• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.198-205
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• 2022

Hepatic diseases are divided into two types: alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Non-alcoholic liver injury finally induces fatty liver and damages liver function. Many studies have demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera has antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective activities. We conducted a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial to examine the efficacy of E. stolonifera extracts (ESE) on biochemical markers of hepatic function. Sixty-five subjects with mild or moderate liver injuries were randomly allocated to receive either 420 mg/d of ESE or a placebo for 12 weeks. Fifty-five participants completed the trial. No significant adverse events were observed among the subjects during the study. The primary end points were changes in plasma levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT). The secondary end points were changes in lipid profile levels, including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL). Compared with the baseline, AST and ALT levels decreased significantly in the ESE group compared to those in the placebo group (P<0.001). In addition, γ-GT levels in the ESE group were significantly lower than those in the placebo group (P=0.016). There were no differences in the TC, TG, HDL, and LDL levels between groups. In conclusion, ESE consumption for 12 weeks improved liver parameters in subjects with liver injury. Regular consumption of ESE could maintain liver health in individuals at risk of hepatic damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.465-472
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• 2023

In predicting vascular disease, this study attempted to identify changes in the carotid intima-media thickness in patients who underwent carotid artery ultrasonography and hematological tests and to find out the effect of risk factors on the expression of atherosclerotic plaque. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 469 healthy adults who visited the hospital for the purpose of medical examination and performed carotid artery ultrasonography. As a result, carotid intima-media thickness, age, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glucose were analyzed as significant predictors of atherosclerotic plaque (p<0.001). The risk ratio was calculated based on the cut off value of the risk factors of the atherosclerotic plaque determined through ROC curve analysis, followed by 8.06 times the carotid intima-media thickness, 7.53 times the age, 3.97 times the waist circumference and 2.02 times the glucose. Therefore, in this study it was possible to prepare a Korean standard for clinical risk factors that affect the presence of absence of atherosclerotic plaque and observation of carotid artery ultrasonography is thought to help diagnose or predict cardiovascular disease early.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.967-977
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC) is a traditional Asian medicinal plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. The fruits of RC are known to prevent adult diseases through antioxidants. In this study, the effects of RC extract (RCex) on obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) were evaluated in animal models. Twenty-eight male C57BL/6J mice were induced to become obese for 8 weeks and then the extract was orally administered for 8 weeks. RCex reduced body weight, adipose tissue, liver weight. RCex improved biochemical biomarkers including lipid metabolism (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol). The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduced the expression of adipogenesis genes (liver × receptor (LXR), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), fatty acid synthesis (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and the effect of enhancing carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity by RCex was verified. RCex also influence on plasma production of hormones (adiponectin & leptin) related on energy expenditure and metabolism. In addition, we confirmed that RCex improved glucose intolerance in HFD-induced obese rats. RCex was first demonstrated to have anti-obesity as well as anti-NAFLD effects by regulating fatty acid oxidation and fatty acid synthesis by phosphorylation of AMPK. This suggests that RCex could be a good supplement for the prevention of obesity and related NAFLD.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2024

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has changed physical activities due to social distancing to prevent the spread of infectious disease. The restriction could affect physical activities and serum lipid levels. The purpose of this study is to investigate changes of serum lipid levels and physical activities due to the social distancing between the pre-and-post COVID-19 pandemic on Jeju Island. A total of 5,373 subjects who underwent medical examination at a medical center located on Jeju Island. between May 2018 and December 2021 was enrolled. They were divided into two groups (the pre-COVID-19 vs. the post-COVID-19) based on their medical checkup dates and analyzed about clinical variables between them. Among the clinical variables, the mean age (P<0.014) and the mean levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.001), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (P=0.039) and total-cholesterol (P<0.001) and the proportions of subjects with abdominal obesity (P<0.001), aerobic exercise (P=0.003) and physical activity (P=0.008) were significantly higher in the post-COVID pandemic than those in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic. Even though the proportions of subjects with physical activity and aerobic exercise were statistically greater in the post-COVID-19 pandemic, those with central obesity and dyslipidemia were significantly higher in the period than before on Jeju Island.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.1005-1014
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of coronary computed tomography angiography of coronary artery disease for the purpose fo health screening according to gender and age. In addition the association between hematological factors (Glucose, total cholesterol, visceral fat, body mass index, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL)) and coronary artery disease is investigated. A retrospective analysis of coronary computed tomography angiography with 299 subjects showed that the detection rate of coronary artery disease was higher in men over 50 years of age and it was statistically significant. In particular, the prevalence rate of men (37.9%) was about 2 times higher than that of women (17.0%). Glucose and HDL as hematological factors associated with coronary artery disease were statistically significant. The prevention and management of coronary artery disease seems to require the control of glucose and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Although it is not statistically significant with other hematological factors, the need for management of coronary artery disease was identified. the coronary computed tomography angiography of coronary artery has higher radiation doses than other CT scans. Therefore, for the purpose of screening, coronary computed tomography angiography should be considered in consideration of the sex and age of the examinee, and detection of coronary artery disease through other non-invasive tests should be prioritized over coronary computed tomography angiography.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1184-1194
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• 2022

Objective: High concentrate diets are widely used to satisfy high-yielding dairy cows; however, long-term feeding of high concentrate diets can cause subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA). The endocrine disturbance is one of the important reasons for metabolic disorders caused by SARA. However, there is no current report about thyroid hormones involved in liver metabolic disorders induced by a high concentrate diet. Methods: In this study, 12 mid-lactating dairy cows were randomly assigned to HC (high concentrate) group (60% concentrate of dry matter, n = 6) and LC (low concentrate) group (40% concentrate of dry matter, n = 6). All cows were slaughtered on the 21st day, and the samples of blood and liver were collected to analyze the blood biochemistry, histological changes, thyroid hormones, and the expression of genes and proteins. Results: Compared with LC group, HC group showed decreased serum triglyceride, free fatty acid, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increased hepatic glycogen, and glucose. For glucose metabolism, the gene and protein expression of glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 in the liver were significantly up-regulated in HC group. For lipid metabolism, the expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1, and fatty acid synthase in the liver was decreased in HC group, whereas carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1α and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α were increased. Serum triiodothyronine, thyroxin, free triiodothyronine (FT3), and hepatic FT3 increased in HC group, accompanied by increased expression of thyroid hormone receptor (THR) in the liver. Conclusion: Taken together, thyroid hormones may increase hepatic gluconeogenesis, β-oxidation and reduce fatty acid synthesis through the THR pathway to participate in the metabolic disorders caused by a high concentrate diet.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1209-1216
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of water-soluble sulfated ${\beta}$-glucan (SBG) obtained from Ganoderma lucidum mycelia on the antihyperlipidemic and serum lipid levels in high-fat diet-induced obese rats. Five-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet for two weeks to induce obesity. They were ten divided into five groups-normal control diet group (NC), high-fat control diet group (HC), high-fat diet and 200 mg/kg of SBG group (HC-HSBG), high-fat diet and 20 mg/kg of SBG group (HC-LSBG), and high-fat diet and 20 mg/kg of lovastatin group (HC-Lov)-and fed one of five diets for two more weeks. Although food intake and final body weight after four weeks of SBG consumption were similar in the five experimental groups, food efficiency ratio was higher in the high-fat diet groups(2, 3, 4, and 5) than in the NC group. In evaluating the hematological parameters of the rats, the neutrophil and monocyte ratios were higher in the HC-HSBG, HC-LSBG, and HC-Lov groups than in the HC group. Serum lipid profiles were analyzed after a 12 hr fast at the end of the study. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly lower in the HC-HSBG and HC-LSBG groups than in the HC group. These results suggest that chemically engineered sulfated mushroom ${\beta}$-glucan (SBG) might contribute to lower cholesterol and lipid levels in blood.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.13-19
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• 2016

Objectives : The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of Allium tuberosum (AT) extract on atherosclerosis in LDL receptor knockout (LDLr KO) mouse fed western diet.Methods : The AT was extracted 70% ethanol. The experimental groups were divided with four groups of LDLr KO mice, one group fed a normal diet and the others fed a Western diets for 8weeks. Two Western diet groups were orally administered AT extract at dosage of 100 and 300 mg/kg body weight. The body weight and food intake were measured every day. We measured levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and Glucose in serum. Also, effect of AT extract performed using H&E staining.Results : The AT treatment groups showed decrease in body weight and food efficiency in comparison with control group. Blood biochemistry parameters such as TG, TC, LDL, and glucose levels were increased in control group, while AT treatment groups were reduced. Also, the increased levels of ALT and AST were improved by AT extract. We confirmed that the weights of liver, kidney, subcutaneous fat, epididymal fat, kidney leaf fat, and intraabdominal fat were change in LDLr KO mice treated AT extract. In addition, histopathological changes in liver and aorta were similar to normal group.Conclusions : Based on these results, the AT extract is considered to make prevention of atherosclerosis through reduction and functional improvement of the liver and vascular endothelial cells in the body fat accumulation and lipid content in LDLr ko mouse model.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.17-31
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• 2010

Objectives : Ganoderma Lucidum has been used in traditional oriental medicine to treat various conditions including chronic fatigue and cough. This experimental study was designed to investigate the effects of yeast-fermented Ganoderma Lucidum extract on the fatigue of rats elicited by forced swimming. Materials and methods : The rat subjects were divided into 4 groups: normal group, control group administered with 0.9% normal saline, experimental I(Exp I) group administered with yeast-fermented Ganoderma lucidum extract and experimental II(Exp II) group administered with Ganoderma lucidum extract for 4 weeks. All the serum samples collected by heart puncture were used to measure biochemical factors such as glucose, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase(CK), inorganic phosphorus, ammonia, total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein(HDL), low-density lipoprotein(LDL), aspartate transaminase(AST), alanine transaminase(ALT). Results : 1. Weight change and swimming time were not significantly different in the experimental groups as compared with control group. 2. Lactate was significantly decreased in the experimental groups as compared with control group. Inorganic phosphorus was also significantly decreased in the Exp I group as compared with control group(p<0.05). 3. Serum lipid concentration was not significantly different in the experimental groups as compared with control group. 4. AST and ALT were significantly decrease in the experimental groups as compared with control group. Conclusions : Yeast-fermented Ganoderma lucidum in forced swimming rats would appear to reduce fatigue-related factors, AST, ALT of serum and promote anti-fatigue effect.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.275-284
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• 2020

Objectives: Police officers may be at a greater risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population due to their highstress occupation. This study evaluated how an educational program based on the health belief model (HBM) may protect police officers from developing CVD. Methods: In this single-group experimental study, 58 police officers in Iran participated in a 5-week intervention based on HBM principles. Outcomes included changes in scores on an HBM scale, time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), body mass index (BMI), blood lipid profile, blood glucose, and blood pressure. The intervention consisted of 5 HBM-based educational sessions. Follow-up was conducted at 3 months post-intervention. The paired t-test was used to examine differences between baseline and follow-up scores. Results: All aspects of the HBM scale improved between baseline and follow-up (p<0.05), except the cues to action subscale. Self-efficacy and preventive behaviors improved the most. BMI decreased from 26.7±2.9 kg/㎡ at baseline to 25.8±2.4 kg/㎡ at follow-up. All components of the lipid profile, including triglycerides, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein, showed significant improvements post-intervention. Blood glucose and blood pressure also decreased, but not significantly. Nearly 25% of participants who were not physically active at baseline increased their physical activity above or beyond the healthy threshold. Conclusions: A relatively brief educational intervention based on HBM principles led to a significant improvement in CVD risk factors among police officers. Further research is needed to corroborate the effectiveness of this intervention.