Purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition marked by persistent elevated blood sugar levels resulting from insulin resistance. The effective management of diabetes mellitus involves strict regulation of the blood glucose levels. This study examined the effects of Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry (AOB) on insulin resistance and hyperglycemia using a type 2 diabetes mellitus animal model. Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups. The control group received a basal diet, while the high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) group was fed a HFHS diet containing 27% sucrose and 33% lard for 12 weeks. The low AOB (LAOB) and high AOB (HAOB) groups were offered a HFHS diet with a 0.5% and 1.0% AOB extract, respectively. Results: The HAOB group showed significantly lower epididymal fat pad weight than the HFHS group. The LAOB and HAOB groups showed lower serum glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance values than the HFHS group, and the HAOB group has lower serum insulin levels than the HFHS group. Supplementation with HAOB decreased serum cholesterol levels significantly compared with the HFHS group. The consumption of LAOB and HAOB reduced the serum triglyceride and hepatic total lipids and triglyceride levels compared to the HFHS group. In addition, LAOB and HAOB consumption in mice fed a HFHS diet increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase protein expression. Insulin receptor substrate-2 protein expression in the HAOB group was significantly higher than the HFHS group. Conclusion AOB can alleviate hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus partly by mitigating insulin resistance.

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

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.

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 β-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 β-cell function, anti-oxidation, and anti-inflammation. The relationships among obesity, insulin resistance, β-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.

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus (DM) causes body fluid imbalance because of hyperglycemia, but there is a lack of research on the relationship between DM and body fluid imbalance in the Korean population. This study compared the differences in body fluid composition and dietary intake between individuals with type 2 DM (T2DM) and a normal control (NC) group without the disease. Methods: In this study, 36 subjects with T2DM and 21 without diabetes were divided into the T2DM and NC groups. The subjects were divided into four subgroups to assess differences in body fluid volume according to sex: men T2DM group (n = 24), men NC group (n = 9), women T2DM group (n = 12), and women NC group (n = 12). The body fluid composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, including intracellular water (ICW), extracellular water (ECW), total body water (TBW), ECW/ICW, and ECW/TBW. Nutrient intake was evaluated using their dietary records. Results: The results showed that the ECW/ICW and the ECW/TBW were significantly higher in the T2DM group compared to the NC group. Both men and women in the T2DM group showed significantly higher ECW/ICW and ECW/TBW than the respective NC group. The T2DM group had a higher carbohydrate, dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C, sodium, and potassium intake per 1,000 kcal and lower total daily energy, fat, and cholesterol intake per 1,000 kcal than the NC group. Conclusion These results suggest a positive association between T2DM and body fluid imbalance. This study can be used widely as basic data for the evaluation and diagnosis of diabetic complications in the future.

Purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver which is not a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Its global prevalence was estimated to be approximately 32% in the years 1994-2019. More than half of obese individuals and patients with diabetes are reported to have NAFLD as a comorbidity. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry on insulin resistance and steatosis in rats fed a high-fructose diet. Methods: Six-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The control group received a diet consisting of 65% corn starch, while the fructose and experimental groups were fed a diet comprising 65% fructose (FRU) and an FRU diet containing 0.5% (low-dose autumn olive berry group; LAO) or 1.0% (high-dose autumn olive berry group; HAO) ethanol extract of autumn olive berry, respectively, for 10 weeks. Results: The HAO group exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels compared to the fructose-fed group. Both the LAO and HAO groups showed a substantial reduction in serum insulin levels and insulin resistance when compared to the fructose-fed group.The consumption of LAO and HAO significantly ameliorated dyslipidemia and reduced the levels of triglycerides in the liver compared to the fructose-fed group. Additionally, the consumption of HAO resulted in lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities compared to the fructose group. The hepatic expression of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) was significantly reduced in the LAO and HAO groups compared to the fructose group. Conclusion Autumn olive berries improved steatosis by ameliorating insulin resistance and down-regulating the lipogenesis proteins in rats fed on high fructose diet.

Purpose: Hyperglycemia accelerates the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), a group of compounds formed via non-enzymatic glycation/glycoxidation. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is related to oxidative stress, resulting in some overgeneration of AGEs. The accumulation of AGEs in T2DM patients leads to increased inflammation, DNA damage, tissue damage, progression of diabetic microvascular disease, and nephropathy. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an intracellular enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of heme. Expression of HO-1 in the endothelium and in muscle monocytes/macrophages was upregulated upon exposure to reactive oxygen species or oxidized low-density lipoprotein. Cells activated by oxidative stress are reported to release HO-1 in the serum. In the current study, we discuss the oxidative status according to the level of AGEs and the association of HO-1 with AGEs or urinary DNA damage marker in type 2 diabetic Korean patients. Methods: This study enrolled 36 diabetic patients. Subjects were classified into two groups by serum AGEs level (Low AGEs group: < 0.85 ng/mL serum AGEs; High AGEs group: > 0.85 ng/ mL serum AGEs). Body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Blood and urinary parameters were measured using commercial kits. Results: No significant differences were observed in the general characteristics and body composition between the two groups. Serum HO-1 concentration was significantly higher in the High AGEs group than in the Low AGEs group. After adjustment of age and gender, a correlation was performed to assess the association between serum HO-1 and serum AGEs or urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Our results indicate that serum HO-1 is positively correlated with serum AGEs and urinary 8-OHdG. Conclusion Taken together, our results indicate that in diabetes patients, a high level of HO-1 is associated with a high concentration of AGEs and 8-OHdG, probably reflecting a protective response against oxidative stress.

Purpose: In this study, we assessed the intake of nutrients and food groups and analyzed the nutrition quotient of obese children in South Korea. The hypothesis was that dietary quality and nutrient intake are related to the body mass index (BMI) of obese children. Methods: The participants included 48 children (20 boys and 28 girls). Based on the guidelines for the age-for-body mass index provided by the Korean National Growth Charts for children and adolescents, the participants were divided into 3 groups: overweight, BMI ≥ 85th percentile; obese, BMI ≥ 95th percentile; severely obese, BMI ≥ 99th percentile. Results: The energy distribution showed that the carbohydrate ratio was significantly higher in the overweight group (p < 0.01), whereas the fat ratio was significantly higher in the obese and severely obese groups (p < 0.05). Thus, in the overweight and obese groups, the percent body fat was negatively associated with the carbohydrate ratio (p < 0.05) but was positively associated with the fat ratio (p < 0.05). The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) data revealed that the intake levels of protein, vitamin B 1 , vitamin B 12 , and sodium were higher in all groups. Intakes of fiber, calcium, potassium, and magnesium were insufficient in all groups, and the DRI percent for protein was significantly higher in the obese and severely obese groups than in the overweight group. No significant differences were obtained in food group patterns or Nutrition Quotient (NQ) scores among the 3 groups. According to the evaluation results by food record and NQ, a significant difference was obtained in the dietary quality of obese children. Conclusion We conclude that a higher intake of fat enhances weight gain. Based on the study results, we propose that the guidelines should consider the energy distribution of carbohydrate and fat intake to prevent and control obesity among Korean children.

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/m 2 ) 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/m 2 ) 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.

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/m 2 ) 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/m 2 ) 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.