Studies have shown that targeting xanthine oxidase (XO) can be a feasible treatment for fructose-induced hyperuricemia and hyperglycemia. This study aimed to evaluate the dual regulatory effects and molecular mechanisms of diacylated anthocyanins from purple sweet potato (diacylated AF-PSPs) on hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia induced by a high-fructose/high-fat diet. The body weight, organ index, serum biochemical indexes, and liver antioxidant indexes of mice were measured, and the kidneys were observed in pathological sections. The relative expression levels of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) of fructose metabolism pathway enzymes in kidney were detected by fluorescent real-time quantitative polymerase chain (qPCR) reaction technique, and the expression of renal transporter protein and inflammatory factor pathway protein was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) technique. Results showed that diacylated AF-PSPs alleviated hyperuricemia in mice, and that this effect might be related to the regulation of liver XO activity, lipid accumulation, and relevant renal transporters. Diacylated AF-PSPs reduced body weight and relieved lipid metabolism disorder, liver lipid accumulation, and liver oxidative stress, thereby enhancing insulin utilization and sensitivity, lowering blood sugar, and reducing hyperglycemia in mice. Also, diacylated AF-PSPs restored mRNA levels related to renal fructose metabolism, and reduced kidney injury and inflammation. This study provided experimental evidence for the mechanisms of dual regulation of blood glucose and uric acid (UA) by diacylated AF-PSPs and their utilization as functional foods in the management of metabolic syndrome.
Mice ; Animals ; Hyperuricemia/drug therapy* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Anthocyanins/chemistry* ; Ipomoea batatas/chemistry* ; Fructose/adverse effects* ; Hyperglycemia/drug therapy* ; Lipids

Sweet potato is an important food crop that can also be used as an industrial raw material. Sucrose is the main form of long-distance carbohydrate transport in plants, and sucrose transporter (SUT) regulates the transmembrane transport and distribution of sucrose during plant growth and metabolism. Moreover, SUT plays a key role in phloem mediated source-to-sink sucrose transport and physiological activities, supplying sucrose for the sink tissues. In this study, the full-length cDNA sequences of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ were obtained by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) cloning according to the transcripts of the two SUT coding genes which were differentially expressed in sweet potato storage roots with different starch properties. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to clarify the classification of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆. The subcellular localization of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ was determined by transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. The function of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ in sucrose and hexose absorption and transport was identified using yeast functional complementarity system. The expression pattern of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ in sweet potato organs were analyzed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Arabidopsis plants heterologous expressing IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ genes were obtained using floral dip method. The differences in starch and sugar contents between transgenic and wild-type Arabidopsis were compared. The results showed IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ encoded SUT proteins with a length of 505 and 521 amino acids, respectively, and both proteins belonged to the SUT1 subfamily. IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ were located in the cell membrane and were able to transport sucrose, glucose and fructose in the yeast system. In addition, IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ was also able to transport mannose. The expression of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ was higher in leaves, lateral branches and main stems, and the expression of IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ was higher in lateral branches, stems and storage roots. After IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ were heterologously expressed in Arabidopsis, the plants grew normally, but the biomass increased. The heterologous expression of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ increased the soluble sugar content, leaf size and 1 000-seed weight of Arabidopsis plants. Heterologous expression of IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ increased starch accumulation in leaves and root tips and 1 000-seed weight of seeds, but decreased soluble sugar content. The results obtained in this study showed that IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ might be important genes regulating sucrose and sugar content traits in sweet potato. They might carry out physiological functions on cell membrane, such as transmembrane transport of sucrose, sucrose into and out of sink tissue, as well as transport and unloading of sucrose into phloem. The changes in traits result from their heterologous expression in Arabidopsis indicates their potential in improving the yield of other plants or crops. The results obtained in this study provide important information for revealing the functions of IbSUT₆₂₇₈₈ and IbSUT₈₁₆₁₆ in starch and glucose metabolism and formation mechanism of important quality traits in sweet potato.
Ipomoea batatas/metabolism* ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Sucrose/metabolism* ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; DNA, Complementary ; Phylogeny ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Membrane Transport Proteins/metabolism* ; Starch/metabolism* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the current status of obesity intervention programs, and its effects on endothelium function in adolescents. METHOD: This was a descriptive research study, that investigated domestic and international literature 2009–2018. Using databases inside and outside of Korea to search for ‘adolescent’, ‘obese adolescent’, ‘exercise’, ‘program’, or ‘intervention’, and ‘endothelium function’, a total of 14 literature have been selected for 6 domestic research and 8 international research, excluding overlapping, case studies, literature reviews, and unrelated studies. RESULTS: Interventions for enhancing endothelium function were exercise program, diet, vitamin D3 treatment, and Orlistat intake relative to international research, and combined exercise and purple sweet potato intake, in most domestic research. Dependent variables included FMD, RHI, NMD, EPCs, and EMPs, for measuring endothelium function in international research, and PWV, FMD and RHI, in domestic research. CONCLUSION: Results of this study confirmed that application of obese intervention programs, may improve endothelium function in adolescents. Further studies are required, to develop nursing intervention, that would enhance endothelium function in adolescents.
Adolescent ; Cholecalciferol ; Diet ; Endothelium ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; Korea ; Methods ; Nursing ; Obesity

Four new octadecanoid derivatives (1-4) including a pair of enantiomers (1/2), along with 12 known analogues (5-16), were isolatedfrom the seeds of Ipomoea nil. Their structures were determined by detailed spectroscopic analyses and comparison with reported data of structurally related compounds, with the absolute configurations of 1 and 2 being assigned by an in situ dimolybdenum ECD method. Our bioassays revealed that these isolates did not show ABTS radical scavenging activity while 10 and 13 displayed better α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than the positive control acarbose (IC 167.7 ± 1.55 μmol·L), with IC of 92.73 ± 3.12 and 11.39 ± 2.18μmol·L, respectively.
Fatty Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; metabolism ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Ipomoea nil ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Seeds ; chemistry

A previously healthy 1-year-old boy suddenly began coughing while eating a dried sweet potato. Because he continued gagging after vomiting a piece of the dried sweet potato, his mother brought him to our emergency room. Upon arrival, despite normal pulmonary findings, he was drooling and gagging. Ultrasonography was performed because food impaction at the upper esophagus was suspected based on his medical history and physical examination, and results showed that a linear hyperechoic lesion was obstructing the posterior esophageal wall. Computed tomography was also considered for a detailed examination of the foreign body. However, the patient vomited the dried sweet potato before the test was performed. After vomiting the foreign body, the patient stopped gagging, and his ultrasonographic findings were normal. Therefore, the patient was discharged without any complications.
Child ; Cough ; Eating ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Esophagus ; Foreign Bodies ; Gagging ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; Male ; Mothers ; Physical Examination ; Point-of-Care Systems* ; Sialorrhea ; Ultrasonography* ; Vomiting

This study attempted to investigate whether nutrient and food intake were related with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in adults and elderly over 50 years of age in Korea. Questionnaires and anthropometric measurements were conducted on general aspects of the research, and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) were conducted to determine nutritional status. The relative theta power (RTP) through electroencephalography (EEG) measurements, neurocognitive function test (NFT; CNS Vital Signs), and cognitive function was measured. The MCI group consumed significantly lower C18:4, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) among the N-3 fatty acids, N-6 fatty acids dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA), mono unsaturated fatty acids, C22:1, biotin, vitamin D in the nutrients, and sweet potato (12.35g/day, p = 0.015), mackerel (3.38g/day, p = 0.017), mandarin orange (p = 0.016), persimmon (p = 0.013) and apple (p = 0.023) in the food than the normal group did. And the MCI group consumed salted fish (3.14g/day, p = 0.041) and ice-cream (5.01g/day, p = 0.050) at a significantly higher level. Delayed verbal score, delayed visual score, and verbal memory score of the NFT and RTP values of the prefrontal cortex among the EEGs were significantly lower in the MCI group compared to those in the normal group. From this study, we found that nutrient and food intake are closely related to MCI in Korean aged 50 years and older, but more human studies are needed to verify these findings.
Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biotin ; Citrus sinensis ; Cognition* ; Diospyros ; Eating ; Eicosapentaenoic Acid ; Electroencephalography ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; Fatty Acids, Omega-6 ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; Korea ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Nutritional Status ; Perciformes ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Vitamin D

In the present study, three compounds were isolated from Argyreia acuta, among them, compounds 1 and 2 were new and Compounds 1 and 3 were isomers. They were separated by several types of columns, such as normal phase, RP, size exclusion and preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated by several spectroscopic methods, such as 1D- and 2D-NMR and HR-TOF-MS.
Convolvulaceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Isomerism ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Biomolecular ; Plant Components, Aerial ; chemistry ; Resins, Plant ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Spectrophotometry

Halophytes are expected to possess abundant secondary metabolites and various biological activities because of habitat in extreme environments. In this study, we collected 14 halophytes (Asparagus oligoclonos, Calystegia soldanella, Carex pumila, Chenopodium glaucum, Elymus mollis, Glehnia littoralis, Limonium tetragonum, Messerschmidia sibirica, Rosa rugosa, Salsola komarovii, Spergularia marina, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda maritima, and Vitex rotundifolia) native to Korea and compared their total polyphenol contents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The total polyphenol contents of R. rugosa (27.28%) and L. tetragonum (13.17%) were significantly higher than those of the other 12 halophytes and L. tetragonum, R. rugosa, and M. sibirica showed significantly greater antioxidant activities than the other 11 halophytes, as determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). A. oligoclonos, E. mollis, and C. pumila showed significantly greater anti-inflammatory activities than the other 11, as determined by NO (Nitric oxide) and PGE₂ (Prostaglandin E₂) levels. In contrast, these three extracts had normal and low total polyphenol contents among the 14 halophytes. Consequently, the total polyphenol content in the 14 studied halophytes appeared to be related to antioxidant, but not anti-inflammatory activity levels.
Apiaceae ; Calystegia ; Caryophyllaceae ; Chenopodiaceae ; Chenopodium ; Ecosystem ; Elymus ; Korea ; Plumbaginaceae ; Rosa ; Salsola ; Salt-Tolerant Plants ; Vitex

Vegetables are important constituents of the human diet. Heavy metals and nitrate are among the major contaminants of vegetables. Consumption of vegetables and fruits with accumulated heavy metals and nitrate has the potential to damage different body organs leading to unwanted effects. Breeding vegetables with low heavy metal and nitrate contaminants is a cost-effective approach. We investigated 38 water spinach genotypes for low Cd and nitrate co-accumulation. Four genotypes, i.e. JXDY, GZQL, XGDB, and B888, were found to have low co-accumulation of Cd (<0.71 mg/kg dry weight) and nitrate (<3100 mg/kg fresh weight) in the edible parts when grown in soils with moderate contamination of both Cd (1.10 mg/kg) and nitrate (235.2 mg/kg). These genotypes should be appropriate with minimized risk to humans who consume them. The Cd levels in the edible parts of water spinach were positively correlated with the concentration of Pb or Zn, but Cd, Pb, or Zn was negatively correlated with P concentration. These results indicate that these three heavy metals may be absorbed into the plant in similar proportions or in combination, minimizing the influx to aerial parts. Increasing P fertilizer application rates appears to prevent heavy metal and nitrate translocation to shoot tissues and the edible parts of water spinach on co-contaminated soils.
Biomass ; Cadmium/metabolism* ; Chlorophyll/analysis* ; Genotype ; Humans ; Ipomoea/genetics* ; Nitrates/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to estimate the distribution and exposure prevalence of total carbohydrate intake and the carbohydrate-based foods such as rice, noodles, sweet potatoes, sweet drinks, milk and fruits and to characterize intake patterns among obese Korean adults. METHODS: Subjects included 137,363 adults aged 40 years or older who participated in a Health Examinees (HEXA) Study. Multiple regression analysis of data from Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQFFQ) identified food sources of carbohydrates. Weight, height and waist circumstance (WC) were measured, and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Obesity was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2 and abdominal obesity as WC ≥ 90 cm and ≥ 85 cm for males and females, respectively. RESULTS: Obese adults appeared to have a higher total carbohydrate intake in the univariate analysis but had eaten less after adjustment for general and lifestyle factors, compared to normal weight adults (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.73-0.82 for general obesity; OR 0.79, 95% CI 0.74-0.85, for abdominal obesity; P trend < 0.0001, respectively). Based on advance analysis for the food sources of carbohydrates, obese subjects had lower intake of rice (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.68 -1.09 for general obesity; OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.67-1.13, for abdominal obesity; P trend < 0.0001, respectively) and higher intake of noodles (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.16-1.27 for general obesity; OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.19-1.32, for abdominal obesity; P trend < 0.0001 respectively). With regard to other food sources of carbohydrates such as milk and fruits, intake was lower among obese compared to normal weight subjects. CONCLUSIONS: In the Korean middle-aged and older obesity groups, the intake of carbohydrates and the related foods was lower than in normal weight subjects, except for noodles. We conclude that a higher intake of noodles may enhance weight-gain. Therefore, this study suggested that the guidelines should consider the types of carbohydrate sources and the amount consumed from foods in order to provide proper guidance with regard to control and prevent obesity among Korean adults.
Adult* ; Body Mass Index ; Carbohydrates ; Eating* ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Ipomoea batatas ; Life Style ; Male ; Milk ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Prevalence*