• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2005

Purpose: Dietary protein induced proctocolitis (DPIPC) can be considered as a cause of rectal bleeding or blood streaked stool in otherwise healthy-looking infants in the first several months of life. Failure to appreciate this entity may lead to inappropriate diagnostic or therapeutic intervention. This study aimed to ascertain the clinical features, treatment and prognosis of DPIPC. Methods: We reviewed 13 infants retrospectively, presented with bloody stool in early infancy. They were diagnosed as DPIPC clinically in Pusan National University Hospital from May 2002 to June 2004. Results: Seven males and six females were included. The mean age at onset of bleeding was $96.8{\pm}58.8days$. The mean frequency of hematochezia was $2.6{\pm}2.5$ times a day. Duration from onset of symptom to diagnosis was $35.5{\pm}55.0days$ and duration from onset of symptom to resolution of bleeding was $58.7{\pm}67.0days$. Nine (69.2%) were exclusively breast-fed infants and two (15.4%) were formula-fed infants. All but one infant did not have family history of other allergic diseases. A dietary history of ingestion of cow's milk, nut or shellfish was present in three mothers. Peripheral eosinophil count was normal to slightly elevated (total WBC count $10,555{\pm}3,145/mm^3$, relative eosinophil count $6.3{\pm}3.0%$, absolute eosinophil count $659.0{\pm}532.2/mm^3$). Sigmoidoscopy revealed lymphonodular hyperplasia with surrounding hemorrhagic spots in the rectosigmoid colon in 6 infants. Histopathologic finding of colonic biopsies in 5 infants showed chronic inflammation with lymphoid follicular hyperplasia (5 infants), crypt abscess (3 infants), or mild infiltration of eosinophils (less than 20/high power field) in the lamina propria. Spontaneous resolution of rectal bleeding occurred in all infants without dietary change or medicine. Conclusion: Most infants with DPIPC experience a very benign course and have spontaneous resolution of rectal bleeding without changes in the mother's diet. In the case of strong evidence for DPIPC we suggest deferring further invasive investigation and continuing breast feeding.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.339-344
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• 2012

This study was performed to investigate the effect of germinated Ilpum rough rice extract on blood glucose in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. The mice were divided into several groups: normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), those fed with 0.25% germinated Ilpum rough rice extract (DM-0.25%GIRRE), those fed with 0.5% germinated Ilpum roughrice extract (DM-0.5%GIRRE) and those fed with 1% germinated Ilpum rough rice extract (DM-1%GIRRE). After 8 weeks of treatment, body weight, water intake, and diet intake of the DM-1%GIRRE group were significantly lower than the other DM groups. Blood glucose levels of the DM-1%GIRRE group were significantly lower compared to the DC group. Fasting blood glucose HbA1c level and total glucose tolerance test were significantly lower in the DM-1%GIRRE groups compared to the DC group. There was no significant difference in serum insulin level among each group. Therefore, the results of this study demonstrate that germinated Ilpum rough rice extract alleviates many of the symptoms of diabetes in genetically obese mice and may offer a possibility as a therapeutic supplement for the normalization of blood glucose levels in humans with hyperglycemia. It may also have beneficial effects in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.247-254
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• 2000

This study was performed to elucidate the effects of antler, red ginseng, safflower seed, ipriflavone and estrogen on ovariectomized rats. The rats were fed with Ca and P deficient diet for five weeks to induce osteoporosis. After this period, these animals were fed with normal feed and treated every other day with antler(600 mg/kg, p.o), red ginseng(200 mg/kg, p.o), safflower(200 mg/kg, p.o), ipriflavone(80 mg/kg, p.o) and estrogene(400$\mu\textrm{g}$/kg, i.m) for 5 weeks. During the treatment, the rats were examined for serum concentrations of estradiol, calcitonin, Ca, p and alkaline phosphatase(ALP) activities. The results are summarized as follows 1. The levels of serum 17 $\beta$-estradiol after five weeks of treatment were showed 39.6$\pm$3.0 pg/ml by antler, 33.2$\pm$2.5pg/ml by red ginseng, 34.9$\pm$2.4pg/ml by safflower, 28.1$\pm$3.1 pg/ml by ipriflavone and 40.6$\pm$3.0pg/ml by estrogen-treated group. They were lower than 50.8$\pm$3.1pg/ml of normal control group which had not received ovariectomy. They, however, were significantly higher than 26.8$\pm$1.8pg/ml of ovariectomized non-treatment group(p<0.05). 2. The levels of serum calcitonin after five weeks of treatment were showed 0.60$\pm$0.02 ng/ml by antler, 0.55$\pm$0.04ng/ml by red ginseng, 0.59$\pm$0.02ng/ml by safflower, 0.56$\pm$0.04ng/ml by ipriflavone and 0.62$\pm$0.02ng/ml by estrogen-treated group. They were lower than 0.67$\pm$0.03pg/ml of normal control group. However, they were significantly higher than 0.45$\pm$0.05ng/ml of ovariectomized non-treatment group(p<0.05). 3. The levels of serum Ca of the rats after five weeks of treatment with antler, red ginseng, safflower, ipriflavone and estrogen were 23.51$\pm$2.19$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, 25.22$\pm$3.44$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, 23.20$\pm$0.02$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, 24.76$\pm$3.57$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, 23.07$\pm$3.66$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$, respectively. They were a bit higher than 21.43$\pm$2.22$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of normal control group. And non-treatment group showed 26.12$\pm$0.29$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ which was significantly higher than that of control group(P<0.05). 4. The serum P concentraions after five weeks of treatment were showed 12.11$\pm$2.14$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ by antler, 13.18$\pm$1.64u91m4 by red ginseng, 12.67 $\pm$2.31$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ by safflower, 12.38$\pm$2.07$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ by ipriflavone, 11.86$\pm$1.93$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ by estrogen-treated group. They were a bit higher than 11.29$\pm$1.23$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ of normal control group. And non-treatment group showed 13.42$\pm$1.87$\mu\textrm{g}$/$m\ell$ which was higher than that of control group but not significant. 5. The levels of serum ALP after five weeks of treatment were showed 164.8$\pm$3.8IU/ml by antler, 277.7$\pm$4.8IU/ml by red ginseng, 288.5$\pm$4.5IU/ml by safflower, 214.7$\pm$5.7IU/ml by ipriflavone and 159.4$\pm$5.4IU/ml by estrogen-treated group. They were significantly higher than 144.1$\pm$3.5IU/ml of normal control group(p<0.05). However, they were significantly lower than 336.9 $\pm$12.7IU/ml of ovariectomized non-treatment group(p<0.05). Antler and safflower elevated serum estradiol and calcitonin, and decreased serum ALP significantly. Therefore they were thought to have therapeutic effect on osteoposis by making inhibitory effect on osteoclasts rather than activating osteoblasts.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.257-267
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• 2017

Background: Heat-processed ginseng, sun ginseng (SG), has been reported to have improved therapeutic properties compared with raw forms, such as increased antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antihyperglycemic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity effects of SG through the suppression of cell differentiation and proliferation of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells and the lipid accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans. Methods: To investigate the effect of SG on adipocyte differentiation, levels of stained intracellular lipid droplets were quantified by measuring the oil red O signal in the lipid extracts of cells on differentiation Day 7. To study the effect of SG on fat accumulation in C. elegans, L4 stage worms were cultured on an Escherichia coli OP50 diet supplemented with $10{\mu}g/mL$ of SG, followed by Nile red staining. To determine the effect of SG on gene expression of lipid and glucose metabolism-regulation molecules, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of genes were analyzed by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis. In addition, the phosphorylation of Akt was examined by Western blotting. Results: SG suppressed the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells stimulated by a mixture of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI), and inhibited the proliferation of adipocytes during differentiation. Treatment of C. elegans with SG showed reductions in lipid accumulation by Nile red staining, thus directly demonstrating an antiobesity effect for SG. Furthermore, SG treatment down-regulated mRNA and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor subtype ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and decreased the mRNA level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c in MDI-treated adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In differentiated 3T3-L1 cells, mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-regulating factors, such as amplifying mouse fatty acid-binding protein 2, leptin, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid transporter protein 1, fatty acid synthase, and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase, were increased, whereas that of the lipolytic enzyme carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 was decreased. Our data demonstrate that SG inversely regulated the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG induced increases in the mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes such as glucokinase and pyruvate kinase, and a decrease in the mRNA level of the glycogenic enzyme phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase. In addition, mRNA levels of the glucose transporters GLUT1, GLUT4, and insulin receptor substrate-1 were elevated by MDI stimulation, whereas SG dose-dependently inhibited the expression of these genes in differentiated adipocytes. SG also inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) at an early phase of MDI stimulation. Intracellular nitric oxide (NO) production and endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels were markedly decreased by MDI stimulation and recovered by SG treatment of adipocytes. Conclusion: Our results suggest that SG effectively inhibits adipocyte proliferation and differentiation through the downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$, by suppressing Akt (Ser473) phosphorylation and enhancing NO production. These results provide strong evidence to support the development of SG for antiobesity treatment.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.407-419
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• 2002

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall characterized by progressive accumulation of lipids, cells, and extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPS) contribute to vascular matrix remodeling in atherosclerosis, and some cytokines may play role in the synthesis or activation of MMPs or TIMPs. Material and Method： We produced experimental atherosclerotic plaques in 9 rabbits by atherogenic hypercholesterol diet for 12 weeks, and 10 other rabbits were used as control group with standard laboratory chow, At that time, 19 rabbits were sacrificed and aorta, coronary arteries and blood specimens were prepared. The expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-2 and interleukin(IL)-18, and the bioactivity of IL-6 were investigated with H&E stain, immunohistochemical stain, immunoblotting(Western blot analysis), and bioassay. Result： Serum cholesterol in the experimental group increased up to 1258$\pm$262 mg/dL(control group： 41$\pm$7 mg/dL). All experimental group showed well-developed atherosclerotic plaques in aorta and coronary artery. The expression of MMP-9 in aorta and coronary artery of the experimental group showed significant increase than that of the control group by immunohistochemistry. Among the experimental group, complicated lesions with intimal rupture or complete luminal occlusion, demonstrated stronger expression of MMP-9. Interestingly, there was no difference in expression of TIMP-2 between the experimental and the control group. These findings were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The bioassay revealed significant up-regulation of serum bioactivity of IL-6 in the experimental group(4819.60$\pm$2021.25 IU/$m\ell$) compared to that of IL-6 in the control group(27.20 $\pm$ 12.19 IU/$m\ell$). IL-18 was expressed in all atherosclerotic plaques, whereas little or no expression was detected in the control group. Conclusion： The increased MMP-9 expression along with the unchanged TIMP-2 expression seem to be contributory factors in extracellular matrix degradation in atherosclerosis. Focal overexpression of MMP-9 may promote plaque destabilization and cause complications of atherosclerotic plaques such as thrombosis with/without acute coronary syndrome. Elevation of IL-6 and IL-18 may be more than just markers of atherosclerosis but actual participants in lesion development. Identification of critical regulatory pathway is important to improve the understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of atherosclerosis and may open the way for novel therapeutic strategies.