MLPH is a novel adipogenic factor controlling redox homeostasis to inhibit lipid peroxidation in adipocytes.

Abnormal adipose tissue formation is associated with metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and liver and cardiovascular diseases. Thus, identifying the novel factors that control adipogenesis is crucial for understanding these conditions and developing targeted treatments. In this study, we identified the melanosome-related factor MLPH as a novel adipogenic factor. MLPH was induced during the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells and human mesenchymal stem cells. Although MLPH did not affect lipid metabolism, such as lipogenesis or lipolysis, adipogenesis was severely impaired by MLPH depletion. We observed that MLPH prevented excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and lipid peroxidation during adipogenesis and in mature adipocytes. In addition, increased MLPH expression was observed under cirrhotic conditions in liver cancer cells and its overexpression also reduced ROS and lipid peroxidation. Our findings demonstrate that MLPH is a novel adipogenic factor that maintains redox homeostasis by preventing lipid peroxidation and ROS accumulation, which could lead to metabolic diseases.

Optimization and evaluation of Atrina pectinata polysaccharides recovered by subcritical water extraction: A promising path to natural products.

In this study, the recovery of Atrina pectinata posterior adductor polysaccharides (APP-PS) using subcritical water extraction (SWE) was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) and the physicochemical and biological properties of the recovered APP-PS were evaluated. The optimal extraction conditions, which resulted in a maximum yield of 55.58 ± 1.12 %, were temperature, 152.08 °C; extraction time, 10 min; solid-liquid ratio, 30 g/600 mL. The obtained APP-PS was found to be 88.05 ± 0.17 % total sugar. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed the presence of the α-coordination of D-glucan in the polymer sample. The analysis of monosaccharide composition, along with thermogravimetric analysis, revealed the typical structure of the sample, composed of glucose alone. Total phenolic contents of APP-PS were measured as 5.47 ± 0.01 mg Gallic acid/g of dry sample and total flavonoids contents were determined to be 0.78 ± 0.06 mg Quercetin/g of dry sample. For biological activities, ABTS+, DPPH and FRAP antioxidant activities were measured to be 20.00 ± 0.71, 2.35 ± 0.05 and 4.02 ± 0.07 µg Trolox equivalent/100 g of dry sample, respectively. Additionally ACE inhibitory was confirmed to be 87.02 ± 0.47 %. These results showed that SWE is an effective method to recover biofunctional materials from marine organisms.

Emticicia fluvialis sp. nov., a potential hormone-degrading bacterium isolated from Nakdong River, Republic of Korea.

A novel species of the genus Emticicia, designated BHSR1T, was isolated from a water sample that was collected from the Nakdong River, Republic of Korea, and its taxonomic affiliation was studied using a polyphasic approach. This bacterium was Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, curved, rod-shaped, and oxidase- and catalase-negative. The bacterium grew optimally at 37 °C, pH 7.5 and 0% (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain BHSR1T should be affiliated with the genus Emticicia, with a high similarity to Emticicia fontis KCTC 52248T (98.10%). Phylogenomic analysis also suggested that the strain represents a novel species in the genus Emticicia. The genomic G + C content was 41.9%. The average nucleotide identity, average amino acid identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization between strain BHSR1T and its closely related relatives in the genus Emticicia were in ranges of 71.1-75.8%, 69.4-77.5% and 18.6-19.9%, respectively. The gene cluster within BHSR1T contained genes encoding enzymes that could be involved in hormone degradation. The major cellular fatty acids (> 10%) were summed feature 3 (comprising C16:1ω6c and/or C16:1ω7c) and iso-C15:0. With regards to the polar lipid profile, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two unidentified aminolipids and three unidentified lipids were identified as the major compounds. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone (MK)-7. Based on its phylogenetic, phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genomic features, strain BHSR1T should be considered a novel species in the genus Emticicia of the family Spirosomaceae, for which the name Emticicia fluvialis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain was considered BHSR1T (= KCTC 92622T = GDMCC 1.3740T).

NPFFR2 Contributes to the Malignancy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Activating RhoA/YAP Signaling.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are a diverse family of cell surface receptors implicated in various physiological functions, making them common targets for approved drugs. Many GPCRs are abnormally activated in cancers and have emerged as therapeutic targets for cancer. Neuropeptide FF receptor 2 (NPFFR2) is a GPCR that helps regulate pain and modulates the opioid system; however, its function remains unknown in cancers. Here, we found that NPFFR2 is significantly up-regulated in liver cancer and its expression is related to poor prognosis. Silencing of NPFFR2 reduced the malignancy of liver cancer cells by decreasing cell survival, invasion, and migration, while its overexpression increased invasion, migration, and anchorage-independent cell growth. Moreover, we found that the malignant function of NPFFR2 depends on RhoA and YAP signaling. Inhibition of Rho kinase activity completely restored the phenotypes induced by NPFFR2, and RhoA/F-Actin/YAP signaling was controlled by NPFFR2. These findings demonstrate that NPFFR2 may be a potential target for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

2018 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity Guideline for the Management of Obesity in Korea.

Obesity increases the risks of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, ultimately contributing to mortality. Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) was established to improve the management of obesity through research and education; to that end, the Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of KSSO reviews systemic evidence using expert panels to develop clinical guidelines. The clinical practice guidelines for obesity were revised in 2018 using National Health Insurance Service Health checkup data from 2006 to 2015. Following these guidelines, we added a category, class III obesity, which includes individuals with body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2. Agreeing with the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders, Asian Pacific Chapter consensus, we determined that bariatric surgery is indicated for Korean patients with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 and for Korean patients with BMI ≥30 kg/m2 who have comorbidities. The new guidelines focus on guiding clinicians and patients to manage obesity more effectively. Our recommendations and treatment algorithms can serve as a guide for the evaluation, prevention, and management of overweight and obesity.

Conduction, Evaluation, and Future Considerations for an Obesity Educator Training Program in Korea.

To reduce the prevalence of obesity and provide information on evidence-based obesity treatments, the Education Committee of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) has developed and launched the first Obesity Educator Training Program (OETP). After the course, we analyzed the results of a survey from 110 participants, comprising medical doctors (n=58), nutrition specialists (n=19), exercise specialists (n=14), and students (n=6). Approximately half of the participants were recruited through the Internet (48%), followed by academic leaflets, such as conference posters (21%); the reasons for participation were to learn about evidence-based treatments for obesity (47%), to receive up-to-date knowledge on obesity treatments (39%), to obtain basic information on obesity (10%), and others (4%). More than half of the participants found the date, lecture time, process, and theme of the OETP favorable. The participants indicated that there should be an in-depth course, sharing of the presented files with attendees, a longer lecture time, and a broader OETP that includes other specialties such as nursing. To improve the OETP, the educational committee of the KSSO must develop an in-depth OETP that will reflect these participant's feedback.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among overweight and obese college students in Korea.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of metabolic risk factors among overweight and obese college students aged 18 to 29 years in Korea. METHODS: Baseline data from a healthy lifestyle intervention study for overweight and obese college students in Korea were used. We recruited the sample (N = 73) (84% male; mean [SD] age, 23.77 [2.45] years) from 2 universities in Seoul, Korea, and measured body mass index, waist-hip circumstance, blood pressure, and fasting blood chemistry. Descriptive statistics, Spearman rank order correlations, and analysis of variance were conducted using SPSS 16.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, Illinois) for windows. RESULTS: Three-fourths of the participants were identified as being viscerally obese based on the Asia Pacific criteria. Of the total sample, about 12% and 20% were defined as having metabolic syndrome according to the National Cholesterol Education Program--the Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation, respectively. Concordance between the National Cholesterol Education Program--the Adult Treatment Panel III and International Diabetes Federation definitions was very good in the current study (Cohen kappa coefficient = 0.74, P <.001). Body mass index was significantly correlated with greater triglyceride and systolic and diastolic blood pressure and waist circumference but with lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: Early screening and targeted interventions to prevent obesity and the metabolic syndrome are urgently needed to promote health for adolescents and young adults in South Korea.