• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.6
• /
• pp.744-753
• /
• 2021

Background: Gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF) is a new non-saponin component glycolipoprotein isolated from ginseng root. This study examined the effect of GEF on age-related sarcopenia in old C57BL/6J mice. Methods: Young (3-6 months) and old (20-24 months) C57BL/6J mice received oral GEF (50 mg/kg/day or 150 mg/kg/day) daily for 5 weeks. During the oral administration period, body weight and grip strength were measured weekly. After sacrifice, muscles from the hindlimb were excised and used for hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blotting to determine the effects of GEF on sarcopenia. The thymus was photographed to compare size, and flow cytometry was performed to examine the effect of GEF on immune homeostasis in the thymus and spleen. Blood samples were collected, and the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and IGF-1 were measured. Results: GEF caused a significant increase in muscle strength, mass, and fiber size in old mice. GEF restored age-related disruption of immune homeostasis by maintaining T cell compartments and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. Thus, GEF reduced common low-grade chronic inflammatory parameters, which are the main cause of muscle loss. Conclusion: GEF maintained immune homeostasis and inhibited markers of chronic inflammation, resulting in anti-sarcopenia effects in aged C57BL/6J mice. Thus, GEF is a potential therapeutic agent that slows sarcopenia in the elderly.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.46 no.6
• /
• pp.809-818
• /
• 2022

Background: The non-saponin fraction (NSF) of Korean Red Ginseng is a powder in which saponin is eliminated from red ginseng concentrate by fractionation. In this study, we examined the effect of NSF on age-associated sarcopenia in old mice. Methods: NSF (50 or 200 mg/kg/day) was administered orally daily to young (3-6-month-old) and old (20-24-month-old) C57BL/6 J mice for 6 weeks. Body weight and grip strength were assessed once a week during the oral administration period. The gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscle were excised, and the muscle fiber size was compared through hematoxylin and eosin staining. In addition, the effect of NSF on sarcopenia and inflammation/oxidative stress-related factors in hindlimb muscles was investigated by western blotting. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of NSF on immune homeostasis. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture, and the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and glutathione were evaluated. Results: NSF significantly alleviated muscle strength, mass, and also fiber size in old mice. Age-associated impairment of immune homeostasis was recovered by NSF through retaining CD11b⁺F4/80⁺ macrophages and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. NSF also decreased the age-induced expression of oxidative stress factors. Taken together, NSF showed the effect of improving sarcopenia by inhibiting low-grade chronic inflammatory/oxidative stress factors. Conclusion: NSF exhibited anti-sarcopenia effects by regulating chronic inflammation and oxidative stress in old mice. Thus, we suggest that NSF is a promising restorative agent that can be used to improve sarcopenia in the elderly as well as maintain immune homeostasis.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.51-58
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study is based on the results of previous studies that falls, which is a frequent social problem, causes physical, mental and social health problems in the elderly. In order to identify risk factors for falls in the elderly, this study derives a relationship with oral health and proposes the necessity of oral health care as part of countermeasures to prevent falls in the elderly. Methodology: The final 6,936 people were analysed using the 2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing(KLoSA) survey data, and the analysis was conducted using the multiple logistic and multiple regression analysis to investigate the relationship between Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and falls experience. Findings: As a result of the analysis in this study, the number of falls experiences and whether or not falls were higher in the elderly female group than in the male group. The likelihood of falls experience has been statistically reduced as Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index increases by one unit.(OR : 0.991) The number of falls has also been statistically reduced as Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index increase by one unit.(B : -0.001) Practical Implications: The results of this study, which showed that higher Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index was lower risk of falls, explained by the connection that oral health may affect nutritional intake, which leads to sarcopenia and physical loss, which in turn increases the risk of falls. As a way to solve the fall problem, efforts should be made to improve the oral health of the elderly, and furthermore, the importance of nutrition management thorugh oral health care of the elderly is increasd.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.477-483
• /
• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to provide basic data that would inform the direction of oral rehabilitation and how to expand of the role of dental hygienists in Japan. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on the role of dental hygienists in the field of oral rehabilitation in Japan. Results: Japan has been making academic and practical developments in the field of oral rehabilitation for over 30 years, and has been gradually implementing a fee support policy since the 1990s. In addition, Japan has been operating a dental hygienist system specializing in oral rehabilitation since 2006. The related work was being carried out with the dental hygienist's expertise in the field of rehabilitation medical treatment secured. Dental hygienists work full-time at long-term care facilities for the elderly in addition to conducting oral care activities under the local comprehensive care system, in the areas of convalescence and acute rehabilitation, as well as in the field of visiting rehabilitation. It can be seen that, in the field of nursing care, they are specialized in oral care tasks for the elderly. Conclusions: In the future, a policy and related fee system should be gradually prepared to expand the role of dental hygienists in the field of oral rehabilitation that can contribute to improving oral health linked to systemic diseases.

• Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.194-199
• /
• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between the number of remaining natural teeth (NRT) and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in older adults. Methods: This study was based on data from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. The participants were 2,378 older participants (984 men and 1,394 women) aged over 65 years. Survey dentists conducted oral health examinations, and ASM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The participants with $NRT{\geq}20$ had more ASM and SMI than those with NRT<20 in both sexes. SMI was correlated with NRT in men (r=0.018, p<0.001) and in women (r=-0.007, p<0.001). The positive correlation between the NRT and SMI remained significant in men even after adjusting for age, marital status, income, smoking, drinking, physical activity, protein intake, energy intake, calcium intake, body mass index, fasting blood glucose level, medications, and prostheses (${\beta}=0.011$, p=0.001). In women, the correlation disappeared after adjustment for smoking, alcohol, physical activity, protein intake, energy intake, calcium intake, marital status, income, fasting basal glucose, medication administration, and prostheses. Conclusion: This study showed a correlation between NRT and SMI in those ${\geq}65$ years of age in Korea. The relationship persisted in men, but not in women, even after adjusting for confounders.