• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.283-294
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• 2024

Background/Aims: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) shares pathophysiological properties with other visceral fats and potentially triggers local inflammation. However, the association of EAT with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still debatable. The study aimed to observe the changes and associations in EAT and risk factors over time, as well as to investigate whether EAT was associated with CVD. Methods: A total of 762 participants from Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) and SNUH Gangnam Center were included in this study. EAT was measured using coronary computed tomography angiography. Results: Baseline EAT level was positively associated with body mass index (BMI), calcium score, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) 10-year risk score, glucose, triglycerides (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL), but not with total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL). At follow-up, EAT levels increased in all groups, with low EAT groups demonstrating a significant increase in EAT per year. Change in EAT was associated with a change in BMI, TG/HDL, and glucose, while changes in LDL, calcium score, and ASCVD 10-year risk score were not associated. Although calcium score and ASCVD 10-year risk score were associated with CVD events, baseline information of EAT, baseline EAT/body surface area, or EAT change was not available. Conclusions: Metabolic risks, e.g., BMI, TG/HDL, and glucose, were associated with EAT change per year, whereas classical CVD risks, e.g., LDL, calcium score, and ASCVD 10-year risk score, were not. The actual CVD event was not associated with EAT volume, warranting future studies combining qualitative assessments with quantitative ones.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.10
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• pp.520-525
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• 2018

Cardiovascular diseases arising from atherosclerosis are the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Lipid-lowering agents have been developed in order to treat hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing, indicating a need to identify novel therapeutic targets and develop new treatment agents. Adenosine receptors (ARs) are emerging as therapeutic targets in asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, ischemia, and inflammatory diseases. This study assessed whether LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, can inhibit the development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knock-out ($ApoE^{-/-}$) mice who are fed a western diet. Plaque formation was significantly lower in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 than in mice not administered LJ-1888, without any associated liver damage. LJ-1888 treatment of $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice prevented western diet-induced hypercholesterolemia by markedly reducing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and significantly increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations. Reduced hypercholesterolemia in $ApoE^{-/-}$ mice administered LJ-1888 was associated with the enhanced expression of genes involved in bile acid biosynthesis. These findings indicate that LJ-1888, a selective antagonist for $A_3$ AR, may be a novel candidate for the treatment of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Complications of diabetes, such as cardiovascular disease, are associated with increased mortality among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Homocysteine has been recently identified as a predictor of cardiovascular disease-related complications in diabetes. We investigated whether or not supplementation with folic acid tablets can lower homocysteine levels and improve parameters related with vascular complications. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized 8-week trial involving postmenopausal diabetic women (n = 25) supplemented with $800{\mu}g$ of folic acid ($400{\mu}g$ twice a day) daily. Subjects' serum levels of folate, homocysteine, and vitamin $B_{12}$ were measured, along with vascular function and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. RESULTS: Folic acid supplementation significantly increased serum folate levels (P < 0.0001), reduced homocysteine levels (P < 0.0001), and increased vitamin $B_{12}$ levels (P = 0.0063). There were significant decreases in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as the ratios of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocities were not altered by supplementation. Changes in serum vitamin $B_{12}$ after folic acid supplementation were negatively correlated with changes in brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. CONCLUSIONS: In this study on postmenopausal Korean women with type 2 diabetes mellitus, folic acid supplementation reduced serum homocysteine levels, increased serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels, and lowered lipid parameters.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2018

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced macrophage foam cell formation and apoptosis play critical roles in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx) is an antioxidant that potently protects various cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death. However, the protective effect of Trx on ox-LDL-induced macrophage foam cell formation and apoptosis has not been studied. This study aims to investigate the effect of recombinant human Trx (rhTrx) on ox-LDL-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages and elucidate the possible mechanisms. RhTrx significantly inhibited ox-LDL-induced cholesterol accumulation and apoptosis in RAW264.7 macrophages. RhTrx also suppressed the ox-LDL-induced overproduction of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1), Bax and activated caspase-3, but it increased the expression of Bcl-2. In addition, rhTrx markedly inhibited the ox-LDL-induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK). Furthermore, anisomycin (a p38 MAPK activator) abolished the protective effect of rhTrx on ox-LDL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) exerted a similar effect as rhTrx. Collectively, these findings indicate that rhTrx suppresses ox-LDL-stimulated foam cell formation and macrophage apoptosis by inhibiting ROS generation, p38 MAPK activation and LOX-1 expression. Therefore, we propose that rhTrx has therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.311-316
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• 2004

Antioxidant effects of Rosa davurica Pall extract on copper-mediated LDL oxidative modification were investigated. Oxidation products of LDL were determined based on TBA value, formation of conjugate diene, and apolipoprotein carbonyl value. As revealed through TBA values, ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of R. davurica Pall root showed strong antioxidant effect, with 85.3 and 93.2% inhibitions at $30\;{\mu}g/mL$ each, respectively. Ethyl acetate and butanol fractions at $30\;{\mu}g/mL$ inhibited LDL oxidation up to 8 hr. Conjugate diene formation by lipid oxidation with $Cu^{2+}$ addition in ethyl acetate and butanol fractions decreased 2.2-and 5.6-fold, respectively, compared to control. Carbonyl value decreased in the presence of butanol and ethyl acetate fractions. Methanol and ethyl acetate extracts of R. davurica Pall root showed higher absorbancy at 285 nm. Ethanol extract of R. davurica Pall root and stem contained 10.6 g/100 g total phenolic compounds. Results reveal phenolic compound as major biological component in R. davurica Pall extracts. Ethyl acetate and butanol fraction showed strongest antioxidant effect on LDL oxidation.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to determine the association between serum lipid profiles and depression according to gender difference. Methods : This retrospective cohort study included 27,452 subjects(15044 men and 12408 women) who underwent health examination. The duration was from January 2013 to December 2013. We estimate the correlation between serum lipid profile and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) scores. We compare the effect size using beta coefficient. Results : In men, serum Triglyceride level was correlated positively with BDI scores(r=0.020, p<0.01). Serum LDL-C and HDL-C were negatively correlated with BDI scores(r=-0.015, p<0.01 ; r=-0.016, p<0.05). In women, Triglyceride level was also correlated positively with BDI scores(r=0.020, p<0.01), Serum HDL-C were negatively correlated with BDI scores(r=-0.019, p<0.01). There was no statistical significance between Serum LDL-C and Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) score. Conclusions : Both men and women had more depressive symptoms when they had low serum HDL-C level or high serum Triglyceride level. The depression symptoms were more severe when serum LDL-C level was low only in men.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.189-195
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• 2013

This study was designed to analyze the effects of methanol extracts and solvent fractions of the young branch of Prunus persica on scavenging activity of ROS, RNS and inhibiting activity of oxidative modification in human LDL induced by copper ion or free radical generator. The scavenging capacities of the fractions on DPPH radical, superoxide radical, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite were exhibited the highest in ethylacetate fraction, followed by butanol fraction. In the copper-induced LDL oxidative modification system, the highest antioxidant activity was revealed in ethylacetate fraction, and butanol fraction exhibited a similar activity. However, solvent fractions of the young branch of Prunus persica showed a relatively low antioxidant activity in the AAPH-mediated LDL oxidation. In addition, ethylacetate and butanol fractions also inhibited the copper-mediated LDL oxidation in the REM assay, which was comparable to that of the positive controls, including EDTA, ascorbic acid and BHT. Futhermore, a content of total phenolics in these two fractions was higher than that of the other fractions. These results indicated that ethylacetate and butanol fractions of the young branch of Prunus persica were useful for the prevention of the free radical- or metal ion-induced oxidative damages.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.232-239
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• 2005

An aqueous extract of oriental herbal composition named Onchengyeum and curcumin, an antioxidant isolated from turmeric (Curcuma Zonga L.) reduced hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCI_4$). Improved liver function was observed by measuring the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CHO), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-CHO), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB) and total bilirubin (BIL) in serum. Hepatic parameters monitored were levels of cholesterol (CHO), triglyceride (TG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP), NADPH-CYP reductase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The histopathological examination showed that the treatment of Onchengyeum and curcumin relieved the ballooning degeneration of hepatocytes which had been generated by $CCI_4$. The results suggested that hepatoprotective effects of Onchengyeum and curcumin possibly are due to their promising antioxidative activity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.872-877
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• 2002

The hypolipidemic effect of the exe-biopolymer (EXBP) and endo-biopolymer (ENBP) produced from a submerged mycelial culture of Ganoderma lucidum was investigated in dietary-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Hypolipidemic effects were achieved in both the EXBP- and ENBP-treated groups, however, the former proved to be more potent than the latter. The administration of the EXBP (100 mg/kg body weight) substantially reduced the plasma total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid levels, and atherogenic index by 31.0, 39.0, 35.4, 28.1, and 53.5%, respectively, when compared to the control group. The EXBP also lowered the liver total cholesterol, triglyceride, and phospholipid levels by 22.4, 23.1, and 12.9%, respectively. Furthermore, the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol were significantly increased by as much as 24.2% and 47.6%, respectively.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.277-282
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activity of Ligularia fischeri leaf extract on adjuvant induced arthritis in experimental mice. The oral administration of the L. fischeri leaf extract (LF), at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight once a day for 3 weeks, significantly reduced hindpaw swelling and the production of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6). Treatment with LF (100 mg/kg) also decreased the serum levels of triglyceride and low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol, and increased high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol contents compared with those of a control group. The induction of arthritis significantly increased oxidized proteins such as protein carbonyl, advanced oxidation protein products, and advanced glycation end-products in the lung, heart, and brain. Treatment with LF for 3 weeks reduced the levels of oxidized proteins. These results suggest that L. fischeri extract might be beneficial in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders.