Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet / 한국실험동물학회지

Yerba Mate, derived from the leaves of the tree, Ilex paraguariensis, is widely-used as a tea or as an ingredient in formulated foods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Yerba Mate extract on weight loss, obesity-related biochemical parameters, and diabetes in high-fat diet-fed mice. To this end, by using in vivo animal models of dietary-induced obesity, we have made the interesting observations that Yerba Mate has the ability to decrease the differentiation of pre-adipocytes and to reduce the accumulation of lipids in adipocytes, both of which contribute to a lower growth rate of adipose tissue, lower body weight gain, and obesity. Our data from in vivo studies revealed that Yerba Mate treatment affects food intake, resulting in higher energy expenditure, likely as a result of higher basal metabolism in Yerba Mate-treated mice. Furthermore, in vivo effects of Yerba Mate on lipid metabolism included reductions in serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, and glucose concentrations in mice that were fed a high fat diet. In conclusion, Yerba Mate can potentially be used to treat obesity and diabetes.

The Results of Nation-Wide Registry of Age-related Macular Degeneration in Korea

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence and clinical features of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Korea. METHODS: Web-based (www.armd-nova.or.kr) registration was conducted for AMD patients aged 50 or more who were newly diagnosed by retinal specialists in Korea from August 20, 2005 to August 20, 2006. Patient data including ophthalmologic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiogram and/or indocyanin green angiogram (ICG), past medical history, behavioral habit, combined systemic diseases were up-loaded. RESULTS: Among finally enrolled 1,141 newly diagnosed AMD patients, 690 patients (60.5%) were male and 451 patients (39.5%) were female. The average age of AMD patients was 69.7+/-8.0. Early AMD was observed in 190 patients and 951 patients had late AMD. Classic choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) was observed in 18.6% of exudative AMD patients and 63.4 % had occult CNVM. Subfoveal CNVM was observed in 80.4% of the patients with CNVM. Among the 580 exudative AMD eyes that performed indocyanin green angiography (ICG), 184 eyes (31.7%) had polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) and 36 eyes (6.2%) showed retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP). Age, male gender, smoking, diabetes and hypertension significantly increased the risk of the AMD among Koreans. CONCLUSIONS: Because of the low rate of participation by retinal specialists, definite incidence of AMD was not obtainable. However, the estimated 1-year AMD incidence in the Pusan area of Korea is at least 0.4%. In contrast to Western people, 31.7% of exudative AMD cases were revealed to be PCV and 6.2% were revealed to be RAP. This discrepancy between ethnic groups should be considered in the diagnosis and treatment modality selection of Korean AMD patients.

Neovascular Glaucoma with Diabetic Retinopathy: Trabeculectomy and Nd:YAG Cyclophotocoagulation

PURPOSE: We carried out to determine the effectiveness of trabeculectomy and neodymium:YAG (Nd: YAG) cyclophotocoagulation in eyes with neovascular glaucoma from diabetic retinopathy. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who had undergone trabeculectomy or Nd:YAG cyclophotocoagulation from May 1992 to August 1997. RESULTS: The average drop in IOP was 24.6 mmHg in the trabeculectomy group and 17.3 mmHg in the transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group. Success rate was 69.2% in the trabeculectomy group and 21.4% in the transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group. Most common postoperative complication was hyphema (38.4%) in the trabeculectomy group and phthisis bulbi (21.4%) in the transscleral cyclophotocoagulation group. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy had higher success rate and less serious complications than transscleral cyclophotocoagulation. Transcleral cyclophotocoagulation may be considered as a treatment of neovascular glaucoma in the patients who have severe pain or poor general condition.

Clinical Evaluation of Pneumatic Retinopexy

Result and complications were evaluated in 28 eyes of 28 patients who had undergone pneumatic retinopexy for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment from December 1994 to May 1995 and were followed for at least 4 months. Twenty four eyes were phakic, one eye aphakic and three eyes pseudophakic. 0.3mlof perfluoropropane(4 eyes)or 0.45ml of sulfur hexafluoride(24 eyes)was injected. Mean follow-up time was 33.3 months. Perioperative complications included subconjunctival gas in 2 eyes, subretinal gas in 1 eye and delayed absorption of subretinal fluid in 5 eyes. Retinal reattachment was obtained in 22 eyes(79%) and final reattachment rate was 100% with an additional procedure of scleral buckle(4 eyes)or pars plana vitrectomy(2 eyes). Final visual acuity improved in 25 eyes(89%), and decreased in 2 eyes. Postoperatively following complications were noted;mild proliferative vitreoretinopathy(3 eyes), epiretinal membrane(1 eye), central retinal artery occlusion(1 eye), nucleosclerosis(4 eyes)and cataract operation(2 eyes). This result suggests that pneumatic retinopexy could be a good method for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Clinical Evaluation of the Pediatric Ocular Trauma

A retrospective survey was conducted on all children with eye injuries who were admitted to Chonnam National University Hospital from January 1993 to December 1998 to determine demographic, etiologic, and risk factors and to identify trend and preventable causes. Of the 147 children, 116 children(78.9%)were boys and 31 children(21.1%)were girls. The types of injury were categorized into six groups. Several of the patients sustained more than one type of injury;therefore, the total number of injuries(186)is greater than the total number of patients(147). The non-perforating anterior injury was the most frequent type of injury encountered(83 eyes;44.6%). The majority of these patients was diagnosed as hyphema. Penetrating anterior globe injury occurred in 55 children(29.6%). Stick or branch was the most common cause of all injuries, occurring in 20 children(13.6%). Other causes of pediatric ocular trauma were sports-related, BB pellet, fist, traffic accidents, glasses, toy, boomerang etc.Of the 68 children diagnosed as hyphema, 14 children(20.6%)were resulted from sports-related injuries. Of the 52 children of anterior perforating eye injuries, 9 children(17.3%) were resulted from branches or sticks.Of the 147 children admitted for ocular trauma, 87 children(59.2%)required surgical treatment. Primary repair of corneal perforation was the most common operation(17 children;19.5%). The preventable causes of pediatric ocular injuries are sports, toy such as BB pellet and broken glasses, but the most important factors are the control of dangerous play and the adequate adult supervision.