• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-26
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among serum adiponectin, leptin and vitamin D concentrations and the metabolic syndrome in Korean farmers. 105 (26 males, 79 females) farmers (39~78 years, mean age $59.4{\pm}9.6$ years) in Gangwon - area were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical blood analysis of subjects were carried out. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyper LDL-cholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome were 51.9%, 65.7%, 49.5%, 15.3%, 17.3%, 13.5%, 11.5% and 40.9%, respectively. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels ($8.90{\mu}g/ml$ and 12.6 ng/ml) of females were significantly higher than those ($6.49{\mu}g/ml$ and 4.88 ng/ml) of males. But there was no significant difference in 25(OH)vitamin D concentration between males (15.4 ng/ml) and females (16.9 ng/ml). In the subjects with metabolic syndrome, the adiponectin levels were significantly lower and leptin levels were significantly higher than those of the subjects without metabolic syndrome. Serum adiponectin level had positive correlations with HDL-cholesterol level (r = 0.325, p < 0.001), but showed negative correlations with triglyceride and fasting blood glucose concentrations, body weight and waist/hip circumference ratio (r = -0.202 ~ -0.317, p < 0.05). Serum leptin and 25(OH)vitamin D concentrations were positively correlated with body fat (kg, %) and BMI, waist and hip circumferences (r = 0.244 ~ 0.682, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggested that adiponectin and leptin levels could be credible indices to predict chronic diseases in farmers. However, further research on vitamin D should be carried out considering another factors.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.167-171
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• 1999

This study was designed to develop biomarkers of coastal pollution using biochemical indices of flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) by changes in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the serum and cholinesterase activities in brain membranes. For this purpose acetylcholiesterase (AChE) activity, butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity, LDH/AChE ratio and LDH/BChE ratio of cultured flounders at 5 different sites on the southern coast of Korea were compared to those of wild flounders caught in the Pohang, eastern coast of Korea as a control group. Relatively high LDH activities were measured in the serum of flounders cultured on the southern coast of Korea (0.101-0.145 unit) than those in the Pohang control group (0.093 unit). AChE activities were significantly low $(about\;10-20\%)$ in brain membranes of cultured flounders compared to those in the Pohang control group. The ratios of LDH/AChE and LDH/BChE were consistently higher $(136-178\%,\; 155-214\%)$ in cultured flounders than those of Pohang control group. Thus, we propose that the ratios of LDH/AChE and LDH/BChE in flounders could be applicable for the diagnosis of marine pollution.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2013

Development of a therapy providing protection from, or reversing gentamicin-sulfate (GS)-induced oxidative stress and nephrotoxicity would be of great clinical significance. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (HC) against gentamicin sulfate-induced renal damage in rats. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 equal groups as follows: group 1, control; group 2, GS 100 mg/kg/d, intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection; group 3, GS 100 mg/kg/d, i.p. + HC 500 mg/kg/d, oral; and group 4, GS 100 mg/kg/d i.p. + HC 1000 mg/kg/d, oral administration). Treatments were administered once daily for 12 d. After 12 d, biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted to evaluate oxidative stress and renal nephrotoxicity. Serum levels of creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), together with renal levels of MDA, glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were quantified to evaluate antioxidant activity. Animals treated with GS alone showed a significant increase in serum levels of creatinine, BUN, and MDA, with decreased renal levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT. Treatment of rats with HC showed significant improvement in renal function, presumably as a result of decreased biochemical indices and oxidative stress parameters associated with GS-induced nephrotoxicity. Histopathological examination of the rat kidneys confirmed these observations. Therefore, the novel natural antioxidant HC may protect against GSinduced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.88-96
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• 2010

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to clarify effects of long term, low-level monocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons exposure (MAHs) such as styrene, toluene and xylene on physiological levels of epinephrine (EP) and norepinephrine (NEP) and these hormones influences diagnosis indices of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Blood pressure and serum biochemical parameters were measured using digital sphygmomanometer and autochemical analyzer. EP and NEP were analyzed by using ELISA kit and exposure level of MAHs was measured by NIOSH method. Results: The differences of general characteristics such as age, smoking and drinking habits in both groups were not significantly different except working hours per day. In exposed workers, exposure levels of MAHs showed very low concentrations. Serum HDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly higher in exposed group, but concentration of NEP was significantly higher in control group. On multiple logistic regression analysis for the diagnosis indices of MetS, EP was WC (OR=0.970), NEP was blood pressure (OR=1.002) and MAHs exposure were significantly associated with HDL-cholesterol (OR=0.257), fasting glucose (OR=3.028) and MetS (OR=0.372). Conclusion: These findings suggest that the chronic exposure of low level MAHs maycontribute to glucose metabolism and induction of MetS. And also, changes of EP and NEP levels by exposure of MAHs affect blood pressure.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2018

Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of zinc amino acid complex (ZnAA) on growth performance, hematological and biochemical parameters in weanling pigs. Methods: In Exp. 1, a total of 216 Duroc${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Large White weanling pigs were assigned randomly to 6 dietary treatments. Each treatment had 6 replicates (pens) with 6 pigs each. The diets were corn-soybean meal based with supplementation of 0, 20, 40, 80, 120 mg Zn/kg from ZnAA or 40 mg Zn/kg from feed-grade zinc sulfate. The experiment lasted 42 days. In Exp. 2, a total of 180 weanling pigs were assigned randomly to 3 dietary treatments supplemented with 0, 80, or 800 mg Zn/kg from ZnAA. Results: In Exp. 1, pigs fed 40 to 80 mg Zn/kg from ZnAA had higher (p<0.05) average daily gain (ADG) than the unsupplemented group during d 0 to 14. During d 0 to 42, the pigs fed 20 to 120 mg Zn/kg from ZnAA had increased (p<0.05) ADG. Pigs fed 20 to 120 mg/kg Zn from ZnAA had lower feed:gain (p<0.05), increased the activity of serum Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase on d 14, and increased serum Zn levels on d 42 (p<0.05). In Exp. 2, pigs fed diets with 800 mg Zn/kg had increased average daily feed intake during d 15 to 28 (p<0.05) compared to the unsupplemented group. During d 0 to 28, the pigs fed supplemental Zn had increased ADG (p<0.05). On d 14 and d 28, pigs fed supplemental Zn had higher the serum alkaline phosphatase activities (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the hematological parameters and organ indices. Conclusion: Supplementation with 20 to 80 mg/kg Zn from ZnAA improved the growth performance in weaned pigs. The piglets can tolerate up to 800 mg/kg Zn from ZnAA with limited potential health effects.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether nutrient intakes and serum biochemical indices are associated with the skin condition of humans. Anthropometric data, skin surface hydration, ceramide content, dietary intake of nutrients and serum lipids (total cholesterol, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, TG, MDA: malondialdehyde, TAS: total antioxidant status) were obtained from 36 healthy young women. Subjects were classified into 2 groups {LM: Low Moisture Group (n = 20) , HM: High Moisture Group (n = 16)} by forehead skin hydration. The results of this study were as follows: The average age, BMI, total body water, LBM, body fat$\%$, WHR, forehead hydration, ceramide content were 20.2 yrs, 20.7, 28.81, 39.2 kg, $28.0\%$, 0.8, $44.3\%$, and 1.05 $\mu$g/$\mu$g protein, repectively. The intakes of SF A (saturated fatty acid) , MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) in the HM group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in the LM group, but zinc intakes in the LM group were higher than in the HM group. Serum levels of TAS in the LM group (1.27 mmol/l) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of in the HM group (1.20 mmol/l). Whereas other lipid levels were not significantly different, intakes of vitamin $B_{6}$ and folate showed significant positive correlation with the forehead hydration (r = 0.447, r = 0.377). Intakes of calcium and phosphorus showed significant negative correlation with forearm ceramide content (r = -0.496, r = -0.485). Several associations between nutrient intakes and skin conditions were observed, indicating that changes in baseline nutritional status may affect skin health.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.44 no.4 s.140
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• pp.295-302
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• 2006

Liver function tests were peformed in 61 vivax, 54 malariae and 15 ovale malaria patients who were admitted to Bangkok Hospital for Tropical Diseases between 2001 and 2004. The objective of the study was to evaluate changes in hepatic biochemical indices before and after treatment with artemisinin derivatives. On admission and prior to treatment, hepatic dysfunction was found among the 3 groups. Serum liver function tests and physical examinations were peformed weekly during the 28-day follow-up period. Initially elevated serum bilirubin and diminished albumin returned to normal within 2 weeks of treatment. Serum alkaline phosphatase and aminotransferases returned to within normal limits within 3 weeks. We conclude that patients with Plasmodium vivax, P. malariae and p. ovate infections had slightly elevated serum bilirubin, aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels, and hypoalbuminemia. These minor abnormalities returned to normal within a few weeks after treatment with therapies based on artemisinin derivatives.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.202-208
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• 2007

Persimmon is well-known as a Korean traditional medicine for alleviating coughs and enhancing blood circulation; it is also used for treatment of hypertension, cancer, diabetes and atherosclerosis. To evaluate the protective properties of persimmon leaf methanol extract (PLME) and persimmon fruit methanol extract (PFME) administration on acute ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity, C57BL/6 male mice were gavaged with or without persimmon extracts for 1 week. Hepatotoxicity was then induced by gavage of 5 g/kg BW ethanol. After 12 hr of ethanol administration, blood and liver were collected and analyzed for biochemical markers of hepatotoxicity. The results showed PLME and PFME treatments decreased the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) compared with ethanol control. Both PLME and PFME reduced serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, but elevated alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity. Serum triglyceride (TG) and hepatic cholesterol levels were significantly decreased when treated with PLME and PFME. Liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were significantly decreased in PLME and PFME groups compared with ethanol control. Furthermore, the administration of PLME and PFME significantly increased the activities of catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSH-red). In summary, PLME and PFME appeared to prevent hepatic injury by accelerating alcohol metabolism by increasing alcohol-metabolizing enzyme activities, by activating the antioxidative enzyme system against oxidative stress, and by decreasing fat accumulation, which is evidenced by decreased hepatotoxic indices in serum.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.883-895
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of a fatty acid-balanced oil, instead of soybean oil, on reproductive performance, nutrient digestibility, blood indexes, milk composition in lactating sows, and fecal microbial composition in piglets. Methods: Twenty-four sows (Landrace×Yorkshire, mean parity 4.96) were randomly allotted to two treatments with twelve pens per treatment and one sow per pen based on their backfat thickness and parity. The experiment began on day 107 of gestation and continued until weaning on day 21 of lactation, lasting for 28 days. The control group (CG) was fed a basal diet supplemented with 2% soybean oil and the experimental group (EG) was fed the basal diet supplemented with 2% fatty acid-balanced oil. Results: The fatty acid-balanced oil supplementation increased (p<0.05) the apparent total tract digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy in sows. The lower (p<0.05) serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and albumin levels of sows were observed in the EG on day 21 of lactation. Dietary supplementation with the fatty acid-balanced oil decreased the fat content, increased the immunoglobulin G level, and changed (p<0.05) some fatty acid content in milk. Moreover, the fatty acid-balanced oil supplementation changed (p<0.05) the fecal microbial composition of piglets, where the average relative abundance of Spirochaetota was decreased (p<0.05) by 0.55% at the phylum level, and the average relative abundance of some potentially pathogenic fecal microorganism was decreased (p<0.05) at the species level. Conclusion: The fatty acid-balanced oil improved nutrient digestibility, changed the serum biochemical indices and milk composition of sows, and ameliorated the fecal microbial composition of piglets.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the zinc status of preschool children in Ulsan. The study was conducted in 95 children aged 3 to 6 years by investigating the anthropometric indices and assessing the biochemical analysis. The blood was analysed to assess serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase. And a questionnaire for dietary intakes using 24-hr recall method were performed by mothers of 95 subjects. The dietary intakes of children were analysed to determine the prevalence of inadequate and excessive intakes of zinc with Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). WHL (Weight-Length Index) and Kaup index were used to define obesity. The overall prevalence of overweight and obese subjects were 14.7% and 6.3% by WHL, were 15.8% and 13.7% by Kaup index. The mean intakes of zinc by children aged 3${\sim}$5y and 6y were 5.5 ${\pm}$ 1.4 mg/d (75.7% RDA) and 6.7 ${\pm}$ 2.0 mg/d, respectively, that was the level exceeding the estimated average requirement (EAR) and the recommended intake (RI) of Korean Dietary Reference Intakes. Less than 1.3% and 7.9% of children had usual zinc intakes below EAR and RI of KDRIs, respectively. The percentages of children with intakes exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) were 2.6%. The zinc nutritional status by biological assay was found that mean serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of total subjects were 64.0 ${\pm}$ 8.4 ${\mu}$g/dl and 72.8 ${\pm}$ 14.9 U/L, there was not a significant difference between boys and girls. The range of serum zinc level was 45${\sim}$89 ${\mu}$g/dl and children with a low serum zinc concentration by several cut-off points were 18.9${\sim}$55.8%, especially. Serum zinc level was positively correlated to the intakes of calorie, calcium, fiber, iron, zinc, zinc/kg and height (p<0.001). Serum ALP was positively correlated height, weight and WLI. The zinc intake of children aiso showed a positive correlation with height and weight. These results indicate that there were significant correlations between the zinc status and growth of preschool children. Preschool children in Ulsan have dietary zinc intakes that exceed the new DRIs. The present level of intake does not seem to pose a health problem, but if zinc intakes with fortified foods and supplements were considered, the amount of zinc consumed by children may become excessive.