• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.352-358
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the effects of liquid culture of Agaricus blazei on the lipid metabolism and enzyme activities in growing male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were given four different types of diets for a succeeding period of 5 weeks, respectively: a normal diet group (7% corn oil), a high fat diet group (7% com oil + 15% lard), a 20 or 30% Agaricus diet groups (high fat diet + 20 or 30% Agaricus in water) according to the levels of Agaricus supplementation. The body weight gains, food intake, food efficiency ratios, and hepatic, kidney, spleen and pancreas weights of the rats fed 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those of the rats fed high fat diet. The epididymal fat pad weight of the rats fed high fat diet and 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were significantly higher than that of the rats fed normal diet. The concentrations of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, and the activity of glutamic pyruvic transaminase in the rats fed 30% Agaricus diet were significantly lower than those in the rats 114 high fat diet. But the concentrations of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride of rats fed the 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those of rats fed the high fat diet. The HDL-oholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio of the rat fed 30% Agaricus diet was significantly higher than that of the rats fed high fat diet, The activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase in the rats fed 20 or 30% Agaricus diets were similar to those in the rats fed high fat diet. There were no differences in the concentrations of total protein, hemoglobin and glucose, and the activities of alkaline phosphatase, and the atherogenic index in the serum among the experimental groups. These results showed that the 30% Agaricus diet feeding decreased the total cholesterol, the triglyceride and the LDL-cholesterol, and increased the HDL-oholesterol/total cholesterol ratio in serum of rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.8
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• pp.1024-1031
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• 2009

Crataegi fructus has been used as an oriental medicine and a folk remedy for the treatment of scurvy, constipation and stomach ailment. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of fermented Crataegi fructus vinegar (FCV) on the improvement of lipid metabolism in rats fed high fat diet (40% kcal% fat, fat source; beef tallow). Sprague-Dawley rats (n=32) were randomly divided into four groups [normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HD), and high fat diet supplemented with low (CFL; 1.5% wt/wt) and high (CFH; 3.0% wt/wt) doses of fermented Crataegi fructus vinegar] and were fed experimental diets for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the body weight in high fat diet groups was higher than that of normal diet group, while the body weights of CFL and CFH group were significantly reduced by 7.2% and 10.0%, respectively, as compared with that of HD group. Moreover, liver and kidney weights in CFL and CFH group were significantly lower than that of HD group (p<0.05). The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, atherogenic index and hepatic triglyceride, total cholesterol in CFH group were significantly decreased as compared with HD group whereas it increased the serum level of HDL-C than HD group (p<0.05). CFL and CFH groups showed significantly decreased AST, ALT and ALP of serum as compared with HD group. Excretions of fecal saturated fatty acid in CFH group was significantly increased compared with ND and HD groups. These results imply that fermented Crataegi fructus vinegar can be used as possible food resources and functional food materials.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.11
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• pp.1172-1178
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• 2005

Purpose : Childhood Obesity is increasing throughout the world, and it is known to incur many diseases especially in later life such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between obesity and insulin, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) and know if these factors are useful in predicting cardiovascular diseases. Methods : The study group consisted of 64 moderate and severe obese adolescents and the controls were normal adolescents of the same age. body mass index(BMI) was calculated by height and weight; systolic and diastolic blood pressure was measured at resting state. After 10-hour fasting period, blood cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured. Results : Insulin was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $15.6{\pm}7.0{\mu}IU/mL$, P<0.01). IGF-I was also significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $498.1{\pm}122.2ng/mL$, P<0.05). In addition, IGFBP-3 was significantly higher in the obese adolescent group than the control group(obese group $3,777{\pm}4,721ng/mL$, P<0.05). Insulin showed significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.3944) and obesity index(r=0.34). IGFBP-3 were significantly correlated with obesity index(r=0.419), diastolic blood pressure (r=0.264) and BMI(r=0.247). Insulin resistance index significantly positive correlation with BMI(r=0.595), blood triglycerid level(r=0.515) and obesity index(r=0.469). Conclusion : Serum insulin, insulin resistance index, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels may be useful to predict cardiovascular diseases in adolescent obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.447-453
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• 2003

Purpose : This study was performed to compare complications and perinatal factors according to the birth weight groups in the infants of diabetic mothers(IDM). Methods : Three hundred and one singleton diabetic mothers and their babies of more than 30 weeks' gestational age admitted in the department of Pediatrics, Chonnam University Hospital from January 1996 to March 2002 were enrolled. Complications and perinatal factors were compared between large for gestational age(LGA) and appropriated for gestational age(AGA) infants. Results : Hypomagnesemia was observed in 37.5%, jaundice in 21.3%, hypoglycemia in 11.1%, hypocalcemia in 7.0%, and birth injury in 19.6%. Congenital anomaly was noted in 24.9% with cardiovascular anomaly most commonly. In the LGA group, the frequencies of jaundice, hypoglycemia, tachypnea, and birth injuries were higher, and the interventricular septum was thicker than the AGA group. In the LGA group, Cesarean section rate, maternal height, weight before pregnancy, weight gain during pregnancy, and the incidence of unawareness of gestational DM were significant compared with the AGA group. Conclusion : In the LGA group, the frequencies of jaundice, hypoglycemia, tachypnea, and birth injuries were higher, and the interventricular septum was thicker than the AGA group. In the LGA group, maternal height, weight before pregnancy and weight gain during pregnancy were larger, and the incidence of unawareness of gestational DM was higher compared with the AGA group. These results suggest that careful examination and management are needed to detect the high risk, pregnant DM mothers with possible LGA babies.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.597-603
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• 2008

Purpose : Obesity is associated with insulin resistance. Insulin resistance and the presence of pro-inflammatory mediators are thought to cause a state of vascular endothelial dysfunction, an abnormal lipid profile, hypertension, and vascular inflammation. These chronic inflammatory responses, which are characterized by abnormal cytokine production, lead to activation of a pro-inflammatory signaling pathway. Leptin is an important mediator of inflammatory processes and immune-mediated diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between leptin and various cytokines associated with obesity in adolescents. Methods : Sixty-six obese adolescents (between 16-17 years of age, obesity index >130%) and 26 normal controls were included in this study. Obesity index and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Serum lipid profile, AST and ALT were tested after 10 hours of fasting. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured by ELISA. Insulin, adiponectin, and leptin levels were estimated by radioimmunoassay. Results : Leptin was significantly higher in the obese adolescents compared to the control adolescents ($12.0{\pm}6.8ng/mL$ vs $6.3{\pm}1.0ng/mL$). TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and insulin were significantly higher in the obese adolescents. Adiponectin was significantly lower in the obese group than the control group ($3.3{\pm}1.9{\mu}g/mL$ vs $5.0{\pm}1.4{\mu}g/mL$). Leptin had positive correlations with obesity index, BMI, and IL-6. Conclusion : In obese adolescents, leptin, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and insulin might be important mediators of obesity. Further clinical research is necessary to ascertain leptin as a predictor of cardiovascular diseases and to develop a guideline for clinical intervention.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.751-757
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• 2003

Purpose : Obesity is a significant health problem with medical and psychological consequences for children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between body fat percent using bioelectrical impedance(BI) and other variable methods. Methods : We measured height, weight, body mass index(BMI) and body fat percent by skinfold thickness(ST) and BI in 1,035(496 male; 539 female) children from seven to 18 years of age. The correlation coefficients between BI and each of the other different methods were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity to predict obesity by these several methods were studied. Results : Fat percent estimated by BI analysis and BMI showed a strong correlation(r=0.749). Fat percent estimated by BI analysis and ST showed a very strong correlation(r=0.835). At the 95th percentile cut-off point for BI, ST showed a sensitivity of 57.7%, and a specificity of 97.6% for estimating body fat. At the 95th percentile cut-off point for BI, BMI showed a sensitivity of 84.9%, and a specificity of 99.3% for estimating body fat. Conclusion : The fat percent estimated by BI analysis correlated strongly with ST or BMI. BI analysis is an objective and accurate method for estimating body fat in childhood obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1109-1118
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• 2009

Purpose : Metabolic syndrome (MS), characterized by obesity and insulin resistance, elicits risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and glucose intolerance with additive effects on atherosclerosis, leading to cardiovascular diseases. The purposes of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MS among overweight and obese adolescents and to investigate the impact of obesity on the cardiovascular system. Methods : In all, 684 adolescents were included in the study. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density-lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were measured in the patients with a BMI of >85 percentile. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV) and ankle brachial index were measured using Vascular Profiler (VP)-1000. Results : MS was confirmed in 19.5% of the overweight and obese adolescents and 50.8% of the obese adolescents. The systolic and diastolic blood pressure, height, weight, fat mass, %fat, BMI, obesity index, and waist circumference were higher in the overweight and obese adolescents with MS. Moreover, the triglyceride, AST, ALT, and hs-CRP levels were higher, whereas HDL-cholesterol level was significantly lower in this group. The overweight and obese adolescents with MS showed shorter diastolic and systolic times, higher heart rate and BaPWV, and longer E-wave deceleration time by echocardiography. Conclusion : Overweight and obese adolescents showed characteristic MS features such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Thus, obese adolescents predisposed to MS should be provided early treatment for obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.88-94
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• 2004

The effects of liquid culture of Coriolus versicolor on weight gain, food intakes, food efficiency ratios, serum and hepatic lipid concentrations, serum protein levels and serum enzyme activities, were studied in growing male rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were given four different types of diets for a succeeding period of 5 weeks, respectively: a normal diet group (7% corn oil), a high fat diet group (7% corn oil＋15% lard), a 20% or 30% C. versicolor diet groups (high fat diet＋20% or 30% C. versicolor in water) according to the levels of C. versicolor supplementation. The body weight gains of the rats fed the 30% C. versicolor diets were lower than those in the rats fed high fat diet. The epididymal fat pad weight of the rats fed high fat diet and 20% or 30% C. versicolor diets were significantly higher than that of the rats fed normal diet. The concentrations of triglyceride in the serum and the liver of the rats fed the 30% C. versicolor diets were more significantly decreased compared to rats on the high fat diet. The concentrations of total cholesterol in the serum and the liver of rats fed the high fat diet, 20% and 30% C. versicolor diets were similar to those of rats fed the normal diet. The HDL-cholesterol concentration and the HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol ratio of the rats fed 20% and 30% C. versicolor diets were significantly lower than those of the rats fed high fat diet. But the antherogenic index of the rats fed 20% or 30% C. versicolor diets were significantly higher than those of the rats fed high fat diet. There were no differences in the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in the serum among the experimental groups. These results showed that the 30% C. versicolor diet feeding decreased the triglyceride in serum and liver of the rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1716-1726
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• 2012

This study was undertaken to evaluate the antihyperglycemic, antilipid peroxidative, and antioxidant effects of the ethanol extracts of Artemisia iwayomogi (Ai) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats with a single intravenous injection (45 mg/kg b.w.) of STZ. The diabetic rats were then randomized to the diabetic and Ai extract therapy groups which were treated with Ai extract at doses of 1, 2, and 3 g/kg b.w./day, respectively, for 14 days. Oral administration of Ai (2 g/kg b.w.) significantly decreased their intake of food. Dosage of 2 g/kg of the extract significantly decreased blood glucose levels in the glucose level in diabetic rats after 4 day, there was no significant difference observed at 1 and 3 g/kg. A dose of 2 or 3 g/kg of the Ai extract significantly reduced plasma glucose levels in STZ-induced hyperglycemic rats at 7 days. The hypoglycemic effect of Ai at a dose of 2 g/kg was significantly more effective than that of STZ-control. The effect was more pronounced in 2 g/kg than 1 g and 3 g/kg. A significant reduction in triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA), and a significant increase in liver glycogen were observed in treated diabetic rats at doses of 2 g/kg after 14 days of treatment. Administration of Ai extracts to diabetic rats showed a significant decrease in liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased in the 3 g extract-supplemented groups. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and catalase (CAT) were significantly increased in the 1 g and 3 g extract-supplemented groups. Ai extract significantly increased glutathione-S transferase (GST) activity in a dose-dependent manner compared with treatment in STZ-control rats. Our result supports the fact that the administration of Ai extract is able to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia risk, and also reduce the oxidative stress in diabetic rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

Purpose : Growth impairment is usually observed in children with congenital heart disease (CHD). Studies on the final height and weight of this population are insufficient. Our aim was to evaluate the final height of children with CHD and to identify the relationship between CHD and growth. Methods : We recorded the values of final height and weights of 105 CHD patients (age, <19 years) who visited Chonnam National University Hospital between November 2000 and March 2009, and we reviewed the medical records. Results : The mean values of weight and height of male CHD patients were significantly lower than those of the normal subjects. Patients with severe growth impairment (below the third percentile of normal) included 5 males (8.6%) and 4 females (8.5%) with height less than normal and 9 males (15.5%) and 8 females (17.0%) with weight less than normal. The mean growth of the patients in the cyanotic heart disease group was lower than that of normal subjects, but a statistically significant difference was noted in the weights of males. In a comparative study based on the type of CHD, a significant difference was noted in weights of males. Patients with patent ductus arteriosus and those with tetralogy of Fallot had the highest and lowest mean values of weight, respectively. Conclusion : Growth impairment was more evident in children with CHD than normal children. Patients should be treated during an optimal time frame. Thus, CHD patients should be treated if follow-up studies indicate growth impairment.