Food Efficiency Ratio Research Articles

Evaluation of Nutritional Characteristics of Health Beneficial DAG Rich oil based Spreads

The present study deals with the production of DAG oils by enzymatic process and their utilisation in different soy spreads by substituting TAG oils for health beneficial effects. The proximate composition, physical properties (colour, hardness, viscosity) and microbial analysis of the different DAG based spreads revealed good acceptability. The spreads were enriched with appreciable amino acid profile of soy seed meal along with health beneficial antioxidants like oryzanol, lignans, tocopherols from the Rice bran DAG and sesame DAG rich oils used. For the feeding experiment, rats were divided into four groups, each consisting of five rats. TAG based soy spreads were taken as control while making DAG based spreads as experimental group. Food efficiency ratio, plasma lipid profile, plasma bilirubin content, plasma glucose level, liver and brain lipid profile and antioxidant activity were measured by using standard procedures. The feeding trial indicates maximum health beneficial effect of RBDG based spread fed rats group as followed by SDG based spread. The results indicated positive lipid and cholesterol lowering effect for DAG enriched spreads as compared to TAG enriched spreads and thus making it suitable for application as nutraceuticals in food products as replacement of TAG oils to combat obesity and dependent diseases.

Antiobesity Effects of Unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel and Its Constituents: An In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of the Underlying Mechanism.

Background. The objective of the present study was to perform a bioguided fractionation of unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel (uRC) and evaluate the lipid accumulation system involvement in its antiobesity activity as well as study the uRC mechanism of action. Results. After the fractionation, the BuOH fraction of uRC (uRCB) was the most active fraction, suppressing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, after an oral administration for 8 weeks in HFD-induced obese mice, uRCB (10 and 50 mg/kg/day) produced a significant decrease in body weight, food efficiency ratio, adipose tissue weight and LDL-cholesterol, serum glucose, TC, and TG levels. Similarly, uRCB significantly suppressed the elevated mRNA levels of PPARγ in the adipose tissue in vivo. Next, we investigated the antiobesity effects of ellagic acid, erycibelline, 5-hydroxy-2-pyridinemethanol, m-hydroxyphenylglycine, and 4-hydroxycoumarin isolated from uRCB. Without affecting cell viability, five bioactive compounds decreased the lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cells and the mRNA expression levels of key adipogenic genes such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS. Conclusion. These results suggest that uRC and its five bioactive compounds may be a useful therapeutic agent for body weight control by downregulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis.

Acetate alters expression of genes involved in beige adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and obese KK-Ay mice.

The induction of beige adipogenesis within white adipose tissue, known as “browning”, has received attention as a novel potential anti-obesity strategy. The expression of some characteristic genes including PR domain containing 16 is induced during the browning process. Although acetate has been reported to suppress weight gain in both rodents and humans, its potential effects on beige adipogenesis in white adipose tissue have not been fully characterized. We examined the effects of acetate treatment on 3T3-L1 cells and in obese diabetic KK-Ay mice. The mRNA expression levels of genes involved in beige adipocyte differentiation and genes selectively expressed in beige adipocytes were significantly elevated in both 3T3-L1 cells incubated with 1.0 mM acetate and the visceral white adipose tissue from mice treated with 0.6% acetate for 16 weeks. In KK-Ay mice, acetate reduced the food efficiency ratio and increased the whole-body oxygen consumption rate. Additionally, reduction of adipocyte size and uncoupling protein 1-positive adipocytes and interstitial areas with multilocular adipocytes appeared in the visceral white adipose tissue of acetate-treated mice, suggesting that acetate induced initial changes of “browning”. In conclusion, acetate alters the expression of genes involved in beige adipogenesis and might represent a potential therapeutic agent to combat obesity.

EFFECT OF POMEGRANATE PEEL ON THE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL OF EXPERIMENTAL RATS

EFFECT OF POMEGRANATE PEEL ON THE BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL OF EXPERIMENTAL RATS The present study investigated the effects of peel of pomegranate peel (Punic granatum L) on the blood glucose level, some physiological parameters as liver function, kidney function and histological properties of pancreas in diabetic rats. Rats were divided into 2 groups, the first group negative group, and the second group diabetic group which was divided into 4 group's positive control, and 3 diabetic groups fed on several diets (5%, 10%, 15%) of peel for 28 days. Peel was cleaned from impurities and washed with tap water. Drying in Oven air dryer at 45 °C for 48 hours to dry the peel and was ground in a MultiMill apparatus and passed through a 50 mesh sieve to obtain a fine peel powder. Bodyweight gain, feed intake and food efficiency ratio were calculated at the end of experiment. Fasting blood sample were taken on day 28 for the determination of glucose level, serum urea, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and glutamic pyruvictransaminase (ALT). The pancreases of all animals were carefully removed and slices from them were fixed in 85% alcohol for 24 hours, and then processed for paraffin embedding. Histological sections,7 micron-thick, were cut and stained with heamatoxylin and eosin. They were then microscopically examined to evaluate the effects of the three differant concentration of formalin on these organs. From the obtained resuits,treatment using pomegranate peel (Punic granatum L ), reduced significantly glucose level in diabetic rats fed different levels of pomegranate peel and the decrease in blood glucose was proportionate with the increase in the level of the supplementation. تاثير قشور الرمان علي مستوي السکر لفئران التجارب ماجدة رمزى قسطندى،* وفائي زکي عازر ميخائيل،*حسن محمد صبحي، ** **علا على على ** سحر عبد العزيز خيري ، قسم الإحتياجات الغذائية والنمو- المعهد القومى للتغذية- القاهرة ** *معهد البحوث الافريقية قسم الموارد الطبيعية ،جامعة القاهرة يهدف هذا البحث إلى إمکانية إستخدام بعض مخلفات الثمار مثل قشور الرمان لاعداد وجبات غنية بالالياف عن طريق إضافتها بنسب 5 ،10،15 % من القشور. فى هذة التجربة تم تقسيم الفئران إلى خمسة مجموعات المجموعة الاولى هى المجموعة الکنترول (السالب) والاربعة مجموعات الأخرى تم حقنها بمادة الالوکسان بنسبة 150ملجم/کجم من وزن الجسم لمدة أسبوعين. ترکت إحداهما کجموعة ضابطة موجبة والثلاث مجموعات الاخرى تم إضافة مسحوق قشور الرمان بعد تنظيفها بالماء وتجفيفها على درجة حرارة 45م لمدة 48 ساعة بنسب 5%، 10%، 15% وتم تغذية الفئران على الوجبات لمدة 28 يوم .وفى نهاية التجربة تم ذبح الفئران وقياس مستوى الجلوکوز فى الدم ووظائف الکلى والکبد وإجراء الفحص الهستولوجى للبنکرياس .وأوضحت النتائج إنخفاض وزن الفئران عند تغذيتهم على القشور کما لوحظ أيضا أن الالياف الموجودة فى القشور أدت الى انخفاض مستوى السکر في الدم. وقد وجد ان تناول النسب العالية من القشور تؤدى إلى نتائج أفضل . الکلمات الکاشفة :- قشور الرمان–– السکر– وظائف الکبد – وظائف الکلى

Effects of Rubus coreanus-Cheonggukjang on Bone Mineral Density and Bone Mineral Content in Growing Rats.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the bone-conserving effects of Rubus coreanus-Cheonggukjang (RC-CGJ) supplemented with more intensified phytochemicals compared to general Cheonggukjang (CGJ) in growing rats. Eighteen rats were divided into 3 treatment groups (Control, CGJ, and RC-CGJ) and were given experimental diets for 9 weeks. All of the rats in this study were fed a AIN-93G-based diet. Both CGJ groups were fed with 33.1% CGJ and RC-CGJ powder, respectively. The results of this study indicate that weight gain, mean food intake, and food efficiency ratio were not significantly different by the experimental diets among all groups. Spine bone mineral density (BMD) and femur BMD were not significantly different by the experimental diets. Spine bone mineral content (BMC) was significantly higher in the RC-CGJ and CGJ groups than in the control group, regardless of CGJ type. The femur BMC of the CGJ supplemented group was significantly higher compared with the control group and the RC-CGJ group. Compared with the control group, spine BMD and femur BMD per weight were markedly increased in the RC-CGJ and CGJ group regardless of CGJ type. Also, spine BMC per weight was significantly higher in the RC-CGJ group than in the CGJ group. However, femur BMC per weight was significantly higher in the CGJ group than in the RC-CGJ group. It can be concluded that RC-CGJ and CGJ supplemented diets have more beneficial effects on spine and femur peak bone mass in growing rats.

Anti-Obesity Effect of 6,8-Diprenylgenistein, an Isoflavonoid of Cudrania tricuspidata Fruits in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity, which is characterized by excessive fat accumulation, is associated with several pathological disorders, including metabolic diseases. In this study, the anti-obesity effect of 6,8-diprenylgenistein (DPG), a major isoflavonoid of Cudrania tricuspidata fruits was investigated using high fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice at the doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg for six week. The body weight of the DPG-treated groups was significantly lower compared to the HFD-treated group. In addition, fat accumulation in epididymal adipose tissue and liver was dramatically decreased in the HFD + DPG groups. The food efficiency ratios of the HFD + DPG groups were also lower compared to the HFD group with the same food intake. Metabolic parameters that had increased in the HFD group were decreased in the HFD + DPG groups. Further studies demonstrate that DPG efficiently reduces lipogenic genes by regulation of transcription factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and hormones, such as leptin and adiponection. DPG also regulates acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Taken together, DPG is beneficial for the regulation of obesity, especially resulting from high fat intake.

Effect of Soaking and Fermentation of Wheat Bran on Weight Gain, Accumulative Food Intake and Food Efficiency Ratio in Rats

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of different processing treatments in terms of soaking and fermentation of wheat bran on weight gain, accumulative food intake and food efficiency ratio in Sprague-Dawley rats. The experimental diets included casein diet (zero-bran), untreated bran diet, soaked bran diet, fermented bran diet, “soaked and fermented” bran diet and Arabic bread diet. Each group of rats (6/group) was fed one of the six prepared diets for 6 weeks. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the body weight gain among all rat groups, although the rats fed soaked diet tended to have the highest weight gain in comparison with other groups. There was no significant difference in FER among all groups, although, there was a difference between groups in the accumulative food intake. Accumulative food intake (AFI) of the rat group fed soaked bran based-diet was the highest (685.6 ± 17.3 gm) among all groups whereas AFI of the rat group fed “soaked and fermented” bran-based diet was the lowest (550.0 ± 19.1 gm). Rat group fed “soaked and fermented” bran-based diet had significantly lower levels (p < 0.05) of AFI than those fed untreated bran diet, soaked bran diet and white bread diet (550.0 ± 19.1, 663.4 ± 16.6, 685.6 ± 17.3 and 629.8 ± 28.4 gm respectively). Accordingly, the AFI of the rat group fed soaked bran diet was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those fed casein and fermented diet (685.6 ± 17.3, 598.4 ± 9.2 and 605.8 ± 25.6 gm respectively). It is concluded that preparation of wheat bran foods by soaking or/and fermentation improve some physiological characteristics of insoluble fibers, including the body weight changes, accumulative food intake and food efficiency ratio for 6 weeks.

Effect of Rice Bran Unsaponifiables on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice

Rice bran unsaponifiable matter (USM) was prepared by the saponification method and contained 1,635 mg of tocopherols and tocotrienols, 5,514 mg of policosanols, 36,425 mg of phytosterols, and 2,968 mg of oryzanols per 100 g of USM. Mice were divided into five groups: a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD with 10, 20 and 50 mg USM/kg body weight/day group. After 6 weeks, the administration of USM at doses of 10, 20 and 50 mg/kg reduced the body weight gain, food efficiency ratio and size of the epididymal fat tissue compared with those in the HFD group. In addition, the serum triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level as well as the atherogenic index and cardiac risk factor were also reduced in the USM fed groups compared with those in the HFD group. These findings suggest that USM from rice bran may have excellent hypolipidemic potential to prevent obesity. Practical Applications Rice bran unsaponifiable matter (USM) contains a variety of functional compounds. This study investigated the hypolipidemic effects of USM from rice bran in high-fat diet-fed mice. The result of this study suggested that rice bran USM was beneficial in preventing the development of hyperlipidemia. The use of rice bran USM may have implications for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Black ginseng extract ameliorates hypercholesterolemia in rats

BackgroundGinseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) is a well-characterized medicinal herb listed in the classic oriental herbal dictionary as “Shin-nong-bon-cho-kyung.” Ginseng has diverse pharmacologic and therapeutic properties. Black ginseng (BG, Ginseng Radix nigra) is produced by repeatedly steaming fresh ginseng nine times. Studies of BG have shown that prolonged heat treatment enhances the antioxidant activity with increased radical scavenging activity. Several recent studies have showed the effects of BG on increased lipid profiles in mice. In this study report the effects of water and ethanol extracts of BG on hypercholesterolemia in rats. To our knowledge, this is the first time such an effect has been reported. MethodsExperiments were conducted on male Sprague Dawley rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet supplemented with the water and ethanol extracts of BG (200 mg/kg). Their blood cholesterol levels, serum white blood cell levels, and cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were determined. Liver and adipose tissues were histologically analyzed. ResultsWe found that BG extracts efficiently reduced the total serum cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels with increased food efficiency ratio and increased number of neutrophil cells. It also attenuated the key genes responsible for lipogenesis, that is, acetyl-coenzyme A (CoA) acetyltransferase 2, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2, at the mRNA level inside liver cells. Furthermore, the BG extract also reduced the accumulation of fat in adipose tissues, and inhibited the neutral fat content in liver cells stained with hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. ConclusionAdministration of BG extracts to Sprague Dawley rats fed with high-cholesterol diet ameliorated hypercholesterolemia, which was mediated via modulation of cholesterol-metabolizing marker genes. This data throw a light on BG's cardioprotective effects.

Effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) root extract on Cardiotoxicity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

The aim of this study is to explore the effect of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) on cardiotoxicity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. All animals were divided into 8 groups of 5 animals each, fed with High fat diet (HFD) except the ones in Sham, NPD and NPD-C-I groups. Food and water intake were monitored daily at the same time during the experimental period. The Food Efficiency Ratio (FER) was calculated during the experiment period. All the animals were pretreated as per the treatment protocol. Streptozotocin; STZ (50mg/ Kg) was administered subcutaneously to induce the diabetes which was confirmed in all the administered groups by testing blood glucose level after 48 hours. Cardiotoxicity was induced by administering isoprenaline (85mg/Kg). Troponin was checked after 4-5 hours of second isoprenaline injection to confirm cardiac damage. At the end of the study the animals were weighed and then sacrificed with high dose of Diethyl ether. Blood samples were collected from retro-orbital plexus and were used for biochemical estimations. The hearts were excised immediately and were weighed. Photomicrographs were taken for gross examination rest of the hearts were kept in 10% Formalin solution for histopathological studies. Pretreatment with Tinospora cordifolia (200 mg/kg ) showed very significant improvement against Streptozotocin induced diabetes (p< 0.01) as blood glucose level were found to be decreased when compared to the untreated D-HFD group. The Food efficiency ratio (FER) was found to be significantly increased when compared to D-HFD (p<0.01). Significant decrease in the elevated activities of the cardiac marker enzymes, viz, alanine transaminase (ALT) (p < 0.01), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < 0.01), creatinine kinase (CK-MB) (p < 0.01) and negative troponin test were observed. The observed results were further confirmed by histopathological findings which indicated that Tinospora cordifolia (200mg/Kg) shows highly significant reduction in cardiotoxicity and considerable improvement, compactly arranged muscle fibres with minimum interstitial tissue, long spindle shaped vascular nuclei and well marked muscles striations.The findings of this study indicate that Tinospora cordifola (Guduchi) root extract exerts potent cardioprotection against isoprenaline induced cardiotoxicity in diabetic rats. This effect is comparable with that of carvedilol and pioglitazone.

발효 지충이가 고지방식이를 급여한 흰쥐의 혈청 내 지질 함량 및 혈소판 응집에 미치는 영향

We investigated the effects of fermented Sargassum thunbergii (FST) on platelet aggregation and serum lipid levels in rats made obese by a high fat diet. Six-week-old male SD-rats were randomly assigned to four groups as CON, HF-CON induced by high fat diet (HF), ST supplemented with HF (HFST100), and the fermented ST supplemented with HF group (HF-FST100). After 6 weeks, the results showed that the final weight and weight gain had decreased in the HF- FST100 group compared to the HF-CON group. Also, the food efficiency ratio was significantly reduced in the HF-FST100 group compared to HF-CON. The organ weights other than heart and spleen were significantly lower in the HF-FST100 group than in the HF-CON group. The levels of serum GOT and GPT significantly decreased in the HF-FST100 group over the HF-CON group. In addition, the total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol levels were lower in the HF-FST100 group than in HF-CON, while the HDL-cholesterol level was higher in the HF-FST100. The ability of platelet aggregation of groups supplemented with FST was lower than the HF-CON group. These results suggest that FST may be beneficial in improving lipid profile and platelet aggregation in obesity.

The Soy Tofu By‐product, Biji, Ameliorates High Fat Diet‐induced Obesity in C57BL/6J Mice

Biji is a soybean by‐product left over after straining soy milk when making tofu; it has a high water content making it vulnerable to spoilage. However, Biji contains significant amount of dietary fiber and protein as well as considerable amounts of isoflavones and mineral elements, making it a suitable functional ingredient with health promoting attributes. Therefore, this study aimed to validate the anti‐obesity effect of biji in diet induced obese mice. Thirty two C57BL/6J male 4 week old mice were divided into four groups (n=8) and were fed for 12 weeks with normal diet (ND), high‐fat diet (HD), HD with 10% Biji (BL), or HD with 20% Biji (BH). After sacrifice, blood and liver samples were collected for analyses of hepatic and serum lipid profiles, along with serum insulin and leptin. The results showed that the food intake was not significantly different among the four groups, but the food efficiency ratios (FER) of BH and ND were significantly lower than HD and BL. Body weight gain and body fat mass were lower in ND and BH compared to HD. Furthermore, a significantly lower level of serum TG and TC was noted in BH and ND which were more pronounced than HD. Serum insulin levels of BH and ND were also significantly lower than HD. Similarly, the leptin level of BH, BL, and ND were significantly lower than HD. In conclusion, Biji appears to contribute beneficial effects on ameliorating anthropometric attribute as well as biomarkers related to obesity, however this study did not elucidate the changes in the expression of hepatic lipid metabolic genes, therefore further studies evaluating its effects on gene expression will be conducted.

Anti‐obesity Effect of Solar Salt Produced in Korea on C57BL/6 Mice

The mineral contents of several solar salts produced in South Korea and the anti‐obesity effect of the solar salt on C57BL/6 mice induced by HFD were studied. We used purified salt (PS), Korean solar salts from Taepyeong salt pond (SS‐T), Yangchunsa (SS‐Y), Shinil‐1 (SS‐S1), Shinil‐2 (SS‐S2), and French Guerande solar salt (SS‐G) as a positive sample. The mineral contents of those samples were determined by ICP‐OES. Of all samples, SS‐T had the highest concentration of calcium (0.2388%) and sulfur (1.0313%), and SS‐S1 had the lowest Na/K ratio (17.81), all of which are superior to those of SS‐G. Also, all of salt samples were free from hazardous heavy metals. We used C57BL/6 mice for high‐fat‐diet‐induced obesity; 8‐week obesity induction using high‐fat diet (HFD), followed by 8‐week treatment of HFD supplemented with 0.47% of salt including PS, SS‐T, SS‐Y, SS‐S1, SS‐S2, and SS‐G. Compared with SS‐G, SS‐T and SS‐S1 effectively reduced body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, serum triacylglycerol, cholesterol and leptin. In addition, SS‐S1 significantly reduced organ weights such as epididymal adipose tissue and liver in comparison with control and SS‐G. Also, SS‐S1 was found to suppress adipogenesis and induce lipolysis in histochemical analyses with hepatic‐ and epididymal adipose tissues. And SS‐S1 significantly suppressed expression of obesity‐related genes such as PPAR‐γ, FAS and CPT‐1. Taken together, administration of solar salt, especially manufactured in Korea, can suppress progression of obesity, probably due to relatively high concentration of beneficial minerals.

Effect of Defatted Pepper Seed Extracts on High‐fat Diet‐induced Obesity in Mice

Obesity is one of the most common metabolic syndromes and poses a major worldwide threat to human health. Recently, natural agents that may be beneficial for improving obesity have received increasing attention. In this study, we investigate the antiobesity effect of defatted pepper seed extracts (DPSE) in diet‐induced obese mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or high fat diet (HFD) with or without DPSE (10, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) for 7 weeks. Body weight and food efficiency ratio of mice fed HFD plus DPSE were dose‐dependently decreased compared to those in HFD. Epididymal adipose tissue and liver weights were significantly lowered in mice fed HFD plus DPSE compared to those in HFD. DPSE also lowered triglyceride and cholesterol concentration in plasma. Moreover, DPSE also significantly reversed the HFD‐induced elevation of the expression of the key adipocyte differentiation regulator in the adipose tissue. Furthermore, DPSE resulted in increased phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the liver. These results suggest that DPSE may have excellent hypolipidemic potential to prevent obesity.

Antiobesity effects of bamboo salt in C57BL/6 mice.

Antiobesity effects of bamboo salt (BS) were evaluated compared with those of purified salt and solar salt by oral administration in a diet-induced obesity model using C57BL/6 mice. Compared with other salts, BS, especially nine times baked BS (BS-9×), significantly reduced body weight, food efficiency ratio, and weights of epididymal adipose tissue and liver in high-fat diet-fed mice. Furthermore, BS suppressed the expression of adipogenic factors, such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). Therefore, BS may suppress obesity by downregulating adipogenesis.

Effects of Dietary Coconut Oil on Erucic Acid Rich Rapeseed Oil-induced Changes of Blood Serum Lipids in Rats

The present study investigates the effect of consumption of coconut oil (CO) mixed with erucic acid rich rapeseeds which induced a significant change of blood serum lipids in rats. After 6 weeks of feeding to Wistar rats, body weight gain, food efficiency ratio (FER) and serum lipid profile such as Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were determined. Rapeseed reduced the body weight and FER whereas TC, TG, and LDL were increased. But coconut oil causes significant increase in body weight gain, FER and decreased serum TC, TG and LDL activities. In addition, the mixture of both oil supplements decreased body weight gain, FER and serum TC, TG and LDL activities, the results demonstrated the effects of coconut oil in lowering lipids levels in serum and it also protects the toxic effect of rapeseed. Keywords: Coconut, rapeseed, serum lipids.

Effect of low carbohydrate high protein (LCHP) diet on lipid metabolism, liver and kidney function in rats

The objective of this study was to compare effects of Western diet (WD) with low carbohydrate high protein (LCHP) diet on lipid metabolism, liver and kidney function in rats. Eighteen rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups and fed for the next 2 months. The experimental diets were: Control (7% of soybean oil, 20% protein), WD (21% of butter, 20% protein), and LCHP (21% of butter and 52.4% protein) diet. The LCHP diet significantly decreased the body weight of the rats. Diet consumption was differentiated among groups, however significant changes were observed since third week of the experiment duration. Rats fed LCHP diet ate significantly less (25.2g/animal/day) than those from Control (30.2g/animal/day) and WD (27.8g/animal/day) groups. Additionally, food efficiency ratio (FER) tended to decrease in LCHP fed rats. Serum homocysteine concentration significantly decreased in rats fed WD and LCHP diets. Liver weights were significantly higher in rats fed WD and LCHP diets. At the end of the experiment (2 months) the triacylglycerol (TAG) was significantly decreased in animals fed LCHP compared to WD. qRT-PCR showed that SCD-1 and FAS were decreased in LCHP fed rats, but WD diet increased expression of lipid metabolism genes. Rats receiving LCHP diet had two fold higher kidney weight and 54.5% higher creatinin level compared to Control and WD diets. In conclusion, LCHP diet decreased animal's body weight and decreased TAG in rat's serum. However, kidney damage in LCHP rats was observed.

Anti-obesity effect of Korean Hamcho (Salicornia herbaceaL.) powder on high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Purpose: The objective of this study was to examine whether Hamcho freeze-dried powder and Hamcho freeze-dried nano powder have an anti-obese effect on high fat diet-induced obese rats. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 6 different groups, each of which was bred for 8 weeks with a different experimental diet: normal diet group (NC), high fat diet group (HFC), high fat diet + 2% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried powder group (2% HS), high fat diet + 5% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried powder group (5%HS), high fat diet + 1% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried nano powder group (1% HSN), high fat diet + 2% Salicornia herbacea L. freeze-dried nano powder group (2% HSN). Results: The 5% HS group showed a weight loss effect in body weight, liver and adipose tissue by reducing the amount of dietary intake and food efficiency ratio. In addition, the 5% HS group showed a significant reduction of serum leptin concentration, while having a beneficial effect on the improvement of lipid metabolism such as increase the serum concentration of adiponectin. However, Hamcho freeze-dried nano powder did not show a weight loss effect. Conclusion: Overall data indicated that Hamcho seemed to have anti-obesity effects. In particular, consumption of 5% Hamcho freeze-dried powder might have beneficial effects on body weight, serum adiponectin level, and lipid profiles since it led to reduced body weight and growth of adipose tissues by suppressing dietary intakes. However conduct of further research studies is needed for analysis of active components and biochemical action mechanism of Hamcho.

Effects of coffee powder supplementation on the blood glucose and antioxidative enzyme activity of liver tissue in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of coffee in diabetic rats in order to prevent hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and to improve antioxidant enzyme activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: Thirty two male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight 200 ± 5 g) were divided into two groups; diabetic and nondiabetic groups. The groups were each randomly divided into two subgroups; fed control and coffee (5 g coffee powder/㎏ diet) diets. Diabetes was induced by intramuscular injection of 50 mg streptozotocin/kg body weight. Rats with blood glucose concentrations ≥ 300 ㎎/dL were considered diabetic for these experiments. All rats were fed an experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 4 weeks. Results: The results of this study indicate that body weight gain was significantly lower in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups regardless of diet. Mean food intake was significantly higher in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups, and significantly higher in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic rats. Food efficiency ratio (FER) was significantly lower in diabetic groups than in nondiabetic groups regardless of diet. The fasting blood glucose of coffee supplemented groups was significantly lower compared with the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The levels of serum LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats, and serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in the coffee group than in control groups. The contents of hepatic triglyceride were significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. The lipid peroxidation of malondialdehyde (MDA) contents was significantly lower in the coffee group than in the control group in diabetic and nondiabetic rats. Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase in liver was not significantly different by experimental diets among all groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, effects of 0.5% coffee powder supplemented diet were beneficial on blood glucose and lipids in diabetic rats.

Effects of combined intervention of isoflavone supplementation and exercise on bone metabolism in growing rats

Purpose: This study examined the effects of combined intervention of isoflavones and exercise on bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and biochemical bone markers. Methods: Forty rats were divided into four groups; Control, Isoflavones (IF), Isoflavones + Running (IFR), and Isoflavones + Swimming (IFS). All of the rats in this study were fed an experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for nine weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were estimated using PIXImus (GE Lunar Co, Wisconsin.) in spine and femur nine weeks after feeding or training. Results: The combined intervention did not affect weight gain, mean food intake, or food efficiency ratio. The serum concentrations of ALP and osteocalcin were not significantly different by combined intervention. The urinary DPD crosslinks values were not significantly different by combined intervention. There were no significant differences in serum PTH, calcitonin, and estradiol among all groups. Spine BMD, spine BMC and femur BMC were not significantly different by combined intervention. However, femur BMD was significantly higher in the IFR group than in the control group. Compared with the control group, spine BMD, spine BMC, and femur BMD per weight were markedly increased in the isoflavones supplementation and combined intervention group. In addition, femur BMC per weight was significantly higher in the IFS group than in the control group. Compared with the isoflavones supplemented group, BMD and BMC were not significantly different by combined intervention. Conclusion: It can be concluded that isoflavones supplementation or combined intervention of isoflavone and exercise had a beneficial effect on spine and femur peak bone mass in growing female rats.