• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.877-877
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• 2002

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.137-141
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• 2005

The critical role of folate in the remethylation pathway for methionine synthesis from homocysteine has been well documented. Hyperhomocysteinemia resulting from inadequate folate nutrition has been implicated in increased incidence of macrovascular diseases, colorectal cancer, neural tube defects, etc. Chronic exposure to ethanol impairs folate nutrition and one-carbon metabolism in the liver, which often results in fatty liver due to a defective remetylation process. This study was carried out to investigate the chronic effects of moderate levels of alcohol and dietary folate on plasma homocysteine levels, and on histopathology and biochemical functions of the liver. Rats were raised on experimental diets with three levels of folate (0, 2, 8 mg/kg diet), and 50% ethanol (1.8 ml/kg body weight) was administered intragastically by intubation tubes three times a week for 10 weeks. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were found to be significantly influenced by dietary folate intake and alcohol administration. Among all treatment groups, plasma homocysteine levels were the highest in the animals receiving a combined treatment of folate deficient diet and alcohol administration. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were negatively correlated with folate concentration in the plasma (p<0.01) and liver (p<0.05). Among alcohol treated rats, increase in plasma homocysteine values due to macrovascular and microvascular fatty changes and spotted necrosis were observed more frequently in folate-deficient animals diet than those on folate-adequate and folate supplemented diets in alcohol-treated rats. These results indicate that folate supplementation above the recommended level might be beneficial in the prevention of alcohol-related hyperhomocysteinemia and abnormal histologic changes in the liver.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.503-510
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increased serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been reported to be related to the occurrence of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. High serum Hcy levels are also related to the development of secondary stroke and all-cause mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of high serum homocysteine level and relating factors, and the change over the 10 month period post-stroke. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to the Asan Medical Center were enrolled. Ten months after the onset of stroke, an interview with a structured questionnaire was performed and blood samples were obtained for the biochemical parameters. Nutritional status was determined using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score and dietary nutrient intakes were also obtained using a 24 hour recall method. RESULTS: Out of 203 patients, 84% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and 26% had high homocysteine levels at 10 months post-stroke. Using logistic regression, the factors related with high homocysteine levels at 10 months post-stroke included heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.020), low MNA scores (P = 0.026), low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ (P = 0.021) and low serum folate levels (P = 0.003). Of the 156 patients who had normal homocysteine levels at admission, 36 patients developed hyperhomocysteinemia 10 months post-stroke, which was related to heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.013). Persistent hyperhomocysteinemia, observed in 22 patients (11%), was related to male sex (P = 0.031), old age (P = 0.042), low vitamin $B_6$ intake (P = 0.029), and heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is common in post-stroke, and is related to malnutrition, heavy alcohol drinking and low serum level of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. Strategies to prevent or manage high homocysteine levels should consider these factors.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.449-455
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• 2018

This study was conducted to analyze the correlation between changes in white matter and homocysteine concentration through brain computed tomography of healthy 50-75 year old subjects without stroke or dementia history. We studied 722 out of 900 patients who underwent health screening at one hospital from 2016 to 2017. Based on the medical records, retrospective studies were conducted and analyzed using SPSS. A chi-square test, T-test and univariate logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. After the subjects were divided into the group with and without white matter changes, the population characteristics were analyzed. The mean age, homocysteine concentration and prevalence of hypertension and diabetes were higher and the duration of education was shorter in the group with white matter changes. In the group with white matter changes, the population increased as homocysteine concentration increased. When the odds ratio was compared based on the lowest group (Q1), age [p<0.001], hypertension [p<0.001] and hyperhomocysteinemia [p=0.021] were risk factors for white matter changes. We also identified modifiable risk factors such as hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia to prevent complications of white matter changes. However, there has been no report of risk for the each causes of hyperhomocysteinemia and relationship between white matter changes and homocysteine concentration in Koreans. Therefore, large scale prospective studies are needed to better understand this topic.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 1998.10b
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• pp.339-340
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• 1998

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.115-122
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• 2004

Adequate vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ nutrition is known to be important for reproductive function in women of childbearing age. The purpose of this study was to evaluate serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ status and serum homocysteine levels in 115 women aged 33.2$\pm$4.0 years, who had been diagnosed with infertility, and 49 women aged 34.5$\pm$3.8 years having at least one born child. Total vitamin B$_2$ and vitamin B$_{6}$ intakes in infertile women were significantly lower than those in control. Serum vitamin B$_2$ vitamin B$_{6}$, folate and vitamin B$_{12}$ concentrations were significantly lower in infertile women than those in control and serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in infertile women than those in control. Thirteen percent in infertile women and zero percent in control were assessed as hyperhomocysteinemic and there was a significant difference in the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia between infertile women and control. 41% infertile women were assessed as folate deficiency. Serum folate concentrations was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_2$ intakes was negatively correlated with serum homocysteine of the infertile women and control. Total vitamin B$_{6}$, folate intakes were negatively correlated with homocysteine of infertile women only. In conclusion, infertile women are needed to intake more B vitamins intakes. Furthermore researches are needed to estimate adequate B vitamin supplementation in infertile women. (Korean J Nutrition 37(2): 115-122, 2004): 115-122, 2004)

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.463-463
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• 2002

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.8
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• pp.335-339
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• 2011

Purpose: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Preclinical arteriosclerosis is noted and premature atherosclerosis is known to be accelerated in Kawasaki disease (KD) patients. Genetic polymorphisms in the 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene result in elevated plasma homocysteine concentrations and are known to be associated with the development of coronary artery disease. Our hypothesis is that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the MTHFR gene are related to the development of KD and coronary artery lesions (CALs). Methods: For this study, we selected 3 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs2274976, rs1801131, and rs1801133) of MTHFR. These SNPs are located on chromosome 1p36.3. We included 101 KD patients and 306 healthy adults as controls in this study. CALs were seen in 38 patients. Genotypes of the selected SNPs were determined by direct sequencing and analyzed with SNPAlyze. Results: The genetic distribution and allelic frequency of the 3 MTHFR SNPs (rs2274976, rs1801131, and rs1801133) were not significantly different in patients with KD compared to the control group (P=0.71, 0.17, and 0.96, respectively). There was no difference in the genetic distribution of the MTHFR SNPs between the normal control group and the CAL group (P=0.43, 0.39, 0.52 respectively). Conclusion: The genetic distribution of the MTHFR SNPs (rs2274976, rs1801131, and rs1801133) was not different in the KD group compared to the control group. In addition, the genetic distribution of these SNPs was not different in the CAL group compared to the control group in the Korean population.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.7-7
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• 2007

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.96-103
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• 2005

It has been suggested that the elevated plasma homocysteine may lead to retinal dysfunction. We investigated the effects of plasma levels of homocysteine and folate on the retinal glial cells' injuries. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were raised either on a control diet or on an experimental diet containing 3.0 g/kg homocystine without folic acid for 10 weeks. Plasma homocysteine concentrations were measured by a HPLC-fluorescence detection method. Plasma folate and vitamin B/sub 12/ levels were analyzed by a radioimmunoassay. The response of Muller cells which are the principal glial cells of the retina was immunohistochemically examined using an antibody for vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein belonging to the family of intermediate filament. At 2 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a twofold increase in plasma homocysteine, and a concomitant increase in the expression of vimentin in the Muller cells' processes spanning from the inner to outer membranes of the retina indicating arterial degeneration. At 10 weeks, the homocystine diet induced a fourfold increase in plasma homocystine, but vimentin immunoreactivity in the retinas was similar in both groups. In conclusion, increased plasma homocysteine levels have influence on morphological and functional changes of Muller cells in the retina. (Korean J Nutrition 38(2): 96～103, 2005)