• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.11
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• pp.1244-1251
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• 2014

Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) has been known to possess many biological effects, including anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy activity and anti-obesity and hyperlipidemia effects. However, little research has been conducted regarding its anticancer effects, with the exception of its ability to stimulate apoptosis in skin cells. There has also been no study regarding PG-induced autophagy. The modulation of autophagy is recognized as one of the hallmarks of cancer cells. Depending on the type of cancer and the context, autophagy can suppress or help cancer cells to overcome metabolic stress and the cytotoxicity of chemotherapy. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate whether or not extracts from PG-induced cell death were connected with autophagy and apoptosis in HCT-116 human colon cancer cells. PG stimulation decreased cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis, which was partially dependent on the activation of caspases. PG treatment also resulted in the formation of autophagic vacuoles simultaneously with regulation of autophagy-related genes. Interestingly, a PG-mediated apoptotic effect was further triggered by pretreatment with the autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenin and bafilomycin A1. However, cell viability recovered quite well with bafilomycin A1 treatment. These findings show that PG treatment promotes both autophagy and apoptosis and that PG-induced autophagic response might play a role in the autophagic cell death of HCT-116 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2010

The narration of "Donguibogam" is focused on humans whilst medical books before it focused on diseases. This is shown from the first subtitle of External Body(身形門) chapter, [The Origin of Hyung-Ki(形氣之始)]. The contents of [The Origin of Hyung-Ki] explains that the human body is composed of 'Hyung(形)' and 'Ki(氣)' This perspective is shown throughout "Donguibogam". First, in the aspect of construction, the viewpoint is shown from the JipRye(集例). It divides the body into inside and outside, which is a result of Hyung-Ki perspective. This continues in the table of contents. Naegyeongpyeon(內景) and Oehyeongpyeon(外形) describes the inside and outside of the body, in other words 'Hyung-Ki'. Japbyeongpyeon(雜病) describes complex illnesses with mixed insides and outsides. Tangaekpyeon(湯液) and Chimgupyeon(鍼灸) can be understood as division of treatment methods into inside and outside. When we look at the contents, the human body is created on the basis of the essence and vital energy of the world. Cheon-Ki becomes the 'Ki' that forms the functions of the body, while Ji-Ki becomes the 'Hyung' that constructs the bodily structure. It is considered that 'Hyung' is composed of SaDae(the body essence, vital energy, mentality and blood), and 'Ki' is composed of OSang(the five Jang organs and six Bu organs). 'Hyung' and 'Ki' show various appearances according to physiology and pathology. 'Hyung' is especially shown by obesity or thinness, 'Ki' by color. The obese may have Ki deficiency, coldness, dampness or phlegm. The thin could have blood deficiency, heat, fire or dryness. The color could show the pathology of the five Jang organs by the five colors, but it can simply be divided into black and white, where black means Eum deficiency, and white means Yang deficiency. It is said that the distinctive feature of traditional Korean medicine is that it is a constitutional medicine. In this perspective, further study on 'Hyung-Ki' is of value. If "Donguibogam" was the foundation of the Sasang Constitutional Medicine(四象醫學), study on 'Hyung-Ki' means searching for the origin of the Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Also, the study on Sasang Constitutional Medicine and Hyungsang medicine(形象醫學) will show the modern image of "Donguibogam". Hence, interchange study between "Donguibogam", Sasang Constitutional Medicine and Hyungsang medicine through the term 'Hyung-Ki' could hopefully lead to academic progression.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.324-331
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• 2015

Thyroid hormones are essential for cellular energy homeostasis and regulation by interacting with the sympathetic nervous system. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between thyroid hormone and risk factors of metabolic syndrome for medical checkups of male patients. The study subjects were 12,250 males between 20~80 years old who visited the hospital for a health check-up at one General Hospital in Gyeonggi-do during the period of January 2011 to December 2013. According to the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI), the metabolic syndrome criteria is defined as the presence of 3 or more risk factors. FT4 was lower in the metabolic syndrome group than in the normal group (p<0.001). The level of FT4 decreased as the levels of abdominal obesity (p=0.001), hypertriglyceridemia (p<0.001), blood pressure (p=0.005) and blood glucose (p=0.005) increased. The TSH level increased hypertriglyceridemia (p=0.047). FT4 had an influence on the waist circumference and triglyceride (p<0.001). HbA1c, insulin, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP were higher in the lowest quartile than in the highest quartile (p<0.001). FT4 had effects on the waist circumference and triglyceride, but TSH had no effect on metabolic syndrome risk factors. The metabolic syndrome was lower in the highest quartile of FT4 than in its lowest quartile.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.233-238
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• 2017

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between body fat content and serum lipids in college students. A total of 61 (15 males and 46 females) students of W university in Iksan, between June 2015 and July 2015, were enrolled for analysis. The relationship of serum lipid with BMI, and body fat percent measured by impedance fat meter (InBody 520) was analyzed. The study population was divided into three groups according to the InBody 520's guideline. Group I accounted for 26.7% of men and 10.9% of women. Weight and BMI were significantly different among the three groups in men and women (p<0.05); whereas height was not. In men, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and hemoglobin were significantly different between the three groups (p<0.05). Conversely, in women, serum total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and alanine transferase were significantly different between the three groups (p<0.05). However, there were no differences in other variables between the three groups. BMI was significantly different among three groups in both men and women (p<0.05). In men and women, body fat percent was correlated with BMI, weight, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Multiple regression analysis on total cholesterol indicates that body fat percent, BMI, and hemoglobin were not significantly independent variables in men and women. This study showed that body fat percent was significantly associated with other obesity markers and serum lipids.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.800-806
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• 2012

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced by oxidative stresses which cause various chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer) has been reported to contain various biological activities such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, neuroprotective, radioprotective, anti-amnestic and anti-aging effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of Panax ginseng, treated with high temperatures and high pressures, on oxidative stress in C2C12 myoblasts and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Oxidative stress was induced in the C2C12 cells through the introduction of $H_2O_2$ (1 mM), and cells were then treated with various ginseng preparations: dried white ginseng (DG), steamed ginseng (SG) and high temperature and high pressure treated ginseng (HG). In addition, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with various ginsengs for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. Our results show that HG treatment significantly protected oxidative stress in both cell lines and enhanced gene expression of antioxidant enzymes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the protective effects of ginseng on the oxidative stress of adipocytes and muscle cells.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.669-677
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry, nutrient intakes, dietary - related behaviors and health - related behaviors of male workers that were divided according to their alcohol consumption. The mean height, weight and BMI of all subjects were 172.0$\pm$5.8 cm, 67.8$\pm$9.3 kg and 22.9$\pm$2.6 kg/$m^2$, respectively. The WHR was higher in the heavy drinking group than in the other groups(p<0.01), while the other anthropometric indices were not significantly different among the three groups. The calorie intake was highest(p<0.001) in the heavy drinking group(3,270.4$\pm$686.5 kcal), followed by moderate(2,602.8$\pm$415.8 kcal) drinking group and light drinking group(2,341.5$\pm$449.4 kcal). As alcohol consumption increased, there was a decrease in the percent of energy derived from carbohydrates and lipids, while there was an increase in the percent of energy derived from proteins and alcohol(p<0.001). The heavy and moderate drinking groups had a highers intake of protein compared to the light drinking group, and the heavy drinking group had a higher intake of lipid compared to the light and moderate drinking groups(p<0.01). The intakes of vitamin $B_2$, niacin and phosphorus were lower in the moderate group than the other groups(p<0.01). The average MAR(Mean adequacy ratio) was 1.44$\pm$0.35 and the intake of all nutrients, except for folic acid, was much higher than the Korean RI(Recommended intake). The fruit intake frequency and sleeping hours were the lowest in the heavy drinking group(p<0.05) and the subjects preferred the following order of food products when they drink: meat(42.5%), fish & shellfish(30.0%), fruit & vegetable(22.5%) and others(5.0%) as a side dish. The average rates of smoking and exercise for all the subjects were 77.5% and 67.5%, respectively. The results of this study showed that heavy alcohol drinkers were more prone to abdominal obesity and related chronic degenerative diseases, indicating the need for extensive nutritional education for heavy alcohol drinkers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.51-58
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• 2004

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by the ATP III report, in some Korean adults and use the Asian-Pacific proposed waist circumference to investigate waist circumference in some Korean adults using ROC curves. Methods : Study subjects were seventy-five thousands and ninety one persons(47,979 men and 27,111 women) who were selected among the patients who visited hospital for health evaluation from January 2000 to December 2001. All subjects were measured by height, weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure and blood chemistry(lipid profile). Results : The mean age was $41.6{\pm}8.5$ years in men, $41.1{\pm}10.4$ years in women(p<0.05). Body mass index was in the normal range in 35.3% of men, and 55.9% of women. In both men and women, blood pressure, blood sugar, total cholesterol and triglyceride were positively correlated with BMI. waist circumference, and Broca's index(p<0.01). However HDL. choloesterol was correlated negatively (p< 0.01). Using ROC curve, the calculated waist circumferences were 84 cm in men(sensitivity 61.4% and specificity 64.1%) and 74 cm in women(sensitivity 65.0% and specificity 73.2%). The age adjusted prevalences of the metabolic syndrome as defined by NCEP ATP III were different for men(6.4%) and women(14.6%). The prevalence increased from 1.2% among participants aged 20 through 29years to 15.0% among participants aged over 60years in men(p<0.05) and from 1.6% to 27.4% respectively, in women. The age adjusted prevalences, as defined by using the waist circumference that was recommended by WHO's regional office for the western Pacific, were 10.6% in men and 18.5% in women. The age adjusted prevalences, as defined by using the waist circumference that was calculated by the ROC curves, were 17.1% in men and 22.4% in women. And All prevalences were increased following increased BMI and Broca's index. Conculsions : The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in some Korean adults was lower than that in western adults. Nevertheless because waist circumference was differed among race and region, application of the same criteria was not proper. Morcover, a higher awareness was required in women, because the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was rapidly increased with increment of age.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between serum ferritin and the metabolic syndrome (MS). Methods : We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1,444 adults over age 40 and under age 70 that lived in a rural area and participated in a survey conducted as part of the Korean Rural Genomic Cohort Study (KRGCS). The MS was defined as the presence of at least three of the followings : elevated blood pressure, low high density lipoprotein cholesterol, elevated serum triglycerides, elevated plasma glucose, or abdominal obesity. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, menopausal status, body mass index (BMI), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), odds ratios (ORs) for the prevalence of the MS by sex were calculated for quartiles of serum ferritin using logistic regression analysis. Results : The MS was more common in those persons , with the highest levels of serum ferritin, compared to persons with the lowest levels, in men (37.1% vs. 22.4%, p=0.006) and women (58.8% vs. 34.8, p<0.001). In both sexes, the greater the number of MS components presents, the greater the serum ferritin levels. After adjustment for age, alcohol intake, and menopausal status, the OR for metabolic syndrome, comparing the fourth quartile of ferritin with the first quartile, was 2.21 (95% confidence interval; CI=1.26-3.87; p-trend=0.024) in men and 2.10 (95% CI=1.40-3.17; p-trend=0.001) in women. However, after further adjustment for BMI, hs-CRP, and ALT, the ORs were statistically attenuated in both sexes. Conclusions : Moderately elevated serum ferritin levels were not independently associated with the prevalence of the MS after adjusting for other risk factors. Further studies are needed to obtain evidence concerning the association between serum ferritin levels and the MS.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.510-524
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• 2009

Objective : This study was designed to find the correlation between Sasang Constitution and heart rate variability(HRV). Method : There were 665 subjects (280 men and 385 women), between 39 and 72 years old. in a rural community. Sasang Constitution was diagnosed by a Sasang constitutional specialist using PSSC (Phonetic System for Sasang Constitution), face and tongue photo and checkup-list. A structured-questionnaire was used to assess the general characteristics. HRV was recorded using SA-2000 (medi-core). HRV was assessed by time domain and by frequency domain analysis. Metabolic syndrome was defined on the basis of clustering of risk factors, when three or more of the following cardiovascular risk factors were included : blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride HDL-cholesterol, and abdominal obesity (waist). Because of the skewness of the data, logarithmic transformation was performed on the absolute units of the spectral components of HRV, and the resulting logarithmic values and normalized units were compared between the groups by a logistic regression. The 95% confidence interval (CI) of the odds ratio was used and calculated from the data laid out for a cross sectional study. Results : 1. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly lower than that of Soyangin in LF norm and LF/HF ratio. Odds ratios of Taeeumin and Soeumin in female adults below 60 years old were significantly higher than that of Soyangin in HF norm. 2. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in female adults from 60 years old and over. 3. There was no significant correlation between HRV and Sasang Constitution in male adults. Conclusion : There is a statistically significant correlation between the HRV and Sasang Constitution. There is a tendency of increase in the sympathetic activity in Soyangin. There is a tendency of decrease in the parasympathetic activity in Taeeumin and Soeumin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1163-1169
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• 2007

Effects of Sotosaja hwan on Blood Glucose, Hyperlipidemia, Polyol Pathway and Antioxidative Mechanism in ob/ob Mouse Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many efforts have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Sotosaja-hwan has been known to be effective for the antiaging and composed of four crude herbs. In male ob/ob mouse in severe obesity, hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia, which are features of NIDDM, the hyperglycemic activites and mechanisms of Sotosaja-hwan were examined. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the lean (C57/BL6J black mice) and diabetic (ob/ob mice) control groups received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 30 and 90 mg Sotosaja-hwan per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. The effects of Sotosaja-hwan extract on the ob/ob mice were observed by measuring the serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid components, and the kidney levels of superoxide anion radical $({\cdot}O_2)$, MDA+HAE, GSH/GSSG ratio, and also the enzyme activities involved in polyol pathway. Sotosaja-hwan lowered the levels of serum glucose and insulin in a dose dependent manner. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were decreased, while the HDL-cholesterol level was increased, in Sotosaja-hwan treated groups. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were inhibited in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered groups. Sotosaja-hwan inhibited the generation of ${\cdot}O_2$ in the kidney. Finally, MDA+HAE levels was increased and GSH/GSSG ratio was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were improved in the Sotosaja-hwan-administered groups. Sotosaja-hwan showed the antidiabetic and anti hyperlipidemic activities by regulating the activities of polyol pathway enzymes, scavenging reactive oxygen species and reducing the MDA+HAE levels in the ob/ob mice.