• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1988.08a
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• pp.70-76
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• 1988

Since ancient times, records pertaining to chi-reinforecenent of ginseng have been documented in books of Chinese nedicine. We, therefore, assessed the therapeutic effects of ginseng on patients with chi-deficiency syndrome. Eigheen cases of chi-deficiency, screened at the outpatient service in the internal department of Chinse medicine at the China Medical College Hospital. were prescribed two grams of Korean red ginseng powder three times daily for a two week period. For evaluation, a questionnaire and diagnosis by sphygmography were conducted prior to and after administration of the prescription. For control purposes, fourteen volunteers fasted for more than five days (seven had access only to ginseng. and the other seven were given only mineral water) and were subsequently evaluated by the same criteria. Three results were obtained for the ginseng treated group: (1) improvements in symptoms of chi-deficiency such as fatigue and dizziness; (2) changes in pulse waves with time domains showing alternate P-waves, strengthened dicrotic waves, and some minute waves in the end-diastolic period; (3) frequency domains with enhanced amplitudes around 12Hz. These three findings, which are consistent with each other, suggest the reinforcement of the effect of ginseng on 'heart-spleen chi' in Chinese medicine.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.113-119
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• 1975

Volcanic Ash Soils are widely distributed in Jeju island, and constitute the important upland soils which are either presently being cultivated or are suitable for reclaiming. The characteristics of Volcanic Ash Soils according to data made available by previous studies in Jeju and the outside of the country are as following: The most conspicuous mineralogical property is the presence of amorphous mineral colloids. The colloids have large and highly reactive surface to which the common physical and chemical properties are related. Soils are low in bulk density and higher both in porosity and permeability. Accumulation of humus in the upper part of soil is found in great quantity. Cation exchange capacity is high mainly due to high humus content, but the absorbing intensity of ammonium and potassium is weaker than that of crystalline clays. The phosphate absorption coefficient is extremely high and deficiency of minor element may occur both crops and animals. Soils are densely populated with actinomycetes and anaerobic bacteria. Nitrification and activity of urease are distinctly stronger than that of non-Volcanic Ash Soils.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-119
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• 1988

Melanterite(Green vitriol) is a kind of mineral crude drug which has been used for a hemostatic and hematic, and it contained iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, calcium and manganese etc., and the contents of those matals were 14.34%, 1.21%, 0.91%, 0.41%, 0.37% and 0.15%, respectively. In the acute toxicity in mice its $LD_{50}$ was over 3,000 mg/kg and 2,000 mg/kg by the oral and subcutaneous administration, respectively, but the $LD_50$ by the intraperitoneal administration was 1,810 mg/kg. On the experimental anemia induced by the free bleeding in rabbits and by the phenylhydrazine in rats the reduced RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit were rapidly recovered.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2013

In previous studies, we found that the consumption of legumes decreased bone turnover in ovariectomized rats. The purpose of the present study is to determine whether the protective effects on bone mineral density (BMD) and the microarchitecture of a diet containing legumes are comparable. In addition, we aim to determine their protective actions in bones by studying bone specific gene expression. Forty-two Sprague-Dawley rats are being divided into six groups during the 12 week study: 1) rats that underwent sham operations (Sham), 2) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet (OVX), 3) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with soybeans (OVX-S), 4) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with mung beans (OVX-M), 5) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with cowpeas (OVX-C), and 6) ovariectomized rats fed an AIN-93M diet with azuki beans (OVX-A). Consumption of legumes significantly increased BMD of the spine and femur and bone volume of the femur compared to the OVX. Serum calcium and phosphate ratio, osteocalcin, expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG), and the receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) ratio increased significantly, while urinary excretion of calcium and deoxypyridinoline and expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 were significantly reduced in OVX rats fed legumes, compared to OVX rats that were not fed legumes. This study demonstrates that consumption of legumes has a beneficial effect on bone through modulation of OPG and RANKL expression in ovariectomized rats and that legume consumption can help compensate for an estrogen-deficiency by preventing bone loss induced by ovarian hormone deficiency.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.239-249
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• 2013

Subclinical vitamin $B_{12}$ deficiency is common in the elderly worldwide. We investigated the change of serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration with aging and compared anthropometric data and clinical health indicators between normal (${\geq}$ 340 pg/mL) and low (< 340 pg/mL) serum vitamin $B_{12}$ groups in 470 Korean women aged 65 years and over living in a rural area. Serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration showed inverse correlation with age (r = -0.0992, p < 0.05). The normal $B_{12}$ group showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the low $B_{12}$ group, however, no difference in mean corpuscular volume was observed between the two groups. The normal $B_{12}$ group showed significantly lower serum homocysteine concentration (p < 0.01) and prevalence of vitamin D (p < 0.01) or folate deficiency (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (T-score) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the normal $B_{12}$ group, compared with that in the low $B_{12}$ group, and showed positive correlation (r = 0.1490, p < 0.01) with serum vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration after adjusting for age, body weight, and body mass index. No differences in anthropometric data, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits were observed between the two groups. In conclusion, it could be suggested that older female adults with normal serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level would be less anemic and osteoporotic and more resistant to hyperhomocysteinemia associated chronic diseases than those with low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 2020

Objective: Minerals are one of the important nutrients for supporting the growth of sheep grazing in the highland, northwest of China. The experiment was conducted to investigate the relationship of both macro and micro minerals in sheep grazing in the highlands of six districts located in the Qilian Mountain of China. Methods: Samples of herbage (n = 240) and soil (n = 240) were collected at random in a "W" shape across the area designated for harvesting from 24 farms, where the sheep commonly graze in October (winter) for mineral analyses. In addition, serum samples were taken via jugular vein from 20 sheep per farm from 24 farms (n = 480 samples in total) for serum minerals analyses. Mean values of macro and micro minerals were statistically compared among districts and the correlations among soil-plant-animal were statistically analyzed and correlations were regressed, as well. Results: The results revealed that there were variations for both macro and micro minerals among districts. Statistical analysis of the correlation coefficients between herbage and sheep were significantly different for most of the minerals but not for P, Cu, and Se. Many correlation regression coefficients were found significantly different among minerals of herbage, soil, and sheep serum especially those of K, Na, Fe, Mn, and Zn (between herbage and sheep serum), and Fe and Mn (between herbage and soil), Na, Fe, Mn, and Zn (between soil and sheep serum), respectively. The regression coefficient equations derived under this experiment for prediction of Ca (R² = 0.618), K (R² = 0.803), Mg (R² = 0.767), Na (R² = 0.670), Fe (R² = 0.865),Zn (R² = 0.950), Mn (R² = 0.936), and Se (R² = 0.630), resulted in significant R² values. Conclusion: It is inferred that the winter herbage minerals in all the districts were below the recommended levels for macro minerals which indicated there would be some mineral deficiencies in sheep grazing the herbage in these regions. Supplemental minerals may therefore play an important role in balancing the minerals available from the herbage in winter and would lead to increased productivity in sheep on the highland areas of China. These findings could be potentially applied to the other regions for improving the livestock productivity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2015

Aleurone layer of Black rice (Oryza sativa L.) is enriched with anthocyanin that could increase bone density. This study was conducted to investigate the osteoporosis-preventing effects of the aleurone layer extract (BRE) on bone loss of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. OVX (or sham-operated) rats were assigned to three groups (n=8 per group): sham operated group (Sham); OVX control group (OVX); OVX-BRE group, OVX rats treated with BRE at 90 mg/kg B.W. The deionized water alone or deionized water with BRE was orally administrated to Sham, OVX or OVX-BRE groups, respectively for 12 weeks. High fat diet with 45 kcal% fat and water were fed to all rats ad libitum. Body weight was significantly decreased in the OVXBRE group compared to the OVX group (p<0.05). The bone mineral density and bone length of tibia were significantly higher in the OVX-BRE group compared to the OVX group and breaking force was significantly higher for the both tibia and femur bones. Serum estradiol concentration and calcium concentration of femur were higher in the OVX-BRE group than those of OVX group. However, serum alkaline phosphatase activity and parathyroid hormone concentration were decreased in the OVXBRE group compared to the OVX group. The results suggest that aleurone layer of Black rice is a potentially useful ingredient to protect against estrogen deficiency or menopause related osteoporosis.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.111-117
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• 2005

It has been more than three decades since the first assay assessing circulating 25 (OH)D in human subjects was performed That publication as well as several that followed it defined 'normal' nutritional vitamin D status in human populations. Recently, the wisdom by which 'normal' circulating 25 (OH)D levels in human subjects were assigned in the past has come under question. It appears that sampling human subjects, who appear to be free from disease, and assessing 'normal' circulating 25 (OH)D levels by plotting a Gaussian distribution is grossly inaccurate. There are many reasons why this method is inaccurate, including race, lifestyle habits, sunscreen usage, age, latitude, and inappropriately low dietary recommendations for vitamin D. For instance, a 400 IU/day. AI for vitamin D is insignificant when one considers that a 10-15 minute whole body exposure to peak summer sun will generate and release up to 20,000 IU vitamin $D_3$ into the circulation. Recent studies, which orally administered up to 10,000 IU/day vitamin $D_3$ to human subjects for several months, have successfully elevated circulating 25 (OH)D levels to those observed in individuals from sun-rich environments. Further, we are now able to accurately assess sufficient circulating 25 (OH)D levels utilizing specific biomarkers instead of guessing what an adequate level is. These biomarkers include intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium absorption, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. Using the data from these biomarkers, vitamin D deficiency should be defined as circulating levels of 25 (OH)D$\leq$30 ng/mL. In certain cases, such as pregnancy and lactation, significantly higher circulating 25 (OH)D levels would almost certainly be beneficial to both the mother and recipient fetus/infant.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.63-68
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• 2012

Osteoporosis is characterized by the reduced density of mineralized bone matrix. The loss of bone has been attributed to an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. The silkmoth is one of the famous traditional tonic medicines. Silkworm pupa was evaluated for its antiosteoporotic activity in an ovariectomized rat model of osteoporosis. The rats were ovariectomized at 6weeks of age and divided into 7 groups. All the groups were fed without calcium diet. The OVX rats were treated with water and silkworm powder for 6 weeks. In OVX rats, the body weight, feeding and water intake quantity did not show a significant change, but the silkworm pupa powder immediately before the eclosion of Yeonrokjam was significantly increased the bone mineral density in the femoral bone. The silkworm pupa powder increased the bone with increasing calcium in serum. These results also showed its protective action through promotion of bone formation. The silkworm pupa powder has a definite antiosteoporotic effect; similar to estrogen, it is especially effective for the prevention of bone fracture induced by estrogen deficiency. The silkworm pupa powder is a promising anti-osteoporotic agent that can prevent bone fractures in osteoporotic patients. The silkworm pupa powder does not show serious side effects because natural herbal medicine origin.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.295-305
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• 1996

This study was done to evaluate the effectiveness of dietary calcium level(a diet which met 100% or twice the calcium level in AIN-76 diet) on preventing bone loss in ovariectomized rats. Forty female Sprauge-Dawley rats(body weight 200$\pm$5g) were divided into two groups. One group were ovariectomized(Ovx) while the others received sham operation(Sham). Thereafter, each rat group was further divided into normal calcium diet(NCD, 0.52%) and high calcium diet(HCD, 1.04%) sub-groups. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 8 weeks. Urinary pyridinoline & creatinine and serum estradiol, luteinizing hormone, calcium, phosphate, total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were determined. There were no significant differences in serum calcium. total protein and albumin in the two groups(Ovx vs Sham) of rats. Ovariectomized rats had significantly lower estradiol than sham operated rats. There was a highly significant correlation between total bone mineral density(TBMD) and overall level of esteradiol(r=0.59, p<0.05). Total bone mineral density did not correlate significantly with ALP or osteocalcin, although a negative trend was evident. However, the rats fed high calcium diet had a lower crosslinks value and osteocalcine than the rats fed normal calcium diet. An increased rate of bone turnover is usually associated with a decrease in bone mass bexause bone formation at each remodeling site is never as great as resorption. Ovariectomized rats fed high calcium diet had a lower crosslink value and osteocalcin; it means high cacium diet decreased bone turnover rate. The findings from the present study demonstrated that bone loss due to ovarian hormonal deficiency can be partially prevented by a high calcium diet. Futhermore, these findings support the strategy of the use of a high calcium diet in the prevention of estrogen depletion bone loss (postmenopausal osteoporosis).