Obesity, a global health concern characterized by excessive fat accumulation, necessitates the discovery of anti-obesity compounds. Rottlerin, known for its anti-cancer effects as a mitochondrial uncoupler, has been a subject of interest. However, its impact on reducing intracellular lipid accumulation remains a gap in our understanding. This study aimed to fill this gap by dissecting the mechanism of rottlerin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We treated differentiated 3T3-L1 cells with 0-20 mM of rottlerin for 48 hours to assess its capability to induce lipid accumulation. Notably, we observed no cytotoxicity associated with the treatment of rottlerin up to 20 mM, indicating its safety at these concentrations. Lipid accumulation, measured by oil Red O, was downregulated dose-independently by rottlerin. We also found that key lipogenic enzymes, including SCD1 and DGAT1, were decreased. The transcription factor of lipogenic genes, SREBP1, was reduced by approximately 80% with rottlerin. LRP6, a crucial link between de novo lipogenesis mechanism reactions and Wnt signaling, was also degraded by around 70%. Interestingly, the downstream regulation of LRP6, b-catenin, and TCFL2 was diminished by rottlerin. Our data indicate that rottlerin alleviates adipocyte lipid accumulation by suppressing the LRP6/β-catenin/SREBP1c pathway. These findings underscore the potential of rottlerin as a safe nutraceutical for combating obesity.

This study was conducted to provide basic data on the antioxidant activity, inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production of a mixture of Brassica juncea extract (BJE) and fermented black rice fraction (BRF). We investigated the total phenol content, total flavonoid content, antioxidant effects (DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, reducing power, FRAP and ORAC assay) and anti-obesity activity of the mixture in 3T3-L1 cells. Our results showed that the total phenol and flavonoid content increased with increasing BRF mixture ratio. The antioxidant activity increased as the BRF mixture ratio increased. In addition, BJE and BRF mixtures did not show any cytotoxicity during the 3T3-L1 differentiation period. During adipocyte differentiation, BJE and BRF mixtures significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and ROS production compared to the control group. These results warrant further experiments to develop an anti-obesity functional food using a mixture of BJE and BRF.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of administering dietary tomato powder (TP; 1, 5, and 10%) to mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity for 12 weeks. The TP used in this study was prepared using unmarketable tomatoes. Male C57BL/6J mice (n=60) were randomly divided into five groups, namely, CON, mice fed a basal diet (10% fat); HFD, mice fed HFD (60% fat); HFD+TP1, mice fed HFD (60% fat) supplemented with 1% TP; HFD+TP5, mice fed HFD (60% fat) supplemented with 5% TP; HFD+TP10, mice fed HFD (60% fat) supplemented with 10% TP. The HFD+TP10 group showed lower final body weight (34.23 g) than the HFD group (39.41 g), along with decreased epididymal fat weight (p<0.05). In addition, the HFD+TP10 group showed significantly lower serum cholesterol and triglyceride contents (136.32 and 33.20 mg/dL, respectively) that the HFD group (175.68 and 59.52 mg/dL, respectively). Increased serum leptin and insulin levels (66.36 and 1.80 ng/mL, respectively) in mice with HFD-induced obesity could be rescued in mice fed HFD supplemented with 10% TP (35.94 and 1.23 ng/mL, respectively). Additionally, the epididymal fat content and hepatic steatosis area showed a dose-dependent decrease with increase in dietary TP supplementation. The anti-obesity effect of 10% TP was linked to reduced serum trimethylamine-N-oxide levels. These results suggested that 10% TP was effective at inhibiting the accumulation of fat in the serum and tissue, and ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders observed in HFD-fed mice. In addition, such utilization of unmarketable tomato to inhibit obesity-associated pathologies is expected to add value and increase profits in the functional food industry.

본 연구는 암컷 쥐의 난소절제 후 고지방식이로 비만이 유도된 비만 쥐에서 수영운동이 지방조직에서 염증반응을 억제하는지를 조사하였다. 실험군과 대조군은 모의수술군(Sham), 난소절제 수술군 (OVX) 및 수영운동을 실시한 난소절제 수술군(OVX/Ex)으로 구분되어 8주 동안 고지방식이(45% fat) 사료를 섭취하면서 사육되었다. 생식기 주변 지방조직, 복막 신장주변 지방조직, 및 장간막 지방조직을 포함한 내장지방조직의 무게는 Sham에 비해 OVX에서 증가하였으나, OVX에 비해 OVX/Ex에서는 감소하였다. Sham에 비해 OVX는 지방조직에서의 IκBα의 유전자 발현이 감소하였고 염증성 사이토카인(IL-6, MCP-1, TNF-α 및 leptin)의 유전자 발현은 증가하였다. OVX에 비해 OVX/Ex는 지방조직에서의 IκB α이 증가하였고 염증성 사이토카인의 유전자 발현은 감소하였다. 결론적으로 본 연구는 난소절제 후 고지방식이로 비만이 유도된 비만 쥐에서 수영 운동은 지방조직에서 염증반응을 억제함으로써 비만의 예방과 치료에 효과적이다는 것을 제시하였다.

The purpose of this study was to investigate antioxidant characteristics and anti-adipogenic effects of colored rice and brown rice extracts in 3T3-L1 adipocyte depending on cultivar (Josaengheugchal, Heugjinmi, Hongjinju, Geongganghongmi, Seolgaeng, Milyang 320, Sindongjin, Baegjinju). Colored rice and brown rice was extracted with 100% ethanol, followed by the analysis of polyphenol, flavonoid, anthocyanin, antioxidant, and anti-adipogenic activity. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content ranged from 6.86~314.08 mg GAE/g and 1.47~56.88 mg CE/g the highest total polyphenol and flavonoid content was observed in Heugjinmi cultivar. Anthocyanin composition was analyzed by HPLC, cyanidin-3-gluoside and peonidin-3-glucoside was found in black rice including Josaengheugchal and Heugjinmi. Also, the ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activity of colored rice cultivars was higher than that of brown rice cultivars, the highest ABTS radical scavenging activity also was observed in Heugjinmi (128.20 mg TE/g). The anti-adipogenic effects of colored rice and brown rice extracts on differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes evaluated that extracts of Heugjinmi cultivar significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation. These results provide valuable information for the use of Korean colored rice cultivar as a functional food materials relative to anti-obesity.

본 연구의 목적은 oleic acid로 지방생성이 유도된 HepG2 세포에서 자색옥수수 색소 1호 포엽 및 속대 추출물이 간 세포 내 지방생성에 미치는 영향을 구명하는 것이다. 자색옥수수 색소 1호 포엽 및 속대 추출물에 의한 HepG2 세포 내 지방 축적의 변화를 확인하기 위하여 배양된 세포에 oleic acid로 지방 축적을 유도하고 추출물에 의한 중성지방생성 억제 효과를 측정하였으며 추출물을 처리하지 않은 대조군과 추출물을 처리한 실험군의 지방합성 및 축적에 관련된 유전자와 단백질 발현량을 RT-PCR과 Western blot을 통하여 측정하였다. Oil Red O와 Nile Red 염색을 통하여 추출물의 처리로 HepG2 세포 내 중성지방 축적이 억제된 것을 확인하였다. RT-PCR에 의하여 mRNA 발현량을 측정한 결과, oleic acid에 의하여 지방 생성이 유도된 대조군에 비하여 모든 추출물 처리군의 SREBP-1c와 SREBP-1a 유전자 발현량이 유의적으로 감소되었다. Western blot을 실시하여 p-AMPK, p-SREBP1, PPARα, FAS 단백질의 발현량을 측정한 결과, 간에서 지질대사에 관여하는 주요 인자인 SREBP1 단백질의 발현은 추출물의 처리 농도에 따라 유의하게 감소하였으며 지방산의 생합성 경로에 관여하는 주요 효소인 FAS의 단백질 발현향은 모든 처리 농도에서 현저하게 감소된 것이 확인되었다. 본 연구 결과는 자색옥수수 색소 1호 포엽 및 속대 추출물이 간세포 내에서 중성지방의 축적을 억제시키고 지질 합성에 관련된 유전자 및 단백질의 발현을 억제시킴으로써 간 세포 내 지질 축적을 완화할 수 있는 기능성 소재로의 활용가치가 높다고 판단된다.

In this study, we examined antioxidative effects and the anti-adipogenesis effect of different parts of Cudrania tricuspidata (C), and Morus alba (M). Total polyphenol contents were highest in M-root (34.56±0.045 mg GAE/g), and there was no significant difference, between C-root and M-leaf. Total flavonoid contents of C-root were highest (23.07±0.004 mg QE/g). To examine antioxidant activities of C and M extracts, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity, and FRAP assay, was used. Results show that antioxidant activities of C and M extracts increased, in a dose-dependent manner. Adipocytes are generated by preadipocyte differentiation, during adipogenesis. Matured adipocytes accumulate in abnormal and cause obesity. We investigated effects of leaf and root extracts of C and M, on lipid accumulation, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Changes in cell morphology, and degrees of lipid accumulation in adipocytes, were evaluated by Oil Red O staining. Root extracts of C and M, reduced lipid content in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, root extracts of C and M, may be good candidates for managing obesity.

본 연구는 자색옥수수 색소 1호 포엽과 속대 추출물의 항비만 활성을 검정하고자 지방분해효소 저해활성을 평가 하고 3T3-L1 지방전구세포에서 지방분화억제 효과를 검정하고자 수행되었다. Pancreatic lipase 저해 활성 결과, 색소 1호 포엽 및 속대 추출물의 100, 500, 1,000 μg/mL 농 도처리구에서 양성대조군인 orlistat 보다 높은 저해 활성을 나타내었다. 3T3-L1 지방전구세포를 배양하여 색소 1 호 포엽 및 속대 추출물의 세포독성 평가를 수행한 결과, 추출물은 모든 처리농도에서 세포 생존율에 영향을 미치 지 않은 것으로 확인되었다. 분화된 3T3-L1 지방전구세포 에서 색소 1호 포엽과 속대 추출물을 처리하지 않고 분화 시킨 대조군은 lipid droplet의 형성이 활발하게 유발되었으나 색소 1호 포엽 및 속대 추출물의 처리에 의해 농도 의존적으로 lipid droplet의 형성이 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. Real-time PCR과 Western blot을 실시하여 PPARγ와 C/EBPα 유전자 및 단백질 발현량을 측정한 결과, 추출물을 처리하지 않고 분화시킨 대조군에서는 PPARγ와 C/ EBPα의 유전자 및 단백질 발현이 증가하였으며, 추출물 처리에 의해 PPARγ와 C/EBPα의 유전자 및 단백질 발현이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 본 연구 결과는 색소 1호 포엽 및 속대 추출물이 pancreatic lipase 활성 및 지방전구 세포의 분화를 억제시킴으로써 항비만 활성 기능성 물질 로의 활용 가능성이 높음을 시사한다.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of Ligularia stenocephala (L. stenocephala) extract. The contents of the total polyphenol of the extract was 55.950 mg GAE/g residue. Antioxidant activities of L. stenocephala were evaluated by free radical scavenging ability and a reducing power test. 2,2'azino-bis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and α-α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activities of the extract were approximately 90% and 70%, respectively. Reducing power of the extract was 258.833 mg TE/g residue. The anti-adipogenic activity of L. stenocephala extract was examined in 3T3-L1 cells. During adipocyte differentiation, the 3T3-L1 cells were treated both with and without the extract. L. stenocephala extract suppressed the lipid accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner in the 3T3-L1 cells. The L. stenocephala extract inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2) proteins, compared with control adipocytes. These results indicate that L. stenocephala could be regarded as a potential source natural antioxidant and an anti-obesity agent.

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major catechin found in green tea. It is reported that EGCG possesses various health benefits including anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetes, and anti-obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG on adipogenesis via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In order to determine the effects of EGCG on adipogenesis, preadipocyte differentiation was induced in the presence or absence of EGCG (0~100 μM) for a period of 6 days. EGCG significantly inhibited fat accumulation and suppressed the expression of adipogenic specific proteins including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ. Also, EGCG markedly increased the activation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, any pretreatment with a specific AMPK inhibitor, compound C, abolished the inhibitory effects of the EGCG on PPARγ expression. This study suggests that EGCG has anti-adipogenic effects through modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway and therefore, may be a promising antiobesity agent.

Aloe-emodin (AE) is the major bioactive component in aloe and known to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities. However, it has not been elucidated whether its anti-inflammatory potency can contribute to the elimination of obesity. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of AE on toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) pathways in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with AE (0-20 μM) for one hour, followed by LPS treatment for 30 min and then, adipokine mRNA expression levels were measured. Next, TLR4-related molecules were measured in LPS-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. AE significantly decreased the mRNA expression of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, AE suppressed TLR4 mRNA expression. Further study showed that AE could suppress the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and phosphorylation of extracellular receptor-activated kinase (pERK). The results of this study suggest that AE directly inhibits TLR4/NF-κB/ERK signaling pathways and decreases the inflammatory response in adipocytes.

목 적 : 고자장 3.0T MRI가 보편화되면서 임상에서 다양하게 이용되고 있다. 특히 척추 질환의 병리적 감별에 있어 지방 신호를 제거하는 지방억제기법이 유용하게 이용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 자체 제작한 phantom 영상을 획득하고 element의 signal intensity와 homogeneity를 분석하고자 한다. 또한 임상영상을 평가하고 각 지방억제기법의 장·단점을 비교·분석하여 최적의 지방억제를 위한 방법을 제시하고자 한다. 대상 및 방법 : 본 연구를 위하여 자체 제작한 phantom을 CHESS, SPAIR, STIR, Dixon sequence로 검사하여 각각 5개의 coronal 영상을 획득 한다. 5개의 영상 중 3번째 영상에서 1~25번까지 설정된 ROI의 signal intensity를 측정하여 평균과 변동계수를 산출한다. 임상영상에서는 Brain, C-spine, L-spine을 분석하여 유용한 기법을 평가 한다. 결 과 : Phantom영상의 Signal Intensity는 CHESS>Dixon>STIR>SPAIR로 SPAIR의 영상이 지방소거가 가장 양호하게 분석되었고, CHESS는 영상의 중심부로 부터 멀어질수록 지방제거가 현저하게 저하되었다. 영상의 변동계수는 CHESS>SPAIR>STIR>Dixon 으로 전체 영상의 homogeneity는 Dixon이 가장 양호하였다. Brain 임상영상의 지방억제는 STIR가, homogeneity는 Dixon이 양호하였다. C-spine은 STIR와 Dixon이 지방억제, homogeneity 모두 양호하였다. L-spine은 SPAIR와 CHESS의 지방억제가 양호하였고, homogeneity는 Dixon, STIR가 양호하였다. 결 론 : Phantom 영상의 지방제거는 SPAIR, STIR가 가장 우수하였고, 영상의 homogeneity는 Dixon이 가장 양호한 영상으로 평가 되었다. 환자를 대상으로 한 임상검사에서는 Brain 임상영상의 지방억제는 STIR가, homogeneity는 Dixon이 양호하였다. C-spine은 STIR와 Dixon이 지방억제, homogeneity 모두 양호하였다. L-spine의 지방억제는 SPAIR와 CHESS가, homogeneity는 Dixon, STIR가 양호하였다.

Resveratrol (RVT) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) individually inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The objective was to examine the possibility of interaction between RVT and EGCG, resulting in enhanced inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Preadipocytes were treated with RVT and EGCG individually at 6.25 or 25μM (RVT6.25 or RVT25) and 12.5 or 50μM (EGCG12.5 or EGCG50) and in combination (RVT6.25 + EGCG12.5 and RVT25 + EGCG50). RVT25 as an individual compound decreased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by 24%, and RVT25 + EGCG50 further decreased lipid accumulation by 77%. In addition, exposure of 3T3-L1 adipocytes to RVT6.25 + EGCG12.5 and RVT25 + EGCG50 combinations resulted in an enhanced increase of adiponectin release and inhibition of leptin release. Quantitative analysis revealed that the combination of tested materials (RVT6.25 + EGCG12.5 and RVT25 + EGCG50) decreased the expression levels of C/EBPα, PPARγ2, and aP2. These results indicate that the combined treatments with RVT and EGCG produce synergistic effects on inhibiting adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The overall results suggested that the combining RVT and EGCG might be more capable of exerting antiobesity effects than each individual compound by itself.

Previous studies suggest that polyunsaturated fatty acids with long carbon chains such as eicosapentaenoic acid(EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA) have several health benefits. However metabolic consequences of these fatty acids themselves and their regulation of transcriptional activity involving glucose utilization are not well established. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate how EPA influx affects cellular lipid accumulation and gene expressions involving de novo lipogenesis in hepatocyte cultures. Compared to oleic acid treatment, EPA treatment showed remarkably decreased cellular TG conversion and accumulation, along with phospholipids at a lower extent. As expected, EPA increased mRNA expression involving fatty acid influx and lipid droplet formation, but did not affect mRNA expression involving glucose utilization. EPA increased transcriptional activity of PPAR-α and glucose responsive transcription factor when transcription factor binding protein was activated. Taken together, these data suggest that EPA decreases lipid accumulation through increases of the β-oxidation pathway without interruption of glucose utilization.

The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of addition of Rhus veniciflua Stokes oil (RVSO) and black garlic extract (BGE) on the lipid oxidation in Hanwoo (Korean cattle) beef model systems. The RVSO at 0.2% inhibited the TBARS (2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) formation when tested in liposome model system. The antioxidant effect of RVSO was further found to be similar to 0.2% butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and 0.01% vitamin E. On the other hand, BGE at 0.1% also showed the inhibition of TBARS formation in 4% NaCl-added Hanwoo beef patty and found to have slightly lower (p<0.05) effect than 0.1% vitamin E but higher (p<0.05) effect than 0.1% BHT. Results of this study indicated that both RVSO and BGE possess strong antioxidant effects and help to increase the oxidative stability in Hanwoo beef products.