Inverse Relationship between Hepatic Steatosis and Alanine Aminotransferase with Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Men

PURPOSE: Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a serum glycoprotein produced predominantly in hepatocytes. As such, the synthesis of SHBG could be associated with liver function and metabolic syndrome. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels could reflect hepatocellular injury and insulin resistance; however, the relationship between hepatic steatosis and ALT with SHBG has not been investigated in humans. The objective of this study was to investigate the associations between SHBG and hepatocyte damage among Korean male patients with hepatic steatosis enrolled in a health examination program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study with 922 participants who underwent routine health examinations. A total of 922 men with or without hepatic steatosis were divided into three groups. We analyzed the risk of lower serum SHBG levels with or without elevated serum ALT levels using odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A significantly increased risk of lower serum SHBG level was observed in the group with hepatic steatosis and ALT elevation (95% CI 1.591–4.681). CONCLUSION: In men with hepatic steatosis, we found that elevated serum ALT levels were associated with lower serum SHBG levels. This finding suggests that subjects with both hepatic steatosis and increased ALT should be considered to have low levels of SHBG.

Effects of Korean Red Ginseng on Cardiovascular Risks in Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome: a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Study / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) supplementation on metabolic parameters, inflammatory markers, and arterial stiffness in subjects with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single-center study in 60 subjects who were not taking drugs that could affect metabolic and vascular functions. Subjects were randomized into either a KRG (4.5 g/d) group or a placebo group for a 12-week study. We collected anthropometric measurements, blood for laboratory testing, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) at the initial (week 0) and final (week 12) visits. RESULTS: A total of 48 subjects successfully completed the study protocol. Oral administration of KRG did not significantly affect blood pressure, oxidative or inflammatory markers, or baPWV. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence that KRG had an effect on blood pressure, lipid profile, oxidized low density lipoprotein, fasting blood glucose, or arterial stiffness in subjects with metabolic syndrome. These findings warrant subsequent longer-term prospective clinical investigations with a larger population. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00976274

Association of Renal Manifestations with Serum Uric Acid in Korean Adults with Normal Uric Acid Levels

Several studies have reported that hyperuricemia is associated with the development of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Increasing evidences also suggest that hyperuricemia may have a pathogenic role in the progression of renal disease. Paradoxically, uric acid is also widely accepted to have antioxidant activity in experimental studies. We aimed to investigate the association between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and uric acid in healthy individuals with a normal serum level of uric acid. We examined renal function determined by GFR and uric acid in 3,376 subjects (1,896 men; 1,480 women; aged 20-80 yr) who underwent medical examinations at Gangnam Severance Hospital from November 2006 to June 2007. Determinants for renal function and uric acid levels were also investigated. In both men and women, GFR was negatively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressures, fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, uric acid, log transformed C reactive protein, and log transformed triglycerides. In multivariate regression analysis, total uric acid was found to be an independent factor associated with estimated GFR in both men and women. This result suggests that uric acid appears to contribute to renal impairment in subjects with normal serum level of uric acid.

Therapeutic Effect of Anti-Rotavirus Chicken Egg Yolk Immunoglobulin (IgY) on Diarrhea by Infection of Rotavirus / 소아과

PURPOSE: Rotavirus is an enteric pathogen that affects millions of children globally each year. But no specific therapy is available for the management of rotavirus diarrhea. Due to the clear need to define improved modality for treatment of rotavirus diarrhea, we evaluated the efficacy of anti- rotavirus IgY in the treatment of infants and children with gastroenteritis. METHODS: First, the amount of viral particle in the stools of thirteen patients (seven were given IgY, 6 placebo) infected by rotavirus were evaluated for 3 days with the quantitative RT-PCR method. Second, 36 children with known rotavirus infection identified by ELISA or semi-quantitative RT- PCR were evaluated. We gave 5 g anti-rotavirus egg yolk daily in two equally divided doses for 3 days to two groups (an 18 IgY group and an 18 placebo group), respectively after parenteral consent. Daily vomiting frequency, stool frequency, oral intake and urine output were monitored for 3 days, and electrolyte and blood chemistry were checked at the first and third days. RESULTS: First, in the placebo group, the amount of virus particles increased daily, but in the IgY group it decreased daily. Second, when IgY and placebos were given to children infected with rotavirus, diarrhea on the third day decreased significantly in the IgY group, compared with the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Treatment with antirotavirus immunoglobulin from immunized chicken's egg resulted in a decrease in the amount of viral particles in stools and diarrhea frequency in children. These results suggest that anti-rotavirus IgY is effective in the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Prevalence and Identification of Rotaviruses in Stool Specimens of Patients with Acute Diarrhea from Several Regions of Korea

PURPOSES: Rotaviruses are the main cause of infantile diarrheal diseases worldwide. The purpose of this study is to obtain epidemiologic data of rotavirus infections in Korea. METHODS: Stool specimens were collected from 150 patients with acute diarrheal symptoms, who were admitted to Yonsei Medical Center and Chungbuk National University Hospital. After isolating the virus from the specimens, the viruses were identified as rotaviruses by electron microscope and fluorescent microscope after staining with rotavirus VP6-specific monoclonal antibody. RNA was extracted from the specimens by modified phenol/chloroform method. Electropherotying was done with extracted RNA samples after silver staining of the gels. Rotavirus serotyping was done using commercial serotyping ELISA kit. RESULTS: Rate of infection from rotavirus stool samples was 60%. Isolated rotaviruses were all serogroup A and a majority(46.0%) of these viruses were long type. Serotypes 1 and 2 were identified with serotype 1 being the majority(52.2%). There were no differences in these types between 1991 and 1992, and also between Seoul and Cheongju area. CONCLUSION: Electropherotype of rotavirus epidemic in Korea was serogroup A, and long type in the majority. Serotypes of rotavirus epidemic in Korea were type 1 and type 2. These results show that the rotavirus reassortant vaccine developed in America could also handle the rotaviral disease in Korea.