• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.363-369
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• 2014

Obesity is a worldwide problem that contributes to serious diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. Recently, much research has examined functional natural materials and their anti-obesity activity. This study investigated the effect of enzyme-treated Ecklonia cava extracts on mice fed a high fat diet. To test the anti-obesity effects of a diet containing the enzyme-treated E. cava extracts (EEc), C57BL/6NTacSam mice were divided into six groups : normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), high-fat with Garcinia extract diet (GHD), and three high-fat with EEc diet (EHD250, EHD500, and EHD1000) groups. After 9 weeks, body weight was increased significantly in the HFD group compared to all of the EHD groups, and the weights of the liver, perirenal fat and epididymal fat paralleled the increase in body weight. The serum GOT, GPT, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol levels were lower in the EHD1000 group than in the HFD group. The glucose and leptin concentrations were lowest in the EHD1000 group and C/EBP family expression was decreased in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that E. cava extracts not only have anti-oxidation functions but also anti-obesity effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.186-191
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an excess mortality from cardiovascular disease which is likely attributed to an atherogenic lipid profile. Among nutritional factors vitamin K has been recently focused as a pivotal nutrient in improvement of lipid related markers. Thus, this study was designed to determine the effects of vitamin K on lipid profile in this disease. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty eight patients with definitive RA were participated in the present double blind placebo controlled study. They were randomly allocated into two groups to receive vitamin $K_1$ as phylloquinone [10 mg/day] (n = 30) or placebo pills (n = 28), for eight weeks. In order to control the effects of probable confounders dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements including weight and height, clinical status using disease activity score-28 (DAS-28), physical activity and anxiety status were evaluated at baseline. Moreover, serum levels of lipid related markers including total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were measured at baseline and at the end of intervention. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding any of the baseline characteristics. After adjusting for some relevant confounders, in comparison between two groups, we observed no significant changes in lipid related markers at the end of intervention. Also, there was no significant difference between before and after intervention values within groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Function of vitamin $K_1$ in lipid profile modification remains still controversial. This study showed that vitamin $K_1$ has no effect on lipid profile in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Further studies with a longer follow-up are required to determine the effects of vitamin K on atherogenic lipid profile.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.375-383
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• 2005

An experiment was conducted to study the protective role of polyherbal feed supplement (Growell) during induced mycotoxicosis in broilers. A total of 240 Vencobb broilers were divided at day old stage into eight equal groups. Group A served as control and was given plain feed, group B, D, F and H were given Growell at 0.35 g/kg of feed. Group C, D, G and H were given dietary aflatoxin $B_1$ at 0.2 ppm and groups E, F, G and H were given ochratoxin A at 0.2 ppm in feed to study effect of Growell on individual aflatoxicosis, ochratoxicosis and combined mycotoxicosis of broilers. The chicks were given their respective feeds from 1st day to 6th week of age and were vaccinated at 7th and 28th day of age with Lasota strain of Newcastle disease virus. There was no statistically significant effect of mycotoxins individually or in combination on body weight of broilers. However, body weights were highest in group B and lowest in co-mycotoxicated group G. Feed conversion ratio was best in group B followed by A, D, F, E, H and G. Significant improvement in haemoglobin values was observed in broilers due to feeding of Growell in ochratoxin and co-mycotoxicated groups. There was no significant effect of mycotoxin treatment on PCV, TEC and TLC of broilers. Due to single and combined mycotoxicosis, there was reduction in serum total protein, albumin, cholesterol and triglyceride and rise in alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and uric acid levels. Supplementation of diets with Growell reduced the alterations induced due to mycotoxins. There was a significant rise in per cent organ weight of liver and reduction of that of spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers fed mycotoxins. Protection from alteration in per cent organ weight of these organ by supplementation of Growell was recorded. The observed impaired immune response and histopathological changes in liver, kidney, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus of broilers given mycotoxins were protected by supplementation of Growell.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2005

The goal of this study was to investigate abnotmalities in camitine metabolism present by determining blood camitine and lipid concentrations in Korean diabetic patients. The study subjects included 108 Korean diabetic patients (64 males and 44 females) who were hospitalized in Chonbuk National University Hospital and 27 subjects were also hospitalized as non-diabetic controls (10 males and 17 females). Glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG) and HDL-cholesterol in plasma were enzymatically assayed and insulin was measured by immunoradiometric assay. Nonesterified camitine (NEC), acid-soluble acylcarnitine (ASAC), and acid-insoluble acylcarnitine (AIAC) were determined by a modified radioisotopic method Glucose and insulin levels were significantly elevated in diabetic patients compared with controls. Total cholesterol was elevated in female but not male diabetic patients and triglycerides were elevated both in male and female diabetics. Plasma and urinary total carnitine (TCNE) were significantly elevated in diabetics as compared with normal controls. In male diabetics, NEC concentrations were significantly elevated above controls, but not in female subjects. Plasma NEC and TCNE concentrations were significantly increased in male diabetics, but significantly decreased in female diabetics. All urinary carnitine concentrations were significantly increased in diabetics as compared with controls. Urinary NEC concentrations were four times higher in male diabetics and three times higher in female diabetics than in controls. The ratios of serum and urinary acylcarnitine/NEC were also significantly higher in diabetics than in controls. This study suggested that there was a remarkable abnormality in lipid and carnitine metabolism in Korean diabetic patients, and the further study on carnitine metabolism and the effects of carnitine supplementation for Korean diabetic patients are needed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.483-490
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• 2003

Chitosan, hydroxycitrate and L-carnitine have been known to be antiobesity components. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the combined effects of chitosan, hydroxycitrate and L-carnitine mixture as a potential antiobesity supplement in overweight women. Pre-menopausal healthy females who were overweight (percent ideal body weight > 110) were included in this study. Forty-nine subjects randomly received a placebo (n = 25) or antiobesity-supplement (n = 24), which was a mixture of chitosan, hydroxycitrate, and L-carnitine. Before and after the eight-week experimental period, anthropometric parameters, blood components and computerized tomography were measured. At baseline, the two groups were well matched in terms of age, body mass index and lipid profile. After the eight weeks of potential antiobesity supplementation, the subjects' body fat percent had decreased significantly (p < 0.001) by 5.6% (39.1 $\pm$ 1 vs 36.9 $\pm$ 1%) while lean body mass increased (p < 0.01). Vsceral fat area at the L4 vertebra decreased significantly (p < 0.01) by 8.6% in the supplemented group and the total fat area at the L4 vertebra showed a tendency to decrease (p = 0.051) by 2.4%. Also, in the group given the antiobesity-supplement rather than the placebo, the fasting triglyceride level decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 10.0%. In addition, serum total cholesterol levels in the antiobesity-supplement group showed a tendency to decrease (p=0.159) by 2.7% (194 $\pm$ 6 vs 189 $\pm$ 6 mg/dl). No side effects were found in either group during the intervention. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that taking a mixture of chitosan, hydroxycitrate, and L-carnitine as a potential antiobesity supplement for eight weeks produced advantageous changes in the weight and visceral fat accumulation of overweight women without any side effects. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 483~490, 2003)

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.469-474
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• 2014

DWP208 is a sodium succinate form of ZYM-201 which is a triterpenoid glycoside isolated from Sanguisorba officinalis, a medicinal plant prescribed for various diseases, such as duodenal ulcers and bleeding in East Asian counties. We demonstrated that this compound is able to normalize the altered lipid metabolism induced by hyperglycemia and a high fat diet. In this study, we determined whether hyperlipidemic conditions induced with chronically treated alcohol can also be restored by DWP208. Similar to our previous results, orally administered DWP208 (1 to 10 mg/kg) also ameliorated the hyperlipidemia that was induced by alcohol. This compound reversed the alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia including (i) up-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), atherosclerotic index (AI), triglyceride, and total cholesterol, and (ii) down-regulated hyperlipidemic parameters such as absolute body weight, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum and liver. According to our data, the ameliorative activity of DWP208 is due to its indirect anti-oxidative activity as a result of which lipid peroxide and hydroxyl radical levels were reduced and the activity of SOD was enhanced. Therefore, our data strongly suggest that DWP208 can be used as a remedy against alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.10
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• pp.892-897
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• 2010

Purpose: This study evaluated the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and risk factors for metabolic derangement in young adults with childhood-onset hypopituitary growth hormone deficiency (ACOHGHD). Methods: Thirty patients with ACOHGHD who were treated with hormone-replacement therapy, aged 18 to 29 years, who visited the Seoul National University Children's Hospital between September 2009 and February 2010 were enrolled. Height, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and the clinical and hormonal features were reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated measures of metabolic derangement in the enrolled patients and in the data of healthy adults aged 20 to 29 years taken from the 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) as part of the National Cholesterol Education Program-the Adult Treatment Panel III. Results: Compared with the KNHANES participants, patients with ACOHGHD had significantly large waist circumference (men and women), high systolic blood pressure (BP) (women) and diastolic BP (men), and high serum triglyceride levels (women). The duration of illness correlated significantly with central obesity ($r^2$=0.546, $P$=0.003). The prevalence of MetS was 10% in patients with ACOHGHD and 2.3% in KNHANES participants. The prevalence of central obesity and MetS was higher in patients with ACOHGHD than in KNHANES participants ($P$<0.001 and $P$=0.042, respectively). Conclusion: Abdominal obesity correlated with the duration of illness in patients with ACOHGHD. Waist circumference should be measured in the clinic to prevent MetS, particularly in patients with a long history of ACOHGHD, regardless of age or sex.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.269-275
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• 2008

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) has been widely used as an anti-inflammatory agent in oriental medicine. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect, and the possible mechanism, of dandelion extracts against ethanol-induced acute hepatotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice. Dandelion water and ethanol extract was administered at 2 g/kg body weight (BW) once daily for 7 consecutive days, whereas control and ethanol groups received water by gavage. Ethanol (50% ethanol; 6 g/kg BW) was administered 12 hr before sacrificing the mice in order to generate liver injury. Significantly increased serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities as well as liver triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels were attenuated by dandelion supplementation. In addition, dandelion extracts not only enhanced alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and anti-oxidative enzyme activities, but reduced lipid peroxidation. Cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP 2E1), one of the critical enzymes xenobiotic metabolism, expression was lower with ethanol treatment but restored by dandelion supplementation. These results were confirmed by improved histopathological changes in fatty liver and hepatic lesions induced by ethanol. In conclusion, dandelion could protect liver against ethanol administration by attenuating of oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 1997

An experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of feeding graded levels of chromium in the form of chromium picolinate on growth performance, blood components, carcass grade, in vitro lipogenesis and lipolysis, and in vitro protein degradation and synthesis in growing-finishing pigs. There were no significant differences for daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion among treatments during growing phase, while in the finishing phase, feed intake was lower in groups fed diets with 200 ppb chromium than in other treatment (p < 0.1). Feed conversion was improved in the groups fed diets with chromium compared with control. Carcass weight was similar among treatments while carcass length was longer in groups fed diets with 200 ppb chromium (p < 0.05). Thinner carcass fat was found with groups fed diets with chromium compared to control. Three A grade of carcasses were from groups fed chromium compared to control. No significant differences were observed with blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acid at 60kg body weight. While, at 100 kg body weight, blood triglyceride was lower in groups with 200 and 400 ppb chromium but higher in groups with 100 ppb chromium (p < 0.05). In vitro lipolysis and protein synthesis in adipose tissues were increased as dietary chromium was increased from 0 to 200 ppb (p < 0.1). As a result, 200 ppb chromium in a growing-finishing diet could improve feed efficiency and carcass traits; an increase to 400 ppb has no further effect.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.7-15
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• 2014

Objectives: The present study investigated the toxic properties of petroleum ether extract of Wattakaka (W.) volubilis in Wistar female rats. Methods: An in vitro brine shrimp lethality bioassay was studied in A. Salina nauplii, and the lethality concentrations were assessed for petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis. A water soluble portion of the test extract was used in different concentrations from $100-1000{\mu}g/mL$ of 1 mg/mL stock solution. A 24-hours incubation with a 1-mL aliquot in 50 mL of aerated sea water was considered to calculate the percentage rate of dead nauplii with test extract administration against a potassium-dichromate positive control. The acute and the sub-acute toxicities of petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis were evaluated orally by using gavage in female Wistar rats. Food and water intake, body weight, general behavioral changes and mortality of animals were noted. Toxicity or death was evaluated following the administration of petroleum ether extract for 28 consecutive days in the female rats. Serum biochemical parameters, such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium and ${\alpha}$-amylase levels, were measured in the toxicity evaluations. Pathological changes in isolated organs, such as the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, were also examined using hematoxylin and eosin dye fixation after the end of the test extract's administration. Results: The results of the brine-shrimp assay indicate that the evaluated concentrations of petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis were found to be non-toxic. In the acute and the sub-acute toxicity evaluations, no significant differences were observed between the control animals and the animals treated with extract of W. volubilis. No abnormal histological changes were observed in any of the animal groups treated with petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis. Conclusion: These results suggest that petroleum ether extract of W. volubilis has a non-toxic effect in Wistar female rats.