• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.322-333
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction are 2 of the independent predictors for cardiovascular disease, while Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is a traditional medicinal plant that can improve cardiovascular health. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of the fruit of ASH on vascular function in apparently healthy subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, consisting of healthy adults with at least 2 of the following 3 conditions: borderline high blood pressure (BP; 120 mmHg ≤ systolic BP ≤ 160 mmHg or 80 mmHg ≤ diastolic BP ≤ 100 mmHg), smoking (≥10 cigarettes/day), and borderline blood lipid levels (220 ≤ total cholesterol ≤ 240, 130 ≤ low density lipoprotein cholesterol ≤ 165, or 150 ≤ triglyceride ≤ 220 mg/dL). Randomly assigned 76 subjects who received a placebo or 2 doses of ASH fruit (low, 500 mg/day; high, 1,000 mg/day) completed the intervention. Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), flow-mediated dilation, carotid intima-media thickness, and BP were measured both at baseline and following the 12-week intervention. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) phosphorylation was assessed by western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, the low-dose group showed more significant changes after the 12-week intervention period in terms of systolic BP (0.1 vs. -7.7 mmHg; P = 0.044), baPWV (31.3 vs. -98.7 cm/s; P = 0.007), and the ratio of phospho-eNOS/eNOS (0.8 vs. 1.22; P = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that ASH fruit extract at 500 mg/day has the potential to improve BP and arterial stiffness via endothelial eNOS activation in healthy adults with smoking and the tendency of having elevated BP or blood lipid parameters.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2005

Background and purpose: Arterial stiffness is an important, independent determinant of cardiovascular risk. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) has been used as a valuable index of arterial stiffness and as a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis. The Framingham risk score was developed using categorized risk factors to predict the 10 year absolute risk of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). This algorithm is established using recommended guidelines for blood pressure, total cholesterol, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in addition to age, smoking history and history of diabetes. Tongxinluo(TXL) has been shown to have anti hyperlipidemic activity and anti atherogenic effects. To determine its efficacy and safety, we examined whether TXL improves PWV, ABI, Framingham score, blood pressure, and lipid profile in high risk group of cardiovascular diseases. Subjects and methods: 49 subjects with the high risk of cardiovascular diseases were recruited. Subjects were administered TXL with the dose of 1110mg three times a day for 8 weeks. baPWV, ABI, Framingham risk score, Blood pressure and serum lipid profile were assessed at baseline and after 4 and 8weeks. Results: Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglyceride, total lipid and phospolipid significantly decreased after 4 weeks of medication. Total cholesterol, total lipid and phospolipid significantly decreased after 8 weeks of medication. There were no significant changes in Framingham risk scores, ABI, PWV and blood pressure. On safety assessment, there were no adverse effects, hepatic or renal toxicity. Conclusion: We suggest that TXL is a safe and useful herbal medicine for hyperlipidemia and as for anti-atherognic effects, further research would be necessary.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.496-502
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the association between the dietary intake of fish and shellfish, and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in the middle-aged Korean female patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2D). SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was performed with 356 female patients (means age: 55.5 years), who were recruited from the Huh's Diabetes Clinic in Seoul, Korea between 2005 and 2011. The dietary intake was assessed by a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and analyzed using the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis program (CAN-Pro) version 4.0 software. RESULTS: In a multiple regression analysis after the adjustment for confounding factors such as age, BMI, duration of diagnosed T2D, alcohol consumption, fiber intake, sodium intake, and total energy intake, fish and shellfish intake of the subjects was negatively associated with triglyceride and pulse wave velocity (PWV). Omega-3 PUFAs intake was negatively associated with triglyceride, systolic blood pressures, diastolic blood pressures, and PWV. The multiple logistic regression analysis with the covariates showed a significant inverse relationship between the omega-3 PUFAs consumption and prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia [OR (95% CI) for greater than the median compared to less than the median: 0.395 (0.207-0.753)]. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the consumption of fish and shellfish, good sources of omega-3 PUFAs, may reduce the risk factors for CVD in the middle-aged female patients with T2D.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-96
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate arterial stiffness index, physical activity, and food and nutrient intake in middle-aged adults over 40 years when the incidence of cardiovascular disease begins to increase. Methods: This study included 106 subjects (48 males and 58 females) aged between 40 and 64 years. The arterial stiffness index (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], and ankle-brachial index [ABI]) were measured using a blood pressure pulse wave testing device. Physical activity was assessed using the Korean version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and food and nutrient intake was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.4 years. Although the ABI of the subjects was within the normal range, they were divided into tertiles to compare physical activity and food and nutrient intake. In males, the time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher in T3 (600.6 min/week) than in T1 (304.4 min/week). In females, the time spent in sedentary behavior was significantly lower in T3 (294.5 min/week) than in T1 (472.1 min/week). In addition, the frequency of fish consumption was significantly higher in T3 (1.27 frequency/day) than in T1 (0.64 frequency/day) in females. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and ω-3 fatty acid intake, adjusted for energy intake, were significantly positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.200 and r = 0.218, respectively). Conclusions: High MVPA (in males), low sedentary behavior (in females), and PUFA and ω-3 fatty acid intake through fish consumption may be associated with low peripheral artery stiffness. Therefore, arteriosclerosis can be prevented through physical activity and proper dietary therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2009

Purpose : Adiponectin is a molecule that plays an important role in the metabolic syndrome. In addition, its concentration is known to be decreased in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and coronary artery disease. Although a relationship between hypertension and serum adiponectin concentrations has been reported by several authors, such findings continue to be debated. We investigated whether hypoadiponectinemia is related to hypertension in adolescents and studied the associated genetic polymorphism. Methods : Forty hypertensive adolescents (Age 16-17 years old) and twenty normotensive matched subjects were included. Serum adipo-nectin, insulin, renin, aldosterone and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) levels were compared. Their carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and pulse wave velocity (PWV) were measured. Polymorphisms of the adiponectin I164T gene were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results : The hypertensive adolescents had significantly greater cIMT and PWV. In addition, the serum aldosterone, renin and insulin levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group. The plasma concentrations of adiponectin did not differ significantly between the two groups. TC genotype was not found in our study subjects; they all had the TT genotype of the adiponectine gene. Conclusion : The results of our study showed that adiponectin levels were not significantly different in adolescents with hypertension. There was no distinctive genetic polymorphism observed in this group of patients. Further large scale studies are needed to clarify the association between genetic variations and adiponectin in hypertensive adolescents.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.228-235
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to find an effective medical device to detect cold sensation of hands. Methods: Patients with cold sensation of hands (N=42) were recruited in July 2013. We surveyed patients’ general characteristics, severity of cold sensation, body temperature in Nogung (PC8) and Hyeopbaek (LU4) measured with a digital thermometer, digital infrared thermal imaging, and pulse wave velocity. Results: The relation between severity of cold sensation and temperature in Nogung (PC8) and Hyeopbaek (LU4) was statistically significant. The results showed a higher correlation of severity of cold sensation with Nogung (PC9) than with Hyeopback (LU4) temperature. No other indices were statistical significant. Conclusions: Measuring the Nogung (PC9) temperature is most reasonable for assessing the severity of cold sensation of hands. To generalize this result, however, a large-scale study is warranted.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.416-428
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• 2006

Objectives : Arterial stiffness and pulse pressure are related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular survival and longevity. This study is aimed at examining the effects of Chungpyesagan-tang on arterial stiffness and Pulse pressure in acute stroke Patients. Methods: The subject of this study was acute strike Patients within 1 week after ictus, with Cardio-ankle vascular index(CAVI) higher than 9.0. They were divided into two groups: A treatment group (n=44) and a control group(n=46). For two weeks, Chungpyesagan-tang was given to the former, other herbal medicines to the latter. used for stroke patients for the control group for 2 weeks. At the end of first and second week, CAVI, pulse Pressure, National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS), Modified Barthel Index(MBI) were measured. Serum lipid Profile, aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT). blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine were also measured at the end of the study. Results : After 2 weeks, CAVI and Pulse Pressure in Chungpyesagan-tane group were significantly tower than those in the control group(P<0.05). NIHSS and MBI were improved in both groups. But there was no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in terms of the NIHSS and MBI. Conclusions : We suggest Chungpyesagan-tanghas desirable effects on arterial stiffness and Pulse Pressure of acute stroke patients. It can improve morbidity and mortality of patients on the basis of influencing vascular stiffness and increased pulse pressure.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.362-370
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• 2019

This study was conducted to investigate effects of 12 weeks of combined exercise training with blood flow restriction (BFR) on body composition (weight, %body fat, lean body mass, body mass index (BMI)) and cardiovascular responses (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (ba PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI)) in elderly women. Participants (N = 43, Females) were randomly assigned into a combined exercise with BFR (n = 14, BFR), only combined exercise (n =14, EX) or non-exercise control group (n = 15, CON). Two-way repeated measures ANOVA with contrast testing was utilized for data analysis. Alpha was set at p < 0.05. Body composition (weight, %body fat, BMI) in BFR was significantly changed, and %body fat in EX was significantly decreased, but there was no change in the CON. In addition, the right and left ba PWV values in the BFR were significantly decreased, while only the left side ba PWV in EX was significantly decreased and there was no change in the CON. Moreover, the % change and effect size of most variables in the BFR were higher than the EX. Taken together, the results indicate that even though BFR and EX groups performed the same combined exercise training, BFR had additional stimulations of the sympathetic nerve system due to blood flow restriction. Thus, BFR training is more beneficial and has greater effects on body composition and cardiovascular responses in elderly females.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2009

urpose : The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been demonstrated to play a major role in regulating blood pressure. Therefore, components of the RAS are likely candidate genes that may predispose an individual to essential hypertension and cardiovascular complications. Among them, the M235T polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene has been speculated to be associated with elevated circulating angiotensinogen concentrations and essential hypertension. This study aimed to analyze the angiotensinogen M235T polymorphism in hypertensive adolescents and investigate its relationship with cardiovascular risks. Methods : Forty Korean hypertensive adolescents (aged 16-17, systolic $BP{\geq}140 mmHg$ and/or diastolic $BP{\geq}90 mmHg$) and fifty seven normal adolescents were included. Obesity index (OI), body mass index (BMI) were calculated. BP was measured by oscillometric methods in resting state. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was performed on DNA from the hypertensives subjects to analyze the M235T polymorphism. Serum homocysteine, insulin, renin, aldosterone and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) were tested according to each genotype. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery diameter, Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle-brachial index (ABI) were measured according to each genotype. Results : Genotype frequencies of T/T, M/T and M/M were 62.5%, 35.0%, 2.5%, respectively in hypertensive adolescents. The results were not significantly different compared to control group. Serum insulin, renin levels, BMI and OI were significantly higher in thoses with the M/M genotype as compared to those with the T/T of M/T genotype. Conclusion : This study showed that the M235T polymorphism was not associated with essential hypertension or any cardiovascular risks. Further clinical research is required to ascertain the relationship between this polymorphism and cardiovascular complications in Korean hypertensive adolescents.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.375-379
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• 2016

Increasing fat tissue of obese people, increases the rate of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, metabolic syndromes and dyslipidemia. An increase in the focal tissue of pancreas is a known risk factor of these diseases. Although there exists sufficient research on the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer, studies have been done on fatty pancreas. In this study, based on ultrasound imaging and using a texture characteristic of GLCM, fatty pancreas was divided into three categories: mild, moderate and severe. We compared and analyzed the three groups was by Pancreatic ultrasonography and body characteristics, serological tests, pressure and the degree of arteriosclerosis, against normal control group. The following parameters of control and test groups were measured: WC (waist circumference),BMI (body mass index), TC (total cholesterol), TG (triglyceride), HDL-C (High-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and LDL-C (Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), SBP (systolic blood pressure), BST (Blood Sugar Test) and aortic PWV (pulse wave velocity). We observed the values correspondingly increasing fat deposition. However, ABI (Ankle Brachial pressure index) stenosis and HDL-C levels decreased with increasing fat deposit (p <0.05); a drop in these parameters are known to be harmful to the human body. The difference in texture characteristics between normal control group and pancreatic fatty group (mild, moderate, and severe) was statistically confirmed. Ultrasound imaging of pancreatic steatosis categorized the disease as mild, moderate and severe based on the characteristic texture. In conclusion, we observed on increase in metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and arteriosclerosis, proportional to the degree of pancreatic fat deposition. The escalation of these diseases was confirmed and was directly related with predictors of cardiovascular diseases.