• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Curcuma zedoaria R. (Zingiberaceae) has been used to treat headache, fever, and hypertension-related symptoms in Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. We investigated whether dietary intake of a C. zedoaria extract (CzE) affected atherosclerosis in vivo. MATERIALS/METHODS: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice (n = 32) were fed a normal diet (ND), a high-cholesterol diet (HCD), an HCD containing CzE (100 mg/kg/day), or an HCD containing simvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. The anti-atherosclerotic effects were evaluated by observing changes in fatty streak lesions, immunohistochemical analysis, ex vivo fluorescence imaging, lipid profiles, and western blot analysis. RESULTS: The CzE-fed group showed a 41.6% reduction of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, CzE significantly reduced the levels of serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, the chemokine (C-X3-C-motif ) ligand 1, the adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin; down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, high mobility group box-1, and cathepsin levels in the aortic sinuses and aortas of ApoE^-/- mice were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the inclusion of a water extract of C. zedoaria in a HCD is closely correlated with reducing the risk of vascular inflammatory diseases in an ApoE mouse model.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2090-2099
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• 2015

Recently, the cardiovascular disease has been widely problematic in humans probably due to fibrin formation via the unbalanced Western style diet. Although direct (human plasmin) and indirect methods (plasminogen activators) have been available, bacterial enzyme methods have been studied because of their cheap and mass production. To detect a novel bacterial fibrinolytic enzyme, 111 bacterial strains with fibrinolytic activity were selected from kimchi. Among them, 14 strains were selected because of their stronger activity than 0.02 U of plasmin. Their 16S rRNA sequence analysis revealed that they belong to Bacillus, Leuconostoc, Propionibacterium, Weissella, Staphylococcus, and Bifidobacterium. The strain B. subtilis ZA400, with the highest fibrinolytic activity, was selected and the gene encoding fibrinolytic enzyme (bsfA) was cloned and expressed in the E. coli overexpression system. The purified enzyme was analyzed with SDS-PAGE, western blot, and MALDI-TOF analyses, showing to be 28.4 kDa. Subsequently, the BsfA was characterized to be stable under various stress conditions such as temperature (4-40oC), metal ions (Mn²⁺, Ca²⁺, K²⁺, and Mg²⁺), and inhibitors (EDTA and SDS), suggesting that BsfA could be a good candidate for development of a novel fibrinolytic enzyme for thrombosis treatment and may even be useful as a new bacterial starter for manufacturing functional fermented foods.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2012

The Korean diet, including breakfast, is becoming more Western, which could increase the risk of metabolic syndrome. Our aim was to assess whether breakfast patterns are associated with risk for metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. The study subjects (n=371; 103 men, 268 women) were employees of Jaesang Hospital in Korea and their acquaintances, and all subjects were between 30 and 50 years old. The data collected from each subject included anthropometric measurements, three-day food intake, blood pressure (BP) and blood analyses. The three breakfast patterns identified by factor analysis were "Rice, Kimchi and Vegetables", "Potatoes, Fruits and Nuts" and "Eggs, Breads and Processed meat". The "Rice, Kimchi and Vegetables" pattern scores were positively correlated with systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) measurements in men (P<0.05) and with serum triglyceride (TG) levels in women (P<0.05). The "Eggs, Breads and Processed meat" pattern scores correlated positively with weight, body mass index (P<0.05) and serum TGs (P<0.01) in men. The "Potatoes, Fruits and Nuts" pattern was associated with lower risk of elevated BP (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.28-0.88) and fasting glucose levels (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.26-1.00). In contrast, the "Eggs, Breads and Processed meat" pattern was associated with increased risk of elevated TGs (OR 2.06, 95% CI 1.06-3.98). Our results indicate that reducing the consumption of eggs, western grains and processed meat while increasing fruit, nut and vegetable intake for breakfast could have beneficial effects on decreasing metabolic syndrome risk in Korean adults.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.181-191
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• 2009

This study was conducted to examine the distribution status, the physicochemical composition, and the physiological activity of Spergularia marina grown in the western region in Jeon-Ra-Nam-Do, looking for its potential as a local specialty goods. The amount sold of Spergularia marina to different areas from a rural market place was examined during April, 2008. The proportions of Spergularia marina are as follows; Yeongam(30.5%), Muan(24.3%), Naju(20.3%), Hampyeong(18.0%), and Haenam(7.0%), which were shown higher than those of Pimpinella brachycarpa. Total vitamin C and total chlorophyll contents in Spergularia marina were 68.61mg/100g DW and 58.11mg/g DW, respectively. Total amino acid contents were 331.94mg/100g DW and 20 kinds of amino acids were separated and classified. The contents of inorganic matters in Spergularia marina were as follows; Na(64.23mg/L), Mg(15.88mg/L) K(9.99mg/L), Ca(3.83mg/L). The total phenol and the total flavonoid contents of methanol extracts from Spergularia marina were 41.7mg/L and 18.9mg/L, respectively, with an extracting concentration of 2,000mg/L. The nitrite scavenging activity was highest (83.4%) in hot water extract. These results may be useful as basic data for using Spergularia marina as a local specialty goods.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.32-44
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: We have previously designed the anti-cancer food scoring model (ACFS) 1.0, an evidence-based quantitative tool analyzing the anti-cancer or carcinogenic potential of diets. Analysis was performed using simple quantitative indexes divided into 6 categories (S, A, B, C, D, and E). In this study, we applied this scoring model to wider recipes and evaluated its nutritional relevance. MATERIALS/METHODS: National or known regional databases were searched for recipes from 6 categories: Korean out-dining, Korean home-dining, Western, Chinese, Mediterranean, and vegetarian. These recipes were scored using the ACFS formula and the nutrition profiles were analyzed. RESULTS: Eighty-eight international recipes were analyzed. All S-graded recipes were from vegetarian or Mediterranean categories. The median code values of each category were B (Korean home-dining), C (Korean out-dining), B (Chinese), A (Mediterranean), S (vegetarian), and D (Western). The following profiles were correlated (P < 0.05) with ACFS grades in the univariate trend analysis: total calories, total fat, animal fat, animal protein, total protein, vitamin D, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B₁₂, pantothenic acid, sodium, animal iron, zinc, selenium, and cholesterol (negative trends), and carbohydrate rate, fiber, water-soluble fiber, vitamin K, vitamin C, and plant calcium (positive trends). Multivariate analysis revealed that animal fat, animal iron, and niacin (negative trends) and animal protein, fiber, and vitamin C (positive trends) were statistically significant. Pantothenic acid and sodium showed non-significant negative trends (P < 0.1), and vitamin B₁₂ showed a non-significant positive trend. CONCLUSION: This study provided a nutritional basis and extended the utility of ACFS, which is a bridgehead for future cancer-preventive clinical trials using ACFS.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.81-90
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the characteristic of Seborrheic Dermatitis(SD) patients who visited Korean medicine clinics. Methods : The study was carried out with 140 SD outpatients who visited fourteen Gowoongyul Korean traditional medical clinics from January to December 2016 and was completed by reviewing patients' survey. Results : 1. Among 140 patients, there were 61 male patients(43.6%), 79 female patients(56.4%). The average age of the patients was $32.6{\pm}10.9years$ old, with many in their 20s and 30s in the distribution. 2. The average duration of disease was $4.2{\pm}4.11years$. 3. 80% of the patients had experience of treatment, 58.6% only took Western medicine, 17.1% had experience of both Western and Korean medicine treatment, and 4.3% received only Korean medicine treatment. 4. Analysis of seasonal effects of SD showed that 48.6% of the respondents reported that skin disease always appeared regardless of the season, with 33.6% in winter, with 29.3% in summer and 25.7% in seasonal change. 5. The rate of family history of seborrheic dermatitis was low(6.4%), and 75.7% of the patients answered that they had no family history of skin disease. 6. The major lesion of SD appeared on face(87.9%) and scalp(36.4%). 7. 70.7% answered they do some kind of self-managements. 70.0% used moisturizers. Bathing therapy was performed in 17.1%, and 55% were taking the health supplement food, and 35.7% restricted the avoidance diet such as instant and fatty foods. Conclusions : This study demonstrated the various clinical characteristics of Korean patients with seborrheic dermatitis.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2019

The feeding habits of pacific cod (Gadus macrocephalus) were studied by analyses of stomach contents. Specimens of G. macrocephalus (n=407) were collected from the western coastal waters of Korea, monthly from July 2017 to June 2018. The size of G. macrocephalus ranged from 30.4 to 86.0 cm in total length (TL). G. macrocephalus was consumed mainly Pisces (71.5%) and Caridea (24.2%) based on % IRI, whereas other prey items including, Paguroidea, Euphausiacea and Cephalopods showed a low contribution to the diet. The feeding ratio of Caridea decreased with increasing fish size. While this decrease paralleled the increased consumption of fish preys. The feeding ratios of Pisces were the highest during spring, autumn and winter, whereas the proportion of Caridea was higher in summer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.429-439
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• 2023

Background: The incidence and clinical importance of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged. However, effective therapeutic strategies for NAFLD have yet to be found. Panax ginseng (P. ginseng) is a traditional herb in Eastern Asia with therapeutic effects in many chronic disorders. However, the precise effects of ginseng extract on NAFLD are currently unknown. In present study, the therapeutic effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) on the progression of NAFLD were explored. Methods: Twelve-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were fed a chow or western diet supplemented with high sugar water solution with or without Rg3-RGE. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, serum biochemistry, western blot analysis, and quantitative RT-PCR were used for in vivo experiment. Conditionally immortalized human glomerular endothelial cell (CiGEnC) and primary liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) were used for in vitro experiments. Results: Eight weeks of Rg3-RGE treatment significantly attenuated the inflammatory lesions of NAFLD. Furthermore, Rg3-RGE inhibited the inflammatory infiltrate in liver parenchyma and the expression of adhesive molecules to LSECs. Moreover, the Rg3-RGE exhibited similar patterns on the in vitro assays. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that Rg3-RGE treatment ameliorates NAFLD progression by inhibiting chemotaxis activities in LSECs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.19
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• pp.8509-8519
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• 2014

Many studies have found links between diet and cancer. The summary estimates of the association between dietary factors and cancer risk were investigated using previously reported studies of the Korean population. Gastric cancer risk was inversely associated with the high intake of soy foods [OR (95% CI): 0.32 (0.25-0.40) for soybean, 0.56 (0.45-0.71) for soybean curd, and 0.67 (0.46-0.98) for soymilk], allium vegetables [OR (95% CI): 0.37 (0.26-0.53) for green onion, 0.54 (0.40-0.73) for garlic, and 0.54 (0.35-0.85) for onion], fruits [OR (95% CI): 0.61 (0.42-0.88)], and mushrooms [OR (95% CI): 0.43 (0.21-0.88)]. Salt and Kimchi were associated with an increased gastric cancer risk [OR (95% CI): 1.92 (1.52-2.43) and 2.21 (1.29-3.77), respectively]. Colorectal cancer risk was positively associated with meat intake [OR (95% CI): 1.25 (1.15-1.36)]. Total soy products, soybean curd, and soymilk showed an inverse association with breast cancer risk [OR (95% CI): 0.61 (0.38-0.99), 0.47 (0.34-0.66), and 0.75 (0.57-0.98), respectively]. Green/yellow and light colored vegetables were associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer [OR (95% CI): 0.34 (0.23-0.49) and 0.44 (0.21-0.90), respectively]. Mushroom intake was inversely associated in pre-menopausal women only [OR (95% CI): 0.47 (0.26-0.86)]. In conclusion, soy foods, fruits and vegetables might reduce cancer risk in the Korean population. High salt food might be risk factor for gastric cancer, and intake of high amount of meat might cause colorectal cancer.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.164-174
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• 2011

Objective: The antiplatelet agent aspirin has been widely used for treating atherosclerosis in western medicine, and its efficacy has been proven in cardiac and extracardiac vascular diseases. On the other hand, Hyeolbuchukeo-tang has been widely used for treating blood stasis syndrome in traditional medicine. Therefore we investigated whether Hyeolbuchukeo-tang could have a synergic effect along with aspirin. Methods & Materials: Male $ApoE^{(-/-)}$ mice were randomly divided into three different experimental groups: a non-treated group(Control group), an aspirin-treated group(AP group), and an aspirin with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang-treated group(APH group). The control group was fed only an atherogenic diet, the AP group an atherogenic diet plus Aspirin 5 mg/kg, and the APH group an atherogenic diet plus Aspirin 5 mg/kg with Hyeolbuchukeo-tang 100 mg/kg. We investigated plasma lipid with liver function test, and performed the histological investigation of liver and abdominal aorta. Results: 1. We investigated photomicrographic changes of liver and abdominal aorta tissue. They showed that histological injury of aorta and lipid accumulations of the liver were lower in the AP and APH groups than in the control group. 2. In the APH group, plasma triglyceride levels were significantly lower than those in the control and AP groups. 3. There were no differences in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels among the control, AP and APH groups. Conclusion: The above results show that a combined treatment of Hyeolbuchukeo-tang and aspirin has a somewhat synergic effect in terms of inhibiting vessel injury and decreasing lipid deposits on liver cells without liver toxicity.