• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.704-712
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• 2013

This study was designed to examine the effects of bitter melon (BM) on the plasma blood glucose and cholesterol levels in diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats through an injection of streptozotocin (STZ) dissolved in a citrate buffer into the tail vein at a dose of 45 mg/kg of body weight. Sprague-Dawley rats were then fed for four weeks, with the experimental groups receiving a modified diet containing 5% or 10% powder derived from BM. The experimental groups were divided into 4 groups, consisting of the normal control group, STZ-control group and diabetic fed with BM 5% & 10% treated groups. The rats' body weight, blood glucose and cholesterol values were measured along with the hematocrit (Hct) values and aminotransferase activities. Body weight losses were observed in the diabetic groups, whereas the control rats gained weight. There were significant differences in kidney weight between the control group and the diabetic groups. The Hct levels of the diabetic BM-treated group were significantly higher than the STZ-control group. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was lower in the non-diabetic group compared to the diabetic experimental groups. Further, the blood glucose was significantly decreased in the 5% & 10% BM of the diabetic group. There were no significant difference in cholesterol levels among the diabetic groups. These results indicate that the supplementation of bitter melon may have a favorable influence on reducing the blood glucose level in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 1994

In this study, we examined gangliosides from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat brain. To obtain the diabetic rat brain, we sacrified the rat three days after injecting the streptozotocin into venus in tail. We measured blood glucose level according to Somogy-Nelson method and measured insulin level using $^{125}$ I-insulin RIA kit. The gangliosides were extracted according to Folch-Suzuki method from the rat brain. We also examined the effect of major lipid components extracted from deer antler on diabetic rat brain. The results showed that the major lipids components lowered both blood glucose and insulin level in normal rat. However only the blood glucose level in diabetic rat was lowered with major lipid components. In diabetic rat brain, gangliosides metabolism were changed. The amount of GMla was increased while GDla, GDlb, and GTlb were not synthesized. Furthermore, undefined ganglioside was found. In major lipid component-treated diabetic rat brain, the ganglioside metabolism proceeded as same as the normal rat. On the contrary, in bovine brain gangliosides-treated diabetic rat brain, the gangliosides metabolism was not recovered to normal one.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.617-627
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• 1999

The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of four kinds of legumes(black soybean: BS, yellow soybean: YS, green peas: GP, soybean curd residue: SCR) as a high-fiber supplement in the therapeutic diet for diabetic patients. Seven groups of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were fed isocaloric experimental diets containing 8% dietary fiber from one of legumes for 6 weeks. The effects of legumes on the gastrointestinal function and diabetic symptoms in diabetic rats were also examined and compared with the effects of cellulose or pectin diet. Legume supplementations had no significant effects on alleviating typical diabetic symptoms such as polydipsia, polyphasia, polyuria, and urinary glucose excretion when compared with cellulose or pectin supplementations. The supplementations of legumes all resulted in remarkable changes in gastrointestinal functions: shortening of GI transit time and increases in fecal volume, fecal water and crude fat contents. Legume supplementations appeared to supress the damages of the small intestine villi and the enteritis symptoms in diabetic rats. GP led to regular villus patterns closer to normal villus. BS, YS and GP led to the enlargement of cecum in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the present studies have demonstrated that legumes may possess a significant physiological actions in the control of various diabetic conditions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.767-774
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• 1999

This study was carrid out to examine a part of the mechanism for the etiology of diabetic complications. Thirty normal and forty streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats were used as the animal models. Animals were sacrificed at the time points of 3 days, 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after STZ-injection and time course in body weight and organ weight, the levels of blood glucose, plasma lipid patterns, and atherogenic index were measured during 6 weeks. The STZ-diabetic animals showed 63% survival rate and fsting blood glucose levels of the diabetic animals measured in the range of 230-410mg/dL during the experimental period. The body weigh of diabetic animals decreased significantly throughout the experimental period and the relative weights of organs to body weight were significantly higher than the normal control ones. The enlargement of the kidney in the diabetic animals was especially remarkable. Plasma triglyceride concentration in diabetic rats substancially increased from the first week of onset of diabetes mellitus and maintained higher levels than the control ones throughout the whole experimental period. The plasma total cholesterol level and atherogenic index in the diabetic rats were significantly higher than the normal ones from the third day after STZ injection and showed a gradual increase with the duration of the disease. Throughout the experiment, the diabetic rats consistently showed a slightly lower HDL-cholesterol level compared to the normal animals. From the results of this study, it appears that the significant changes in blood lipid pattern in STZ-diabetic animals start from the first week after STZ injection.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2003

Purpose: To provide baseline data for prevention and education of diabetic foot in Korea. Materials and Methods: 216 diabetic patients are included in this survey. The average age is 58.64 year old with average 9.92 years of diabetes mellitus periods. Among them, 41% used insulin injection, 42% oral medication, 14% both and 3% diet were used for their blood sugar control. The diabetic foot survey was done. Results: The survey of patients symptom and disease of their feet results: 49% had sensory decrease in their feet. Associated disease in foot were callus(15%), heel pain(10%), bunion(4%), toe deformity(2%), Tinea pedis were 9%, tingle sensation were 17%, and swelling on feet were 2%, The survey of patients privious history of foot problems are: 8% had previous operation history on their feet and 17% had history of infection on their feet, 23% had bullae history, The survey of patients prevention and education are: Those who have had more than one diabetic foot education were 45.7%, and among them 24% had routine regular foot check up. Only 5% wear special diabetic shoe and 3% had custom orthotics. Conclusion: Interests to diabetic foot care is increasing in diabetic patients in Korea. However still we need more education, and efforts for prevention. Special education and diabetic shoe is still low, The survey data could be good baseline for diabetic prevention and education.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.713-722
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dietary green tea powder supplementation on bone metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats (body weight $210{\pm}3g$) were divided into two groups, diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Each group was randomly divided into two subgroups which were fed with the control and 1% green tea powder diets. The serum and urine concentrations of calcium and phosphorus were determined. Serum osteocalcin and ALP and urinary DPD crosslinks value were measured in order to monitor bone formation and resorption. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were estimated using PIXImus in the spine and femur. Body weight gain and FER were lower in the diabetic group than in the non-diabetic group regardless of diets. The serum concentration of calcium and phosphorus were not changed among all groups. Urinary calcium and phosphorus excretion were higher in the diabetic group than in the non-diabetic group regardless of diets; however, they were not significantly different by green tea powder intake. Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was increased in the diabetic group than in thenon-diabetic group. Further, there were no significant differences in serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline crosslinks value among all groups. The levels of spine and femur bone mineral density of the diabetic group were significantly lower than that of the non-diabetic group. Within the diabetic group, spine BMD was significantly higher in rats fed with the green tea powder diet than in rats fed the control diet. Therefore, this study suggests that green tea powder has a beneficial effect on bone health, although it is not directly applicable to humans.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2001

Background: It is controversial whether the change in nitric oxide (NO) expression in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) may be responsible for developtment and/or maintenance of painful diabetic neuropathy. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of NO in the pathogenesis of painful diabetic neuropathy. Methods: The effect of L-nitroargine methylester (L-NAME) or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on allodynia was measured in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. NO concentration was measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma of the diabetic rats. NADPH-diaphorase (NADPH-d) histochemistry was performed on the DRG and spinal cords of the STZ-induced diabetic rats. Results: L-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, alleviated allodynia, while SNP, a nitric oxide donor, aggravated allodynia in diabetic rats. Plasma NO level in the diabetic rats was significantly decreased compared with control rats. NO level in the CSF of diabetic rats did not differ from that of the control rats. NADPH-d positive cells were decreased in the DRG of diabetic rats. However, NADPH-d histochemistry in the diabetic spinal cord was not different from that of the control rats. Conclusions: Downregulation of NO expression in the diabetic rats may not be causally related to the development and/or maintenance of painful diabetic neuropathy.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a butanol fraction of fraction of Alisma canaliculatum All. Braun et Bouche (Ac), and of selenium (Se), on plasma gllucose and lipid levee in streptozotocin (STD-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, fed the AIN-93 recommended diet, were divided into five groups: a non-diabetic control group (no STZ treatment), and four 572-induced diabetic groups which consisted of a diabetic-control group, an Ac-treated group, an Ac-Se treated group, and a Se-treated group. Diabetes was induced in the rats by an injection of STZ into the tail vein at a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight. The butanol (BuOH) fraction of Ac was orally administered at a rate of 400 mg/kg body weight for 21 days to both the Ac and Ac-Se groups. The supplementation of selenium in the Se and Ac-Se groups was achieved by adding (freshly, every day) 2 mg of Se as Na$_2$SeO$_3$ per kg of feed. The rats'body weights and hematocrit (Hct) levels were measured, along with plasma levels of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and free fatty acids (FFA). Aminotransferase activities were also analyzed. The non-diabetic rats gained weight, while the diabetic rats lost weight - except in the Ac-Se group, which maintained their initial weight. The blood glucose levels of the Ac group and the Se group were significantly lower than for the diabetic-control group. The plasma triglyceride levels were lowered when both Ac and Se were administered to diabetic rats. The concentrations of plasma FFA in the Ac-Se group were significantly lower compared with the diabetic-control group. Plasma cholesterol levels and alanine aminotransferase activity in the Ac, Ac-Se, and Se groups were significantly lower when compared with the diabetic-control group. Aspartate aminotransferase activity was significantly lower in the Se group compared to the other diabetic groups. These data show that treatment with a butanol fraction of Ac in combination with Se has no synergistic effect. Plasma glucose levels tended to be low when Se was administered to diabetic rats. Supplementation of Se in diabetic rats did not elicit a significant increase in plasma insulin levels or result in hypolipemic effects.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.175-181
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• 2013

Objectives: This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical impact of diabetes mellitus on the prognosis in secondary space infection. Materials and Methods: Medical records, radiographic images, computed tomography, and microbial studies of 51 patients (25 diabetic patients and 26 non-diabetic patients) were reviewed. Patients were diagnosed as secondary fascial space infections with odontogenic origin and underwent treatment at Chonnam National University Hospital, in Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, from January 2007 to February 2009. Results: Compared to patients without diabetes, patients with diabetes were presented with the following characteristics: older age (diabetic patients: 62.9 years, non-diabetic patients, 47.8 years), more spaces involved (diabetic patients, 60%; non-diabetic patients, 27.3%), more intense treatment, longer hospitalization (diabetic patients, 28.9 days; non-diabetic patients, 15.4 days), higher white blood cell and C-reactive protein values, higher incidence of complication (diabetic patients, 40%; non-diabetic patients, 7.7%), and distinctive main causative microorganisms. Conclusion: These results suggest that the prognosis of diabetic patients is poorer than that of non-diabetic patients in secondary space infections since they had greater incidence rates of involved spaces, abnormal hematologic findings, more complications, and additional procedures, such as tracheostomy.

• Korea-Australia Rheology Journal
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.117-123
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• 2005

Background: Reduced deformability of red blood cells (RBCs) may play an important role on the pathogenesis of chronic vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. However, available techniques for measuring RBC deformability often require washing process after each measurement, which is not optimal for day­to-day clinical use at point of care. The objectives of the present study are to develop a device and to delineate the correlation of impaired RBC deformability with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: We developed a disposable ektacytometry to measure RBC deformability, which adopted a laser diffraction technique and slit rheometry. The essential features of this design are its simplicity (ease of operation and no moving parts) and a disposable element which is in contact with the blood sample. We studied adult diabetic patients divided into three groups according to diabetic complications. Group I comprised 57 diabetic patients with normal renal function. Group II comprised 26 diabetic patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Group III consisted of 30 diabetic subjects with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemo-dialysis. According to the renal function for the diabetic groups, matched non-diabetic groups were served as control. Results: We found substantially impaired red blood cell deformability in those with normal renal function (group I) compared to non-diabetic control (P = 0.0005). As renal function decreases, an increased impairment in RBC deformability was found. Diabetic patients with chronic renal failure (group II) when compared to non-diabetic controls (CRF) had an apparently greater impairment in RBC deformability (P = 0.07). The non-diabetic cohort (CRF), on the other hand, manifested significant impairment in red blood cell deformability compared to healthy: control (P = 0.0001). Conclusions: The newly developed slit ektacytometer can measure the RBC deformability with ease and accuracy. In addition, progressive impairment in cell deformability is associated with renal function loss in all patients regardless of the presence or absence of diabetes. In diabetic patients, early impairment in RBC deformability appears in patients with normal renal function.