• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 2002.11a
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• pp.73-82
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• 2002

The low molecular weight zinc-binding protein metallothionein (U) contains 32% cysteine and has been shown to efficiently scavenge hydroxyl radicals in vitro. MT expression is induced by oxidative stress and an antioxidant role for this protein has therefore been proposed. This review mainly focuses on the evidence for this role arising from studies using genetically modified animals and cells which either over- or under-express MT. Despite some considerable disparity of results in the literature, reported studies do generally support an antioxidant role. Nevertheless, oxidant stress at non-physiological treatment levels has been the preferred experimental model and there is little information about the role of MT in physiological oxidative stress. Although it is presumed that the mechanism by which MT has an antioxidant effect involves oxidation of cysteinal thiols, it is possible that zinc release from MT is in itself an important signalling factor.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.488-497
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• 2011

Oxygen is necessary to sustain life, yet cellular oxygen metabolism creates destructive elements called free radicals. Free radicals are chemically unbalanced and carrying free electrons that can damage molecules, potentially damaging the cell itself. For this reason, many antioxidant products, including supplements and functional foods, are being developed. In particular, natural products are rich sources of pharmacologically active compounds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of target biomaterials in Korean traditional spices such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), capsaicin (CAP), and gingerol (GGR), and to investigate the response of the antioxidant defense system to oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) compared to sulforaphane (SFN) in HepG2 cells. After the analysis of the cell viability using Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, we determined that the optimum levels were $200{\mu}M$ DAS, $25{\mu}M$ CAP, $50{\mu}M$ GGR, and $12.5{\mu}M$ SFN. Antioxidant enzymes were measured and protein expression was detected by Western blotting. All treatments showed a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity such as superoxide dismutase, catalse, and glutathione peroxidase in HepG2 cells. Additionally, DAS, CAP, GGR and SFN increased the antioxidant system-related transcription factor Nrf2 which was found to be regulated by the activation of MAPK-JNK in this study. In conclusion, these results indicate the protective effects of DAS CAP, GGR, and SFN against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.452-456
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• 2015

Obesity is the fifth leading risk for death globally, and a significant challenge to global health. It is a common, complex, non-malignant disease and develops due to interactions between the genes and the environment. DNA methylation can act as a downstream effector of environmental signals; analysis of this process therefore holds substantial promise for identifying mechanisms through which genetic and environmental factors jointly contribute to disease risk. To assess the effects of excessive weight and obesity on gene-specific methylation levels of promoter regions, we determined the methylation status of four genes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress [interleukin 6 (IL6), tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), and glucose transport 4 (GLUT4)] in blood cell-derived DNA from healthy women volunteers with a range of body mass indices (BMIs) by methylation-specific PCR. Interestingly, the samples from obese individuals ($BMI{\geq}30kg/m^2$) showed significantly increased hypermethylation for IL6 gene compared to normal weight ($BMI<23kg/m^2$) and overweight sample ($23kg/m^2{\leq}BMI<30kg/m^2$) (P = 0.034 and P = 0.026). However there was no statistically significant difference in promoter methylation of the other 3 genes between each group. These findings suggest that aberrant DNA methylation of IL6 gene promoter may play an important role in the etiology and pathogenesis of obesity and IL6 methylation could be used as molecular biomarker for obesity risk assessment. Further studies are required to elucidate the potential mechanisms underlying this relationship.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-136
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• 2019

Objectives: People often fail to maintain their weight even though they have succeeded in weight loss. The purpose of this study was to review previously published study results with regards to the predictive factors associated with weight loss maintenance after successful weight loss. Methods: The authors searched for the articles related to weight loss maintenance after successful weight loss, published up until June 2019 on PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Embase, Research Information Sharing Service (RISS), and Koreanstudies Information Service System (KISS). A total of 76 articles were finally selected. From the study results, changeable and unchangeable predictors were extracted, and these predictors were examined according to detailed categories. Results: The changeable predictors of weight loss maintenance included behavioral factors, psychological factors and treatment process-related factors, whereas the unchangeable predictors included genetic and physiological factors, demographic factors, history of treatment on obesity-related factors. The main factors of weight loss maintenance were changeable predictors such as healthy eating habits, dietary intake control, binge eating control, regular exercise and physical activity, depression and stress control, social supports, self-regulation, self-weighing and initial weight loss and unchangeable predictors such as low initial weight and maximum lifetime weight. Conclusions: The results of our review results suggest that changeable and unchangeable predictors of weight loss maintenance should be carefully examined during treatments of obesity.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.80-87
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• 2010

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis on the MeOH extract of Ligularia stenocephala leaves identified six caffeoylquinic acids, viz. 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-mucoquinic acid, 3,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and 3-Ocaffeoylquinic acid using standard compounds, and determined the quantity of each extract. Percentage of total caffeoylquinic acids of the MeOH extract and its BuOH fraction were calculated as $67.83{\pm}3.79%$ and $94.52{\pm}1.84%$, respectively. Since the caffeoylquinic acid-rich MeOH extract exhibited a potent peroxynitrite-scavenging effect in vitro ($IC_{50}=0.87{\pm}0.33\;{\mu}g/ml$ (mean $\pm$ SEM)), the experiment was designed to identify whether or not that extract has an anti-obesity effect on rat obesity induced by high fat diet. Oral administration of the MeOH extract and its BuOH fraction abundant in caffeoylquinic acid decreased the rat body weight to the level of untreated group and decreased abdominal fat pad weight. The atherogenic index and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS) values were restored by treatment, indicating that the caffeoylquinic acid-rich extract probably inhibited hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress caused by high fat diet. These results suggest that L. stenocephala in vegetable form or its caffeoylquinic acid-rich fraction (BuOH fraction) as an agent can be used for treatment or prevention of obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.503-511
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ginger, a root vegetable, is known to have antioxidant and antiobesity effects. Preparation, such as by steaming, can affect the chemical composition of prepared root vegetables or herbs and can change their functional activities. In the present study, we investigated the protective effects of steamed ginger against oxidative stress and steatosis in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet. MATERIAL/METHODS: The levels of polyphenols and flavonoids in two different extracts of steamed ginger, i.e., water extract (SGW) and ethanolic extract (SGE); as well, their antioxidant activities were examined. Forty male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND, n = 10), high-fat diet (HFD, 60% fat, w/w, n = 10), HFD supplemented with 200 mg/kg of SGE or garcinia (GAR) by weight (SGED or GARD, respectively, n = 10) for 12 weeks. Serum chemistry was examined, and the expressions of genes involved in lipid metabolism were determined in the liver. Histological analysis was performed to identify lipid accumulations in epididymal fat pads and liver. RESULTS: The SGE had higher contents of polyphenols and flavonoids and higher DPPH and $ABTS^+$ free radical scavenging activities compared to those of SGW. Treatment with SGE or GAR significantly decreased the HFD-induced weight gain. Both SGE and GAR significantly reduced the high serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein levels induced by HFD. Compared to ND, HFD significantly increased hepatic TC and TG levels. SGE or GAR supplementation significantly decreased the increase of hepatic lipids by HFD. Interestingly, SGE had a more significant effect in reducing hepatic TC and TG levels than GAR. Furthermore, hepatic genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis were altered in both the SGED and GARD groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that steamed ginger supplementation can decrease plasma TC and TG and can inhibit liver steatosis by regulating the expressions of hepatic genes.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.451-463
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the drinking, stress, and sleep on depression of Korean obese women. Methods: The data of this study were derived from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3), conducted from January to December 2015 by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study subjects were 935 adult women between 20 and 70 years old (Body Mass Index${\geq}25$). The data were analyzed by the complex sampling design method applying the weights to the IBM SPSS 23.0 program. Results: The study result showed that the frequency of binge drinking, stress perception, sleeping time and depression of Korean obese women showed significant differences according to age group. In the 20-30's, the stress and sleeping time, the 40-50's were drinking at once, the frequency of drinking and stress, and the drinking and stress at 60-70's were significantly associated with an increased risk of depression in obese women. Conclusion: The intervention program for the management of depression in Korean obese women should include the strategies for managing stress and drinking, taking into account differences according to age.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.115-131
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• 1998

Understanding average abnormal obese high school students' health awareness and attitude, We analyzed problems affect on this to provide basic data for the school health education in the near future. From March, 1997, covering a month period, We investigated 300 average obese students from each 3 school, both boys and girls, around Taegu area. Followings are the summary. 1) Grouping obesity, 86.6% of boys were abdominal type and 54.0% of girls were lump types. 2) IN physical check-up and serum lipid lab., there were a lot of abnormal students for blood pressure, serum glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein(HDL), low density lipoprotein(LDL), neutral lipid, the rate of lipid in the body, atherosclerosis index and electrocardiogram (ECG).; Especially, for the rate of Lipid in the body, 100.0% were in the abnormal range. 3) The main reasons of stress were on the physique and grade. Over 50.0% of students get rid of their stress by singing and dancing. 4) 46.7% of boys and 56.0% of girls were satisfied with their desks and 51.3% of boys and 48.0% of girls were satisfied with their chairs.; 70.0% of boys and 78.7% of girls usually felt uncomfortable for their desks and chairs. 5) 100.0% of boys and 98.0% of girls have been educated for obesity.; 53.3% of boys and 50.7% of girls were not interested in whether joining in or not, if ‘Obese school’ is open. 60.7% of boys get information about weight loss from television, while 41.3% of girls get it from all sorts of publications.; Both sexes said eating convenience food is the main reason to be obese. Most frequent disease is high blood pressure.; 30.0% of boys and 31.3% of girls were hypertensives. 6) 84.7% of boys and 78.0% of girls are awake to the seriousness of obesity from their families. 58.7% of boys and 66.0% of girls sometimes have meals with their families. For the boys, 30.0% of them eat fruit and 29.3% eat cookies while 37.3% of girls eat cookies for their snacks. Both 57.3% of boys and 40.0% of girls have a snack once a day and they drink soft drinks frequently. Both 32.0% of boys and 46.7% of girls have midnight meals 1-2times a week. 7) Both 45.3% of boys and 50.0% of girls suddenly gained their weight in the elementary school times. 30.0% of boys exercise 1 hour for a week, while 48.0% of girls don't exercise. For the exercise hour, both 53.3% of boys and 42.0% of girls exercise for 10-30 minutes a time. 59.7% of boys and 82.0% of girls strongly don't trust in the informations on weight loss. Both 74.0% of boys and 75.3% of girls think physical therapy is the most suitable way for obesity care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.298-310
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the laughter therapy program on perceived stress and psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune responses in obese women. Methods: A nonequivalent control group with a pretest-posttest design was used. The participants (n=60), whose age ranged from 30 to 50 years (pre-menopausal and body mass index of over $25kg/m^2$), were assigned to the experimental group (n=24) or control group (n=26). The experimental group was provided with the laughter therapy program (12 sessions) for 6 weeks. Results: There were significant differences in perceived stress, psychological stress response, fasting blood sugar, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha between the two groups after the program. However, there were no significant differences in normalized low frequency (norm LF), normalized high frequency (norm HF), LF/HF ratio, and cortisol between the two groups after the program. Conclusion: It was found that the laughter therapy program had positive effects on some variables in terms of perceived stress and psycho-neuro-endocrine-immuno responses. It is suggested that the laughter therapy in this study can provide the direction for developing a program for obese women.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.17-28
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• 2017

Ojectives: This study performed to analyze health promotion factors related to subjective stress level among first-year students of university. Methods: To examine the association with subjective stress level and health promotion factors, health survey was conducted with 3,892 students who were first-year students in an university by self-reported questionnaire from February 26 to March 10, 2015 in an university. Multiple regression analysis performed to identify the difference of health promotion factors by subjective stress level. Results: 1,015 students (26.1%) were on high stress level and 2,110 students (54.2%) were in healthy status. The 10.8% of them was obesity group and the 40% was alcohol use disorder group. The 8.2% had experienced depression in the last 1 year. In multiple regression models, it remained significantly the difference of subjective stress level by sex, subjective health status, sleep hours in a day, eating frequency of fruit and vegetable in a day, depression experience and suicidal thought in the last 1 year(p<0.05, p<0.01). On the other hand, it was not significant the difference by age, BMI, alcohol use disorder, eating breakfast, regular exercise and current smoking. Conclusions: To improve health promotion of first-year students of university, it should provide the intensive mental health program to women on campuses.