• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.29-44
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• 2010

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Gentianae Radix on neurogenesis and apoptosis in ethanol- induced newborn rats hippocampus dentate gyrus. Methods : In vivo, laboratory animals were divided into three groups; Normal group(N), Control group(C) and Treated group (TG)(n=7 for each group). N were treated saline daily for five days. C were treated 1.5 g/kg ethanol and saline daily for five days. TG were treated 1.5 g/kg ethanol and 300 mg/kg Gentianae Radix daily for five days. BrdU(5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine) assay was used to test neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus. And TUNEL(Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) assay was used to test apoptosis in the dentate gyrus. Three groups were measured body weight, serum ethanol concentration, BrdU-positive cells and TUNEL-positive cells in the dentate gyrus. In vitro, MTT(3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was used to test viability in SK-N-MC cells. BrdU assay was used to test neurogenesis in SK-N-MC cells. DNA fragmentation and caspase-3 enzyme activity assay were used to test apoptosis in SK-N-MC cells. And treated ethanol and Gentianae Radix of all in vitro tests were made various concentration. Results : In vivo, Gentianae Radix modulated ethanol-induced neurogenesis and apoptosis in newborn rats hippocampus dentate gyrus. In vitro, TG 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ have significantly modulated ethanol-induced neurogenesis and apoptosis in SK-N-MC cells. And only TG 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ have significantly protected SK-N-MC cells from ethanol-induced cytotoxicity. Conclusions : Gentianae Radix may have the effect that modulated ethanol-induced neurogenesis and apoptosis in SK-N-MC cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.603-607
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• 2003

To investigate the alcohol metabolizing system in liver of rats drunken 10% ethanol with Monascus pigment extract (MPE), Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 250 g have been drunken 10% ethanol containing 1, 2.5 and 5% Monascus pigment extract for a month. Three groups of rats drunken 10% ethanol with MPE gained somewhat less body weight than normal group, but the changes of body weight was not significantly different among the former groups. All groups drunken MPE supplemented alcohol had no remarkable changes in liver function on the basis of liver weight/body weight, the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and xanthine oxidase activity. 10% alcohol drunken animals (control group) showed significantly increased activity of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) by 87% compared with normal group and the animals drunken 1%, 2.5% and 5% MPE showed respectively 34%, 29% and 21% increased activity of hepatic ADH, whileas Km value of ADH in 1, 2.5 and 5% MPE group decreased by 40%, 30% and 19% respectively compared with the control, but Vmax showed no significant changes among MPE groups. In case of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), 1% MPE group showed significantly increased activity by 32% and 2.5% or 5% MPE group showed increasing tendency compared with control, and Km value in three experimental groups declined by 27% and no particular changes were found among those. Furthermore, Vmax value in 1, 2.5 and 5% MEP group increased by 88,56 and 22% respectively with the control. In the aspect of the area under the curve of a ethanol concentration versus time (AUC) profile obtained after administration of 10% alcohol with 1 or 5% MPE, the decreasing rate of AUC to the control was 18% in 1% MPE treated rats whereas 10% in 5% MPE group.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.193-199
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• 2000

To evaluate an effect of aging on the xylene toxicity, 50% m-xylene in olive oil (0.25 ml/100 g body wt.) was administered to 5 week and 12 week-old rats one times intraperitoneally and sacrificed at 24 hrs afterwards. The increasing rate of urinary m-methylhippuric acid concentration was higher in 12 week-old rats than 5 week-old rats by the treatment of m-xylene. On the liver function findings, i.e., liver weigh/body weight (%), serum levels of ALT activity and hepatic malondialdehyde content, 12 week-old rats showed more severe liver injury than 5 weeks those in xylene-treated rats. And the hepatic cytochrome P-450 contents was higher in 12 weeks rats than those of in 5 week-old rats, but the increasing rate of that was lower in 12 week-old rats. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase activity was also higher in 12 week-old rats than in 5 week-old rats whereas the increasing rate of that was higher in 5 week-old than those in 12 week-old rats by the xylene treatment. Furthermore, the hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase activities were no differences between the 5 and 12 week-old rats both in the control and xylene-treated group. In conclusion, age may influences upon the hepatotoxicity with xylene and it may be responsible for xylene metabolism in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.1-12
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• 2005

Objective: With the onset of stroke, white blood cells release several proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. It has been proven in previous studies that the release of these cytokines is related to the extent of damage to the brain and to overall prognosis. However, no studies have yet been performed to determine the connection with IL-6 and IL-10. Thus, this study is performed to see whether polymorphisms of IL-6, IL-10, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genes that show increased serum concentration with the onset of stroke are related to stroke attack in Koreans. Methods : Peripheral blood samples derived from patients with stroke (n=100) and healthy controls (n=100) were taken under informed consent. In subjects with stroke, blood samples were obtained within 24 hours of stroke onset. Genomic DNA was isolated using the Wizard DNA Purification Kit (Promega, Madison, WI). Results : 1. Subjects with Heterozygote (GA) and Homozygote (AA) $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene types showed 2.433 and 20.457 times higher risks of being attacked by stroke, respectively, compared to subjects with wild type (GG) $TNF-{\alpha}$ gene type. The data was still statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, history of smoking, and history of alcohol drinking. 2. Subjects with Homozygote (CC) IL-6 gene type showed 182.033 times higher risk of being attacked by stroke, compared to subjects with wild type (GG) IL-6 genes. This data was statistically insignificant (p=0.700). The data was still statistically insignificant after adjusting for age, sex, history of smoking, and history of alcohol drinking. 3. Subjects with Heterozygote (GA) and Homozygote (GG) IL-10 gene types showed 8.785 and 3.303 times higher risks of being attacked by stroke, respectively, compared to subjects with wild type (AA) IL-10 genes. The data was still statistically insignificant after adjusting for age, sex, history of smoking, and history of alcohol drinking. Conclusion : Our results suggest that the investigated $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 gene polymorphisms play an important role in stroke attack, but IL-6 gene polymorphism has not been found to associated with stroke.

• Proceedings of the Korean Environmental Health Society Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.87-94
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• 2005

Results from previous studies revealed that metal level in the body is related to certain types of diseases. For example. serum copper level with chronic heart failure, iron and transferrin in the blood serum with acute cerebral vascular diseases, Zn in the CNS, lead with neurotoxicity, hypertension, genetic damage, arsenic with cancer skin lesion, Al with neurobehavioral function (cognitive impairment and memory disorder), and etc. The rate of stroke has increased in recent years and several metals were found to be responsible for causing stroke. This study compared several blood metal concentrations between stroke and non-stroke patients. Patients with stroke (116 samples) and non-stroke (111 samples including lowback pain and others) participated in this study. Total of 227 blood samples were collected and participants completed questionnaires regarding age, gender, occupation, residence, alcohol, smoking, and etc. To be qualified into the stroke group, patients have never experienced stroke previously. Subjects only included ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage patients diagnosed by brain CT and brain MRI. Patients with high risk of metal exposure such as herbal intake and job related exposure were excluded. 10ml of blood samples were analyzed by ICP-MS method at the Center of Nature and Science at Sangji University. Metal geometric mean (SD) concentrations in blood of study subjects showed higher values, 2.64-36.12%, than WHO reference values in Mn, Ni, Hg, Se, and As. Metal concentration in blood of stroke patients non-adjusted for potential confounders was higher except for Hg and also higher except for Ni in adjusted for potential confounders. Co was significantly higher in stroke patients (p=0.002) than non-stroke patients adjusted for potential confounders. Regression coefficient values of stroke patients was 0.17-8.25 in each metals. Odd ratio of stroke patients had 0.96 (Ni)-2.68 (Co) compared to non-stroke cases. This result means that Co increase of 1 raises the risk ratio of stroke by 2.86 times. Based on the results, metal concentration in blood seems to affect incidence of stroke.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.604-608
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• 2004

Possibility of Lactobacillus strains able to metabolize ethanol and acetaldehyde in vitro and in vitro was studied. Lactobacillus brevis strains showed higher alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activities than those of other lactic acid bacteria strains. L. brevis HY7401 exhibited the highest ADH and ALDH activities and decreased considerable amounts of ethanol and acetaldehyde in vitro. L. brevis HY7401 cell intake significantly decreased serum ethanol levels in rats fed ethanol (4g/kg BW) compared to control groups. Ethanol level in small intestines of rats fed L. brevis HY7401 was about 50%, and their acetic acid concentration was twofold higher than control. Results reveal L. brevis HY7401, isolated from human, metabolizes ethanol and acetaldehyde in vitro and in vivo.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.347-361
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• 2012

Limited studies are available concerning the effect of heavy metal exposure on cardiovascular diseases. As environmental pollution increases, food contamination, including heavy metal contamination of fish, also increases. However, researches based on the intake of heavy metals, cardiovascular disease, and fish intakes are inconclusive. We assessed an association of heavy metal exposure with cardiovascular disease and fish intake in a nationally representative group of general Korean adults. We used data from the combined 2008-2010 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), and analyzed the data of 5,139 Koreans who participated in KNHANES. All participants were older than 20 years, and were diagnosed with stroke, ischemic heart disease, or hypertension. The mean blood cadmium, lead concentration, and mercury concentration of subjects were $1.07{\pm}0.01{\mu}g/L$, $2.49{\pm}0.02{\mu}g/dL$, and $5.19{\pm}0.08{\mu}g/L$, respectively. We used the survey logistic regression model to account for the complex sample design of the cardiovascular disease risk in order to estimate the odds ratios (OR). After adjusting for age, education, income, alcohol, smoking, and BMI, the increase of serum cadmium in blood was associated with the increase in the prevalence of hypertension. Further, the increase in blood cadmium concentration was associated with the increase of both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Although higher fish intakes were significantly associated with higher blood mercury concentration (p for trend < 0.0001), fish intakes did not affect either blood cadmium or lead concentration. Comparing the highest fish intake group with the lowest intake group, the OR of hypertension was 0.31 (95% CI: 0.19-0.59) in the crude model for total fish. However, these associations were no longer significant after the adjustment for potential confounding factors. In conclusion, cadmium in blood was associated with an increased risk of hypertension in the general Korean adult population. However, we found no evidence of a clear relationship between cardiovascular disease and frequency of fish consumption.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.245-253
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• 2006

We evaluated the relations among exposure and urinary levels of Cr, folate, vitamin $B_{12}$ and Hcy levels in the workers chronically exposure to Cr. Subjects were 104 male employees, 65 workers exposed to Cr in 9 electroplating plants and 39 office workers who had never been occupationally exposed to hazardous substances including Cr. The geometric mean(GM) of Cr in workplace was $0.069{\pm}0.101mg/m^3$ and urinary Cr was $0.483{\pm}0.394mg/g$ creatinine and airborne Cr concentration was significantly correlated to the urinary concentration of Cr(r=0.900, p=0.000). The geometric mean concentration of urinary Cr in control group was $0.301{\pm}0.255mg/g$ creatinine. In comparing the workers exposed to Cr with controls, significantly higher mean plasma levels were found of Hcy($11.3{\pm}4.9$ vs $9.4{\pm}4.7{\mu}mol/{\ell}$, p=0.05), but vitamin $B_{12}$ levels ($181.8{\pm}68.7$ vs $216.0{\pm}64.3nmol/{\ell}$, p=0.01) was significantly decreased. Hcy concentrations correlated positively with airborne Cr concentrations(r=0.287, p=0.004) and urinary Cr concentrations(r=0.244, p=0.015) but folate concentrations correlated negatively with airborne(r=-0.234, p=0.020) and urinary Cr concentrations(r=-0.640, p=0.090), respectively. No correlations were observed between vitamin $B_{12}$, airborne and urinary Cr concentrations. Also, Hcy concentrations correlated positively with vitamin $B_{12}$(r=0.295, p=0.0020 and negatively with folate concentrations(r=-0.196, p=0.046). The various biological(i.e. age and serum indicates) or lifestyle factors(i.e. medication, smoking, alcohol and coffee intake), also taken into account as potential confounders, did not influence the correlations found. Thus, this study found evidence that Cr might be associated with elevated plasma levels of Hcy. Furthermore, elevated plasma levels of Hcy were significantly associated with folate and vitamin $B_{12}$ concentration.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.303-313
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry, blood pressure, blood lipid levels, and nutrient intakes in three groups: a group with an impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG) condition (62 males and 30 females); a group with normal blood glucose (73 males and 50 females); and a group with diabetes mellitus (DM) (79 males and 49 females). In male subjects, body mass index (BMI) and obesity index values were significantly higher in the IFG group than in normal and DM groups, but waist/hip ratio (WHR), systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure were not significantly different from those of the DM group. In female subjects, there was no difference in body weight, BMI, obesity index and WHR values between the IFG and the DM groups. The prevalence of obesity in the IFG group (males 43.6%, females 76.7%) was the highest among the three groups. The percentage of high SBP (40.0%) and high DBP (52.0%) in male subjects of the IFG group was significantly greater than in the DM group or the normal group. In the male subjects, the serum triglyceride concentration was significantly higher in the DM group than in the normal and IFG groups. There was no difference in various nutrient intakes(energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, calcium, iron, vitamin A and cholesterol) among the three groups. In male subjects, the percentage of energy intake from alcohol was higher in the IFG group (7.0%) than that of the normal (4.5%) and the DM (5.6%) groups. The fasting blood glucose level had a positive correlation with WHR, TG, the athrogenic index and LDL-cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol. This study suggested that the IFG group had a higher obesity index, BMI, blood pressure and serum lipid levels (TG, cholesterol) than the normal or the DM group; furthermore, the IFG group had higher levels of alcohol intake and habits of taking unbalanced diets. Therefore, guidelines for IFG group should emphasize weight control, diet therapy, physical activities and regular balanced diets, in order to prevent diabetes in this group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.11
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• pp.1506-1515
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effect of chongkukjang intake on lipid metabolism and liver function in alcoholic fatty liver rats. Thirty-five 7-weeks old Spargue-Dawley male rats were used as experimental animals. After inducing alcoholic fatty liver, rats were divided into two groups and fed ethanol＋casein diet (ECD) or ethanol＋chongkukjang diet (EChD). At 10th, 20th and 30th days of the feeding experimental diet, rats were sacrificed to get blood and liver samples for analysis of blood lipids, lipid peroxides, antioxidative enzymes and biochemical indices of liver function. The mean food intake was not significantly different between ECD and EChD groups. Daily weight again of EChD group was significantly higher than that of ECD group at days 20 and 30. Serum total lipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol of ECD group were significantly higher than those of EChD group, while HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in EChD group. Liver TBARS level of ECD group was significantly higher than that of EChD group. However, liver conjugated diene level was significantly higher in ECD group only at day 10. SOD, CAT and GPx activities of EChD group were significantly higher than those of ECD group at days 20 and 30. In the indices of liver function, GOT and GPT of ECD group were significantly higher than those of EChD group at day 10. LDH was significantly higher in ECD group. γ-GTP was significantly higher in ECD group only at day 20. Serum alcohol concentration of ECD group was significantly higher than that of EChD group at day 30. ADH and ALDH activities of EChD group were significantly higher than those of ECD group at day 30. Therefore, chongkukjang intake seems to give a beneficial effect on improving lipid metabolism and liver function by increasing HDL-cholesterol level, antioxidative enzyme activites, alcohol enzyme activities and decreasing serum lipids, liver TBARS and conjugated diene.