• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.218-229
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• 2011

1. Objectives: This study is to investigate the relationship between Intima Media Thickness(IMT) of common carotid artery and Sasang Constitution. 2. Methods: 839 persons, over 40 years old, participated in community-based cohort of Korea Genome and Epiedemiology Study (KOGES) in Wonju City and Pyeongchang City of South Korea from June 2006 to February 2008. The diagnosis of Common carotid Intima Media Thickness was evaluated by B Mode ultrasonography, cardiovascular risk factors were checked using questionnaire and blood samples. Constitution was verified by a Sasang constitution specialist according to the results of PSSC(Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), facial photos and a simplified Sasang constitutional questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis were performed with SPSS. 3. Results: There were significantly high values in waist circumference, fasting blood sugar, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride, HOMA-IR and hsCRP in Taeeumin and low in HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin in Taeeumin. There were significantly high value in Common Carotid Intima Media Thickness in Taeeumin. Age was the significant cardiovascular risk factor irrespective of Sasang constitution in all participants. There was a positive correlation between smoking and Soyangin in all participants and men. There were positive correlations between LDL-cholesterol, BMI and Taeeumin in all participants and men. There were positive correlations between hsCRP and Soeumin in all participants and men. There was significantly high odds ratio of Taeeumin over Soeumin in common carotid Intima Media Thickness. 4. Conclusions: Regimens on cardiovascular diseases should be considered according to Sasang constitution. There are more sensitive risk factor in each constitution; smoking in Soyangin, LDL-cholesterol and BMI in Taeeumin, hsCRP in Soeumin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.997-1006
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are closely related and considered as allergic respiratory diseases (ARD), and their prevalence has recently increased. Data on the association of dietary antioxidant vitamin intake with asthma and AR in adults are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of vitamin A and C intake with asthma, AR, and all cases of both diseases in young adults who participated in a cross-sectional national survey, with the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level as an effect modifier. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 6,293 male and female adults aged 20-49 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2016 and 2018. The questionnaire-based reports on asthma and AR diagnosis were used to determine outcome variables. Further, 24-h recall data on dietary vitamin A and C, carotene, and retinol intake were acquired. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with asthma prevalence among participants with hs-CRP levels (≥ 1 mg/L); the OR of asthma prevalence was 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08-0.84) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Similar association analyses limiting to non-users of dietary supplements were performed to rule out the potential effects of supplement intake on the outcomes; results showed a stronger association. However, the association between vitamin C and asthma was not significant in participants with hs-CRP levels < 1 mg/L; the OR of asthma was 1.44 (95% CI, 0.66-3.16) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Vitamin C intake was not associated with AR. Moreover, there was no association between vitamin A intake and neither asthma nor AR. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that higher vitamin C intake may play a potential role in reducing asthma prevalence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to evaluate whether this association is causal.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1374-1381
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the differences of physiological variables by age group in alcohol-consuming men. The thirty year old-age group had the lowest waist-hip ratio (WHR), right and left cardio-ankle vascular index (R-CAVI and L-CAVI), right and left ankle-brachial index (R-ABI and L-ABI), amylase, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, and the highest body weight (BW), interleukin-6 (IL-6), right and left intraocular pressure (R-IP and L-IP), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte, red blood cells distribution width (RDW), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG), and ferritin levels. The forty year old-age group was the highest in hs CRp and CPK levels, but the lowest in ferritin level. The fifty year old-age group possessed the highest WHR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), R- and L-ABI, eosinophil, and amylase levels. The sixty year old-age group had the highest R- and L-CAVI, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), ALP, $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase ($\gamma$-GTP), rheumatoid factor (RF), $\alpha$-fetoprotein (AFP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and the lowest BW, DBP, R-IP, L-IP, Hct, Hb, leukocyte, platelet, RDW, eosinophil, monocyte, ALT, amylase, TG, and CPK levels. These findings indicate that there may be differences of physiological variables depending on age group in alcohol-consuming men. Further studies should be focused on the physiological differences between alcohol-consuming men and women.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 2022

The relationship between lipoprotein(a) and dyslipidemia is not clear. This study was therefore undertaken to investigate the relationship between lipoprotein(a) and dyslipidemia in elderly patients over 60 years. From 2014 to 2020, a total of 2,580 adults aged 60 years or older (73.31±7.24 years, 1,954 males) were enrolled in the study. The patients had checked into a general hospital, and data were obtained for lipoprotein(a), LDL-C, TG, HDL-C, hs-CRP, HbA1c, sex, age, BMI, dyslipidemia diagnosis, and use of lipid-lowering agents. BMI and HbA1c showed no correlation with lipoprotein(a), but hs-CRP (r=0.138), LDL-C (r=0.097), HDL-C (r=-0.089), TG (r=-0.073), and age (r=0.072) were significantly correlated to lipoprotein(a). The partial correlation between lipoprotein(a) and LDL-C, which was adjusted for variables, was significant only in the male gender (r=0.158, P<0.001). As the odds ratio of the 4^th quartile of lipoprotein(a) (OR=1.376, 95% CI=1.038~1.822) for dyslipidemia was found to be significant in this study when the level of LDL-C, the primary target, could not be reduced even by taking lipid-lowering drugs, we propose that lipoprotein(a) should also be included among the several factors considered as secondary targets. Our results indicate that studies on various lipid factors considering the sex, age, types and use of lipid-lowering agents, are warranted.

• Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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• v.35
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• pp.38.1-38.10
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• 2023

Background: Hearing loss (HL) is linked to an elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The pathogeneses of HL and CVD commonly involve inflammatory responses. Previous studies investigated elevated levels of inflammatory biomarkers in subjects with HL, however, their findings did not demonstrate statistical significance. In our cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we investigated the correlation between HL and increased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels to determine how HL is associated with CVDs. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with workers aged over 18 years who underwent health check-ups at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 566,507), followed by conducting a longitudinal study of workers aged > 18 who underwent health checkups at least twice at our institution between 2012 and 2018 (n = 173,794). The definition of HL was as an average threshold of ≥ 20 dB in pure-tone air conduction at 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 kHz in both ears. The incidence of increased hsCRP levels throughout the follow-up period was defined as a level exceeding 3 mg/L. Logistic regression and generalized estimating equations were performed to estimate the risk of increased hsCRP levels according to the occurrence of HL in groups stratified by age. Results: In the cross-sectional study, the multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.34); the OR was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.80-1.22) in those under 40 and 1.28 (1.08-1.53) in those over 40. In the longitudinal study, the multivariable-adjusted OR was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.92-1.19); the OR was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.90-1.35) in those under 40 and 1.20 (1.01-1.43) in those over 40. Conclusions: This cross-sectional and longitudinal study identified an association between HL and increased hsCRP levels in workers aged over 40 years.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2004.10a
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• pp.50.1-50.1
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• 2004

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2012

High-intensive endurance exercises induce cell changes in body, changes in structures and functions of the heart, the muscles, the cartilages, and the liver, as well as increase of inflammatory cytokine. The purpose of this study was to estimate the biochemical changes in the liver and muscles during ultra-marathon race (100 km) by sections. The blood of the subjects was collected before the marathon as a control in order to analyze serum creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), asprtate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total(T)-bilirubin, direct(D)-bilirubin, total protein, albumin, uric acid, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (${\gamma}$-GTP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations. The CK, LDH, D-bilirubin, AST and ALT concentrations at 50 km and 100 km were significantly increased compared to the control (P<0.05). The markers at 100 km were higher than those at 50 km (P<0.05). The T-bilirubin and hs-CRP concentrations showed no difference among the groups, whereas the markers at 100 km were higher than those of the control and at 50 km (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the ultra-marathon race (100 km) may induce the damage of the skeletal muscle, liver and kidney, intravascular hemolysis and inflammatory responses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.467-476
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• 2010

Object : The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of atherosclerosis risk factors and pulse wave velocity (PWV) of carotid-femoral artery with Sasang constitution. This study also aimed to investigate the relationship between PWV and risk factors of atherosclerosis, including serum cholesterol and homosisteine, hs-CRP. Methods : We enrolled 160 patients without experience strokes who visited our hospital for a medical examination from January 1, 2008 to April 30, 2010 except patients whose body constitutions were undetermined according to QSCCII. We investigated the correlation between serum cholesterol values, blood pressure, body mass index(BMI), homosistein, hs-CRP and PWV. Pearson's correlation and partial correlation analysis were applied to examine the relationship between PWV and risk factors of atherosclerosis. Result : Among the 160 subjects, 54 were Taeumin, 54 were Soyangin, and 52 were Soeumin. The prevalences of high BMI (P-value <0.01), high hs-CRP(P-value <0.05), and high PWV(P-value <0.05) of Taeumin were higher than those of the other constitutions. PWV of carotid-femoral artery was significantly different among the three constitutional groups(Taeumin: $8.12{\pm}1.64m/sec$, Soyangin: $7.48{\pm}1.16m/sec$, Soeumin: $7.49{\pm}1.12m/sec$)(P-value <0.05). This research has show a statistical significance between the average amount of carotid-femoral artery PWV that is higher in Taeumin. Age factor of Taeumin was the effective determinant of the increase of mean PWV of carotid-femoral arteries. Conclusions : There were significant differences in the prevalence of atherosclerosis according to Sasang constitution. This study showed that atherosclerosis was more prevalent in Taeumin. Therefore, according to our results, risk of atherosclerosis was higher in Taeumin than among other constitutions.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-123
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• 2013

HbA1c was recently adopted as a reliable indicator for screening diabetes. This study investigated the ability of nutrition consultation to prevent diabetes in overweight women (BMI 23 $kg/m^2$ or more) using HbA1c as an indicator. Twenty overweight and obese women (with $HbA1c{\geq}5.7$%) completed the 12-week nutritional study, with individual and personalized nutrition counseling performed every 2 weeks. The main study guidelines involved the following: 1) reducing the intake of high fat foods and alcohol, 2) consuming a large amount of vegetables, 3) reducing the intake of simple sugars and empty-calorie foods, and 4) increasing physical activity to ${\geq}30$ min/day. Anthropometric (height, weight, BMI, body muscle (kg), body fat (%), waist and hip circumference, blood pressure) and biochemical parameters (fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, lipid profiles, hs-CRP) were measured before and after the nutrition consultation. After 12 weeks, the HbA1c<5.7% group had significant decreases in BMI, WC, HC, WHR, HbA1c, hs-CRP and also dietary intake of energy (P<0.01), carbohydrates, lipids (P<0.01), proteins (P<0.01) and cholesterol was significantly decreased (P<0.05). In the HbA1c ${\geq}5.7$% group, HbA1c, TC, LDL, NON-HDL, hs-CRP and dietary intake of energy, carbohydrate, lipid, protein, and cholesterol significantly decreased (P<0.05). These results suggest that nutrition consultation effectively helps to prevent diabetes in overweight and obese women after applying HbA1c standards. Overall, the improvement in all markers measured suggest that HbA1c is a good indicator for blood glucose regulation, helping to prevent diabetes.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.226-238
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• 2021

Purpose: Although several reports have described the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, information about the association between periodontal disease and the progression of degenerative aortic stenosis (AS) is lacking. Therefore, we performed a retrospective, single-center, pilot study to provide insight into this potential association. Methods: Data from 45 consecutive patients (19 men; median age, 83 years) with mild or moderate degenerative aortic stenosis were analyzed for a mean observation period of 3.3±1.9 years. The total amount of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis and titers of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) against periodontal bacteria and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated. Aortic valve area (AVA), maximal velocity (Vmax), mean pressure gradient (mean PG), and the Doppler velocity index (DVI) were evaluated. The change in each parameter per year ([Parameter_LATEST-Parameter_BASELINE]/Follow-up Years) was calculated from the retrospective follow-up echocardiographic data (baseline vs. the most recently collected data [latest]). Results: No correlation was found between the concentration of periodontopathic bacteria in the saliva and AS status/progression. The anti-P. gingivalis antibody titer in the serum showed a significant positive correlation with AVA and DVI. Additionally, there was a negative correlation between the anti-P. gingivalis IgG antibody titer and mean PG. The hs-CRP concentration showed positive correlations with Vmax and mean PG. Meanwhile, a negative correlation was observed between the anti-P. gingivalis IgG antibody titer and ΔAVA/year and Δmean PG/year. The hs-CRP concentration showed positive correlations with Vmax and mean PG, and it was significantly higher in patients with rapid aortic stenosis progression (ΔAVA/year <-0.1) than in their counterparts. Conclusions: Our results suggest that periodontopathic bacteria such as A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis are not directly related to the status/progression of degenerative AS. However, inflammation and a lower immune response may be associated with disease progression.