• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2006

Purpose: To determine the short (1 year of transplant) and long-term (1-5 years of transplantation) risk factors affecting the graft and patient survival in kidney transplantation recipients. Methods: Records of 149 patients who received kidney transplantation in 1996 from Asan Medical Center were followed for 5 years retrospectively. Results: All patients initiated triple immunosuppressive therapy with cyclosporine, prednisone and azathioprine. One, two, three, four, five year patient and graft survival rates were 98.7%, 98.0%, 98.0%, 97.3%, 97.3%, and 96.6%, 95.2%, 94.6%, 92.5%, 91.8%, respectively. There were 30 cases of acute rejection (AR) and 6 cases of chronic rejection (CR) within $2.1{\pm}3.2$ months and $42.1{\pm}13.2$ months of transplantation, respectively. The risk factors for AR were donor's age older than 30 years (p=0.02) and cardiovascular disease (p=0.05). The risk factors for CR were AR (p=0.0169) and episode of complications (p=0.0330). Increasing period of dialysis (p=0.0473), episodes of AR (p<0.0001) and complication (p=0.0317) were significant factors for graft loss. Seven grafts were lost from noncompliance during 1-5 year period. The most com- mon cause of the graft loss for both periods was the graft rejection. The graft survival rate was significantly lower in patients with than without rejection episodes (77.4% vs. 90.0%, p=0.002). Conclusions: Survival rate of the graft with rejection was significantly lower. The risk factors affecting AR were donor's age older than 30years and CVD. AR and episode of complications within 1year were the risk factors for CR and graft loss.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.5-11
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• 2000

Populations both in the US and worldwide are aging. It is projected that by the year 2030 the population of Americans over 65 will increase to 70 million, more than twice their number in 1998. About one-third of elderly over the age of 65 have debilitating chronic health conditions that greatly impede their activities. Age-associated chronic diseases are believed to be associated with free radicals and the imbalance in antioxidant and oxidative stress contributes to development of several chronic health conditions. Diet and nutrients can have great impact in the health status of elderly. Several factors may contributor to the inadequate consumption of nutrients in elderly, including an inability to chew food adequately, polypharmacy, living along and limited income. Low intake of energy and several micronutrients are common among the elderly. Although overt deficiency of nutrients among the elderly is not common. a recent study showed that while elderly consume more fat, the total energy intake is low among the elderly. Inadequate intake of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E in elderly may contribute to the development of chronic health problems. Intake of higher than normal RDA levels of vitamin E for long periods of time has been shown to reduce the risk of many degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases(CVD) and cancer, and improve immune response in elderly. High intake of other antioxidants is also associated with reduced risk chronic diseases. Dietary antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables. However, due to variety of factors, the elderly may not be able to receive these and other micronutrients through diet. Therefore, supplemental intake of micronutrients in the form of multi vitamins/minerals and/or specific micronutrients is a more practical approach to the maintenance of health status in the elderly.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.209-217
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• 2013

Adiponectin (AdipoN), brain-derived nerotrophic factor (BDNF) and leptin (LeP) are mainly secreted from adipose tissue and are known to be involved in regulation of the development of obese. However, there are not many studies on the association between abdominal fat and neuropeptides such as AdipoN, BDNF and LeP. The aim of this study was undertaken to investigate the association between abdominal fat thickness, neuropeptides and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. The participants in the study were 138 male employees without CVD. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute. Written informed consent for the participants in this study was obtained from all individuals. We obtained subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) and visceral fat thickness (VFT) by using ultrasonography and neuropeptides levels were measured with ELISA kit according to the method suggested by kit manufacturer. The mean SFT and VFT were $1.58{\pm}0.51$ and $4.52{\pm}1.44$ cm. The mean concentrations of AdipoN, BDNF and LeP were $3.14{\pm}3.52$ ng/ml, $24.11{\pm}8.52$ pg/ml and $4.27{\pm}2.38$ ng/ml, respectively. VFT were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.217, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=0.271, p<0.01), triglyceride (r=0.233, p<0.05) and insulin (r=0.338, p<0.01), but was inversely correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=-420, p<0.01). AdipoN levels were positively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (r=0.220, p<0.05) and were inversely correlated with total cholesterol (r=-0.196, p<0.05), LDL-cholesterol (r=-0.190, p<0.05), triglyceride (r=-0.199, p<0.05), SFT (r=-0.195, p<0.05) and VFT (r=-0.412, p<0.01). However, LeP levels showed a reverse trend to AdipoN. AdipoN level was significantly higher in non-obese participants (BMI<25 kg/m), but LeP concentration was significantly higher in obese participants (BMI>25 kg/m) than in non-obese. On multiple logistic regression analysis, obese were significantly associated with AdipoN (odds ratio=0.784) and LeP (odds ratio=1.494). These results suggested that AdipoN and LeP concentrations are affected abdominal fat and that dysfunction and/or declination in the production and secretion of neuropeptides might induced ultimately obese and CVD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.559-566
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• 2009

Effective nutrition educations for prevention of chronic diseases for the general population are of great importance these days. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of nutrition education for cardiovascular risk factor reduction by e-mail education in male workers. The participants were divided into three groups by age; 28-39 age group, 40-49 age group, and 50-59 age group who got regular checkups for anthropometry and biochemistry. The 1 year program consisted of 15 topics containing information about metabolic syndrome (MS) and healthy eating behavior (intake of salt, fat and alcohol). Seven hundred thirty nine participants volunteered for the study [28-39 age group, n = 240; body mass index (BMI) = 24.9 $\pm$ 2.7 kg/m$^2$: 40' group, n = 276; BMI = 24.8 $\pm$ 2.6 kg/m$^2$: 50' group, n = 223; BMI = 24.9 $\pm$ 2.7 kg/m$^2$]. Percentage body fat (p < 0.05) and percentage of abdominal fat (p < 0.05), total cholesterol (p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05), and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) were significantly decreased in all participants after the 1 year program. The total number of participants who had MS was decreased from 216 to 199 and especially the incidence of MS was decreased 27% in the group of subjects who were under the age 39. The e-mail worksite nutrition education program shows a substantial contribution to the development of effective CVD and chronic disease control and lifestyle nutrition educations that are applicable to and attractive for the large population at risk.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.546-554
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• 2021

Background: Diabetes mellitus and hypertension often occur together, amplifying cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and emphasizing the need for a multitargeted treatment approach. American ginseng (AG) and Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) species could improve glycemic control via complementary mechanisms. Additionally, a KRG-inherent component, ginsenoside Rg3, may moderate blood pressure (BP). Our objective was to investigate the therapeutic potential of coadministration of Rg3-enriched Korean Red Ginseng (Rg3-KRG) and AG, added to standard of care therapy, in the management of hypertension and cardiometabolic risk factors in type-2 diabetes. Methods: Within a randomized controlled, parallel design of 80 participants with type-2 diabetes (HbA1c: 6.5-8%) and hypertension (systolic BP: 140-160 mmHg or treated), supplementation with either 2.25 g/day of combined Rg3-KRG + AG or wheat-bran control was assessed over a 12-wk intervention period. The primary endpoint was ambulatory 24-h systolic BP. Additional endpoints included further hemodynamic assessment, glycemic control, plasma lipids and safety monitoring. Results: Combined ginseng intervention generated a mean ± SE decrease in primary endpoint of 24-h systolic BP (-3.98 ± 2.0 mmHg, p = 0.04). Additionally, there was a greater reduction in HbA1c (-0.35 ± 0.1% [-3.8 ± 1.1 mmol/mol], p = 0.02), and change in blood lipids: total cholesterol (-0.50 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), non-HDL-C (-0.54 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.01), triglycerides (-0.40 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.02) and LDL-C (-0.35 ± 0.2 mmol/l, p = 0.06) at 12 wks, relative to control. No adverse safety outcomes were observed. Conclusion: Coadministration of Rg3-KRG + AG is an effective addon for improving BP along with attaining favorable cardiometabolic outcomes in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Ginseng derivatives may offer clinical utility when included in the polypharmacy and lifestyle treatment of diabetes. Clinical trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov identifier, NCT01578837;

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.149-156
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• 2022

Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is a new index reflecting central lipid accumulation and is known to be a strong independent indicator for identifying the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was conducted to assess the relationship between the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and LAP according to the presence or absence of obesity in Korean adults. The study was carried out using data from the 2019 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and included 6,090 adults aged 20 years or older. There were several key findings. First, after adjusting for related variables, the mean of the HOMA-IR levels (M±SE, 95% confidence interval) was positively associated with the quartiles of LAP in the overall population (P<0.001), non-obese (P<0.001) or obese groups (P<0.001). Second, in all the groups (overall population, non-obese and obese groups), the mean value of the fasting blood glucose (all, P<0.001), insulin (all, P<0.001), and the metabolic syndrome score (all, P<0.001) increased with the increasing quartiles of LAP. Insulin resistance was thus positively associated with an increase in the LAP in Korean adults with or without obesity.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-220
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• 1996

This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of chronic disease and utilization of medical facility in rural area. 5,797 persons were randomly selected from 28,883 rural residents who were over 30 years old and living in Moonkyung city in Kyungsangpook Province during the period October 1 1983 to February 28 1994. The person prevalence rate was 336 per 1,000. The prevalence rate in men(278 per 1,000) was higher than that(388 per 1,000) in women. The spell prevalence rate in men(367) was significantly higher than that(429) in women (p<0.05). The prevalence was increased with the age, 106 in the 30's. 223 in the40's, 336 in the 50's, 407 in the 60's, and 457 in the age group of 70 above. Of all chronic diseases, the prevalence of neuralgia ranked first(128), chronic gastrointestinal disorders(64), degenerative arthritis(54). hypertension (44) and diabetes (14) were followed in descending order. In men, the prevalence of neuralgia ranked first, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, degenerative arthritis, hypertension and bronchial asthma were followed in descending order. In women, the prevalence of neuralgia ranked first, degenerative arthritis, chronic gastrointestinal disorders, hypertension and diabetes were followed in descending order. The prevalences of neuralgia, degenerative arthritis and hypertension were significantly higher in women than those in men, however, those of cardiovascular disease, pulmonary tuberculosis and liver cirrhosis in men were significantly higher than those in women(p<0.05). Most patients with chronic diseases were more likely to utilize hospital and/or local clinics than public health facility or community health providers. Patients with neuralgia, degenerative arthritis and bronchial asthma tended to utilizing local clinics initially, however, they were changed to visit public health facility or community health providers afterwards. Patients with hypertension or pulmonary tuberculosis were more likely to visit public health facility, however, those with diabetes, cancer, heart failure, CVD, liver cirrhosis were more likely to visit hospital.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.215-222
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• 2012

Objective: A prediabetes hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level of 5.7%-6.4% is considered a risk factor for diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the USA. In this study, we assessed the HbA1c and visceral fat levels as CVD risk factors in health check-up examinees who were not yet diagnosed with diabetes. Methods: Totally, 507 study subject were categorized as per criteria of the American Diabetes Association, depending on whether the HbA1c level was ${\geq}5.7%$ or <5.7%. Lipid levels, blood pressure, BMI (kg/$m^2$), total abdominal, and visceral fat levels were measured by computed tomography. Results: The mean of HbA1c in the male group was larger than the mean in the female group and their values were, respectively, $6.03{\pm}0.82%$ and $5.88{\pm}0.72%$(p<0.05). Only the mean values of age and visceral fat area were different between $HbA1c{\geq}5.7%$ and <5.7% in both male and female group(p<0.05). Visceral fat levels were significantly associated with HbA1c in the group of HbA1c ${\geq}5.7%$ (odds ratio=1.005, 95% CI 1.002~1.008). Conclusions: Visceral fat levels were significantly higher and correlated with the group which HbA1c level is ${\geq}5.7%$. This finding suggests that subjects who have high levels of HbA1c should be carefully monitored during prediabetes and should have chance to have health education programs.