Cheong-sang-bang-pung-san alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating lipid metabolism in vitro and in vivo.

Introduction: The occurrence of fatty liver disease, resulting from the accumulation of excessive fat within the liver, has been showing a significant and rapid increase. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of Cheong-sang-bang-pung-san extract (CB) on fatty liver disease, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We used a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed fatty liver mice and free fatty acid (FFA) induced HepG2 cell lipid accumulation model. The levels of serum, hepatic, and intracellular lipid content were assessed. Histopathological staining was used to evaluate the extent of hepatic lipid accumulation. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were conducted to examine the expression of factors associated with lipid metabolism. Results: We demonstrated that treatment with CB dramatically reduced body weight, liver weight, and fat mass, and improved the serum and hepatic lipid profiles in HFD-induced fatty liver mice. Additionally, CB alleviated lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice by controlling lipid metabolism, including fatty acid uptake, triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis, and fatty acid oxidation, at the mRNA as well as protein levels. In free fatty acid-treated HepG2 cells, CB significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation by regulating lipid metabolism via the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase. Conclusion: These findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying CB's effects on liver steatosis and position of CB as a potential therapeutic candidate for managing lipid metabolic disorders.

2'-Fucosyllactose and 3-Fucosyllactose Alleviates Interleukin-6-Induced Barrier Dysfunction and Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis by Improving Intestinal Barrier Function and Modulating the Intestinal Microbiome.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with relapsing and remitting patterns, and it is caused by varied factors, such as the intestinal inflammation extent and duration. We examined the preventative effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) on epithelial barrier integrity and intestinal inflammation in an interleukin (IL)-6-induced cell model and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute mouse colitis model. HMOs including 2'-fucosyllactose (FL) and 3-FL and positive controls including fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and 5-acetylsalicylic acid (5-ASA) were orally administrated once per day to C57BL/6J mice with colitis induced by 5% DSS in the administered drinking water. 2'-FL and 3-FL did not affect the cell viability in Caco-2 cells. Meanwhile, these agents reversed IL-6-reduced intestinal barrier function in Caco-2 cells. Furthermore, 2'-FL and 3-FL reversed the body weight loss and the remarkably short colon lengths in DSS-induced acute colitis mice. Moreover, 2'-FL and 3-FL obviously protected the decreasing expression of zonula occluden-1 and occludin in colon tissue relative to the findings in the DSS-treated control group. 2'-FL and 3-FL significantly reduced IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in serum relative to the control findings. The summary of these results shows that HMOs prevent colitis mainly by enhancing intestinal barrier function and advancing anti-inflammatory responses. Therefore, HMOs might suppress inflammatory responses and represent candidate treatments for IBD that protect intestinal integrity.

[Relationship of socioeconomic factors with medical utilization for lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia in a South Korean community].

OBJECTIVES: We wanted to evaluate the medical underutilization for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among Korean elderly men and we wanted to determine their associated factors. METHODS: This study was conducted on 239 men with LUTS and 116 men with BPH who were compatible with the diagnostic criteria from a total of 641 participants. These participants were over 50 years old and they were randomly chosen in a community-based study for estimating the prevalence of BPH. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we surveyed the sociodemographics, health status, quality of life, lower urinary tract symptoms, medical utilization and reasons for not seeking treatment. RESULTS: Only 27.6% of the men with LUTS and 31.0% of the men with BPH reported having visited a doctor for urinary symptoms. The reasons for not visiting a doctor were, in order of responses from the group with LUTS: 'considered the symptoms as a part of the normal ageing process', 'not enough time to visit a doctor', 'financial difficulty' and 'the symptoms were not severe or bothersome'. Regarding BPH, the responses were the same as those of the group with LUTS however, 'financial difficulty' placed second. Among the men with experience of visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms, 33.3% of those with LUTS and 28.1% of those with BPH were not treated. The most common reason in both groups was 'the symptoms were not severe to be treated'. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, the larger size household (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (Cl) = 1.40-6.54) and an unsatisfactory quality of life related with urinary symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI = 1.23-7.21) were associated with medical utilization in the group of LUTS. For BPH, the current employment status was related with the medical utilization (OR 2.80, 95% CI = 1.10-7.11), in addition to the larger size household (OR 3.24, 95% CI = 1.14-9.21). CONCLUSIONS: Many men with urinary symptoms do not visit a doctor. This medical underutilization for people with LUTS and BPH may be associated with economic status in Korea.

Risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia in South Korean men.

OBJECTIVES: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disease in middle-aged and elderly men, and leads to severe impairment in later life. Despite the significant effect on public health, the causes of BPH have received little attention. Identifying risk factors for BPH is crucial for understanding the etiology and for determining effective interventions or targeting strategies. METHODS: This survey was performed in two steps: (1) a pilot study was first conducted prior to the main study in order to estimate baseline characteristics, and (2) the main study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of BPH using clinical diagnostic tests and a questionnaire. A total of 641 males, aged 50-79 years, participated in this community-based cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Age was the only significant demographic risk factor of BPH. The presence of chronic bronchitis and a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level increased the risk by three- and twofold, respectively. The risk decreased as drinking frequency increased. Physical activity 3-5 times/week reduced the risk relative to being active less than twice per week; however, engaging in physical activity nearly everyday increased the risk 1.7-fold relative to being active up to twice per week. CONCLUSIONS: Although BPH has been considered a disease that is unavoidable with advancing age, the clear identification and control of the underlying risk factors might allow effective prevention by placing a special emphasis on those at risk.