• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2009

Curcumin (CMN) is known to have beneficial role in anorexia, coryza, cough, diabetic wounds, and hepatic disorders apart from its inherent antioxidant effects. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate antioxidant effect of CMN in prevention of nephrolithiasis in rats-induced by ethylene glycol (EG) and Vitamin D3 (Vit. D3). Male Wistar rats (175 - 200 g) were randomized in groups like control, EG + Vit. D3 induced nephrolithiatiatic rats, CMN treated rats, CMN + EG + Vit. D3 treated rats, Vit. E + EG + Vit. D3 treated rats. Urine was collected weekly throughout the experimental protocol and estimated for calcium oxalate (CaO) count. After completion of experimental protocol serum was estimated for blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Both the kidneys were excised and used to evaluate levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and calcium oxalate crystal deposition by histopathological studies. Administration of EG and Vit. D3 to rats resulted in increased oxidative stress, hyperoxaluria and renal deposition of CaO crystals. Supplementation with CMN improves kidney function, reduces elevated oxidative stress, urinary oxalate level and renal deposition of CaO which shows its protective action in nephrolithiasis. The increased deposition of stone in the kidney and stone forming constituents of nephrolithiatic rats were effectively lowered by treatment of CMN.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 1991

This study was to examine the effects of dietary protein levels and the sources of protein(animal and plant) on calcium and phosphorus metabo lism in 10 healthy Korean female adults. The 26­d day study consisted of a 6-day adaptation period and lO-day moderate protein(109 N, 550mg Ca) a and IO-day high protein( 14g N, 570mg Ca) pe­r riod. During the experimental period, the subjects w were divided into two groups, either consuming a animal protein diet(75 % animal protein) or plant protein diet(75 % plant protein). Calcium(300 mg) was supplemented to two subjects of each d dict group for the last 4 days. Feces, urine and diet were analyzed nitrogen. calcium and phos­p phorus. The apparent absorption of calcium was significantly increased as the protein intake was inc­r reased from 60g to 90g in animal protein diet. A Average calcium absorption rate was 30% and 46 % from high and moderate levels of animal p protein diet Urinary calcium excretion was not affected by t the amount of the protein intake in both animal and plant protein diet. There was significantly higher urinary calcium excretion(I34mg) in high I level of animal protein diet than that( 83mg) in h high level of plant protein diet. Calcium balance was improved as the protein intake increased and c calcium was supplemented. Phosphorus absorp­t tion was more efficient in the high animal diet(77.81 %) than in the high plant diet(55-65%). The overall results indicate that an increase of protein and calcium supplement in moderate pro­ttein intake can improve calcium balance due to the increase of calcium absorption.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.119-137
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• 1989

It has been shown in this and earlier investigation that the turtle bladder mucosa has three main cell types on their mucosal surface. They are the granular cells, ${\alpha}$ CA cells, and ${\beta}$ CA cells. The three major transport mechanisms that occurs in the turtle bladder are sodium reabsorption, proton secretion, and bicarbonate secretion. In the present work the trans-port mechanisms by bladder epithelial cells of freshwater turtle, Pseudemys scripta, are summarized as follows. 1. The granular cells play an important role in sodium transport, while the ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ CA cells do not appear to play a determining role in sodium transport. 2. It appears that the active sodium transport in the granular cells occurs in two-step process, implying that first, sodium diffuses into the cells, followed by an energy-dependent efflux step, which is catalyzed by the ouabain-sensitive Na-K ATPase. 3. The ${\alpha}$ type of CA cells are responsible for the proton secretion using the proton pump on the apical plasma membrane, while the ${\beta}$ type of CA cells are believed to be responsible for bicarbonate secretion. 4. When looked at under freeze-fracture electron microscopy, the apical plasma membrane of ${\alpha}$ cells have a characteristic population of rod-shaped intramembranous particles which are believed to be components of the proton pumps. Conversely, ${\beta}$ type of CA cells show rod-shaped particles in their basolateral plasma membranes, which is consistent with the proton absorptive, bicarbonate secretory mechanism. 5. In the turtle bladder, the ${\alpha}$ and ${\beta}$ type of cells are believed to be both responsible for proton transport, but in opposite directions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.232-241
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• 1988

This study was to investigate the effect of calcium supplementation on the reduction of blood pressure in normotensive young adults. Fortyseven healthy college students(23 male and 24 female) were divided into Ca and placebo groups, and were orally given with calcium(1g/day, 2.5g as CaCO3) and placebo, respectively, for 20 weeks. Blood pressure was measured by Korotokoff method in seated position every two weeks. Average daily dietary calcium intakes of the subjects were 626-643mg in men and 513-552mg in women. Average initial level of serum calcium of the subjects belonged to normal range. 1. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure(SBP and DBP) of Ca group showed significant continuously decreasing tendency from 6-8 weeks until final 20 weeks of the supplementation in both men and women. But placebo groups did not. Comparing with the basal value, reduction of SBP and DBP after 20 weeks were 6.53$\pm$4.30%(8.9mmHg) and 8.10$\pm$3.30%(7.4mmHg) in men, and 6.56$\pm$2.41%(8.1mmHg) and 7.33$\pm$3.75%(6.2mmHg) in women. The blood pressure lowering effect of calcium supplementation seemed to be greater in the subjects with higher basal SBP. 2. Serum calcium was significantly increased by calcium supplementation in both men and women, and showed significant negative correlation with SBP(r=-.213) and DBP(r=-.301) in women. Serum Ca/Mg ratio of Ca group was also elevated and showed significant negative correlation with SBP(r=-.174) and DBP(r=-.194) in total subjects. 3. Urinary excretion of Na did not show any significant changes by calcium supplementation in both men and women and showed no correlations with blood pressures.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17
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• pp.127-133
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• 2001

Together with cytochrome P450 (CYP), flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO) present in liver microsomes oxidizes various endogenous and exogenous chemicals. In an effort to determine the human FMO activity, we have developed two non-invasive urine analysis methods using caffeine (CA) and ranitidine (RA) as the probe compounds. As the production of theobromine (TB) and ranitidine N-oxide (RANO) from CA and RA is catalyzed primarily by the hepatic FMO, we have assigned the urinary molar ratios of TB/CA and RA/RANO as the in vivo FMO activity. In 200 age-matched Korean volunteers, the obtained TB/CA ratio ranged from 0.4 to 15.2 (38-fold difference) and the RA/RANO ratio from 5.7 to 27.2 (4.8-fold). The FMO activity of 20's, determined by caffeine metabolism, was the highest (2.5$\pm$l.9) and those of 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's were 40%, 50%, 24%, 39% and 36% of the 20's, respectively. Intake of grapefruit juice, known to contain flavonoids, inhibited the in vivo FMO (TB/CA) activity by 79%. Addition of the flavonoids like naringin, quercitrin and kaempferol, present in grapefruit juice, to the in vitro microso-mal FMO assay, thiobenzamide S-oxidation, produced 75%, 70% and 60% inhibition, respectively. Obtained Ki values of quercitrin, kaempferol and naringin on the in vitro FMO activity were 6.2, 12.0 and 13.9 $\mu\textrm{M}$, respectively. This suggested that the dose of drug should need to be adjusted to suit the individual FMO activities when the drugs metabolized by FMO are given to patients. As the intake of grapefruit juice has been identified to inhibit the FMO as well as CYP3A4 and lA2 activities, patients taking drugs metabolized by these enzymes should not drink grapefruit juice as the carrier.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.150-157
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• 1999

This study explored the effects of dietary calcium levels and/or ovariectomy on bone formation, bone composition and calcium metabolism using female Sprague-Dawley weanling rats(mean body weight$\pm$SEM : 232.3$\pm$6.7g) as a model. Rats received high(1.5%) calcium diets for eight weeks during the growth period and were randomly assigned to ovariectomy and sham groups. The two groups were than each randomly divided into three sub-groups and fed 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.5% calcium diets for eight weeks after operation. The results indicate that body weight gain was higher in ovariectomy groups than sham groups regardless of dietary calcium levels and food intakes. Serum Ca concentration was decreased in low Ca groups after operation and serum P concentration increased in ovariectomy groups. Serum Ca concentration was decreased in low Ca groups after operation and serum P concentration increased in ovariectomy groups. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was increased in ovariectomy groups and was not influenced by dietary calcium levels after operation. Urinary hydroxyproline decreased in high Ca intake groups regardless of whether rats had received an ovariectomy or not. The weight, length and breaking force of the femur were not significantly different in all groups. Ash, calcium, phosphate and magnesium contents in the femur and lumbar were not significantly different regardless of ovariectomy operation and dietary calcium levels. But high/normal calcium intake after ovariectomy and sham operation increased the weight and calcium content in bone. Therefore, high calcium intake influenced the formation of peak bone mass during the growth period and calcium levels and calcium levels and calcium levels continued to influence bone growth and composition after ovariectomy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.154-166
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• 2003

To investigate the effects of isoflavone supplementation on both bone mineral density and hormone variation in premenopausal women who had decreased bone mass, the 24 subjects were divided into two groups: one was the underweight group, consisting of 13 subjects, and the other was the normal weight group consisting of 11 subjects. For each group, we investigated the effects of isoflavone supplementation of 90 mg/day on both bone mineral density and hormone variation during 3 menstrual cycles. Anthropometric measurements, dietary recall, and analyses of blood and urine were assessed from baseline to post-treatment. The results were as follows: The average age of the underweight group was 21.8 years old and that of the normal weight group was 23.2 years old. The comparative results for the two groups at baseline were as follows: Onset of menarche, menstrual cycle, and menstrual length were not significantly different between the groups. Serum protein, total, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, Ca, P, Mg, Cu, and Zn level were not significantly different between the groups. Serum estradiol, SHBG, LH, and FSH level were also not significantly different between the groups. Lumbar spine BMD by T scores of the underweight group was significantly lower than that of the normal weight group. Serum osteocalcin, urinary DPD, and urinary pH were not significantly different between the groups. The comparative results for the two groups at post-treatment were as follows: From baseline to post-treatment, the intake of energy, nutrients and isoflavone in food did not significantly change in either group. Serum protein, total cholesterol, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels did not significantly change in either group. Serum Ca, Cu, and Zn levels were significantly lower in both groups and serum Mg level significantly decreased only in the underweight group. Serum estradiol levels were significantly lower in both groups, but serum SHBG, LH, and FSH levels did not significantly change in either group. Lumbar spine BMD by T score of the underweight group significantly increased to 15%, but that of the normal weight group did not significantly change. Serum osteocalcin of the underweight group significantly increased to 28%, while that of the normal weight group significantly increased to 40%. Urinary DPD of the normal weight group significantly increased to 12%. The results show that the BMD of the underweight group was lower than that of the normal weight group. Therefore, the underweight group had a disadvantage in obtaining maximum bone mineral density. The results also show that isoflavone supplementation during 3 menstrual cycles was effective in increasing the bone mineral density of the lumbar spine and affected bone metabolism markers in premenopausal underweight women. Therefore, it can be concluded that sufficient intake of isoflavone could be helpful in preventing decreases in bone mass among premenopausal women, especially underweight women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.471-477
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• 1992

This study was conducted to determine the effect of seaweed ingestion on Na, Ca and K balances in healthy male subjects and to elucidate possible hypolipidemic mechanisms. Six subjects were given a nutritionally controlled diet based on their usual intake for 5-days followed by 5 days in which seaweed was added to the basal diet. Based on the results of the study, the relation between the levels of intake and excretions in stool, urine and serum concentrations was analyzed. In this study, the ingested sodium and potassium were mostly excreted in urine. The highest the rate of urinary excretion to intake for K at 64%, followed by 56% for Na, Conversely, Ca was excreted in stool at higher rates. Analysis of the relation between the intake and excretion in stool revealed that Na and K showed a positive relation with statistical significance. There was no statistically significant relation between the intake and serum concentration of any these minerals. The levels of serum cholesterol and triglyceride were remarkably reduced (p<0.05) by seaweed intake. Thus, the results suggest a beneficial effect of seaweed on Na, Ca, K metabolic control and hypolipidemic mechanism of the healthy male subjects.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.193-200
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• 2021

Sophora flavescens Ait. (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant widely founded in Northeast Asia, and its dried root (Kushen) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine. The therapeutic effects of Kushen in micturition disorder was not investigated comprehensively yet. In the present study, we examined and compared the efficacy of three batches of Kushen extract using different ethanol content through an in vitro cell-based assay. Among them, we chose the batch with the highest efficacy and augmented the volume of extract for industrial purpose. The bulk extract was examined in its efficacy in the in vitro cell-based assay, and the therapeutic effects through an in vivo behavioral assay of OAB rats. The main components of the extracts were analyzed by liquid chromatography. Cytotoxicity of the extracts was investigated by MTT assay. The overall efficacy of the extract was as much as, or more than, kurarinone, a potent BK_Ca channel activator. Thus, the extract was a potent relaxant of urinary smooth muscle by upregulating the activity of BK_Ca channel. The Kushen extract could be explored as an alternative medicine against overactive bladder patients indicating severe dysfunction of BK_Ca channel.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2005

To determine the deleterious effects of chronic alcohol consumption on bone especially in adolescents or young adults, 8 week-old Sprague Dawley male rats were fed with Lieber-Decarli ethanol liquid diet, containing $36\%$ of energy as ethanol, ad libitum (ethanol group) or isocaloric normal liquid diet (control group) for 7 weeks. Body weight was significantly lower in ethanol group than that in control group after 1 week of feeding to the end. liver weight and the ratio of liver or kidney weight to body weight in ethanol group were significantly increased when compared to those in control group. Ethanol group showed significantly lower serum protein and albumin levels (p<0.05), higher total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels (p<0.05), and AST, ALT and BUN activities than control group, but serum triglyceride, Ca and phosphate levels were not different. Ethanol group had significantly lower tibial trabecular bone area and serum osteocalcin level than control group (p<0.05), but urinary Ca and NTx (cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen) concentrations and serum testosterone and parathyroid hormone levels were not different. In conclusion, chronic alcohol consumption in growing young male rats may result in osteopenia through the reduction of bone formation as well as liver malfunction.