• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.10
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• pp.881-887
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• 2004

Elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease. Exercise is generally believed to reduce the plasma homocysteine levels and therefore, being beneficial for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is a possibility that athletes undergoing strenuous training and competition which increase oxidative stress may suffer from increased plasma homocysteine levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of endurance training on the plasma concentrations of B vitamins and homocysteine in 23 male adolescent field hockey players. Data collection and blood sampling was performed during the training period and non-training period. Following the training period, significant changes in energy and vitamin B6 intakes were observed in these subjects. Plasma vitamin B2, pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) and homocysteine levels were significantly higher during the training period than non-training period, whereas no difference was observed in plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels. Positive correlation was observed between plasma folate and folic acid intakes. When energy, B vitamin intakes were adjusted there was a significant negative correlation between plasma homocysteine levels and plasma riboflavin, folate and vitamin B12 levels. In conclusion, it is suggested that athletes with oxidative stress by strenuous exercise may need B vitamins since riboflavin, folic acid and vitamin Bl2 were shown to be negatively correlated with plasma homocysteine in athletes during the training period.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.209-214
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• 2017

Background: Both ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins are widely used as nutritional supplements. They are often taken together so as to fully utilize their antifatigue and refreshing effects, respectively. Whether actually a drug-nutrient interaction exists between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins is still unknown. The objective of this study was to simultaneously investigate the effect of B-complex vitamins on the antifatigue activity and bioavailability of ginsenoside Re after their oral administration. The study results will provide valuable theoretical guidance for the combined utilization of ginseng and B-complex vitamins. Methods: Ginsenoside Re with or without B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice to evaluate its antifatigue effects and to rats to evaluate its bioavailability. The antifatigue activity was evaluated by the weight-loaded swimming test and biochemical parameters, including hepatic glycogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and blood lactic acid. The concentration of ginsenoside Re in plasma was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results: No antifatigue effect of ginsenoside Re was noted when ginsenoside Re in combination with B-complex vitamins was orally administered to mice. B-complex vitamins caused to a reduction in the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re with the area under the concentration-time curve from zero to infinity markedly decreasing from $11,830.85{\pm}2,366.47h{\cdot}ng/mL$ to $890.55{\pm}372.94h{\cdot}ng/mL$. Conclusion: The results suggested that there were pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic drug-nutrient interactions between ginsenoside Re and B-complex vitamins. B-complex vitamins can significantly weaken the antifatigue effect and decrease the bioavailability of ginsenoside Re when simultaneously administered orally.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.379-388
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• 1992

The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of dietary vitamin A or E. and of combination of vitamins A and E on peroxidative deterioration of heart in adriamycin-treated rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 5 groups according to the dietary supplementation of vitamin A or E Except control rats a dose of 2mg ADR/kg of B. W was injected to these animals intraperitoneally on the same day every week. Adriamycin treatment significantly decreased the weight gain of experimental rats compared with that of control rats, But this decrement was not modified by dietary supplementation of vitamin A or E. Lipid peroxide values of plasma were elevated by ADR treatment. The combined use of ADR and dietary vitamin A or E significantly reduced these values, The interaction between vitamins A and E seemed to be present in the lipid peroxide value of plasma. Catalase and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities in rat heart were decrased by ADR treatment but glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) activity was elevated. Dietary supplmen-tation of vitamin A or E enhanced the heart catalase and SOD activities. except only vitamin A-supplemented group. GSH-Px activity of rat heart tended to be decreased by dietary supple-mentation of vitamin A or E. With ADR treatment polyunsaturated fatty acids such as archido-nic acid(20:4) and docosahexaenoic acid(22:6) were decreased in rat heart. However dietary supplementation of vitamins A and E reduced this decrease. The retinol and tocopherol contents of rat plasma were decreased by ADR treatment. Dietary vitamin A or E influence vitamin A or E content of plasma. The interaction between dietary vitamins A and E was observed in vitamin A or E level of rat plasma.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2009

We investigated the nutritional state of B vitamins and the neuropsychological functions in 25 subjects, aged $63.1{\pm}6.3$ years, residing in rural areas of Korea. Nutritional states of thiamin, riboflavin, and pyridoxine were assessed enzymatically in the erythrocytes, and folate concentrations were measured microbiologically in the plasma and erythrocytes. A battery of composite neuropsychological test was administered to the subjects. Plasma folate was correlated with the total intelligence score (p=0.049). Folate levels in the erythrocytes were correlated with the performance intelligence scores such as block design (p=0.017) and picture arrangement (p=0.016). The red cell folate was correlated with memory scores such as general memory (p=0.009) and delayed recall (p=0.000). Although it did not reach statistical significance, verbal memory (p=0.053) was highly correlated with the red cell folate. The red cell folate was also correlated positively with the percent of conceptual level response number score (p=0.029), and negatively with the grooved pegboard test score for the non-dominant hand (p=0.010). Fine motor coordination was also influenced by folate nutrition, as finger tapping scores in both hands were significantly correlated with red cell folate (dominant hand; p=0.026, non-dominant hand; p=0.004). Other B vitamins such as thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin $B_6$ were not as strongly correlated with neuropsychological function test scores as folate was. These results suggest that folate nutrition influences neuropsychological function test scores significantly in humans. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between folate or other vitamin B nutrition and neuropsychological functions and the implications thereof.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to provide a reference range for plasma homocysteine and to explore the relation between plasma homocysteine and nutritional indexes in a Korean college women. Thirty women were selected from college students in Seoul area With mean age of 22.4y. Dietary intakes of Vitamins B$_{6}$, B$_{12}$, folate were estimated from a 3 day food diary method and plasma homocysteine concentration was mearsured as well as the levels of blood vitamins. The results obtained are as follows. Mean daily intake of energy, vitamin B$_{6}$, B$_{12}$, and folate were 1731.9kcal, 0.9mg, 2.2mg and 139.8$\mu\textrm{g}$ respectively. Mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 12.4$\mu$mol/l with a range between 6.7 and 17.8$\mu$mol/l and the mean concentrations of plasma vitamin B$_{6}$(PLP), serum vitamin $_{12}$, Serum folate and RBC folate were 77.5nmol/l, 267.4pmol/l, 17.1 nmol/l and 736.5nmol/l arid 736.5nmol/l respectively. we found a negative correlation between plasma homocysteine concentration and dietary vitamins, and blood levels of vitamin although it was not significant.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.432-443
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• 2000

Smoking can increase oxidative stress and thereby change the antioxidant defense system in the body. Supplementation of antioxidant vitamins might improve antioxidant status in the body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation and smoking cessation education on changes of antioxidant status and psychosocial factors related to smoking. To obtain above purposes, we investigated the effectiveness of intervention for male adolescent smokers were evalnate by assessing changes in dietary intakes, plasma antioxidant vitamin concentration, and psychosocial factors related to smoking after program completion. Subjects, male adolescent smokers, were assigned into four groups : Control group(19 students), Educ. group(19 students), Vit. C supple. group(19 students), and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group(19 students). The Educ. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group received nutrition and smoking cessation education once a week for 5 weeks. Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group received 500 mg per day of ascorbic acid for 35 days. All data were collected before and after intervention. Vit. B$_2$and Vit. C intakes of all groups were increased, but the only Ca intake was increased in the Educ. group. Plasma Vit. C concentration and Ratio(plasma Vit. C/Vit. C intakes) were increased in the Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group, and the Vit. C deficiency status of these groups(Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group) disappeared. Showing the effects of Vit. C supplementation, plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol was increased in the Educ. and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group, and especially high increases were seen in the Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group. Psychosocial factors related to smoking changed after the education a little. This intervention program had an impact on nutrition intakes, plasma antioxidant vitamins, and some beliefs related to smoking in male adolescent students. Various programs of nutrition and smoking cessation education and vitamin supplementation for quitting smoking must be implemented for adolescent smokers, and further studies are needed regarding sorts and amount of antioxidant nutrients and supplementation periods.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.516-523
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine relationships between dietary habits and intakes of antioxidants and B vitamins and the risk of ischemic stroke, and to compare dietary factors according to the presence of cerebral artery atherosclerosis and stroke subtypes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 147 patients and 144 control subjects were recruited consecutively in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. Sixty participants each in the case and control groups were included in analyses after 1:1 frequency matching. In addition, 117 acute ischemic stroke patients were classified into subtypes according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) guidelines. Dietary intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items and plasma lipid and homocysteine levels were analyzed. RESULTS: When compared with control subjects, stroke patients had unfavorable dietary behaviors and lower intakes of fruits ($73.1{\pm}83.2g$ vs. $230.9{\pm}202.1g$, P < 0.001), vegetables ($221.1{\pm}209.0g$ vs. $561.7{\pm}306.6g$, P < 0.001), and antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, $B_6$, ${\beta}$-carotene, and folate. The intakes of fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, and folate were inversely associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjusting for confounding factors. Intakes of vegetables, vitamins C, $B_6$, $B_{12}$, and folate per 1,000 kcal were lower in ischemic stroke with cerebral atherosclerosis than in those without. Overall vitamin $B_{12}$ intake per 1,000 kcal differed according to the TOAST classification (P = 0.004), but no differences among groups existed based on the post-hoc test. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with control subjects, ischemic stroke patients, particularly those with cerebral atherosclerosis, had unfavorable dietary intake, which may have contributed to the development of ischemic stroke. These results indicate that proper dietary recommendations are important for the prevention of ischemic stroke.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.264-273
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• 2006

Elevated maternal plasma homocysteine concentrations have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Serum homocysteine levels may be affected by the MTHFR genotypes and the nutritional status of B vitamins including vitamin $B_2,\;B_6$, folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. We investigated whether postnatal growth measurements were influenced by maternal MTHFR genotypes and their mid-pregnancy serum vitamin B and homocysteine levels. In 130 pregnant women of 24-28 wks of gestation, the MTHFR genotypes, serum B vitamins and homocysteine concentrations were analyzed. Physical growth status was assessed in their offsprings by measuring height, weight, and head and chest circumferences from birth up to 24 months. Serum homocysteine levels were higher in the subjects with T/T genotype than those with the C/T or C/C. Heights and head and chest circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum homocysteine levels were above the median. The mean height of offsprings from the T/T mothers was significantly lower than those from the C/C and C/T mothers. The mean weight and head circumferences of offsprings born from the mothers whose mid-term pregnancy PLP levels were in the lowest quartile was significantly lower than those from mothers in the highest quartile. Heights and head circumferences of offsprings from the T/T mothers were significantly lower than those from the C/C or C/T mothers only when the serum FAD levels were in the lowest quartile. These results suggest that postnatal growth up to 24 months may be influenced by the maternal C677T MTHFR genotypes, and mid-pregnancy serum homocysteine and vitamin B status.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.498-506
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• 2011

This study examined the relationship among plasma homocysteine, folate, and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels and neurocognitive function in 118 community-dwelling elderly subjects (mean age, $75.1{\pm}6.7$ years). The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-KC) was used to screen and assess neurocognitive function in the participants. Dietary intake data including the use of dietary supplements were obtained using the 24-hour recall method by well-trained interviewers. Plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentrations were analyzed by radioimmunoassay, and homocysteine was assessed by a high performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence method. The proportions of participants with suboptimal levels of plasma folate (< 3 ng/mL), vitamin $B_{12}$ (< 221 pmol/mL), and homocysteine (> $15{\mu}mol/L$) were 16.1%, 5.9%, and 21.2%, respectively. A multiple regression analysis showed that plasma homocysteine was negatively associated with plasma folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ levels. The MMSE-KC test scores were significantly associated with plasma homocysteine and folate, but not with vitamin $B_{12}$, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, living with spouse, education, current smoking, energy intake, and chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, dyslipidemia, stroke, and cardiovascular disease. A general linear model adjusted for covariates revealed that MMSE-KC test scores increased from the lowest to the highest quartiles of vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin $B_{12}$, and vitamin C intake (p for trend = 0.012, 0.039, 0.014, 0.046, 0.026, respectively). These results indicate that the problem of folate inadequacy and hyperhomocysteinemia are highly prevalent among community-dwelling elderly people and that dietary intake of the B vitamins and vitamin C is positively associated with cognitive function scores.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2004

Diabetic vascular complications such as atherosclerosis have been reported as one of significant obstructions in treatment of diabetes. There has been a significant increase in recognition of the importance of antioxidative nutrients such as vitamin E, for the prevention of diabetic vascular complication by oxidative stress. This study focused on the effect of dietary $\beta$-carotene on the levels of lipid peroxide and antioxidative vitamins of diabetic rats. The plasma glucose level, hepatic level of lipid peroxide and contents of antioxidants such as vitamins A and E were determined in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Dietary supplementation of B-carotene did not reduce the blood glucose in diabetic rats. Hepatic level of lipid peroxide tended to increase in diabetic rats, but $\beta$-carotene intake reduced the value. Plasma levels of retinol and retinol/lipid were not changed by dietary supplementation of $\beta$-carotene. There was no significant difference among experimental groups in plasma level of $\alpha$-tocopherol. Hepatic levels of retionl and retinyl palmitate were increased by dietary supplementation of $\beta$-carotene in diabetic rats. These results suggest that the supplementation of $\beta$-carotene to the normal diet of diabetics may reduce the incidence of the diabetic vascular complications through the improvement of antioxidants depletion.