Effects of Short-Term Differences in Concentrate Feeding on the Recovery of In Vivo Embryos in Hanwoo Donor Cows through Superovulation Treatment.

Superovulation is a technique used to increase the number of oocytes released for fertilization. This study investigated the effects of short-term differences in concentrate feed intake on in vivo embryo production through superovulation in indigenous Korean (Hanwoo) cows. The cows were given fresh water and hay ad libitum and randomly divided into three groups (control (CON, n = 9): 2.0 kg/day (unchanged diet); low concentrate (LC, n = 10): 0 kg/day; and high concentrate (HC, n = 8): 4.0 kg/day) according to the amount of formula they were fed. This feeding treatment began seven days before the start of the hormonal treatment for superovulation. From the results, the LC group had the greatest weight change and the lowest body condition score at harvest, followed by the CON and HC groups (p < 0.05). The LC group had the highest number of harvesting embryos, followed by the HC and CON groups (p < 0.05). Estradiol, progesterone, glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, total protein, and blood urea nitrogen concentrations did not differ between the groups, except for a temporary increase in the HC group on day 0. These findings suggest that more embryos may be harvested when short-term changes in concentrate intake are made during superovulatory responses in Hanwoo cows.

Differential expression and localization of tight junction proteins in the goat epididymis.

The blood-epididymis barrier (BEB) forms a unique microenvironment that is crucial for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the epididymis. To characterize the function of tight junctions (TJs), which are constitutive components of the BEB, we determined the expression and localization of TJ proteins such as zonula occludens (ZO)-1, 2, and 3, occludin, and claudin3 (Cldn3) during postnatal development in the goat epididymis. To assess the expression patterns of TJ proteins in immature (3 months of age) and mature (14 months of age) goat epididymides, two different experimental methods were used including immunofluorescence labeling and western blotting. We show that, ZO-1, 2, and 3, and occludin, were strictly expressed and localized to the TJs of the goat epididymis, whereas Cldn3 was present in basolateral membranes as well as TJs. All TJ proteins examined were more highly expressed in the immature epididymis compared to levels in mature tissue. In conclusion, our study indicates that at least five TJ proteins, namely ZO-1, ZO-2, ZO-3, occludin, and Cldn3, are present in TJs, and the expression strength and pattern of TJ proteins tend to be age dependent in the goat epididymis. Together, these data suggest that the distinct expression patterns of TJ proteins are essential for regulating components of the luminal contents in the epididymal epithelium and for forming adequate luminal conditions that are necessary for the maturation, protection, transport, and storage of spermatozoa in the goat epididymis.

Transcriptome profiling of in vitro-matured oocytes from a korean native cow (hanwoo) after cysteamine supplementation.

This study elucidated the molecular markers that decrease oocyte quality during in vitro culture, restricting optimal developmental potential. Here, we evaluated the transcriptomic differences between cysteamine-treated and non-treated bovine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) after 22 h of co-culture in the maturation media using RNA sequencing. In total, 39,014 transcripts were sequenced between cysteamine-treated and non-treated mature COCs. We evaluated the relative expression of 21,472 genes, with 59 genes showing differential expression between the two COC groups. The cysteamine-treated group had 36 up-regulated gene transcripts and 23 down-regulated gene transcripts. Moreover, gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that multiple biological processes were significantly enriched after cysteamine supplementation. Differentially expressed genes appeared to maintain normal oocyte physiology, regulation of apoptosis, differentiation, ossification or bone formation, cardiac and muscle physiology, hormonal secretion, and membrane construction for further embryonic development. In conclusion, cysteamine affects the mRNA level of COCs during oocyte maturation by upregulating potential molecular markers and downregulating genes that affect further embryonic development.

Ultrasonic Cutting of Frozen Semen Straws to Optimize the Use of Spermatozoa for In Vitro Fertilization.

The objective of the present study was to establish conditions for using technology that can potentially enhance the efficiency of bovine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) with frozen semen. Frozen semen from selected bulls can be stored indefinitely in liquid nitrogen as genetic resources; however, these resources are considered consumable because they cannot be regenerated. Therefore, to optimize the utilization of frozen semen, as many oocytes as possible should be fertilized with one straw. However, a sufficient number of prepared oocytes might not be available for one experiment, which can limit the use of the total spermatozoa population. Thus, an economical method for producing embryos needs to be established by optimizing technology for transplantable embryos. In this study, the utilization of frozen semen was increased by dividing the straw with an ultrasonic cutter. The post-thaw survival rate of uncut straws from Korean Proven Bulls did not differ from that of half cuttings. When ultrasonic cutting was applied to frozen semen, spermatozoa could be prepared for IVF trials at least four times, and blastocysts were produced. Therefore, cutting frozen semen with an ultrasonic cutter represents a potentially useful tool to expand genetic resources from excellent breeding stocks. This approach could also be valuable in the field of IVF of endangered species or rare breeds for their preservation, as well as in ovum pick-up (OPU) techniques.

Development and Differentiation of Epididymal Epithelial Cells in Korean Native Black Goat.

The acidic luminal environment of the epididymis is regulated by the communication networks among epididymal epithelial cells; it is necessary for sperm maturation and storage. To characterize epididymal epithelial cell differentiation, the localization and expression of hydrogen-pumping vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) and cytokeratin 5 (KRT5) in the clear and basal cells, respectively, of immature and mature goat epididymis and vas deferens was examined. The epididymides and vas deferens were obtained from goats aged 1, 2, and 12-14 months. To assess the localization and expression patterns of V-ATPase and KRT5 in the caput, corpus, and cauda of the epididymis and proximal vas deferens, the tissue sections were subjected to immunofluorescence labeling and observed by confocal microscopy. Both clear and basal cells progressively started to differentiate in a retrograde manner. Clear cells disappeared from the cauda region after puberty, and they were maintained only in the caput and corpus regions of the adult goat epididymis. V-ATPase and KRT5 were co-expressed in the differentiated cells located at the base of the epithelium (i.e., basal cells). This cell type-specific differentiation and distribution of the epithelial cells plays a critical role in establishing a unique luminal environment for sperm maturation and storage in the goat epididymis.

Estimating genetic diversity and population structure of 22 chicken breeds in Asia using microsatellite markers.

OBJECTIVE: Estimating the genetic diversity and structures, both within and among chicken breeds, is critical for the identification and conservation of valuable genetic resources. In chickens, microsatellite (MS) marker polymorphisms have previously been widely used to evaluate these distinctions. Our objective was to analyze the genetic diversity and relationships among 22 chicken breeds in Asia based on allelic frequencies. METHODS: We used 469 genomic DNA samples from 22 chicken breeds from eight Asian countries (South Korea, KNG, KNB, KNR, KNW, KNY, KNO; Laos, LYO, LCH, LBB, LOU; Indonesia, INK, INS, ING; Vietnam, VTN, VNH; Mongolia, MGN; Kyrgyzstan, KGPS; Nepal, NPS; Sri Lanka, SBC) and three imported breeds (RIR, Rhode Island Red; WLG, White Leghorn; CON, Cornish). Their genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using 20 MS markers. RESULTS: In total, 193 alleles were observed across all 20 MS markers, and the number of alleles ranged from 3 (MCW0103) to 20 (LEI0192) with a mean of 9.7 overall. The NPS breed had the highest expected heterozygosity (Hexp, 0.718±0.027) and polymorphism information content (PIC, 0.663±0.030). Additionally, the observed heterozygosity (Hobs) was highest in LCH (0.690±0.039), whereas WLG showed the lowest Hexp (0.372±0.055), Hobs (0.384±0.019), and PIC (0.325±0.049). Nei's DA genetic distance was the closest between VTN and VNH (0.086), and farthest between KNG and MGN (0.503). Principal coordinate analysis showed similar results to the phylogenetic analysis, and three axes explained 56.2% of the variance (axis 1, 19.17%; 2, 18.92%; 3, 18.11%). STRUCTURE analysis revealed that the 22 chicken breeds should be divided into 20 clusters, based on the highest ΔK value (46.92). CONCLUSION: This study provides a basis for future genetic variation studies and the development of conservation strategies for 22 chicken breeds in Asia.

Dog cloning with in vivo matured oocytes obtaining using serum estradiol levels for predicting time of ovulation.

Dog cloning using in vivo-matured oocytes has been carried out for a decade. To obtain mature oocytes, serum progesterone (P4) levels are used to evaluate ovulation. However, the accuracy of these methods is not sufficient. Thus, the aim of the present study was to verify the feasibility of serum estradiol (E2) on canine ovulation determination as assessed by the percentage of dogs yielding mature oocytes. In vivo-matured oocytes were utilized for canine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), and serum P4 and E2 levels were assessed to determine ovulation and oocyte maturation. Canine serum P4 and E2 concentrations during both pro-estrus and estrus were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The percentage of dogs yielding mature oocytes using each of the two ovulation prediction methods were compared, and correlations between the percentage of each method and temperature were analyzed. Following evaluation, oocytes were collected surgically, and a significantly higher percentage (P < 0.05) of dogs yielding mature oocytes was observed using E2 (56.43%) for ovulation detection as compared with that using P4 (39.60%). The percentage of dogs yielding mature oocytes using P4 significantly lower (P < 0.05) than E2 in autumn (P4, 37.50% vs. E2, 52.00%) and winter (P4, 29.17% vs. E2, 59.09%). Using E2, the percentage was maintained at about 52.00-66.67% regardless of the season and temperature. Correlation analysis showed that the dynamic of percentage of dogs yielding mature oocyte using P4 was highly correlated with environmental temperature (RP4 = 0.862), whereas E2 was not affected by temperature (RE2 = 0.199). To determine whether serum E2 could be used for ovulation prediction for canine cloning, ovulation of 25 and 19 dogs (P < 0.05) were predicted using P4 or E2 methods, respectively and two puppies, one from each ovulation prediction method, were obtained after SCNT and embryo transfer. Thus, compared with the P4 method, E2 was an accurate and reliable method for canine cloning.

Localization and quantitative analysis of Cx43 in porcine oocytes during in vitro maturation.

Many studies of the main gap junction protein, Cx43, have been conducted in porcine oocyte research, but they have been limited to investigations of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). In this study, we verified Cx43 not in COCs, but in porcine oocytes during maturation, and conducted a quantitative time course analysis. The location and dynamics of Cx43 were examined by immunocytochemistry and western blotting, respectively. COCs were cultured in NCSU23 medium and processed for immunocytochemistry and western blotting at 0, 14, 28, and 42 h after denuding. A Cx43 signal was detected on oolemmas, transzonal projections and the surface of zona pellucidae. Western blotting showed that Cx43 band density increased from 0 to 14 h, and gradually decreased thereafter. Our results clarified that Cx43 is localized in the ooplasmic membrane through zona pellucidae and its level changes over time during culture in porcine oocytes.

Relationship between Sloan-Kettering virus expression and mammalian follicular development.

Sloan-Kettering virus gene, a product of a cellular proto-oncogene c-Ski is a unique nuclear pro-oncoprotein and belongs to the Ski/Sno proto-oncogene family. The aim of the present study was to locate Ski protein in rat ovaries in order to find insights into the possible involvement of Ski in follicular development. First, expression of c-Ski mRNA in the ovaries of adult female rats was confirmed by RT-PCR. Then, ovaries obtained on the day of estrus were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for Ski and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in combination with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). RT-PCR and in situ hybridization revealed that c-Ski mRNA was expressed in the ovaries of the adult rat on the day of estrous and localized mainly in the granulose cells. Ski was expressed in granulosa cells that were positive for TUNEL, but negative for PCNA, regardless of the shape and size of follicles. Expression of Ski in TUNEL-positive granulosa cells, but not in PCNA-positive granulosa cells, was also verified in rats having atretic follicles with double staining. These results indicate that Ski is profoundly expressed in the granulosa cells of atretic follicles, but not in growing follicles. Based on the present findings, Ski may play a role in the apoptosis of granulosa cells during follicular atresia.

Protective effect of centipedegrass against Aß oligomerization and Aß-mediated cell death in PC12 cells.

CONTEXT: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the abnormal accumulation of ß-amyloid (Aß). Multiple Aß-aggregated species have been identified, and neurotoxicity appears to be correlated with the amount of non-fibrillar oligomers. Potent inhibitors of Aß oligomer formation or Aß-induced cell toxicity have emerged as attractive means of therapeutic intervention. Eremochloa ophiuroide Hack. (Poaceae), also known as centipedegrass (CG), originates from China and South America and is reported to contain several C-glycosyl flavones and phenolic constituents. OBJECTIVE: We investigated whether CG could suppress Aß aggregation, BACE1 activity, and toxicity at neuronal cell. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The inhibitory effect of CG extracts toward aggregation of Aß42 was investigated in the absence and presence of 50 µg/mL CG. We investigated the inhibitory effects of CG (0-5 µg/mL) on BACE1 using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based assay. The effects of CG (0-75 µg/mL) on Aß42-induced neurotoxicity were examined in PC12 cells in the presence or absence of maysin and its derivatives of CG. RESULTS: We isolated EA-CG fraction (70% MeOH fraction from EtOAc extracts) from methanol extracts of CG, which contained approximately 60% maysin and its derivatives. In the present studies, we found that several Aß oligomeric forms such as the monomer, dimer, trimer, and highly aggregated oligomeric forms were remarkably inhibited in the presence of 50 µg/mL of EA-CG. EA-CG also inhibited BACE1 enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. EA-CG treatment generated approximately 50% or 85% inhibition to the control at the tested concentrations of 1 or 5 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the neurotoxicity induced by Aß42 was significantly reduced by treatment of EA-CG, and the 75 µg/mL EA-CG treatment significantly increased cell viability up to 82.5%. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the anti-Alzheimer's effects of CG occurred through inhibition of neuronal cell death by intervening with oligomeric Aß formation and reducing BACE1 activity. Maysin in CG could be an excellent therapeutic candidate for the prevention of AD.

Proteomic analysis of the extraembryonic tissues from cloned porcine fetus at day 35 of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Somatic cell cloning by nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pig is clearly of great benefit for basic research and biomedical applications. Even though cloned offspring have been successfully produced in pig, SCNT is struggling with the low efficiency. RESULTS: In the present study, we investigated differentially expressed proteins of the extraembryonic tissue from pig SCNT fetus compared to control (normal) fetus. We obtained the extraembryonic tissue from embryos at day 35 of pregnancy and examined the protein expression profiles using two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-D) and Western blotting. The extraembryonic tissue of fetus in control pregnancy was compared to the extraembryonic tissue of SCNT fetus, which showed an abnormally small size and shape as well as exhibited abnormal placental morphology compared to control fetus. A proteomic analysis showed that the expression of 33 proteins was significantly increased or decreased in the extraembryonic tissue of SCNT fetus compared to control fetus. The differentially expressed proteins in the extraembryonic tissue of SCNT fetus included ATP or lipid binding proteins, antioxidant proteins, translation elongation factors, and transcription factors. Western blotting analysis indicated that antioxidant enzymes and anti-apoptotic proteins were down-regulated; however, the expression levels of apoptotic proteins, Bax and Hsp27, were increased in the extraembryonic tissue of SCNT fetus. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis also showed that the expression of the catalase or GPX genes was decreased in the extraembryonic tissue with SCNT fetus compared to those with control fetus. In addition, we observed a significant decrease in DNA methytransferase1 (Dnmt1) expression in SCNT extraembryonic tissue, and the expression levels of Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b were abnormally higher in SCNT fetus compared to control fetus. Moreover, a marked increase in the frequency of TUNEL-positive cells was observed in the extraembryonic tissue in SCNT fetus. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that pig SCNT fetus showed abnormal protein expression in the extraembryonic tissue, and extensive apoptosis occurred in the extraembryonic tissue of the SCNT fetus due to an increase in apoptotic protein expression or a decrease in antioxidant protein expression.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity, Relationships and Structure among Korean Native Cattle Breeds Using Microsatellite Markers.

Four Korean native cattle (KNC) breeds-Hanwoo, Chikso, Heugu, and Jeju black-are entered in the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and population structure of these KNC breeds (n = 120) and exotic breeds (Holstein and Charolais, n = 56). Thirty microsatellite loci recommended by the International Society for Animal Genetics/FAO were genotyped. These genotypes were used to determine the allele frequencies, allelic richness, heterozygosity and polymorphism information content per locus and breed. Genetic diversity was lower in Heugu and Jeju black breeds. Phylogenetic analysis, Factorial Correspondence Analysis and genetic clustering grouped each breed in its own cluster, which supported the genetic uniqueness of the KNC breeds. These results will be useful for conservation and management of KNC breeds as animal genetic resources.

Coprinus comatus cap inhibits adipocyte differentiation via regulation of PPARγ and Akt signaling pathway.

This study assessed the effects of Coprinus comatus cap (CCC) on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the effects of CCC on the development of diet-induced obesity in rats. Here, we showed that the CCC has an inhibitory effect on the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, resulting in a significant decrease in lipid accumulation through the downregulation of several adipocyte specific-transcription factors, including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ß, C/EBPδ, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Moreover, treatment with CCC during adipocyte differentiation induced a significant down-regulation of PPARγ and adipogenic target genes, including adipocyte protein 2, lipoprotein lipase, and adiponectin. Interestingly, the CCC treatment of the 3T3-L1 adipocytes suppressed the insulin-stimulated Akt and GSK3ß phosphorylation, and these effects were stronger in the presence of an inhibitor of Akt phosphorylation, LY294002, suggesting that CCC inhibited adipocyte differentiation through the down-regulation of Akt signaling. In the animal study, CCC administration significantly reduced the body weight and adipose tissue weight of rats fed a high fat diet (HFD) and attenuated lipid accumulation in the adipose tissues of the HFD-induced obese rats. The size of the adipocyte in the epididymal fat of the CCC fed rats was significantly smaller than in the HFD rats. CCC treatment significantly reduced the total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the serum of HFD rats. These results strongly indicated that the CCC-mediated decrease in body weight was due to a reduction in adipose tissue mass. The expression level of PPARγ and phospho-Akt was significantly lower in the CCC-treated HFD rats than that in the HFD obesity rats. These results suggested that CCC inhibited adipocyte differentiation by the down-regulation of major transcription factor involved in the adipogenesis pathway including PPARγ through the regulation of the Akt pathway in 3T3-L1 cells and HFD adipose tissue.

Genetic diversity and relationships of korean chicken breeds based on 30 microsatellite markers.

The effective management of endangered animal genetic resources is one of the most important concerns of modern breeding. Evaluation of genetic diversity and relationship of local breeds is an important factor towards the identification of unique and valuable genetic resources. This study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and population structure of six Korean native chicken breeds (n = 300), which were compared with three imported breeds in Korea (n = 150). For the analysis of genetic diversity, 30 microsatellite markers from FAO/ISAG recommended diversity panel or previously reported microsatellite markers were used. The number of alleles ranged from 2 to 15 per locus, with a mean of 8.13. The average observed heterozygosity within native breeds varied between 0.46 and 0.59. The overall heterozygote deficiency (F IT) in native chicken was 0.234±0.025. Over 30.7% of F IT was contributed by within-population deficiency (F IS). Bayesian clustering analysis, using the STRUCTURE software suggested 9 clusters. This study may provide the background for future studies to identify the genetic uniqueness of the Korean native chicken breeds.

Siberian Sturgeon Oocyte Extract Induces Epigenetic Modifications of Porcine Somatic Cells and Improves Developmental Competence of SCNT Embryos.

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has generally demonstrated that a differentiated cell can convert into a undifferentiated or pluripotent state. In the SCNT experiment, nuclear reprogramming is induced by exposure of introduced donor nuclei to the recipient cytoplasm of matured oocytes. However, because the efficiency of SCNT still remains low, a combination of SCNT technique with the ex-ovo method may improve the normal development of SCNT embryos. Here we hypothesized that treatment of somatic cells with extracts prepared from the germinal vesicle (GV) stage Siberian sturgeon oocytes prior to their use as nuclear donor for SCNT would improve in vitro development. A reversible permeability protocol with 4 µg/mL of digitonin for 2 min at 4°C in order to deliver Siberian sturgeon oocyte extract (SOE) to porcine fetal fibroblasts (PFFs) was carried out. As results, the intensity of H3K9ac staining in PFFs following treatment of SOE for 7 h at 18°C was significantly increased but the intensity of H3K9me3 staining in PFFs was significantly decreased as compared with the control (p<0.05). Additionally, the level of histone acetylation in SCNT embryos at the zygote stage was significantly increased when reconstructed using SOE-treated cells (p<0.05), similar to that of IVF embryos at the zygote stage. The number of apoptotic cells was significantly decreased and pluripotency markers (Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2) were highly expressed in the blastocyst stage of SCNT embryos reconstructed using SOE-treated cells as nuclear donor (p<0.05). And there was observed a better development to the blastocyst stage in the SOE-treated group (p<0.05). Our results suggested that pre-treatment of cells with SOE could improve epigenetic reprogramming and the quality of porcine SCNT embryos.

Sasa borealis stem extract attenuates hepatic steatosis in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.

The aim of the current study is to examine the improving effect of Sasa borealis stem (SBS) extract extracts on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in rats. To determine the hepatoprotective effect of SBS, we fed rats a normal regular diet (ND), HFD, and HFD supplemented with 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) SBS extracts for five weeks. We found that the body weight and liver weight of rats in the HFD + SBS group were significantly lower than those in the HFD group. Significantly lower serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) concentrations were observed in the SBS-supplemented group compared with the HFD group. We also found that the HFD supplemented with SBS group showed dramatically reduced hepatic lipid accumulation compared to the HFD alone group, and administration of SBS resulted in dramatic suppression of TG, TC in the HFD-induced fatty liver. In liver gene expression within the SBS treated group, PPARα was significantly increased and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. SBS induced a significant decrease in the hepatic mRNA levels of PPARγ, FAS, ACC1, and DGAT2. In conclusion, SBS improved cholesterol metabolism, decreased lipogenesis, and increased lipid oxidation in HFD-induced hepatic steatosis in rats, implying a potential application in treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Schisandra chinensis prevents alcohol-induced fatty liver disease in rats.

Schisandra chinensis (SC), a traditional herbal medicine, has been prescribed for patients suffering from various liver diseases, including hepatic cancer, hypercholesterolemia, and CCl4-induced liver injury. We investigated whether SC extract has a protective effect on alcohol-induced fatty liver and studied its underlying mechanisms. Rats were fed with ethanol by intragastric administration every day for 5 weeks to induce alcoholic fatty liver. Ethanol treatment resulted in a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels and caused fatty degeneration of liver. Ethanol administration also elevated serum TG and total cholesterol (TC) and decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, after administration of ethanol plus SC extracts, the ethanol-induced elevation in liver TC and TG levels was reversed. Elevation in serum TG was not observed after treatment with SC. Moreover, compared with the ethanol-fed group, the rats administered ethanol along with SC extracts for 5 weeks showed attenuated fatty degeneration and an altered lipid profile with decreased serum TC and TG, and increased HDL cholesterol levels. Chronic ethanol consumption did not affect peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) levels, but it decreased PPARα and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) levels in the liver. However, SC prevented the ethanol-induced decrease in PPARα expression and induced a significant decrease in sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 expression and increase in phospho-AMPK expression in rats with alcoholic fatty liver. SC administration resulted in a significant decrease in intracellular lipid accumulation in hepatocytes along with a decrease in serum TG levels, and it reversed fatty liver to normal conditions, as measured by biochemical and histological analyses. Our results indicate that the protective effect of SC is accompanied by a significant increase in phospho-AMPK and PPARα expression in hepatic tissue of alcoholic rats, thereby suggesting that SC has the ability to prevent ethanol-induced fatty liver, possibly through activation of AMPK and PPARα signaling.

Proteomic analysis of cloned porcine conceptuses during the implantation period.

Differentially regulated proteins within porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived conceptuses were compared with conceptuses that were derived from natural matings on day 14 of pregnancy. Proteins that were expressed prominently on day 14 were identified in SCNT-derived conceptuses using 2-D PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS. Sixty eight proteins were identified as being differentially regulated in the SCNT-derived conceptuses. Among these, 62 were down-regulated whereas the other six proteins were up-regulated. Glycolytic proteins, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase and lactate dehydrogenase, were down-regulated in the SCNT-derived conceptuses whereas apoptosis-related genes as annexin V, Hsp60, and lamin A were up-regulated. Thus, apoptosis-related genes are expressed at significantly higher levels in the SCNT-derived conceptuses than in the control conceptuses, whereas metabolism-related genes are significantly reduced.

Blueberry peel extracts inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells and reduce high-fat diet-induced obesity.

This study examined the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of action of blueberry peel extracts (BPE) in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. The levels of lipid accumulation were measured, along with the changes in the expression of genes and proteins associated with adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. Evidenced by Oil-red O staining and triglyceride assay, BPE dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation at concentrations of 0, 50, and 200 µg/ml. BPE decreased the expression of the key adipocyte differentiation regulator C/EBPß, as well as the C/EBPα and PPARγ genes, during the differentiation of preadipocytes into adipocytes. Moreover, BPE down-regulated adipocyte-specific genes such as aP2 and FAS compared with control adipocytes. The specific mechanism mediating the effects of BP revealed that insulin-stimulated phosphorylation of Akt was strongly decreased, and its downstream substrate, phospho-GSK3ß, was downregulated by BPE treatment in 3T3-L1 cells. Together, these data indicated that BP exerted anti-adipogenic activity by inhibiting the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPß and the Akt signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Next, we investigated whether BP extracts attenuated HFD-induced obesity in rats. Oral administration of BPE reduced HFD-induced body weight gain significantly without affecting food intake. The epididymal or perirenal adipose tissue weights were lower in rats on an HFD plus BPE compared with the tissue weights of HFD-induced obese rats. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the rats fed BPE were modestly reduced, and the HDL-cholesterol level was significantly increased in HFD plus BP-fed rats compared with those of HFD-fed rats. Taken together, these results demonstrated an inhibitory effect of BP on adipogenesis through the down-regulation of C/EBPß, C/EBPα, and PPARγ and the reduction of the phospho-Akt adipogenic factor in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, BPE reduced body weight gain and inhibited fat accumulation in an HFD-induced animal model of obesity.

Effects of administration of IH901, a ginsenoside intestinal metabolite, on muscular and pulmonary antioxidant functions after eccentric exercise.

This study was conducted to investigate whether administration of IH901, a ginseng intestinal metabolite, ameliorates exercise-induced oxidative stress while preserving antioxidant defense capability in rat skeletal muscles and lung. Eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats per group were randomly assigned to the resting control, exercise control, resting with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (R/IH901), or exercise with IH901 (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) consumption (E/IH901) group. The trained groups ran 35 min 2 days/week for 8 weeks. To analyze the IH901-training interaction, serum biochemical analysis, lipid peroxidation, citrate synthase, protein oxidation, antioxidant and superoxide dismutase in skeletal muscles and lung tissue were measured. Compared to the exercise control group, animals that consumed IH901 had significantly increased exercise endurance times (p < 0.05) and decreased plasma creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.05), while those in the E/IH901 groups had increased citrate synthase and anti-oxidant enzymes and decreased lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, IH901 consumption in aging rats after eccentric exercise has beneficial effects on anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities through down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation and up-regulation of anti-oxidant enzymes.