Quercetin, found abundantly in onion peel, has been known to have antioxidant and anti-obesity effects and improves endothelial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a quercetin-rich onion peel extract (OPE) on the inflammatory mediators in overweight and obese women. This study was a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty-seven healthy overweight and obese women were randomly assigned to two groups, and one group was given a soft capsuled OPE (100 mg quercetin/day, n = 18) and the other group a same capsuled placebo (n = 19) for 12 weeks. Fat mass was measured by bioimpendance method at baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were measured with colorimetric assay kits. The concentrations of leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-4 in plasma were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Baseline characteristics of anthropometric indicators and blood metabolic profiles were not significantly different between placebo and OPE groups. Compared with baseline value, both placebo and OPE supplementation significantly decreased the percent of body fat mass and induced plasma adiponectin levels while ALT and AST activities as well as leptin, visfatin, TNF-α, and IL-4 levels in plasma were not significantly different between two groups after 12 weeks of the supplementation. These findings suggest that 12-week supplementation of OPE do not affect modulators of systemic inflammation in overweight and obese women.
Adiponectin ; Adipose Tissue ; Alanine Transaminase ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukins ; Leptin ; Metabolome ; Methods ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase ; Obesity ; Onions* ; Overweight* ; Plasma ; Quercetin ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: The levels of erythrocyte polyunsaturated fatty acids (FAs) may be associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer. Thus, we investigated the association between erythrocyte n−3 and n−6 FA composition, body mass index (BMI), and biochemical profiles. METHODS: The body composition, dietary intake, and blood parameters, including serum lipid, glucose, insulin, adipokines, oxidative stress, and erythrocyte FA, were assessed in 66 overweight and obese women (average age, 43.4 years). We also classified the participants into the overweight, obese, and morbidly obese (MO) groups based on the BMI values of 23, 25, and 30 kg/m₂, respectively. Erythrocyte FA was measured via gas chromatography. RESULTS: The serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of the participants in the overweight, obese, and MO groups were not significantly different. However, the serum insulin, high-density lipoprotein, cholesterol and leptin levels were significantly different. The erythrocyte n−6/n−3 ratios of the overweight, obese, and MO groups were 2.4, 2.5, and 2.8, respectively. These data were consistent with the dietary n−6/n−3 ratio findings. Moreover, the erythrocyte n−6/n−3 ratio was correlated with serum insulin levels. CONCLUSIONS: As the severity of obesity increased, the levels of insulin and leptin and the ratio of dietary n−6/n−3 increased, which was consistent with erythrocyte FA. These results indicate that erythrocyte FA may be a predictive biomarker for the increased prevalence of obesity, insulin resistance, leptin resistance, and risk of developing metabolic disorders.
Adipokines ; Blood Glucose ; Body Composition ; Cholesterol ; Chromatography, Gas ; Erythrocyte Membrane* ; Erythrocytes* ; Fatty Acids ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated* ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Leptin ; Lipoproteins ; Obesity ; Overweight* ; Oxidative Stress ; Prevalence ; Triglycerides

PURPOSE: To compare the changes in activities of daily living (ADLs) in older adults with stroke in different modalities of long term care (LTC) services, which include home care and institutional care. METHODS: This is a comparative study using secondary data from the Korean national LTC insurance. Home care (HC) services users (n=3,494) and institutional care (IC) users (n=1,428) were extracted and compared in terms of ADLs and changes in ADLs to investigate the effects of HC and IC services in LTC. RESULTS: All of the ADLs and LTC services benefit levels for 2 years had improved in both HC and IC services. The ADLs of older adults with stroke who received HC improved, while those who received IC experienced deterioration. The LTC services benefit levels of the HC and IC groups were significantly different after 2 years. CONCLUSION: The study has found that HC services may lead ADLs better for older adults with stroke. We recommend LTC policy makers to further develop HC and IC service programs to deliver quality LTC services.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Administrative Personnel ; Adult* ; Home Care Services* ; Humans ; Insurance ; Long-Term Care ; Stroke*

BACKGROUND: Quercetin, found abundantly in onion peel, has been known to have anticholesterol, antithrombotic and insulin-sensitizing properties. Here, we investigated the effect of quercetin-rich onion peel extract (OPE) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidative defense in obese woman. METHODS: This study was randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Thirty-seven healthy obese participants were randomly assigned that eighteen subjects received red soft capsuled OPE (100 mg/d, 50 mg bis in die), while the other nineteen subjects received same capsuled placebo for 12 weeks. ROS production and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in plasma were determined by using ROS and SOD assay kits, respectively. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics of anthropometric indicators and blood metabolic profiles were not significantly different between the two groups. Compared with baseline values, OPE consumption significantly reduced waist and hip circumference. Plasma ROS level and SOD activity were decreased in both placebo and OPE groups compared with baseline values. However, plasma ROS level in OPE group was significantly lower than in placebo group while plasma SOD activity in OPE group was significantly higher than in placebo group after 12 weeks of consumption. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that OPE consumption may exert antioxidative effect by preventing the decrease of SOD activity as well as the production of ROS in obese women.
Female ; Hip ; Humans ; Metabolome ; Onions* ; Plasma ; Quercetin ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare predictions and measurements of the resting energy expenditure (REE) of overweight and obese adult women in Korea. METHODS: The subjects included 65 overweight or obese adult women ranging in age from 20~60 with a recorded body mass index (BMI) of 23 or higher. Their height, weight, waist-hip ratio, and blood pressure were measured. The investigator also measured their body fat, body fat percentage, and body composition of total weight without fat using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and measured resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry. Measured resting energy expenditures were compared with predictions from six methods: Harris-Benedict, Mifflin, Owen, WHO-WH, Henry-WH, and KDRI. RESULTS: Harris-Benedict predictions showed the smallest differences from measured resting energy expenditure at an accurate prediction rate of 70%. The study analyzed regression between measured resting energy expenditure and body measurements including height, weight and age. The formula proposed by this research is as follows: Proposed REE equation for overweight and obese Korean women = 721 − (1.5 × age) + (0.4 × height) + (9.9 × weight). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that age is a significant variable when predicting resting energy expenditure in overweight and obese women. Therefore, prediction of resting energy expenditure should consider age when determining energy requirements in overweight and obese women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Calorimetry, Indirect ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Overweight ; Research Personnel ; Waist-Hip Ratio

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare predictions and measurements of the resting energy expenditure (REE) of overweight and obese adult women in Korea. METHODS: The subjects included 65 overweight or obese adult women ranging in age from 20~60 with a recorded body mass index (BMI) of 23 or higher. Their height, weight, waist-hip ratio, and blood pressure were measured. The investigator also measured their body fat, body fat percentage, and body composition of total weight without fat using Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and measured resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry. Measured resting energy expenditures were compared with predictions from six methods: Harris-Benedict, Mifflin, Owen, WHO-WH, Henry-WH, and KDRI. RESULTS: Harris-Benedict predictions showed the smallest differences from measured resting energy expenditure at an accurate prediction rate of 70%. The study analyzed regression between measured resting energy expenditure and body measurements including height, weight and age. The formula proposed by this research is as follows: Proposed REE equation for overweight and obese Korean women = 721 − (1.5 × age) + (0.4 × height) + (9.9 × weight). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that age is a significant variable when predicting resting energy expenditure in overweight and obese women. Therefore, prediction of resting energy expenditure should consider age when determining energy requirements in overweight and obese women.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Calorimetry, Indirect ; Energy Metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Overweight ; Research Personnel ; Waist-Hip Ratio

Background: Iris Koreana NAKAI (IKN) is a flowering perennial plant that belongs to the Iridaceae family. In this study, we aimed to demonstrate the effects of IKN on osteoclast differentiation in vitro and in vivo. We also sought to verify the molecular mechanisms underlying its anti-osteoclastogenic effects. Methods: Osteoclasts were formed by culturing mouse bone marrow macrophage (BMM) cells with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Bone resorption assays were performed on dentin slices. mRNA expression levels were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Western blotting was performed to detect protein expression or activation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclast formation was performed using a mouse calvarial model. Results: In BMM cultures, an ethanol extract of the root part of IKN suppressed RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorptive activity. In contrast, an ethanol extract of the aerial parts of IKN had a minor effect on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation. Mechanistically, the root part of IKN suppressed RANKL-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, effectively abrogating the induction of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) expression. IKN administration decreased LPS-induced osteoclast formation in a calvarial osteolysis model in vivo. Conclusions Our study suggested that the ethanol extract of the root part of IKN suppressed osteoclast differentiation and function partly by downregulating the p38 MAPK/c-Fos/NFATc1 signaling pathways. Thus, the root part

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease characterized by prominent eosinophilic tissue infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we report a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in an 18-year-old patient with prolonged nephrotic syndrome who presented with abdominal pain and peripheral hypereosinophilia. During the previous 2 years, he had visited local Emergency Department several times because of epigastric pain and nausea. He had been treated with steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome since 3 years of age. Tests ruled out allergic and parasitic disease etiologies. Gastroduodenoscopy with biopsy revealed marked eosinophilic infiltration in the duodenum. Renal biopsy findings indicated minimal change disease spectrum without eosinophilic infiltration. The oral deflazacort dosage was increased, and the patient was discharged after abdominal pain resolved. To our knowledge, this is the first report of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in a patient with minimal change disease.
Abdominal Pain ; Adolescent* ; Biopsy ; Duodenum ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Eosinophilia ; Eosinophils* ; Gastroenteritis* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Male* ; Nausea ; Nephrosis, Lipoid ; Nephrotic Syndrome* ; Parasitic Diseases ; Rare Diseases

This study aimed to determine meal-related factors affecting nutritional status, dietary intake, and body composition of children with cerebral palsy (CP). This study was conducted on 16 children with and 16 children without CP, aged 4 to 12 years, through a survey on general characteristics, body composition, eating habits, and nutrient intake. In the case of children with CP, comparisons were made according to classification into types of paralysis (hemiplegia, paraplegia, and quadriplegia). With respect to stature, the percentile of those surveyed was within normal range; however, children with CP were in a significantly lower percentile (p < 0.05) than healthy children. Regarding problems of dietary life, while usually brain-damaged children with CP have an overeating problem, seriously brain-damaged children with CP cannot have a meal by themselves; this was significantly different among the groups (p < 0.01). Regarding average intake of vitamin D and calcium, children with and without CP had a lower intake than required, with no significant difference between the groups. The evaluation of the nutrient status of children with and children without CP showed that children with CP were slow in stature development, and intake of vitamin D and calcium were less than required; therefore, it is necessary to provide education on adequate intake of nutrients. Since CP leads to frequent external intervention to having meals, it is required of parents and teachers to undergo training on adequate eating habits and attitudes.
Body Composition* ; Calcium ; Cerebral Palsy* ; Child* ; Classification ; Diet ; Eating ; Education ; Food Habits* ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Meals ; Nutritional Status ; Paralysis ; Paraplegia ; Parents ; Reference Values ; Vitamin D

Caloric restriction is recognized as one of the best treatment options for obesity, and is associated with changes in body composition. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of age in caloric restriction in overweight and obese women. In this caloric restriction study, nutrient intake of 61 women was evaluated using food records written by subjects for three days. Body composition and metabolic risk factors were assessed before and after caloric restriction. Blood levels of lipids, glucose, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. Visceral fat and subcutaneous fat were evaluated using bioimpedance analysis. General linear models (GLM) identified the independent effects of age after co-varying baseline weight and difference of energy intake. Weight, fat mass, visceral fat, subcutaneous fat, and blood pressure showed a significant decrease by caloric restriction of 452 kcal/day. The percent changes in weight, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat were -4.5%, -12.0%, and -8.2%, respectively, after caloric restriction. The percent changes of weight, visceral fat, and subcutaneous fat showed an independent association with age co-varying baseline weight and difference of energy intake. Decreased change in percent of leptin by caloric restriction also showed an association with age. Changes in body composition and leptin by caloric restriction showed an independent association with age. This may indicate greater difficulty in achievement of change of body composition as well as greater obesity-related metabolic risk with aging. Therefore, caloric restriction considering age should be recommended for effective dietary treatment in overweight or obese women.
Achievement ; Adiponectin ; Aging ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition* ; Caloric Restriction* ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leptin ; Linear Models ; Obesity ; Overweight* ; Risk Factors ; Subcutaneous Fat