• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.119-134
• /
• 2010

Objectives & Method：Based on the statistic from January 2008 to December 2008 include 66-year-old 375 people (159 men, 216 women) who got examined in National Health Insurance Corporation, this study set a goal to establish a new health index by analyzing the relation between the cardio-cerebra vascular disease and risk factor such as obesity, smoking, exercise, alcohol consumption, blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol. Results：1) Examine results, health status according to gender；People who are diagnosed as abnormal health status have higher risk for both men and women. As for the detailed diseases, high blood pressure was highest followed by hyperlipidemia and obesity. In case of the women, 96.3% in bone mineral density was highest. 2) Correlation of disease and health risk factors based on gender；Correlation of disease according to gender in the obesity(p<0.001), lipid abnormalities(p<0.001), kidney diseases(p<0.001), chest diseases(p<0.05), osteoporosis(p<0.001) showed a statistically significant difference. The analysis showed that the men have more obesity and lipid abnormalities as well as thoracic disease than the women, but the women have more kidney disease than the men. As for the osteoporosis examine which is conducted only for the women, most of the women were abnormal even though it cannot compare the result according to gender. Obesity(p<0.001), alcohol(p<0.001), smoking(p<0.001) and LDLcholesterol(p<0.001) showed statistical correlation between gender and health risk factor. And only high blood pressure(p<0.001) showed a statistical correlation between gender and risk of cardio-cerebra vascular disease. 3) Risk of cardio-cerebra vascular disease related to health risk factor characteristic；Obesity assessment(p<0.001), alcohol(p<0.05), smoking(p<0.05), blood pressure(p<0.001), glucose(p<0.001) showed correlation between health risk factor and stroke. Drinking(p<0.001), smoking(p<0.05), exercise(p<0.001), blood pressure(p<0.001), LDL cholesterol(p<0.001) showed health risk factor and myocardial infarction. Obesity assessment(p<0.001), smoking(p<0.05), blood pressure(p<0.001), glucose(p<0.001) and showed correlation between health risk factor and diabetes. Obesity assessment(p<0.001), blood pressure(p<0.001) showed correlation between health risk factor and high blood pressure. Conclusion：Therefore, we have to take one step farther after the health examination. In order to prevent and reduce the risk of disease, people have to understand their health status exactly first, and correct their habit with recognizing the amount of risk related to cardio-cerebra vascular disease.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.48 no.2
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2015

Objectives: Recently, low systolic blood pressure (SBP) was found to be associated with an increased risk of death from vascular diseases in a rural elderly population in Korea. However, evidence on the association between low SBP and vascular diseases is scarce. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine the association between low SBP and mortality from all causes and vascular diseases in older middle-aged Korean men. Methods: From 2004 to 2010, 94 085 Korean Vietnam War veterans were followed-up for deaths. The adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. A stratified analysis was conducted by age at enrollment. SBP was self-reported by a postal survey in 2004. Results: Among the participants aged 60 and older, the lowest SBP (<90 mmHg) category had an elevated aHR for mortality from all causes (aHR, 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2 to 3.1) and vascular diseases (International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, I00-I99; aHR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.2 to 8.4) compared to those with an SBP of 100 to 119 mmHg. Those with an SBP below 80 mmHg (aHR, 4.5; 95% CI, 1.1 to 18.8) and those with an SBP of 80 to 89 mmHg (aHR, 3.1; 95% CI, 0.9 to 10.2) also had an increased risk of vascular mortality, compared to those with an SBP of 90 to 119 mmHg. This association was sustained when excluding the first two years of follow-up or preexisting vascular diseases. In men younger than 60 years, the association of low SBP was weaker than that in those aged 60 years or older. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that low SBP (<90 mmHg) may increase vascular mortality in Korean men aged 60 years or older.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.64 no.11
• /
• pp.559-572
• /
• 2021

The International Society for the Study of Vascular Anomalies classifies vascular anomalies into vascular tumors and vascular malformations. Vascular tumors are neoplasms of endothelial cells, among which infantile hemangiomas (IHs) are the most common, occurring in 5%-10% of infants. Glucose transporter-1 protein expression in IHs differs from that of other vascular tumors or vascular malformations. IHs are not present at birth but are usually diagnosed at 1 week to 1 month of age, rapidly proliferate between 1 and 3 months of age, mostly complete proliferation by 5 months of age, and then slowly involute to the adipose or fibrous tissue. Approximately 10% of IH cases require early treatment. The 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline for the management of IHs recommends that primary care clinicians frequently monitor infants with IHs, educate the parents about the clinical course, and refer infants with high-risk IH to IH specialists ideally at 1 month of age. High-risk IHs include those with life-threatening complications, functional impairment, ulceration, associated structural anomalies, or disfigurement. In Korea, IHs are usually treated by pediatric hematology-oncologists with the cooperation of pediatric cardiologists, radiologists, dermatologists, and plastic surgeons. Oral propranolol, a nonselective beta-adrenergic antagonist, is the first-line treatment for IHs at a dosage of 2-3 mg/kg/day divided into 2 daily doses maintained for at least 6 months and often continuing until 12 months of age. Topical timolol maleate solution, a topical nonselective beta-blocker, may be used for small superficial type IHs at a dosage of 1-2 drops of 0.5% gel-forming ophthalmic solution applied twice daily. Pulse-dye laser therapy or surgery is useful for the treatment of residual skin changes after IH involution.

• Journal of Lipid and Atherosclerosis
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2019

Vascular dementia is the most common neuropsychiatric syndrome and is characterized by synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and cognitive dysfunction. Vascular dementia is associated with various environmental, genetic, and lifestyle risk factors. Recent research has focused on the association between vascular dementia and dietary patterns, suggesting that dietary regulation leads to better control of energy metabolism, improvements in brain insulin resistance, and the suppression of neuroinflammation. Intermittent fasting is a calorie-restriction method known to be more effective in promoting fat loss and regulating the impairment of glucose metabolism as compared with other dietary restriction regimens. Herein, the authors review the effects of intermittent fasting with regard to vascular dementia based on recent evidence and propose that intermittent fasting could be a therapeutic approach for ameliorating vascular dementia pathology and preventing its onset.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.269-278
• /
• 2014

Various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) especially enzyme-inducing AEDs might be associated with increased vascular risk, through impairment of the endogenous antioxidative ability which may trigger oxygen-dependent tissue injury. Lamotrigine (LTG) a non-enzyme-inducing AED has scarce information regarding its effects on oxidative stress. The present study aimed to study the possible modulation of vascular risk factors of epileptogenesis by LTG, in a rat model of kindling seizure induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). Four groups of male Wister rats were used; vehicle control group, PTZ group (alternate day PTZ, 30 mg/kg, i.p), LTG/PTZ group (LTG 20 mg/kg/day p.o and alternate day PTZ) and LTG group. The study period was 5 weeks. Lipoproteins and total homocysteine (tHcy), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured. Aortic endothelial function study and histopathological examination of the rats' brains, aortas and coronaries were conducted. Serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), tHcy, MDA, GSH levels were significantly higher in epileptic rats than normal controls rats. A decrease in HDL-cholesterol with high atherosclerotic index was also demonstrated. The administration of LTG improved the PTZ-kindled seizures. It produced a significant decrease in TC, TG and LDL-cholesterol, MDA, aortic GSH and increase in HDL-cholesterol with no significant effect on serum GSH and tHcy levels. LTG improved endothelium-dependent relaxation, decreased hippocampal neurodegenerative changes and atherosclerotic changes of aortas and coronaries. LTG decreased seizures severity, hippocampal damage and improved vascular risk markers in this rat model of kindling seizures.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.94-102
• /
• 2014

Diet attrition and failure of long term treatment are very frequent in obese patients. This study aimed to identify pre-treatment variables determining dropout and to customise the characteristics of those most likely to abandon the program before treatment, thus making it possible to modify the therapy to increase compliance. A total of 146 outpatients were consecutively enrolled; 73 patients followed a prescriptive diet while 73 followed a novel brief group Cognitive Behavioural Treatment (CBT) in addition to prescriptive diet. The two interventions lasted for six months. Anthropometric, demographic, psychological parameters and feeding behaviour were assessed, the last two with the Italian instrument VCAO Ansisa; than, a semi-structured interview was performed on motivation to lose weight. To identify the baseline dropout risk factors among these parameters, univariate and multivariate logistic models were used. Comparison of the results in the two different treatments showed a higher attrition rate in CBT group, despite no statistically significant difference between the two treatment arms (P = 0.127). Dropout patients did not differ significantly from those who did not dropout with regards to sex, age, Body Mass Index (BMI), history of cycling, education, work and marriage. Regardless of weight loss, the most important factor that determines the dropout appears to be a high level of stress revealed by General Health Questionnaire-28 items (GHQ-28) score within VCAO test. The identification of hindering factors during the assessment is fundamental to reduce the dropout risk. For subjects at risk, it would be useful to dedicate a stress management program before beginning a dietary restriction.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.142-152
• /
• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the life style and dietary factors in high-risk of vascular diseases among workers residing in Kyungbook province. The survey was carried out on March and April, 1997 The subjects of this study consisted of fifty men aged over 30 years who were diagnosed as hypercholesterolemia(＞240mg/$m\ell$) or hypertension(＞160/95mmHg). In contrast, fifty healthy men were participated in this study as a control group. General environmental factors, nutrition knowledge and food behavior were investigated by questionaires through direct interviews with the subjects. Alcohol intake and smoking level of the subjects tended to be higher than those of the control, but not significantly different. Nutrition knowledge and food behavior scores of high-risk group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The smoking amount of subjects was negatively correlated with blood glucose and BMI. Alcohol consumption of subjects appeared to have a positive correlation with systolic blood pressure and BMI. The relationship of food behavior score with BMI and blood glucose were negatively correlated. Nutrition knowledge score showed a negative correlation with total cholesterol, blood glucose level, BMI and systolic blood pressure. These results suggest that efficient nutrition education programs need to be developed to prevent the cardiovascular diseases of workers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.248-255
• /
• 2022

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.), a green leafy vegetable, is well known as a functional food due to its biological activities. Vascular calcification is associated with several disease conditions including atherosclerosis, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and is known to raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases related morbidity and mortality. However, there are no previous studies that have investigated the effects of fermented spinach exract (FSE) against aortic and its underlying mechanisms. Therefore, this study investigated the effects and action of possible mechanisms of FSE on inorganic phosphate (PI)-induced vascular calcification in ex vivo mouse aortic rings. PI increased vascular calcification through calcium deposition in ex vivo aortic rings. FSE inhibited calcium accumulation and osteogenic key marker, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 (BMP-2) protein expression in ex vivo aortic rings. And, FSE inhibited PI-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 phosphorylation in ex vivo aortic rings. These results show that FSE can prevent vascular calcification which may be a crucial way for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease association with vascular calcification.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.160-165
• /
• 2023

Vascular calcification is common in cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, and is associated with an increased risk of pathological events and mortality. Some semaphorin family members play an important role in atherosclerosis. In the present study, we show that Semaphorin 4D/Sema4D and its Plexin-B1 receptor were significantly upregulated in calcified aorta of a rat chronic kidney disease model. Significantly higher Sema4D and Plexin-B1 expression was also observed during inorganic phosphate-induced calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells. Knockdown of Sema4D or Plexin-B1 genes attenuated both the phosphate-induced osteogenic phenotype of vascular smooth muscle cells, through regulation of SMAD1/5 signaling, as well as apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells, through modulation of the Gas6/Axl/Akt survival pathway. Taken together, our results offer new insights on the role of Sema4D and Plexin-B1 as potential therapeutic targets against vascular calcification.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.234-240
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this case-control study is to investigate the relationship between storke and stroke risk factors, such as family history and past history. The case-control study over clinical data registered from Daejeon Oriental Medical Hospital in the period of November 2006 to July 2010. Study subjects consisted of 108 patients with acute stroke within 1 month as the case group (Cases) and 108 people who visited hospital for health care as the genreral control group (Controls). The participants had been interviewed by residents to find out their family history and past history. Their blood was taken to check the blood lipid level and liver function. 1. The people whose family history included cerebrovascular accident had more probability of stroke than the people who did not have cerebral vascular accident as their family history. 2. The people who suffered from hypertension had more probability of stroke than the people who did not suffer from hypertension. 3. The people who suffered from diabetes mellitus had more probability of stroke than the people who did not suffer from diabetes mellitus. Based on this study, the people who had cerebral vascular accident as their family history should thoroughly treat their blood pressure and blood sugar level to prevent the cerebral vascular accident.