• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.661-672
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• 2006

This study was performed to determine the dietary risk factors associated with hypertension. The hypertensive group were composed of 112 hypertensive patients (male 53, female 59) who first visited the hypertension clinic and had been diagnosed as having primary hypertension ($SBP{\ge}140mmHg\;or\;DBP{\ge}90mmHg$). The regular visitors or the subjects on special diets or medical therapies were excluded. The normal group consisted of as subjects (male 41, female 54) matched with age and socioeconomic levels. The subjects having higher intakes (above the 75 percentile) in energy, protein, iron, vitamin A or C showed significantly higher hypertension risk estimated with odds ratio after the covariance factors (age, sex and BMI) were adjusted. More than 2400 mg of sodium (6 g of salt) intake was associated with significantly higher risk of hypertension (odds ratio: 1.773, CI: 1.014-3.014 for $SBP{\ge}140mmHg$; odds ratio: 2.373, CI: 1.359-4.215 for $DBP{\ge}90mmHg$). Hypertensive group showed significantly increased intakes of vegetables and fish and shell fish compared to the normal group. When the vegetable intakes were classified into Kimchi, fresh vegetables and cooked vegetables with seasoning, the hypertensive group was observed as having higher intakes of Kimchi and cooked vegetables with seasoning. The intakes of highest quartile for vegetables (${\ge}327g/day$) (odds ratio: 3.164, CI: 1.740-5.752), fish and their products (${\ge}102g/day$) (odds ratio: 2.756, CI: 1.486-5.109), grains(${\ge}311g/day$) (odds ratio 2.393, CI: 1.186-4.832), meats and their product (${\ge}106g$) (odds ratio: 2.210, CI: 1.225 - 3.987) compared to the lower were significantly associated with the higher risk of hypertension estimated with DBP (${\ge}90mmHg$) after covariance factors were adjusted. In conclusion, our findings confirm that higher intake of energy or sodium are associated with the increased risk of hypertension. Because increased intake of vegetable or fish was associated with the higher risk of hypertension, in contrast with the finding of western countries, choosing or preparation of vegetables or fish with reduced salt is recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.846-854
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• 1996

High dietary fiber(DF) diets lower blood glucose and insulin requirements in diabetics. In this study we evaluated the effects of high dietary fiber(DF) food supplements on glucose metabolism in thirty-four subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM). The subjects were divided into three test groups. Each group's prescribed hospital diets were augmented by one of the three following DF supplements for two weeks: Soybean biscuits containing 5g of total DF-the control group(n=15); Biji biscuits containing 20g of total DF-the high insoluble DF group(n=9); and sea tangle biscuits containing 25g of total DF-the high soluble DF group(n=10). The mean daily DF intake of the subjects during the period were: $19.1\pm4.3g$ for the soybean control group; $32.5\pm4.1g$ for the Bijl group; and $38.1\pm5.5g$ for the sea tangle group. The supplementation of the Biji or sea tangle biscuits singnificantly lowered fasting serum glucose levels(p < 0.05) and resulted in the improvement of glucose tolerance. However, the secretions of insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon and Hb $A_{lc}$ concentration were not affected by the high fiber supplementary feeding for two weeks. The urinary excretion of glucose decreased remarkably after the addition of the DF supplements in all three groups(p<0.05). The results indicate that the supplementation of Biji or sea tangle bascuits possesses a beneficial effect on the improvement of glucose metabolism in subjects with NIDDM.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.362-372
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• 2020

Background: The non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng has been reported to have many biological activities. However, the effect of this fraction on anti-diabetic activity has not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated the effects of KGC05P0, a non-saponin fraction of Korean Red Ginseng, on anti-diabetic activity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: We measured the inhibition of commercially obtained α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities in vitro and measured the glucose uptake and transport rate in Caco-2 cells. C57BL/6J mice and C57BLKS/J^db/db (diabetic) mice were fed diets with or without KGC05P0 for eight weeks. To perform the experiments, the groups were divided as follows: normal control (C57BL/6J mice), db/db control (C57BLKS/J^db/db mice), positive control (inulin 400 mg/kg b.w.), low (KGC05P0 100 mg/kg b.w.), medium (KGC05P0 200 mg/kg b.w.), and high (KGC05P0 400 mg/kg b.w.). Results: KGC05P0 inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities in vitro, and decreased glucose uptake and transport rate in Caco-2 cells. In addition, KGC05P0 regulated fasting glucose level, glucose tolerance, insulin, HbA1c, carbonyl contents, and proinflammatory cytokines in blood from diabetic mice and significantly reduced urinary glucose excretion levels. Moreover, we found that KGC05P0 regulated glucose production by down-regulation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, which inhibited gluconeogenesis. Conclusion: Our study thereby demonstrated that KGC05P0 exerted anti-diabetic effects through inhibition of glucose absorption and the PI3K/AKT pathway in in vitro and in vivo models of diabetes. Our results suggest that KGC05P0 could be developed as a complementary food to help prevent T2DM and its complications.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2010

Background: Legionella pneumophila has been recognized as an important cause of pneumonia. However, limited data are available in the literature regarding legionella pneumonia in Korea. The objective of this study was to compare epidemiological data and clinical presentation of legionella pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia. Methods: We retrospectively compared clinical, radiological, and laboratory data, antimicrobial treatment, and treatment outcomes between 28 cases of legionella pneumonia and 56 cases of pneumococcal pneumonia. Diagnoses of both legionella and pneumococcal pneumonia were based on commercial urinary antigen tests. Results: Legionella pneumonia patients included 23 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 61.6 years (range 36~88). Fifteen were smokers and 26 had some underlying diseases. Legionella pneumonia occurred more frequently in healthcare-associated settings than pneumococcal pneumonia (42.9% vs 21.4%, respectively, p=0.040). There were no significant differences in clinical signs and symptoms. Compared to patients with pneumococcal pneumonia, patients with legionella pneumonia presented more frequently with anemia (39.3% vs 8.9%, p=0.001), increased C-reactive protein (57.1% vs 30.4%, p=0.018) and increased alkaline phosphatase (46.4% vs 16.1%, p=0.003). Also, legionella pneumonia patients more often showed pleural effusion on simple chest X-rays (50.0% vs 12.5%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Legionella pneumonia and pneumococcal pneumonia can not be distinguished by clinical manifestations alone. However, legionella pneumonia occurred as a healthcare-associated pneumonia more frequently and was more often associated with anemia and increased CRP and alkaline phosphatase levels.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2003

The current study investigated the effect of Korean safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed powder and its water and ethanol extracts on bone metabolism during recovery from rib-fracture induced by surgical operation in rats. 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 320 g were divided into 9 groups after arrival: 10d control (AIN 76 semi-purified diet), 10d safflower seed powder (10d SS-powder), 10d safflower seed ethanol extract (10d SS-EtOH), 10d safflower seed water extract (10d SS-$H_2O$), 20d control (AIN-76 semi-purified diet), 20d safflower heed powder (20d SS-powder), 20d safflower seed ethanol extract (20d SS-EtOH), 20d safflower seed water extract (20d SS-$H_2O$), and 20d sham-operation (20d sham), The dietary level for all the supplements was 5% based on the raw material weight. The rats were fed the experimental diets for 10 days before the rib fracture operation and for a further 10 or 20 days after the operation. A number 9 rib was fractured surgically and a sham-operation also performed. The rats were then sacrificed on the l0th or 20th day after the operation. The body weight initially decreased after the operation in all the rib-fractured groups, then gradually recovered. The concentrations of plasma osteocalcin were higher in the control group than in all the safflower-supplemented groups 10 and 20 days after the rib-fracture (p < 0.05). The bone-specific ALP (alkaline phosphatase) activity was significantly higher in the SS-EtOH group than in the other groups 20 days after the rib-fracture (p < 0.05). The level of urinary DPD (deoxypridinoline) was significantly higher in the SS-EtOH and SS-$H_2O$ groups than in the other groups 10 days after the rib-fracture. When comparing the PTH (parathyroid hormone) and calcitonin levels, the SS-$H_2O$ group exhibited the highest PTH level among the groups 10 and 20 days after the rib-fracture. Thus, it was concluded that the bone turnover during the fracture-healing period was more rapid in the rats supplemented with safflower seed powder or its fractions than in the control rats. Furthermore, the SS-$H_2O$ fraction was identified as the most effective in stimulating bone remodeling, as bone resorption and bone formation were both significantly increased during fracture healing when compared to the control group.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.271-278
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• 2008

Dialkylated phthalates have been commonly used as plasticizers and a variety of applications. Phthalate diesters have been shown to be developmental and reproductive toxicants. It is very difficult to exactly estimate the dose of dialkylated phthalates taken up by the general population because of environmental contamination. Urinary metabolites of phthalates enabled to estimate internal exposure. The objective of this study was quantitative determination of phthalate metabolites by LC/MS/MS with on-line cleanup method to analyze phthalate metabolites in Korean children's urine. We employed LC/MS/MS with on-line enrichment and column-switching techniques for this biological monitoring. Metabolites determined were 4 primary metabolites; MEHP, MnBP, MiBP, MEP and 2 secondary metabolites of DEHP; 5-OH-MEHP), 5-oxo-MEHP. We analyzed children's urine from 30 boys and 30 girls. The method detection limit of phthalate metabolites were 0.03 ng/mL for MEP, 1.05 ng/mL for MBP, 0.22 ng/mL for MEHP, 0.15 ng/mL for 5-OHMEHP and 0.16 ng/mL for 5-oxo-MEHP, respectively. Switching Column LC/MS/MS was proven to be a useful tool to determine metabolites of phthalate diesters in human urine. The correlation among phthalate metabolites was very high and statistically significant, except MEP. The children's age (months) was negatively correlated to the concentration of phthalate metabolites. The geometric mean concentration of phthalate metabolites (mg/g creatinine) in children's urine were 25.5 for MEP, 130.3 for MnBP, 56.8 for MiBP, 19.5 for MEHP, 85.6 for 5-OH-MEHP and 83.1 for 5-oxo-MEHP, respectively. Levels of estimated daily intake of parent phthalate compounds (${\mu}g$/kg bw/day) were 0.8 for DEP, 5.0 for DnBP, 1.9 for DiBP and $8.9{\sim}14.2$ for DEHP, respectively. Estimated daily intake for DEP and DiBP were lower than those of other studies but the value for DEHP was higher than that of other study.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.503-516
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• 2020

KCNQ family constitutes slowly-activating potassium channels among voltage-gated potassium channel superfamily. Recent studies suggested that KCNQ4 and 5 channels are abundantly expressed in smooth muscle cells, especially in lower urinary tract including corpus cavernosum and that both channels can exert membrane stabilizing effect in the tissues. In this article, we examined the electrophysiological characteristics of overexpressed KCNQ4, 5 channels in HEK293 cells with recently developed KCNQ-specific agonist. With submicromolar EC₅₀, the drug not only increased the open probability of KCNQ4 channel but also increased slope conductance of the channel. The overall effect of the drug in whole-cell configuration was to increase maximal whole-cell conductance, to prolongate the activation process, and left-shift of the activation curve. The agonistic action of the drug, however, was highly attenuated by the co-expression of one of the β ancillary subunits of KCNQ family, KCNE4. Strong in vitro interactions between KCNQ4, 5 and KCNE4 were found through Foster Resonance Energy Transfer and co-immunoprecipitation. Although the expression levels of both KCNQ4 and KCNE4 are high in mesenteric arterial smooth muscle cells, we found that 1 μM of the agonist was sufficient to almost completely relax phenylephrine-induced contraction of the muscle strip. Significant expression of KCNQ4 and KCNE4 in corpus cavernosum together with high tonic contractility of the tissue grants highly promising relaxational effect of the KCNQ-specific agonist in the tissue.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.1721-1731
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• 2011

This study was performed to determine the levels of depression symptoms among community elderlies and to reveal its related factors, specifically aimed at revealing social and family supports. The interviews were performed, during the period from July 1, to August 31, 2010, to 412 elderlies in urban areas. As a results, significantly higher level of depression symptoms was laid on those with lower social supports and family supports(p=0.000), and the subjects' depression was a negative correlation with social and family support. On multiple regression analysis, the level of depression symptoms was influenced by the variables of social and family support, with or without disability of visual acuity, sense of satisfaction in daily life, number of friends, educational level, with or without spouse, activity of hobbies and urinary incontinence. In conclusion, the level of depression symptoms was so complicatedly influenced by variable factors as well as socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, health status, social support net-work and social activities. Especially, the level of depression symptoms was more influenced by social supports and family supports.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.445-451
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was carried out to examine the effects of onion kimchi extract supplementation on blood glucose level and serum lipid components in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats for 4 weeks. STZ was administered as a single dose (50 mg/kg BW) to induce diabetes, and the diabetic rats were divided into eight groups (normal, diabetic control, and six treatment groups). The dose of onion kimchi extract 100 (OK-100), 200 (OK-200), and 400 (OK-400) mg/kg/day or quercetin as a main compound of onion 5 (Q-5), 10 (Q-10), and 20 (Q-20) mg/kg/day were orally administered daily to STZ-induced diabetic rats for 4 weeks after STZ injection. The diabetic control rats (465.6 mg/dL) showed significantly higher blood glucose level than the normal rats (76.3 mg/dL) after 4 weeks, but was significantly reduced with onion kimchi extract and quercetin supplementation (p<0.001). Changes in body weight, kidney weight and urine volume were not significantly different in diabetic control rats, and in onion kimchi extract and quercetin treated rats. The serum total cholesterol levels of control were significantly decreased in onion kimchi extract and quercetin supplementation groups, respectively (p<0.001). The blood urea nitrogen level and urinary protein excretion in diabetic rats were not significant different among the groups. These results suggest that onion kimchi extract supplementation in STZ-induced diabetic rats may be a very important factor for the reduction of blood glucose and serum cholesterol profiles.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.902-908
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• 2006

Tetrandra is the root of Stephania tetrandra 5. Moore (family Menispermaceae), or of Aristolochia frangchi Wu (family Aristolochiaceae). It is a Differ-flavored and cold-property herb acting on the urinary bladder, kidney and spleen meridiands. Known biological effects of this herb are expelling wind to relieve pain and inducing diuresis to alleviate edema. This herb also has anti-inflammatory and anti-hypersensitivity actions. Recent studies have shown that Stephanniae Tetrandrae Radix has antimicrobial effects, namely, a protective effect on acute renal failure induce by gentamicin sulfate and a suppressive effect against clostridium perfringes. However, there is a lack of studies concerning the immunological activities of this herb. The present study was conducted to evaluate the immunological activities of Stephanniae Tetrandrae Radix on the regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) in Raw 264.7 cells. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay after the treatment of Stephanniae Tetrandrae Radix extract (STRE) and NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. COX-2 and iNOS were determined by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. Results provided evidences that STRE inhibited the production of nitrite and nitrate (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$, $interleukin-1{\beta}(IL-1{\beta})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in Raw 264.7 cells activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These findings showed that STRE could produce some anti-inflammatory effects which might play a role in adjunctive therapy in Gram-negative bacterial infections.