• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.615-619
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• 2017

Background: Black ginseng has a more potent biological activity than non-steamed ginseng. We investigated the effects of long-term intake of dietary black ginseng extract (BG) on antioxidant activity in aged mice. We also compared the effects of BG on cognitive deficits with those of white ginseng extract (WG) and red ginseng extract (RG). Methods: Ten-month-old mice were fed an AIN-93G-based diet containing 10 g/kg (low dose, L) or 30 g/kg (high dose, H) WG powder, RG powder, or BG powder for 24 wk. We measured serum lipids, the activities of antioxidant enzymes, and malondialdehyde levels. Additionally, the protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter, which are presynaptic cholinergic markers in the cortex and hippocampus of the brain, were measured by western blotting. Results: Triglyceride levels were reduced in all the extract-treated mice, except those in the LBG group. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in the HBG group were higher than those in the control group. Total cholesterol levels were reduced in the LBG group. Additionally, glucose levels in the HBG group were significantly reduced by 41.2%. There were lower levels of malondialdehyde in the LBG group than in the control group. Furthermore, glutathione reductase activity increased in the HWG group and the HRG group. The protein expression levels of choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter significantly increased in all the ginseng-treated groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that supplementation with the tested ginseng extracts may suppress the cognitive decline associated with aging, via regulation of the cholinergic and antioxidant defense systems.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 2004

Curcumin, a natural compound extracted from rhizomes of Curcuma longa, has been shown to possess potent anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity. The mechanism by which curcumin initiates apoptosis remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on caspase-3 activity and protein expression of procaspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, total Akt and phosphorylated Akt in SW480 human colon cancer cell. We cultured SW480 cells in the presence of various concentrations (0, 10, 20 or 30 uM) of curcumin. Curcumin inhibited colon cancer cell growth in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased dose-dependently in cells treated with curcumin (p < 0.05), concisely procaspase-3 expression was significantly decreased. Bcl-2 levels were decreased dose-dependently in cells treated with curcumin (p < 0.05), but Ben remained unchanged. In addition, phosphorylated Akt levels and total Akt levels were markedly lower in cells treated with 20 uM of curcumin treatment (p < 0.05), In conclusion, we have shown that curcumin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in SW480 human colon cancer cell lines via Akt signal pathway.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2000

This study was designed to investigate the effect of silkworm powder on oxygen radicals and their scavenger enzymes in brain membrances of SD rats. Hydroxyl radical (OH) levels resulted in a considerable decreases in brain mitochondria fraction. Superoxide radical (O$_2$) levels were a slightly decreased in brain cytosol fraction. Lipid peroxide (LPO) and Oxidized protein (OP) levels were significantly decreased in brain mitochondria and microsomes fraction. Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was remarkably increased in the mitochondria fraction. Cu and Zn-SOD activities were effectively increased in brain cytosol fraction. GSHPx activity was considerably increased in brain cytosol fraction. These results suggest that anti-aging effect of silkworm plays an effective role in attenuating an oxidative stress and increasing a scravenger enzyme activity in brain membranes.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.13 no.3_4
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• pp.117-123
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• 1998

Paraquat is a useful nonselective herbicide widely used throughout the world. However, accidental or intentional ingestion of the paraquat cause fetal pulmonary injuring. But there is not suitable antidote of paraquat intoxication and therapeutic agents now be used are not effective. So, in this study we intended to evaluate the inhibitory effects of DDB(dimethyl-4,4'dimethoxy-5,6,5',6'-dimethylene dioxyphenyl-2,2'-dicarboxylate) on paraquat toxicity. DDB (100mg/kg) was administered orally to SD rats lhr after paraquat(50mg/kg) injection. After 24 hours, the biochemical parameters of blood and tissues were examined. In paraquat treated groups sGPT, sGOT, BUN, creatinine, MDA and alkaline phosphatase levels in blood and MDA, glucose-6-phosphatase activity in tissues were elevated by 2 to 5 times of normal values. However in schizandrin treated groups, sGPT, sGOT, MDA and alkaline phosphatase activity in blood and MDA and glucose-6-phosphatase activity were significantly decreased to notmal levels but not in biochemical parameters of nephrotoxicity, BUN and creatinine levels. Therefore, we concluded that schizandrin can be used as an antidote of pulmono, hepatotoxicity of paraquat.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.581-588
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• 2011

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare muscle activity levels of the lumbar and rectus femoris muscle when entering and exiting RV and passenger vehicles. Background: Three varieties of RVs and two varieties of passenger vehicles were selected for this study. Method: Twenty individual(10 male and 10 female) in their twenties and thirties with no chronic back pain or any other illness participated in this study. Participants performed entering and exiting the three models of RVs and two models of passenger cars. Appropriate rest time was given to participants between entering and exiting each vehicle in order to recover from muscle fatigue while performing their tasks. Results: Results from this study show that muscle activity levels were highest for entering RVs and exiting passenger vehicles. There were no significant differences in muscle activity levels for left and right side muscles in regards to entering and exiting vehicles. Application: These results can be used to provide baseline information for reduce muscle fatigue when getting in and out of vehicles.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.507-516
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to identify physical activity levels of the basic livelihood security recipients elderly women, to investigate relation between cardiovascular disease risk factors and sacrcopenia based on the levels, and to develop physical activity programs for healthy life of the elderly. The subjects of this study were 134 old females with $71{\pm}6.67$ years old who used senior centers in K-gu. The authors used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for investigating the physical activity levels of the elderly, measuring their physical activity levels for seven days on average and classifying them into two groups, the Low Physical Activity (n=77) and the Moderate Physical Activity (n=57) groups based on the levels. Blood pressure, waist measurement, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, Glucose, and atherogenic index (AI) were measured as the cardiovascular disease risk factors; percent body fat, appendicular skeletal muscle mass, total muscle mass, and skeletal muscle index were measured as factors related to sarcopenia. Independent samples t-Test was conducted to analyze differences on the two groups based on the physical activity levels, with ${\alpha}=.05$ the as significance level. According to the results, HDL (p=.017) were higher and AI (p=.007) was lower; percent body fat (p=.008) was lower, and ASM (p=.000), total muscle mass (p=.000), and SMI (p=.001) were higher. In conclusion, moderate intensity physical activities rather than low intensity ones may have positive effects on the cardiovascular disease risk factors and sarcopenia levels, and participation in regular physical activities with at least moderate intensity by various methods may be needed for prevention of illness and healthy life of the elderly.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.33-42
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• 2002

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the activity of Whagan-Jeon (huaganjian) in protection against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatotoxicity and the possible mechanisms in vivo. Methods : The following were performed : Serum ALT, depletion of hepatic glutathione (GSH) levels, the microsomal p. nitrophenol hydroxylation activity, microsomal aniline hydroxylation activity, genomic DNA fragmentation and its reversal, hepatic glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity, and hepatic NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (QR) activity Results : Whagan-Jeon (huaganjian) protected against AAP-inducedhepatotoxicity by the increase of GSH levels, inhibition of P450 2E1-specific metabolic activities, attenuation of hepatic DNA damage, and induction of GST and QR activities in vivo. Conclusions : In conclusion, Whagan-Jeon (huaganjian) was effective in protection against AAP-induced hepatoxicity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.187-191
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• 1994

The present stduy was undertaken to investigate the possible effect of Puffer fish skin extract (Pf) on the heptic acetaldehyde metabolism . It was obsrved that PF markedly decreased the acetaldehyde levels in blood and liver. The activity of mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase (Ald DH) increased by induction of acute intoxicatiion of alcohol (5 g/kg) was further increased through pretreatment with PF for 2 weeks. When PF was given to rat fed with 25% alcohol solution instead of water for 6 weeks. the activity of Ald DH in mitochondrial fraction decreased to about 28% compared with sucrose-treated group. But after pretreatemnt of PF, the activity was restored to the normal level. By the treatment with disulfiram (300 mg/kg, once a day for 3days) was restored to the control after the pretreatment with PF. And also mitochondrial Ald DH activity in vitro was not changed. All these observations suggest that reduction of acetaldehyde levels are partly due to increase activity of mitochondrial Ald DH. Therefore, the recovery from intoxication of acetaldehyde may be enhanced by treatment with PF.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.75-81
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the physiological activity of acai berry (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) extracts from three different solvents (water, methanol, and ethanol). We measured total polyphenol and total flavonoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity, nitrite scavenging activity, metal chelating effect, and reducing power. The extraction yield from water, methanol, and ethanol was 17.10, 9.50, and 37.51%, respectively. The highest total polyphenol content (10.54 mg/100 g) and total flavonoid contents (1.88 mg/100 g) was observed in water extract. DPPH radical scavenging activity was the highest in both water extract (72.03%) and methanol extract (74.79%) at levels of 5 mg/mL, which was similar to that of BHT (78.90%). Water extract yielded the highest metal chelating effect (92.54%) and reducing power (1.09) at levels of 5 mg/mL. Taken together, these findings suggest that extracts of acai berry can be used as functional food materials with antioxidative and nitrite scavenging activities.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.150-158
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• 2017

Purpose: Regular physical activity is beneficial in reducing disease activity and morbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The purposes of this study were to examine the levels of regular physical activity and learned helplessness and to identify factors influencing in participation in regular physical activity in RA patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 210 RA patients in a university-affiliated hospital. Participants completed a questionnaire including demographic and disease-related characteristics, physical activity and learned helplessness. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, $x^2$ tests, t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Results: About 23% of RA patients engaged in at least 30 minutes of regular physical activity per week. Patients with being older (OR=1.09, 95%CI=1.03~1.14), no employment status (OR=0.17, 95% CI=0.07~0.42), and lower levels of learned helplessness (OR=0.58, 95% CI=0.34~0.96) had significantly higher chance of engaging in regular physical activity. Conclusion: In developing nursing interventions to promote regular physical activity in RA patients, their learned helplessness should be considered.