Retraction: Gynura procumbens extract improves insulin sensitivity and suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

The editors of Nutrition Research and Practice received a letter of raising concerns regarding this paper. In response, NRP’s special committee on research ethics launched an investigation. During an investigation, authors admitted unintentionally omitting citations for an article that had been previously published in J. Clin. Biochem. Nutr. The entire article has been retracted from NRP in accordance with NRP policy and editorial decision.

A Portulaca oleracea L. extract promotes insulin secretion via a K⁺(ATP) channel dependent pathway in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate how a Portulaca oleracea L. extract (POE) stimulates insulin secretion in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells. MATERIALS/METHOD: INS-1 pancreatic β-cells were incubated in the presence of various glucose concentrations: 1.1 or 5.6, 16.7 mM glucose. The cells were treated with insulin secretagogues or insulin secretion inhibitor for insulin secretion assay using an insulin ELISA kit. In order to quantify intracellular influx of Ca2+ caused by POE treatment, the effect of POE on intracellular Ca2+ in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells was examined using Fluo-2 AM dye. RESULTS: POE at 10 to 200 µg/mL significantly increased insulin secretion dose-dependently as compared to the control. Experiments at three glucose concentrations (1.1, 5.6, and 16.7 mM) confirmed that POE significantly stimulated insulin secretion on its own as well as in a glucose-dependent manner. POE also exerted synergistic effects on insulin secretion with secretagogues, such as L-alanine, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, and especially tolbutamide, and at a depolarizing concentration of KCl. The insulin secretion caused by POE was significantly attenuated by treatment with diazoxide, an opener of the K+ ATP channel (blocking insulin secretion) and by verapamil (a Ca2+ channel blocker). The insulinotropic effect of POE was not observed under Ca2+-free conditions in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells. When the cells were preincubated with a Ca2+ fluorescent dye, Fluo-2 (acetoxymethyl ester), the cells treated with POE showed changes in fluorescence in red, green, and blue tones, indicating a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+, which closely correlated with increases in the levels of insulin secretion. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that POE stimulates insulin secretion via a K+ ATP channel-dependent pathway in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells.

Gelidium amansii extract ameliorates obesity by down-regulating adipogenic transcription factors in diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we investigated whether Gelidium amansii extract (GAE) ameliorates obesity in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: The mice were maintained on a high-fat diet (HD) for 5 weeks to generate the DIO mouse model. And then mice fed HD plus 0.5% (GAE1), 1% (GAE2) or 2% (GAE3) for 8 weeks. RESULTS: After the experimental period, GAE-supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in body weight gain and liver weight. GAE supplemented groups were significantly lower than the HD group in both epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissue mass. The plasma leptin level was significantly higher in the HD group than in GAE-supplemented groups. The leptin level of HD+GAE3 group was significantly lower than that of the HD+conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) group. In contrast, plasma adiponectin level of the HD group was significantly lower than those of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups. The expression levels of adipogenic proteins such as fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α in the GAE supplemented groups were significantly decreased than those in HD group, respectively. In addition, the expression levels of HD+GAE2 and HD+GAE3 groups are significantly decreased compared to those of HD+CLA group. On the contrary, the expression levels of hormone-sensitive lipase and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase, proteins associated with lipolysis, were significantly increased in the GAE supplemented groups compared to those in the HD group. HD+GAE3 group showed the highest level among the GAE supplemented groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that GAE supplementation stimulated the expressions of lipid metabolic factors and reduced weight gain in HD-fed C57BL/6J obese mice.

Gynura procumbens extract improves insulin sensitivity and suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate whether Gynura procumbens extract (GPE) can improve insulin sensitivity and suppress hepatic glucose production in an animal model of type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/Ksj-db/db mice were divided into 3 groups, a regular diet (control), GPE, and rosiglitazone groups (0.005 g/100 g diet) and fed for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Mice supplemented with GPE showed significantly lower blood levels of glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin than diabetic control mice. Glucose and insulin tolerance test also showed the positive effect of GPE on increasing insulin sensitivity. The homeostatic index of insulin resistance was significantly lower in mice supplemented with GPE than in the diabetic control mice. In the skeletal muscle, the expression of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase, pAkt substrate of 160 kDa, and PM-glucose transporter type 4 increased in mice supplemented with GPE when compared to that of the diabetic control mice. GPE also decreased the expression of glucose-6-phosphatase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in the liver. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that GPE might improve insulin sensitivity and inhibit gluconeogenesis in the liver.

Sargassum coreanum extract alleviates hyperglycemia and improves insulin resistance in db/db diabetic mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to examine the effect of Sargassum coreanum extract (SCE) on blood glucose concentration and insulin resistance in C57BL-KsJ-db/db mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: For 6 weeks, male C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were administrated SCE (0.5%, w/w), and rosiglitazone (0.005%, w/w). RESULTS: A supplement of the SCE for 6 weeks induced a significant reduction in blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin concentrations, and it improved hyperinsulinemia compared to the diabetic control db/db mice. The glucokinase activity in the hepatic glucose metabolism increased in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice, while phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase activities in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice were significantly lower than those in the diabetic control db/db mice. The homeostatic index of insulin resistance was lower in the SCE-supplemented db/db mice than in the diabetic control db/db mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that a supplement of the SCE lowers the blood glucose concentration by altering the hepatic glucose metabolic enzyme activities and improves insulin resistance.

Padina arborescens extract protects high glucose-induced apoptosis in pancreatic beta cells by reducing oxidative stress

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether Padina arborescens extract (PAE) protects INS-1 pancreatic beta cells against glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: Assays, including cell viability, lipid peroxidation, generation of intracellular ROS, NO production, antioxidant enzyme activity and insulin secretion, were conducted. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 proteins in INS-1 cells were evaluated by western blot analysis, and apoptosis/necrosis induced by high glucose was determined by analysis of FITC-Annexin V/PI staining. RESULTS: Treatment with high concentrations of glucose induced INS-1 cell death, but PAE at concentrations of 25, 50 or 100 microg/ml significantly increased cell viability. The treatment with PAE dose dependently reduced the lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes reduced by 30 mM glucose, while intracellular ROS levels increased under conditions of 30 mM glucose. PAE treatment improved the secretory responsiveness following stimulation with glucose. The results also demonstrated that glucotoxicity-induced apoptosis is associated with modulation of the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. When INS-1 cells were stained with Annexin V/PI, we found that PAE reduced apoptosis by glucotoxicity. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the present study indicates that PAE protects against high glucose-induced apoptosis in pancreatic beta cells by reducing oxidative stress.

A Study on Dietary Habits and Food Frequency of Young Children Who Like Sweets

The objective of this research was to assess the dietary habits, food frequency, and nutrition knowledge of young children who like sweets in the Busan area; the study was conducted using survey method with questionnaires. One hundred eighty three children, aged 8 to 9 years, were divided into two groups: the sweet preference group (SPG) and the control group, based on the subjects' scores for sweets-related dietary habits, sweets preference, and sweets frequency. For dietary habits, the score for eating more snacks than meals was significantly higher in the SPG group than the control group. The SPG group members were also more likely to skip breakfast, have irregular meals, and consume instant and fast food more frequently (p<0.001) than the control group. Nutrition knowledge scores for proper snack intake and proper dietary attitude were significantly lower in the SPG than in the control group (p<0.05). With regard to food frequency, the SPG consumed more bread, cake, chicken, ham, sausage, hamburger, and ice cream, but less fish, tofu, beans, kimchi, bean sprouts, and milk than the control group. Strong positive correlations were noted between sweets preference, sweets frequency, and sweets-related dietary habits, whereas all of them were correlated negatively with nutritional knowledge. Sweets frequency was related negatively to meal regularity, having breakfast, eating the adequate amount of meals, and recommended food frequency.

A Study on Dietary Habits and Food Frequency of Young Children Who Like Sweets

The objective of this research was to assess the dietary habits, food frequency, and nutrition knowledge of young children who like sweets in the Busan area; the study was conducted using survey method with questionnaires. One hundred eighty three children, aged 8 to 9 years, were divided into two groups: the sweet preference group (SPG) and the control group, based on the subjects' scores for sweets-related dietary habits, sweets preference, and sweets frequency. For dietary habits, the score for eating more snacks than meals was significantly higher in the SPG group than the control group. The SPG group members were also more likely to skip breakfast, have irregular meals, and consume instant and fast food more frequently (p<0.001) than the control group. Nutrition knowledge scores for proper snack intake and proper dietary attitude were significantly lower in the SPG than in the control group (p<0.05). With regard to food frequency, the SPG consumed more bread, cake, chicken, ham, sausage, hamburger, and ice cream, but less fish, tofu, beans, kimchi, bean sprouts, and milk than the control group. Strong positive correlations were noted between sweets preference, sweets frequency, and sweets-related dietary habits, whereas all of them were correlated negatively with nutritional knowledge. Sweets frequency was related negatively to meal regularity, having breakfast, eating the adequate amount of meals, and recommended food frequency.

Effects of Vitamin D and Calcium Intervention on the Improvement of Resistance in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus / 당뇨병

BACKGROUND: Recent reports suggest that the intake of vitamin D and calcium may influence insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin D and calcium intervention on the improvement of blood glucose and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). METHODS: Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C), serum 25(OH)D3, serum lipid levels, insulin secretion, and activity and dietary surveys were analyzed in type 2 DM patients both before and after a 12-week vitamin D and calcium intake intervention. RESULTS: The serum 25(OH)D3 level was found to be negatively correlated with insulin resistance and fasting blood glucose. Calcium intake level was also negatively correlated with insulin resistance. Fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, and HOMA-IR decreased significantly (P <0.05) following vitamin D and calcium intake intervention in the medical nutrition therapy (MNT) group, while there was no such change observed in the control group. Dietary calcium and vitamin D intakes were significantly (P <0.05) higher in the MNT group than in the control group. The concentrations of serum 25(OH)D3 and insulin secretion increased slightly in the MNT group following the 12-week intervention; however, these results did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that calcium and vitamin D intervention may be helpful in improving fasting blood glucose, HbA1C, serum 25(OH)D3 and HOMA-IR in patients with type 2 DM who have insufficient serum 25(OH)D3 concentrations.

Long-term Follow-up of Laparoscopic Splenectomy in Patients with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Laparoscopic splenectomy (LS) has been reserved for intractable and relapsing immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) despite medical treatment. With further experiences of LS in ITP, we investigated long term outcomes of LS, especially newly developed morbidities, and tried to find predictive factors for favorable outcomes. From August 1994 to December 2004, fifty-nine patients whose follow-up period was more than 12 months after LS were investigated. After a long-term follow-up (median 54 months, range 12.5-129 months), a complete response (CR) was found in 28 patients (47.5%), partial response in 24 (40.7%), and no response in 7 (11.9%). The relapse rate during follow-up periods was 15.2%. The rapid response group (p=0.017), in which the platelet count increased more than twice of the preoperative platelet count within 7 days after LS, relapsing after medical treatment (p=0.02), and the satisfactory group as the initial result of LS (p=0.001) were significant for predicting CR in univariate analysis, but only the initial satisfactory group was an independent predictive factor for CR in multivariate analysis (p=0.036, relative risk=6419; 95% CI, 1.171-35.190). Infections were the most frequent morbidities during the follow-up period, which were treated well without mortality. LS is a safe and effective treatment modality for ITP. Active referral to surgery might be required, considering complications and treatment results related to long-term use of steroid-based medications.

Effects of Web-Based Nutrition Counseling on Dietary Behavior and Food Intake in Hyperlipidemic Patients

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the web-based nutrition counseling on the dietary behavior and food intake of hyperlipidemic patients and to evaluate the web-based nutrition counseling program. Forty hyperlipidemic patients, twenty of them were hypercholesterolemia and the other twenty were hypertriglyceridemia, participated in the web-based nutrition counseling program. At the first nutrition counseling, the patients were interviewed and then follow-up nutrition counselings were accomplished four times during eight weeks through a web-based internet program. The web-based nutrition counseling program was consisted of diet management, nutrition education and nutritional assessment and the follow-up counseling program. The dietary behavior score increased significantly in both groups after the nutrition counseling program(p<0.01). The diet therapy knowledge score also increased significantly (p<0.01). For food frequency, vegetable (p<0.01), fruit (p<0.05) and seaweed (p<0.01) consumption increased significantly, while meat (p<0.01), egg (p<0.01), snack (p<0.01) and instant food (p<0.01) intake decreased significantly in both groups after the nutrition counseling program. The evaluation of the web-based nutrition counseling program by the patients showed above average in all domains, specially the evaluation scores of younger aged patients habituated to practice computer were better than those of older aged patients. Therefore, this study shows that the web-based nutrition counseling program is effective for improving dietary behavior and food consumption the patients. In addition, these results indicate that internet presents us with potential as a new medium for nutrition counseling in informationized society.

Disinfection State and Effective Factors of Foodservice Facilities and Utilities of Elementary Schools in Busan

The purpose of this study was to investigate disinfection state and effective factors of foodservice facilities and utilities of elementary schools in Busan area. Foodservice facilities and utilities investigated in this study were ceiling, wall, floor, trench, greasetrap, hood, pest and dumb waiter. The questionnaire which was administered to 196 dietitians was used as a survey method. The results were as follows. The washing method of foodservice facilities and utilities was mainly used by detergent washing-natural dry. The disinfection method of foodservice facilities and utilities was mainly sanitized by sodium hypochlorite. Dumb waiter and hood were sanitized by 70% ethyl alcohol and iodine. In washing and disinfection frequencies of foodservice facilities and utilities ceiling was twice/year, wall, hood and pest control facilities were once/week, floor, trench, greasetrap and dumb waiter were everyday, respectively. Floor, trench, greasetrap and dumb waiter were disinfected properly, whereas ceiling, wall, hood and pest were not disinfected properly. The washing method was related to dietitian's marital status and education. The disinfection state was related to dietitian's age and career, having of sanitation check list. The disinfection method was also affected dietitian's marital status, number of employee, duration of foodservice, number of total serving and having of sanitation check list. Therefore based on the results of this study, it should be given to the microbiological study on disinfection of facilities and utilities such as ceiling, wall, floor, trench, greasetrap, hood, pest and dumb waiter and the dietitian and employee's sanitation training also should be conducted continuously.

Laparoscopic splenectomy for immune thrombocytopenic purpura:long-term result of 40 laparoscopic splenectomies

Laparoscopic surgery has recently extended its indications and it has also become an acceptable surgical approach for splenectomy. In the last five years, we have performed 40 laparoscopic splenectomies for immune thrombocytopenic purpura. Thirty-five patients were female and 5 patients were male. The mean age was 34, varying from 17 to 56. After learning to perform laparoscopic splenectomy with five ports, we are now usually using three or four ports in a right lateral kidney position. There was no case of conversion to exploratory laparotomy. The mean hospital stay was 7 days. There was no perioperative mortality; but in 2 cases we had postoperative subphrenic abscesses which were successfully managed by catheter drainage. Since undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy, 28 patients (70%) were weaned effectively from their steroid medications. Eight patients (20%) have been on small doses of steroid, and 4 patients (10%) have been on the same doses of steroid with no response. The patient group with rapidly increasing platelet count after splenectomy showed a statistically significant relation with the complete response group (p < 0.001). Laparoscopic splenectomy is a safe and reasonable operative procedure for patients with immune thrombocytopenic purpura.