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This study evaluated Magnoliea Flos ethanol extract (MFE) as a potential natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and in vitro antioxidant assays. MFE (10, 30, and 50 μg/mL) dose-dependently inhibited LSP-induced nitric oxide production, which is mediated by down-regulating gene and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2. MFE also down-regulated both gene and protein expression of nuclear factor-kappa B and its downstream genes, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), compared with vehicle-treated cells. As a result, MFE treatment of LPS-stimulated macrophages significantly suppressed release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-6. The antioxidant in vitro test revealed 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical scavenging activities of MFE (0.25∼5 mg/mL) of 16.62% to 75.17% and 38.54% to 92.91%, respectively. The ferric reducing antioxidant ability of MFE was 0.54 mM to 2.14 mM. Overall, MFE exhibited antioxidant activity and an effective anti-inflammatory response in LPSstimulated macrophages, which is potentially valuable for application as a natural functional material.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether an anti-obesity effect of a Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. hot water extract (PW) was involved in the lipid metabolism of white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6N obese mice. Mice freely received a normal diet (NCD) or an HFD for 12 weeks; HFD-fed mice were orally given PW (100 or 300 mg/kg) or garcinia cambogia (GC, 200 mg/kg) once a day. After 12 weeks, PW (300 mg/kg) or GC significantly alleviated adiposity by reducing body weight, WAT weights, and food efficiency ratio. PW (300 mg/kg) improved hyperinsulinemia and enhanced insulin sensitivity. In addition, PW (300 mg/kg) significantly down-regulated expression of carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) genes in WAT compared with the untreated HFD group. HFD increased BAT gene levels such as adrenoceptor beta 3 (ADRB3), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), PPARγ coactivator 1-α (PGC-1α), PPARα, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1B (CPT1B) compared with the NCD group; however, PW or GC effectively reversed those levels. These findings suggest that the anti-obesity activity of PW was mediated via suppression of lipogenesis in WAT, leading to the normalization of lipid metabolism in BAT.

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Objective. Using microRNA (miR) as a biomarker has been a new way for diagnosing many diseases. Although many studies on miR-biomarker have been published, researches on miR-biomarker in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study was to valiate a candidate serum miR as a novel disease-specific novel miR for AS. Methods. Total RNAs were extracted from sera samples of patients with AS (n=57), patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (n=37), or healthy controls (HC) (n=19). Through serum miR screening by microarray, differential levels of miR were subsequently validated by real time PCR. At the time of serum sampling, clinical values such as sex, age, disease duration, AS-disease activity score, uveitis, peripheral arthritis, enthesitis, human leukocyte antigen-B27 presence, and recent medication were evaluated. Results. We found that the expression level of serum miR-3620-3p in AS was notably lower than that in RA or HC. The receiver-operator characteristics curve for determining the diagnostic accuracy showed an area under the curve of 0.919 (p＜0.001) with a sensitivity of 87.1% and a specificity of 86.0%. Correlation studies showed that the expression level of miR-3620-3p was only associated with the development of uveitis (p＜0.05). Conclusion. Serum miR-3620-3p can be as a new biomarker for diagnosing AS.

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In the current years, it has now become necessary to establish standards for micronutrient intake based on scientific evidence. This review discusses issues related to the development of the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI) for magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), and future research directions. Following issues were encountered when establishing the KDRI for these minerals. First, characteristics of Korean subjects need to be applied to estimate nutrient requirements. When calculating the estimated average requirement (EAR), the KDRI used the results of balance studies for Mg absorption and factorial analysis for Zn, which is defined as the minimum amount to offset endogenous losses for Zn and Mg. For Cu, a combination of indicators, such as depletion/repletion studies, were applied, wherein all reference values were based on data obtained from other countries. Second, there was a limitation in that it was difficult to determine whether reference values of Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes in the 2020 KDRI were achievable. This might be due to the lack of representative previous studies on intakes of these nutrients, and an insufficient database for Mg, Zn, and Cu contents in foods. This lack of database for mineral content in food poses a problem when evaluating the appropriateness of intake. Third, data was insufficient to assess the adequacy of Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes from supplements when calculating reference values, considering the rise in both demand and intake of mineral supplements. Mg is more likely to be consumed as a multi-nutrient supplement in combination with other minerals than as a single supplement. Moreover, Zn-Cu interactions in the body need to be considered when determining the reference intake values of Zn and Cu. It is recommended to discuss these issues present in the 2020 KDRI development for Mg, Zn, and Cu intakes in a systematic way, and to find relevant solutions.