• Molecules and Cells
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.100004.1-100004.11
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• 2024

Insulin is essential for maintaining normoglycemia and is predominantly secreted in response to glucose stimulation by β-cells. Incretin hormones, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, also stimulate insulin secretion. However, as obesity and type 2 diabetes worsen, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide loses its insulinotropic efficacy, whereas GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists continue to be effective owing to its signaling switch from Gs to Gq. Herein, we demonstrated that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced a transition from Gs to Gq in GLP-1R signaling in mouse islets. Intriguingly, chemical chaperones known to alleviate ER stress, such as 4-PBA and TUDCA, enforced GLP-1R's Gq utilization rather than reversing GLP-1R's signaling switch induced by ER stress or obese and diabetic conditions. In addition, the activation of X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1) or activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), 2 key ER stress-associated signaling (unfolded protein response) factors, promoted Gs utilization in GLP-1R signaling, whereas Gq employment by ER stress was unaffected by XBP1 or ATF6 activation. Our study revealed that ER stress and its associated signaling events alter GLP-1R's signaling, which can be used in type 2 diabetes treatment.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.48.1-48.8
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• 2023

Liver cancer is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Well-known risk factors include hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus, along with exposure to aflatoxins, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Genomic variants play a crucial role in mediating the associations between these risk factors and liver cancer. However, the specific variants involved in this process remain under-explored. This study utilized a bioinformatics approach to identify genetic variants associated with liver cancer from various continents. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with liver cancer were retrieved from the genome-wide association studies catalog. Prioritization was then performed using functional annotation with HaploReg v4.1 and the Ensembl database. The prevalence and allele frequencies of each variant were evaluated using Pearson correlation coefficients. Two variants, rs2294915 and rs2896019, encoded by the PNPLA3 gene, were found to be highly expressed in the liver tissue, as well as in the skin, cell-cultured fibroblasts, and adipose-subcutaneous tissue, all of which contribute to the risk of liver cancer. We further found that these two SNPs (rs2294915 and rs2896019) were positively correlated with the prevalence rate. Positive associations with the prevalence rate were more frequent in East Asian and African populations. We highlight the utility of this population-specific PNPLA3 genetic variant for genetic association studies and for the early prognosis and treatment of liver cancer. This study highlights the potential of integrating genomic databases with bioinformatic analysis to identify genetic variations involved in the pathogenesis of liver cancer. The genetic variants investigated in this study are likely to predispose to liver cancer and could affect its progression and aggressiveness. We recommend future research prioritizing the validation of these variations in clinical settings.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.65-79
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate weight change and analyze adverse events in post-menopausal obese women with Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for weight loss. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for medical records of 115 post-menopausal obese women (body mass index, BMI≥25 kg/m²) who were administered with Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for 12 weeks for the purpose of weight loss. Weight, skeletal muscle ratio and BMI changes were compared before and after the program. Adverse events were evaluated by causality, severity and system-organ classes. Results: A total of 115 patients were included in this study. The average total weight loss in post-menopausal women was 5.72±2.04kg(p<0.001) and the average weight loss rate was 8.06±2.70%(p<0.001). After the 12-week program, the body fat rate was significantly decreased(3.76±2.20%)(p<0.001) and the skeletal muscle ratio was significantly increased(2.07±1.24%)(p<0.001). There were no significant differences in weight loss, skeletal muscle ratio change and body fat rate change depending on the number of hospital visits. Insomnia was frequently reported throughout the period, and no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: This study showed the potential that weight management treatment with Gamitaeeumjowee-tang could be a good way to lose weight of post-menopausal obese women without serious adverse events. Continuous well designed clinical studies are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.16-36
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the anti-climacterium effects of Jibaekjihwang-tang (JBJHT), especially on estrogenic, anti-obesity, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective against fatty liver and anti-osteoporotic effects by Ovariectomy (OVX) mice. Methods: In order to evaluate anti-climacterium effects of JBJHT, we used bilateral OVX female ddY mice. In this study, six groups were used; sham control, OVX control, estradiol, JBJHT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg treated groups. Since 28 days after OVX surgery, JBJHT extracts were orally treated, and $17{\beta}$-estradiol $0.03{\mu}g/head$ were subcutaneously injected for 84 days, once a day. And then, we observed anti-climacterium effects classified into five categories; estrogenic, anti-obesity, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective against fatty liver and anti-osteoporotic effects. The results were compared with $17{\beta}$-estradiol $0.03{\mu}g/head$/day subcutaneous treated OVX mice. Results: OVX control mice showed noticeable hypertrophic changes of adipocytes in abdominal fat pads, fatty liver, uterine atrophic changes, decreases of bone strength were also observed in OVX control. However, these estrogen-deficient climacterium symptoms were significantly and dose-dependently inhibited by JBJHT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg treatment. Moreover, JBJHT 500 mg/kg showed comparable inhibitory effects as compared to those of estradiol $0.03{\mu}g/head$/day subcutaneous treatment. Conclusions: The results suggest that oral administration of JBJHT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg has clear dose-dependent anti-climacterium effects in OVX mice.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.94-99
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• 2008

The most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in childhood is adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Adenotonsillectomy improves the symptoms quite well in most cases. However, some patients could experience the OSAS again after adenotonsillectomy, who might have several risk factors such as incomplete operation, misdiagnosis, combined anatomical malformation, sinusitis or chronic allergic rhinitis, obesity, initial severe OSAS, and early onset OSAS. We report a case of 11-year-old obese boy who presented with snoring for several years. He was obese with body mass index (BMI) of $26.3kg/m^2$ and also found to have fatty liver by ultrasonogram. Initial polysomnography (PSG) showed that he met the criteria of severe OSAS with the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 70.5. He underwent adenotonsillectomy and symptoms improved immediately. Four months later symptoms were relieved with AHI of 0, but 1 year after the adenotonsillectomy he started to complain snoring again and the subsequent PSG results showed that OSAS has relapsed with AHI of 43. Paranasal sinus X-ray and physical examination showed sinusitis and re-growth of adenoid. Obesity was proved not to be a contributing factor because his BMI decreased to normal range ($23.1kg/m^2$) after diet control and regular exercise. Also, liver transaminase was normalized and fatty liver was disappeared on follow-up abdominal ultrasonogram. After treatment of sinusitis, symptoms were relieved with decreased AHI (8.5). This case suggests that simple adenotonsillectomy might not be the end of OSAS treatment in childhood. Patients who had adenotonsillectomy should be followed by subsequent PSG if symptoms recur. It is also important to be aware of risk factors in the recurrent OSAS for the proper intervention according to the cause.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.523-532
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• 2015

A variety of previous pharmacological studies have suggested Liriope platyphylla (L. platyphylla) may exert beneficial biological effects on inflammation, diabetes, neurodegenerative disorder, obesity, constipation, and atopic dermatitis. In addition, hydrocolloid membranes (HCMs) have attracted attention in dermatological care, including in the treatment of scleroderma skin ulcers, cutaneous ulcers, permanent tympanic membrane perforations, pressure sores, and decubitus ulcers in the elderly. To investigate the therapeutic effects of HCM containing an aqueous extract of L. platyphylla (HCM-LP) on second-degree burn wounds, their physico-chemical properties were analyzed and the therapeutic effects were observed in SD rats after treatment with HCM-LP for 14 days. Significant declines in tensile strength (38.4%) and absorptiveness (46.3%), as well as an increase in surface roughness (38.1%) were detected in HCM-LP compared with that of HCM. In SD rats with burned skin, the wound diameter was shorter in the HCM-LP treated group than in the GZ group on post-surgical day 14, while the significant improvements in scar tissue reduction, epithelium regeneration, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix deposition were observed in the HCM-LP-treated group during all experimental periods. Overall, these results suggest HCM-LP may accelerate the process of healing the burn injury skin of SD rats through the regulation of angiogenesis and connective tissue formation.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.85-123
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• 2004

Back ground : Subcutaneous fat area is the main factor involved in replacement disease and arteriosclerosis. Simple weight control is the appropriate medical treatment. It's understood that weight reduction does not only reduce the fat concentrations in blood but also reduces blood pressure, improves glucose levels in diabetes patients and reduces incidents of heart disease. there are several methods for reducing fat in the abdominal region but their effectiveness is not folly understood. one method is electrical stimulation of the problem areas. Method : From May 1st 2002 to October 31st. The 15 subjects who received medical examination were aged between 25 and 53 and were of mixed gender. The subjects were divided into two groups one to received functional electrical stimulation and the other a control group. Using Broca's criterion for judging fat grades. I analysed the differences between the two groups before and after the treatment. Subjects received functional electrical stimulation on the abdominal muscle intensity 50Hz. They received this treatment 4 days a week for 40 minutes a day. In the case of aerobic exercise, at the Treadmill, we used it with the intensity of $75\%$ maximum heart rate (220-age). Result 1)After functional electrical stimulation in the case of male subjects, the weight was reduced 1.93kg, obesity $2.60\%$, fat mass 2.73kg, Percent body fat $4.40\%$, waist circumference 6.53cm, circumference of hips 5.53cm. On the other side, the quality of muscle was increased at the rate of 1.03kg, but it's not attentional level. The subcutaneous fat area was reduced by $26.63cm^2$, the visceral fat area was reduced by $43.00cm^2$, In the female subjects, we can see the reduction of fat grade by $26.63cm^2$, the quantity of body fat by 1.5kg, percent body fat by $1.77\%$, circumference of waist by 4.02cm, circumference of hips by 3.67cm, weight by 1.40kg but was increased 0.72kg at the quantity of muscles. We can see the reduction also in the subcutaneous fat area $24.03cm^2$, the visceral fat area by $25.36cm^2$. 2)After aerobic exercise, on the male subjects, we can see reduction of weight by 3.36kg, obesity by $4.00\%$, fat mass by 2.83kg and we can see increase at the soft lean mass by 2.96kg, but we can see reduction, the percent body fat by $3.03\%$, fat distribution by $0.023\%$, circumference of waist by 3.10cm, circumference of hips by 2.23cm. The female subjects show a reduction in the weight by 2.48kg, percent body fat by $2.20\%$, show an increase in the soft lean mass by 1.54kg. We can see a reduction in the quantity of fat mass by 2.32kg, the percent body fat by $2.80\%$, the circumference of waist by 2.16cm, the circumference of hips by 2.68cm, the fat distribution by $0.016\%$, the subcutaneous fat area by $15.25cm^2$ the visceral fat area by $11.52cm^2$. After aerobic exercise, we can't see the attentional change at the total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol. 3)After the application of functional electrical stimulation and aerobic exercise, in result of measurement on the body ingredient, we could see the weight reduction and increase the quantity of muscle with the male group who exercised aerobic. We can see the attentional rate on the electrical stimulation about abdominal fat rate, circumference of waist, circumference of hips. The other hand, I couldn't see the attentional differences between the two groups in the rate of fatness and quantity of body fat and the rate of body fat. There isn't any attentional difference in the area of fat under skin, on the contrary, There is attentional difference in the fat in the internal organs area at the electrical stimulation site. We can't see the attentional change of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol between electrical stimulation and aerobic exercise. 4)After execution of functional electrical stimulation and aerobic exercise, in result of measurement on change of body ingredient among female objects, We could see weight reduction, increase at muscle quantity in the aerobic exercise group. We could see the attentional differences in the rate of fatness, the rate of abdominal region, the circumference which received electrical stimulation. But, we couldn't see the attentional differences between two groups in the quantity of body fatness, the circumference of hips. The subcutaneous fat area doesn't show the attentional differences. On the Contrary, we could see lots of differences in the visceral fat area of the electrical stimulation group. Conclusion The results show that functional electrical stimulation and aerobic exercise have insignificant differences when if comes to total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Though there is affirmative change in body ingredient after both electrical stimulation and aerobic exercise. Functional electrical stimulation is more effective on the subcutaneous fat area and in changing visceral fat area. There fore. It is concluded that the physical therapy is more effective in the treatment of abdominal fatness.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.240-264
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• 2017

The present study was carried out to identify traditional konwledges on Korean Campanulaceae plants and conduct a comprehensive review of them through analyzing phytochemistry and pharmacology of Korean Campanulaceae plants. According to the literature study, the ethnobotanical plants of Korean Campanulacae consisted of a total 18 taxa. Of them, 12 taxa including Platycodon grandiflorus, Adenophora triphylla var. japonica, Codonopsis lanceolata and others have been used as ethnomedicinal plants. These plants have been used for the treatment of 49 diseases such as cold, asthma and postnatal care. Phytochemical studies have identified the constituents present from Korean Campanulaceae (Adenophora, Codonopsis, Platycodon, Campanula and Asyneuma). A wide range of chemical compounds comprised 109 triterpenes, 8 sterols, 4 polyacetylenes, 21 alkaloids, 14 flavonoids, 14 phenolic acids, 11 phenolic glycosides, 8 phenylpropanoids and 22 other compounds. Pharmacological studies of these compounds have demonstrated immuno-stimulating, anti-inflammatory, anti-asthmatic, apophlegmatic and anti-allergic effects. They have also shown antioxidant, estrogenic, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, antinociception and anti-tumor activities, as well as anti-obesity and cardiovascular effects. In light of traditional knowledge and phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized, uses of Korean Campanulaceae based on traditional knowledge (for the treatment diseases and conditions of respiratory, pregnancy, childbirth, puerperium, genitourinary, circulatory, musculoskeletal and other systems) have been supported by phytochemical and pharmacological studies.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.325-330
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• 2016

In this study, we evaluated the antidiabetic effect of submerged culture of Ceriporia lacerata mycelium (CL01) on glucose uptake and the expression of mRNA and protein of major signal markers of insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. After 3T3-L1 adipocytes were pre-treated by CL01 (0, 2, 10 mg/ml) for 8 hours, followed with treatment of insulin, the glucose uptake levels significantly increased by more 55.1%, 94.4% than negative control respectively (p<0.01, 0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. However, in case of CL01 pre-treatment without insulin, the glucose uptake did not increase compared with insulin-treated 3T3-L1. Also we demonstrated that the protein expression levels of pIR β, pAkt, pPI3K and pAMPK and the mRNA expression levels of GLUT4 in adipocytes inducing insulin resistance increased in CL01-treated group compared with negative control. These results demonstrated that CL01 affected glucose metabolism and the protein and gene expression through insulin signaling pathway, and increased glucose uptake levels effectively. More than 90% of those who have suffered for type 2 diabetes are more likely to have from hyperinsulinemia, hypertension, obesity and etc. because of altered insulin signaling pathway. So, it is probably considered that intake of CL01 may treat type 2 diabetes by normalization of insulin signaling pathway, and it will provide useful evidences regarding a mechanism for cure of type 2 diabetes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.681-686
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• 2010

Purpose: Obese proportion is increasing universally, estimating more than a billion. So reducing the weight became one of the topic in medical market. Not only diet, exercise, medication, but also many surgical procedures are being developed, such as sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass surgery. After massive weight loss, skin excess and laxity occurs, leading to unsatisfying body contour. Body contouring surgery including abdominoplasty, breast reduction is performed when skin excess is present in abdomen and breast. When skin excess is present circumferentially, belt dermolipectomy is the treatment of choice. Methods: A 23-year-old man had weight gain since he was 12 of age. A year before visiting to our department, his height was 168 cm, weight was 150 kg and body mass index (BMI) was 53.15 kg/$m^2$. The patient lost 55 kg of his weight through exercise and diet control. When he visited again, his weight was 95 kg and BMI was 33.66 kg/$m^2$. In physical examination, skin excess and laxity was seen in both breast and abdomen circumferentially and lateral folds were seen in the back. Abdominal contour deformity (Pitman classification type 6) and pseudogynecomastia (grade 3) were present in both breast. Belt dermolipectomy of abdomen, both breast and lateral folds was performed, resecting 6,400 g of tissue and additive 1,200 g through revisional operation. Results: The patient lost 6,500g of his weight and BMI reduced by 2.3 kg/$m^2$. The patient's hospital course was uneventful during 5 weeks of hospitalization and he was satisfied with his final body contour. Conclusion: Body contouring with belt dermolipectomy in patient who has circumferential skin excess and laxity after massive weight loss can be a treatment of choice.