Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) are important components of brain phospholipds and play important role (s) in brain function. In rats, the maximum brain growth occurs during the period of lactation even though it happens during the third trimester of gestation in human. Since milk contained docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) even through the maternal diet had no DHA and/or a very small amount of its precursor, $\alpha$-linolenic acid ($\alpha$-LnA), an emphasis was given to maternal adipose tissue as a reservoir of this fatty acid. We, therefore, investigated the mesenteric and subcutaneous adipose tissues for their fatty acid composition in dams reared with different fat diets. Diets containing various amounts of $\omega$6 and $\omega$3 fatty acids were given to adult female rats (200-250g) throughout the pregnancy and lactation periods. Diets were composed of 10% (wt/wt) corn oil (CO), soybean oil (SO), perilla seed oil (PO) containing about 60% $\alpha$-LnA, or fish oil (FO) rich in eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA. The fatty acid ompositions of mesenteric and subcutaneous fat were measured and evaluated at Day-2 and Day-15 after parturition. In general, major characteristics of dietary fatty acid composition was reflected on the fatty acid composition of adipose tissues. Dietary fatty acid composition was reflected more on mesenteric fat as compared to subcutaneous fat. Mesenteric fat was found to contain less arachidonic acid (AA) and mesenteric fats of CO, SO and PO groups contained less DHA than did the subcutaneous fat. The P/M/S ratios of adipose tissues were similar between experimental groups while dietary P/M/S ratios differed significantly. It was noticeable that a small proportion of DHA was found in the adipose tissues of animals of CO, SO and PO groups (Day-2) and in SO and PO groups (Day-15), the groups which do not contain DHA in their diets. The percentage of DHA in mesenteric fat o CO, SO and PO groups decreased as lactation continues, while the proportion of DHA in FO group increased. Adipose tissues of FO group had higher DHA/EPA ratio as compared to the diet. Considering the fact that the body contains a large amount of adipose tissues, our present finding suggests that the adipose tissue can serve as a reservoir of DHA for pregnant and lactating rats.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Coriandrum Sativum L. on lipid metabolism in rats with hypertriglyceridemia. Also, we compared the effects of the leaf, seed and root of Coriandrum Sativum L. on lipid metabolism in rats with hypertriglyceridemia. Hypertriglyceridemia was induced in 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 108$\pm$13 g through the feeding of high-fat diets containing 20% fat and 5% cellulose for ten days. The rats were divided into four groups as follows : control (C), leaf (L), seed (S) and root (R) groups. For the five-week experimental period, the C group was fed the above diet an the L, S and R groups were fed Coriandrum Sativum L. diets containing 5% dry leaf, seed and root of Coriandrum Sativum L., respectively. Intake of diet and weight gain were significantly lower in the C group than in the L, S and R groups. But there was no significant difference among the L, S and R groups. Because of weight differences among the groups, all obtained data was adjusted to weight. The level of plasma total cholesterol was not significantly different among the four groups. But after adjusting to weight differences, the level of plasma triglyceride was significantly higher in the C groups than in the L and S groups. These results suggest that dietary Coriandrum Sativum L. may increase appetite and have an inhibitory effect on the lipid metabolism of rats with hypertriglyceridemia. Also, those effects may be partly different (leaf, root and seed) from those of Coriandrum Sativum L.

The dietary vitamin $B_6$ intake of 218 Korean young women (aged 20-26y), who had no health problems, and their sources were estimated using a modified Korean vitamin $B_6$ database. The average daily vitamin $B_6$ intake was 0.987 mg for the subjects. About 87.2% of the subjects consumed less than the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin $B_6$. The average ratio of vitamin $B_6$ intake to daily protein intake was 0.014 mg/g protein, and approximately 91% of subjects consumed 〈 0.02 mg/g protein. Vitamin $B_6$ intake was significantly (p〈.01 -p〈.001) positively correlated to the intakes of all other nutrients. Between animal and vegetable protein, animal protein had a stronger positive correlation with vitamin $B_6$. Major dietary sources of vitamin $B_6$, the top 10 foods provided nearly 64% of total vitamin $B_6$, and dietary contributors of vitamin $B_6$ for Koreans are less varied than those for Americans.

Animal and clinical studies as well as epidemiological data have provided convincing evidence that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can protect against atherosclerosis. However, the effects of the fatty acids on atherogenesis are contradictory. This discrepancy could derive from great susceptibility of the fatty acids to oxidation. We investigated the effect of eicosapentaenoic aced(EPA) on cellular atherogenesis via the scavenger receptor of THP-1 derived macrophages. THP-1 cells were fully differentiated into macrophages by incubating with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate for seven days. Atherogenic features of EPA were compared by subsitituting for linoleic acid (LA). Macrophages were also incubated without treatment of the fatty acids as controls. EPA (5-50 nmol/mL) was not cytotoxic and did not measurably induce cellular oxidation compared to bovine serum albumin (BSA) vehicle or identical doses of LA. EPA increased macrophage uptake and degradation of acetylated LDL(AcLDL) up to 14% and 88%, respectively. EPA increased markedly total cellular sterol synthesis and heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity of macrophages, indicating that EPA may enhance accumulation of cellular cholesteryl ester and possibly facilitate formation of foam cells. These results demonstrate that EPA promotes the modified LDL-triggered atherosclerotic process by the modulation of the scavenger receptor and the activation of LPL in macrophages.

The purpose of this study was to compare the energy expenditure of normal-weight and overweight Korean middle-aged women (40-60 yr). Middle-aged oveweight ($BMI\;{\geq}\;25$, n= 20) and normal-weight women were ($BMI\;{\leq}\;23$, n = 20) were recruited in Seoul. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, energy intake, daily activity time, and energy costs of some daily activities were measured. Energy expenditure at rest and while reading the newspaper, washing dishes, mopping the floor, and walking on a treadmill at 1.0, 2.0, 3.5mph were measured by indirect calorimeter and total daily energy expenditure was estimated by summation of energy costs of different activities. The overweight group had significantly higher values of body weight, triceps skinfold thickness, thigh circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI, WTR, WHR, body surface area, percentage body fat, fat mass, fat free mass (FFM), and muscle mass compared to normal-weight group. The energy intakes of both groups were close to RDA and other nutrient intake status was also satisfactory. There were no significant differences in intakes of energy and nutrients between the two groups. Overweight subjects showed lower energy expenditure per kg body weight for reading the newspaper, washing dishes and mopping the floor, and walking on a treadmill at 2.0 and 3.5 mph, however, energy expenditure per kg FFM did not differ between the two groups. Daily energy expenditure for all activities was significantly higher in the overweight compared to the normal-weight group due to higher body weight. Both overweight and normal-weight groups showed negative energy balance between energy intake and energy expenditure, and there was no significant difference in energy balance between the two roups. Total daily energy expenditure correlated highly with FFM and body surface area. The result of present study does not offer an explanation on the energy imbalance and weight gain of overweight women.

The effects of a four-week weight control program including nutrition, exercise, behavior modification and meditation were studied in 15 obese children who resided in the Chuncheon area. There were no differences in anthropometric value, health perception, self-esteem and nutrition knowledge before and after the nutrition education program. Food behavior significantly improved after the program, especially in the area of binge eating (p〈0.05). Consumption of ramyon and fried chicken significantly decreased (p〈0.05). These results showed that short-term nutrition education programs did not do enough to change the anthroppometric value of study subject. These results suggest that it is necessary to include parents in nutrition education programs for greater effectiveness. And there is a need to develop an apply systematic nutrition education programs to reduce the weight of obese children.

This survey was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire in order to investigate the flavor enhancer products questionnaires were used out of 505 collected (collection rate : 84.2%). Most housewives used flavor enhancer products. Housewives with higher educations and employed housewives used significantly less flavor enhancer. The main reason for nonuse of flavor enhancer products was their perceived negative health effects. Housewives mainly used flavor enhancer products in stews and whole dishes. Most housewives used flavor enhancer products 1-2 times per day and housewives with higher educations and employed housewives used flavor enhancer products less frequently. As for the quantity of flavor enhancer products used, most housewives reported small to moderate amounts. Housewives with higher educations used significantly smaller amounts of flavor enhancer products. There was a significant difference in the kinds of flavor enhancer products used by housewives, depending on education level, household income, food expenditures and residence type. Most housewives purchased flavor enhancer products at wholesale marts. There was a significant difference in the places where flavor enhancer products were purchased among those of different education and household income levels. Therefore, these results may be useful in the development of safer and more variously flavored flavor enhancer products.

Consumers'frequent use of micronutrient supplements has caused concerns o possible overdoses and prompted the view that the appropriate provision of nutrition information on such supplements is needed. In this study the nutrition information on vitamin-mineral supplements in Korea was evaluated based on the labels on the supplements. Consumers'use, reliance on and demand for nutrition information were examined by self-administered questionnaire. Subjects were 1,203 middle-aged housewives. Under examination were 141 multinutrient products (86.6%) and single nutrient products (13.4%). Various names and units were used for the same nutrient and the labels were not informative to consumers. The mode of nutrients contents in the supplements were several fold of RDA though not in the range of toxicity. %RDA value was seldom shown on the label. Currently these supplements are classified as general drugs in Korea so they are not subject to regulations on nutrition labeling. Half of the subjects read the nutrient content list but two-thirds of them did not understand the information. Numerous health claims related to diseases were listed on the label and more than half of the subjects read them and one-third believed those health claims. These results indicate the need for an appropriate format for nutrition information on vitamin-mineral supplements.