• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.726-733
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effect of iron supplementation on the iron nutritional status and anemia of high school girls in Korea. One hundred thirty-five female students residing in Ulian metropolitan city in Korea diagnosed as having anemia or iron deficiency participated in this study. One or two tablets of iron medicine(80-160 mg Fe as ferrous sulfate/day) were administered to all participants for 3 months. Subjects were evaluated with a questionaire, measurement of hematological indices before and after iron supplementation. The average height and weight of respondents were 161.62 $\pm$ 4.68 cm and 53.87 $\pm$ 6.10 kg, respectively. Daily intakes of energy were 1597.8 $\pm$ 302.35 kcal(76.0% RDA). Iron intakes were 13.72 $\pm$ 4.17 mg (76.3% of RDA) and calcium intakes were 580.74 $\pm$ 177.21(72.5% of RDA) before iron supp]ementation. At baseline, 63% of all participants had depleted store(serum ferritin 12 ug/ml and/or transferrin saturation(TS) < 14%). After iron supplementation, this proportion declined to 19.3%. 55.6% of subjects had 12 ug/m1 of basal ferritin concentration before iron supplementation, and this proportion declined to 16.3% after iron supplementation. The basal hemoglobin(Hb) concentrations were 12.13 $\pm$ 1.01 g/dl and they increased to 12.79 $\pm$ 0.81 g/dl, which showed significant difference artier iron supplementation(p < 0.001). The basal ferritin and TS(%) were 13.24 $\pm$ 11.66 ng/ml, 18.42 $\pm$ 10.12% and they significantly increased to 32.95 $\pm$ 21.14 ng/ml, 33.53 $\pm$ 16.64%, respectively(p < 0.001). The basal total iron binding protein(TIBC) were 467.81 $\pm$ 97.24 ug/dl and they significantly decreased to 325.05 $\pm$ 48.89 ug/dl(p < 0.001) after iron supplementation. The number of tablets administered was positively correlated with serum iron(t = 0.553, p < 0.01), serum ferritin(t = 0.557, p < 0.01), TS(%)(t = 0.588, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with TIBC(t= -0.409, p <0.01). The anemia symptoms such as ‘Shortening of breath when going upstairs(p < 0.01)’, ‘Tired out easily(p < 0.01)’, ‘Feeling blue(p < 0.001)’, ‘Decreased ability to concentrate(p < 0.01)’, and ‘Poor memory(p < 0.001)’improved significantly after iron supplementation. In this study, daily iron supplementations were efficacious in improving the iron status and anemic symptoms of female high school students. Regular check-ups and nutrition education for adolescents are necessary because of their vulnerability to iron deficiency. Further studies are needed to determine the minimum effective dose of iron and to examine the adverse effect of long-term iron supplementation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.223-228
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between iron deficiency without anemia and physical performance in healthy women aged 20-21 yrs. Ten subjects with normal iron stores (serum ferritin $\geq$ 12$\mu\textrm{g}$/L: iron-sufficient group) and 11 subjects with iron depletion without anemia (serum ferritin < 12 $\mu\textrm{g}$/L and serum hemoglobin > 120 g/L: iron-depleted group) were chosen from a group of 50 women and were given physical-performance tests, including determinations of maximum oxygen consumption (VO$_2$ max) and ventilatory threshold. Iron status assessment included determination of hemoglobin, hematocrit, seam ferritin, total iron-binding rapacity, serum iron and transferrin saturation values. Dietary iron intake was assessed based on seven-day food intake records written by the subjects. Physical activity level was estimated by frequency questionnaires and two-week physical activity records were compiled daily by the subjects. Blood ferritin concentration was significantly lower in the iron-depleted group than in the iron-sufficient group (p < 0.05). However, other variables showing iron status was not different between the groups. There were no significant differences in body size, body composition and physical activity levels between the groups. Daily dietary iron, total protein and animal protein intakes of the iron-sufficient group were significantly higher than those of the iron depleted group. However, no differences were found in the amount of dietary vitamin C and fiber between the groups. The values for VO$_2$max and VO$_2$max corrected with weight or fat-free mass were not different between the groups. However, the ventilatory threshold was significantly higher in the iron sufficient group than in the iron-depleted group. The lower ventilatory threshold in the iron-depleted group suggests that iron depletion without anemia could diminish aerobic physical performance in young women. In addition, a significant correlation of physical performance to serum fferritin level was shown only in the iron depleted group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.191-199
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• 1998

This paper has studied the nutritional iron status of adults in the city of Taegu. The subjects of the experiment were twenty six men and women living in the city of Taegu. The iron intake was 26.1mg for men and 17.1mg for women, which were respectively 217.5% and 95% of RDA. For men heme iron was 5% and nonheme iron, 95% for women heme iron was 5.8% and nonheme iron, 94.2%. The absorption rate of dietary iron was 6.2% for men and 9.1% for women. The hemoglobin was 14.5g/dl for men and 11.9g/dl for women, and the rate of developing anemia was 8.3% in men and 57.1% in women. The serum ferritin was 57.8ng/ml with men, which was found to be normal, and 14.7ng/ml with women, which showed that 57.1% of women were in the condition of iron depletion or iron deficiency anemia. The rate of developing anemia resulting from the deficiency of serum ferritin was as high as that from the deficiency of hemoglobin. The correlation between iron intake based on the dietary record, and energy intake, vegetable protein intake and dietary fiber intake was found to be positive. So was the correlation between the iron intake, and hemoglobin, serum ferritin and urinary iron excretion. There was also a positive correlation between hemoglobin, and hematocrit and serum ferritin. The correlation between fecal iron excretion and serum ferritin was positive. Fecal iron excretion and urinary iron excretion can be complemented by iron intake but the fact should be considered that 95% of iron intake is nonheme iron, which is difficult to absorb. Based on the above-mentioned things, serum ferritin and hemoglobin can be used as the standards of measuring anemia. As women in their child bearing years show the high rate of 57.1% of developing anemia, the more thorough nutritional education of iron is required.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.71-76
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between nutritional status of iron and bone minernl density in premenopausal women. In the study, we classified the subjects into osteopenia (-2.5-I, n=29) groups according to their lumbar spine bone mineral density. Anthropometric measurements, dietary intake analysis and blood biochemistry measurements were performed on the subjects. The average ages of those in the osteopenia and normal groups were 22.2 yrs and 23.0 yrs, respectively, with no significant difference. The average body mass index (p<0.05) of those in the osteopenia group (19.6) was significantly lower than that of the normal group (21.3). The mean protein intake of those in the osteopenia group was significantly lower than that (p<0.05) the subjects in the normal group. The osteopenia group consumed a significantly lower amount of iron (p<0.05) and non-heme iron (p<0.05) compared to the normal group. The intakes of total food, vegetables and milk of those in the osteopenia group were significantly lower than those of the subjects in the normal group. The serum ferritin (p<0.001) level of those in the osteopenia group was significantly lower than those of the subjects in the normal group. In conclusion, a balance of iron status may be helpful in the prevention of bone mass loss in premenopausal young women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.307-313
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• 2001

Iron excess is known to affect long-term iron accumulation and tissue change such as fibrosis in liver. To determine the changes of expression level of genes associated with fibrosis by short-term iron exposure, we measured liver mRNA levels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in rats fed dietary carbonyl iron (3%, wt/wt) for 9 weeks. The results showed that the expression of the collagen (I, III) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-$\beta$I mRNAs was enhanced in high-dose iron treated rat, compared to normal-dose iron treated rat. An electron microscopy study revealed that excess iron caused increase of collagen fibrils in liver. The cell shapes and compositions of hepatocytes and extracellular matrix(ECM) in liver were changed by the iron-treatment. Also, necrosised hepatocytes were broadly seen in ECM. Taken together, we suggest that iron overload affects changes of collagen and TGF-$\beta$I gene expression and these changes are associated with liver fibrogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.565-573
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• 1998

Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women has been of great concern because of its negative effects on the outcomes of pregnancy. Much of evidence has shown that there are associations between pregnancy outcomes and maternal iron status. Maternal iron status might affect pregnancy outcomes through the iron status of the cord blood. In this study, we divided 91 subjects into two groups : the anemic and the normal groups. The groups were classified according to their hemoglobin(Hb) and hematocrit(Hct) values of the maternal blood in the third trimester of the pregnancies. We determined the parameters for the iron status of the cord blood and then analyzed the correlations between these parameters and the pregnancy outcomes. Mothers in the anemic group had a significantly higher parity number and a lower dietary score as well as a shorter duration of iron supplements consumed compared to those in the normal group. Maternal Hb values in the third trimester had positive correlations with the infant's head and chest circumferences, and the Hct values related positively to the infant's chest circumferences. On the other hand, Hb concentrations of the cord blood had positive correlations with the infant's height and head and chest circumferences. The Hct values of the cord blood had positive correlations with gestational periods and the cord lengths. These results suggest that the maternal iron status might influence fetal development through the iron status of the cord blood.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.495-506
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• 2001

This study was conducted to investigate the nutrient intake, dietary and weight control behaviors and iron deficiency of adolescent girls. The subjects were 216 female middle school students living in urban and rural areas of Inchon. Thin cross- sectional study was conducted by questionnaires and data were analyze by SAS program. Nutrient intakes collected from 3 day-recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program(CAN-pro). The mean height, weight. BMI and obesity index for the subjects were 158.2 cm, 51.1kg, 20.4 and -5.3 % in urban students and 155.9 cm, 49.3 kg 21.1 and -8.2% in rural students, respectively. Easting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for iron nutritional status. The mean obesity index of the urban students was higher than that of the rural students. The proportion of the overweight group was higher in urban students compared to rural students, However, over 10% of both area students belonged to the low weight group, respectively. Most students of both areas skipped breakfast and the main reason was on appetite and lack of time. Urban students were more concerned with body image. The nutrients which showed a lower mean intake as percentile of RDA were Ca, iron, vit A an Vit B$_2$ and most nutrient intakes of urban students were significantly higher compared to those of rural students. These results indicate that nutrient intakes in the female middle school students were considerably lower than the RDA. Also they had undesirable food habits and lower self-satisfaction with their body image, There were significant differences in the mean MCV, TIBC and serum ferritin between urban and rural area subjects. Mean Hb, Hct, MCH, MCHC and TS, bowaver, were not significantly different. Prevalence of iron deficiency greatly varied by indices from urban(11.5%) and rural (8.7%) when judged by Hb to urban(23.1) and rural (23.3%) by serum ferrition. Therefore, proper nutrition education is required for good nutrition desirable food habits, weight control, and guidance for iron deficiency in anemic female of adolescents.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.475-486
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• 2005

This study was intended to investigate the nutritional status between lactating and non- lactating women, especially calcium and iron. The subjects were 84 lactating women and 20 non-lactating women visiting a public health center and hospital in Daegu. Each subject was interviewed to collect the information on dietary intake for 2 consecutive days. Biochemical assessment of iron status and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement were conducted. Dietary intake of carbohydrate, potassium, Vit $B_1,\;B_2$, Vit C were significantly higher in women during lactating period (p<0.05). However, relative intake as expressed by percentage of Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) was not significantly different between the two groups. The dietary intake of iron and calcium were 58.8%, 60.4% of Korean RDA respectively in women during lactating period. The current food habit score of these women was significantly higher than that of non-lactating women (p<0.05). When we compared the quality of nutritional status, the Index of nutritional quality (INQ) was significantly higher for vitamin $B_2$, P in lactating women than in non-lactating women (p<0.1). Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was not significantly different between two groups. Dietary variety score (DVS) was significantly higher in women during the lactating period (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in biomarkers (Hb, Hct, Serum ferritin, Transferrin) related to iron status between the two groups. No significant difference in bone mineral density (BMD) T-score was not observed. However, it appeared that BMD of lactating women was lower than that of non-lactating women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.750-755
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• 2005

Hepcidin, a peptide hormone synthesized mainly by the liver, has been implicated as a key regulator of iron homeostasis. Results from studies with experimental animal models suggested that hepcidin levels are related with body iron status, but little data is available in human subjects. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin levels, blood indexes of anemia, and dietary iron intake in female college students. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in eighty-two women with $22.1\pm0.2$ years old. Dietary intake data were collected by using the 24-hour recall method for 3 days. Mean concentrations of serum pro-hepcidin were 85.1 ng/ml$\pm$6.1(s.d.) with the range of 13.6-295.7 ng/ml. The median value of serum pro-hepcidin in the study subjects was 70.3 ng/ml. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were positively correlated with hemoglobin concentrations (r=0.273, p=0.013), and also with hematocrit (r=0.291, p=0.008). To examine whether the level of dietary iron intake affects serum pro-hepcidin levels, study subjects were divided into two groups according to the amounts of daily iron intake. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were $22\%$ lower in groups with low iron intake (${\leq}10.1$ mg/day), compared to high-iron intake group (>10.1 mg/day) . In conclusion, these data, as in agreement with findings in mice, suggest that hepcidin plays an important role in regulating iron metabolism in the human body.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1188-1194
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• 1997

The aim of this was to investigate whether the regular consumption of kimchi influences the iron status (RBC , Hb, Ht, MCH, MCV, MCHC, transferrin , serum iron, and ferritin) in volunteers. Healthy male adults(n=12) took part in the study subdivided into the control Ⅰ-phase(for 2weeks), kimchi-phase (for 4 weeks), and control Ⅱ-phase(for 2 weeks). In addition to their normal diet, participant consumed 300g of lactic acid fermented Chinese cabbage kimchi daily for four weeks. In the control Ⅰ and control Ⅱ phases, the participants kept up their normal diets without consuming any fermented foods. Dietary intakes were recorded for 3 consecutive days in each phase, with the aid of household measures. Every two weeks. blood specimens were analysed. Significant differences(p<0.05) between the phases were found in MCHC, and transferrin in blood were not significantly changed during kimchi consumption. However, serum iron and ferritin levels were significantly increased(p<0.05) during kimchi consumption, achieving the highest levels in the fourth week of the kimchi components(ascrobic acid, sulfer compound, organic acid, capsaicin, gingerol , allicin). Because of lacticacid fermented kimchi's potential to prevent anemia , the consumption of this food can be recommended.