• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.1538-1544
• /
• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) juice supplementation on serum lipid levels and phospholipid (PL) fatty acid compositions in hypercholesterolemic men. Thirty-two men with hypercholesterolemia (>200 mg/dl) were recruited among the faculty and staff at Y University after annual health examinations. The subjects consumed 150 ml of kale juice per day for a 12-week intervention period. Dietary and anthropometric assessments were performed before and after supplementation, respectively, to ensure that the subjects maintained their usual diet and lifestyle throughout the intervention. Serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased (p<0.001) after intervention. Serum LDL-cholesterol concentration and atherogenic index were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Levels of 12:0, 14:0, $18:1{\omega}9$, $18:3{\omega}6$, and sum of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in serum pholspholipid (PL) were significantly increased, while $22:4{\omega}6$ level was significantly reduced (p<0.05). It can be speculated that kale juice, containing large amounts of antioxidant nutrients, contributes to changes of serum-PL-fatty acid compositions and the improvements of serum lipid profiles. This study demonstrates the supplementation of regular meals with kale juice may favorably affect serum lipid profiles and serum-PL fatty acid compositions and, hence, could lower the risks of coronary artery disease in men with hypercholesterolemia.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.230-234
• /
• 1999

Potassium channels play an important role in regulating vascular smooth muscle tone. Four types of $K^+$ channels areknown to be expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells, and maxi $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K^+$ channel $(BK_{Ca})$ is a dominant type of $K^+$ channels in these cells. Because total ginseng saponins and ginsenoside $Rg_3$ cause vasodilation with unclear mechanisms, we hypothesized that total ginseng saponins and ginsenoside $Rg_3$ induce vasodilation via activation of maxi $Ca^{2+}-activated\;K+$ channels. Whole-cell BKe. currents were voltage-dependent with half maximum activation at -14 mV, and the currents were sensitive to nanomolar ChTX and millimolar TEA. External application of total ginseng saponins increased the anlplitude of the whole-cell BKe. current in a concentration-dependent manner. Single-channel analysis indicates that total ginseng saponins caused the channel opening for a longer period of time. Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ increased the amplitude of whole-cell $K_{Ca}$ currents without affecting voltage dependence of the currents and increased single-channel open time. Hence, the results suggest that ginseng saponin-induced vasodilation may be due to activation of $K_{Ca}$.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.104-111
• /
• 2004

Sasang Constitutional Medicine is a major branch of Korean Traditional Oriental Medicine. The differences of disease susceptibility to be shown in Sasang constitution may be due to genetic factors. Therefore, we examined interrelationship among cerebral infarction (CI), apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism, and Sasang constitutional classification. ApoE is a key protein modulating the highly atherogenic apoB containing lipoproteins and is a candidate gene for the development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The ${\varepsilon}2\;and/or\;{\varepsilon}4$ alleles were the first to be implicated in premature CAD, which resulted in this polymorphism being extensively studied. We investigated the association between apoE genotype and CI by case-control study in a Korean population. We also classified CI patients and control group into groups according to Sasang Constitutional Medicine. 196 CI patients and 379 controls without CI were examined. ApoE genotype was determined by 8% polyacrylamide gel separation after DNA amplification. A significant difference in the apoE genotype distribution was observed in the CI patients compared with that in controls ($X^{2}$=14.920, df=4, P=0.005). Also, the frequency of Taeumin constitution in patients with CI was significantly higher than that in controls (58.0% vs. 36.9%; P<0.001). However, the Taeumin constitution did not enhance the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apoE ${\varepsilon}2\;and/or\;{\varepsilon}4$ alleles. No differences in the apoE genotypes frequencies were observed in the Taeumin compared with that in the other constitutions. In addition, we investigated whether the DD genotype of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, a candidate gene for CI, was associated with CI, Taeumin constitution, and apoE polymorphism. As a result, the frequency of Taeumin constitution was significantly higher in CI patients with both apoE ${\varepsilon}3/{\varepsilon}4$ and ACE ID/DD genotypes than in the remaining Sasang constitutions (14.5% vs. 8.3% and 0%) ($X^{2}$=13.521, df=6, P=0.035). In summary, we concluded that the apoE polymorphism is a major risk factor for CI in Koreans and the ACE ID/DD genotype enhanced the relative risk for CI in the subjects with apoE ${\varepsilon}3/{\varepsilon}4$ genotype and Taeumin constitution.

• Journal of Industrial Convergence
• /
• v.18 no.5
• /
• pp.108-117
• /
• 2020

This study aims to provide basic data for maintaining and promoting health of obese middle-aged women who are interested in various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and coronary artery disease by comparing and analyzing the effect on body composition and lipid metabolism through a 12-week Pilates mat exercise program for obese middle-aged women. This study targeted middle-aged women residing in Gyeonggi-do A, who are obese middle-aged women in their 40s and 50s with a body fat ratio of 30% or more, and had no regular exercise in the past three months. Obese middle-aged women(n=19) were divided into two groups, the Pilates mat exercise program group(n=9) and the control group(n=10), conducting exercise for 60 minutes three times a week for 12 weeks. As a result of analysis, the exercise group had a positive effect on body weight, skeletal muscle mass, body fat mass, body fat percentage, and BMI in body composition, but not in the control group. In the lipid metabolism, the exercise group had a positive effect on TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and FFA, but not in the control group. These results suggest that the 12-week Pilates mat exercise program conducted in this study is an exercise program that can prevent cardiovascular and chronic diseases in obese middle-aged women.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.1680-1687
• /
• 2012

Postmenopausal women are at an increased risk of developing coronary artery disease, primarily due to dyslipidemia that accompanies the loss of estrogen secretion. This study was performed to investigate the effects of Opuntia humifusa seed extracts on blood flow and serum lipid level in ovariectomized rats. Twenty-eight 9-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups as sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Opuntia humifusa seed extracts (OVX-OHS 2% and OVX-OHS 6%). The diets were fed to the rats for 7 weeks after operation. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride contents decreased in the SHAM group compared to the OVX-CON group. Seven weeks of feeding of Opuntia humifusa seed extracts resulted in significant (p<0.05) lowering of serum triglyceride and a decreasing tendency in total cholesterol levels. The level of HDL-cholesterol in serum increased significantly by feeding diets containing the 2% and 6% Opuntia humifusa seed hot-water extract (p<0.05). Blood passage times were shorter in the Opuntia humifusa seed extract-supplemented groups than in the untreated group (OVX-CON). The platelet aggregation ability was lower in groups treated with Opuntia humifusa seed extracts than in the OVX-CON group. These results suggest that Opuntia humifusa seed extracts may have benefits in improving metabolic syndrome in menopausal women.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.639-646
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to analyze the trend of nursing research related to family support and to provide an effective direction for future research by conducting a review of the Korean nursing literature from 1980 to 2000. A total of 73 studies were analyzed with the following results. 1) The number of studies related to family support has been rapidly increasing since 1984, and 77% of those were conducted in the 1990s. 48 studies, 65% of those analyzed. were degree-based research including 4 doctoral theses (4%) and 45 master's theses (62%). 2) Based on the objective frame of study types developed by Lee et al. (991), the types of studies were analyzed: 56 studies, 76.6% of those reviewed, belonged to factor-relating: 9 studies (12.4%) belonged to factor-isolating: 7 studies (9.6%) belonged to situation-producing: and only 1 study (1.4%) belonged to situation-relating research, respectively. 3) In terms of research design, most studies of analyzed (90.4%) were conducted by non-experimental design, and 7 studies (9.6%) were conducted by experimental design. But, qualitative research related to family support was not found. 4) In terms of research subjects, target populations of experimental studies were patients with arthritis, mental disorder, tuberculosis, coronary artery disease and hypertension. In correlational studies, 51 studies, 69.9% of those analyzed, were conducted to patients with renal failure, cancer and hemiplegia, and 5 studies (6.8%) were conducted to aged people and adolescents. 5) Study concepts used in correlational studies were quality of life, anxiety and depression, self-esteem, hope, role behavior, compliance and self-care activities. The quality of life was most often used among studies with 12.5% of those analyzed. 6) Nursing interventions, including diet therapy, family involving education and supportive care, used in experimental studies mostly showed positive effects on client involvement and home health improvement. However, the nursing interventions of mental health rehabilitation and resistance exercise showed neutral and negative results. The findings of this study provide evidence that more empirical research including experimental or qualitative studies should be conducted actively to improve nursing practice related to family support. Also, to promote more diverse nursing interventions, a family assessment tool especially for Korean families needs to be developed.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.7-19
• /
• 2016

Purpose: To investigate the effect of early hypothermia on post-resuscitation myocardial recovery and survival time after cardiac arrest and resuscitation in a rat model of myocardial infarction(MI). Methods: Thoracotomies were performed in 10 male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 450-455g. Myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Ninety minutes after arterial ligation, ventricular fibrillation was induced, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was subsequently performed before defibrillation was attempted. Animals were randomized to control group and experimental group(acute MI-normothermia)($32^{\circ}C$ for 4 hours). Duration of survival was recorded. Myocardial functions, including cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction, and myocardial performance index were measured using echocardiography. Results: Myocardial function was significantly better in hypothermia group than the control group during the first 4 hours post-resuscitation. The survival time of the experimental group was greater than that of the control group(p<.050). Conclusion: This study suggests that early hypothermia can attenuate post-resuscitation myocardial dysfunction after acute myocardial function, and may be a useful strategy in post-resuscitation care.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.2
• /
• pp.220-228
• /
• 1997

Background The stenosis of the coronary artery may decrease myocardial oxygen supply and occur myocardial ischemia or infarction. Soojeomsan, one of analgesics is generally regarded to have the effect of vitalizing blood, expelling blood stasis and alleviation cardiac pain. Methods The purpose of this experimental study is to find the influence of Soojeomsan on cardiac enzyme (CPK, Na-K ATPase) of ischemic and reperfused rat hearts which are isolated under the Langendorff apparatus. Ischemia was induced In isolated hearts of Sprague-Dawley rats by ceasing the perfusion for 20 minutes. The experiments were divided into a normal saline orally administered group(control group), a Soojeomsan orally 20ml administered group(sample A) and a Soojeomsan orally 30ml administered group(sample B). The CPK (creatinine phosphokinase) and Na-K ATPase activity of this three group were measured and compared in order to assess the influence of Soojeomsan on protection of isolated rat hearts from ischemia. Results 1. CPK was significantly reduced in Sample A group and Sample B group in comparison with control group in reperfusion(P<0.01), and there were no significant difference between Sample A and B. 2. Na-K ATPase activity was significantly increased in Sample A group and Sample B group in comparison with control group in ischemia(P<0.001), and the activity was significantly higher in Sample B then in Sample A.(P<0.01) 3. There were no significant difference in Na-K ATPase activity of the three groups after reperfusion. Conclusion Soojeomsan has effects to decrease CPK activity and activate Na pump. This result in protection of the myocardium of isolated rat hearts from ischemia.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.366-379
• /
• 2017

In this study, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify the effects of exercise on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We conducted database searches (Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, ScienceDirect, CINAHL, Scopus, KoreaMed, KISS, RISS, KMBASE) for the effect of exercise on cardiovascular disease, using heart disease, coronary artery disease, heart failure, cardiovascular disease, exercise, motor activity, rehabilitation, and endothelial progenitor cells as the keywords. Of the 539 studies identified, 9 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2.0 was used to analyze the effect size and the publication bias was checked with a funnel plot. Exercise was found to improve the VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), CD34+KDR+, and endothelial function, assessed via FMD (flow-mediated dilation), in the exercise vs. control groups, viz. 2.008 (95% CI 0.204-3.812), 1.399 (95% CI 0.310-2.489), and 1.881 (95% CI 0.848-2.914), respectively. Exercise improved the VEGF, number of EPCs, and endothelial function in the CVD patients. Considering the increasing prevalence and mortality rates for cardiovascular disease in Korea, the findings of this study that analyzed the effects of exercise on EPCs might provide guidelines for planning exercise interventions for patients with CVD.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.496-512
• /
• 2018

Background: This study aimed to investigate the association between the presence and severity of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) and development of long-term glucose fluctuation in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs) at baseline and at least 4-year of follow-up with ${\geq}6$ measures of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were included. The severity of CAN was categorized as normal, early, or severe CAN according to the CARTs score. HbA1c variability was measured as the standard deviation (SD), coefficient of variation, and adjusted SD of serial HbA1c measurements. Results: A total of 681 subjects were analyzed (294 normal, 318 early, and 69 severe CAN). The HbA1c variability index values showed a positive relationship with the severity of CAN. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that CAN was significantly associated with the risk of developing higher HbA1c variability (SD) after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, diabetes duration, mean HbA1c, heart rate, glomerular filtration rate, diabetic retinopathy, coronary artery disease, insulin use, and anti-hypertensive medication (early CAN: odds ratio [OR], 1.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.43) (severe CAN: OR, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.47 to 5.56). This association was more prominent in subjects who had a longer duration of diabetes (>10 years) and lower mean HbA1c (<7%). Conclusion: CAN is an independent risk factor for future higher HbA1c variability in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Tailored therapy for stabilizing glucose fluctuation should be emphasized in subjects with CAN.