• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.191-195
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• 2010

There is an increasing interest in curcumin (Curcuma longa L.) as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) protective agent via decreased blood total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) level. The aim of this study was to investigate further the potential mechanism in the hypocholesterolemic effect of curcumin by measuring cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), a rate limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of bile acid from cholesterol, at the mRNA level. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a 45% high fat diet or same diet supplemented with curcumin (0.1% wt/wt) for 8 weeks. The curcumin diet significantly decreased serum triglyceride (TG) by 27%, total cholesterol (TC) by 33.8%, and LDL-cholesterol by 56%, respectively as compared to control group. The curcumin-supplemented diet also significantly lowered the atherogenic index (AI) by 48% as compared to control group. Hepatic TG level was significantly reduced by 41% in rats fed with curcumin-supplemented diet in comparison with control group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the curcumin diet significantly increased fecal TG and TC. The curcumin diet up-regulated hepatic CYP7A1 mRNA level by 2.16-fold, compared to control group p (P < 0.05). These findings suggested that the increases in the CYP7A1 gene expression may partially account for the hypocholesterolemic effect of curcumin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.373-379
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• 2013

The consumption of fruits and vegetables that have high polyphenol content has been previously associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease. We investigated the effects of onion peel extract on plasma total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and leukocyte DNA damage. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. Healthy female subjects received either onion peel extract or placebo (dextrin) for two weeks, underwent a 1-week washout period, and then received the other treatment for an additional two weeks. After two weeks of onion peel extract supplementation, the total cholesterol level, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and atherogenic index significantly decreased (P < 0.05). No changes were observed in activities of erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes or levels of lipid peroxidation markers following onion peel extract supplementation. Additionally, no significant difference was found in plasma antioxidant vitamin (retinol, tocopherols, carotenoids, and coenzyme Q10) levels or ex vivo $H_2O_2$-provoked oxidative DNA damage after onion peel extract supplementation. The present interventional study provides evidence of the health benefits of onion peel extract and demonstrates its effects in modulating lipid profiles in healthy young Korean women.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.141-149
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• 2013

The objective of this study is to find the effect of improving hyperlipidemia through Platycodi radix saponin. A hypercholoesterol diet and Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract were supplemented to the 6 week old male Spargue Dawley rats for four weeks. Results showed that the serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol level decreased in the group supplemented with Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract(p<0.05), however, the serum total lipid and HDL-cholesterol did not show any difference from the control group according to the supplement of Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract. In the group supplemented with Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract, the total cholesterol decreased by 20%, triglyceride by 36% and LDL-cholesterol by 25% respectively, and there was no difference according to the level of Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract. AI(atherogenic index) and CRF(cardiac risk factor) were low in the group supplemented with Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract. Total lipid, total cholesterol and triglyceride in liver and feces were significantly low in the group supplemented with the Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract compared with the control group(p<0.05). According to this result, it is expected that the Platycodi radix saponin methanol extract supplemented in the hypercholesterol diet can lower atherosclerosis, the cause of cardiovascular disease, by reducing not only serum cholesterol and triglyceride but also liver cholesterol and triglyceride.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2012

Metabolic syndrome and homocysteine are associated with increased independent risk factors of cardiovascular disease. We investigated the difference between the degree of obesity, metabolic syndrome risk factors, plasma homocysteine and anthropometric obesity factors. Totally 398 participated in a medical check-up program were selected for this study. Subjects were categorized into three groups according to the number of metabolic syndrome components present as defined by the NCEP-ATP III criteria; Absent (0 criteria, n=124), Pre-MetS (1-2 criteria, n=220) and MetS (${\geq}3$ criteria, n=54). Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to distinguish between normal weight, overweight and obesity. MetS presented higher homocysteine than Absent (p<.05) and obesity higher than normal weight (p<.01). When Absent+Pre-MetS was used to classify obese or not, obesty presented higher homocysteine than non-obese (p<.05). Further homocysteine levels positively correlated with weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Especially WHR is not only MetS (r=0.378, p<.001) but also Absent+Pre-MetS (r=0.305, p=0.029) significantly positively correlated with homocysteine. The results of our study indicate that homocysteine is related closely to obesity. Although obesity has not been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, obesity related with increased homocysteine.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.691-699
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of temple food intake on health improvement. The survey was conducted from September to October 2013. The subjects in this study were 46 adults who participated in short-term 'Temple Stay' program. Every meal was prepared according to prearranged temple food menu, and it was provided to subjects for 4 weeks. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameter were measured and nutritional & health status were analyzed to find the effect of the program. Nutrients content of the temple food was sufficient to dietary reference intake while content of fat, fiber, vitamin A and calcium from the meal was significantly higher than the subjects' usual diet. Mean body weight, BMI and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) related with obesity and hypertension decreased after the program. The index referring to liver function and cardiovascular disease risk such as serum ALT, ${\gamma}$-GTP, TG and LDL decreased while HDL increased thereby showing positive effect. The above results anticipate that temple foods with an affirmative effect in improving health status have a potential benefit that can be applied to general food service. Further detailed study might provide information in developing healthy diet for a corresponding clinical problem.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.121-126
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• 2008

In a previous study, a mulberry fruit extract(MFE) supplement exhibited anti-inflammatory activity and improved serum lipid profiles in arthritic rats. The objective of this study was to determine whether dietary MFE could ameliorate inflammatory parameters and serum lipid levels in humans. Twenty-six middle-aged subjects(mean body mass index=27 $kg/m^2$) consumed MFE(100 $m{\ell}/day)$ after lunch for 4 wks. Anthropometric measurements, serum oxidative stress markers and serum lipid profile analyses were performed at baseline and then at 4 wk following the study. There were no significant differences in anthropometric measurements, including BMI, WHR, and body fat composition. After the 4 wk-intervention, serum levels of C-reactive protein(CRP), ferric-reducing ability of plasma(FRAP), serum triglyceride(TG) and LDL-cholesterol had significantly decreased(p<0.05), whereas serum levels of HDL-cholesterol significantly(p<0.05) increased. These findings suggest the consumption of mulberry extract may be protective against inflammation and the atherosclerotic state in elderly obese men at high risk for cardiovascular disease(CVD).

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.667-672
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• 1985

Primary cardiac tumors are uncommon in all age group. In contrast, tumors metastatic to the heart are significantly more common. On rare occasions, tumor may extend into the heart chamber via inferior vena cava from other parts of the body, such as liver, kidney, and uterus cava. With recent advancement in diagnostic imaging modalities and surgical techniques, cardiac tumors are now potentially curably form of heart disease. The most important factor in diagnosing the tumor is a high index of clinical suspicion. Six patients underwent surgical removal of intracardiac tumor during a 5-year period. The mean age of the 4 women and two men was 40 years [range 23 to 60]. All patients were operated on in the last five years of the studied period. All patients had symptoms varying in duration from 1 month to 4 years [average 13 months]. 2-Dimensional echocardiography contributed most to preoperative diagnosis, confirming presence of an intracardiac tumor in all examined patients. Of the six intracardiac tumor, 5 were myxomas [4 left atrial and 1 right ventricular] and one right atrial metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma of the liver. In all cases, tumor masses were successfully excised. One patient expired after the operation on account of low cardiac out-put syndrome. Remained one patient among six, tumor mass extended into RA and RV with a stalk via IVC. On later follow-up study showed cold area on liver scan [hepatocellular ca.], so she was transferred to internal medicine, department for chemotherapy. Follow up results showed no signs of tumor recurrence in 4 myxoma cases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.695-699
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• 1994

Pectus excavatum. the most common congenital chest wall deformity, is manifested by deformity of the costal cartilages resulting in a depressed and often rotated sternum. Surgical correction of this disease is frequently indicated for aesthetic improvement. The most popular current repair involves resection of abnormal costal cartilages, sternal osteotomy and mobilization, followed by fixation of the sternum in the corrected position.12 patients have been operated upon for pectus excavatum by the Adkins` method for 8 years in our hospital and the results were as follows: 1. All the patients were male. Age distribution was 2-26 years[average 10.8 years] and 69.2% were below 7 years. 2. The deformity was found at neonate or infant in the most of the patients [92.3 %] 3. The subjective symptoms were frequent URI[35.7%], dyspena on exertion[21.4%], chest dis comfort[7.1%], asthma [7.1%] and most of the patients didn`t like their appearance. 4. Combined diseases were urticaria in 2 cases, bilateral cryptomhism and pulmonary tuberculosis in 1 case each other. 5. Welch index ranged from 1.7 to 5.0 with the average of 3.47. 6. Postoperative complications were pneumothorax [45.5%], wound infection [36.4%] and skin necrosis [18.2%]. Although the period of follow-up was short in some cases there was no relapse.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Sericultural Science Conference
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• 1997.06a
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• pp.119-131
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• 1997

As the average span of human life is continuously increasing, especially the old aged groups, are suffering from various chronic and critical diseases e.g. cardiovascular diseases, coronary heart disease, diabetes, atherosclerosis and alzheimer's etc. However, effective and safe treatment methods have not yet been investigated threathening old aged groups. This research was planned to isolate compounds with the therapeutic potential for the above mentioned chronic diseases from the mulberry leaves. Biological screenings were carried out for the following categories; anti-atherogenic, anti-diabetic and antihypertensive effects. The results were as follows; Mulberry leaves, 20% $\alpha$-treated Gaelyrangppong showed significant 81% of blood glucose lowering effects in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic mice. Particularly, butanol-soluble fractions of mulberry leaves showed the more significant hypoglycemic activity than other fractions in alloxan induced hyperhlycemic mice. Also in the group given 1g/kg doses of extract of mulberry leaves, total cholesterol level was decreased significantly by as much as 49% in hyperlipidemia-induced rats. In Mulberry leaves post-treated group, the atheroscelosis index, HDL-cholesterol/Total-cholesterol, was increased significantly by as much as 91%.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.5
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• pp.955-976
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• 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary sodium nitrite and meat on human health. Sodium nitrite in processed meat is known to be one of the main precursors of carcinogens, such as N-nitroso compounds. However, we previously found that processed meat is not the primary source of sodium nitrite; nitrate or the conversion of nitrate in vegetables are contribute to generate more than 70% Sodium nitrite or nitrate containing compounds in body. Although the heavy consumption of meat is likely to cause various diseases, meat intake is not the only cause of colorectal cancer. Our review indicates that sodium nitrite derived from foods and endogenous nitric oxide may exhibit positive effects on human health, such as preventing cardiovascular disease or improving reproductive function. Therefore, further epidemiological studies considering various factors, such as cigarette consumption, alcohol consumption, stress index, salt intake, and genetic factors, are required to reliably elucidate the effects of dietary sodium nitrite and meat on the incidence of diseases, such as colorectal cancer.