• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2011

Opuntia humifusa contains high levels of antioxidants including vitamin C, flavonoids and polyphenols, which may provide beneficial effects such as hypolipidemic activity and the reduction of atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women. This study was conducted to determine if the intake of O. humifusa seeds powder (OHS) regulates lipid concentrations, glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) in the serum of ovariectomized rats. Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly assigned to either a sham-operated group (Sham) or one of the following four ovariectomy (OVX) subgroups: OVX with vehicle (OVX), OVX with 100, 200, and 500 mg/kg/day OHS (OHS100, OHS200, OHS500). Daily oral administration of OHS was initiated one week after ovariectomy and continued for seven weeks. Upon completion of treatments, organs were weighed and GOT, GPT, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were determined enzymatically. No significant differences in feed intake and organ index were observed among the groups. Significant decreases in GPT, TC and LDL-C (p<0.05) were observed in all of the OHS groups (OHS100, 200 and 500), while no significant changes in HDL-C were observed. In addition, the OHS200 and OHS500 treatment groups exhibited a lower level of serum GOT compared to the OVX group. These results indicate that supplementation with O. humifusa seeds could induce favorable changes in serum lipoprotein and lipid profiles, which frequently worsen with inadequate estrogen availability.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.485-493
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among nutrient intakes, BMD, serum copper, zinc and manganese contents in Korean postmenopausal women residing in Seoul and Kyunggi-do. Nutrient intakes analyses and anthropometric measurements were performed for 64 postmenopausal women. Also, fasting blood samples were collected. The BMDs of the lumbar spine (L2-L4) and femoral neck were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Subjects were classified into three groups: osteoporosis (T-score ${\leq}$ -2.5, n = 20), osteopenia (-2.5 < T-score ${\leq}$ -1, n = 24), and normal (T-score) -1, n = 20). The results are summarized as follows; the mean age, height and weight were 62.1 yrs, 153.8 em, and 56.1 kg, respectively, with no significant difference among three groups. On the other hand, the mean BMI $(23.7\;g/m^2)$ of normal group was significantly higher than those of other two groups. The mean energy intake was 1,395.3 kcal (77.5% of Dietary referance intakes for koreans (KDRls)). The average daily intakes of vitamin $B_2$, calcium and zinc did not reach KDRIs. The mean intakes of iron, copper, zinc and manganese were 10.9 mg, 1.6 mg, 7.8 mg and 5.1 mg respectively, with no significant difference among three groups, The mean serum levels of copper, zinc and manganese were 96.4 mg/dl, 91.5 mg/dl and 39.5 ng/dl, respectively with no significant differences among three groups. The BMD of lumbar spine showed a significantly negative correlation intakes of animal protein, fat and iron intakes after adjusting for age, Bill. However, the BMD of lumbar spine was not significantly correlated with animal iron intakes after adjusting for animal protein, and fat intakes, indicating animal food intake is a possible confounding factor. Proper intakes of vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C are required to protect osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. These results suggest that excessive animal food intakes may have adverse effect on bone mineral density. Further studies arc necessary to elucidate the role of serum minerals in BMD.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.132-138
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to determine biochemical parameters related to protein and immunity. Subjects were 125 preschool children(M:69, F:56) residing in low income area of Seoul. Mean serum total protein of the children aged 6 was 7.3g/dl which was significantly higher than 6.6g/dl of the group aged 3. The mean serum albumin was 4.7g/dl for 3, 4, 5 age group, and 4.9g/dl for 6 age group and there was no significant difference. Serum retinol binding protein(RBP) is used as a sensitive indicatior of protein, because it tends to fall rapidly in response to protein status and respond to quickly dietary treatment. Mean RBP for each group(3, 4, 5 and 6 age group) were $2.5\mu{g}$/dl, $2.9\mu{g}$/dl, $2.7\mu{g}$/dl, $3.0\mu{g}$/dl. The Proportion of children whose RBP was than $2.6\mu{g}$/dl was 15.9%, 19.2%, 24.3% and 16.7%, respectively. The 24-hour urinary excretion of hydroxyproline was 7.9mg, 14.6mg, 11.7mg and 11.8mg for each group and the mean excretion of all children was 12.2mg/day. Children aged 3 were excreting significantly lower amount of hydroxprolinc per day than the children aged 4. The mean hydroxyproline index were 2.18, 2.39, 2.52, 2.80 for each age group and the mean of a group aged 6 was significantly higher than that of the group aged 3. The proportion of children assessed as malnourished and impaired growth(hydroxyproline index <2.0) was 18.8%, 4.9%, 2.5% and 4.3%, respectively. The nutrients which showed significant relationship with protein and immunity parameters were niacin, vitamin C and calcium. Vitamin C showed significant positive relationship(p<0.05-p<0.01) with serum RBP, total protein and globulin. The triceps skinfold thickness was significantly and positively correlated with serum globulin. Serum IgG showed significant positive relationship with height, weight, girth of chest and midarm circumference(p<0.05-p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.927-937
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate dietary and other factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean premenopausal women. Seventy-eight premenopausal women who visited the Health Promotion Center for health examinations volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided into two groups according to their bone status as shown by their T-scores: a non-osteoporotic group and a osteoporotic group. The results are as follows: The mean BMDs of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were 1.21$\pm$0.02$g/cm^2$ and 0.97$\pm$0.04$g/cm^2$, respectively. The BMD levels of the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of the non-osteoporotic group (p<0.001, respectively). The heights of the women in the osteoporotic group were significantly lower than those of the non-osteoporotic group (p<0.01) however, their body weights did not show any significant differences although they tended to be lower. The mean daily intake of energy was 1720$\pm$52㎉. When the nutrient intake was compared with the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDA), calcium, Fe, vitamin A and riboflavin intakes were lower than the RDA. Their was no significant difference in the nutrient intake of the non-osteoporotic group and osteoporotic group except for the intakes of protein, fat and niacin. Their was no significant difference between the non-osteoporotic group and the osteoporotic group and all were within the normal range. However, the serum alkaline phosphatase level of the osteoporotic group was significantly higher than that of the non-osteoporotic group (p<0.001). Height measurements showed positive correlations with lumbar spine bone mineral density (LBMD, r=0.332, p<0.01) however there was no correlation with femoral neck bone mineral density (NBMD). Age, age at menarche, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and obesity showed no correlation with BMD. The BMD of the lumbar spine was significantly and positively related to the intake of niacin and vitamin C (r=0.236, p<0.05; r=0.274, p<0.05). Serum levels of calcium and phosphorus showed negative correlations with LBMD (r=-0.698, p=0.0001, r=-0.503, p=0.0001, respectively). The results suggested that the BMD of the lumbar spine was positively related to the intake of niacin and vitamin C in premenopausal women. Therefore, this study confirmed that one of the most effective ways to minimize bone loss would be have a higher intake of niacin and vitamin C rich foods and engaging habitually in physical activity may have a beneficial effect on BMD in the Premenopausal Period.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.7
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• pp.578-585
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• 2005

Maternal zinc deficiency is relatively common worldwide, but its consequences for pregnancy outcome are not established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of zinc status in the second trimester on pregnancy outcome. Subjects were 248 pregnant Korean women (25-28 wk gestation). Cord blood was collected from subgroup of 69 women and pregnancy outcome data were obtained from 185 babies. Anthropometry measurement, dietary intake, and biochemical characteristics of pregnancy and cord serum substances were measured. The subjects were divided into quartiles on the basis of maternal serum Zn concentration; $ZnQ_1$ (< 25 percentile), $ZnQ_2$ ($26\~50$ percentile), $ZnQ_3$ ($51\~75$ percentile), and $ZnQ_4$ ($76\~100$ percentile). Zn groups were compared in terms of various maternal factors, concentrations of cord serum substances, and pregnancy outcome. Maternal serum Zn concentration was $118.4\;{\pm}\;35.5\;{\mu}g/dl$ as mean. Intake of Zn was lower than Korean RDA. The rate of Zn deficiency among all subjects was $8.5\%$. Maternal serum Zn levels belonged to normal range. Cord serum Zn level was about $154.7\%$ of maternal serum level. Intakes of energy, calcium, iron, folic acid, and riboflavin did not meet the Korean RDA for pregnant women by gestational age. The mean birth weight of neonates is 3083 $\pm$ 697 g, of whom $9.1\%$ were of low birth weight (< 2,500 g). Maternal serum Zn level was positively correlated with pre-pregnancy weight, pre-pregnancy body mass index, and vitamin C intake (p < 0.05). $ZnQ_1$ group had significantly lower maternal serum iron concentration and higher cord serum cholesterol than those in other groups. Maternal serum Zn level, cord serum Zn level, and dietary Zn intake were no related to the pregnancy outcome. The birth weight had a correlation with the maternal hemoglobin and albumin concentration. In conclusion, at this study, we could not find the association with maternal Zn status in 2nd trimester and pregnancy outcome.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3025-3029
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible relationship between antioxidant vitamin levels and malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). For this purpose, we measured the serum levels of 4 antioxidant vitamins, ${\beta}$-carotene, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, retinol, and ascorbic acid, in patients with environmentally induced MPM and in healthy controls from one tremolite village (Kureysler), the biggest erionite village (Tuzkoy) and Ankara. A total of 160 subjects were enrolled in the study, 42 (26.3%) diagnosed with MPM and 118 (73.7%) healthy subjects. A comparison was made between the MPM group and three control groups of which two were exposed and one was unexposed to mineral fibers. The study population consisted of 82 males (51%) and 78 females (49%) with a mean of age of $44.8{\pm}14$ years (range; 20-65 years). Lowest levels of ${\beta}$-carotene, ascorbic acid, and ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were found in MPM patients (MPM vs control groups combined, p<0.0001 for each antioxidant vitamin), without any relation to age or sex. There was no significant difference between the antioxidant levels of healthy controls of Tuzkoy and Ankara. In conclusion; our findings suggested an increased risk of MPM being associated with low levels of ${\alpha}$-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in patients with MPM.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.85-91
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• 1998

To investigate the effects of antioxidative vitamins in combination with various fatty acids on breast cancer cell proliferation, MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cells were cultured for 3 days in the serum-free Iscove's modified Dulbecco's medium (IMDM) supplemented with 1.25mg/ml delipidized bovine serum albumin and 10㎍/ml insulin. Alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid or both vitamins were added to the medium at the concentrations of 10 and 50μM in the presence of 3μg/ml of oletic(Oa), linoleic(LA) α-linoleinic(LNA) and docosahexaenoic acid(DHA). Cell growth was reduced significantly by α-tocopherol in a dose-dependent manner, but not affected by ascorbic aicd. The four different fatty acids did not have significant effects on cell growth, although DHA exerted inhibitory effect on the growth after 1 day. However, the each fatty acid was well incorporated into celluar lipid as such or elongated forms. Addition of α-tocopherol remarkably increased its celluar contents and reduced cellular levels of thiobarbituric acid substances (TBARS) that were elevated notably in the presence of DHA in the culture media. But ascorbic acid addition did not change much of either cellular α-tocopherol or TBARS contents. northern blot hybridization showed that tumor supressor gene ρ53 was most highly expressed by the combination of ρ-tocopherol and DHA in 8 hours of cell culture. In conclusion , the growth inhibitory effect of vitamin E suggests that breast cancer cell proliferation is reduced by the mechanism other than cytotoxicity of lipid peroxide and it is related to expressionof tumor supprosser gene p53, that can be increased by both vitamin E and n-3 fatty acid, DHA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.446-450
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• 2000

The experiment was conducted to study the effects of water soluble vitamins and retinoic acid on the differentiation of preadipocyte from omental, subcutaneous, intermuscular and intramuscular adipose tissue of Hanwoo. Differentiation was assessed by the change in enzyme activity, glycerol-3 phosphate dehydrogenase in serum free cell culture system. Preadipocytes treated with biotin ($10{\mu}M$) and pantothenic acid ($100{\mu}M$) were significantly (p<0.05) less differentiated than those from the control in all adipose tissue depots except intramuscular tissue. Although there was no significance, vitamin C was shown to stimulate the adipocyte conversion in omental and subcutaneous, but not in intermuscular and intramuscular adipose tissues. Lower values of GPDH activity in intermuscular preadipocyte were interpreted to be caused by relatively higher amounts of protein. In this experiment vitamin C did not stimulate fat deposition in intramuscular adipose tissue but further experiments are needed on the role of vitamin C in preadipocyte differentiation. When treated with different levels of retinoic acids, differentiation of preadipocytes was significantly (p<0.05) reduced from the level of $0.5{\mu}g/ml$ in omental and intermuscular, from $50{\mu}g/ml$ in subcutaneous, and in intramuscular at $500{\mu}g/ml$, thus showing that intramuscular preadipocytes were least responsive to retinoic acid in differentiation. All-trans retinoic acid appeared to inhibit the differentiation in a dose dependent manner, regardless of adipose tissues type.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.246-253
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• 2012

The Framingham risk score (FRS) has been used to assess the risk of a cardiovascular event and to identify patients for risk factor modifications. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the FRS with dietary intake and inflammatory biomarkers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 180 men ($49.2{\pm}10.2$ years) with MS. Serum levels of high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and adiponectin were examined. Participants were asked to complete the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) using the previous 1 year as a reference point. The absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk percentage over 10 years was calculated to estimate the FRS, which was classified as low risk (< 10%), intermediate risk (10-20%), and high risk (> 20%). Mean intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids was lower in subjects who had > 20% FRS than in subjects who had < 10% FRS ($3.7{\pm}1.9$ g/day vs. $4.7{\pm}1.9$ g/day; P < 0.05). Significant differences in the Index of Nutritional Quality of protein, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, niacin, vitamin $B_6$, and vitamin C were observed between the > 20% FRS group and the < 10% FRS group (P < 0.05). IL-6 concentrations were significantly lower in subjects with a < 10% FRS than in subjects who were 10-20% FRS or > 20% FRS ($0.91{\pm}0.26$ vs. $1.48{\pm}033$ vs. $2.72{\pm}0.57$ pg/mL, respectively; P < 0.05). IL-6 and dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids together explained 6.6% of the variation in FRS levels in a stepwise multiple regression model. Our results provide some evidence that dietary intake in the higher CVD risk group was inferior to that in the lower risk group and that dietary fat intake and IL-6 were associated with FRS and MS in Korean men.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.64-74
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the distribution patterns of serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels and the influence of environmental and dietary factors in 201 healthy male subjects. The subjects were found to be 53.7% for the normal, 15.4% for the TC, 17.4% for TG and 13.5% for TC.TG group, respectively. Among general characteristics, smoking significantly affected serum lipid levels of subjects (p < 0.05). Among anthropometric factors, body weight, BMI and PIBW significantly influenced the blood lipid patterns. Body weight of TG group was significantly higher than that of normal group (p < 0.05). BMI and PIBW of TG group and TC.TG group were significantly higher than those of normal group (p < 0.05) . In addition, diastolic blood pressure of TG group was significantly higher than that of normal group (p < 0.05). For the food intake, average intake of fruit was significantly higher in normal group than that of TG group (p < 0.05). For nutrient intake, calcium intake was significantly higher in TC group than those of normal and TC.TG group (p <0.05). Intakes of vitamin $B_2$ and C were significantly higher in TC group than those of in TG group (p < 0.05). Serum HDL-cholesterol level was negatively related to meat, poultry, and their products (p <0.05), but serum total cholesterol level positively related to animal lipids (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that it is crucial for maintaining adequate serum lipid levels to reduce smoking, blood pressure and to lose body weight. As far as food intake concerned, fruit intake was important in maintaining serum triglyceride level normal, while animal food intake affected serum total cholesterol level adversely. (Korean J Nutrition 36(1): 64-74, 2003)