• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.328-335
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D plays an important role in the etiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This study evaluated the effect of vitamin D supplementation on metabolic indices and hs-C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in GDM patients. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded clinical trial. Seventy-six pregnant women with GDM and gestational age between 24-28 weeks were assigned to receive four oral treatments consisting of 50,000 IU of vitamin $D_3$ (n = 38) or placebo (n = 38) once every 2 weeks for 2 months. Fasting blood glucose (FG), insulin, HbA1c, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, lipid profile, hs-CRP, and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were measured before and after treatment. Independent and paired t-tests were used to determine intra- and intergroup differences, respectively. ANCOVA was used to assess the effects of vitamin D supplementation on biochemical parameters. RESULTS: Compared with the placebo group, in the vitamin D group, the serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased (19.15 vs. -0.40 ng/ml; P < 0.01) and that of FG (-4.72 vs. 5.27 mg/dl; P = 0.01) as well as HbA1c (-0.18% vs. 0.17%; P = 0.02) decreased. Improvements in the lipid profiles were observed in the vitamin D group, but without statistical significance. Significant increases in concentrations of hs-CRP, FG, HbA1c, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were observed in the placebo group. No significant change in fasting insulin and HOMA-IR was observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: In GDM patients, vitamin D supplementation improved FG and HbA1c but had no significant effects on lipid profile or hs-CRP.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1823-1831
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• 2018

This study examined the efficacy of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) protein and polysaccharide extracts as adjuvant or adjuvant booster when given together with porcine pleuropneumonia vaccine. Experimental mice (n = 5/group) were subcutaneously immunized with $25{\mu}g$ ApxIIA #3 antigen, a target protein against A. pleuropneumoniae, together with alum and/or various concentrations ($0-500{\mu}g$) of the AMK extracts, while the control group received PBS only. Immunization with ApxIIA #3 antigen increased the antigen-specific IgG titer and this increase was enhanced in the immunization together with AMK protein, but not polysaccharide extract. Supplementation of AMK protein extract exhibited dose-dependent increases in the antigen-induced protective immunity against A. pleuropneumoniae challenge and in the lymphocyte proliferation specific to the antigen. Glycoproteins present in the AMK extract were the active components responsible for immune response induction. Collectively, the present findings suggest that AMK glycoproteins are useful as immune stimulating adjuvant or adjuvant booster.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.12 no.sup1
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• pp.93-97
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• 2009

Worldwide, diarrhea remains one of the most common illnesses among children. Oral rehydration therapy (ORT) is the cornerstone of diarrhea treatment. Yet, the rates at which ORT is used are still disappointingly low. Additional treatment interventions include antimotility drugs, antisecretary drugs, adsorbents, probiotics, antibiotics, oral immunoglobulin, micronutrient supplementation. Drugs are generally not necessary. However, selected probiotics may reduce the duration and intensity of diarrhea. Zinc is beneficial especially to malnourished children with diarrhea. Antibiotic treatment is effective mainly in shigella and cholera infection. Other drugs may be effective but require further investigations.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.10b
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• pp.247.1-247.1
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• 2003

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional problem worldwide. Oral iron supplementation programs have failed because of noncompliance and gastrointestinal toxicity. The purpose of this study was to explore the possibility of alginate gel bead as an oral controlled release system of iron supplements and increase the stability of iron succinyl casein (ISC). Alginate beads containing ISC were prepared by the gelation of sodium alginate with calcium cations. The release profiles of ISC were investigated according to the concentration of polymer, the drug/sodium alginate ratio, the concentration and type of cation, curing time and pH of calcium chloride solution. (omitted)

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2010

The seeds of Raphanus sativus L. (RSL) and Phaseolus calcaratus Roxburgh (PHCR), the root of Scutellaria baicalensis (SB), and the flower of Lonicera japonica (LJ) have been traditionally used as herbal medicines for anti-inflammation. Unlike the SB and LJ, little information is available for the scientific bases that show the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of RSL and PHCR. In this study, we prepared boiled water extracts from the medicines and determined their potentials in inhibiting nitric oxide (NO) production, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-6 secretion in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The effects of the medicines on serum IgE levels in ovalbumin (OVA)-administrated mice were also studied. The medicines inhibited production of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6, and COX-2 expression in LPSstimulated macrophages. Especially, PHCR water extract showed more potent inhibition on TNF-$\alpha$ production than SB and LJ extracts, but RSL extract did not exert these effects. Similar to the cases of SB and LJ, PHCR extract prevented the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and c-Jun, and the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$-DNA binding. Further, oral supplementation of PHCR extract attenuated significantly serum levels of total and OVA-specific IgE in OVAtreated animals. These results suggest a possibility that PHCR water extract can be used for the treatment of inflammatory and allergic diseases.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.53-58
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• 2015

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the the efficacy of oral glutamine (GLN) in prevention of acute radiation-induced esophagitis in patients with lung cancer and determine the predictive role of clinical and dosimetric parameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two patients diagnosed with lung cancer were studied prospectively. Sixteen patients (50%) received prophylactic powdered GLN orally in doses of 10g/8h. Patients were treated 2 Gy per fraction daily, 5 days a week. We evaluated the grading of esophagitis daily at the end of each fraction of each treatment day until a cumulative dose of 50 Gy was reached. The primary end point was radiation-induced esophagitis. Results: All patients tolerated GLN well. Toxicity grade, weight loss, serum cytokine levels and esophageal transit times exhibited statistically significant improvement in the GLN receiving group. GLN suppressed the inflammation related to the disease and treatment and reduced toxicity with statistical significance. Conclusions: This study suggests a benefical role of oral GLN use in prevention and/or delay of radiation-induced esophagitis, in terms of esophageal transit time and serum immunological parameters, as well as weight loss.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.353-358
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• 2023

In the present study, to determine the efficacy of oral supplementation of ginseng berry extracts in augmenting exercise performance and exercise-associated metabolism, male mice were given orally 200 and 400 mg/kg of body weight (BW) of GBC for nine weeks. Although there are no differences in pre-exercise blood lactate levels among (1) the control group that received neither exercise nor GBC, (2) the group that performed only twice-weekly endurance exercise, and (3) and (4) the groups that combined twice-weekly endurance exercise with either 200 or 400 mg/kg GBC, statistically significant reductions in post-exercise blood lactate levels were observed in the groups that combined twice-weekly endurance exercise with oral administration of either 200 or 400 mg/kg GBC. Histological analysis showed no muscle hypertrophy, but transcriptome analysis revealed changes in gene sets related to lactate metabolism and mitochondrial function. GBC intake increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide levels in the gastrocnemius, possibly enhancing the mitochondrial electron transport system and lactate metabolism. Further molecular mechanisms are needed to confirm this hypothesis.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.91-98
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• 2024

Objectives: This case study aimed to evaluate changes in periodontal pathogens and systemic disease indicators following the adjunctive use of probiotics for periodontal treatment. Methods: Two adults, a 64-year-old male and 71-year-old female, were selected with ethical approval and underwent comprehensive oral and systemic health assessments before and after probiotic intake with periodontal debridement. Results: There was a significant reduction in the periodontal pathogens, particularly Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema forsythia, and no adverse systemic indicators were observed. Moreover, a trend toward improved lipid profiles was noted, suggesting a potential positive impact on systemic health. Conclusions: This study shows the potential role of probiotics in enhancing oral health and preventing systemic diseases, thus highlighting the need for further research and clinical trials.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1308-1314
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• 2018

Objective: Gut health improvements were monitored with respect to growth performance, diarrhea incidence, fecal bacterial population and intestinal morphology of suckling pigs orally supplemented with live Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius) oral suspensions and challenged with $F4^+$ enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Methods: Two groups of newborn pigs from 18 multiparous sows were randomly designated as non-supplemented (control: n = 114 piglets) and L. salivarius supplemented groups (treatment: n = 87 piglets). Treatment pigs were orally administered with 2 mL of $10^9$ colony-forming unit (CFU)/mL L. salivarius on days 1 to 3, then they were orally administered with 5 mL of $10^9CFU/mL$ L. salivarius on days 4 to 10, while those in control group received an equal amount of phosphate buffered saline solution. On day 24 (2 weeks post supplementation), one pig per replicate of both groups was orally administered with $10^8CFU/mL$ $F4^+$ ETEC, then they were euthanized on day 29 of experiment. Results: Results revealed that pigs in treatment group had a statistically significant increase in average daily gain, body weight and weight gain, and tended to lower diarrhea throughout the study. Numbers of Lactobacillus population in feces of treatment pigs were higher than control pigs, especially on day 10 of study. Numbers of total bacteria in intestinal contents of control pigs were also increased, but not Coliform and Lactobacillus populations. Histological examination revealed statistically significant improvements of villous height and villous/crypt ratio of duodenum, proximal jejunum and distal jejunum parts of treatment pigs compared with controls. Duodenal pH of treatment group was significantly decreased. Conclusion: Oral supplementation of live L. salivarius during the first 10 days of suckling pig promoted growth performance and gut health, reduced diarrhea incidence, increased fecal Lactobacillus populations and improved intestinal morphology.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was to determine the effect of oral vitamin C supplements on blood sugar and antioxidative status in Types II diabetes mellitus patients. Method: Data for the study were collected from June 24 to August 31, 2001. Participants(31) took 1g/day vitamin C for 4 weeks, after a 1 - week taking no Vitamin C, followed by Vitamin C 3g/day for 4 weeks. A baseline blood sample was obtained following a 12hour overnight fast and at the end of each 4week Vitamin C administration. Blood samples were taken for plasma vitamin C concentration, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, superoxide scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. The data were analyzed by SPSS for repeated measures ANOVA. Result: Plasma vitamin C concentration was significantly increased over dose(F=3.316, p=.043). Fasting blood sugar and HbA1c was significantly decreased over dose(F=13.192, p=.000; F=11.995, p=.000). Superoxide scavenging activity and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity was significantly increased over dose(F=486.138, p=.000; F=177.704, p= .000). Conclusion: The results suggest that megadose vitamin C supplementation may have a beneficial effect in diabetes mellitus patients on both glycemic control and antioxidant status. Thus dietary measures to increase plasma vitamin C may be an important health strategy for reducing the compliance of diabetic patients