• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4331-4334
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• 2012

Aim and Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate correlations between serum osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and NTX (Cross-linked N-telopeptides of Type I Collagen) and urinary NTX in breast and lung cancer patients with bone metastases. These four markers are considered to have important roles in bone formation, resorption and metastases. Methods: Four markers were determined in the sera of 60 breast cancer and 21 lung cancer patients and healthy controls (n=30). Serum levels were studied using ELISA and EIA. Results: The median levels of serum osteoprotegerin (p<0.001) and osteocalcin (p=0.003) were higher in patients. Significant correlations were observed between the serum NTX-osteocalcin (r=0.431; p<0.001), serum NTX-osteoprotegerin (r=0.42; p=0.003) and serum NTX - urine NTX (r=0.255; p=0.022). Conclusion: We conclude that osteocalcin, osteoprotegerin and NTX are independent diagnostic tools. Due to the ease of urine collection, urine NTX may be applied routinely to allow early detection of bone metastases and indicate progression of the disease.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.11
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• pp.1576-1581
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• 2007

Dopamine reward pathway projecting from ventral tegmental area to nucleus accumbens is well known as playing an important role in alcohol dependence. It is supposed that this dopamine pathway is modulated by $5-HT_3$ nervous system, and it was reported that ondansetron (OND), $5-HT_3$ receptor antagonist, reduced drinking amount and increased abstinence rate in alcohol-dependent patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of combination of OND and naltrexone (NTX), non-specific opioid receptor antagonist, on alcohol intake in C57BL/6 mice. In 40 C57BL/6 mice in the state of alcohol dependence, vehicle, while OND 0.01 mg/kg, or NTX 1.0 mg/kg administrated respectively, or OND 0.01 mg/kg and NTX 1.0 mg/kg administrated simultaneously for ten days, medication effects on 2-hr alcohol, 22-hr water, 24-hr food intake and body weight were studied. When vehicle group was compared with 3 medication groups respectively, using a repeated measure ANOVA, NTX alone and vehicle groups showed a significant medication by time interaction (p=0.042) in 2-hr alcohol intake, but in the other 2 groups, OND and NTX combination group and OND alone group, there was no significant interaction with vehicle group in 2-hr alcohol intake. From these results, it is suggested that there is no effect on alcohol intake in mice treating with OND, and naltrexone#s suppression effect on alcohol intake in mice is attenuated when treating with OND and NTX simultaneously. It is supposed that a further study looking at the interactions of serotonin, dopamine and opioid nerves systems will be needed.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.24-32
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study was to inspect the effect of Oriental medicacl treatment with following up NTx and absorbing rate of bone in degenerative osteoarthritis. Methods : To obtain this result, we examinated 52 case of parents who visit Dept. of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Oriental Medical Hospital. Taejon University. We observe their age, sex, symptoms and change of NTx and ALP. Results : As a result of this examination, we detected the fact that it's difficult to decending NTx, but we are convinced that Oriental medicine has a good effect clinically. Conclusion : We take very useful result from this study, and want to be put this knowledge to practical use on treating Osteoporosis think the study like this must be go on continuously.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.359-372
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• 2013

Objectives The object of this study was to observe the effects of Hyeongbangjihwhang-tang (HB; Soyangin prescription) on the 5/6 NTX induced CRF rats. Methods Each of Hyeongbangjihwhang-tang aqueous extracts 200mg/kg were orally administered once a day for 35 days from 4 weeks after 5/6 NTX surgery. Four groups, each of 8 rats per group were used in this study, were sham group, CRF group, ${\alpha}$-Tocoperol group and HB group. Changes on the left remnant kidney weights, serum BUN, creatinine levels, caspase-3, PARP immunoreactivities were observed to nephroprotective effects, and relative immunomodulatory effects were monitored based on the changes of lymphatic organ weights and splenic cytokine contents. In addition, the changes on the kidney MDA, GSH contents and SOD, CAT activities were also calculated for antioxidant effects, and the effects on the CRF related cachexia were demonstrated based on the changes of body and epididymal fat pad weights, serum TG, TC, LDL and HDL levels. Results and Conclusions 1) HB was significantly decreased the left remnant kidney weights, serum BUN, creatinine levels and caspase-3, PARP immunoreactivities. 2) HB was significantly increased lymphatic organ weights and splenic cytokine contents. 3) HB was significantly increased body and epididymal fat pad weights, and was significantly decreased serum TG, TC, LDL and HDL levels. 4) HB was significantly decreased MDA contents, and was significantly increased GSH contents and SOD, CAT activities. The results obtained in this study suggest that HB significantly retarded immunosuppressions and cachexia related to the 5/6 NTX induced CRF through modulations of oxidative defense systems. Especially HB showed the highest favorable effects more than those of ${\alpha}$-tocoperol.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.460-466
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• 2006

To investigate the effects of dietary patterns on bone mineral density and its biochemical markers among Korean healthy college women for 2 years, 34 female college students were recruited through convenience sampling. Bone mineral density was measured using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) twice at baseline and two years later. Osteocalcin and parathyroid hormone were measured in fasting serum and N-teleopeptides of type collagen (NTx) in urine. Dietary intake was assessed by 24-hour recall method 8 times with average 4-month interval. Dietary patterns with percent energy of each food group using cluster analysis were classified into two groups. The first cluster (n = 16) was characterized with high consumption of bread, snack, fast foods, beverage and considerable of rice so it was determined as 'Modified dietary pattern group'. The second cluster was characterized with high consumption of rice and kimchi so determined as 'Traditional dietary pattern group'. There were no significant difference of age, menarcheal age, body mass index but percent of body fat by pattern groups. The traditional group showed higher value of bone mineral density among lumber spine and all femur sites at baseline and 2 years later but it was not significant after adjusted for percent of body fat. Serum osteocalcin and urine NTx was higher among the traditional group at baseline than the modified group. There were similar proportions of carbohydrate:fat:protein between groups but significantly higher intake of protein, iron, vitamin A among the traditional group. In conclusion, there were two distinctive dietary patterns among Korean college women. There was difference of bone mineral density and its biochemical markers between two patterns. Further research would be necessary to explore the relationship between dietary patterns and health risks for larger-sized and various populations.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.121-127
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• 2007

In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of a novel formulation of low-dose calcium and vitamin $D_3$ blended with Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch and Eleutherococcus senticosus Max (RE+), in postmenopausal women. The controls were given either a placebo or high dose calcium and vitamin $D_3$ (Ca + D). Bone mineral density (BMD) in the L2-3 lumber spines and femur regions was assessed, and serum osteocalcin, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen (NTx) were used as markers of osteoblast and osteoclast activity. Furthermore, all variables were measured before and after 6 and 12 months of treatment. The osteocalcin level was higher in the RE+ group, and BALP was almost the same in all groups. Serum NTx was significantly decreased in the RE+ group after 12 months (p<0.05). The NTx in the Ca + D and placebo groups showed no significant change. The decrease of femur BMD was further demonstrated in the placebo group, but significantly increased in the RE+ group after 6 and 12 months of treatment (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the percent changes of femur BMD between the placebo and RE+ groups (p<0.01) and Ca+D and RE+ groups (p<0.05). The decrease of spine BMD in the placebo group was inhibited both in the Ca + D and RE+ groups, however, there was significant difference only between the placebo and RE+ groups (p<0.05). These findings suggest that continuous oral therapy of the RE+ formulation reduces rapidly decreasing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women more effectively than high doses of calcium and vitamin $D_3$ alone by inhibiting osteoclastic activity. Therefore, it seems that the RE+ has its own antiosteoporotic effects. We suggest larger clinical studies to determine the most efficacious dosage and benefits of this novel treatment.

• 대한정형외과스포츠의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.09a
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• pp.4-4
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• 2004

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.195-202
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• 2013

This study was carried out to identify the relationship of biochemical bone turnover markers, bone mineral density (BMD), and general characteristics in Korean women. One hundred eighty healthy women, 20 to 50 years of age, living in Gwangju and Chonnam participated. Serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) and osteocalcin (OC) were used as bone formation markers and N-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (NTx) was used as a bone resorption maker to evaluate the state of bone turnover. T-scores were measured to evaluate BMD. We analyzed general characteristics, including age, menopause status, osteoporosis history, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and degree of obesity (BMI, percent of fat). The BAP level significantly decreased in the group of twenty-year olds and increased in the non-alcohol consuming group, the group with a family history of osteoporosis, the menopause group, and the obese group (p<0.05). The OC level was lower in the group of twenty-year olds and increased in the non-alcohol intake group and the menopause group (p<0.05). BMD significantly decreased in the obese group (p<0.05). In conclusion, BAP and OC were affected by age, alcohol consumption, osteoporosis history, menopause status, and obesity. BMD was affected by obesity degree. These results suggest that the management of alcohol consumption and obesity are important for maintaining bone status during aging in Korean women.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.460-463
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• 2014

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) which is one of the common chemotherapy related toxicity poses a significant clinical challenge. Here we conducted a prospective pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture on CIPN. Patients with CIPN were administered acupuncture procedure with continuation of previous conventional medication. Acupuncture procedures were conducted three times per week for 3 weeks. We assessed patients with Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.0, Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) at the time of baseline and every week after the acupuncture procedures. Total 5 patients were included and treated with acupuncture. CTCAE grades were the same of 2 in all patients. VAS mean value changed from 5.2 to 3.2, and FACT/GOG-Ntx total score that suggests the higher relates to better quality of life changed from 93.3 to 110 as mean value at the end of the 3rd week, though this index difference did not show any statistically significant difference. This pilot study suggests that acupuncture procedure may have a role for CIPN treatment. Launching a more larger and properly controlled study will be required to ascertain the efficacy of acupuncture.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.223-231
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavones are expected to improve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in women. However, their efficacy is still inconclusive, and there was limited data for postmenopausal women in South Korea. We examined the effects of soy isoflavones on climacteric symptoms, bone biomarkers, and quality of life in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study design was used. Eighty-seven participants who had undergone natural menopause were randomly administered either 70 mg/day isoflavones (n = 43) or placebo (n = 41) for 12 weeks. We assessed the Kupperman index for climacteric symptoms and the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire for quality of the life. Biomarkers of bone metabolism were also measured in serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), N- and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type Ι collagen (NTx, CTx), and urine-deoxypyridinolin (u-DPD). RESULTS: Scores of the Kupperman index were decreased in both the isoflavones group ($-7.0{\pm}15.8$, P = 0.0074) and placebo group ($-6.3{\pm}14.6$, P = 0.0064) during the intervention, but no significant difference was noted between the groups. Regarding the bone formation markers, the level of serum BALP increased by $6.3{\pm}4.1%$ (P = 0.004) and OC increased by $9.3{\pm}6.2%$ (P < 0.001), meanwhile those of the placebo were not changed. For the bone resorption markers, NTx, CTx, and u-DPD were not significantly different in either group. MENQOL was significant decreased in the isoflavone group ($-0.6{\pm}0.5$) and placebo group ($-0.6{\pm}0.4$), with a significant difference between groups (P = 0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that 70 mg isoflavones supplement has beneficial effects on bone formation markers; however, it showed no benefit compared to the placebo on climacteric symptoms or quality of life.