• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.786-793
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• 2004

Women with menopause or rats with ovariectomy is associated with increased body weight, body fat and insulin resistance, which are components of metabolic syndrome. Increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome after menopause might be associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, since mitochondrial oxidative and phosphorylation activity is strongly correlated with insulin sensitivity. Although estradiol replacement prevents the metabolic syndrome, harmful effect of estradiol hampers the casual usage to prevent the metabolic syndrome. It has been reported that genistein has a mild estrogenic activity, decreases fat mass in mice and has an antidiabetic role in diabetic rats. Although insulin resistance is closely related to mitochondrial functions, there has not been yet any study in regard to the effect of dietary genistein on mitochondrial function in the insulin resistant female subjects induced by ovariectomy or similar situation. The present study investigated whether the supplementation of genistein in the high fat diet affected the mitochondrial function of high fat fed ovariectomized rats. Female Sprague Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were assigned to the following groups: sham-operated+ high fat diet (S, n=6); sham-operated + high fat diet with 0.1% genistein (S + G, n=7); ovariectomized + high fat diet (OVX, n=8); ovariectomized + high fat diet with 0.1% genistein (OVX+ G, n=8). Ovariectomy significantly increased body weight compared with S group. Genistein consumption in ovariectomized (OVX + G) rats decreased body weight gain compared with OVX rats. Liver weights were increased by ovariectomy. The hepatic mitochondrial protein density expressed as mg per g liver was lower in the OVX group than in the S group. However, OVX + G group showed the increased mitochondrial protein density similar to the level of S group. When mRNA levels of genes related to mitochondria such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ coactivator 1 (PGC-1) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COX III) were measured, there were decreases in the mRNA levels of PGC-1 and COX III in S + G, OVX and OVX + G group. The activity of cytochrome c oxidase was not different between groups. We could observe the decrease in succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity per g liver in OVX rats. Genistein supplement increased SDH activity. In conclusion, genistein supplementation to the OVX rats enhanced mitochondrial function by increasing mitochondrial protein density and SDH activity. The improvement in mitochondrial function by genistein can contribute to the improvement in metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.218-230
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• 2010

This study was conducted to survey isoflavone intake among adult women in menopause with diseases such as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis and to analyze the relationship between each of these chronic diseases followed by isoflavone intake and the related health risk index. The average age of the subjects was 49.97 years old, while that of the pre-menopausal subjects was 45.14 years, and the post-menopausal subjects was 55.99 years. The average body mass index (BMI), waist-hip circumference, body fat percentage, blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipid content of the post-menopausal subjects were higher in significant difference than those of the pre-menopausal subjects. The bone density of the hip and spine in post-menopausal subjects was lower in significant difference than that of the pre-menopausal subjects. After menopause, the subjects had a lower ratio of individuals at risk of anemia when compared with the subjects before menopause, but had higher health risk ratio related to each type of chronic disease, including obesity, hypertension, high cholesterol and osteoporosis than the subjects before menopause. The intake frequency of each soybean food was similar among subjects before/after menopause. The most common soybean based foods consumed by the subjects were soybean, soybean curd and soybean paste. The average daily intake level of isoflavone among subjects before menopause was 25.48 mg, while that of subjects after menopause was 32.25 mg. Evaluation of the distribution of the isoflavone level revealed that the pre-menopausal subjects consumed 3.29~78.36 mg and the post-menopausal subjects consumed 3.18~116.59 mg. The intake level by each individual varied greatly. The pre-menopausal subjects had a low BMI index and systolic blood pressure as much as their isoflavone intake level was high. Additionally, the post-menopausal subjects had a low menarche age and high menopause age when their isoflavone intake level was high, the BMI index and waist-hip circumference ratio was highest among individuals with lowest isoflavone intake level. This study showed that there was a possible relationship between soybean isoflavone intake and health problems such as obesity, high cholesterol, and osteoporosis in women after menopause with diseases such as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis, even if this relationship was not great.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.90-98
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• 2008

Purpose: Menopausal syndrome is caused by urgent changes of sex hormone in women. The hormonal therapy can soothe the problems of menopausal patients, but it can increase the probability of another disease, such as breast cancer, heart attack, etc. So the demand of alternative herb therapy is increasing in Western countries. In Korea, herbal medicine is imported and used by Western doctors. To know and use the alternative herbal medicine, Korean Medical doctors should know their efficacy and safety. Methods: We researched the Medline(Pubmed) with the key word such as 'CAM', 'herb' and 'menopause'. We selected the herbs known as treating the menopausal syndrome and researched the similar or same herbs that are used in Korean medicine by the scientific name and efficient ingredients. To evaluate the efficacy of the herbs, we compared the herbs that were differently defined in alternative and Korean medicine Results: Balm, black cohosh, chaste berry, dong quai. evening primrose oil. ginkgo, St. John's wort, valerian root, and sarsaparilla were chosen as prevalent herbs used in alternative medicine. The pharmacologic effect of Black cohosh, licorice root, St. John's wort were recognized. But these three herbs are not usually prescripted for menopausal patients in Korean medicine. So we could apply these three herbs as one of Korean medical treatments. The efficacy of other herbs cannot be surely prescripted for menopausal patients. Conclusion: The efficacy and safety of alternative medicine is not proved yet. But to diversify the treatmental methods of Korean medicine, we need to prove and use these medicine as one of Korean medical treatment.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.133-138
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors, physical activity, and diet habits, between the fifties and sixties in postmenopausal women. Methods: Two hundred and thirty subjects were recruited from the volunteers of a tertiary care hospital located in an urban city of South Korea. MS was defined by the criteria of the American Heart Association, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the International Diabetes Federation, and obesity was determined by waist circumference ${\geq}85cm$. Results: During fifty and sixty years of age, the prevalence of MS was 19.7% and 30.6%, respectively. The waist circumference, triglyceride, blood pressure, and fasting serum glucose levels were significantly higher in the MS group than in the non-MS group during their fifties and sixties. For participants in their sixties, the pulse pressure and fasting serum glucose levels were significantly higher in the MS group than in the non-MS group. Physical activity was significantly lower in the MS group than in the non-MS group in their sixties. Conclusion: These results show that nurses should focus on increased physical activity for patients their sixties, especially MS patients for the improvement of MS risk factors.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.48 no.9
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• pp.688-695
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• 2010

Burning mouth disorders (sometimes referred to as burning mouth syndrome) are characterized by a burning sensation in the tongue or other oral sites, usually in the absence of clinical and laboratory findings. Affected patients often present with multiple oral complaints, including burning, dryness and taste alterations. Burning mouth complaints are reported more often in women, especially after menopause. Typically, patients awaken without pain, but report increasing symptoms through the day and into the evening. Conditions that have been reported in association with burning mouth syndrome include chronic anxiety or depression, various nutritional deficiencies, diabetes and changes in salivary function. However, these conditions have not been consistently linked with the syndrome, and their treatment has had little impact on burning mouth symptoms. Recent studies have pointed to dysfunction of several cranial nerves associated with taste sensation as a possible cause of burning mouth disorders. The most common central mechanism that likely explains burning mouth disorders is a centrally mediated continuous neuropathic pain. Given in low dosages, benzodiazepine, tricyclic antidepressants or anticonvulsants may be effective in patients with burning mouth disorders.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.85-94
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• 2011

Purpose: Hominis placenta have used widely for women's disease like climacteric syndrome, dysmenorrhea, infertility, but we don't have enough evidence with it. This study is to investigate efficacy and safety of Hominis Placenta on women by investigating papers. Methods: We searched for papers which had Hominis placenta, placental extract associated with women's disease in the Pubmed and Korean journals. Results: 20 papers were found. 15 papers were associated with menopausal disorder. Hominis placenta could have the efficacy on osteoporosis and climacteric syndrome induced by menopause. And each 2 papers were relevant to postpartum symptoms and menses. 1 papers was relevant to pregnancy. Most of studies have shown that Hominis placenta is useful for female disorders. Conclusions: Hominis placenta could be a good treatment for female disorder like climacteric syndrome, dysmenorrhea, infertility. But evidence is not enough with Hominis placenta, so more research will be needed.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.310-316
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• 2020

Kyung-Ok-Go (KOK) is a traditional prescription used for debilitating natural aging and post-illness debilitation. KOK has been used in a variety of ways because it strengthens immunity, prevents illness, and helps recovery in case of illness. In particular, recent research has revealed that KOK helps improve memory and cognition. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether KOK was effective in improving memory decline and depression-state observed during menopause. In the present study, we employed ovariectomized mouse as an animal model for measuring menopausal syndrome. The administration of KOK for 8 weeks, the object recognition memory and working memory were improved in novel object recognition test and Y-maze test. And in the forced swimming test, the immobility time were decreased. Additionally, the expression level of mature brain derived neurotropic factor (mBDNF) was increased by KOK administration in ovariectomized mouse hippocampus. These results suggested that KOK could improve cognitive decline and depression during menopausal period, and it might be come from enhancing expression level of mBDNF in hippocampus.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.109-119
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• 1996

Hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women has recently been a hot issue in medical fields. The author reviewed the physiology of menopause and discussed the physiological mechanism and biological management of vascular flushing and menopausal depression. The above symptoms are hard to distinguish from those of psychiatric disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.182-187
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• 2019

Women who undergo natural menopause transition have increased numbers of risk factors relating to metabolic syndrome due to estrogen deficiency. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Superhongmi bran extract on metabolic syndrome improvement in menopausal women. Thirty women, who participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, were assigned to placebo-control (n=15) or Superhongmi bran extract (n=15) groups and were asked to consume two tablets (350 mg per extract per tablet) per day. After 12 weeks, weight, body mass index (BMI), plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, and total cholesterol (TC) levels were significantly decreased, whereas HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), adiponectin, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and GSH (glutathione) concentrations were significantly increased in the Superhongmi bran extract group. Moreover, $17{\beta}-estradiol$, and progesterone levels in the Superhongmi group were significantly higher than those in the placebo-control group. These results suggest that Superhongmi bran extract alleviates metabolic symptom in menopausal women.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2013

This study was performed from April, 2007 to August, 2012 with female patients who were being treated for and suffering from chronic lumbar pain for periods of 6 months and over. The 53 female patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis by having a T-Score of <-2.5 in a bone mineral density(BMD), as well as showing signs of metabolic syndrome. This was deduced by taking measurements of blood pressure, carrying out blood-chemical examinations and physical measurements such as weight, height, waist measurement and body mass index(BMI). After 5 minutes rest, the patient's blood pressure, height and weight were measured. BMI was calculated using the equation BMI = weight (Kg)/height ($m^2$). The patients had their blood taken in a fasted state(more than 12hours), the fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol were measured. The average BMD and T-score were calculated by measuring BMD(mg/cc) of L1-L3 using QCT. In a correlation analysis of the physical examinations, clinical character of metabolic syndrome and T-score, the result showed that age and T-score had a negative correlation(r=-0.699, p<0.01) as did triglyceride and T-score (r=-0.047, p<0.01), where as weight(r=0.239, p<0.05) and height(r-=0.329, p<0.01) and T-score had a positive correlation. There was no significant correlation with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and T-score. This study showed that there are significant correlations with age, weight, height and T-score. But there are no significant correlations with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and T-score and that these did not influence bone density. Further research with more subjects is required to determine whether there is a correlation of clinical character of metabolic syndrome and T-score.