Email: ypark@foodsci.umass.edu
Y. Park's Food Science Web Site

Ph.D.: University of Wisconsin-Madison 1996

My current research interests can be divided into two categories; first, continuation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) research and secondly, searches for biologically active compounds from natural or dietary sources.

A. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) Research

CLA was originally identified unexpectedly as an anti-cancer principal from ground beef in 1987. Since then, CLA has shown other biologically beneficial activities, including reducing severity of atherosclerosis, reducing the adverse effects of immune stimulation, enhancing feed efficiency, and most interestingly reducing body fat accumulation while enhancing lean body mass. As a relatively simple compound, it was quite unexpected for it to have such a variety of activities. The natural question is how CLA can achieve all of these activities.

CLA has potential use as a pharmaceutical, for example, as an anti-cancer drug, as a supplement to cancer patients to combat cachexia caused by chemotherapy, or as a supplement in diabetes to increase insulin sensitivity. Moreover, with its recent availability to the public as a nutritional supplement, it is important to investigate the exact mechanism of CLA, especially in humans. Based on my knowledge and experience with CLA, I would like to explore unanswered questions of CLA research.

B. Biologically Active Compounds from Natural or Dietary Sources

It is generally recommended to consume more fruit, vegetables, and nuts to reduce the incidence and severity of cardiovascular disease. Antioxidants in vegetables are believed to play an important role, but the exact mechanism as well as the active components are still unknown. My research will use tissue cell cultures as well as animal models to test vegetables, fruits, and nuts. This can be followed by identification of mechanisms and may lead to useful information in other areas.
My ultimate research goal is to explore biologically active compounds that could impact human health and improve the quality of life. Also, I am willing to explore new areas of research and expand my knowledge. I will try to combine new information with my existing knowledge to make connections between subjects in the hope that this will eventually benefit human health.

Representative publications:

Y. Park, Y. L. Ha, and M. W. Pariza (2005) p-Complex formation of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) with iron, Food Chem. (submitted).

S.-H. Lee, K. Yamaguchi, J.-S. Kim, T. E. Eling, Y. Park , and S. J. Baek (2005) Conjugated linoleic acid stimulates an anti-tumorigenic protein NAG-1 in an isomer specific manner, Carcinogenesis (submitted).

S. Mun, E. A. Decker, Y. Park , J. Weiss, and D. J. McClements (2005) Influence of interfacial composition on in vitro digestibility of emulsified lipids: Potential mechanisms for chitosan's ability to inhibit fat absorption, Food Biophysics (submitted).

Y. Park , K. J. Albright, and M. W. Pariza (2005) Effects of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Long Term Feeding in Fischer 344 Rats, Food Chem. Tox. 43: 1273-1279.

J. M. Storkson, Y. Park , M. E. Cook, and M. W. Pariza (2005), Effects of trans-10,cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Cognates on Apolipoprotein B Secretion in HepG2 Cells, Nutr. Res. 25 : 387-399.
Y. Park , J. M. Storkson, K. J. Albright, W. Liu, and M. W. Pariza (2005) Biological Activities of Conjugated Fatty Acids: Conjugated Eicosadienoic (conj. 20:2? c11,t13/ t12,c14 ), Eicosatrienoic (conj. 20:3? c8,t12,c14 ),and Heneicosadienoic (conj. 21:2?c12,t14/ c13,t15) Acids and Other Metabolites of Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1687 : 120-129.

Y. Park, J. M. Storkson, W. Liu, K. J. Albright, M. E. Cook, and M. W. Pariza (2004) Structure-Activity Relationship of Conjugated Linoleic Acid and its Cognates in Inhibition of Heparin-releasable Lipoprotein Lipase and Glycerol Release from Fully Differentiated 3T3-L1 Adipocytes, J. Nutr. Biochem.15: 561-569.

Y. Park, H. Yang, J. M. Storkson, K. J. Albright, W. Liu, R. C. Lindsay and M. W. Pariza (2004) Controlling acrylamide in French fry and potato chip models and a mathematical model of acrylamide formation, Adv. Exp. Med. Biol. (in press).

J. M. Storkson, Y. Park, M. E. Cook, and M. W. Pariza (2004), Effects of trans-10,cis-12 Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) on Cognates on Apolipoprotein B Secretion in HepG2 Cells, Nutr. Res. (in press).

S.-H. Lee, K. Yamaguchi, J.-S. Kim, T. E. Eling, Y. Park, M. W. Pariza, and S. J. Baek (2004) Conjugated linoleic acid stimulates anti-tumorigenic protein NAG-1 by isomer specific manner, Carcinogenesis (submitted).

Y. Park, J. M. Storkson, K. J. Albright, W. Liu, and M. W. Pariza (2004) Biological Activities of Conjugated Fatty Acids: Conjugated Eicosadienoic (conj. 20:2Δc11,t13/ t12,c14), Eicosatrienoic (conj. 0:3Δc8,t12,c14),and Heneicosadienoic (conj. 21:2Δc12,t14/ c13,t15) Acids and Other Metabolites of Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (submitted).

X. Xu, J. Storkson, S. Kim, K. Sugimoto, Y. Park, and M. W. Pariza (2003), Early Effects of Dietary Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Mouse Adipose Tissue Include Inhibiting Lipoprotein Lipase and Glucose Metabolism but Not Enhancing Lipolysis, J. Nutr.133: 663-667.

K. Kang, W. Liu, K. J. Albright, Y. Park, and M. W. Pariza (2003), Trans-10, cis-12 CLA Inhibits Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Decreases PPARγ Expression, Biochem. Biophy. Res. Comm.303: 795-799.

L. D. Whigham, D. E. Bjorling, A. Higbee, Y. Park, M. W. Pariza, and M. E. Cook (2002), Decreased Antigen-induced Eicosanoid Release in Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA)-fed Guinea Pigs, Am. J. Physiol.284(4): R1104-R1112.

Y. Choi, Y. Park, J. M. Storkson, M. W. Pariza, and J. M. Ntambi (2002), Inhibition of Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Activity by the Cis-9,trans-11 Isomer and the Trans-10,cis-12 Isomer of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells, Biochem. Biophy. Res. Comm.294 (4): 785-790.

M. R. Kim, Y. Park, K. J. Albright, and M. W. Pariza (2002), Differential Responses of Hamsters and Rats Fed High-fat or Low-fat Diets Supplemented with Conjugated Linoleic Acid, Nutr. Res. 22: 715-722.