• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1066-1077
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• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of herbal medicine on blood glucose in diabetic patients. Methods: The subjects were patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who had been admitted to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital for more than 8 weeks for a primary diagnosis other than DM and who had taken herbal medicine for more than 8 weeks from January 2010 to February 2020. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively to confirm the characteristics of the subjects, and examination results included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine. Changes in HbA1c before and after taking herbal medicine and changes according to subgroups were analyzed. Results: A total of 149 subjects with type 2 DM were selected as participants. After taking the herbal medicine, the HbA1c value was significantly decreased, and the statistical significance was maintained even when the effect of controlling antidiabetic agents was excluded. The decrease in HbA1c was higher in the poor glycemic control group. Liver and kidney functions did not show any significant changes after taking the herbal medicine. Conclusions: Administration of herbal medicine for a long period of 8 weeks or longer did not increase HbA1c in patients with DM complicated by other various diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1318-1324
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the management of blood glucose in diabetes mellitus using modified Jawonjihwang-tang in a Korean medical clinic, retrospectively. Methods: From 2006 to 2018, 150 patients diagnosed with diabetes who visited a Korean medical clinic were treated with Korean medicine. Then, 81 of them were prescribed Jawonjihwang-tang. Five cases who changed the formula during the procedure were excluded; therefore, 76 cases were finally selected. Their therapeutic effects were evaluated by the variance in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Results: After administration of Jawonjihwang-tang, most patients exhibited a decreased level of HbA1c, and 24 patients had normalized the level of HbA1c. The HbA1c level of all patients decreased from 9.1±2.2 to 7.8±2.2 significantly (p<0.001). Conclusions: It is concluded that Jawonjihwang-tang may control blood glucose in diabetes patients. However, more prospective randomized clinical trials are warranted to verify this conclusion.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.224-230
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate sex differences in the effect of body mass index (BMI) and stress on high-risk diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: Secondary analysis of data from 4,271 male and female adults participating in the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 was performed. The participants were evaluated using questionnaires and blood tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ${\chi}^2-test$, and multiple logistic regression analysis (SPSS 24.0). Results: To identify sexspecific effects, interaction variables were included. Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was higher in men than in women, and the risk of DM decreased 0.31 times in women compared to that in men. As age increased, the odds of risk DM increased 1.03. The risk of DM increased 1.99 times in overweight individuals and 2.79 times for obese individuals compared to that in individuals with normal weight. Stress levels were higher in women than in men, but stress is not an influential factor in high-risk DM. In age-sex interaction, the odds of risk DM increased 1.02 in women compared to that in men as age increased. Conclusion: HbA1c level was affected by age-sex interaction, and age and sex should be considered in the application of HbA1c in the diagnosis of DM.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.74-79
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• 2015

Objective: Treatment with sulfonylureas in combination with metformin improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), but is associated with hypoglycemia and weight gain. This retrospective study aims to compare the effectiveness of dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and sulfonylureas as an add-on therapy to metformin in patients with T2DM. Methods: Data from medical records of 355 T2DM patients received therapy either DPP-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitor group) or sulfonylurea (SU group) in combination with metformin from 1 March 2009 to 30 September 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Of total 355 patients, 231 patients were in DPP-4 inhibitor group and 124 patients were in SU group. Baseline Hemoglobin $A_{1c}$ ($HbA_{1c}$) level in SU group was higher than DPP-4 inhibitor group with a statistically significant difference (8.6% vs. 7.8%). Comparative analysis between DPP-4 inhibitor group and SU group was performed for $HbA_{1c}$ values, amounts of $HbA_{1c}$ changes, and rates of $HbA_{1c}$ changes from baseline at 6-month intervals and incidence rates of major cardiocerebral events. Results: SU group showed larger $HbA_{1c}$ changes in both amounts and rates compared to DPP-4 inhibitor group, although statistical significance was not found in all study periods. Proportions of patients with stable $HbA_{1c}$ <6.5% or 7% were significantly higher in DPP-4 inhibitor group than SU group (<6.5%: 30.4% vs. 13.4%, <7%: 72.3% vs. 41.2%). Time to achieve stable $HbA_{1c}$ <6.5% was not significantly different, but time to achieve stable $HbA_{1c}$ <7% was shorter in DPP4 inhibitor group than SU group with a significant difference. The incidence rate of cardiocerebral events in group of patients with or without previous events was 1.7%, not significantly lower than that in DPP-4 inhibitor group (4.0%). For newly encountered cardiocerebral events during the treatment, incidence rates of two groups did not differ significantly. Conclusion: DPP-4 inhibitors were as effective as sulfonylureas in achieving the $HbA_{1c}$ goal of less than 6.5% or 7% and cardiocerebral event rates did not differ between the two drugs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.183-192
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• 2010

While Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been recommended in some diabetes mellitus (DM) patients population according to the 2010 American Diabetes Association (ADA), 2007 Korean Diabetes Association (KDA), 2005 International Diabetes Federation guideline, it is excluded from a routine insurance coverage for outpatients in Korea. The objective of this study is to meta-analyze the impact of SMBG on HbA1c in non insulin-treated diabetes mellitus (NIT) DM patients. Published clinical literatures were identified through electronic database searches from inception and until May 2010. Studies were selected if they met the following inclusion criteria: 1) randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 2) comparing SMBG with non-SMBG in NIT type 2 diabetes, 3) measuring HbA1c as an outcome. Literature qualities were assessed by the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Checklist. The mean difference of HbA1c between the 2 groups was pooled from non-heterogeneous 6 RCTs by meta-analysis using Review Manger (RevMan) Version 5.0 program. Pooled results demonstrated that SMBG is associated with a statistically significant improvement in glycemic control (mean HbA1c difference -0.23, 95%CI -0.32, -0.13). Sensitivity analysis showed that glycemic controls were significantly improved in patients with shorter study duration, more frequent self-monitoring, higher baseline HbA1c value, and without prior SMBG experiences. Conclusively SMBG is effective in improving glycemic control in NIT DM patients, but additional evidences from further researches in Korean patients and cost-effectiveness analysis would be necessary to make a suggestion for coverage expansion.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.480-487
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• 2018

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels among Korean adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Factors affecting the SMBG frequency were analyzed in order to improve their glycemic control. Methods: Sixty-one adolescents aged 13 to 18 years with T1DM were included from one tertiary center. Clinical and biochemical variables were recorded. Factors associated with SMBG frequency were assessed using structured self-reported questionnaires. Results: Average total daily SMBG frequency was $3.8{\pm}2.1$ and frequency during the school day was $1.3{\pm}1.2$. The mean HbA1c level was $8.6%{\pm}1.4%$. As the daily SMBG frequency increased, HbA1c levels declined (P=0.001). The adjusted odds of achieving the target HbA1c in participants who performed daily SMBG ${\geq}5$ significantly increased 9.87 folds (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58 to 61.70) compared with those performed SMBG four times a day. In the subjects whose SMBG frequency <1/day during the school day, an 80% reduction in the adjusted odds ratio 0.2 (95% CI, 0.05 to 0.86) showed compared to the group with performing two SMBG measurements in the school setting. The number of SMBG testing performed at school was significantly high for individuals assisted by their friends (P=0.031) and for those who did SMBG in the classrooms (P=0.039). Conclusion: Higher SMBG frequency was significantly associated with lower HbA1c in Korean adolescents with T1DM. It would be necessary to establish the school environments that can facilitate adequate glycemic control, including frequent SMBG.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.335-340
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• 2018

Hemoglobin (Hb) is a member of heme-protein that can perform catalytic non-specific chain reaction in the presence of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$). Catalytic ability of Hb to degrade pyrene was demonstrated using soil contaminated with $^{14}C$ pyrene and 10 mg pyrene /kg soil. The composition of soil was similar to previously used soil except that it had lower organic carbon content. Bench scale laboratory tests were conducted in the presence of buffer only, $H_2O_2$ only, or Hb with $H_2O_2$ for 24 h. After 24 h reaction, 0.1 and 1.3% of $^{14}C$ pyrene in contaminated soil were mineralized with $H_2O_2$ only or Hb plus $H_2O_2$. No mineralization to $^{14}CO_2$ was detected with buffer only. Approximately 12.2% of pyrene was degraded in the presence of $H_2O_2$ only while 44.0% of pyrene was degraded in the presence of Hb plus $H_2O_2$ during 24 h of catalytic reaction. When degradation intermediate products were examined, two chemicals were observed in the presence of $H_2O_2$ only while 25 chemicals were found in the presence of Hb plus $H_2O_2$. While most degradation products were simple hydrocarbons, four of the 27 chemicals had aromatic rings. However, none of these four chemicals was structurally related to pyrene. These results suggest that Hb catalytic system could be used to treat pyrene-contaminated soil as an efficient and speedy remediation technology. In addition, intermediate products generated by this system are not greatly affected by composition change in soil organic matter content.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine relationships among blood glucose, HbA1c, and self management comparing these with general and illness characteristics of subjects with Type II Diabetes living in the community. Methods: Using a comprehensive survey developed for the study, data were collected from 82 type II diabetes patients who were registered at five community health departments. The variables of self management, blood glucose and HbA1c were assessed by nurses. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics including t-test, ANOVA and Pearson's correlation coefficient to compare self management and level of HbA1c by subject's general and illness characteristics and to examine the relationships among variables. Results: About 73.2% of the subjects' HbA1c were 7.0% or higher and 54.9% of subjects' blood glucose were 200 mg/dL or higher. The level of self management was moderate. Most frequently perceived reasons for failure of blood glucose control were dietary failure (32.9%). There was significant relationship between self management and HbA1c(r=-.223, p=.040). The mean score of self management were higher among female (t=-2.37, p=.021), who are not on diabetes medication (t=6.70, p=.011). Conclusion: Comprehensive intervention is needed to improve dietary self management, especially for male and those who is on diabetes medication.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.321-326
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• 2015

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus continues to rise alarmingly because of industrialization of society. The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of black ginseng extract (BGE) which was performed panax ginseng. First we examined the inhibitory effects of BGE on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase. But there was no practical effects in our observations. We, also, investigate the effects of BGE on glucose uptake of skeletal muscle using 2-NBDG in $C_2C_{12}$ myotube. BGE significantly improved the glucose uptake considered as a lowered blood glucose level. Effects of GBG05-FF on fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mouse. After injection of STZ, fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin rapidly increased. But STZ-induced diabetic mouse treated with GBG05-FF significantly reduced the level of fasting blood glucose and HbA1c. This results showed that supplementation of BGE improve the diabetic parameters and BGE have a potentiality as a functional food for Diabetes mellitus.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the disease adaptation and related factors for the pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. Methods: Participants in this study were 75 diabetic children or adolescent whose age were 10 to 18 years old visited the out-patient clinic in one general hospital located in Seoul. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires. Research tools measuring resilience, family support, psychological adaptation, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) protein were used. Results: Resilience showed significant differences according to the age, gender, academic achievement, and hospitalization experience of the children. Family support was significantly different according to the age, religion, academic achievement, fathers' education level, and hospitalization experience of the children. Psychological adaptation to diabetes showed significant differences according to academic achievement. HbA1c was shown to be significant difference according to fathers' education level and hospitalization experience of the children. Positive correlations were identified among resilience, family support, and psychosocial adaptation, while negative correlations were found between HbA1c and all others including resilience, family support, and psychosocial adaptation. Conclusion: This study suggests that the educational programs as nursing intervention needs to be developed to enhance the resilience and family support for the pediatric diabetic patients.