• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.223-231
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavones are expected to improve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in women. However, their efficacy is still inconclusive, and there was limited data for postmenopausal women in South Korea. We examined the effects of soy isoflavones on climacteric symptoms, bone biomarkers, and quality of life in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study design was used. Eighty-seven participants who had undergone natural menopause were randomly administered either 70 mg/day isoflavones (n = 43) or placebo (n = 41) for 12 weeks. We assessed the Kupperman index for climacteric symptoms and the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire for quality of the life. Biomarkers of bone metabolism were also measured in serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), N- and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type Ι collagen (NTx, CTx), and urine-deoxypyridinolin (u-DPD). RESULTS: Scores of the Kupperman index were decreased in both the isoflavones group ($-7.0{\pm}15.8$, P = 0.0074) and placebo group ($-6.3{\pm}14.6$, P = 0.0064) during the intervention, but no significant difference was noted between the groups. Regarding the bone formation markers, the level of serum BALP increased by $6.3{\pm}4.1%$ (P = 0.004) and OC increased by $9.3{\pm}6.2%$ (P < 0.001), meanwhile those of the placebo were not changed. For the bone resorption markers, NTx, CTx, and u-DPD were not significantly different in either group. MENQOL was significant decreased in the isoflavone group ($-0.6{\pm}0.5$) and placebo group ($-0.6{\pm}0.4$), with a significant difference between groups (P = 0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that 70 mg isoflavones supplement has beneficial effects on bone formation markers; however, it showed no benefit compared to the placebo on climacteric symptoms or quality of life.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.89-96
• /
• 2005

To determine the deleterious effects of chronic alcohol consumption on bone especially in adolescents or young adults, 8 week-old Sprague Dawley male rats were fed with Lieber-Decarli ethanol liquid diet, containing $36\%$ of energy as ethanol, ad libitum (ethanol group) or isocaloric normal liquid diet (control group) for 7 weeks. Body weight was significantly lower in ethanol group than that in control group after 1 week of feeding to the end. liver weight and the ratio of liver or kidney weight to body weight in ethanol group were significantly increased when compared to those in control group. Ethanol group showed significantly lower serum protein and albumin levels (p<0.05), higher total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels (p<0.05), and AST, ALT and BUN activities than control group, but serum triglyceride, Ca and phosphate levels were not different. Ethanol group had significantly lower tibial trabecular bone area and serum osteocalcin level than control group (p<0.05), but urinary Ca and NTx (cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen) concentrations and serum testosterone and parathyroid hormone levels were not different. In conclusion, chronic alcohol consumption in growing young male rats may result in osteopenia through the reduction of bone formation as well as liver malfunction.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.527-536
• /
• 2020

Liver fibrosis constitutes a significant health problem worldwide due to its rapidly increasing prevalence and the absence of specific and effective treatments. Growing evidence suggests that apoptosis-signal regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is activated in oxidative stress, which causes hepatic inflammation and apoptosis, leading to liver fibrogenesis through a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) downstream signals. In this study, we investigated whether selonsertib, a selective inhibitor of ASK1, shows therapeutic efficacy for liver fibrosis, and elucidated its mechanism of action in vivo and in vitro. As a result, selonsertib strongly suppressed the growth and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and induced apoptosis by increasing Annexin V and TUNEL-positive cells. We also observed that selonsertib inhibited the ASK1/MAPK pathway, including p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in HSCs. Interestingly, dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver fibrosis was significantly alleviated by selonsertib treatment in rats. Furthermore, selonsertib reduced collagen deposition and the expression of extracellular components such as α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), fibronectin, and collagen type I in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, selonsertib suppressed fibrotic response such as HSC proliferation and extracellular matrix components by blocking the ASK1/MAPK pathway. Therefore, we suggest that selonsertib may be an effective therapeutic drug for ameliorating liver fibrosis.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.41
• /
• pp.47.1-47.10
• /
• 2019

Background: Hyaluronic acid (HA) has been applied as a primary biomaterial for temporary soft tissue augmentation and as a carrier for cells and the delivery of growth factors to promote tissue regeneration. Although HA derivatives are the most versatile soft tissue fillers on the market, they are resorbed early, within 3 to 12 months. To overcome their short duration, they can be combined with cells or growth factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the stimulating effects of human fibroblasts and basic fibroblast growth factors (bFGF) on collagen synthesis during soft tissue augmentation by HA hydrogels and to compare these with the effects of a commercial HA derivative (Restylane^®). Methods: The hydrogel group included four conditions. The first condition consisted of hydrogel (H) alone as a negative control, and the other three conditions were bFGF-containing hydrogel (HB), human fibroblast-containing hydrogel (HF), and human fibroblast/bFGF-containing hydrogel (HBF). In the Restylane^® group (HGF), the hydrogel was replaced with Restylane^® (R, RB, RF, RBF). The gels were implanted subdermally into the back of each nude mouse at four separate sites. Twelve nude mice were used for the hydrogel (n = 6) and Restylane^® groups (n = 6). The specimens were harvested 8 weeks after implantation and assessed histomorphometrically, and collagen synthesis was evaluated by RT-PCR. Results: The hydrogel group showed good biocompatibility with the surrounding tissues and stimulated the formation of a fibrous matrix. HBF and HF showed significantly higher soft tissue synthesis compared to H (p < 0.05), and human collagen type I was well expressed in HB, HF, and HBF; HBF showed the strongest expression. The Restylane^® filler was surrounded by a fibrous capsule without any soft tissue infiltration from the neighboring tissue, and collagen synthesis within the Restylane^® filler could not be observed, even though no inflammatory reactions were observed. Conclusion: This study revealed that HA-based hydrogel alone or hydrogel combined with fibroblasts and/or bFGF can be effectively used for soft tissue augmentation.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.89-99
• /
• 2016

The effects of retail cut type on chemical, quality and nutritional characteristics of horse meat were studied. Jeju female breed horses (n = 9) at 32-mo-old were slaughtered and the carcasses at 24 h post-mortem were fabricated into 10 retail cuts including: tender-loin, loin, strip-loin, shoulder-chuck-roll, shoulder-clod, top-round, outside-round, brisket, short-plate-brisket, and shank. The results revealed that all of parameters (chemical, meat quality and nutritional composition) examined significantly (p<0.05) differed between the cuts. The chemical composition range (minimum to maximum) of cuts was found as such: moisture 65.06% to 71.69%; protein 19.07% to 21.28%; collagen 1.40% to 2.45%; fat 2.56% to 12.14% and cholesterol 55.76 to 79.50 mg/100 g. Shoulder-chuck-roll had the highest pH and water-holding capacity, while top-round had the highest cooking loss. Shear force ranged between the cuts from $2.80kg/cm^2$ to $4.98kg/cm^2$. The Cu, Fe, and Zn contents ranged between the cuts from 1.52 mg/kg to 2.75 mg/kg, 21.25 mg/kg to 30.85 mg/kg, and 16.51 mg/kg to 40.42 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, most of the cuts studied showed favorable polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid, n-3/n-6 and essential amino acid/non-essential amino acid ratios.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.37
• /
• pp.16.1-16.7
• /
• 2015

Background: This study aimed to investigate new bone formation using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) and locally applied bisphosphonate in rat calvarial defects. Methods: Thirty-six rats were studied. Two circular 5 mm diameter bony defect were formed in the calvaria using a trephine bur. The bony defect were grafted with $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$ only (group 1, n = 9), $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$ wetted with rhBMP-2 (group 2, n = 9), $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$ wetted with rhBMP-2 and 1 mM alendronate (group 3, n = 9) and $Bio-Oss^{(R)}$ wetted with rhBMP-2 and 10 mM alendronate (group 4, n = 9). In each group, three animals were euthanized at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, respectively. The specimens were then analyzed by histology, histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results: There were significant decrease of bone formation area (p < 0.05) between group 4 and group 2, 3. Group 3 showed increase of new bone formation compared to group 2. In immunohistochemistry, collagen type I and osteoprotegerin (OPG) didn't show any difference. However, receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) decreased with time dependent except group 4. Conclusion: Low concentration bisphosphonate and rhBMP-2 have synergic effect on bone regeneration and this is result from the decreased activity of RANKL of osteoblast.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.14-24
• /
• 2019

Purpose: To assess the influence of using different combinations of guided bone regeneration (GBR) materials on volume changes after wound closure at peri-implant dehiscence defects. Methods: In 5 pig mandibles, standardized bone defects were created and implants were centrally placed. The defects were augmented using different combinations of GBR materials: xenogeneic granulate and collagen membrane (group 1, n=10), xenogeneic granulate and alloplastic membrane (group 2, n=10), alloplastic granulates and alloplastic membrane (group 3, n=10). The horizontal thickness was assessed using cone-beam computed tomography before and after suturing. Measurements were performed at the implant shoulder (HT0) and at 1 mm (HT1) and 2mm (HT2) below. The data were statistically analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to evaluate within-group differences. Bonferroni correction was applied when calculating statistical significance between the groups. Results: The mean horizontal thickness before suturing was $2.55{\pm}0.53mm$ (group 1), $1.94{\pm}0.56mm$ (group 2), and $2.49{\pm}0.73mm$ (group 3). Post-suturing, the values were $1.47{\pm}0.31mm$ (group 1), $1.77{\pm}0.27mm$ (group 2), and $2.00{\pm}0.48mm$ (group 3). All groups demonstrated a loss of horizontal dimension. Intragroup changes exhibited significant differences in group 1 (P<0.001) and group 3 (P<0.01). Intergroup comparisons revealed statistically significant differences of the relative changes between groups 1 and 2 (P=0.033) and groups 1 and 3 (P=0.015). Conclusions: Volume change after wound closure was minimized by using an alloplastic membrane. The stability of the augmented horizontal thickness was most ensured by using this type of membrane irrespective of the bone substitute material used for membrane support.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.128-134
• /
• 2023

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and cardiovascular safety of romosozumab compared with placebo. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched from Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Web of Science until July 2022. Primary outcomes included the change in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline at month 6. The secondary outcomes were the change of bone turnover markers (N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen (P1NP); C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX)) from baseline at month 3, and the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events for the total follow-up period. Results: A total of 7 RCTs on 8,370patients were included. Romosozumab showed better effects in improving BMD in both lumbar spine and femoral neck at month 6 (standardized mean difference, SMD 2.20 [95% CI: 1.89-2.52], SMD 0.63 [95% CI: 0.41-0.86]). In contrast to placebo, romosozumab significantly increased PINP levels and reduced CTX levels at month 3 (SMD 0.93 [95% CI: 0.65-1.22], SMD -1.03 [95% CI: -1.23~ -0.82]. However, there was no significant difference in the composite incidence of cardiovascular adverse events and major adverse cardiovascular events (OR 1.16 [95% CI: 0.82-1.65], OR 1.08 [95% CI: 0.75-1.56]). Conclusion: This analysis showed that romosozumab significantly improved BMD compared to placebo and was beneficial for change in bone turnover markers. There is no significant difference in the incidence of cardiovascular adverse events compared to placebo.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.19-27
• /
• 2016

The RLG (relative length of gut) is 1.52 (n=12) in the sablefish, Anoplopoma fimbria. The digestive tract has five or six pyloric caeca in the posterior region of stomach. Morphology of mucosal fold is unbranched type in the esophagus and stomach, but branched type in the intestine. The histological structure of digestive tract can be divided into mucosal layer, submucosal layer, muscular layer and serous membrane in the cross section. In the esophagus, mucosal epithelial layer is a simple, and consists of ciliated columnar epithelia and mucous cells. In the stomach, gastric gland of mucosal epithelial layer is a tubular, and is composed of chief cell, parietal cell and mucin secreting cell, which is columnar and contained secretory granules of red and blue colors in the AB-PAS (pH 2.5) reaction. In the intestine, mucosal epithelial layer is a simple, and consists of ciliated columnar epithelia and goblet cells. The submucosal layer is composed mainly of collagen fibers, and well developed in the esophagus. And the muscular layer of digestive tract is divided into longitudinal and circular muscle layer, and well developed in the stomach. The liver is composed of numerous lobular structure and bile canaliculi. Stainability of hepatocyte cytoplasm was eosinophilic, and nucleus and nucleolus showed basophilic in the H-E stain. The pancreatic tissue was scattered in the fatty tissue near the digestive tract, and acinar gland consisting of numerous exocrine cells. And cytoplasmic stainability of exocrine cell was basophilic, and contained numerous zymogen granules of eosinophilic in the H-E stain.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.249-260
• /
• 2024

New supplements with preventive effects against skin photodamage are receiving increasing attention. This study evaluated the anti-photoaging effects of salmon nasal cartilage proteoglycan (SPG), acting as a functional material for skin health. We administered SPG to in vitro and in vivo models exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and assessed its moisturizing and anti-wrinkle effects on dorsal mouse skin and keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts cell lines. These results showed that SPG restored the levels of filaggrin, involucrin, and AQP3 in the epidermis of UVB-irradiated dorsal skin and keratinocytes, thereby enhancing the keratinization process and water flow. Additionally, SPG treatment increased the levels of hyaluronan and skin ceramide, the major components of intercellular lipids in the epidermis. Furthermore, SPG treatment significantly increased the levels of collagen and procollagen type 1 by down-regulating matrix metalloproteinase 1, which play a crucial role in skin fibroblasts, in both in vitro and in vivo models. In addition, SPG strongly inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling, the including extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. These findings suggest that dietary SPG may be an attractive functional food for preventing UVB-induced photoaging. And this SPG product may provide its best benefit when treating several signs of skin photoaging.