BACKGROUND: Platelet activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a number of diseases, which include atherosclerosis, coronary vascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease. There have been controversies with the influence of hormone therapy on platelet activation. The purpose of this study was to define the effect of long-term hormone therapy on platelet activation. METHODS: We recruited a total of 162 postmenopausal women aged 55 and above among wihch eighty healthy postmenopausal women had received hormone therapy for more than 5 years and the remaining eighty- two healthy postmenopausal women with no hormone therapyapy. Baseline characteristics as well as the parameters related to platelet activation were compared between the two groups using T-test. After platelet activation was defined by the reference range, multivariated logistic regression analysis was performed determining the odds ratio of hormone therapy on platelet activation. RESULTS: The MPC and PCDW were significantly lower in the HT group than the Non-HT group (P<0.001), which suggests that platelets were more activated in the HT group more than in the non-HT group. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio of the possibility of platelet activation in HT group was 19 times (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Long term hormone therapy increased platelet activation significantly, which may be a contributing factor of thromboembolism.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Menopause ; Odds Ratio ; Platelet Activation* ; Reference Values ; Thromboembolism ; Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND: The incidence of obesity is acutely increasing resulting in increased mortality rate and medical expenses among Koreans. But it is rare to find effective obesity management program, that are readily accessible by general local community residents. This study was aimed to develop and evaluate an effective and specialized obesity management program utilizing the local public health institutes. METHODS: One hundred forty nine obese adults residing in Kwangju were enrolled in a tentative, 12-week scheduled obesity management program from August 2006 to October 2006. The program constituted of weekly education and practice by specialists, and exercise for more than an hour for 5 days a week. The effectiveness of the program was evaluated according to the change of body weight, body component, blood pressure, and serum lipid concentration. After the program was completed, each participant was surveyed on the degree of satisfaction and lifestyle changes. RESULTS: Ninety participants (60.4%) completed the program to the end. The average decrement of body weight after the program was 1.9+/-1.5 kg. Eleven participants (12.2%) lost more than 5% of the initial body weight. The waist circumference and average blood pressure significantly decreased among the group who lost more than 5% of the initial body weight. The total cholesterol and triglycerides also slightly decreased among this group. Overall 87.3% of the participants were satisfied with the results of the program. The lifestyle of the participants had also changed by the program. CONCLUSION: The authors expect that establishing easily- approachable obesity management program in local public health institutes will make a great contribution to the maintenance of proper body weight and decrement of cardiovascular diseases among local community residents.
Academies and Institutes ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Obesity ; Public Health ; Specialization ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference

Susceptibilities of 5 different mice strains, including C3H/HeN, BALB/c, C57BL6, FvB and ICR, to Echinostoma hortense infection, was evaluated. The worm expulsion rate, worm size and egg production were observed from 1 to 8 weeks after infection with 30 metacercariae. C3H/HeN and ICR mice showed the highest worm maturation rates. The worm recovery rate and the number of eggs per gram (EPG) of feces was also higher in C3H/HeN and ICR mice than in BALB/c, C57BL6, and FvB mice. It is suggested that E. hortense is highly infectious to ICR and C3H/HeN mice, but not to the other strains of mice. Based on the results obtained, we believe that the susceptibility of different mouse strains to E. hortense infection is dependent on the genetic and immunologic background of mice.
Animals ; Echinostoma/*growth & development ; Echinostomiasis/genetics/*parasitology ; Feces/parasitology ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Intestines/parasitology ; Mice/*parasitology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C3H ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Parasite Egg Count

PURPOSE: The traditional belief that obesity is protective against osteoporosis has been questioned. Recent epidemiologic studies show that body fat itself may be a risk factor for osteoporosis and bone fractures. Accumulating evidence suggests that metabolic syndrome and the individual components of metabolic syndrome such as hypertension, increased triglycerides, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol are also risk factors for low bone mineral density. Using a cross sectional study design, we evaluated the associations between obesity or metabolic syndrome and bone mineral density (BMD) or vertebral fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 907 postmenopausal healthy female subjects, aged 60-79 years, were recruited from woman hospitals in Seoul, South Korea. BMD, vetebral fracture, bone markers, and body composition including body weight, body mass index (BMI), percentage body fat, and waist circumference were measured. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption, total calcium intake, and total energy intake, waist circumference was negatively related to BMD of all sites (lumbar BMD p = 0.037, all sites of femur BMD p < 0.001) whereas body weight was still positively related to BMD of all sites (p < 0.001). Percentage body fat and waist circumference were much higher in the fracture group than the non-fracture group (p = 0.0383, 0.082 respectively). Serum glucose levels were postively correlated to lumbar BMD (p = 0.016), femoral neck BMD (p = 0.0335), and femoral trochanter BMD (p = 0.0082). Serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was positively related to femoral trochanter BMD (p = 0.0366) and was lower in the control group than the fracture group (p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: In contrast to the effect favorable body weight on bone mineral density, high percentage body fat and waist circumference are related to low BMD and a vertebral fracture. Some components of metabolic syndrome were related to BMD and a vertebral fracture.
Aged ; Blood Glucose/metabolism ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; *Bone Density ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Obesity/*complications/diagnosis ; Overweight ; *Postmenopause ; Republic of Korea ; Risk Factors ; Spinal Fractures/*complications/diagnosis

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify differences in physiological.psychological.environmental.behavioral characteristics between obese and control children participating in a health camp and to identify the factors related to childhood obesity. METHODS: Two hundred eighty seven children aged 6 to 12 years were recruited from a health camp for elementary students in D city, Korea. Data collection was done on November 28 and 29, 2009. Anthropometric measurements, blood tests, and self-report surveys were conducted. Chi-square test, independent t-test, ANCOVA, and multiple logistic regression were performed using PASW statistics 18.0. RESULTS: Obese children had adverse conditions for both physiological and psychological characteristics. In terms of environmental and behavioral characteristics, high maternal BMI and more than two hours of TV watching were significantly associated with high risk of childhood obesity (OR=1.11, 95% CI=1.02-1.21; OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.23-3.41). CONCLUSION: Through a multi-factorial approach, the current study identified the differences between obese and control children participating in a health camp and risk factors of childhood obesity. These findings provide preliminary data and perspectives on intervention research for prevention and management of childhood obesity.
Aged ; Child ; Community Health Nursing ; Data Collection ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Risk Factors ; Child Health

BACKGROUND: There are growing evidences that structural and functional brain reserves may be crucial in cognitive function of late life. In old men, height as an important marker of growth and development, is related to late life cognitive decline or dementia. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of height to cognitive function in community dwelling old women. METHODS: A total of 150 community dwelling old women who can carry out daily life independently were recruited in this study. We measured height, weight and blood pressure with an automatic device and investigated medical history and behavioral habits. We obtained fasting blood samples for the glucose and lipid profile tests and measured physical performance. The Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) was used for the assessment of cognitive function. RESULTS: The acceptable cognition group (K-MMSE score > or = 24) was taller than the impaired cognition group (K-MMSE score < 24) (mean height 150.9 +/- 6.1, 148.0 +/- 5.4, respectively, P-value < 0.01). In Pearson correlation analysis, height was positively associated with K-MMSE score (r = 0.342, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that height independently related to K-MMSE score after adjustment of age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, alcohol drinking, residential district, education, gait speed (beta = 0.102, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Height was independently associated with cognitive function in community dwelling old women. For the evaluation of the relationship between height and cognition in diverse cohorts, many studies will be necessary.
Alcohol Drinking ; Blood Pressure ; Body Height ; Cognition ; Cognitive Reserve ; Cohort Studies ; Dementia ; Fasting ; Female ; Gait ; Glucose ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Linear Models ; Male ; Waist Circumference

Telomeres undergo attrition with each cell division, and telomere length is associated with age-related diseases and mortality in the elderly. Estrogen can influence the attrition of telomeres by diverse mechanisms. This is a retrospective case control study that investigated the influence of long-term hormone therapy (HT) on telomere length in postmenopausal women. We recruited 130 postmenopausal women from 55 to 69 years of age for this study, and divided them into two groups. The first group included 65 women who had been on estrogen and progesterone therapy for more than five years (HT group). The other group was composed of 65 women matched in age to the HT group who had never had HT (non- HT group). The relative ratios of telomere length of study subjects to a reference DNA from a healthy young female were measured using quantitative PCR. Plasma levels of lipid profiles, total antioxidant status (TAS), C-reactive proteins (CRP), fasting glucose levels, and estradiol levels were measured. Age at menopause, vitamin use, and exercise, alcohol, and cigarette smoking histories were also assessed in a questionnaire. Mean duration (+/- SD) of HT was 8.4 +/- 2.3 years. Prevalence of vitamin use and regular exercise were higher in the HT group than in the non-HT group (p < 0.01). Relative telomere length ratios in the HT group were significantly greater than those in the non-HT group (p < 0.01). HT was significantly correlated with the relative telomere length ratio in multivariate analysis when potential confounding variables were controlled for (p < 0.05). In conclusion, telomere lengths were longer in postmenopausal women who had a history of long-term HT than in postmenopausal women without HT. Long-term HT in postmenopausal women may alleviate telomere attrition.
Aged ; DNA Damage ; Estrogens/*administration & dosage ; Female ; *Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause ; Progesterone/*administration & dosage ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Telomere/*drug effects ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: Ferritin is known to be associated with insulin resistance (IR) and oxidative stress; however, recent studies have shown that there is an association between ferritin and anti-oxidative status. To date, the biphasic response of ferritin to oxidative stress has not been fully evaluated. Thus, we investigated the association between ferritin and IR and anti-oxidative status in obese and non-obese women. METHODS: We evaluated the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and total anti-oxidant status (TAS) in a total of 111 healthy women between the ages of 32 and 68 years. RESULTS: In all of the study subjects, ferritin levels were positively correlated with age (r = 0.38, P < 0.001), body mass index (r = 0.24, P = 0.01), TAS (r = 0.38, P < 0.001) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.20, P = 0.04). In the subgroup analysis, ferritin levels were correlated with age (r = 0.39, P < 0.001) and TAS (r = 0.43, P < 0.001) in the non-obese group and with insulin (r = 0.50, P = 0.02) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.52, P = 0.01) levels in the obese group. On stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, ferritin was found to be independently associated with TAS (B = 177.16, P < 0.0001) in the non-obese group and independently associated with HOMA-IR (B = 30.36, P = 0.01) in the obese group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest ferritin is associated with IR in obese women and with anti-oxidative status in non-obese women. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the precise role of ferritin in obesity.
Body Mass Index ; Female ; Ferritins ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Linear Models ; Obesity ; Oxidative Stress

BACKGROUND: Increased abdominal obesity is clearly associated with metabolic diseases and associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. But the mechanisms underlying these associations are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to correlate the regional body composition with pulse wave velocity in the overweight and obese women. METHODS: We investigated 104 overweight and obese participants. Regional body composition was distinguished by anthropometry, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and computed tomography (CT). For estimates of arterial stiffness, we measured brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Fasting blood glucose, lipid parameters, CRP, and free fatty acid were measured. Pearson's correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted to identify the relationship between baPWV and regional body composition. RESULTS: Average age, fasting blood sugar, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, HOMA-IR, abdominal visceral fat area measured by CT, visceral fat area/ subcutaneous fat area (VSR), and visceral fat area/midthigh muscle area (VMR) were all significantly higher in the visceral obesity group than the subcutaneous obesity group. BaPWV was positively correlated with age, blood pressure, triglyceride, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, abdominal visceral fat area measured by CT, and VSR and inversely correlated with thigh subcutaneous fat area. In multiple regression models, after adjustment for confounding factors, baPWV was independently correlated with abdominal visceral fat area measured by CT (R2=0.560, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Abdominal visceral fat area measured by CT was the only measurement positively associated with baPWV which explains the relationship of regional body composition and arterial stiffness.
Abdominal Fat* ; Absorptiometry, Photon ; Ankle ; Anthropometry ; Atherosclerosis ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Fasting ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Metabolic Diseases ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Overweight* ; Pulse Wave Analysis ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Thigh ; Triglycerides ; Vascular Stiffness* ; Waist Circumference ; Waist-Hip Ratio

BACKGROUND: Serum gamma-GT is one of the biliary enzymes with the only enzymatic activity capable of cleaving extracellular glutathione, thus originating precursor amino acids for the intracellular resynthesis of glutathione. Several population-based studies have shown a strong cross-sectional association between serum gamma-GT concentration and cardiovascular risk factors. And prospective studies showed that serum gamma-GT concentration had a prognostic impact on cardiovascular mortality. But, the mechanism by which gamma-GT is associated with cardiovascular disease is not elucidated. We hypothesized that there was an association between serum gamma-GT and ferritin, a marker of oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum gamma-GT and serum ferritin. METHODS: By reviewing the medical records of 288 healthy adults, we determined the serum levels of gamma-GT and ferritin according to age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, hs-CRP, serum ferritin, AST, ALT, uric acid and smoking history. We studied the relationship between the variables by Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple stepwise regression analysis. Mean values of serum gamma-GT according to the smoking history were compared using t-test. RESULTS: Serum gamma-GT correlated positively with serum ferritin (r=0.42; P<0.001). BMI, triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, AST and ALT also showed statistically significant correlation. Smokers showed significantly higher serum gamma-GT. Serum gamma-GT correlated with serum ferritin, ALT, current smoking and triglycerides by multiple stepwise regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Serum gamma-GT correlated positively with serum ferritin.
Adult* ; Amino Acids ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Ferritins* ; gamma-Glutamyltransferase* ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Oxidative Stress ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Triglycerides ; Uric Acid