• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.2
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• pp.48-54
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• 2019

Purpose: Liver metabolism plays a pivotal role in the development of metabolic disorders. We aimed to investigate the clinical and laboratory risk factors associated with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in young adolescents from an urban population in Korea. Methods: A population of 120 apparently healthy adolescents aged 12-13 years was included in the cross-sectional design study; 58 were overweight or obese and 62 were of normal weight. We estimated anthropometric and laboratory measurements, including waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, insulin sensitivity, aspartate aminotransferases (AST), ALT, and lipid profiles. Results: The mean ages of the overweight or obese and normal weight participants were $12.9{\pm}0.3$ and $13.0{\pm}0.3years$, respectively. Height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, AST, ALT, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) score were significantly higher and the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index were significantly lower in the overweight/obese participants in comparison to the normal-weight participants (all P<0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, waist-to-height ratio, systolic blood pressure, and HOMA-IR score were independently and positively associated with serum ALT levels. Conclusion: Screening for ALT levels in adolescents may help to differentiate those at risk of metabolic abnormalities and thus prevent disease progression at an early age.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2017

About 20 chemical elements are nutritionally essential for humans with defined molecular functions. Several essential and nonessential biometals are either functional nutrients with antidiabetic actions or can be diabetogenic. A key question remains whether changes in the metabolism of biometals and biominerals are a consequence of diabetes or are involved in its etiology. Exploration of the roles of zinc (Zn) in this regard is most revealing because 80 years of scientific discoveries link zinc and diabetes. In pancreatic ${\beta}$- and ${\alpha}$-cells, zinc has specific functions in the biochemistry of insulin and glucagon. When zinc ions are secreted during vesicular exocytosis, they have autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine roles. The membrane protein ZnT8 transports zinc ions into the insulin and glucagon granules. ZnT8 has a risk allele that predisposes the majority of humans to developing diabetes. In target tissues, increased availability of zinc enhances the insulin response by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B, which controls the phosphorylation state of the insulin receptor and hence downstream signalling. Inherited diseases of zinc metabolism, environmental exposures that interfere with the control of cellular zinc homeostasis, and nutritional or conditioned zinc deficiency influence the pathobiochemistry of diabetes. Accepting the view that zinc is one of the many factors in multiple gene-environment interactions that cause the functional demise of ${\beta}$-cells generates an immense potential for treating and perhaps preventing diabetes. Personalized nutrition, bioactive food, and pharmaceuticals targeting the control of cellular zinc in precision medicine are among the possible interventions.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.581-585
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• 2009

Diabetes is caused by the lack of insulin secretion or the reduction in its sensitivity. The recent treatments for diabetes do not fulfill the requirements for the maintaining of normal blood glucose level. The most frequently used treatment for type I diabetes is an insulin injection. However, the insulin injection often involves the life-threatening risk and the low compliance of patients. Accordingly, extensive studies have been done to overcome the shortcomings of the injection. A representative approach is to employ self-regulated insulin delivery systems. This report includes the principles of glucose-responsive release in the self-regulated insulin delivery systems.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2024

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome caused by diets containing excessive fatty acids is increasing worldwide. Patients with metabolic syndrome exhibit abnormal lipid profiles, chronic inflammation, increased levels of saturated fatty acids, impaired insulin sensitivity, excessive fat accumulation, and neuropathological issues such as memory deficits. In particular, palmitic acid (PA) in saturated fatty acids aggravates inflammation, insulin resistance, impaired glucose tolerance, and synaptic failure. Recently, adiponectin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and glucose-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) have been investigated to find therapeutic solutions for metabolic syndrome, with findings suggesting that they are involved in insulin sensitivity, enhanced lipid profiles, increased neuronal survival, and improved synaptic plasticity. We investigated the effects of adiponectin, BDNF, and GLP-1 on neurite outgrowth, length, and complexity in PA-treated primary cortical neurons using Sholl analysis. Our findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of adiponectin, BDNF, and GLP-1 in enhancing synaptic plasticity within brains affected by metabolic imbalance. We underscore the need for additional research into the mechanisms by which adiponectin, BDNF, and GLP-1 influence neural complexity in brains with metabolic imbalances.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.118-118
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• 2003

The use of PPARν (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor ν) activators in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is well established due to their ability to lower blood glucose and insulin levels and omprove insulin sensitivity. Thiazolidinedione analog is one of the potential antidiabetic drug that binds and activates PPARν selectively. In an effort to develop novel and effective antidiabetic thiazolidindione analogs, synthesis of tetrahydroquinoline and para-substituted benzene-linked thiazolidinedione analogs were carried out via coupling reaction of the hydrophobic segments with hydroxybenzylthiazolidinedione.

• BMB Reports
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.579-583
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• 2010

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin regulates appetite and bone mass. Recent research demonstrates that reciprocally, osteoblasts have a role in controlling energy metabolism. Several genes expressed in osteoblasts are involved in this process, and one of them is the Esp gene. The remaining genes regulate Esp gene expression. OST-PTP, the protein name of Esp, regulates the carboxylation of osteocalcin secreted from osteoblasts, thus affecting insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. This review provides evidence for a novel interpretation of the connection between bone and energy metabolism and expands our understanding of the novel physiology of bone beyond its classical functions.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.307.1-307.1
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• 2003

Metfotrmin is a biguanide antihyperglycemic agent often used for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetics(NIDDM). Metformin lowers both fasting and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations by improving insulin sensitivity at hepatic and peripheral tissues. The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of metformin were studied in Korean healthy volunteers at fasting state over 10 hours. (omitted)

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.221-225
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• 2012

Zinc deficiency is known to be associated with insulin resistance in obese individuals. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on insulin resistance and metabolic risk factors in obese Korean women. Forty obese women (body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}25kg/m^2$) aged 19-28 years were recruited for this study. Twenty women of the study group took 30 mg/day of supplemental zinc as zinc gluconate for 8 weeks and 20 women of control group took placebo. Usual dietary zinc intake was estimated from 3-day diet records. Insulin resistances were measured using Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) indices, and insulin sensitivities Matsuda indices, which were calculated using oral glucose tolerance test data. Metabolic risk factors, such as waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and adipocyte hormones such as leptin, and adiponectin were also measured. At the beginning of study, dietary zinc averaged 7.31 mg/day and serum zinc averaged $12.98{\mu}mol/L$ in the study group. Zinc supplementation increased serum zinc by 15% and urinary zinc by 56% (P < 0.05). HOMA values tended to decrease and insulin sensitivity increased slightly in the study group, but not significantly so. BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, and adipocyte hormones did not change in either the study or control group. These results suggest that zinc status may not affect insulin resistance and metabolic risk factors in obese Korean women. Further research is required on a larger cohort with a longer follow-up to determine the effects of zinc status on insulin resistance and metabolic variables.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.107-115
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• 1990

New insulin-releasing system on the basis of the redox reaction of glucose was synthesized by immobilizing insulin through a disulfide bond(5, 5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) to polymer membrane(poly(methyl methacrylate)) and enzyme(glucose oxidase). The disulfide bonds were cleaved upon oxidation of glucose with glucose dehydrogenase and glucose oxidase, releasing insulin from the membrane and enzyme. Sensitivity to glucose concentration was enhanced by coimmobilization of enzyme cofactors(nicotinamide adenin dinucleotide and flavin adenin dinucleotide) acting as electron mediator(for the membrane device), and further enhanced by direct immobilization of insulin on glucose oxidase(for the protein device). Both systems were specific to glucose, and the released insulin was indistinguishable from native insulin. The biological activity of released insulin was 81% of native insulin.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.235-247
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• 2022

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3 is one of the main active ingredients in ginseng. Here, we aimed to confirm its protective effect on the heart function in transverse aortic coarctation (TAC)-induced heart failure mice and explore the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Methods: The effects of ginsenoside Rg3 on heart and mitochondrial function were investigated by treating TAC-induced heart failure in mice. The mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 for improving heart and mitochondrial function in mice with heart failure was predicted through integrative analysis of the proteome and plasma metabolome. Glucose uptake and myocardial insulin sensitivity were evaluated using micro-positron emission tomography. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on myocardial insulin sensitivity was clarified by combining in vivo animal experiments and in vitro cell experiments. Results: Treatment of TAC-induced mouse models with ginsenoside Rg3 significantly improved heart function and protected mitochondrial structure and function. Fusion of metabolomics, proteomics, and targeted metabolomics data showed that Rg3 regulated the glycolysis process, and Rg3 not only regulated glucose uptake but also improve myocardial insulin resistance. The molecular mechanism of ginsenoside Rg3 regulation of glucose metabolism was determined by exploring the interaction pathways of AMPK, insulin resistance, and glucose metabolism. The effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on the promotion of glucose uptake in IR-H9c2 cells by AMPK activation was dependent on the insulin signaling pathway. Conclusions: Ginsenoside Rg3 modulates glucose metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance through activation of the AMPK pathway.