• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.286-295
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• 1996

The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of four kinds of seaweeds (mixture of purple laver & sea lettuce, sea tangle, sea mustard, agar agar) as a high- fiber supplment in the therapeutic deit for the diabetic patients. Seven groups of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were fed dietary fiber-free control diet or one of experimental diets containing 7% of one of the four seaweeds for 6 weeks. The effect of seaweeds supplementation on the body weight change, gastrointestinal function, and the control of diabetic symptoms were examined and compared with the effect of fiber-free diet or pectin diet used as references. The body weight gains of all the diabetic groups were significantly suppressed compared to the normal group. Feed efficiency ratios and body weight gains of seaweed groups were relatively higher than those of the pectin group. Sea tangle appeared to have an effect of alleviating the typical diabetic symptoms such as polyphasia, polydipsia, polyuria, urinary glucose excretion and hyperglycemia indicating its beneficial acition of improving glucose metabolism even though the degree of effectiveness was less than that with pectin. All the supplemntations of seaweeds and pectin ressulted in the significant changes in gastronitestinal functins ; shortening of GI transit time, increase of fecal volume and the length of intestine. Based on their effects of the significant changes in GI function in may be suggested that seaweeds may influence the process of digestion and absorption of nutrients in diabetic animals.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2014

Objectives : Many of currently used anti-cancer drugs were developed to target cell death mechanisms and had serious side effects by causing damage to normal cells. Hangambujeongsan or Kangai Fuzheng Powder was a mixture based on the traditional Chinese medicine. It had been used in the local Chinese hospitals to treat cancer patients for decades and had shown a certain level of beneficial effects without major toxic effects. But its mechanism of action had not been elucidated yet. Thus this study aimed to investigate the effects of Kangai Fuzheng Powder in an in vitro experiment. Methods : Cancer lines or RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells were treated with Kangai Fuzheng Powder. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and morphological observation was also performed. Gene expression of cytokines in macrophages was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Phagocytic function assay was also performed in macrophage cells. Results : Kangai Fuzheng Powder had no direct detrimental effect on cancer cells. When macrophages were co-cultured with cancer cells, Kangai Fuzheng Powder had toxic effect on cancer cells. After exposing macrophages to Kangai Fuzheng Powder, macrophages transformed into activated form and the mRNA level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-10 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 was significantly enhanced. Phagocytic activity of macrophages was dramatically potentiated. Conclusions : We demonstrated that anti-cancer effect of Kangai Fuzheng Powder was related to activation of macrophages including enhanced cytokine production and phagocytic function.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.496-507
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and willingness to purchase of nanotechnology-based foods to find out the strategy for risk communication and social acceptance. The data were collected from 253 college students in Yeungnam region through a self-administered questionnaire. Frequency, Cronbach's ${\alpha}$, t test, one-way ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test, Pearson's correlation coefficient analysis, and multiple regression analysis were conducted by SPSS Windows V.20.0. The level of concern about nanotechnology was relatively low, and the level of the perception about necessity for the development of nanotechnology-based foods was average. In addition, the respondents showed somewhat positive thoughts for the development of nanotechnology-based foods with beneficial effect, but they were worried about the risk for it. Percentage of correct answers on knowledge of nanotechnology and nanotechnology-based foods was not high, and the level of willingness to purchase them was average. According to the result of multiple regression analysis, factors affecting the willingness to purchase of nanotechnology-based foods were concern about health, perception about importance of food safety, perception about necessity for the development of nanotechnology-based foods, and perception about the development of nanotechnology-based foods with beneficial effect. On the basis of these results, it is necessary for consumers to offer the exact and reliable information on nanotechnology-based foods.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-82
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• 2013

It has been reported that Scolopendra morsitans L.(SML) has beneficial effects on human health and diverse diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ether extract from Scolopendra morsitans L. on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced inflammatory response. Thus, we examined the inhibitory effect of SML ether fraction on LPS-induced increase of inflammatory mediators(NO, iNOS, COX-2, and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$) and pro-inflammatory cytokines(TNF-${\alpha}$) in RAW 264.7 cells. In the present study, SML ether extract itself decreased cell viability in a dose dependent manner(> 100 ${\mu}g/ml$). In addition, LPS increased NO production, iNOS expression and phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$, which were blocked by the treatment of SML ether fraction in a dose dependent manner. Furthermore, the treatment of LPS increased TNF-${\alpha}$ production. However, the pretreatment of SML ether fraction prevented the LPS-induced TNF-${\alpha}$ production in dose dependant manner. Taken together, our results suggest that SML may be a beneficial drug against inflammatory diseases such as sepsis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Tobacco Science
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2009

Although prion diseases, a group of fatal neurodegenerative diseases of human and animals, are presumed to be caused by several mechanisms including abnormal change of prion protein, oxidative stress is still believed to play a central role in development of the diseases. Cigarette smoking has a few beneficial effects on neuronal diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease despite of many detrimental effects. In this study, we investigated how chronic cigarette smoking could exert such beneficial effect against oxidative damage. For this study, homogenates of 87V scrapie-infected brain was inoculated on intracerebral system of IM mice through stereotaxic microinjection and biochemical properties concerning with oxidative stress were examined. The scrapie infection decreased the activity of mitochondrial Mn-containing superoxide dismutase by 50% of the control, meanwhile the effects on other antioxidant enzymes including Cu or Zn-containing superoxide dismutase were not significant. Additionally, the infection elevated superoxide level as well as monoamine oxide-B (MAO-B) in the infected brain. Interestingly, many of the detrimental effects were improved in partial or significantly by long-term cigarette smoke exposure (CSE). CSE not only completely prevented the generation of mitochondrial superoxide but also significantly (p<0.05) decreased the elevated mitochondrial MAO-B activity in the infected brain. Concomitantly, CSE prevented subsequent protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation caused by scrapie infection; however, it did not affect the activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results suggest that chronic exposure of cigarette smoke contribute to in part preventing the progress of neurodegeneration caused by scrapie infection.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.356-368
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• 2020

Purpose: Histidine-containing dipeptides, which are rich in chicken, have been reported to reduce the risk of metabolic abnormalities via anticarbonylation mechanism in animal models. To determine the effect of dietary histidine-containing dipeptides on metabolic risk factors in humans, the relation between chicken consumption and insulin resistance were determined in a population consuming high carbohydrate and low protein. Methods: A total of 7,183 subjects (2,929 men and 4,254 women) aged ≥ 50 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were divided into three groups according to chicken consumption (rarely, monthly, and weekly), and evaluated for the metabolic risk factors using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in this cross-sectional study. The fourth and fifth (IV-1-3 & V-1) KNHANES, which had blood insulin data, were chosen for the current study. Results: The chicken consumption was significantly associated with insulin (p for trend = 0.018) and HOMA-IR (p for trend = 0.023) in men. In particular, the 'weekly' chicken consuming men in the lowest tertile (< 65.0%) of carbohydrate intake group had significantly lower HOMA-IR (p for trend = 0.033) and higher QUICKI (p for trend = 0.043) than the 'rarely' intake group. In addition, the odds ratio for abnormal HOMA-IR was 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.99) and QUICKI was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.26-0.86) for the 'weekly' chicken consuming group. Conclusion: The 'weekly' chicken consumption had a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and it may partially be due to the major bioactive components in chicken, histidine-containing dipeptides.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.184-198
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• 2023

Early prevention of sarcopenia can be an important strategy for muscle maintenance, but most studies target subjects at slightly pre-sarcopenic state. Our previous paper describes the effect of protein supplements rich in leucine and vitamin D on muscle condition, and in this paper, we performed a sub-analysis to evaluate who benefitted the most in terms of improvement in muscle health. A 12-week randomized clinical trial of 120 healthy adults (aged 50 to 80) assigned to an intervention group (n = 60) or control group (n = 60) were analyzed. Subjects in the intervention group received, twice per day, a protein supplement containing (per serving) 800 IU of vitamin D, 20 g of protein (3 g of total leucine), 300 mg of calcium, 1.1 g of fat, and 2.5 g of carbohydrate. The subjects were classified into 'insufficient' and 'sufficient' groups at 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) value of 30 ng/mL. The skeletal muscle mass index normalized to the square of the skeletal muscle mass (SMM) height (kg/m²) increased significantly in the 'insufficient group' difference value of change between weeks 0 and 12 (Δ1.07 ± 2.20; p = 0.037). The SMM normalized by body weight (kg/kg, %) was higher, but not significantly, in the insufficient group (Δ0.38 ± 0.69; p = 0.050). For people with insufficient (serum 25[OH]D), supplemental intake of protein and vitamin D, calcium, and leucine and adequate energy intake increases muscle mass in middle-aged and older adults and would be likely to exert a beneficial effect on muscle health.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.658-665
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• 2007

Phyllostachys pubescens (Maengiong-Juk), a kind of the bamboo, was reported to have many beneficial pharmacological actions. in this study, of using 70% ethanol extract of Phyllostachys pubescens we investigated its efficacy on angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and antioxidant enzyme activities. In addition, vasorelaxant effect was examined in rat aortic rings. The inhibitory effect of ACE activity by Phyllostachys pubescens extract (PPE) was dose-dependently increased by 61.42% at 10mg/ml. PPE relaxed the pre-contracted rat aortic rings with 10$^{-6}$M phenylephrine, showing about 88% at 4.0mg/ml. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were given different concentrations of PPE mixed in the drinking water for 10 weeks. PPE did not show any difference with control group in blood pressure, body weight (BW) and food intake. However, it revealed the highest total antioxidative effect at dose of 1.0 g/100 g BW in plasma by TEAC assay. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and protein carbonyl levels which are markers of tissue peroxidation, were significantly lowed at the same dosage. Furthermore, hepatic antioxidant enzymes such as total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase activities were also significantly increased by PPE (1.0 g/100 g BW). In conclusion, we suggest that PPE might have antihypertensive effect through increasing antioxidant activities.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.898-903
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• 2006

The antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) were examined on rat carotid artery thrombosis in vivo, and platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo. Administration of KRG to rats not only prevented carotid artery thrombosis in vivo in a dose-dependent manner, but also significantly inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation ex vivo, while failed to prolong coagulation times such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), indicating the antithrombotic effect of KRG might be due to its anti platelet aggregation rather than anticoagulation effect. In line with the above observations, KRG inhibited U46619-, arachidonic acid-, collagen- and thrombin-induced rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner, with $IC_{50}$ values of $620{\pm}12$, $823{\pm}22$, $722{\pm}21$ and $650{\pm}14\;{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Accordingly, KRG also inhibited various agonists-induced platelet serotonin secretions as it suppressed platelet aggregation. These results suggest that KRG has a potent antithrombotic effect in vivo, which may be due to antiplatelet rather than anticoagulation activity, and KRG intake may be beneficial to the individuals with high risks of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2017

Linum usitatissimum L. (flaxseed) is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents, namely, ${\alpha}$-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), lignans, and fiber, which are potentially beneficial for human health. Furthermore, flax or flaxseed oil has also been incorporated as a functional food ingredient into various foods such as milk, dairy products, and meat products. Flaxseed is known to possess antimicrobial activity in vitro and in vivo, but its growth-stimulating effect on lactic acid bacteria is not clear. Hence, the objective of this study was to determine whether crude flaxseed extract stimulated the growth kefir-isolated lactic acid bacteria in vitro. The result of this study showed that Lactobacillus kefiranofaciens DN1, Lactobacillus brevis KCTC3102, Lactobacillus bulgaricus KCTC3635, and Lactobacillus plantarum KCTC3105 treated with $100{\mu}L$ of crude flaxseed extract showed significantly higher growth than the control treated with $100{\mu}L$ of water (p<0.05). Based on the results of this study, crude flaxseed extract could be used as a growth stimulator for lactic acid bacteria in various food applications, including production of milk and dairy products.