• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.301-307
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• 2011

To evaluate the difference in expressing pharmacological effects of ginseng by intestinal microflora between Koreans, metabolic activities of ginseng, ginsenoside $Rb_1$ and $Rg_1$ by 100 fecal specimens were measured. The ${\beta}$-glucosidase activity for p-nitrophenyl-${\beta}$-D-glucopyranoside was 0 to 0.42 mmol/min/mg and its average activity (mean${\pm}$SD) was $0.10{\pm}0.07$ mmol/min/mg. The metabolic activities of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 were 0.01 to 0.42 and 0.01 to 0.38 pmol/min/mg, respectively. Their average activities were $0.25{\pm}0.08$ and $0.15{\pm}0.09$ pmol/min/mg, respectively. The compound K-forming activities from ginsenoside Rb1 and ginseng extract were 0 to 0.11 and 0 to 0.02 pmol/min/mg, respectively. Their average compound K-forming activities were $0.24{\pm}0.09$ pmol/min/ mg and $2.14{\pm}3.66$ fmol/min/mg, respectively. These activities all were not different between males and females, or between ages. Although compound K-forming activity from the aqueous extract of ginseng was low compared to that from ginenoside $Rb_1$, their profiles were similar to those of isolated compounds. Based on these findings, we believe that the intestinal bacterial metabolic activities of ginseng components are variable in individuals and may be used as selection markers for responders to ginseng.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2022

The development of selective targeting of drug molecules towards the mitochondria is an important issue related to therapy efficacy. In this study, we report that gallic acid (GA)-mitochondria targeting sequence (MTS)-H₃R₉ exhibits a dual role as a mitochondria-targeting vehicle with antioxidant activity for disease therapy. In viability assays, GA-MTS-H₃R₉ showed a better rescue action compared to that of MTS-H₃R₉. GA-MTS-H₃R₉ dramatically exhibited cell penetration and intercellular uptake compared to MTS and fit escape from lysosome release to the cytosol. We demonstrated the useful targeting of GA-MTS-H₃R₉ towards mitochondria in AC16 cells. Also, we observed that the antioxidant properties of mitochondrial-accrued GA-MTS-H₃R₉ alleviated cell damage by reactive oxygen species production and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential. GA-MTS-H₃R₉ showed a very increased cytoprotective effect against anticancer activity compared to that of MTS-H₃R₉. We showed that GA-MTS-H₃R₉ can act as a vehicle for mitochondria-targeting and as a reagent for therapeutic applications intended for cardiovascular disease treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1351-1360
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• 2023

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are compounds that disturb hormonal homeostasis by binding to receptors. EDCs are metabolized through hepatic enzymes, causing altered transcriptional activities of hormone receptors, and thus necessitating the exploration of the potential endocrine-disrupting activities of EDC-derived metabolites. Accordingly, we have developed an integrative workflow for evaluating the post-metabolic activity of potential hazardous compounds. The system facilitates the identification of metabolites that exert hormonal disruption through the integrative application of an MS/MS similarity network and predictive biotransformation based on known hepatic enzymatic reactions. As proof-of-concept, the transcriptional activities of 13 chemicals were evaluated by applying the in vitro metabolic module (S9 fraction). Identified among the tested chemicals were three thyroid hormone receptor (THR) agonistic compounds that showed increased transcriptional activities after phase I+II reactions (T3, 309.1 ± 17.3%; DITPA, 30.7 ± 1.8%; GC-1, 160.6 ± 8.6% to the corresponding parents). The metabolic profiles of these three compounds showed common biotransformation patterns, particularly in the phase II reactions (glucuronide conjugation, sulfation, GSH conjugation, and amino acid conjugation). Data-dependent exploration based on molecular network analysis of T3 profiles revealed that lipids and lipid-like molecules were the most enriched biotransformants. The subsequent subnetwork analysis proposed 14 additional features, including T4 in addition to 9 metabolized compounds that were annotated by prediction system based on possible hepatic enzymatic reaction. The other 10 THR agonistic negative compounds showed unique biotransformation patterns according to structural commonality, which corresponded to previous in vivo studies. Our evaluation system demonstrated highly predictive and accurate performance in determining the potential thyroid-disrupting activity of EDC-derived metabolites and for proposing novel biotransformants.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.98-104
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• 2012

Objectives: A positive association between serum albumin levels and metabolic syndrome has been reported in observation studies, but it has not been established in the Korean population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between serum albumin levels and the presence of metabolic syndrome among a sample of apparently healthy Korean adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data of 3189 community-dwelling people (1189 men and 2000 women) who were aged 40 to 87 years and were living in a rural area in Korea. Serum albumin levels were classified into quartile groups for each sex. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines with an adjusted waist circumference cut-off value ${\geq}90\;cm$ for men and${\geq}85\;cm$ for women). An independent association between serum albumin levels and metabolic syndrome was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Higher serum albumin levels were associated with increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome for the highest versus the lowest serum albumin quartiles was 2.81 (1.91 to 4.14) in men and 1.96 (1.52 to 2.52) in women, after adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. When each metabolic abnormality was analyzed separately, higher serum albumin levels were significantly associated with hypertriglyceridemia and hyperglycemia in both sexes, and with abdominal obesity in men. Conclusions: These results suggest that higher serum albumin levels are positively associated with an increased risk of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.166-172
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity and alcohol drinking are associated with metabolic syndrome. However, few studies show the relationship between alcohol drinking and metabolic syndrome according to varying degrees of obesity. This study aimed to determine the association between alcohol drinking and metabolic syndrome in obese and non-obese Korean male adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 5,867 males aged ${\geq}20$ years who were examined at the Soonchunhyang University health promotion center during June 2008-December 2010. The subjects were divided into non-obese (body mass index [BMI] < $25kg/m^2$) and obese (BMI ${\geq}25kg/m^2$) groups and further divided according to weekly alcohol consumption into nondrinking (0 drinks/week), moderate drinking (${\leq}14$ drinks/week), and heavy drinking (> 14 drinks/week) groups. The subjects were also categorized into binge drinking and non-binge drinking groups. To obtain odds ratios (ORs) for metabolic syndrome, binary logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The overall metabolic syndrome prevalence was 27.3% (12.8%, non-obese group; 50.4%, obese group). After adjusting for age, physical activity, and smoking, in the non-obese group, the OR for heavy drinking with binge drinking (reference: nondrinking) was 1.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-2.18), with a significant increase in metabolic syndrome prevalence. In the obese group, the OR for heavy drinking with binge drinking was 1.42 (95% CI = 1.07-1.88), showing a significant increase in metabolic syndrome prevalence (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In both non-obese and obese Korean males, heavy drinking with binge drinking was associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome. Thus, both non-obese and obese males should restrict their alcohol intake and not indulge in binge drinking.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.192-202
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• 2003

The wrinkles correspond to the most obvious expression of skin ageing and are manifested by changes on the organization and dermal structure. In the extracellular matrix, decreased quantities of collagens and glycosaminoglycans as well as a deterioration of the fibrillary network is noted, result in a reduction of dermal thickness. In addition, the activity of the collagenases increases in contrast to the synthesis of collagen fibers. Nor are cells spared during the aging process. We thus studied and compared the contractile capacity as well as the synthesis capacity of normal human fibroblasts and human fibroblasts obtained from biopsies of forehead wrinkles. The capacity of the fibroblasts to be adhered to the collagen network and to maintain a three-dimensional structure of dermis was studied on a model of equivalent dermis. The metabolic activity was studied by evaluating the capacities of synthesis of collagen I, main component of dermis. Human fibroblasts resulting from the forehead wrinkle contract less the gel of collagen than the normal human fibroblasts and present an activity of biosynthesis of collagen I less important than normal human fibroblasts. These results show that fibroblasts with aging present a deceleration of their metabolic activity and lose their capacity of adhesion to collagen fibers thus limiting the possibility of organizing the dermal tissue. We investigated the potential of an active ingredient able to compensate for the reduction of the metabolic activity and to restore the contractile capacity of fibroblasts obtained from forehead wrinkles. This effect was compared with a reference molecule: the vitamin C.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.625-641
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• 1999

Aging occurs as a part of maturation as the time progresses which manifests in the human body causing morphological and functional degeneration, eventually leading to death. This experimental study was conducted to investigate a herbal formula to fortify the heart with easy clinical applications. Sungshimsan was chosen to study its effects in heart lipid peroxide and metabolic enzyme system in senescence induced rats. After pre-treatment of Sungshimsan for 2 weeks at the dosage of A (100mg/kg), B (250mg/kg), C (350mg/kg), and D (500mg/kg), a lipid peroxide and metabolic enzyme system changes of the heart were meaured in 32 weeks old rats. The following results were obtained in this study: 1. The contents of lipid peroxide was significantly reduced in the experimental groups treated with greater than 2 weeks at 250mg/kg. 2. The enzymatic activity of cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b5, and NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase were significantly decreased in the 250mg/kg, 350mg/kg, and 500mg/kg experimental groups. 3. The activity of glutathione and glutathione S-transferase were significantly increased in the 250mg/kg, 350mg/kg, and 500mg/kg experimental groups. 4. The activity of glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase were not influenced compared to the control group. 5. The activity of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcystein synthetase was significantly increased in the 250mg/kg, 350mg/kg, and 500mg/kg experimental groups. 6. The activity of enzymes detoxificatioon superoxide dismutase and catalase were not influenced compared to the control group. Summarizing above results suggest that the Sungshimsan has profound effects in the heart lipid peroxide, free radicals, and delaying the heart aging process. Further clinical researches and application can be anticipated on the topic of senility and gerontology.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.67-77
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components and to examine the related factors in urban and rural community, South Korea. Methods: The data from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-V) conducted in 2010 were utilized in this study. The subjects were 5,760 adults 20 years or over. The data were consisted with health survey questionnaire and health examination. $x^2$-test and logistic regression was used for the analysis SAS 9.3 applying sampling weights. Results: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome based on the latest definition proposed the joint scientific meeting was 23.4% and 29.0% respectively in urban and rural community. Rural community showed higher prevalence of abdominal obesity (29.9% vs 38.5%), elevated blood pressure (31.3% vs 38.5%), elevated blood glucose (24.3% vs 28.4%) than urban community. The related factors were age, marital status, high risk drinking, obesity in urban community and age, marital status high risk drinking, severe physical activity, obesity in rural community. Conclusion: This study showed there was difference in prevalence and the related factors of metabolic syndrome and these findings have important implications to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome in public health field.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.95-105
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• 2003

The obesity is the matter of the energy balance in essential. The energy balance in human body is energy expenditure subtracted from energy intake. The energy intake is mainly supplied by carbohydrates, proteins and lipids in food, and the energy expenditure is composed of basal metabolic rate or resting energy expenditure, physical activity and thermogenesis including diet-induced thermogenesis. The resting energy expenditure is measured by direct calorimetry and indirect calorimetry. Generally we can simply use predictive equation with the variables of weight, height, age and fat-free mass to yield metabolic rate. But there is discrepancy between the estimate and real metabolic rate because the equations can not reflect individuality and environments. The resting energy expenditure is influenced by many factors but the fundamental factor is fat-free mass. We briefly reviewed the concept and evaluation of the energy balance, intake and expenditure, which are important parts in the study of obesity. Finally, we surveyed the correlation between metabolic rate and obesity and suggested applicable herb medication to increase metabolic rate.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.264-270
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• 2018

Cells cope with diverse intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli in order to make adaptations for survival. The epigenetic landscape plays a crucial role in cellular adaptation, as it integrates the information generated from stimuli. Signaling pathways induced by stimuli communicate with chromatin to change the epigenetic landscape through regulation of epigenetic modifiers. Metabolic dynamics altered by these stimuli also affect the activity of epigenetic modifiers. Here, I review the current understanding of epigenetic regulation via signaling and metabolic pathways. In addition, I will discuss possible ways to achieve specificity of epigenetic modifications through the cooperation of stimuli-induced signal transduction and metabolic reprogramming.