• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.4
• /
• pp.636-641
• /
• 2005

Mulberry leaves, high in dietary fiber and some nutritional materials, are thought to have hypocholesterolemic effect. Therefore, effect of mulberry leaf powder on serum lipid profiles were studied using rats with diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed AIN-93 diet (control group), and diets containing high-cholesterol and 0% mulberry leaves powder, high-cholesterol and 5% mulberry leaves powder, and high-cholesterol and 10% mulberry leaves powder for 4 weeks. Hypercholesterolemia was induced by adding 1% cholesterol and 0.5% cholic acid to all diets except in control group. Although no differences were observed in food intake and initial body weight among groups, mulberry leaf treatment resulted in significant decreases in food efficiency ratio and body weight gain. Mulberry leaf treatment decreased serum lipid profiles, atherogenic index, cardiac risk factor, low density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, serum aspartate transaminase, and liver lipid levels. High density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, serum HDL-cholesterol, and fecal lipid levels increased, suggesting mulberry leaves could improve hyperlipidemia and liver action, thereby proventing cardiovascular disease.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2018

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) could be one of risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between PLMS and blood pressure changes during sleep. Methods: We analyzed data from 358 adults (176 men and 182 women) aged 18 years and older who were free from sleep apnea syndrome (Respiratory Disturbance Index < 5) and sleep disorders such as REM sleep behavior disorder or narcolepsy. Demographic characteristics, polysomnography records, and clinical variable data including blood pressure, body mass index, alcohol, smoking, and current medications were collected. In addition, self-report questionnaires including the Beck Depression Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were completed. Blood pressure change from bedtime to awakening was compared between the two periodic limb movement index (PLMI) groups [low PLMI ($PLMI{\leq}15$) and high PLMI (PLMI > 15)]. Blood pressure change patterns were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Systolic blood pressure in the high PLMI group was lower than that in the low PLMI group (p = 0.036). These results were also significant when adjusted for gender and age, but were not statistically significant when adjusted for BMI, alcohol, smoking, anti-hypertension medication use and sleep efficiency (p = 0.098). Systolic blood pressure dropped by 9.7 mm Hg in the low PLMI group, and systolic blood pressure in the high PLMI group dropped by 2.9 mm Hg. There was a significant difference in delta systolic blood pressure after sleep between the two groups in women when adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol, smoking, antihypertensive medication use and sleep efficiency (p = 0.023). Conclusion: PLMS was significantly associated with a decreasing pattern in nocturnal BP during sleep, and this association remained significant in women when adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol, smoking, antihypertension medication use and sleep efficiency related to blood pressure. We suggest that PLMS may be associated with cardiovascular morbidity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.603-608
• /
• 2021

The purpose of this perspective research is to discuss the potential role of exercise-interventions in COVID-19, terms of prevention and prognosis in the periods of the COVID-19 vaccine. SARCO-CoV-2. COVID-19 was detected as a new virus causing severe cardiovascular and respiratory complications. It emerged as a global public health emergency and national pandemic. It caused more than 1 million deaths in the first 6 months of the pandemic and resulted in huge social and economic fluctuations internationally. Unprecedented stressful situations, such as COVID-19 blue and COVID-19 red impact on many health problems. In healthy individuals, COVID-19 infection may induced no symptoms (i.e., asymptomatic), whereas others may experience flu-like symptoms, such as ARDS, pneumonia, and death. Poor health status, such as obesity and cardiovascular and respiratory complications, are high risk factors for COVID-19 prevention, occurrence, and prognosis. Several COVID-19 vaccines are currently in human trials. However, the efficacy and safety of COVID-19 vaccines, including potential side effects, such as anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction) and rare blood clots, still need to be investigated. On the basis of direct and indirect evidence, it seems that regular and moderate physical exercise can be recommended as a nonpharmacological, efficient, and safe way to cope with COVID-19. Physical inactivity and metabolic abnormalities are directly associated with reduced immune responses, including reduced innate, CMI, and AMI responses. Due to prolonged viral shedding, quarantine in inactive, obese and disease people should likely be longer than physical active people. Multicomponent and systemic exercise should be considered for the obese, disease, and elderly people. More mechanism research is needed in this area.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.148-155
• /
• 2012

A cross-sectional analysis of blood pressure (BP) changes and the current prevalence and distribution of hypertension among age groups in Korea were conducted. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and pulse (PP) pressures were evaluated. Residents visiting a local Community Health Center for a health check-up and/or participating in the Health Promotion Program were included for the analyses. A total of 6,570 subjects (2,809 men, 3,761 women) were divided into five age groups: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, and $70\leq$ years. Comparisons were made between sex and among age groups. SBP and DBP were continuously elevated, while men showed higher levels than women until their mid-60s; then, the trend was reversed. DBP in men became elevated from their 30s, reaching the highest in the 40s then slowly decreasing. DBP in women increased up to their 40s and 50s, then reached a plateau. PP increased rapidly from the 50s in both sexes. The major contributor of age-related BP elevation may be large artery stiffness in men, particularly from their 50s, while the blood pressure elevation of women may relate to diverse factors including large artery stiffness, stroke volume, and ventricular ejection rate. The rapid elevation of PP after the 50s in both men and women could represent a risk of cardiovascular or coronary mortality, particularly with increasing age. The current data showed a higher rate of hypertension in both sexes compared to previous reports. When those with both high-normal BP and hypertension are looked at in combination, BP management of the target population should be drastically elevated.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.53 no.1
• /
• pp.15-25
• /
• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the health effects of air conditioning use during the 2018 heat wave in Korea, included the highest temperature ever recorded in the nation. Methods: The participants in this study were 1000 adults aged 19 years and older recruited from across Korea. The participants were asked about their experience of symptoms of various diseases, disruptions of their daily lives, and use of air conditioning during the heat wave. The associations between air conditioning use during the heat wave and health outcomes were analyzed using the chisquare test and multiple logistic regression models. Results: Among participants who lacked air conditioning in the main space where they spent time outside the home, 33.9%, 8.1%, 43.5%, and 19.4% experienced symptoms of heat-related, cardiovascular, nervous system diseases, and air-conditioningitis, respectively. In comparison, participants who did have air conditioning outside the home experienced the same symptoms at proportions of 21.0%, 1.9%, 26.8%, and 34.2%, respectively (p=0.027, 0.007, 0.007, and 0.023, respectively). Among participants who had no air conditioner at home, 10.0% were absent from school or work due to the heat wave. In contrast, among participants who had an air conditioner at home, only 3.7% were absent as a result of the heat wave (p=0.007). Conclusions: When air conditioning was not used at home or in the main space where participants spent time outside the home during the 2018 heat wave, adverse health effects were more prevalent, but the risk of air-conditioningitis was reduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.46 no.8
• /
• pp.910-918
• /
• 2017

Hyperlipidemia is known as a glucose and lipid metabolism-related disorder that is increasing in incidence in modern society. Red ginseng (RG) is a natural herb candidate with a positive effect on regulation of cholesterol and lipids. To observe the effects of RG on regulation of lipids, cholesterol, glucose, and oxidative stress, we examined the in vitro and in vivo effects of Chamdahan RG on differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-fed mice. RG ($50{\mu}g/mL$) significantly inhibited lipid synthesis in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, a low concentration of RG (880 mg/kg/d) resulted in the lowest total blood cholesterol level. Moreover, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol quantity increased in RG-treated groups, consequently lowering the cardiovascular risk factor and atherosclerosis index. Moreover, RG increased activity of AMP-activated protein kinase, as a regulator of lipid and cholesterol synthesis, in adipose and liver tissues. Cumulatively, this paper suggests that RG has a positive effect on reducing the amounts of cholesterol and lipids and may be a good candidate for treating hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.99-109
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study is to offer evidence that supports effective prevention strategies for people with chronic lifestyle related disease and cardiovascular disease based on understanding relations between health related behaviors and risk factors of metabolic syndrome, to suggest a basic indicator that are related to office workers' chronic lifestyle related disease and to provide basic information for educating people who are diagnosed with chronic lifestyle diseas.Research methods include SPSS / Win Program ver 20.0 utilization analyzes were, variables and relationships to analyze it to F-test verification and ANOVA test conduct was, associations verify the order $x^2$(Chi-square) validation was conducted.Participants of this study are office workers who took medical examination covered by employee health insurance athealth screening centers in the city of Seoul. All 291 participants were explained about the purpose of this study and signed consent forms. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome for 291 participants is 19.2 %. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome for a non-smoker group is 12.7 %, for a group of people who used to smoke lightly is 25.0 %, for a group of people who used to smoke heavily is 25.9 %, for light smokers group is 29.7 % and heavy smoker group is 26.7 %. As results of this convergence study exhibits, there is a strong correlation between smoking and drinking habits, and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.131-153
• /
• 2004

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effect of herbal acupuncture (Atratylodes japonica Koizumi and Coix lachrymajobi var. mayeun Stapf) at Pungnyung(ST40) and Umnungchon(SP9) on weight gain, food intake, food efficiency, serum of lipid concentrations, liver function and HDL to total cholesterol ratio of rats fed high fat diet for 5weeks. Methods : Experimental groups were divided into normal group(Sham), high fat diet group(Control), high fat diet and Atractylodes japonica-herbal acupuncture in ST40 SP9 treated group (AJ), high fat diet and Coix lachrymajobi var. mayeun Stapf-herbal acupuncture in ST40 SP9 treated group(CL), high fat diet and Atractylodes japonica+Coix lachrymajobi var. mayeun Stapf-herbal acupuncture in ST40 SP9 treated group(AJ+CL). Herbal acupuncture was bilaterally treated at the level of 132.5mg/kg body weight per day. Results : Body weight and food efficiency were decreased in AJ, AJ+CL. Feed intake was decreased in AJ, CL. The level of serum HDL-cholesterol was increased in AJ, CL. The level of serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and phospholipid were not significant. The level of serum triglyceride, free fatty acid were increased in AJ. The level of serum AST was decreased in AJ, AJ+CL. The level of serum ALT was decreased in AJ, CL, AJ+CL. The level of serum ALP was decreased in AJ+CL. The HDL to Total cholesterol ratio was increased in AJ. Conclusions : Atractylodes japonica-herbal acupuncture in ST40 SP9 can control the body weight, feed intake and feed efficiency ratio, HDL-cholesterol and herbal acupuncture combined Atractylodes japonica with Coix lachrymajobi var. mayeun Stapf is effective on Body weight, feed intake, feed efficiency ratio, protection of liver function and prevention cardiovascular risk by obesity.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.100-105
• /
• 2004

Objectives: Major depression is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality. One possible explanation for this association is that major depression influences autonomic neurocardiac regulation. However, previous studies on the relationship between heart rate variability (HRV) and major depression have revealed conflicting results. The purpose of this study is to clarify that major depressive patients compared to healthy controls show a reduction in HRV as an expression of reduced modulation of vagal activity to the heart. Methods: According to DSM-IV, the time and frequency domain HRV indices (5-min resting study) of 30 patients with major depressive disorder were compared with those of 30 healthy controls. Standardized HRV tests enable quantitative estimation of autonomic nervous system function. Results: After controlling for age and gender, subjects with major depression showed a higher heart rate and significantly lower modulation of cardiovagal activity compared to controls. The total power (TP) band, very low frequency (VLF: 0.003-0.04 Hz) band, low frequency (LF: 0.04-0.15 Hz) band, and high frequency (HF: 0.15-0.4 Hz) band were significantly reduced in subjects with major depression compared to control subjects. Conclusion: Patients with major depression may suffer from functional disturbances in the interaction between the sympathetic and parasympathetic autonomic systems.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.12
• /
• pp.1899-1907
• /
• 2013

We investigated the effects of unripe black raspberry water extract (UBR-W) and oxidation-LDL treatment on cholesterol levels. Experiments using an established human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (HepG2) showed a time-dependent increase in expression of LDL receptor after UBR-W treatment. Expression of LDL receptor-related genes, such as SREBP1 and 2, increased upon UBR-W treatment. However, expression of HDL-related genes was unaffected by UBR-W. HMG-CoA reductase activity was reduced by UBR-W treatment, whereas HMG-CoA mRNA expression significantly increased. In addition, the ApoB/ApoA1 mRNA level, which is a predictor of cardiovascular risk, was reduced in a time-dependent manner by UBR-W treatment. Macrophage-like cells (RAW 264.7) showed increased expression of ox-LDL-related genes, such as CD36, scavenger receptor-A, adipophilin, and PPAR-gamma, upon ox-LDL treatment compared to untreated control cells, and quantitative lipid analysis indicated a dramatic increase in lipid accumulation. However, UBR-W treatment significantly reduced expression of ox-LDL-related genes and largely prevented lipid accumulation. The results indicate that UBR-W mediates a cholesterol-lowering effect via inhibition of cholesterol synthesis and induction of LDL uptake through SREBP.