• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.67-96
• /
• 2022

"Aid in Dying" means that when a decision-making patient suffers from an incurable disease, a drug that can speed up death is prescribed by a doctor and used to lead to death. Since the suspension of life-sustaining treatment was institutionalized based on human dignity and patient autonomy, the question of whether assisted death can be legally justified in relation to the right to receive medical help to shorten one's life to die with dignity has recently been actively discussed. In Korea, since the suspension of life-sustaining treatment was institutionalized by the enactment of the Life-sustaining Treatment Decision Act in 2016, an amendment to the Life-sustaining Treatment Act was recently proposed to legalize Aid in Dying. The global trend is that human "Right to Die" is discussed in the division of life and death, from the suspension of life-sustaining treatment to assisted death, and again in the order of euthanasia. In this paper, we started discussing dignified death and institutionalized patients' right to self-determination, looked at the controversy in the United States, which legislated assisted death in many states since the 2000s, and analyzed the main contents of California's End of Life Option Act and the data after enforcement. The strict requirements for Aid in Dying, such as voluntary confirmation of patients' intentions and doctors' obligation to provide information, and the results of California's Aid in dying system, composed of relatively diverse races, were reviewed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.430-440
• /
• 2022

Selenium is an important trace mineral that plays an essential role in maintaining the body's immunity with oxidative stress defense and antioxidant activity, immunity, thyroid hormone control, defense against drug or heavy metal harm, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. A selenium deficiency increases the risk of various chronic diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, neurological disease, osteoarthritis, muscle necrosis and weakness, thyroid disease, and inflammatory diseases. This paper explains the criteria for establishing and revising selenium in the 2020 Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans (KDRIs) and reviews the current status of the selenium database and suggestions for setting the 2025 KDRIs in the future. In the 2020 KDRIs, the selenium intake with the maximum plasma selenoprotein P level was used as the criteria. The weight and coefficient of the variation were applied to the Chinese' reported values. Compared to 2015 KDRIs, there were some revisions in the selenium dietary reference intakes by gender and age according to the change in reference weight. To improve and revise selenium dietary reference intakes in the future, a selenium intervention study is needed to determine the maximum level of plasma selenoprotein P in Koreans. In addition, a revision of the selenium database of the nutritional assessment program (CAN-Pro 5.0) is needed. An analysis of the selenium content of foods should be expanded to assess the selenium intake accurately. In addition, research on the relationship between selenium intake and the biological indicators in the body is required for healthy people and subjects of special environments, such as patients and athletes with various oxidative stress.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.7-20
• /
• 2023

Boil-dried concentrate (BDC) and steam-dried concentrate (SDC) were prepared from olive flounder Paralichthys olivaceus roe using the cook-dried process, and their food functionality and in vitro bioactivity were examined. The buffer capacity of BDC and SDC was found to be stronger in the alkaline region than in the acidic region, and the buffer capacity of SDC was superior to that of BDC. The water holding capacities of these concentrates were 7.6 and 7.4 g/g protein, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than that of freeze-dried concentrate (FDC). The solubility of BDC (13.4%) and SDC (12.7%), foaming capacity of BDC (107.7%) and SDC (110.6%), and oil-in-water emulsifying activity index of BDC (7.7 m²/g) and SDC (9.7 m²/g) were all significantly lower than the corresponding values for FDC (P<0.05). The lower food functionality of BDC and SDC compared with FDC can be attributed to the high-temperature denaturation of proteins during the cook-dried process. The 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid radical scavenging activities (IC₅₀) of SDC (2.5 mg protein/mL) was 60.4 ㎍/mL, and the angiotensin I converting enzyme inhibitory activity was 80.9%. Olive flounder roe concentrates have good antioxidant and antihypertensive activities, and can be used as materials or ingredients in the processing of seafood and other foods to enhance protein contents and food functionality.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.158-163
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to determine mercury (Hg), methylmercury (MeHg), and selenium (Se) levels in deep-sea fishes distributed in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Concentrations of Hg, MeHg, and Se were measured by using a mercury analyzer and Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The average content (mg/kg) in the seafood samples was as follows: Hg, 0.7647 (0.0182-5.3620), MeHg, 0.0764 (0.0096-0.8750), and Se, 0.4728 (0.1075-3.5100). All the levels of MeHg were below the recommended standards of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety i.e., <1.0 mg/kg. Recent studies have shown that Se prevents Hg toxicity. The average daily intake in humans was 3.3 ㎍/kg, which was lower than the recommended amount (50-200 ㎍/person/day). The weekly intake of Hg and MeHg was calculated to be 6.07% and 1.90%, respectively, of the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI). This study showed that the weekly intake of Hg and MeHg from abyssal fish was less than the PTWI recommended by the Joint FAO/WHO expert committee on food additives. Therefore, the levels reported in this study are presumed to be adequately safe.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.57 no.4
• /
• pp.403-417
• /
• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Evodiae Fructus (EF) on hydrochloric acid (HCl)/ethanol-induced gastritis, focusing on its impact on oxidative stress by analyzing inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-related factors. The total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were determined through in vitro experiments, while the radical scavenging activity was confirmed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assays. Methods: In vivo experiments were conducted on rats divided into 5 groups (n = 7/in each group): normal group (Normal), 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastritis group (Control), 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastritis group administered 10 mg/kg sucralfate (SC), 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol-induced gastritis group administered EF at the doses of 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg (EF100 or EF200). The mice were pretreated with the extract (EF) or drug (SC), and after 1 hour, 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol (v/v) mixture was administered orally. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, peroxynitrite (ONOO^-), and pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1 beta were assessed in serum. Additionally, western blotting of the gastric tissues confirmed the expression of inflammation-related proteins. Results: EF alleviated the gastric mucosal damage caused by 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol. The assessment of oxidative stress in the serum showed that EF significantly reduced ROS and ONOO^- levels and significantly decreased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Western blot analysis revealed that EF reduced ROS-generating nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase subunits, including gp91^phox, p22^phox, and p47^phox. Additionally, EF mitigated the inflammation by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Conclusion: These results indicate that EF is a potential herbal medicine candidate for the treatment of oxidative stress-induced gastritis.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.165-178
• /
• 1988

In this study, the effect of single or repeated (daily for 7 or 14 days) electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on central and peripheral opiate system and modification of the actions of ECS by several psychoactive drugs were investigated in the rat. Repeated ECS caused increase of Met-enkephalin content and decrease of Bmax of specific $[^3H]$imorphine binding in the rat brain. These effects were persisted more than 7 days after the last ECS, but single ECS failed to show these effects. However, ${\beta}-endorphin$ content was decreased in midbrain preparation and increased in plasma by repeated or single ECS. These phenomenon was seen shortly after the last ECS. After ECS-induced seizure was prevented by phenobarbital, ECS-induced increase in Met-enkephalin content was significantly attenuated. Imipramine or pargyline did not affect the action of repeated ECS. On the other hand, reserpine, chlorpromazine or haloperidol which were classified as neuroleptic antipsychotics, augmented the ECS-induced changes of central and peripheral opiate parameters. Furthermore, in groups received repeated ECS, changes of Bmax of specific $[^3H]-morphine binding$ binding was inversely correlated with changes of Met-enkephalin contents, but not with changes of ${\beta}-endorphin$ contents. From these results, it is inferred that the central or peripheral opioidergic system may be involved in the therapeutic and/or adverse effects of ECS which also can be influenced by some psychoactive drugs.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.101-108
• /
• 2014

This study was conducted in order to compare the biological activities of water extracts and sugar immersion extracts of green pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) and shiitake (Lentinula edodes (Berk.) Pegler) by measuring total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activities and inhibitory effects on ${\alpha}$-amylase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. The contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids were higher in water extracts than in sugar immersion extracts. The anti-oxidative activities of water and sugar immersion extracts were measured using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) radical scavenging activity assay and reducing power assay. All extracts scavenged radicals in a concentration-dependent manner, and water extracts showed stronger radical scavenging activity and reducing power than sugar immersion extract. However, they all exhibited lower activities than ascorbic acid. Compared to the anti-diabetic drug acarbose, which was used as a positive control, the two types of extracts exhibited low ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibitory activities, although the activity of sugar immersion extracts were 2-fold higher than that of water extracts. ${\alpha}$-Amylase inhibitory action was not observed for any of the extracts. Finally, by cytotoxicity test, we confirmed that sugar immersion extracts were safer than water extracts. These results indicate that water extracts and sugar immersion extracts of green pepper, purslane and shiitake have different advantages in terms of their antioxidant and anti-diabetic effects, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.9
• /
• pp.1249-1256
• /
• 2016

Black ginseng (BG) obtained by a 9-fold steaming process of Panax ginseng has been reported to have anti-oxidative, anti-obesity, and anti-diabetes effects. The current study evaluated the protective effect of BG by steaming time in an HCl/ethanol-induced acute gastritis model. BG was divided into four samples according to steaming-drying processing (Gin1, Gin3, Gin6, and BG). High performance liquid chromatography analysis, free radical scavenging activity, and total phenol and flavonoid contents were examined in ginseng and four BG samples. Compared with ginseng, BG showed a stronger radical scavenging effect and higher contents of total phenol and flavonoids. To evaluate the anti-gastritic effect of BG, mice were distributed into five groups: normal mice (N), acute gastritic mice with distilled water (CON), acute gastritic mice with 100 mg/kg of ginseng (Gin0), acute gastritic mice with 100 mg/kg of BG (BG), and acute gastritic mice with 10 mg/kg of sucralfate (SC). After 1 hour of pre-treatment with water, extracts (Gin0 and BG), or drug (SC), experimental groups except for N were orally administered 0.5 mL of 150 mM HCl/60% ethanol (v/v) mixture. Blood was collected 1 hour later from the heart, and gastric tissue was harvested. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured in serum, and related protein expression was examined by Western blot assay. In HCl/ethanol-induced acute gastritic mice, treatment with ginseng or BG improved mucosal damage in the histological evaluation. The serum ROS level significantly decreased in the BG-treated group compared with the CON group. Furthermore, expression of inflammatory cytokines significantly decreased in the BG-treated group compared with the CON group. Based on these results, antioxidant and anti-gastritic activities of ginseng were enhanced by streaming-drying processing, in part due to an increase in biological active compounds.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2013

Objectives The object of this study was to observe the favorable anti-arthritic effects of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) on Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritic Wistar rats. Methods Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA, and 300, 150 or 750 mg/kg of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) were orally administered once a day for 14 days from 14 days after FCA treatments, and 15 mg/kg of dexamethasone was intraperitoneally administered as reference drug in this experiment. All rats were sacrificed at 14 days after continuous oral treatment of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) or intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone, and changes on the body weight, knee circumferences, gross arthritis score, inflammatory tissue prostaglandin (PG) $E_2$ levels were monitored with cartilage collagen components and glucosaminoglycans compositions - chondroitin sulphate, heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid in the present study. Results As results of FCA treatment, classic rheumatoid arthritis featuring dramatical decreases on the body weights, cartilage collagen contents and bone glucosaminoglycans-chondroitin sulphate, heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid contents, with increases on the knee circumferences, gross arthritis scores and inflammatory tissue $PGE_2$ levels. However, these changes from FCA-induced rheumatoid arthritis were clearly reduced by treatment of dexamethasone and both two different dosages of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 and 150 mg/kg in the present study. Although FCA-induced arthritis were more favorably inhibited by treatment of dexamethasone 15 mg/kg as compared with Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg, marked decreases of body weights were detected in dexamethasone 15 mg/kg treated rats, and Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg showed similar preserve effects on the cartilage glucosaminoglycan compositions in this study. Conclusions The results obtained in this study suggest that over 300 and 150 mg/kg of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) showed favorable anti-arthritic effects on the FCA-induced arthritis mediated by suppression of $PGE_2$, a inflammatory mediator. However, detail mechanism studies should be conduced in future with the screening of the biological active compounds in this herb. Although overall anti-inflammatory effects Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg were lowered than those of dexamethasone 15 mg/kg treated rats, Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg treated rats showed similar preserve effects on the cartilage glucosaminoglycan compositions in this experiment.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.141-150
• /
• 2002

Owing to a need for simple extraction and purification for analysis of water soluble vitamins in food samples by RP-HPLC with UV-detector, the methods of bromelain and protease hydrolysis and $C_{18}$ Sep-Pak solid phase extraction were employed. The recoveries of standard water soluble vitamins by the bromelain and protease hydrolysis and $C_{18}$ Sep-Pak solid phase extraction were significantly high compared to AOAC methods in most of vitamins. The contents of pyridoxal determined with protest in the pork was similar, but in the bromelain hydrolysis and AOAC method, was high compared to the results of reference. The niacinamide, thiamin and riboflavin determined with bromelain and protease hydrolysis showed similar values to the results of references. In the potato, pyridoxamine was detected in the AOAC method, which was not detected in the bromelain and protease hydrolysis methods. Pyridoxal contents in the protease hydrolysis and AOAC methods were very similar to the results of references. The recoveries of fortified standard vitamins in food samples were significantly high and accurate compared to those of AOAC methods. The extraction and purification with $C_{18}$ Sep-Pak solid extractor might be considered superior method for the determination of water soluble vitamins in food samples.