Effects of difructose dianhydride (DFA)-IV on <i>in vitro</i> fertilization in pigs

Yi, Young-Joo,Kamala-Kannan, S.,Lim, Jeong-Muk,Oh, Byung-Taek,Lee, Sang-Myeong Editorial Department of Journal of Biomedical Rese 2017 JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH -ELSEVIER- ENGLISH Vol.31 No.5

<P>Difructose dianhydride IV (DFA-IV) is produced from levan, which is a natural polysaccharide that belongs to the fructan family, through the activity of levan fructotransferase (LF) derived from microorganisms. Recently, DFA-IV has been expected to have diverse applications in the food and medical industry. Here, we examined the potential application of DFA-IV for<I>in vitro</I> fertilization (IVF) in pigs. In the assessment of acrosomal integrity during incubation, intact acrosomal or viable spermatozoa were highly sustained in 0.1% or 0.25% DFA-IV (69.8%-70.8%,<I>P</I><0.05). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels during sperm incubation decreased following the addition of DFA-IV, and 0.1%-0.5% DFA-IV in particular significantly decreased ROS production relative to that seen with no addition or 0.75% DFA-IV. Total fertilization (mono+ polyspermic oocyte) rate was significantly higher in the addition of 0.1% DFA-IV (94.2%) than with other concentrations (71.8%-86.7%,<I>P</I><0.05). When using reduced IVF times and lower sperm numbers, we found that addition of 0.1%–0.5% DFA-IV significantly increased the fertilization rate (<I>P</I><0.05). Fertilized oocytes treated with 0.1% DFA-IV exhibited higher embryonic development and blastocyst formation than those treated with other concentrations (<I>P</I><0.05). Consequently, the addition of DFA-IV during IVF improved fertilization and embryonic development, suggesting the possible use of novel sugars for enhancement of assisted reproductive technology (ART) in mammals. </P>

Effects of a soybean milk product on feto-neonatal development in rats

An, Eun Suk,Park, Dong-Sun,Ban, Young-Hwan,Choi, Jieun,Seo, Da Woom,Lee, Yoon Bok,Shon, Mi Yae,Choi, Ehn-Kyoung,Kim, Yun-Bae Editorial Department of Journal of Biomedical Rese 2018 Journal of biomedical research : JBR Vol.32 No.1

<P>Since estrogenic pollutants and phytoestrogens can cause the disorder of the reproductive system, the effects of a soybean milk product (Vegemil<SUP>®</SUP> containing 162 ppm isoflavones) on the feto-neonatal development, including male reproductive function, were investigated. Pregnant rats were fed the soybean milk (5% or 100% in drinking water) from gestational day (GD) 6 to parturition or to post-natal day (PND) 56. Specifically, the rats were divided into 4 groups: the control group (drinking water), the GD5% group (5% soybean milk during only the GD period), the GD-PND5% group (5% soybean milk during the GD and PND periods), and the GD-PND100% group (100% soybean milk instead of water during the GD and PND periods). During the gestational, lactational, and developmental periods, the reproductive and developmental parameters of dams and offspring were observed. Feeding soybean milk did not affect the birth and physical development of both male and female offspring. At PND57, the weights of the testes and epididymides of F1 males significantly increased by feeding a high concentration of the soybean milk (GD-PND100%). In addition, feeding of the soybean milk during both the GD and PND periods (GD-PND5% and GD-PND100%) enhanced the sperm counts and motility. The results indicate that soybean milk is safe for embryos, fetuses, and offspring, and improves the post-generational development of male reproductive function. </P>

Γ-Aminobutyric acid promotes methionine-choline deficient diet-induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Seok Roh, Yoon,Cho, Ara,Zhou, Zixiong,Jeong, Hyuneui,Park, Jeong-Eun,Cha, Youn-Soo,Oh, Suk-Heung,Lim, Chae-Woong,Kim, Bumseok Editorial Department of Journal of Biomedical Rese 2017 JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH -ELSEVIER- ENGLISH Vol.31 No.1

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is one of the most common liver diseases and a major cause of liver fibrosis worldwide. Γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the most abundant inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Recently, it has been reported that GABAergic signaling pathways are found in various non-neuronal tissues including the immune system and play a functional role. In the present study, we investigated whether administration of GABA has effects on NASH through its immunomodulatory effects. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6 mice were fed a methionine–choline-deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks. After four weeks into MCD feeding, mice were provided with plain water (control) or water containing 2 mg/mL of GABA for the subsequent 4 weeks. Using this MCD diet-induced NASH model, we found that mice receiving GABA showed more severe steatohepatitis and liver fibrosis than control mice. This increased liver damage was confirmed by higher levels of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) compared to the control group. In accordance with increased liver steatohepatitis, NASH-related and inflammatory gene expression (collagen α1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, TNF-α) in the liver was markedly increased in GABA-treated mice. Furthermore, GABA directly enhanced production of inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS activated RAW macrophage cells and increased TIB–73 hepatocyte death. Such effects were abolished when GABA was treated with bicuculline, a competitive antagonist of GABA receptors. These results suggest that oral administration of GABA may be involved in changes of the liver immune milieu and conferred detrimental effects on NASH progression.</P>

Low-intensity microcurrent therapy promotes regeneration of atrophied calf muscles in immobilized rabbits

Park, Gi Young,Kwon, Dong Rak,Moon, Yong Suk Editorial Department of Journal of Biomedical Rese 2019 Journal of biomedical research : JBR Vol.33 No.1

<P>The purpose of this study was to investigate the intensity-specific regenerative effects of microcurrent therapy on gastrocnemius muscle atrophy induced by cast-immobilization in rabbits. Fifteen rabbits were randomly allocated to 3 groups after cast removal: cast-immobilization and sham microcurrent therapy for 2 weeks (group 1); cast-immobilization and microcurrent therapy (25 μA) for 2 weeks (group 2); cast-immobilization and microcurrent therapy (5,000 μA) for 2 weeks (group 3). Clinical parameters [calf circumference, compound muscle action potential (CMAP) of the tibial nerve, thickness of gastrocnemius muscle], cross sectional area of gastrocnemius muscle fibres, and immunohistochemistry was evaluated. The clinical parameters representing mean atrophic changes in group 2 were significantly lower than those in group 3. The cross sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle fibres and immunohistochemical parameters in group 2 were significantly greater than those in group 3. The results showed that low-intensity microcurrent therapy can more effectively promote regeneration in atrophied gastrocnemius muscle than high-intensity microcurrent therapy. </P>

Effects of microalgal polyunsaturated fatty acid oil on body weight and lipid accumulation in the liver of C57BL/6 mice fed a high fat diet

Go, Ryeo-Eun,Hwang, Kyung-A,Park, Geon-Tae,Lee, Hae-Miru,Lee, Geum-A,Kim, Cho-Won,Jeon, So-Ye,Seo, Jeong-Woo,Hong, Won-Kyung,Choi, Kyung-Chul Editorial Department of Journal of Biomedical Rese 2016 Journal of biomedical research : JBR Vol.30 No.3

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which are abundant in marine fish oils, have recently received global attention for their prominent anti-obesogenic effects. Among PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), which are n-3 long-chain PUFAs widely referred to as omega-3 oils, were reported to prevent the development of obesity in rodents and humans. In the present study, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of microalgal oil on high-fat induced obese C57BL/6 mice, compared with commercial omega-3 fish oil and vegetable corn oil. Microalgal oil is an inherent mixture of several PUFAs, including EPA, DHA and other fatty acids produced from a marine microalgal strain of <I>Thraustochytriidae sp</I>. derived mutant. It was found to contain more PUFAs (>80%) and more omega-3 oils than commercial omega-3 fish oil (PUFAs >31%) and corn oil (PUFAs 59%). All three types of oils induced weight loss in high-fat-induced obese mice, with the loss induced by microalgal oil being most significant at 9 weeks (10% reduction). However, the oils tested did not improve blood lipid levels, although microalgal oil showed an apparent inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation in the liver. These findings may be attributed to the higher PUFA content, including omega-3 oils of microalgal oil than other oils. Collectively, these findings suggest that microalgal oil, derived from <I>Thraustochytriidae sp</I>. derived mutant, is a prominent candidate for replacement of omega-3 fish oils based on its apparent anti-obesity effect <I>in vivo</I>.</P>