Protective effect of Lycium barbarum leaf extracts on atopic dermatitis:in vitro and in vivo studies

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease with an increasing incidence globally; therefore, there is a growing demand for natural compounds effective in treating dermatitis. In this study, the protective effects of Lycium barbarum leaves with and without chlorophyll (LLE and LLE[Ch-]) on AD were investigated in animal models of AD and HaCaT cells. Further, we investigated whether LLE and LLE(Ch-) show any differences in physiological activity.MATERIALS/METHODS: AD was induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for three weeks, while NC/Nga mice were fed LLE or LLE(Ch-) extracts for 7 weeks. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and cytokine (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-4) concentrations and the degree of DNA fragmentation in lymphocytes were examined. A histopathological examination (haematoxylin & eosin staining and blue spots of toluidine) of the dorsal skin of mice was performed. To elucidate the mechanism of action, the expression of the thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) were measured in HaCaT cells. @*RESULTS@#Serum IgE and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) levels as well as DNA fragmentation of lymphocytes were significantly decreased in AD-induced mice treated with LLE or LLE(Ch-) compared to those of the control group. The epidermal thickness of the dorsal skin and mast cell infiltration in the LLE group significantly reduced compared to that in the control group. The LLE extracts showed no cytotoxicity up to 1,000 µg/mL in HaCaT cells. LLE or LLE(Ch-)-treated group showed a reduction of TARC and MDC in TNF-α-and IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT cells. @*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggest that LLE potentially improves inflammation by reducing the expression of chemokines that inhibit T helper 2 cell migration. LLE(Ch-) showed similar effects to LLE on blood levels of IgE, TNF-α and IL-6 and protein expression in HaCat cells, but the ultimate effect of skin improvement was not statistically significant.Therefore, both LLE and LLE(Ch-) can be used as functional materials to alleviate AD, but LLE(Ch-) appears to require more research to improve inflammation.

Protective effect of chlorophyllremoved ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease / 한국영양학회지

Purpose@#This study was conducted to establish whether an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves (LLE) and an ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum leaves from which chlorophyll has been removed, denoted as LLE(Ch−), have a protective effect against hepatic fat accumulation. @*Methods@#The inhibitory effects of LLE and LLE(Ch−) on liver fat accumulation were examined in C57BL/6 mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by an methionine and choline deficient diet and in HepG2 cells with palmitic acid-induced fat accumulation. @*Results@#The plasma triglyceride, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase levels were lower in the LLE(Ch−) group, whereas the plasma ALT activity decreased significantly in the LLE group. In both the LLE and the LLE(Ch−) groups, the triglyceride and cholesterol contents in the hepatic tissue were significantly reduced. A greater inhibitory effect on tissue fat accumulation was observed in the LLE(Ch−) group than in the LLE group. In HepG2 cells, LLE and LLE(Ch−) were non-toxic up to a concentration of 1,000 µg/mL. Compared to the control group, intracellular fat accumulation in the LLE and LLE(Ch−) groups were significantly reduced at concentrations of 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. The expression of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated acetyl-CoA carboxylase in both LLE groups increased at the concentrations of 100 μg/mL and 500 μg/mL. The fatty acid synthase expression was suppressed in a concentration-dependent manner at 10 μg/mL. @*Conclusion@#The examined two ethanol extracts of LLE inhibit hepatic fat accumulation in NAFLD. This effect was more pronounced in the LLE(Ch−) group. Therefore, these 2 extracts have an anti-steatosis effect and can be used for NAFLD treatment.

Anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanol fraction of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora in RAW 264.7 cells / 한국영양학회지

Purpose@#Natural medicinal plant extracts have recently attracted attention as health beneficial foods and potential therapeutic agents for prevention of various diseases. This study was undertaken to measure the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanol-water fraction obtained from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora, a wild-growing plant in Korea. The final fraction used in this study was the H 2 O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60), which had the highest antioxidant activity, as determined in previous studies. @*Methods@#The amounts of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β production were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells exposed to SP60. Western blot was performed to measure the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB. @*Results@#SP60 exerted no cytotoxicity up to concentrations of 125 μg/mL. The levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as NO, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β, were significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells exposed to SP60. In addition, the expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, and phosphorylated p65 showed a concentration-dependent decrease subsequent to SP60 treatment. These results indicate that SP60 inhibits the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines, iNOS, and COX-2, by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB, which is responsible for the expression of inflammatory mediators. @*Conclusion@#The results presented in this study indicate that the H 2 O-EtOH (40:60) fraction (SP60) extracted from the above-ground portion of Spiraea prunifolia var. simpliciflora has

Association between vitamin D intake and bone mineral density in Koreans aged ≥ 50 years: analysis of the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey using a newly established vitamin D database

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D plays an important role in skeletal growth and maintenance and in the prevention of various diseases. We investigated the relationship between vitamin D intake and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adults aged ≥ 50 years using the 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was conducted in 1,808 subjects aged ≥ 50 years with BMD data in Korea. Dietary vitamin D levels were assessed by the 24-hour recall method. BMD was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. We investigated general characteristics and the association between these characteristics, vitamin D status, and BMD. RESULTS: Vitamin D intake was significantly lower in the osteoporosis group among women (P 2.51 µg/day (average intake of women) was higher than that of women with a vitamin D intake ≤ 2.51 µg/day (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Korean adults should increase their BMD by increasing serum 25(OH)D concentration. Furthermore, increasing vitamin D intake could improve BMD, especially in Korean women who consume less calcium than the estimated average requirement.

Antioxidant activity of ethanol extract of Lycium barbarum's leaf with removal of chlorophyll / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activities of 50%, 70%, and 100% ethanol extracts of Lycium barbarum leaf and chlorophyll removal extract. METHODS: The antioxidant activities were estimated by measuring total polyphenol content and by assays of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA fragmentation, and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities of the extracts were measured in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stressed HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The total polyphenol content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and FRAP value of the extracts increased in an ethanol concentration-dependent manner. The antioxidant activities of the chlorophyll-removal extracts were much higher than those of the chlorophyll-containing extracts. Cytotoxicity was not observed in HepG2 cells with extracts up to 1,000 µg/mL. All extracts inhibited ROS production in a concentration-dependent manner from 31.3 µg/mL and inhibited DNA damage at 250 µg/mL. The SOD and catalase activities of cell lines treated with the extracts and H2O2 were similar to those of normal cells, indicating a strong protective effect. CONCLUSION: Lycium barbarum leaf extracts had high antioxidant activities and protected H2O2-stressed HepG2 cells. Since the chlorophyll-removal extract exhibited higher antioxidant activities than the chlorophyll-containing ones and the cytoprotective effect was similar, chlorophyll removal extract of Lycium barbarum leaf could be developed as ingredients of functional food and cosmetics.

Anti-obesity and LDL-cholesterol lowering effects of silkworm hemolymph in C57BL/6N mice fed high fat diet / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Obesity, a worldwide epidemic, is associated with insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. Many strategies, including natural alternative anti-obesity agents, are used widely to prevent obesity. This study examined the effects of silkworm hemolymph on the weight control of C57BL/6N mice fed with a high-fat diet. METHODS: The mice were divided into five groups: normal group (N), high-fat diet group (HFC), high-fat diet and silkworm hemolymph (at dose of 1 mL/kg BW (HFS-1), 5 mL/kg BW (HFS-5) and 10 mL/kg (HFS-10) for 12 weeks. RESULTS: After 12 weeks treatment, the administration of silkworm hemolymph decreased the final body weight significantly along with a decrease in the weights of epididymal fat and total fat. The plasma LDL-cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the HFS-1, HFS-5, and HFS-10 groups than in the HFC group. In addition, the leptin level of the HFS groups was significantly lower than those of the HFC group without a change in the plasma insulin concentration. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the silkworm hemolymph may have the potential to prevent obesity.

Survey of Food Allergy Perception of Teachers and Operators of Child Care Facilities: Focusing on Jung-gu and Dong-gu in Daejeon

This study was conducted to investigate the status of food allergy knowledge and management of the teachers and operators of child care facilities in the Daejeon Area. Surveys of 262 teachers and 50 operators of child care facilities in Dong-gu and Jung-gu in Daejeon were conducted. The prevalence of food allergies was found to be 3.6% (102 children). The average score of teachers in the anaphylaxis knowledge survey was 0.18±0.22. Additionally, the needs for food allergy education among teachers and operators was 88.2% and 98%, respectively. The survey revealed that all child care facilities in this study provide food service menus to parents, but only 14 facilities (28%) provided alternative food to children with food allergies, and some of these 14 facilities did not provide adequate alternatives. To ensure the safety and healthy growth of children with food allergies, it is necessary to provide food allergy education to teachers and operators, as well as to establish safe food service and allergy management systems in all child care facilities.

Potassium intake of Korean adults: Based on 2007~2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary potassium intake, Na/K intake molar ratio, consumption of 18 food groups, and foods contributing to potassium intake of Korean adults as well as the relationships among quartile of potassium intake level and blood pressure, blood biochemical index. METHODS: This study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007~2010. The total number of subjects was 20,291. All analyses were conducted using a survey weighting to account for the complex survey design. RESULTS: Overall average intakes of potassium were 2,934.7, 3,070.6, 3,078.1, and 3,232.0 mg/day, and they significantly increased by year in Korean adults. The average dietary potassium intake was close to adequate intake (AI), whereas that of women was considerably lower than the AI. The Na/K intake molar ratio in males (2.89~3.23) was higher than in females (2.62~2.95). The major food groups contributing to potassium intake were vegetables, cereals, and fruits/meats. The two major foods contributing to potassium intake were polished rice and cabbage kimchi. The rankings of food source were as follows; polished rice > cabbage kimchi > potato > oriental melon > sweet potato > seaweed > radish > apple > black soybean. In 50~64 year old females, systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased (p < 0.01) and HDL-cholesterol significantly increased (p < 0.05) as potassium intake increased. Triglyceride (TG) was significantly higher in the other quartile of potassium intake level than in the first quartile (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study suggests the need for an appropriate set of dietary reference intakes according to caloric intake by sex and age groups and for development of eating patterns to increase potassium intake and decrease sodium intake.

Vitamin D intake, serum 25OHD, and bone mineral density of Korean adults: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2011) / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate dietary intake of vitamin D and the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adults using the 2011 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: Daily intake of vitamin D and ratio of subjects that consumed less vitamin D than adequate intake (AI) were estimated in 4,879 Korean adults. The relationship between daily intake of vitamin D and serum 25OHD and BMD were analyzed. RESULTS: Average daily intakes of vitamin D were 3.84 ± 0.23 µg/day for men and 2.22 ± 0.11 µg/day for women. Approximately 72~97% of men and 80~99% of women consumed less than the AI of vitamin D for Koreans. Serum 25OHD concentration increased with age, and the ratios of serum vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) were 47.8~81.1% for men and 59.4~92.8% for women. Average intake of vitamin D was higher in subjects aged < 50 yr than in those ≥ 50 yr, but lower in serum 25OHD concentration. In subjects aged < 50 yr, serum 25OHD was higher in subjects that consumed 10 µg/day of vitamin D than in those that consumed less than 5 µg/day. In female subjects aged ≥ 50 yr, average intake of vitamin D was associated with higher bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: It was found that dietary intake of vitamin D could increase serum 25OHD concentration in young adults and bone mineral density in old women. Therefore, nutrition policies for enriched foods with vitamin D and nutrition education to consume more vitamin D-rich foods are needed to ameliorate vitamin D status of the Korean population. Adequate intake for Korean population aged < 50 yr might be adjusted upwardly up to 10 µg/day.

The effect of Sargassum confusum on reduction of body fat in obese women / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to investigate the effect of Sargassum confusum extracts on the reduction of body fat for eight weeks in overweight women (BMI > or = 23 kg/m2). METHODS: Subjects were classified by double-blind randomized trial as the control group (C group, n = 14) and the Sargassum confusum extract supplementation group (SC group, n = 16), which consumed 12 tablets per day. Questionnaires related to their health status were assessed twice (week 0 and week 8). Their dietary intake status was evaluated by 24-recall method and body compositions were measured using a bioelectrical impedance analyzer. In addition, we assessed the anti-obesity effect and the occurrence possibility of health risk factors during the supplementation periods by hematological and clinical analysis of blood. RESULTS: Waist circumference and body fat (%) were significantly decreased in the SC group. Serum leptin level was also significantly decreased in the SC group. Defecation frequency was significantly increased in the SC group. The above results indicate that Sargassum confusum extract supplementation improves overweight on visceral fat and blood leptin level by increasing bowel movement. These results imply a decrease of health risk factors in overweight women. Seven subjects withdrew from the study due to adverse events; however, no differences regarding adverse events were observed between the control and treatment group. CONCLUSION: Therefore, Sargassum confusum extract is a plausible effective agent for body fat reduction in humans.

Effects of Low Glycemic Index Nutrition Education on the Blood Glucose Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study was intended to assess the effects of low glycemic index (LGI) nutrition education on dietary management and glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The subjects were 48 sex-matched patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 66.5 +/- 6.2 years, visiting a public health center. They were divided into two groups: the control group (males 10, females 14) and the educated group (males 10, females 14). The educated group was provided with a LGI nutrition education program for 7 weeks. The control group was educated only one time for general diabetic education. Anthropometric indices, knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index carbohydrates, dietary glycemic index (DGI) and glycemic load (DGL), fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c were assessed. In the educated group body weight, body mass index and systolic blood pressure (from 138.0 +/- 18.9 mmHg to 130.6 +/- 15.0 mmHg) were significantly reduced after the nutrition education (p < 0.05). The scores of knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index carbohydrates increased significantly in the educated group. Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load of the educated group decreased significantly from 103.4 +/- 67.6 to 45.4 +/- 27.1 (p < 0.001), and from 173.3 +/- 135.9 to 66.8 +/- 50.4 (p < 0.001), respectively. Also fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels of the educated group significantly decreased from 124.5 +/- 28.8 mg/dL to 96.7 +/- 21.6 mg/dL (p < 0.001) and from 7.1 +/- 1.3% to 6.4 +/- 1.2% (p < 0.05), respectively. The score of knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index significantly correlated with fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels negatively. DGI, DGL and duration of diabetes significantly correlated with HbA1c level positively. From stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, DGI, DGL and the duration of diabetes were extracted as factors influencing HbA1c level of the subjects. The results of this study suggest that low glycemic index nutrition education programs is an effective intervention measure for the glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

The Interrelations among Nutrition Education, Satisfaction with School Lunch, School Lunch Leftovers and Self-rated Mental or Physical Health: The Elementary School Children in Daejeon Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelations among current status of nutrition education, satisfaction with school lunch, school lunch leftovers and self-rated mental or physical health in order to find out the effective method of nutrition education. For this, a questionnaire survey of 623 primary school 5th and 6th-graders in Daejeon area was carried out. The eating places were classrooms (41.1%) and restaurants (58.9%). A 59.2% of students have received nutrition education and the opportunity of receiving nutrition education was more in 5th-graders than in 6th-graders (p < 0.001). The score of nutrition knowledge was 9.4 +/- 2.8 out of 15. When the score of nutrition knowledge was higher, the practical use of nutrition knowledge was higher (r = 0.134, p < 0.01); the score of school lunch leftovers were less (r = -0.116, p < 0.01); and the score of self-rated mental health was more positive (r = 0.198, p < 0.01). The practical use of nutrition knowledge was 2.9 +/- 1.1 out of 5. When the practical use of nutrition knowledge was higher, satisfaction with school lunch was higher (r = 0.105, p < 0.01); school lunch leftovers were less (r = -0.103, p < 0.01); the score of self-rated positive mental health was higher (r = 0.293, p < 0.01); and the scores of self-rated negative mental health (r = -0.119, p < 0.05) and physical health (r = -0.126, p < 0.01) were lower, thus rating their health more positively. The score of satisfaction with school lunch was 3.4 +/- 1.0 out of 5. When the satisfaction with school lunch was higher, the score of school lunch leftovers was less (r = -0.216, p < 0.01); the score of self-rated positive mental health was higher (r = 0.147, p < 0.01); and the score of self-rated negative health was lower (r = -0.121, p < 0.01). The score of school lunch leftovers was 2.9 +/- 1.4 out of 5. When the school lunch leftovers were less, self-rated positive mental health was significantly higher (r = -0.146, p < 0.01); and the scores of self-rated negative mental health (r = 0.135, p < 0.01) and physical health (r = 0.223, p < 0.01) were significantly lower, thus presenting positive health. Therefore, in order to maintain positive health condition, it is necessary to carry out nutrition education, which is able to raise the nutrition knowledge and practical use of nutrition knowledge, school lunch satisfaction and to reduce the school lunch leftovers.

Effects of the Mixture of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Pycnogenol and Evening Primrose Oil on the UV-Induced Pigmentation and Wrinkle Reductions in Human Skin

In this study, the effects of a mixture consisting of vitamin E, vitamin C, pycnogenol and evening primrose oil (mixture LGNC-5) on ultraviolet light (UV) induced pigmentation and wrinkle reductions of normal healthy volunteers were studied. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study, each of 54 subjects took daily either 4 capsules of the mixture LGNC-5 (Group ABC; 282.5 mg/capsule) or placebo (Group Ganada). We irradiated 2.5 MED UV on the upper arms and measured the whitening effect by colorimeter-based L value. The level of wrinkle reduction was determined by image analysis using skin replica around the crow' feet, and the level of serum vitamin E was determined at baseline and 12 weeks. After 12-week oral administration, the treated group showed a significant reduction in skin pigmentation and wrinkles compared with the placebo group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.000005 , respectively). Also, the level of serum vitamin E was significantly increased in the treated group after 12-week oral adminstration of the mixture compared with that in the placebo group (p = 0.0001). In conclusion, 12-week oral administration of LGNC-5 as a dietary supplement could be effective to reduce both UV induced pigmentation and skin wrinkle without side effects.

Protective Effect of Kefir Grain Against Dextran Sodium Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Rats

Probiotics have emerged as a potential treatment modality for numerous gastrointestinal disorders, including IBD. However, few probiotics have undergone appropriate preclinical screening in vivo. Kefir is considered a probiotic, benefiting the host through its effects in the intestinal tract. Despite numerous studies examining the action of probiotics on the host organism, few have analyzed the effects on intestinal environment. We assessed the protective effect of kefir for three weeks before inducing colitis with 2% dextran sodium sulfate for five days. The DSS loads were similar in all DSS treatment group. The results of the experiment are as follows. Food intake and FER of experimental groups were not significantly different each other, but water consumption tended to be higher in all DSS treatment groups as compared with the normal control. And visual inspection of feces revealed mild diarrhea in rat given 2% DSS. The anti-inflammatory activity of kefir was determined by myeloperoxidase activity during the DSS treatment, and there was no significant difference in any group. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) as a colonic lipid peroxidation were significantly lower in the kefir intake groups than in rats treated with 2% DSS alone. The DNA % in tail and tail moment values as a DNA damage level of the blood lymphocytes in kefir intake groups tended to be lower than 2% DSS treatment alone, especially tail lengths were significantly diminished. According to the colonic histopathological assay, there were a severe inflammation of lamina propria and submucosa and mild edema in mucosa and sub mucosa in DSS alone treated group. We found a slight regenerative change in kefir treatment groups. In our experiments, this means that ulcerative colitis related to oxidative injury might be prevented by kefir as a probiotic. Further studies of the potential benefits of kefir as a probiotic in inflammatory condition are encouraged.

Analysis of the Relationship between Dietary Fiber Intake & Food Habits in the Korean Adult Population: Using the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey Data and the Newly Established Dietary Fiber Database

The present study assessed the relation of dietary fiber to food habits in Korean adults aged 20 and over, using a newly established dietary fiber, as well as the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. The per capita average dietary fiber intake of Koreans was estimated to be 12.25 +/- 5.23 g/1,000 kcal. Calorie-based dietary fiber intakes for females was over the KDRI, but for males it was below the KDRI. The levels of total dietary fiber and energy corresponded with frequent snacking but calorie-based dietary fiber intake did not. The subjects who skipped meals, frequently ate out and consumed fried foods tended to have lower levels of calorie-based dietary fiber although the levels of energy and total dietary fiber corresponded with frequent eating-out and consumption of fried foods. The results of this study suggest that Koreans must make efforts to regularly have three meals a day, reduce the frequency of eating out and consume fewer fried foods in order to maintain the optimum intake levels of dietary fiber that protect against chronic diseases.

The Protective Effects of Ethanol Extract of Wild Simulated Ginseng on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Acute Hepatic Injury in Mouse

The wild simulated ginseng (WSG) has been effectively used in folk medicine as a remedy against hepatic disease, hypertension and arthritic disease. However, there is still lack of scientific proof about its antioxidant capability. The present study has been conducted to evaluate the protective role of the WSG ethanol extract in the CCl4-induced oxidative stress and resultant hepatic disfunction in ICR mice. The electron donating abilities and IC50 of WSG etnanol extract were 76.86 +/- 1.06% and 33.3 ug/mL (that of ascobic acid was 16.5 ug/mL), respectively. Total antioxidant status of WSG extract was 2.13 +/- 0.06 mmoL/mg, while the values of ascorbic acid and BHT were 3.63 +/- 0.06 and 3.12 +/- 0.02, respectively. ICR mice (aged 3weeks) were fed for 4 weeks on AIN-93M diet and had free access to food and water. The animals were divided into three groups: normal group (intraperitoneally (i.p) injected with PBS at 100 microliter/mouse), group C; CCl4-induced and without any treatment. (i.p injected only PBS, 100 microliter /mice), group G; CCl4-induced and treated with WSG (i.p injected with 5 mg WSG extract per mouse, suspended in 100 microliter phosphate buffer). After the i.p. injection of WSG or PBS (5 times for 7weeks), all mice were administered CCl4 in olive oil at the last day of the experiment, except for normal group. The normal group was administered only olive oil. Determination of plasma triglyceride, total cholersterol, fasting glucose and GPT activity was performed using automatic blood analyzer. To evaluate the protective effect against the oxidative stress, DNA fragmentation and TBARS were determined in blood leucocytes and RBC and hepatocyte, respectively. Body and organs weights and food intake did not show significant differences among the groups. Blood total cholesterol of group G was similar to that of normal group, which was the lowest in group C. The fasting blood glucose level was the highest in normal group (205.20 +/- 135.24), which were decreased in group C (134.2 +/- 79.31) and group G (126.48 +/- 77.05). TBARS values in a red blood cell and hepatic tisuue homogenate were lower in group G comparing to the group C. DNA% in tail, tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM) of blood leucoocytes showed the highest values in group C (20.11 +/- 2.47, 17.36 +/- 2.58, 94.11 +/- 12.29) and they were significantly diminished in group G (9.63 +/- 1.19, 7.04 +/- 1.50, 38.64 +/- 7.60). In conclusion, wild simulated ginseng might be a protective agent against the oxidative stress.

Analysis of Dietary Fiber Intake in the Korean Adult Population Using 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey Data and Newly Established Dietary Fiber Database

The present study estimates intake levels of dietary fiber (DF) in Korean adults aged 20 and over, using a newly established dietary fiber database for 3,149 food items, as well as 24-hour recall method data from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary fiber intake and food groups are analyzed by gender, age, and region. The average dietary fiber intake, per capita of Korea was estimated to be 12.24 g/1,000 kcal or 23.58 g/day. Caloriebased dietary fiber intake for 20-49 year-old-Korean males, 20-29 year-old females, and the adults who resided in metropolitan areas was under the Adequate Intake for DF, 12 g/1,000 kcal. Further, the dietary fiber intake after adjusting energy intake in people over 75 year-old was estimated to be 75% of AI. Vegetables, cereals and fruits were three major sources of DF for Korean, making up approximately 75% of DF. Regarding the subjects of this study, major sources of dietary fiber were Kimchi and well-polished rice, which supplied 13.98% and 9.16% of total dietary fiber intake, respectively. The result of this study could contribute to the establishment of DRIs for dietary fiber, after adjusting energy intake for Korean aged 75 years and over. The beneficial health effects of DF and the necessity of nutritional education in this area should be continuously emphasized concerning 20-29 year-old people and metropolitan adults.

Oxidative Stress of Mouse Fed with gamma -Irradiated Soybean Diet

Food irradiation has been steadily increased in many countries concomitantly with increasing international trades. Harmful contaminants naturally occurred from foods which contain high levels of unsaturated fatty acids that are easily oxidized can affect the human anti-oxidation system through the generation of free radicals. Moreover, previous studies proved that gamma-irradiation may cause production of free radicals in food. We investigated the effect of gamma-irradiated soybeans in relation to oxidative stress in mice. Oxidative index of mice was evaluated by TBARS, DNA fragmentation in various organs such as blood lymphocytes, liver and kidney. Forty male ICR mice were equally divided into 4 groups and fed control diet or gamma-irradiated diet containing 50% soybeans (5, 10, and 20 kGy, respectively )for 8 weeks. Pero-xide values of the irradiated diets were higher than that of the non-irradiated one and increased according to the storage period. There was no significant difference in weight gain as well as in TBARS value in plasma and kidney of all groups. Liver TBARS value of the group fed with irradiated diet at 20 kGy increased significantly compared with the control group (p <0.05 ). DNA oxidative damage as measured by alkaline comet assay showed that % tail DNA in the blood lymphocytes of 5 kGy and 10 kGy groups increased significantly over the control group (p <0.05 ). Also, tail moments of 5 kGy and 10 kGy groups were higher than that of the control group. Ultrastructural examination shows myeline figures and swollen mitochondria in parietal and intestinal epithelial cells of the group fed with irradiated diet. Therefore, considering unsaturated fatty acid content, consumption of soybeans gamma-irradiated with over 20 kGy or repe-atedly may decrease the body's antioxidant mechanism.

Glycemic Index Lowering Effects of Breads Supplemented with Resistant Starch, Whole Rye Grain and Fructooligosaccharide / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Low glycemic index (GI) foods have been reported to be very important in the control of blood glucose levels in diseases such as diabetes mellitus and obesity, which are becoming more prevalent in Korea. Bread consumption at breakfast and as a snack is also on the rise. To provide low GI alternatives, breads supplemented with dietary fibersfructooligosaccharide (FOS), ground whole rye, and 2 types of resistance starch (RS2 and RS4)-were developed. The GIs for these breads were evaluated with 13 healthy college students (M6, F7) and sensory tests were done. Four kinds of breads were made through the modification of a basic recipe for white bread (the control, B) as follows: for Bf, the entire amount of sugar was replaced with FOS. For Ryef, 50% of the white wheat flower was replaced with roughly ground wholerye (20 mesh: 12-20 mesh = 1 : 3) in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. For RS2f and RS4f, 20% of the white wheat flower was replaced with RS2 or RS4, in addition to replacing sugar with FOS. The overall preference score of Bf was similar to that of B, while those of Ryef, RS2f and RS4f were lower than that of B, but showed the acceptable degree of the overall preference. The glycemic indices of Ryef and RS2f were 46.1 and 45.9 respectively, which were significantly lower than the GI of B, 67.8. The GIs of Bf and RS4f were, however, 66.7 and 80.5 respectively, showing no significant difference compared to B. The glycemic loads for a 30 g serving were 9.5, 5.9, 6.2, 11.0 and 9.0 for B, Bf, Ryef, RS2f and RS4f, respectively. In conclusion, addition of RS2 or roughly ground whole rye to the dough formula significantly lowered the GI. Since the preferences shown for those two breads were acceptable, they may be recommended as a substitute for white bread for persons who need blood glucose management. More studies on the bread making process are required to improve preference and acceptance. Although GI lowering effects for F and RS4 were not found in this study, further studies are needed to verify their effects.

Oxidative Stress of Mouse Fed Irradiated Diet Containing High Unsaturated Fatty Acid

In this study, we investigated the in vivo effect by intake of the irradiated foods such as mackerel and sesame seed which are high in unsaturated fatty acid through TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive subtance) and the tissue pathological and genotoxicological test. Thirty two ICR mice are divided into four groups, one non-irradiated (control) group and three irradiated (5, 10, 20 kGy, respectively) groups. Sesame seed and pulverized mackerel in modified AIN93M diet were mixed together then divided into four identical parts. Three parts of them were irradiated by doses of 5, 10, and 20 kGy. These experimental diet were fed to each group for 4, 8 and 16 weeks. The results of the study were as follows: No significant differences in weight gain were found in each group. Peroxide value of the irradiated diet was higher than that of the non-radiated one and also increased according to the storage period. TBA values in plasma, liver, kidney and Peyer's patch were not significantly different among 4 groups. DNA% in tail, tail length (TL) and tail moment (TM) values of the blood lymphocyte in 4, 8 and 16 week groups and the liver in 16 week group were much measured over the control. DNA% in tail of kidney of 8 week group was significantly larger than the control and TL and TM of 8 week and TM of 16 week groups showed a tendency of higher values. By Peyer's patch, DNA% in tail of 8 week group, DNA% in tail and TM of 16 week groups increased significantly over the control. Ultrastructural examination shows myeline figures and swollen mitochondria in parietal cells and intestinal epithelial cells of 8 and 16 weeks groups. After this study, we need further investigations on the safety of highly consumed foods which contai high contents of unsaturated fatty acid, largely imported and which are possible to be irradiated.