• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.306-312
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• 2001

We investigated the effect of physical exercise on the intakes and plasma levels of vitamin C and E in young male adults. The study population were divided into two groups: small-amount exercisers($\leq$ 30min/day, n=29) and moderate-amount exercisers(> 30min/day, n=32) according to their physical exercise habits measured by a questionnaire. Dietary intakes of vitamin C and E of the subjects were estimated by the 24 hour recall method. Plasma lipid profiles, vitamin C, $\alpha$-tocopherol and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol levels were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C of plasma between two groups. Plasma vitamin C and $\alpha$-tocopherol levels in moderate-amount exercisers were significantly higher than those in small-amount exercisers, although dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin E were not significantly different between two groups. However, plasma ${\gamma}$-tocopherol level of moderate-amount exercisers did not significantly differ from small-amount exercisers. There was a positive correlation between the amount of exercise and plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol level. These results suggest that moderate amount of exercise over 30 min per day would lead to a healthy life with an activated antioxidant defence system against oxidative stress.(Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 306~312, 2001)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.773-785
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• 2006

Vitamin E in the body system plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases by decreasing the oxidative stress by free-radicals. However, there are not enough researches on analyzing the primary factors affecting vitamin E levels in the blood in Korean adults. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine blood tocopherol levels and the primary factors affecting the status. A complete lifestyle survey was performed on 314 Korean adult men and surveyed their smoking, drinking and exercising habits. The average plasma level of ${\alpha}-\;and\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed similar mutual relations with plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), or low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p<0.001). Plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level of the subjects did not show any difference as smoking, drinking and exercising habits changed. However, ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ per TG showed much lower figure in smokers than non smokers (p < 0.05). Amongst diet factors, plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level showed negative correlations with Vitamin E intake, while ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level showed positive correlations with Vitamin E intake. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma tocopherol showed negative correlations, and catalase activity and plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ showed positive correlationship. The level of cell DNA damage of Iymphocyte and plasma ${\alpha}-\;or\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed negative correlations. As a result of this research, the factors that affect Korean adult men's plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and cell DNA damage in Iymphocyte, while the factors that affect ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and vitamin E intake based on multiple regression analysis. These findings implies that the level of different types of tocopherol depends on slightly different factors. A further research is needed on the factors involved in the differentiation of the types of tocopherol.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.192-198
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin and functions primarily as a lipid antioxidant. Inadequate vitamin E status may increase risk of several chronic diseases. Thus, the objectives of this study were to estimate intake and plasma concentration of each tocopherol and to evaluate vitamin E status of Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Three consecutive 24-h food recalls and fasting blood samples were collected from healthy 20- to 59-y-old adults (33 males and 73 females) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, South Korea. ${\alpha}$-, ${\beta}$-, ${\delta}$-, and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol intakes and plasma concentrations of tocopherols (${\alpha}$-, ${\delta}$-, and ${\gamma}$- tocopherol) were analyzed by gender. RESULTS: Dietary vitamin E and total vitamin E intake (dietary plus supplemental vitamin E) was $17.68{\pm}14.34$ and $19.55{\pm}15.78mg$ ${\alpha}$-tocopherol equivalents, respectively. The mean daily ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol intakes were $3.07{\pm}2.27mg$ and $5.98{\pm}3.74mg$, respectively. Intakes of total vitamin E and each tocopherol of males were significantly higher than those of females (P < 0.05). Plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentration was $15.45{\pm}10.16$ of males and $15.00{\pm}4.54{\mu}mol/L$ of females, respectively. There were no significant differences in plasma tocopherol concentrations by gender ($P{\geq}0.05$). Plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was negatively correlated with ${\gamma}$-tocopherol intake (P < 0.05). Twenty-three percent of the subjects had plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentrations < $12{\mu}mol/L$ indicating a biochemical deficiency of vitamin E. Approximately 8% and 9% of these participants had plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol:total lipid ratio less than $1.59{\mu}mol/mmol$ and plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol:total cholesterol ratio less than $2.22{\mu}mol/mmol$, respectively, which are also indicative of vitamin E deficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin E intakes of Korean adults were generally adequate with the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes for vitamin E. However, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol intake was lower than that reported in other countries, and 23% of the subjects in the current study were vitamin E deficient based on plasma ${\alpha}$-tocopherol concentrations.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.401-408
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• 2001

The spontaneous frequency of genetic damage and the possible relationship of this damage to total radical-trapping antioxidant potential(TRAP) and antioxidant vitamins, including plasma levels of $\alpha$-carotene, $\beta$-carotene, cryptoxanthin, retinol, $\alpha$-tocopherol and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol in humans were investigated in 57 subjects using two indices of genetic damage, SCE & HFC frequency. The mean of SCE and HFC frequencies were weakly correlated with plasma TRAP(r=-0.305, p<0.1 for SCEs: r=-0.297, p<0.1 for HFCs, respectively), but those were strongly negatively correlated with plasma $\beta$-carotence(r=-0.385, p<0.01 for SCEs : r=-0.392, p<0.01 for HFCs) and cryptoxanthin(r=-0.312, p<0.05 for SCEs : r=0.335, p<0.05 for HFCs, respectively) levels in the subjects. However, those DNA damage markers including SCE and HFC did not correlate with either plasma $\alpha$-carotene, $\alpha$-tocopherol or retinol concentrations. The mean of SCE and HFC frequencies were positively correlated with plasma ${\gamma}$-tocopherol level(r=0.421, p<0.01 for SCEs : r=0.399, p<0.01 for HFCs, respectively). These findings indicate that increased cytogenetic DNA changes, as determined by SCE and HFC frequencies are possibly associated with generation of free radicals in lymphocytes and decreased plasma antioxidant vitamin($\beta$-carotene and cryptoxanthin) status in the subjects. (Korean J Nutrition 34(4) : 401~08, 2001)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.708-718
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• 2007

The purpose of this project was to evaluate whether vitamin E supplementation could improve the antioxidant status and lymphocyte DNA damage in Korean postmenopausal women. This was double blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-five subject were randomized to receive either placebo 400 mg/capsule or natural $\alpha$-tocopherol 400 IU/capsule, 2 times a day for 6 weeks. We measured plasma vitamin C, $\alpha$-tocopherol, $\gamma$-tocopherol, $\alpha$-carotenoid, $\beta$-carotenoid, lycopene concentration and tail length, %DNA in tail, tail moment in lymphocyte DNA damage index. Vitamin E supplementation group had significantly increased plasma vitamin C(p<0.05), $\alpha$-tocopherol(p<0.000), whereas $\gamma$-tocopherol(p<0.000) and tail length(p<0.05) were significantly decreased. However, placebo supplementation group also had significantly increased plasma vitamin C(p<0.05). In conclusion, our study shows that vitamin E supplementation to Korean postmenopausal women may partially improve antioxidant status and lymphocyte DNA damage.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.158-166
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• 2000

The effects of smoking and physical exercise on the plasma concentrations of lipid-soluble antioxidants were investigated in 62 healthy males, aged 34-65 years. Current smokers (n=21) and ex-smokers(n=16) had significantly lower plasma levels of carotenoids ($\alpha$-carotene, $\beta$-carotene, cryptoxanthin and lycopene), $\alpha$-tocopherol and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol than non-smokers (n=25). Plasma concentrations of retionl and ubiquinone (coenzyme Q10) were lower among ex-smokers and current smokers than among non-smokers, but the differences were not statistically significant. Regular physical exercise was associated with increased plasma levels of lipid-soluble antioxidants. Plasma concentrations of crytoxanthin, retinol and ubiquinone were significantly elevated in the group engaging in moderate amounts of exercise (more than 20 minutes per day) compared to the group engaging in small amounts of exercise (less than 10 minutes per day). Plasma $\alpha$-carotene, $\beta$-carotene, lycopene levels in the subjects were affected more by smoking than by exercise. However, plasma levels of cryptoxanthin, retinol and ubiquinone in the subjects were affected more by exercise than by smoking. These findings suggest than smoking may cause a decrease in plasma lipid-soluble antioxidants during neutralization of reactive oxygen species present in cigarette smoke and that poor exercise habits may accelerate this imbalance of oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis in middle-aged Korean men.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.135-140
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• 2008

Cigarette smoke (CS) induces oxidative and nitrosative stress to the respiratory tract (RT) via both oxidants contained in CS and by CS-induced activation of RT inflammatory-immune pro-oxidant processes. CS exposure has been associated with reduced levels of plasma micronutrient antioxidants, in part due to an increased utilization and turnover of alpha-tocopherol (AT). It has been suggested that gamma-tocopherol (GT) may have an expanded spectrum of antioxidant activation compared to alpha-tocopherol (AT). In order to investigate effects of high GT supplementation as compared to AT, C57 BL/6 mice were fed control AT (35 mg/kg diet) or high GT (1,000 mg/kg diet) diet for 8-10 weeks and then exposed to 60 $mg/m^3$ CS, 6 hr/day for 3 days. AT and GT levels and their metabolites were measured at endpoints. High GT supplementation significantly reduced AT levels in plasma, liver and lung compared to AT. CS increased levels of AT and GT in plasma and lung of control AT group but decreased GT levels in lung of high GT supplemented group. Moreover, CS significantly decreased GT metabolite, gamma-CEHC. The results suggest that high GT supplementation have selective modulation of concentrations of vitamin E and its metabolite in plasma and lung but not in liver against in vivo CS exposure.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.933-941
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• 2003

It has been suggested that green juice supplementation may have some health promoting benefits. We evaluated the effects of green juice (Angelica keiskei) consumption on parameters of lipid profiles and plasma antioxidant status in healthy male smokers. Fifty-four smokers were supplemented with 300 ml of green juice for 6 weeks while maintaining their normal diet. Blood samples were collected on week 0 and week 6 in order to evaluate plasma lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol) , plasma antioxidant vitamin levels (ascorbic acid, $\alpha$ -tocopherol, ${\gamma}$ -tocopherol, $\alpha$ -carotene, $\beta$ -carotene, cryptoxanthin and lycopene) , the degree of LDL oxidation and GOT, GPT levels for liver function. Plasma ascorbic acid level remained at the same level. However, $\alpha$ -tocopherol and ${\gamma}$ -tocopherol normalized by total cholesterol (p <0.05) and $\beta$ -carotene (p <0.001) level were all significantly increased after green juice supplementation. Plasma cholesterol was reduced for 12%, LDL-cholesterol was reduced for 9.3% after green juice consumption, while plasma triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol was not changed. Oxidized LDL assessed by conjugated diene (CD) , was decreased (p < 0.0001) after green juice consumption. These results further support a role for green juice supplementation in the improvement of lipid status, prevention of lipid peroxidation, and thereby reducing risk factors of numerous diseases associated with elevated oxidative stress in smokers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.443-452
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• 2010

Elevated plasma concentration of total homocysteine (ptHcy) is known as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and oxidative stress is also commonly implicated in CVD. An association between ptHcy and oxidative stress has recently been suggested. The study objective is to examine the relationship between ptHcy and oxidative stress markers in 103 healthy college students (62 males and 41 females). Plasma levels of ptHcy, oxidative stress markers (conjugated diene, erythrocyte catalase, TRAP, lymphocyte DNA damage), antioxidant vitamins ($\alpha$-tocopherol, $\gamma$-tocopherol, carotenoids), and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol) were determined. The results show that the concentration of ptHcy was significantly higher in male subjects ($22.17\;{\pm}\;2.14\;{\mu}mole/L$) than in female subjects ($12.28\;{\pm}\;0.45\;{\mu}mole/L$). There was a negative association between ptHcy and plasma ${\beta}$-carotene in male subjects (p $lt; 0.05), but no correlation between ptHcy and other plasma antioxidant vitamin levels in either gender. However, there were the negative correlations between ptHcy and plasma ${\alpha}$-carotene or ${\beta}$-carotene, and a positive correlation between ptHcy and lymphocyte DNA damage. A significantly low level of ${\alpha}$-carotene or ${\beta}$-carotene was found in male subjects with elevated ptHcy (${\geq}\;15\;{\mu}mol/L$), as compared to those with lower plasma homocysteine. These study results confirmed the views on the association between plasma homocysteine and oxidative stress markers in humans and support the hypothesis that homocysteine promotes the oxidative environment by counteracting the antioxidant defense mechanism.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.16-28
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• 2011

Oxidative stress leads to the induction of cellular oxidative damage, which may cause adverse modifications of DNA, proteins, and lipids. The production of reactive species during oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of many diseases. Antioxidant defenses can neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect against oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant status and the degree of DNA damage in Korean young adults using glutathione s-transferase (GST) polymorphisms. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were characterized in 245 healthy young adults by smoking status, and their oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes and antioxidant status were assessed by GST genotype. General characteristics were investigated by simple questionnaire. From the blood of the subjects, GST genotypes; degree of DNA damage in lymphocytes; the erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; plasma concentrations of total peroxyl radical-trapping potential (TRAP), vitamin C, ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol, ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-carotene and cryptoxanthin, as well as plasma lipid profiles, conjugated diene (CD), GOT, and GPT were analyzed. Of the 245 subjects studied, 23.2% were GSTM1 wild genotypes and 33.4% were GSTT1 wild genotype. No difference in erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase, and the plasma TRAP level, CD, GOT, and GPT levels were observed between smokers and non-smokers categorized by GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype. Plasma levels of ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol increased significantly in smokers with the GSTT1 wild genotype (p < 0.05); however, plasma level of ${\alpha}$-carotene decreased significantly in non-smokers with the GSTM1 wild genotype (p < 0.05). DNA damage assessed by the Comet assay was significantly higher in non-smokers with the GSTM1 genotype; whereas DNA damage was significantly lower in non-smokers with the GSTT1 genotype. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in non-smokers with the GSTT1 genotype than those with the GSTT1 wild genotype (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the GSTM1 genotype or the GSTT1 wild genotype in non-smokers aggravated their antioxidant status through DNA damage of lymphocytes; however, the GSTT1 wild type in non-smokers had normal plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. This finding confirms that GST polymorphisms could be an important determinant of antioxidant status and plasma lipid profiles in non-smoking young adults. Further study is necessary to clarify the antioxidant status and/or lipid profiles of smokers with the GST polymorphism and to conduct a study with significantly more subjects.