Association of daily carbohydrate intake with intermuscular adipose tissue in Korean individuals with obesity: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of obesity, a worldwide pandemic, has been increasing steadily in Korea. Reports have shown that increased intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, independent of body mass index. However, the relationship between dietary intake and IMAT accumulation in the Korean population remains undetermined. The objective of this study was to evaluate regional fat compartments using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. We also aimed to investigate the association between IMAT amounts and dietary intake, including carbohydrate intake, among Korean individuals with obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study, performed at a medical center in South Korea, recruited 35 individuals with obesity (15 men and 20 women) and classified them into 2 groups according to sex. Anthropometry was performed, and body fat distribution was measured using MRI. Blood parameters, including glucose and lipid profiles, were analyzed using commercial kits. Linear regression analysis was used to test whether the IMAT was associated with daily carbohydrate intake. RESULTS: Carbohydrate intake was positively associated with IMAT in all individuals, with adjustments for age, sex, height, and weight. No significant differences in blood indicators were found between the sexes. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of sex and age, higher carbohydrate intake was strongly correlated with greater IMAT accumulation. This suggests the need to better understand sex differences and high carbohydrate diet patterns in relation to the association between obesity and metabolic risk, which may help reduce obesity prevalence.

Daraesoon (shoot of hardy kiwi) mitigates hyperglycemia in db/db mice by alleviating insulin resistance and inflammation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mitigating insulin resistance and hyperglycemia is associated with a decreased risk of diabetic complications. The effect of Daraesoon (shoot of hardy kiwi, Actinidia arguta) on hyperglycemia was investigated using a type 2 diabetes animal model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Seven-week-old db/db mice were fed either an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 0.4% of a 70% ethanol extract of Daraesoon, whereas db/+ mice were fed the AIN-93G diet for 7 weeks. RESULTS: Consumption of Daraesoon significantly reduced serum glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin levels, along with homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance in db/db mice. Conversely, Daraesoon elevated the serum adiponectin levels compared to the db/db control group. Furthermore, Daraesoon significantly decreased both serum and hepatic triglyceride levels, as well as serum total cholesterol levels. Additionally, consumption of Daraesoon resulted in decreased hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hypoglycemic effect of Daraesoon is mediated through the improvement of insulin resistance and the downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in db/db mice.

Constructing the Interconnected Charge Transfer Pathways in Sulfur Composite Cathode for All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) have advantageous features, such as high energy, low costs, enhanced safety, and no polysulfide dissolution. However, the use of sulfur as an active material in all-solid-state batteries is difficult because of its ionic and electrical insulating properties. Herein, we introduce a flower-shaped composite material consisting of MoS2 nanoparticles and sulfur, designed to establish interconnected ionic and electrical conduction pathways at the cathode. As a host material, MoS2 nanoparticles with a large specific surface area can coconduct Li ions and electrons, possessing the potential for effectively utilizing sulfur. However, MoS2 nanoparticles are prone to physical-electrochemical isolation by being surrounded by sulfur due to their crumpling property in the process of mixing and impregnation with sulfur. This problem is addressed by mildly milling the MoS2 nanoparticles and sulfur, after which melt diffusion is applied to generate uniform MoS2/sulfur composite materials to establish an interconnected conducting pathway within the composite. A sulfide solid electrolyte (Li6PS5Cl)-based ASSLSB incorporating the proposed MoS2/sulfur composite demonstrates a stable operation over 1000 cycles with a Coulombic efficiency of nearly 100%. This study emphasizes the significance of the structural design of the sulfur composite material on top of the intrinsic properties of the material for high-performance ASSLSBs.

Taurine supplementation alters gene expression profiles in white adipose tissue of obese C57BL/6J mice: Inflammation and lipid synthesis perspectives.

This work aimed to identify the mechanisms by which taurine exerts its anti-obesity effects in the C57BL/6J ob/ob mice model and determine if taurine supplementation increases the amelioration of inflammation and lipogenesis linked genes in the adipose and liver tissues. Three groups of C57BL/6J mice were fed a standard chow diet for a period of 10 weeks the C57BL/6J normal group, the C57BL/6J ob/ob negative control group with no taurine intake and C57BL/6J ob/ob taurine group with taurine intake. Real time PCR was used to examine the gene expression profile in the experimental groups intrascapular brown adipose tissue (BAT), inguinal white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver. TNF-alpha, Ccl2, Adgre and illb genes that are associated with inflammation were found to have varying level of expression in the three tissues. In comparison to BAT and liver these genes were expressed at a much lower level in WAT, with enhanced serum adiponectin levels.

The Impact of Taurine on Obesity-Induced Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanisms Underlying Its Effect.

This review explores the potential benefits of taurine in ameliorating the metabolic disorders of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D), highlighting the factors that bridge these associations. Relevant articles and studies were reviewed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between obesity and the development of T2D and the effect of taurine on those conditions. The loss of normal ß-cell function and development of T2D are associated with obesity-derived insulin resistance. The occurrence of diabetes has been linked to the low bioavailability of taurine, which plays critical roles in normal ß-cell function, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation. The relationships among obesity, insulin resistance, ß-cell dysfunction, and T2D are complex and intertwined. Taurine may play a role in ameliorating these metabolic disorders through different pathways, but further research is needed to fully understand its effects and potential as a therapeutic intervention.

Turning on Lithium-Sulfur Full Batteries at -10 °C.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries using Li2S and Li-free anodes have emerged as a potential high-energy and safe battery technology. Although the operation of Li-S full batteries based on Li2S has been demonstrated at room temperature, their effective use at a subzero temperature has not been realized due to the low electrochemical utilization of Li2S. Here, ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) is introduced as a functional additive that allows Li-S full batteries to operate at -10 °C. The polar N-H bonds in the additive alter the activation pathway of Li2S by inducing the dissolution of the Li2S surface. Then, Li2S with an amorphized surface layer undergoes the modified activation process, which consists of the disproportionation and direct conversion reaction, through which Li2S is efficiently converted into S8. The Li-S full battery using NH4NO3 delivers a reversible capacity and cycling stability over 400 cycles at -10 °C.

Differences of Regional Fat Distribution Measured by Magnetic Resonance Imaging According to Obese Phenotype in Koreans.

Background: Obesity is commonly associated with a high risk of metabolic disorders, and obesity-related metabolic abnormalities are affected by some specific obesity phenotypes, regional fat distribution, and body mass index. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between obesity phenotypes and regional fat distribution in Korean subjects. This study aimed to assess regional fat distribution by gender using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to identify a link between fat distribution and metabolic disorders in Korean subjects. Methods: This study included 35 Korean subjects (20 women, 15 men) who were classified into two groups by gender, and further divided into two groups based on their obesity phenotype: a metabolically abnormal obesity (MAO) and metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) group. Fat distribution was measured using MRI. The blood parameters were measured using a commercially available kit. Results: Women in the MAO group had more risk factors for metabolic abnormalities than those in the MHO group. Serum glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were also significantly higher in women with MAO than in those with MHO. The intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) of women with MAO was significantly higher than that of women with MHO. Serum HDL-C level was negatively correlated with IMAT, whereas leptin showed a positive correlation with IMAT in all subjects. Conclusions: Metabolic abnormalities according to obesity phenotype posed a higher risk in women than that in men. These findings suggest that an understanding of gender differences in relation to the association between obesity and metabolic risk would be helpful to reduce the prevalence of obesity.

Ameliorative Effect of Myricetin on Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in ob/ob Mice.

Obesity, insulin resistance, and oxidative stress are important risk factors for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study aimed at determining the beneficial effects of myricetin against NAFLD in ob/ob mice. C57BL/6-Lepob/ob mice (n = 21) were fed an AIN-93G diet (ob/ob control group) or diet containing 0.04% (low myricetin; LMTN group) or 0.08% (high myricetin; HMTN group) myricetin, and lean heterozygous littermates (lean control group, n = 7) were fed AIN-93G diet for 10 weeks. HMTN consumption significantly lowered serum glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance values in ob/ob mice. In addition to reducing serum triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol levels, HMTN significantly decreased total hepatic lipid and TG levels partly through downregulation of carbohydrate response element-binding protein and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c expression. The reduction in the levels of hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances by HMTN likely resulted from the elevation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 expression. Tumor necrosis factor-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expressions were reduced by LMTN and HMTN, and HMTN also decreased interleukin-6 expression. These results suggest that myricetin has beneficial effects against NAFLD by regulating the expression of transcription factors of hepatic lipid metabolism, the antioxidant system, and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Effects of intragastric balloon on obesity in obese Korean women for 6 months post removal.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of morbid obesity in Korean women has consistently been increasing, while the overall prevalence rate of obesity in Korean women seems to be stable. In addition to bariatric surgery, intragastric balloons (IGBs), as a nonsurgical therapy, have been reported to be effective in weight loss. However, the beneficial effects of IGB in Korean women with obesity have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in fat mass in Korean women with obesity who had undergone IGB treatment for 6 mon. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Seventy-four women with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25.0 kg/m2) were recruited. Clinical data, including general information, comorbidities with obesity, anthropometric data, and changes in the body fat composition before and after IGB treatment, were obtained from the subjects. RESULTS: Most subjects had one or more comorbidities, such as osteoarthropathy and woman's disease, and had poor eating behaviors, including irregular mealtimes, eating quickly, and frequent overeating. Body composition measurements showed that weight, fat mass, and waist-hip circumference ratio decreased significantly at 6 mon after IGB treatment. In particular, women with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) showed 33% excess weight loss. There was no significant difference in skeletal muscle mass and mineral contents after IGB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that 6 mon of IGB treatment can be a beneficial treatment for obesity without muscle mass and bone mineral loss.

Independent Association of Phase Angle with Fasting Blood Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c in Korean Type 2 Diabetes Patients.

The relationship between phase angle (PhA) of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and glycemic parameters in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients has not been well studied. To evaluate the prognostic value of the PhA from BIA as a glycemic marker, we investigated the relationship of PhA with various variables such as age, body mass index (BMI), and glycemic parameters in Korean patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). We evaluated the anthropometric data, body composition, glycemic parameters, and PhA of 321 T2DM patients aged 30-83 years. The patients were classified by sex into men (n = 133) and women (n = 188). General linear models identified the independent effects of PhA after covarying for age, sex and BMI. The PhA, body cell mass (BCM), extracellular mass (ECM), lean body mass, intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), total body water (TBW), fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) of T2DM Korean patients were significantly higher in men than in women. However, fat mass, ECM/BCM, ECW/ICW, ECW/TBW, and serum insulin were significantly higher in women than in men. Statistically significant independent associations were observed between PhA and age, BCM, ECM, ECM/BCM, ICW, ECW, ECW/ICW, and ECW/TBW for both sexes. There was no significant association between PhA and BMI the patients. Glycemic parameters, such as HbA1c and fasting blood glucose were independently associated with PhA. These results suggest that PhA could be an indicator for assessing ability to control fasting blood glucose in T2DM patients in Korea.

Onion Peel Extract Increases Erythrocyte Membrane n-3 Fatty Acids in Overweight and Obese Korean Subjects.

The association between obesity and erythrocyte fatty acids (FAs) has been suggested; however, there have been no studies on the effects of onion peel extract (OPE) on the composition of erythrocyte FAs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of OPE on the composition of erythrocyte FAs in overweight and obese subjects. This was a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial conducted in overweight and obese Korean subjects. The placebo and OPE groups were taking placebo capsule or OPE capsule twice per day for 12 weeks. Body composition and fat distribution were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The OPE group showed significantly reduced body weight, body mass index, body fat mass, and percentage of body fat mass. After 12 weeks, eicosapentaenoic acid and monounsaturated FAs of the placebo group were significantly lower at baseline. Consumption of OPE ameliorated the decreasing polyunsaturated n-3 polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) n-3 and increasing PUFA n-6, which prevented an increased n-6/n-3 ratio. The changes in arm fat percentage (ARFATP), trunk fat percentage, and total fat percentage (FATP) were negatively correlated with the change in PUFA n-3. In addition, increased erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid was associated with decreased ARFATP and FATP. These results suggest that OPE has beneficial effects on obesity by regulating erythrocyte n-6/n-3 ratio and preventing fat accumulation in various body regions.

Effect of Diet on the Gut Microbiota Associated with Obesity.

Obesity is abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that is associated with progression of metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cancer. Gut microbiota (GM) have received much attention as essential factors in development and progression of obesity. The diversity, composition, and metabolic activity of GM are closely associated with nutrient intake and dietary pattern. Scientific evidence supports the idea that dietary pattern directly changes the GM profile; therefore, diet is a crucial component related to interactions between GM and obesity progression. A literature review showed that dietary factors such as probiotics, prebiotics, fat, fatty acids, and fiber dramatically alter the GM profile related to obesity. Furthermore, different dietary patterns result in different GM composition and activity that can contribute to amelioration of obesity.

Food Habits, Dietary Intake, and Body Composition in Children with Cerebral Palsy.

This study aimed to determine meal-related factors affecting nutritional status, dietary intake, and body composition of children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study was conducted on 16 children with and 16 children without CP, aged 4 to 12 years, through a survey on general characteristics, body composition, eating habits, and nutrient intake. In the case of children with CP, comparisons were made according to classification into types of paralysis (hemiplegia, paraplegia, and quadriplegia). With respect to stature, the percentile of those surveyed was within normal range; however, children with CP were in a significantly lower percentile (p < 0.05) than healthy children. Regarding problems of dietary life, while usually brain-damaged children with CP have an overeating problem, seriously brain-damaged children with CP cannot have a meal by themselves; this was significantly different among the groups (p < 0.01). Regarding average intake of vitamin D and calcium, children with and without CP had a lower intake than required, with no significant difference between the groups. The evaluation of the nutrient status of children with and children without CP showed that children with CP were slow in stature development, and intake of vitamin D and calcium were less than required; therefore, it is necessary to provide education on adequate intake of nutrients. Since CP leads to frequent external intervention to having meals, it is required of parents and teachers to undergo training on adequate eating habits and attitudes.

Plasma Adropin as a Potential Marker Predicting Obesity and Obesity-associated Cancer in Korean Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer are serious health problems worldwide, and their prevalences have been on the rise in recent years. It has been reported that adropin plays an important role in the development of T2DM, oxidative stress, inflammation, and obesity. However, there is limited information available on T2DM from human studies, especially for the Korean population. In this study, we aimed to investigate the correlation between adropin levels and obesity of Korean T2DM patients. METHODS: Thirty-six T2DM patients were recruited for this study. The participants were further classified into female (n = 12) and male (n = 24). Their body composition, metabolic parameters, inflammatory factors, and oxidative stress were measured. RESULTS: The severity of obesity is more manifested in male than in female. Plasma triglyceride (TG) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels of male were significantly higher than female. The plasma adropin and adiponectin level of female was significantly higher than male. The body weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat mass were negatively correlated with the plasma adropin level in female, whereas adropin has positive correlation with adiponectin in female. The hs-CRP was negatively correlated with the plasma adropin level in female and male. malondialdehyde, reactive oxidative species, and TNF-α was not significantly correlated with adropin in patients with T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that adropin may be more used as a biomarker for predicting the risk of obesity and inflammation in Korean patients with T2DM, especially women.

Effects of zinc supplementation on catch-up growth in children with failure to thrive.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although globally the numbers of children diagnosed with failure to thrive (FTT) have decreased, FTT is still a serious pediatric problem. We aimed to investigate the effects of zinc supplementation for 6 months on growth parameters of infants and children with FTT. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In this retrospective study, of the 114 participants aged between 4 months and 6 years, 89 were included in the zinc supplementation group and were provided with nutrition counseling plus an oral zinc supplement for 6 months. The caregivers of the 25 participants in the control group received nutrition counseling alone. Medical data of these children, including sex, age, height, weight, serum zinc level, and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) level were analyzed. RESULTS: Zinc supplementation for 6 months increased weight-for-age Z-score and serum zinc levels (5.5%) in the zinc supplementation group of underweight category children. As for stunting category, height-for-age Z-score of the participants in the zinc supplementation group increased when compared with the baseline, and serum zinc levels increased in the normal or mild stunting group. Serum IGF1 levels did not change significantly in any group. Thus, zinc supplementation was more effective in children in the underweight category than those in the stunted category; this effect differed according to the degree of the FTT. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that zinc supplementation may have beneficial effects for growth of infants and children with FTT, and zinc supplementation would be required according to degree of FTT.

Effects of Erythrocyte Membrane Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Overweight, Obese, and Morbidly Obese Korean Women.

BACKGROUND: The levels of erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) may be associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Thus, we investigated the association between erythrocyte n-3 and n-6 FA composition, body mass index (BMI), and biochemical profiles. METHODS: The body composition, dietary intake, and blood parameters, including serum lipid, glucose, insulin, adipokines, oxidative stress, and erythrocyte FA, were assessed in 66 overweight and obese women (average age, 43.4 years). We also classified the participants into the overweight, obese, and morbidly obese (MO) groups based on the BMI values of 23, 25, and 30 kg/m2, respectively. Erythrocyte FA was measured via gas chromatography. RESULTS: The serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the participants in the overweight, obese, and MO groups were not significantly different. However, the serum insulin, high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol and leptin levels were significantly different. The erythrocyte n-6/n-3 ratios of the overweight, obese, and MO groups were 2.4, 2.5, and 2.8, respectively. These data were consistent with the dietary n-6/n-3 ratio findings. Moreover, the erythrocyte n-6/n-3 ratio was correlated with serum insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: As the severity of obesity increased, the levels of insulin and leptin and the ratio of dietary n-6/n-3 increased, which was consistent with erythrocyte FA. These results indicate that erythrocyte FA may be a predictive biomarker for the increased prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and risk of developing metabolic disorders.

Antidiabetic Effects of Gastric Banding Surgery in Morbidly Obese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

This study was performed to investigate the effect of gastric banding surgery on the improvement of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) of morbidly obese (MO) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with the consideration that obesity was associated with insulin resistance and T2DM. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 38 MO with T2DM patients and 50 MO patients. Pre-surgery and post-surgery data were analyzed a year later. The medical data from these patients, including sex, age, height, weight, body composition, HbA1c, triglyceride, total cholesterol, aspartate transaminase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) were measured. There were significant reductions of body weight and body mass index (BMI), body fat, body fat percentage, waist-hip ratio, visceral fat, and obesity in each group before and after gastric banding surgery. Results of AST, ALT, and HbA1c had significant reductions in each group. For HbA1c, treatment rate was 71% in the MO group with T2DM with significant reduction of 22.8%. It is thought that a gastric banding surgery is one of the breakthrough methods not only for weight loss but also for the prevention of complication of the obese patients with T2DM. Thus, gastric banding surgery could be effective in controlling HbA1c in obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Polyelectrolyte-mediated hierarchical mesoporous calcium silicates: a platform for drug delivery carrier with ultrahigh loading capacity and controlled release behavior.

We have developed a facile method for the poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH)-assisted synthesis of mesoporous calcium silicate hydrates (PAH-CS) with a large specific surface area (BET = 348.4 m2 g-1) and pore volume (Vp = 1.42 cm3 g-1). Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was employed as a silicon source, which was rapidly hydrolyzed and reacted with the amine groups of PAH to form spherical SiO2 nanoparticles (PAH-Si). Subsequently, Ca2+ ions reacted with the silicate anions produced during the dissolution of SiO2 in basic media, leading to the formation of the highly porous 3D networks of PAH-CS that were synthesized only under optimized reaction conditions. The PAH-CS containing an excess of Ca2+ and NH3 + enriched the surfaces with a very high cationic charge (ζ = +65.66 mV)and resulted in an extremely high loading capacity for anionic drugs and proteins. Ibuprofen (IBU) and FITC-labeled bovine albumin (FITC-Albumin) were chosen as a model drug and model protein, respectively, to test the loading and delivery efficiencies of the PAH-CS carriers. The ultrahigh drug loading capacities (DLC) and their release patterns were investigated under controlled pH conditions. Strikingly, the highest DLC reported to date (IBU or FITC-Albumin/carrier (3.35 g or 1 g g-1) was achieved in this work. The PAH-CS had no cytotoxic effect on osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cell lines evaluated by the LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) assay in supernatant medium. Furthermore, the PAH-CS carriers could be entirely transformed to hydroxyapatite after releasing the drug in simulated body fluid (SBF), indicating good bioactivity and biodegradability of the PAH-CS carriers.

Ameliorative effect of myricetin on insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity-associated insulin resistance is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of myricetin on adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers in mice with diet-induced insulin resistance. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a basal diet, a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet, or the HFHS diet containing 0.06% myricetin or 0.12% myricetin for 12 weeks after a 1-week adaptation, and body weight and food intake were monitored. After sacrifice, serum lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, adipocyte-derived hormones, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. RESULTS: Myricetin given at 0.12% of the total diet significantly reduced body weight, weight gain, and epidydimal white adipose tissue weight, and improved hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia without a significant influence on food intake in mice fed the HFHS diet. Serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as HOMA-IR values, decreased significantly by 0.12% myricetin supplementation in mice fed the HFHS diet. Myricetin given at 0.12% of the total diet significantly reduced serum levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mice fed the HFHS diet. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that myricetin may have a protective effect against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice fed HFHS diet, and that alleviation of insulin resistance could partly occur by improving obesity and reducing serum proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Cordyceps militaris alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in ob/ob mice.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an important public health problem as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have become epidemic. In this study we investigated the protective effect of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) against NAFLD in an obese mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four-week-old male ob/ob mice were fed an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 1% C. militaris water extract for 10 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Serum glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), alanine transaminase (ALT), and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. Hepatic levels of lipids, glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide were determined. RESULTS: Consumption of C. militaris significantly decreased serum glucose, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), in ob/ob mice. In addition to lowering serum FFA levels, C. militaris also significantly decreased hepatic total lipids and triglyceride contents. Serum ALT activities and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were reduced by C. militaris. Consumption of C. militaris increased hepatic GSH and reduced lipid peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that C. militaris can exert protective effects against development of NAFLD, partly by reducing inflammatory cytokines and improving hepatic antioxidant status in ob/ob mice.