• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.241-248
• /
• 2021

The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) ratio and pulse pressure in Korean adults with hypertension. Data from 1,515 adults from the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3, 2015) were analyzed. There were several key findings in the present study. First, aspartate aminotransferase (odds ratio [OR], 1.018; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.002 to 1.033), alanine aminotransferase (OR, 0.982; 95% CI, 0.969 to 0.996), and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (OR, 1.367; 95% CI, 1.027 to 1.819) were the independent factors determining high pulse pressure. Second, after adjusting for related variables [age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, regular exercise, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference (WC)], the ORs of high pulse pressure with the 1st quartile as a reference were significantly higher in the 4th quartile of aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio [1.632 (95% CI, 1.113~2.393)]. The high pulse pressure was positively associated with aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio in Korean adults with hypertension, but was inversely associated with alanine aminotransferase.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.11
• /
• pp.1391-1398
• /
• 2007

We performed a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial to determine whether Laminaria japonica extract (LJE) supplement modulates blood glucose, serum lipids and antioxidant systems in type II diabetic patients. We also measured critical parameters assessing safety in liver and kidney functions after LJE supplement. A total of 37 patients (18 males and 19 females) were randomized to either LJE group or placebo group. The treatment group received four 350 mg of LJE capsules (1.4 g, total) per day for 12 weeks. The placebo group received the same dose of cellulose capsules. Baseline characteristics regarding general life style and dietary intake pattern were similar between the two groups. There were no significant influences of LJE supplement except for waist circumference on anthropometric parameters. As the whole, 12 weeks of LJE supplement resulted in a little decrease in fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), but a significant decrease was not observed. Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in LJE group. The antioxidant enzymes, glutathion peroxidase (GSH-px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were elevated in the LJE group (p<0.05) compared to the placebo. The increase of these enzymes was associated significantly with the decrease of MDA concentration (p<0.05). Furthermore, LJE supplement showed no adverse effects on the functions of liver and kidney. Findings from this study suggest that LJE supplement can help improve serum lipid status in type II diabetic subjects without adverse effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.36 no.10
• /
• pp.1287-1292
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare knowledge on hypertension and blood parameters through blood pressure control of hypertensive patients commuting to a public health center. Hypertensive subjects were classified according to their blood pressures into a well-controlled group (SBP<140 mmHg and DBP<90 mmHg, n=44) and an uncontrolled group ($SBP\geq140mmHg\;or\;DBP\geq90mmHg$, n=41). All subjects were interviewed for clinical characteristics, effort for health maintenance and knowledge on hypertension and nutrition. Biochemical measurement of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were obtained from subjects. The knowledge about hypertension and effort for health maintenance were not significantly different between the groups. However, the nutrition knowledge score of the well-controlled group was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the uncontrolled group. On the test of nutrition knowledge, 97.7% of the well-controlled group answered correctly to the item, 'Medication is an easy way to control blood pressure'. This result was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of the uncontrolled group of whom 82.9% answered correctly. Participants in both groups had only a little understanding about the importance of a balanced diet. Blood parameters were in the normal range and there was not a significant difference between the groups. However total cholesterol, triglyceride and fasting blood glucose levels of the uncontrolled group were higher than those of the well-controlled group. Therefore, education programs about the continuous control of hypertension through careful monitoring, medication, and exercise are required. The uncontrolled group was especially in need of strengthening education. Also more effective nutrition education programs about low salt, high fiber, low cholesterol, and balanced diets are required for hypertensive patients commuting to public health center.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.111-119
• /
• 1999

Purpose: As mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) shows hypometabolism of medial and lateral temporal lobe, we investigated whether symmetric uptake of F-18-FDG in medial temporal lobes can differentiate mesial from lateral TLE. Materials and Methods: In 113 patients (83 mesial TLE, 30 lateral TLE) who underwent anterior temporal lobectomy and/or corticectomy with good surgical outcome, we performed F-18-FDG PET and compared F-18-FDG uptake of medial and lateral temporal lobes. All the patients with mesial TLE had hippocampal sclerosis except one congenital abnormal hippocampus. Patients with lateral TLE revealed cerebromalacia, microdysgenesis, arteriovenous malformation, old contusion, and cortical dysplasia. Results: Sensitivity of F-18-FDG PET and MR for mesial TLE was 84% (70/83) and 73% (61/83), respectively. Sensitivity of F-18-FDG PET and MR for lateral TLE was 90% (27/30) and 66% (20/30), respectively. Twelve patients were normal on F-18-FDG PET. 101 patients had hypometabotism of lateral temporal lobe. Among 88 patients who showed hypometabolism of medial temporal lobe as well as lateral temporal lobe, 70 were mesial TLE patients and 18 were lateral TLE on pathologic examination. Positive predictive value of medial temporal hypometabolism for mesial TLE was 80%. Among 13 patients who showed hypometabolism of only lateral temporal lobe, 4 were mesial TLE and 9 were lateral TLE. Positive predictive value of hypometabolism of lateral temporal lobe for the diagnosis of lateral TLE was 69% (9/13). Normal MR findings stood against medial TLE, whose negative predictive value was 66%. Conclusion: Lateral temporal lobe epilepsy should be suspected when there is decreased F-18-FDG uptake in lateral temporal lobe with normal uptake in medial temporal lobe.