• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.78-82
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• 2002

This study compared the effect of Korean vegetarian and omnivorous diets on plasma carnitine concentrations and urinary carnitine excretion. Twenty lactoovovegetarian and twenty omnivorous female college students consented to participate in this study. Daily nutritional intake and plasma and urinary nonesterified carnitine (NEC), acid-soluble acylcarnitine (ASAC), acid-insoluble acylcarnitine (AIAC), and total carnitine (TCNE) were determined. Daily protein, fat, retinol, vitamin B$_2$and vitamin B$\_$12/ intakes were significantly lower for vegetarians, however, fiber, carbohydrate, $\beta$-carotene, folic acid and vitamin C consumptions were much higher for vegetarians than omnivores. There were no differences in plasma NEC, ASAC, AIAC and TCNE concentrations between the two groups. Urinary carnitine excretion was lower in vegetarians, but only the differences in ASAC and TCNE excretions were statistically significant. These results suggest that the lower excretion of ASAC in vegetarians may be a reflection of their lipid metabolic state and that Korean vegetarian diets may accommodate lower carnitine intakes through efficient urinary conservation of carnitine.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.56-61
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• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of vitamin A on the membrane property and ultrastructure in ethanol-administered rat livers. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing of 130 ~150g were fed with experimental diets for 7 weeks. The diets contained different types of vitamin A which were $\beta$-carotene, retinyl acetate and retinoic acid. After feeding theexperimental diets for 7 weeks, a dose of 3.0g ethanol (30%, W/V)/kg B.W was injected to rats intraperitoneally. Control rats received 0.9% saline containing isocaloric sucrose instead of ethanol. Plasma membrane fluidity of liver decreased in rats fed with vitamin a -Deficient diet with ethanol as compared to that of control rats. Fluidity change of liver plasma membrane that ethanol had induced was influenced by dietary supplementation of vitamin A, but not influenced by the type of supplemented vitamin. A . The ultrastructural changed of hepatic mitrochondria were observed in some rats such as vitamin A-deficient rats with ethanol. Inadequate consumptionof vitamin A contributed to ultrastructural changes such as swelled mitochondria occurred by ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity. Although accurate mechanism involved in the plasma membrane-stabilizing effect of vitamin A is still unclear, dietary supplementation of vitamin A such as retinyl acetate is neede to modulate this change. The direct involvement of membrane property on the cell damage caused by ethanol treatment remains to be established.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2004

Body antioxidant status is an important factor for the prevention of many chronic diseases in the elderly. This study was done to investigate antioxidant status and its relationship to immune response by measuring plasma cytokine (IL-2 and IL-6) levels in elderly women. Subjects were 76 elderly women aged over 60 years, visiting Jangwhi Social Welfare Center of Seongbook-Gu in Seoul. Subjects were divided into 3 groups according to age (< 65, 65 - 74, > 75). Dietary intakes were assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (SFFQ). Plasma vitamin C level was measured by 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method and plasma levels of vitamin E, A and ${\beta}$-carotene were measured by HPLC. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were determined with a solid phase sandwich enzyme linked-immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) using commercial kits. The average intakes of antioxidant vitamins were 96.3mg (137.5% of RDA) for vitamin C and 523.3 ${\mu}$gRE (74.8% of RDA) for vitamin A in elderly women. All of the average plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins were within normal range. However the percentage of the elderly women with deficiency plus marginal values were 7.9% in vitamin C, 9.2% in vitamin A and 7.9% in vitamin E. Plasma levels of IL-2 and IL-6 were 27.1${\pm}$7.1pg/ml and 5.9${\pm}$5.3pg/ml in elderly women. Correlation data showed that plasma IL-2 level was negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C level. In addition, IL-6 level was also negatively correlated with plasma vitamin C, A and E levels, respectively. There was a significant positive correlation between erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance(TB-ARS) level and plasma IL-2 or IL-6 levels. In addition, erythrocyte TBARS level showed a significant positive correlation with plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) level and a significant negative correlation with plasma vitamin C level. Overall results might imply that the decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins result in an increase in oxidative stress and thereby increase cytokine production such as IL-2 and IL-6. However further research is required to elucidate these relationships.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.5
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• pp.728-734
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• 1997

Plasma carotenoid levels were compared among 64 healthy male subjects (control) and 38 patients of ischemic heart disease(IHD) and 20 ones of cerebral infarction(CI) all of whom were over 50years of age. Another 98 healthy male subjects aged 23 to 58 were selected to compare their plasma carotenoid levels by age groups, Levels of lutein ,zeaxanthin and crpytoxanthin were lower in IHD(34$\pm$2, 13$\pm$1 and 62$\pm$7$\mu g$/dl)and CI(36$\pm$3, 12$\pm$2 and 41$\pm$6$\mu g$/dl)patient groups than in control group (84$\pm$5, 16$\pm$2 and 69$\pm$3$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl) while those of lycopene, $\alpha$-and $\beta$-carotene varied little among the three groups. The sum of the six carotenoid levels were levels were, therefore,highest(205$\pm$14$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl) in the control group followed by IHD(155$\pm$15$\mu g$/dl) and CI(128$\pm$17$\mu g$/dl) patient groups, Among the 98 healthy male subject for the age group study, levels of the three major carotenoids increased with age from the twenties to the fifities ; lutein, from 64$\pm$6 to 89$\pm$8$\mu g$/dl, cryptoxanthin, 57$\pm$8 to 73$\pm$4$\mu\textrm{g}$/dl and $\beta$-carotene were more significantly correlated(r=0.30 to 0.61, p<0.01), whereas levels of lycopene and $\alpha$-caroteme were significantly(r=0.21 - 0.23, p<0.05) correlated. (Korean J Community Nutrition 2(5) : 728~734, 1997)

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.8
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• pp.633-644
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate effect of dried powders and ethanol extracts of garlic flesh and peel on antioxidative capacity in 16-month- old rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 618.1$\pm$6.5g were blocked into five groups according to body weight and raised for 3 months with experimental diets containing 5% (w/w) of dried powders of garlic flesh or peel, or ethanol extracts from equal amount of each dried powder. Total polyphenols, flavonoids, /3 -carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels were determined in garlic preparations. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels in plasma, liver and VLDL + LDL fraction, oxidative DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine, 80HdG) in kidney, xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in plasma and liver, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities in erythrocyte and liver, and carotenoid concentration, and total antioxidant status (TAS) in plasma were measured. Total polyphenols and flavonoids contents in garlic preparations were highest in peel ethanol extract. Vitamin C content was not different significantly among preparations, but peel powder contains slightly more vitamin C. The content of $\beta$-carotene was highest in peel ethanol extract and vitmain E content was highest in flesh ethanol extract. The highest level of TAS was observed in peel ethanol extract. Plasma TBARS levels in all the experimental groups were found to be significantly lower than control group, and TBARS concentration in VLDL + LDL fraction was decreased in all the experimental groups in comparison to control group. Also levels of 80HdG in kidney in experimental groups were lower than that of control group. Plasma and liver XO activities were. decreased in all experimental groups, and erythrocyte and liver SOD activities were higher in experimental groups compared to control group. All experimental groups also showed higher plasma TAS levels than control group. Especially, garlic flesh powder group was significantly lower in plasma and liver XO activities, and significantly higher in erythrocyte and liver SOD activities than control group. Moreover, plasma TBARS level and kidney 8OHdG level were decreased in flesh powder group. In conclusion, garlic diets showed effect of improving antioxidative capacity in 16-month old rats, especially, garlic flesh powder was prominent in inhibiting XO activity, promoting SOD activity and decreasing kidney 8OHdG level among experimental groups.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.98-112
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• 2004

This study was done to investigate and compare the nutritional status and plasma lipids in the diabetes and control elderly. Subjects were 105 persons (male 32, female 73) aged over 65 years and visited public health centers in Ulsan area. The subjects were divided into 2 groups, diabetes and control group. Athropometric measurement, dietary intakes, and plasma biochemical indices were examined. Body Mass Index (BMI), Percentage of Ideal Body Weight (PIBW) and Waist-Hip Ratio (WHR) of diabetes group were higher than those of control group. Overall eating behavior were worse in diabetes group than those of control group. There was no significant difference in smoking and exercise status among groups. The ratio of drinkers was significantly higher in control group. But the amount of alcohol consumed at once was higher in the diabetes group. There was no significant difference in most nutrient intakes between males and females. The intakes of fiber, natrium (Na), vitamin A, and $\beta$-carotene were significantly higher in diabetes group than control groups while that of potassium (K) was lower in diabetes group. Diabetes group had the higher levels in triglyceride, VLDL-cholesterol, Chol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio, while they had lower HDL-cholesterol level. Overall results might imply that the elderly with diabetes have to be more careful to their meals and health-related behaviors to increase the likelihood of a healthier life.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.25-30
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• 2019

Atmospheric-pressure plasma technique is a technology for sterilizing agricultural product. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge plasma was applied to silkworm powder for 1 to 5 h with less than 2 ppm of $O_3$ and $NO_2$. Quantitative compositions including proximate contents, mineral and heavy metal contents, fatty acids, vitamins, and DNJ contents were measured. Proximate contents of silkworm powder were protein (57.2%), fat (9.9%), fiber (4.6%), ash (10.1%), and moisture (5.7%). These compositions were not affected by the treatment of plasma. Silkworm powder has 5 abundant minerals potassium (K), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). Among these minerals, plasma treatment decreased the contents of P and S sharply from 732.3 to 176.8, and 492.7 to 185.2 mg/100g, respectively. Heavy metal contents including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg) were not detected in the silkworm powder. Five vitamins such as ascorbic acid (13.6 mg/100g), riboflavin (5.4 mg/100g), ${\beta}$-carotene (1.8 mg/100g), niacin (0.6 mg/100g), and thiamine (0.4 mg/100g) were not significantly changed by plasma treatment. Silkworm powder is composed of 30 parts saturated fatty acids and 70 parts unsaturated ones. The fatty acid composition was not significantly changed by plasma treatment. The DNJ content of silkworm powder (3.72 mg/g) was also nearly constant within the experimental condition of plasma treatment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.16-28
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• 2011

Oxidative stress leads to the induction of cellular oxidative damage, which may cause adverse modifications of DNA, proteins, and lipids. The production of reactive species during oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of many diseases. Antioxidant defenses can neutralize reactive oxygen species and protect against oxidative damage. The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant status and the degree of DNA damage in Korean young adults using glutathione s-transferase (GST) polymorphisms. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were characterized in 245 healthy young adults by smoking status, and their oxidative DNA damage in lymphocytes and antioxidant status were assessed by GST genotype. General characteristics were investigated by simple questionnaire. From the blood of the subjects, GST genotypes; degree of DNA damage in lymphocytes; the erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase; plasma concentrations of total peroxyl radical-trapping potential (TRAP), vitamin C, ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol, ${\alpha}$- and ${\beta}$-carotene and cryptoxanthin, as well as plasma lipid profiles, conjugated diene (CD), GOT, and GPT were analyzed. Of the 245 subjects studied, 23.2% were GSTM1 wild genotypes and 33.4% were GSTT1 wild genotype. No difference in erythrocyte activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, or glutathione peroxidase, and the plasma TRAP level, CD, GOT, and GPT levels were observed between smokers and non-smokers categorized by GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotype. Plasma levels of ${\alpha}$- and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol increased significantly in smokers with the GSTT1 wild genotype (p < 0.05); however, plasma level of ${\alpha}$-carotene decreased significantly in non-smokers with the GSTM1 wild genotype (p < 0.05). DNA damage assessed by the Comet assay was significantly higher in non-smokers with the GSTM1 genotype; whereas DNA damage was significantly lower in non-smokers with the GSTT1 genotype. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in non-smokers with the GSTT1 genotype than those with the GSTT1 wild genotype (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the GSTM1 genotype or the GSTT1 wild genotype in non-smokers aggravated their antioxidant status through DNA damage of lymphocytes; however, the GSTT1 wild type in non-smokers had normal plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. This finding confirms that GST polymorphisms could be an important determinant of antioxidant status and plasma lipid profiles in non-smoking young adults. Further study is necessary to clarify the antioxidant status and/or lipid profiles of smokers with the GST polymorphism and to conduct a study with significantly more subjects.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1218-1223
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• 2009

Total phenolics and antioxidant activities of water and 80% methanol extract of chestnut inner skin were investigated. The antioxidant properties of both extracts of chestnut inner skin were evaluated using different antioxidant tests, including 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities, reducing power, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), and inhibitory effects on ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching. The 80% methanol extract of inner skin exhibited the higher DPPH, ABTS radical scavenging activities, reducing power, and FRAP than water extract of inner skin and did also in a concentration-dependent manner. However, inhibitory effects on ${\beta}$-carotene bleaching of 80% methanol extract was similar to those of water extract, 35.09 and 39.07% at 1 mg/mL, respectively. The total phenolic contents of water and 80% methanol extract from chestnut inner skin were 5,801.42 and 9,735.56 mg/100 g, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis showed that gallic acid was the predominant phenolic compound in water and 80% methanol extract from inner skin. These water and 80% methanol extracts of chestnut inner skin can be utilized as an effective and safe source of antioxidants.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.279-288
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• 2006

The role of free radicals in the progression of many diseases and aging has been given a great attention and total antioxidant status (TAS) has shown to be reduced with aging. The incidence of hypertension has shown to be relatively high in the aged population, and it is known to be associated with increased obesity and oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to examine the obesity indices and the total antioxidant status in hypertensive elderly (64y$\alpha$-tocopherol, $\beta$-carotene and ascorbic acid did not show their significant correlations with TAS. These results showed that the hypertensive elderly are prone to be obese and to have increased TAS. Due to unknown factors affecting TAS values, measurement of plasma TAS as a sole indicator of total antioxidant capacity is limited to fully understanding changes in the body's free radical trapping power. However, the results from the current study may suggest that hypertension and/or obesity might increase oxidative stress, followed by increased the body's total antioxidant defense system.