promoted increased HDL-C. Therefore, R. coreanus Miq. oil might play an anti-obesity role in obese people and could be used as an effective oil supplement.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of red ginseng product and combined exercise on the changes of blood lipids(total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, triglyceride) and body composition (weight, % body fat) of obese women in their twenties. The experiments were performed with 21 women who had up to 30% body fat. They were randomly assigned into three groups [CON : control group (n=7), EXPI : red ginseng product group (n=7), EXP2 red ginseng product + exercise group (n=7)]. EXPI group and EXP2 group took red ginseng product for 12 weeks, and especially EXP2 group performed combined three-times-a-week exercise during the experiments period, too. The blood of each group was also sampled for three times (before experiments, after 8 weeks, after 12 weeks) to know the changes of blood lipid profile. Weight and %body fat were measured by body composition analyser. After 12 weeks, weight increased in CON group, but decreased in EXP1 and EXP2 group significantly. %body fat significantly decreased in EXP1 and EXP2 group, but not in CON group. When other two groups steadily increased in TC, EXP2 group constantly decreased, although there was no significant difference. After 12 weeks, while CON group and EXP2 group decreased within narrow limits in HDL-C, EXPI group was showing a rising tendency. But couldn't find any significant difference. Between the 8th and the 12th week, CON group and EXPI group were showing a rising tendency in LDL-C. But there was little change in EXP2 group. The results of ANOVA didn't show any significant difference. In TG, CON group and EXP2 group had little change. On the other hand, EXPI group steadily decreased. But there was no significant difference. In conclusion, with the 12-week experiments, weight and %body tat significantly decreased by red ginseng product and combined exercise which could derive profitable changes from blood lipids-especially total cholesterol, HDL-C, TG.