BACKGROUND: Recently, according to many studies, variable factors have been known to be associated with physical fitness. The factors such as obesity and inactivity are associated with poor physical fitness, but regular exercise is associated with good physical fitness. In our country, these studies are not yet reported. And so, this study was designed to investigate the factors associat,ed with physical fitness. METHODS: From May 1st, until July 30th 1996, we recruited the 411 subjects who visited the Health Promotion Center at Seoul National University Hospital. Data related to sex, age, exercise, job, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption were obtained by self-administered Questionnaire. Obesity index was calculated by the percentage of standard body weight. And VO2max were obtained by submaximal bicycle ergometer test. High level exercise group was defined as the persons who had taken exercise more than 3 times a week and 20 minutes per session, and moderate exercise group was defined as the persons who had taken exercise one or two times a week and 20 minutes per session, and sedentary group was defined as the persons who had taken exercise more than 20 minutes less than one time per week. RESULTS: The subjects were 230 males(56%), total numbers were 411. The results were as follows. Compaired to women and nonexercise group, men and exercise group had high VO2max(p<0.005). The relationship between VO2max and age showed negative, and the VO2max of obese group(obesity index>_120) was greater than that of nonobese group. Any significant relationships between VO2max and job, disease were not found. In multiple regression analysis, significant relationships between VO2max and age, sex, exercise type, and obesity index were observed(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that there were significant relationships between VO2max and obesity index, exercise group.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Weight ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Physical Fitness* ; Seoul ; Smoking ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To find out the changes of the plantar pressure distribution of foot and the pathway of center of pressure (COP) in normal preschool children with age. METHOD: Thirty-eight normal children aged 1 to 6 were participated in this study. We divided into three groups according to the age. Foot contact area, pressure of the foot and pathway of COP were measured using F-scan in-shoe measuring system (Tekscan Inc.) during the gait. RESULTS: The ratio of midfoot contact width to forefoot contact width was decreased with age (p<0.05). And the relative pressure of the medial midfoot was decreased with age (p<0.05). In the analysis of COP, the ratio of anteroposterior length of COP to total contact length was significantly increased (p<0.05), and the ratio of mediolateral width of COP to forefoot contact width was tend to decrease. CONCLUSION: We can identify the characteristics and changes of the foot pressure distribution and the pathway of COP in preschool children with normal foot using F-scan system. These quantitative data of foot scan are useful for evaluating the foot pathology in preschool children during the gait.
Child ; Child, Preschool* ; Foot* ; Gait* ; Humans ; Pathology

An increasing body of evidence shows that the lipid droplet, a neutral lipid storage organelle, plays a role in lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis through its interaction with mitochondria. However, the cellular functions and molecular mechanisms of the interaction remain ambiguous. Here we present data from transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence imaging, and reconstitution assays, demonstrating that lipid droplets physically contact mitochondria in vivo and in vitro. Using a bimolecular fluorescence complementation assay in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we generated an interactomic map of protein-protein contacts of lipid droplets with mitochondria and peroxisomes. The lipid droplet proteins Erg6 and Pet10 were found to be involved in 75% of the interactions detected. Interestingly, interactions between 3 pairs of lipid metabolic enzymes were detected. Collectively, these data demonstrate that lipid droplets make physical contacts with mitochondria and peroxisomes, and reveal specific molecular interactions that suggest active participation of lipid droplets in lipid metabolism in yeast.
Animals ; Cell Line ; Genetic Complementation Test ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipids ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Mitochondria ; metabolism ; Muscle Cells ; metabolism ; Muscle, Skeletal ; cytology ; metabolism ; Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Peroxisomes ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Protein Binding ; Protein Interaction Mapping ; methods ; Rats ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transformation, Genetic

BACKGROUND: Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 are commonly used analgesics in various pain conditions. Although their actions are largely thought to be mediated by the blockade of prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis, evidences suggesting endogenous opioid peptide link in spinal antinociception of COX inhibitor have been reported. We investigated the roles of opioid receptor subtypes in the spinal antinociception of selective COX-2 inhibitor. METHODS: To examine the antinociception of a selective COX-2 inhibitor, DUP-697 was delivered through an intrathecal catheter, 10 minutes before the formalin test in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Then, the effect of intrathecal pretreatment with CTOP, naltrindole and GNTI, which are micro, delta and kappa opioid receptor antagonist, respectively, on the analgesia induced by DUP-697 was assessed. RESULTS: Intrathecal DUP-697 reduced the flinching response evoked by formalin injection during phase 1 and 2. Naltrindole and GNTI attenuated the antinociceptive effect of intrathecal DUP-697 during both phases of the formalin test. CTOP reversed the antinociception of DUP-697 during phase 2, but not during phase 1. CONCLUSIONS: Intrathecal DUP-697, a selective COX-2 inhibitor, effectively relieved inflammatory pain in rats. The delta and kappa opioid receptors are involved in the activity of COX-2 inhibitor on the facilitated state as well as acute pain at the spinal level, whereas the micro opioid receptor is related only to facilitated pain.
Acute Pain ; Aluminum Hydroxide ; Analgesia ; Analgesics ; Animals ; Carbonates ; Catheters ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Formaldehyde ; Humans ; Male ; Naltrexone ; Opioid Peptides ; Pain Measurement ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Opioid ; Receptors, Opioid, kappa ; Somatostatin ; Thiophenes

PURPOSE: Gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and low-energy extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) have been investigated as treatments for refractory erectile dysfunction (ED), but inconclusive evidence has been obtained. We investigated the effect of a next-generation electromagnetic cylinder ESWT device on an animal model of ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes mellitus (DM)-induced rats were divided into 3 groups: group 1, control; group 2, DM; and group 3, DM+ESWT. Rats were treated with ESWT 3 times a week for 2 weeks. After the treatment course, intracavernous pressure was measured and the corpus cavernosum and cavernous nerve were evaluated. RESULTS: In the DM group, all parameters predicted to be significantly lower in the ED model had statistically significantly decreased (p < 0.01). As a measurement of erectile function, intracavernous pressure was evaluated. The DM+ESWT group exhibited significantly restored erectile function compared to the DM group (p < 0.05). Moreover, ESWT treatment restored smooth muscle content, as assessed by Masson's trichrome staining (p < 0.05). Finally, corporal tissue and the dorsal nerve were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and ELISA. After ESWT treatment, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression levels were restored to levels in the DM group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Electromagnetic cylinder ESWT device resulted in increased VEGF, nNOS, and eNOS expression; reduced smooth muscle atrophy; and increased endothelial cell regeneration in a DM-associated ED model. Our data suggest that safe and effective application could be possible in future clinical studies.
Animals* ; Antigens, CD31 ; Atrophy ; Blotting, Western ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Endothelial Cells ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Genetic Therapy ; Guanosine Monophosphate ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnets ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Muscle, Smooth ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Rats ; Regeneration ; Stem Cells ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of goji (Lycium chinense Mill.) on erectile dysfunction in old-aged rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four 18-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (defined as old-aged rats) were used. Treatment groups contained eight rats each: a control group, goji extract of 150 mg/kg/day group, and goji extract of 300 mg/kg/day group. Treatment was by orogastric tube once daily for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks of treatment, testes weight, serum testosterone, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-related parameters, intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure, and histological changes were examined. RESULTS: Treatments with goji extracts increased serum testosterone level, increased the expression of endothelial NO synthase, neuronal NO synthase, and cGMP, improved the oxidative stress marker, and decreased corporal fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that goji extract may have a positive effect on erectile dysfunction via its antioxidant effects.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Arterial Pressure ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Fibrosis ; Guanosine Monophosphate ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Testis ; Testosterone

PURPOSE: Testosterone replacement therapy is an effective treatment for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) despite a few contraindications and side-effects. The aim of this study was to determine whether modified Ojayeonjonghwan (KH-204, Korean herbal formula) improved LOH. KH-204 is a strong antioxidant herbal formula. We evaluated the effect of Korean herbal prescription on androgen receptor (AR) expression in an aged rat model of LOH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen-month-old rats were used as aged LOH rat models. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups of six animals each and treated with one of the following: 1) normal control group (oral administration with distilled water, n=6), 2) KH-204 200 group (oral administration with 200 mg/kg of KH-204, n=6), and 3) KH-204 400 group (oral administration with 400 mg/kg of KH-204, n=6). After four weeks of treatment (once daily, distilled water or KH-204), serum testosterone levels, changes in testicular and epididymal weight, Western blotting analysis of AR expression and measurement of oxidative stress were examined. RESULTS: Treatment with the herbal formulation KH-204 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg (1) increased the weights of testis and epididymis; (2) increased the level of serum testosterone; (3) increased the level of superoxide dismutase and reduced the level of 8-hydroxy-20-deoxyguanosine; and (4) upregulated AR expression in testicular tissue. CONCLUSIONS: KH-204 might be an effective alternative for LOH. It improves antioxidant mechanisms and increases testicular AR expression without side-effects.
Aging* ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Epididymis ; Hypogonadism* ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Oxidative Stress ; Phytotherapy ; Prescriptions ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Androgen* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Testis ; Testosterone ; Water ; Weights and Measures

PURPOSE: Many patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia need treatment for remaining storage symptoms after surgery. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of the phytotherapeutic agent WSY-1075 on persistent detrusor overactivity (DO) after the relief of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were assigned to 3 groups: control (n=6), persistent DO (n=6), and persistent DO treated with the phytotherapeutic agent WSY-1075 (n=6). Persistent DO after relief of partial BOO was generated in the rat model, and 6 of the rats with this condition were orally administered WSY-1075. After 4 weeks of administration, cystometry was performed. Additionally, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine and superoxide dismutase were measured to evaluate oxidative stress in the bladder. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α, were analyzed, as were the M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors of the bladder. RESULTS: Significantly increased contraction pressure and a decreased contraction interval were observed in the persistent DO group after relief of BOO. Moreover, oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and M3 muscarinic receptors were significantly increased. After treatment with WSY-1075, significantly reduced DO was observed by cystometry in comparison with the persistent DO group. Additionally, significantly decreased levels of oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and M3 muscarinic receptors in the bladder were observed after treatment with WSY-1075. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with WSY-1075 improved persistent DO after the relief of BOO mediated by antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Further studies are necessary to identify the exact mechanism of the treatment effect of WSY-1075.
Animals ; Cytokines ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms ; Models, Animal ; Necrosis ; Oxidative Stress ; Phytotherapy ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Rats ; Receptors, Muscarinic ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive

Current affiliation of Su Jin Kim has been changed, but it was not reflected in the process of publishing. The publishing office and editorial office would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.