• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.12
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• pp.1783-1789
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• 2010

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of 10 week onion extract supplementation on blood lipid profiles in borderline hypercholesterolemic participants. The study consisted of 10 males and 17 females aged $45.9{\pm}10.0$ years. At baseline, serum total cholesterol level was $228.6{\pm}4.1$ mg/dL (201~239 mg/dL). This study was designed as randomized single blind placebo controlled cross-over study. After 1 week wash-out period, subjects were randomized into two groups; they took onion extract (150 mL/1 pack, containing 30 mg quercetin) or placebo for 10 weeks. After 1 week wash-out period again, subjects took exchanged samples for another 10 weeks. The total-cholesterol ($226.7{\pm}4.6{\rightarrow}206.8{\pm}3.6$ mg/dL; p<0.01), LDL-cholesterol ($151.6{\pm}5.0{\rightarrow}127.1{\pm}4.1$ mg/dL; p<0.01) and atherogenic index (AI: $4.0{\pm}0.3{\rightarrow}3.4{\pm}0.2$; p<0.05) decreased significantly after 10 weeks of onion extracts supplementation, while there were no significant changes during placebo periods. The levels of HDL-cholesterol (onion extract: $46.5{\pm}2.0{\rightarrow}50.2{\pm}2.1$ mg/dL, placebo: $47.8{\pm}2.1{\rightarrow}50.1{\pm}2.4$ mg/dL), GOT (onion extract: $36.8{\pm}1.8{\rightarrow}32.3{\pm}1.8$ IU/L, placebo: $35.1{\pm}2.1{\rightarrow}32.8{\pm}2.0$ IU/L), and GPT (onion extract: $36.5{\pm}3.2{\rightarrow}32.9{\pm}1.8$ IU/L, placebo: $36.6{\pm}3.8{\rightarrow}33.8{\pm}2.8$ IU/L) showed no significant changes in both periods. These results indicate that the consumption of onion concentrated extracts exerts beneficial effects on dyslipidemia through the decrease of serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in borderline hypercholestrolemic subjects. In conclusion, onion was useful as dietary therapy for hypercholestrolemia and adequate onion intake may help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.465-469
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• 2015

Background: Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (A. Berger) is commonly used as a folk remedy for cancer therapy. However, the mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity are poorly investigated in human cancer cells. In this study, we investigated whether flavonoids extracted from Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (FEOJ) might have anticancer effects in human leukemia cells, focusing on cell death mechanisms. Materials and Methods: U937 human leukemic cancer cells were used. Results: FEOJ induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in human U937 cancer cells. Flow cytometry revealed significant accumulation of cells with sub-G1 DNA content at the concentrations of $200{\mu}g/mL$ and $400{\mu}g/mL$. FEOJ-induced apoptosis was caspase-dependent through loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) in human U937 cancer cells, which might be associated with suppression of Bcl-2 and XIAP proteins. FEOJ induced the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, playing at least in part an important role in FEOJ-induced apoptosis. Conclusions: This study suggested that FEOJ may induce caspase-dependent apoptosis in human leukemic cells by regulating MMP (${\Delta}{\Psi}m$) through suppressing Bcl-2 and X-IAP. In addition, the results indicated that upstream p38 MAPK signaling regulates the apoptotic effect of FEOJ. This study provides evidence that FEOJ might have anti-cancer potential for human leukemic cells.

• Advances in pediatric surgery
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2009

Recently, amniotic fluid has gained attention as one of the potential sources for cell therapy and tissue engineering because it has characteristics of multipotent stem cells. However, current knowledge about what types of cells are naturally found in amniotic fluid is still limited. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether human amniotic fluid contains cells that have characteristics of respiratory cells. Samples of human amniotic fluid (5 mL per sample) obtained from amniocenteses were cultured with small airway growth medium (SAGM). Cells were grown until the third passage and the presence of type II alveolar cells were characterized by inverted microscopy, immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). On inverted microscopy, cultured cells showed typical polygonal and cobblestone-like epithelial morphology. The morphology of cells was not changed after selection and passing. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated that the isolated cells stained positive for surfactant protein C (SPC), specific marker for type II alveolar cells. Cells also stained positive for TTF-1 protein but negative for CD 31 and vimentin. RT-PCR analysis of cells showed expression of SPC mRNA. This study has demonstrated that respiratory cells can be isolated and identified from human amniotic fluid cultured in SAGM medium. Our results may provide the basis for further investigations of amniotic fluid.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.189-199
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability, minimal detectable change (MDC), and the effect of turning direction on the time and number of steps taken during the 180 ° turn test in subacute stroke patients. Additionally, it examined the concurrent validity of the 180 ° turn test. Methods : The study included 28 subacute stroke patients. The test-retest reliability of the 180 ° turn test according to the direction of rotation (paretic and non-paretic sides) by comparing the consistency between the initial assessment and a reassessment conducted 7 days later. Concurrent validity was examined by assessing the correlation of the 180 ° turn test with the Fugl-Meyer assessment of lower extremity (FMA-L/E), Berg balance scale (BBS), 10-meter walk test (10 mWT), and timed up and go test (TUG). Results : The ICC for the time taken to turn 180 ° to the affected and unaffected sides were 0.971 and 0.918, respectively, indicating excellent reliability. The ICC for the number of steps were 0.944 and 0.932, respectively. The MDC for the time taken were 0.33 seconds (affected side) and 0.67 seconds (unaffected side). The MDC for the number of steps were 0.49 (affected side) and 0.63 (unaffected side). The paired t-test showed the limited community ambulator group took significantly longer to turn to the unaffected side (p<.048). Significant correlations were found between the 180 ° turn test and FMA-L/E (r= -0.395 to -0.416), BBS (r= -0.622 to -0.684), 10 mWT (r= 0.720 to 0.730), and TUG (r= 0.684 to 0.790) (p<.05 to .01). Conclusion : The 180 ° turn test demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and high validity when correlated with other functional measures in subacute stroke patients. MDC values indicated high reliability. Faster walking speeds (≥0.95 m/s) were unaffected by turning direction, while slower speeds (<0.58 m/s) showed significant effects. The 180 ° turn test is a simple, sensitive, and reliable tool for evaluating turning ability in subacute stroke patients.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.48-55
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• 2009

Purpose: As Korean nuclear law doesn't have any clear guideline about the dose and the external dose rate(uSv/h) requiring hospitalization in radioactive iodine treated patients, the patients are discharged when they meet the guideline of IAEA Basic Safety Standards(BSS). We measured external dose rate(${\mu}Sv/h$) of inpatient underwent 3700MBq (100 mCi) $^{131}I$ radioiodine treatment and considering external dose rate(${\mu}Sv/h$), residual activity(mCi) and excretion rate(%) we found the time for RA to be lowered from 3700MBq (100 mCi) to 1110 MBq (30 mCi) to give reference to set a guideline for discharge. Materials and Methods: Forty-two patients underwent thyroidectomy and scheduled for radioiodine treatment, who received 3700MBq (100 mCi) of $^{131}I$ orally and had no renal disease were examined. After 1, 2, 4, 8, and 20, 24, 40 hours iodine uptake and before/after the urination, the external dose rate(${\mu}Sv/h$) measured using FH40G-L(Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., MA) at a distance and a height of 1 m for 20 sec on the average. Results and Conclusions: At 20 hours, the external dose rate was decreased to $49{\pm}13\;{\mu}Sv$/h, namely, 78% of administrated radioactivity was excreted and 814 MBq (30 mCi) was residual, and it met the accepted limit for discharge of (IAEA, BSS) under 1110 MBq (30 mCi) (1 m at 66 uSv/h).

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2009

Purpose: To provide the primary data for reaching a consensus on the adequate duration of treatment of lamivudine in children with HBeAg negative chronic hepatitis B. Methods: Seven of 83 children/adolescents with chronic hepatitis B were diagnosed with HBeAg-negative and HBV DNA-positive chronic hepatitis B and treated with lamivudine. Six children/adolescents were enrolled among 7 patients, who had been treated with lamivudine over 2 years. The primary goal of treatment was HBV DNA clearance and normalization of the serum ALT level; the final goal of treatment was the durability of the complete response after discontinuation of lamivudine. It was planned to continue lamivudine for more than two additional years after HBV DNA negativity and normalization of ALT. Results: The mean duration of lamivudine treatment was 32.2 months (range, 26~40 months) and the mean duration of follow-up was 59.5 months (range, 26~110 months). HBV DNA levels became undetectable (<0.5 pg/mL) in 6 patients within 3 months of treatment. ALT levels were normalized in 3.5 months (range, 2~7 months) in all 6 patients. Biochemical breakthrough developed in 1 patient 18 months after the initiation of lamivudine treatment. No evidence of relapse could be found in 4 patients with a mean follow-up of 23.8 months (range, 4~75 months) after cessation of lamivudine treatment. Conclusion: Suppression of HBV replication and normalization of serum ALT levels were effectively achieved with long-term lamivudine treatment in children/adolescents with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B. Two additional years of lamivudine may be needed after HBV DNA clearance and ALT normalization in HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B in order to decrease the relapse rate.

• Food Engineering Progress
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.346-354
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• 2011

This study was carried out to fortify the antimicrobial activity of yoghurt by adding liquorice extract to it. The liquorice extracts (1 mg/mL) showed relatively high antibacterial activity against H. pylori KCCM 40449 (p < 0.05). The solvent liquorice extracts of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against H. pylori KCCM 40449 were 25- 100 ${\mu}g$/mL. Lactobacillus amylovorus DU-21 with high EPS production ability were inoulated to milk after the addition of different amounts of liquorice extracts (0.0%, 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.2%). The physico-chemical characteristics of yoghurts added with liquorice extracts were examined. The initial pH, titratable acidity, viscosity and viable cell counts of the yoghurt added liquorice extracts were 3.41-3.51, 1.021-1.091%, 1,686-1,930 cp and 9.41-9.38 Log CFU/mL, respectively. The viscosity and syneresis of yoghurt were better than that of the control. Antimicrobial activity against H. pylori KCCM 40449 increased with increasing addition of liquorice extract. However, the sensory score of yoghurt added with different amounts of liquorice extracts was lower than that of the control (p < 0.05). As a result of the sensory evaluations, the flavor, taste, texture, color and overall acceptability of the yoghurt with 0.05% liquorice extract were found to be much better than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). Overall, the optimal amount of liquorice extract added in the manufacture of yoghurt was 0.05% of the total weight. Further studies on increment of antimicrobial activity and palatability of liquorice extract added yoghurt are necessary.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.217-224
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• 2019

In this study, to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral therapy using Gastrodiae Rhizoma, a new HPLC-PDA analysis method was developed for the simultaneous quantitation of the three major components: (1) gastrodin, (2) gastrodigenin, and (3) p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, in steam processed and unprocessed tubers of Gastrodia elata Blume. The clear separation of the three components was achieved on a C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 ㎛) by gradient elution using water (including 0.1 % formic acid) and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.0 mL/min, and the UV detector wavelength was set at 270 nm. The results demonstrate satisfactory linearity, recovery, precision, accuracy, stability, and robustness. The established HPLC-PDA method was applied to quantify three major compounds in 59 samples of G. elata Blume tubers. Finally, the steam processed and unprocessed tubers of G. elata Blume were successfully distinguished by pattern recognition analysis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.154-171
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• 2005

Herbal mixture water extract of (Rheum coreanum Scutellaria baikalensis, Phellodendron amurese), which exhibit several beneficial effects including acne and skin diseases, was tested for anti-microbial activity and anti-inflammation effects. The herbal mixture extract showed antimicrobial activity against Stapylococcus epidermis and Propionbacterium acne. The growth of Stapylococcus epidermis and Propionibacterium acne was inhibited completely by addition of 1.0% of the extract. Also in the present study we examined the mixture extract on compound 48/80 induced allergy and LPS induced cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophage. The results indicated the ear swelling and histamine release induced by compound 48/80 were dose-dependently reduced, ranging 18-36% and 10-61%, respectively. Furthermore the extract inhibited the expression of LPS-induced COX-2 proteins and mRNAs without an appreciable cytotoxic effects on RAW264.1 cells. The cytotoxicity of the extract using MTT assay showed the cytotoxicity of 6% and 13% against L929 cell line. Based on these results, it is concluded that the herbal mixture water extract can be applied to this acne and skin diseases therapy.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.146-152
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• 2017

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is one of the urogenital infections occurring in women worldwide. Candida albicans is generally observed among various types of microorganisms causing VVC. Antibiotic therapy is typical, and the use of Lactobacilli probiotics is to be recognized as a promising alternative. The aim of this study was to select vaginal lactobacilli with probiotic properties against C. albicans. In a previous study, we isolated 38 lactobacilli from vagina of Korean women and 20 isolates were shown to inhibit C. albicans. We further selected 10 isolates which were able to inhibit C. albicans less than $10^5CFU/mL$. Among these selected strains, Lactobacillus salivarius MG242 (identified by 16s rRNA sequencing) was finally selected based on its strong anti-candidal activity, acid/bile salt resistance and adhesion property. Indirect adhesion activity of MG242 measured by auto-aggregation assay showed more than 60% auto-aggregation after 5 h standing. Taken these results together, the selected strain MG242 may have potential for application in vagina health related products.