• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.329-336
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• 2011

Obesity contributes to an increased risk for chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. The prevalence of obesity has increased in Korea. We compared the clinical and dietary characteristics of obese adults (n = 30, 17 men and 13 women, mean age 29.9) to those with a normal weight (n = 15, 8 men and 7 women, mean age 26.5). We determined lipid profiles, fasting blood sugar (FBS), blood pressure, and serum free fatty acid (FFA). Dietary intake was estimated using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and a 3-day dietary record. Exercise patterns and average alcohol intake were determined. The average body mass index was 28.3 kg/$m^2$ in the obese and 21.2 kg/$m^2$ in the normal weight groups. The obese group had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, lower levels of HDL cholesterol, and higher blood pressures compared to the normal weight group. FBS was not significantly different between the two groups. The obese group had significantly more subjects with metabolic syndrome (26.7%) compared to the normal weight group (0%). Serum FFA levels tended to be higher in the obese (P = 0.087). No significant difference in caloric intake was observed between the two groups. No differences in carbohydrate, protein, or fat intake between two groups were observed from the FFQ. However, results from the 3-day dietary record showed that the percentage of energy from fat was significantly higher in the obese group. The frequency and amount of exercise did not differ between the two groups. Alcohol consumed per drinking episode was significantly higher in the obese group. These results confirm that excessive weight is associated with disturbances in lipid metabolism in these fairly young and otherwise healthy adults. Dietary factors, including higher fat intake and alcohol consumption, seem to be contributing to the obesity of these subjects.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.221-227
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• 2002

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of a weight loss program on the degree of obesity and levels of resting energy expenditure (REE) in overweight subjects according to their mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP 2) genotype. Twenty-three subjects with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 27 were recruited from the Obesity Clinic of the Kyung-Hee University Hospital during the period of December 2000 - August 2001. The subjects were genotyped for the exon 8 allele; 15 subjects were found to be of del/del genotype, 8 were del/ins, and none were of ins/ins genotype. No significant association was found between the different UCP 2 genotypes and the initial levels of weight, fat mass (FM), lean body mess (LBM), BMI, REE, and REE/LBM ratio. After 12 weeks of a weight loss program, body weight and FM were significantly decreased, while LBM, total body water (TBW), and REE were not changed, irrespective of UCP 2 genotype. Initial fasting plasma levels of albumin, glucose, triglyceride, lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin, free triiodo-thyronine (T3), free fatty acid (FFA), and leptin were not different according to the UCP 2 genotype; furthermore, these blood parameters were not changed after the 12-week weight loss program. However, plasma levels of leptin decreased in both the del/del and ins/del genotypes, from 18.7 ng/ml to 13.4 ng/ml (p<.05), and from 18.1 ng/ml to 13.9 ng/ml (p＜.05), respectively, after the weight loss program. In conclusion, this study found no significant association between the del/del or del/ins UCP 2 genotypes and differing levels of REE or differing degrees of obesity, either before or after a weight loss program. This study provided evidence that a well- managed weight loss program could maintain levels of REE, which plays an important role in the maintenance of energy balance.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.501-509
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• 2022

Irisin is a myokine caused by exercise that improves insulin resistance and weight loss. However, under unfavorable conditions such as air pollution, and during the pandemic, outdoor activities are uncomfortable. Therefore, in this study, the effect of heat therapy (half bath 42 ± 0.5℃ for 30 min) on irisin circulation levels as an exercise alternative for middle-aged obese women after menopause was investigated. Subjects were 33 women aged 49.54 ± 6.04 years, with parameters of height, 160.12 ± 4.33 cm, weight, 69.71 ± 7.52 kg, body surface area 1.73 ± 0.13 m², body mass index, 27.19 ± 3.40 kg/m². The results suggest that circulating irisin levels showed a significant increase after one-time thermotherapy (TH-1). However, the increase in circulating irisin levels after 15 treatments (TH-15, 5 days/week, 3 weeks) was significantly varied. The level of adiponectin, which increases fatty oxidation to reduce fatty deposition, increased significantly at TH-1, but further increased at TH-15, which was significantly different from the level of TH-1. In addition, the basic serum free fatty acid (FFA) level was significantly increased at TH-15 compared to TH-1. Significant differences were also found in the lipid profile (body mass index, waist circumference, and % body fat). Thermotherapy can significantly increase the tympanic temperature and induce changes in circulating irisin and adiponectin levels. Thus, it resulted in positive changes in FFA and lipid profiles. Therefore, repeated thermotherapy is effective in increasing circulating irisin levels in postmenopausal obese women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.1137-1142
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• 2017

This study examined the effects of apios (Apios americana Medikus) supplementation on visceral obesity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. C57BL/6N mice were fed a high-fat diet (40% calories from fat) with or without apios powder (10%, w/w) for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, apios supplementation reduced visceral fat mass significantly by 14.3% compared to the control group. Apios decreased significantly the atherogenic index, serum leptin level, hepatic lipid (free fatty acid and triglyceride) content, and lipid droplets, whereas it increased the serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio. Hepatic lipogenic gene expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma, fatty acid synthase, and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 was down-regulated by apios supplementation. These results suggest that apios is a healthy food for preventing high-fat diet-induced visceral obesity and fatty liver.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.618-624
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Isoflavones are widely believed to be beneficial to human health, in relation to their antioxidant potentials. Exercise can cause an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants. This study was conducted in order to investigate the ability of isoflavones in amelioration of oxidative stress induced by exercise. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to one of four groups: isoflavone-free with no exercise (CON-sd), isoflavone-free with exercise (CON-ex), isoflavone-supplemented with no exercise (ISF-sd), and isoflavone-supplemented with exercise (ISF-ex). Animals exercised on the treadmill for 30 minutes per day, five days per week. TBARS as a marker of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity, including SOD, GSH-px, and catalase were determined in liver tissue. Serum lipid profile was also examined. RESULTS: A significant effect of isoflavone alone was observed on abdominal fat pad mass. ISF-ex had significantly less abdominal fat pad than CON-ex. Both exercise and isoflavone treatment had significant effects on lowering plasma triglyceride (TG), thus, the ISF-ex group had a significantly lower TG level than the CON-sd group, by 30.9%. However, no differences were observed in plasma cholesterol, HDL-C, and cholesterol/HDL-C ratio. Exercise, isoflavone, and exercise-isoflavone interaction effects were significant on thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) (P = 0.001, 0.002, and 0.005, respectively). The CON-ex group showed a higher TBARS level than the other three groups. By contrast, in the ISF-ex group, TBARS was restored to the level of the ISF-sd or CON-sd group. Isoflavone had a significant effect on superoxide dismutase (SOD) (P = 0.022) and catalase activities (P = 0.049). Significantly higher SOD and catalase activities were observed in ISF-ex than CON-ex. SOD and catalase activities showed an inverse pattern of TBARS. Taken together, isoflavones increased the activities of SOD and catalase with concomitant decreases in TBARS, indicative of decreased oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS: Isoflavone supplementation enhances antioxidant action with attenuation of exercise-induced oxidative stress, as measured by decreases in TBARS, and inhibits body fat accumulation and plasma TG increase. Antioxidative effects ascribed to isoflavones may be partially exerted via enhancement of antioxidant enzyme activities.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.67-82
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• 2005

Effects of Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) on lipid composition, liver function, oxidative capacity and molecular biological aspects were investigate in high fat diet induced obese rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing about 400g were divided into 4 groups according to body weight and raised four weeks with control, zusanli(ST-36), Quchi(LI-11) and Sanyinjiao(Sp-6) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 1. Plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups and HDL-cholesterol showed a high values in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 2. Plasma triglyceride and glucose showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 3. The contents of plasma free fatty acids showed a tendence to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, however in the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values showed no significantly different. 4. The activities of AST and ALT showed no significantly different in all treatment groups. 5. The contents of plasma ${\beta}-lipoprotein$ and free fatty acids showed a tendency to decrease in the Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of control group. In the Herbal-acupuncture groups, the values of (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups showed a low in the acupuncture groups. 6. Liver total cholesterol and triglyceride showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups. 7. Contents of plasma TBARS showed a low values in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however contents of liver TBARS showed no significantly different among treatment groups. 8. Values of liver glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity showed a tendency to increase in the (ST-36) and (LI-11) Herbal­acupuncture groups. Values of liver super oxide dismutase activity showed a high in the (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups compared to those of other groups. 9. Expression of apo-B mRNA in liver cell showed a low in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture groups, however expression of apo-E mRNA showed a high in Herbal-acupuncture groups and $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA in adipose cell showed no different among all the treatment groups. Expression of Leptin mRNA showed a tendance to decrease in (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group. 10. Histological character of liver, those of (ST-36) Herbal-acupuncture group showed a good, however other treatment groups showed slight vasodilation and slight fat accumulation. These results indicated that Phaseoli Semen rubra Herbal-acupuncture at (ST-36) and (LI-22) suppressed adipose tissue mass and lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant system.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 1984

The growth response, lipid deposition, fat free body mass and energy expenditure of weanling rats fed the equal amount of isocaloric diets containing 8%, 13% and 18% casein were investigated. After a period of 30day feeding, the rats fed low level of protein diet were 43.01g lighter than 18% protein group (weight gains of ${85.57}{\pm}{7.50g}$ vs. ${128.58}{\pm}{11.64g}$, p<0.01). Despite of the smaller body size, there were no significant differences in lipid deposition in grams per carcass. Whereas, nitrogen accumulation was significantly greater in 13% and 18% protein fed groups compared to 8%. The estimated energy expenditure were 4,576.61 kJ, 5,440.80kJ and 5,607.67kJ for 8%, 13% and 18% protein groups respectively. The part of excess energy consumed by the low protein group may have been dissipated. The malic enzyme activity in the liver of rats was found to be unaltered by different dietary treatments. From these observations, it was conluded that the retarded growth response in lower protein level may have been originated from the shortage ge of protein supply rather than that of the energy. The protein restriction appeared to be resulted in the lower fat free compartment without affecting the ability of rats to synthesize body lipid in a similar rate to the higher protein group when energy intakes were equalized.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.178-189
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• 2016

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to assess body composition, physical activity level (PAL), basal metabolic rate (BMR), and daily energy expenditure (DEE) and to examine associations between PAL and body composition, BMR, and DEE of elderly in Busan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 226 elderly aged 65-93 years. Body composition was measured by Inbody 720. PAL was calculated by daily activity diary. BMR was calculated by Harris-Benedict (H-B) formula, Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) formula, and Inbody 720 measurement. DEE was calculated by H-B formula, DRI formula, Inbody 720 measurement, and estimated energy requirements (EER) formula. Results: The mean fat free mass (FFM) in elderly men was significantly higher than that in elderly women (p<0.001). The mean percent body fat and fat mass (FM) in elderly women were significantly greater than those in elderly men (p<0.001, p<0.001). The mean PAL in elderly men (1.59) was significantly higher than that in elderly women (1.53) (p<0.001). The mean DEEs calculated by 3 methods except for H-B formula in elderly men were higher than EER for elderly men (2000kcal). The mean DEEs calculated by 4 different methods in elderly women were higher than EER for elderly women (1600kcal). Age showed significantly negative correlations with height (p<0.001, p<0.001), FFM (p<0.001, p<0.001), BMRs calculated by H-B formula (p<0.001, p<0.001), DRI formula (p<0.001, p<0.001) and Inbody 720 measurement (p<0.05 p<0.01) and DEEs calculated by H-B formula (p<0.001, p<0.001), DRI formula (p<0.001, p<0.001), Inbody 720 measurement (p<0.05, p<0.05), and EER formula (p<0.001, p<0.001) in elderly men and elderly women. PAL showed significantly positive correlations with FFM (p<0.05), BMR by Inbody 720 measurement (p<0.05) in elderly men and negative correlations with FM (p<0.05) in elderly women. Conclusions: Based on the results, PAL was associated with greater FFM in elderly men and lesser FM in elderly women. Therefore, nutritional education to increase physical activity for health promotion in late life is needed in the elderly.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.885-893
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• 2010

This study measured physical characteristics and physical composition of 16 middle-aged obese women using a body composition analyzer. TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C were investigated in order to analyze components of serum liquids. The study also compared changes regarding cardiovascular risk factors before and after a 12-week exercise program by measuring insulin and intensity of TNF-$\alpha$. To examine such changes, the study carried out a 12-week, complex training program for middle-aged obese women who did not regularly exercise. The results of the study were as follows: 1) after 12 weeks of complex training, in changes of physical characteristics, weight, BMI and WHR were significantly reduced. Systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure increased, but there were no significant differences; 2) after 12 weeks of complex training, in changes of physical composition, body fat mass and body fat rate were significantly reduced and fat free mass was significantly increased; 3) after 12 weeks of complex training, in changes of serum liquids, TC, TG and LDL-C were significantly reduced. HDL-C increased, but this was not statistically significant; 4) after 12 weeks of complex training, in changes of cardiovascular risk factors, insulin and TNF-$\alpha$ were significantly reduced.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1090-1097
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• 2000

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among energy intakes, macronutrient intakes, macronutrient compositions, anthropometric and biochemical variables in natural environment of free-living female college students. The daily energy and macronutricnt intakes were analyzed by means of 3- week dictary records. The waist circumference and insulin level were best anthropometric and bio-chemical correlates with the energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes respectively. However, there were no relationships between waist circumference and insulin verse macronutrient compositions that macro-nutrient intakes were expressed as by the percentage of daily encrgy intakes. There were no relationships between BWI, weight, perccnt body fat and fat mass vs. energy and macronutrient intakes. However, BMI was positively related to the percentage of energy from fat and inversely related to the percentage of energy from carbohydrate in their habitual diet. Triglyceride was negatively correlated to the per-centage of energy from fat and fat intakes. Significant positive correlation was also observed bctween the percentage of energy from protein and HSL-cholcsterol.