본 연구는 한국산 재래종 메밀가루를 40%, 70% 에탄올(발효주정)로 각각 처리하여 메밀 추출물을 제조하였고 이를 동결건조한 다음 고지방식이에 혼합하여 흰쥐에게 섭취시킨 후 나타나는 식이성 고지혈증의 개선효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 실험군은 정상대조군(NC), 고지방대조군(HFC), 고지방-40%에 탄올메밀추출물군(HF-40), 고지방-70%에탄올메밀추출물군(HF- 70) 4군으로 나누어 4주간 실험식이로 사육하였으며 실험 결과는 다음과 같다. 1. 실험동물의 식이섭취량과 체중증가량 및 사료효율은 실험군들 간에 유의적 차이를 보이지 않았다. 2. 실험동물의 장기 중간무게를 비교한 결과 정상대조군에 비해 고지방대조군에서 유의적으로 높았고 고지방대조군에 비해 HF-70군은 유의적으로 낮았고 (p<0.05) 정상대조군도 비슷한 수준이었다. 3. 혈중 GOT, GPT 수치는 정상대조군이 가장 낮았고 고지방대조군이 가장 높았으며 HF-40군과 HF-70군은 고지방대조군보다 낮은 경향을 보였다. 혈당 농도는 전체 실험군 중에서 HF-70군이 가장 낮은 경향을 보였다. 4. 혈중 중성지질 농도는 정상대조군에 비해 고지방대조군이 가장 높았고 정상대조군과 고지방대조군에 비해 HF-40군 이 유의적으로 낮았으며(p<0.05) 혈중 유리지방산 농도는 실험군 간에 유의적인 차이를 보이지 않았다. 5. 혈중 콜레스테롤 농도는 정상대조군에 비해 고지방대조군에서 유의적으로 높았고(p<0.05) 고지방대조군과 비교했을 때 HF-70군에서 낮은 경향을 보였으며, 혈중 유리콜레스테롤 농도는 실험군 간에 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 혈중 콜레스테롤에스터 수치는 정상대조군이 71.6mg/dl로 유의적으로 가장 낮았고 고지방대조군의 125.0mg/dl와 비교하여 HF-40군, HF- 70군은 각각 116.9mg/dl, 88.5mg/dl로 유의적으로 낮았다 (p<0.05). 특히 HF-70군은 HF-40군에 비해서도 유의하게 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 6. 혈중 LDL-콜레스테롤은 정상대조군에 비해 고지방대조군이 유의적으로 높았으며 고지방대조군(130.6mg/dl)에 비해 HF-70군(85.1mg/dl)에서 유의적으로 낮았다(p<0.05). 7. 혈중 HDL-콜레스테롤은 정상대조군에 비해 고지방식이군들이 유의적으로 낮았으며(p<0.05) 고지방실험군들 간에는 유의적인 차이가 없었다. 그러나 HDL-콜레스테롤/총콜레스테 롤의 비율은 정상대조군에 비해 고지방대조군이 유의적으로 낮았고 고지방대조군에 비해 HF-70군이 유의적으로 높았다 (p<0.05). 8. 동맥경화지수는 정상대조군이 가장 낮았으며 고지방대조군이 정상대조군에 비해 유의적으로 높았고 고지방대조군에 비해 HF-70군은 유의적으로 낮았다 (p<0.05). 본 실험에서 고지방식이를 섭취한 쥐의 이상지질혈증은 메밀 에탄올추출물에 의해 개선되었으며 40% 에탄올 메밀추출 물보다 70% 에탄올 메밀추출물에서 더욱 많이 개선되는 것으로 확인되었다.

Curcumin is a hydrophobic polyphenol extracted from turmeric that exhibits a variety of biological functions has albeit with limited efficacy as a functional food material owing to its low absorption when administered orally. The newly developed curcumin powder formulation exhibits improved absorption rate in vivo. This study evaluates the anti-oxidant effects of Theracurmin® (TC), which is highly bio-available in curcumin powder. The antioxidant activity of TC was investigated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity, ferrous reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays, NO radical, superoxide radical, H2O2 scavenging activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Additionally, we evaluated the antioxidant activity of TC in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed streptozotocin (STZ)-induced Type 2 diabetic rats. As a result of oral administration of TC for 13 weeks in type 2 diabetic rats, the group administration of 2,000 mg/kg significantly increased FRAP, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced the level of glutathione (GSH) in liver tissue 1.9, 1.2, and 1.2-times, respectively. Furthermore, serum TAC levels increased by 1.3-fold after the rats were administered with a dose of 500 mg/kg. These results were consistent with the in vitro assay results. In conclusion, TC exhibited its potential as a functional food material through its antioxidant properties.

This study investigated the characteristics of obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HD) over 13 weeks in Rhbdf2 gene knockout (KO) mice. Forty 7-week-old Rhbdf2 wild and KO mice were used and the mice were divided into 4 groups: Wild-ND (n=10, Rhbdf2 wild mice, normal diet (ND)), Wild-HD (n=10, Rhbdf2 wild mice, HD), KO-ND (n=10, Rhbdf2 KO mice, ND) and KO-HD (n=10, Rhbdf2 KO mice, HD). The relative epididymal fat weight in KO-HD was significantly increased compared with that in KO-ND (P<0.01). The relative liver and spleen weights in KO-HD were decreased compared with those in Wild-HD (p < 0.05) and KO-ND (p < 0.01). The mRNA expression of SOD1 in KO-ND was significantly reduced compared with that in Wild-ND (p < 0.05). In Wild-ND and HD, the mRNA expressions of TNF-α and IL-6 in epididymal fat were significantly increased compared with those in KO-ND and HD (p < 0.01). A significant increase of TNF- α and IL-6 mRNA expression was observed in KO-HD compared with KO-ND (p < 0.01). These results indicated that Rhbdf2 genes may regulate high fat diet-induced obesity damage by anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative roles in fat tissue of mice.

Whole grain cereal (WGC)-rich diets provide macronutrients that are important for the regulation of energy metabolism. The current study evaluated whether WGCs had a preventive effect on sarcopenic obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57BL/6N mice were fed a normal diet (ND), ND+WGC, HFD, and HFD+WGC for 12 weeks. WGCs significantly reduced body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, fat mass, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice. WGCs attenuated HFD-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by decreasing liver weight and hepatic fat accumulation. In addition, WGCs increased muscle strength and muscle mass in HFD-induced obese mice as well as in ND mice. Taken together, WGCs can be employed as functional food materials for the prevention of sarcopenic obesity by inhibiting fat accumulation and increasing muscle mass.

This study, analyzed the general and minerals composition of kamut and investigated its effect on blood components in mice fed a high fat diet. The content of each general component of kamut was as follows: 11.02±0.75% water, 13.16 ±1.28% crude protein, 1.85±0.19% crude fat, and 1.97±0.13% ash. The leptin level was the highest in the HF group(30.00± 0.00 ng/mL) when compared to the control group. There was a significant decrease of 23.65±5.54 ng/mL in the HFK group when compared to the HF group (p<0.05). The blood LDL-cholesterol concentration was the lowest in the control group at 10.00±2.00 mg/dL. The level was highest in the HF group at 28.00±0.00 mg/dL when compared with the other groups (p<0.05). The aspartate transaminase (AST) level was significantly higher in the HFK group (179.33±173.88 U/L) than in the control (61.00±12.73 U/L) and HF groups (132.00±0.00 U/L). According to the results of this study, the consumption of kamut lowers the blood LDL-cholesterol level more than the consumption of wheat flour. Additionally, kamut contains antioxidant substances such as selenium and zinc, which are thought to contribute to vascular health and thus aid in maintaining good health. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a variety of health foods using kamut; it should be used as a functional food for the maintenance of good health.

Metabolic syndrome, including obesity, glucose intolerance and elevated blood pressure, is related to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have reported the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects of purple corn extract. We investigated the efficacy of purple corn extract (PC) against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and glucose intolerance, and examined the underlying mechanisms by analyzing expression of proteins and genes involved in glucose regulation and macrophage infiltration. C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal chow diet (ND), or HFD treated with distilled water (DW, control) or PC, for 10 weeks. Although body weights were similar in the HFD-fed groups, we observed a decrease in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue (EAT) weights, and enhanced glucose tolerance test (GTT) results in the PC group, as compared with DW group. Liver showed increased Akt phosphorylation in the PC-treated mice; however, no changes were observed in the EAT, for all groups. In PC-treated mice, decreased macrophage infiltration was seen in the EAT, with a reduced expression of macrophage marker genes. Finally, proinflammatory cytokine gene expressions were decreased by PC in the EAT, and a modest trend for downregulation was observed in the liver. Hence, we conclude that PC may decrease glucose intolerance by increasing the phosphorylation of Akt and reducing the macrophage infiltration into the EAT.

This study was performed to investigate the effects of garlic on uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) transcriptional regulation of UCP2- luciferase transgenic mice fed on a high fat diet to induce obesity. To examine the transcriptional regulation of UCP2, we generated transgenic mice with a UCP2 promoter (-1,830/+30 bp) containing luciferase as a reporter gene. UCP2-luciferase transgenic mice were fed a 45% high-fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity. Subsequently, mice were maintained on either a high-fat control diet (TG-CON), or high-fat diets supplemented with 2% (TG-GL2) or 5% (TG-GL5) garlic for a further 8 weeks. Dietary garlic reduced body weight and energy efficiency ratio in the TG-GL5 group, compared to the TG-CON group. Furthermore, garlic supplementation significantly decreased white adipose tissue fat mass and plasma levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and leptin in the TG-GL2 and TG-GL5 groups, compared to the TG-CON group. Specifically, UCP2 promoter activity in metabolic tissues such as liver, white adipose tissue, brown adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle was increased by garlic supplementation. These results suggest that dietary garlic was partially associated with an increase of UCP2 transcriptional activity in metabolic tissues for decreasing obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of acorn powder and starch on the blood parameters of mice fed a high-fat diet. The moisture, crude ash, crude protein, and crude fat contents of acorns were 37.99±0.37%, 1.61±0.06%, 4.36±0.18% and 3.22±0.15%, respectively. Acorn powder and starch contains antioxidant minerals such as selenium and zinc. The iron content was significantly higher in acorn powder than in acorn starch (p<0.05). The total cholesterol concentration was 148.50±29.72 mg/dL in the high-fat starch diet (HFS) group, while in the high-fat diet (HF) group it was 201.50±39.15 mg/dL (p<0.05). Serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower in the HFS group (50.50±10.79 mg/dL) than in the HF group (62.00±20.85 mg/dL; p<0.05). The serum IL-1β levels in mice were not significantly different between the groups. IL-10 levels were higher in the HFP group than other groups. There is a need for strong recognition that acorns are good ingredients worldwide. It is required to develop various products using acorn powder and starch powder. There is also a need for a strategy to globalize food using acorns.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) extract on the inflammation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and blood lipid improvement in hypercholesterolemic mice fed a high cholesterol diet. The lettuce extract (100% ethanol extract) inhibited the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 in HUVEC treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The lettuce extract suppressed the adhesion of THP-1 to TNF-α-treated HUVEC. The lettuce extract decreased the TNF-α-stimulated production of proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and chemokine monocyte chemotactic protein 1. In hypercholesterolemic mice, the lettuce extract reduced serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, while the lettuce extract elevated high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, resulting in the decrease of atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor level. These results suggested that lettuce extract can be an useful resource to show an anti-inflammatory effect and improve lipid metabolism

Lipoxygenase(LOX) 결핍 콩(05C4 및 LS, LOX2,3-free)과 일반콩(태광, LOX1,2,3-present)으로 제조된 된장의 급이가 고지방-콜레스테롤 식이성 흰쥐의 체내 지질성분 및 항산화 효소계에 미치는 영 향을 알아보고자 하였다. SD계 흰쥐는 정상군, 고지방-콜레스테롤 급이군(HFC), 고지방-콜레스테롤 식이+5% 된장 분말 급이군[HFC+D1, 태광된장; HFC+D2, 05C4된장; HFC+D3, LS된장)으로 구분하여 5주간 사육되었다. In vitro에서 된장의 콜레스테롤 흡착활성은 4mg/mL 농도에서 LS된장이 태광된장 에 비해 1.5배 높았다. 식이효율은 정상군에 비해 대조군에서 유의적으로 높았으며, LS된장 급이군 (HFC+D3)은 대조군에 비해 유의적으로 감소되는 경향이었다. Rö hrer 및 T.M.지수와 체지방 함량은 대조군에 비해 된장 급이군에서 모두 유의적으로 감소되었으며, 특히 Lee지수 및 BMI는 LOX 결핍콩 된장 급이군에서 유의적으로 감소되었다. 혈청 총 지질 및 중성지방 함량은 대조군에 비해 된장 급이군 에서 유의적으로 감소되었으나, 총 콜레스테롤, HDL-, LDL-콜레스테롤 및 심혈관질환 위험지수는 LS 된장 급이군만 유의적인 감소를 보였다. 혈청 AST 및 ALT 활성은 HFC+D1 및 HFC+D2간에는 유의차 가 없었고, HFC+D3은 HFC+D1 및 HFC+D2에 비해 유의적으로 낮은 수준이었다. 간 조직에서 총 지 질 함량은 HFC+D3이 대조군에 비해 약 25.2%의 감소되었으며(p<0.05), 중성지방 및 총 콜레스테롤 함량은 HFC+D2 및 HFC+D3이 대조군에 비해 유의적인 감소를 보였다. 분변 중의 중성지방 함량은 된 장 급이군 모두 대조군에 비해 26.2~40.3%의 증가를 보였으며(p<0.05), 총 콜레스테롤 함량은 LS된장 급이군만 유의적으로 증가하였다. 간 조직 중 SOD 활성은 대조군에 비해 05C4 및 LS된장 급이군에서 유의적으로 증가하였으며, catalase 및 GSH-px 활성은 된장 급이군 모두 대조군에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였다. UDPGT 활성은 된장의 급이 시 정상군과 유사한 수준으로 증가되었으며, 특히 LS된장 급 이군은 정상군에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였다. 따라서 LOX 결핍 콩으로 제조된 된장은 체내 지질 개선 및 항비만 활성에 긍정적인 도움이 될 것으로 판단된다.

In this study, we analyzed the biochemical factors in lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) leaf, stem, and yeonjabang and their effects on serum factor levels in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. The loutus leaf showed 9.47±0.30% moisture content, 8.25±0.39% ash, 21.45±1.25% crude protein, and 2.21±0.13% crude fat content; the lotus stem showed 11.84±0.43% moisture, 10.21±0.64% ash, 17.55±0.92% crude protein, and 4.16±0.23% crude fat content; and the lotus yeonjabang showed 11.86±0.50% moisture, 6.81±0.51% ash, 18.71±1.02% crude protein, and 3.95±0.15% crude fat. Blood triglyceride levels were higher in the HF group (146.43±38.81 mg/dL), and lower in the HF+yeonjabang groups (98.00±17.18 mg/dL). In particular, blood triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the groups that had 10% dry yeonjabang powder added to the high-fat diet. The inclusion of excessive high-fat diet increased concentrations of serum insulin and leptin. Serum leptin concentrations were highest in the HF group mice (3.00±1.35 ng/dL), whereas they were significantly lower in the HF+yeonjabang groups by 1.34±0.52 ng/dL (p<0.05). Thus, addition of dry yeonjabang powder to the high-fat diet was more effective in regulating the levels of serum triglycerides and leptin in mice. Additional studies would help in the development of yeonjabang as a functional food.

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase response protein in the liver, and SAA1 is the major precursor protein involved in amyloid A amyloidosis. This amyloidosis has been reported as a complication in chronic inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, lupus, and Crohn's disease. Obesity is also associated with chronic, low-grade inflammation and sustained, elevated levels of SAA1. However, the contribution of elevated circulating SAA1 to metabolic disturbances and their complications is unclear. Furthermore, in several recent studies of transgenic (TG) mice overexpressing SAA1 that were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for a relatively short period, no relationship was found between SAA1 up-regulation and metabolic disturbances. Therefore, we generated TG mice overexpressing SAA1 in the liver, challenged these mice with an HFD, and investigated the influence of elevated SAA1 levels. Sustained, elevated levels of SAA1 were correlated with metabolic parameters and local cytokine expression in the liver following 16 weeks on the HFD. Moreover, prolonged consumption (52 weeks) of the HFD was associated with impaired glucose tolerance and elevated SAA1 levels and resulted in systemic SAA1-derived amyloid deposition in the kidney, liver, and spleen of TG mice. Thus, we concluded that elevated SAA1 levels under long-term HFD exposure result in extensive SAA1-derived amyloid deposits, which may contribute to the complications associated with HFD-induced obesity and metabolic disorders.

This study analyzed the antioxidant properties of Equisetum arvense and its effects on serum factor levels in mice fed a high-fat diet. The aim was to establish a new effective resource for biologically active materials. E. arvense stem and root extracts were obtained using deionized water at 95℃, and 70.5% ethanol at 85℃. These extracts were used to analyze the total phenolic compounds and antioxidant (ABTS, DDPH, and FRAP) activities. The effects of prepared ground samples were evaluated by feeding them to mice. E. arvense extracts showed strong antioxidant effects. The caffeic acid content was highest in the 70.5% ethanol extract of the vegetative stem, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The blood concentrations of insulin and leptin were significantly lower in mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with extracts of the root, reproductive stem, and vegetative stem of E. arvense than in mice fed only a high-fat diet. These results suggest that the polyphenolic compounds in E. arvense extracts exert various antioxidant effects. The stems and root of E. arvense can lower the blood levels of insulin and leptin, even after consumption of a high-fat diet.

In this study, we determined the effect of the mulberry leaf powder on blood lipid metabolism and liver function improvement of mice fed a high fat diet. The mulberry leaf showed a moisture content of 10.74±0.56%, ash 9.67±0.56%, crude protein 25.24±1.02%, and crude fat 2.66±0.08%. In the group with high fat diet supplemented with mulberry leaf powder, serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL-cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels were significantly lower (p<0.05); also, serum phospholipid and aspartate amino transferase (AST) levels were significantly lower (p<0.05). Serum insulin and leptin levels were high in mice fed a high fat diet; however, addition of mulberry leaf powder 10% in the diet had no significant effect on blood insulin and leptin control. The results of the study suggested that various plant sterols in mulberry leaf improve lipid metabolism and liver function in ICR-mice.

Obesity is a risk factor for various diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, renal disease, hypertension, cancer, and neural disease. Adipose tissue in animals is important for the mobilization of lipids, milk production, deposition of fat in different depots, and muscle and meat production. Understanding the genetic and physiological causes of metabolic disease is a priority in biomedical genome research. In this study, we examined several variables in mice fed a high-fat diet, including serum composition, body weight, total calorie intake, and differentially expressed genes. Body weight and blood glucose levels were not significantly different between animals fed high-fat and normal diets. However, high-fat diet groups showed reduced calorie and food intakes. Levels of sodium, ionized calcium, glucose, hematocrit, hemoglobin, pH, PCO2, PO2, TCO2+, HCO3+, base excess, and SO2 in the blood were not significantly different between mice fed high-fat and normal diets. Serum potassium concentration, however, was lower in mice a high-fat diet. Differentially expressed genes were also compared between the two groups. The purpose of this study was to discover new genes as a result of annealing control primer (ACP) PCR using 20 random primers. Five down regulated genes were identified and three of others were up-regulated by high-fat diet. Known genes were excluded from this result. In addition, the relationships among candidate genes and high-fat diet should be investigated according to potassium concentration in the blood. In conclusion, mice fed normal and high-fat diets showed no significant difference in body weight, whereas high-fat diet led to changesin blood composition and differential expression of several genes. These findings may provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the association between obesity and metabolic diseases.

Since Korean ancient times, powder of Rosa rugosa Thunberg has been used as a folk remedy. This study was conducted to verify the effects of Rosa rugosa Thunberg powder on in vitro antioxidant properties and serum lipid levels of high-fat diet-induced mice from a nutritional viewpoint. In the case of Rosa rugosa Thunberg powders, measurement of TPC, ABTS radical scavenging activity of trolox, DPPH radical scavenging activity, and measured value of FRAP were higher in ethanol extract than water extracts. For LDL-cholesterol concentration, mice fed 10% powder of Rosa rugosa Thunberg with high-fat diets showed a high numerical value compared with other groups (p<0.05). When testing for triglyceride concentrations in blood, mice fed 10% and 20% powder of Rosa rugosa Thunberg with high-fat diets showed the lowest numerical values (p<0.05). When testing for blood insulin concentrations, the high-fat diet group showed higher levels than compared to the control group (p<0.05). When testing for blood leptin concentrations, the high-fat diet group was 5.88±3.53 ng/dL, whereas mice fed 10% powder of Rosa rugosa Thunberg with high-fat diets showed a blood leptin level of 10.36±5.96 ng/dL (p<0.05). Therefore, results prove that powder of Rosa rugosa Thunberg reduces triglyceride concentrations in the blood, and could be used as an excellent natural antioxidant in the future.