• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.645-671
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• 2021

Objectives: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is strongly related with central obesity, hypertriglyceridemia, low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), hyperglycemia, and hypertension. This study reviewed the potential of Chenpi in treatment of MetS through amelioration of co-related diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. Methods: Six electronic databases (Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System (OASIS), Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), PubMed, and Embase) were used to search for in vitro, in vivo, and clinical research that discusses the potential effects of Chenpi (Citrus unshiu Markovich, Citrus reticulata Blanco) on diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, obesity, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. Results: This review suggests the potential of Chenpi as a candidate for the treatment of metabolic syndrome through improvement of co-related diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, hepatic steatosis, and inflammation. However, comparison of the results of each study was limited by a lack of quantification of the experimental materials.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.959-965
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• 2022

Through psychological evaluation, this study attempted to verify the effect of quality of life improvements from gardening activities in apartment landscaping spaces. The study was conducted on 32 mothers raising children. Psychological valuation was conducted using world Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire(WHOQOL-Bref), the Satisfaction with Life Scale(SWLS), the Life Satisfaction Experience Scale(LSES), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised(SCL-90-R). The psychological analysis results showed that, engaging in gardening activities for two weeks had, a positive effect on mothers' environmental of quality of life evaluation. The LSES indicates that satisfaction with oneself significantly increased after starting the gardening activities. The activity resulted in a positive change in attitude toward life. The SCL-90-R results showed changes in the mother's psychological state. There was a significant amelioration of obesessive-compulsive behaviors, hostility, and phobic anxiety. In conclusion, this study was found that, for mothers in apartments, outdoor gardening activities can significantly affect their quality of life. Moreover, it can help prevent mental health deterioration, Further study should be conducted on the beneficial effects of gardening on the variety of age groups and activities.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.871-886
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• 2008

Objective : Gypsum fibrosum has been traditionally used in treatment of febrile diseases and recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory effect. Chronic renal failure has a serious clinical symptoms including proteinuria, azotemia, anemia, and hyperlipidemia and has characteristic histopathological changes, glomerular hypertrophy, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and crescentic sclerosis, We investigated the effects of gypsum fibrosum on renal functional and histopathological disorder in chronic renal failure rat model induced 5/6 nephrectomy. Methods : Using Sprague-Dawley rats, CRF was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. The rats were divided into 3 groups, normal, conrol, and gypsum administered orally with gypsum fibrosum 500mg/kg/day. Body weight, 24 hr proteinuria, hematologic analysis, and histological morphologic changes were followed up after 8 weeks. The glomerular macrophage/monocyte infiltration, $TGF-{\beta}_1$, type IV collagen, and angiotensin II type1 receptor($AT_1$) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Resuls : In the CRF control group, functional parameters and histopathologic changes clearly indicated the development of CRF. 24 hr proteinuria significantly increased in the CRF control group over the normal group, and serum creatinine level was lower in the gypsum group than in the control group, LDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the gypsum group than in the control group. Morphological investigations showed a variety of characteristic features of CRF, glomerular hypertrophy, increasing cellular density of glomerulus, deposition of extra-cellular matrix, fibrotic change, and glomerular sclerosis in the control group, but in the gypsum group, these features diminished significantly. In observation of renal type IV collagen and $AT_1$ expression, positive area significantly increased in the control group over the normal group, and it significantly decreased in the gypsum group compared to the control group. Conclusions : Our findings suggest that gypsum fibrosum inhibits $AT_1$ and type IV collagen expression in renal tissues and attenuates progression of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis in chronic renal failure rats, which lead to amelioration of renal function. From these results, we suggest that gypsum fibrosum may have renoprotective effects and could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic renal failure.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2020

Background: Augmented somatosensory feedback stimulates the mechanoreceptor to deliver information on bodily position, improving the postural control. The various types of such feedback include ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) and vibration. The optimal feedback to mitigate postural sway remains unclear, as does the effect of augmented somatosensory feedback on muscle co-contraction. Objects: We compared postural sway and ankle muscle co-contraction without feedback (control) and with either of two forms of somatosensory feedback (AFOs and vibration). Methods: We recruited 15 healthy subjects and tested them under three feedback conditions (control, AFOs, vibration) with two sensory conditions (eyes open, or eyes closed and the head tilted back), in random order. Postural sway was measured using a force platform; the mean sway area of the 95% confidence ellipse (AREA) and the mean velocity of the center-of-pressure displacement (VEL) were assessed. Co-contraction of the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles was measured using electromyography and converted into a co-contraction index (CI). Results: We found significant main effects of the three feedback states on postural sway (AREA, VEL) and the CI. The two sensory conditions exerted significant main effects on postural sway (AREA and VEL). AFOs reduced postural sway to a level significantly lower than that of the control (p = 0.014, p < 0.001) or that afforded by vibration (p = 0.024, p < 0.001). In terms of CI amelioration, the AFOs condition was significantly better than the control (p = 0.004). Vibration did not significantly improve either postural sway or the CI compared to the control condition. There was no significant interaction effect between the three feedback conditions and the two sensory conditions. Conclusion: Lower-extremity devices such as AFOs enhance somatosensory perception, improving postural control and decreasing the CI during static standing.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

Objectives : The present study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of Mori Folium (Morus alba L. of Moraceae) extract (MFE) on high fat diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type II diabetes mellitus in mice. Methods : The mice (C57BL/6J) were fed HFD for 8 weeks and then was induced with a single injection of STZ (75 mg/kg). The diabetic mice were divided into four groups [(STD, HFD, HFD + MFE and HFD + quercetin (QUR)] and administered with MFE or OUR for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, lipid profile (triglycerides and cholesterol etc.), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), insulin and leptin were measured every 2 weeks. Results : Body weight gain was lower in the MFE and QUR groups than HFD group. The fasting blood glucose was lower in the MFE and QUR groups. Oral glucose and insulin tolerance were decreased in the MFE and QUR groups. The levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol were reduced in the MFE and QUR groups. The HDL cholesterol was much higher in the MFE and QUR groups than HFD group. The levels of GOT, GPT and atherogenic index were decreased in the MFE and QUR groups. The serum insulin and leptin concentrations were reduced in the MFE and QUR groups. Conclusions : These results showed that MFE could decrease blood glucose level and lead to an amelioration in dyslipidemia states on HFD/STZ-induced type II diabetes mellitus in mice.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2014

Objective: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have some adverse effects on the serum lipid profile. Because hyperlipidemia is one of the risk factors in cardiovascular diseases, lipid abnormalities should be evaluated in women consuming COCs. Vitamins E and C are known to have beneficial effects on serum lipid profiles. Therefore, in this study, we evaluated the effects of vitamins E and C on serum lipids in women using COCs. Methods: The study compared changes in lipid parameters with and without vitamin therapy in women consuming COCs compared to those of a control group (40 non-contraceptive users or NCU) for 4 weeks. Total cholesterol and triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels along with HDL/LDL ratios were measured for all participants. Results: COC users experienced significantly higher increases in the levels of triglycerides and LDL than non-users (p<0.05). However, no significant differences were noted in the total cholesterol and HDL levels. In the treated COC group receiving vitamins E and C, the HDL level and the HDL/LDL ratio increased and the LDL and triglycerides levels decreased significantly compared with those of the other groups. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that supplementation with antioxidant vitamins E and C restores a normal lipid profile in COC users.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.766-772
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• 2023

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is an effective anti-stress treatment. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential effects of KRG on relieving stress in a general population using transcriptome analysis. Methods: We conducted an 8-week clinical pilot study on 90 healthy men who reported stress. The study was completed by 43 participants in the KRG group and 44 participants in the placebo group. Participants were randomized 1:1 to the KRG and placebo groups. We evaluated the stress by stress response inventory (SRI) at baseline and 8 weeks. The main outcomes were changes in the levels of neurotransmitters (NTs) and NT-related gene expression. NTs were analyzed using automated (GC) content, and levels of gene expression were measured by reads per kilobase of transcript per million mapped reads (RPKM). Results: The KRG group showed significantly preserved epinephrine decrease compared with placebo group at 8 weeks (changes in epinephrine, KRG vs. placebo; -1623.2 ± 46101.5 vs. -35116.3 ± 86288.2, p = 0012). Among subjects who higher SRI score, meaning stress increased compared to baseline, the KRG group showed a smaller decrease in serotonin than the placebo group (changes in serotonin, KRG vs. placebo; -2627.5 ± 5859.1 vs, -8087.4 ± 7162.4, p = 0.005) and a smaller increase in cortisol than the placebo group (changes in cortisol, KRG vs. placebo; 1912.7 ± 10097.75 vs. 8046.2 ± 8050.6 , p = 0.019) in subgroup analysis. Transcriptome findings indicated that KRG intake affects gene expression related with metabolism of choline, adrenalin, and monoamine. Conclusion: These findings suggest that KRG has beneficial effects on the amelioration of stress response in NTs, and this effect is more prominent in stressful situations. Further clinical studies are required to confirm the anti-stress effect of KRG.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of oyster shell, fly ash and gypsum on rice yield and quality. The four treatments of soil amelioration were oyster shell 4, fly ash 80, fly ash 56 + gypsum 24 and oyster shell 0.8 + fly ash 40 + gypsum 24 ton/ha. Rice yield were in the order of oyster shell, fly ash and control plats. The pH, EC values and OM, Ca, $SO_4$, moisture contents of the top-soil after rice harvesting in soil amelioration treatments were increased, while Mg, Na, Fe, Zn and Al were decreased than those of control. Rice quality was the best in the fly ash plat due to lower T-N and higher Mg/K ratio.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.561-571
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) is capable of regulating lipid and glucose metabolism through its action on adipocytes. However, the beneficial role of GRb1-induced up-regulation of adiponectin in liver steatosis remains unelucidated. Thus, we tested whether GRb1 ameliorates liver steatosis and insulin resistance by promoting the expression of adiponectin. Methods: 3T3-L1 adipocytes and hepatocytes were used to investigate GRb1's action on adiponectin expression and triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Wild type (WT) mice and adiponectin knockout (KO) mice fed high fat diet were treated with GRb1 for 2 weeks. Hepatic fat accumulation and function as well as insulin sensitivity was measured. The activation of AMPK was also detected in the liver and hepatocytes. Results: GRb1 reversed the reduction of adiponectin secretion in adipocytes. The conditioned medium (CM) from adipocytes treated with GRb1 reduced TG accumulation in hepatocytes, which was partly attenuated by the adiponectin antibody. In the KO mice, the GRb1-induced significant decrease of TG content, ALT and AST was blocked by the deletion of adiponectin. The elevations of GRb1-induced insulin sensitivity indicated by OGTT, ITT and HOMA-IR were also weakened in the KO mice. The CM treatment significantly enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK in hepatocytes, but not GRb1 treatment. Likewise, the phosphorylation of AMPK in liver of the WT mice was increased by GRb1, but not in the KO mice. Conclusions: The up-regulation of adiponectin by GRb1 contributes to the amelioration of liver steatosis and insulin resistance, which further elucidates a new mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of GRb1 on obesity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.660-667
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• 2017

PineXol, extracted from Korean red pine bark, has beneficial effects, such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and antilipogenic activities in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that PineXol supplementation could have anti-obesity effects on mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Four-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed normal chow (18% kcal from fat) or a HFD (60% kcal from fat). HFD-fed animals were also subjected to PineXol treatment at a dose of 10 or 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) (PX10 or PX50, respectively) body weight. The body weight and body fat mass in the PX50 group were statistically lower than those in the HFD group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The concentration of hepatic triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were reduced in the PX50 group compared with the HFD group (p < 0.01). Acetyl CoA carboxylase (p < 0.01), elongase of very long chain fatty acids 6 (p < 0.01), stearoyl CoA desaturase 1 (p < 0.05), microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (p < 0.01), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in the PX50 group compared with that in the HFD group. In white adipose tissue, CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (p < 0.05), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (p < 0.001), and perilipin (p < 0.01) were decreased in the PX50 group compared with those in the HFD group. Therefore, the current study implies the potential of PineXol for the prevention and/or amelioration of obesity, in part by inhibition of both hepatic lipid synthesis and adipogenesis in white adipose tissue.