The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of L-carnitine administration on lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg b.w.) and was confirmed by determination of urinary glucose secretion. Diabetic rats in the three L-carnitine treated groups were given L-carnitine, 50(D5O), 100(D100) and 200 (D200) mg/kg body weight, by subcutaneously every other day for four weeks, while animals in normal (N) and diabetic (DM) groups for control received saline by the same method. The daily weight gain was not different between normal and diabetic rats, but daily dietary intake was significantly higher in diabetic rats than in normal rat. Diabetic rats had a significantly lower carnitine concentration in both serum and liver compared to normal rats. Total carnitine concentration in serum was increased dose dependently upon carnitine administration, but statistic significance was shown only in D200 group. Diabetic rats had significantly higher serum triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations compared to normal rats. However there were no significant differences in liver L-carnitine administration to diabetic rats significantly decreased serum triglyceride but not cholesterol concentrations. In liver, triglyceride and cholesterol concentrations were not attired by L-carnitine administration. These results indicated that streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats have decreased carnitine and increased lipid concentrations compared with normal rats. Also it indicated that L-carnitine administration has an effect on the normalization of serum triglyceride concentrations in diabetic rats.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oral supplementation of alanine and glutamine on alcohol metabolism. The subjects were 70 male ICR mice weighing 25-30 g. The animals were raised on standard rations artier weaning. After 24 hours of fasting, all the animals were given a peritoneal injection of 20% alcohol. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups: control and experimental. Fifteen minutes after the injection of alcohol, the mice in the experimental group wer given an oral solution of alanine(5 mM, 2 g/kg B. W) and glutamine (5 mM, 2g/kg B.W). The concentration of alcohol in the blood was measured in all the mice 20 minutes after they received the alochol, and the measurements continued every 20 minutes up to 140 minutes. The experimental group sustained lower blood alcohol levels at every 20 minute time interval compared to the control group, showing that oral supplementation of alanine and glutamine increases the rate of alcohol metabolism. Furthermore, the total amount of alcohol remaining in the blood, determined by using the Area Under the Curve (AUG) method, was lower in the group supplemented with alanine and glutamine, However, the effectiveness of alanine and glutamine in increasing the rate of alcohol metabolism, compared to the control group, diminished with time throughout the experiment. In conclusion, alanine and glutamine supplementation appears to promote alcohol metabolism shorthy after alcohol intake.

A mutation in the promoter region of uncoupling protein 3 (UCF3), specifically the -55C longrightarrow T transition, may influence an individual's energy metabolism and body weight. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of a weight reduction program on endocrine functions and body fat distribution, related to UCP3 promoter genotype. Ninety overweight pre-menopausal female subjects participated in the weight reduction program at Yonsei University Hospital, and were placed on a calorie-restricted diet (300 kcal less than their daily requirements) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, all subjects on the program lost approximately 5% of their initial body weights and had lower Body Mass Index (BMI) values. Among the 90 women, 56 had a normal (without mutation) UCP3 genotype, while 34 women had mutations in the promoter region of UCP3. Despite similar weight reductions in both groups, a significantly higher decrease in abdominal adipose tissue was observed in the normal UCP3 genotype group, compared to the group with mutations. In particular, there was a significant reduction of fat at the lumbar 1 (Ll) level in the without-mutation group. Serum levels of total cholesterol, apolipoprotein Al were significantly decreased in the without-mutation group, by 4.4% and 5.7% respectively. Serum levels of hormones were not significantly changed in both groups artier the intervention. However, in the group without the mutations, the leptin level significantly reduced by 23.4% (p<0.001). Serum free fatty acid (FFA) concentration was significantly increased in the group with mutation following the weight reduction program. On the other hand, FFA responses were shown similar increases in both groups. In conclusion, although no difference was found in the magnitude of weight reduction in both groups, there were significant differences in body fat distribution and in endocrine function between the groups.

The vitamin $B_{6}$ status of 49 healthy college student (women, aged 20-26 y) was estimated for evaluation of vitamin $B_{6}$ status and the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin $B_{6}$. The average daily vitamin $B_{6}$ intake of the subjects was 0.86 $\pm$ 0.289 mg/d or 61.43 $\pm$ 24.10% of Korean RDA. The average ratio of vitamin $B_{6}$ intake to daily protein intake was 0.014 $\pm$ 0.003 mg/g protein. Foods from animal and plaint sources provided 34.25 $\pm$ 18.62% and 65.78 $\pm$ 18.72%, respectively, of total vitamin $B_{6}$. Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) concentration was significantly (p<.01 - p<.001) positively correlated to intakes of all other nutrients except vitamin C. However, no significant correlation was found between plasma PLP and nutrient intake. Vitamin $B_{6}$ intake only tended to have a positive correlation with plasma PLP concentration. Plasma total cholesterol was correlated to plasma PLP concentration (p<.05). Plasma PLP had no correlation with levels of glucose, triglyceride, and albumin. These results confirm that the present Korea RDA for vitamin $B_{6}$ of 1.4mg/d based on 0.02 mg/g protein is adequate.

This study was conducted to provide insight into the management and care of the elderly in nursing homes. Eighty-six elderly subjects over 65 years old (38 male, 48 female) in 3 non-fee-paying nursing homes, located in Daejeon and Chungchong areas, were studied. Subjects'dietary intakes by estimated food intake records, and self-perceived health conditions, were studied using questionnaires from July 21 to August 1, 1997. Twenty-one % of the male subjects and 42% of the female subjects were over 80 years. Their predominant past occupation was farming. While 8.3% of the female and no male residents showed a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 27 and above, about 30% of the subjects were underweight and in poor health status in seeing, joint pains, lumbago and shoulder pains. Regarding overall health status, 72.1% of the subjects considered them to be in poor health, and female and male subjects suffered more difficulties from cloudy eyes, joint pains and lumbago and shoulder pains than any other. Neuralgia was the predominant chronic complaint and followed by hypertension in both sexes. Overall, female subjects felt worse off than the male subjects in terms of their health status, that can be attributed to higher average age of the female subjects compared to the male subjects. The elderly were eating a very low fat (about 15 g : 6% of total calorie) diet with low vitamin A and E. Intakes of calories, protein and iron slightly exceeded RDA. The phosphorus intake was more than double the RDA although calcium intake was close to the RDA. From these results, it seems important to doubling the fat intake of the elderly residents in the form of vegetable fat with the object of raising of vitamin E, antioxidant vitamin, and essential fatty acids for the elderly. It is also recommended that the elderly residents should be given adequate calcium and exercise for bone health.

The objective of tole study was to compare nutritional knowledge, attitudes and food practices of competitive athletes, recreational athletes and non-participants. All students enrolled at the University of Nebraska in an Introductory Nutrition course in which sports nutrition was stressed, were asked to participate in the study. The course was typical of many introductory nutrition courses ; about two thirds of the students were from the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, and most of the students were encouraged to take this course by their advisers. The students were divided into three groups : 20 competitive athletes (mostly runners, swimmers, basketball players and football players for the University), 14 recreational athletes (who were involved in a planned exercise program at least 2 hours per week), and 19 non-participants. At the beginning of the semester, students completed a food frequency questionnaire, and a 24-hour food record based on the Food Guide Pyramid. A nutrition knowledge and attitude questionnaire was formulated specifically for this study, covering normal nutrition and sports nutrition. The results showed that consumption of foods from all Food Guide Pyramid food groups except the fats/oils/sweets group was not significantly different among the three student groups. Regarding the fats/oils/sweets group, competitive athletes consumed significantly more numbers of servings than recreational athletes, while the recreational athletes consumed significantly more than non-participants (p<0.01). The total mean scores from the nutrition attitude and knowledge questionnaire were not significantly different among the three student groups. However, combined athletes (competitive athletes and recreational athletes) obtained significantly higher scores on some of the nutrition attitude questions (p<0.05). The results of the study indicate that athletes, significantly lower scores on some of the nutrition knowledge questions (p<0.05). The results of the study indicate that athletes, whether competitive or some of the nutrition knowledge questions (p<0.05). The results of the study indicate that athletes, whether competitive or recreational, had a very positive attitude regarding the effects of nutrition on their sports performance and health: however, these athletes did not appear to apply scientific principles of sports nutrition to their diet. In conclusion, advising athletes to simply increase or decrease their intakes of certain foods is too simplistic an approach for maintenance of good health and for better sporting performance. Athletes and non-athletes need continuous nutrition education to help with improving their competitive edge and food choices.

This study was carried out to evaluate the adequacy of serving sizes of those packaged processed foods in Korea which are designed to provids one meal or snack for one person. There is a lack of data on reference serving sizes which are essential components in the nutrition information provided on food labels. After compiling the average weight of packaged processed foods available in the market in Korea, a questionnaire was formulated to evaluate the adequacy of the serving sizes on 56 packaged processed food items of 188products using 25 female university students as a consumer group. The results showed that 65.5% of the packaged processed foods had adequate serving sizes. In general, current packaged sizes for bread and carbonated drinks were found to be too large. The proposed reference serving sizes in this research appear to be somewhat different from the ones suggested by the Korean Nutrition Society s $7^{th}$ Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans and by the Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) in the U.S. The serving sizes suggested by the USFDA appear to be too large for beverages and too small for snack foods when these are applied to the Korean population. It is suggested that the size of beverages in the Korean market should be reduced, and smaller sub-packets of snacks (each for one serving) should be packaged in a larger pack, for ease of use of nutrition information by consumers as well as for the reduction of food waste. In the future, other representative population groups should be included in the determination of reference serving sizes.