Sungpil Ryu

Decursin from Angelica gigas Nakai Inhibits B16F10 Melanoma Growth Through Induction of Apoptosis.

Decursin, a bioactive phytochemical isolated from Angelica gigas Nakai (danggwi), has shown preclinical anticancer efficacy in various cancer models. However, the antitumor effect of decursin in melanoma models remains undefined. The antitumor activities of decursin were investigated in B16F10 cells in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we show that treatment with decursin inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in B16F10 cells, but not in normal cells. Decursin also induced apoptosis in B16F10 cells, as determined by annexin V-staining assay and transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining assay. Decursin increased the phosphorylation of p38 as well as the expression of Bax while decreasing the phosphorylation of extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (ERK) and the expression of Bcl-2 in B16F10 cells. Moreover, decursin activated caspase-3 in B16F10 cells and xenograft tumor tissue. Together, these findings support further investigations into the potential use of decursin in the treatment of melanoma cells.

Antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects of pine needle powder ingestion and endurance training in high cholesterol-fed rats.

[Purpose] Pine needle is a kind of medicinal plant ingested traditionally for a variety of purposes. Therefore, we examined the antioxidant and antiapoptotic capacities of pine needle ingestion in high cholesterol-fed and endurance exercise-trained rats. [Methods] Animals were divided into six groups as; CON: normal diet control group; EX: normal diet and exercise training group; HC: high cholesterol diet group; HCE: high cholesterol diet and exercise training group; HCP: high cholesterol and pine needle group; HCPE: high-cholesterol and pine needle diet with exercise training group, respectively. Each group consisted of seven Sprague-Dawley male rats. The swim-training groups, EX, HCE, and HCPE swam in the swim pool 60 min/d and 5 d/week for 5 weeks. During the rearing periods, freeze-dried pine needle powder mix with 5% of the high cholesterol diet was supplied to the HCP and HCPE groups. Gastrocnemius muscle was used as the skeletal muscle. Malondialdehyde (MDA), Mn-containing superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), Cu, Zn containing superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were analyzed for their antioxidant capacities. Finally, p53, Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2), caspase-3 protein expression was analyzed to determine antiapoptotic ability. [Results] MDA showed low content in HCPE compared to the HC. Mn-SOD, Cu,Zn-SOD, and GPx protein expression was significantly increased by pine needle ingestion and/or exercise training. In addition, suppression of p53 protein expression resulted in Bcl-2 increase followed by caspase-3 decrease with/without pine needle ingestion and exercise training. [Conclusion] When exercise training in addition to pine needle powder ingestion may be a helpful nutritional regimen to athletes and exercisers.

The effect of swimming exercise and powdered-Salicornia herbacea L. ingestion on glucose metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to observe the effects of Salicornia herbacea L. powder ingestion on carbohydrate metabolism in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Methods To achieve this objective, 35 Sprague-Dawley male rats were raised with feed mixed with Salicornia herbacia L. powder and given specific periods to swim for 5 weeks. There was no significant difference in the insulin increase rate while ingesting Salicornia herbacea L. powder and simultaneously exercising. Results Compared to the diabetes mellitus group, HOMA-IR was significantly decreased in the diabetes mellitus + exercise group, diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea group, and the diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea + exercise group. However, changes in blood glucose were significant in each group. Thus, for the result of GLUT-4 and GLUT-2, which are the glycose transporters of the liver and muscle, diabetes mellitus + exercise group, diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea group, and diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea + exercise group showed significantly higher expressions. The glycogen concentration of the liver and muscle was significantly increased in the diabetes mellitus + exercise group, diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea group, and diabetes mellitus + Salicornia herbacea + exercise group. Conclusion With the results above, it seems that taking Salicornia herbacea L. powder and exercise will help prevent various diabetic complications. Therefore, the findings of this study could justify Salicornia herbacea L. powder with its basal data of physiological activities and pharmacological components as a type of health functional food.

Differences of Wood Vinegar Ingestion and Exercise Training on Blood Lipids, MDA, and SOD Activities in Rats

The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of exercise training and oak tree wood vinegar ingestion on the blood lipids and antioxidant activities of rats. The subjects were 28 Sprague Dawley male rats, and they were assigned into four groups (n=7, respectively): the control group (CON), the exercise group (EXE), the vinegar ingestion group (VIN), and the vinegar ingestion and exercise training group (VINEXE). The diet was based on high fat and oral administration of oak tree wood vinegar. The rats that were not given oak tree wood vinegar were given the same amount of distilled water orally in order to maintain the same level of stress. They were exercise trained on motor-driven treadmills during a four-week session. Weight changes in the VINEXE were significantly inhibited in the later period of exercise, when compared to the CON (p＜0.05). Fat increase was significantly suppressed in VIN and EXE (p＜0.05), and a synergistic effect was discovered in the VINEXE (p＜0.05). Glucose and ammonia levels were significantly reduced in the EXE, VIN, and VINEXE compared to the CON (p＜0.05). In blood lipids, TC and LDL-C were significantly enhanced in the EXE, VIN, and VINEXE compared to the CON (p＜0.05), while HDL-C was significantly improved in the EXE and VINEXE (p＜0.05). Liver MDA contents showed significant changes in each group (p＜0.05), and SOD activities were significantly enhanced in the VIN and the VINEXE when compared to other groups (p＜0.05). Therefore, oak tree wood vinegar ingestion with exercise training for four weeks may result in inhibition of weight gain, improvement of blood lipids, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation, contributing to health promotion.

Effects of Opuntia humifusa Supplementation on Lipid Peroxidation and SOD Protein Expression in the Liver, Kidney, and Skeletal Muscle of Rats Fed a High-fat Diet

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Opuntia humifusa supplementation on lipid peroxidation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) protein expression at resting state in various organs of rats fed a high-fat diet. Sixteen Sprague-Dawley male rats, 6 weeks of age, were randomly divided into two groups: a control diet group (CG, n=8) and an experimental diet group (EG, n=8). They were given a high-fat diet (CG) or a diet supplemented with 5% of O. humifusa (EG) or 8 weeks. The results showed that the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of the kidney and the liver were significantly lower in the EG group than in the CG group (p<0.01). In addition, the MDA levels in the skeletal muscle of the EG group tended to be lower than those in the CG group, but this difference was not significant. The Cu, Zn-SOD protein expression in the kidney of the EG group was significantly increased compared with that of the CG group (p<0.01). The Mn-SOD protein expression in the skeletal muscle of the EG group was significantly increased compared with that of the CG group (p<0.01). These results suggest that O. humifusa supplementation has antioxidative properties, which are exerted in a specific organ manner, and that it inhibits the action of lipid peroxidation and the expression of SOD in rats fed a high-fat diet.

Glasswort Powder Diet Activates Lipid Metabolism in Rat

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of glasswort powder intake on lipid metabolism. Rats were divided into three groups: a group fed a normal diet (CON), one fed a high fat diet (HFC), and one fed a high fat diet with glasswort powder (HFG). They were fed their respective diet for four weeks. Body weight was significantly lower (9%) in the HFG group than in the HFC group at the fourth week. According to the feces analysis, the HFG group showed the highest fat level (120% vs. CON; 138% vs. HFC) and fecal calories (110%). The concentration level of TG and LDL-C was 71.8% lower in the HFG group compared to the HFC group, while the concentration level of HDL-C was 152% higher in the HFG group. Expression of FABP in the liver was 197% greater in the HFG compared to the HFC group, with the expression of CPT-1 showing a similar tendency. These results suggest that glasswort powder intake suppresses weight gain and improves fat metabolism at the level of liver cells. From these results, we suggest that glasswort powder is effective against obesity by inhibiting the absorption of fat in the digestive tract.

Studies of the Effect of Vinegar Ingestion after the Strenuous Wingate Test on Energy Substrates during Recovery Periods

We investigated the effect of brown-rice vinegar (BRV) ingestion after strenuous Wingate tests on en-ergy substrates during a 2 hr recovery period. For this, seven healthy male adolescents were chosen as subjects. They performed 3 Wingate tests to induce fatigue, after which they ingested brown-rice vinegar (BRV) drink and/or water as a control (CON) after 15 min of the test. Blood was obtained pre-exercise and 30 min, 60 min, and 120 min post-exercise, and blood glucose, lactate, free fatty acids, ammonia, and cortisol were analyzed. After 120 min of recovery period, the 4th Wingate test was con-ducted to calculate the power recovery ratio of the 3rd and 4th trials. Breathing frequency, oxygen saturation, and heart rate did not show significant changes. Blood glucose level was lower in CON than BRV after 120 min of recovery, and blood lactate and ammonia levels were lower in BRV at 60 and 120 min. The higher free fatty acids were found at 60 and 120 min in BRV. In addition, Wingate power recovery ratio of peak power and peak power/body weight was significantly higher in BRV compared to CON. These results suggested that BRV ingestion after strenuous exercise facilitates fa-tigue recovery. Therefore, BRV might be effectively used as an ergogenic aid for events in which com-petitors compete two or more times a day. Keywords : Brown-rice vinegar, Wingate test, fatigue recovery, energy metabolism

Differences of Garlic Powder Ingestion and Exercise Training on Blood Lipids, MDA and SOD in Rats

This study investigated the effect of exercise training and garlic powder ingestion on blood lipids and antioxidants activity in rats. Twenty-eight male Sprague Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet with or without garlic powder (500 ㎎/㎏) for four weeks as grouped in control (CON), exercise (EXE), garlic (GAR), and garlic + exercise training (GAREXE), respectively. EXE and GAREXE were trained on the treadmill for the same periods. Weight of fats (mesentery, perirenal, and epididymal) were weighed and blood glucose, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high density lipoprotein- cholesterol (HDL-C) were analyzed and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) for lipid peroxidation were analyzed in liver tissue. Body weight in GAREXE was significantly lower in the statistics than that in other groups (p＜0.05), and the volume of fat in GAR and GAREXE was also much lower (p ＜0.05). Blood glucose was significantly lower in EXE and GAR (p＜0.05), however, there was no effect of exercise training. Blood TG was lower in GAR and GAREXE (p＜0.05), however, there was no effect of exercise training. HDL-C was significantly improved in EXE and GAR compared to CON (p＜0.05), and GAREXE was higher than EXE (p＜0.05). MDA content was considerably lower in GAREXE compared to EXE (p＜0.05), and SOD activity was much higher in other groups compared to CON (p＜0.05). In addition, GAREXE was significantly higher than EXE and GAR, thus there was significant increase when a garlic diet was carried out together with exercise (p＜0.05). These results suggested that garlic powder ingestion during the training periods had a beneficial effect of lowering glucose and enhancing blood lipids profiles. Moreover, it also has antioxidant effects, which means that it could possibly suppress aging. It is necessary to inspect various effects of garlic with a variety of research methods regarding sampling process, production process, intake method, etc.

Effects of Grasshopper (Oxya chinensis sinuosa Mistshenko) Powder and Aerobic Exercise on Energy Metabolism in ICR Mice

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of grasshopper (Oxya chinensis sinuosa) powder ingestion with/without aerobic exercise (treadmill running) on energy metabolism. To achieve this purpose, 28 Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice were divided into four groups: normal diet control group (CON), a normal diet with exercise control group (COEX), a grasshopper powder-supplemented diet group (GH), and a grasshopper powder-supplemented diet with exercise group (GHEX). Duration of the powder ingestion and aerobic exercise training were 6 weeks. Body weight gain ratio was not significant. Fat mass significantly decreased in GH and GHEX. There were no changes in blood glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels between groups. Glucose transporter type 2 and glucose transporter type 4 protein levels were not significantly different between groups. Fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 level was the highest in GHEX. AMP-activated protein kinase level significantly increased in GHEX compared to the levels in the other groups. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta protein level was reduced in GHEX compared to that in CON. These results suggest that grasshopper powder ingestion and endurance exercise training influence energy metabolism.

Increased Muscle Mass after Resistance Exercise Training and Ingestion of Silkworm Pupae Powder (Bombyx mori L.) in ICR Mice

Edible insects are an interesting alternative global food resource. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether ingestion of silkworm (Bombyx mori) pupae powder with and without resistance exercise training (isometric contraction training) increased muscle mass in ICR mice. To achieve this, 28 ICR mice were grouped into control (CON), resistance exercise training (EX), silkworm pupae powder ingested control (SP), and silkworm powder ingestion with resistance exercise training (SPEX) groups. The change in body weight ratio was significantly decreased in the EX and SPEX groups compared to the CON and SP groups. Total blood protein levels were the highest in SPEX mice compared to those in other groups. The albumin concentration increased only in the EX group. Blood GOT and GPT levels were not significantly affected. Changes in Akt and Gsk- protein expression were not significant but there was a tendency for Akt to increase and for Gsk- to increase following the ingestion of the powder. The size of the gastrocnemius muscle increased significantly in response to resistance exercise training only. Furthermore, the ingestion of silkworm pupae powder tended to increase muscle mass without significance. These results suggested that the ingestion of silkworm pupae powder with resistance exercise training might enhance muscle mass without hepatotoxicity. However, future study may be needed to obtained detailed results and practical suggestions.