• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.313-325
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• 1996

Experiments were undertaken to examine the ability of selenium to protect against alcohol and/or paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity and to examine the additive effect between alcohol and paraquat. Protective effect against hepatotoxic functions was measured in serum from alcohol(15% v/v), paraquat(200ppm), alcohol and paraquat, and combination of sodium selenite(4ppm) in drinking water-fed guinea pigs ad libitum for 4 weeks. A total of 68 healthy 7-weeks-old male animals were assigned at random to 8 treatment groups(9~13 animals/group). Body and liver weight losses, and high serum concentrations in aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT, in only paraquat group), $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase($\gamma$-GTP), cholesterol(Cho), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen(BUN), total bilirubin(TB), direct bilirubin(DB), total protein(TP), albumin and globulin as well as low values in alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and glucose were produced in a groups of alcohol or paraquat-fed. These values were not potentiated in a group given the combination of alcohol plus paraquat. Morphological changes in the liver were also observed in the alcohol or paraquat-fed group. Lipid droplet and cell swelling in the hepatocytes were observed in alcohol-fed guinea pig, especially Mallory's hyaline arounded hepatic vein. In the paraquat-fed guinea pig, lipid droplet, pyknosis and karyolysis were observed. When alcohol or paraquat was combined with selenium-fed, hyperplasia of Kupffer cell in liver were observed. However, the mean ALT, $\gamma$-GTP, Cho, BUN, TB, TP, albumin and globulin values were lower in groups given the combination of alcohol and/or paraquat plus selenium, compared with groups given alcohol and/or paraquat. Also, the ratio of liver weight to body weight and ALP values(exception of paraquat plus selenium group) were increased by selenium. These results suggest that an adequate selenium confers marked protection against alcohol and paraquat-induced hepatotoxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1968

Changes in gastrointestinal tissue blood volume induced by variations of venous pressure between 6 and 40 mmHg were studied in 32 rabbits. Venous pressure lowering was produced by withdrawal of appropriate volume of blood and venous pressure elevation was obtained by partial occlusion of intra-thoracic vena cava inferior. Estimation of regional tissue blood volume was performed by means of regional distribution of injected $Cr^{51}-labeled$ red blood cells. The following results were obtained. 1. At the normal control venous pressure value of 18 mmHg, spleen showed the highest value of tissue blood volume expressed on weight basis, namely, $111{\mu}l/gm$, Liver tissue blood volume was $95\;{\mu}l/gm$, small intestine 24 and stomach $21\;{\mu}l/gm$, respectively. 2. Linear relationships were observed between venous pressure change and gastrointestinal tissue blood volume. The coefficients of correlation were: in spleen r=0.723; in liver r=0.791; in stomach r=0.704, respectively. In small intestine the relationship was less clear and r=0.358. Tissue blood volume of extrabdominal tissue, such as M. gastrocnemius was not influenced by venous pressure change. 3. The highest change in tissue blood volume expressed on weight basis was observed in spleen. The liver tissue showed the next highest change. Change in total tissue blood volume, however, was greatest in liver and next greatest in small intestine. This was interpreted by the fact that total weight of these two organs was much greater than that of spleen. 4. The mechanism that the change in tissue blood volume lies in the venous system which has a great compliance was discussed.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2010

The study examined the effects of dietary green tea powder supplementation on blood glucose, and plasma and liver lipid concentrations in diabetic rats. Twenty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight $200{\pm}5\;g$) were divided into two groups (diabetic and non-diabetic), which were each randomly divided into two subgroups that were fed a control and 1% green tea powder-supplemented diet. Serum and liver lipid concentrations were measured by established techniques. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated from an established equation. Body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio were lower in diabetic rats than in non-diabetic rats regardless of diet. There were no differences in weight gain in diabetic and non-diabetic rats consuming the control and green tea powder-supplemented diets. The levels of fasting plasma glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and atherogenic index of diabetic rats were significantly higher than that of non-diabetic rats. Conversely, the levels of high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) of diabetic rats was significantly lower than that of non-diabetic rats. Fasting plasma glucose, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C and atherogenic index were significantly lower in diabetic rats fed the green tea powder diet than in rats fed the control diet, and HDL-C was significantly higher in rats fed the green tea powder diet than in rats fed the control diet. The content of liver total cholesterol and triglyceride of diabetic rats were significantly higher than that of non-diabetic rats. Liver total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly lower in diabetic rats fed green tea powder-supplemented diet than in rats fed the control diet. It is concluded that green tea powder supplementation positively influences blood glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats. The present study, although not directly applicable to humans, may have some implications for individuals who habitually consume green tea powder.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.136-145
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• 1981

This study was designed to observe the effects of both control and atherogenic diets on the cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) in serum and liver of adult rats fed diets supplying two levels of dietary fat and two different sources of dietary protein in early life. For the first experimental period, the rats were assigned into the four diet groups: High fat, casein (HC); High fat, gluten (HG); Low fat, casein (LC): Low fat, gluten (LG). Each group was subdivided into control and atherogenic groups for the second experimental period. Cholesterol and TG were determined in serum and liver after 7 hr fasting. The body weight gain was greater in the rats of the casein groups than those of the gluten groups tut not influenced by the level of the dietary fat. The difference in body weight from the quality of dietary protein in the first period was not disappeared even after the second period. After the first period, higher serum cholesterol was observed in the rats fed either casein or high fat diets. With the second experimental diet, rats fed atherogenic diet showed higher serum cholesterol concentration but lower serum TG levels compared to those fed control diet, regardless the diets fed in the first period. Serum cholesterol level of the rats of both groups which had been fed high fat diets in early life was increased compared to those of the low fat diet groups. This effect was more pronounced with the atherogenic diet groups than control groups. However, no differences were found in serum cholesterol levels resulted from the different types of dietary protein fed in the first period. Serum TG concentration was not influenced by the quality of protein and level of fat in the diet but seemed to be mere affected by the amount of carbohyrates in the diet. Liver cholesterol per unit weight was greater in the gluten diet groups than in the casein groups but total cholesterol was higher in casein fed rats. There were no differences in liver TG among the groups.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2014

Objectives: The present study investigated the protective effect of Wattakaka (W.) volubilis leaf extract against streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (with six rats in each group) and were fed ad libitum. The rats were fasted for sixteen hours before diabetes was induced by injecting a single dose of 90 mg/kg body weight of STZ in 0.9-percent normal saline through an intraperitoneal route. The five groups were as follows: Group 1: normal control (saline-treated), Group 2: untreated diabetic rats, Groups 3 and 4: diabetic rats treated orally with petroleum ether cold maceration extract (PEME) of W. volubilis (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight), and Group 5: diabetic rats treated orally with metformin (250 mg/kg body weight). All rats received treatment for 21 days. For the STZ-induced diabetic rats, the blood-glucose, ${\alpha}$-amylase, total protein and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels were measured on days 7, 14 and 21 of the treatment with PEME of W. volubilis and the treatment with metformin. Histopathological changes in the liver were examined with hematoxylin-eosin staining. Morphological changes in the liver were also examined with glutaraldehyde fixation. Results: The treatments with PEME of W. volubilis and with metformin in experimental rats by oral injections for 21 days produced reductions in the levels of serum biochemical markers. Histopathology and scanning electron microscopy results showed that the administrations of PEME of W. volubilis and of metformin suppressed the generation of abnormal liver cells in the STZ-treated rats. Conclusion: These results suggest that both PEME of W. volubilis and metformin have a protective effect against STZ-induced diabetes.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 2006

To evaluate the effects of ingestion of alcoholic drinks on the toxicities of industrial compounds, cyclohexane (CH) was intraperitoneally administrated to rats (1.56g/kg body weight), which had been ingested 15% ethanol for up to 6 weeks,4 times by once a day and every other day. Following the last treatment of ethanol or CH, blood and liver tissues were collected after 4 hours prior to sacrifice of animals. By the injection of CH, liver weight (% of body weight) and xanthine oxidase activity in serum were increased, and glucose-6-phasphatase (G6P) activity in liver was decreased compared to them of control group. The activities of CH metabolizing enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 dependent aniline hydroxylase (CYPdAH) and alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), were significantly increased by injection of CH, and those activities were the highest in CH-injected group after pretreated with alcohol. Ultrastructurally. both of alcohol treatment and CH injection induced transforming into the smooth-endoplasmic reticulum from rough-endoplasmic reticulum, the those rate was the highest in case of CH-injection after pretreated with alcohol. From these results, it is suggested that alcohol intake on a level without alcoholic degeneration of hepatocytes could enhance the CH metabolism of liver.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2013

The anti-obesity effects of a hot water extract from wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.) leaves (WLE), without its specific pungent constituents, such as allyl-isothiocyanate, were investigated in high fat-diet induced mice. C57J/BL mice were fed a high-fat diet (control group) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% WLE (WLE group). Physical parameters and blood profiles were determined. Gene expression associated with lipid metabolism in liver and white adipose tissue were analyzed. After 120 days of feeding, significantly lower body weight gain, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue weight was observed in the WLE group compared to the control group. In liver gene expression within the WLE group, PPAR${\alpha}$ was significantly enhanced and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. Subsequent downstream genes controlled by these regulators were significantly suppressed. In epididymal white adipose tissue of the WLE group, expression of leptin, PPAR${\gamma}$, and C/EBP${\alpha}$ were significantly suppressed and adiponectin was significantly enhanced. Acox, related to fatty acid oxidization in adipocytes, was also enhanced. Our results demonstrate that the WLE dietary supplement induces mild suppression of obesity in a high-fat diet induced mice, possibly due to suppression of lipid accumulation in liver and white adipose tissue.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.288-294
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• 2019

Gardenia jasminoides is an herbal medicine that treats obesity and dampness-phlegm. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Gardenia jasminoides on insulin resistance induced by Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). 8-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were divided into three groups: control group (Ctrl), high-fat diet group (HFF), and high fat diet with Gardenia jasminoides extract administration group (GJT). Each 10 mice was allocated to each group (a total of 30 mice). All mice were allowed to eat fat-rich diet freely throughout the experiment. To examine the effect of Gardenia jasminoides, we observed weight changes, lipid blot distributions, PPAR-${\gamma}$, p-IkB, p-JNK in liver tissue, total cholesterol, and glucose levels in serum. Comparing of body weight measurements between 3 groups, in the GJT group, weight gain was significantly suppressed compared to the HFF group. The distribution of lipid blots and positive reaction of PPAR-${\gamma}$ were significantly lower in GJT group. The expression levels of p-$I{\kappa}B$ and p-JNK that plays critical roles in the development of insulin resistance were significantly decreased by GJ treatment. Total cholesterol and glucose levels in serum were also significantly lower in GJT group. Gardenia jasminoides has the effect of improving non - alcoholic fatty liver induced insulin resistance through the regulation of lipid metabolism.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.49-58
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of white pan bread added with Kamut (Triticum turgidum spp.) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. Methods: The white pan bread or white pan bread with Kamut (BK) were administered for 8 weeks in HFD-induced obese C57BL/6 mice. To evaluate the effect and its mechanisms of BK on obese mice, we measured body weight change, serum lipid profiles, histopathological analysis, and protein expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα) in the liver. Results: Administration of BK significantly decreased body weight in HFD-induced obese mice. In addition, BK-administered group significantly reduced serum total cholesterol, glucose, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels compared with the HFD-induced control group. The HFD-induced mice had damaged liver tissue and increased the size of adipose tissue, but BK-administered group attenuated liver damage and decreased the size of adipocyte. Furthermore, administration of BK significantly down-regulated C/EBPα in the liver compared with HFD-fed mice. In particular, BK-administered group has higher inhibited body weight, serum lipid profiles, and C/EBPα expressions than white pan bread-administered group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that administration of BK attenuated HFD-induced obesity by regulation of C/EBPα than consumption of white pan bread. Therefore, BK could be developed as a bread for prevention of obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.431-443
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Nobiletin (NOB), a citrus flavonoid, is reported to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, there is limited research investigating the effect of long-term supplementation with low-dose NOB on high-cholesterol diet (HCD)-induced hypercholesterolemia and non-obese nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we investigated the influence of NOB on hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD in HCD-fed mice. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or HCD (35 kcal% fat, 1.25% cholesterol, 0.5% cholic acid) with or without NOB (0.02%) for 20 weeks. RESULTS: HCD feeding markedly reduced the final body weight compared to ND feeding, with no apparent energy intake differences. NOB supplementation suppressed HCD-induced weight loss without altering energy intake. Moreover, NOB significantly decreased the total cholesterol (TC) levels and the low-density lipoprotein (LDL)/very-LDL-cholesterol to TC ratio, and increased the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol/TC ratio in plasma, compared to those for HCD feeding alone. The plasma levels of inflammatory and atherosclerosis markers (C-reactive protein, oxidized LDL, interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) were significantly lower, whereas those of anti-atherogenic adiponectin and paraoxonase were higher in the NOB-supplemented group than in the HCD control group. Furthermore, NOB significantly decreased liver weight, hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents, and lipid droplet accumulation by inhibiting messenger RNA expression of hepatic genes and activity levels of cholesterol synthesis-, esterification-, and fatty acid synthesis-associated enzymes, concomitantly enhancing fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression and enzyme activities. Dietary NOB supplementation may protect against hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD via regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism in HCD-fed mice; these effects are associated with the amelioration of inflammation and reductions in the levels of atherosclerosis-associated cardiovascular markers. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that NOB may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of HCD-induced hypercholesterolemia and NAFLD.