• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.57-64
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• 2009

Fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA), a subunit of fibrinogen, might be a potential player for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), since the plasma levels of fibrinogen is known to be related to the incidence of T2DM. To elucidate the potential role of FGA in T2DM, we investigated whether FGA genetic variations are relevant in T2DM in the Korean population. Seven FGA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were genotyped in Ansung and Ansan cohorts (474 T2DM subjects and 470 normal controls) in Korea. The association between SNPs and T2DM was determined by logistic regression analysis. Genetic relevance of SNPs to T2DM-related phenotypes was investigated by multiple linear regression analysis. Statistical analysis revealed that among seven FGA SNPs, significant associations with T2DM were observed in FGA rs2070011 (p=0.013-0.034, OR=0.72${\sim}$0.79), rs6050 (p=0.026${\sim}$0.048, OR=1.24${\sim}$1.37), and rs2070022 (p=0.016${\sim}$0.039, OR=0.70${\sim}$0.72). Two SNPs, rs2070011 and rs6050, also showed significant association with T2DM-related phenotypes such as triglyceride (p=0.005${\sim}$0.011 for rs2070011 and p=0.003${\sim}$0.008 for rs6050), total cholesterol (p=0.01 for rs2070011 and p=0.024 for rs6050) and fasting glucose (p=0.035${\sim}$0.036 for rs2070011 and p=0.048 for rs6050) in 470 normal controls. Our association study implies that FGA might be an important genetic factor in T2DM pathogenesis in the Korean population by affecting plasma lipid and glucose levels.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.201-208
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• 2005

Earlier we have reported the antidiabetic activity of fresh juice of rhizomes of Zingiber officinale (Z. officinale) and its correlation with 5-HT receptor antagonism. Since 6-gingerol the marker compound of Z. officinale is reported to posses 5-HT anatgonistic activity, the present investigation, was undertaken to find out the concentration of 6-gingerol present in methanolic extract of Z. officinale and its different fractions (petroleum ether, toluene and chloroform). We also evaluated these fractions for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced neonatal type 2 diabetic rats. Fasting glucose and insulin levels in non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) rats were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher than control rats and these were significantly decreased by treatment with methanolic extract of Z. officinale and its fractions. The results of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) showed that methanolic extract and its fractions significantly (P < 0.05) decreased both STZ-induced increase in $AUC_{glucose}$ and $AUC_{insulin}$ values in NIDDM groups. Treatment with petroleum ether fraction produced a greater reduction in elevated glucose and $AUC_{glucose}$ levels as compared to treatment with other fractions. Treatment with methanolic extract of Z. officinale and its fractions also produced significant reduction in the elevated lipid, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) levels in NIDDM rats. The effect of petroleum ether fraction on elevated lipid, SGOT and SGPT levels was significantly greater as compared to treatment with other fractions. The concentration of 6-gingerol was found to be maximum in petroleum ether fraction (11.430%) and minimum in chloroform fraction (0.973%). The methanolic extract and toluene fraction was found to contain 3.080% and 2.191 %, 6-gingerol respectively. In conclusion, our data suggest that methonolic extract and its fractions possess significant antidiabetic activity in NIDDM rats. The extent of activity appears to be dependent on the concentration of 6-gingerol present in the extract or its fractions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.23-30
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• 2011

Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba water extract on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in rats. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups ; normal, STZ-control and Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba (A) water extract-administrated group. Rats in which diabetic was induced by intraperitonal injection with STZ(60 mg/kg body weight). STZ-induced diabetic rats were orally administrated A extract daily for 5 weeks at doses of 200 or 500 mg/kg. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride and blood urea nitrogen were measured in sera of rats. Total volume of urine and urinary creatinine were also measured. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining for the expression of insulin and ${\alpha}$-SMA in pancreas and kidney were performed, respectively. Results : There were no differences in body and kidney weights between STZ-control and A extract-administrated groups. However, serum triglyceride level was significantly decreased in A extract-administrated groups compared with those of STZ-control group. Histopathological analysis of pancreas and kidney revealed increased the number of islets and insulin-positive beta-cells in pancreas, and decreased morphological changes of glomerulus and ${\alpha}$-SMA expression in kidney after the administration of A extract. Conclusions : These results suggest that Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba has a biological action on STZ-induced diabetes in rats via decreasing the serum levels of total triglyceride, and suppressing the morphological changes of pancreas and kidney.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.111-122
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• 2015

Objectives: Schizandrae fructus (Schizandra chinensis) is one of very common herbs, it is known as natural antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agent. Also some reports show that its extract works to regulate of dyslipidemia. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Schizandrae fructus chloroform fraction (SFCF) on serum lipid levels in dyslipidemic mice. Methods: The levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), fasting blood glucose in serum were measured. Histopathological and gene expression changes in liver tissue were also observed. Results: Oral administration of SFCF lowered levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride, which were elevated by high-fat diet. But SFCF did not affect on weight changes and serum AST, ALT levels in dyslipidemic mice. After carrying out gene ontological analysis, large numbers of genes in high-fat diet group were up-(347) or down-regulated (235). In SFCF treated mice, some changed expression of the genes was restored to normal levels, with a recovery rate of 17%. And it seems that fatty acid biosynthesis pathway was one of important key pathways to recovery. Conclusions: SFCF has beneficial effect on dyslipidemia, and could be used to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was to investigate how body-shape perception could influence to weight control practice both in normal and obese group. Methods: We used 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to analysis 1) weight control practices of population; 2) consistency between body-shape perception and body mass index; 3) comparison weight control practices between normal group and body mass index (BMI) obese group in perceptional obese group; 4) odds ratio of BMI obese group using herbal drugs for weight control practice in perceptional obese group. Results: We found that study population tends to choose exercise, dietary restriction, meal skip, health functional food, one-food, drug, herbal drug, fasting and self-medication in order of frequency to control weight. The agreement between body-shape perception and BMI within obese group was approximately 64% with 0.40 of Cohen's Kappa coefficient, ranging from 0.384 to 0.423. Within perceptional obese group, choosing each weight control practice methods ratios between normal BMI group and obese BMI group were not significantly different. Within perceptional obese group, obese BMI group showed significant odds ratio (2.58, 95% confidence intervals, 1.38~4.85) than normal BMI group in choosing herbal medication for weight loss when adjusting other variables. Conclusions: We concluded that body-shape perception might be an important factor for choosing weight control program, and roles of Korean medical doctors thought to be enhanced for using herbal medication for weight loss.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2012

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome has received attention as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with particular importance attached to visceral fat accumulation, which is associated with lifestyle-related diseases and is strongly correlated with waist circumference. In this study, our aim is to propose waist circumference cut-off values that can be used as a marker for fatty liver based on a sample of workers receiving health checkups in Japan. Methods: This study was conducted in a total of 21,866 workers who underwent periodic health checkups between January 2007 and December 2007. The mean age of the subjects was 47.4 years for men (standard deviation [SD]: 8.0) and 44.7 years for women (SD: 6.9). Evaluation included abdominal ultrasound and measurement of waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure. Results: Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal waist circumference cut-off values were shown as 85.0 cm (sensitivity 0.72, specificity 0.69) for men and 80.0 cm (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.78) for women. Conclusion: Abdominal ultrasound is the most efficient means of diagnosing fatty liver, but this examination seldom occurs because the test is not routinely performed at workers' health checkups. In people found to have a high risk of fatty liver, recommendations can be made for abdominal ultrasound based on the waist circumference cut-off values obtained in this study. That is, waist circumference can be used in high risk individuals as an effective marker for early detection of fatty liver.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.650-655
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• 2001

Carvedilol is a nonselective $\beta$-blocking agent with vasodilating properties that are attributed mainly to its blocking activity at $\alpha$$^{1}$-receptors. Carvedilol is used in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertention and angina pectoris and is often used in combination with other drugs. This study was carried out to evaluate the bioequivalence and pharmacokinetics of two carvedilol 25mg tablet formulations according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Twenty healthy volunteers are enrolled and received a single dose (25mg as carvedilol) of each drug in the fasting state, in a randomized 2-way crossover design. After oral administration, blond samples were collected for a period of 30 hours. Plasma concentrations of carvedilol were determined by a rapid and sensitive HPLC method with spectrofluorometric detection. The major pharmacokinetic parameters such as AU $C_{0-}$30hr/, AU $C_{inf}$ , $C_{max}$, $T_{max}$, $t_{1}$2 / Cl/F and V $_{\beta}$//F were calculated. ANOVA test and t-test were utilized for the statistical analysis of each parameter. The results showed that the differences in AU $C_{0-}$30hr/, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ between two were ~5.66, 1.74 and 0.00%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences ($\Delta$) at $\alpha$=0.05 were less than$\pm$ 20% except $T_{max}$ (8.44, 18.36, and 33.86%, respectively). The 90% confidence intervals of all parameters were within $\pm$20% (-10.60~ -0.72, -9.00~12.49 and -19.81~19.81%, respectively). Therefore, it is concluded that the two formulations are bioequivalent for both the extent and the rate of absorption after single dose administration.ation.ion.ion.ation.ion.n.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.240-249
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the relation of serum calcium level, body mass index(BMI) with bone status expressed as broadband ultrasound attenuation(BUA) measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and the occurrence of osteopenia among adult men and women. Two hundred eleven(63 male and 148 female) workers who worked in 4 different battery factories were recruited from March 2005 to October 2005. BUA was used as a surrogate of bone mineral density and measured at left calcaneous bone area. The BUA value transformed into T-score by WHO standard conversion criteria to determine osteopenia (-2.5

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2008

The present study was designed to investigate the anti-diabetic effect and mechanism of Korean red ginseng in C57BL/KsJ db/db mice. The db/db mice were divided into three groups: diabetic control group (DC), Korean red ginseng group (KRG, 100 mg/kg) and metformin group (MET, 300 mg/kg), and treated with drugs once per day for 10 weeks. Compared to the DC group, fasting blood glucose levels were decreased by 19.8% in KRG-, 67.7% in MET-treated group. With decreased plasma glucose and insulin levels, the insulin resistance index of the KRG-treated group was reduced by 27.6% compared to the DC group. The HbA1c levels in KRG and MET-treated groups were also decreased by 11.0% and 18.9% compared to that of DC group, respectively. Plasma triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid levels were decreased by 18.8% and 16.8%, respectively, and plasma adiponectin and leptin levels were increased by 20.6% and 12.1%, respectively, in the KRG-treated group compared to those in DC group. Histological analyses of the liver and fat tissue of mice treated with KRG revealed significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and decreased size of adipocytes compared to the DC group. From the pancreatic islet double-immunofluorescence staining, we observed KRG has increased insulin contents, but decreased glucagon production. To elucidate action mechanism of KRG, effects on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and its downstream target proteins responsible for fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis were explored in the liver. KRG activated AMPK and acetyl-coA carboxylase (ACC) phosphorylations, resulting in stimulation of fatty acid oxidation. KRG also caused to down regulation of SREBP1a and its target gene expressions such as FAS, SCD1 and GPAT. In summary, our results suggest that KRG exerted the anti-diabetic effect through AMPK activation in the liver of db/db mice.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2000

Two hundred sixty six children were retrospectively surveyed from first to fifth grade to find out the status of obesity during four years. The obesity index was gained by height and weight data from student's health file and the data about eating behaviors and weight control behaviors, etc. were collected by questionnaires. Children assigned to one of the following groups : underweight, normal, overweight and obese. The results were as follows ; 1. Obese children were 18.6%(n=27) of boys and 10.8%(n=13) of girls at fifth grade. 2. Twenty eight children among forty obese children at fifth grade were also overweight or obese at first grade, and the other twelve was normal. 3. Breakfast skipping rate was significantly high among underweight and obese group of boys(p<0.01).The most children(87.6%) had prejudice for special foods. 4. The rate of agreement between obesity index and self recognition of body image was 60.7% in boys and 63.6% in girls. 5. Forty two point five percent of children have ever tried weight control as exercise(35.7%), reducing sugars and snacks(27%), fasting(23.8%), avoiding fatty foods(12.7%), taking diet food or drug(0.8%). In conclusion, the prevalence of children obesity is gradually increasing and children tried weight control without right guidances. In order to prevent progress into adulthood obesity, nutrition education should be followed with school foodservice including the right perception for obesity, proper weight control and eating behavior modification.