• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.279-287
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• 2014

Estrogen deficiency results in a reduction of skin quality and function in postmenopausal women. Over the past decade, many studies have supported that estrogen provides anti-aging effects as a result of the ability of estrogen to prevent skin collagen decline, restore skin elasticity, and increase skin hydration in postmenopausal women skin. Due to their structural similarity with estrogen, isoflavones have been called phytoestrogens. Photoprotective effects of isoflavones are well established while their estrogenic-like activities are not fully understood in human skin. In this study, we investigated whether daidzein, an effective isoflavone, has phytoestrogenic activity and induces transcriptional change of extracellular matrix components in dermal fibroblasts. We examined the luciferase activity of daidzein and ${\beta}$-estradiol using transiently transfected NIH3T3-ERE cells. The estrogenic receptor-dependent transcriptional activity was increased in a dose-dependent manner when treated with daidzein, with a maximum of 2.5-fold induction at $10{\mu}g/mL$ of daidzein compared with non-treated control. In addition, daidzein significantly in creased the expressions of collagen type I, collagen type IV, elastin, and fibrillin-1 in human dermal fibroblasts. By comparing with the effects of ${\beta}$-estradiol through out all the experiments, we confirmed that daidzein had estrogenic activity and function in fibroblasts. These results suggest that daidzein-based application, having both photoprotective and phytoestrogenic effects, may be a powerful approach for skin anti-aging of postmenopausal women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2013

Menopause is often associated with several chronic diseases, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. In this study, we investigated the ability of Eisenia bicyclis (EB) to prevent bone loss in ovariectomized rats, a model for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Extracts from EB obtained using ethanol or hot water were analyzed for total polyphenol content and osteoporosis effects in vivo. Total polyphenol content was higher with extraction by hot water compared to ethanol extraction. Fifty 8-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: the group were sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with EB at 50 mg/kg body weight (OVX-EB50) and 200 mg/kg body weight (OVX-EB200), respectively. The diets were fed to rats for 6 weeks after their operation. We found that the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was lower in the EB extract group compared to the OVX-CON group. Collagen and pyridinoline content, in bone and cartilage, were reduced by ovariectomy, but the supplemented EB extract groups exhibited higher concentrations in their bones. These results suggest that EB can be used for the industrial development of foods with therapeutic functions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1769-1775
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• 2010

Menopause is often associated with the incidence of several chronic diseases including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. The purpose of this study was designed to evaluate the possibility of osteoporosis prevention in postmenopausal women. In this study, we investigated the effects of Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) extracts on bone turnover markers in ovariectomized rats. For this study, the following four groups of 9-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were evaluated over 6 weeks: normal rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON) and ovariectomized rats that were treated with ES extracts. We measured the osteocalcin and C-telopeptide of collagen cross-links (CTx) content, enzyme ALP activity in serum and collagen content in the cartilage, bone, skin and lungs. We found that the levels of indicators of bone metabolism such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin and CTx were lower in rats in the ES extract group than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the collagen contents in the bone, cartilage, skin and lungs decreased in response to ovariectomy, but the levels of collagen were greater in the bone of rats that were treated with ES extract than in the bone of rats in the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that the ES may be an effective functional food to prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1407-1414
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• 2012

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective regimen that has been found to prevent these diseases in postmenopausal women. However, HRT is accompanied by an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eisenia Bicyclis extract on lipids in ovariectomized rats. Fifty 7-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Eisenia bicyclis extracts. The extract-treated diets were fed to the rats for 6 weeks after operation. Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 55.9% in a concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. We measured the total cholesterol content, triglyceride content, HDL-cholesterol content, LDL-cholesterol content, atherosclerotic index, cardiac risk factor in serum, and anti-platelet aggregation and blood rheology. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum increased for the OVX-control group, but supplementation with the E. bicyclis extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the OVX-EB200 group was significantly lower than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the blood passage times in rats that received the E. bicyclis extract were more rapid than the times in the untreated group (OVX-CON). Microscopic evaluation revealed that whole blood passed more smoothly through the microchannels in rats in the E. bicyclis extract supplement groups. Our results clarified the effects of E. bicyclis extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats, and consequently we expect positive effects from providing E. bicyclis extract to postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.105-116
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• 2007

Objectives : Physical activity is known as beneficial to mental health like decreasing depression and stress. In this study, we tried to find out the relationship between body composition, stress, depression, and self-esteem with physical activity level. Methods : International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ)-short form, SRRS(Social readjustment rating scale), SRI(Stress response index), and BDI(Beck's depression index), SES(Self-esteem scale) were given to peri-menopausal women aged 45-55 and BMI$\geq$23kg/m2. They were given written consent and this study is performed under the permission of institutional review board of Kyung Hee East-west Neo Medical Center. Results : The mean of physical activity of total subjects was 2406MET-min/week(n=42). The physical activity of overweight(23kg/m2$\leq$BMI<25kg/m2) and obese(BMI$\geq$25kg/m2) permimenopausal women was 1428MET-min/week and 2970MET-min/week(p<0.05) respectively. When three levels of physical activity pattern(inactive, minimally active, and HEPA(Health-enhancing physical activity) active) was analyzed, all of them were heavily relied on the activity intensities of walking. The scores of BDI, SRRS, and SRI were lower and that of SES were higher in HEPA active group, not showing statical significance. Anger(subscale of SRI) measures were lower and SES measures were higher in HEPA active group than others among overweight women(p<0.05). Conclusions : The level of physical activity of peri-menopausal women was on the average, but the vigorous activity is thought to be necessary. The HEPA active group showed lower depression, stress and higher self-esteem than minimally active and inactive group.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary intakes in middle-aged women(pre and postmenopausal) and relation to climacteric symptoms. We conducted the anthropometric measurements, climacteric symptoms survey, and dietary intake to assess the nutrient intakes. Also, dietary quality indices were evaluated. The subjects, over 40 years old, were 168 middle aged women(pre=74, postmenopausal=94), mean age was $48.9{\pm}3.6yr$. The anthropometric measurements showed that 59% of subjects were overweight and obese. Climacteric symptoms that were answered 'yes' in 50% plus in the subjects, were dry eyes, forgetfulness, difficult concentration, large joint pain(shoulder), fatique, backache, dry skin, joint pain(ankle and knee), dry mouth, dizziness, depression and lonesomeness, snore, morning stiffness, and hot flash. Some symptoms showed significant difference between pre and postmenopausal groups. The average energy intake was 1602.1 Kcal, which was 82% of the Korean EER. The subjects had lower vitamin A, riboflavin, folic acid, Fe, Zn and Ca intake than Korean RI. The lowest nutrient intake was Ca. The mean of food intake was 1294.2 g and MAR of diet quality indices was 0.83. In relation to dietary factors with climacteric symptoms, significant correlations have been found between total protein, animal protein, lipid, cholesterol and niacin intake and 'fatique', energy, carbohydrate, thiamin, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin C, Na, K and Fe intake and 'dry skin', Ca intake and 'difficult concentration'. Our results indicate that dietary factors(food and nutrients intake, INQ, NAR, MAR) may effect the prevention and reduction of some climacteric symptoms in middle aged women.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.365-375
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• 2004

Purpose: This study intends to make a database for hypertensive patients and middle-aged women who are visiting the Yeojoo County Health Center. While building up the database, the study reviewed the current assessment tools used in the health center, developed appropriate health care programs, and designed a computerized health care system. Method: The modeling of a database for the system was constructed by MS-Access for DBMS (Database Management System) and Visual Basic. The system is to be used only in the health center by being designed as a client server method, making it possible for many public employees to be interconnected, and enables them to retrieve and search data from the database simultaneously. Results: The health management system systematically follows nursing processes including assessment, diagnosis, intervention and evaluation. Diagnosis. once it is done according to the self determined criteria, saves time and provides appropriate health information for the members. Also, the health education program was developed to follow up on the health status of the members on a continuous basis. Conclusion: Based on these results, it is required to evaluate health care programs provided for the members by using the database system and to develop more practical health care programs. It is also necessary to connect the system to other databases. which contain information about members.

• Journal of Oriental Medical Thermology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2009

Purpose : Among many symptoms that the climacteric patients complain of, the major symptom is heat and cold sensation of body in various pattern. So, we are intended to study patterns of climacteric patients by using D.I.T.I. Methods : We studied 55 patients visiting OO Oriental Hospital from 1st January 2008 to 31th December 2008. The patients were distributed one of patterns by inspecting D.I.T.I. And we investigated the temperature of the region of body in 5 groups. Results : There are five groups in D.I.T.I. Those are heat sensation of face pattern, heat sensation of chest pattern, cold sensation of hand & foot pattern, heat sensation of hand pattern and cold sensation of lower abdomen pattern. 22 subjects are in heat sensation of face group. 12 subjects are in heat sensation of chest group. 12 subjects are in heat sensation of hand group. 6 subjects are in cold sensation of lower abdomen group. 3 subjects are in cold sensation of hand & foot group. Conclusion : 5 patterns of D.I.T.I is showed in climacteric patients. To help oriental medical diagnosis, further studies are needed.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2008

Objectives The aim of the study was to investigate the difference between pattern identification of premenopausal(n=39) and climacteric(n=40) korean obese and overweight women using Syndrome Differentiation Questionaire. Methods 39 premenopausal obese women(BMI${\geq}25kg/m^2$) and 40 climacteric overweight and obese women(BMI${\geq}23kg/m^2$) were recruited from October 2007 to March 2008 in Seoul, Korea. Subjects who had other disease were rejected. Basic anthropometry and body composition were measured. Every subjects were given and filled out the Syndrome Differentiation Questionaire, and we analyzed that using Fisher's exact test. Results 1. Premenopausal women showed high frequency of food accumulation pattern(43.6%), but in climacteric women, liver qi depression pattern was frequent(57.5%, p=0.021). 2. In weighted Syndrome Differentiation Questionaire score, Premenopausal women showed high frequency of food accumulation pattern(43.6%), but in climacteric women, liver qi depression pattern was frequent(47.5%, p=0.004). 3. There were no correlation between anthropometry and scores of the each patterns. Conclusions In this study, we can find out that the dietary factors play major roles in obesity of premenopausal women and emotional factors in obese climacteric women in the view of oriental pattern identification diagnosis. But it seemed that there lacked of consideration that reflected the degree of obesity in this Syndrome Differentiation Questionaire.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.239-252
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• 2011

The aim of the study was to explore the current status as well as personal views, attitudes, and beliefs regarding daily meal consumption (DM) and food supplement use (FS) in conjunction with the improvement of health condition of the women. Eight focus group interviews were performed and the interview material was condensed systematically with the aim to extract core meanings related to DM, FS, and menopause-associated health. Participants were 40 in number and showed ages ranging from 45 and 60 years with various menopausal status. Current status and beliefs about DM, resources of purchase motivation of FS, types of FS that are currently used, and perceived effects and personal beliefs about FS are discussed. Theme content analysis revealed 3 themes for beliefs about DM, 5 themes for beliefs pertaining FS, and 4 themes for the association between DM and FS. Non-dietary factors such as positive mental attitude and exercise appeared to be also important to maintain good health. The bottom line message from this study may be that proper nutrition through daily meals is essential for good health, while food supplement are used merely to supplement the diet. Findings from this study may deepen our understanding of how women who translate their lifespan through "menopause" perceive the roles and meaning of DM and FS, suggesting health professionals need to monitor and evaluate DM and implement strategies targeting the improvement of daily meal quality of middle and older aged women.