• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.120-127
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• 2015

Purpose: We aimed to investigate how serum vitamin D levels are related to survival of terminally ill cancer patients. Methods: From May 2012 through June 2013, a retrospective chart review was performed on 96 hospice patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with severe vitamin D deficiency and Coxcy and Coxional hazard analyses were used to evaluate effects on survival. Results: The mean vitamin D level in patients was $8.60{\pm}7.16ng/ml$. Vitamin D was severely deficient (<10 ng/ml) in 75 patients (78.2%), deficient (10~20 ng/ml) in 13 patients (13.5%), relatively insufficient (21~29 ng/ml) in five patients (8.3%) and sufficient ((t ng/ml) in three patients (3.1%). Hyperbilirubinemia (${\geq}1.2g/dl$) was the only factor associated with severe vitamin D deficiency according to the multiple logistic regression analysis (Odds ratio, OR=18.48, P<0.05). Although hyperbilirubinemia showed a strong association with survival (Hazard ratio, HR=2.25, P<0.01), no association was found between severe vitamin D deficiency and survival (HR=1.15, P>0.05) in Cox's proportional hazard analysis. Conclusion: Although serum vitamin D levels were severely low in terminally ill cancer patients, we found no association between severe vitamin D deficiency and patient survival.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.25 no.4 s.99
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• pp.336-341
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• 1994

For the investigation of medicinal resources in Aconitum species, the studies were carried out to search the less toxic constituents than Aconitum alkaloid in the aerial part of Aconitum jaluense for. album (Ranunculaceae). From the BuOH fraction of MeOH extract, three flavonoid compounds, hyperoside(1), $kaempferol-3-O-{\beta}-_D-galactopyranoside(2)$, $kaempferol-3-O-{\alpha}-_L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1{\rightarrow}6)-{\beta}-_D-glucopyranoside(3)$ were isolated and identified on the basis of their physico-chemical properties, spectroscopic evidences (UV, IR, NMR and Mass etc.) and comparison with authentics, respectively.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.336-342
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• 2002

MeOH extract of Kochia scoparia was fractionated into $CHCl_3-$, EtOAc- and BuOH extracts and the last fraction were hydrolyzed by 3%-NaOH ($MeOH-H_2O$) to compare the bioactivities on antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. Silica gel column chromatography of BuOH fraction afforded a large amount of $3-Ο-{\beta}-D-xylopyranosyl {\;}(1{\rightarrow}3)-{\beta}-D-glucuronopyranosyl$ oleanolic acid (momordin Ic, 4) and that of acid hydrolysate of BuOH fraction gave $3-Ο-{\beta}-D-glucuronopyranosyl oleanolic$ acid (momordin Ib, 3), its 6'-Ο-methyl ester (2) and oleanolic acid (1). Silica gel column chromatography of alkaline hydrolysate afforded a large amount of 4. MeOH extract and both EtOAc- and BuOH fractions were active in the rheumatoidal rat induced Freund's complete adjuvant reagent (FCA) whereas $CHCl_3$ fraction was inactive. Compound 1 and 4 showed significant activities in the same assay but oleanolic acid 3-Ο-glucuronopyranoside (3) showed no activity. These fashions were also observed in carrageenan-induced edema of the rat and in the antinociceptive activity tests undertaken in hot plate- and writhing methods. These results suggest that momordin Ic and its aglycone, oleanolic acid, could be active principles for rheumatoid arthritis.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.25 no.6 s.53
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• pp.705-714
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• 1995

Due to the great deal of effort that has gone into the study of osteoclastic differentiation and activation over the last few decades, the mechanisms of these two events have been discovered gradually. Nitric oxide($NO^-$), which is produced from arginine by a nitric oxide synthase, opened up a new area of biological research. Recently, it has been reported that $NO^-$ is produced by osteoblasts stimulated by lipopolysaccharide and several other cytokines. In this study, the effect of sodium nitroprusside(SNP), a donor of nitric oxide($NO^-$), on osteoclast-like cell formation and on mature osteoclast function was examined. To determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effects of SNP decreased not only the basal $^{45}Ca$ release but also thee bone resorption induced by PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3\;(1,25[OH]_{2}D_3)$. The inhibitory effect of SNP on bone resorption induced by PTH appeared 2 dyas after treatment, whereas SNP effect on inhibiting bone resorption induced by $1,25[OH]_{2}D_3$ appeared at the thhird days. When chicken and rat osteeoclasts were cultured on dentin slices, treatment of $300{\mu}M$ SNP resulted in a significant decrease in dentin resorption by osteoclasts in terms of total resolution area and average individual area. We also examind the effect of SNP on formation of osteoclast-like cells that is TRAP-positive multinucleated cells from chicken and rat bone marrow cells in the presence or absence of $10^{-8}\;M\;1,25[OH]_{2}D_3$. The addition of $300{\mu}M$ SNP inhibiteed the formation of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells. The present data suggest that SNP, possibly as a $NO^-$ donor, inhibits the osteoclastic differentiation and osteoclastic activity.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.127-134
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• 2013

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol with a variety of functions including bactericidal and anticariogenic effects. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the role of xylitol in bone metabolism are not yet clarified. In our present study, we exploited the physiological role of xylitol on osteoclast differentiation in a co-culture system of osteoblastic and RAW 264.7 cells. Xylitol treatment of these co-cultures reduced the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells induced by 10 nM $1{\alpha},25(OH)_2D_3$ in a dose-dependent manner. A cell viability test revealed no marked cellular damage by up to 100 mM of xylitol. Exposure of osteoblastic cells to xylitol decreased RANKL, but not OPG, mRNA expression in the presence of $10^{-8}M$ $1{\alpha},25(OH)_2D_3$ in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, bone resorption activity, assessed on bone slices in the coculture system, was found to be dramatically decreased with increasing xylitol concentrations. RANKL and OPG proteins were assayed by ELISA and the soluble RANKL (sRANKL) concentration was decreased with an increased xylitol concentration. In contrast, OPG was unaltered by any xylitol concentration in this assay. These results indicate that xylitol inhibits $1{\alpha},25(OH)_2D_3$-induced osteoclastogenesis by reducing the sRANKL/OPG expression ratio in osteoblastic cells.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.20-29
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• 2012

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a global epidemic. In particular, it is known that there is a dramatic increase in the prevalence of MetS among women during the postmenopausal period. Recently, accumulating studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency may be inversely associated with the risk factors regarding MetS. However, evidence from postmenopausal women is limited. In this study, we examined the association between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and the MetS in Korean adult women aged 20-69 years (n = 2,618) by using the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The geometric mean of plasma 25(OH)D were $17.16{\pm}6.28\;ng$/mL and $20.20{\pm}7.69\;ng$/mL for premenopausal and postmenopausal women, respectively. The percentages of vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 12 ng/mL] were 22.5% and 14.4%, respectively. MetS was more prevalent in postmenopausal women (43.0%) compared with premenopausal women (11.2%). When serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were categorized in quintiles, there was no relationship in the prevalence of MetS in both premonopausal and postmenopausal women. However, in premenopausal women, compared with the lowest 25(OH)D quintile, the odds ratio for hypertriglyceridemia in the highest quintile was 0.57 (95% CI 0.34-0.95, $P_{trend}$ = 0.041) and for low serum HDL cholesterol 0.60 (95% CI 0.42-0.85, $P_{trend}$ = 0.014) after adjusting for all potential confounders. On the other hand, we observed the tendency of an inverse relationship for 25(OH)D regarding low serum HDL cholesterol (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.50-1.22, $P_{trend}$ = 0.029) and a direct relationship with abdominal obesity (OR 1.94, 95% CI 1.01, 3.74, $P_{trend}$ = 0.049) in postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in other research settings.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.117-126
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D and zinc are recognized for their roles in immune-modulation, and their deficiencies are suggested to be important risk factors for childhood infections. This study, therefore, undertook to assess the occurrence of infections in rural Indian schoolchildren, subsequent to daily supplementation with vitamin D-calcium or zinc for 6 months. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in apparently healthy 6-12 year-old rural Indian children, recruited to 3 study arms: vitamin D arm (1,000 IU D3 - 500 mg calcium, n = 135), zinc arm (10 mg, n = 150) and placebo arm (n = 150). The infection status was assessed using a validated questionnaire, and the biochemical parameters of serum 25(OH)D and serum zinc were measured by ELISA and colorimetry, respectively. The primary outcome variable was occurrence of infections (upper respiratory and total infections). RESULTS: Serum 25(OH)D concentration in the vitamin D arm improved significantly by 34%, from 59.7 ± 10.9 nmol/L to 80 ± 23.3 nmol/L (P < 0.0001), but no improvement was observed for serum zinc concentration. While there was significant increase in the percentage of children reporting no or mild upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and total infections (TI) in all three groups, improvements in the supplemented groups were similar to the placebo group. However, the vitamin D arm reported lower URTI and TI status in the vitamin D sufficient versus insufficient children. Also, URTI and TI status were found to be significantly (P < 0.0001) lower in children with improved 25(OH)D versus unchanged 25(OH)D. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D-calcium supplementation helped to improve the vitamin D status but exerts no effect on the occurrence of infections when compared to the placebo group. Improvement in the serum 25(OH)D concentrations and attainment of vitamin D sufficiency may exert a beneficial effect on the infection status and needs to be investigated further. To evaluate the efficacy of zinc supplementation, higher dosages need to be administered in future studies.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.847-851
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• 2004

The complexation characteristics of tetramethyl (1) and tetraethyl esters (2) of p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene with alkali metal cations have been investigated by ab initio calculation. The structures of endo- or exocomplexation of the hosts in cone conformation with alkali metal ions have been optimized using HF/6-31G method followed by B3LYP/6-31G(d) single point calculation. B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations suggest that exo-complexation efficiencies of sodium ion to the cavity of lower rim of hosts 1 and 2 are 27.1 and 25.8 kcal/mol better than that of potassium ion, respectively. The exo-complexation efficiencies of potassium ion to the cavity of lower rim of hosts 1 and 2 are 33.3 and 31.5 kcal/mol better than the endo-complexation inside the upper rim (four aromatic rings) as expected from the experimental results. B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculation of the ethyl ester 2 shows 29.5 and 30.8 kcal/mol better exo-complexation efficiency for both sodium and potassium ions than the methyl ester 1.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.29 no.3 s.74
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• pp.383-397
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• 1999

Bone is a dynamic tissue which is constantly remodelled by subsequent cycles of bone resorption and formation. Glucocorticoid and vitamine $D_3$ are known as regulating substances in bone metabolism. In vitro experiments using bone tissue, it was suggested that glucocorticoid inhibits bone resorption, whereas the effect of glucocorticoid on bone formation are complex- increasing or decreasing effect. The active form of vitamin $D_3$, 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol[1.25-$(OH)_2D_3$], has been reported to stimulate osteoblastic activities including the production of ALP, type I collagen, and osteoclacin. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of admixture of vitamin $D_3$ and dexamethasone, one of glucocorticoids, on osteoblastic cell line(MC3T3-E1). Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and MTT assay were conducted in the cultivated cells with 1, 10, 100nM/ml of 1,25-$(OH)_2D_3$ and/or 10nM/ml, 100nM/ml, $1{\mu}M/ml$ of dexamethasone. The observed results were as follows. 1. The activity of osteoblastic cells with $1{\mu}M/ml$ of dexamethasone was significantly increased at 1-day cultivation with comparison to control group, but was decreased afterwards. But the activity of ALP was greatest in $1{\mu}M/ml$ of dexamethasone and increased with time lapsed. 2. The activity of osteoblastic cells with vitamin $D_3$ was significantly increased dose-dependently at 1-day cultivation, but was significantly decreased in l00nM/.ml at 2-day cultivation, and was a little increased again at 3-day cultivation. The activity of ALP was increased in 10nM/ml or 100nM/ml at 2-day or 3-day cultivation, and was greatest in 100nM/ml at 3-day cultivation. 3. In case of admixture of dexamethasone and vitamin $D_3$, the cellular activity was decreased in any concentration of vitamin $D_3$ at 2-day cultivation, but was increased again at 3-day cultivation, which was greater than that in control or dexamethasone only group. The activity of ALP was decreased at 1-day cultivation, but was increased in the admixture of 10nM/ml or 100nM/ml of dexamethasone with 100nM/ml of vitamin $D_3$ at 2-day cultivation, and was again decreased at 3-day cultivation.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.166.3-167
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• 2003

Helenalin, a cell-permeable pseudoguainolide sesquiterpene lactone, is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that inhibits $NF-{\kappa}B$ DNA binding activity by selectively alkylating the p65 subunit of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Transcription factors such as $NF-{\kappa}B$ provide powerful target of drugs to use in the treatment of cancer. Human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells are differentiated into monocytic or granulocytic lineage when treated with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin $D_3{\;}[1,25-(OH)_2D_3]$ or all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), respectively. (omitted)