• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.8
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• pp.3779-3784
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• 2014

Aims: To study alterations of plasma lipid profiles in carcinoma cervix and to assess significance comparedwith controls in different histological grades and stages. Materials and Methods: Totals of 99 histopathologically diagnosed cases and 35 controls from a tertiary hospital situated in the southern part of India which caters the rural and semi-urban populations were considered for the study. Fasting blood samples were taken to analyze total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C), for comparison of cases, grouped according to histological grades and stages, and controls. One way ANOVA was used for multiple group comparisons and the Student's t test (unpaired) for group wise comparisons. For all tests a 'p' value of 0.05 or less was considered as significant. Results: Out of 99 cases, most (n-39) were seen in the 40-49 year age group followed by 60-69 years (n-22). Serum TG significantly differed between cases and controls but without any relation to differentiation grade. The lipid profile parameters in various grades of cervical cancer were not statistically significant. Statistically significant increase of TC and LDL-C values was observed with increase in stage of the disease. Conclusions: The study showed TG is elevated in cervical cancer, and that TC and LDL-C are proportional to the spread of cancer as it increases from stage I to stage IV. An in-depth study of molecular changes in lipid metabolism in cervical cancer patients, enzymes/genes responsible and alterations in LDL receptors is necessary to provide information to decide whether the lipid profile has any diagnostic/prognostic role in cervical cancer.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: A randomized, controlled pilot trial was conducted. Twenty-two participants were randomized into one of the two groups: an acupuncture group (n=11) and wait-list group (n=11). The treatment group received 8 sessions of electroacupuncture over 8 weeks. Twenty points (CV4, CV12, both LR14, GB26, ST25, ST34, ST40, ST36, SP4, SP6, LR3) were selected for needling. The control group did not receive acupuncture treatment during study period and followup were done in the 4th and 8th weeks after randomization in both groups. The primary outcome was body fat computed tomography and the secondary outcomes included blood test (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoproteincholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, blood sugar test, ${\gamma}$-guanosine triphosphate) and body composition test (body mass index, weight, body fat mass, body fat rate, waist hip ratio). Safety was assessed at every visit. Results: There was no significant differences in between the experimental group and control group. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: The results suggest that In patients with NAFLD, electroacupuncture treatment did not induce worsening of liver disease and liver function, but it was no improvement symptoms of fatty liver. Study of herb medicine treatments and other acupuncture therapy of NAFLD are required later.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.24-34
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• 2023

Purpose: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) continues to increase worldwide, and blood glucose control may reduce mortality from diabetic complications and healthcare costs. Mulberry twig (MT) has been used as a herbal medicine in Asia, and its antidiabetic efficacy has recently been reported, but research in this area is still limited. This study examined the antidiabetic effects of water extracts of MT in diabetic animals. Methods: Six weeks old male ICR mice were divided randomly into three groups; normal control (NC, n = 10), DM control (DC, n = 10), and MT (n = 10). Streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally into mice in the DC and MT groups for 5 consecutive days. After 10 days of the last STZ injection, the mice in the MT group were administered orally with MT water extracts (5 g/kg body weight) for 16 days. Results: The MT water extracts ameliorated the swelling of the liver in the diabetic mice and reduced the elevated levels of fasting blood and plasma glucose, total cholesterol (T-CHO), low density lipoprotein-CHO, and the ratio of high density lipotrotein (HDL)-CHO/T-CHO. The liver triglyceride (TG) and glycogen contents were also significantly lower in the MT group mice than in the DC group. The small intestine disaccharidase activity was analyzed to understand the therapeutic effects and the mechanism of MT water extracts in diabetic animals. MT group mice showed reduced lactase and sucrase activity in the proximal part of the small intestine. On the other hand, body weight, plasma insulin, TG, HDL-CHO, and hepatic T-CHO levels were similar in the DC and MT groups. Conclusion: These results suggest that MT water extracts have antidiabetic effects and can be developed as a functional source to reduce the postprandial blood glucose or to prevent DM incidence.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.1198-1207
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• 2019

This study investigated action mechanism and biological effect of Jijang-kimch, including its anti-obesity effect and blood lipid-decreasing effect in a high-fat diet-induced obese model animals. There were four treatment groups: CD (chow diet as normal control), HFD (high fat diet as obesity control), HFDCK (HFD plus commercial kimchi extracts), and HFDJK (HFD plus Jijang-kimchi extract). Kimchi extracts were orally administered for 28 days. Body weight, liver, and adipose tissue weight declined in HFDJK compared to those in HFDCK(p<0.05). Blood triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), and glucose level decreased in CD, HFDJK, and HFDCK compared to those in HFD(p<0.05). Those in HFDJK were lower than those in HFDCK(p<0.05). Sizes of liver and adipose cells increased in HFD, HFDCK, and HFDJ that those in CD(p<0.05). Those in HFDJK were greatly decreased than those in HFDCK(p<0.05). These results indicate that ingestion of Jijang-kimchi in obese model animals has anti-obesity effect by lowering blood lipid and glucose levels and decreasing adipocyte size compared to that of commercial-kimchi.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.513-519
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• 2012

Aged garlic extract (AGE) is known to have a protective effect against immune system, endothelial function, oxidative stress and inflammation. We examined the effects of exercise with and without aged garlic extract administration on body weight, lipid profiles, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress marker in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a HFD (HFD, n = 40) or a normal diet (ND, n = 5) for 6 weeks and thereafter randomized into ND (n = 5), HFD (n = 10), HFD with AGE (n = 10), HFD with Exercise (n = 10), or HFD with Exercise+AGE (n = 10) for 4 weeks. AGE groups were administered at a dose of 2.86 g/kg body weight, orally. Exercise consisted of running 15-60 min 5 days/week with gradually increasing intensity. AGE (P<0.01), Exercise, and Exercise+AGE (P<0.001) attenuated body weight gain and food efficiency ratio compared to HFD. Visceral fat and liver weight gain were attenuated (P<0.05) with all three interventions with a greater effect on visceral fat in the Exercise+AGE than AGE (P<0.001). In reducing visceral fat (P<0.001), epididymal fat (P<0.01) and liver weight (P<0.001), Exercise+AGE was effective, but exercise showed a stronger suppressive effect than AGE. Exercise+AGE showed further additive effects on reducing visceral fat and liver weight (P<0.001). AGE significantly attenuated the increase in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol compared with HFD (P<0.05). Exercise+AGE attenuated the increase in triglycerides compared with HFD (P<0.05). Exercise group significantly decrease in C-reactive protein (P<0.001). These results suggest that AGE supplementation and exercise alone have anti-obesity, cholesterol lowering, and anti-inflammatory effects, but the combined intervention is more effective in reducing weight gain and triglycerides levels than either intervention alone.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.33-45
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• 2009

Objectives This study was performed to evaluate the relation between hair tissue mineral elements(HTME) and Heart rate variability(HRV) of the metabolic syndrome(MS). Methods 89 persons(41-69 ages) who visited Oriental hospital for medical examination were divided MS group(n=22) and control group(n=67). HTME and HRV were compared, and were analyzed correlation with five contents of the MS. Results (1) In total subjects, waist circumference had a positive correlation with Pb. Blood pressure had a negative correlation with Mg. High density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-chol) had a negative correlation with Pb, Sb and K, while positive correlation with Ca/K. Triglyceride(TG) had a negative correlation with Mg and Na/K, while positive correlation with K and Ca/Mg. (2) In total subjects, TG and fasting blood sugar(FBS) had negative correlation with high frequency(HF), while positive correlation with low frequency/high frequency ratio(LF/HF). (3) In MS group, most of the level of toxic minerals were higher, and the level of major nutritional minerals were lower, but there were no statistical signficance. In two groups, there is no contrast between the correlations of the MS contents and HTME. (4) In MS group, HF was significantly lower and LF/HF was higher than normal group. LF/HF had a negative correlation with waist circumference in MS group, while positive correlation in normal group. (5) In total subjects, TP had a positive correlation with Mg. In two groups, there is no contrast between the correlations of the MS contents and HRV. However LF/HF had a positive correlation with Na in MS group, TP and LF had negative correlation with Ca, while RMSSD and HF had negative correlation with Cu in normal group. Conclusion These results may suggest that HTME and HRV are useful in diagnosing and preventing the metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1697-1703
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• 2012

Obesity is a risk factor for numerous metabolic diseases. Recently, naturally occurring compounds that may improve obesity have received increasing attention. Xanthigen is a mixture of fucoxanthin and punicic acid derived from brown seaweed and pomegranate seed, respectively, which have been traditionally used for lipid-lowering effects in humans. In this study, we investigated whether Xanthigen attenuates high-fat diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6N mice. The mice were fed on a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), HFD plus 1% Xanthigen or HFD plus 1% green tea extract (GTE) for 11 weeks. Food efficiency ratio (FER) and body weight were significantly reduced in mice fed HFD plus Xanthigen compared to HFD-fed mice. Consistent with the results in body weight change, Xanthigen also significantly decreased the weights of epididymal adipose tissue, retroperitoneal adipose tissue, and liver in HFD plus 1% Xanthigen-fed mice. The serum level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol was significantly decreased in HFD plus Xanthigen-fed mice compared to HFD-fed mice. These results suggest that Xanthigen may be useful in the development of a functional health food for anti-obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.102-114
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• 2022

Objectives: We investigated the effects of Allii Fistulosi Bulbus (AFB) on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice and the regulation of energy metabolism in muscle tissues of mice. Methods: The C57BL/6 mice (6 weeks, male) were fed a HFD for 8 weeks and then administrated with AFB extract at 500 mg/kg (p.o.) once daily for 4 weeks. The body weight (BW), muscle weight, calorie intake, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum glucose, insulin, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were measured in mice. It was also observed the histological changes of pancreas, liver, and fat tissues with hematoxylin and eosin staining. It was investigated the phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), Ser/Thr kinase (AKT), and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4), and sirtuin1 (Sirt1) in gastrocnemius tissues by western blot, respectively. Results: The increases of BWs, calorie intakes and FBG levels in obesity mice were decreased significantly by the administration of AFB extract. The AFB extract administration was reduced significantly serum levels of glucose, insulin, and LDL-C in obesity mice. The AFB extract inhibited lipid accumulation in liver tissues, hyperplasia of pancreatic islets, and enlargement of fat tissues in obesity mice. The phosphorylation of IRS-1 and AKT was increased significantly in muscle tissues and AMPK phosphorylation and the GLUT4 and Sirt1 expression were decreased significantly in muscle tissues after the AFB administration. Conclusions: Our study indicates that AFB extract improves symptoms of obesity through regulation of energy regulating proteins in muscle tissues.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.1-15
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• 2023

Objectives We aimed to find out the improvement effect of Baekhogainsam-tang (Baihu Jia Renshen-tang, BIT) on metabolic syndrome and alteration of microbiota and gene expression. Methods We used male C57BI/6 mice and randomly assigned them into three groups. Normal control group was fed 10% kcal% fat diet, high-fat diet (HFD) group was fed 45% kcal% fat diet and 10% fructose water. BIT group was fed same diet as HFD group and treated by BIT for once daily, 6 days per week, total 8 weeks. We measured their body weight and food intake every week and performed oral glucose tolerance test 1 week before the end of the study. Then we collected the blood sample to measure triglyceride, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, and hemoglobin A1c. We harvested tissue of liver, muscle, fat, and large intestine for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and histopathological examination. Fresh fecal samples were collected from each animal to verify alterations of gut microbiota and we used RNA from liver tissue for microarray analysis. Results The body weight and fat weight of BIT group were reduced compared to HFD group. The qPCR markers usually up-regulated in metabolic syndrome were decreased in BIT group. Bacteroides were higher in BIT group than other groups. There were also differences in gene expressions between two groups such as Cyp3a11 and Scd1. Conclusions We could find out BIT can ameliorate metabolic syndrome and suggest its effect is related to gut microbiota composition and gene expression pattern.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.163-173
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• 2013

Objectives: There has been an increase in the use of mind-body therapies to control cardiovascular risk factors recently. This trial was designed to determine whether the 'jeol'(Korean Buddhists' prostration) meditation program, as a new mind-body intervention, was effective in managing stress, depression and controlling cardiovascular risk factors in women working at a geriatric hospital. Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial to determine whether the 'jeol' meditation program could improve stress, anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular risk factors in women. We randomly assigned 57 participants to the intervention(29 participants) or control(28 participants) group. The subjects in the intervention group participated in a group Jeol meditation program once weekly, and practiced at home. The following variables were assessed: stress(Psychosocial Wellbeing Index), depression(Beck's Depression Inventory), body mass index(BMI), waist circumference, hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment(HOMA), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein(HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride were assessed. Results: After the 8-week program, 2 participants from the intervention group and 1 from the control group dropped out. The subjects in the intervention group exhibited decreased scores for stress(t=5.102, p<0.01), depression(t=5.259, p<0.01), BMI(t=2.942, p=0.007), and waist circumference(t=2.582, p=0.016); however these scores did not demonstrate a significant decrease in participants of the control group. The other variables showed no significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: The 'jeol' meditation program evidently reduced stress, anxiety, depression, body weight, and waist circumference in women, which suggests that this program could be employed as a mind-body therapies.