• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.295-305
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• 2021

Purpose: Hepcidin levels have previously been reported to be correlated with liver damage. However, the association between hepcidin levels and liver fibrosis in children with fatty liver disease remains unclear. This study therefore aimed to investigate the pathophysiology of fibrosis in children with fatty liver disease and its association with hepcidin levels. Methods: This retrospective case series included 12 boys aged 6-17 years who were diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) at the Tokyo Medical University Hospital. Sixteen liver biopsy samples from 12 subjects were analyzed. Serum hepcidin levels were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunostaining for hepcidin was performed, and the samples were stratified by staining intensity. Results: Serum hepcidin levels were higher in pediatric NAFLD/NASH patients than in controls. Conversely, a significant inverse correlation was observed between hepcidin immunostaining and Brunt grade scores and between hepcidin scores and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, hyaluronic acid, and leukocyte levels. We observed inverse correlations with a high correlation coefficient of >0.4 between hepcidin immunostaining and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total bile acid, and platelet count. Conclusion: There was a significant inverse correlation between hepcidin immunoreactivity and fibrosis in pediatric NAFLD patients; however, serum hepcidin levels were significantly higher, suggesting that these patients experienced a reduction in the hepcidin-producing ability of the liver in response to iron levels, leading to subsequent fibrosis. Therefore, hepcidin levels can be used as markers to identify the progression of fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1123-1131
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• 1997

This study examined the effect of dietary lipids and guar gum on lipid metabolism in ovariectomized rats. The experimental animals received ovarietomy (OVX). Lipids sources were divided into 3 groups (soybean oil(SB), beef tallow(BT)) and fish oil(FO)) and guar gum was supplemented to each lipid diet (SBG, BTG, FOG). Experimental diets were fed to therats for 16 weeks. Serum triglyceride (TG) levels were higher in the BT group and lower in the FO group as compared to the SB group .Serum total cholesterol (Tc) and HDL-C levels were lower in the FO group as compared to the SB group. Serum LDL-C and phospholipid levels were lower in the FO group as compared to the SB group. Serum lipids levels were lowered by guar gum supplement. Serum SFA(saturated fatty acids) contents were not significantly influenced by dietary lipids and guar gum. Serum MUFA(monounsaturated fatty acids) contents were the lowest in the SB group. Fecal weight was highest in the beef tallow group and lowest in the fish oil group. Fecal weight was increased by guar gum supplement in all lipid groups. Total bile acid content in feces was increased by guar gum supplement in the soybean oil and beef tallow groups. The endothelial cells of the beef tallow group changed from a flat shape to distorted round and enlarged shapes. The subendothelial layer was the thickness the thickest in the beef tallow group ; the interspace between elastic lamina was widened and elastic lamina was straightened and partly disrupted . The fish oil group showed more porminient endothelial cells and subendothelial layer. Internal elastic membrane and elastic lamina exhibited regularly wavy shapes. Guar gum supplement showed positive effects in all lipids groups. Based on the above results , it is suggested that beef tallow increased serum TG levels and injured the wall of the aorta. On the other hand, fish oil , which decreased serum lipid levels, has a positive effect on the walls of the aorta. Guar gum protects the aorta from injury by reducing the serum lipid levels. Therefore, it is suggested that soybean oil and beef tallow consumed with guar gum is beneficial.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2014

Lactobacillus sakei 383, which showed the highest GABA content in fermented soycurd, survived in artificial gastric fluid (pH 3.0) up to 3 h, and the survival rate was 88%. L. sakei 383 was tolerant to bile juice during incubation in MRS broth with 0.3% oxgall, and the survival rate was 99%. The survival ratio of L. sakei 383 was high in media containing less than 6% NaCl. L. sakei 383 produced an antibacterial substance against various pathogens, including Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi. The quality characteristics of soycurd fermented with L. sakei 383 were measured during the fermentation period. The viable cell number reached a peak ($10^{11}CFU/ml$) 36 h after fermentation and then slowly decreased. According to the fermentation time of L. sakei 383, the acidity of soycurd increased and the pH decreased until 12 h, and they were maintained thereafter. The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber content was 94.88, 0.22, 2.38, 1.16, and 0.03%, respectively. The content of total and reducing sugar was comparatively higher in the soycurd fermented with L. sakei 383 than in nonfermented soycurd. The essential and nonessential amino acid content was 11.2 and 38.65 mg/100 g.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.823-831
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• 1995

The composition of rumen volatile fatty acids(VFA) and the blood chemistry were investigated in 5 clinically health dairy cows(Group I) reared on dairy farms and in 5 cows with post-parturition(POP) primary ketosis(Group II). The determinations were performed on days 5 to 7 pre-parturition(PRP), immediately POP, and on days 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 POP. In both groups, the total VFA levels gradually increased starting from day 5 POP, but the levels were lower in Group II than in Group I. With regard to POP. changes in the composition of VFA, Group II occasionally showed lower levels of acetic acid and caproic acid than did Group I. Blood glucose levels decreased POP in both groups. In contrast, blood levels of ketone bodies and 3-hydroxybutyric acid were increased POP, but there was no statistically by significant difference between the groups. The aspartate aminotransferase level was transiently increased immediately POP in both groups, and the increase was more marked in Group II than in Group I. Both groups showed a tendency for total cholesterol, free cholesterol, ester cholesterol, phospholipid, and total bile acid to be increased POP, but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Clinically healthy dairy cows also showed POP changes in the composition of VFA and blood similar to those in dairy cows with ketosis, suggesting that even apparently healthy cows are at risk of subclinical ketosis POP.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.899-905
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• 2003

The effects of cooked soybean and a traditional fermented soy product, chongkukjang, on blood pressure and lipid metabolism were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR). SHRs were divided into 3 groups (n=10, male), and fed casein, powders of cooked soybean, and chongkukjang as dietary protein sources for 6 weeks. Body weight gain was not different among experimental groups, but food efficiency was increased in groups fed cooked soybean and chongkukjang diets compared to control group. Consumption of cooked soybean and chongkukjang for 6 weeks in SHR significantly suppressed blood pressure rise with aging (p<0.05). Feeding of cooked soybean and chongkukjang to SHR decreased plasma triacylglycerols (p<0.05) by 21.6% and 30.2% and LDL-cholesterol by 30.0% and 27.5%, respectively. Addition of cooked soybean and chongkukjang to the diet resulted in reduction of total lipids and triacylglycerols of liver, while consumption of cooked soybean and chongkukjang resulted in the increase of fecal cholesterol and bile acid excretions, respectively (p<0.05). Cooked soybean and chongkukjang diets down-regulated the activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase by 56.4% and 94.5%, compared to control, respectively. From the above-mentioned results, it can be concluded that consumption of cooked soybean and chongkukjang might be helpful in preventing cardiovascular disease by suppressing blood pressure rise and hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2001

In order to elucidate the influence of intestinal and hepatic first-pass effect on the pharmacokinetics of triflusal, the biotransformation of triflusal in the gastrointestinal tract and liver was designed. Moreover, we tried to establish an HPLC method applicable for bioassay and available to pharmacokinetics, not only with the simultaneous determination of triflusal and its active metabolite, 2-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethyl benzoic acid (HTB), but also with improving sensitivity. After the administration of triflusal (10 mg/kg) and HTB (10 mg/kg) into femoral vein, portal vein (only triflusal) and oral route (only triflusal), pharmacokinetic parameters were investigated from the plasma concentration-time profiles of triflusal and HTB in rats. An HPLC method was developed for the simultaneous determination of triflusal and HTB in rat plasma, urine and bile. The HPLC analysis was carried out using a C18 column and acetonitrile-methanol-water (25:10:65, v/v/v) as the mobile phase and UV detection at 234 nm. Furosemide was used as the internal standard. The calibration curves were linear over the concentration range $0.05-5.0\;{\mu}g/ml$ for triflusal and $0.2-200.0\;{\mu}g/ml$ for HTB with correlation coefficients greater than 0.999 and with intra-day or inter-day coefficients of variation not exceeding 10.0%. This assay procedure was applied to the study of metabolite pharmacokinetics of triflusal and HTB in rats. It was supposed that triflusal was almost metabolized in vivo because urinary and biliary excreted amounts of triflusal could be ignored as it was lower than 1.2% of the administered dose. According to the gastrointestinal and hepatic biotransformation pathways of triflusal, it was found that triflusal was hydrolyzed by about 5% in intestine and metabolized by about 53% in liver, and that the bioavailability of triflusal after oral administration of triflusal was 0.44, and also that the fraction of total elimination rate of triflusal which formed HTB in liver $(F_{mi},\;%)$ was about 98%. These results showed that triflusal was almost metabolized in liver, and the total elimination of triflusal in the body was dependent to the formation rate of HTB from triflusal in liver.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.749-755
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• 2014

Exopolysaccharides (EPSs) have been widely used in the food industry as viscofying, stabilizing, and emulsifying agents as well as in the pharmaceutical industry for their immunomodulatory, anti-tumor, and anti-inflammatory effects. A total of 458 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains isolated from several kinds of soybean pastes were screened for the production of homo-EPS (HoPS). LAB isolates were primarily screened using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and further screened polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting genes involved in HoPS production. Six LAB isolates producing high amounts of HoPS were identified by TLC. Among these isolates, glucansucrase gene was amplified in two strains (JSA57, JSB22), whereas the fructansucrase gene was detected in three strains (JSA57, JSB22, JSB66). After isolating the strains, their morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequences were determined. Six species were identified as L. alimentarius HSB15, L. plantarum JSA22, L. pentosus JSA57, L. brevis JSB22, L. alimentarius JSB66, and L. parabrevis JSB89. To evaluate the potential probiotic properties of these LAB, their survival rates against a simulated intestinal environment were determined. After 2 hr of incubation in artificial gastric juice, survival rates of JSA57, JSB90, JSB22, and JSB66 were all greater than 50%. After 2 hr of incubation in bile juice, viable cell count of JSB22 was similar with initial vial cell counts. Growth of the six LAB was screened in arabino-oligosaccharide (AOS)-containing MRS broth. Results showed that growth of the isolates selectively increased after culture in AOS-containing media. Strain JSB22 (6 hr), JSB66 (6 hr), HSB15 (20 hr), and JSA22 (29 hr) showed maximum growth rate. Especially, JSB22 showed the highest growth rate. These results suggest that EPS-producing LAB isolated from Deonjang could be applied as synbiotics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1220-1226
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of water-soluble extract from roasted chicory on the lipid metabolism and oxidative stress in male Sprague-Dawley rats. The experimental groups were divided into three groups ; the normal group, the cholesterol group and the chicory group. Roasted chicory extract was supplemented at 5.0% (w/w) level in the cholesterol diet. Concentration of total cholesterol in serum was significantly higher in the cholesterol group than in the normal group, but this increase in the cholesterol group was significantly decreased by the cholesterol diet supplemented with chicory extract. Concentration of HDL-cholesterol in serum was significantly lower in the cholesterol group than in the normal group, but this decrease in the cholesterol group tended to increase in the chicory group. However, concentrations of triglyceride, phospholipid and nonesterified fatty acid in serum were not significantly different among the groups. Concentrations of triglyceride and cholesterol in liver were significantly higher in the cholesterol and chicory groups than in the normal group. Feces weight and the excretion of cholesterol and bile acid into feces were significantly higher in the chicory group than in other groups. Concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in homogenates and microsomal fractions of liver were not significantly different among the groups. On the other hand, concentration of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as an useful marker of oxidative stress in urine was lower in the chicory group than in other groups. Concentration of serum glucose was signnificantly lower in the cholesterol group than in the normal group, but that of the chicory group was significantly higher than in the normal group. These results demonstrated that dietary chicory extract exerted the decreasing effect of cholesterol level and oxidative stress in cholesteral-fed rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.429-441
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• 1994

The difference in lipid metabolism between breast-fed(BF) and formula-fed(FF) infants were studied in 31 Korean infants at 1, 2 and 3 months postpartum. The formulas had more total lipids(TL), triglycerides(TG) and phospholipids and less cholesterol(CHOL) and free fatty acids(FFA) than the breast milk. The milk consumption of the FF infants was significantly greater than that of the BF infants with a wide individual variation. As a result, the FF infants appeared to consume more TL, TG and PL and less CHOL and FFA than the BF infants during 3 months. The lipid contents of the breast milk tended to decrease in due course of lactation, therefore the intake of lipids of BF infants was reduced during the first three month of lactation. The plasma TG and CHOL levels of infants at 3 month were not significantly different between the BF and FF infants, but the PL level of the BF infants was higher then that of the FF infants. The plasma levels of TG and CHOL were not significantly correlated with the intakes of TL, TG, CHOL, PL and FFA, respectively. The PL level, however, was positively correlated with the intakes of CHOL and FFA, respectively and negatively correlated with PL intake as well as 18 : 2w6 fatty acid content of the breast milk or the formulas. The fecal weight and fecal loss of TL of the FF infants were greater than those of the BF infants during 3 months, however, apparent lipids digestibility was not significantly different between the BF and FF infants. The fecal excretions of CHOL and bile acids of FF infants were substantially higher than those of BF infants during 3 months. New sterol balance showed a particularly large difference between the BF and FF infants. The value of the net sterol balance of the BF infants was negative, but that of the FF infants was positive. This study shows that the consumption pattern of various lipid components of BF and FF infants were different as a result of different lipid compositions between breast milk and formula. The significantly lower sterol balance of the BF infants than the FF infants may have been derived from the unique dietary characteristic of breast milk.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-33
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• 1992

In order to observe clinical effect of Gamikeguntang(加味柱芎湯) and Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯), I reached following conclusion through the clinical pathology and physicohemical investigation, The following results were obtained. 1) The amplirude on AVL lead which is observed in ECG was increased significantly both in medication group of Gamikegungtang (加味柱芎湯) and of Gamikegungtang(加味歸脾湯). 2) In Hematology, the values of RBC, Hb and Hct are totally increased in the medication group of Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). 3) In serum Lipid, Total cholesterol and Tryglyceride are significantly decreased and HDL-cholesteral is significantly increased both in medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) and Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). Especiay, HDL-cholesterol is remarkably increased in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯). 4) The serum Bile acid is remarkably decreased in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯), but is not in the medication group of Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). 5) The value of Cardiac enzyme is remarkably decreased both in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) and Gamikuyibitnag(加味歸脾湯). especially, in the group of Gamikuybitang(加味歸脾湯). 6) In determination of LDH isoenzyme, $LD_4$ is remarkably decreased in the medication group of Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) and $LD_1\;LD_2$ are remarkably decreased in the medication group of Gamikuyibitang(加味歸脾湯). In view of the result so far achieved, I knew that Gamikegungtang(加味柱芎湯) had an indirect effect on Palpitation which is called mental disorder by means of treatment of liver and gall bladder disease, and that Gamiluyibitang(加味歸脾湯) make increase activation of heart whose blood is deficient( 心血不足). In conclusion, I think that we need comparative studies between the main prescription of Kegungtang(柱芎湯). Kuyibitnag(歸脾湯) and the additional prescription of them from now on.