• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.2
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• pp.113-120
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• 2009

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress may play an important role in the pathogenesis of various chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and malignancy that are linked to metabolic syndrome. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We examined the relationship between IPF and presenting factors associated with metabolic disorders. Methods: One hundred fourteen patients who met the current consensus of IPF definition were enrolled from March 2000 to April 2006 in Gil Hospital and Samsung Medical Center in Korea. One hundred thirty-four control subjects without pulmonary diseases were selected from subjects who visited Gil hospital for routine medical examinations, including low-dose chest computed tomography from January 2002 to July 2006. Retrospectively, we analyzed the clinical characteristics, the results of blood examinations, and lung function tests from medical records of both groups. Results: IPF patients and control subjects differed in the prevalence of diabetes mellitus as assessed by univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that diabetes mellitus and obesity were associated with IPF. The adjusted odds ratios for diabetes mellitus were 2.733 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.282~5.827) and 2.001 (95% [CI], 1.063~3.766) for obesity. The remaining factors tested showed no differences between the patient group and the control. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus and obesity may be associated with IPF development.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2008

Objectives: To investigate whether smoking and the smoking status are predictors of the incident impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes in Korean men. Methods: A cohort of 1,717 Korean men without IFG or diabetes, who underwent annual periodic health examinations for 4 years (2002-2006), were retrospectively investigated. IFG and diabetes were defined as a serum fasting glucose concentration of 100-125 mg/dL and more than 126 mg/dL, respectively. Cox's proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between smoking and development of IFG or type 2 diabetes. Results: A total of 558 cases (32.5%) of incident IFG and 50 cases (2.9%) of diabetes occurred. After controlling for the potential predictors of diabetes, the relative risk for IFG, compared with the never smokers, was 1.02 (95% CI=0.88 to 1.19) for the ever-smokers, 0.96 (95% CI=0.79-1.16) for those who smoked 1-9 cigarettes/d, 1.15 (95% CI=1.01 to 1.30) for those who smoked 10-19 cigarettes/d, and 1.31 (95% CI=1.10 to 1.57) for those who smoked 20 or more cigarettes/d (the P value for the current smokers was only p<0.002). The respective multivariate adjusted relative risks for type 2 diabetes, compared with the never-smokers, were 1.07 (95% CI=0.64 to 1.92), 1.47 (95% CI=0.71 to 3.04), 1.84 (95% CI=0.92-3.04), and 1.87 (95% CI=1.13-3.67), respectively (the P value for the current smokers was only p=0.004). Conclusions: The smoking status and the number of cigarettes smoked daily are associated with an increased risk for developing IFG or type 2 diabetes in Korean men.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2013

Kefir is a unique fermented dairy product resulting from combined lactic acid and alcoholic fermentation of lactose in milk. Kefir is produced by the microbial activity of kefir grains. Kefir has numerous health benefits such as the reduction of cholesterol levels, stimulation of the immune system, antimutagenic and anticarcinogenic properties, and improvements of lactose intolerance. Furthermore, kefir is excellent as both a dietetic beverage and for protection against various diseases in small babies. Therefore, kefir has recently been regarded as an important functional dairy food. To date, the majority of research on kefir has focused on the applications of functional kefir using advanced biotechnology methods. The purpose of this review article is to facilitate the recognition of kefir as a novel functional food.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.60-66
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• 2004

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence and its correlation to the underlying diseases of women in Daegu. Materials and Methods: Urinary incontinence questionnaire regarding age, body weight, height, body mass index (BMI), parity, delivery mode, menopausal status, history of hormonal replacement therapy, abortion history, and any underlying diseases were administered from May to November, 2001 to 412 women over 20 who had been randomly selected from the Outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yeungnam University. The clinical characteristics of women who experience, and those who do not experience urinary incontinence were compared by means of the Student's t-test for continuous variables and by the Pearson's Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the urinary incontinent group (N=193) was 44.2 years. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of incontinence with the increase of age (p=0.000). The prevalence of urinary incontinence was significantly related to the number of deliveries and the mode of delivery (p=0.007, p=0.001) No significant relationship was demonstrated between urinary incontinence and BMI (body mass index); the number of abortions; hormonal status; or any underlying diseases such as thyroid disease, diabetes mellitus, and chronic respiratory disease. Also, most of the urinary incontinent women didn't recognize their incontinence as pathological and consequently, didn't consult a physician. Conclusion: Our study indicates that the prevalence of urinary incontinence is significantly correlated to age, parity, and the mode of delivery. Most of the middle-aged women who suffered from urinary incontinence didn't recognize their incontinence a pathological. Those results suggest that women in this age group need more information and more education about urinary incontinence.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.232-239
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• 2011

Purpose: Diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most important diabetic complications because it increases the risk of amputations. Moreover, it lowers the quality of patients' life and increases the social medical expenses. Authors analyzed risk factors of intractable diabetic foot ulcer using retrospective study. Materials and Methods: From January 2007 to December 2010, 40 patients who could not achieve complete healing despite more than 12 weeks of proper management among who had been diagnosed and treated as diabetic foot ulcer at our hospital were included and evaluated retrospectively. We compared the risk factors between two groups who were finally treated by amputation and non-amputation. Results: The sample was composed of 31 male patients (77.5%) and 9 female patients (22.5%). Comorbidity including hypertension and hyperlipidemia were 77.5% and 80% each. By Wagner classification, 30 patients (80%) had ulcerative lesion over the grade 3. From bacteriology results, 29 patients (72.5%) had polybacteria infection. 35 patients (87.5%) had neuropathy and 26 patients (65%) had vascular stenosis at least one level. The mean initial ankle-brachial index and toe-brachial index were 0.982 and 0.439. In comparison between amputation group and non-amputation group, ulcer severity, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index had statistical significance. Conclusion: The most commonly risk factor of intractable diabetic foot ulcer was peripheral neuropathy reaching 87.5% of cases. In comparison with non-amputation group, ulcer severity according to Wagner classification, number of stenotic vessel and initial ankle-brachial index/toe-brachial index were demonstrated as a risk factor of amputation in intractable diabetic foot ulcer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.493-501
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• 2008

The objectives of this study were to investigate the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidmic effects of sea oak(Eisenia bicyclis, EB) in the diabetic state and to examine the appropriateness of formulated EB pill for the effects. The various test materials obtained from EB were included in the experimental diets with 15% fat/0.5% cholesterol and fed to streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice weighing $35.0{\pm}0.7$ g for three weeks but not in the control diet having the same composition. The test materials were EB dry powder, water and ethanol extracts, viscozyme-treated EB water extract(EB enzyme-TR) and formulated pill containing dry powders of the EB, two kinds of seaweed, black soybean, sesame, onion and garlic. BG was measured during feeding period and serum insulin, lipids and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) and intestinal disaccharidase activities were measured at the end of the three weeks of the feeding. BG increase was lower in the EB enzyme-TR group after 10 days of the experimental diet but lower in EB pill group after 15 days compared with the control group. Serum insulin levels were higher in the EB enzyme-TR and EB pill groups. Intestinal maltase but not sucrase activity was higher in EB enzyme-TR fed group than the control group. Serum levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were reduced by the EB enzyme-TR and EB pill compared with the control diet. HDL-/total cholesterol was increased by all EB test materials. Serum TBARS levels were lower in the EB ethanol extract and EB pill groups than in the control group and tended to be lower in the other EB groups. It is concluded that the EB enzyme-TR is the best among the EB preparations to be utilized as a functional component for improving blood glucose and lipid profile in diabetic subjects in the future. However, the pill containing low level of the EB powder is also regarded as effective and readily usable when formulated with the several other ingredients of the proper composition.(Supported by the RIC Program of MOCIE, Korea).

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.148-154
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• 2016

A urea cycle disorder is a condition caused by a defect of the enzymes in the urea cycle, and deficiency of ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC), which converts carbamoyl phosphate and ornithine into citrulline, is the most common type of the disorder. OTC deficiency induces the accumulation of precursors of urea, ammonia, and glutamine, leading to neurological symptoms including hypotonia, respiratory failure, seizure, lethargy, and coma and sometimes to death. Because OTC deficiency is inherited in an X-linked manner, typical symptoms such as vomiting, poor feeding, and lethargy appear mainly in male neonates. We recently had a case that presented with neonatal onset lethargy, vomiting, and apnea in a 4-day-old boy. He was diagnosed with OTC deficiency by biochemical phenotype, including hyperammonemia and an increased orotic acid level in the urine. Genetic analysis of the OTC gene showed a novel mutation c.780_781insCAGGCAGTGT (p.Ile261Glnfs*35). He was treated for hyperammonemia using continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH) at 118 hours after birth. After 4 days of CVVH, his consciousness and blood ammonia concentration were normalized, and he was discharged at the age of 53 days. At around 12 months of age, bilateral femur fractures and osteomyelitis occurred in this patient. Two months after the fracture, he died of septic shock, insulin-resistant hyperglycemia, and multi-organ failure.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.350-355
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• 2012

This study investigated the physiological effects of three species of Auricularia known as Auricularia polytricha (JNM21001), Auricularia auricula-judae black (JNM21002), and Auricularia auricula-judae brown (JNM21012). In the ORAC assay, Auricularia spp. showed antioxidant activities in the order of JNM21001>JNM21012>JNM21002. All Auricularia spp. strongly inhibited the action of ${\alpha}$-amyloglucosidase up to 60%. In order to further test in vivo anti-obesity effects, high fat diet induced ICR obese mice fed a diet containing 20% fat were used. All Auricularia spp. supplementation during high fat diet feeding significantly reduced body weight gain, epididymal fat pads weight, and lowered the food efficiency ratio compared to the high fat control (HFC) group. In particular, the group fed with JNM21012 had a lower average daily body weight gain of 0.45 g/day, demonstrating similar levels to the normal diet fed group. The group fed with JNM21012 significantly reduced lowered serum triglycerides (42%), total cholesterol (81%), and LDL-cholesterol level (66%) compared with the HFC group.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.317-322
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• 2015

Alcohol-induced fatty liver (steatosis) results from excessive generation of reducing equivalents by ethanol metabolism. Generally, chronic ethanol treatment causes hepatosteatosis by regulating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c), which increases the synthesis of hepatic lipids. The effect of ethanol on SREBP-1c is mediated through mammalian sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), a NAD⁺-dependent protein deacetylase that regulates hepatic lipid metabolism. Ginseng is a widely used herbal medicine that is used in Asia for its anti-diabetes and anti-obesity effects. The pharmacological and therapeutic effects of ginseng are primarily produced by bioactive constituents known as ginsenosides. Here, we examined the regulatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on SREBP-1c and SIRT-1 on lipid homeostasis in AML-12 mouse hepatocytes. AML-12 cells were treated with ethanol and/or KRG extracts (0 - 1,000 μg/ml). Lipid droplets were assayed using Oil red O staining, and western blotting was used to measure SIRT-1 and SREBP-1 expression. Treatment with KRG extracts restored SIRT-1 expression and reduced SREBP-1c expression in ethanol-treated cells. We also showed that KRG extract and ginsenosides Rb₂ and Rd significantly decreased SREBP-1 acetylation in ethanol-treated cells. These results show that treatment with KRG extract and its active ginsenoside constituents Rb₂ and Rd protected against alcohol-related hepatosteatosis via regulation of SIRT-1 and downstream acetylation of SREBP-1c, which altered hepatic lipid metabolism.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.134-144
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• 2017

This study evaluated the changes of physiochemical properties, phytochemical compounds (isoflavones and phenolic acids), and biological activity during the fermentation of Doenjang without and with bitter melon powder (BMP). The pH decreased from 6.41-5.83 to 5.81-5.24, during the fermentation of Doenjang, while the acidity increased from 0.42-0.65% to 1.28-1.48%. The viable cell numbers of Bacillus and Yeast, salinity, and total amino acid contents increased at the end fermentation (60 day). Also, the fermented Doenjang (FD) with 10% BMP showed the highest ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA, 129.87 mg/100 g) contents, among all the Doenjang samples. The FD exhibited significantly higher inhibitory activities than unfermented Doenjang (UFD) on radicals and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. The phytochemical compounds including isoflavone-aglycones and phenolic acids increased, whereas isoflavoneglycosides decreased in the BM following fermentative processing. Moreover, the total phenolic, isoflavone-aglycone, and phenolic acid contents were markedly increased, leading to a general increase in antioxidant and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition activities after fermentation. These results suggest that BMP may be used to prepare a new type of fermented Doenjang with improved antioxidant and antidiabetic activities.