• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.71-79
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• 1997

The purpose of this study were to determined the effect of laser irradiation on the fibroblast activity. Cultures of 3T3 fibroblasts were subjected to Helium Neon laser(632.8 nm) irradiation of various energy density. On one, two and three consecutive days the fibroblast monolayers wert irradiated for period from 0 to 32 minutes with 8 mW of average output power. The fibroblast activity was determined by the quantitative assay of MTT, SRB and NR after incubation of the fibroblasts for 24 hours. Results show that exposure duration from 2 min to 32 min could increase MTT at three consecutive days, whereas control and 1 min, one and two days irradiation had were not inclosed. The SRB and NR were inclosed at two and three consecutive days from 2 min to 32 min, whereas control and 1 min, and once radiation were not increased. These result demonstrate that energy density from 0.48 to 7.64 J/cm could increase cellular protein contents and fibroblast activity at more than twice irradiation of laser, whereas low energy density (less than 0.24 J/m) and once irradiation of laser had no effect. The results suggest that the beneficial effect of the He-Ne laser with adequate dose on fibroblast activity in vitro.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) approach on the spasticity of affected side in patients with hemiplegia. Three subjects with hemiplegia participated in this study. In single-subject research design (a multiple baseline across individuals) was employed in this study. The intervention program including PNF to the unaffected side was introduced for 30 minutes each day during each intervention phase. Muscle tone of affected side was measured with Tone Assessment Scale, and active hip abduction distance of affected side was taken with the subject supine. And then the muscle tone and the hip abduction distance were measured again 30 minutes later following the intervention. The results showed that the PNF application had some beneficial effects on both muscle tone and active hip abduction. This result suggest that PNF application to non-paretic limb can be effective in reducing muscle tone and improving hip abduction range on paretic limb in persons with hemiplegia. However, further research is needed to prove the effect of PNF application on functional improvement.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.425-436
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of common Korean legumes as a high-fiber supplement in therapeutic diets for diabetic patients. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used as animal models and four kinds of legumes, black soybean (BS), yellow soybean (YS), green pea (GP) and soybean curd residue (SCR) were tested as high-fiber supplements. Seven groups of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were fed isocaloric experimental diets containing 8％ dietary fiber from one of four legumes or purified cellulose and pectin for 6 weeks. The effects of the legumes on the glucose and lipid metabolism of diabetic rats was examined and compared with the effects of cellulose and pectin. The legume supplementation did not show any beneficial effect on glucose tolerance, however, it exhibited a plasma cholesterol-lowering effect in diabetic rats. The cholesterol-lowering action was especially strong in BS and the degree of the effect was comparable to that of pectin. The levels of total lipids, cholesterol, and triglyceride in the hepatic tissues of rats fed legume diets were similar to those of the pectin group. All legume supplements induced an increase in fecal steroid excretion. The fecal cholesterol contents were significantly high following the supplementations of YS and SCR (p < 0.05). The excretion of fecal bile acids in the BS and YS groups was significantly higher than it was in the pectin group (p < 0.05). Concentration of lipid peroxidation products in the blood and urine of diabetic animals was lower in the legume groups than in the cellulose group. The levels of hepatic lipid peroxidation products were significantly lower in the BS and YS groups than in the pectin group (p < 0.05). From the results of this study, the plasma cholesterol-lowering effect of BS is possibly due to the significant (p < 0.05) in-crease in fecal steroid excretion, which suggests that BS could be beneficial in improving abnormal lipid metabolism in diabetic rats. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 425∼436, 2003)

• PNF and Movement
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.63-74
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to compare hamstring flexibility and pressure pain threshold (PPT) after an intervention with proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation contract-relax (PNF CR) technique, myofascial release (MFR), and a massage gun (MG), as well as to verify the effectiveness of the MG. Methods: This study recruited 36 participants (22 males and 14 females) with shortening of less than 70 degrees upon a straight leg raise (SLR) test, and they were randomly assigned to one of the PNF, MG, and MFR groups, each of which underwent its own protocol for 30 minutes. Flexibility of the hamstring was measured after the intervention using the active and passive knee extension (AKE and PKE) test, the sit and reach test, and PPT. Results: The AKE and PKE angles significantly decreased, as well as significantly increased in flexibility when each of the PNF, MFR, and MG interventions was performed (p<0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference among groups. However, according to the Cohen's D effect size, the MG demonstrated the largest effect size in AKE (d = 1.41) and PNF demonstrated the largest effect size in PKE (d = 1.66) and flexibility (d = 0.63). Conclusion: All interventions used in our study are effective in increasing hamstring flexibility. Based on the Cohen's D effect size, an MG is beneficial to increase the AKE, whereas PNF CR technique is recommended for increasing PKE and flexibility.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2003

Soy, high dietary intake for the oriental population, is a main source of isoflavonoids. Sophoricoside (SOP) an isoflavone glycoside was isolated from immature fruits of Sophora japonica (Leguminosae family) and its inhibitory effect on chemical mediators involved in inflammatory response was investigated in this study. SOP inhibited the interleukin (IL)-6 bioactivity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 6.1 $\mu$M whereas it had no effects on IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-a bioactivities. SOP was identified as a selective inhibitor of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of 4.4 $\mu$ M, but did not show inhibitory effect on the synthesis of COX-2. However, SOP had no effect on the production of reactive oxygen species including superoxide anions and nitric oxide. These results revealed that in vitro anti-inflammatory action of SOP is significantly different from that of genistein known as a phytoestrogen of soy products. This experimental study has documented an importance of dietary soy isoflavonoids as multifunctional agents beneficial to human health, and will help to clarify protective mechanisms of SOP against inflammatory conditions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.267-278
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• 2005

Postmenopausal women or ovariectomized rats are associated with increased cholesterol levels, which are risk factors of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases. Increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome after menopause might be associated with estradiol deficiency. Harmful effect of estradiol hampers the casual usage of hormone to prevent the metabolic syndrome. Soy protein has been reported to show several beneficial effects on health, however it is unclear which components of soy protein is responsible for anti-obesity and hypocholesterolemic effects. Soy isoflavones, gem-stein and daizein, are suggested to have anti-obesity and hypocholesterolemic effects but with inconsistency. The present study investigated the effect of supplementation of genistein (experiment I) and soy protein containing isoflavones (experiment II) to high fat diet on body weight gain, food intake, liver and fat tissue weight and the lipid levels in ovariectomized rats. Plasma and hepatic lipid contents and the mRNA levels of genes encoding lipid metabolism related proteins, such as CPT1 and HMGR were measured. Ovariectomy increased body weight, fat tissue weight and plasma and hepatic lipid levels which increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Soy protein could improve plasma and hepatic lipids levels. Soy protein also increased hepatic CPT1 and HMGR mRNA levels. Plasma and hepatic lipids levels could not be decreased by dietary genistein alone. In contrast, lipids levels could be decreased by isoflavone-fortified soy protein, suggesting that the ingestion of soy protein enriched with isoflavone gives more benefit for protecting postmenopausal women from metabolic syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.379-385
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• 2016

TWIK-related $K^+$ channel-2 (TREK-2) and TWIK-related spinal cord $K^+$ (TRESK) channel are members of two-pore domain $K^+$ channel family. They are well expressed and help to set the resting membrane potential in sensory neurons. Modulation of TREK-2 and TRESK channels are involved in the pathogenesis of pain, and specific activators of TREK-2 and TRESK may be beneficial for the treatment of pain symptoms. However, the effect of commonly used analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels are not known. Here, we investigated the effect of analgesics on TREK-2 and TRESK channels. The effects of analgesics were examined in HEK cells transfected with TREK-2 or TRESK. Amitriptyline, citalopram, escitalopram, and fluoxetine significantly inhibited TREK-2 and TRESK currents in HEK cells (p<0.05, n=10). Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, nabumetone, and bupropion inhibited TRESK, but had no effect on TREK-2. These results show that all analgesics tested in this study inhibit TRESK activity. Further study is needed to identify the mechanisms by which the analgesics modulate TREK-2 and TRESK differently.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.128-137
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a 12-month ki-gong exercise program on obesity, physical flexibility, blood pressure and blood sugar in rural populations. Method: A 12-month ki-gong exercise session was conducted from September 2008 until August 2009 with 61 village attendees at a Healthcare Clinic, as part of an Oriental herb program at the health center. Data was collected three times; before the program initiation, at six months and at the end of the program. A one-group repeated measures ANOVA test was conducted for statistical validation using SPSS 12.0. Results: Participants showed a decrease in obesity (F=10.166, p=0.02), body weight (F=10.861, p=0.002) and body fat (F=36.311, p=0.000). They also showed an increase in physical flexibility(F=24.627, p=0.000), while systolic blood pressure and (F=8.550, p=0.005) blood sugar (F=5.464, p=0.023) decreased. Conclusion: The results of this study indicates that ki-gong exercise exhibits beneficial effects in decreasing obesity, blood pressure and blood sugar and enhancing physical flexibility.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2010

Human milk is frequently the only food source for a newborn during the initial stage of life after birth. Milk provides not only the nutrients necessary for the infant's growth, but also ingredients that may enable the infant to thrive. Human milk oligosaccharides (HMO) are considered to be these beneficial ingredients for the health of infant. It has been reported that around 5 to 10 g unbound oligosaccharides and around 20 to over 130 different HMO are present in 1L of human milk. The suggested health mechanisms of HMO's roles in host defense are 1) blocking bacterial adhesions, 2) binding to a toxin receptor on the extracellular domain, and 3) postbiotic effect resulting from the increase of probiotics such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. Among the prebiotic oligosaccharides, mixtures of long chain fuetooligosaccharides (10%) and galactooligosaccharides (90%) in infant formula are demonstrated to increase the number of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli to the levels seen in human milk fed infants.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Cilostazol is a selective inhibitor of type 3 phosphodiesterase (PDE3) and has been widely used as an antiplatelet agent. Cilostazol mediates this activity through effects on the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling cascade. Recently, it has attracted attention as a neuroprotective agent. However, little is known about cilostazol's effect on excitotoxicity induced neuronal cell death. Therefore, this study evaluated the neuroprotective effect of cilostazol treatment against hippocampal neuronal damage in a mouse model of kainic acid (KA)-induced neuronal loss. Cilostazol pretreatment reduced KA-induced seizure scores and hippocampal neuron death. In addition, cilostazol pretreatment increased cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and decreased neuroinflammation. These observations suggest that cilostazol may have beneficial therapeutic effects on seizure activity and other neurological diseases associated with excitotoxicity.