• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.452-458
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• 2003

Soybean is a rich source of isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein. Soy isoflavones have both weak estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects and are structurally similar to tamoxifen, an agent that has an effect similar to that of estrogen in terms of reducing postmenopausal bone loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of differences in protein source (casein vs soy) and isoflavone levels (reduced vs higher levels) on selected bone markers and hormones in growing male rats. Thirty weanling Sprague-Dawley young rats were divided into 3 groups: The control group was fed a casein-based diet, the soy concentrate group was fed soy protein with totally reduced isoflavones content (isoflavones 0.07 mg/g protein), and the soy isolate group was fed soy protein with a higher than normal isoflavones content (isoflavones 3.4 mg/g protein). The degree of bone formation was estimated by measuring serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphoatase (ALP). By determining collagen cross-linkage by immunoassay and correcting with creatinine values, the bone resorption rate was compared. Serum osteocalcin, growth hormone, estrogen and calcitonin were analyzed using radio immunoassay kits. The bone formation marker and ALP activity were differentiated by protein source, showing higher values than casein in feeding either soy isolate or soy concentrate. In this study using growing rats, the differences in isoflavone contents were not a significant factor in either bone formation or bone reaborption markers. Moreover, the soy isolate group had significantly higher levels of growth hormone than the casein group. The findings of this study suggest that growth hormone is partially responsible for its bone-formation effects in young growing rats. Soy protein and the isoflavones in soy protein are beneficial for bone-formation in growing male rats. Therefore, exposure to soy protein and isoflavones early in life may have long-term health benefits in preventing bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Further study to evaluate the mechanism of action of isoflavones on bones is warranted. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 452∼458, 2003)

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.21-30
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Ojeok-san and compare the therapeutic effects according to its formation. Methods: We evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of Ojeok-san using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammatory animal model. Male SD rats were administered intra-orally with two different formulation types of Ojeok-san according to prescribed dosage. One hour later, to induce inflammatory responses, subsequent intra-peritoneal injection of LPS was conducted. After 5 hours later, serum TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and PGE2 levels were measured by ELISA to assess the alteration of pro-inflammatory markers. Results: In our experiment, regardless of its formation, administration of Ojeok-san decreased TNF-𝛼, IL-1𝛽, IL-6 and PGE2 level in serum. Furthermore, LPS-induced toxicity of liver and kidney was not detected by Ojeok-san administration. Conclusions: The anti-inflammatory effect of Ojeok-san was shown in LPS-induced inflammatory model by decreasing pro-inflammatory markers, and there would be no significant difference in therapeutic effect between two formulation types of Ojeok-san.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.2699-2703
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• 2016

Background: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have great HCC diagnostic potential and circulating miRNAs have been reported as promising biomarkers for various pathologic conditions. Aim: To explore the potential benefit of serum miR-126, miR-129, miR-155, miR-203 and miR-223 as non-invasive diagnostic markers of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. Materials and Methods: The expression of miRNA was evaluated using real-time quantitative RT-PCR in 78 serum samples (30 $treatment-na{\ddot{i}}ve$ chronic HCV, 25 post-HCV compensated cirrhosis and 23 $treatment-na{\ddot{i}}ve$ HCC cases). Results: Comparing miRNA fold changes in the HCC group vs the non HCC groups, there was significant fold decrease in miR-126 (P= 0.034), miR-129 (P= 0.006), miR-155 (P= 0.011), miR-203 (P<0.001) and miR-223 (P= 0.013). The highest AUC to differentiate HCC patients from non-HCC was 0.76 for miR-203. Conclusions: Among studied miRNAs, serum miR-203 has the highest potential as a non-invasive biomarker of HCC.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.235-241
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the serum tumor markers CEA, CA 19-9, and CA 72-4 in monitoring the recurrence of gastric cancer and in its preoperative assessment. Materials and Methods: Two hundred fifty-five patients who underwent potentially curative surgery during period from January 1995 to December 2000 at the Department of Surgery were assessed. Serum samples were obtained preoperatively, 2 weeks after the surgery, and at 6-month intervals. The cut-off levels were established as 5 ng/ml for CEA, 36 U/ml for CA 19-9, and 4 U/ml for CA 72-4. The tumor stage was described according to the 5th edition of the Union Internationale Contra la Cancer (UICC) TNM classification in 1997. Results: The preoperative positivities were $10.5\%$ for CEA, $9.7\%$ for CA 19-9, and $12.4\%$ for CA 72-4. The serum levels of the three tumor markers decreased after curative surgery. The preoperative serum levels of the three tumor markers were significantly related to the depth of invasion, the tumor size, lymph-node metastasis, the pathologic stage, and recurrence, except that CEA was not associated with tumor size. The marker sensitivities in recurrent cases were $43.3\%$ for CEA, $\%41.8$ for CA 19-9, and $50.0\%$ for CA 72-4, and the marker specificities were $85.1\%$ for CEA, $96.8\%$ for CA 19-9, and $87.8\%$ for CA 72-4. Conclusion: The preoperative serum levels of CEA, CA 19-9, and CA 72-4 are not useful for the initial diagnosis of gastric cancer because of their low positivity. However, we should consider their relationship with depth of invasion, lymph-node metastasis, tumor size, pathologic stage, and recurrence. Also, the follow-up levels of the three markers have a statistical relationship with recurrence of gastric cancer even though their sensitivities are low.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2001

Objectives : The authors evaluated the effects on renal function of workers chronically exposed to low-level organic solvent mixtures. Methods : The authors measured the level of urine ${\beta}2$-microglobulin(${\beta}2$-MG) and microalbumin as biochemical markers of renal function and damage in 29 male workers exposed to organic solvents for more than five years and compared their results with those of 30 male office clerks as a reference group. Results : 1. The mean values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, SGOT, SGPT, ${\gamma}$-GTP were all within normal limits and there was no significant difference, except for hemoglobin(p<0.01), between exposed and reference group. 2. The values of BUN and serum creatinine were within reference limits and there was no significant difference between exposed and reference group. 3. The difference of mean values of urine microalbumin corrected by urine creatinine were statistically significant (p<0.01), but those of urine ${\beta}2$-MG was not. 4. There were no correlation of urine hippuric acids with BUN, serum creatinine, urine microalbumin and ${\beta}2$-MG. 5. There were no significant difference of BUN, serum creatinine, urine microalbumin and ${\beta}2$-MG upon work duration. Conclusions: It is assumed that chronic low-level organic solvent exposure in these workers shows early renal dysfunction, glomerular changes. The result corresponds to previous studies showing the relationship between hydrocarbon exposure and glomerulonephritis. For evaluation of impairment on kidney tubules, we need further study using more precise markers and long-term follow-up.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7139-7142
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• 2015

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer related death overall. The role of insulin resistance in the development of HCC associated with chronic HCV infection has not been established. Resistin is a polypeptide hormone belonging to the adipokine family which could contribute to tumorigenesis and angiogenesis. Our aim was to study serum resistin and insulin resistance as risk factors for HCC in HCV cirrhotic patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective case controlled study included 100 patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis and HCC, 100 patients with HCV related liver cirrhosis without HCC and 50 apparently healthy participants as controls. For all subjects, liver profile, serologic markers for viral hepatitis, lipid profile, alpha-fetoprotein level (AFP), homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) were examined along with resistin. Results: HCC patients had higher mean values of HOMA-IR and resistin than cirrhotic patients and the control subjects (p<0.01). HOMA and resistin were considered independent risk factors in development of HCC, those patients with resistin > 12 ng/ml and HOMA > 4 being 1.6 times more likely to have HCC. Conclusions: HOMA and serum resistin allow for early identification of patients with cirrhosiswho are at substantially increased risk of HCC. Recommendation: HOMA and serum resistin could represent novel markers to identify HCV cirrhotic patients at greater risk of development of HCC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.4671-4675
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• 2016

Background and aim: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with an overall 5-year survival of <5% mainly due to presence of advanced disease at time of diagnosis. Therefore development of valid biomarkers to diagnose pancreatic cancer in early stages is an urgent need. This study concerned the sensitivity and specificity of serum ICAM 1 versus CA 19-9 in differentiation between pancreatic cancer and healthy subjects and acohort of patients with chronic pancreatitis with a focus on assessing validity in diagnosis of early stages of pancreatic cancer. Methods: A cohort of 50 patients with histologically diagnosed pancreatic tumors, 27 patients with chronic pancreatitis, and 35 healthy controls were enrolled. Serum samples for measurement of CA19-9 and I-CAM 1 were obtained from all groups and analyzed for significance regarding diagnosis and disease stage. Results: At a cut off value of (878.5 u/ml) I-CAM 1 had 82% and 82.26% sensitivity and specificity for differentiation between cancer and non-cancer cases, with higher sensitivity and specificity than CA19-9 at different cut offs (CA19-9 sensitivity and specificity ranged from 64-80% and 56.4 - 61.2% respectively). The AUC was 0.851 for I-CAM and 0.754 for CA19-9. Neither of the markers demonstrated significance for distinguishing between early and late cancer stages. Conclusion: ICAM 1 is a useful marker in differentiation between malignant and benign pancreatic conditions, and superior to CA19-9 in this regard. However, neither of the markers can be recommended for use in differentiation between early and late stage pancreatic cancers.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.517-525
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• 2009

This study investigated the effects of Angelica keiskei Koidzumi and turmeric extract supplementation(ATE) on blood lipids, antioxidant and inflammatory markers in 35 hypercholesterolemic Korean adults with high blood cholesterol levels (serum total cholesterol$\geq200mg/d{\ell}$ or LDL-cholesterol$\geq130mg/d{\ell}$). They received ATE(n=21, 14 females and 7 males) or placebo(control group, n=14, 11 females and 3 males) for 4 weeks. There was no significant change in serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels after ATE supplementation in the both groups. However, the LDLcholesterol: HDL-cholesterol ratio(LPH) was significantly decreased and both serum prostagrandin E2(PGE2) levels were significantly decreased in those receiving ATE. No significant changes were evident in interleukin(IL)-$1\beta$, IL-6, IL-8, 8-isoprostane, malondialehyde, total antioxidant capacity and oxidized-LDL. These results suggest that complex extract of Angelica keiske and turmeric has the potential to decrease cardiovascular risk by reducing LPH and inflammatory mediator $PGE_2$ in hypercholesterolemic adults.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9847-9851
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• 2014

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological cancer characterized by clonal proliferation of plasma cells.The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of serum paraoxonase-1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) in multiple myeloma with and without free light chain excretion(FLCe-MM and NFLCe-MM); as well as to investigate possible alterations in oxidative stress parameters. Materials and Methods: Total thiol (T.thl), oxidative stress index (OSI), total oxidant status (TOS) and total antioxidant status (TAS) were examined in addition to the PON1 and ARE enzyme activities in twenty one FLCe-MM and nineteen NFLCe-MM subjects. Routine parameters like lipid panel, serum total protein, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid and hemoglobin levels were compared with the oxidative stress markers. Results: Serum total protein, BUN, creatinin, and uric acid levels were significantly higher (p=0.04, p=0.001, p=0.001 and p=0.0022, respectively), while hemoglobin and albumin levels were significantly lower in FLCe-MM patients (p=0.009 and p=0.04,respectively). PON1 and ARE activities were significantly lower in patients with FLCe-MM compared to those with NFLCe-MM (p=0.001 and p=0.008, respectively). Conclusions: Depending on our results of prognostic markers of MM such as age, hemoglobin, albumin, and creatinine we feel confident to presume FLCe-MM as a subgroup with a worse prognosis. A decrease in PON1 and ARE activities may contribute to the prognosis and may be used as a prognostic tool in MM.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.264-270
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• 2005

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of red-yeast-rice on blood lipids and also to investigated the relation of blood lipids, bone related hormones, and bone mineral density in overiectomized rats. Forty female rats (body weight $210\pm5$g) were divided into two groups. The rats in the first group were ovariectomized which the others received sham operation (SHAM). And then each rat group was further divided into control diet $(casein\;20\%)$ and red-yeast-rice powder supplemented $(0.1\%)$ diet group. All rats were fed on experimental diet and deionized water ad libitum for 9 weeks. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were measured using PIXImus in spine and femur. Bone formation and bone resorption were measured by serum osteocalcin and urinary deoxypyridinoline (DPD) crosslinks value. Serum growth hormone, IGF-1 and calcitonin were analyzed using radioimmunoassay kits. The red-yeast-rice group had significantly lower the blood triglyceride concentration and had lower the blood total cholesterol concentration than casein group did in ovariectomized rats. And the red-yeast-rice group than casein group in ovariectomized rats. The red-yeast-rice group had significantly lower the atherogenic index than control group within the ovariectomized groups. In the experimental rats, serum total cholesterol concentration was negatively correlated with femur BMC and crosslink value. Crosslink value was negatively correlated with spine BMC and IGF-1. Osteocalcin concentration was negatively correlated with crosslink value. Growth hormone was negatively correlated with crosslink value and positively correlated with spine BMC. The findings of this study suggest that red-yeast-rices are beneficial for blood lipid in ovariectomized rats. And when considering a population-based public health approach to lowering cholesterol and bone loss, and preventing coronary heart disease and osteoporosis, the red-yeast-rice dietary supplement could provide a new approach for the maintenance of healthier cholesterol and bone.