• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.470-477
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of homocysteine and antioxidant nutrients with obesity in Korean middle aged women. The study subjects included were middle-aged obese women (n=36) whose body mass index (BMI) was greater than $25kg/m^2$. A total of 36 participants were randomly divided into two groups. They were assigned to either the Nutritional Management and Exercise (NME) program or the Exercise Management (EM) program, which were both conducted for 3 months. We measured serum homocysteine, total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels of the participant. We also measured the dietary intakes of antioxidant nutrient, cholesterol, body weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and $VO_2$. At the end of both programs, please confirm this change. It was unclear when these measurements were shown to have decreased. The body weight and BMI of NME group were decreased compared to those of EM group. The serum total cholesterol levels of the participants in NME group were significantly decreased, in contrast to EM group. Also, serum homocysteine levels of NME group participants were decreased compared to EM group, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the NME group, there were significant differences in the change of dietary cholesterol and vitamin C intake. These results showed that participating NME program will continuously promote the healthy status of the middle aged obese women, compared to participating only in the EM program.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.475-481
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• 2006

Purpose : As the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus have become problems. High homocysteine levels and low vitamin $B_{12}$ supplementation are acknowledged to have a role in coronary artery disease, but there are few studies on homocysteine, insulin and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels in obese children. We aimed to study whether homocysteine, insulin, vitamin $B_{12}$, folic acid levels could have any difference and relation in obese children. Methods : The disease group consisted of 27 children from 8 to 11 years old, whose obesity index was over 130. The control group consisted of 30 healthy children of the same age group. Obesity index and body mass index were calculated by height and body weight of the children, and their systolic and diastolic blood pressures at resting state were checked. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, homocysteine, insulin, vitamin $B_{12}$, folic acid levels were studied after 10 hours of fasting. Intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, protein, mineral, muscle mass, lean body fat, fat mass and fat percentages were checked by bioelectrical impedance. Results : Homocysteine levels were higher in obese children($8.1{\pm}2.1{\mu}mol/mL$ vs. $4.9{\pm}1.0{\mu}mol/mL$). Insulin levels were also higher in obese children($26.8{\pm}11.2{\mu}IU/mL$ vs. $12.5{\pm}5.24{\mu}IUl/mL$). Vitamin $B_{12}$ was lower in obese children($798.6{\pm}174.3pg/mL$ vs. $967.8{\pm}405.0pg/mL$). But there was not a difference in the folic acid levels between the two groups. In obese children, systolic blood pressure (r=0.535), triglyceride(r=0.517), total cholesterol(r=0.408), folic acid(r=0.408), vitamin $B_{12}$(r=0.338) and abdomoanl fat %(r=0.306) had a positive correlation. Conclusion : We found definite differences of insulin, homocysteine, and vitamin $B_{12}$ plasma levels in obese children, but we need more study to use those parameters as risk factors of metabolic syndrome in pediatric obese patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1175-1181
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of green vegetable (kale) juice powder supple-mentation on lipid profiles, plasma homocysteine, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ in rats fed cholesterol (Chol. ) or Chol. free diet. 7-week old male Sprague Dawley rats (n=40) were divided into 4 groups, and experimental diets containing control diet group (CO), control diet plus 0.5 wt$ \% $ Chol. (CC), control diet added with 5 wt$ \% $ kale (KO), control diet added with 5 wt$ \% $ kale plus 0.5 wt$ \% $ Chol. (KC) were fed for 8 wks. Plasma homocysteine level was examined by amino acid analyzer and serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ level were measured by com-petitive radioimmunoassay methods. In various serum lipid profiles, TG level was lower in kale juice powder groups (KO, KC) compared to the corresponding groups (CO, CC) (p<0.001). In Chol. supplemented groups (CC, KC), HDL-Chol. level was lower (p<0.001) and LDL-Chol. level was higher (p<0.05) than Chol. free diet. HDL-Chol. level was higer (p<0.05) in kale juice powder groups. HDL/LDL ratio was lower in Chol. supplemented groups (CC, KC) and tended to be higher in kale juice powder groups (KO, KC) Serum folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels were not affected by dietary Chol. and kale juice powder supplementation. Plasma homocysteine level was not affected by dietary Chol. and kale juice powder supplementation, too. Serum folate level was positively correlated with serum vitamin $B_{12}$ level (r=0.5632, p<0.001), but plasma homocysteine level was not significantly correlated with any serum folate, vitamin $B_{12}$ and Chol. levels, respectively. In summary, kale juice powder supplementation have improved serum lipid profiles by increasing the HDL level and decreasing the TG level and have not altered homocysteine level under the sufficient supply of folate and vitamin B complex relating with the homocysteine metabolism.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.60-65
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• 1999

Chronic alcoholism often leads to folate deficiency. In recent years it has been reported that mild elevation of plasma homocysteine (Hcy) is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease. In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on folate status and the relation between plasma folate and Hcy. A human study was conducted to determine plasma folate, total Hcy, cysteine(Cys), total cholesterol and hemoglobin(Hb) concentrations in 44 Korean alcoholics(men aged 30 to 50yr) and 45 Korean non-alcoholic subjects(men aged 30 to 50 yr). In alcoholic subjects, 52.6% were folate deficient and 34.2% were marginally deficient, which suggested that most alcoholics were subnormal in folate status. Plasma total Hcy concentration of alcoholics was twice as high as in control subjects (p<0.001). We found a negative correlation between plasma folate and plasma total Hcy(r=-0.271, p<0.05) and a positive correlation between plasma folate and plasma Cys(r=0.249, p<0.05) in total subjects. Hb concentrations in alcoholics was significantly lower than in control subjects, but there was no difference in total cholesterol concentration between alcoholics and controls. These results suggest that chronic alcohol consumption may impair the disposal of Hcy by interfering with folate metabolism.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5333-5338
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• 2012

Vitamin B6 functions as a coenzyme in >140 enzymatic reactions involved in the metabolism of amino acids, carbohydrates, neurotransmitters, and lipids. It comprises a group of three related 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-pyrimidine derivatives: pyridoxine (PN), pyridoxal (PL), pyridoxamine (PM) and their phosphorylated derivatives [pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) and pyridoxamine 5'-phosphate (PMP)], In the folate metabolism pathway, PLP is a cofactor for the mitochondrial and cytoplasmic isozymes of serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT2 and SHMT1), the P-protein of the glycine cleavage system, cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase (CBS) and ${\gamma}$-cystathionase, and betaine hydroxymethyltransferase (BHMT), all of which contribute to homocysteine metabolism either through folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism or the transsulfuration pathway. Folate cofactors carry and chemically activate single carbons for the synthesis of purines, thymidylate and methionine. So the evidence indicates that vitamin B6 plays an important role in maintenance of the genome, epigenetic stability and homocysteine metabolism. This article focuses on studies of strand breaks, micronuclei, or chromosomal aberrations regarding protective effects of vitamin B6, and probes whether it is folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism or the transsulfuration pathway for vitamin B6 which plays critical roles in prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.141-150
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Korean Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) education program on oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and serum homocysteine (Hcy) level in elderly Korean women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study employing non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The DASH group (n= 27) underwent the DASH education program for 12 weeks, whereas the control group (n= 21) was provided one education session. The survey was conducted before and after the intervention period. Results: In DASH group, monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intakes significantly increased after the intervention as compared to prior to the intervention. No significant differences were found in the control group. After the intervention, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) and Hcy levels significantly decreased in the DASH group but not in the control group. Conclusion: The DASH education program was effective in reducing oxidative stress and Hcy levels in elderly Korean women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.811-818
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• 2003

We investigated the effects of dietary folate supplementation on plasma homocysteine, vitamin B$_{12}$ and hepatic levels of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) in diet-induced hyperhomocysteinemic rats. All animals were fed 0.3% homocysteine diet for 2 weeks, then they were placed either on a 0.3% homocystine or no homocystine with or without 8 mg/kg folate diet for 8 weeks. Homocystine diet induced hyperhomocysteinemia up to 3.5-fold at 10 weeks (28.0 $\pm$ 4.8 $\mu$mol/l vs. 7.9 $\pm$ 0.3 $\mu$mol/l). Dietary folate supplementation caused a significant decrease in plasma homocysteine levels which had been increased by a homocystine-diet. Also, dietary folate supplementation made them return to control levels at 4 wk when the diet was free of homocystine. Plasma folate levels were markedly decreased with homocystine diet with no folate supplementation. Plasma vitamin B$_{12}$ did not differ between groups. Dietary homocystine increased hepatic levels of SAM in folate supplementation group at 10 weeks (p<0.05). Dietary folate supplementation increased hepatic levels of SAM/SAH ratios in homocystine group (p<0.05). In conclusion, dietary folate supplementation can effectively ameliorate the detrimental effects of hyperhomocysteinemia.mia.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.376-383
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• 1999

The effects of $\beta$-carotene substitutionl for vitamin A and the chronic consumption of ethanol of ethanol on hepatic folate metabolism were studied it rats. The substitution of $\beta$-carotene for vitamin A depressed hepatic 10-formyl-tetreahydrofolate dehydrogenase(10-formyl-tetrahydrofolate : NADP oxidoreductase, E.C. 1.5. 1.6)activity to 65% of controls(p<0.001) and enhanced hepatic 5, 10-methy-lenetetrahydrofolate reductase(E. C. 6.3.3.2)activity by 56% with respect to control levels(p<0.001). Hepatic activity of 10-formyltertrahydrofolate dehydrogenase was depressed to about half that of control levels by ethanol administration to rats(36% ethanol diet, p<0.001). The activity of 5, 10-methyleneterahydrofolate reductase was not changed by ethanol consumption. The increased activity of 5, 10-methyleneterahydrofolate reductase and the decreased activity of 10-formyltetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase appeared to decrease the level of nonmethyl folate conezyme and the rate of one-carbon metabolism. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in rats fed ethanol(p<0.01) o $\beta$-carotene(p<0.001) than in controls, which suggests that increased activity of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase can depress homocysteine metabolism. We concluded that dietary substitution of $\beta$-carotene for vitamin A or chronic administration of ethanol resulted in changes in the activity of hepatic folate-dependent enzymes, which could affect the distribution of folate derivatives, plasma homocysteine levels and one-carbon metabolism.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.402-405
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• 2006

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dietary betaine (0, 0.125%) on performance, carcass composition, pork quality and hepatic betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) activity of crossbred finishing barrows. Three replicates of ten pigs were used for each treatment. The results showed that average daily gain, feed intake and feed conversion were not affected by betaine. Compared with the control group, pigs treated with betaine had a 8.17% (p<0.05) decrease in carcass fat percentage, and a 8.84% (p<0.05) reduction in 10th-rib backfat thickness, but dressing percentage, percentage lean, longissimus muscle area, and average backfat thickness were not affected. There were also no significant differences in muscle color score, marbling score, pork pH value and water loss rate between the control and betaine-treated groups. Hepatic betaine-homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) activity was significantly increased by 13.97% (p<0.05) when pigs were offered 0.125% betaine.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2005

Homocystinuria is a metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency of cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase (CBS). Patients with homocystinuria show clinical symptoms such as mental retardation, lens dislocation, vascular disease with life-threatening thromboembolisms and skeletal deformities. Generally, the major treatments for CBS deficiency include pharmacologic doses of pyridoxine or dietary restriction of methionine. However, there is no effective treatment for this disease up till today and gene therapy can be an attractive novel approach to treatment of the disease. We investigated whether a recombinant adeno-associated virus could be used as a CBS gene transfer vector to reduce the excessive homocysteine level in the homocystinuria mouse model. Recombinant adeno-associated virus vector encoding the human CBS gene (rAAV-hCBS), driven by EF1-a promoter, was infused into CBS-deficient mice ($CBS^{-/-}$) via intramuscular (IM) and intraperitoneal (IP) injection. IP injection was more efficient than IM injection for prolongation of lives and reduction of plasma homocysteine levels. After 2 weeks of gene transfer by IP injection, serum homocysteine level was significantly decreased in treated mice compared with the age-matched controls and the life span was extended about 1.5 times. Also, increased expression of CBS gene was observed by immunohistochemical staining in livers of treated $CBS^{-/-}$ mice and microvesicular lipid droplets was decreased in cytoplasm of liver. These results demonstrate the possibility and efficacy of gene therapy by AAV gene transfer in homocystinuria mice.