• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.319-332
• /
• 2009

The present study was performed to analyze the life style and eating behavior of stroke patients and to find the risk factors related to stroke incidence in Daegu and Gyeongbuk Province, Korea. The case subjects (n=100) were selected from newly diagnosed stroke patients at Kyungpook National University Hospital. The control subjects (n=150) were selected from community inhabitants who did not have stroke history and were sex and age-matched with the case subjects. The survey was conducted by individual interviews using questionnaires on the general characteristics, life-style, eating behavior, food intake frequency and food preference. The high body mass index, preexisting diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, stroke family history, smoking, overeating habit and high preference for sweet, greasy and meat foods appeared to be the risk factors for stroke incidence. On the other hand, the results suggest that life style of regular exercise and nonsmoking, food habits of green tea drinking and enough chewing, preference for Korean meal type, high intake frequency for legumes, vegetables, mushrooms, seaweeds, fishes and shell fishes, soy milk and green tea might be the protective factors for the stroke. Therefore, maintenance of healthy weight, the prevention and management of the deteriorative chronic diseases, change of life style and improvement of eating behaviors are considered to be important for stroke prevention.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.9
• /
• pp.961-969
• /
• 2015

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main catechin in green tea, has been shown to have some beneficial effects against various human diseases, including diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. To investigate the mechanism of the suppressive effects of EGCG on inflammatory response in macrophages, alterations on the levels of nitric oxide (NO) regulatory factors and inflammatory cytokines were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. No significant toxicity was detected in RAW264.7 cells treated with 100–400 μM EGCG. Moreover, the optimal concentration of LPS was determined to be 1 μg/ml based on the results of cell viability assay, NO assay and IL-6 enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, NO levels decreased significantly by 68.2% in the 400 μM EGCG/LPS treated group, while the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression decreased by 12-17% in the 200 and 400 μM EGCG/LPS treated group. A significant decrease in transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) was also detected in the EGCG/LPS treated group. However, IL-6 transcript and protein was maintained at a constant level when in the LPS treated group relative to the EGCG/LPS treated group. Overall, these results suggest that the differential regulation of inflammatory cytokines is an important factor influencing the suppressive effects of EGCG against LPS-activated inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.553-574
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study is to find out effects of prescriptions according to the formula, manipulation of Rhei Rhizoma, configuration. The following results were reached through investigations on the prescriptions using Rhei Rhizoma as a main component. Objectives : Analysis of prescriptions According to the formula : Liquid Extract Prescriptions were used widely on three parts to treat fever and damp heat in the interior organs. Powder Prescriptions were taken with hot water, thin porridge, tea etc. to treat damp heat, congestion of phlegm, acute episodes. Liquid Mixed Pill treat congestion of QI, damp heat, phlegm. Honey Mixed Pill treat accumulated fever, distension, acute excessive fever. Paste Pill treat blood stagnation, excessive toxic-fever, epidemic diseases. External Application treat inflammation by injury, swelling due to severe fever by internal damage. Methods : Analysis of prescriptions According to the manipulation of Rhei Rhizoma : Prescriptions including Liquor processed Rhei Rhizoma treat excessive toxic-fever, congestion of phlegm, blocking orifices on the upper side. Steamed Rhei Rhizoma strengthen effects of making evacuate and cooling of heat. Processed Rhei Rhizoma with vinegar strengthen effects of removing blood stagnation by activating blood movement, releasing gathering. Results : Analysis of prescriptions According to the Composition of Rhei Rhizoma : 41% of the total prescriptions were on the area of less than 20%. In case of lower groups show increased frequency of combination with Pharbitidis Semen, Persicae Semen, Scutellariae Radix and manipulation of baking, steaming, roasting. In case of higher groups show increased frequency of treating excess syndrome, critical illness, acute severe illness, and using proccesed Rhei Rhizoma with vinegar. Treatment of damp heat on the liver and gallbladder, disorder of the spleen and stomach is done mostly by prescriptions on the area of less than 30%. Conclusions : Rhei Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma pair treat damp heat, heat toxins in blood, and Constipation caused by excessive heat. Rhei Rhizoma-Glycyrrhizae Radix pair relieve effects of Rhei Rhizoma passing blocked feces, removing the poison, activating blood movement, releasing gathering with the effects of Glycyrrhizae Radix relaxing tension by harmonizing Middle. Rhei Rhizoma-Magnoliae Cortex pair are used to treat damp heat in middle area, excessive heat in the stomach and intestine. Rhei Rhizoma-Pharbitidis Semen pair act on both blood system and QI system treating edema, damp, stagnation, heat toxins, feces. Rhei Rhizoma-Persicae Semen pair treat blood stagnation with fever on blood system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.741-750
• /
• 2007

Objective : This study investigated the relationship between diet and lifestyle and Sasang constitution (SC) in acute stroke patients. Methods : From October 2005 to March 2007, 379 acute stroke patients were included. Patients were hospitalized within 14 days after the onset of stroke at DongGuk University International Hospital, Kyungwon University In-cheon Oriental Medical Hospital or Department Cardiovascular and Neurologic Diseases (stroke center), Kyung Hee University Oriental hospital. We assessed the type of SC of acute stroke patients by Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II). We investigated general characteristics, stroke types, dietary preferences (meat, sea food, fast food, alcohol drinking, coffee and green tea drinking) and lifestyle (smoking, exercise) according to SC. Results : This study showed that out of the total patients, the proportion of So-yang to Tae-eum to So-eumwas equal to 2.6 to 2 to 1. Of note, this study showed a higher proportion in age of So-eum & weight of Tae-eum. The ratio of cerebral hemorrhage to cerebral infarction was 1 to 9. SVO, LAA, SUE are the 3 types of cerebral infarction classified by TOAST; SVO ranked the highest while SUE ranked the lowest in all constitutions. There were no significant differences between So-yang and Tae-eum in the aspect of the preference for meat, but the majority of So-eum displayed high preferences for seafood. In the aspect of alcohol drinking and smoking history, So-yang recorded significantly bigger proportion while So-eum & Tae-eum patients represented a bigger proportion than So-yangin the aspect of no exercise habits. Conclusion : According to the result above, we could observe the general disposition of various characteristic distributions according to SC of acute stroke patients. Also, we could observe a relationship between diet and lifestyle and Sasang constitution (SC) in acute stroke patients. Further studies will be needed to better understand the relationship between diet and lifestyle and Sasang constitution (SC) in acute stroke patients.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.87-90
• /
• 2011

The methanol extracts of 19 commercial herb medicines was analyzed to antibacterial activities against Edwardsiella tarda, causing several fish diseases. Rhus javanica showed most strong antibacterial activity against E. tarda and Escherichia coli. Methanol extract of R. javanica was further extracted using several organic solvents having different polarity. Extract from ethyl acetate fraction showed strong activity against E. tarda as well as E. coli. Minimal inhibitory concentration, MIC of R. javanica extract was measured and resulted showing $64\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ for E. tarda and $256\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ for E. coli. It is needed that, from these results, further purification and isolation of reposible compound of these activities and further study on the synergy effect using combination with antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.164-177
• /
• 2010

This study examines die causal relationships among motivation to eat out, servicescape, customer satisfaction and repurchase intention in Seoul metropolitan area by conducting a survey to herbal food restaurant customers from January 20, 2010 to February 26, 2010. A total of 600 copies were distributed, and 522 copies were collected. Among them, except for 29 copies which were inadequate for analysis, 493 copies were analyzed by a factor analysis and reliability analysis using SPSS 12.0, and die research hypotheses were verified with a canonical correlation analysis and regression analysis. The results are as follows. First, there are relatively high correlations between such motivation for herbal food as the prevention of diseases, eco-friendly food, recipes, food calories and servicescape of functionality, safety, cleanliness, and accessibility. Second, die result of the multiple regression analysis between servicescape of herbal food and customer satisfaction shows that safety, cleanliness, and accessibility have significant effects on customer satisfaction. Third, customer satisfaction with herbal food has a positive effect on repurchase intention. Accordingly, useful suggestions are provided on the basis of these results.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
• /
• v.5 no.4
• /
• pp.298-303
• /
• 2009

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major flavonoid in green tea has multiple health benefits including chemoprevention, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects. In connection with these effects, EGCG can be a candidate to help the treatment of metabolic diseases. Metformin is a widely used anti-diabetic drug regulating cellular energy homeostasis via AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Therefore, the combination of metformin with EGCG may have additive or synergistic effects on treatment of type 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, there is no report for the pharmacokinetic and/or pharmacodynamic interaction of EGCG with metformin. Here, we evaluated the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction between metformin and EGCG in rats. Pharmacokinetics parameters of metformin were measured after oral administration of metformin in rats pre-treated with EGCG (10 mg/kg) or saline for 7 days. The results showed that there is no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters between saline control and EGCG-treated group. In addition, the hepatic AMPK activation by metformin in EGCG-treated rats was also similar to the control. The lack of additive effects of EGCG on AMPK activation or intracellular uptake of metformin was also evaluated in cells in the presence or absence of EGCG. Treatment of HepG2 cells with EGCG inhibited the metformin-induced AMPK activation. Combined results suggested that EGCG has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of metformin but may contribute to metformin action.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.95-101
• /
• 2008

Purpose: Hydrogen peroxide which is one of the reactive oxygen species has been seen to cause various diseases, various cellular disinfections, gene transformation and cell death. The goals of this study were to determine the protective effect of EGCG against $H_2O_2$-induced apoptotic death in conjunctival cell lines. Methods: We measured cell viability by MTT assay and analyzed DNA fragmentation to check up a distinctive feature in cell death and measured the removal ability of free radicals by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and evaluated the oxygen free radical's quantity in the cell by DCFH-DA assay. The mRNA expression in the cell were examined by RT-PCR. Results: Cell viability and free radical scavening activites was significantly increased in dose dependently after cell was exposed to EGCG. And DNA fragmentation and intracellular ROS was decreased. It was showed the mRNA expression which increase of bcl-2, bcl-xL expression and decrease of bax expression. Conclusions: From these results, it suggests that EGCG has an antioxidant effect and protects conjunctival cell lines from the $H_2O_2$-mediated apoptosis through the modulation of the mRNA expression.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.408-413
• /
• 2007

Vascular tone plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure. In the present study, the methanol extract of Rosae multiflora Radix (MRM) induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta, which was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact aortic tissues with $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methly ester (L-NAME) or 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) inhibited the relaxation induced by MRM, respectively. But, the relaxation effect of MRM was not blocked by indomethacine, glibenclamide, tetraethylammonium (TEA), verapamil, diltiazem, atropine, and propranolol, respectively. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with MRM increased the production of cGMP. Taken together, the present results suggest that MRM relaxes vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent nitric oxide/cGMP signaling. These results would be useful for further study to MRM on animal models with cardiovascular diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.657-663
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a cheonggukjang diet and aerobic exercise on lipid metabolism and antioxidant enzyme activity in rats. Thirty-two Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into a cheonggukjang diet with aerobic exercise (A), aerobic exercise (B), cheonggukjang diet (C), and control group (D). The cheonggukjang diet group consumed 20 g of 20% cheonggukjang a day with their normal diet. Exercise training consisted of treadmill running (25~40 min, 5 day/wk) and the exercise intensity was gradually increased. The results are as follows: T-C was significantly lower (p<0.05) in A compared to B and C. TG was significantly lower (p<0.001) in A compared to D. B and C were significantly lower than D. HDL-C was significantly higher (p<0.05) in C compared to D. LDL-C was not statistically different across the groups. Additionally, TBARS were not statistically different in the control or experimental groups. SOD was significantly lower (p<0.05) in A compared to D. C was significantly lower (p<0.05) that of D. CAT and GPx failed to reach the statistical difference between experimental and control groups. The major findings of this study were that aerobic exercise with a chenggukjang diet intervention improved lipid profiles and antioxidant capacity in this animal model. Therefore, a cheonggukjang diet and aerobic exercise will help to improve antioxidant capacity and prevent lifestyle related diseases.