• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2019

Purpose: Obesity is risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, nonobese patients are also increasingly susceptible to NAFLD. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of obese and nonobese pediatric patients with NAFLD. Methods: We retrospectively studied 68 patients who were diagnosed with NAFLD between January 2010 and October 2016 at 10-18 years of age. Body mass index ${\geq}95th$ percentile for age and sex was defined as obesity. Abdominal ultrasonography and laboratory, anthropometrics measurements were evaluated. Results: Among the 68, 26 (38.2%) were nonobese patients. The ratio of male to female was 5.8:1, and the median age at diagnosis was 13 years (range, 10-17 years). Significant higher triglyceride (223.0 mg/dL vs. 145.9 mg/dL, P=0.047) and total cholesterol levels (211.6 mg/dL vs. 173.2 mg/dL, P=0.011) were shown in nonobese than obese patients. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol level <40 mg/dL (hazard ratio [HR], 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.13-7.10; P=0.048), total cholesterol level >200 mg/dL (HR, 5.6; 95% CI, 1.23-15.31; P=0.038) and abdominal obesity (HR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.22-4.68; P=0.013) were significant risk factors for NAFLD in nonobese patients. Conclusion: Nonobese patients present a substantial proportion of pediatric NAFLD cases. Significant abnormal lipid concentrations were found in nonobese and abdominal obesity was important risk factor for nonobese NAFLD.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.96-105
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• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) and fermented AC (fAC) on microorganisms and efficacies. Methods: AC was fermented for four weeks without using any bacterial strains. Then we investigated fermentation characteristics including potential of hydrogen (pH), total sugar, microbial profiling and antioxidant compound contents such as total polyphenol and total flavonoid. The anti-obesity effects of AC and fAC were evaluated by using Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Also anti-diabetic effects of them were evaluated by using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in C2C12 skeletal muscle cell. Results: Both pH and total sugar of fAC were decreased significantly compared to unfermented AC. And the abundance of total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria increased during fermentation, especially Lactobacillus plantarum. Also fermentation of AC increased the content of total polyphenol. On the metabolic aspects, we found that AC and fAC suppressed fat accumulation. Conclusions: After four weeks of fermentation, AC increased concentrations of active compounds, altered microbial composition, and inhibited fat accumulation such as triglyceride. These results indicate that fermentation of AC might be a beneficial therapeutic approach for obesity.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.114-118
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• 2021

Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) emitted from vehicle exhaust might disrupt systemic function and elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we examined the changes of cardiometabolic biomarkers among vehicle inspectors exposed daily to PM0.25 and components. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two vehicle inspection centers, Pulogadung and Ujung Menteng, located in East Jakarta, Indonesia. The exposed respondents were 43 workers from vehicle inspection centers, and the unexposed group consisted of 22 staff officers working in the same locations. Vehicle exhaust particulate matter was measured for eight hours using a Leland Legacy personal pump attached to a Sioutas Cascade Impactor. The used filters were 25 and 37-mm quartz filters. The particulate matter concentration was analyzed using a gravimetric method, whereas trace elements were analyzed using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence. An EEL Smoke Stain Reflectometer analyzed black carbon. Results: The personal exposure concentrations of PM0.25 were 10.4-fold higher than those in unexposed groups. Calcium and sulfur were the major components in the obtained dust, and their levels were 3.3- and 7.2-fold higher, respectively, in the exposed group. Based on an independent-samples t-test, high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, HbA1c, total immunoglobulin E, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and nitric oxide levels were significantly different between the groups. Conclusions: In summary, it was suggested that PM0.25 exposure from vehicle exhaust might affect cardiometabolic biomarkers change.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.127-132
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• 2021

Background: Obesity and dental caries have common risk factors such as food intake, eating habits, and lifestyle. Nevertheless, there has been no consensus on the significant association between obesity and dental caries, and additional studies are needed. We investigated the relationship between obesity and dental caries in some college students in this pilot study. Methods: Forty-two obese college students (body mass index [BMI]≥25) registered at a University Obesity Clinic and 19 normal students (18.5≤BMI<25) were recruited. Oral examinations were conducted, and anthropometric data and blood samples were collected. The blood concentrations of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride were also measured. After controlling for dental plaque index, a univariate analysis of dental caries indicators related to obesity was performed; partial correlation analysis was also conducted. A nonparametric test was used for the analysis of gender-related trends due to the limited number of participants. Results: The obese group had significantly fewer missing teeth (p=0.014), missing surfaces (p=0.035), filled surfaces (p=0.038), and decayed-missing-filled surfaces (p=0.020) than the normal group. There was no difference between the males in the normal and obese groups. The females in the obese group had significantly fewer missing teeth (p=0.003), missing surfaces (p=0.003), and decayed-missing-filled surfaces (p=0.046). Partial correlation analysis showed a weak negative correlation (r=-0.256) between the blood LDL concentration and decayed-missing-filled teeth. The other obesity and dental caries indicators were not correlated. Conclusion:The blood cholesterol concentration had a negative relationship with dental caries, and there were fewer cases of dental caries in the obese group in this study. However, it is important to clarify the relationship between obesity and dental caries through a dietary survey or additional investigations considering other confounding factors.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.426-439
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• 2021

It is already well known that castration improves marbling quality but exact timing of castration is still highly debated in beef cattle production industry. After castration, blood hormonal changes occur in steer and objective of this study was to investigate the effects of growth hormone (GH) levels on adipocyte differentiation in stromal vascular cells (SVCs) and transdifferentiation into adipocytes in C2C12 myoblasts. Total GH concentrations were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 24 male calves and 4 female calves. Cell proliferation, cellular triglyceride (TG) accumulation, and the cell's lipolytic capability were measured in C2C12 myoblasts and SVCs. Myogenic, adipogenic, and brown adipocyte-specific gene expression was measured via real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using SYBR green. Serum GH levels were the highest in late-castrated calves. Treatment with 5 ng/mL GH resulted in greater TG accumulation as well as increased CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ expression compared to that after treatment with 15 ng/mL GH. Treatment with 5 ng/mL GH also resulted in lower myogenin (myo)G and myoD expression compared to that after treatment with 15 ng/mL GH. The expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 7 after treatment with 5 ng/mL GH was higher than that after treatment with 15 ng/mL GH. But carcass characteristics data showed no significant difference between early and late castrated steers. Therefore, our results indicate that castration timing does not seem to be inevitable determinate of carcass qualities, particularly carcass weight and marbling score in Hanwoo beef cattle.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.17-29
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• 2022

Objective : The present study comparatively analyzed the anti-obesity effect of Arctium lappa L. roots with and without microwave processing. Methods : Four HFD groups except for the Normal group (n=8) were allocated: Control, microwave-processed dried Arctium lappa L. roots (MAL) extract 400 mg/kg/d (MAL400), MAL extract 800 mg/kg/d (MAL800), and the dried Arctium lappa L. roots (DAL) extract 800 mg/kg/d (DAL800). The efficacy of MAL and DAL was confirmed in terms of the serum biochemical index, protein expressions related to the synthesis of triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) and 𝛽-oxidation, and histopathological staining. Results : Both MAL and DAL treatments significantly reduced final body weight and body weight gain. MAL800 treatment significantly reduced serum TG, TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and leptin levels, but the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin concentrations were dramatically increased. In particular, leptin in the MAL800 group was reduced by 14.1% compared with the DAL800 group. Moreover, the MAL800 treatment showed an effect superior to the DAL800 treatment in the reduction of serum TC, the sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) activation, and the inhibition of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) gene expression. In particular, unlike the DAL800 treatment, MAL treatment significantly led to the activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR𝛼). Subsequently, PPAR𝛼 meaningfully regulated downstream proteins associated with 𝛽-oxidation. Conclusion : These findings suggest that Arctium lappa L. roots with microwave processing effectively ameliorate obesity through the regulation of leptin and TC and the promotion of 𝛽-oxidation compared with Arctium lappa L. roots without microwave processing.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1173-1183
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• 2022

Adipogenesis is a complex process comprising commitment and a differentiation stages. Through research, many different transcriptional factors were found to mediate preadipocyte commitment and differentiation. Lysine has a potential of regulating the commitment and differentiation of preadipocytes. In the present study, intramuscular stromal vascular cells (SVC) isolated from Hanwoo beef cattle were used to elucidate the effects of low lysine level on adipogenesis. SVC were isolated and incubated with various concentrations of lysine (0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 µg/mL). No significant difference were observed in the proliferation of SVC after 24 and 48 h of incubation with different concentration of lysine. On preadipocyte determination, reducing the level of lysine significantly increased the expression of preadipocyte commitment gene Zinc finger protein 423 and Preadipocyte factor-1. Upon differentiation, Oil Red O staining revealed that lipid accumulation and triglyceride content significantly increased with the decreasing lysine levels in the media. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 and stearoyl CoA desaturase were upregulated by the decreased level of lysine. These data suggest the potential mechanism of action for the improved preadipocyte commitment and adipocyte differentiation in bovine intramuscular SVC upon treatment with low levels of lysine. These findings may be valuable in developing feed rations that promote deposition of intramuscular fat in beef cattle through lysine level modification.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Gardeniae Fructus (Ga) and Glycine semen preparatum (Gl) aqueous extract against D-galactosamine (D-GalN, 300mg/kg body weight) was administered to the male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Materials and Methods : The study was carried out on male SD rats (age matched, weight $250{\pm}10$ g). Experimental groups (Exp) divided four : Normal group (Nor) was administered saline, Control (Con) group was only received D-GalN (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Exp was orally administered Ga (200 mg/kg; Ga group), Gl (700 mg/kg; Gl group), and Chizadochi-Tang (200 mg/kg+700 mg/kg, GG group) after D-GalN treatment during 14 days (n=6). Results : D-GalN administration induced hepatotoxicity in rats which was manifested by increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) but decreased total cholesterol (HDL C) and triglyceride (TG). The serum TG concentrations were significantly increased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the Ga group compared with Con. AST and ALP activities were significantly decreased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the all experimental groups compared with Con. ALT activities were significantly decreased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the Ga group compared with Con. LDH activities were significantly decreased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the GG group compared with Con. On the light microscopic study, a number of vacuole were observed in the Con, but decreased in experimental groups. Conclusion : Ga aqueous extract and Chizadochi-Tang extract possesses hepatoprotective potential, thus validating its use in alleviating toxic effects of D-GalN.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.95-106
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• 2013

Objectives : The researcher investigated the anti-obesity effect of Alismatis Orientale Rhizoma(AP) water extract in mice fed a high fat diet and focused on the analysis of local area adipose tissue. Methods : Male ICR mice were divided into three groups, which were fed either a normal AIN diet, a 45% high fat diet (CT group), or a high fat diet and orally administration with a concentrations of 100 mg/kg (AP100 group) and 300 mg/kg body weight (AP300 group) for eight weeks. Results : As compared with CT group, AP100 group showed significant reductions in absolute weight of liver. As compared with CT group, AP100 group and AP300 group showed significant reductions in weight gain and relative weight of total fat. AST, triglyceride, total-cholesterol levels from the AP 100 group and 300 group were significantly lower than those of the CT, and ALT, LDL-cholesterol levels from the AP 100 group was significantly lower than those of the CT. But serum HDL-cholesterol levels from the AP 100 group and 300 group were significantly higher than those of the CT. And serum adiponectin levels from the AP 100 group was significantly higher than those of the CT. In result of real time PCR, all mRNA expression(PEPCK, G6Pase, PGC-$1{\alpha}$ and $ERR{\gamma}$) of two experimental groups were significantly decreased compared to those of CT group. The treatment with AP on local abdominal area made a fat cell size lessen on the fat tissue in the abdominal cavity and subcutaneous area. Conclusions : These results suggest that AP has an anti-obesity effect and the effect is mediated by inhibition of fat gain.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.434-443
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• 2022

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the impact of boron supplementation on nutrient digestibility, inflammatory responses, blood metabolites and diarrhea index, and their relevance to growth performance in weaned pigs housed in good and poor sanitary environments for 14 days after weaning. Methods: A total of 108 male pigs (Duroc×[Yorkshire×Landrace]) weaned at 21 days of age were used in a randomized complete block design with 2×3 factorial arrangement. Pigs were assigned to three boron treatments (0, 5, and 10 mg/kg) under two environments (good and poor sanitary) to give six replicates per treatment (3 pigs per replicate). On 0, 7, and 14 days, one pig per replicate was euthanized to collect, ileum tissue samples, and rectal fecal samples. Results: Boron supplementation quadratically influenced (p<0.001) feed intake and weight gain in pigs housed in good sanitary conditions from 1 to 14 days post-weaning where pigs offered 5 mg/kg boron optimized weight gain and feed intake. There is a quadratic interaction (p = 0.019) on feed intake for 1 to 14 days post-weaning where 5 mg/kg boron increased feed intake in good sanitary conditions. Pigs housed in the poor sanitary environment decreased (p<0.001) villus height and crypt depth in ileum at days 7 and 14. On day 7 and 14, crude protein digestibility was quadratically influenced (p<0.05) by boron supplementation. Boron supplementation linearly increased (p<0.05) plasma calcium and cholesterol levels whilst linearly (p = 0.005) reducing plasma triglyceride concentrations. Diarrhea index was quadratically influenced (p<0.05) by boron supplementations regardless of sanitary conditions where 5 mg/kg boron inclusion achieved the lowest diarrhea index. Conclusion: Pigs offered 5 mg/kg of boron increased weight gain which may be deduced by improved dry matter, crude protein, and energy digestibility regardless of the sanitary conditions.