Kyu-Rim Park

Effects of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai on the Contents of Serum Lipid and Tissue Lipid Peroxidation in Alcohol Feeding Rats

The effect of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (AFAG) on the contents of serum lipids and tissue lipid peroxidation was investigated in alcohol feeding rats (Alc group). The serum contents of total lipid and free fatty acid in the alcohol feeding rats were significantly increased, but these increases tended to decrease in the AFAG group. The content of serum triglyceride was also significantly decreased in the AFAG group compared to the other groups. The serum content of total-cholesterol was not significantly different between the normal group and the AFAG group. The content of HDL-cholesterol in serum was slightly increased in the AFAG group compared to the Alc group. The content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, heart, spleen, and testis were significantly increased in the Alc group compared to the normal group, but these increases were significantly decreased in the AFAG group. The content of liver zinc was decreased in the Alc group and it was significantly increased in the AFAG group, which suggested that the lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with the liver zinc content. The hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the Alc group, but this content was significantly increased in the AFAG group, and it showed the antioxidant ability of glutathione. These activities were also compared to the standard silymarin drug treatment. Thus, the findings of the present study indicated the significant antioxidant and antihyperlipidemic activity of Monascus-fermented Angelica gigas Nakai against ethanol-induced toxicity.

Effect of Orostachys malacophyllus by Fermented Lactic Acid Bacteria on Plasma Levels of Lipid and Lipid Peroxidation in Alcohol Feeding Rats

The purpose of this study was to identify the effect on plasma levels of lipid and lipid peroxidation by administration of lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lactobacillus acidophilus) fermented Orostachys malacophyllus (FOM) in alcohol fed rats. Male Sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into seven groups: normal diet group (N), alcohol treated group (C), 2.5% (w/w) or 5% (w/w) OM treated group (2.5OM, 5OM), 2.5% (w/w) or 5% (w/w) fermented OM treated group (2.5FOM, 5FOM) and silymarin treated group (SM) as a positive control. As a result of measuring serum total lipid, C group were increased total lipid, free fatty acid content and were decreased HDL-cholesterol content, but 5FOM group were significantly decreased lipid content and were increased HDL-cholesterol content and accordingly reduced the incidence of atherosclerosis. Serum total protein content was similarly measured in all groups and serum albumin content was decreased in alcohol feeding groups compared to the N group. The 5FOM group had significantly decreased liver and serum triglycerides compared to the C group. The TBARS content in the liver, serum, testis, kidney, spleen, and heart were slightly decreased in the 5FOM group compared to the C group and the 5FOM group had an increased glutathione concentration. The 5FOM treatment was showed analogous results to those of the SM treatment, suggesting that FOM is can improve the lipid profiles of alcohol-fed rats.

Biological Activity and Chemical Characteristics of Cordyceps militaris Powder Fermented by Several Microscopic Organisms

The comparative effects of the fibrinolytic action, antioxidative activity, and tyrosinase inhibition of Cordyceps militaris powder and fermented Cordyceps militaris powders were investigated using several microscopic organisms. The nutritional components such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and minerals were also measured. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid concentrations were highest in the Cordyceps militaris powder fermented by Aspergillus oryzae. Major minerals were K, Ca, Mg, and Zn. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (native-PAGE) analysis of the total protein patterns of Cordyceps militaris powder and fermented Cordyceps militaris powders revealed slight varietal differences. Fibrinolytic activity was highest in the Cordyceps militaris powder fermented by Bacillus subtilis and Aspergillus kawachii. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was slightly stronger in the powder fermented by Monascus purpureus; however, these samples all exhibited a relatively low activity when compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Tyrosinase inhibition activity was stronger in the powder fermented by Aspergillus oryzae than in unfermented powder. These results may provide basic data for understanding the biological activities and chemical characteristics of Cordyceps militaris powder fermented by several microscopic organisms for the development of functional foods.

The Improvement Effect of Fermented Angelica gigas Nakai Powder Against Orotic Acid-induced Fatty Liver in Rats

This study was to investigate the potential effects of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (FAG) at 5% (w/w) levels in Sprague-Dawley strain rats, which were intoxicated with 1% (w/w) orotic acid (OA) for 10 days. The activities of several hepatic enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholinesterase were increased when OA was treated, but these parameters were significantly decreased by FAG administration. OA treatment induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was attenuated by FAG administration. Liver nonheme ion was decreased in the OA treatment group and was significantly increased in FAG administration, which suggests that lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with liver nonheme ion content. The glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the OA treatment group compared with the normal group, but this concentration was significantly increased in the FAG group, and it showed the antioxidant ability of glutathione. Based on these results, fermented Angelica gigas Nakai is a material with significant potential for development into a health food that can improve fatty liver conditions.This study was to investigate the potential effects of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (FAG) at 5% (w/w) levels in Sprague-Dawley strain rats, which were intoxicated with 1% (w/w) orotic acid (OA) for 10 days. The activities of several hepatic enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholinesterase were increased when OA was treated, but these parameters were significantly decreased by FAG administration. OA treatment induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was attenuated by FAG administration. Liver nonheme ion was decreased in the OA treatment group and was significantly increased in FAG administration, which suggests that lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with liver nonheme ion content. The glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the OA treatment group compared with the normal group, but this concentration was significantly increased in the FAG group, and it showed the antioxidant ability of glutathione. Based on these results, fermented Angelica gigas Nakai is a material with significant potential for development into a health food that can improve fatty liver conditions.

Effect of Fermented Angelica gigas Nakai on Lipid Metabolism in Orotic Acid Model Rats

The aim of this study was to identify the effect of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) on lipid metabolism in orotic acid-induced fatty liver model rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four dietary groups (n=6 per group): a normal (N) group fed a standard diet only, OA control, OA acid plus 5% (w/w) A. gigas (OAG), and OA plus 5% (w/w) fermented A. gigas (OFAG). OA treatment induced enlargement of the liver and accumulation of hepatic triglycerides. The consum ption of fermented A. gigas reduced triglyceride concentrations in the liver and increased the serum lipid concentrations to normal levels. Furthermore, OA treatment significantly decreased serum triglyc eride concentrations without diminishing mRNA expression of microsomal triglyceride transfer protei n (MTP) and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Hepatic MTP mRNA expression increased 1.08-fold in response to OA treatment, despite triglyceride accumulation in the liver relative to that of the norm al group. OFAG administration was slightly lower as compared to the OA treatment. This result sugg ests that MTP mRNA expression is not always correlated with hepatic triglyceride accumulation in the OA-induced fatty liver model. However, PDI mRNA expression was significantly increased in the OAG and OFAG groups (1.62-fold and 1.63-fold, respectively) compared with the normal group. The hepatocytes in the OA group contained numerous large fat droplets. These were slightly reduced in the OFAG group.

Effect of Cordycepin-increased Cordyceps militaris Powder on Tissues Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidative Activity in Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Hepatic Damage in Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of cordycepin-increased Cordyceps militaris strain on carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 )-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6) based on six dietary categories: normal (N), CCl 4 control (C), CCl 4 plus Paecilomyces japonica (CPJ) (3%, w/w), CCl 4 plus C. militaris (CCM) (3%, w/w), and CCl 4 plus cordycepin-increased C. militaris (CCMα) (3%, w/w). The activities of the liver marker enzymes ALT, AST, and LDH and the levels of lipid peroxidation were increased in the CCl 4 -treated groups, but these parameters were significantly decreased in the CCMα group. The TBARS content in the liver homogenate, microsome, and mitochondrial fractions of the C group was significantly elevated compared with the N group. However, in the CCl 4 -treated groups, CCMα group was significantly lowered in the TBARS levels of hepatic homogenate and microsomal fractions. The C group showed a significant decrease in the levels of plasma and hepatic glutathione, whereas they were significantly increased in the CCMα group. Accordingly, cordycepin-increased C. militaris may be an ideal animal model for studying hepatoprotective effects.

Improvement Effect of Fermented Silkworm (Bombyx mori L.) Powder against Orotic Acid-induced Fatty Liver in Rats

Current study was to investigate the potential effects of silkworm, Bombyx mori L. fermented with Bacillus subtilis (BFSP) and Aspergillus kawachii (AFSP) at the 5% (w/w) levels in Sprague-Dawley rats, which was intoxicated with 1% (w/w) orotic acid (OA) for 10 days. The rat group administered silkworm powder showed improvements in fatty liver condition. Consumption of fermented silkworm powder reduced triglyceride concentrations in the liver tissues and serum and increased the serum lipid concentrations to normal levels, thereby aiding in improving fatty liver conditions. These effects were more pronounced in the BFSP than that in SP or AFSP in orotic acid-induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress. Based on these results, fermented silkworms are considered to be a material with significant potential for development into a functional health food that can improve fatty liver conditions.