• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.498-510
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity, characterized by abnormal fat accumulation and metabolic disturbances, presents a significant health challenge. Opuntia humifusa Raf., commonly known as Korean Cheonnyuncho, is rich in various beneficial compounds and has demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its potential impact on glucose and lipid metabolism, particularly in obese rats, remains unexplored. We aimed to investigate whether O. humifusa stems and fruits could beneficially alter glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in a rat model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. MATERIALS/METHODS: Thirty-two rats were allocated into 4 groups: normal diet (NF), HFD control (HF), HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa stems (HF-OS), and HFD treated with 2% O. humifusa fruits (HF-OF). Experimental diets were administered for 6 weeks. At the end of the treatment, liver and fat tissues were isolated, and serum was collected for biochemical analysis. The major flavonoid from O. humifusa stems and fruits was identified and quantified. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment, the serum fasting glucose concentration in the HF-OS group was significantly lower than that in the HF group. Serum fasting insulin concentrations in both HF-OS and HF-OF groups tended to be lower than those in the HF group, indicating a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in the HF-OS group. Additionally, the HF-OS group exhibited a tendency towards the restoration of adiponectin levels to that of the NF group. CONCLUSION: The 2% O. humifusa stems contain abundant quercetin and isorhamnetin, which alter fasting blood glucose levels in rats fed a HFD, leading to a favorable improvement in insulin resistance.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate health status of preschool children utilizing anthropometric values and serum biochemical indices. The subjects were 1,159 boys and 1,019 girls in Gumi day-care centers aged 4 to 6 years. The mean height and weight of 4, 5 and 6 year old children were 103.0 cm and 17.1 kg, 107.2 cm and 18.3 kg and 113.4 cm and 20.6 kg, respectively. By the obesity index criteria, $5\%$ of boys and $4\%$ of girls were obese whereas $10\%$ of boys and $9\%$ of girls were underweight. By the Kaup index criteria, $7\%$ of boys and $4\%$ of girls were obese. By the percentage of body fat criteria, $5\%$ of boys and girls were obese. The mean concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Atherogenic Index and serum glucose were 154.1-156.5 mg/dL, 80.1-81.9 mg/dL, 46.8-47.4 mg/dL, 90.9-92.8 mg/dL, 2.34-2.39 and 76.4-77.8 mg/dL, respectively. Serum triglyceride level, AI and body fat percentage of obese children were significantly higher than other children and were significantly lower in HDL-cholesterol level (p < 0.05). In addition there were significant correlation between anthropometric values and serum biochemical indices : Kaup index and obesity index were positively correlated to the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in boys and girls (p < 0.01) and to the triglyceride concentration in boys (p < 0.05). These results indicate the need of developing and implementation of nutrition education program for preschool children to prevent further development of childhood obesity and to maintain normal serum lipid profiles.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.131-138
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• 2013

Insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction have been established as being related to the diabetes. Lately, what is emphasizing is that those have been shown as something related to the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA), simple index is calculated on blood levels of fasting glucose and insulin. And HOMA has been widely validated and applied for insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell dysfunction. We also assessed the factors relative to insulin resistance and ${\beta}$ cell function determined by HOMA. The data from the 2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. Analysis was done for 3,465 nondiabetic subjects (male 1,357, female 2,108). At baseline, anthropometric measurements were done and fasting glucose, insulin, lipid (Total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and Triglycerides) profiles were measured. HOMA-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA ${\beta}$-cell) were calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels. In male, the value of HOMA-IR and HOMA ${\beta}$-cell was the highest among 30's and decreased as the age increased. In female, the value of HOMA-IR increased with age, while HOMA ${\beta}$-cell decreased. High HOMA-IR and low HOMA ${\beta}$-cell were associated with the highest value of fasting glucose and systolic blood pressure. Low HOMA-IR and high HOMA ${\beta}$-cell showed the lowest concentration of fasting glucose and the highest concentration of HDL cholesterol. High HOMA-IR and high HOMA ${\beta}$-cell were connected with BMI, Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and Triglycerides. There was a negative correlation between HOMA ${\beta}$-cell and age. The correlation coefficients of HOMA-IR and HOMA ${\beta}$-cell showed the highest value among weight, BMI and WC.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.773-781
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• 2007

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional and health status of women industrial workers by working fields. One hundred forty eight (105 lead and 43 office) workers were recruited from March 2005 to October 2005. Information on age, education, smoking and drinking status were collected using questionnaire and nutrient intake and diet quality of workers were assessed by average of two-day 24 hr recall method. Biochemical indexes including blood lead level (PbB), indexes for iron status, serum calcium (Ca) and serum lipid profiles were analyzed from fasting venous blood or serum. Results showed that education level of lead workers was lower than that of office workers (p<0.05), but nutrient intake levels were not significantly different by working fields. Overall nutritional status of the subject were good except for calcium, vitamin $B_2$, C and folic acid intakes. PbB of lead workers were significantly higher than that of office workers while mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and serum Ca levels were significantly lower in lead workers. MCHC was positively correlated with zinc intake (r=0.166) and serum Ca was positively correlated with vitamin C intake (r=0.179). This study confirms that lead workers need extra care to keep their health and nutritional management especially for the nutrients known to interact with lead. Tailored nutrition education for workers at specific working fields needs to be more focused for the improvement of health status of industrial workers.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.298-306
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• 2011

Purpose: To analyze the differences of the Body Mass Index (BMI), blood biochemical indices (TC, TG, HDL, PP2) among college faculty members depending on their life styles and thereupon, provide for some basic data useful for healthcare education. Methods: 163 faculty members were sampled for a questionnaire survey and a medical checkup, both conducted from Jan. 20 to Jan. 26, 2010. Results: First, such blood biochemical indicesas BMI, TG, HDL and PP2 differed significantly depending on gender, while TC, TG and HDL differed significantly depending on age. Second, BMI differed significantly depending on drinking. Third, smokers showed significantly lower BMI and PP2 than non-smokers. Among the smokers, those smoking for 1-10 years showed a significantly lower level of TG. Fourth, those exercising as hard as sweating 3 times a week showed significantly lower BMI, TC and TG. Fifth, BMI was correlated positively with TC and TG, while being correlated negatively with HDL. On the other hand, TC was correlated positively with the TG which was correlated negatively with the HDL which was correlated positively with PP2. Conclusion: In order to prevent chronic diseases and live a healthy life, it must be necessary to control drinking, stop smoking and exercise regularly.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2006

Objective : Associations of vascular risk/disease or apolipoprotein E ${\varepsilon}4$(APOE4) with geriatric depression has been unclear at a population level. This study aimed to evaluate whether there would be interactions of vascular risk/disease and APOE4 on depression in a Korean elderly population. Methods : 732 community residents aged 65 or over were assessed for depression(GMS), information on vascular risk/disease(reported stroke, transient ishemic attack, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, smoking), examinations for vascular risk/disease(blood pressure, blood tests for glucose and lipid profiles, body size), APOE genotypes, demographic characteristics(age, gender, education), physical health, and cognitive function(MMSE). Results : Previous stroke and lower level of high density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol were significantly associated with geriatric depression independent of demographic characteristics, physical illnesses, and cognitive function. These associations were statistically significant only in those with APOE4, although the interaction terms didn't reach to statistical significance. Conclusion : Associations between vascular risk/disease and geriatric depression might be more prominent in those with APOE4. However further research would be needed to clarify this issue.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2018

Background: Antihyperglycemic effects of Panax ginseng berry have never been explored in humans. The aims of this study were to assess the efficacy and safety of a 12-wk treatment with ginseng berry extract in participants with a fasting glucose level between 100 mg/dL and 140 mg/dL. Methods: This study was a 12-wk, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 72 participants were randomly allocated to two groups of either ginseng berry extract or placebo, and 63 participants completed the study. The parameters related to glucose metabolism were assessed. Results: Although the present study failed to show significant antihyperglycemic effects of ginseng berry extract on the parameters related to blood glucose and lipid metabolism in the total study population, it demonstrated that ginseng berry extract could significantly decrease serum concentration of fasting glucose by 3.7% (p = 0.035), postprandial glucose at 60 min during 75 g oral glucose tolerance test by 10.7% (p = 0.006), and the area under the curve for glucose by 7.7% (p = 0.024) in those with fasting glucose level of 110 mg/dL or higher, while the placebo group did not exhibit a statistically significant decrease. Safety profiles were not different between the two groups. Conclusion: The present study suggests that ginseng berry extract has the potential to improve glucose metabolism in human, especially in those with fasting glucose level of 110 mg/dL or higher. For a more meaningful benefit, further research in people with higher blood glucose levels is required.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.7
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• pp.1113-1120
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• 2010

This study investigated the efficacy of macelignan and hot water with Chinese traditional herb (CTH) extract on altering severe diabetic conditions in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. Previously, the anti-diabetic effects of macelignan were partly reported as a PPAR $\alpha/\gamma$-dual agonist. Here, we futher studied whether a combination of macelignan and CTH had more beneficial effects or not. The macelignan and CTH compound significantly decreased fasting blood glucose and HbA1c compared to macelignan-treated mice, and also significantly improved postprandial glucose, insulin sensitivity, and plasma lipid profiles (FFA, and TG). On the other hand, insulin levels were not significantly changed compared to the diabetic control group. There were no significant changes in the concentrations of total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol, but there were changes in HTR and AI. These results suggest that the macelignan and CTH compound ameliorates hyperglycemia and efficiently improves postprandial glucose, insulin sensitivity, and hyperlipidemia compared with macelignan in db/db mice. Moreover, the macelignan and CTH compound seems to be more potent in affecting diabetic complications than macelignan.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.404-413
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• 2007

This study was carried out to compare UCP2 polymorphism, dietary habits, and obesity index in normal and obese university students. The survey was carried out using self-questionnaires collected from the 126 normal and 60 obese university students. The results are summarized as follows. Breakfast was skipped in 43.7% of normal and 49.3% of obesity students and it appeared obese students eat faster than normal students. The percentage of weight control experience were 49.2 and 71.0 in the normal and obese students, respectively. Blood levels of lipid profiles(triglyceride, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol), hemoglobin, AST and ALT were anaylzed. In UCP2 genes, the frequency of deletion homozygote(DD) was 71.5%, heterozygote(DI) was 26.9% and insertion homozygote(II) was 1.6%. Plasma levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol of normal students were 79.06, 172.25, 100.86 and 57.03 mg/dl, and those of obese students were 93.06, 173.22, 101.22 and 54.39 mg/dl, respectively. Blood parameters were in normal range in both group. Plasma triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels of obese students were higher than those of normal students. On the other hand, plasma HDL cholesterol levels of obese students were lower than those of normal students. Plasma levels of AST and ALT were in normal range in both group. However, AST and ALT levels of obese students were higher than that of normal students. Thus, it was recommended for them to have a nutritional education program to improve their dietary and living habits for obese students’health. Nutritional education program should also be organized practically and systematically.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.638-643
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• 2006

This study was performed to determine the effect of Takju(Korean turbid rice wine) lees on the serum glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. 24 Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into three groups: normal control(NC), diabetic control(DC) and diabetic rats(DS) were fed on experimental diet and water ad libitum for 4 weeks. DS diet was containing 20% Takju lees. Body weight gain and food Efficiency Ratio(FER) were significantly lower in DC and DS than NC. DS tended to have higher weight, weight gain and FEF than DC nevertheless food intake. Therefore Takju lees could possibly complement casein as a protein source. Gastrointestianl transit time in DS significantly decreased than NC while not significantly than DC. Serum lipid profiles and AST. ALT and amylase were not significantly different between diabetic DC and DS. Blood glucose was measured at fasting state and 30, 60, 90 and 120 minute by oral glucose tolerance test, DS tended to lower the mean(${\pm}$ SE) incremental blood glucose concentrations than DC and was significantly low at 120 min. But incremental AUG(area under the curve) of postprandial glucose response was not significantly different. In conclusion, in spite of high contents of carbohydrate Takju lees perhaps have a benefit effect on the diabetes.