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Background: Data from mechanistic studies suggest flavonoids may benefit glucose metabolism, but their associations with type 2 diabetes (T2D) remain unclear. This study examined the prospective associations of dietary intake of total, classes, and individual flavonoids, as well as their source foods, with T2D in the CArdioVascular disease Association Study (CAVAS). Methods: A total of 16,666 Korean men and women were enrolled at baseline, and 953 were newly diagnosed with T2D over a median follow-up of 5.96 years. Intake of flavonoids was cumulatively averaged using all food frequency questionnaires before the censoring events. A Poisson regression model was used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Women with higher total flavonoid, flavonol, isoflavone, and proanthocyanidin intake had a lower risk of T2D (fourth vs. first quartile, IRR 0.62; 95% CI 0.44–0.89; P for linearity and non-linearity < 0.05 for total flavonoids), while in men, flavanones, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, but not total flavonoids, were inversely associated with T2D risk (all P interaction for sex > 0.05). The key source foods contributing to flavonoid intake were also different between men and women, except for apples: tangerines and strawberries in men and green leafy vegetables and soy products in women. Conclusions: A higher intake of total flavonoids, particularly from vegetables, soybeans, and apples, may be associated with lower risk of T2D in women. However, flavonoids from fruits, rather than total flavonoids, may be inversely associated in men. The association between flavonoid intake and the risk of T2D may be contingent upon the dietary sources of flavonoids consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the relationship of energy and macronutrients with physical frailty in Korean older individuals who had a high proportion of energy intake from carbohydrates. Methods: This study included 954 adults aged 70 to 84 years and used baseline data from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS) collected in 2016. The relationship between energy or macronutrients and frailty was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models and multivariable nutrient density models. Results: A high carbohydrate intake was related to a higher prevalence of frailty (odds ratio [OR] = 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–3.93). In the participants who had low energy intake, replacement of 10% energy from fats with isocaloric carbohydrates was related to a higher prevalence of frailty (10%, OR = 1.59, 95% CI = 1.03–2.43). Regarding proteins, we found no evidence for a relationship between the replacement of the energy of carbohydrates or fats with isocaloric protein and the prevalence of frailty in older adults. Conclusions: This study showed that the optimal proportion of energy intake from macronutrients may be an important nutritional intervention factor for reducing the risk of frailty among people who are likely to have low energy intake. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 478–485. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In several studies, exploratory dietary patterns (DP), derived by principal component analysis, were inversely or positively associated with incident type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, findings remained study-specific, inconsistent and rarely replicated. This study aimed to investigate the associations between DPs and T2D in multiple cohorts across the world. Methods: This federated meta-analysis of individual participant data was based on 25 prospective cohort studies from 5 continents including a total of 390,664 participants with a follow-up for T2D (3.8–25.0 years). After data harmonization across cohorts we evaluated 15 previously identified T2D-related DPs for association with incident T2D estimating pooled incidence rate ratios (IRR) and confidence intervals (CI) by Piecewise Poisson regression and random-effects meta-analysis. Results: 29,386 participants developed T2D during follow-up. Five DPs, characterized by higher intake of red meat, processed meat, French fries and refined grains, were associated with higher incidence of T2D. The strongest association was observed for a DP comprising these food groups besides others (IRRpooled per 1 SD = 1.104, 95% CI 1.059–1.151). Although heterogeneity was present (I2 = 85%), IRR exceeded 1 in 18 of the 20 meta-analyzed studies. Original DPs associated with lower T2D risk were not confirmed. Instead, a healthy DP (HDP1) was associated with higher T2D risk (IRRpooled per 1 SD = 1.057, 95% CI 1.027–1.088). Conclusion: Our findings from various cohorts revealed positive associations for several DPs, characterized by higher intake of red meat, processed meat, French fries and refined grains, adding to the evidence-base that links DPs to higher T2D risk. However, no inverse DP–T2D associations were confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Maintaining optimal blood pressure (BP) levels can be an effective preventive strategy for reducing disease burden. Nut consumption may play a preventive role against hypertension, which is a lifelong condition. We aimed to prospectively examine the association between cumulative average nut consumption and the incidence of hypertension in Korean adults aged 40 years and older. Methods: A total of 10,347 participants who were free of hypertension at baseline, were included. Hypertension was defined as having a physician diagnosis and taking antihypertensive medications or having abnormal BP (systolic ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic ≥ 90 mmHg). As an exposure, cumulative average nut consumption was calculated using repeated food-frequency questionnaires (mean: 2.1). We used a modified Poisson regression model with a robust error estimator to estimate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for hypertension. Results: We identified 2047 incident cases of hypertension during 44,614 person-years of follow-up. Among both men and women, an average nut consumption of ≥ 1 serving/week (15 g/week]) was inversely associated with hypertension incidence (IRR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.58–0.96, p for trend = 0.013 for men; IRR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.59–0.88, p for trend = 0.002 for women) and these significant associations were consistently observed across the strata of potential confounders. Conclusion: An average consumption of at least one serving (15 g) per week of peanuts, almonds, and/or pine nuts may be inversely associated with the risk of hypertension among Korean adults aged 40 years and older, in a dose–response manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the dynamic characteristic of an individual's drinking behaviours, comprehensive consideration of alcohol consumption variation using repeated measures may improve insight into the nature of its association with blood pressure (BP) change. We examined the association between longitudinal alcohol consumption (trajectory and quantity) and changes in BP and pulse pressure (PP) among Korean aged ≥ 40 years living in rural areas. Totally, 1682 hypertension-free participants who completed all three health examinations (median, 5·3 years) were included. All three visits were used to determine the cumulative trajectory of and quantity of alcohol consumption and the latest two visits and the last visit were used for the recent trajectory and the most recent quantity of alcohol consumption, respectively. Changes in BP and PP from the baseline to the third visit were used as outcome. In men, ≥30 ml/d cumulative average alcohol consumption was associated with the greatest increase in systolic BP (SBP) in both baseline outcome-unadjusted (2·9 mmHg, P = 0·032) and -adjusted models (3·6 mmHg, P = 0·001), and the given association for the most recent alcohol consumption was observed in the baseline outcome-adjusted model (3·9 mmHg, P = 0·003). For PP, similar associations were observed only in the baseline outcome-adjusted model. No meaningful associations in diastolic BP in men and any BP or PP in women existed. The quantity of alcohol consumption rather than the trajectory may be significantly related to raised SBP, and a possible short-term influence of the most recent alcohol consumption may exist when baseline SBP is adjusted in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite a beneficial role of iodine and seaweed consumption against metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is high in postmenopausal women, few studies investigated such associations in a prospective study. This study aimed to investigate the association of dietary iodine and seaweed consumption with the incidence of MetS and its components in postmenopausal women. Methods: A total of 2588 postmenopausal women aged ≥ 40 years were recruited between 2005 and 2011 in the Multi-Rural Communities Cohort (MRCohort). A validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to collect dietary intake data. MetS was defined as three of five components [abdominal obesity, elevated blood pressure, glucose, triglyceride, and low-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)] and the incidence of MetS was checked every 2–4 years. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) was estimated using a modified Poisson regression model with a robust error estimator. Results: During the mean follow-up period (3.4 ± 2.1 years), MetS occurred in 481 participants. The median cumulative average iodine intake was 108.9 µg/day (interquartile range, 60.8–190.2 µg/day). In multivariable analyses, average iodine and seaweed consumption were inversely associated with MetS (IRR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.47–0.78 in the highest quartile of iodine intake, P for trend = 0.0018; IRR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.39–0.69 in the highest quartile of seaweed consumption, P for trend = 0.0004). Among MetS components, blood glucose (> 100 mg/dL), blood pressure (≥ 130/85 mmHg), and lipid profiles (triglyceride, ≥ 150 mg/dL and HDL-C, < 50 mg/dL) were significantly inversely associated with dietary iodine and seaweed consumption, but there was no clear association for waist circumference (≥ 85 cm). Conclusion: Dietary iodine and seaweed consumption may be inversely associated with MetS incidence and its individual abnormalities in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary pulmonary choriocarcinoma (PPC) is frequently fatal due to difficulties in diagnosis. Few cases of PPC are bilateral and involve exceptionally large nodules. Here, we report an unusual case of PPC involving disseminated bilateral nodules, which was misdiagnosed as tuberculosis, but successfully treated using chemotherapy. A review of 65 cases revealed six cases of bilateral disease, including the present one. Patients treated with surgery, chemotherapy, or a combination of both showed similar treatment outcomes; however, chemotherapy may be the preferred option. Despite its rarity, PPC should be included in the differential diagnosis for all lung nodules to enable early detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Although considerable attention has been paid to the potential benefits of soy protein and isoflavones for preventing metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, findings linking habitual consumption of these factors to MetS are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the association of MetS incidence with habitual intake of soy protein/isoflavones among Korean men and women aged ≥ 40 years old who did not have MetS at baseline (n = 5509; 2204 men and 3305 women). Methods: Dietary intake of soy protein/isoflavones at baseline and average consumption during follow-up were used. Results: A significant inverse association between dietary intake and incidence of MetS was found in women (incidence rate ratios, IRR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.46–0.78, P for trend = 0.0094 for the highest quintile of average soy protein intake compared with the lowest quintile; IRR = 0.57, 95% CI = 0.44–0.74, P for trend = 0.0048 for the highest quintile of average isoflavones intake compared with the lowest quintile). A tendency towards an inverse association was also found in men, although it was not significant for the highest quintile (IRR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.58–1.11, P for trend = 0.9759, comparing the lowest to the highest quintile of average soy protein intake; IRR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.53–1.01, P for trend = 0.8956, comparing the lowest to the highest quintile of average isoflavones intake). In terms of individual abnormalities, a significant inverse association was found between soy protein and isoflavones and the incidence of low–high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both men and women. Abdominal obesity and elevated blood pressure were inversely related to soy protein/isoflavones only in women, and an inverse association of elevated triglyceride appeared only in men. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that habitual intake of soy protein and isoflavones is inversely associated with the risk of MetS and its components. There is likely to be a reverse J-shaped association of average intake with MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this study was to explore the causal relationships among staff nurses' job stress factors, patient safety culture perception, and patient safety nursing activities through path analysis. Methods: The participants, 275 staff nurses with over a year of experience working at a university hospital in Seoul, completed structured questionnaires. The data were collected from January 5 to February 28, 2018. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test and Pearson correlation coefficients using the SPSS/WIN 24.0 program, and path analysis & bootstrapping using AMOS 24.0 program. Results: The path analyses of the hypothesized causal model showed a considerable explanatory power for each of the endogenous variables. About 45 percent of organizational culture was explained by work overload, lack of knowledge/skill, inadequate reward, work environment, and communication. The finding in this study confirmed the mediating effect of patient safety culture perception on the relationships between job stress factors and patient safety nursing activities. Conclusion: The proper arrangement of nursing staff, proper treatment and rewards, positive work environment, organizational culture, and smooth communication are needed to promote patient safety nursing activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to treat dysphagia in a newborn baby with cri du chat syndrome using an oral stimulation intervention and to examine its effects. The subject of this study was a baby born 2 weeks prematurely. Since birth, his oxygen saturation (SaO2) decreased while feeding, and he had difficulty with mouth feeding. Thus, an NG feeding tube was inserted, and dysphagia treatment was initiated on the sixth day after birth. A baseline phase and an intervention phase were performed using an AB design. The oral stimulation intervention was not performed in the baseline phase, as only nonnutritive sucking training using a rubber pacifier was used during the baseline phase. During the intervention phase, nonnutritive sucking training and oral stimulation intervention were simultaneously conducted. After the intervention period, daily oral milk intake and intake per feeding of the subject noticeably increased. The oxygen saturation while feeding rose over 90% on average, and the baby did not present with hypoxia. The oral stimulation intervention provided prior to feeding resulted in highly positive effects, including induced normal development of the baby, stimulation of his transition from the NG feeding tube to bottle feeding, increased oxygen saturation, and a shortened hospital stay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of this study was to (i) determine the cervical microbial composition in different abortion samples and to (ii) investigate the correlation between spontaneous abortion and cervical microbes in Korean women. Methods. We collected cervical swabs from women who had never undergone abortion (N=36), had spontaneous abortion (N=23), and had undergone induced abortion (N=88) and subjected those samples to 16S rRNA pyrosequencing. Further, factor analysis and correlation between cervical microbiota and spontaneous abortion were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. Results. In spontaneous abortion women, 16 S rRNA gene sequences showed significant increases in Atopobium vaginae, Megasphaera spp., Gardnerella vaginalis, Leptotrichia amnionii, and Sneathia sanguinegens compared to women in nonabortion group. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, A. vaginae (OD = 11.27; 95% = 1.57–81), L. amnionii (OD = 11.47; 95% = 1.22–107.94), S. sanguinegens (OD = 6.89; 95% = 1.07–44.33), and factor 1 microbes (OD = 16.4; 95% = 1.88–42.5) were strongly associated with spontaneous abortion. Conclusions. This study showed a high prevalence of L. amnionii, A. vaginae, S. sanguinegens, and factor 1 microbes in spontaneous abortion and association with spontaneous abortion in Korean women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A few epidemiological data are available assessing the associations of intakes of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to examine the associations of dietary intake of Na and K with the prevalence of ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD. We performed a cross-sectional study of 100 177 participants (46 596 men and 53 581 women) who underwent a health screening examination and completed a FFQ at the Kangbuk Samsung Hospital Total Healthcare Centers, South Korea, between 2011 and 2013. NAFLD was defined by ultrasonographic detection of fatty liver in the absence of excessive alcohol intake or other known causes of liver disease. The proportion of NAFLD was 35·6 % for men and 9·8 % for women. Increasing prevalence of NAFLD was observed with increasing Na intake. The multivariable-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) of NAFLD comparing the highest with the lowest quintile of energy-adjusted Na intake were 1·25 (95 % CI 1·18, 1·32; Ptrend<0·001) in men and 1·32 (95 % CI 1·18, 1·47; Ptrend <0·001) in women. However, when we additionally adjusted for body fat percentage, the association became attenuated; the corresponding PR of NAFLD were 1·15 (95 % CI 1·09, 1·21) in men and 1·06 (95 % CI 0·95, 1·17) in women. No inverse association was observed for energy-adjusted K intake. Our findings suggest that higher Na intake is associated with a greater prevalence of NAFLD in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults, which might be partly mediated by adiposity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effect of Panax ginseng extract, which is rich in the ginsenoside protopanaxatriol (Ginseol K-g1), on blood pressure (BP). Adults over 20 years old with a systolic BP (SBP) between 120 and 159 mm Hg or a diastolic BP (DBP) between 80 and 99 mm Hg were included. At the end of an initial 2-week washout period, the patients were divided into three groups: the control group (placebo), the low-dose Ginseol K-g1 group (100 mg), and the high-dose Ginseol K-g1 (300 mg) group. The primary end point was the difference in seated SBP (seSBP) and seated DBP (seDBP) changes between the placebo and Ginseol K-g1 groups after 8 weeks of treatment. A total of 90 subjects participated in the study (mean age; 55.2 ± 11.8 years, 43 males). At week 8, levels of seSBP and seDBP were significantly decreased from baseline in the high-dose Ginseol K-g1 group (-3.1 mm Hg and -2.3 mm Hg, respectively, p < 0.05). In contrast, there was no significant decrease in seSBP or seDBP in the control or low-dose Ginseol K-g1 groups. No significant difference of seSBP and seDBP was identified among the three treatment groups at week 8. In patients who had a seSBP ≥ 130 mm Hg or an seDBP ≥ 85 mm Hg, the high dose of Ginseol K-g1 decreased the BP compared with the control group at week 4; however, there was no significant difference at week 8. The proportions of patients who experienced adverse events were comparable among the treatment groups. In conclusion, Ginseol K-g1 has a favorable effect on BP after 4 weeks of treatment, especially at a high dose. However, the effect is not maintained over 8 weeks. (Clinical trial registration information is available at , identifier: NCT01483430.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Non-endometrioid endometrial cancer is a clinically and pathologically distinct subtype of endometrial cancer. The aim of this study was to determine whether systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy improves overall survival compared to no lymphadenectomy in non-endometrioid endometrial cancer. Material and Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records and pathological findings of 112 patients who underwent surgical staging for non-endometrioid endometrial cancer from 2000 to 2006 in Korea. Results: Systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 71 patients. Pelvic lymph node metastases were identified in 31% and 14.6% patients who underwent systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy and no lymphadenectomy, respectively. After adjusting for risk factors, there was no significant difference in overall survival (odds ratio = 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.29-1.67) between patients who did or did not undergo systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy. On multivariate analysis, patients with lymph node metastasis had higher risk of death (odds ratio = 3.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.97-10.00) than the patients with no lymph node metastasis. Conclusion: Although systematic pelvic lymphadenectomy did not affect overall survival in patients with the non-endometrioid subtype, it has the potential benefit of providing prognostic information and acting as a guide for further adjuvant treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have received considerable interest because of their ability to generate durable response in many intractable malignant solid tumors. The therapeutic results of immune checkpoint inhibitors in recurrent or advanced uterine cervical cancer, which associated with persistent infection with human papillomavirus, from several well-designed clinical trials are reported. However real-world experiences are not yet provided. In this study, we retrospectively assessed the efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab, one of the immune checkpoint inhibitors, in real-world practice among patients in Korea with recurrent or persistent cervical cancers. The results of this study show modest antitumor activity comparable to that found in previously reported clinical trials. Although in patients with favorable performance status, pembrolizumab showed effective antitumor activity. Some safety profiles should be carefully monitored during treatment. This study investigated the antitumor activity and safety of pembrolizumab in patients with recurrent cervical cancer in real-world practice. We conducted a multi-center retrospective study of patients with recurrent or persistent cervical cancer treated with pembrolizumab at sixteen institutions in Korea between January 2016 and March 2020. The primary endpoints were the objective response rate (ORR) and safety. Data were available for 117 patients. The median age was 53 years (range, 28–79). Sixty-four (54.7%) patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≥2. Forty-nine (41.9%) patients were stage ≥III at diagnosis. Eighty-eight (75.2%) patients had squamous cell carcinoma. The median number of prior chemotherapy lines was two (range, 1–6). During the median follow-up of 4.9 months (range, 0.2–35.3), the ORR was 9.4%, with three complete responses and eight partial responses. The median time to response was 2.8 months (range 1.3–13.1), and the median duration of response (DOR) was not reached. In the population of patients with favorable performance status (ECOG ≤1) (n = 53), the ORR was 18.9%, and the median DOR was 8.9 months (range, 7.3–10.4). Adverse events occurred in 55 (47.0%) patients, including eight (6.8%) patients who experienced grade ≥3 events, and two of them were suspicious treatment-related deaths. Pembrolizumab had modest antitumor activity in patients with recurrent cervical cancer comparable to that found in previously reported clinical trials. However, in patients with favorable performance status, pembrolizumab showed effective antitumor activity. Some safety profiles should be carefully monitored during treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have reported that diet's inflammatory potential is related to chronic diseases such as cancer, but its relationship with cervical cancer risk has not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and cervical cancer risk among Korean women. This study consisted of 764 cases with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)1, 2, 3, or cervical cancer, and 729 controls from six gynecologic oncology clinics in South Korea. The DII was computed using a validated semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Odds ratios and 95% CI were calculated using multinomial logistic regression. Higher DII scores were associated with higher cervical carcinogenesis risk. A significant association was observed between the DII and risk among CIN2/3 [Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.14; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) = 1.57–6.29] and cervical cancer patients (OR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.01–3.88). Among Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-positive women, a significant association was found between DII and cervical carcinoma risk with CIN2/3 (OR = 5.65; 95% CI = 1.38–23.2). Moreover, women with CIN2/3 and cervical cancer showed a significant association with proinflammatory diet in people without of physical activity (OR = 3.79; 95% CI = 1.81–7.93). These findings suggest that high intake of proinflammatory diets is associated with increased risk of cervical carcinogenesis among women with CIN2/3. Further evaluation in future studies to confirm this association is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the study In this study, we examined the effect of different fractions and components of Chaga mushroom (Inonotus Obliquus) on viability and apoptosis of colon cancer cells. Among them, one component showed the most effective growth inhibition and was identified as ergosterol peroxide by NMR analysis. We investigated the anti-proliferative and apoptosis mechanisms of ergosterol peroxide associated with its anti-cancer activities in human colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines and tested its anti-tumor effect on colitis-induced CRC developed by Azoxymethane (AOM)/Dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in a mouse model. Materials and methods We used MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays, flow cytometry assays, Western blot analysis, colony formation assays, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and AOM/DSS mouse models to study the molecular mechanism of metastatic activities in CRC cells. Results Ergosterol peroxide inhibited cell proliferation and also suppressed clonogenic colony formation in HCT116, HT-29, SW620 and DLD-1 CRC cell lines. The growth inhibition observed in these CRC cell lines was the result of apoptosis, which was confirmed by FACS analysis and Western blotting. Ergosterol peroxide inhibited the nuclear levels of β-catenin, which ultimately resulted in reduced transcription of c-Myc, cyclin D1, and CDK-8. Ergosterol peroxide administration showed a tendency to suppress tumor growth in the colon of AOM/DSS-treated mice, and quantification of the IHC staining showed a dramatic decrease in the Ki67-positive staining and an increase in the TUNEL staining of colonic epithelial cells in AOM/DSS-treated mice by ergosterol peroxide for both prevention and therapy. Conclusion Our data suggest that ergosterol peroxide suppresses the proliferation of CRC cell lines and effectively inhibits colitis-associated colon cancer in AOM/DSS-treated mice. Ergosterol peroxide down-regulated β-catenin signaling, which exerted anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in CRC cells. These properties of ergosterol peroxide advocate its use as a supplement in colon cancer chemoprevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, much attention has been paid to observational studies that have linked postprandial glycemic response with the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this study, we investigated whether the nutrient composition of dietary formula might affect the postprandial inflammation in impaired fasting glucose (IFG) subjects. Eight subjects underwent three trials in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study with a 1-week washout period. The subjects were given three formulas according to serving size: (1) high-fiber formula (FF); (2) high-monounsaturated fatty acid formula (MF); and (3) control formula (CF). The area under the curves (AUCs) for glucose decreased 0.65- and 0.54-fold in the FF and MF trials, respectively, when compared with CF. A similar pattern was observed for the postprandial insulin response. However, as observed by the phosphorylation of proteolytic degradation product IκB, the AUC for activation of nuclear transcription factor κB (NF-κB) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was significantly decreased in the FF trial, but not with MF ( P=.0114). These findings demonstrated that postprandial glucose and inflammatory responses might be regulated differently by the nutrient composition of dietary formulas in IFG subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) has been used in folk medicine to treat several disorders through its various biological functions. I. obliquus is claimed to produce general immune-potentiating and strengthening, antiinflammatory, and antitumor properties, but its effects on intestinal inflammation (ulcerative colitis) are clearly not understood. Aim of the study: To determine the effects and mode of action of an aqueous extract of I. obliquus (IOAE) on experimental colitis in mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Materials and methods: Female 5-week-C57BL/6 mice were randomized into groups differing in treatment conditions (prevention and treatment) and doses of IOAE (50 and 100mg/kg body weight). Mice were exposed to DSS (2%) in their drinking water over 7 day to induce acute intestinal inflammation. In colon tissues, we evaluated histological changes by hematoxylin and eosin staining, levels of iNOS by immuno-histochemical staining, and neutrophil influx by myeloperoxidase assay. mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN-γ was determined by RT-PCR. Results: Histological examinations indicated that IOAE suppressed edema, mucosal damage, and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. IOAE markedly attenuated DSS-induced iNOS levels and myeloperoxidase accumulation in colon tissues, demonstrating its suppressive effect on infiltration of immune cells. In addition, IOAE significantly inhibited mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines induced by DSS in colon tissues. Conclusion: Our results suggest anti-inflammatory effect of IOAE at colorectal sites due to down-regulation of the expression of inflammatory mediators. Suppression of TNF-α and iNOS together with IL-1β by IOAE denotes that it might be a useful supplement in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]