• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1028-1036
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• 2018

Study Design: Single-center, observational, case-control study. Purpose: Comparison and analysis of the metabolic and coagulative profiles in patients with idiopathic scoliosis, patients with congenital scoliosis, and healthy controls. Overview of Literature: Serum melatonin deficiency has been a controversial topic in the etiopathogenesis of scoliosis. Low bone mineral density, low vitamin D3 levels, and high parathyroid hormone levels are common metabolic abnormalities associated with scoliosis that may be responsible for its pathogenesis. In addition to metabolic defects, several studies have shown coagulation defects that either persist from the preoperative period or occur during surgery and usually lead to more than the expected amount of blood loss in patients undergoing deformity correction for scoliosis. Methods: The study population (n=73) was classified into those having congenital scoliosis (n=31), those with idiopathic scoliosis (n=30), and healthy controls (n=12). After detailed clinicoradiological evaluation of all the subjects, 10-mL blood samples were collected, measured, and analyzed for various metabolic and coagulation parameters. Results: The mean serum melatonin levels in patients with idiopathic scoliosis were significantly lower than those in the healthy controls. Although the mean serum melatonin level in the congenital group was also low, the difference was not statistically significant. Serum alkaline phosphatase and parathyroid hormone levels were higher in the scoliosis groups, whereas the vitamin D level was lower. No differences were observed in the coagulation profiles of the different groups. Conclusions: Low serum melatonin levels associated with scoliosis can be a cause or an effect of scoliosis. Moreover, low bone mineral density, high bone turn over, and negative calcium balance appear to play an important role in the progression, if not the onset, of the deformity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1538-1544
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) juice supplementation on serum lipid levels and phospholipid (PL) fatty acid compositions in hypercholesterolemic men. Thirty-two men with hypercholesterolemia (>200 mg/dl) were recruited among the faculty and staff at Y University after annual health examinations. The subjects consumed 150 ml of kale juice per day for a 12-week intervention period. Dietary and anthropometric assessments were performed before and after supplementation, respectively, to ensure that the subjects maintained their usual diet and lifestyle throughout the intervention. Serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased (p<0.001) after intervention. Serum LDL-cholesterol concentration and atherogenic index were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Levels of 12:0, 14:0, $18:1{\omega}9$, $18:3{\omega}6$, and sum of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in serum pholspholipid (PL) were significantly increased, while $22:4{\omega}6$ level was significantly reduced (p<0.05). It can be speculated that kale juice, containing large amounts of antioxidant nutrients, contributes to changes of serum-PL-fatty acid compositions and the improvements of serum lipid profiles. This study demonstrates the supplementation of regular meals with kale juice may favorably affect serum lipid profiles and serum-PL fatty acid compositions and, hence, could lower the risks of coronary artery disease in men with hypercholesterolemia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.404-411
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• 2011

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group+saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet+saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet+LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power+LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power+LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-1${\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P<0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1${\beta}$ were significantly lower (P<0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.492-500
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• 1999

The aim of this study was to assess the association between total vitamin A, retinol and carotene intakes and serum concentration of total carotenoids in Korean male smokers and nonsmokers. Food frequency and nutrient intakes of 64 healthy college students were estimated by the 24 hour recall method and food frequency questionnaire and analyzed by smoking status. Serum total cartenoids and lipid profiles were measured in 28 smokers and 36 nonsmokers. The mean total vitamin A, retinol and carotene intakes of smokers were not significantly different from nonsmokers. However, carotene intakes of the smokers who have smoked more than 5 packyears were significantly lower than those of nonsmokers. Smokers consumed green yellow leafy vegetables more often(P=0.005) and fresh fruits less often(P=0.017) than nonsmokers. The serum total carotenoids of smokers consuming the same amount of retinol and carotene as nonsmokers, 1.79 g/ml, were 17% lower than nonsmokers, 2.15 g/ml(P<0.05). The lipid profiles including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and triglycerides of smokers were not significantly different from nonsmokers, however, the concentration of HDL cholesterol of smokers were significantly higher than that of nonsmokers. The serum carotenoids concentration was positively associated with fruit consumption frequency in smokers, and also was positively associated with green yellow leafy vegetable consumption frequency in non smokers. There were no correlations between dietary and serum carotenoids for smokers as well as nonsmokers. It was concluded that smoking could be inversely related to the serum concentration of carotenoids at constant carotene intakes and smokers might require more carotene to reach the same concentration comparable to nonsmokers.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.421-428
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• 2011

${\alpha}$-Lipoic acid and L-carnosine are powerful antioxidants and are often used as a health supplement and as an ergogenic aid. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid and/or L-carnosine supplementation on antioxidant activity in serum, skin, and liver of rats and blood lipid profiles for 6 weeks. Four treatment groups received diets containing regular rat chow diet (control, CON), 0.5% ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid (ALA), 0.25% ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid+0.25% L-carnosine (ALA+LC), or 0.5% L-carnosine (LC). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, were analyzed in serum, skin, and liver. Blood lipid profiles were measured, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Skin and liver SOD activities of the ALA and LC groups were higher than those of the CON group (P<0.05), but serum SOD activity was higher only in the LC group compared to that in the CON group (P<0.05). Additionally, only liver GSH-Px activity in the LC group was higher than that of the CON and the other groups. Serum and skin MDA levels in the ALA and LC groups were lower than those in the CON group (P<0.05). Serum TG and TC in the ALA and ALA+LC groups were lower than those in the CON and LC groups (P<0.05). The HDL-C level in the LC group was higher than that in any other group (P<0.05). LDL-C level was lower in the ALA+LC and LC groups than that in the CON group (P<0.05). Thus, ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid and L-carnosine supplementation increased antioxidant activity, decreased lipid peroxidation in the serum, liver, and skin of rats and positively modified blood lipid profiles.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.549-557
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• 2005

Effects of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (AS) on blood sugar content and serum lipid profiles of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Experimental groups were classified into four groups, that is, normal control (NC) group, diabetic mellitus (DM) group, AS-fed group and DMAS-fed group. The AS group showed lower feed efficiency than the NC group, but the efficiency of DMAS group was higher than DM group. DMAS group showed the decreased water intake and urine by $45.5\%$ and $23.7\%$ respectively, compared with DM group. Compared with DM group, DMAS group decreased blood sugar by $46.9\%$ and triglyceride by $17.8\%$, total cholesterol by $10.0\%$ and LDL cholesterol by $22.0\%$ in serum, but increased serum HDL cholesterol by $14.4\%$ The relative percentage of liver or kidney per body weight, and the serum ALT activity in DMAS group were lower than those of DM group. There were no significant differences in hepatic glutathione(GSH) contents and total xanthine oxidase(XOD) activities among experimental groups. The hepatic lipid peroxide(LPO) content in DMAS group decreased by $54.6\%$ compared with that in DM group. The XOD (O type) and the ratio of O type to total type of both STZ-treated groups (DM and DMAS) were higher than those of NC group, but less conversion of D to O type was observed in DMAS group than in DM group. There was no significant difference in GST activity between NC and AS, but STZ-treated groups showed lower glutathione S-transferase(GST) activity than NC. In conclusion, it seems that AS reduces blood sugar by inhibiting the activity of xanthine oxidase type O as an oxygen-free radical generating system which induces the tissue damage. Antidiabetic effect of AS may regulate diabetes-induced high lipid profiles in blood.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2007

In order to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of an herb distillate, ie., a mixture of 28 traditional Korean herbs, germanium, tormarine and Gijangsoo (Gijang water), $CCl_4$ was intraperitoneally administered to rats before or after supplementation of the diluted herb distillate (HD) for 2 weeks. Then hepatic xanthine oxidase activity and serum lipid profiles were determined. The experimental groups had higher feed intake than the normal control (NC), but had lower weight gain. Water intake and the amount of feces were not significantly different, but urine was excreted in lower amounts in all the experimental groups compared to the NC. Liver weights in the HD-supplemented groups were lower than that of the distilled water-supplemented groups (DW-groups) after $CCl_4$-administration. Serum ALT activities in all the experimental groups were higher than that of the NC-group. However, the increasing activity of serum ALT in the HD-supplemented groups (HD-groups) was lower than that of the DW-groups. Total serum and LDL-cholesterol levels were higher in all the $CCl_4$-administered groups than in the NC-groups, and serum HDL-cholesterol levels were lower in all the experimental groups compared with the NC-groups. Meanwhile, the increasing rate of total serum and LDL-cholesterol levels and the decreasing rate of HDL-cholesterol in the HD-groups were lower than that of the DW-groups. But, levels of serum TG were similar among all the experimental groups. The activities of hepatic xanthine oxidase (XOD) type O of the $CCl_4$-administered rats showed a significant increase in and an increasing rate of XOD in the HD-groups, which was lower than that of the DW-groups. On the other hand, GST activities in all the experimental groups were significantly decreased, and the decreasing rate was lower in the HD-groups than in the DW-groups. The hepatic contents of GSH and LPO in all the rats were not changed by $CCl_4$ administration. These results suggest that the decreased liver damage in the HD-supplemented groups was due to the inhibition of XOD-type O activity by constituents of HD, as well as by a prevention/inhibition of serum lipid profile changes in $CCl_4$-treated rats. However, further detailed studies are needed to support this hypothesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate the effect of Lycii fructus beer on serum lipid profiles and antioxidant activity in rat Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighting about 190g were divided into the following 5 groups ; distillate water (Control), 5% ethanol in distillate water (Ethanol), commercial beer (CB), Lycii fructus beer (LFB) and 5% alcohol red wine diluted with distillate water (RW). Body weight, total food intake, FER and percent organ (liver, kidney) weight per body weight were not significantly changed by Lycii fructus beer drinking. After 6 weeks, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL cholesterol level were not significantly different. But, Lycii fructus beer intake tended to decrease serum triglyceride level and atherogenic index. Also, GOT and GPT levels were expressed lower than Ethanol group. There was not significantly different in hepatic glutatiione (GSH) content and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities among 5 groups. Lipid peroxidation in the hepatic was decreased by Lycii fructus beer intake. The results demonstrated that Lycii fructus beer was potential and effective antioxidant that can protect the decrease associated with alcohol.

• Proceedings of the Korean Nutrition Society Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.88-88
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• 2002

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.322-329
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• 2001

There is growing evidence that soy isoflavones play beneficial role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. However, current data are not sufficient to determine the effective dose of isoflavone on improving plasma lipid profiles and total antioxidant capacity in Korean menopausal women. In the present study, 24 perimenopausal and 23 postmenopausal women were divided into 3 groups and were given soy isoflavone supplements of 100, 150, 200mg/day for 12weeks. Blood samples were taken before and after 6, 12weeks of soy isoflavone supplementation for analysis of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and total antioxidant status(TAS). In the perimenopausal women, serum total cholesterol level decreased significantly in all three groups after 12weeks of isoflavone supplementation(p< 0.05). However, serum LDL cholesterol level significantly lowered only in 150 and 200mg groups, and serum triglyceride level decreased significantly in 200mg group(p<0.05). In the postmenopausal women, the 150mg isoflavone supplementation group demonstrated significant effects on lowering serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol levels and raising HDL cholesterol level after 12weeks of isoflavone supplementation(p<0.05). Two hundred mg isoflavone supplementation group had a significantly higher TAS than other groups in both perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. (Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 322∼329, 2001)