• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.1314-1322
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• 2020

Sports drinks help optimize and improve performance by delaying and eliminating the buildup of fatigue-causing substances in the body during exercise. Saengmaeg-san is a nature-friendly traditional beverage that has no side effects on the human body and can quench thirst. However, studies on the relationship between exercise ability and Saengmaeg-san are insufficient. The purpose of this study was to prescribe Saengmaeg-san during the summer training period of 4 weeks and to analyze the effect on body composition and exercise performance. Seventeen male participants were divided into 3 groups (Saengmaeg-san acid intake group [n=9], placebo group [n=8]), and body composition (height, weight, muscle mass, fat mass, BMI) and conducted exercise performance (total exercise time and HRmax). In our study, Saengmaeg-san intake had a positive effect on exercise performance, such as decreased body fat percentage, increased exercise time, and decreased HRmax. Therefore, Saengmaeg-san showed the potential as a sports drink. In the future, additional studies on fatigue-related substances, immune function-markers, and blood lipids are needed in order to clearly explain the change in exercise performance due to consumption of Saengmaeg-san.

• 운동영양학회지
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.14-18
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• 2020

[Purpose] Functional foods are thought to strongly influence the structure and function of the brain. Previous studies have reported that brain-boosting diets may enhance neuroprotective functions. Certain foods are particularly rich in nutrients like phytochemicals that are known to support brain plasticity; such foods are commonly referred to as brain foods. [Methods] In this review, we briefly explore the scientific evidence supporting the neuroprotective activity of a number of phytochemicals with a focus on phenols and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as flavonoid, olive oil, and omega-3 fatty acid. [Results] The aim of this study was to systematically examine the primary issues related to phytochemicals in the brain. These include (a) the brain-gut-microbiome axis; (b) the effects of phytochemicals on gut microbiome and their potential role in brain plasticity; (c) the role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in brain health; and (d) the effects of nutrition and exercise on brain function. [Conclusion] This review provides evidence supporting the view that phytochemicals from medicinal plants play a vital role in maintaining brain plasticity by influencing the brain-gut-microbiome axis. The consumption of brain foods may have neuroprotective effects, thus protecting against neurodegenerative disorders and promoting brain health.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.1164-1171
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• 2019

Dietary supplements derived from natural sources are an essential factor in optimizing athletic performance. It has been proposed that the extract of Momordica charantia (M. charantia) that is known as a bitter melon can be potentially used as a novel supplement for health promotion. This pilot study aimed to examine the effects of the M. charantia extract when administered in the form of a sports drink, and we evaluated changes in body composition and metabolic factors in tennis players after 4-week consumption of the extract. Eight male college tennis players were instructed to consume an M. charantia extract 6 times per day (3 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, and the total daily intake was 600 ml). Collected data were analyzed using paired t-tests to examine the changes over time after consumption of the M. charantia extract. The results revealed a significant increase in the trunk muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and daily calorie intake (p < 0.05). Levels of protein, minerals, and total body water showed an increased tendency (not statistically significant), whereas intracellular water and extracellular water showed a decreased trend. Furthermore, fat-free mass, skeletal muscle mass, and muscle mass showed an increased tendency. In conclusion, consumption of the M. charantia extract caused an increase in parameters related to protein, muscle mass, and metabolism. It seems that follow-up studies related to fatigue, inflammation, and stress hormones related to the M. charantia extract consumption would be needed.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제43권6호
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• pp.581-589
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• 2020

Neurons have multiple dendrites and single axon. This neuronal polarity is gradually established during early processes of neuronal differentiation: generation of multiple neurites (stages 1-2); differentiation (stage 3) and maturation (stages 4-5) of an axon and dendrites. In this study, we demonstrated that the neuron-specific n-glycosylated protein NELL2 is important for neuronal polarization and axon growth using cultured rat embryonic hippocampal neurons. Endogenous NELL2 expression was gradually increased in parallel with the progression of developmental stages of hippocampal neurons, and overexpression of NELL2 stimulated neuronal polarization and axon growth. In line with these results, knockdown of NELL2 expression resulted in deterioration of neuronal development, including inhibition of neuronal development progression, decreased axon growth and increased axon branching. Inhibitor against extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) dramatically inhibited NELL2-induced progression of neuronal development and axon growth. These results suggest that NELL2 is an important regulator for the morphological development for neuronal polarization and axon growth.

• 한국응용과학기술학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.1512-1523
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• 2021

본 연구의 목적은 남자 테니스 선수의 생맥산 섭취가 혈중 지질 및 동맥경화 지수에 미치는 영향을 조사하는 것이었다. 남자 대학 테니스 선수 17 명을 4 주간의 고강도 테니스 하계훈련 중 생맥산 섭취 여부에 따라 생맥산 섭취군(n=9)과 위약 대조군(n=8)으로 나누었다. 테니스 하계훈련은 4 주간 주 5 회 실시하였으며, 운동강도는 예비심박수의 70~90%로 실시하였다. 생맥산은 아침 식사 전, 운동 중, 운동 중, 운동 후 1 회 110ml, 저녁 식사 후 1 일 총 7 회 770ml 를 섭취하였다. 모든 데이터에 대해 평균 및 표준 편차를 사용하였으며, 시기간 및 생맥산 섭취그룹의 효과를 확인하기 위하여 반복측정분산분석법을 사용하였고, 생맥산 섭취 후 혈중 지질의 차이에 대한 관련성을 알아보기 위하여 Pearson 의 상관분석을 실시하였다. 본 연구결과, 생맥산 섭취군은 혈중 지질(중성지방, 총콜레스테롤, 고밀도지단백콜레스테롤, 저밀도지단백 콜레스테롤)과 동맥경화지수가 유의하게 개선되었으며, ∆TG, ∆LDL 및 ∆TC 간에는 유의한 상관관계가 나타났다. 결론적으로 남자 대학 테니스 선수의 고강도 트레이닝 시 생맥산 섭취는 혈중 지질 및 동맥경화 지수에 긍정적인 영향을 미칠 수 있어 운동 보조제로서 효과적인 스포츠 음료가 될 수 있음을 시사한다.