Recently, obesity (BMI > or =25 kg/m2) and type II diabetes mellitus have reached epidemic proportions in Korea, and rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are between 10% and 25% of the general population. NAFLD in Korea is as closely associated with several components of metabolic syndrome including, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia as it is in Western countries. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may play a role in the pathogenesis of fatty liver in patients with normal body weight as well as in patients with obesity. And, obesity induced accumulation of fat in the adipose tissue leads to an imbalance in the regulation of adipokines, such as downregulation of adiponectin and upregulation of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and ghrelin. High BMI, the AST/ALT ratio, and ALT levels could be used to distinguish NASH from simple steatosis in Korean patients. In large number of NAFLD patients who underwent a voluntary medical checkup, even a small weight reduction was associated with improvements in their hepatic steatosis grade on ultrasonography, serum aminotransferase levels, and related metabolic abnormalities. Subjects with fatty liver disease should be advised to lose weight through lifestyle modifications. Small animal and human studies of treatment with PPAR agonists and betaine have been reported in the Korean literature. It is now acknowledged that NAFLD is the most common liver disease in Korea, largely due to the considerable increase in metabolic abnormalities such as obesity and diabetes. Future studies should continue to focus both on the pathogenesis and the treatment of NAFLD in order to accumulate more of our own data.
*Fatty Liver/complications/physiopathology/therapy ; Humans ; Korea ; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications ; Risk Factors

Recently, obesity (BMI > or =25 kg/m2) and type II diabetes mellitus have reached epidemic proportions in Korea, and rates of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are between 10% and 25% of the general population. NAFLD in Korea is as closely associated with several components of metabolic syndrome including, obesity, hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia as it is in Western countries. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia may play a role in the pathogenesis of fatty liver in patients with normal body weight as well as in patients with obesity. And, obesity induced accumulation of fat in the adipose tissue leads to an imbalance in the regulation of adipokines, such as downregulation of adiponectin and upregulation of retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and ghrelin. High BMI, the AST/ALT ratio, and ALT levels could be used to distinguish NASH from simple steatosis in Korean patients. In large number of NAFLD patients who underwent a voluntary medical checkup, even a small weight reduction was associated with improvements in their hepatic steatosis grade on ultrasonography, serum aminotransferase levels, and related metabolic abnormalities. Subjects with fatty liver disease should be advised to lose weight through lifestyle modifications. Small animal and human studies of treatment with PPAR agonists and betaine have been reported in the Korean literature. It is now acknowledged that NAFLD is the most common liver disease in Korea, largely due to the considerable increase in metabolic abnormalities such as obesity and diabetes. Future studies should continue to focus both on the pathogenesis and the treatment of NAFLD in order to accumulate more of our own data.
*Fatty Liver/complications/physiopathology/therapy ; Humans ; Korea ; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a clinical condition that shares many common characteristics with diabetes. However, unlike diabetes, the usefulness of MS as a prognostic entity in peripheral arterial disease is uncertain. This study evaluated the prognostic usefulness of MS in critical lower limb ischemia (CLI) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We compared the 2-year clinical outcomes in 101 consecutive CLI patients (66+/-14 years; 78% men) with 118 affected limbs treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) according to the presence of MS and diabetes. RESULTS: The number of MS patients was 53 (52%), of which 45 (85%) had diabetes. During a 2-year follow-up, the incidence of clinical outcomes, including reintervention, major amputation, minor amputation, and survival, was not significantly different between MS and non-MS patients; however, the incidence of minor amputation was significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (42% vs. 17%; p=0.011). Cox regression analysis for the 2-year primary patency demonstrated no association between MS and 2-year primary patency [hazard ratio (HR), 1.02; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.45-2.30; p=0.961], whereas there was a significant association between diabetes and 2-year primary patency (HR, 2.81; 95% CI, 1.02-7.72; p=0.046). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no significant difference in the 2-year primary patency between MS and non-MS patients; however, the 2-year primary patency was lower in diabetic than in non-diabetic patients (p=0.038). CONCLUSION: As a prognostic concept, MS might conceal the adverse impact of diabetes on the prognosis of CLI patients treated with PTA.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty/*methods ; Diabetes Mellitus/*therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Ischemia/*therapy ; Lower Extremity/*blood supply ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*therapy ; Middle Aged ; Republic of Korea ; Retrospective Studies

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease worldwide, and is commonly associated with obesity. The spectrum of NAFLD ranges from simple steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. Fructose ingestion, visceral obesity, and metabolic syndrome are risk factors for liver fibrosis. NAFLD is characterized by two steps of liver injury: intrahepatic lipid accumulation in the setting of insulin resistance, and inflammatory progression to NASH by oxidative stress and inflammatory mediators. Noninvasive methods (e.g., abdominal ultrasonography) are safe ways to support a diagnosis of hepatic steatosis, but liver biopsy remains the gold standard for accurate diagnosis and staging of NASH. Pediatric NASH often displays a histologic pattern distinct from that found in adults. Lifestyle modification through diet and exercise should be attempted in patients diagnosed with NAFLD.
Diet ; Fatty Liver/*diagnosis/therapy/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators/metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipase/genetics ; Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of testosterone replacement treatment (TRT) in testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) patients with metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of 200 men who were diagnosed with TDS and were undergoing TRT between August 2006 and August 2009. The 200 patients were divided into two groups (group 1: 71 patients with metabolic syndrome, group 2: 129 patients without metabolic syndrome) depending on metabolic syndrome, which was diagnosed according to the NCEP III criteria for Asians. Age, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, serologic tests, AMS (the Aging Males' Symptoms scale), and IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) were measured. RESULTS: In group 1, waist circumference and fasting glucose were significantly decreased; hemoglobin and total testosterone were increased; and the somatovegetative scale score of the AMS, the total AMS score, the erectile function score of the IIEF, the overall satisfaction score of the IIEF, and the total IIEF score were significantly improved after TRT. On the other hand, in group 2, waist circumference, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL, and fasting glucose were significantly decreased; hemoglobin and total testosterone were increased; and the 2 subscale scores of the AMS (psychologic and somatovegetative), the total AMS score, all subscale scores of the IIEF, and the total IIEF score were significantly improved after TRT. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the patients who had TDS with metabolic syndrome showed less improvement in AMS, IIEF, and serum variables. Therefore, the correction of metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, should be considered during TRT.
Aging ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hand ; Hemoglobins ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Obesity ; Serologic Tests ; Sorbitol ; Testosterone ; Tyramine ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of testosterone replacement treatment (TRT) in testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS) patients with metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of 200 men who were diagnosed with TDS and were undergoing TRT between August 2006 and August 2009. The 200 patients were divided into two groups (group 1: 71 patients with metabolic syndrome, group 2: 129 patients without metabolic syndrome) depending on metabolic syndrome, which was diagnosed according to the NCEP III criteria for Asians. Age, BMI (body mass index), waist circumference, serologic tests, AMS (the Aging Males' Symptoms scale), and IIEF (International Index of Erectile Function) were measured. RESULTS: In group 1, waist circumference and fasting glucose were significantly decreased; hemoglobin and total testosterone were increased; and the somatovegetative scale score of the AMS, the total AMS score, the erectile function score of the IIEF, the overall satisfaction score of the IIEF, and the total IIEF score were significantly improved after TRT. On the other hand, in group 2, waist circumference, BMI, total cholesterol, LDL, and fasting glucose were significantly decreased; hemoglobin and total testosterone were increased; and the 2 subscale scores of the AMS (psychologic and somatovegetative), the total AMS score, all subscale scores of the IIEF, and the total IIEF score were significantly improved after TRT. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the patients who had TDS with metabolic syndrome showed less improvement in AMS, IIEF, and serum variables. Therefore, the correction of metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes, obesity, and hypertension, should be considered during TRT.
Aging ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Hand ; Hemoglobins ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X ; Obesity ; Serologic Tests ; Sorbitol ; Testosterone ; Tyramine ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of a physical activity-behavior modification combined intervention(PABM-intervention) on metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese elementary school children. METHODS: Thirty-two participants (BMI> or =85 percentile or relative obesity> or =10) were allocated to the PABM-intervention group and behavior modification only intervention group. The PABM-intervention was composed of exercise intervention consisting of 50 minutes of physical activity(Hip-hop dance & gymbased exercises) twice a week and the behavior modification intervention consisted of 50 minutes of instruction for modifying lifestyle habits(diet & exercise) once a week. Effectiveness of intervention was based on waist circumference, BP, HDL-cholesterol, TG, and fasting glucose before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The proportion of subjects with 1, 2, 3 or more metabolic risk factors were 28.1, 43.8, and 15.6%, respectively. After the 8-week intervention, waist circumference, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and HDL-cholesterol changed significantly(p<.01) in the PABM group. CONCLUSION: This provides evidence that a PABM-intervention is effective in changing metabolic risk factors such as waist circumference, systolic BP, diastolic BP, and HDL-cholesterol in overweight and obese elementary school children.
*Behavior Therapy ; Blood Pressure ; Body Composition ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; *Exercise Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids/blood ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*etiology ; Obesity/complications/*therapy ; Overweight/*therapy ; Physical Fitness ; Program Evaluation ; Risk Factors

Metabolic syndrome is an important long term complication in chronic asymptomatic HIV-infected subjects under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), because it can contribute to morbidity and mortality via cardiovascular disease (CVD). Therefore, a predictive marker for early detection of metabolic syndrome may be necessary to prevent CVD in HIV-infected subjects. Retinol-binding protein-4 (RBP-4) has been shown to be associated with metabolic syndrome in various non-HIV-infected populations. We performed a cross-sectional study to evaluate whether serum RBP-4 levels are correlated with metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected subjects receiving HAART. In total, 98 HIV-infected Koreans who had been receiving HAART for at least 6 months were prospectively enrolled. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria, and serum RBP-4 concentrations were measured using human RBP-4 sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum RBP-4 levels were significantly higher in HIV-infected subjects receiving HAART with metabolic syndrome (n=33, 33.9+/-7.7 microg/mL) than in those without it (n=65, 29.9+/-7.2 microg/mL) (p=0.012). In multivariate linear regression analysis, the number of components of metabolic syndrome presented and waist circumference were independently, significantly correlated with RBP-4 (p=0.018 and 0.030, respectively). In conclusion, we revealed a strong correlation between RBP-4 and the number of components of metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected subjects receiving HAART.
Adult ; *Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; HIV Infections/*blood/*drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*blood/*drug therapy ; Middle Aged ; Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma/*metabolism

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that includes obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. Accumulating evidence implies that MetS contributes to the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, the factors connecting this association have not been determined. Insulin resistance (IR) is at the core of MetS and likely represent the key link between MetS and AD. In the central nervous system, insulin plays key roles in learning and memory, and AD patients exhibit impaired insulin signaling that is similar to that observed in MetS. As we face an alarming increase in obesity and T2D in all age groups, understanding the relationship between MetS and AD is vital for the identification of potential therapeutic targets. Recently, several diabetes therapies that enhance insulin signaling are being tested for a potential therapeutic benefit in AD and dementia. In this review, we will discuss MetS as a risk factor for AD, focusing on IR and the recent progress and future directions of insulin-based therapies.
Alzheimer Disease/etiology/metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism ; Animals ; Brain/metabolism ; Cognition Disorders/*etiology/*metabolism ; Humans ; Insulin/metabolism ; *Insulin Resistance ; Metabolic Syndrome X/complications/drug therapy/*metabolism ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; tau Proteins/metabolism

This randomized controlled trial study aimed to investigate the effects of a lifestyle intervention on metabolic syndrome (MetS) among middle-aged Koreans. A total of 243 middle-aged Koreans with MetS were randomly assigned to either of 2 types of lifestyle intervention for MetS and followed for 12 months. Health examinations and interventions were implemented at 16 regional branch facilities of a Korean medical institution from 2010, following the NCEP-ATP III criteria and recommendations. Lifestyle intervention (LI) group (n = 137) participated in a 12-week multi-component intervention including individual counseling, group sessions, and self-help materials. Basic usual intervention (BI) group (n = 106) was provided with one-page health information sheet on MetS and MetS management at baseline. Prevalence of MetS and each of MetS components, except for low HDL-cholesterol, in both groups were significantly reduced and maintained after the intervention. Notably, prevalence of hypertension and abdominal obesity continued to improve during the follow-up period. Between-group differences in results were not found. Both interventions were effective when they were accompanied with repeated check-ups and notification of MetS status. It is recommended to design clear guidelines for the notification of MetS after MetS screening and to encourage checking MetS status periodically for effective MetS management (KCT 0000446).
Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Directive Counseling/*methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mass Screening/*methods ; Metabolic Syndrome X/*diagnosis/epidemiology/*therapy ; Middle Aged ; Patient Education as Topic/methods ; *Risk Reduction Behavior ; *Self-Help Groups ; Treatment Outcome