• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.3
• /
• pp.942-953
• /
• 2019

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of L-arginine supplementation on muscle damage and fatigue indices and athletic performance improvement of canoe athletes after conducting a high-intensity training program. To achieve the objective, this study applied a high-intensity training program to seven high school canoe athletes. The high-intensity training program is composed of aerobic exercise sessions (twice per week; Tuesday and Thursday), anaerobic exercise sessions (three times per week; Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), and flexibility exercise sessions (five times per week). During the 6 week high-intensity training program, drug ingestion (L-arginine or placebo) was conducted in the first two weeks, wash out (two weeks) followed it, and drug ingestion (L-arginine or placebo) was carried out again in the last two weeks. The crossover design was used for the experiment so all study subjects were assigned to either the L-arginine intake group (the treatment group) or the placebo group (the control group). Each subject ingested 3g per day. This study confirmed the significant effects of L-arginine supplementation on muscle damage indices, fatigue indices, and antioxidants using blood samples. Additionally, FMD was analyzed to evaluate vascular endothelial cell functions and canoe performance was examined using the canoe ergometer. The results of this study showed that L-arginine intake did not have direct effects on the levels of ammonia, IP, and CK. The level of LDH decreased significantly more in the ARG group than in the PLA group due to L-arginine supplementation. Moreover, L-arginine supplementation did not change total NO, d-ROMs, BAP, and FMD significantly. Lastly, the results of the 500m canoe ergometer, which was conducted to evaluate the canoe performance, revealed that L-arginine did not have direct effects on total time, stroke distance, and mean velocity. However, L-arginine supplementation significantly improved muscle damage indices, fatigue indices, antioxidants, FMD, and canoe performance. Therefore, it is believed that additional studies are needed for examining the potential effects of L-arginine supplementation athletic performance enhancement.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.43 no.6
• /
• pp.1105-1121
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness and safety of frequently used clinical herbal medicines (Yijung-tang [Lizhong-tang, LJT], Pyeongwi-san [Pingwei-san, PWS], and Shihosogan-tang [Chaihu Shugan-tang, SST]) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) when administered according to herbal medicine and Korean medicine pattern identification. The results of this study will be used to standardize the diagnostic instrument used in Korean medicine and to investigate biomarkers of Korean medicine pattern identification. Methods: This study will be a randomized, assessor-blind, 3-arm, parallel, open-label, multi-center clinical trial. A total of 300 FD participants will be recruited from 3 Korean medical hospitals and assigned to the LJT (n=100), PWS (n=100), and SST (n=100) groups according to FD pattern identification. The patients will take the medication for 8 weeks, 3 times a day, before or between meals. The primary outcome will be total dyspepsia symptom (TDS) and the secondary outcomes will be adequate relief (AR) for dyspepsia, overall treatment effect (OTE), visual analogue scale (VAS), functional dyspepsia-related quality of life (FD-QoL), gastrointestinal symptom score (GIS), and pattern identification questionnaires. For the exploratory outcomes, we will analyze blood and fecal metabolome profiles, microbiota from fecal and saliva samples, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and results of Korean medicine diagnosis device measurements (heart rate variability, and tongue, pulse, and abdominal diagnosis). Conclusions: The results of this study will prove objectivity for Korean medicine pattern identifications, and the effectiveness and safety of herbal medicines for the population with FD.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.553-566
• /
• 2015

This study was performed to identify the effects of different intensities of regular aerobic exercise on erythropoietin (EPO) and BDNF levels, and cognitive function and working memory in middle-aged women. Women aged 40 to 60 years residing in G-gu, Y-si, Gyeonggi-do were divided into 3 groups: control group, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise group and high-intensity aerobic exercise. All groups were asked to exercise at the given intensities, twice a week for a total of 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected from participants on week 0 (before exercising), week 6 and week 12, and then cognitive function and working memory tests were followed to measure erythropoietin (EPO) and BDNF levels, cognitive function and working memory. Repeated measures ANOVA, univariate analysis and follow-up test were performed on all data to compare the group, period and interaction through a SPSS. As a result, a significant difference over time was observed in EPO, BDNF, cognitive function and working memory; therefore, a follow-up one-way ANOVA analysis was performed on each group. As a result of analysis, a significant increase in erythrocyte, hematocrit, BDNF level and working memory was observed in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise group while erythrocyte and working memory were significantly increased inhigh-intensity aerobic exercise group. When comparing the results between the groups, the level of hematocrit was shown to be significantly higher in both moderate-and high-intensity aerobic group than the control group and also the higher level of hemoglobin was observed in both moderate-and high-intensity aerobic group comparing to control group. Considering the results of this study, therefore, a 12-week long aerobic exercise at moderate to high intensity positively affected EPO and BDNF levels, cognitive function and working memory in middle-aged women.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.486-498
• /
• 2024

This study examined the effects of a soybean sprouts mixture containing 1.5% Hovenia dulcis Thunb. fruit concentrate (SHM) on relieving hangovers and improving liver function in chronically alcohol-treated rats. The ampelopsin and L-asparagine contents in the SHM were 10.52, 35.19 ppm. When chronic alcohol-induced rats were treated with SHM, the body weight increased and the liver weight decreased. The serum alcohol and acetaldehyde concentrations were lowest in the SHM group, and the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities were highest in the SHM group. Chronic alcohol induction increased the activity of liver function indicator enzymes such as ALT, AST, and GGT, but the activity was decreased significantly with the SHM treatment. The triglyceride content in hepatic and serum blood samples was lowest in the SHM group. The serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol contents decreased in the SHM group, and the HDL cholesterol content increased. The color of the hepatic observed morphologically in the SHM group was reddish brown, and the size and number of lipid droplets in the hepatic observed pathologically decreased. The hepatic and serum lipid peroxidation content of the SHM group decreased. The hepatic and serum GSH content increased in the SHM group. Therefore, SHM can be a functional food that can help hangovers and improve liver function.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.66 no.5
• /
• pp.962-980
• /
• 2024

Antimicrobial resistance poses challenges to humans and animals, especially to the poultry sector in control of fowl typhoid with antibiotics, leading to increased mortality and food insecurity. Therefore, it is essential to develop more effective medications as alternatives to antibiotics. Currently, zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles are of such significant interest due to their antibacterial properties. This study aimed to evaluate antimicrobial activity of zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles against fowl typhoid in broilers. Ninety broiler chicks were raised under suitable management conditions. On day 10 of age, chicks were divided into six groups: control negative, control positive, T₁, T₂, T₃, and T₄. On day 19 of age, chicks in all groups except control negative were infected with Salmonella gallinarum (0.2 mL, 10⁸ CFU/mL). After appearance of clinical signs, the treatments (Florfenicol; 50 mg/L drinking water [T₁], and zinc oxide + copper oxide nanoparticles; 25 + 10 mg/kg/d [T₂], 37.5 + 15 mg/kg/d [T₃], and 50 + 20 mg/kg/d [T₄]) were administered to chicks. Chicks were sacrificed on 26th and 30th day of age, and samples of blood and tissue were obtained. Hematological analysis with gross and histopathological examination of spleen, thymus and bursa of Fabricius was performed. Results revealed that there was no visible congestion in spleen and thymus of T₃ and T₄ at 11th day post infection. Antibody level against new castle's disease and lymphoproliferative response showed no significant difference in all groups. However, phagocytic response in nanoparticles treated groups exhibited a notable (p < 0.01) distinction compared to control positive. Notably, T₃ demonstrated the highest level of phagocytic activity. Hematological parameters, including lymphocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, and heterophils/lymphocytes ratio in groups T₂, T₃, and T₄, indicated significant (p < 0.01) difference compared to control positive. However, lymphocytes, heterophils, and heterophils/lymphocytes ratio in groups T₂, T₃, and T₄ showed no significant difference when compared to T₁. Nanoparticle treated groups showed decreased (p < 0.01) congestion of spleen and thymus as compared to control positive. Overall, zinc oxide and copper oxide nanoparticles have potential to serve as an alternative to florfenicol in treatment of fowl typhoid.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.421-429
• /
• 2005

Purpose: It has been postulated that dopamine release in the striatum underlies the reinforcing properties of nicotine. Substantial evidence in the animal studies demonstrates that nicotine interacts with dopaminergic neuron and regulates the activation of the dopaminergic system. The aim of this study was to visualize the dopamine release by smoking in human brain using PET scan with $[^{11}C]raclopride$. Materials and Methods: Five male non-smokers or ex-smokers with an abstinence period longer than 1 year (mean age of $24.4{\pm}1.7$ years) were enrolled in this study $[^{11}C]raclopride$, a dopamine D2 receptor radioligand, was administrated with bolus-plus-constant infusion. Dynamic PET was performed during 120 minutes ($3{\times}20s,\;2{\times}60s,\;2{\times}120s,\;1{\times}180s\;and\;22{\times}300s$). following the 50 minute-scanning, subjects smoked a cigarette containing 1 mg of nicotine while in the scanner. Blood samples for the measurement of plasma nicotine level were collected at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 45, 60, and 90 minute after smoking. Regions for striatal structures were drawn on the coronal summed PET images guided with co-registered MRI. Binding potential, calculated as (striatal-cerebellar)/cerebellar activity, was measured under equilibrium condition at baseline and smoking session. Results: The mean decrease in binding potential of $[^{11}C]raclopride$ between the baseline and smoking in caudate head, anterior putamen and ventral striatum was 4.7%, 4.0% and 7.8%, respectively. This indicated the striatal dopamine release by smoking. Of these, the reduction in binding potential in the ventral striatum was significantly correlated with the cumulated plasma level of the nicotine (Spearman's rho=0.9, p=0.04). Conclusion: These data demonstrate that in vivo imaging with $[^{11}C]raclopride$ PET could measure nicotine-induced dopamine release in the human brain, which has a significant positive correlation with the amount or nicotine administered bt smoking.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.64-72
• /
• 1997

Purpose : The incidence of tuberculous meningitis in Korean children has been markedly decreased after 1980s, but this disease has still occurred with low rate. Therefore, it may be suspected that delayed diagnosis and treatment will be happened because of lacking of clinical experiences and indistinguishable other meningitis, so it is important to make early diagnosis and treatment of tuberculous meningitis concerning with the prognosis. In this aspect, we conducted study to concern and investigate sustainly about the diagnostic criteria, clinical characteristics, radiological findings, complications, and prognosis of typical or atypical tuberculous meningitis in children. Methods : Forty four children who were hospitalized and treated due to tuberculous meningitis in pediatric wards of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, St. Holy Hospital, St. Vincent Hospital and Uijungbu St. Mary Hospital from January 1985 to June 1996 were included in this study. We reviewed medical records of these patients retrospectively. Results : 1) The tuberculous meningitis has occured continuosly since mid-1980s. The highest 2) The diagnosis was made by contact history of active tuberculous patients, positive tuberculin test, responses of antituberculous antibiotics and discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from CSF or other specimens. Among patients, 7 children(16%) were not vaccinated with BCG, and only 18 children(40%) were positive in tuberculin test. 3) The symptoms and signs of our patients on initial examinations were fever, vomiting, headache, lethargy, poor feeding, weight loss, neck stiffness, convulsion, abdominal pain and motor deficits. 4) The findings of initial CSF samples revealed leukocyte $239.5/mm^3$(mean) with lymphocyte predominant, elevated protein levels(mean;259.5mg%) and low sugar level(mean;40.7mg%). And the ratio of CSF/blood sugar was 0.407. But, atypical CSF findings were seen in 31.8% patients. 5) On brain imaging study, 34 out of 39 children had findings of hydrocephalus, basilar meningeal enhancement, infarction and subarachnoidal inflammations etc. On chest X-ray, the findings of miliary tuberculosis(34.1%), normal finding(29.5%), parenchymal infiltrations (11.4%) and calcifications(9.1%) were showed. 6) In neurological clinical stage, there were twenty-six children(59%) in stage 1, fourteen children(32%) in stage 2 and four children(9%) in stage 3. The late sequeles were encountered by 29.5% with mild and 4.6% with severe neurological injury. The most common neurological injury was quadriplegia and the mortality rate was 6.8%. 7) The SIADH was developed in 20 children(45.5%) after the 4th hospital day. Half of all SIADH patients were symptomatic. Conclusion : Tuberculosis meningitis is still an important extrapulmonary disease with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis with clinical contact history of active tuberculosis and radiological imaging examinations and early treatments are essential in order to prevent and decrase the rate of late sequeles and death.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.174-182
• /
• 2002

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of obese and underweight adolescents in Incheon area and to examine the relationship between serum cholesterol level and obesity, then to assess the nutritional condition of adolescents. Methods : With a questionnaire regarding their demographic characteristics, blood samples were obtained from apparently healthy students aged 12 to 24 years by venipuncture at April and May, 2000. We measured the obesity index using standard body weight and the body mass index(BMI) according to the criteria established by the Korean Pediatric Society in 1998. Obesity was defined as BMI more than 95 percentile, and underweight less than 15 percentile by age and sex. Results : A total of 1,456 students(M : F=685 : 771) aged 12 to 24 years were included in this study. The prevalence of obesity by standard body weight in adolescents in Incheon were 11.7% : mild obesity 6.5%, moderate 4.6%, and severe 0.5%. By BMI, the prevalence of obesity was 6.4% in males and 6.2% in females. In males, the prevalence of obesity in rural areas was 8.5%, lower than in urban areas(14.3%). The prevalence of underweight by obesity index was 34.1% in rural areas and 22.9% in urban areas. In females, the prevalence of obesity was 12.5% in rural areas and 19.6% in urban areas. There were no significant differences between the two regions(P=0.529). The prevalence of obesity increased with age till 16.3% of peak prevalence in 16 years of age, and then decreased. In males, the prevalence of obesity in academic and vocational school were 13.7% and 9.7%, respectively(P=0.116). In females of the academic and vocational school, the prevalence of obesity was 6.8% and 18.0%, respectively(P=0.001). In obese adolescents, serum total cholesterol was over 200 mg/dL in 6.2%. Conclusion : This study revealed that the prevalence of obesity in adolescents was about 12% and that the prevalence of underweight adolescents was considerably high. We think nutritional assessment and intervention are warranted for adolescent students.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.40 no.3
• /
• pp.213-222
• /
• 1993

Background : Bronchial asthma has been known as an inflmmatory disease. There have been many evidences that polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) might play an important role in the pathogrnesis of asthma. Although many investigators suggested that pneumocyte injury by PMN-derived oxygen radicals may contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma, there has been few report for a direct evidence of oxygen radicals-mediated pneumocyte injury in bronchial asthma. Furthermore the exact mechanism of oxygen radicals-mediated pneumocyte injury is still controversy. This study was designed to establish a direct in vitro evidence and its clinical significance of pneumocyte injury by PMN-derived superoxide anion in bronchial asthma and to elucidate the main mechanism of superoxide anion-mediated pneumocyte injury. Methods : 12 stable asthmatics and 5 healthy volunteers were participated in this study. PMN was separated from peripheral venous blood samples by using dextran sedimentation and Ficoll-Hypaque density gradient separation method. Superoxide anion productions by PMN and plasma SOD activities were measured by spectrophotometric assay using the principle of SOD inhibitable cytochrome c reduction. PMN-mediated pneumocyte injuries were measured by $^{51}Cr$-release assay using A549 pneumocytes and were expressed as percent lysis and percent detachment. Results: 1) PMN from asthmatics produced more amount of superoxide anion compared to PMN from normal subjects ($6.65{\pm}0.58$ vs $2.81{\pm}0.95\;nmol/1{\times}10^6$ cells, p<0.05), and showed an inverse correlation with $FEV_1$(R=-0.63, p<0.05), but no correlation with $PC_{20}$ histamine in asthmatics. 2) Plasma SOD activities were decreased in asthmatics compared to normal subjects but not significant, and showed a positive correlation with $FEV_1$(R=0.63, p<0.05) but no correlation with $PC_{20}$ histamine in asthmatics. 3) There were a positive correlation between plasma SOD activity and superoxide anion production by PMN in normal subjects (R=0.88, p<0.05) but not in asthmatics. 4) PMN-mediated pneumocyte injury was predominantly expressed as cell detachment rather than cell lysis in both groups, and PMN from asthmatics showed more potent cytotoxic effect on A549 pneumocytes compated to PMN from normal subjects. PMN-mediated detachment rather than lysis of A549 pneumocytes was significantly inhibited by in vitro SOD but not by diluted serum. 5) PMN-mediated detachment rather than lysis of A549 pneumocytes showed a good correlation with superoxide anion production by PMN (R=0.90 in normal subjects, R=0.82 in asthmatics, p<0.05) but no correlation with plasma SOD activity. PMN-mediated pneumocyte injuries were not correlated with $FEV_1$ or $PC_{20}$ histamine in asthmatics. 6) There were no significant differences in PMN-mediated pneumocyte injuries between allergic and nonallergic asthmatics. Conclusion : Our results suggest that pneumocyte injury by PMN-derived superoxide anion may partially contribute to the pathogenesis of asthma and that cell detachment rather than cell lysis may be the mechanism of superoxide anion-mediated pneumocyte injury.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.25 no.2 s.38
• /
• pp.127-140
• /
• 1992

This study was done to identify the association between serum copper and zinc levels and the cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), and to evaluate its diagnostic value on liver diseases. Sixty-three healthy persons, 60 patients with cirrhosis and 33 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were rendomly selected and investigated for their general characteristics from October 1990 to August 1991. For analysis of the biochemical markers in liver function test and the serum copper and zinc levels, their fasting venous blood were sampled at 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning and centrifuged to separate the serum within one hour. All the samples were immediately analysed for biochemical markers and stored at $-20^{\circ}C$ in polypropylene tubes further copper and zinc analysis. Mean of serum coppper levels was $91.97{\pm}4.76{\mu}g/dl$ in control, $106.21{\pm}2.73{\mu}g/dl$ in cirrhosis and $127.05{\pm}0.77{\mu}g/dl$ in HCC. The value of HCC was statistically significantly higher than that of the control and cirrhosis(p<0.05). Serum zinc levels were $110.82{\pm}7.24{\mu}g/dl$ in control, $68.10{\pm}5.43{\mu}g/dl$ in cirrhosis and $63.78{\pm}2.20{\mu}g/dl$ in HCC. The values of cirrhosis and HCC were statistically significantly lower than that of control(p<0.05). The Cu/Zn ratio was statiatically significantly different among three groups(p<0.05). Test total protein, albumin, ALP and total bilirubin of biochemical markers of liver function were statistically significantly different among three groups(p<0.05). Differences between cirrhosis and HCC for ALT and AST, and between the control and HCC for direct bilirubin were not statistically significant. Biochemical markers statistically significantly correlated with serum copper and zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio(p<0.05), were variable in three groups. In multiple logistic regression, odds ratio of serum copper level and Cu/Zn ratio had no statistical significance on the cirrhosis and the HCC, but that of serum sinc was statistically significant as 0.951 and 0.952(p<0.05). Serum copper and zinc levels and Cu/Zn ratio were not statistically significantly different between the cirrhosis and HCC. H\Albumin, ALP, zinc, total bilirubin and age among all variables were selected as main variables for three-group discriminant analysis. Percentage of 'grouped' cases correctly classified by these five variables was 98.4 for control, 73.4 for cirrhosis, 75.7 for HCC and 84.0 for all subjects. This study suggests that zinc level is considered to play a role as diagnostic marker on the hepatic disorders and be more useful than serum copper level and Cu/Zn ratio in diagnosis of the liver diseases.