• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.176-183
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• 2010

The hypoglycemic effects of red ginsgeng-chungkukjang plus seaweeds, green laver and sea tangle, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Five groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $140\pm10$ g (10 animals/group) were fed for four weeks with the following: nondiabetic control (NC group); STZ-induced diabetic (D group); diabetic rats fed 3% red ginseng (20%, w/w)-chungkukjang (D-RC group); diabetic rats fed RC containing 10% (w/w) green laver powder (D-RCG group); diabetic rats fed RC containing 10% (w/w) sea tangle powder (D-RCS group). Partially normalized body weight gain, FER, and blood glucose levels were observed in the D-RC, D-RCG and D-RCS groups as compared to the D group. In these three groups, serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were found to be lower than in the D group, whereas HDL-cholesterol levels increased. Serum insulin level in D was significantly lower than that of NC, although D-RC, D-RCG, and D-RCS almost recovered to the NC. Serum ALT activity was markedly increased in the D group, while the serum ALT levels in the D-RC, D-RCG, and D-RCS were almost the same as the NC group. Due to diabetes, hepatic xanthine oxidase (XO) activity was significantly increased and administration of red ginseng-chungkukjang or seaweeds resulted in decreased levels of the XO activity. Activity of hepatic antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) were significantly decreased in the D group, but the activity in the D-RC, D-RCG, and D-RCS groups were similar to that of the NC group. Results of the present study indicate that supplementation of red ginseng-chungkukjang with seaweed after the onset of diabetes ameliorated hyperglycemia via an increase in serum insulin.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.184-188
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• 2010

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of red pepper seeds powder on lipid metabolism in rats fed high fat high cholesterol diet. Rats were divided into five experimental groups: normal diet group, high fat high cholesterol diet group, high fat high cholesterol diet with 5% red pepper seeds powder supplemented group (SA group), high fat high cholesterol diet with 10% red pepper seeds powder supplemented group (SB group) and high fat high cholesterol diet with 15% red peeper seeds powder supplemented group (SC group). The serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol contents, and LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) of the red pepper seed powder supplemented groups were significantly decreased compared to the HF group. The serum HDL-cholesterol contents of the red pepper seed powder supplemented groups were increased compared to the HF group. However, there was no significant difference in the serum HDL-cholesterol among all experimental groups. The hepatic TG and cholesterol contents of the red pepper seed powder supplemented groups were significantly decreased compared to the HF group. The fecal total cholesterol and triglyceride contents of the red pepper seeds powder supplemented groups were significantly increased compared to the HF group. These results suggest that supplementation of red pepper seed powder may have a pronounced impact on markers of lipid metabolism in serum and liver of rats fed high fat high cholesterol diets.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.189-195
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• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.196-205
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• 2010

This study evaluated the effects of carnitine and/or GABA supplementation on immune function, lipid profiles and some vitamins in mice chronically administered alcohol. BALB/c mice were fed with either AIN-76 diet (N), control diet plus alcohol (4 g/kg bw, E), E plus 0.5 g/kg bw carnitine (EC), E plus 0.5 g/kg bw GABA (EG), or E plus 0.5 g/kg bw carnitine plus 0.5 g/kg bw GABA (ECG) for 6 weeks. Administrations of the carnitine and/or GABA prevented alcohol-induced increases in triglyceride concentrations in serum and liver. However, there was no difference among the supplemented groups. Serum vitamin E concentration was higher in mice supplemented with EC and EG, but not in mice given ECG. Phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages was increased in EG group compared with E group. The subpopulations of murine splenocyte's TH cells were increased significantly in EC and ECG groups. These data suggest that immune function, lipid profiles and some immune-related lipid soluble vitamins were positively changed by supplementation of carnitine or GABA, but do not show any synergistic effect of mixed supplementation.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제15권3호
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• pp.213-220
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• 2010

To examine the potential of Terminalia chebula as a whitening agent, we measured antioxidant activity using DPPH$\cdot$, ABTS${\cdot}^+$ assays and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, and depigmenting activity using B16F10 melanoma cells. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was monitored by $H_2DCFDA$ fluorescence labeling, and melanin contents in B16F10 melanoma cells by 960 $J/m^2$ dose of UVA-induced oxidative stress. The radical-scavenging activities of T. chebula extract (TCE) were measured in terms of $EC_{50}$ values using DPPH$\cdot$, ABTS${\cdot}^+$ assays and FRAP value were 280.0 ${\mu}g/mL$, 42.2 ${\mu}g/mL$ and 113.1 ${\mu}mol$ $FeSO_4{\cdot}7H_2O/g$, respectively. We found that ROS and melanin concentrations were reduced by TCE treatments of 25 ${\mu}g/mL$ under UVA-induced oxidative stress. Tyrosinase activity and melanin contents in $\alpha$-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-induced melanoma cells both decreased dose-dependently in the treatment groups. TCE similarly reduced melanogenesis in B16F10 melanoma cells stimulated by $\alpha$-MSH as compared to arbutin as a positive control. T. chebula may prove to be a useful therapeutic agent for hyperpigmentation and an effective component in skin whitening and.or lightening cosmetics.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.40-48
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• 2014

Laver is one of the most consumed edible red algae seaweeds in the genus Porphyra. Laver is primarily prepared in the form of dried, roasted, and seasoned products. We investigated the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents of laver products, and evaluated the in vitro antioxidant properties of solvent extracts from commercially processed laver products. Significant differences in the concentration of phenolic compounds were found among differently processed laver. The total phenolic content for laver extracts ranged from 10.81 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract to 32.14 mg GAE/g extract, depending on extraction solvent and temperature. Laver extracts contained very few flavonoids (0.55 mg catechin equivalent/g extracts to 1.75 mg catechin equivalent/g extracts). 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), hydroxyl radical, and superoxide anion scavenging assays were used to determine the radical scavenging capacities of laver extracts. These assays revealed that the processing method and extraction condition affected the antioxidant potentials of laver. Antioxidant activity of dried laver, roasted laver, and seasoned laver increased in a concentration-dependent manner ($100{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/mL$). The radical scavenging activities of $37^{\circ}C$ and $100^{\circ}C$ water extracts were lower than that of a $37^{\circ}C$ 70% ethanol extract. The highest radical scavenging capacity was observed in the $37^{\circ}C$ 70% ethanol extracts of dried laver, roasted laver, and seasoned laver. Overall, these results support that notion that laver contains bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols and flavonoids, which may have a positive effect on health.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.291-298
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of orange (Citrus auranthium) flesh (OF) and peel (OP) extracted with acetone, ethanol, and methanol. Antioxidant potential was examined by measuring total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity (RSA), total radical-trapping antioxidant potential (TRAP), oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and cellular antioxidant activity (CAA). The comet assay was used to determine the protective effects of OF and OP against $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage. TPC was highest in the acetone extracts of OF and OP. DPPH RSA was also higher in the acetone extracts than in the ethanol extracts. The DPPH RSA was highest in the acetone extracts of OF. The TRAP and ORAC values of the all extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner. In the TRAP assay, the acetone extracts of OF and OP had the lowest $IC_{50}$ values. In the CAA assay, the methanol and acetone extracts of OP had the lowest $IC_{50}$ values. All of the samples protected against $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage in human leukocytes, as measured by the comet assay, but the acetone extracts of OP had the strongest effect. These results suggest that acetone is the best solvent for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from OF and OP. Furthermore, the high antioxidant activity of OP, which is a by-product of orange processing, suggests that it can be used in nutraceutical and functional foods.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.268-273
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• 2014

The induction of detoxification enzymes by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and its synthetic N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) conjugate (NAC-BITC) was examined in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells. BITC and NAC-BITC inhibited Hepa1c1c7 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cell growth was 4.5~57.2% lower in Hepa1c1c7 cells treated with $0.1{\sim}1.0{\mu}M$ BITC than in control-treated Hepa1c1c7 cells. The NAC-BITC treatment had a similar inhibitory pattern on Hepa1c1c7 cell growth; $0.5{\mu}M$ and $10{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC decreased cell growth by 13.6% and 47.4%, respectively. Treatment of Hepa1c1c7 cells with $0.1{\sim}2.0{\mu}M$ BITC also elicited a dose-response effect on the induction of quinone reductase quinone reductase (QR) activity and QR mRNA expression. Treatment with $1{\mu}M$ and $2{\mu}M$ BITC caused 1.8- and 2.8-fold inductions of QR mRNA, respectively. By comparison, treatment with $1{\mu}M$ and $2{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC caused 1.6-and 1.9-fold inductions of QR mRNA, respectively. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and CYP2E1 induction were lower in $0.1{\sim}2{\mu}M$ BITC-treated cells than in control-treated cells. CYP2E1 activity was 1.2-fold greater in $0.1{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC-treated cells than in control-treated cells. However, the CYP2E1 activity of cells treated with higher concentrations (i.e., $1{\sim}2{\mu}M$) of NAC-BITC was similar to the activity of control-treated cells. Considering the potential of isothiocyanatesto prevent cancer, these results provide support for the use of BITC and NAC-BITC conjugates as chemopreventive agents.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.343-347
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• 2014

The present study investigated the effects of Vaccinium uliginosum L. (bilberry) on the learning and memory impairments induced by amyloid-${\beta}$ protein ($A{\beta}P$) 1-42. ICR Swiss mice were divided into 4 groups: the control ($A{\beta}40$-1A), control with 5% bilberry group ($A{\beta}40$-1B), amyloid ${\beta}$ protein 1-42 treated group ($A{\beta}1$-42A), and $A{\beta}1$-42 with 5% bilberry group ($A{\beta}1$-42B). The control was treated with amyloid ${\beta}$-protein 40-1 for placebo effect, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) group was treated with amyloid ${\beta}$-protein 1-42. Amyloid ${\beta}$-protein 1-42 was intracerebroventricular (ICV) micro injected into the hippocampus in 35% acetonitrile and 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. Although bilberry added groups tended to decrease the finding time of hidden platform, no statistical significance was found. On the other hand, escape latencies of $A{\beta}P$ injected mice were extended compared to that of $A{\beta}40$-1. In the Probe test, bilberry added $A{\beta}1$-42B group showed a significant (P<0.05) increase of probe crossing frequency compared to $A{\beta}1$-42A. Administration of amyloid protein ($A{\beta}1$-42) decreased working memory compared to $A{\beta}40$-1 control group. In passive avoidance test, bilberry significantly (P<0.05) increased the time of staying in the lighted area compared to AD control. The results suggest that bilberry may help to improve memory and learning capability in chemically induced Alzheimer's disease in experimental animal models.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.333-342
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• 2014

Limited epidemiologic data is available regarding the cardiovascular effects of mercury exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mercury exposure from fish consumption and cardiovascular disease in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults using the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV 2008~2009). Survey logistic regression models accounting for the complex sampling were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) adjusted for fish consumption frequency, age, education, individual annual income, household annual income, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), alcohol consumption status, and smoking status. The mean blood mercury level in the population was $5.44{\mu}g/L$. Trends toward increased blood mercury levels were seen for increased education level (P=0.0011), BMI (P<0.0001), WC (P<0.0001), and fish (i.e., anchovy) consumption frequency (P=0.0007). The unadjusted OR for hypertension in the highest blood mercury quartile was 1.450 [95% confidential interval (CI): 1.106~1.901] times higher than that of the lowest quartile. The fish consumption-adjusted OR for hypertension in the highest blood mercury quartile was 1.550 (95% CI: 1.131~2.123) times higher than that of the lowest quartile, and the OR for myocardial infarction or angina in the highest blood mercury quartile was 3.334 (95% CI: 1.338~8.308) times higher than that of the lowest quartile. No associations were observed between blood mercury levels and stroke. These findings suggest that mercury in the blood may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension and myocardial infarction or angina in the general Korean population.