Abstract
Background. Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and cytokines. However, to date, the relationship between the serum levels of cytokines in obese individuals and taking herbal drugs remains largely unexplored. Methods. Serum cytokines were assessed by multiplex cytokine profiling assay. Serum samples of obese female Korean adults (obese group; n = 20) as well as normal female Korean adults (normal group; n = 21) were collected at the start and end of study period. Twenty obese female Korean adults were randomized to receive Eui-E-In-Tang (Eui-E-In-Tang group; n = 9) at a daily dose of 9 g or a matched placebo (placebo group; n = 11) for 12 weeks. Results. According to investigating serum cytokine levels at the start point of this study, the serum C-peptide, insulin, leptin, lipocalin-2, and adipsin levels in the obese group were found to be significantly higher than in the normal group. And the investigation of serum cytokine levels at the end point of this study demonstrated that mean serum leptin of Eui-E-In-Tang group was found to be significantly reduced (P = 0.037). Conclusions. This study provides preliminary evidence that Eui-E-In-Tang may exert immunomodulatory effect via altering the circulating concentration of leptin in Korean female adults.
Highlights
Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide
Significant differences in the serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, uric acid, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) levels were observed between the two groups
Obesity is a global health problem and is associated with chronic inflammation, which is linked to many diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, and gout
Summary
Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) statistics, there were more than 1.9 billion overweight adults globally, of whom about 600 million were obese in 2014 [1].Obesity is associated with an increased risk of lifethreatening diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, osteoarthritis, gout, and certain types of cancer [2,3,4]. Adya et al have already reported that obesity is a major health burden with an increased risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality [5]. Obesity is associated with chronic inflammation and cytokines. According to investigating serum cytokine levels at the start point of this study, the serum C-peptide, insulin, leptin, lipocalin-2, and adipsin levels in the obese group were found to be significantly higher than in the normal group. The investigation of serum cytokine levels at the end point of this study demonstrated that mean serum leptin of Eui-E-In-Tang group was found to be significantly reduced (P = 0.037). This study provides preliminary evidence that Eui-E-In-Tang may exert immunomodulatory effect via altering the circulating concentration of leptin in Korean female adults
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