• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.248-255
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• 2017

Increased hepatic enzymes are associated with insulin resistance, metabolic complications, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolically healthy obese (MHO) phenotype is not accompanied by metabolic complications and maintains insulin sensitivity, despite excessive body fat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical implications of hepatic enzymes in MHO men. The diagnostic criteria for MHO were based on NCEP-ATP III and obesity in adults was defined using WHO Asian-Pacific criteria. We used the data from 9,683 obese men aged between 20 and 70 years. The subjects were divided into three groups according to the diagnostic criteria: The metabolically healthy non-obese (MHNO, N=2,878), metabolically healthy obese (MHO, N=5,427), and metabolically abnormal obese (MAO, N=1,378). Obesity criteria were classified according to the standards set forth by WHO Asia-Pacific Criteria. AST, ALT, and GGT were significantly lower in the MHO group than in the MAO group (p<0.001, respectively). However, the hepatic enzyme levels were higher in the MHO group than in the MHNO group (p<0.001). Liver enzymes were associated with metabolic syndrome risk factors. Waist circumference, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and HDL-C were risk factors for metabolic syndrome affecting liver enzymes. In conclusion, hepatic enzymes were found to predict metabolic abnormalities in metabolically healthy obese men.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.325-332
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• 2018

The mechanism of the previously reported antidiabetic effect of Basella alba is unknown. This study investigated the role of B. alba aqueous leaf extract in the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and islet morphology in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Forty male Wistar rats, between 8 and 10 weeks old, were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) and administered the following treatments: Healthy control (H-c) and Diabetic control (D-c) animals received normal saline 0.5 mL/100 g body weight daily, while Healthy Treatment (H-Ba) and Diabetic Treatment (D-Ba) rats received the plant extract 200 mg/kg body weight daily. All treatments were administered by oral gavage. Diabetes was induced in D-c and D-Ba rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg body). The body weight and fasting blood sugar (FBS) levels were recorded every week for 4 weeks, after which the rats were euthanized and samples collected for further analysis. After the experiment, FBS level was significantly reduced (p < 0.0001) in rats in the D-Ba group, but increased (p < 0.001) in rats in the D-c group. The absolute (H-c and H-Ba vs D-c, p < 0.05) and relative (D-Ba vs H-c, p < 0.05; D-Ba vs H-Ba, p < 0.005) weights of the pancreases were significantly higher after the experiment. The rats in the D-c group had significantly higher levels of serum interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (p < 0.001 vs H-c; p < 0.05 vs H-Ba and D-Ba) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (p < 0.0001), but lower levels of interleukin-10 (p < 0.05) in comparison with the other groups. Histopathological examination revealed severe interstitial congestion, reduced islet area (p < 0.0001), and increased islet cell density in the D-c group compared with those in the D-Ba group. From these findings, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of B. alba stimulates the recovery of beta-islet morphology in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats by modulating the peripheral production of inflammatory cytokines.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.510-524
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• 2009

Objective : This study was designed to find the correlation between Sasang Constitution and heart rate variability(HRV). Method : There were 665 subjects (280 men and 385 women), between 39 and 72 years old. in a rural community. Sasang Constitution was diagnosed by a Sasang constitutional specialist using PSSC (Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), face and tongue photo and checkup-list. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics. HRV was recorded using SA-2000 (medi-core). HRV was assessed by time domain and by frequency domain analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined on the basis of clustering of risk factors, when three or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors were included : blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride HDL-cholesterol, and abdominal obesity (waist). Because of the skewness of the data, logarithmic transformation was performed on the absolute units of the spectral components of HRV, and the resulting logarithmic values and normalized units were compared between the groups by a logistic regression. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio was used and calculated from the data laid out for a cross sectional study. Results : 1. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly lower than that of Soyangin in LF norm and LF/HF ratio. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly higher than that of Soyangin in HF norm. 2. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in female adults from 60 years old and over. 3. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in male adults. Conclusion : There is a statistically significant correlation between the HRV and Sasang Constitution. There is a tendency of increase in the sympathetic activity in Soyangin. There is a tendency of decrease in the parasympathetic activity in Taeeumin and Soeumin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1580-1584
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• 2004

On the basis of the widely collected fork prescriptions, long clinical practice of himself, together with integration of all the good points of earlier medical specialists, 孫思邈 wrote 『千金方』 of thirty volumes. Among them Volumes 『食治』 (Food Therapy) and 『養性』(Cultivating the Character) are especially meaningful for in gerontology. Thirty years after its completion, as a supplement, he wrote another thirty volumes of 『千金翼方』. Mr. Sun integrated his discoveries in the treatments of the aged patients, and his opinions for longevity into the Volumes 『養性』 (Cultivating the Character), 『?穀』(Fasting), 『退居』(Retirement), 『補益』(Supplementation). Thus he laid down the basic foundation for the gerontology of Chinese medicine. 『千金要方』 and 『千金翼方』 by Mr. Sun discuss mainly the prevention of illness for aged patients. As for the function of food therapy, he explains: 'Food can dispel evil elements of the body and settle down its organs. It can further bring pleasure to man's spirit and help the circulation of blood and breath.' He then propose the major method of food therapy: 'For a medical doctor, he should understand the causes of disease, then treat it with food. Only after the food treatment fails, medicine is employed.' He thinks that medicine does work in treatment, but it also creates imbalance in the body, and makes the latter vulnerable to outside harms. Therefore, a good doctor is the one who cures the disease and bring pleasure to the patient with food. He stresses that food therapy is always a priority. Mr. Sun prefers animal's organs in the food therapy for aged. For example, he uses powder of sheep's kidney to treat the lumbago. He suggests the viewpoint of 'Curing man's organs with animal's organs' and 'Strengthening man's organs with animal's organs,' and sets the theoretical foundation of 'Organic Treatment.' Mr. Sun's gerontology and food therapy received further development latter. The prescriptions contained therein had been widely used in 王懷隱's 『太平聖惠方』 and 陳直's 『養老奉親書』, both in the Song Dynasty. Eventually they had become a science of food therapy for aged patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1426-1436
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• 2004

There have been several reports on the relationship between G protein β3 subunit gene (GNB3), angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE), β3-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB3), and β2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2) genotype and obesity or obesity related disease. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between the combinations of these four genes' polymorphism and probability of obesity related disease in Korean female subjects. The experimental group was consisted of 85 obese Korean female subjects (body mass index, BMI≥27㎏/㎡). To determine the polymorphism, genomic DNA was isolated, and PCR was performed. Serological examinations (fasting plasma glucose, FPG; aspartate aminotranferase, AST; alanine aminotransferase, ALT; total cholesterol, TC; triglyceride, TG; high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, HDL; low density lipoprotein-choles terol, LDL) were carried by an autoanalyzer and serological methods. BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference and waist hip ratio (WHR) were measured. Consequencely in the analysis with grouping of general genotyping and variant allele carrier/non-carrier, the result was not significantly different within all gene combinations and polymorphic pairings except higher waist circumference in Arg16Arg group of ADRB2 codon16 (P=0.024). And there was no significantly contrast result about age, height, weight, AST and ALT that are index feature of liver and gall bladder disease in polymorphic pairings of gene combinations. However, the statistical analysis of waist-hip ratio and waist circumference that could be recognized as the physical type of obesity showed T-Arg16 pairing carrier in GNB3-ADRB2 codon16 combination had increased WHR and WC significantly (P=0.046 and P=0.015 respectively). Futhermore, the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipoprotein choresteral (LDL) were significantly lower in C-I pairing of GNB3-ACE combination (P=0.032 and P=0.005). These results suggest that the T-Arg16 pairing carrier in GNB3-ADRB2 codon16 gene might have increased waist circumference and C-I pairing carrier in GNB3-ACE combination have lower possibility of contraction of cardiovascular disease related cholesterol and LDL despite of obese state.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.581-585
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• 2011

Either the fasting during natural molting or the starvation in induced molting would be a severe metabolic stress to laying hens. The metabolic stress during starvation and subsequent refeeding syndrome could lead to unbalance of mineral homeostasis, including $Mg^{2+}$, $K^+$ and P required by ATP synthesis. Since $Mg^{2+}$ is a fundamental ion for normal metabolic processes and stress may not only increase in demands of $Mg^{2+}$ but also produce consequence of $Mg^{2+}$ deficiency, we investigated the changes of blood ionized and total ions related to starvation during molting in laying hens. We founded the significant decrease in blood $Mg^{2+}$ and $K^+$ accompanied by the changes of biochemical parameters relating to increased metabolic stress after molting. These results suggested that appropriate $Mg^{2+}$ and $K^+$ supplements to laying hens could have beneficial effects during molting and subsequent refeeding that could produce a severe hypomagnesemia and hypokalcemia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1126-1132
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• 2004

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of functional food, which was processed with fermented soybean as main ingredient (FS), on the body weight, organ weight, plasma glucose, and plasma lipid in diabetic rats caused by streptozotocin (STZ). The body weight was decreased more slowly in the FS group than in the diabetic, and the food intake increased significantly in all diabetic groups. The food efficiency was very low in all diabetic groups, but increased significantly in the FS groups than diabetic control (p＜0.05). In comparing the weight of organ, the weight of liver and kidney were increased in all diabetic groups than in the control, and decreased slightly in FS groups. The weight of heart and spleen were not different among all test groups. In the oral glucose tolerance test, the blood glucose in the diabetic group was the highest in 60 minutes. And the blood glucose in the FS group was the highest in 30 minutes, and decreased significantly after 120 minutes to the level of fasting glucose. The glucose in serum was decreased significantly in the FS groups fed the functional food for 4 weeks, compared to the diabetic control (p＜0.05). Total cholesterol, triglyceride and atherogenic index (AI) in serum were significantly higher in diabetic control, compared to the normal (p＜0.05), and decreased by 16.4％, 15.4％ and 48.3％, respectively, in the FS fed 400 mg/kg of functional food. HDL-cholesterol was increased significantly in the FS-400, compared to the diabetic control. These results support that functional food using fermented soybean improve glucose and lipid metabolism in diabetic rats.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.161-175
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• 2007

It is important for young adults to establish good dietary behavior for healthy life. The prevalence of obesity in college students has increased gradually. The obesity is one of the most prevalent health problems in S. Korea. Moreover, obesity is closely related with the disease such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate health practice, serum components and nutrient intake of the college students according to Body Mass Index (BMI) level. 400 male and female freshmen students in 4 year university located near to Seoul metropolitan area were surveyed respectively through the health check-up procedure for college entrance in February. Survey was carried out for them by questionnaires, including a 24-hour dietary recall and anthropometric measurements. Blood samples were obtained while fasting. Nutrient intake was expressed by DDS(Dietary Diversity Score by 5 food groups) and DVS(Dietary Variety Score). Nutrition level was analyzed by Can-Pro (Korea Nutrition Association). And for the quantity intake, percentage ratio against daily requirement(by KDRIs) and MAR(Mean Adequacy Ratio) were calculated. Underweight group($BMI<18.5kg/m^2$), normal weight group($18.5) and overweight group($BMI<23.0 kg/m^2$) were 18.5%, 61.2% and 19.3% respectively. Nutrient intake levels and food intake status were not significantly different among three groups. The mean nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) was not significantly different by BMI status. Nutrient intakes of calcium, iron, and riboflavin were especially low for all the students. Overweight group showed high blood pressure(120.9/79.3 mmHg) compared with the underweight group (116.4/ 75.8mmHg) but the difference was not significant. The serum triglyceride level in overweight group (94,0mg%) was higher than that in normal (70.9mg%) or underweight group(70.8mg%)(p<0.05). HDL-cholesterol level in overweight (43.8 mg%) group was not significantly different from that in underweight group (45.9mg%). BMI was positively correlated with blood pressure, hemoglobin, and the intake of total fat and cholesterol. But it was negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol level. With these results overweight group is closely related with the cardiovascular disease risks, such as high blood pressure and high triglycerides and cholesterol. Thus, a health intervention program including weight control is required for young adults.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.501-510
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• 2010

This study was conducted to assess blood components caused by metabolic syndrome increasing in postmenopausal elderly women. The blood samples of these subjects were analyzed to investigate the correlation of plasma taurine levels and plasma homocysteine levels, and serum lipid profiles. The subjects were 33 elderly women($72.8{\pm}4.4$ years). Their mean height, weight and BMI were $150.5{\pm}5.7\;cm$, $57.5{\pm}6.3\;kg$ and $25.4{\pm}2.5\;kg/m^2$. 16 women of this study subjects have been chronic diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. Their fasting blood glucose was $98.2{\pm}24.0\;mg/d{\ell}$, and their plasma total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, triglyceride(TG) were $216.5{\pm}29.9$, $52.1{\pm}10.7$, $145.7{\pm}27.9$ and $141.2{\pm}59.6\;mg/d{\ell}$, respectively. Their blood lipid profiles were higher than the standard levels of metabolic syndrome, thus these levels of lipid profiles may play a role as risk factors on the elderly person. Plasma taurine level of the subjects was $278.5{\pm}48.1\;{\mu}mol/{\ell}$, and their plasma homocysteine level was $12.8{\pm}2.9\;{\mu}mol/{\ell}$. The concentration of plasma vitamin $B_{12}$ was significantly decreased by aging(p<0.05). The correlation of plasma homocysteine and plasma folate showed significantly negative(p<0.05). Thus, the decreased levels of plasma vitamin $B_{12}$ and folate by aging might affect on the plasma homocyteine concentration acting as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases for elderly person. The correlation of plasma taurine and hemoglobin, and their platelet showed significantly positive(p<0.05). In conclusion, the diet on the elderly person is one of the important factors to prevent their health from chronic diseases. This study recommends that well balanced diets are needed for elderly person to keep their health and prevent from metabolic syndrome.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.522-527
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• 2010

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability and remains so in the future. The aim of this study was to detect the impact of a 6-month diet intervention on cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal Iranian women. It was a randomized controlled trial that carried out in the East Health Clinic in Ahvaz-Iran. This study started on June 2007 and was completed on May 2008. A total 64 healthy postmenopausal women recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention group (35) and control (29). Over the six months follow-up, the intervention group received five educational sessions (two face to face and three lecture discussion classes with slide demonstration) at the first month. These sessions were about menopause, cardiovascular disease and healthy diet. Every participant in the intervention group received one face to face education session at the $3^{rd}$ month, and also received a telephone call at the end of each month starting with the second month to remain on the diet. Pre-intervention and post-intervention anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, blood lipids and dietary intake were assessed. Data analyzed using the SPSS version 15. Descriptive (means and SD), univariate (paired-t test, Chi-Square and Independent T-test) and multivariate (GLM Repeated Measure) statistics were used. Participants in the diet group had significantly lower weight (-0.9 kg), body mass index (-0.4 $kg/m^2$), and fasting blood sugar (-4.5 mg/dl). The diet group significantly increased their daily intake of fiber (+2.3 g, P=0.05), decreased their intake of sodium (-28 mg, P=0.04), and consumption of fruit and vegetable ${\geq}$ 5 serving a day (80%, P=0.03) compared to the control group. Post menopausal women are at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease. Healthy diet using educational intervention can be an effective means of reducing cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women.