• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of the average volume of alcohol consumption and binge drinking with arterial stiffness. Methods: The study population consisted of 5944 community-dwelling healthy adults aged 50 years and older. Average volume of alcohol consumption was calculated and frequency of binge drinking defined as the consumption of 7 or more drinks for men and 5 or more for women on a single occasion, was assessed using a structured interview. High brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), a marker of arterial stiffness, was defined as the highest gender-specific quartile of maximal baPWV distribution in the study population. Results: Compared to never drinkers, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of men who consumed 0.1-10.0, 10.1-20.0, 20.1-40.0, and >40.0 g/day was 0.93, 1.18, 1.38, and 2.36, respectively. The OR was 0.90, 0.97, 1.45, and 1.82 in women consuming 0.1-5.0, 5.1-10.0, 10.1-20.0, and >20.0 g/day, respectively. Binge drinking of <1 day/week (OR=1.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.13-2.42) and ${\geq}1$ day/week (OR=1.61, 95% CI=1.04-2.50) were associated with increased risk for high baPWV in men, and binge drinking of ${\geq}1$ day/week (OR=3.12, 95% CI=1.16-8.34) was associated with increased risk for high baPWV in women. Conclusions: A J-shaped relationship between the average volume of alcohol consumption and high baPWV was observed, suggesting the detrimental effects of heavy alcohol drinking on arterial stiffness. Binge drinking was also significant risk factors for increased arterial stiffness, independently of the average volume of alcohol consumption.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in experimental animals; however, little is known about its pharmacological effects on vascular stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was carried out to determine whether KRG has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, cardiovascular risk factors such as plasma lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP), and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity. Twenty patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with stable angina pectoris were given KRG (2.7 g/day) and a placebo alternatively for 10 weeks. Blood biochemical analysis and pulse wave velocity (PWV) recording were performed on day 0 and after the completion of each treatment. ROCK activity was assessed based on the level of phospho-$Thr^{853}$ in the myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, determined by Western blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. KRG significantly decreased the systolic BP, brachial ankle PWV, and heart femoral PWV in the patients (all p<0.05), but did not significantly alter the serum lipid profiles, including triglycerides and total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The ROCK activity tended to decrease (p=0.068) following KRG treatment. The placebo did not significantly alter any of the variables. In conclusion, KRG decreased systolic BP and arterial stiffness, probably via the inhibition of ROCK activity, in patients with CAD, but had a neutral effect on serum lipid profiles. Our data suggest that KRG has a therapeutic effect on CAD.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2009

The ideal method which measures a blood vessel of senility and degree of arteriosclerosis is to measure compliance of arterial and condition of blood circulation at the periphery. In these days vascular stiffness have been assessed by analyzing PTT (pulse transit time) from ECG and PPG. PTT is that between toe and finger each subject estimated through ECG and PPG signals. Two parameters, which are related to PWV, were tested with the time delay between the finger and toe. PWV is a variation of quantity which is associated with vascular stiffness. These researches which use PTT and PWV don't consider the blood vessel characteristic of an individual. In this current research, we have used with the blood vessel characteristic of an individual. That is an assessment of vascular stiffness using the variation of quantity in PWV with the changes of position in the subject. PWV variation increased as functions of the subject's age. The increase of the PWV variation parameters with age is attributed to the direct decrease of the blood vessel compliance with different position. The quantity of variation estimated by experimental results is that old age's (75.78${\pm}$7.75) case is 113.68% and young age's (26.47${\pm}$2.04) case is 85.69%. We proved and presented about estimation of vascular stiffness of possibility by this result.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.56-65
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• 2019

This study examined effects of 12 weeks of body weight based combined exercise training (resistance training for 30 min, aerobic training for 30min) on body composition (% body fat, lean body mass, fat mass and BMI (body mass index)) and cardiovascular factors (ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV)) in elderly women. A total of 32 subjects participated in this study, and were randomly divided into either exercise group (n = 16, EG) or control group (n = 16, CG). All variables at pre-test were analyzed by independent t-test for baseline test, and all data post the study period were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA with contrast testing (α = 0.05). Our results indicate that body composition (% body fat, lean body mass, fat mass and BMI) in both EG and CG do not differ significantly. However, the right and left sides of baPWV in EG was significantly reduced, as compared to CG. Taken together, these results indicate that combined exercise training for 12 weeks positively influences the cardiovascular factors, and may prevent cardiovascular diseases in elderly females (over 65 years), thereby resulting in increased quality of life for the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.34-43
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• 2020

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to assess changes in blood glucose level, blood pressure, and arterial stiffness after a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in elderly women aged over 65 years with hypertension and either normal glycemic control, impaired fasting glucose tolerance, or diabetes mellitus. We also wished to investigate the relationship between stages of diabetes and physical fitness. [Methods] A total of 24 elderly women with hypertension were assigned to a control group (CON; n=7), impaired fasting glucose group (IFG; n=9), and diabetes mellitus group (DM; n=8). In each group, blood glucose level, brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (PWV), and blood pressure were measured at baseline as well as 60 and 120 minutes after a 75 g OGTT. Physical fitness factors such as hand grip strength, balance test, 4 m gait speed test, chair stand test, short physical performance battery, and 6-minute walking test were subsequently assessed. [Results] In all three groups, blood glucose levels were significantly increased at 60 and 120 minutes after a 75 g OGTT. In the DM group, blood glucose levels were significantly higher before and after a 75 g OGTT than in the CON group. In the CON group, PWV was significantly increased at 60 minutes after a 75 g OGTT; however, there were no changes in other groups after glucose ingestion. In the CON group, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly decreased at 60 and 120 minutes after a 75 g OGTT compared to baseline. However, there was no change in blood pressure after ingestion in the DM group. The IFG group had greater grip strength than the CON group; however, there were no differences in other variables between the groups. [Conclusion] After a 75 g OGTT, elderly women with hypertension and diabetes maintain higher blood glucose levels compared to those with hypertension alone. Unlike elderly women with hypertension alone, those with hypertension and diabetes did not show changes in arterial stiffness and blood pressure after a 75 g OGTT. Therefore, elderly women with hypertension and diabetes may not be able to control their blood vessels following a 75 g OGTT due to impaired vascular endothelial function. Moreover, there was no association between diabetes stage and physical fitness in elderly women with hypertension.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2005

Background and purpose: Arterial stiffness is an important, independent determinant of cardiovascular risk. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been used as a valuable index of arterial stiffness and as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. The Framingham risk score was developed using categorized risk factors to predict the 10 year absolute risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). This algorithm is established using recommended guidelines for blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in addition to age, smoking history and history of diabetes. Tongxinluo(TXL) has been shown to have anti hyperlipidemic activity and anti atherogenic effects. To determine its efficacy and safety, we examined whether TXL improves PWV, ABI, Framingham score, blood pressure, and lipid profile in high risk group of cardiovascular diseases. Subjects and methods: 49 subjects with the high risk of cardiovascular diseases were recruited. Subjects were administered TXL with the dose of 1110mg three times a day for 8 weeks. baPWV, ABI, Framingham risk score, Blood pressure and serum lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8weeks. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid and phospolipid significantly decreased after 4 weeks of medication. Total cholesterol, total lipid and phospolipid significantly decreased after 8 weeks of medication. There were no significant changes in Framingham risk scores, ABI, PWV and blood pressure. On safety assessment, there were no adverse effects, hepatic or renal toxicity. Conclusion: We suggest that TXL is a safe and useful herbal medicine for hyperlipidemia and as for anti-atherognic effects, further research would be necessary.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2007

Purpose : The prevalence of childhood obesity has doubled over the last 30 years. Obesity-associated sequelae in the vasculature begins in the early stages of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) change with height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in obese adolescents. Methods : Seventy-nine obese adolescents (group 1: $85th{\leq}BMI<95th$ percentile, n=40; group 2 ($BMI{\geq}95th$ percentile, n=39) were included. The control group(group 3) included 99 healthy adolescents. Brachial- ankle (ba) PWV and ABI were estimated with blood pressure from four extremities. Heart rate (HR), and pre-ejection period/ejection time (PEP/ET) were also estimated. BMI was calculated from individual height and weight. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between BMI and PWV. Results : Blood pressure and baPWV were significantly higher in group 2, compared to either group 1 or group 3. However, there was no significant difference in ABI, HR and PEP/ET between the groups. PWV showed linear correlation with both BMI and body weight. Conclusion : Obesity was associated with higher arterial stiffness in adolescents, which was demonstrated by an increase in PWV. There was no significant correlation between obesity and ABI.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.362-370
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate effects of 12 weeks of combined exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on body composition (weight, %body fat, lean body mass, body mass index (BMI)) and cardiovascular responses (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI)) in elderly women. Participants (N = 43, Females) were randomly assigned into a combined exercise with BFR (n = 14, BFR), only combined exercise (n =14, EX) or non-exercise control group (n = 15, CON). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with contrast testing was utilized for data analysis. Alpha was set at p < 0.05. Body composition (weight, %body fat, BMI) in BFR was significantly changed, and %body fat in EX was significantly decreased, but there was no change in the CON. In addition, the right and left ba PWV values in the BFR were significantly decreased, while only the left side ba PWV in EX was significantly decreased and there was no change in the CON. Moreover, the % change and effect size of most variables in the BFR were higher than the EX. Taken together, the results indicate that even though BFR and EX groups performed the same combined exercise training, BFR had additional stimulations of the sympathetic nerve system due to blood flow restriction. Thus, BFR training is more beneficial and has greater effects on body composition and cardiovascular responses in elderly females.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.501-514
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Chikusetsusaponin V (CsV) on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial cell functions. Different concentrations of CsV were added to animal models, bovine aorta endothelial cells (BAECs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured in vitro. qPCR, Western blotting (WB), and B ultrasound were performed to explore the effects of CsV on mouse endothelial cell functions, vascular stiffness and cellular eNOS mRNA, protein expression and NO release. Bioinformatics analysis, network pharmacology, molecular docking and protein mass spectrometry analysis were conducted to jointly predict the upstream transcription factors of eNOS. Furthermore, pulldown and ChIP and dual luciferase assays were employed for subsequent verification. At the presence or absence of CsV stimulation, either overexpression or knockdown of purine rich element binding protein A (PURA) was conducted, and PCR assay was employed to detect PURA and eNOS mRNA expressions, Western blot was used to detect PURA and eNOS protein expressions, cell NO release and serum NO levels. Tube formation experiment was conducted to detect the tube forming capability of HUVECs cells. The animal vasodilation function test detected the vasodilation functions. Ultrasonic detection was performed to determine the mouse aortic arch pulse wave velocity to identify aortic stiffness. CsV stimulus on bovine aortic cells revealed that CsV could upregulate eNOS protein levels in vascular endothelial cells in a concentration and time dependent manner. The expression levels of eNOS mRNA and phosphorylation sites Ser1177, Ser633 and Thr495 increased significantly after CsV stimulation. Meanwhile, CsV could also enhance the tube forming capability of HUVECs cells. Following the mice were gavaged using CsV, the eNOS protein level of mouse aortic endothelial cells was upregulated in a concentration- and time-dependent manner, and serum NO release and vasodilation ability were simultaneously elevated whereas arterial stiffness was alleviated. The pulldown, ChIP and dual luciferase assays demonstrated that PURA could bind to the eNOS promoter and facilitate the transcription of eNOS. Under the conditions of presence or absence of CsV stimulation, overexpression or knockdown of PURA indicated that the effect of CsV on vascular endothelial function and eNOS was weakened following PURA gene silence, whereas overexpression of PURA gene could enhance the effect of CsV upregulating eNOS expression. CsV could promote NO release from endothelial cells by upregulating the expression of PURA/eNOS pathway, improve endothelial cell functions, enhance vasodilation capability, and alleviate vessel stiffness. The present study plays a role in offering a theoretical basis for the development and application of CsV in vascular function improvement, and it also provides a more comprehensive understanding of the pharmacodynamics of CsV.