• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A high-fat diet (HFD) induces obesity, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and cancer, while a calorie-restricted diet can extend life span by reducing the risk of these diseases. It is known that health effects of diet are partially conveyed through epigenetic mechanism including DNA methylation. In this study, we investigated the genome-wide hepatic DNA methylation to identify the epigenetic effects of HFD-induced obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were fed control diet (CD), calorie-restricted control diet (CRCD), or HFD for 16 weeks (after one week of acclimation to the control diet). Food intake, body weight, and liver weight were measured. Hepatic triacylglycerol and cholesterol levels were determined using enzymatic colorimetric methods. Changes in genome-wide DNA methylation were determined by a DNA methylation microarray method combined with methylated DNA immunoprecipitation. The level of transcription of individual genes was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The DNA methylation statuses of genes in biological networks related to lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis were influenced by HFD-induced obesity. In HFD group, a proinflammatory Casp1 (Caspase 1) gene had hypomethylated CpG sites at the 1.5-kb upstream region of its transcription start site (TSS), and its mRNA level was higher compared with that in CD group. Additionally, an energy metabolism-associated gene Ndufb9 (NADH dehydrogenase 1 beta subcomplex 9) in HFD group had hypermethylated CpG sites at the 2.6-kb downstream region of its TSS, and its mRNA level was lower compared with that in CRCD group. CONCLUSIONS: HFD alters DNA methylation profiles in genes associated with liver lipid metabolism and hepatic steatosis. The methylation statuses of Casp1 and Ndufb9 were particularly influenced by the HFD. The expression of these genes in HFD differed significantly compared with CD and CRCD, respectively, suggesting that the expressions of Casp1 and Ndufb9 in liver were regulated by their methylation statuses.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 1997

The causes of stroke are presumed hypertension, atherosclerosis,. cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus and old age and risk factors of stroke are suggested hypertension, hyperlipidemia. obesity, smoking and drinking etc. Especilly, hypertension is one of the most important cause and risk factor of stroke, therfore without therapy hypertension leads to stroke. The frequence of hypertension is significantly higher in hemorrhage patients of intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Antihypertensive therapy has an impact not only on the primary prevention of stroke but also on stroke recurrence and the declining of stroke motality has been attributed to the widespread availability and use of antihypertensive therapy. The goals of antihypertensive therapy decrease the complications and motalitv of cardiovascular system and prevent the promoting arteriosclerosis. In this study, we observed the blood pressure change of cb-hemorrhagic patients with hypertension who were hospitalized from 1996. 3. 1 to 1997. 2 .26 in Wonkwang Oriental Hospital. These patients had no antihypertensive therapy and were supplied herb med(Jaum sikpoongtang, Chungrijagamtang, Gojinumja) in medication. Our results suggested as follows. 1. Systolic and diastolic average BP at admission is $150.71{\pm}15.61mmHg$ and $95.00{\pm}8.8mmHg$ and this is hypertension state defining WHO 2. During one week in admission, the blood pressure demostrated a marked declination by SBP 8.97mmHg and DBP 6.22mmHg. 3. During two week in admission, the declination of SBP was significant in paired t-test(p<0.05) but, the declination of DBP was non-significant in paired t-test. 4. The blood pressure during third and fourth weeks gradually declined but, non-significant in test. According to the above results, we suggested that the BP declination Was affected by $Jamyang{\cdot}Jaum$ prescriptions in acute stage of cerebral hemorrhage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.416-421
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• 2012

A 10-year-old 4-kg spayed female Chihuahua with severe congestive heart failure was referred for surgical treatment. Through several examinations, the dog was diagnosed as severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and moderate TR. Because of the poor prognosis associated with continuation of medical management, surgical repair of the mitral valve was considered as the treatment option for the dog. The mitral valve repair was performed undergoing cardio pulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit. However after mitral repair, the dog was died without recovery from anesthesia. Many risk factors associated with failure of cardiac surgery are included CPB management, hypothermia, organ dysfunction, hemorrhage, hypotension, electrolyte & acid base imbalance, and infection. Although the dog is died from the operation, it is an important to reveal the factors of failure in veterinary clinic. From the case report, causes of failure of mitral valve repair can be considered from the failure of oxygenation and gas exchange by hypothermia and serious hypotension with low heart rate by low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Through the several considerations from this case, it is known that coming cardiac surgery for mitral valve repair is required to be more careful for successful operation. Further it can be brought to increase success rate in further operation.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.85-100
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate diagnostic value of Transcranial Doppler Ultrasound about risk factor of stroke by comparing blood flow between patients with metabolic syndrome(MS group) and Normal group. Methods: 62 metabolic syndrome patients and 106 healthy adults were selected who had no cerebrovascular diseases, cardiovascular diseases and other systemic diseases. We measured the mean velocity(Vm), peak systolic velocity(Vs) and pulsatility index(PI) of MCA, ACA, PCA, VA, ICA in two groups using TCD. All subjects were divided by gender and age. Results: In comparing Ms group with normal group, Vm in the MCA, ACA, PCA, ICA and Vs in the MCA, ICA were lower in MS group. In all vessels, PI of MS group were higher than that of Normal group. In all vessels, Vm and Vs revealed negative correlation with age and PI revealed positive correlation with age. In 20-39 year olds, there was decrease in the Vs and Vm and increase of PI of MS group in comparison with normal group. There was significant difference in the Vm of PCA, ICA, Vs of MCA, PCA, ICA and PI of MCA, ACA. In 40-59 year olds, Vm in the MCA, ACA, ICA and Vs in the MCA, ACA were lower in MS group. PI in the MCA, ACA, PCA, ICA were higher in MS group. In 60-79 year olds, Vm of MCA, PCA, ICA was decreased in MS group than Normal group with no statistical signification. Vs in the MCA was lower and PI in the PCA was higher in MS group. In male, Vm of PCA and Vs of MCA were lower and PI of MCA, ACA, PCA, ICA were higher in MS group. In female, Vm of MCA, PCA, ICA and Vs of MCA, ICA were lower and PI of ACA, PCA, VA, ICA were higher in MS group. Conclusions: The significant difference in Vm, Vs, PI between MS group and normal group suggests hemodynamic disorder. Screening and prognosing high risk group can be done through TCD and this can be used to prevent stroke. More detailed study will be needed.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.342-352
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• 2018

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of physical activity practice rates and knowledge related to cardiocerebrovascular disease prevention on the health behavior of middle aged women. Data were collected from Oct to Nov 2017 from 142 middle-aged women living in 24 Eup, Myeon, and Dong areas in North Gyeongsangbuk-do Province using a structured questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. The major factors influencing health behavior were found to be alcohol consumption (${\beta}=0.15$, p=0.009), diet (${\beta}=0.16$, p=0.003), vigorous intensity (${\beta}=0.14$, p=0.011), marriage (${\beta}=0.19$, p<0.001), interest in one's own health (${\beta}=0.23$, p<0.001), and health recognition (ill: ${\beta}=0.31$, p<0.001). Alcohol consumption and diet were factors of cardiocerebrovascular knowledge, vigorous intensity was a factor of physical activity practice rate, marriage and interest in one's own health were factors of general characteristics, and health recognition was a factor in health-related characteristics. Health-promotion activity was positively correlated with knowledge regarding cardiocerebrovascular disease prevention (r=0.41, p<0.001) and physical activity practice rate (r=0.44, p<0.001). It will be necessary to develop and apply practical intervention programs based on disease prevention knowledge and physical activity to enhance the health behavior of middle aged women.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2014

This study aimed to identify changes in the level of neuropeptides among current smokers, former smokers, and individuals who had never smoked, and how smoking habits affect obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Neuropeptide levels, anthropometric parameters, and metabolic syndrome diagnostic indices were determined among male workers; 117 of these had never smoked, whereas 58 and 198 were former and current smokers, respectively. The total sample comprised 373 male workers. The results obtained from anthropometric measurements showed that current smokers attained significantly lower body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and abdominal fat thickness values than former smokers and those who had never smoked. Current smokers' eating habits proved worse than those of non-smokers and individuals who had never smoked. The level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the neuropeptides in the case of former smokers was $23.6{\pm}9.2pg/ml$, higher than that of current smokers ($20.4{\pm}6.1$) and individuals who had never smoked ($22.4{\pm}5.8$) (F = 6.520, p = 0.002). The level of adiponectin among former smokers was somewhat lower than that of current smokers, whereas leptin levels were higher among former smokers than current smokers; these results were not statistically significant. A relationship was found between adiponectin and triglyceride among non-smokers (odds ratio = 0.660, ${\beta}$ value=-0.416, p < 0.01) and smokers (odds ratio = 0.827, ${\beta}$ value=-0.190, p < 0.05). Further, waist circumference among non-smokers (odds ratio = 1.622, ${\beta}$ value=0.483, p < 0.001) and smokers (odds ratio = 1.895, ${\beta}$ value=0.639, p < 0.001) was associated with leptin. It was concluded that cigarette smoking leads to an imbalance of energy expenditure and appetite by changing the concentration of neuropeptides such as adiponectin, BDNF, leptin, and hsCRP, and influences food intake, body weight, the body mass index, blood pressure, and abdominal fat, which are risk factors for MetS and cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.91-100
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• 2016

Angiogenesis is essential for the pathophysiological processes of embryogenesis, tissue growth, diabetic retinopathy, psoriasis, wound healing, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and tumor growth. Inhibition of angiogenesis represents an attractive therapeutic approach for the treatment of angiogenic diseases such as cancer. However, uncontrolled angiogenesis is also necessary for tumor development and metastasis. Inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, a critical factor in the induction of angiogenesis, cause robust and rapid changes in blood vessels of tumors and therefore VEGF constitutes a target for such anti-angiogenic therapy. Recently, since natural compounds pose significantly less risk of deleterious side effects than synthetic compounds, a great many natural resources have been assessed for useful substance for anti-angiogenic treatment. Here we evaluated the anti-angiogenic effects of a hot water extract of Scutellaria baicalensis (SBHWE) using in vitro assays and ex vivo animal experiments. Our results show that SBHWE dose-dependently abrogated vascular endothelial responses by inhibiting VEGF-stimulated migration and invasion as well as tube formation in a human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) model, without cytotoxicity, as determined by a cell viability assay. Further study revealed that SBHWE prevented VEGF-induced neo-vascularization in a rat aortic ring sprouting model. Taken together, our findings reveal an anti-angiogenic activity of Scutellaria baicalensis and suggest that SBHWE is a novel candidate inhibitor of VEGF-induced angiogenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Medicine
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• v.93 no.6
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• pp.548-555
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Assessment of fluid status in hemodialysis patents is very important. Overhydration in hemodialysis is associated with generalized edema, cardiovascular complications, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to determine the factors correlated with mortality of hemodialysis patients, assessing body muscle mass and fluid status using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Methods: This study enrolled 93 patients who underwent hemodialysis between January 2010 and May 2015 at CHA Bundang Medical Center. Medical records of enrollees up to June 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. These included laboratory results (serum albumin, C-reactive protein [CRP], lipid profile, etc.) and BIA data (extracellular water, intracellular water, total body water, soft lean mass, fat free mass, skeletal muscle mass, etc.). Results: Eleven of 93 patients had expired by May 2017. Among the surviving subjects, mean age was younger, CRP levels were lower, albumin levels were higher, and extracellular water/total body water (ECW/TBW) ratios were lower than in the expired patient group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that overhydration (ECW/TBW > 0.4) was associated with higher mortality. Conclusions: In hemodialysis patients, overhydration is an important factor in mortality, and BIA could be a reliable modality in its assessment. We suggest that, for hemodialysis patients, overhydration is more of a risk factor for mortality than is muscle wasting.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.858-868
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder on plasma lipid profiles in elderly volunteers with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes or heart disease. 32 elderly people, 11 males and 21 females aged $60{\sim}77$ years, were given Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder 15 g twice daily for 6 months. We investigated the antheropometric data, general characteristics and dietary habit by using questionnaires. Fasting blood samples were collected from the subjects before and after this 6 months intervention study. Blood pressure, glucose, hemoglobin and lipid levels of plasma, atherogenic index (AI) and cardiac risk factors (CRF, LHR, HTR) were determined before and after consumption of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the male and female subjects were 22.4 and 23.6, respectively. The percent of ideal body weight (PIBW) of males and females were 105.6% and 122.3%, respectively. The subjects had decreased intake frequency of fish and meat in their dietary habit. After consumption of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder, there were no significant differences in blood pressure; however, the blood glucose significantly decreased with Gastrodiae Rhizoma intake in the males. In the subjects, the levels of plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol were decreased by the consumption of Gastrodiae Rhizoma powder; while the levels of plasma LDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased in female. Blood pressure and biochemical assessment (blood glucose, hemoglobin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL-cholesterol) of the subjects were within the normal range. It was found that AI, CRF and LHR were significantly decreased by Gastrodiae Rhizoma intake. The present results indicate that dietary supplementation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma improved lipid metabolism and cardiac risk factor in cardiovascular disease.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.7
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• pp.747-753
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• 2008

Purpose : Diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Early atherosclerotic changes in the arterial walls begin in adolescence and the risk factors are associated with its development. To assess the usefulness of carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), as a marker of early atherosclerosis, we evaluated the structural and functional characteristics of the carotid artery and investigated their relationshop with the metabolic and anthropometric parameters in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods : For this study, we enrolled 23 children with type 1 diabet and 19 age and sex-equivalent healthy children as the control group. Metabolic and anthropometric parameters such as serum lipid levels, plasma glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and body mass index were measured after a 12-h fasting period. The carotid artery IMT was measured by a high-quality ultrasound system, and compliance, and distensibility were calculated by an equation. Results : There were no significant differences between the 2 groups with regard to the sex ratio, age, blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels' however, HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the diabetic children ($8.5{\pm}1.8$ vs. $5.0{\pm}0.2$, P=0.001). Ultrasonographic findings showed that compared with the control group, the diabetic group had higher IMT ($0.45{\pm}0.06mm$ vs. $0.41{\pm}0.04mm$, P=0.04), but there were no significant differences in compliance and distensibility. The HbA1c (P=0.002) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.026) levels were independent IMT predictors in the diabetic group. Conclusion : Here, the carotid artery IMT was higher in the diabetic group, and it is correlated with atherosclerotic risk factor. Thus, carotid IMT could be evaluated as a marker of early atherosclerosis in diabetic children.