Carotenoids and total phenolic contents in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea

Phytochemicals are reported to provide various biological functions leading to the promotion of health as well as the reduced risk of chronic diseases. Fat-soluble plant pigments, carotenoids, are extensively studied micronutrient phytochemicals for their potential health benefits. It is noteworthy that specific carotenoids may be responsible for different protective effects against certain diseases. In addition, each carotenoid can be obtained from different types of plant foods. Considering the fact that the phytochemical content in foods can vary according to, but not limited to, the varieties and culture conditions, it is important to establish a database of phytochemicals in locally produced plant foods. Currently, information on individual carotenoid content in plant foods commonly consumed in Korea is lacking. As the first step to support the production and consumption of sustainable local plant foods, carotenoids and total phenolic contents of plant foods commonly consumed in Korea are presented and their potential biological functions are discussed in this review.

Longitudinal Study on Trace Mineral Compositions (Selenium, Zinc, Copper, Manganese) in Korean Human Preterm Milk

We measured selenium, zinc, copper and manganese concentrations in the human milk of Korean mothers who gave birth to preterm infants, and compared these measurements with the recommended daily intakes. The samples of human milk were collected postpartum at week-1, -2, -4, -6, -8, and -12, from 67 mothers who gave birth to preterm infants (< 34 weeks, or birth weight < 1.8 kg). All samples were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The concentrations of selenium were 11.8 +/- 0.5, 11.4 +/- 0.8, 12.7 +/- 0.9, 11.4 +/- 0.8, 10.8 +/- 0.9, and 10.5 +/- 1.3 microg/L, zinc were 7.8 +/- 0.5, 9.1 +/- 0.8, 7.2 +/- 0.9, 8.0 +/- 0.8, 7.4 +/- 0.9, and 6.6 +/- 1.2 mg/L, copper were 506 +/- 23.6, 489 +/- 29.4, 384 +/- 33.6, 356 +/- 32.9, 303 +/- 35.0, and 301 +/- 48.0 microg/L and manganese were 133 +/- 4.0, 127 +/- 6.0, 125 +/- 6.0, 123 +/- 6.0, 127 +/- 6.0, and 108 +/- 9.0 microg/L at week-1, -2, -4, -6, -8, and -12, respectively. The concentrations of selenium and zinc meet the daily requirements but that of copper is low and of manganese exceeds daily requirements recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, Committee on Nutrition.

Serum Phospholipid Fatty Acids in Benign Breast Tumor and Breast Cancer

Studies on the relationship between blood fatty acids and the risk of breast cancer have not yielded definite conclusions. The role of fatty acids in the development and progression of breast cancer is unclear. We conducted a case-control study to determine serum phospholipid fatty acid composition in benign breast tumor and breast cancer. Subjects consisted of 27 benign breast tumor and 68 breast cancer patients, and 28 matched controls. The levels of fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Higher arachidonic and palmitic acids were observed in breast cancer patients as compared with control and benign breast tumor patients. The percentage of total saturated fatty acids in breast cancer was higher than in control and benign breast tumor patients. The level of stearic acid was lower in benign breast tumor and breast cancer patients. Saturation index, the ratio of stearic to oleic acid, was lower in benign breast tumor and breast cancer patients compared to the control. Moreover, stearic acid was negatively and arachidonic acid was positively correlated with the cancer stage. In conclusion, our results support that serum phospholipid compositions of specific fatty acids are associated with the risk of benign breast tumor as well as breast cancer. Further studies are necessary to investigate mechanisms linked to the breast cancer etiology.

Effects of retinoic acid isomers on apoptosis and enzymatic antioxidant system in human breast cancer cells

Retinoic acids (RAs) modulate growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in normal, pre-malignant & malignant cells. In the present study, the effects of RA isomers (all-trans RA, 13-cis RA, and 9-cis RA) on the cell signal transduction of human breast cancer cells have been studied. The relationship between RAs and an enzymatic antioxidant system was also determined. Estrogen-receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were treated with different doses of each RA isomers, all-trans RA, 13-cis RA, or 9-cis RA. Treatment of RA isomers inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells as a result of increased caspase activity in cytoplasm and cytochrome C released from mitochondria. All-trans RA was the most effective RA isomer in both cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. However, no significant effect of RA isomers was observed on the cell growth or apoptosis in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased effectively after treatment of RA in MCF-7 cells, whereas SOD activity was rarely affected. Thus, the present data suggest that all-trans RA is the most potential inducer of apoptosis and modulator of antioxidant enzymes among RA isomers in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Kale juice improves coronary artery disease risk factors in hypercholesterolemic men / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of 3-month kale (Brassica oleracea acephala) juice supplementation on coronary artery disease risk factors among hypercholesterolemic men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two men with hypercholesterolemia (> 200 mg/dL) were recruited after annual health examinations among the faculty and staff at university. The subjects consumed 150 mL of kale juice per day for a 12-week intervention period. Dietary and anthropometric assessments were performed and blood samples were collected to evaluate biochemical profiles before and after supplementation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol, and HDL- to LDL-cholesterol ratio were significantly increased by 27% (P<0.0001) and 52% (P<0.0001), respectively. The LDL-cholesterol concentration and the atherogenic index were significantly reduced by 10% (P=0.0007) and 24.2% (P<0.0001), respectively without affecting body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, or nutrient intakes after three months of supplementation. While there was no difference in the concentration of malondialdehyde, significant increase in glutathione peroxidase activity (P=0.0005) were accompanied by a significant increase in the serum selenium level (P=0.0132). It was also found that the responses of these risk factors to kale juice administration were dependent on smoking status.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Regular meals supplementation with kale juice can favorably influence serum lipid profiles and antioxidant systems, and hence contribute to reduce the risks of coronary artery disease in male subjects with hyperlipidemia.</p>

Levels of Serum Antioxidant Minerals and Enzyme Capacities of Korean Male Patients with Coronary Artery Disease / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Increased oxidative stress contributes to the progression of atherosclerosis. We measured serum antioxidant mineral concentrations, capacities of serum antioxidant enzymes and fasting lipid profile in 97 male patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 21 male controls. Nutrient intake was assessed by the semi-quantitative food frequency method. CAD patients were divided into single-vessel disease (SVD, n = 66) and multi-vessel disease (MVD, n = 31) groups on the coronary angiography. The ratio of serum LDL- to HDL-cholesterol elevated with an increasing number of diseased vessels compared to the control (control < SVD

Effects of Freeze-dried Green Vegetable Extract on Lipid Profiles and Antioxidant Status in the Rat

There has been increasing research interests that green vegetables play beneficial roles in human health. This study was performed to investigate the effects of freeze-dried green vegetable extract of Angelica keiskei Koidz (A) and Brassica oleracea acephala (B) on lipid profiles and antioxidant status in rats. Seven-weeks old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups and fed diets containing 5% A & B and 0.5% cholesterol (chol) for 8 weeks [Control Diet (C) & C + chol (CC), A & A + chol (AC), B & B + chol (BC)]. Lipid profiles and antioxidant status were determined by enzyme assay methods. The serum levels of [LDL + VLDL]-cholesterol of the rats fed vegetable extract diets A and B were significantly lower than that of group C and the ratios of HDL/[LDL + VLDL] were significantly higher in groups A and B. Addition of cholesterol in the diet, however, abolished this effect. The Brassica oleracea acephala juice lowered serum TG level even when cholesterol was added to the diet. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS) were significantly higher in groups A and B as compared to the control group and the ratios of [GSH-Px + Catalase]/total-SOD in the liver were also significantly higher in groups A and B indicating that H2O2 produced be efficiently removed. In conclusion, freeze-dried green vegetable extract diets (A and B) improved serum lipid profiles by increasing the HDL/[LDL + VLDL] ratio and exerted favorable influences on antioxidant systems by improving total antioxidant status (TAS) in serum and by significantly increasing the ratio of [GSH-Px + Catalase]/total-SOD in the liver.

Relationship between Essential Hypertension and Serum Antioxidant Minerals

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Essential hypertension has been accepted as being associated with a loss of the balance between pro- and anti-oxidations. Essential trace elements, such as Se, Mn, Cu and Zn, participate in various enzyme reactions necessary for the antioxidant defense system of cells. The object of the present study was to evaluate the serum levels of anti-oxidant minerals, which may be related to the pathophysiology of essential hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were composed of 50 normotensive controls; 25 men and 25 women (14 premenopausal, 11 postmenopausal), and 50 hypertensive patients; 16 men and 32 women (19 premenopausal, 13 postmenopausal). ICP-MS was employed to measure the mineral concentrations. RESULTS: Compared with controls, the serum Se and Zn concentrations in the essential hypertensive patients were elevated (Se 12.78+/-0.47 vs. 17.85+/-0.58 microliter/dL, p=0.0008; Zn 110.87+/-5.36 vs. 134.36+/-5.95 microliter/dL, p=0.0040), whereas those of Mn and Cu were decreased (Mn 0.49+/-0.02 vs. 0.28+/-0.03 microliter/dL, p=0.0121; Cu 127.84+/-5.07 vs. 93.88+/-2.90 microliter/dL, p<0.0001). The mean Cu/Zn ratio of the patients was higher than that of the controls (1.14+/-0.03 vs. 0.67+/-0.02, p=0.0057). In the hypertensive patients, there was a negative correlation between the Zn and Cu concentrations (correlation coefficient -0.36458, p=0.0395). CONCLUSION: The analyzed mineral concentrations were significantly different between the essential hypertensive patients and the controls. It remains to be determined whether the alterations in the serum concentrations of antioxidant minerals are responsible for the pathogenesis of essential hypertension or just a simple consequence of hypertension.

The Effects of Dietary Carbohydrate on Serum Triglyceride Concentrations in Korea

The relationship between dietary carbohydrate (CHO) and fasting triglyceride (TG) concentrations was examined in 2,689 men, 1,908 premenopausal women, and 966 postmenopausal women aged 20 - 69 years in the 1998-Korean Health and Nutrition Survey. The serum TG concentrations in fasting blood samples were measured and dietary CHO intake was assessed by using 24-hour recall method. As CHO intake increased, the TG concentrations were significantly affected (127.4 mg/dl, 132.4 mg/dl, 134.8 mg/dl, 142.6 mg/dl, 147.2 mg/dl) in postmenopausal women, while CHO intake was not significantly associated with TG concentrations in men and in premenopausal women. For the lowest to the highest quintiles of CHO, the mean TG concentrations were 120.0 mg/dl and 140.3 mg/dl in postmenopausal women with body mass index (BMI) or = 25 kg/m2. In multivariate analysis, BMI, waist hip ratio (WHR), glucose, smoking, and drinking habit were associated with serum TG concentrations in men. In premenopausal women, BMI, WHR, and glucose levels were associated with serum TG concentrations, while age, BMI, WHR, glucose levels, and CHO intake were associated with serum TG concentrations in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, CHO intake is related to serum TG concentrations in postmenopausal women in Korea.

Studies on Fatty Acid Intake Patterns, Serum Lipids and Serum Fatty Acid Compositions of High School Students in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the pattern of individual fatty acid intake and to compare serum lipid levels and total serum fatty acid composition of high school students in Seoul (total:234;male:91;female:143). In serum lipid levels, total cholesterol (Chol.), HDL -Chol. and LDL-Chol. levels of female students were significantly higher than those of male students and there was no significant difference between High Fish & Low Meat intake (HFLM) and Low Fish & High Meat intake (LFHM) groups. The average fat intake was 22 - 25 energy % of total subjects and especially, that of LFHM group was 29%, which were over the recommendation level. Although the average P/M/S ratio of dietary fat was 1.1/1.2/1.0, the average range of omega 6/omega 3 fatty acid ratio of dietary fat was found to be 17.9 - 20.7, which was far beyond the suggested range, 4 - 10. The average intake of cholesterol of total subjects was 360mg. LFHM group had more meats and beverages such as carbonated drinks and tended to have less beans, vegetables and mushrooms. In addition, LFHM group had more energy and fat intake than those of HFLM group, the P/S ratio of dietary fat (0.73) was lower than the recommended ratio. Serum C16:0 composition of LFHM group was significantly higher than that of HFLM group, and EPA and DHA composition of HFLM was significantly lower than that of LFHM. Therefore, in HFLM group, the P/S ratio of serum fatty acids was significantly higher and the omega 6/omega 3 ratio was lower. Dietary C18: 0 was negatively correlated with serum EPA and DHA composition. Individual PUFA intake was negatively correlated with serum C16:0 and sum of SFA, and positively correlated with serum C18:2omega 6 (LA), sum of omega 6 and sum of PUFA. Serum C18:1, C18:3omega 3 and C20:4omega 6 (AA) compositions were not correlated with dietary fatty acid. Only serum triglyceride (TG) levels were significantly correlated with serum fatty acid compositions. Sum of SFA, C14:0, C16:0, sum of MUFA and C18:1 compositions were positively correlated with serum TG levels, but LA, AA, sum of PUFA and P/S ratio were negatively correlated with it.

Fatty acid patterns in gastric mucosa of stomach cancer patients

omega6 and omega3 fatty acids are important cellular components and known to be involved in disease processes. However, few studies have focused on mucosa fatty acid in human gastric cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate how fatty acid patterns of mucosa are altered in gastric cancer. Fatty acids were analyzed by gas chromatography and their relative compositions (%) were determined and evaluated both in mucosa total-fatty acids and in phospholipid-fatty acids in paired cancerous and non-cancerous gastric cancer tissues (n = 18). The level of arachidonic acid (20:4omega6, AA) appeared significantly higher both in phospholipid-fatty acids (p < 0.05) and in total-fatty acids (p < 0.001) in cancerous mucosa compared to non-cancerous mucosa. The omega6/omega3 fatty acid ratio of phospholipid-fatty acids was also significantly higher in cancerous mucosa. The higher level of AA in cancerous tissue can be partially explained by the higher ratio of 20:4omega 6/20:3omega6 (desaturation index) and the lower ratio of 22:4omega6/20:4 omega6 (elongation index). The change in the relative composition of arachidonic acid may influence the production of prostaglandins and related metabolites, which regulate cell differentiation and proliferation. The findings of this study with respect to fatty acid changes, especially in terms of arachidonic acid metabolism, may be of relevance in the understanding of the roles of specific fatty acids and possibly of eicosanoids in gastric cancer.

Helicobacter pylori Infection in Korea

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacterium that was first isolated in 1982. Since then, H. pylori infection in humans has been shown to be associated with gastritis, peptic ulcer disease, gastric carcinoma, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma as well. The epidemiology, transmission, and pathogenicity of H. pylori has been a subject of intensive study. Successful treatment improves the cure rate of peptic ulcerations and treatment with antimicrobials also decreases the recurrence rate of these diseases. Better regimens having less toxicity and a good eradication rate have also been developed. A better understanding of the pathophysiologic mechanisms relating to H. pylori induced mucosal damages would result in more options for the prevention of peptic ulcers and carcinogenesis. Korea has a relatively high incidence of H. pylori infection and gastric cancer. Growing interest has developed in view of its importance in being associated with various gastroduodenal diseases. Furthermore, along with a high incidence of H. pylori-related disease in Korea, because the interaction between H. pylori, host factors and environmental factors is important in disease pathogenesis, we need to have precise data on the characteristics of H. pylori-related diseases that occur in Korea. In the present report we review the epidemiology, transmission route, diagnosis, pathogenesis, treatment methods and relationship with gastroduodenal diseases with in special references to basic and clinical data that have been published.

Obesity and Physical Activity Related to Colorectal Adenoma by Anatomic Sites in Korea / 한국역학회지

Although the etiology of colorectal adenoma is not yet clear, numerous epidemiologic studies of colorectal adenoma(precursors of cancer) have shown a positive association with obesity and an inverse association with physical activity. The difference of the possible association of colorectal adenoma with body mass index(BMI= wt(kg)/ht2(m2) and physical activity(kcal/day) according to anatomic sites and gender was investigated in this case-control study. Between July 1994 and october 1998, 345 cases of patients(male 181, female 164) with pathologically confirmed incident colorectal adenoma and 1655 control subjects(male 598, female 1,057) were collected from Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea. After colonoscopy, self-reported weight and height, together with measures of intensity and time of exercise and lifetime job activity was obtained by the interviewers. Site- and gender-specific odds ratios relative to the lowest tertile of BMI and physical activity were determined using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with subjects in the lowest terile of body mass index, multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of right colon for male and female in highest tertile were 1.49(95% CI:0.74-3.01) and 1.96(95% CI:0.93-4.15), respectively. Compared with subjects in the lowest tertile of physical activity, multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of right colon for male and female in highest tertile were 0.66(95% CI:0.35-1.26) and 0.83(95% CI:0.50-1.39), respectively. These results support a positive association between body mass index and occurrence or progression of adenoma in left colon and physical activity is associated with an elevated risk of right colon.

A Case-Control Study on dietary Factors of Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps by Sites / 한국역학회지

Colorectal adenomas are benign neoplasm in the large bowel that are thought to be precursors lesion to colorectal cancer. So, studying adenomatous polyps instead of cancer might allow one to measure the diet of relatively asymptomatic subjects closer to the time of the initial neoplastic process. Some dietary factor, or set of factors, apparently plays an impotant role in the etiology of colorectal adenomatous polyps. The difference of the possible association of colorectal adenomatous polyps with dietary risk factors by anatomic subsite and gender was investigated in this case-control study. Between July 1994 and April 1998, 314 cases of patients with pathologically confirmed incident colorectal adenomatous polyps and 88 control subjects were collected from Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, The Catholic University. After colonoscopy, infor-mation on exposure was obtained by the interviewers. Also, subjects were interviewed using the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, and average daily nutrient intakes were calculated. Site- and gender-specific odds ratio relative to the lowest tertile of intake for each nutrient were determined using unconditional logistic regression after adjusting for a number of potential confounders. In females, significant odds ratio were found for b-carotene(0.31, 95% CI, 0.10~0.95), vitamin C(0.11, 95% CI, 0.02~0.61), vitamin-E(0.11, 95% CI, 0.02~0.78) in right colon but only the odds ratio of vitamin E(0.17, 95% CI, 0.03~0.90) was statistically significant in left colon. Among food groups, the odds ratio of green yellow vegetables was significant(OR=0.21, 95% CI, 0.05~0.96) in right colon. In males, almost all the above dietary factors were statistically not significant. In males, cigarette smoking appears to be a signigicant risk factor(OR=8.86, 95% CI, 1.10~71.5) in left colon, it was statistically not signigicant(OR=1.63, 95% CI, 0.42~4.76) in the right colon. Findings fron this study show that many associations of the nutrients with colorectal adenomatous polyps risk are different by anatomic subsite and gender and support the hypothesis that high intake of antioxidant vitamins and green yellow vagetables decreases the risk of polyps.

The serum levels of retinoids, beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol of cancer patients / 대한암학회지

No abstract available.