• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.77-81
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• 2010

Plasma cholesterol is increased in normal aging in both rodents and humans. This is associated with reduced elimination of cholesterol and decreased receptor-mediated clearance of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine age-related changes in plasma lipid profiles, and (2) to determine the effect of fenofibrate, an activator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR $\alpha$), on plasma lipid profiles in normal rats on a standard diet. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=15) were fed standard chow and water from 10 to 25 weeks of age. During that period, we measured daily food intake, body weight, fasting and random blood glucose levels, plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) levels. At 20 weeks of age, all rats were randomly divided into two groups: a fenofibrate group (in which rats were gavaged with 300 mg/kg/day of fenofibrate) and a control group (gavaged with water). Fenofibrate treatment lasted 5 weeks. There were no significant changes in daily food intake, blood glucose, and plasma TG level with age. Body weight, plasma TC, and FFA levels were significantly increased with age. Fenofibrate significantly decreased plasma concentrations of TC and FFA, which had been increased with age. However, fenofibrate did not influence the plasma concentration of TG, which had not increased with age. These results suggest that fenofibrate might have a novel role in preventing age-related hypercholesterolemia in SD rats on a normal diet.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2013

Quantities as well as distributions of adipose tissue (AT) are significantly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and can be altered with caloric restriction. This study investigated which cross-sectional slice location of AT is most strongly correlated with changes in CVD risk factors after caloric restriction in obese Korean women. Thirty-three obese pre-menopausal Korean women ($32.4{\pm}8.5$ yrs, BMI $27.1{\pm}2.3\;kg/m^2$) participated in a 12 weeks caloric restriction program. Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured using computed tomography (CT) scans at the sites of L2-L3, L3-L4, and L4-L5. Fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), leptin and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were observed. Pearson's partial correlation coefficients were used to assess the relationship between AT measurement sites and changes in CVD risk factors after calorie restriction. When calories were reduced by 350 kcal/day for 12 weeks, body weight (-2.7%), body fat mass (-8.2%), and waist circumference (-5.8%) all decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, following caloric restriction, serum levels of glucose (-4.6%), TC (-6.2%), LDL-C (-5.3%), leptin (-17.6%) and HOMA-IR (-18.2%) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as well. Changes in VAT at the level of L3-L4 were significantly greater than those at other abdominal sites, and these changes were correlated with changes in TC (P < 0.05), LDL-C (P < 0.001), SBP (P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (P < 0.01). These results show that VAT at L3-L4 had a stronger correlation with CVD risk factors than with other AT measurement sites after caloric restriction.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.99-105
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• 2012

Objectives : Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. are used as a traditional treatment for diabetes. This study was designed to elucidate whether combination with Korean red ginseng and Morus alba L. (MPM) ameliorates metabolic syndrome in fructose-fed rats. Methods : Animals were divided into four groups; Control receiving tap water, fructose-fed, rosiglitazone-treated fructose-fed rats, and MPM-treated fructose-fed rats both receiving supplemented with 60% fructose (n=10). The MPM or rosiglitazone groups initially received a high-fructose (HF) diet alone for 8 weeks, with supplementation with MPM or rosiglitazone occurring during the final 6 weeks. Results : MPM and rosiglitazone, synthetic $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonist, treatment significantly prevented the increase in fasting serum glucose, leptin, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein in the HF group when comparing with the control group. MPM and rosiglitazone also led to an increase in high density lipoprotein level in the HF group. The administration of MPM and rosiglitazone prevented the development of the metabolic disturbances such as impaired glucose tolerance, and blood pressure. MPM suppressed increased expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) in HF rat aorta. In addition, MPM significantly increased IR-${\beta}$ and PPAR-${\gamma}$ expression in muscle. Conclusions : Based on these results, we suggest that the administration of MPM improves metabolic syndrome through the alteration in lipid profiles and suppression of insulin resistant and blood pressure.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2006

Objectives : This study was aimed to assess the distribution of Sasang constitution(SC) in acute stroke patients. Methods : We assessed the type of SC of acute stroke patients in the oriental medical hospitals of 3 universities located in metropolitan region from October 2005 to October 2006 by Questionnaire for the Sasang Constitution Clssification II(QSCCII). We investigated general characteristics, stroke type, blood test results, alcohol drinking, smoking and dietary preferences according to SC. Results : 236 subjects were included into the final analysis. 1. This study showed that the proportion of So-yang was highest of all constitutions(45.3%). And the body weight, body mass index, the waist circumference(WC), the hip circumference(HC), and the WC/HC ratio recorded the significantly high result in Tae-eum. 2. In the TOAST classification, SVO was the major type occupying 81.7% in the total subjects. 3. In Tae-eum, total cholesterol, triglyceride and 2 hours postprandial plasma glucose level were the highest and fasting glucose was significantly highest of all constitutions. Conclusion : From this study, we could roughly seize the distribution of Sasang constitution in acute stroke patients. For the further research, it seems to be necessary to construct fundamental databases for stroke by increasing the number of patients and by analyzing delicate characteristics of each constitution type.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.12
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• pp.1300-1309
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• 2008

Purpose :This study aimed to estimate age- and gender-specific cut points for metabolic syndrome (MS) components, including body mass index (BMI), blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and glucose. Methods :Data from the 1998, 2001, and 2005 Korean NHANES (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) were analyzed (n=4164; 2,139 boys and 2,025 girls, aged 10-19 years). Height, weight, waist circumference (WC), BP, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and fasting glucose were measured. Results :BMI over $25kg/m^2$ represents the $85^{th}P$ (percentile) in 17-year-old boys and the $90^{th}P$ in 17-year-old girls. A level of WC higher than that of the cutoff points of Asian adults was found in the $90^{th}P$ of 17-year-old boys and girls. The $90^{th}P$ of boys aged 15 years old and the $95^{th}P$ of 13-year-old were included in the range of systolic BP over 130 mm Hg. Over the $75^{th}P$ of the group showed triglycerides greater than 110 mg/dL, (criterion of MS presented by NCEP-ATP III) and the $90^{th}P$ of the group showed triglycerides greater than 150 mg/dL by IDF. An HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg/dL represents the $25^{th}P$ in boys and the $10^{th}P$ in girls. A glucose level greater than 110 mg/dL represents the $95^{th}P$ and greater than 100 mg/dL represents the $90^{th}P$. Conclusion :Values of the $90^{th}P$ of MS components in late adolescent boys (WC, BP, and triglycerides) and girls (WC and triglycerides) were very high and in close proximity to the diagnostic criteria of adult MS.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.17-32
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• 1977

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the significance of the insulin and the C-peptide rseponse to oral glucose loads in normal and diabetic subjects and to establish the effects of the obesity. In this study, the authors have measured plasma insulin and C-peptide by means of radioimmunoassay in 10 nonobese normal, 5 obese normal, 13 nonobese moderate diabetic patients, 9 obese moderate diabetic patients and 9 severe diabetic patients. The results obtained were as follows; 1. In 10 nonobese normal subjects, the plasma insulin level at fasting state and at 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after oral glucose loads were $15.7{\pm}3.4,\;48.3{\pm}9.8,\;40.4{\pm}6.7,\;37.4{\pm}6.5\;and\;26.0{\pm}4.2uU/ml(Mean{\pm}S.E.)$ and C-peptide were $1.9{\pm}0.3,\;3.9{\pm}0.6,\;6.3{\pm}0.6,\;5.7{\pm}0.5\;and\;4.0{\pm}0.5ng/ml$. The change of C-peptide was found to go almost parallel with that of insulin and the insulin value reaches to the highest level at 30 min whereas C-peptide reaches to its peak at 60min. 2. The plasma insulin level in 5 obese normal subjects were $38.9{\pm}12.3,\;59.5{\pm}12.3,\;59.2{\pm}17.1,\;56.1{\pm}20.0\;and\;48.4{\pm}17.2uU/ml$ and the C-peptide were $5.5{\pm}0.4,\;6.8{\pm}0.5,\;7.9{\pm}0.8,\;7.9{\pm}0.8\;and\;7.8{\pm}2.0ng/ml$. The insulin response appeared to be greater than nonobese normal subjects. 3. In 13 nonobese moderate diabetic patients, the plasma insulin levels were $27.1{\pm}4.9,\;44.1{\pm}6.0,\;37.3{\pm}6.6,\;35.5{\pm}8.1\;and\;34.7{\pm}10.7uU/ml$ and the C-peptide levels were $2.7{\pm}0.4,\;4.9{\pm}0.7,\;6.5{\pm}0.5,\;7.0{\pm}0.3\;and\;6.7{\pm}1.0ng/ml$. There was little significance compared to nonobese normal groups but delayed pattern is noted. 4. In 9 obese moderated diabetic patients, the plasma insulin levels were $22.1{\pm}7.9,\;80.0{\pm}19.3,\;108.0{\pm}27.0,\;62.0{\pm}17.6\;and\;55.5{\pm}10.1uU/ml$ and the C-peptide levels were $5.2{\pm}0.4,\;8.0{\pm}1.0,\;10.4{\pm}1.6,\;10.4{\pm}1.7\;and\;10.1{\pm}1.0ng/ml$ and its response was also greater than that of nonobese moderate diabetic patients. 5. The plasma insulin concentrations in 9 severe diabetic subjects were $8.0{\pm}3.8,\;12.1{\pm}3.5,\;16.8{\pm}4.6,\;19.6{\pm}5.2\;and\;15.0{\pm}5.0uU/ml$ and the C-peptide levels were $1.6{\pm}0.3,\;2.4{\pm}0.4,\;4.1{\pm}0.6,\;4.0{\pm}0.8\;and\;4.5{\pm}0.7ng/ml$ and the insulin and C-peptide responses were markedly reduced in severe diabetic groups. 6. There were-significant differences between each groups of patients on the magnitude of total insulin or C-peptide areas, the insulinogenic index and the C-peptide index.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.64-76
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of body composition, biochemical index level, resting metabolic rate and daily activities by the public health center's health-promoted program in overweight middle aged women. The workout program of 12 subjects constituted by exercise(aerobic exercise & resistance training) and nutritional education for 10 weeks. As the results, there was a significant decrease in all the weight(59.0$\pm$8.9 vs 57.2$\pm$8.3kg, p<0.05), body fat percentage(33.4$\pm$4.3 vs 30.5$\pm$4.5%, p<0.05) and body fat mass(19.8$\pm$5.4 vs 17.7$\pm$4.9kg, p<0.05) after program. Fat free mass and RMR which tend to be higher after than before program were found not to be significantly. In addition, the serum HDL-cholesterol(54.3$\pm$8.1 vs 59.7$\pm$13.9mg/dl, p<0.05) and TG level(65.2$\pm$418 vs 89.4$\pm$65.6mg/dl, p<0.05) of the subjects increased at the end of the study significantly and significant correlation found between total-cholesterol and TG before program. When the other laboratory parameter were compared before and after program, hematocrit(35.1$\pm$3.3 vs 39.7$\pm$3.3%, p<0.001), platelet(225.9$\pm$49.6 vs 244.3$\pm$49.7cell/ul, p<0.05) and fasting glucose(88.0$\pm$6.5 vs 76.6$\pm$9.7mg/dl, p<0.001) increased significantly but hemoglobin(13.3$\pm$1.3 vs 12.9$\pm$1.3mg/dl, p<0.01) decreased. And in activities analysis, 'moderate activity(18.8 vs 5.8minutes, p<0.05)' clearly showed a significant decrease but 'severe activity(17.7 vs 11.4minutes, p<0.05)' showed a increase. These results suggest that continuous health-promoted program involved exercise and nutritional education at the public health center are effective to reduce body fat and to improve resting metabolic rate(RMR). Further research is required to develop more effective public health program for the middle aged women in community.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.761-771
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• 2009

Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between metabolic syndrome and erythrocyte deform ability in acute stroke patients. Methods : Among 88 of the recruited patients, 52 were diagnosed as metabolic syndrome. We assessed their general characteristics, risk factors. We compared the assessed variables between metabolic syndrome and control group. We analyzed the relationship between metabolic syndrome and erythrocyte deform ability. We analyzed relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and erythrocyte deformability. Results : The general characteristics waist and hip circumference, waist/hip ratio were higher in metabolic syndrome group. The metabolic syndrome group was also diagnosed with hypertension, DM, and hyperlipidemia more often than the control group. The blood test metabolic syndrome group showed higher triglycerides, total lipids, fasting blood sugar, and 2 hours postprandial plasma glucose level and lower HDL-cholesterol than the control group. There were more patients diagnosed with Dampness-Phlegm in the metabolic syndrome group. There were more patients showing lower erythrocyte deform ability in the metabolic syndrome group. The plasma homocysteine level was negatively correlated with erythrocyte deform ability. Conclusion : The results reconfirmed that the risk factors are more in metabolic syndrome group. The results indicated that metabolic syndrome lead to a lower erythrocyte deform ability in small vessel disease stroke patients. The Plasma homocysteine level was negatively correlated with erythrocyte deform ability.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.107-113
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• 1998

Objectives : To evaluate the relation of onset-age and plasma level of ${\beta}$-endorphin, Ethanol, ${\beta}$-endorphin, cortisol and blood glucose were compared in 48 male alcoholics and 29 normal controls Methods : Alcoholics are divided into two groups by onset-age of alcoholism. Blood samples were obtained before and after 0.75gm/kg of ethanol consumption at the 7th admission day. Results : 1) The ratio of onset-age before 25 years to after 25 years of the patient group was 2 to 3. 2) There was no significant difference in age at admission between two patient groups. 3) There was no significant difference in change of plasma ethanol levels among three groups. 4) There was no significant difference in change of plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels among three groups. 5) There was no significant difference in change of plasma cortisol level among three groups. 6) There was no significant difference in change of fasting blood sugar level among two patient groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.478-483
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• 1992

To evaluate a possible effects of instant buckwheat noodle on hepatic and serum lipids profiles, apparent digestibilities and growth rate, male young rats were fed diets containing sucrose as a control group, instant 100% wheat flour noodle, or instant wheat noodle fortified with either 10% or 30% buckwheat flour as experimental groups for 4 weeks. Weight gain and feed intake in the two buckwheat noodle fed groups were similar to those of the wheat flour fed groups. In addition, no significant differences were found in the apparent digestibilities among the groups experimented. There were no differences in the hepatic and serum cholesterol levels due to the diets. However, Buckwheat noodle group showed a trend to decrease the liver and serum concentration of triacylglycerol, compared to the sucrose and 100% wheat flour groups. The addition of buckwheat flour to wheat flour up to 30% seemed to be effective in lowering the hepatic triacylglycerol level. After 10hr fasting, the serum glucose level of the buckwheat noodle group was similar to the levels of the other groups. The presented results indicate that instant noodle containing buckwheat at the level of 30% has a mild hypotriglyceridemic effects, and no adverse effects on the digestion of macronutrients in rats.