• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Purpose: Obesity is associated with alterations in vitamin D metabolism and elevation of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Increased PTH level in obesity is likely one of the factors contributing to the dysregulation of vitamin D metabolism. We investigated the effects of lowering the PTH level in high-fat diet-induced obese mice on vitamin D metabolism. Methods: Five-week-old male C57BL/6N mice were fed either with control (10% energy as fat) or high-fat (60% energy as fat) diets ad libitum for 12 weeks, and vehicle or cinacalcet HCl (30 ㎍/g body weight) was gavaged daily during the final week of the experiment. The following groups were studied: CON (control diet + vehicle), HFD (high-fat diet + vehicle), and HFD-CIN (high-fat diet + cinacalcet HCl). PTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25[OH]₂D), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), calcium, and phosphate levels in circulation, and the expression of genes related to vitamin D metabolism in the liver and kidneys were determined. Results: Renal 1α-hydroxylase expression in the HFD group was higher than that in the CON group despite the lack of a difference in the PTH levels between the 2 groups. The plasma PTH level in the HFD-CIN group was 60% lower than that in the HFD group (p < 0.05). In parallel, the HFD-CIN group had lower adipose tissue amount (9% lower), renal 1α-hydroxylase expression (48% lower), and plasma 1,25(OH)₂D concentration (38% lower) than the HFD group. Conclusion: Lowering the PTH levels in high-fat diet-induced obese mice recovered the expression of renal 1α-hydroxylase and might be associated with lower amounts of white adipose tissue.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2014

Purpose: Although vitamin D deficiency is more commonly found in cancer patient than in non-cancer patients, there have been little data regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in cancer patients at the very end of life. We examined vitamin D deficiency in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective chart review of 133 patients in a hospice ward. We collected data regarding age, sex, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, cancer type, physical performance, current medications and various laboratory findings. We investigated factors related to serum vitamin D levels after multivariate adjustment for potential confounders. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/mL was considered deficient and <10 ng/mL severely deficient. Results: Ninety-five percent of the patients were serum vitamin D deficient. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, non-lung cancer patients, $H_2$ blocker users and non-anticonvulsant users. Elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also associated with low serum vitamin D levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with male gender (aOR 3.82, 95% CI: 1.50~9.72, P=0.005), $H_2$ blocker users (aOR 3.94, 95% CI: 1.61~9.65, P=0.003) and elevated serum ALT levels (aOR 4.52, 95% CI: 1.35~15.19, P=0.015). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among terminally ill cancer patients. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, $H_2$ blocker users, and patients with elevated ALT levels.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.222-230
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• 2019

Intestinal barrier dysfunction always accompanies cirrhosis in patients with advanced liver disease and is an important contributor facilitating bacterial translocation (BT), which has been involved in the pathogenesis of cirrhosis and its complications. Several studies have demonstrated the protective effect of Vitamin D on intestinal barrier function. However, severe cholestasis leads to vitamin D depletion. This study was designed to test whether vitamin D therapy improves intestinal dysfunction in cirrhosis. Rats were subcutaneously injected with 50% sterile $CCl_4$ (a mixture of pure $CCl_4$ and olive oil, 0.3 mL/100 g) twice a week for 6 weeks. Next, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$ ($0.5{\mu}g/100g$) and the vehicle were administered simultaneously with $CCl_4$ to compare the extent of intestinal histologic damage, tight junction protein expression, intestinal barrier function, BT, intestinal proliferation, apoptosis, and enterocyte turnover. Intestinal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression and oxidative stress were also assessed. We found that vitamin D could maintain intestinal epithelial proliferation and turnover, inhibit intestinal epithelial apoptosis, alleviate structural damage, and prevent BT and intestinal barrier dysfunction. These were achieved partly through restoration of HO-1 and inhibition of oxidative stress. Taken together, our results suggest that vitamin D ameliorated intestinal epithelial turnover and improved the integrity and function of intestinal barrier in $CCl_4$-induced liver cirrhotic rats. HO-1 signaling activation was involved in these above beneficial effects.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.269-282
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• 2023

Vitamin D participates in the biological function of the innate and adaptive immune system and inflammation. We aim to specify the effectiveness of the vitamin D supplementation on the side effects BioNTech, Pfizer vaccination, and immunoglobulin G response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in subjects tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this multi-center randomized clinical trial, 498 people tested positive for COVID-19 were divided into 2 groups, receiving vitamin D capsules or a placebo (1 capsule daily, each containing 600 IU of vitamin D) over 14-16 weeks. Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters were measured before and after the second dose of vaccination. Fourteen to 16 weeks after supplementation, the intervention group had an immunoglobulin G (IgG) increase of 10.89 ± 1.2 g/L, while the control group had 8.89 ± 1.3 g/L, and the difference was significant between both groups (p = 0.001). After the second dose of vaccination, the supplement group significantly increased their 25-hydroxy vitamin D from initially 28.73 ± 15.6 ng/mL and increased to 46.48 ± 27.2 ng/mL, and the difference between them was significant. Those with a higher body mass index (BMI) had the most of symptoms, and the difference of side effects according to BMI level was significantly different. In 8 weeks after supplementation obese participants had the lowest IgG levels than overweight or normal subjects. The proportion of all types of side effects on the second dose was significantly diminished compared with the first dose in the intervention group. Supplementation of 600 IU of vitamin D3 can reduce post-vaccination side effects and increase IgG levels in participants who received BioNTech, Pfizer vaccine.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.812-819
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• 2008

Purpose : Vitamin D plays a key role in bone mineralization of the skeleton and vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets. It is well known that vitamin D deficiency is common in breast fed infants. Of these patients, clinically, some have no signs of rickets, but laboratory and radiographic findings are diagnostic for vitamin D deficiency rickets (subclinical vitamin D deficiency rickets). The purpose of this study is to clarify current causes and ways to prevent this disease. Methods : We reviewed the clinical and laboratory characteristics of children who were incidentally diagnosed as subclinical rickets during treatment of other disease such as pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection at Eulji Hospital, Seoul, Korea from March, 2003 to July 2007. Results : Eight patients (six boys and two girls) were diagnosed with subclinical vitamin D deficiency rickets. The mean age of the patients was $12.6{\pm}5.8months$, and they were diagnosed from January to July. The associated diseases were pneumonia, urinary tract infection, acute gastroenteritis, and iron deficiency anemia. All patients were breast-fed. Two showed growth failure. The mean serum alkaline phosphatase was $1995.8{\pm}739.5IU/L$, the mean calcium count was $9.5{\pm}0.6mg/dL$, and the mean phosphorus content was $3.6{\pm}1.5mg/dL$. The mean intact parathyroid hormone was $214.8{\pm}155.9pg/mL$ (reference range, 9-65), the mean 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D was $82.4{\pm}49.3pg/mL$ (reference range, 2070), and the mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D was $29.6{\pm}10.6ng/mL$ (reference range, 1030). A radiographic examination showed cupping, fraying, and flaring of metaphyses in all patients. Six patients were administered calcitriol (400 IU/day) for three months. A consequent radiographic and laboratory examination showed improvement. The first two patients were initially diagnosed with metaphyseal dysplasia, without the detection of vitamin D deficiency and they spontaneously improved without vitamin D supplements. However, two years later, they showed mild scoliosis and metaphyseal dysplasia, respectively. Conclusion : Breast-feeding without supplementation involves high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Some infants may also develop rickets; therefore, such groups should be considered for vitamin D supplementation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 1998

Cigarette smoking is a well known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and has negative effects on blood lipid and lipoprotein . Some of the associations between smoking and chronic disease can be attributed to the less healthful lifestyles of smokers. A large body of epidemiologic evidence suggests inverse relationships between ischemic heart disease and plasma vitamin C and E concentrations . Smokers have lower plasma concentrations of these vitamins than do nonsmokers. Smokers therefore need antioxidant vitamin supplementation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect vitamin supplementation on plasma lipid patterns in smoking college men. 24subjects were divided into 3 groups of which were the vitamin C supplementation group (n=8), the vitamin E supplementation group(n=8) and the vitamin C+E supplementation group(n=8). The vitamin C supplementation group consumed 500mg of ascorbic acid, the vitamin E supplementation group consumed 200IU of D-$\alpha$-tocopherol, and the vitamin C+E supplementation group consumed 500mg of ascorbic acid+ 200IU of D-$\alpha$-tocopherol for 4 weeks. We examined the plasma lipid patterns before and after the vitamins were supplemented. The results obtained were as follows ; In the vitamin C supplementation group, the concentration of total cholesterol decreased significantly and HDL-cholesterol increased significantly with the supplementation of vitamin. In the vitamin E and vitamin C+E supplementation groups, however, there were no significant differences observed with the supplementation of vitamin. Concentration of plasma LDL, triglyceride, free fatty acid were not significantly affected by the supplementation of vitamin in all groups. In terms of plasma fatty acid composition, the concentrations of saturated fatty acid were not significantly affected by the supplementation of vitamin in all groups. The concentrations of palmitoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid, however, significantly increased in the vitamin E supplementation group(p<0.05). The concentration of plasma linoleic acid significantly increased in the vitamin C+ E supplementation group)(p<0.05). The results of this study show that antioxidant vitamin supplementation in smokers has a tendency to decrease coronary heart disease risk in view of the plasma total cholestrol and HDL-cholesterol concentrations of the vitamin C supplementation group and fatty acid concentration of the vitamin E supplementation group.

• Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.284-289
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• 2018

Purpose: Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism. It is associated with various diseases such as cardiovascular, immune, allergic and infectious disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference in clinical manifestations according to the concentration of vitamin D in mild bronchiolitis. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of medical records of patients with mild bronchiolitis from November 2016 to April 2017 in Daegu Fatima Hospital. Mild bronchiolitis was classified by the modified Tal's score method. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to a 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 ng/mL. We analyzed the clinical characteristics and laboratory data from the 2 groups. Results: Of the 64 patients, 19 were included in the deficiency group and 45 in the normal group. Vitamin D levels were $11.7{\pm}4.9ng/mL$ in the deficiency group and $28.8{\pm}5.0ng/mL$ in the normal group. There were no differences in clinical features between both groups. However, the vitamin D deficiency group had significantly longer hospitalization than the normal group ($6.78{\pm}2.74$ days vs. $5.3{\pm}1.7$ days, P=0.045). In the deficiency group, the incidence of previous respiratory diseases was significantly higher (P=0.001). No significant difference in blood and respiratory virus tests was observed. Conclusion: Low vitamin D levels in mild bronchiolitis were associated with longer hospitalization and prior respiratory disease. Vitamin D may affect the course of mild bronchiolitis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.37-41
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• 1982

This study was conducted to investigate the growth of soybean sprouts and the effective hormonal refutation of vitamin C content by the concentration and combination of kinetin and auxins such as IAA, 2.4-D and NAA. The results were as follows; 1. The growth of soybean sprouts were fine under the respective conditions of kinetin $10^{-8}M+IAA\;10^{-6}M$, kinetin $10^{-7}M+IAA\;10^{-5}M$, kinetin $10^{-6}M+IAA\;10^{-6}M$, kinetin $10^{-5}M+IAA\;10^{-7}M$, kinetin $10^{-8}M+2,4-D\;10^{-8}M$ and kinetin $10^{-7}M+NAA\;10^{-5}M$. 2. The root development of soybean sprouts were almost in accord with the growth of soybean sprouts by the concentration of kinetin and auxin. 3. The content of vitamin C were more increased under in kinetin $10^{-8}M+IAA\;10^{-8}M$, kinetin $10^{-6}M+2,4-D\;10^{-5}M$ and kinetin $10^{-8}M+NAA\;10^{-8}M$ and both growth and vitamin C content were more activated under kinetin $10^{-8}M+IAA\;10^{-6}M$ and $10^{-8}M+NAA\;10^{-8}M$. 4. The growth, root development and vitamin C content were increased in the low kinetin and high IAA, NAA concentration. Root development and vitamin C content of soybean hypocotyl were decreased in the low kinetin and high 2,4-D concentration.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.132-139
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• 2019

Objective: Vitamin D-binding protein (VDBP) mediates various biological processes in humans. The goal of this study was to investigate whether VDBP gene polymorphisms could predispose Korean women to endometriosis. Methods: We prospectively enrolled women with endometriosis (n = 16) and healthy controls (n = 16). Total serum 25-hydroxyl vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured using an Elecsys vitamin D total kit. Levels of bioavailable and free 25(OH)D were calculated. Concentrations of VDBP were measured using a vitamin D BP Quantikine ELISA kit. DNA was extracted using a DNeasy blood & tissue kit. Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs4588 and rs7041) in GC, the gene that codes for VDBP, were analyzed using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay kit. The functional variant of VDBP was determined based on the results of the two SNPs. Results: Gravidity and parity were significantly lower in the endometriosis patients than in the control group, but serum CA-125 levels and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate were significantly higher. Total serum 25(OH)D levels in the endometriosis patients were significantly lower than in the control group. However, serum bioavailable 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, and VDBP levels did not differ significantly between the endometriosis and control groups. The genotypes and allele frequencies of GC were similar in both groups. Conclusion: Korean women with endometriosis had lower total serum 25(OH)D concentrations than controls. Neither serum VDBP concentrations nor polymorphisms in the gene coding for VDBP were associated with endometriosis. Further studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiology and clinical implications of 25(OH)D and VDBP in endometriosis.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.196-201
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• 2011

BACKGROUND: Bioavailability enhancement by solubilization of lipophilic drugs in nano-emulsion has been reported and it may be useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. This study was performed to compare in vivo bioavailability of nano-emulsion formulation with that of the general product as control. METHODS AND RESULTS: The pharmacokinetics assessment of Vitamin A, D and E complex of nanoemulsion formulation (LaVita), in comparison to the general product, was performed in the male rat plasma by a single oral dose at 20 mL/kg body weight (n=3/group). For nano-emulsion formulation (LaVita), $C_{max}$ of vitamin A and E in plasma were much higher and the area under the curve (AUC) of vitamin A, D and E were 14-63% higher, and the half-life of vitamin E was 2-fold longer than the general product. According to statistical analysis, each $C_{max}$ of vitamin A, D & E was significantly higher (p<0.01, 0.05 and 0.01, respectively) than that of general product. Half-life of vitamin A was significantly higher (p<0.01) and AUC of vitamin A and D were also significantly higher than the general product. CONCLUSION(s): Considering significant increment of $C_{max}$ and AUC, LaVita made of nano-emulsion could be more effective the absorption rate and extent for bioavailability of vitamin A, D & E than those of general product.