• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.345-350
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• 2006

The pharmacological properties of ginseng are mainly attributed to ginsenosides, the active constituents that are found in the extracts of different species of ginseng. Lately; the studies on ginsenosides are mainly focused on IH-901, a major intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginsenosides. In this study; we examined the anti-diabetic activity of IH-901 in C57BU61 db/db mice model. IH-901 was administrated orally at a dose of 20 mg/kg for 5 weeks. During the experimental period, body weight and blood glucose levels were measured every week. After 5 weeks, db/db mice were sacrificed and diabetic parameters were analyzed. IH-901 treated group showed a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose levels (from 10.5 mM to 9.4 mM), insulin resistance index (from 163.6 to 100.2) and triglyceride levels (from 115.3 to 70.1) compared to the diabetic control. In Pancreatic islets morphology; IH-901 treated group revealed much less infltrated mononuclear cells, indicating that IH-901 recovered ${\beta}$-cell damage due to hyperglycemia. In addition, IH-901 upregulated expressions of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and PPAR-${\gamma}$ in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, respectively. Taken together IH-901might be a potential anti-hyperglycemic agent with insulin sensitizing effect.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.312-316
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• 2015

Background: Unleaded petrol contains significant amounts of monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, and xylenes (BTX). Toxic responses following occupational exposure to unleaded petrol have been evaluated only in limited studies. The main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether (or not) exposure to unleaded petrol, under normal working conditions, is associated with any hepatotoxic or nephrotoxic response. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which 200 employees of Shiraz petrol stations with current exposure to unleaded petrol, as well as 200 unexposed employees, were investigated. Atmospheric concentrations of BTX were measured using standard methods. Additionally, urine and fasting blood samples were taken from individuals for urinalysis and routine biochemical tests of kidney and liver function. Results: The geometric means of airborne concentrations of BTX were found to be $0.8mg\;m^{-3}$, $1.4mg\;m^{-3}$, and $2.8mg\;m^{-3}$, respectively. Additionally, means of direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea and plasma creatinine were significantly higher in exposed individuals than in unexposed employees. Conversely, serum albumin, total protein, and serum concentrations of calcium and sodium were significantly lower in petrol station workers than in their unexposed counterparts. Conclusion: The average exposure of petrol station workers to BTX did not exceed the current threshold limit values (TLVs) for these chemicals. However, evidence of subtle, subclinical and prepathologic early liver and kidney dysfunction was evident in exposed individuals.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.7
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• pp.806-810
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• 2004

Metformin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent often used for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetics (NIDDM). In this study, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metformin were investigated in Korean healthy volunteers during a fasting state for over 10 h. In order to evaluate the amount of glucose-lowering effect of metformin, the plasma concentrations of glucose were measured for a period of 10 h followed by the administration of metformin (oral 500 mg) or placebo. In addition, the concentration of metformin in blood samples was determined by HPLC assay for the drug. All volunteers were consumed with 12 g of white sugar 10 minutes after drug intake to maintain initial plasma glucose concentration. The time courses of the plasma concentration of metformin and the glucose-lowering effect were analyzed by nonlinear regression analysis. The estimated $C_{max}$, $T_{max}$, $CL_{t}$/F (apparent clearance), V/F(apparent volume of distribution), and half-life of metformin were 1.42$\{pm}$0.07 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL, 2.59$\{pm}$0.18h, 66.12$\{pm}$4.6 L/h, 26.63 L, and 1.54 h respectively. Since a significant counterclock-wise hysteresis was found for the metformin concentration in the plasma-effect relationship, indirect response model was used to evaluate pharmacodynamic parameters for metformin. The mean concentration at half-maximum inhibition $IC_{50}$, $k_{in}$, $k_{out}$ were 2.26 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL, 83.26 $H^{-1}$, and 0.68 $H^{-1}$, respectively. Therefore, the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model may be useful in the description for the relationship between plasma concentration of metformin and its glucose-lowering effect.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.236-244
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• 2021

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hyperandrogenism, irregular menstruation, ovulatory dysfunction, and insulin resistance. Recent studies have reported the possible role of phytoestrogens in PCOS. This animal study aimed to evaluate the effects of genistein on insulin resistance, inflammatory factors, lipid profile, and histopathologic indices on PCOS. Methods: PCOS was induced by 1 mg/kg of letrozole in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats then received normal saline (PCOS group), 150 mg/kg of metformin, or 20 mg/kg of genistein dissolved in 1% methylcellulose solution for 42 days. Body weight, the glycemic and lipid profile, and inflammatory, antioxidative, and histopathological parameters were assessed at the end of the intervention. Results: Treatment with genistein significantly alleviated the increased level of fasting blood insulin (p=0.16) and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (p=0.012). In addition, the genistein group had significantly lower levels of serum malondialdehyde (p=0.039) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (p=0.003), and higher superoxide dismutase enzyme activity (p<0.001). Furthermore, the histopathological analysis indicated that genistein administration led to an increase in luteinization and the development of fewer cysts (p<0.05). Conclusion: Biochemical and histopathological analyses indicated that genistein administration to rats with PCOS induced significant remission in oxidative, inflammatory, and glycemic and histopathologic parameters.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2020

■ Objectives The purpose of this study is to report on a case that showed improvement in type 2 diabetic patients by using herbal medicine, Yeoldahansotang-gami. ■ Methods Yeoldahansotang-gami was given to patients with type 2 diabetes for 71days. To evaluate the effect, blood glucose was measured 4 times a day. As measured blood sugar, the frequency of hyperglycemia, changes in fasting blood sugar, changes in postprandial blood sugar, and changes in glucose variability were analyzed. The patient's insulin injection dose change was observed, and HbA1c and glycated albumin were measured. Follow-up was performed for 7 months to observe whether the treatment effect was maintained. ■ Results During treatment, the patient's blood sugar control, glucose variability, and HbA1c were improved, and insulin injection dose was gradually reduced and stopped. HbA1c and glycated albumin levels maintained improvement without insulin injection during the follow-up period. ■ Conclusion This study showed the effect of yeoldahansotang-gami on type 2 diabetes patient.

• The Korean Journal of Urological Oncology
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.103-109
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• 2018

Purpose: We evaluated the relationship of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and obesity indices (weight, body mass index [BMI] and waist circumference [WC]) in Korean middle-aged men. Materials and Methods: From February to September 2013, 1,900 police men under 60 years old who participated in a prostate health screening program were included this cross-sectional study. All subjects underwent clinical examinations including weight, height, BMI, WC, fasting blood sugar, lipid profiles, estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and PSA. Total prostate volume (TPV) was assessed clinically. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression tests were performed to evaluate the obesity indices and PSA relationships. Results: The mean age was $52.0{\pm}4.7years$, and the mean PSA was $0.97{\pm}0.99ng/mL$. The PSA showed a significant positive correlation with the age (r=0.108, p<0.01), TPV (r=0.349, p<0.01), height (r=-0.052, p<0.05), weight (r=0.186, p<0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=0.056, p<0.05), and GFR (r=-0.096, p<0.01). All obesity indices including weight, BMI, and WC showed negative correlations with PSA (beta=-0.013, p<0.001; beta=-0.039, p<0.001; and beta=-0.010, p=0.005; respectively) in age and TPV-adjusted model. Conclusions: Common obesity indices (weight, BMI, and WC) were associated with lower PSA in Korean middle-aged population. Thus, an individual's degree of obesity should be considered when PSA is checked in the first prostate cancer screening of life.

• Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.98-109
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• 2018

Objective: To examine the effects of sodium intake on the correlations between the saltsensitive gene ${\alpha}$-adducin 1 (ADD1) and inflammatory cytokines in Korean childhood obesity. Methods: A total of 2,070 students aged 8-9 years old participated in this study. The anthropometrics, serum biochemistry profile, inflammatory cytokines, and three-day dietary assessment were analyzed according to sex, obesity degree, and ADD1 polymorphism. Results: The obesity prevalence was higher in boys (15.6%) than in girls (11.9%). Boys also showed higher values in anthropometrics; lipid, glucose, and insulin profiles; total calorie intakes, as well as those of sodium and calcium compared with those of the girls. The more obese were boys and girls, the higher were the anthropometrics and the blood levels (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and insulin), but the lower was high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The obese boys had significantly higher sodium and Na/K intakes, while the obese girls had higher visfatin level and Na/K intake. In addition, an increase in the risk factors for blood pressure and obesity in ADD1 variants was identified. Serum tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) significantly increased with increasing sodium intake in the ADD1 W allele carriers, regardless of sex. The presence of obesity with the ADD1 W allele induced inflammatory accelerators such as $TNF-{\alpha}$ or C-reactive protein(CRP) with higher sodium intake. Conclusion: Obese children with an ADD1w allele can experience a more complex form of obesity than non-obese when exposed to an obesity-inducing environment and need to be controlled sodium intake in the diet.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The glycemic index (GI) is a measure of the postprandial glucose response (PPGR) to food items, and glycemic load (GL) is a measure of the PPGR to the diet. For those who need to maintain a healthy diet, it is beneficial to regulate appropriate levels of blood glucose. In reality, what influences the meal GI or GL depends on the macronutrient composition and the physical chemistry reactions in vivo. Thus, we investigated whether different macronutrients in a meal significantly affect the PPGR and the validity of calculated GI and GL values for mixed meals. SUBJECTS/METHODS: 12 healthy subjects (6 male, 6 female) were recruited at a campus setting, and subjects consumed a total of 6 test meals one by one, each morning between 8:00 and 8:30 am after 12 h of fasting. PPGR was measured after each consumed meal and serial finger pricks were performed at indicated times. Test meals included 1) 68 g oral glucose, 2) 210 g rice, 3) rice plus 170 g egg white (RE), 4) rice plus 200 g bean sprouts (RS), 5) rice plus 10 g oil (RO), and 6) rice plus, egg white, bean sprouts, and oil (RESO). The incremental area under the curve (iAUC) was calculated to assess the PPGR. Mixed meal GI and GL values were calculated based on the nutrients the subjects consumed in each of the test meals. RESULTS: The iAUC for all meals containing two macronutrients (RS, RO, or RE) were not significantly different from the rice iAUC, whereas, the RESO iAUC ($2,237.5{\pm}264.9$) was significantly lower (P < 0.05). The RESO meal's calculated GI and GL values were different from the actual GI and GL values measured from the study subjects (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The mixed meal containing three macronutrients (RESO) decreased the PPGR in healthy individuals, leading to significantly lower actual GI and GL values than those derived by nutrient-based calculations. Thus, consuming various macronutrient containing meals is beneficial in regulating PPGR.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.113-124
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• 2019

This is a convergence study to investigate the relationship between cereal intake level and food and nutrient intake in 218 Chinese middle aged women aged 40 to 65 years. Data were analyzed by ${\chi}^2$ test, ANOVA, correlation analysis and Jonckheere-Terpstra trend test using SPSS 22.0 program. The results of the study were as follows. The higher the level of cereal intake in the subjects, the lower were the rate of breakfast fasting (p for trend=0.000), overeating (p for trend=0.019), and eating out (p for trend=0.003). The intake of root and tuber crops(p for trend=0.008), meat(p for trend=0.043), pulses(p for trend=0.020), and light colored vegetables(p for trend=0.015) per 1,000 kcal of energy increased when the level of cereal intake was 6 to 9 units. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss and study for continuous education and improvement through the feedback so that the middle-aged women can take the cereal appropriately.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.105-112
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• 2018

PURPOSE: Strengthening training is effective at improving the function of stroke patients. This study was conducted to compare the effects of exercise intensity on walking, balancing ability, and blood glucose in stroke patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to suggest more effective exercise intensity for stroke patients. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were divided into an experimental group (n=11) and a control group (n=11). In the experimental group, a 40-70% strength of 1RM exercise program was applied for 40 minutes a day, three times a week for 4 weeks. The control group received a 50% intensity of 1RM for the same number and duration of interventions as the experimental group. RESULTS: Both the experimental group and the control group showed significant improvement in the gait function, balance ability, and blood glucose level after the intervention compared to before the intervention. In the FGA (functional gait assessment), the experimental group showed a 52.4% greater increase than the control group, and the fasting blood glucose level was 16.7% greater in the experimental group than the control group. CONCLUSION: The strengthening exercise program, which gradually increases exercise intensity, seems to be effective at improving the function of stroke patients with type 2 diabetes.