• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.275-284
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• 2024

Worldwide, cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death, which accordingly increased by hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia therapy can include lifestyle changes and medications to control cholesterol levels. Statins are the medications of the first choice for dealing with lipid abnormalities. Rosuvastatin founds to control high lipid levels by hindering liver production of cholesterol and to achieve the targeted levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, another lipid lowering agents named ezetimibe may be used as an added therapy. Both rosuvastatin and ezetimibe have low bioavailability which will stand as barrier to decrease cholesterol levels, because of such depictions, formulations of this combined therapy in nanotechnology will be of a great assistance. Our study demonstrated preparations of nanoparticles of this combined therapy, showing their physical characterizations, and examined their behavior in laboratory conditions and vivo habitation. The mean particle size was uniform, polydispersity index and zeta potential of formulations were found to be in the ranges of (0.181-0.72) and (-13.4 to -6.24), respectively. Acceptable limits of entrapment efficiency were affirmed with appearance of spherical and uniform nanoparticles. In vitro testing showed a sustained release of drug exceeded 90% over 24 h. In vivo study revealed an enhanced dissolution and bioavailability from loaded nanoparticles, which was evidenced by calculated pharmacokinetic parameters using triton for hyperlipidemia induction. Stability studies were performed and assured that the formulations are kept the same up to one month. Therefore, nano formulations is a suitable transporter for combined therapy of rosuvastatin and ezetimibe with improvement in their dissolution and bioavailability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.183-192
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation between vegetarian diet and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. To do the present study the vegetarians were selected; 127 Buddhist nuns (age : 23 ~ 79 yrs) from Oonmoon Temple in Choungdo District, Gyeongsang Book-do. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age : 23~79yrs) were selected. They were the teachers, the nurses of the hospital of Gyeongsang National University and the housekeepers living in Chinju Gyeongsang Nam-do. This study was conducted from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents are consisted of anthropometric measurement, questionnaries about eating behavior and intake frequency of food group and clinical examination. The results were summarized as follows. The average ages of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 44.2 yrs and 40.5 yrs respectively. Average body mass index (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.4 and 21.0, WHR were 0.8 and 0.8, percentage of body fat were 28.7 and 26.5 and the average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.1 years. Eating behavior score of vegetarian was significantly higher than those of non-vegetarians. Eating behavior score was negatively of correlated with levels of serum total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI). In intake frequency of green vegetable, lemon-yellow vegetable, bumb and seaweeds of the vegetarians more than those of non-vegetarians. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, AI, diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar and HDL cholesterol of non-vegetarians were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of vegetarians, but ratio of HDL cholesterol/total-cholesterol was lower in non-vegetarians. Consequently, vegetable diet can be considerably diet help to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-96
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate arterial stiffness index, physical activity, and food and nutrient intake in middle-aged adults over 40 years when the incidence of cardiovascular disease begins to increase. Methods: This study included 106 subjects (48 males and 58 females) aged between 40 and 64 years. The arterial stiffness index (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], and ankle-brachial index [ABI]) were measured using a blood pressure pulse wave testing device. Physical activity was assessed using the Korean version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and food and nutrient intake was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.4 years. Although the ABI of the subjects was within the normal range, they were divided into tertiles to compare physical activity and food and nutrient intake. In males, the time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher in T3 (600.6 min/week) than in T1 (304.4 min/week). In females, the time spent in sedentary behavior was significantly lower in T3 (294.5 min/week) than in T1 (472.1 min/week). In addition, the frequency of fish consumption was significantly higher in T3 (1.27 frequency/day) than in T1 (0.64 frequency/day) in females. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and ω-3 fatty acid intake, adjusted for energy intake, were significantly positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.200 and r = 0.218, respectively). Conclusions: High MVPA (in males), low sedentary behavior (in females), and PUFA and ω-3 fatty acid intake through fish consumption may be associated with low peripheral artery stiffness. Therefore, arteriosclerosis can be prevented through physical activity and proper dietary therapy.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the food, nutrient intake, and diet quality of postmenopausal women at high risk of osteoporosis (OP) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared with those of control subjects. Methods: A total of 1,131 post-menopausal women aged over 45 years, who took the 2010-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), were included for analysis. These participants were classified into the following groups: the OP group, with a risk of OP (n=135); the CVD group, with a risk of CVD (n=373); the OP+CVD group, with a risk of OP and CVD concurrently (n=218); and the control group (n=405) according to bone mineral density (BMD) and CVD risk. Anthropometric measurements, blood profiles, dietary intake, and dietary quality indices were measured and compared among the four groups. Results: Waist circumference, total body fat percentage, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-cholesterol were higher, and HDL-cholesterol and BMD were lower in the OP+CVD group than in the control group. In the food frequency questionnaire, the OP+CVD group had significantly higher frequencies of grain (except for multi-grain) and lower frequencies of fruit and dairy product. The frequency of consumption of red meat, processed meat, and carbonated beverages was higher in OP+CVD group. In nutrient density analysis, proteins and vitamin $B_2$ levels were significantly lower in the OP+CVD group than in the control group. The nutritional quality index (INQ) values of calcium were in the order of 0.63, 0.58, 0.56, and 0.55 in each group, and it was urgent to improve the dietary intake for calcium in postmenopausal women. In addition, vitamin $B_2$ was inadequately consumed by all groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that it is necessary to increase the intake of vitamin $B_2$ and calcium and decrease the frequency of intake of red meat, processed meat, and carbonated beverages in postmenopausal women with the risk of OP and CVD.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2017

Purpose: This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between airflow obstruction and subjective health status reported by stable patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) residing in the community. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with 78 stable COPD patients aged 69.7 years old on average and selected by a convenient sampling from an outpatient department of pulmonology in tertiary hospitals. They completed a constructed questionnaire including general characteristics, smoking history, dyspnea by modified medical research council (mMRC) scale, and health status by COPD assessment test (CAT). Anthropometric measurements were performed for body mass index (BMI) and pulse oxymetry for $O_2$ saturation (Sat $O_2$). Medical records were reviewed to obtain disease-related characteristics including duration of the disease, cardiovascular comorbidity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second ($FEV_1$). Data were analyzed using PASW statistics 20.0. Results: Mean $FEV_1%$ and CAT scores were 55.11% and 17.73, respectively. Those in the lower stage of mMRC showed significantly higher $FEV_1$ and lower CAT. $FEV_1$ and CAT showed significant negative correlations; age and BMI with $FEV_1$, and Sat $O_2$ with CAT. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the less airway obstruction was, the better health status was, and provide the support for using subjective measures in clinical practices for COPD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.10
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• pp.531-537
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• 2021

Background: Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a new hyperinflammatory variant that evolved during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Although the precise pathophysiology of MIS-C is uncertain, it is thought to be due to immune dysregulation occurring after recovery from acute infection. Purpose: Our study aimed to analyze the clinical spectrum, laboratory parameters, imaging characteristics, treatment strategies, and short-term outcomes of children with a diagnosis of MIS-C. Methods: This retrospective and prospective observational study included children less than 16 years of age who were admitted to the pediatric unit of a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India between August 2020 to January 2021 with a diagnosis of MIS-C according to World Health Organization criteria. Results: Twenty-one children were included in the analysis; all had fever with variable combinations of other symptoms. The mean age was 6.9 years; 71.4% were male. Gastrointestinal (80.9%) and cardiovascular (80.9%) systems were the most commonly affected. The majority of children had elevated inflammatory markers, and 16 (76.2%) had echocardiographic abnormalities mimicking Kawasaki disease. Eleven children (52.4%) required intensive care admission, 3 (14.3%) required supplemental oxygen, and 4 (19%) required inotropes. Nine (42.9%) were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin alone, 6 (28.6%) with steroids alone, and 3 (14.3%) with steroids and immunoglobulin. The median hospital stay was 6 days; there were no fatalities. Overweight/obesity, elevated ferritin, and mucocutaneous involvement were significantly associated with a prolonged hospital stay (≥7 days). Sixteen children (76.2%) were followed up till now and all of them had no clinical concerns. Conclusion: MIS-C is an emerging disease with variable presentation. A high index of suspicion is necessary for its early identification and appropriate management. Further research is essential for developing optimal treatment strategies.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.93-96
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• 2016

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) has negative effects on health, including increased mortality, risk of cardiovascular disease, and neurocognitive difficulties. OSAS is common in obese patients and obesity is an important risk factor of OSAS. A 41-year-old female OSAS patient with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] ${\geq}35$) who failed dietary weight loss underwent bariatric surgery. After surgery, there were improvements in BMI (from 36.9 to $31.7kg/m^2$) and polysomnographic data, including the apnea-hypopnea index (from 25.1 to 11.2 events/hr) and minimum SaO2 (from 69 to 82%). This case demonstrates that bariatric surgery may be an effective therapeutic option to reduce sleep-disordered breathing in severely obese patients with moderate OSAS. Bariatric surgery as a treatment option for OSAS should be considered in OSAS patients with severe obesity who failed dietary weight loss.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2015

Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is used to non-invasively estimate the severity of arteriosclerosis by measuring arterial stiffness. Increased arterial stiffness measured by PWV stands for progressive arteriosclerosis and is caused by atherosclerotic risk factors. This study is focused on how brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is related to the leading risk factors for arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. Subjects were 114, 69 males and 45 females who are in 60's and had baPWV test for acute stroke. The results are as follows: the group with increased arterial stiffness showed significant increase in HbA1c, total cholesterol, BSBP (brachial artery systolic blood pressure), BDBP (brachial artery diastolic blood pressure), CSBP (central artery systolic blood pressure), CDBP (central artery diastolic blood pressure), augmentation index (AIx) and diabetes mellitus. Correlation analysis between baPWV and atherosclerotic risk factor showed significant relationship in age, HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, BSBP, BDBP, CSBP, CDBP and augmentation index. baPWV was independently related to age and BSBP in multiple linear regression analysis. The group with increased arterial stiffness was independently related to BDBP in multiple logistic regression analysis. This study might be meaningful in evaluating the relationship between arterial stiffness and atherosclerotic risk factor in a new way, and be helped to make various studies for cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.193-200
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• 2011

Objectives: Blood lead and hyperhomocysteinemia have been found to be associated with cardiovascular disease. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship of lead biomarkers on plasma homocysteine and blood pressure. Methods: To evaluate the effect of lead biomarkers including blood lead on plasma homocysteine and blood pressure in retired lead workers, 66 retired lead workers without any occupational exposure to organic solvent, mercury and arsenic were agreed to participate this study. For the control subjects 42 controls were recruited from same area of retired lead workers with consideration of demographic characteristics. Results: The mean levels of blood lead and ZPP of retired lead workers were significantly higher than control group. There were positive significant correlations between blood lead and plasma homocysteine, also systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The multiple linear regression analysis also reveled that plasma homocysteine was significantly associated with blood lead after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, lead exposure, smoking and drinking. Diastolic blood pressure was significantly associated with blood lead, plasma homocysteine, and total cholesterol; whereas, systolic blood pressure was significantly associated with plasma homocysteine only. Conclusions: Blood lead showed significant association with plasma homocysteine and blood pressure even after more than mean 10 years from their retirements.

• Journal of Apiculture
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.297-301
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• 2018

Hawthorn is widely distributed in Korea and has been used as herbal medicine for treating various cardiovascular disease, arteriosclerosis and hypertension in Korea. In order to select superior honey tree plant from Korea, the free sugar and organic acid in hawthorn fruits, including five Korean clones and four Chinese cultivars, were evaluated. We also compared these hawthorn fruits of five clones (selected from different area of Korea) with Chinese hawthorn cultivars. Glucose, galactose, fructose and sucrose were the major sugar components of hawthorn. In this study, we observed that sucrose, glucose and fructose content. The highest sucrose content of hawthorn fruit was 188.12g/100g in Daegeumseong cultivar. The sweetness index, which plays important role of taste, was also calculated from the content of sucrose, glucose and fructose. The contribution of each carbohydrate was calculated, based on the fact that fructose is 2.30 and sucrose 1.35 times sweeter than glucose. The highest sweetness of hawthorn fruit was 579.52 in Pocheon clone. Main organic acid detected in hawthorn fruit were citric acid, malic acid and shikimic acid. The highest citric acid and malic acid content in hawthorn fruit were 157.50g/100g (Pocheon 3) and 34.12g/100g (Daegeumseong), respectively. The results of this study would be helpful for using food and functional food products, due to the beneficial effects of free sugar and organic acid for human health such as antioxidants and anticarcinogenic properties.