Amelioration of metabolic disturbances and adipokine dysregulation by mugwort (Artemisia princeps P.) extract in high-fat diet-induced obese rats / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Dysregulation of adipokines caused by excess adipose tissue has been implicated in the development of obesity-related metabolic diseases. This study evaluated the effects of mugwort (Artemisia princeps Pampanini) ethanol extract on lipid metabolic changes, insulin resistance, adipokine balance, and body fat reduction in obese rats. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet (NC), high-fat diet (HF, 40% kcal from fat), or high-fat diet with 1% mugwort extract (HFM) for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Epididymal and retroperitoneal fat mass increased in the HF group compared with the NC group, and epididymal fat mass was reduced in the HFM group (p < 0.05). No difference was observed in serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) among the groups. However, triglyceride (TG), TG/HDL-C ratio, and TC/HDL-C ratio increased in the HF group and significantly decreased in the HFM group. TG and TC levels in the liver were significantly higher in the HF group, whereas these levels were significantly reduced in the HFM group. HF rats had lower insulin sensitivity as indicated by increased homeostasis model assessment of the insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) value. HOMA-IR values significantly decreased in the HFM group. Adiponectin levels were higher in NC rats, and their leptin and PAI-1 levels were lower. Relative balance of adipokines was reversed in the HF group, with lower adiponectin levels but higher leptin and PAI-1 levels. In contrast, the HFM group maintained balance of adiponectin/leptin and adiponectin/PAI-1 levels similar to NC by reducing leptin and PAI-1 levels. CONCLUSION: Overall data indicated that mugwort extract can be effective in alleviating metabolic dislipidemia, insulin resistance, and adipokine dysregulation induced by a high-fat diet.

Antioxidant action of soy isoflavones on oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in exercised rats

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Isoflavones are widely believed to be beneficial to human health, in relation to their antioxidant potentials. Exercise can cause an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This study was conducted in order to investigate the ability of isoflavones in amelioration of oxidative stress induced by exercise. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four groups: isoflavone-free with no exercise (CON-sd), isoflavone-free with exercise (CON-ex), isoflavone-supplemented with no exercise (ISF-sd), and isoflavone-supplemented with exercise (ISF-ex). Animals exercised on the treadmill for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. TBARS as a marker of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity, including SOD, GSH-px, and catalase were determined in liver tissue. Serum lipid profile was also examined. RESULTS: A significant effect of isoflavone alone was observed on abdominal fat pad mass. ISF-ex had significantly less abdominal fat pad than CON-ex. Both exercise and isoflavone treatment had significant effects on lowering plasma triglyceride (TG), thus, the ISF-ex group had a significantly lower TG level than the CON-sd group, by 30.9%. However, no differences were observed in plasma cholesterol, HDL-C, and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio. Exercise, isoflavone, and exercise-isoflavone interaction effects were significant on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively). The CON-ex group showed a higher TBARS level than the other three groups. By contrast, in the ISF-ex group, TBARS was restored to the level of the ISF-sd or CON-sd group. Isoflavone had a significant effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.022) and catalase activities (P = 0.049). Significantly higher SOD and catalase activities were observed in ISF-ex than CON-ex. SOD and catalase activities showed an inverse pattern of TBARS. Taken together, isoflavones increased the activities of SOD and catalase with concomitant decreases in TBARS, indicative of decreased oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavone supplementation enhances antioxidant action with attenuation of exercise-induced oxidative stress, as measured by decreases in TBARS, and inhibits body fat accumulation and plasma TG increase. Antioxidative effects ascribed to isoflavones may be partially exerted via enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities.

The effects of weight loss by a low-calorie diet and a low-calorie plus exercise in overweight undergraduate students

Korean undergraduate students attempt to lose weight but often fail due to utilizing ineffective weight loss strategies. Some diet programs have succeeded, yet, they have not provided adequate skills for long-term weight maintenance. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a low calorie diet and exercise with nutritional education on weight loss, serum lipid profiles, nutrient intakes, and dietary behavior modification in overweight and obese undergraduate students. The subjects in the low calorie diet group (LCD; n = 12) and the low calorie diet plus exercise group (LCDE; n = 13) had the same goal of losing 4 kg during a 12 week program. Nutrient intakes were assessed by the 24 hour recall method. Also, food habits and dietary behaviors were investigated by self-administered questionnaires before and after the weight control program and one month after completing the program. LCD and LCDE groups lowered body weight by 2 kg and 1 kg, respectively, although they decreased calorie intake by 355 and 287 kcal per day compared to intakes prior to the study. Body fat mass decreased in both the LCD and LCDE groups; however, the decrease was greater in the LCDE group. In addition, only the LCDE group increased muscle mass. The LCD group had a slightly better effect in reducing body weight, body fat, and waist circumference than the LCDE group. However, their decrease was reversed after the mid-study check in the LCD group; the reduction was better maintained and decreased more in the LCDE group. However, serum lipid profiles were already in borderline prior to the study; moreover, they were not modified after losing weight. The dietary behavior program helped students to develop better dietary habits. In conclusion, the combination of a low calorie diet and exercise is necessary in order to maintain longer weight loss by increasing muscle mass and decreasing body fat.

Beneficial effect of fish oil on bone mineral density and biomarkers of bone metabolism in rats

This study evaluated the effect of fish oil rich in n-3 fatty acids on bone characteristics in Sprague-Dawley rats. Weanling male rats were randomized to receive either a diet containing high fish oil (FO), fish oil blended with corn oil (FICO), or soy oil rich in n-6 fatty acids (SO) for 4 weeks. All diets provided 70 g/kg fat based on the AIN-93G diet. Growth and biomarkers of bone metabolism were analyzed, and femur bone characteristics were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. After the dietary treatment, no significant differences among the diet groups were observed for serum concentrations of Ca, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, or osteocalcin. Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly greater in FO-fed rats compared to that in the FICO and SO groups, whereas no difference in deoxypyridinoline values was observed, supporting the positive effect of a FO diet on bone formation. These results were accompanied by a significant increase in femur bone mineral density (BMD) in FO-fed rats. These findings suggest that providing fish oil rich in n-3 fatty acids correlates with higher alkaline phosphatase activity and BMD values, favoring bone formation in growing rats.

Carotenoids and total phenolic contents in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea

Phytochemicals are reported to provide various biological functions leading to the promotion of health as well as the reduced risk of chronic diseases. Fat-soluble plant pigments, carotenoids, are extensively studied micronutrient phytochemicals for their potential health benefits. It is noteworthy that specific carotenoids may be responsible for different protective effects against certain diseases. In addition, each carotenoid can be obtained from different types of plant foods. Considering the fact that the phytochemical content in foods can vary according to, but not limited to, the varieties and culture conditions, it is important to establish a database of phytochemicals in locally produced plant foods. Currently, information on individual carotenoid content in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea is lacking. As the first step to support the production and consumption of sustainable local plant foods, carotenoids and total phenolic contents of plant foods commonly consumed in Korea are presented and their potential biological functions are discussed in this review.

Effect of Calcium Source using Tilapia Mossambica Scales on the Bone Metabolic Biomarkers and Bone Mineral Density in Rats

This study was done to evaluate the effect of Ca source using fish (Tilapia mossambica) scales on the bone metabolism. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, 4 weeks of age, were fed low-calcium diet (0.15% Ca) for 2 weeks. The rats on the low-calcium diet were further assigned to one of following three groups for an additional 4 weeks: 1) Ca-depletion group (LoCa) given 0.15% Ca diet (CaCO3), 2) Ca-repletion group (AdCa) given 0.5% Ca diet (CaCO3), 3) Ca-repletion diet (AdFa) received 0.5% Ca diet (Ca source from Tilapia mossambica scales). Serum parathyroid (PTH) and calcitonin showed no differences among experimental groups. Whereas LoCa group elevated the turnover markers, serum ALP and osteocalcin, and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD), AdCa and AdFa groups reduced their values. Elevation in the femoral weight, ash and Ca contents was observed in AdCa and AdFa groups. Bone mineral density was increased in AdCa and AdFa groups by 25-26% compared with LoCa group. These data demonstrate that Ca repletion with either Ca source from Tilapia mossambica scales or CaCO3 is similarly effective in the improvement of bone turnover markers and BMD, suggesting the usefulness of Tilapia mossambica scales in the prevention of bone loss compared with CaCO3.

Antioxidant Effect of Garlic Supplement Against Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rats

This study was to investigate lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activity and DNA damage after exercise, and the protective effect of garlic against exercise-induced oxidative stress. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (4 weeks old) were randomly divided into three groups of 6 rats each; control group (Con) without garlic and exercise, Ex group with exercise alone, and Ex-G group with 2% garlic and exercise. For 4 weeks, rats were given diets containing 15% corn oil and 1% cholesterol with or without garlic. The swimming was selected as a model for exercise performance. Rats swam for 40 min a day, for 5 days a week. Group Ex and Ex-G showed significant lowering in body weight gain and fat accumulation compared to control. No significant changes were observed in levels of plasma cholesterol and triglyceride among three groups, demonstrating that exercise and garlic had no effects on changes of blood lipid. This finding of blood lipid seems to be due to higher plant sterol content in corn oil. The DNA tail moment of lymphocytes showed greater tendency in Ex and Ex-G than in control, but garlic supplements failed to suppress DNA damages. Compared to control, Ex had higher plasma TBARS which was lowered to the control's level in Ex-G with 2% garlic supplementation (p < 0.05). Ex-G led to a higher hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity than control and Ex (p < 0.05). Activity of hepatic catalase was also increased in Ex-G, while in Ex it was significantly low (p < 0.05). It seemed that TBARS levels were related to the activities of SOD and catalase, and that garlic contributed to increasing the enzyme activities and led to decrease of TBARS. These results demonstrate that lipid peroxidation and DNA damage occur as a consequences of oxidative stress after exercise, and that antioxidant defense against oxidative stress could be enhanced by garlic supplementation through the induction of antioxidant enzymes. However, further investigations should be done on the garlic effect on DNA damage.

Effect of Garlic Supplement and Exercise on Plasma Lipid and Antioxidant Enzyme System in Rats

Effects of garlic powder supplementation on blood lipid profile and antioxidant system were investigated in rats with and without swimming exercise. Sprague-Dawley rats of four experimental groups were fed for 4 weeks diets containing 15% beef tallow and 1% cholesterol ;control without garlic and exercise, Go with 2% garlic alone, Ex with exercise alone, GoEx with 2% garlic and exercise. Rats were trained 40 min a day, 5 days a week. Group Ex and GoEx showed significant lowering in body weight gain and fat accumulation. In Go, Ex and GoEx, plasm TG and LDL-C were lower and HDL-C was higher, although not significantly, compared to levels in control. Total cholesterol was significantly reduced in group Go, and Ex and GoEx were lower than control. The total/HDL cholesterol ratio was also found to be significantly different, decreasing the ratios in Go, Ex and GoEx. The hepatic TBARS increased significantly in gorup Ex (51.7+/-3.43 nM/g liver), while TBARS in Go and GoEx were low (35.68+/-3.61, 39.30+/-5.55 nM/g liver) and similar to control's one. The activity of hepatic SOD in Go and GoEx tended higher than control and Ex without garlic. The hepatic catalase showed significantly the highest activity in Go. Activity of GSH-px was significantly low in Ex with 0.14+/-0.03 unit/mg protein, and control, Go and GoEx had higher activities of 0.23+/-0.08, 0.20+/-0.07, 0.22+/-0.01 unit/mg protein, respectively. Lower activities of antioxidant enzymes in Ex are likely to associated with the highest level of TBARS. It seems that a decrease in TBARS in GoEx relative to Ex was related to the increase in GSH-px and SOD with garlic supplemented, which led to compensate the oxidative stress from exercise. The results sug-gests that exercise or garlic supplement exerts blood lipid attenuating effect. In adition, garlic supplementation could strengthen the antioxidant potential against exercise-induced oxidants, partly by modulating oxidant enzyme activity. These effects of garlic may make it a beneficial agent on CVD.

The Relation of Educational Level and Life-Style behaviors to Obesity in Adult Males

This study examined the relations of educational level and life-style behaviors to the obesity. A total of 507 male adults aged 30 - 50 years completed the self-reported questionnaires. Educational level was used for measuring socioeconomic status. Activity at work, leisure-time activity and TV watching were measured for life-style behaviors related to physical activity, and some demographic and family history of disease as well. Subjects were categorized as obese when BMI was equal to or over 25 kg/m2, in which 19.7% resulted obesity. Using multivariate logistic regression, the association between the measured factors and obesity was assessed. The odds ratios (OR) for risk of obesity did not differ with either age or monthly income. Subjects who completed high school (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.20 - 0.66) or university (OR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.16 - 0.71) had lower risk of obesity than those with education below middle school. Those with moderate activity level at work (OR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.24 - 0.72) showed lower risk of obesity than in inactive ones. The subjects watching TV more than 3.5 hr/day presented higher risk of obesity (OR = 2.46; 95% CI = 1.28 - 4.74), compared with those watching TV less than 1.5 hr/day. The higher risk of obesity observed in high level of leisure time activity than in low one was considered due to that physical activity at work and leisure-time might counteract each other. Educational level and activity at work or leisure-time activity or TV watching were jointed and categorized, and then OR for obesity was estimated. The extent of obesity risk at a given level of each work activity or leisure-time activity or TV watching was different depending the educational level, which was significantly high when educational level was below middle school. Educational difference had no effect on activity level at work. However, higher educational attainment increased the leisure activity and reduced TV watching (p < 0.05), indicating that low education tended to contribute to more sedentary life-style. The findings of this study is concluded that low education was related to obesity in adult males, and its relation can partly be explained through acquiring inactive life-style behaviors. Individuals with low education might be more susceptible to the risk factors of obesity.

Association of Obesity with Television Watching and Physical Activity in Adult Female

This study has analyzed the association of physical activity and television watching time with obesity in 30-50 aged women from middle income town in Busan city area. Data were obtained using a questionnaire, including information about physical activity, TV watching time and health habit; social data regarding educational level and monthly income; family history of chronic condition. Height and weight were measured. Outcome variable was obesity, defined as a body mass index 25 kg/m2 or greater. Odds ratios (OR) for obesity were estimated by multivariate logistic regression, and interpreted as a relative risk of obesity. The prevalence of obesity was 11.8%. The mean BMI of obese women was 26.9 kg/m2. The OR of obesity was higher in subject of 40s than 30s. Subjects who had higher educational level presented lower OR than those of elementary or middle school education. Family income was not associated with obesity. Women having a family history of chronic condition had higher risk of obesity than those who did not have it. The OR was lower in active people at work (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.26 - 0.98) than in inactive ones, and the ORs associated with regular exercise or activity at leisure time were not statistically different. However, subjects watching TV > or = 3.5 hr/day showed higher OR (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.16 - 4.74), compared with those watching TV > or = 1.5 hr/day. Association of the joint classification of physical activity variables with obesity was estimated. The highest relative risk of 5.99 was in women in physically inactive at work and high category of TV watching (> or = 3.5 hr/day). Even in women in active at work, the watching TV > or = 3.5 hr/day made them have the high OR (OR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.03 - 5.77). And at each time level of TV watching, the increasing activity level at work was associated with lower OR for obesity. These findings suggest that both TV watching time and physical activity at work were related to obesity in adult female, each with independent effects on obesity. TV watching time seems to be a significant factor that could partly evaluate the energy expenditure.

Television Watching, Family Social Class, Parental Overweight, and Parental Physical Activity Levels in Relation to Childhood Overweight / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was done to determine the factors associated with childhood overweight in 721 sixth grade elementary school students, in Busan. The students' heights, weights, waist circumferences and triceps-skinfold thicknesses were measured using standard techniques. Other data were collected using a questionnaire that included information about physical activity, television watching, and the amount of exorcise taken during leisure times, family history of diseases related to obesity: social data including family income, parents' education and occupations, eating behaviors; parental weights and heights; and parental activity levels. Childhood overweight was defined as a body mass index at or above the 85th percentile for age and sex. The prevalence of overweight revealed no significant difference between sexes, (24.2% in boys and 22.03% in girls). The risk of childhood overweight was significantly greater if either the mother or the father were overweight. The odds ratio for childhood overweight associated with maternal overweight was 5.045 (94% CI : 3.262-7.801), and 2.727 (95% CI : 1.764-4.218) was the case for parental overweight. Children having a history of hear diseases had higher odds ratios than those who did not. The odds ratios for overweight associated with income were not different. However, a higher odds ratio for overweight was observed in children whose fathers had only an elementary or middle school education than those whore fathers had a high school or college education. Children whose fathers' occupations were service workers or shopkeepers (OR : 3.314, 95% C = 1.851-5.934) or had no occupation (OR = 3.756, 95% CI : 1.898-7.430) had a treater risk of overweight than those whose fathers' were professionals or once workers. The risk of overweight increased in children having more irregular meal times and faster eating times, rather than those having an intake pattern of high energy and sugar containing floods. The amount of exercise taken during leisure times, and daily physical activity showed no difference between overweight and non-overweight children. However, television watching time, especially on weekends, was greater in overweight children than in non-overweight children. Television watching time was positively correlated with BMI, triceps-skin(31d thickness, waist circumference and waist/height ratio. Therefore, television watching was found to be a useful predictor of overweight in children. Television watching in children was negatively related to paternal activity levels, and positively related to parental television watching time. In fact, fathers whose children were overweight were physically less active than fathers whose children were non-overweight. Parents appeared to be a strong influence on their children's physical activity levels. In conclusion, a low family social class, defined on the basis of the father's occupation or education, parental overweight, increased television watching, and unhealthy physical activity levels in parents were all considered risk factors for childhood overweight. Among these, television watching time and lack of physical activity were considered to be the most important risk factors that could be easily modified for the prevention of and intervention in, overweight in children.