Gap-Soon Moon

Effect of bamboo culm extract on oxidative stress and genetic expression: Bamboo culm extract ameliorates cell adhesion molecule expression and NFκB activity through the suppression of the oxidative stress

BACKGROUND & AIMS This study was designed to investigate whether bamboo culm extract (BCE) supplementation may ameliorate risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypercholesterolemia. METHODS Oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators in plasma, livers of C57BL/6 mice fed high-cholesterol diet and calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells. Briefly, C57BL/6 mice were fed the high-cholesterol diet which was supplemented with 1% (w/w), or 3% (w/w) of BCE for 16 weeks. The concentration of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol level and atherogenic index were measured. Plasma TEAC value, hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyl values and hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities, such as Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), GSH reductase and catalase were determined. In addition, hepatic nuclear factor kappa B activities were detected. In the calf pulmonary artery endothelial (CPAE) cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide, the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) were measured. RESULTS Plasma cholesterol level was decreased, while HDL-cholesterol was increased, thus atherogenic index was lowered in BCE-supplemented animals. Plasma trolox equivalent and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and protein carbonyl values were lowered significantly in BCE groups (p<0.05) in a dose-dependent manner. Hepatic antioxidative enzyme activities, such as Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-SOD, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P), GSH reductase, and catalase were elevated in mice fed BCE-supplemented diets (p<0.05). Nuclear factor kappa B activities of livers and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 expressions in CPAE cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were significantly lowered in BCE groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION These results suggest that BCE supplementation may modulate lipoprotein composition and attenuate oxidative stress by elevated antioxidative processes, thus suppressing inflammatory mediator activation as possible mechanism of its anti-atherogenic effect.

Bamboo Culm Extract Supplementation Elevates HDL-Cholesterol and Ameliorates Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6 Mice Fed Atherogenic Diet

Previously, we reported that bamboo culms possess a stronger antioxidative capacity than bamboo leaves in vitro. In this study, we investigated whether bamboo culm extract (BCE) supplementation ameliorates oxidative stress and hepatic nuclear factor kappaB (NF kappa B) activation in C57BL/6 mice fed an atherogenic diet. In addition, the effect of BCE supplementation on plasma lipid levels of the animals was tested. The mice were randomly assigned to a normal diet, an atherogenic diet (control), or an atherogenic diet supplemented with 1% (wt/wt) BCE or 3% (wt/wt) BCE for 16 weeks. Atherogenic diet-induced oxidative stress, measured by hepatic thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances and protein carbonyls, was significantly lower in the BCE-supplemented groups than in the control (P < .05). Total antioxidative capacity was elevated in the BCE groups, along with greater activities of antioxidative enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and catalase, compared to the control or normal groups (P < .05). The hepatic NF kappa B binding activities were significantly lower in the BCE groups as well (P < .05). The high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level was significantly elevated by BCE supplementation (P < .05), whereas the effects of BCE on triglyceride and total cholesterol were inconsistent. Results from this study suggest that BCE supplementation may lessen oxidative stress via a series of changes, including a reinforced antioxidant system, and also suggest that the lowered oxidative stress status may down-regulate the activation of inflammatory mediators.

Photoprotective Effect of Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) Seed Tea against UVB Irradiation

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) seed is widely used as a traditional medicine in countries of Asia. Among many functions of the lotus seed, one interesting activity is its skin protection from the sunlight and scar. In this study, we focused on the skin protective property of lotus seed tea against ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation. Two groups of a hairless mouse model, water as control (water group) and lotus seed tea (LST group), were administrated a fluid drink water for six months. After 6 month of administration, UVB exposure was carried out to both groups for another 3 months. During and after the administration, the skin moisture content and the morphological and histopathological analyses through biopsy were carried out. Prior to UVB irradiation, no significant difference was discovered in the skin moisture content for the water group and LST group (P<0.05). However, drastic changes were observed after the UVB treatment. The LST group showed a clear evidence of skin protection compared to the control group (P<0.05). The moisture content, epidermal and horny layer thickness, and protein carbonyl values all revealed that the intake of the lotus seed tea enhanced protection against UVB exposure. As a result, the long-term intake of the lotus seed tea showed the effect of preventing loss of skin moisture, mitigating the formation of abnormal keratinocytes, and contributing to protein oxidation inhibition.

Foreign student`s Preference and Recognition of Makgeolli in Korea

This study was conducted to investigate the preference for and recognition of Makgeolli by foreign students to determine its potential for export. From March 15 to 29, 2010, 300 students from four universities (Kyung-Hee University, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Yonsei University, Chung-Ang University) were surveyed and data from 287 subjects were used for subsequent analyses. The recognition of Makgeolli was as follows: 40.3% knew that Makgeolli`s was fermented alcohol; 49.5% knew its proof; 85.7% knew that rice and wheat were the main ingredients of Makgeolli; 72.8% knew it was Korean traditional alcohol. The preference for Makgeolli`s was as follows: flavor (3.46), color (3.43), aroma (3.30), texture (3.28), reverberation (3.36), shape of glass (3.51) and Korean bar (3.72), which were slightly high. However, hangover (3.02) and plastic bottle (3.08) had lower values than the other variables. Overall, participants were likely to recommend Makgeolli to others (Male 3.57, Female 3.72), but they did not think that it is a good ingredient for food (2.91). The opportunity for the globalization of Makgeolli appeared to be high (Male 3.57, Female 3.74). To improve the export of Makgoelli, respondents reported that a better marketing strategy (37%) and new type of bottle (42.8%) were needed.