• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.1695-1704
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• 2019

Objective: This study investigated the effects of the administration of ethanolic saffron petal extract (SPE) and vitamin E (Vit E) on growth performance, blood metabolites and anti-oxidant status in Baluchi lambs. Methods: Thirty-two Baluchi male lambs ($35.22{\pm}5.75kg$) were randomly divided into 4 groups. The 1st (control), 2nd (injectable saffron petal extract [ISPE]), and 3rd (Vit E) groups were respectively injected subcutaneously with either physiological saline (5 mL), SPE (25 mg/kg body weight [BW]) or DL-${\alpha}$-tocopheryl acetate (225 IU) once a week. An oral dose of SPE (500 mg/kg BW) was also administered to the 4th group (oral saffron petal extract [OSPE]). Feed intake and BW were measured for 42 days and blood samples were taken on days 1, 14, 28, and 42. The lambs were slaughtered, and tissue samples were taken. Results: Growth performance and many blood metabolites were not affected (p>0.05) by the treatments. Cholesterol of plasma in the ISPE and Vit E groups was similar and less (p<0.01) than both the OSPE and control groups. Although there was no significant difference between the control and other groups for plasma triglyceride, the ISPE group showed lower (p<0.05) triglyceride than the OSPE and Vit E groups. The highest (p<0.01) plasma glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was detected in the OSPE group, while the ISPE and Vit E groups showed higher (p<0.01) superoxide dismutase (SOD) of plasma than the control. Malondialdehyde of plasma in the ISPE group was lower (p<0.05) than the OSPE. No differences (p>0.05) were observed among the groups for antioxidant status of both longissimus dorsi muscle and liver. However, the activity of GPx in the kidney and heart, as well as SOD activity in the kidney, were influenced ($p{\leq}0.01$) by the treatments. Conclusion: Adding ethanolic SPE improved antioxidant status and lowered lipids oxidation in lambs. The SPE and Vit E demonstrated similar effects on antioxidant status in lambs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.346-355
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility that administration of Bacillus polyfermenticus KJS-2 (BP2), Bacillus mojavensis KJS-3 (Moja3), and their mixtures could control serum lipid levels. We observed changes in the blood cell level, metabolic function evaluation, and blood lipid levels after two weeks of oral administration of these microbial strains to hyperlipidemia-induced rats. Measurements of major cell changes in the white blood cells (WBC) indicated no significant effects due to the administration of the microbial strains. Platelet (PLT) levels decreased by 18.4% in the Triton WR-1339-treated group (NCON) and recovered to the control (CON) group levels in the positive control (PCON) group and the microbial strain-administered groups (p<0.05). No functional changes were observed in red blood cells (RBC) by Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia. The blood AST, ALT, BUN, and creatinine levels did not indicated effects on liver and kidney function, and all rats administered the microbial mixture recovered. The blood lipid levels in the microbe-treated groups indicated reduced levels of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and increased levels of serum HDL cholesterol. The HMG-CoA inhibition rate of 7-O-succinyl macrolactin A (SMA) produced by BP2 showed similar activity at a concentration of 1,000 times lower than that achieved with atorvastatin. The administration of the microbial strains to the Triton WR-1339-induced rat model of hyperlipidemia resulted in reduced weight gain without affecting the food and water intake. Thus, blood circulation can be improved by controlling serum lipid levels by the combined administration of the BP2 and Moja3 microbial strains.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2021

Objectives : This study investigated cellular-protective effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA)+iron or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods : In vitro, MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and autophagy related proteins. In vivo, mice were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of NSCE of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then injected with CCl₄ 0.5 mg/kg body weight to induce acute damage. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. Results : Treatment with NSCE inhibited cell death induced by AA+iron and tBHP. NSCE induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, and this compound also induced the phosphorylation of LKB1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a primary downstream target of AMPK. NSCE increased the protein levels of autophagic markers (LC3II and beclin-1) and decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and simultaneously increased the phosphorylation of unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK-1) in time-dependent manner. Conclusions : NSCE has the ability 1) to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by AA+iron or tBHP. NSCE 2) to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and 3) to regulate autophagy, an important regulator in cell survival.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.100 no.2
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• pp.232-239
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• 2011

This study was performed to find out the persimmon vinegar as a functional drink on reducing blood lipids and enhancing exercise performance. For these, thirty two Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups; control (CONT), water placebo with high fat diet control (ACON), high fat diet with 2.5 times diluted persimmon vinegar ingestion (PV2.5), and high fat diet with 5.0 times diluted persimmon vinegar ingestion (PV5.0). Body weight was not different. Abdominal fat pads were statistically reduced in PV2.5 and PV5.0 compared to CONT and ACON. Blood glucose was not significant but TC, LDL-C and TG were lower in PV2.5 and PV5.0 than other groups, and HDL-C in PV2.5 was the highest among groups. Glycogen contents in the muscle and liver were higher in PV2.5 and PV5.0 compared to CONT and ACON. These results suggested that persimmon vinegar ingestion may inhibit the blood lipids increase and increase glycogen storage which possibly enhancing exercise performance. Therefore, persimmon vinegar has the possibility as the functional drink.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.520-526
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• 2021

Microbial protein is one of the sources of protein in the rumen and can also be the source of glutamate production. Glutamic acid is used as fuel in the metabolic reaction in the body and the synthesis of all proteins for muscle and other cell components, and it is essential for proper immune function. Moreover, it is used as a surfactant, buffer, chelating agent, flavor enhancer, and culture medium, as well as in agriculture for such things as growth supplements. Glutamic acid is a substrate in the bioproduction of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This review provides insights into the role of glutamic acid and glutamic acid-producing microorganisms that contain the glutamate decarboxylase gene. These glutamic acid-producing microorganisms could be used in producing GABA, which has been known to regulate body temperature, increase DM intake and milk production, and improve milk composition. Most of these glutamic acid and GABA-producing microorganisms are lactic acid-producing bacteria (LAB), such as the Lactococcus, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, and Streptococcus species. Through GABA synthesis, succinate can be produced. With the help of succinate dehydrogenase, propionate, and other metabolites can be produced from succinate. Furthermore, clostridia, such as Clostridium tetanomorphum and anaerobic micrococci, ferment glutamate and form acetate and butyrate during fermentation. Propionate and other metabolites can provide energy through conversion to blood glucose in the liver that is needed for the mammary system to produce lactose and live weight gain. Hence, health status and growth rates in ruminants can be improved through the use of these glutamic acid and/or GABA-producing microorganisms.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2021

Aucklandia lappa Decne., a traditional herbal medicine, has been used to treat various diseases, including asthma, coughs, rheumatism, and diarrhea. In the present study, the effects of the oral administration of Aucklandia lappa Decne. extract on hair growth was investigated in hair-removed mice. A 70% ethanol extract of Aucklandia lappa Decne. (ALD) was prepared, and the extraction yield and total polyphenol content of ALD were measured as 27.30±0.01 and 28.39 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g, respectively. The oral administration of ALD to hair-removed CL57BL/6 mice for six weeks had no significant effects on food intake and body weight changes. Biochemical and histological examinations also showed that the oral administration of ALD for six weeks had no significant effect on the liver and kidney functions. On the other hand, hair growth was significantly higher in the ALD group than the control group and the Pancidil group (positive control). In addition, the number of hair follicles and the degree of collagen production in the dermis were significantly higher in the ALD group than in the control and pancidil groups. These results suggest that ALD is a potential source of nutricosmetics with hair growth-promoting effects.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.109-120
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• 2021

Protein hydrolysates and krill meal (KM) are used as protein sources in aquafeeds. The study was conducted to examine the supplemental effects of shrimp protein hydrolysates (SH) or KM in a high-plant-protein diet for red seabream (Pagrus major). A fish meal (FM)-based diet (40%) was considered as the high-FM diet (HFM) and a diet containing 25% FM and soy protein concentrate, in the expense of FM protein from HFM diet, was considered as the low fish meal (LFM) diet. Two other experimental diets (SH and KM) were prepared by including SH and KM into LFM diet at 5% inclusion levels in exchange of 5% FM from the LFM diet. A feeding trial was conducted for fifteen weeks using triplicate group of fish (Initial mean body weight, 8.47 ± 0.05 g) for a diet. Growth performance and feed efficiency of fish were significantly enhanced by HFM, KM and SH supplemented diets over those of fish fed LFM diet. Interestingly, these parameters of fish fed SH diet showed better performance than KM and HFM groups. Liver IGF-I expression of fish fed SH diet was comparable to HFM group and higher than KM and LFM diets. Protein digestibility of SH diet was significantly higher than KM, HFM, and LFM diets. Dry matter digestibility of SH diet was comparable to HFM diet and significantly higher than KM and LFM diets. Nitro blue tetrazolium and superoxide dismutase activities of HFM, SH and KM groups were significantly elevated than the LFM group and SH diet increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities of fish compared to KM and LFM groups. Hemoglobin level and hematocrit of fish fed SH and KM diets were significantly higher than LFM group. A diet containing 20% FM with KM is comparable to a HFM diet which contains 40% FM for red seabream. SH can be used to replace FM from red seabream diet down to 20% and fish performance can be improved better than a diet containing 40% FM. Overall, it seems that SH is more effective ingredient in red seabream diet compared to KM.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.135-146
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• 2022

Obesity is closely associated with profound dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver disease. Recent reports have suggested that alterations in gut microbiota can be linked to diet-induced obesity. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of Weissella confusa WIKIM51 isolated from kimchi were investigated, as evidenced by: i) reduced lipid accumulation and downregulated adipogenesis-related genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; ii) suppressed gains in body weight and epididymal fat mass; iii) reduced serum lipid levels, for example, triglyceride and total cholesterol; iv) increased serum adiponectin levels and reduced serum leptin levels; v) downregulated lipogenesis and upregulated β-oxidation-related genes in the epididymal fat; and vi) altered microbial communities. The collective evidence indicate the potential value of W. confusa WIKIM51 as a functional food supplement for the prevention and amelioration of obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Objective : Previous studies showed that water extract of Plantago asiatica (Plantaginis asiaticae Folium, PAF) significantly controlled in body weights, adipose tissue weights and blood lipid profiles in obese C57BL/6 mice. To investigate the mechanism of anti-obesity action of PAF, expressions of obesity-related proteins were identified such as p-AMPK and p-ACC in hypothalamus, UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue, p-AMPK, p-ACC, SREBP-1c, $PPAR{\gamma}$, HMGCR and CPT-1 in liver. Method : Five-weeks old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; ND (normal diet + 0.9% saline), HFD (high-fat diet + 0.9% saline), PC (high-fat diet+Garcinia cambogia 500 mg/kg), PAF 100 and 300 (high-fat diet + PAF 100 or 300 mg/kg). PAF was treated orally for 6 weeks. The protein expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, ACC, p-ACC, $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c, HMGCR, CPT-1 and UCP-1 were identified by expression levels of proteins through western blot analysis. Result : The results showed that protein expressions on hypothalamic p-AMPK and p-ACC did not differ between the HFD and PAF groups. In addition, PAF did not affect the increase of UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue. The protein expression levels of hepatic p-AMPK, p-ACC and CPT-1 increased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. And those of $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c and HMG-CoA decreased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. Conclusion : These results suggest that the PAF administration induce weight loss via inhibition of lipid metabolism-related protein expressions in hepatic tissues. Therefore, PAF could be used as a potent material of anti-obesity products for prevention and treatment of obesity.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.39-43
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• 2022

Plasmodium vivax exhibits dormant liver-stage parasites, called hypnozoites, which can cause relapse of malaria. The only drug currently used for eliminating hypnozoites is primaquine. The antimalarial properties of primaquine are dependent on the production of oxidized metabolites by the cytochrome P450 isoenzyme 2D6 (CYP2D6). Reduced primaquine metabolism may be related to P. vivax relapses. We describe a case of 4 episodes of recurrence of vivax malaria in a patient with decreased CYP2D6 function. The patient was 52-year-old male with body weight of 52 kg. He received total gastrectomy and splenectomy 7 months before the first episode and was under chemotherapy for the gastric cancer. The first episode occurred in March 2019 and each episode had intervals of 34, 41, and 97 days, respectively. At the first and second episodes, primaquine was administered as 15 mg for 14 days. The primaquine dose was increased with 30 mg for 14 days at the third and fourth episodes. Seven gene sequences of P. vivax were analyzed and revealed totally identical for all the 4 samples. The CYP2D6 genotype was analyzed and intermediate metabolizer phenotype with decreased function was identified.