Cathelicidin-related Antimicrobial Peptide Contributes to Host Immune Responses Against Pulmonary Infection with Acinetobacter baumannii in Mice

Acinetobacter baumannii is known for its multidrug antibiotic resistance. New approaches to treating drug-resistant bacterial infections are urgently required. Cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP) is a murine antimicrobial peptide that exerts diverse immune functions, including both direct bacterial cell killing and immunomodulatory effects. In this study, we sought to identify the role of CRAMP in the host immune response to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wild-type (WT) and CRAMP knockout mice were infected intranasally with the bacteria. CRAMP−/− mice exhibited increased bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid after A. baumannii infection compared to WT mice. The loss of CRAMP expression resulted in a significant decrease in the recruitment of immune cells, primarily neutrophils. The levels of IL-6 and CXCL1 were lower, whereas the levels of IL-10 were significantly higher in the BAL fluid of CRAMP−/− mice compared to WT mice 1 day after infection. In an in vitro assay using thioglycollate-induced peritoneal neutrophils, the ability of bacterial phagocytosis and killing was impaired in CRAMP−/− neutrophils compared to the WT cells. CRAMP was also essential for the production of cytokines and chemokines in response to A. baumannii in neutrophils. In addition, the A. baumannii-induced inhibitor of κB-α degradation and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were impaired in CRAMP−/− neutrophils, whereas ERK and JNK phosphorylation was upregulated. Our results indicate that CRAMP plays an important role in the host defense against pulmonary infection with A. baumannii by promoting the antibacterial activity of neutrophils and regulating the innate immune responses.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 1 is dispensable for host immune responses against pulmonary infection of Acinetobacter baumannii in mice / 한국실험동물학회지

Nucleotide-binding domain 1 (Nod1) is a cytosolic receptor that is responsible for the recognition of a bacterial peptidoglycan motif containing meso-diaminophimelic acid. In this study, we sought to identify the role of Nod1 in host defense in vivo against pulmonary infection by multidrug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. Wildtype (WT) and Nod1-deficient mice were intranasally infected with 3×107 CFU of A. baumannii and sacrificed at 1 and 3 days post-infection (dpi). Bacterial CFUs, cytokines production, histopathology, and mouse β-defensins (mBD) in the lungs of infected mice were evaluated. The production of cytokines in response to A. baumannii was also measured in WT and Nod1-deficient macrophages. The bacterial clearance in the lungs was not affected by Nod1 deficiency. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β in the lung homogenates were comparable at days 1 and 3 between WT and Nod1-deficient mice, except the TNF-α level at day 3, which was higher in Nod1-deficient mice. There was no significant difference in lung pathology and expression of mBDs (mBD1, 2, 3, and 4) between WT and Nod1-deficient mice infected with A. baumannii. The production of IL-6, TNF-α, and NO by macrophages in response to A. baumannii was also comparable in WT and Nod1-deficient mice. Our results indicated that Nod1 does not play an important role in host immune responses against A. baumannii infection.

Meta-analysis of the Efficacy and Safety of Grazoprevir and Elbasvir for the Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a fixed combination of grazoprevir and elbasvir (GE) has been introduced to the arsenal of chemotherapeutics to fight against this virus. The study aimed to provide information on the efficacy and safety of GE for the treatment of HCV infection by performing a meta-analysis of literature data. METHODS: PubMed and EMBASE database searches were conducted. Among the literature retrieved, pivotal Phase III clinical studies were analyzed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by RevMan. RESULTS: Four pivotal Phase III clinical studies compared the efficacy and safety of GE. When HCV patients were treated with GE for 12 weeks, the sustained virologic response, defined as the viral RNA level below the lower limit of quantification at 12 weeks after the cessation of therapy (SVR12), was 94.7%. The clinical advantage of GE involves its use by patients with cirrhosis and/or renal failure without dose adjustment. If the genotype (GT) of the causative virus was GT1a with NS5A polymorphism or GT4 with resistance to peginterferon/ribavirin, treatment with GE plus ribavirin for 16 weeks resulted in a better outcome compared to treatment with GE alone for 12 weeks. Adverse events reported during the four clinical studies were 71.09% in the GE arms and it was 76.61% in the non-GE arms, with the most frequent events being mild central nervous system symptoms. CONCLUSION: GE was generally safe and effective for the treatment of HCV infection. However, since HCV mutates very rapidly and becomes resistant to antiviral agents, long-term monitoring should be mandatory.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of crude N-acetylneuraminic acid isolated from glycomacropeptide of whey / 한국실험동물학회지

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucosa of about half of the world's population, causing chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. An increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant H. pylori arouses demand on alternative non-antibiotic-based therapies. In this study, we freshly prepared crude N-acetylneuraminic acid obtained from glycomacropeptide (G-NANA) of whey through a neuraminidase-mediated reaction and evaluated its antibacterial ability against H. pylori and H. felis. Overnight cultures of the H. pylori were diluted with fresh media and different concentrations (1-150 mg/mL) of crude G-NANA were added directly to the culture tube. Bacterial growth was evaluated by measuring the optical density of the culture medium and the number of viable bacteria was determined by a direct count of the colony forming units (CFU) on agar plates. For the in vivo study, mice were orally infected with 100 µL (5×108 cfu/mL) of H. felis four times at a day's interval, accompanied by a daily administration of crude G-NANA or vehicle. A day after the last infection, the mice were daily administered the crude G-NANA (0, 75, and 300 mg/mL) for 10 days and euthanized. Their stomachs were collected and bacterial colonization was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Crude G-NANA inhibited H. pylori's growth and reduced the number of viable bacteria in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, crude G-NANA inhibited bacterial colonization in the mice. These results showed that crude G-NANA has antibacterial activity against Helicobacter and demonstrated its therapeutic potential for the prevention of chronic gastritis and gastric carcinogenesis induced by Helicobacter infection in humans.

Hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Daraesoon (Actinidia arguta shoot) in animal models of diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the treatment of diabetes mellitus is the attainment of glycemic control. Hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress which contributes to the progression of diabetic complications. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of Daraesoon (Actinidia arguta shoot) in animal models of diabetes mellitus. MATERIALS/METHODS: Rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes received an oral administration of a starch solution (1 g/kg) either with or without a 70% ethanol extract of Daraesoon (400 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) after an overnight fast and their postprandial blood glucose levels were measured. Five-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed either a basal or high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) diet with or without Daraesoon extract (0.4%) or acarbose (0.04%) for 12 weeks after 1 week of adaptation to determine the effects of the chronic consumption of Daraesoon on fasting hyperglycemia and antioxidant status. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, rats that received Daraesoon extract (400 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) exhibited a significant reduction in the area under the postprandial glucose response curve after the oral ingestion of starch. Additionally, the long-term consumption of Daraesoon extract or acarbose significantly decreased serum glucose and insulin levels as well as small intestinal maltase activity in HFHS-fed mice. Furthermore, the consumption of Daraesoon extract significantly reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increased glutathione levels in the livers of HFHS-fed mice compared to HFHS-fed mice that did not ingest Daraesoon. CONCLUSIONS: Daraesoon effectively suppressed postprandial hyperglycemia via the inhibition of alpha-glucosidase in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Chronic consumption of Daraesoon alleviated fasting hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in mice fed a HFHS diet.

Withaferin A Inhibits Helicobacter pylori-induced Production of IL-1beta in Dendritic Cells by Regulating NF-kappaB and NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation

Helicobacter pylori infection is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. There is evidence that IL-1beta is associated with the development of gastric cancer. Therefore, downregulation of H. pylori-mediated IL-1beta production may be a way to prevent gastric cancer. Withaferin A (WA), a withanolide purified from Withania somnifera, is known to exert anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects. In the present study, we explored the inhibitory activity of WA on H. pylori-induced production of IL-1beta in murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and the underlying cellular mechanism. Co-treatment with WA decreased IL-1beta production by H. pylori in BMDCs in a dose-dependent manner. H. pylori-induced gene expression of IL-1beta and NLRP3 (NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3) were also suppressed by WA treatment. Moreover, IkappaB-alpha phosphorylation by H. pylori infection was suppressed by WA in BMDCs. Western blot analysis revealed that H. pylori induced cleavage of caspase-1 and IL-1beta, as well as increased procaspase-1 and pro IL-1beta protein levels, and that both were suppressed by co-treatment with WA. Finally, we determined whether WA can directly inhibit ac tivation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 activators induced IL-1beta secretion in LPS-primed macrophages, which was inhibited by WA in a dose-dependent manner, whereas IL-6 production was not affected by WA. Moreover, cleavage of IL-1beta and caspase-1 by NLRP3 activators was also dose-dependently inhibited by WA. These findings suggest that WA can inhibit IL-1beta production by H. pylori in dendritic cells and can be used as a new preventive and therapeutic agent for gastric cancer.

Ameliorative effect of myricetin on insulin resistance in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity-associated insulin resistance is a strong risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of myricetin on adiposity, insulin resistance, and inflammatory markers in mice with diet-induced insulin resistance. MATERIALS/METHODS: Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a basal diet, a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet, or the HFHS diet containing 0.06% myricetin or 0.12% myricetin for 12 weeks after a 1-week adaptation, and body weight and food intake were monitored. After sacrifice, serum lipid profiles, glucose, insulin, adipocyte-derived hormones, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. RESULTS: Myricetin given at 0.12% of the total diet significantly reduced body weight, weight gain, and epidydimal white adipose tissue weight, and improved hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia without a significant influence on food intake in mice fed the HFHS diet. Serum glucose and insulin levels, as well as HOMA-IR values, decreased significantly by 0.12% myricetin supplementation in mice fed the HFHS diet. Myricetin given at 0.12% of the total diet significantly reduced serum levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in mice fed the HFHS diet. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that myricetin may have a protective effect against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice fed HFHS diet, and that alleviation of insulin resistance could partly occur by improving obesity and reducing serum proinflammatory cytokine levels.

Causes of Death of Prisoners of War during the Korean War (1950-1953)

PURPOSE: This study aimed at analyzing the causes of death of prisoners of war (POWs) during the Korean War (1950-1953) who fought for the Communist side (North Korea and the People's Republic of China). In 1998, the United States Department of Defense released new information about the prisoners including, 7,614 deaths of the POW during the Korean War. The data on the causes of death of the POWs during the Korean War provides valuable information on the both the public health and history of the conflict. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To analyze the causes of death of the POWs, we classified the clinical diagnosis and findings on 7,614 deaths into 22 chapters, as outlined in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems-10th Revision (ICD-10). Second, we traced changes in the monthly death totals of POWs as well as deaths caused by common infectious diseases and external causes of death including injury over time from August 1950 to September 1953. RESULTS: The most common category of causes of deaths of POWs was infectious disease, 5,013 (65.8%) out of 7,614 deaths, followed by external causes including injury, 817 (10.7%). Overall, tuberculosis and dysentery/diarrhea were the most common causes of death. Deaths caused by acute and chronic infection, or external causes showed different patterns of increases and decline over time during the Korean War. CONCLUSION: The information and data on POWs' deaths during the Korean War reflects the critical impact of the POWs' living conditions and the effect of public health measures implemented in POW camps during the war.

Lotus leaf alleviates hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in animal model of diabetes mellitus

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of lotus leaf on hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in animal model of diabetes. Inhibitory activity of ethanol extract of lotus leaf against yeast alpha-glucosidase was measured in vitro. The effect of lotus leaf on the postprandial increase in blood glucose levels was assessed in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without lotus leaf extract (500 mg/kg) was administered to the rats after an overnight fast, and postprandial plasma glucose levels were monitored. Four-week-old db/db mice were fed a basal diet or a diet containing 1% lotus leaf extract for 7 weeks after 1 week of acclimation to study the chronic effect of lotus leaf. After sacrifice, plasma glucose, insulin, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-CHOL, and blood glycated hemoglobin levels were measured. Lotus leaf extract inhibited alpha-glucosidase activity by 37.9%, which was 1.3 times stronger than inhibition by acarbose at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL in vitro. Oral administration of lotus leaf extract significantly decreased the area under the glucose response curve by 35.1% compared with that in the control group (P < 0.01). Chronic feeding of lotus leaf extract significantly lowered plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin compared with those in the control group. Lotus leaf extract significantly reduced plasma TG and total CHOL and elevated HDL-CHOL levels compared with those in the control group. Therefore, we conclude that lotus leaf is effective for controlling hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in an animal model of diabetes mellitus.

Determining the Timing for the Enterostomy Repair using Age-based Analysis / 대한주산의학회잡지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine if timing of enterostomy repair described in terms of postmenstrual age (PMA) could influence postoperative course, complications, and growth. METHODS: Under the Institutional Review Board approval, records of preterm infants who underwent enterostomy and subsequent repair from 2007 to 2013 at Seoul national university children's hospital were reviewed. Records of infants with congenital anomalies were excluded. Data collected included baseline characteristics, PMA, weight at enterostomy and enterostomy repair, postoperative course, enterostomy repair-related complications, and follow-up growth after repair. For analysis, patients were divided into 2 groups: group 1 with enterostomy repaired before PMA 40 weeks; and group 2 with enterostomy repaired since PMA 40 weeks. RESULTS: There were 54 infants: 16 in group 1 and 38 in group 2. The median weight at the time of enterostomy repair was greater in group 2 compared to those of group 1. Group 1 infants had more complications and had to be ventilated longer after enterostomy repair. They required longer periods of total parenteral nutrition and took longer to reach full enteral feeding. Group 1 infants also needed longer hospital stay after enterostomy repair. No statistical difference was observed in growth after discharge. CONCLUSION: The timing of enterostomy repair influences postoperative course and complications significantly. Therefore, it is recommended that enterostomy repair should be withheld until PMA 40 weeks. For predicting long term prognosis, more studies will be required.

Chamnamul Pimpinella brachycarpa (Kom.) Nakai ameliorates hyperglycemia and improves antioxidant status in mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet

Chronic consumption of a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) diet increases insulin resistance and results in type 2 diabetes mellitus in C57BL/6J mice. Hyperglycemia in diabetics increases oxidative stress, which is associated with a high risk of diabetic complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of chamnamul [Pimpinella brachycarpa (Kom.) Nakai] in an animal model of type 2 diabetes. The alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity of a 70% ethanol extract of chamnamul was measured in vitro. Five-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed a basal or HFHS diet with or without a 70% ethanol extract of chamnamul at a 0.5% level of the diet for 12 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. After sacrifice, serum glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profiles, and lipid peroxidation of the liver were determined. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was determined. Chamnamul extract inhibited alpha-glucosidase by 26.7%, which was 78.3% the strength of inhibition by acarbose at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. Serum glucose, insulin, and cholesterol levels, as well as HOMA-IR values, were significantly lower in the chamnamul group than in the HFHS group. Chamnamul extract significantly decreased the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and increased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the liver compared with the HFHS group. These findings suggest that chamnamul may be useful in prevention of hyperglycemia and reduction of oxidative stress in mice fed a HFHS diet.

Quercetin ameliorates hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia and improves antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic db/db mice

This study investigated the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects of dietary quercetin in an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Four-week-old C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice (n = 18) were offered an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing quercetin at 0.04% (low quercetin, LQE) or 0.08% of the diet (high quercetin, HQE) for 6 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Plasma glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and lipid profiles, and lipid peroxidation of the liver were determined. Plasma glucose levels were significantly lower in the LQE group than in the control group, and those in the HQE group were even further reduced compared with the LQE group. The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) showed lower values for LQE and HQE than for the control group without significant influence on insulin levels. High quercetin increased plasma adiponectin compared with the control group. Plasma triglycerides in the LQE and HQE groups were lower than those in the control group. Supplementation with high quercetin decreased plasma total cholesterol and increased HDL-cholesterol compared with the control group. Consumption of low and high quercetin reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the liver. Thus, quercetin could be effective in improving hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetes.

Implementation of the Bangkok Charter's health promotion strategies in Korean health promotion efforts at the municipality level

To address effectively health determinants and challenges in the rapidly changing global context of the 21st century, the Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion was adopted at the Sixth Global Conference for Health Promotion in 2005. According to the Bangkok Charter, all sectors and settings of society are required to implement five strategies for health promotion: they must be advocates for health and health promotion, make strategic investments in their policies and programs, build capacity, regulate and enact appropriate legislation, and build partner alliances with other actors for health promotion. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which Korea has implemented the health promotion strategies of the Bangkok Charter. To facilitate more effective approaches to promote health in Korea, we sent survey questionnaires to 224 local public health centers throughout the country. We received responses from 384 professionals in 145 of these public health centers. Our analysis of these surveys indicates that basic concepts of health promotion as well as important approaches and health promotion strategies have not been effectively utilized in the Korean context. This is particularly true of efforts to regulate and legislate in the public health field, and to partner and build alliances for health promotion. Efforts in these areas have been inadequate and not given enough priority within the field as a whole. With a concerted effort to implement these strategies for health promotion in all sectors and all settings of Korean society, we can expect more effective interventions and approaches for promoting health and to achieve a higher level of overall societal health.

Usefulness of Real-time Measurement of Colonoscopy Withdrawal Time during Fellow Training / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Attempts to increase colonoscopy withdrawal time have been the topic of several recent publications. We assessed whether the real-time measurement of withdrawal time affected the withdrawal time and polyp detection rate. METHODS: Real-time colonoscopy withdrawal time was measured in 197 subjects in a study group and 184 subjects comprised a control group without real-time measurements. Colonoscopies were performed by four endoscopy specialists and three fellows during their first year of training. Withdrawal time, clinical features, bowel preparation, and polyp detection rates were comparatively analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences in age, gender, bowel preparation, or polyp history were found in the two groups. Withdrawal time was significantly higher in the study group than that in the control group when a fellow performed the withdrawal. However, polyp detection rate did not significantly increase in the study group, regardless of physician. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time measurement of colonoscopy withdrawal time did not increase polyp detection rate, but the withdrawal time was significantly higher when a fellow performed the withdrawal phase than when a specialist performed withdrawal. Therefore, the real-time measurement of colonoscopy withdrawal time seems to be a useful tool for fellow training.

Renoprotective and antioxidant effects of Saururus chinensis Baill in rats fed a high-fructose diet

This study investigated the preventive effect of Saururus chinensis Baill against renal damage induced by a high-fructose diet in rats. The rats (n = 30) were fed either a cornstarch-based (65%), high-fructose (65%), or high-fructose (64.5%) diet with 0.5% S. chinensis Baill extract for 10 weeks. Twenty-four hour urine collections were obtained and the animals were sacrificed after an overnight fast. Serum urea and creatinine and urine albumin were measured using colorimetric methods, and creatinine clearance was determined. In addition, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the kidney were determined. Kidney samples were also examined histologically. The fructose-fed rats showed renal dysfunction, indicated by decreased creatinine clearance, increased albumin in the urine, and increased urea and creatinine in the serum. These renal function parameters were comparable to control levels in rats that consumed S. chinensis Baill. Fructose consumption increased renal TBARS and reduced GSH and SOD activity, whereas these levels were near-normal in the rats consuming S. chinensis Baill. The kidneys of fructose-fed rats showed glomerular basement membrane thickening, mesangial matrix expansion, and tubule dilation. These pathological changes were not seen in the rats that consumed S. chinensis Baill. Therefore, S. chinensis Baill effectively alleviated fructose-induced renal damage in these rats, at least partially due to antioxidant activity.

Quercetin attenuates fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in animal models of diabetes mellitus

The objective of this study was to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of quercetin (QE) in animal models of diabetes mellitus (DM). A starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without QE (100 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) was orally administered to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats after an overnight fast. Postprandial plasma glucose levels were measured and incremental areas under the response curve were calculated. To study the effects of chronic feeding of QE, five-week-old db/db mice were fed an AIN-93G diet, a diet containing QE at 0.08%, or a diet containing acarbose at 0.03% for 7 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Plasma glucose and insulin, blood glycated hemoglobin, and maltase activity of the small intestine were measured. Oral administration of QE (100 mg/kg) or acarbose (40 mg/kg) to STZ-treated rats significantly decreased incremental plasma glucose levels 30-180 min after a single oral dose of starch and the area under the postprandial glucose response, compared with the control group. QE (0.08% of diet) or acarbose (0.03% of diet) offered to db/db mice significantly reduced both plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin compared to controls without significant influence on plasma insulin. Small intestine maltase activities were significantly reduced by consumption of QE or acarbose. Thus, QE could be effective in controlling fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels in animal models of DM.

Hypoglycemic effects of Welsh onion in an animal model of diabetes mellitus

Tight control of blood glucose is the most important strategy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Here, we investigated the beneficial effects of Welsh onion on fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia. Inhibitory activities of hot water extracts from the green stalk and white bulb, which are the edible portions of the Welsh onion, and the fibrous root extract against yeast alpha-glucosidase were measured in vitro. To study the effects of Welsh onion on postprandial hyperglycemia, a starch solution (1 g/kg) with and without Welsh onion fibrous root extract (500 mg/kg) or acarbose (50 mg/kg) was administered to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats after an overnight fast. Postprandial plasma glucose levels were measured and incremental areas under the response curve were calculated. To study the hypoglycemic effects of chronic feeding of Welsh onion, five-week-old db/db mice were fed an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing either Welsh onion fibrous root extract at 0.5% or acarbose at 0.05% for 7 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Fasting plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin were measured. Compared to the extract from the edible portions of Welsh onion, the fibrous root extract showed stronger inhibition against yeast alpha-glucosidase, with an IC50 of 239 microg/mL. Oral administration of Welsh onion fibrous root extract (500 mg/kg) and acarbose (50 mg/kg) significantly decreased incremental plasma glucose levels 30-120 min after oral ingestion of starch as well as the area under the postprandial glucose response curve, compared to the control group (P < 0.01). The plasma glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin levels of the Welsh onion group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.01), and were not significantly different from those fed acarbose. Thus, we conclude that the fibrous root of Welsh onion is effective in controlling hyperglycemia in animal models of diabetes mellitus.

Analysis of Risk Factors for Low Bone Mineral Density in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Several clinical risk factors for low bone mineral density (BMD) in the patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been suggested. However, its prevalence and pathophysiology in Korean population have not been fully studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors for low BMD in Korean IBD patient. METHODS: BMD of the lumbar spine and femur was evaluated using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 30 patients with IBD. Biochemical parameters of bone metabolism, such as serum calcium, phosphorus, osteocalcin, and deoxypyridinoline were measured. The associations between low BMD and clinical parameters such as disease duration, disease activity, drug history, body mass index (BMI), and others were evaluated retrospectively using medical records. RESULTS: Low BMD at the lumbar spine or femur was observed in 63.3% of the patients, and there was no significant difference between the patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Clinical and biochemical parameters were irrelevant to BMD. In the patients without glucocorticoid treatment prior to BMD measurement, already 50.0% of patients had low BMD. CONCLUSIONS: Low BMD is a common feature in Korean IBD patients, even those who do not use glucocorticoid. The multiple factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of low BMD. Therefore, BMD should be examined in all IBD patients, irrespective of glucocorticoid treatment.

Pregnancy Outcomes of the Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is unknown what effect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has on pregnancy in Korean patients. We aimed to determine the effect of IBD and its treatment on pregnancy outcomes using web-based survey. METHODS: A web-based survey was conducted in three Korean internet communities for IBD patients between May and September 2008. Pregnancy and birth outcomes were examined, and the influence of IBD activity and drug therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 56 pregnancies in 36 female IBD patients, live births occurred in 60.7%, miscarriages in 10.7%, and artificial abortions in 17.8%. These results were similar to those expected for pregnant women in the general Korean population. All artificial abortions occurred in unplanned pregnancies, and 80% of those cases were due to a misunderstanding of IBD and medications. IBD was aggravated in 11.1% of the patients in remission or with mild activity and in 85.7% of patients with moderate or severe activity at the time of early pregnancy. Of 57 pregnancies in the spouses of 39 male patients, live births occurred in 78.9%, miscarriages in 8.8%, and artificial abortions in 3.5%. There was no significant influence of therapeutic medications on the natural course of pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy outcomes in IBD patients appear to be similar to those of the general Korean population. A properly planned pregnancy and a comprehensive treatment course before and during pregnancy are important considerations for increasing the likelihood of a normal pregnancy in those with IBD.

Pregnancy Outcomes of the Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Korea

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is unknown what effect inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has on pregnancy in Korean patients. We aimed to determine the effect of IBD and its treatment on pregnancy outcomes using web-based survey. METHODS: A web-based survey was conducted in three Korean internet communities for IBD patients between May and September 2008. Pregnancy and birth outcomes were examined, and the influence of IBD activity and drug therapy were analyzed. RESULTS: Of 56 pregnancies in 36 female IBD patients, live births occurred in 60.7%, miscarriages in 10.7%, and artificial abortions in 17.8%. These results were similar to those expected for pregnant women in the general Korean population. All artificial abortions occurred in unplanned pregnancies, and 80% of those cases were due to a misunderstanding of IBD and medications. IBD was aggravated in 11.1% of the patients in remission or with mild activity and in 85.7% of patients with moderate or severe activity at the time of early pregnancy. Of 57 pregnancies in the spouses of 39 male patients, live births occurred in 78.9%, miscarriages in 8.8%, and artificial abortions in 3.5%. There was no significant influence of therapeutic medications on the natural course of pregnancies. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnancy outcomes in IBD patients appear to be similar to those of the general Korean population. A properly planned pregnancy and a comprehensive treatment course before and during pregnancy are important considerations for increasing the likelihood of a normal pregnancy in those with IBD.