• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Male hypogonadism is a condition where the body does not produce enough testosterone and significantly impacts health. Age, obesity, genetics, and oxidative stress are some physiological factors that may contribute to testosterone deficiency. Previous studies have shown many pharmacological benefits of Schisandra chinensis (S. chinensis) Baillon as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, the molecular mechanism of attenuating hypogonadism is yet to be well established. This research was undertaken to study the effects of S. chinensis extract (SCE) on testosterone deficiency. MATERIALS/METHODS: S. chinensis fruit was pulverized and extracted using 60% aqueous ethanol. HPLC analysis was performed to analyze and quantify the lignans of the SCE. RESULTS: The 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) scavenging assays confirmed that the SCE and its major lignans (schisandrol A and gomisin N) inhibit oxidative stress. Effects of SCE analysis on the testosterone level under oxidative stress conditions revealed that both schisandrol A and gomisin N were able to recover the lowered testosterone levels. Through mRNA expression of TM3 Leydig cell, we observed that the SCE lignans were able to induce the enzymes involved in testosterone biosynthesis-related genes such as 3β-HSD4 (P < 0.01 for SCE, and P < 0.001 for schisandrol A and gomisin N), 17β-HSD3 (P < 0.001 for SCE, schisandrol A and gomisin N), and 17, 20-desmolase (P < 0.01 for schisandrol A, and P < 0.001 for SCE and gomisin N). CONCLUSIONS: These results support that SCE and its active components could be potential therapeutic agents for regulating and increasing testosterone production.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-11
• /
• 2015

This research was designed to examine the dietary habits and unbalanced diet of middle school students by gender and region. The survey was conducted using questionnaires on dietary habits and unbalanced diet administered to 726 students (urban: 367, rural: 359). The obesity index using BMI showed that the largest proportion of girls was 'underweight' in both regions, which showed a significant difference by region (p<0.001). Male students in urban areas prefer salty taste more than rural students (p<0.05). In urban areas, problems relating to dietary habits were 'unbalanced diet' and 'overeating' in male students and 'frequent snacks' and 'irregular mealtime' for female students (p<0.01). The frequencies of skipping breakfast (p<0.01), snack intake (p<0.001), eating out (p<0.001) and fast food consumption (p<0.001) were significantly higher in urban students than in rural students, and the reason for eating snacks was 'hungry' in urban students and 'habitually' and 'delicious' in rural students (p<0.01). Unbalanced diet was significantly higher in rural students compared with urban students (p<0.001) and male students compared with female students in urban (p<0.05), and the factors affecting dietary habits were mostly related to family. Male students in urban areas showed a significantly lower intake frequency of 'fish, tofu and beans' (p<0.05) and 'milk and yogurt' (p<0.05), but higher intake frequency of 'vegetables' (p<0.001) compared with female students. Male students in rural areas showed a significantly lower intake frequency of 'meat' (p<0.05) but higher intake frequency of 'milk and yogurt' (p<0.05) compared with female students. Urban students showed a significantly higher intake frequency of food groups compared with rural students. To conclude, desirable nutrition education on meal regularity, snack choice, and problems relating to unbalanced diet should be conducted in schools.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.14 no.7
• /
• pp.269-277
• /
• 2016

This study was attempted to investigate the possible association of osteoarthritis with the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Korean adults based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The prevalence of MetS was significantly increased in OA group in women. To investigate the association between the components for MetS and osteoarthritis, we analyzed the mean values of 5 components of MetS, waist circumference (WC), triglyceride (TG), HDL-cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, and fasting plasma glucose in normal and OA group. In women, WC, TG, HDL, and systolic blood pressure were associated with the development of OA. Moreover, accumulation of components of MetS was significantly related to the prevalence of OA in Korean men and women. These data suggest that MetS might be a novel risk factor for OA and MetS should be taken into account in the prevention and treatment of OA for Korean adults as well.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.214-223
• /
• 2024

Metabolic abnormalities in the liver are closely associated with diverse metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the ameliorating effect of robinetin (RBN) on the significant pathogenic features of metabolic failure in the liver and to identify the underlying molecular mechanism. RBN significantly decreased triglyceride (TG) accumulation by downregulating lipogenesis-related transcription factors in AML-12 murine hepatocyte cell line. In addition, mice fed with Western diet (WD) containing 0.025% or 0.05% RBN showed reduced liver mass and lipid droplet size, as well as improved plasma insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values. CD38 was identified as a target of RBN using the BioAssay database, and its expression was increased in OPA-treated AML-12 cells and liver tissues of WD-fed mice. Furthermore, RBN elicited these effects through its anti-histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. Computational simulation revealed that RBN can dock into the HAT domain pocket of p300, a histone acetyltransferase, which leads to the abrogation of its catalytic activity. Additionally, knock-down of p300 using siRNA reduced CD38 expression. The chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay showed that p300 occupancy on the promoter region of CD38 was significantly decreased, and H3K9 acetylation levels were diminished in lipid-accumulated AML-12 cells treated with RBN. RBN improves the pathogenic features of metabolic failure by suppressing the p300-CD38 axis through its anti-HAT activity, which suggests that RBN can be used as a new phytoceutical candidate for preventing or improving this condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.37 no.9
• /
• pp.825-837
• /
• 2004

Studies on the health problems of the elderly have been increased with increasing life expectancy of Koreans. To assess the health status of people over 50 years old including the elderly (678 free-living people: men (168), women (510)), anthropometric measurements and biochemical nutritional status were analyzed. General characteristics and the prevalences of specific diseases were also examined. The mean anthropometric values for males and females were heights of 162 cm and 149 cm, respectively; and weights of 59 kg and 52 kg, respectively, which were much lower than the Korean standards established in the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances. The mean BMI, WHR (waist hip ratio), and body fat rate (%), which are obesity indices, were significantly higher in females than in males. As the age went up, height, weight, lean body mass, and mid-arm circumference decreased. Whereas, blood pressure (SBP) for women increased. Mean blood HDL-cholesterol levels of men and women were 46.0 mg/dl and 46.3 mg/dl, respectively; their triglyceride levels were 129.1 mg/d1 and 135.6 mg/dl, respectively, which were not significantly different. Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly higher in females than in males. For man there were significantly different in ${\gamma}$-GTP, Na levels by age. As the age went up for women, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, HDL-cholesterol, ${\gamma}$-GTP and $Ca^{2+}$ levels significantly decreased. Levels of total protein and albumin were above the lower normal limit for the majority of the participants. Prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemoglobin using World Health Organization (WHO) definition, was 43.9% for men and 42.1% for women. Also, many of the subjects were out of the normal range in total cholesterol (women), HDL-cholesterol, TAS (total antioxidant status), APase, RBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit levels. Therefore, measures to improve the biochemical nutritional status for the people in rural area are required.d.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.426-435
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Urbanization and lifestyle changes have resulted in nutrition transition. Over-nutrition causes obesity increase, although malnutrition still exists. This phenomenon is called a double burden of malnutrition (DBM). This study was conducted to confirm the existence of DBM and to investigate the dietary factors related to DBM in Indonesian adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data for the subjects (51 men and 89 women) who are the adults resided in Malang, Indonesia were collected between July 17 and August 14, 2017, by using questionnaire. Height, weight, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, total cholesterol, and hemoglobin were also measured for the subjects. RESULTS: The average age of the subjects was 47.2 years. The average height, weight, and body mass index for men were 160.08 cm, 62.6 kg and $25.45kg/m^2$, respectively, and those for women were 148.74 cm, 58.09 kg, and $26.21kg/m^2$, respectively. Of the subjects, 3.6% were underweight, 24.3% were normal or healthy weight, while 72.2% were overweight and obese. Analysis of the dietary intakes revealed high for cereal (7.73 points), but very low for milk (0.25 points) and fruits (0.51 points). Dietary diversity was very few overall (< 5). The occurrence of both anemia (23.6%) and chronic diseases such as hypertension (57.1%), diabetes (12.1%), and hypercholesterolemia (3.6%) was considerably high. The existence of DBM was confirmed by 16.4% of the subjects. DBM was observed significantly higher in women than in men. Dietary diversity and DBM occurrence were inversely correlated. On average, the number of chronic diseases was 1.08 in men and 1.79 in women. Dietary diversity inversely affected systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSIONS: DBM existed in adults in Malang, Indonesia due to inadequate dietary intakes, and a high rate of chronic diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 2006

Women's aging made a functional decline at ovary, This functional problem causes estrogen deficiency and many disorders, such as, sexual dysfunction, obesity, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, skin and all body's aging, etc. We determined the ameliorative effects of some herbal extracts mixture on postmenopausal symptoms in ovariectomized Sprague Dawley rats. Nine-weeks-old female rats were ovariectomized and treated with singled pomegranate extracts (0.40, 1.20 g/kg/day) and mixed pomegranate extracts (1.08, 3.24g/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Oral administration of pomegranate extracts for 8 weeks were increased serum estradiol level and improved the serum osteocalcin, ALP activity and bone specific ALP level. And pomegranate extracts were reduced body weight, adipose tissue. Uterus weight in treated group tended to improve. In addition, the concentrationl of triglyceride and total cholesterol were lower after 8 weeks. HDL-cholesterol levels improved with does-dependency in treated groups. Collagen level on skin and cartilage showed a slight increase at treatment for 8 weeks. $^{\infty}These$ results showed that both of singular extract treatments and extracts mixture treatments were effective on general postmenopausal symptoms at overiectomized rats, and especially, the mixture treatments were more effective than singular treatment. $^{\infty}In$ conclusion, these herbal extracts' mixture showed improvement effect in general factors related with postmenopausal disorders.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.561-576
• /
• 2017

The purpose of this study was to classify the upper torso body types of obese Korean adult women using the 7th Korea National Anthropometric Study data and compare the body type differences according to three age groups: 20s~30s, 40s~50s, and 60s. A total of 548 adult women whose BMI was in the obese range of 25 or higher and whose age ranged from 20s to 60s were selected from the anthropometric database. Twenty-nine body measurements related to torso and arm areas important for torso and sleeve pattern development were chosen. Five drop values by differences between bust, waist, and hip circumferences were also chosen for analysis. The number of obese women increased with age. The results revealed seven factors according to the factor analysis and three obese body types based on the cluster analysis. Body type 1 (47.3% of obese women) was characterized by narrow shoulders, a small or medium torso, and a straight waist. Body type 2 (42.4% of obese women) was characterized by a defined waist and a larger lower torso than upper torso. Body type 3 (10.3% of obese women), the largest obese body type among the three types, was characterized by a large bust, large abdomen area, and long upper torso. Women in their 20s to 30s were most likely to have body type 2, women in their 40s to 50s were evenly distributed between body types 2 and 3, and women in their 60s were most likely to have body type 1.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.256-262
• /
• 2012

Most common complex traits, such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and cancers, are known to be associated with multiple genes, environmental factors, and their epistasis. Recently, the development of advanced genotyping technologies has allowed us to perform genome-wide association studies (GWASs). For detecting the effects of multiple genes on complex traits, many approaches have been proposed for GWASs. Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) is one of the powerful and efficient methods for detecting high-order gene-gene ($G{\times}G$) interactions. However, the biological interpretation of $G{\times}G$ interactions identified by MDR analysis is not easy. In order to aid the interpretation of MDR results, we propose a network graph analysis to elucidate the meaning of identified $G{\times}G$ interactions. The proposed network graph analysis consists of three steps. The first step is for performing $G{\times}G$ interaction analysis using MDR analysis. The second step is to draw the network graph using the MDR result. The third step is to provide biological evidence of the identified $G{\times}G$ interaction using external biological databases. The proposed method was applied to Korean Association Resource (KARE) data, containing 8838 individuals with 327,632 single-nucleotide polymorphisms, in order to perform $G{\times}G$ interaction analysis of body mass index (BMI). Our network graph analysis successfully showed that many identified $G{\times}G$ interactions have known biological evidence related to BMI. We expect that our network graph analysis will be helpful to interpret the biological meaning of $G{\times}G$ interactions.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.9
• /
• pp.267-276
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between VAI, insulin resistance, and pancreatic beta cell function according to the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in obese adults. From 2017 to 2019, 1,797 obese adults who received medical checkups at a general hospital in Bundang. Diagnosis of metabolic syndrome is NCEP-ATP III. HOMA index was used for insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. VAI was higher in the metabolic syndrome than in the control(p<.001). As the number of risk factors for metabolic syndrome increased, the VAI value was higher(p<.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increased as the VAI quartile increased(p<.001). VAI was also shown to be related to HOMA-IR and HOMA-β in the control, but not in the metabolic syndrome.